A not so Classé ending?

There have been rumors for months about the demise of Classé Audio of Montreal, famed for their amps and frequent partnering with B&W speakers over the years.  Indeed, I heard that very pairing a few times myself in local audio dealers. The official word is hard to determine, and the company's website offers no clues either, but it does seem there's no smoke without fire. The most up to date info I can find is from the usually reliable Ted Green's site, and if accurate, it does not paint a pretty picture. 

Internet Archive to make 25,000 old 78s available to hear

The wonderfully oddball Internet Archive, the Brewster Kahle-led effort to keep the digital past accessible has announced an effort to digitally release up to 400,000 old shellac recordings for free. The effort is being handled by George Blood in Philadelphia - read the local article about this project here, then take a listen to some of the music to get a sense of how far (or not) the recording arts have come. 

Classic Album Sundays Comes to RMAF

Heard the one about the woman who asked friends to use a room in their pub to play an album for people to sit and listen to seriously?  Did you know it caught on?  Remind you of your own youth when an album really meant something? Fancy a chance to partake in a simple listening session with like-minded enthusiasts? Well, friends, you're not alone and you can share that experience at this year's RMAF again.

Get details and schedule here:

Yeah, I could happily live without ever hearing Sgt. Pepper again (sorry Beatles fans) but a real listening session promises to actually be a respite at RMAF....go figure!

Just what the world needs, a new $25k CD player

Just when you thought the CD was dead, Metronome Tech confound you with a a new offering, their upper level dedicated Kalista Diamond transport and two-box DAC.  Sure, the price is nosebleed (if you have to ask, etc...)  but take a look at all gleaming chrome and backlit display. Doesn't it just make you want to touch? Limited edition production means you can add it to your limited edition Magicos and be special. Sarcasm? Moi?

Read more (or just pore over the visuals) here

Best headphones in the world up for a refresh?

It seems not very long ago that Focal launched a new upmarket headphone with a nosebleed price. The Utopia received some rave reviews and was heralded by more than a few reviewers as the best in the world, even at an MSRP of $3999. Not sure how many well-heeled or 'phone obsessives purchased them in the ensuing year or so but right now it seems impossible to open up an email or audio article without an advert offering these at $1k off, or in some cases, a no-questions asked $1k offer for any 'phones you might want to trade in.  Officially it's a celebration of the first year, but we'll see if this means a refresh is coming or if sales have just been slow. Offer for now good through September, which means they're a mere $3k before tax. Have fun!