John Marks is a multidisciplinary generalist and a lifelong audio hobbyist. He was educated at Brown University and at Vanderbilt Law School. He has worked as a trial and appeals lawyer; as a music educator, recording engineer, classical-music record producer and label executive; and as a music and audio-equipment journalist. He was a columnist for... Read More »
Atlanta, GA. USA - July 17, 2025 — GIK Acoustics introduces the Sound Block StackPack, a bundled acoustic solution offering scalable, high-performance control for critical listening environments. The StackPack combines three purpose-engineered GIK Sound Blocks into a single, space-saving vertical array, suitable for professional studios or audiophile listening rooms. The StackPack delivers targeted acoustic control... Read More »
Tangent offers a unique take on songs by contemporary artists, played by an adept piano jazz trio in extraordinary Pure DSD high-resolution sound July 17, 2025 – Jazz musicians have always adapted the songs of the day to a jazz style and feel. With Octave Records’ latest, Tangent, pianist Charles Blenzig and his trio have... Read More »
As you know by now, I enjoy the recordings produced by Bert van der Wolf-Oude Avenhuis. So, when I saw that he'd released a series of live performance recordings with the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra and conductor Andris Poga, I just had to get them all for a listen. These live recordings are part of a... Read More »
AZLA, the renowned name in innovative personal audio solutions, proudly announces the release of the A100 Smart DAC Headphone Amplifier, a portable solution designed to elevate everyday listening to audiophile-grade performance. Redefining Portable Audio Compact yet remarkably powerful, the A100 is equipped with a Hi-Res DAC Adapter capable of 32-bit / 384kHz playback, enabling it... Read More »
Ortofon's been in the audio business for 107 years now, and they have been producing the ever-popular SPU product line of moving-coil phonograph cartridges since 1959. Ever since the Ortofon SPU product line of phonograph cartridges made its debut, music and audio enthusiasts have been enamored with their big, bold, exciting, liquid, naturally warm, and... Read More »
Today we have a wonderful organ recording from Base2 Music, one that was included in my earlier article, Outstanding Organ Recordings in DSD256 and DXD (HERE), but am only now getting to writing a review. Also included is a remastering of one of my favorite Ben Webster albums, Gentle Ben, from 2xHD. From the new... Read More »
Roger Skoff at the 2024 LAOC Gala (photograph and image processing by David W. Robinson) For this month's column, Roger has departed from his usual essay format. Instead, he is sharing a YouTube video in which Norman Varney of AV Room Service interviews him about audio cables. You'll find the interview at: Mic Check Ep:... Read More »
This is a republication of our good friend Frank Doris's article in Copper magazine, Issue 218, back in May of this year. Frank's writing is first-rate, as are his sensibilities...I love this man's stuff!...republishing his work with the blessing and permission of Paul McGowan of PS Audio. Dr. David The Hill Plasmatronics speakers in Brian... Read More »
Craft Recordings has just reissued Sixties psychedelic icon Norman Greenbaum's 1969 debut album, Spirit in the Sky. While its eponymous title track quickly became the anthem of a generation, other than an extremely limited release on Record Store Day in 2014, the LP has been out of print for fifty-five years. An entertainingly diverse album,... Read More »
FIRST-EVER DOLBY ATMOS MIX, ARRIVING ON BLU-RAY AUGUST 8 RHINO HIGH FIDELITY SERIES DEBUTS LIMITED EDITION VINYL VERSION OF THE MULTI-PLATINUM ALBUM, CUT FROM THE ORIGINAL ANALOG MASTERS, LIMITED EDITION OF 5,000 NUMBERED COPIES SPECIAL EDITION INCLUDES TWO BONUS REPLICA 7-INCH SINGLES BOTH AVAILABLE AUGUST 8 EXCLUSIVELY AT RHINO.COM PRE-ORDER NOW (July 11, 2025 -... Read More »
Craft Recordings' mid-year selection of releases in the Original Jazz Classics (OJC) reboot series features six new titles, including a pair on the Vee Jay Records label that have never appeared as OJC's prior to now. Those include two albums from pianist Bill Evans, both coming from 1962, including the trio setting Moon Beams and... Read More »
