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Dennis Bonotto's characterization of how network switches work surprised me. I was under the impression that network switches merely directed packets from one MAC address to another—so what's all this de-encapsulating and transforming back into bits? If you're not interested in the technical stuff, you can skip this.

As previously mentioned, a network switch is a "layer-2" device, which means that it works in the first two layers of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. In Bonotto's preferred lingo, the two layers are called "MAC" and "PHY."…

Description: QNet: Unmanaged Ethernet switch with five Ethernet ports with 8P8C (RJ45) connectors. Ports 1–3 are 1000BASE-T/100BASE-TX–capable with autonegotiation and auto-MIDI/MID-X support. Ports 4 and 5 are 100BASE-TX full duplex only. DC input: LEMO, 9V/1.2A.
Description: QSource: Linear power supply. Input: 15A IEC, switchable 110/220VAC 50/60Hz. Outputs: Two variable, four 5V fixed, Variable output "A" switches between 9, 12, and 19V, with 9V intended for the QNet. Variable output "B" switches between 12, 19, and 24V. Output power: 9V output: 10W; 12V…

Such was the case at Pittsburgh's new dealership, Stereo Stereo, which I wrote about in September's Re-Tales column. The recently opened CasaHiFi in Miami's affluent Coconut Grove area is another example. Both stores have diversified their offerings to…

The first thing that hits you on "All the Good Times," the opening track of Angel Olsen's Big Time, is the pairing of synth organ sound with drums, like a weirdly wistful combination of country gospel song and high school marching band. Then there's a monster key change at the words "I'll be long gone thanks to these songs" and the horns and lush strings come in. That's this album in a nutshell:…

Many inspired jazz recordings come out of combinations of instrumentalists—usually the more unexpected, the better. What's most fascinating are the ways players adapt to each other's emotions and inventiveness.

This pairing, which is exactly the kind of fusion that has made ECM such a distinct entity lo these many years, was likely inspired by ECM founder and inspirational presence Manfred Eicher. American pianist Hersch,…

It's not immediately clear why these well-wrought concerti should be in Hyperion's "Romantic Piano Concerto" series. The First Concerto, a transitional score, is planted solidly in the Classical period.

The opening ritornello offers ruggedly Classical contours, while the predominantly linear piano writing could be amped-up Mozart; a turbulent tutti where we…

Between 1976 and 2006, Per Windfeld oversaw the development of cartridges from the top to the bottom of Ortofon's extensive line, including the MC 20, MC Rohmann, and MC Jubilee, as well as Ortofon's many series of models: MC Super, Kontrapunkt, MC Rondo, and the budget-priced OM and Concorde DJ series…

Windfeld Ti Sound
In my May 2008 column, back when I was still a callow, inexperienced audio reviewer, I…

The test procedure followed, with minor changes, that established for my previous loudspeaker reviews: the Wharfedales were used with both a Krell KSA-50 and a pair of VTL 100W Compact monoblocks, connected with Monster M1 speaker cable. Preamplifier was either a PS Audio 4.6 with its M-500 power supply or a Mod Squad Phono Drive/Deluxe Line Drive combination. Interconnects were initially Monster M1000, later replaced with MIT 330 and MIT CVT.

Source components consisted of a Marantz CD-94 CD player, which was also used to drive the Sony DAS-R1 D/A…