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For some time now, the truly hip Web-enabled person of stature has shared his or her thoughts with the world via a blog (from web log); these days actors, musicians, and, yes, even politicians are getting into the act.

While somewww.stereophile.com/news/100305musicgiants">some; are trying to push the quality of paid music downloads up, others are pushing in the other direction. SanDiskhttp://www.sandisk.com">SanDisk;, primarily known for flash memory cards used in portable devices like digital cameras, is launching "gruvi," described as "the first removable flash memory card of its type to be sold with premium music content."

At AXPONA 2026, Ken Micallef speaks with Fern & Roby's Christopher Hildebrand about the gear shown in the company's room at the show, including a Fern & Roby The Archival turntable, Linear Tube Audio ZOTL Ultralinear power amplifier, and Fern & Roby Raven II bookshelf speakers.

The cynical amongst us might say that I began my coverage of Warsaw’s Audio Video 2024 with Polish audio company Ferrum because they were also taking me (and a huge bevy of other press people) out to dinner. While I won’t deny that one of many ways to an audio critic’s heart is through their stomach, my gut reaction to Ferrum has far more to do with its “amazing for the price” sound than its perks.

Last week, GlobalNet Systems announced that violinist Itzhak Perlman has joined its subsidiary On-Line">http://www.OEN.com">On-Line Entertainment Network as consultant and advisory boardmember. The company says that Mr. Perlman will consult on its acquisition and production of live classical-music events and the licensing of master catalogs of recorded classical music. He also joins an advisory board that will advise on future trends and opportunities for the company. The company intends to add other major artists to its advisory board in coming months.

Walter Swanbon of Fidelis AV Distribution brought not only the Harbeth loudspeakers and Pure Fidelity turntable I raved about in recent Stereophile reviews, but also a couple brands I was unaware of until now. Walter always gets great room sound, so I was looking forward to a discovery.

At AXPONA 2026, Ken Micallef speaks with Michell's Jonathan Nye (shown above), Opera Loudspeakers' Bartolomeo Nasta, and Unison Research's Augustino Zemai about the gear shown in one of Fidelity Imports' rooms at the show; many of these products were making their respective U.S. debuts.

Waiting for the Holy Grail of DVD-Audio? Even with players still distant on the horizon, one can now begin building a DVD-Audio music library with discs compatible with current DVD-Video players. At least that's the strategy offered at the recent High End 2000 show in Frankfurt, Germany this past week.

Film">www.filmmusicradio.com">Film Music Radio (FMR), one of the newest outposts in the expanding galaxy of cyberspace music media, emerged from the digital ethers on September 13. The Internet radio station streams film and television soundtracks around the clock, and offers genre-based block programs and unique DJ-hosted specialty shows.

They don't turn over quite as fast as computer equipment, but mass-market audio component product cycles typically last about a year, until the next Consumer Electronics Show comes around. High-end audio products, however, enjoy much longer life spans—sometimes stretching to several years.