LATEST ADDITIONS

In 2016, the vinyl information and e-commerce site Discogs.com broke its own most-expensive LP-sale record twice. In March 2016, David Bowie's David Bowie went for $6826. That post-Bowie, death-related purchase was then topped when the next rock star fell. A month later, in April, a copy of Prince's Black Album, the grail of his catalog, went for $15,000. In recent days, however, the record was broken again when a test pressing of cult guitar hero Billy Yeager's 301 Jackson Street, one of just eight ever made, went for $18,000.

The 2017 Montreal Audio Fest starts tomorrow at its traditional venue, the Hotel Bonaventure Montréal (900 de la Gauchetière Ouest). In its current incarnation, this is the second year for the show after being "rescued" in 2016 by Michel Plante and Sarah Tremblay. Both had been long associated with the Canadian show before it was sold to the Chester Group in 2013.

Saturday March 25, 12–5pm, Value Electronics (35 Popham Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583) is presenting an advance preview of Technics' new "Grand Class" component series arriving this summer. Bill Voss, US Business Development Manager for Technics, will be demonstrating and discussing the new SU-G700 Digital Integrated Amplifier, the new SB-G90 floorstanding loudspeaker and the new, more affordable SL-1200GR turntable.

On March 16, audio manufacturer Luxman Corporation, now in their 92nd year, announced the establishment of a new US subsidiary, Luxman America: the first time in 30 years that the Japanese tube-amp specialist has had a corporate-owned presence here.

Thursday evening, March 23, at 6pm and 7:30pm, The Sound Environment (11021 Elm Street, Omaha, NE 68144) is presenting Wilson Audio's Peter McGrath and the Alexx loudspeakers. Peter McGrath will be playing some of his four-channel master recordings with Wilson Alexias used for the rear channels.

And finally there were the Scottish bands . . .

Beautiful sound was the order of the day at Tone of Music Audio (1303 Castro Street, Suite D, San Francisco, CA 94114), as the small retailer, headquartered in the heart of San Francisco's Noe Valley, held the first of two spring open houses. Judging from what the 30 or so visitors heard at the first open house, on March 18, those who show up for the second listening session on Saturday, April 1, between noon and 5 pm (RSVP to info@toneofmusic.com), are in for a treat.