The numbers are impressive: over 2400 "albums" (1000 of which include PDF text booklets) including 600 "out of print" recordings (over 100 of which are unavailable elsewhere), 3000 artists, and 950 composers. The initiative, the press release stated, is "part of Universal Music Group’s ongoing market trials of DRM-free downloads, announced earlier this year." This initially…
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The recording label Deutsche Grammophon, founded in 1898, boldly ventured into the 21st century on November 28 with a new online store that eschews digital rights management (DRM) and offers MP3 downloads at 320kbps.
When John Atkinson reviewed the Benchmark DAC1 USB digital/analog processor (watch for it in the January 2008 Stereophile), his test results raised some eyebrows at Benchmark. You'll have to read the review to discover what, but suffice it to say that Benchmark did some testing of their own and wrote us an interesting alert.
Director of engineering John Siau wrote, "We have discovered a very serious flaw in iTunes 7.5...[specifically] in the area of 16-bit truncation and/or operating system based sample-rate conversion…. Fortunately the truncation and sample rate conversion problems can…
Stereophile's seventh CD of Minnesotan male choir Cantus, called with delightful originality Cantus (CTS1207) and recorded at 88.2kHz with 24-bit resolution, is now available from our e-commerce page, for $16.95 plus S&H.
Update 12-11-07: Cantus was listed at No.9 in the list of Top Next-Generation Classical CDs of 2007 compiled by Cincinnati-based NPR radio station WGUC. You can audition the hymn "Salvation is Created" on the station's website.
Cantus's concert programming represents a great mix of styles and influences, and on Cantus, producer Erick Lichte decided to…
The Stockhausen Foundation announced December 7 that Karlheinz Stockhausen died on December 5. No cause of death was given.
Stockhausen most recently was best-known for comments made following the events of September 11, 2001, when he described the attack on the World Trade Center as "the greatest work of art that is possible in the whole cosmos." He apologized immediately, saying that his remarks were intended allegorically and that he abhorred the attack.
The incident was, perhaps, emblematic of his entire career. Stockhausen was a deep thinker, but could appear unworldly; he…
Last week, we passed along some observations from Benchmark Media Systems' John Siau about iTunes forcing an unnecessary sample-rate conversion in its 7.5 incarnation. We received a lot of mail on the subject during the week, including some helpful suggestions from Wavelength Audio's Gordon Rankin, who has much experience designing USB audio devices.
For OSX users running iTunes 7.0 or higher, you'll need to close iTunes and open the AudioMIDI utility, then set the sample rate to what you require for the files you wish to play. Then relaunch iTunes. Otherwise, if AudioMIDI is set to 96kHz…
A new year-long download promotion may spell the death knell for digital rights management (DRM). The Pepsi promotion, which will be formally announced during the Super Bowl on February 3, will advertise a possible one billion downloadable MP3 files, which will be available through Amazon.com's download service, which does not feature DRM. We have not been able to obtain a list of participating labels to date, but since EMI, UMG, and Hollywood Records already participate at Amazon's MP3 store, they're probably involved. Less certain are Sony BMG and Warner Music Group (WMG), who seem to be…
On December 2, we posted an article based on conversations with Benchmark Audio's John Siau, which described Siau's thoughts on the bit-transparency of later versions of iTunes. On December 9, Gordon Rankin weighed in with Wavelength Audio's thoughts on the subject.
This week, we hear again from Benchmark: Elias Gwinn clarifies what he describes as Siau's "initial observations based on preliminary testing." Gwinn writes, "After extensive testing and communicating directly with the engineering team at Apple, some of these initial observations have been explained. We now know the reason…
Lehmann Audio: Immedia, the Berkeley, CA–based distributor of Lyra cartridges, Finite Element stands, Sonics by Joachim Gerhard loudspeakers, and Spiral Groove turntables, has become Lehmann Audio's US distributor.
Norbert Lehmann's Black Cube phono section was introduced in 1995 and it became an audiophile favorite throughout the world. However, Lehmann has lacked US distribution since 2000. Lehmann Audio's six components now include a headphone amp and a power amplifier.
Immedia's Allen Perkins said, "We felt that the addition of Lehmann Audio was a perfect choice to expand our…
IRebuildMarantz.com: Robert D. Bowdish sent us an email recently, pointing us to his IRebuildMarants.com website, which he describes as "my semi-DYI site that's for the purpose of keeping great vintage audio gear alive."
We checked it out and liked what we saw. Bowdish describes himself as "just a regular guy," but his site is filled with helpful suggestions, such as how to diagnose and repair common problems in vintage gear and step-by-step instructions on restoring certain models (with more promised to come).
The instructions are clear and helpful, but Bowdish stresses that a…
One year after the Consumer Electronics Show switched venues from the Alexis Park to The Venetian/Sands Expo and Convention Center, leaving "renegade" exhibitors at T.H.E. Show's less costly St. Tropez venue isolated from the rest of the action, both shows are back stronger than ever. CES's "high-performance audio" exhibits in the Venetian's Tower Suites have increased to 173 from 122, while T.H.E. Show has expanded to a total of 90 exhibit rooms in the Alexis Park and the St. Tropez.
A number of major companies that didn't exhibit at CES's Venetian Tower Suites last year—including Audio…