Back when everyone was rushing to convert LPs to CDs, the boxed set was a wondrous thing. The rush to "box" every artist propelled the record biz to some of their best Christmas seasons ever. It even inspired some labels to get off their then wealthy asses and dig around the vaults to find that most marvelous of record label offerings, the "bonus track."
Where does one start with the Moscode 401HR? With its design, which marries a tube driver stage to a MOSFET power output? Or perhaps with its designer, George Kaye, who refined Julius Futterman's OTL amplifier circuits before creating New York Audio Labs' original hybrid amplifier, the Moscode 300, in 1984?
There is a sweet spot in any manufacturer's lineup where minimum price and maximum performance meet. More expensive products in the line may offer higher fidelity, but the cost may not be commensurate with the improvement. For instance, VPI's HRX and Super Scoutmaster turntables cost more than their standard Scoutmaster model, and they perform better—but for my money, the sweet spot of VPI's line is the standard Scoutmaster, with or without such options as the outer clamp and Signature tonearm.
Each time I attend <I>Stereophile</I>'s annual Home Entertainment Show, I look forward to two things. The first is the opportunity to <A HREF="http://blog.stereophile.com/he2006/060406reina/">perform</A> classic and original jazz music with <A HREF="http://blog.stereophile.com/he2006/060406rayjazzed/">John Atkinson</A> and <A HREF="http://blog.stereophile.com/he2006/060406perkins/">Immedia's Allen Perkins</A>. The second is to seek out the most exciting new, affordable speakers to review over the following year. Both buttons were pressed for me quite admirably during HE2005 at the New York Hilton, but this time it was not an affordable speaker that most impressed me.
Jeff's last link of the day—he can take the afternoon off.
Jeff Wong's unintentional guest-blogging continues with this <I>lurvely</I> little paean to the cassette.
Heck, I find something that works, I stick with it.
Mozart performing in Vienna, Bob Dylan at Newport, the Beatles at the Cavern Club, Duke Ellington at the Cotton Club . . . . If you could travel in time to attend any musical performance in history, what would it be?
Again from Jeff Wong—he's such a nice boy, I may take the day off and let him guest blog. This video clip shows the girl giant waking up, taking a shower from the sultan's elephant, and wandering off in St. James Park to play. It's from a site specific art work by Royal de Luxe (story <A HREF="http://www.thesultanselephant.com/">here</A>) and I think it's magical. The girl giant's face is wonderfully expressive.