Pioneer to Ignore Copy-Protection Issue, Will Launch DVD-A
Despite the recent defeat of DVD-Audio's copy-protection scheme (see previous">http://www.stereophile.com/news/10620/">previous story), Pioneer Electronics has decided to move forward with its plan to release two models of its high-resolution players in Japan. The announcement was made December 14 by company executives in Tokyo, who said that delaying the format's launch at this late stage could do irreparable damage to its acceptance by music fans. Super Audio Compact Disc, a competing format developed by the Sony/Philips alliance, is already beginning to win converts.
Pioneering Record Company Director Teresa Sterne Dies
Teresa Sterne, a pioneer in the production of classical music recordings and a visionary marketer of classical and ethnomusicological recordings, died December 10, 2000 of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gerhrig's disease). She was 73.
Pirates Awash In Swag
As almost any Stereophile reader could tell">http://www.stereophile.com/showvote.cgi?105">tell you, if the record labels want to stem the rushing tide of big-time music piracy, they should consider starting with lower CD prices at retail. In other words, lessen the incentives that drive the illicit music market, and eliminate a sizable percentage of the problem overnight.
Pirates Pinched
Visit any major metropolitan city, and chances are you'll eventually stumble upon vendors selling pirate CDs from outdoor tables, often for as little as $5 each. But for the suburban resident in the US, flea markets are where the pirate action is.
Pirates Under Pressure Around the World
Last week, the US Secret Service reported that, assisted by the Recording Industry Association of America's (RIAA) New York Anti-Piracy Unit, it had executed two search and seizure warrants in Queens and Manhattan, resulting in what the agency called "the break-up of a massive counterfeit music operation." The Secret Service reported that approximately 20,000 recorded CD-Rs and 1200 masters were seized from the Queens and Manhattan locations.
Plan B for Net Investors: Legal Music?
The continuing legal attacks on Napsterhttp://www.napster.com/">Napster;, the free file-sharing software, and on MP3.comhttp://www.mp3.com/">MP3.com;, the downloadable music site, have spooked investors, according to the financial press. MP3.com's stock got hammered hard, dropping by about 40% almost immediately in the wake of a recent">http://www.stereophile.com/news/10737/">recent decision by US District Court judge Jed S. Rakoff in favor of the Recording">http://www.riaa.com/">Recording Industry Association of America's copyright-violation complaint against the Internet startup.
Planète Haute Fidélité at Montreal Audiofest 2026
In our latest, bonus video interview from Montreal Audiofest 2026, Robert Schryer speaks with Simaudio Product Director Dominique Poupart and two reps from Planète Haute Fidélité about the gear shown in the Canadian retailer's room, including Stable 33.33's 33.3 turntable, Moon by Simaudio 888 monoblock amplifiers, and MartinLogan Neolith speakers.
Platinum Entertainment Gives It Away Online
Old joke: "We lose money on every sale, but we make it up in volume." A similar concept seems to be at the heart of the free download phenomenon sweeping through the Internet music industry: give it away as a lo-rez MP3, and customers will come back to buy the CD.
Play It Again, Siri
Okay, we know that Humphrey Bogart didn't utter that immortal instruction in Casablanca, but we couldn't resist, given that this issue includes Jim Austin's adventures with Apple's HomePod, the first smart speaker with hi-fi pretensions, which is featured on our August issue's cover.
Playing Musical Fidelity Chairs
Although the deal was announcedhttp://www.stereophile.com/news/11038/">announced; by both companies only weeks ago, it appears that Audio">http://www.audioadvisor.com">Audio Advisor will in fact not be distributing Musical Fidelity products in the US after September 1. In AA's place, Musical Fidelity has chosen Kevro International as the exclusive US distributor for its complete line of electronic products. According to Kevro International spokesperson Kathy Ginn, "Musical Fidelity [has] chosen to market [its] products through independent specialists rather than [continue] their previous approach [of distributing the line] through mail order and the Internet. And, unfortunately, AA will no longer be a dealer."