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The Worst Radio Interview Ever?

Luke Burbank attempted to interview Sigur Ros on NPR. Watch the video to realize how difficult it is to conduct an interview when the interviewee isn't a self-winding talking points machine.

I do sympathize with Burbank. I've participated in a few Q&As that stalled—including some where PR companies set up their clients in interview booths, where the celebrity had to speak to a new journalist every 25 minutes for hours. Just try getting a unique insight under those circumstances.

I've heard Burbank's interviews before and he usually comes to the table well-informed and on his…

Time Squared?

Have we missed a dimension of time?

You Can't See Me!

Bagheera practices her Cat Fu out in the open. "It's black, I'm black—you can't see me! Bwahh, hah, hah, haaah!

She's mad, mad I tell you.

Ablutions

Huckleberry is a meticulous groomer—as long as he doesn't have to strain himself reaching any of his nether bits.

Show Report Coming Soon!

John Atkinson and Jason Serinus will be reporting live from RMAF 2007.

A Decent Equipment Rack

It started as a joke. I told my uncle, also a huge Mets fan, that if the Mets didn't make it to the playoffs, I'd get rid of my television. What would I need a television for anyway? All I ever watch are Mets games, and I can get my news from the internet or the radio. The idea became more attractive as I thought of how much easier it would be to swap audio components without an enormous, old 27" Sharp television set getting in the way. I might even be able to hock the television for a sweet pair of bongos, or something similarly musical and pretty. They've got some nice rhythm…

The 2007 RMAF Opens for Business

The fourth annual Rocky Mountain Audio Fest is taking place this weekend at the Denver Tech Center Marriott. Registration was up 15% this year; snapped in the line in front of the registration desk at 9am was erstwhile Stereophile staffer Jonathan Scull (sensible suit, smart tie, and flashy glasses), these days a successful PR and marketing consultant.

Last year, people attended from 44 states and 12 foreign countries; this year’s statistics are not yet available. Attendees include a host of spouses and significant others, for whom a Saturday “Spouse Outing” complete with tea, art…

Not Just Another Show

According to Marjorie Stiefel, who with her husband Al slaves over the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest for months on end, this year's RMAF has 142 exhibit rooms, 29 more than last year. The show, has in fact, not only reached the hotel’s size limit—the DTC Marriott is Denver's third-largest—but also exceeded Marjorie's and Al’s energetic capacity. Fried to a crisp beyond the smile, the couple is considering hiring help for next year in order to meet increased demand from such major players as Linn, McIntosh, Esoteric, dCS, Kimber, Wilson, BAT, Gamut, Clearaudio, Edge, Ayre, Nordost...you…

What a Watt!

Nelson Pass is up to good again. Following the wonderful sound of Ella and Billy I heard in the corridor, I discovered Nelson's prototype open-baffle speaker system. It sports both a Lowther PM6A full-range driver and a pair of SEAS W26 10" woofers. The 40"-high open baffle, which at this stage of the game is not intended to be a final design statement, has no side panels, only a central brace in the rear. The system was bi-amped, with the Lowther driver fed using a 60Hz, 6dB/octave high-pass filter feeding a First Watt F3 7Wpc JFET amplifier. The woofers were driven by a Pass Labs…

Big Things in Small Packages

Santy Oropel of Twin Audio Video Inc. of Loma Linda, CA was producing some very nice sound with Triode Corporation’s TRV-A88SE, a KT88-based, 12Wpc, single-ended integrated amplifier ($1800) and TRV-4SE Limited Special Edition tube preamplifier ($2750). Everything save the faceplate and casing is made in Japan.