..and by YOUR world, i mean the "audiophility", of course. to which i am new. and overwhelmed by the huge quantity of info and variety of products. i know my way round with instruments and their amplification, on-stage and a bit of studio. but hi-fi is the "other art"..

so..i am new to your community and glad to have finally found the `entry level`. ive been surfin the web for days, looking to solve my problem, but its simply too complex for me, for now.

Here's an interesting article on the current state of the CD marketplace. I particularly like the part where the participants of a focus group on teen listening habits did not take any of the free CD's offered as reward.

I am looking for a tuner to integrate into my 2-channel system. Unfortunately, I live in an area with relatively few FM stations and, as of yet, no HD stations. Sensitivity would be a critical factor to pick up weak signals. Also, compatibility with a satellite radio receiver and HD signals would be desirable options.

Thank you for your help.
kitjv is online now Report Post Edit/Delete Message

After a few months of research & auditioning, I have identified a 2-channel system that seems to have the synergy that appeals to my jazz-listening tastes. Aside from the subjectivity of individual listening preferences, I would really appreciate your comments on anything that I might not have considered when I decided on the separates below. Since I have not opened my wallet yet, I want to be assured that I made the correct choice. Thank you.

Cambridge Audio 840c CDP
Rogue Perseus Preamp
Rotel RB-1080 power amp
Paradigm Studio 100 v.4 speakers

After reading the review of the $6,000 McIntosh music server in the January 2008 Stereophile and the reviews of the $6,500 Arcam music server, the $12,000 Sooloos music server and the $6,000 to $7,800 Qsonix music server in the December 2007 Absolute Sound I can't help but wonder who are all these people willing to shell out big bucks for, well for lack of a better word, nothing.

I am running Mac OS X & iTunes 7.5. I occasionally stream files (all 44.1 kHz sampling rate) or Red Book CDs from iTunes via AirTunes to AirPort Express w/ mini Toslink output to external DAC w/in A/V receiver. My DAC is not HDCD capable, nor do I have any DTS encoded CDs to check bit for bit transparency of the transmission.

In 2005, JA published that iTunes via AirTunes utilizes Apple Lossless (ALAC) for the 802.11b/g transmission between iTunes & AirPort Express, that the transmission is bit for bit transparent to the source file (assuming 44.1 kHz) or Red Book CD.