SVS speakers in for review

I have a pair of the SVS Ultra Towers in my rig at the moment. For $999 each, this is an eye-catching pair for $2k, internet-direct. Duke Ellington grooving away as I write, the side-firing woofers needing some careful placement for optimal fit with my room but here's another affordable speaker that challenges you to listen carefully for what extra money gets you. I am in a groove at the moment having heard some great sounds from the sub $3k loudspeaker market in the last year. Sure I'd love to try some Magicos but it's a true education to hear what's available at the level where both casual buyers and audiophiles won't go, each for different reasons. More in due course.

Best Buy sells tube gear!

Is this a sign of audiophile-resurgence? Best Buy now sells Samsung tube-gear. You didn't know Samsung did tube gear? Me neither, and Best Buy makes little effort to explain this directly but check out their sound bars and wireless woofer packages. No details on the tube types or expected life but they appear to be used in the preamp stage and are marketed here as offering a warmer, more vibrant sound. Cue the scorn of some who think they know better but this a fascinating turn.

Another ultrasonic record cleaner hits the market

This one from KLAudio -- serviced (if not manufactured) here in the US. This offers greater power and no need for cleaning fluids other than distilled water. Impressed? Well, unfortunately, the competition for Audio Desk's cleaner has not led to any price war, this one is also nearly $4k, but think of the savings on fluid :)



I know, I really really want one, if only to save time. I love my Loricraft but the thought of spending nearly 20 mins doing a deep three-stage clean of each album has me wondering how long I will have to live to get through my record collection, even if I clean in relays. Just keeping up with purchases is hard enough never mind working my way through the backlog (and I have a comparatively modest LP collection). Anyhow, I'd love to review this one but I think I'm too far down the totem-pole for the company to send one on, but we'll see.

Update -- KLAudio did get back to me. That's a positive since some companies never do.  As expected, they've got some out for review with the majors but they are keeping my interest 'on file'.

June issue of HiFi'Zine now live

The latest issue of the 'Zine is now live and contains two reviews from me. The PS Audio Powerbase was a major improvement on some components but less so on others, and quite surprisingly, seemed to have positive effects on my line regenerator more than my digital front-end. You can hear the differences quite easily on sources and I enjoyed it under my 'table. I also fell heavily for a new set of power cords from Absolute Fidelity. I know, I know....what can wire do? I don't know how it works but my ears loved these cords on most components, particularly my preamp. The only downside is the price! Be warned.

The issue also has great new articles on the Cyrus 8 integrated amp, an interview with it's designer Peter Bartlett, and technical articles on plugins for audio, and a primer on active speaker implementation with Pure Music from John Reekie. Once again, all of this is brought to you advertisement-free and at no cost by this talented team (ahem!). Read, enjoy, get involved. 

Excellent video form Axpona

Peter Ledermann gives an excellent overview of cartridge design to audiophiles at this Spring's convention, worth listening through to the end. Infinite groove contact, differences between cartridge types, mysterious modulations -- all here, with decent graphics though you cannot hear the audience questions, you can infer enough from the answers. Certainly piques my interest in a new type of cartridge, so be warned.

Another competitor for Audiogon

I mentioned it previously but now it's up and running -- check out Audiomart   If you join now, it will allow free listings/deals until Aug 31st. After that the pricing can be $20 flat rate or 2%, your choice, which would presumably make the sale of sub $1k components attractive. Audiogon gets lots of criticism but it really is the leader in this area but competition is welcome. Also, don't forget Soundoffers, the've been going for a year or so now and though they don't have huge inventory yet,  they do seem to be attracting more listings (and their listings can be as low as $3 without a pic).

