Apple announced last week that music fans have downloaded over five million songs from its iTunes Music Store since its launch two months ago. In addition, the company reports that over 46% of the songs have been purchased as albums, and over 80% of the over 200,000 songs available on the online store have been purchased at least once.

Last October, US Senate Commerce Committee chairman and former presidential hopeful John McCain hosted NBC's long-running comedy show <I>Saturday Night Live</I>. In a spoof of the political talk show <I>Hardball</I>, McCain did a devastating impression of US Attorney General John Ashcroft, a fellow Republican. Speaking of homeland security, the <I>faux</I> Ashcroft intoned, "This country won't be safe until every American is in jail."

The numbers are up for <A HREF="http://www.siriusradio.com">Sirius Satellite Radio</A>. On June 23, the New York&ndash;based digital broadcaster announced that it had exceeded 100,000 subscribers for its 100-channel music/news/entertainment service. Sirius offers 60 channels of commercial-free music and 40 channels of news, sports, talk shows, comedy, and other programming.

The song ended. My friend gestured to me to remove the wads of Kleenex I had stuffed in my ears.

<B>PINK FLOYD: <I>Dark Side of the Moon</I></B><BR> Capitol CDP 582136 2 (CD/SACD), Capitol (LP). 1973/2003. Pink Floyd, prods.; Alan Parsons, eng.; James Guthrie, 5.1 remix. AAD/AAA. TT: 43:00<BR> Performance <B>****&#189;</B><BR> Sonics <B>*****</B> (SACD layers) <B>*** </B>(CD layer)

Retailers accused of selling pirated compact discs are feeling legal heat from the <A HREF="http://www.riaa.com">Recording Industry Association of America</A> (RIAA). In May, the organization launched copyright infringement suits against 18 retail businesses in Texas, Florida, and New York&mdash;primarily convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, and small independent music stores.

The record biz is in a world of hurt and doesn't mind broadcasting the news far and wide. But while the source of its woes will be debated in business schools for years to come, studies are starting to emerge that document the demographics of music buyers and their changing behaviors.

Art Dudley slips his DIY leash, and revels in the high-tech splendor of the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//amplificationreviews/863/">Linn Klimax Kontrol preamplifier and Klimax Twin power amplifier</A>. AD admits he's feeling a little guilty about shunning his home-brew gear, but counters, "I've been having too much fun."

The Home Entertainment 2003 Show, held June 5&ndash;8, 2003, at the Westin&ndash;St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, was an event that will stand out for residents, exhibitors, and visiting press as a well-attended showcase of some of the finest products and technologies the consumer electronics industry has to offer.