The first of its kind, Network Acoustics’ origin is a unique hybrid DC power supply designed exclusively for digital devices used to stream music. Network Acoustics initially conceived origin to address the problem of electronic noise emitted by home routers. However, they quickly discovered that it had an equally profound impact when used with any... Read More »
July 8, 2025 - Focal elevates the world of high-fidelity once again with DIVA MEZZA UTOPIA, a bold new evolution in the prestigious Diva Utopia line from the French acoustic innovator. Wireless, active and seamlessly connected, it embodies the pinnacle of Focal’s craftsmanship and technological expertise. With its striking design and extraordinary acoustic performance, Diva... Read More »
This article of Recent Finds contains a truly disparate array of albums, but all of which I've enjoyed immensely. They are all beautifully recorded, supremely well performed, with interesting music that should be heard. I hope you will find something here that tickles your fancy. Mine has been tickled nearly to death listening to these.... Read More »
In an earlier article, I posted my list of Pure DSD256: My Top of the Pile albums for sound quality. In this article, I'd like to expand on this and share some Pure DSD256* albums transferred from analog tape that I consider my top of the pile for sound quality in this category. I decided... Read More »
Schumann, Symphonies 1-4. "Giuseppe Verdi" Theatre Orchestra, Trieste/Julian Kovatchev. Erresse RS 6367-72/73 (2 CDs). Timings: 75.54, 69.45 Dvorak, Symphonies 4-6. "Giuseppe Verdi" Theatre Orchestra, Trieste/Julian Kovatchev. RS 053-0134 (3 CDs). Timings: 40.59. 38.17, 46.33 The success of Naxos, circa 1990, showed that there was a market for newly recorded low-priced classical CDs. The result, as CD manufacturing ramped up... Read More »
And now, a few portraits that I made while at AXPONA 2025. It's the people that are most important things in all of life...including high-end audio. A shared passion for music, the audio arts, and the close friends that we make ought to be the highest pleasure in our world. Welcome to the gallery; let... Read More »
In 2021, the Canadian company Reliable Corporation presented the Uberlight Flex lamp for audiophiles who use turntables. It had the shape of an elongated tube with LEDs attached to a flexible "neck." The company drew on its many years of experience in the production of lamps used to illuminate sewing machine workstations. On February 18th, the... Read More »
FiiO is proud to announce the launch of the K15 Desktop DAC and Headphone Amplifier. Merging breathtaking power, innovative engineering and sleek aesthetic sensibility, the K15 is a full-system desktop DAC/amp built for audiophiles and the ideal partner for the FiiO FT7 headphones. Or any active speakers such as the FiiO SP3. Featuring the features... Read More »
Today's Recent Finds include several "not so recent" but long cherished releases from HDTT that I'd just not yet included in an article. Why, I don't know. It's a function of the astonishing wealth of excellent recordings available in the HDTT catalog. But they are popping up now as I work on a list I... Read More »
The other day, I posted a list of Pure DSD256 albums that I consider my "top of the pile" for sound quality. HERE This article will be a further discussion of Pure DSD* recordings and why they are such an important development. So, tune out now if this is not your thing. Otherwise, join me... Read More »
The 150th meeting of the Krakow Sonic Society could not be the same as usual. That is why the topic was the product of one of the most famous Polish audio companies in the world. We also drank champagne, tasted wines from a new, small Polish winery located just outside Krakow, and proudly wore medals... Read More »
This article by Marshall Nack originally ran in 2006, so while we call this section "New Old Stock - Articles from Our Days in Print" you are also going to see some articles from our early days of going online. A Quiet Company While everybody's heard of Air Tight and their products are well respected,... Read More »
Bill Dull and Randy Eller at the 2025 NAMM show. Triad Magnetics is one of the world's foremost manufacturers of transformers for audio, musical instrument, and industrial applications. Founded in 1943, Triad is based in Perris, California and offers thousands of off-the-shelf transformers, as well as the ability to create custom designs. Guitar amplifier buffs know... Read More »
