Sirius Gets Serious
<A HREF="http://www.siriusradio.com">Sirius Satellite Radio</A> has achieved three milestones in its campaign to reach profitability.
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Now that 2003 is almost a memory, it's time for <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/features/1203poty">The 2003 Products of the Year</A>. Once again <I>Stereophile</I>'s writers cast their votes on the year's audio worthies.
Sony & BMG Tie the Knot
And then there were four: Sony's music division and German media company Bertelsmann, parent of the BMG record label, have decided that they've got a better chance under one roof. Last week, the two companies revealed that they will merge their music divisions into a new company called Sony BMG.
Stanalog Acquires Well-Tempered Labs
Few audio products have proved as enduringly fascinating to audiophiles as William Firebaugh's Well-Tempered Turntable design. At once elegantly simple and technically sophisticated, it was an immediate hit with music lovers and critics alike—and was long a staple of <I>Stereophile</I>'s "Recommended Components" list. For the greater part of the product's 20-year lifespan, the Well-Tempered 'table has been distributed and manufactured under the direction of Transparent Audio, Inc. However, Carl Smith, the Transparent partner who supervised the manufacture of the Well-Tempered line, decided to retire this year, and Transparent determined that it should concentrate on its cable business.
The 2003 Products of the Year
Since 1992, Stereophile has recognized components that have proved capable of giving musical pleasure beyond the formal review period by naming its "Products of the Year." These are the components that can be recommended without any ifs or buts, that will grace any system in which they used.
Burmester 001 CD player
At what point does a high price become exorbitant? When do you start doing double takes, to make sure you haven't mentally moved a decimal point? When do you look at something and think, "No matter how good it may be, it's just not worth that much money"?
The Angels' Share
It's only a CD-R with a self-adhesive label and computer-generated inserts, but it's what the major record labels are <I>really</I> scared of.
Recording of December 2003: The Randy Newman Songbook Vol.1
<B>RANDY NEWMAN: <I>The Randy Newman Songbook Vol.1</I></B><BR>
Nonesuch 79689-2 (CD). 2003. Mitchell Froom, prod.; David C. Boucher, eng.; Steven Rhodes, asst. eng. AAD.? TT: 47:22<BR>Performance <B>*****</B><BR>
Sonics <B>****½</B>
Peter J. Walker 1916–2003
I am saddened to report that Peter James Walker, the founder of quintessential English audio company Quad, passed away on December 10, after a long illness. He was 87. Peter Walker had been married twice; both his wives had died before him. He is survived by a daughter, Victoria, and a son, Ross, the latter having played a major role in managing Quad through the 1970s and '80s.
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Which do you prefer, recordings that bring the musicians into your room, or recordings that transport you to the studio or concert hall?
Some folks prefer a dry recording technique that emphasizes clarity and a sense of the musicians in their listening rooms. Others like the idea of being transported to the concert hall so that their own listening room walls drop away. Which is your preferred recording technique?