What is going on at Stereophile? The latest issue only had ONE cd review, the Recording of the Month. Cmon folks! This whole hobby is ABOUT MUSIC, not equipment. Funny/sad how the US industry pushes and pushes newer and more expensive equipment...compare this to Europe or Asia where music plays a much larger role in audio rags.

We can do better!

Here's an interesting thread that sheds a little light on exactly what is inside at least one well known power cable.

Guys,
I recently purchased a pair of 603 7 months ago to accompany the Rotel integrated amp and cd combo along with MIT cables. I've never heard the NP but I have heard the Ascents 10 years ago and loved the depth and its holograhic
imaging. I'm sure the 603's are pale in comparason the the NP's. Any advice before I sell them with less than 100 hours
on them?

Thanks,
Wig

Anyone who guesses who Rusty is will get an extra glass of wine at next year's THE Show!

http://live.audiogon.com/events/the2008/vids/NFS_room.html

Within the next month, I will be introducing a new preamplifier I call the 7A. It will be priced for the general market, feature 3 inputs and one output. However, one can request additional inputs, HTC bypass, reduced gain for each one input or all, etc.
The 7A will use Cardas Rhodium Jacks, silver contact switches, Jenalabs wire in the signal path etc.

Specs.

Moved this question here from the Entry thread... you'll still think me an idiot for asking this, but: What the heck does a step-up transformer do? Why use the step-up trannie in addition to phono stage? Can somebody explain to me what might be the optimal situation in which step-up transformer is used? I'm trying to tread through the dark waters of vinyl (Got my Fremer DVD in the mail, hooray!) and it's fun & confusing at the same time.

So, if you don't have a phono stage already, you can't use step-up transformers at all, right?

I am looking for a quality FM tuner in the $1,000 or less price range. Having HD & satellite radio capabilities are important since I live in an area with limited FM stations. I am amenable to either SS or tubes. Which brands/models would be on your short list? Thank you kindly.