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Large companies may be chopping jobs by the thousands, but there are signs elsewhere that the economy is still booming. Recent figures from electronics retailers <A HREF="http://www.bestbuy.com/">Best Buy</A> and the <A HREF="http://www.tweeter.com/">Tweeter Home Entertainment Group</A> and from <A HREF="http://www.sel.sony.com/SEL">Sony Electronics</A> indicate only a partial slowdown in spending for quality audio/video gear.

You know the trouble with show reports? You read them after the show. So let me give you a brief report on Home Entertainment 2001 before the Show.

A recent email soliciting acquisition partners has given rise to a rumor that George Tice is leaving audio. "Far from it," said the AC power-conditioning pioneer from his Jupiter, FL office. "I want to accomplish three things: move this company to the next level; devote more of my energy to research and engineering; and spend more time with my family." These goals are going to require a well-organized team effort, he insists.

Reader Arnel Enero asks readers to share the specific personal experience that brought them into the hobby of high-end audio.

You can't stop progress&mdash;especially at <A HREF="http://www.ti.com/">Texas Instruments</A>. The Dallas, TX&ndash;based technology giant has introduced a new two-channel digital audio amplifier chip with the world's best specifications.

The <A HREF="http://www.eetimes.com/"><I>EE Times</I></A> is reporting that the DVD Forum is getting close to finalizing a specification that would allow audio signals to be available via digital outputs on DVD-Audio players. Audiophile frustration with the new DVD-A format has mounted in the months since its introduction, with lack of access to a high-resolution digital signal from players, which currently have analog-only outputs, and the possibility of watermarked discs.

More than a year after BMG Germany had to <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/news/10671/">recall</A&gt; a massive shipment of "copy-proof" CDs, an American record label is preparing to attempt a similar experiment. In April, Nashville independent label Music City Records will issue <I>Charley Pride: A Tribute to Jim Reeves</I>, copy protection included.