The science of recording music is, to apply a metaphor from a very different context, akin to "breaking a butterfly on a wheel" (footnote 1). The art of recording is to make it appear as though that pinned insect could still take wing. I have been devoted to both the science and the art of recording music since 1965, when I was given a Grundig &#188;" open-reel tape recorder as a birthday present. You could even say that my evolving interest in audio and my current position at the helm of <I>Stereophile</I> date back to my finding out how different a Shure SM57 dynamic cardioid microphone sounded from a Reslo Ribbon, even in mono, even at 3&#190;ips, when captured on that Grundig.

There may be a digital network in your audio future. To help you run it, 17 consumer electronics and computer companies, including Fujitsu, Gateway, HP, Intel, IBM, Kenwood, Panasonic, Microsoft, NEC, Nokia, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, and Thomson recently announced the formation of the <A HREF="http://www.DHWG.org">Digital Home Working Group</A> (DHWG).

Starting in 1984, Anthony H. Cordesman and Martin Colloms filed several reports on the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//loudspeakerreviews/868/">Magnepan Magneplanar MGIIIA loudspeaker</A>. Cordesman wrote, "In a world which seemed doomed to finding out just how small and dull it could make acoustic-suspension boxes, the Magnepans reminded me that speakers could produce a large open soundstage, real dynamics, and musical life."

Apple announced last week that music fans have downloaded over five million songs from its iTunes Music Store since its launch two months ago. In addition, the company reports that over 46% of the songs have been purchased as albums, and over 80% of the over 200,000 songs available on the online store have been purchased at least once.

Last October, US Senate Commerce Committee chairman and former presidential hopeful John McCain hosted NBC's long-running comedy show <I>Saturday Night Live</I>. In a spoof of the political talk show <I>Hardball</I>, McCain did a devastating impression of US Attorney General John Ashcroft, a fellow Republican. Speaking of homeland security, the <I>faux</I> Ashcroft intoned, "This country won't be safe until every American is in jail."

The numbers are up for <A HREF="http://www.siriusradio.com">Sirius Satellite Radio</A>. On June 23, the New York&ndash;based digital broadcaster announced that it had exceeded 100,000 subscribers for its 100-channel music/news/entertainment service. Sirius offers 60 channels of commercial-free music and 40 channels of news, sports, talk shows, comedy, and other programming.

The song ended. My friend gestured to me to remove the wads of Kleenex I had stuffed in my ears.

<B>PINK FLOYD: <I>Dark Side of the Moon</I></B><BR> Capitol CDP 582136 2 (CD/SACD), Capitol (LP). 1973/2003. Pink Floyd, prods.; Alan Parsons, eng.; James Guthrie, 5.1 remix. AAD/AAA. TT: 43:00<BR> Performance <B>****&#189;</B><BR> Sonics <B>*****</B> (SACD layers) <B>*** </B>(CD layer)