Left outside on Audiogon?

Not sure why anyone (other than the owners) think this is a good path forward but Audiogon has initiated a new membership level. For $100 a year, or $10 a month, you can be an 'Insider' to the site which comes with various perks. The most valuable one is access to the Blue Book. I used to sign up for that when making major sales or purchases, I figured the price (was it $49 then?) was easily covered by appropriate pricing levels it provided. Not sure of the current price but for the new price you get access to forums with only other 'insiders', ad-free browsing and some other perks, I think. Really hard for me to see much value in any of these. Still, in an age of free-for-all-discourse on most forums, with the commensurate repetitions of old arguments, maybe (just maybe) this will make a difference. Personally, I don't see it but time will tell. Let me know what it's like if you're on the inside, I won't be paying.

Audioengine 5+ wireless rockin' the joint

These wireless speakers from Audioengine eventually showed up this summer for a review and I've been having a lot of fun with them since. Easy to set up, room-filling sound, convenience, you name it, there's a lot on offer for the price (around $500 depending on finish). I'll be writing a fuller review for the 'Zine but am giving these all sorts of try outs from my main listening room to my desktop, and while I have enjoyed lower end bluetooth speakers, there's something about a stereo pair that just sounds a lot better to my ears. 

RIP Prof Linkwitz

A few times at RMAF I would stop by the Linkwitz Labs room and cheer myself up listening to the great sounds coming from what appeared to be plumbing fixtures cobbled into a loudspeaker. For it was so......

The man himself, Siegfried Linkwitz, together with his wife, engaged attendees with the sort of 'yes we know, it might look odd but just listen' expression of folks who could see much of the high-end audio industry for what it was.

Yes, I vowed to make a pair myself, spoke with owners of his multi-amped top design and generally smiled to myself at the quality on offer. Man, his rooms were fun for all the right reasons. He retired at the end of last year but I was still saddened to hear the news. RIP Siegfried.

More about his work here

Want a high-end site? pay up

Well, who knew but there's a price. The domain 'www.highendaudio.com' is for sale....and the current bid apparently is north of $20k....where did I go wrong?  Hey, I'm available for weddings.....