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The Telecommunications Act of 1996 loosened many long-established constraints on the ownership and operation of radio and television stations in the United States. The regulatory changes launched waves of mergers and acquisitions through the nation's broadcasting industry, consolidating what had been many regional companies into a few large conglomerates in just a few years. Backed by vice president Al Gore and the then chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), William Kennard, the changes were intended to make the broadcasting industry more responsive to the "free market."…
This probably won't seem like rocket science to most audiophiles, but it should be taken to heart by everyone in the highly competitive world of consumer electronics. A new study reveals that for consumers, customer support is nearly as important as the product itself. According to the results of the "Customer Support Issues" study, released last week by eBrain Market Research in cooperation with the Consumer Electronics Association, rebate offers, warranties and availability of support resources are the key customer support issues for consumers.
The report, free to CEA member companies,…
Briefly gone but not forgotten, Wadia Digital will return as a division of Audio Video Research, Inc. (AVR) of Ann Arbor, Michigan, a new company formed in December, 2000 by combining the assets of Wadia and Digital Imaging Corporation. Wadia products, including the 861 and 831 CD players and 27ix processor, will be shown at CES in January, 2001.
One of Wadia's first new offerings will be a "significant upgrade" for the 27ix (a Stereophile "Recommended Component"), according to company president and CEO Jim Anderson. Wadia's distribution network is intact, and warranties on all Wadia…
Paul Bolin notes, "Bankers and doctors bought McIntosh, not 'serious' audiophiles. So ran the conventional wisdom." While reviewing the McIntosh MC501 monoblock power amplifier, PB discovers that conventional wisdom can be anything but wise.
"The lacquers from which LPs are pressed are cut in a straight line, and that's how the LP groove should be traced." So begins Michael Fremer's assessment of the Kuzma Air Line tonearm. MF explains why most linear-tracking tonearms have inherent weaknesses, and what Kuzma has tried to do about them, with one glaring exception.
Next, John Atkinson…
If it's the software that sells a new format, then several recent announcements bode well for both SACD and DVD-Audio. Last week, DTS announced plans to begin shipment of the first DVD-Audio music recordings produced by its company-owned DTS Entertainment record label by late February 2001. Also, the first multichannel SACD to be produced by a major label from an original multitrack master, Mike Oldfield's recently remastered 1971 classic Tubular Bells is due for release from Virgin Records in February 2001.
DTS says that each of its DVD-Audio titles will be marketed as a "DTS Music…
One of the challenges facing audio equipment manufacturers as we enter the Internet age is how to handle online retailing of products to consumers. A manufacturer that has so far shunned mail-order in favor of bricks-and-mortar retailing runs the risk of alienating its established distribution base by jumping online ("mail order with a web address"), where traditional territorial sales boundaries are often rendered meaningless.
Last week, Philips subsidiary Marantz and Hifi.com, sister company to Cambridge SoundWorks and a wholly owned subsidiary of Creative Technology, announced an…
Every few years the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show turns cold and wet, and it looks like this will be one of those years. Still, audio is largely an indoor activity, and despite chilly, damp weather, ongoing format turmoil, and pressure from home theater, rooms at CES's high end audio venue, the Alexis Park hotel, are hopping as normal.
Simaudio's Lionel Goodfield was beaming with pride as he beckoned us to his room. A new stack of products waited inside: the Moon Andromeda CD player, Moon P-8 preamplifier, and Moon W-8 amplifier. Added together, the total price for Simaudio…
Whether or not online file-trading has had an effect on compact disc purchases positive or negative, a new report published by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) indicates that the real problem facing the music industry worldwide is that fewer and fewer of those CD purchases are of the real thing.
Global sales of pirate CDs have more than doubled in the last three years, says the IFPI, and pirates now generate an illegal international business worth more than US$4.5 billion. Sales of pirate CDs are estimated to have risen by 14% in 2002 alone, exceeding one…
Maybe it's only fair: Consumer electronics giants like Sony have been selling personal computers lately, so computer manufacturer Compaq announced last week that it will begin selling audio products. Joining Intel in making the transition from the computer industry to consumer electronics, Compaq has now redefined itself as "a global enterprise technology and solutions company."
In the increasingly digital audio world, where new products have operating systems and hard drives, it's not surprising that a computer company finds itself in the right place to create and market CE products. But…
The holiday season is upon us, and if you have someone on your gift list—especially a youngster, but really, anyone—whom you'd like to introduce to the wonders of world music, I've got just the ticket. And even if not, read on, because this story will do you good.
Last year, Skyler Pia decided to do something to make his friend Erik, who has cancer, feel better. So, sitting down at his computer with a stack of CDs, he set out to record a "radio show," where he'd play DJ and spin his favorite tunes.
Skyler selected a broad range of songs from all over the world—Africa, Europe, South…