Stephen Mejias

The October 2009 issue of Stereophile is now on newsstands. I hope you will enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together. It was a lot of work, but it was also incredibly satisfying. The front cover is, in my opinion, our best and boldest of the year, which is appropriate because this issue not only includes our popular "Recommended Components" list but also pays tribute to Stereophile's founder, J. Gordon Holt, who passed away in">http://stereophile.com/news/j_gordon_holt/">in July. It is indeed a special issue.

Thirsty for some new music? I have a hard time understanding people when they say they have nothing new to listen to. It seems like everyone's making complete albums available for easy streaming these days. Here are a few I've just sort of stumbled upon over the last couple of days:

It was a bit of good fortune. It was a rainy Saturday afternoon in late August. It was the perfect thing at the perfect time, like Hemingway in autumn or Whitman in winter or a lot of stuff I can't think of right now&#151nothing refreshing, but something comforting: chocolate after wine, the smell of someone familiar when you're feeling all alone, I don't know. Monica had just called to tell me that she was back from her trip; she wanted to meet for a drink. I know very well that Monica is not the right person for me, but sometimes the right person is not what you need, is not the right thing at the right time.

The gatefold to Black-Man's Burdon. Possibly the greatest scene ever to decorate a LP jacket.

A gorgeous family of Shindo gear makes its home on a Box Furniture Co. rack ($3700), handmade in Brooklyn, New York.

The Verity Leonore loudspeaker ($15,995/pair) boasts a claimed efficiency of 93dB, meaning it'll require very few watts to really sing. Along with a compact footprint and graceful cabinet, the Leonore offered a detailed and involving sound, and wasn't afraid to rock.

In Living Stereo's Steve Mishoe keeps a large, rambling stack of vinyl nearby at all times.