Sanding down the scratches on those old LPs

OK, if at first (and perhaps even second) glance, this sounds completely mental, you have to admit that if you read through it all and check his images, this guy makes a plausible case for at least considering sandpaper for scratch removal.......let me know how you get on ;)

http://www.instructables.com/id/Bring-Ruined-Records-Back-to-Life/

LP and CD sales surprisingly up

"In 2012, 193 million CDs were sold compared with 118 MP3 albums, which may be surprising to some. And according to market researchers, The NPD Group, CD sales have increased for the second year in a row -- making a 2% sales jump."  What is partly driving this (apart from the growth of middle aged consumers who like physical media) might be the ability on many sites to audition the music before committing. Amazon is great for this.  

Interestingly, while we all reacognize that LP sales are increasing, albeit slowly, the assumption is that this is such a small niche market that the increases really only reflect very small growth. It seems however, that vinyl sales are at their highest in 15 years, so that slow incremental growth is catching on.

 Read the full article here.

UPS strikes again

People tell me all shippers are the same but here in Austin, I've had more problems with UPS than any other carrier when it comes to gear being shipped. Today brought another example of their idea of 'handling' when this arrived on my doorstep. Normally UPS won't deliver anything without a signature but I guess the driver was too embarrassed to stick around for me to answer the door.  This gash goes clear through the outer box and shows evidence of contact being made with the internal component 4" inside. Do you think the forklift operators actually take aim at the 'fragile' signs? I only ask as this is not the first time I've seen such damage. Fortunately, all inside seems ok but really, if I can ever avoid using UPS I do and I discourage anyone from shipping audio gear through them.

Eventually, everything hits the used market

After loving what the somewhat mysteriously designed BSG qol did when I had it for review last year, I was wondering how long it would take for one to turn up on the second-hand market. Well, now one has, at $1500k off the list price, it may be the start of a supply for the less well-heeled. I have no data to back up this point but I always advise people to watch the various lists assiduously if they really want to find a piece, sooner or later what you want will show up.  Hey, you can now get those Magicos at 50% off is you try. Of course, you have to factor in your time and how much you really save when you commit so many hours to a search but hey, price browsing on the 'Gon is fun right?

Analog labor of love in the news

Short but interesting video piece on music restoration from The Guardian today. Glad some newspapers think this worthy of news. 

What do you call a pair of parodies?

Or how can you know parody from the original? I don't know but I have been amusingly parodied on the Naim forum where member Jan-Erik turned my Unease of the Audiophile sketch from a couple of years back into an alternative, the Ease of the Naimophile. It is good fun.

It's official: men need their caves

Psychologists have spoken: men really do need their caves. "Space is very important for regulating emotions. It's incredibly important to be in one's own space and resonate with who one is" says Dr. Sam Gosling. Point your spouse at this article for confirmation. I particularly like the resonation idea, and the argument that a guy's needs are not met the same way in other spaces. The good doc goes on to argue that this man cave must be designed by the man with 'no compromise'. Now that's good science in the service of audiophiles. If only we could get the same science to work on reviewing!

How to use the Dr. Feickert Adjust+ software

If you've wondered what the Feickert software can do for you when adjusting your cartridge, here's an example of azimuth setting through crosstalk measurement. And this is just one parameter, I gather the tool can do more. Yes, I know, pretty soon you can spend as much on set up devices as you can on your table but if you are in for the long-haul, you've got to be tempted. Of course, as I run a Mac and an SME V, I am not sure this would ever help me but it is interesting to note how far we've come in the effort to improve the vinyl experience.

The master passes

Sad but not too surprised to learn this week of the death of great cello player Janos Starker. I'd been drawn to the great Kodaly recordings over the last year and they never fail to move me. There's little anyone can add to the praise that he received in his lifetime but he really was a wonderful character. At Indiana, he was one of the last faculty who could get away with lighting a cigarette in his office and I love the quote from Maria Kliegel, former student, who said he once commented on a piece she'd played for him that 'if you ever play so out of tune again I'll deny I was ever your teacher'. Put on a recording, have a scotch, and let the man's music live on.

There is a memorial site at Indiana now for those wishing to leave remembrances.