While the CD side of DualDisc will work like a conventional CD in most players, the DVD side of the new format has several potential uses: DVD-Video and all its attendant audio formats such as stereo 24/96 PCM or Dolby Digital 5.1, or optionally, DVD-Audio. Note that SACD is not included. Also, with its slight increase in thickness over a regular CD, DualDisc may have problems in some…
search
Market tests have been conducted, rumors floated, and now official word has arrived that DualDisc, a new two-sided disc format combining a CD on one side with a DVD on the other, will launch this October.
Last week, Phoenix Gold International announced its acquisition of the marketing assets of Carver Corporation, including the Carver name, along with plans to "actively rebuild the once highly regarded Carver brand, beginning with a full line of new consumer and professional audio products."
Phoenix Gold began its Carver quest when it acquired the company's Professional division in 1995, and it still manufacturers and distributes a full line of power amplifiers for the pro market. At that time, Carver Corporation continued creating and selling products to the consumer market, only to run…
Audio retailing has been a tough business in recent years, but two just-released surveys are suggesting that with the right combination of economic factors and dealer preparedness, things could turn around for smart retailers over the coming holiday season.
Last week, Deloitte Research chief economist Carl Steidtmann forecast a jump in consumer spending during the holiday season as a result of increased cash flow to consumers. "Consumers are coming into a great deal of cash, based on various economic factors, and historically when consumers find themselves with this much additional cash,…
Editor's note: For months now, we've been reporting about the the problems and dilemmas created by audio formats such as MP3, which are often used to pirate and illegally distribute music over the Internet. Correspondent Leonid Korostyshevski offers a decidedly unique Russian spin on the situation. His previous stories are here and here. Photos were taken last week by Leonid Korostyshevski
Following the economic and political crisis in Russia last August, audio recordings have reached the highest prices seen in the last couple of years. Original audio CD costs are now at a point that…
If all goes according to publicists' wishes, Web surfers will be able to access music previews beginning November 15 without the necessity of using a third-party software player, such as RealNetworks G2, to play downloaded audio files. Streaming-audio provider AudioBase.com has signed deals with several heavyweight corporate sponsors for the launch of its music previews. Participants include Sony Music, K-Tel, and Levi-Strauss. The deals are being announced in conjunction with Internet audio conference Webnoize.
Recently formed Spun.com, which provides a search function for music with 30…
It has become commonplace these days for a hot album to hit the streets days—if not weeks or even months—before its official release, inspiring all manner of stupid promo tricks on the part of record labels. Pearl Jam's recent Riot Act was distributed to the press in portable CD players with the lids glued shut and last week saw the White Stripes record label create 500 promo vinyl LPs of the group's impending Elephant release in place of the traditional advance CDs in an effort to stymie the digital pirate's plans.
But all to no avail, since the music from the Stripes and Pearl Jam discs…
As audiophiles, we all started somewhere, and the important fact is, we all started with a love of music. When it came to music playback equipment, more than a few of us remember the fold-up record player stacked with 45s, or the little transistor radio tucked under our pillow at night with a low-fi, one-channel earpiece attached.
Seems that kids these days are really no different—only the technology has changed. The modern equivalent of that transistor radio or plastic record machine is the portable music player, typified by the iPod, and the good news is that music appreciation among our…
The music world is mourning the passing of British record producer Mickie Most, who died of lung cancer in London on May 30. He was 64.
Most's lung cancer was mesothelioma, a virulent variety caused by inhaling asbestos dust. The Guardian Unlimited's Paul Foot speculates, "Most probably he came into contact with asbestos in recording studios soundproofed with vinyl tiles impregnated with asbestos." Despite prolonged efforts to remove asbestos from commercial and residential buildings, it is still widespread. Foot quotes a rising death rate through the 1990s for workers with prolonged…
In his report on the MartinLogan Depth powered subwoofer, Larry Greenhill laments, "Reviewing subwoofers is a lonely job that brings no respect." But can the Depth upset one of LG's longstanding prejudices to earn his respect?
John Atkinson comments that he didn't need much persuading to audition the Lavry Engineering DA2002 D/A processor. JA brings out his favorite discs, compares the DA2002 to some of his favorite DACs, and renders his verdict.
Technological breakthroughs or cable flummery? Art Dudley wires up with the AudioQuest Cheetah interconnects & Mont Blanc speaker cables…
Monster Cable has begun shipping a new series of "SuperDiscs"—specially remastered, limited edition CD/DVD combinations and special release DVDs—designed to excite audio consumers about high-quality multichannel music possibilities.
There will be two types of SuperDiscs: single DVD-Video releases and CD/DVD-V packages. All of the DVD releases will include 96kHz/24-bit PCM stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1, and DTS 96/24 5.1, and some will also offer alternate surround mixes, full-length music videos, interviews, concert footage, and set-up instructions.
The DVDs also feature uncompressed, in…