I listen to a lot of high resolution DXD and DSD256 file downloads. And, as you can imagine, I have my favorites—my "top of the pile" recordings for sound quality (to borrow a description from my vinyl years). I thought I'd assemble some of these personal favorites into a list for anyone interested. To keep... Read More »
DOLBY ATMOS MIXES OF THE BAND’S FIRST FOUR ALBUMS OUT TODAY IN LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY COLLECTION AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM RHINO ORDER NOW (June 27, 2025 - Los Angeles, CA) Rhino presents the first four Ramones albums in Dolby ATMOS on Blu-ray for the first time today with a new boxed set, 1!2!3!4! The Ramones Atmos... Read More »
Peter Bjørnild and Frans de Rond at Sound Liaison have just released a stunning new Pure DSD256 album. This is their first album in Pure DSD256 and the results are simply incredible, with all the transparency, timbral accuracy, and resolution for which we love Pure DSD256. Frans says of DSD, "Its incredible clarity and precision... Read More »
Every so often, a music release occurs that is of such historical and musical significance that time must be made to mark its arrival. So it is with this amazing restoration of the BBC's 2-microphone live recording of Jascha Horenstein's Mahler Symphony No. 8 "Symphony of a Thousand," recorded live in 1959 in Royal Albert... Read More »
Known Best for his Lyrical Work (beginning in 1968) with Brian Wilson, Dennis Wilson and the Beach Boys, Kalinich’s Songs Have Been Performed by Paul McCartney, Steve Cropper, PF Sloan, Diana Ross and Others LOS ANGELES, CA. (TUESDAY JUNE 24, 2025) - You’ve heard his lyrics on classic albums like Dennis Wilson Pacific Ocean Blue... Read More »
PRE-ORDER NOW 2LP, 2CD AND DIGITAL VERSIONS AVAILABLE SAME DAY PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED LIVE VERSION OF “THE SEVENTH SEAL” AVAILABLE TODAY DIGITALLY LISTEN NOW (June 25, 2025 - Los Angeles, CA) Van Halen’s Balance turns 30 this year, and Rhino is celebrating with an expanded edition of the band’s multi-platinum tenth studio album. It follows last... Read More »
Impex Records, in a joint effort with Iconic Artist Group and Epic Records has just released Souvenirs, 50th Anniversary Edition, a limited LP reissue of Dan Fogelberg's classic second studio album. Fogelberg's debut album failed to chart, and in the aftermath his manager, Irving Azoff, suggested a change of scenery might be in order. He'd... Read More »
Chrysalis Records continues their celebration of the legacy of legendary guitarist Robin Trower with the latest installment in the series, For Earth Below, 50th Anniversary Edition. Originally released in 1975, For Earth Below was his third studio album, and followed on the heels of his commercial and critical breakthrough Bridge of Sighs by only ten... Read More »
A new album from Rachel Podger and Brecon Baroque, recorded by Jared Sacks, is always reason to celebrate! Add to that some delightful discoveries from Alpha Classics, Yarlung Records (in Pure DSD256), two albums from IBS, and an intriguing peak at what may come from the "new" Channel Classics under Outhere Music's direction, and we... Read More »
Ye Olde Editor: a Fantasy. (Photograph by John Robinson; image processing by yours truly.) AXPONA time again... Another year, another AXPONA. The biggest high-end audio show in the USA had its latest iteration on April 11-13 at the Renaissance Schamburg Hotel in Schamburg, IL. According to the AXPONA management team, "10,000+ attendees and 700+ brands... Read More »
You will likely have noticed a large number of recordings in my articles from Hunnia Records. The owner of the label, Robert Zoltán Hunka, loves all kinds of music and is fanatically committed to making recordings with the highest sound quality he is able to achieve. Their albums keep showing up for three good reasons:... Read More »
John Marks of The Tannhauser Gate (thetannhausergate.com) and Positive Feedback This is a continuation of a very long essay. But I think the subject matter deserves thorough coverage. In Part 1 (HERE), I examined the hard-wired neurological, and the (apparently, universal) cultural reasons why everyone responds strongly to women's singing voices (and responds equally strongly to toddler... Read More »
