The Locked-In Rhythm Section

The Locked-In Rhythm Section

I loved the way the band worked together&#151how each member lifted every other, and how each member excelled during solos&#151but I was most impressed by the locked-in rhythm section, and especially Pedro Martinez on congas. His hands turned into light, racing across the conga heads, speeding away from everything else&#151the stage, the room, the cold night&#151while remaining right on time.

Cambridge SoundWorks Ambiance loudspeaker Specifications

Cambridge SoundWorks Ambiance loudspeaker Specifications

According to the conventional wisdom, companies selling consumer products fall into two categories: those whose sales are "marketing-led" and those whose sales are "product-led." Marketing-led companies tend to sell mature products into a mature market where there are no real differences between competing products—soap powder, mass-market beer, or cigarettes, for example—whereas product-led companies tend to sell new technologies, such as personal computers and high-end hi-fi components. In the audio separates market, conventional wisdom would have a hard time categorizing any individual company: no matter which you choose, it would be simplistic to say that it is either product- or marketing-led. No matter how good the product, without good marketing the manufacturer stands little chance of success; a poor product superbly marketed may make a company successful overnight, but that success will have hit the end stops by the following night.

Cambridge SoundWorks
120 Water Street
North Andover, MA 01845
(800) 367-4434
www.cambridgesoundworks.com

Cambridge SoundWorks Ambiance loudspeaker Measurements

Cambridge SoundWorks Ambiance loudspeaker Measurements

According to the conventional wisdom, companies selling consumer products fall into two categories: those whose sales are "marketing-led" and those whose sales are "product-led." Marketing-led companies tend to sell mature products into a mature market where there are no real differences between competing products—soap powder, mass-market beer, or cigarettes, for example—whereas product-led companies tend to sell new technologies, such as personal computers and high-end hi-fi components. In the audio separates market, conventional wisdom would have a hard time categorizing any individual company: no matter which you choose, it would be simplistic to say that it is either product- or marketing-led. No matter how good the product, without good marketing the manufacturer stands little chance of success; a poor product superbly marketed may make a company successful overnight, but that success will have hit the end stops by the following night.

Cambridge SoundWorks
120 Water Street
North Andover, MA 01845
(800) 367-4434
www.cambridgesoundworks.com

Cambridge SoundWorks Ambiance loudspeaker Review System

Cambridge SoundWorks Ambiance loudspeaker Review System

According to the conventional wisdom, companies selling consumer products fall into two categories: those whose sales are "marketing-led" and those whose sales are "product-led." Marketing-led companies tend to sell mature products into a mature market where there are no real differences between competing products—soap powder, mass-market beer, or cigarettes, for example—whereas product-led companies tend to sell new technologies, such as personal computers and high-end hi-fi components. In the audio separates market, conventional wisdom would have a hard time categorizing any individual company: no matter which you choose, it would be simplistic to say that it is either product- or marketing-led. No matter how good the product, without good marketing the manufacturer stands little chance of success; a poor product superbly marketed may make a company successful overnight, but that success will have hit the end stops by the following night.

Cambridge SoundWorks
120 Water Street
North Andover, MA 01845
(800) 367-4434
www.cambridgesoundworks.com

Cambridge SoundWorks Ambiance loudspeaker

Cambridge SoundWorks Ambiance loudspeaker

According to the conventional wisdom, companies selling consumer products fall into two categories: those whose sales are "marketing-led" and those whose sales are "product-led." Marketing-led companies tend to sell mature products into a mature market where there are no real differences between competing products—soap powder, mass-market beer, or cigarettes, for example—whereas product-led companies tend to sell new technologies, such as personal computers and high-end hi-fi components. In the audio separates market, conventional wisdom would have a hard time categorizing any individual company: no matter which you choose, it would be simplistic to say that it is either product- or marketing-led. No matter how good the product, without good marketing the manufacturer stands little chance of success; a poor product superbly marketed may make a company successful overnight, but that success will have hit the end stops by the following night.

Acoustic effects and size matters

There are acoustic treatment tweaks out there that include SMALL LITTLE things. I recall those coin-sized discs that allegedly changed acoustics if rotated on their own axis. And you know those things that look like a large fork, with wavy wood tines?
I know acoustic treatment is very valuable - but why would any reasonable person, with even a tiny bit of acoustics awareness, entertain the idea that itty bitty things inside a room would help? Or, IF there is something to it, can you explain?

Integrated Amp with HDMI advice

I am new to Hi-Fi, so please bear with me. I plan to upgrade my current stereo system, and would like some advice, especially regarding an integrated receiver (or amp components). I just purchased the Oppo DV-980H universal player, and I would like to take advantage of its HDMI output. For now, I will play 2 channel stereo, but may want to upgrade to surround sound at a later date. I have not settled on a pair of speakers yet, but am leaning towards the Vandersteen 2Ce SIG II. For vinyl, I recently ordered the Pro-Ject Debut III turntable.

Blu-ray on the PC

Does anyone here have experience with Blu-ray on the PC? What are some of the better options for (1) drives, (2) software (e.g. PowerDVD Ultra), and (3) sound cards?

As I haven't done any research, I'm also wondering if current hardware and software programs support uncompressed PCM output to S/PDIF or HDMI (or to firewire-based sound cards). What are the associated DRM issues?

Recommend a DAC?

Now that HD space has gotten relatively inexpensive I've decided to re-rip my CD's in a lossless format (Apple Lossless). I think the weak link in my system (NAD pre-amp, Hafler DH-200, Elan II's) is the DAC. I have been using an Airport Express or iMic to get into the NAD. As a test I hooked up my MOTU HD 896 using the Firewire output of my Macbook, assuming the DAC's in it had to be better than the AX or iMic, and the difference is quite remarkable.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement