<A HREF="http://www.cirrus.com"&gt; Cirrus Logic</A> has initiated cutbacks in its workforce and other cost-reduction moves that are expected to save as much as $12 million annually. The Austin, TX&ndash;based semiconductor company stated May 15 that the measures are part of a general restructuring of its business model, in which its magnetic storage chip business will be de-emphasized in favor of its semiconductor business. Cirrus is the parent company of Crystal Semiconductor, maker of many high-performance digital audio chips.

Please bear with us a moment here&mdash;we know most audiophiles react to MP3-related news with a serious case of ringing ears, but tracing where the lo-fi market is currently headed can be instructive for understanding the distant hi-fi future. And if the new technology previewed last week at <A HREF="http://www.qualcomm.com/brew/">Qualcomm's BREW</A> conference in San Diego is any indication, some parts of your audio future may, in fact, be wireless.

<I>"I'm a fan of tubes&mdash;I don't like designing with them, but I </I>do<I> like listening to them."</I>&mdash;Paul McGowan, <I>Stereophile</I> <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//interviews/222/">interview</A&gt;, May 2000

<I>"I'm a fan of tubes&mdash;I don't like designing with them, but I </I>do<I> like listening to them."</I>&mdash;Paul McGowan, <I>Stereophile</I> <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//interviews/222/">interview</A&gt;, May 2000

<I>"I'm a fan of tubes&mdash;I don't like designing with them, but I </I>do<I> like listening to them."</I>&mdash;Paul McGowan, <I>Stereophile</I> <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//interviews/222/">interview</A&gt;, May 2000

<I>"I'm a fan of tubes&mdash;I don't like designing with them, but I </I>do<I> like listening to them."</I>&mdash;Paul McGowan, <I>Stereophile</I> <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//interviews/222/">interview</A&gt;, May 2000

<I>"I'm a fan of tubes&mdash;I don't like designing with them, but I </I>do<I> like listening to them."</I>&mdash;Paul McGowan, <I>Stereophile</I> <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//interviews/222/">interview</A&gt;, May 2000

<I>"I'm a fan of tubes&mdash;I don't like designing with them, but I </I>do<I> like listening to them."</I>&mdash;Paul McGowan, <I>Stereophile</I> <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//interviews/222/">interview</A&gt;, May 2000

<I>"I'm a fan of tubes&mdash;I don't like designing with them, but I </I>do<I> like listening to them."</I>&mdash;Paul McGowan, <I>Stereophile</I> <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//interviews/222/">interview</A&gt;, May 2000

<I>"I'm a fan of tubes&mdash;I don't like designing with them, but I </I>do<I> like listening to them."</I>&mdash;Paul McGowan, <I>Stereophile</I> <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//interviews/222/">interview</A&gt;, May 2000