I am having a tough time understanding the target audience for this device. OK, it provides a bit accurate digital output from the iPod. Fair enough, and that is a feature worthy of applause.
But who is going to buy it?
Let's say you have an iPod. It's better than even money that you are using iTunes to rip and otherwise acquire your music. There are 3rd party apps that I suppose could also put files on an iPod, but I have to think that the majority of users, even among audiophiles, are using iTunes.
I'm wondering if anyone has heard the Sound-Smith Strain Gauge system and if there is a review of it anywhere. There was a mention of it on one of the blogs here, but I can't find much else.
I'm considering taking the plunge based on what some VA posters say, but am a little bit nervous as one is stuck with the electronics with no interchangeability.
Dave in Dallas says, "Ask your readers to recommend a product within a specified price range they would buy today and why they would consider that product."<P>So, here goes: What speaker would you recommend to someone for up to $1000/pair—and not a penny more?
"passionato" is a new site launched last week that aims to challenge iTunes in the classical space. Good news is that all their 18,000 recordings are DRM-free, bad news is that most are only available as 320 kbps mp3 for now. There are a few FLAC downloads and more are promised.
When you sign up you get 10 free tracks including the beautiful Naxos disc of Saint-Sa
Gee! If I were John Atkinson I would want such drivel to remain buried in the relative obscurity of time.
First, a little history on this receiver...
When I was 2, my father bought a stereo system, consisting of a Sony linear tracking turntable, Pioneer CLD-M90, Sony TC-K670 3 head cassette deck, sony 27" TV, a VCR of some sort, and Bose 10.2 speakers. I figured out how to use this system (most of it, that is), when I was about 2 and a half. I could play records, CD's, radio and tapes. That's as far back as I can remember....
When reading the latest Recommended Components section and thinking about the ratings A+, A, B, C, D..., products are dropped from the listing when some time has elapsed as well as if it was discontinued by the manufacturer. Although the guiding text mentions that a deletion does not invalidate a previous buying decision one has made, I wonder how the ratings shift over time.
In general, the list is wonderful, but what is going on:
p. 55, "Discontinuation of a model also precludes it appearance."
p. 81 finds the Sony Playstation 1, whose production ended in 2006, listed as class C, whereas the new Musical Fidelity X-Ray v8 is said to be no longer available. Why the exception in the case of the game console?