Wes Phillips

It's only a CD-R with a self-adhesive label and computer-generated inserts, but it's what the major record labels are <I>really</I> scared of.

<B>RANDY NEWMAN: <I>The Randy Newman Songbook Vol.1</I></B><BR>
Nonesuch 79689-2 (CD). 2003. Mitchell Froom, prod.; David C. Boucher, eng.; Steven Rhodes, asst. eng. AAD.? TT: 47:22<BR>Performance <B>*****</B><BR>
Sonics <B>****&#189;</B>

I am saddened to report that Peter James Walker, the founder of quintessential English audio company Quad, passed away on December 10, after a long illness. He was 87. Peter Walker had been married twice; both his wives had died before him. He is survived by a daughter, Victoria, and a son, Ross, the latter having played a major role in managing Quad through the 1970s and '80s.

Julian Hirsch, the man who personified the state of audio criticism for nearly half a century, died on November 24 after a long illness.

Retail may be bouncing back. Best Buy, North America's number one electronics chain, reported an 18% gain in total sales for its third quarter ended November 29. The Richfield, MN&ndash;based operation posted $6.03 billion in total sales, with same-store sales up 8.6%.

CD prices have been a sore spot for many music lovers. Our own <A HREF="http://cgi.stereophile.com/cgi-bin/showvote.cgi?242">online polls</A> indicate that <I>Stereophile</I> readers think CDs cost too much (most think they should be under $10), while <I>Stereophile</I> editor John Atkinson has <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/asweseeit/578/">pointed out</A> that for smaller labels, the economics of CD production only work when the prices are kept higher.

Paul Bolin says that the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/amplificationreviews/1103bat">Balanced Audio Technology VK-51SE line preamplifier</A> "made a profound impression on me at the 2003 Consumer Electronics Show." Once in his very own listening lair, did the BAT continue to impress? PB tells all.