Pacific Northwest audio retailer Definitive Audio is holding its sixth Music Matters, "A Night of the Best in 2-Channel Audio," this coming Wednesday (February 9) at its Seattle location (6206 Roosevelt Way NE) from 5–10pm.

Appearing in person and each giving presentations lasting 30 minutes, will be representatives from Audio Research, Ayre Acoustics, B&W, Classé, Finite Elemente, GoldenEar, Harmonic Resolution, Linn, Meridian, Peachtree Audio, Transparent, and Wilson Audio, while Stereophile editor John Atkinson will be demonstrating the benefits of high-resolution audio and the evils of MP3, using the master files of some of his recordings.

Other highlights of Music Matters 6 will include the world debut of the new B&W PM1 Prestige Monitor loudspeaker, presented by its designer, Dr. John Dibb; Meridian's new DSP 3200 digital active bookshelf speaker system and the Media Core 200 digital music system; as well as the new VX-R stereo amplifier from Ayre. Audio Research will debut the Reference Anniversary Preamplifier; and Linn’s Gilad Tiefenbrun will introduce the updated Akurate DS system. Classé’s Dave Nauber will debut the new CP-800 digital preamplifier; HRS will present the MXR Reference stand; Transparent Audio’s Transparent’s Josh Clark and Karen Sumner will transport the audience in a musical time machine with a wide variety of music genres—classical, blues, jazz, rock, and contemporary independent music; and Sandy Gross of GoldenEar will demonstrate the Triton Two loudspeakers, which impressed the heck out of Stereophile's scribes at the 2011 CES.

Seating is limited, please RSVP to (206) 524-6633 or on-line at www.definitive.com. Light hors d'oeuvres & refreshments will be served.

It's always revealing to see exactly what music people have sitting on their shelves or hard drives. It tells you a lot about them—whether they're kindred spirits (Bill Evans) or something less (Sting). In many ways, our annual "Records To Die For" feature is a kind of mini-window into the musical souls of our contributing editors; may the Gods of Song bless their tortured souls, every one. In the past, such choices as the soundtrack album for the movie Casper have raised eyebrows, if not outright suspicion. Still, along with crowing about our favorite records, we try to keep it all in good fun. What's the title of Stephen Mejias's excellent blog at www.sterophile.com—"Elements of Our Enthusiasm"? Well then, here are some of those precious elements that feed that enthusiasm. Remember: Gear ain't great without something to play on it.—Robert Baird

Kiss Each Other Clean, the latest album from Iron & Wine, was released on Tuesday, January 25.

Marantz America will sponsor German classical and rock violinist David Garrett through his 21-city tour of the United States. The tour unofficially opened with a “flash mob” performance at New York City’s Eataly restaurant.