Maybe Dan D'Agostino was destined to develop and build a line of products distinguished by their sheer might. After all, he grew up just blocks from a natural phenomenon synonymous with power: Niagara Falls. Even today, when the 56-year-old D'Agostino returns to his boyhood home to visit his parents, he enjoys pulling on a pair of shorts and going for a long run in the adjacent park, which resounds with the Falls' unrelenting thunder.

Maybe Dan D'Agostino was destined to develop and build a line of products distinguished by their sheer might. After all, he grew up just blocks from a natural phenomenon synonymous with power: Niagara Falls. Even today, when the 56-year-old D'Agostino returns to his boyhood home to visit his parents, he enjoys pulling on a pair of shorts and going for a long run in the adjacent park, which resounds with the Falls' unrelenting thunder.

Ten years ago, I'd probably have got pretty good odds from industry insiders on a bet that <I>Stereophile</I> would still be reviewing phono cartridges into the new millennium. Linn's Arkiv B may not be a brand-new design&mdash;I heard my first sample in mid-1997&mdash;but phono-cartridge technology is about as stable as anything in hi-fi today. This <I>Stereophile</I> review is long overdue.

Ten years ago, I'd probably have got pretty good odds from industry insiders on a bet that <I>Stereophile</I> would still be reviewing phono cartridges into the new millennium. Linn's Arkiv B may not be a brand-new design&mdash;I heard my first sample in mid-1997&mdash;but phono-cartridge technology is about as stable as anything in hi-fi today. This <I>Stereophile</I> review is long overdue.

Ten years ago, I'd probably have got pretty good odds from industry insiders on a bet that <I>Stereophile</I> would still be reviewing phono cartridges into the new millennium. Linn's Arkiv B may not be a brand-new design&mdash;I heard my first sample in mid-1997&mdash;but phono-cartridge technology is about as stable as anything in hi-fi today. This <I>Stereophile</I> review is long overdue.

Ten years ago, I'd probably have got pretty good odds from industry insiders on a bet that <I>Stereophile</I> would still be reviewing phono cartridges into the new millennium. Linn's Arkiv B may not be a brand-new design&mdash;I heard my first sample in mid-1997&mdash;but phono-cartridge technology is about as stable as anything in hi-fi today. This <I>Stereophile</I> review is long overdue.

The last months of 2002 were uneven ones for electronics retailers. American consumers, apparently trying to stretch their home entertainment dollars as far as possible, patronized discount stores while bypassing more upscale competitors.

Satellite startup <A HREF="http://www.xmradio.com">XM Radio</A> got a nice Christmas gift on December 24&mdash;an infusion of $450 million in new financing that should sustain it well into 2004.

Arizona-based <A HREF="http://www.rockfordcorp.com">Rockford Corporation</A> announced last week that it has acquired loudspeaker designer <A HREF="http://www.nhthifi.com">Now Hear This</A> (NHT) from Recoton Corporation. Previous Rockford acquisitions include Fosgate, Hafler, Acoustat, and MB Quart. The company says that specific terms of the new agreement are confidential.