LATEST ADDITIONS

"An amusement park for the mind." That was how, some years ago, one engineer described the Audio Engineering Society's biannual conventions, which alternate between European and American venues. The 111th convention, subtitled "Advancing the Art of Sound," was held at the cavernous Jacob Javits Center on Manhattan's west side in early December. (It had originally been scheduled to take place last September, but was postponed for the obvious reason.)

I hereby award, by the powers invested in me, the first Tweaker from Hell award to (drum roll, please)...me.

<B>SHELBY LYNNE: <I>Love, Shelby</I></B><BR> Island ISLF 15426-2 (CD). 2001. Glen Ballard, prod.; Scott Campbell, eng.; Bob Clearmountain, mix. ADD? TT: 42:19<BR> Performance <B>****?</B><BR> Sonics <B>****</B>

Several readers have written in wondering how many audiophiles actively seek used equipment and where they look when they want to buy.

All available statistics demonstrate that the Internet is still a growing phenomenon, one destined to play an increasingly important role in the distribution of information and entertainment. Recently published studies by Jupiter Media Metrix, Inc., a division of <A HREF="http://www.jupiterresearch.com">Jupiter Research</A>, show that Internet usage has achieved greater than 50% penetration among US households, giving it what researchers call "mass-market status." Jupiter describes "online consumers" as people who have computers and Internet service provision in their homes, as opposed to having Internet access through a computer at work. "Online users," for the sake of the studies, were defined as people who use the Internet at least once per month.

Recent moves by record labels to add restricted-use technology to their compact disc releases has raised the ire of many a consumer, leading some to call for boycotts or worse (see this week's <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/soapbox.shtml">Soapbox</A&gt;). Late last year the National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/news/11221/">issued a statement</A> saying that the major labels have gone too far in restricting consumers' "fair use" of copyrighted material.

After more than ten years in development, <A HREF="http://www.siriusradio.com">Sirius Satellite Radio</A> announced last week that it will be officially launching its service with two events in Jackson, Mississippi beginning February 13. Sirius' competitor XM Satellite radio was able to get its service up and running <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/news/11148/">last September</A>.