LATEST ADDITIONS

"Most important." That was the phrase I used when I e-mailed the members of Stereophile's extended family of reviewers and writers to ask for suggestions when I began to compile this list. I didn't want to be more specific because I wanted to cast the net as wide as possible. But there are many factors that make an audio component "important": design innovation, sound quality, sales figures, influence on other designers, influence on the evolving market, influence on system synergy.

<IMG SRC="/images/archivesart/40thlogo.jpg" WIDTH=150 HEIGHT=150 HSPACE=6 VSPACE=4 BORDER=0 ALIGN=LEFT><B><I>Stereophile</I>: The Time Line</B>

In addition to our audio equipment, our ears are very important parts of the audiophile equation. How would you rate your hearing?

Growing pains aren't always unpleasant. In the case of Denver-based <A HREF="http://www.ultimateelectronics.com">Ultimate Electronics</A>, they might be completely enjoyable.

John Atkinson and Arnis Balgalvis audition the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//loudspeakerreviews/703/">Avalon Eclipse loudspeaker</A>, whose quasi-anechoic TDS response prompted JA to exclaim, "Boy, that's flat!" But is flat where it's at? AB thought so: "The sound I heard was truly outstanding."

The <A HREF="http://www.riaa.com">Recording Industry Association of America</A> (RIAA) has gone on record opposing the <A HREF="http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A11926">Artistic Freedom Act</A>, introduced for consideration by the New York State Assembly on October 28 by Speaker Sheldon Silver. The bill would free artists from long-term contracts&mdash;now sometimes as long as 25 years&mdash;and would give them "free agency" status.

Aristotle, what a guy.