As We See It

Audio Retailing: Change is Certain

Larry Archibald May 28, 2010 First Published: Sep 28, 1992

People of my generation have learned that change is certain. You can't know what the change will be, but you can bank on the fact that there will be serious change over the next ten years. Look at the historically most important change in ten years: microcomputers.

As We See It Audiophile Essentials

The Holy Trinity

Jon Iverson May 15, 2010 First Published: May 15, 2010

In an e-mail exchange with Stephen Mejias about why the mere mention of cassette decks on www.stereophile.com can so easily inflame our readers (and John Atkinson), I began to develop the idea that the brains of audiophiles and music lovers are governed by three complementary needs, or desires, that define who we are. I joked to SM that these desires, which apparently shift over time, constitute the Holy Trinity of Audiophiledom. They are, respectively, the love, desire, and need for:

As We See It J. Gordon Holt

High-End Standards

J. Gordon Holt May 08, 2010 First Published: Mar 08, 1984

The American computer industry was a little shaken up to learn recently that the Japanese micro manufacturers had gotten together and standardized their component interconnections so that any Japanese computer will (supposedly) plug into any Japanese printer, modem, or competing computer, and work right off the bat. Anybody who has tried to fire up an Apple computer with a Diablo (Xerox) printer will appreciate what the Japanese move means in terms of compatibility. It means "For no-hassle interconnections, buy Japanese."

As We See It J. Gordon Holt

Matters of Opinion

J. Gordon Holt May 07, 2010 First Published: Sep 07, 1982

Now that audio technology seems to be on the verge of being able to do anything asked of it, it seems only fitting to wonder about what we should be asking it to do. We probably all agree that high fidelity should yield a felicitous reproduction of music, but felicitous to what? Should a system give an accurate replica of what is on the disc, or of the original musical sounds?

As We See It J. Gordon Holt

Getting into the Music

J. Gordon Holt May 07, 2010 First Published: Nov 07, 1984

I had an experience at last summer's CES in Chicago that bordered on the religious. I heard the legendary $42,000 Wilson WAMM system.

As We See It J. Gordon Holt Audiophile Essentials

Chasing Rainbows

J. Gordon Holt May 07, 2010 First Published: Apr 07, 1982

There was a time, very recently in terms of human history, when high fidelity promised to free the music lover from the constraints of the concert hall and the local repertoire, allowing him to choose at his whim any orchestra in the world playing any work he desired under the baton of any conductor he preferred. "All the pleasure of concert-hall listening, in the comfort of your home," was the way one display advertisement painted this musical utopia which, only 20 years ago, seemed right around the corner.

As We See It J. Gordon Holt

Where We Are and How We Got Here

J. Gordon Holt May 03, 2010 First Published: May 03, 1982

As another Consumer Electronics Show rolls around, we are seeing some interesting and not-entirely encouraging things taking place in the audio field. The people for whom high fidelity was originally intended—so-called serious music listeners —have abandoned audio almost completely, leaving the pursuit of perfect music reproduction to a group of hobbyists who have more interest in hardware than in music. This, plus the recession, has almost killed middle-fi, which is now flailing out in all directions looking for a new market. Here's how it all came to pass:

As We See It J. Gordon Holt

The Preservation of Inspiration

J. Gordon Holt May 02, 2010 First Published: Jan 02, 1983

A world-renowned musician had scheduled an appearance as guest soloist with the string quartet in residence at a certain university. When he arrived he noticed a pair of microphones arrayed over the small stage and, following the wires, located a college student backstage next to a tape recorder and a pair of headphones.

As We See It J. Gordon Holt

The Revolution That Never Was

J. Gordon Holt Apr 26, 2010 First Published: Jun 26, 1982

Not too many years ago, high-fidelity movement was being hailed from all quarters (and many halves) as a revolution. In the sense that it took the country storm, and made billions of dollars for many entrepreneurs during heyday, it was indeed a revolution. But now the public has grown tired of high fidelity and is turning other electronic diversions—video, video games, and computering. And what, as of this summer of 1982, do we have to show for the high-fidelity revolution?

As We See It

Mutton in Wolf's Clothing

John Atkinson Apr 12, 2010 First Published: Apr 12, 2010

I was visiting a high-end audio manufacturer several years back, and as the chief engineer and I talked about speaker design, the company's president popped her head around the door and told him that she was sending MacroVision their annual five-figure check.