LATEST ADDITIONS

Actually, people knew it was there, they just didn't realize what it was. Be sure to check out the photo gallery.

Turns out that the 100 Acre Wood was a place "of disenchantment, where neurodevelopmental and psychosocial problems go unrecognized and untreated."

Scientists studying the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) think they've discovered the neurons responsible for making choices. Soon, they may tackle the <I>really</I> important issues, such as whether some audiophiles are genetically disposed towards choosing solid-state over tubes.

A shockwave interactive analysis of Bach's dissertation on harmony&mdash;with an emphasis on the fugues.

Many audiophiles worry about their hearing and will protect it at all costs: one <I>Stereophile</I> writer has even written about wearing earplugs while driving. What do you do to protect your hearing?

In this hobby, nothing's for nothing. To get that gorgeous midrange, with its harmonic depth and inner detail, tube-amp enthusiasts are willing to give up some things in the bass. Tube folks put up with heat and occasional maintenance&mdash;routine or otherwise. To get the ideal middle, fans of single-ended triodes are even willing to shave off considerable dynamic range and settle for ultra-efficient speakers that often have limited response at the frequency extremes. Those who say nothing is lost by preferring tubes are in denial.

The original plan, back in mid-2004, was to audition an entire Ensemble system and then review the individual components over the next two years. Most audio companies produce lines of matching products, but Ensemble takes it a bit further, with a modular approach and extensive commonality of everything from chassis to circuit boards. They firmly believe that <I>everything</I> affects sonic performance, and their approach helps ensure a consistent sound throughout their line.