"Fair use" does not include mass replication, however, even if it is for noncommercial purposes. Is Napster, the audio file-sharing Internet service, simply software that lets music fans swap favorites, or is it something more…
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Federal courts long ago established that music fans have certain "fair use" rights when it comes to making copies of recordings they own. They can transfer recordings from one format to another—such as from LP to cassette tape or from CD to MiniDisc—and they can share those recordings with others, provided that the results are only for private, noncommercial use.
Incorporating the company's new "black box" crossover design, the Acarian Alón Li'l Rascal Mk.II loudspeaker captured Robert J. Reina's attention. "I fired up the Li'l Rascals, wondering if I'd catch a glimpse of the dynamic performance I'd heard from the Exotica Grand References at HE2001," explains BJR.
When Art Dudley initially laid eyes on the Reference 3A MM de Capo i loudspeaker, he noted, "At first glance, this speaker looks like a thousand other stand-mounted two-ways on the market." AD then goes on to explain what, other than the odd name, sets it apart.
"I didn't care how…
One of the dirty little secrets of the recording business is that some of its most precious assets are slowly self-destructing. In one example, a popular mastering tape supplied by Ampex to recording studios during the '70s and early '80s has been found to prematurely shed its oxide coating at an alarming rate due to poor quality control of the binding agents that hold the magnetic particles to the Mylar.
Engineers have taken to "baking" these reels of deteriorating tape in a effort to make one or two final transfers before the masters become unusable. But as each day passes, more of the…
UK electronics specialty manufacturer Audiolab has been taken over by leading Grand Prix car-racing company TAG McLaren---or, more precisely, by the TAG McLaren Group. A newly formed company, TAG Electronics Holdings Ltd., will be the parent of both Cambridge Systems Technology Ltd. (which trades as Audiolab) and TAG Electronic Systems Ltd. (which supplies specialist, low-volume electronic engine-management systems to exclusive high-end automobile brands).
TAG McLaren Group's Managing Director, Ron Dennis, shows his mastery of mediaspeak in the following statement: "I am very excited…
"I wouldn't characterize my life as 'a search for bigger and better toys,' but I am intrigued by interesting things—like the Impact Airfoil 5.2 loudspeaker system," says Brian Damkroger as he steels himself for another review. BD goes in search of an answer to the Airfoil dilemma: "big toy, new toy, neat toy, better toy?"
Robert Harley finds himself in a small listening room and assesses the Aerial Acoustics Model 5 loudspeaker to see if it is able to complement his petite environs. Harley notes, "Any manufacturer of large loudspeakers who has set up such a system in a CES hotel room can…
Back in 1996, Martin Colloms reviewed the Krell KAV-300i integrated amplifier, asking, "Is Krell risking its reputation?" He needn't have worried, as the 300i has gone on to become a popular audiophile classic.
Thomas J. Norton looks at an amplifier's output impedance to understand its effect on a system's performance. In Questions of Impedance Interaction, TJN looks at three loudpeakers' interactions with the same amp to illustrate this important phenomena.
At the point of Stereophile's 30th anniversary in 1992, Founder J. Gordon Holt asks Where Did We Go Wrong?. "I've been…
Audio Asylum, in association with Audiogon, is sponsoring an online auction for the benefit of victims of the recent earthquakes and tsunami in Asia.
The auction will feature equipment donated by audio-equipment manufacturers, recording companies, and audiophiles and music-lovers worldwide. Proceeds will go to relief organizations chosen by the donors, unless individual donors elect to have the winning bidder choose the recipient.
Audio Asylum last sponsored a benefit auction following the events of 9/11/01. More than $200,000 was raised to benefit relief organizations.
"Given…
The last couple of years have been a bumpy ride for Reference Recordings. The company's troubles began two years ago this week when it was announced that it had been acquired by The Dorian Group after more than 25 years as an independent label dedicated to audiophile sonics.
At first blush, the deal seemed like a positive step for the small label, which had found itself struggling to stay above water in a troubled music business. New releases were announced, and key staff kept on the payroll. But despite promises of bigger things to come, Dorian quickly unraveled, taking Reference with it…
The final numbers aren't in yet, but all indications point to an astounding show of support from the audiophile community for the Audio Charity Auction conducted by Audio Asylum's Rod Morris and Audiogon's Arnie Chinta. The numbers are still stacking up, but as of Sunday, October 7, the benefit had raised $173,738 from over 400 closed auctions.
Morris says no more equipment donors are needed, and that there will be a few additional items listed over the next week until the final closing date of October 15. He points out that one of those items remaining is Ralph Karsten's Atma-Sphere M-60…
Beginning in November 1996, Sam Tellig, Muse Kastanovich, and John Atkinson took turns with the Musical Fidelity X-10D line-level preamplifier. "I'll reveal the true identity of X-10D in a moment," Tellig writes. "But I'll say straight off that for those of you with such CD players as the Marantz CD 63, RadioShack Optimus CD-3400, etc, this may be the most cost-effective CD upgrade ever to come down the pike."
Next, from October 1993, Jack English reviews the gorgeous Sonus Faber Electa Amator loudspeaker. Another case of audio beauty over brains? "The Amator's appearance has received at…