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XM Radio debuts Classical Confidential

Jason Victor Serinus Oct 30, 2005 First Published: Oct 30, 2005 0 comments

This week, XM Satellite Radio launches Classical Confidential, a series of hour-long artist profiles. Modeled after XM's Artist Confidential series, in which listeners can get to know high-profile artists "up close and personal," per XM, the new show's first installment features an hour with Sony BMG's favorite male violinist, the sweet-toned, extremely gifted Joshua Bell. Subsequent shows will feature the magnificent mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli and conductor Leonard Slatkin.

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Bösendorfer NY Donates "Blue Note" Piano

Wes Phillips Oct 24, 2005 First Published: Oct 24, 2005 0 comments

Gerhard Feldmann’s Bösendorfer New York is partnering with the Jazz Foundation of America to donate the legendary "Blue Note" Bösendorfer to the JFA's inaugural auction benefit, which will be held November 16 at the B.B. King Blues Club and Grill in New York City. Auction proceeds will support JFA non-profit programs, especially working gigs and educational programs for victims of hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

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Inside Your Brain

Jim Austin Oct 23, 2005 First Published: Oct 23, 2005 0 comments

Want to improve your hearing? Have someone tickle your toes, or lightly stroke the palm of your hand. Sounds crazy, but it works, and things get even weirder.

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Music Goes Cellular

Jason Victor Serinus Oct 23, 2005 First Published: Oct 23, 2005 0 comments

In an era when music as instant entertainment enjoys increasing dominance over music as art, cellular phones have emerged as the latest">http://www.stereophile.com/news/101005upod/">latest purveyor of music on demand. Issues of sound quality mean little when the goal is to accumulate more and more files at an ever-accelerating pace and have ever easier access to those files.

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NHT Acquired by Vinci Group

Jon Iverson Oct 23, 2005 First Published: Oct 23, 2005 0 comments

Like many specialty audio companies, NHThttp://www.nhthifi.com">NHT; has had its ups and downs. The Benicia, CA–based loudspeaker manufacturer, founded by Ken">http://www.stereophile.com/interviews/232/">Ken Kantor and Chris Byrne in 1986, was sold to Jensen International in the early 1990s, sold again to accesssories perveyor Recoton, and then acquired (and some would suggest saved) by Rockford Corporation towards the end of 2002.

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SunnComm Upgrades MediaMax

Jon Iverson Oct 17, 2005 First Published: Oct 17, 2005 0 comments

Efforts to restrict the ways consumers use music they have purchased continue unabated. SunnCommhttp://www.sunncomm.com">SunnComm; (along with its sales and marketing arm MediaMaxhttp://www.mediamaxtechnology.com">MediaMax;) has announced that its "newest patent-pending passive technology makes it even more difficult to bypass or 'hack' the copy protection structure contained on the MediaMax CDs."

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Ray Samuels Audio Launches The Hornet

Wes Phillips Oct 17, 2005 First Published: Oct 17, 2005 0 comments

Ray Samuels Audio, long well-regarded for its tube-based home audio components, is developing a reputation for its portable designs, too. After reviewing the SR-71http://stereophile.com/headphones/905ray/">SR-71;, I figured Samuels couldn't make things any smaller.

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Good Guys Gone Bad

Wes Phillips Oct 17, 2005 First Published: Oct 17, 2005 0 comments

Good Guys, the California A/V retailer that overextended itself in an aggressive build-up plan that maxed out at 71 stores, is not long for this world. CompUsa, which acquired the chain in 2003, closed six free-standing Good Guys stores and another five CompUSA/Good Guys megastores in late September. CompUSA will close the remaining 25 stores and three regional distribution centers within 80 days—following liquidation">http://www.goodguys.com/canv.htm">liquidation sales.

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uPod, iPod, everybodyhasaPod

Jon Iverson Oct 10, 2005 First Published: Oct 10, 2005 0 comments

Although some won't openly admit it, plenty of audiophiles with nice systems also own iPods. And they are not alone. According to figures recently revealed by the Consumer">http://www.CE.org">Consumer Electronics Association, more than 152 million Americans, representing 70% of the total US adult population, own some kind of portable entertainment device.

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Industry Update

Wes Phillips Oct 10, 2005 First Published: Oct 10, 2005 0 comments

Peter Madnick, alchemist: Designer Peter Madnick is bringing new life to a classic audio marque with his new Alchemy² line of components. The reference, for audiophiles with short memories, is to the now defunct Audio Alchemy line, for which he designed so many products. Alchemy² employs Madnick's original engineering staff and has established a goal to "address the enthusiast market with cool little boxes designed to solve problems and enhance system enjoyment." That sounds familiar.