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.

J. Gordon Holt and various other <I>Stereophile</I> writers are brought together to create the definitive review archive of the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//amplificationreviews/739/">Audio Research SP9 preamplifier</A>. The SP9 review was controversial in its day, and the complete review archives include manufacturer and reader comments.

We all know that audiophile products are dangerous to the pocketbook, but one high-end audio manufacturer is notifying its customers that one of its subwoofers may be dangerous to the listener's health as well.