Fall is the time for regrouping, for preparing to hunker down during the more sedate winter season. It’s a good time to see what’s on … Read More “Gearing Up, Getting Down: New Toys for the Changing Seasons”
Sony and Philips painted themselves into a digital corner when, back in the early ’80s, upon the introduction of the compact disc, they declared that … Read More “Perfect Sound for the Time Being: Behind the Compact Disc’s Sonic Ascent”
One of the recurring questions we get from readers of this column is, “Where can I hear speaker X? Or amplifier Y? Turntable Z?” I … Read More “Rocky Mountain High: (Low and Midrange, too!)”
Remember those old TV ads for Remington electric razors, the ones where the guy proclaimed he liked the razor so much, he bought the company? … Read More “DeVore Fidelity: The Nines Loudspeaker”
I have a friend, a true connoisseur of great jazz, who owns a pair of 35-year-old speakers which no amount of teasing, deriding or ridicule … Read More “Speaker Up!: Upgraded Speakers Give Music Lovers Fresh Ears”
Last year, bass legend Ron Carter admitted in this column to having become a new convert to audiophilia. He had just purchased a new pair … Read More “Uptown Conversation: Talking Speakers with the Legendary Ron Carter”
Back in second grade, I was hopelessly seduced by a magazine ad for what seemed to be a miracle: a fully functional radio in a … Read More “The Current State of Solid State”
Globalization. How many times a day do we hear that term bandied about in the news, in advertising, in political rhetoric? As a concept, it … Read More “Around the World: DIY Systems from the Other Side of the Globe”
I get several e-mails each month from readers seeking help with selecting just the right gear, some assembling a full system and others simply wanting … Read More “Casting a Net on the Net”
Last month we examined a few home entertainment products that didn’t fit into the convenient categories provided by our usual monthly soirees. Since there wasn’t … Read More “New Year’s (Higher) Resolution”
Where has the year gone? It’s already time to review the past 12 months and choose a few interesting audio products we’ve somehow managed to … Read More “2006 Year-end Grab Bag”
It can be a dangerous thing to have a good system,” says bass legend Ron Carter of his own recent home audio experiences. Hmm. We’ve … Read More “The Making of a Jazz Audiophile”
When it comes to amplifying the music that comes out of our various discs, MP3 players, tapes and laptops, we’ve advanced leagues beyond the simple … Read More “Switched On: The Future of Amplification”
When it comes to loudspeakers, bigger is not always better. What matters most is the way a speaker conveys the essence of the music being … Read More “Size Doesn’t Matter”
Not long ago I developed an inner-ear infection that resulted in temporary but frightening hearing loss in my left ear. For someone who auditions and … Read More “Deep Listening”
Once upon a time, buying a TV meant choosing between a mahogany or maple cabinet. Having to choose between a color and black-and-white picture was … Read More “Prehistoric to the Space Age: A Brief History of TV’s”
Imagine 38 acres of nothing but TVs blasting, stereos booming and a few thousand subwoofers woofing. Throw in about 150,000 gawkers gawking at all this … Read More “CES 2006: Las Vegas’ Annual Electric Circus”
Guys often dream about twins. But are two really better than one? If an arrangement with one takes daily work to make things run correctly, … Read More “…and Twins?: When One Output Device Is Better than Two”
John DeVore (devorefidelity.com) first appeared on my radar three years back at the annual Consumer Electronics Show, where he was demonstrating his Gibbon 8 loudspeaker. … Read More “Hodgepodge: Running Down the Voodoo on Three Cool Projects”
The very first pancake was made when a crafty cook combined the appropriate quantities of flour, eggs, sugar, milk and some kind of leavening ingredient. … Read More “Wrapped in Sound: Surround Speaker Systems Make Great Leaps Forward”
I routinely mention the British Arcam brand (aslgroup.com) in any roundup of high-value, high-performance electronics. This now legendary firm consistently offers some of the best … Read More “Arcam AVR-300 A/V Receiver”
“Our dying planet will be saved by tubes and some hi-fi nuts,” reads a blurb in an advertisement for the L.A.-area stereo emporium Upscale Audio. … Read More “Hot Glass: Tube Amps Still Ring True”
I got a call today from a musician friend who recently purchased a new stereo amplifier upon my recommendation. Previously he had been incredulous when … Read More “Sounds of Jarrett”
At the recent Home Entertainment Show in Manhattan I fell in love with a musical gorilla and deep-fried pig’s knuckle. No, I’m not crazy. We’ll … Read More “Living-Room Audio”
Last month’s Audio/Video Files dove headfirst into the profound mysteries of high-performance loudspeaker design. We learned that speakers are not simply a jumble of drivers … Read More “Sound Bargains: Speaker deals around $1,500”
Back in high school when I was trying to milk the most out of my Beatles, Hendrix and Charles Lloyd LPs, a friend showed me … Read More “Sound Science: The Art of Speaker Design”
In true Las Vegas bright-lights-and-neon style, the recent Consumer Electronics Show, annually the largest trade spectacle hosted by Sin City, attracted 140,000 attendees-electronics retailers, industry … Read More “Best Bets 2005: CES Does Vegas”
Put your hands up. You’re surrounded.” That classic line from a thousand westerns and mystery flicks has taken on new meaning in the past several … Read More “Surround Sound Secrecy”
What more irrelevant thing could you do for a living than write about hi-fi? It’s a pretty goofy thing to do.” Wow! I would certainly … Read More “Sound Pundits”
Is it just me or are we jazz fans just a little bit harder to buy gifts for than most folks? As jazz lovers we’ve … Read More “Holiday Treats”
