Lenbrook Acquires MQA
Note: This is a developing story. Updates will be posted as they unfold.
Lenbrook Corp, the privately owned Canadian enterprise whose holdings include NAD electronics, PSB speakers, and Bluesound (the maker of the BluOS music operating software system) has acquired the assets of MQA, Ltd, including MQA technology and the SCL6. The press release announcing the acquisition, which went public September 19 at 8am EDT, notes that the deal "further solidifies Lenbrook's commitment to excellence and innovation in the evolving landscape of audio technology."
Lenbrook Announces Acquisition of High-End A/V Manufacturer Sonic Frontiers Inc.
The Lenbrook Group of Pickering, Ontario, Canada announced March 25 that it will acquire Sonic">http://www.sonicfrontiers.com/">Sonic Frontiers of Oakville, Ontario, Canada. This acquisition, effective May 1, 1998, is an extension of Lenbrook's commitment to enhance its position in the international specialty A/V segment of the consumer electronics industry. A new company, Sonic Frontiers International (SFI), will be formed to leverage Lenbrook's strengths with Sonic Frontiers' market position in the high-end segment of the audio business.
Lenbrook Group adds NAD to Roster
Toronto-based Lenbrook Group announced earlier this month that it had acquired NAD Electronics from AudioNord International, a Scandinavian organization that has owned the brand for most of this decade. The deal is expected to close next week, on May 3. Lenbrook will take over NAD's worldwide marketing and distributorship, but AudioNord will continue to market the brand in Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, and Scandinavia. Other joint marketing ventures will follow, according to Lenbrook's public relations agent.
Lenbrook/Sonic Frontiers Deal Called Off
Both Sonic">http://www.sonicfrontiers.com/">Sonic Frontiers Inc. and The Lenbrook Group of Ontario, Canada stated June 5th that they will not be proceeding with a deal announced earlierhttp://www.stereophile.com/news/10129/">earlier;.
Leonard Bernstein Honored by Library of Congress
The Library of Congress has honored American composer, conductor, writer, and teacher Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) with an online preview exhibithttp://memory.loc.gov/ammem/lbhtml/lbhome.html">exhibit; from The Leonard Bernstein Collection, one of the largest special collections in the Library's Music Division.
Less Bits, More Filling?
Dolby">http://www.dolby.com">Dolby Laboratories was demonstrating its new Advanced">http://www.aac-audio.com">Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) consumer encoder, which the company says complements its professional AAC encoder, at this year's New York AES Convention. Dolby says it will license the encoder to enable "high-quality AAC encoding" for CD-rippers, hard disk–based jukebox products, Internet-based music distribution systems, portable players, and other digital audio products aimed at the consumer market.
Levinson Misattributed; New Cello Amp Due in Fall
Every month, we get dozens of press releases about new developments in the audio industry. Many of them, detailing minor changes in product design, company policy, or personnel, are less than newsworthy. A disturbing number are written in an odd variant of English—PR Speak—In Which Every Word Is Capitalized And Quotes Are Used "For Emphasis." Others clearly have been penned by folks not fully in command of the language: Many are thus improved features of great desire and will invite happiness to include in next model.
Lieberfarb Joins Sirius
Sirius">http://www.siriusradio.com">Sirius Radio has added an entertainment industry heavyweight to its board of directors.
Linear Acquires Niles
Linear, LLC of Carlsbad, CA, an innovative firm specializing in radio frequency products, has announced its acquisition of Niles Audio Corporation, the Miami, FL company best known for its whole-house audio and video products.
Linn Abandons CD Players
On November 19, Scottosh manufacturer Linn Products held a press conference in London to announce that it was forthwith ceasing the production of CD players, and effectively replacing them by its new DS-series "digital streaming" components in its product portfolio.