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When I compiled the votes HI-FI '98 attendees had cast for "Best Sound at the Show," the ultimate winner was the room and system assembled by Los Angeles retailer Christopher Hansen 2---the latest Evolution 2 version of the mighty Martin-Logan Statement electrostatic speaker system, driven by multiple VTL Wotan two-chassis tube monoblocks. Cabling was Cardas Neutral Reference, and the digital front end was by Wadia---a 270 CD transport and the new 27i digital decoding computer---with some tonal shaping courtesy of a Z-Systems Transparent Tone Control. Component stands were from pARTicular.…
As we reported last week, the Senate Commerce Committee (SCC) held hearings on January 24 exploring regulations to insert "Broadcast Flags" and "Audio Flags" into broadcast signals and audio recordings—markers that would prevent electronic devices from recording the flagged material. What we did not anticipate last week was that the hearings would trigger an outpouring of common sense.
John Sununu (R-NH), an MIT graduate, questioned the necessity of the restriction. He said that advocates of the restriction maintained that its absence would "stifle creativity." He demurred. "We have now an…
We have received an update from loudspeaker designer Paul Hales on the availability of replacement parts for Hales loudspeakers. In a previous interview, he had mentioned the availability of cabinet and crossover parts for his namesake products. Some of that information was in error, due to circumstances beyond his control, he explained in a recent email:
Wadia's landlord in Huntington Beach prevented us from retrieving parts from the building: therefore, there are no cabinet or crossover components available. However, Madisound, a loudspeaker distributor in Madison, WI, is stocking…
Graham Nash and Frank Zappa will be DTS Entertainment's first artists to debut in Europe on DVD-Audio, thanks to an agreement between DTSE and Cadiz Music, Ltd., a distributor in Greenwich, England. DTS Entertainment is the entertainment division of Digital Theater Systems, Inc., based in Agoura Hills, CA.
Cadiz will oversee the distribution of DTSE music titles throughout Europe, according to a September 8 announcement. Cadiz will roll out the entire line of DTSE 5.1 music discs and DVD-Audio titles via a direct network of music distributors serving major European markets. The first…
As the cost of data storage has continued to plunge, some industry pundits (well, www.stereophile.com's Jon Iverson) have predicted that the next step in adding value to them would be to give the devices away, but sell the music or data they contain. On March 10, online music label Magnatune and Samsung spin-off Hana Micron fulfilled that prediction with a product called the TunePlug: It's a reusable USB flash memory drive that comes loaded with 10 complete albums from Magnatune artists in MP3 file format.
Magnatune is an innovative, independent online record label that sells its music…
Digital satellite radio is one of the most promising entertainment developments since the invention of the DVD. It's also a high-risk venture for investors.
In mid-August, Sirius Satellite Radio reported that it had almost doubled its number of subscribers, which increased from 3347 at the end of June to 6510 by August 11. With a massive advertising blitz planned for fall, and with the increasing availability of satellite radio receivers, company president Joe Clayton estimated that Sirius could have as many as 75,000 subscribers by year's end.
That rate of growth may not be…
Hundreds of manufacturers will be demonstrating state-of-the-art audio products at HI-FI '98---some of which have never before been seen by the public. We are running several announcements each week leading up to the Show to give you a taste of what to expect. Here's the third assortment:
B&W
B&W, having dazzled audiophiles with the innovative Nautilus, will be launching a loudspeaker that combines the philosophy of that design statement with the 801---probably the best-selling high-end speaker in audio history.
The new Nautilus 801 receives its world launch at HI-FI '98…
For years now, Internet users willing to walk on the audio wild side have had access to millions of illicit music files via peer-to-peer file-trading services. But those who have tried to find locate of the commercial sources for online music files have found their choices limited.
Yahoo! intends to change that with its new Yahoo! Audio Search, announced last week. The company claims that the free search service, currently in beta testing but available for public use, provides access to over 50 million audio files from major music services and independent publishers.
Yahoo! says that…
January 9, 3pm
Some fascinating prototypes were on display at the Madrigal breakfast at Bally's this morning---and we can't tell you about them. But when the Cone of Silence is lifted, you can bet we'll spill the beans, particularly in view of Madrigal's confidence that there will be a future market for very-high-quality surround-sound music reproduction. In the meantime, we are able to report that the new Proceed DVD transport has enough upgradeability options to allow for just about any future digital format: DVD-Audio, SACD, CD, DVD-Video, etc. The transport will also allow for easy…
Some fascinating prototypes were on display at the Madrigal breakfast at Bally's this morning---and we can't tell you about them. But when the Cone of Silence is lifted, you can bet we'll spill the beans, particularly in view of Madrigal's confidence that there will be a future market for very-high-quality surround-sound music reproduction. In the meantime, we are able to report that the new Proceed DVD transport has enough upgradeability options to allow for just about any future digital format: DVD-Audio, SACD, CD, DVD-Video, etc. The transport will also allow for easy…
The first thing you notice is the rather large black foam rubber foot sitting (standing?) in the room. And then the swanky furniture and trendy layout.
We're staying at the Standard Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, guests of cable, power conditioner, and iPod accessory manufacturer Belkin. The company has invited us down to talk about the future of home and car audio at their Digital Home showcase near Chinatown and then to attend the Grammy Awards the following day.
This trip is all about modern: modern design, modern media, and modern music. So the hotel they've chosen is apt…