LATEST ADDITIONS

In an ideal world, I'd have every phono section I've reviewed in the past 16 years on hand to compare with these three and with all that arrive in the future. But because I have a life, I don't, and I wouldn't even if I could, though some readers (and one retailer) have insisted that that's the only way that I could possibly be of any use to them. Ha! And for those who are concerned that I've neglected the Manley Steelhead, not so! It's still my reference.

Let's just say I had a little bit too much fun at last night's CD release party. Let's just say beer, tequila, and rum. Let's just say hot girls in summer dresses making out on the cushioned booth. Yeah, let's just say that. At one point, I turned away from the stage to see that the front room had been transformed into <a href=" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQJexFOxolI">The Tequila Scene</a> from Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. It was like a dream, I tell you, and it may have been the most wonderful thing I've ever witnessed in my life.

We have just received the sad news that loudspeaker designer Jim Thiel has passed away. Following is the text of the official announcement:

<i>The Zeppelin Mini: It looks great anywhere&#151even in the kitchen&#151but you'll want to avoid potential early-morning accidents or you might end up buttering your iPhone.</i>

<i>Me, in the middle of another intense stare-down with my computer screen. (The screen always wins.)</i>

The October 2009 issue of <i>Stereophile</i> is now on newsstands. I hope you will enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together. It was a lot of work, but it was also incredibly satisfying. The front cover is, in my opinion, our best and boldest of the year, which is appropriate because this issue not only includes our popular "Recommended Components" list but also pays tribute to <i>Stereophile</i>'s founder, J. Gordon Holt, who passed away <a href="http://stereophile.com/news/j_gordon_holt/">in July</a>. It is indeed a special issue.

Thirsty for some new music? I have a hard time understanding people when they say they have nothing new to listen to. It seems like everyone's making complete albums available for easy streaming these days. Here are a few I've just sort of stumbled upon over the last couple of days: