For everything else, there's Bryston

Well, with my continuing challenge actually getting a meaningful response from Origin Live or Artisan Fidelity for the wonky arm sold as new and now back there for warranty repair (documented here) I've been at a loss for music.  Imagine my delight then that James Tanner of Bryston offered their new BLP-1 turntable for review. A starker contrast in service is hard to imagine, so of course I accept. Table incoming next week. Any suggestions for a suitable cartridge people would like to hear with this $4k table? Meanwhile, here's a glimpse.

MusicMatters announces final line up of releases

When the MusicMatters releases started appearing a couple of years ago, I was sort of lukewarm about some of the albums being issued as I already had copies of a few. Then I bought one and was so taken with the quality of the complete package, from sound to packaging, that I ended up buying them all. Ron and co have announced that they are embarking on a final set of 13 titles before winding the series down and I've subscribed in advance. Thad Jones and Lee Morgan kick of the new releases in October, find out more here

Best album covers as chosen by artists

LINK HERE

Cambridge Audio on the British Sound

Ever wondered what is meant by the term 'the British sound'?  Well, this won't really help but it's got plenty of cultural refs to Daleks, the Beatles and tea.  Marketing eh...

Reviews Interrumpitur

The ongoing problems with my Origin Live tonearm, bought new from Artisan Fidelity, have caused a disruption on many fronts review wise. I cannot run my ARC phono stage to the required 600 hours without a functioning table, and that's impacted some power cords, a tonearm lift and platter mat  I've in for review. Check the ongoing Artisan Fidelity page here for the full story but let's just say, in my view any component bought new should come with an assurance that it works or will be replaced instantly from the dealer or the manufacturer. Not everyone seems to share that view however. Pity I don't write for a mainstream mag, am sure I'd get looked after a little better then.

Another cable interface option - the Muse from Tara

It seems several companies now offer various add-on connectors that sit at the cable/component interface. High Fidelity cables caught my attention first, and then I received an invitation to review the Bybee RCA adapters (currently warming up in my ARC phono stage for review). Today I hear another announcement, this time from TARA Labs who offer their own spin on this, the Muse. To quote from the press release:

"Using The Muse Interface, RFI/EMI is dissipated and absorbed within the Muse technology. This function occurs in isolation from the signal conductors. The signal path is not cut and fitted with additional components. The Muse Interface is extremely effective in eliminating the noise of RFI/EMI without the attendant high-frequency anomalies of filter networks. This translates into a sound that is closer to live than ever before."

$795 a pair (but neater than those big bulky boxes from you know who....). Seems there's a new product category. No, I haven't heard them. More info at the TARA page

Give to CARE, get gear....Cable Co show the way

This year, there are more than a few products available and if you purchase some from over 50 companies, your full cost ends up as a donation. Yep, not just the regular 50% to CARE but the full sales amount. How do they do this? Well, commitment from partnering manufacturers seems to be the key. 

The hi-end audio industry tend to get lots of brickbats for its pricing and occasional imaginative use of science, but credit where it's due. The Cable Co has annually worked with manufacturers on a fund-drive for CARE, whereby sales  during August generate revenues that in part are donated to the charity. This year is no different, regular audiophiles seem to have come to expect it, but it seems worthy of our renewed attention. 

See the details here

Fancy some new cables? Better yet, a new table from Rega or SOTA, or maybe an Audioquest Dragonfly new edition? Buy it this month and all your money goes to a great cause.  Well done all involved in this. 

Little Fwend tonearm lifter

Looks like a very elegant solution to an ongoing vinyl usage challenge, getting the arm off the record without leaving your seat - now from Little Fwend Love to give one a try but $250? Is this what is meant by audiophila being a relentless engagement with first-world problems?


LITTLE  FWEND from lassegretland.com on Vimeo.

UPDATE -- Lasse from Little Fwend has offered to send me one to check out....I'll let you know how it works when I get it. Thanks Lasse!

Photos of the Making of the MusicMatters Blue Notes

Nice article from the Guardian (link)  Stunning photos

For cryo-ing out loud!

Never quite understood the fanatical desire for cryo-ing cables or components but I know there are real believers out there. Thought of this again when I stumbled across a new cord company (well, new to me), IceAge Audio.  Here's a cord and cable producer that is pretty clear on what goes in to the design and even offers you the chance to build it yourself if you want to save some money. That said, at the prices they charge, I don't see much cost in paying for it all done and delivered.  I was suitably intrigued to ask Rick and Brodie to supply me a cord for review and so, watch this space, one or two are on the way, where I'll be able to compare them to a few other brands I have on hand. 

Paypal Inflation?

Since when did using PayPal incur a 4% fee? I always calculate it at 2.9% +30c, or whatever PP lists on their site. But more than few sellers on various audio lists now request 4% for using this service. Is this to cover their own incurred costs? And I've had more than a handful of sellers point me at their own excellent feedback attesting their honesty while suggesting I use the 'gift' option if the fees are to be avoided! No irony there for sure.  Welcome to the reputation economy.

Jimmy Cobb on the recording of Kind of Blue

Drummer Jimmy Cobb recalls playing with Miles Davis on the album that changed jazz for ever. Kind of Blue was recorded in just two sessions at 30th Street Studios in New York City in 1959. 

http://bbc.in/265b1Ve

What fundamentalists want to do to music listeners

So a group of folks in a record store in Istanbul want to have a listening party for Radiohead's release. Apparently they violated someone's ideas of what can and cannot be done during certain calendar periods.  Warning - this contains subtitles (you can defeat, but you should read) which, if accurate, tell you all you need to know:

Fancy a little hologram with your vinyl, sir?

Cool effects....not so sure about the music:

If you regret selling yours CDs, get 'em back

Instant collection for sale on eBay, local pick up only. So this is what 20,000 cds in a pile looks like: