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Just before Christmas 2025, American music suffered two irreplaceable losses with the passings of Raul Malo (December 8) and Joe Ely (December 15). While a lot of musicians exist on the artistic and commercial fringes, Malo and Ely were foundational artists, gifted creators and performers who refused to be confined by artistic boundaries. Though not without their struggles, each eventually found widespread respect and success. Each leaves behind a significant body of wonderful recordings.

Malo's demise was expected. He was diagnosed in…

On January 12, 2026, Dan D'Agostino Master Systems (DDMAS) welcomed approximately 52 international audio dealers and distributors, along with four members of the audio press, to the unveiling of the new Momentum Z mono amplifier ($125,000/pair) at the Dan D'Agostino factory in Cave Creek, Arizona. This 15th Anniversary event included: a fabulous welcome dinner in the finest and most sophisticated "steakhouse" I've ever visited (not that I've visited many); an extended product…

Once and forever iconoclast Vernon Reid, the Britain-born guitarist for iconic American band Living Colour, is perpetually in pursuit of sonic excellence, regardless the point of entry. "A lot of different things have attracted me—everything from gentle breeze to thunder and lightning," Reid told me during a recent Zoom interview. "I've straddled two centuries where I've been on a mission to explore different emotions, different modalities, and different ways of using the guitar."

Reid's onomatopoeic approach to fulfilling such far-ranging aural pursuits…

Deluxe, premium-priced reel-to-reel tapes have shown staying power as a small niche format within the audiophile music market. The Tape Project was a pioneer in the reel-to-reel renaissance, very early in the market, shipping to customers as early as 2007. Today there are dozens of tape producers based in Europe, Asia, and North America (footnote 1).

To get the most out of what can be a substantial investment—tapes cost hundreds of dollars per album, and properly working tape machines cost thousands—some knowledge is required. In pro audio…

The Criton 1TD-X is a highly acclaimed speaker kit that has earned rave reviews from critics and customers alike. Praised for its detailed yet non-fatiguing sound, deep and impactful bass, and exceptional imaging, the 1TD-X has received hundreds of 5-star reviews and appears on multiple "best of" lists from reviewers.

This kit offers a rewarding and straightforward DIY experience, with assembly possible in just a weekend (depending on your finishing choices). We've designed it for easy assembly with precision-machined, fully rabbeted cabinets and our innovative SmartNode crossover…

Description: Two-way, standmount, bass-reflex loudspeaker with damped and braced wood-composite construction. Drive units: Ruark 5.9" treated natural-fiber–cone midwoofer with a 30mm four-layer voice coil, long-throw motor with cast chassis. Ruark 1" silk-dome tweeter with neodymium motor system and aluminum heatsink. Double-flared port tuned to 53Hz. Crossover frequency: 2.2kHz. Frequency response: 50Hz–20kHz ±3dB (free space conditions). Nominal impedance: 6 ohms (minimum impedance, 4.2 ohms). Sensitivity: 86dB/W/1m. Recommended amplifier power: 25–100W.…

Immersion in various British pop groups followed, including the melodically graceful Chad & Jeremy, the polished Peter and Gordon, and sentimental pop purveyors Gerry and the Pacemakers. These acts provided not mere entertainment but an emotional refuge. Their tuneful, comforting repertoire was solace for a sensitive 6-year-old.

Hours were devoted to listening to a transistor radio, held close enough for the…

Their proven success with phono preamps has encouraged Simaudio to now go way…

The Cooper Hewitt Ojas system
The Cooper Hewitt system is built around a massive pair of horn-loaded speakers that nearly scrape the exhibit space's walls and ceiling. The screen-printed midbass horn is 7'9" tall, 6'4" wide, and 4'6" deep. It's driven by a TAD TL-1601A 15" dynamic woofer.

That midbass horn is a companion for the Ojas 1505 Multicell horn, a mid/treble horn based on the Altec 1505B Multicell. The Ojas 1505 Multicell is driven by a TAD 1401 compression driver. "It uses the geometry and size to provide horizontal dispersion control similar to the [Altec]…

I also learned a lot about jazz records: from John Newcott of PolyGram/Universal; from A&R executive and Grammy-winning producer Brian Michel Bacchus;…