Ye Olde Editor: a portrait (Photograph by John Robinson) Last week PF published an "Open Letter to Joel Davis of JD Events/AXPONA 2020" in our Industry News section. It included some 20 supporting signatures from those protesting JD Events' unwillingness to give exhibitors either the option of cancelling their reservation and receiving a full refund,... Read More »
Until May 15, 2020, Qobuz is offering free download of a selection of albums. Click HERE to download the Qobuz app. Browse the list of albums available HERE. FAQ Is it really free? Yes, it's completely free. Add the album(s) of your choice to your cart, validate your order and then log in if you... Read More »
Ye Olde Editor, a moment. (Portrait by John Robinson) Bill Parish of GTT Audio is a great longtime audiobud of mine. We go back nearly 20 years now. During that time, I've come to develop a real respect for his line card, which is always excellent, and pay a lot of attention to his recommendations... Read More »
We are living in strange and terrible times. It is the Golden Age of Audio right now, but that Golden Age has been swallowed up by the COVID-19 pandemic so suddenly that it is hard to remember just a few months ago, when 2020 looked like it would be a very good year for fine... Read More »
Product Announcement: 3 INPUT MASTER TRIDENT Tape Head Preamplifier for professional users of Reel to Reel Tape Decks from Merrill Audio. BERNARDSVILLE, New Jersey, USA – Merrill Audio introduces, for REEL to REEL professionals who have more than 1 Tape deck the MASTER TRIDENT Tape Head Preamp with 3 inputs for use with multiple decks.... Read More »
New York, April 20, 2020 Mytek Audio, New York manufacturer of fine hi-fi and recording audio equipment has announced it will donate 10% of direct sales and 10% of sales to dealers to charities on the frontlines of COVID19 pandemic in New York City as well as to charities assisting musicians in distress. “Mytek has... Read More »
Supports MQA playback, PCM up to 384 kHz/32 bit, and DSD up to 11.28 MHz BALLSTON SPA, New York, April 2020 – Luxman’s latest digital player, the D-03X, includes a host of new features such as Master Quality Authenticated full decoding for MQA files and MQA-CDs, support for DSD® files up to quad rate 11.28... Read More »
As part of the series of special events and product launches to celebrate its 40th anniversary, MOON is creating an iconic audio system. The MOON Anniversary Edition will feature the highly acclaimed 680D streaming DAC and the 600i v2 integrated amplifier. Each model will be finished in a beautiful colourway designed to give a contemporary... Read More »
Dynaudio announces two new upgraded finishes for the award-winning Special Forty Loudspeakers Skanderborg, Denmark – April 23, 2020 Dynaudio’s award-winning anniversary loudspeaker, the Special Forty, has been given a makeover with two stunning new finishes: Black Vine and Ebony Wave. Black Vine offers a striking contrast of dark veneer shot through with vivid orange, while... Read More »
An update to the legendary Contour includes a new Esotar tweeter, improved woofers and more… Skanderborg, Denmark – April 23, 2020 Dynaudio is excited to take the wraps off its new Contour i series – an extensive update to the multi-award-winning 2016 Contour range. The family has been totally overhauled under the hood with advanced... Read More »
WAM Engineering LLC Announces the Re-Launch of the Award-Winning WallyTractor Universal and WallyTools Analog Setup Tools Santa Rosa, CA, USA— 4/23/2020 — WAM Engineering LLC announced immediate availability of the next generation WallyTractor Universal, the most accurate cartridge alignment protractor on the market and the first of several WallyTools turntable setup tools to be re-launched... Read More »
Electrond, photo by Trond Gjellum. Used with permission Trond Gjellum is a Norwegian multi-instrumentalist best known for his work as the leader and drummer for Panzerpappa, an instrumental progressive rock band, and Suburban Savages, which is more song-based. He's worked on a number of other projects, including The Samuel Jackson Five, and +Ingelrii+. Earlier this... Read More »
Dear Joel, Hi-Fi Shows have long been an important and familiar part of the audio landscape, as important to manufacturers and magazines as they are to consumers. But the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic has clearly altered that landscape out of all recognition. Large segments of the US (and World) population are enduring limitations on... Read More »
Canadian high-end audio manufacturer, MOON, is delighted to announce a new association with renowned Danish loudspeaker manufacturer, Raidho Acoustics. Raidho Acoustics develops and manufactures loudspeakers for listeners with a sense for aesthetics - those who think sound should be fantastic, want their listening experience to be out of the ordinary and expect good-looking speakers with... Read More »
Clark Johnsen, Private Ear (series drawing no. 1, by Bruce Walker, 1993) I got the news first thing in the morning last week. Clark Johnsen has passed away of cancer, at the ripe age of 78. I wasn't surprised; a mutual friend had warned me four or five months ago that Clark was in a... Read More »
Pure Class A 125+125 Wats RMS - KT-150 Integrated and stereo amplifier Austria | February 26, 2020 - 40 years in the making! Ayon Audio, the award winning Austrian vacuum tube manufacturer unveils 18 NEW Models in 2020 - The New Ayon Audio Triton III P/A GEN 4 stereo Amplifier - Pure Class A operation... Read More »
Austria | February 26, 2020 - 40 years in the making! Ayon Audio, the award winning Austrian vacuum tube manufacturer unveils 18 NEW Models in 2020 - The New Ayon Audio S-10II ROON Network Player, DAC, PCM to DSD, DAC & Preamplifier that delivers a Pure Class A Triode signal, no signal loss at any... Read More »
Qobuz expands “Gimme Shelter” program benefiting creators to include streaming revenues Qobuz, the music service with the world’s largest HD music catalog, is expanding its “Gimme Shelter” artist relief program by returning 100% of commissions made on new customers’ first paid month of streaming back to rightsholders, for all new subscribers who join from April... Read More »
