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Although, as noted last week, some companies falter, there are always new ones trying to establish themselves and grow. What are the brightest stars among new audio companies?

<a href=" http://www.inlivingstereo.com/index.htm">In Living Stereo</a> is located at 13 East 4th Street, one door down from Other Music and just across from where Tower Records once stood tall. It's a great place for a hi-fi shop. To get there, you might take the 6 train to Astor Place, where you will climb right into a blur of so much height and movement and memory.

The gatefold to <i>Black-Man's Burdon</i>. Possibly the greatest scene ever to decorate a LP jacket.

The Shindo Player System Turntable costs $25,000, but seems worth every penny. "Look at it. It's pure elegance," says Steve Mishoe.

The Verity Leonore loudspeaker ($15,995/pair) boasts a claimed efficiency of 93dB, meaning it'll require very few watts to really sing. Along with a compact footprint and graceful cabinet, the Leonore offered a detailed and involving sound, and wasn't afraid to rock.

In Living Stereo's owner, Steve Mishoe, knows how to enjoy a good hi-fi.

The trio of Paul Motian, Joe Lovano and Bill Frisell finishes a two-week gig at the Village Vanguard this Sunday, and if you’re in the New York area, you should drop in (though call ahead for tickets, as nearly every set, including the one I saw last night, has been packed). Here are three of the most creative jazz musicians around, each playing at the top of his game, a combination that doesn’t always make for the most coherent combos (think of the many “all-star bands” of yore that amounted to little more than blowing contests), but this trio is that rare thing, a truly equilateral triangle: no player consistently dominate, all parts are equal.