Music buyer beware: <A HREF="http://www.sunncomm.com">SunnComm</A&gt; announced last week the dubious milestone that it had shipped over one million restricted MediaMax audio CDs in March and expects to beat those numbers in April. The MediaMax M4 suite of "Digital Content Enhancement" technologies is built using the Microsoft Windows Media 9 Series platform.

Radio has been getting a new lease on life, with Sirius and XM satellite services, DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting), and Internet "stations" popping up in the tens of thousands. With the Clear Channelfication of North America's FM and AM airwaves, many would argue that the timing couldn't be better for launching new broadcast technologies.

<B>THE SUBDUDES: <I>Miracle Mule</I></B><BR>
Back Porch 70876-18410-2-2 (CD). 2004. Subdudes, Freddy Koella, prods.; Warren Dewey, eng. AAD? TT: 52:13<BR>
Performance <B>*****</B><BR>
Sonics <B>***&#189;</B>

Hilary Hahn must be a chameleon. At least, that's how it seemed at the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/news/010704ces">2004 Consumer Electronics Show</A>.

Usually, I review a component after it has impressed me at a show or in a store. Though this approach reduces the possibility of a bad review&mdash;I pre-select based on real experience&mdash;it does not minimize the possibility of disappointment. This makes me a sort of stand-in for the consumer who would like to take something home for a real shakeout, and only then decide to buy it or send it back.

Usually, I review a component after it has impressed me at a show or in a store. Though this approach reduces the possibility of a bad review&mdash;I pre-select based on real experience&mdash;it does not minimize the possibility of disappointment. This makes me a sort of stand-in for the consumer who would like to take something home for a real shakeout, and only then decide to buy it or send it back.

Usually, I review a component after it has impressed me at a show or in a store. Though this approach reduces the possibility of a bad review&mdash;I pre-select based on real experience&mdash;it does not minimize the possibility of disappointment. This makes me a sort of stand-in for the consumer who would like to take something home for a real shakeout, and only then decide to buy it or send it back.

Usually, I review a component after it has impressed me at a show or in a store. Though this approach reduces the possibility of a bad review&mdash;I pre-select based on real experience&mdash;it does not minimize the possibility of disappointment. This makes me a sort of stand-in for the consumer who would like to take something home for a real shakeout, and only then decide to buy it or send it back.

Usually, I review a component after it has impressed me at a show or in a store. Though this approach reduces the possibility of a bad review&mdash;I pre-select based on real experience&mdash;it does not minimize the possibility of disappointment. This makes me a sort of stand-in for the consumer who would like to take something home for a real shakeout, and only then decide to buy it or send it back.

As technology develops, things get more and more complicated. With every update of Windows, the program offers greater flexibility, but runs slower and makes greater demands on hardware. Automobiles have become so complex that only the most highly trained mechanics are able to fix even a minor malfunction. Surround-sound processors come with inch-thick owner's manuals.