Stereophile is planning its next couple of HI-FI Shows. Any suggestions for locations?
Where would you like to see the next <I>Stereophile</I> HI-FI Show?
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MP3.com Counter-Sues RIAA
The best defense is sometimes a good offense. <A HREF="http://www.mp3.com/">MP3.com</A> has taken that old advice to heart by counter-suing the <A HREF="http://www.riaa.com/">Recording Industries Association of America</A> for what it calls "unfair business practices." On Monday, February 7, MP3.com filed a complaint against the music-industry organization in San Diego Superior Court, alleging that the RIAA and its president, Hilary Rosen, have conspired to undermine the Internet music company's stock price by promulgating information to stock analysts just prior to suing for copyright infringement.
Pacific Microsonics Announces New HDCD Chip
High-definition audio is on its way to a DVD player near you. <A HREF="http://www.hdcd.com/">Pacific Microsonics</A> has introduced a new High Definition Compatible Disc chip, the PMD-200, for the next generation of CD and DVD players. The device is a "feature-rich audio IC that provides HDCD processing for both the CD and DVD formats," according to a February 11 company press release.
Troubling Times for Some Internet Startups
It's been a rough season for some in the e-commerce crowd, as several consumer-electronics Internet startups find themselves amid changes. Last week, <A HREF="http://www.CyberShop.com">CyberShop.com</A> announced that it will close the e-tailing sites CyberShop.com and electronics.net (created as a joint venture with Tops Appliance City, which is now under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection) and sell these operations' remaining retail assets. At the same time, the company says it will launch an "Internet incubator" through the establishment of <A HREF="http://www.grovestreetventures.com">Grove Street Ventures</A> to attract and develop startup Internet companies.
Added to the Archives This Week
Kal Rubinson gets right to the point: "I am biased: On very little evidence, I remain convinced that, in the near future, high-quality music reproduction will be multichannel." The <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//digitalsourcereviews/201/">Meridian Digital Theatre surround-sound music system</A> is therefore a product that puts Kal's vision to the test. Kal details the system, which consists of two DSP6000 front L/R speakers, one DSP6000C center-channel speaker, two DSP5000 speakers used for surround, the Reference 800 DVD/CD player, and the Reference 861 System Controller. But does the Meridian system live up to his expectations regarding the potential of surround-sound for music?
To Be or Not To Be: That is the Audio Question
It would seem almost reasonable to imagine that your next stereo receiver or preamp could have an "intel inside" sticker on the front. Last week, software company <A HREF="http://www.be.com">Be</A> made several announcements that it hopes will not only bring such a future to consumers, but also place itself at the center of the Internet-connected home-entertainment equipment market.
Meridian Digital Theatre surround-sound music system
I am biased: On very little evidence, I remain convinced that, in the near future, high-quality music reproduction will be multichannel. While most multichannel demos are still egregiously and aggressively ping-pong, I have attended a few successful demonstrations of discrete multichannel reproduction that have impressed me so deeply that I hunger to have all the music I love transported to me (and me to it) in this way.
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What is your favorite demo disc?
When your pals come over to hear your audio system, what do you pull out to impress them?
Music Retailers Sue Sony; Virgin Demands Bigger Margin
The inclusion of "hyperlinks" in music CDs that direct music lovers to Sony-affiliated online sales sites has angered the <A HREF="http://www.narm.com/">National Association of Recording Merchandisers</A>, a trade organization representing more than 1000 music retailers. NARM has filed suit against <A HREF="http://www.sonymusic.com/">Sony Music Entertainment</A> and Sony Coporation of America, seeking an injunction against the use of hyperlinks and charging that the practice of including the links in CDs is a violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act. Asking retailers to sell discs with such embedded links is the "equivalent of asking Tower Records to put posters for rival Musicland in their stores," said NARM president Pamela Horovitz.
Copy-Protected CDs a Nightmare for BMG Germany
Blaming a falloff in CD sales on the popularity of CD burners, <A HREF="http://www.bmg.de/">BMG Germany</A> recently issued approximately 100,000 copy-protected discs in an attempt to thwart the problem—and had to take a substantial portion of them back because consumers said the discs wouldn't perform in car players and in some home audio systems.