Passion of the Hi-Fi: Part VI - Resolution

Passion of the Hi-Fi: Part VI - Resolution

JA guffawed, “It sounds like you need a tweeter-ectomy.”

“I hope that’s all I need.” After buying a replacement tweeter for my Usher S-520s, I asked Stan Tracht, US representative for Usher, a pair of questions.

“Will I need to solder anything?”

“No soldering needed,” Stan advised.

“Do I need to buy a second tweeter to ensure the speakers match?”

Boston Acoustics A40 loudspeaker

Boston Acoustics A40 loudspeaker

The Boston Acoustics A40 loudspeaker ($150/pair) has become "legendary" (ie, it's stayed around for a while), probably because a pair of them images as well as Rogers LS3/5As. Unfortunately, it is no match for the LS3/5A in terms of smooth midrange response. Of course, at $150/pair, it shouldn't be.

I was originally going to do a review comparing the Spectrum 108A ($200/pair) and the Boston Acoustics A40. On first listen, I was mightily impressed by the A40. But after Stereophile's Larry Archibald schlepped me out a pair of the 108As, I didn't much want to listen to the A40s.

Altec Lansing 301 loudspeaker

Altec Lansing 301 loudspeaker

One of the oldest names in US audio, Altec Lansing was building speakers for theaters and recording studios long before the introduction of the microgroove LP in 1948 (which date many see as marking the inception of high fidelity). Started in 1931 under the name All-Technical Services ~Corp., the firm later purchased another audio firm called Lansing Engineering, and merged the names. Altec's Model 604, one of the first true coaxial speakers, was adopted for home use by many early hi-fi buffs and, several permutations later, is still widely used for monitoring in disc-cutting rooms.

A Unique Attention Screen Recording Concert in NYC, May 19

A Unique Attention Screen Recording Concert in NYC, May 19

Update: Though John Atkinson will be recording the concert, Attention Screen welcomes audience members who also want to record it, provided they use battery-powered recorders.

On Sunday, May 19, at 1:30pm, Stereophile readers are invited to attend a very special recording concert. Over the last six years, my quartet, Attention Screen has released three CDs of improvised collaborative jazz on the Stereophile Recordings label. This particular concert will be unique in a number of ways. First, rather than playing grand piano, I'll be performing on the magnificent Ralph and Alice Greenlaw Memorial pipe organ at The Community Church of Douglaston, 39-50 Douglaston Parkway, in New York City's borough of Queens. Second, we will be featuring our newest member, trumpeter Liam Sillery, whose fourth CD, Phenomenology, was awarded five stars by Downbeat magazine in 2010. Finally, rather than performing improvised jazz, we will be playing nine newly composed jazz and classical works by the four individual members of Attention Screen. The pieces are designed to demonstrate the broad range of textures and colors the Greenlaw organ is capable of as well as spotlighting Liam Sillery's unique trumpet phrasing style.

Released Today: Anamanaguchi’s Endless Fantasy

Released Today: Anamanaguchi’s Endless Fantasy

For gamers, video games can instill a sense of purpose. They imbed the idea in their minds that any ordinary boy or girl can become a hero. On their second full-length record Endless Fantasy, Anamanaguchi recreate the quest of becoming something bigger than yourself.

Munich: A Few Of My Favorite Things

Munich: A Few Of My Favorite Things

Amphion Audio Ion+ Limited Edition speakers (€3000/pair)

The Munich High End Show is huge. It is also very well organized and an absolute pleasure to attend. With over 350 exhibition rooms representing some 900 brands, there's plenty here to satisfy every kind of audiophile and music lover.

Munich High End 2013

Munich High End 2013

John Atkinson and Stephen Mejias were unable to attend the Munich High End Show this year, so the call went out to the editors of Stereophile's sibling sites, AudioStream.com, AnalogPlanet.com, and InnerFidelity.com requesting a trip to Germany to provide a bit of coverage for the show.

Wait! What!? You want me to go to Munich? Oh baby, I'm totally IN!

What follows are my impressions of a handful of exhibitors that tickled my ears.

Audiophile Essentials Packages Now Available

Audiophile Essentials Packages Now Available

Stereophile celebrated 50 years of continuous publication in November 2012 and released its milestone 400th issue in May. The magazine remains committed to providing all audiophiles&#151young, old, enthusiastic newbies, and grumpy veterans alike&#151the tools necessary to get the very best from their systems and music libraries. To that end, we’ve bundled our hot-selling Recommended Components Collector’s Edition and our invaluable test discs into two neat and affordable Audiophile Essentials packages.
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