Acoustic Treatments Manufacturer Makes Face Masks from Upcycled Fabrics to Combat the Spread Atlanta, GA (April 13, 2020) -- GIK Acoustics, a leading acoustic treatment company, is taking action to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus by making masks from off-cut fabrics from its factory in Atlanta, Georgia, donating 100% of the profit to... Read More »
For the uncompromising audiophile on the go: The Ampex Rollman
In this Covid 19 pandemic, where many have suggested songs with either soothing or suggestive lyrics to wade through this difficult period, I chose instead to focus on five selections geared more towards escapism, dance and anxiety abandonment. So do yourself a favor, for the next 40 minutes or so, shut off the news, give... Read More »
Gryphon, that for some time now have been using name The Gryphon, is a Danish company, founded in 1986 by Flemming E. Rasmussen. Its products feature an extremely characteristic design and all belong to the high-end class. What draws attention is not only its fantastic construction, but also a beautiful logotype depicting a griffin—a mythical... Read More »
OPTIMO 3 DUO No compromise ultra-low noise dual-output linear power supply. Designed to partner JCAT USB & NET Cards, as well as any other component requiring up to 3A load, the OPTIMO 3 DUO will drastically improve every aspect of sound. Features two independent galvanically isolated DC outputs, each capable of delivery up to 3A... Read More »
O Brother, Where Art Thou. A twenty-year old movie soundtrack, with music written a century ago, is once again relevant today. What a World It is gray out, but the birds are singing and my children are sleeping soundly during these early hours of a Sunday morning. I am watching steam lazily rope out of my... Read More »
Following its switch from manufacturing turntables to hand sanitiser, VPI has now also started producing face masks and supplying 3D printed parts for ventilators. To create the face masks, the team took the clear plastic covers from VPI brochures to use as visors and then applied packaging foam as forehead strips. Ingeniously, VPI’s designers have... Read More »
Our "Network Interface" The new LinQ was created following a precise idea. Fast and standard technical solutions do not belong to the aqua philosophy. aqua has developed an extremely streamlined long-life platform and network bridge modules, focused on audio playback functions. We prefer to use know-how developed in-house, for a number of reasons in respect... Read More »
2nd April 2020, Kent, UK: In the UK, and some other countries around the world, 1 April is known as 'April Fools' Day' and is, traditionally, a day for harmless and light-hearted pranks. This year, one particular 'prankster' went too far and posted a false article and forged a press release on his hi-fi review... Read More »
Strong initial business prompted move to a larger facility Rancho Cucamonga, California — Gloves and masks in place, movers have delivered RSX Technologies, Inc. to its new, larger, and fully climate-controlled facility. “We couldn’t have chosen a more challenging time to move into our new facility”, said CEO and Chief Designer Roger Skoff, “but we... Read More »
This edition of my Perfect Song series is sub-titled: The Coronavirus Edition. Many of us find ourselves self-isolating, or social distancing. We have been told the only way to flatten the curve is to stay at home, because we're "safer at home." For someone like me, a cancer survivor and lung surgery survivor, it makes... Read More »
New Jersey high-end audio manufacturer, VPI, has switched its production focus from turntables to hand sanitiser. The VPI hand sanitiser will initially be distributed locally and then further afield as the situation allows. It is available free of charge. Mat Weisfeld, VPI President, commented, ‘VPI has taken a break on turntables and we have started... Read More »
Qobuz launches Gimme Shelter, gives its share of download revenue to creators during crisis Qobuz, the music service with the world’s largest Hi-Res catalog, has announced that it is waiving its revenue share on all download sales, passing 100% of this revenue through to the rights holders until April 26, 2020. Dubbing the program Gimme... Read More »
March 26, 2020 — Clarus®, the high-end audio cable brand that is a “sister” company to Tributaries A/V cables, is introducing new versions of their exceptional Crimson Cables. Crimson Mark II Balanced Audio, Single-Ended RCA Audio and Speaker cables feature a multi-gauge design using three different shaped insulated ultra-low distortion PCOCC conductors – resulting in an expanded soundstage... Read More »
Legendary New Jersey turntable manufacturer, VPI, has partnered with Nordost to create the new Weisline Tonearm Cable. When VPI’s designers wanted a fresh, high-performance tonearm cable that would deliver a truly class-leading performance, they turned to their friends at Nordost. With over three decades’ experience of manufacturing cables, interconnects and accessories for the audiophile market,... Read More »
Blues Masters at The Crossroads concert featured many legendary musicians who, for the first time in history, were streamed online live before a worldwide audience! (March 24th, 2020) The 2014 Blues Masters at the Crossroads event at Blue Heaven Studios, celebrating the 17th year as the preeminent authentic Blues concert in the world, featured performances by Rip Lee Pryor,... Read More »
Photo by John Marks The above photo was not taken in Ireland, but it perhaps could pass; and in any event, it will have to do. For St. Patrick's Day, here are Nathaniel Rosen (cellist), Doris Stevenson (pianist), and Arturo Delmoni (guest violinist) playing Fritz Kreisler's trio arrangement of "Londonderry Air," also known as "Danny... Read More »
SAN FRANCISCO (3/17/20) – Parasound and thousands of other businesses in seven San Francisco Bay Area counties are now subject to a 'Shelter at Home' directive that requires all "nonessential" businesses to cease operation. Today, Parasound notified its dealers and representatives that the office and warehouse are closed. However, company personnel are still on the... Read More »
The Berlin Philharmonic has just made a really classy move: in view of the coronavirus pandemic, they have removed the paywall on their archived content. To put it another way, you can now binge-watch exceptional classical music performances for free. While hunkering down under the electric blanket and waiting for the wine-store delivery person to... Read More »
