Everybody's favorite writer (according to the latest <I>Stereophile</I> poll), Sam Tellig, reviews the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//amplificationreviews/673/">Conrad-Johnson MV60</A> power amplifier and explains "hanging beef." "For $2795, I loved the Conrad-Johnson MV60," says Tellig.
The combination of accessible world music and transparent sound featured on <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//features/465/"><I>Let Your Voice Be Heard</I></A>, the CD released in 2001 by male-voice choir Cantus, made it an audiophile favorite. <I>Stereophile</I> editor John Atkinson returned to Minnesota earlier this year to record Cantus for a second time. This time, however, the program was very different: an ambitious sequence of choral works illustrating a musical and poetic progression from grief and sorrow to consolation and joy, following the tragic events of September 2001.
Hard as it is to believe, next year will be the 40th anniversary of <I>Stereophile</I>'s famed "Recommended Components" feature. J. Gordon Holt first set the list to paper when the Beatles were first breaking big in the US, and its April and October appearances have stood as biannual audiophile institutions ever since.
There have been reports that some CD, and some combination CD/DVD/etc. machines, have trouble finding the CD layer on a hybrid SACD disc. If you've bought a hybrid SACD/CD disc, has it played on everything you own that can play a CD?
In his recent review of the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//loudspeakerreviews/663/">Thiel CS1.6 loudspeaker</A>, John Atkinson pointed out that while expensive speakers "do indeed provide great sound for the tens of thousands of dollars they demand from their owners, they are out of reach of the majority of audiophiles." Ever the populist, JA tackles this reasonably priced Thiel to see how it measures up to the big boys.
DVD-Audio may have gotten a boost on the production end with the impending release of DVD-Audio Creator LE, an authoring system developed and marketed by <A HREF="http://www.sonic.com">Sonic Solutions</A>. Available October 15, the authoring system will sell for $5999, a price that could enable many small recording studios and mastering houses to begin working with the format. "DVD-Audio Creator LE puts powerful tools in the hands of professional mastering studios at a very low cost," said Dietrick Hardwick, DVD-Audio product manager at Sonic Solutions. "This enables facilities to significantly expand their service offerings by providing their clients DVD-Audio title creation at an affordable price."
For his review of the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//amplificationreviews/658/">Nagra VPA monoblock power amplifier</A>, Jonathan Scull lived a life of danger, noting that readers should "Respect the VPA as the hot-running, high-voltage device it is and It Will Provide. Cold-nosed pets and curious little fingers have no business around these Swiss Guards of quality sound engineering."
San Francisco, California will open its Golden Gates to welcome the Home Entertainment 2003 Show, June 5-8, 2003. The event will take place at the Westin-St. Francis Hotel in the heart of downtown San Francisco. HE2003 marks the fourth time this event has been held in San Francisco. Previous events were held in 1989, 1993, and in 1997.
In his review of the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//amplificationreviews/653/">Conrad-Johnson Premier Twelve monoblock amplifier</A>, Michael Fremer notes, "Conrad-Johnson is one of audio's 'marquee' companies, and charges accordingly." MF uncovers what you really get for your $7000, aside from 140Wpc and a top-shelf name.
At least two renowned loudspeaker manufacturers commemorate their 25th anniversaries in 2002 and both are celebrating with new product releases.