As an equipment reviewer, I find it helpful to talk to audiophiles and music lovers about their systems and upgrade plans. Fortunately, <I>Stereophile</I>'s computer supplier and troubleshooter, Michael Mandel, also happens to be an avid audiophile. I say "fortunately" because I rarely get a chance to talk to people who put down their hard-earned money for hi-fi components. Instead, I usually converse with equipment designers, technicians, and marketing types, hardly people who reflect the buying public. It is thus a valuable education to get feedback from real-world consumers to find out what kind of products they want, their priorities, and how much they're willing to spend for certain levels of performance. They have a view distinctly different from that of the often jaded reviewer who is used to enjoying the best (albeit temporarily) without agonizing over its cost.

As an equipment reviewer, I find it helpful to talk to audiophiles and music lovers about their systems and upgrade plans. Fortunately, <I>Stereophile</I>'s computer supplier and troubleshooter, Michael Mandel, also happens to be an avid audiophile. I say "fortunately" because I rarely get a chance to talk to people who put down their hard-earned money for hi-fi components. Instead, I usually converse with equipment designers, technicians, and marketing types, hardly people who reflect the buying public. It is thus a valuable education to get feedback from real-world consumers to find out what kind of products they want, their priorities, and how much they're willing to spend for certain levels of performance. They have a view distinctly different from that of the often jaded reviewer who is used to enjoying the best (albeit temporarily) without agonizing over its cost.

<B>DAVID BYRNE,: <I>Rei Momo</I></B><BR>
Luaka Bop/Sire/Warner Bros. 25990-1 (LP), -2 (CD). Steve Lillywhite, D. Byrne, prods.; Jon Fausty, eng. ADD. TT: 63:43<BR>
<B>VARIOUS/DAVID BYRNE: <I>O Samba (Brazil Classics 2)</I></B><BR>
Luaka Bop/Sire/Warner Bros. 26019-1 (LP), -2 (CD). Todo Mundo, prods. ADD. TT: 50:25