The Fifth Element #18
<I>The mind of man, when he gives the spur and bridle to his thoughts, doth never stop, but naturally sallies out into both extremes of high and low.</I>—Jonathan Swift
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Rives Audio PARC 3-Band Parametric Equalizer
Last January, the <I>Stereophile</I> website conducted a <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/showvote.cgi?236">poll</A> asking readers what they thought was their audio system's weakest link . The results indicated that 24% thought that their room was the most problematic component. What this says is that, though often accused of being obsessed with hardware, we audiophiles <I>are</I> aware of what a potent effect the speaker-room setup has.
Would you use a digital EQ in your system to correct speaker/room problems?
In last week's Vote, many readers reported that they had solved their speaker/room problems with a digital equalizer. What do you think about using digital EQ?
Added to the Archives This Week
Brian Damkroger ponders the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//amplificationreviews/878/">Classé Omega monoblock power amplifier</A>. "The Classé Omega is expensive, costing $25,000/pair," notes BD. But he also finds the amp a "drop-dead-gorgeous, massive, industrial-art chunk of aluminum and steel set off with a subtle mix of curves, contours, finishes, and textures." And then there is that Classé sound.
RIAA Pursues Puretunes
The owners of Spanish website Puretunes.com are the latest to feel the wrath of the <A HREF="http://www.riaa.com">Recording Industry Association of America</A> (RIAA) in its campaign to rid the world of unauthorized music. The site's parent company, Sakfield Holding, will defend itself against a lawsuit filed July 3 in the US District Court for the District of Columbia. The accusation: providing illegal downloads.
Vinyl Record Day Returns
Vinyl junkies who missed the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/news/11417/">first official Vinyl Record Day</A> celebration last summer should mark their calendars for Saturday, August 16. On that date, the faithful will again converge in San Luis Obispo, CA's Mission Plaza to gawk at LPs, memorabilia, vintage gear, and to meet classic album cover notables.
Over 1 Billion Served
Whether or not online file-trading has had an effect on compact disc purchases <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/news/11643/">positive</A> or <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/news/11679/">negative</A>, a new report published by the <A HREF="http://www.ifpi.com">International Federation of the Phonographic Industry</A> (IFPI) indicates that the real problem facing the music industry worldwide is that fewer and fewer of those CD purchases are of the real thing.
Retail Roundup
IPOs are jumping and the Nasdaq is up—some mid-summer economic indicators point toward a recovery, but you wouldn't know it from retail reports. Circuit City, Good Guys, and Harvey Electronics are singing the blues, while discounter Costco is whistling all the way to the bank.
Classé Omega monoblock power amplifier
Have you ever had one of those conversations with your Significant Other that begins "But I thought you said..." and goes downhill from there? The Other's tone is condescending, and the body language—hands on hips, head slightly tilted—lets you know you're in big trouble.
Naim NAC 552 preamplifier
There's nothing groundbreaking about the technology included in Naim's new $22,400, two-box, remote-controllable, top-of-the-line NAC 552 preamplifier. Still, the inclusion of <I>two</I> sets of RCA input jacks is a departure from Naim's tradition of DIN jacks, and the NAC 552's programmability is unusual for a high-end two-channel audio product. And you can order RCA output jacks at no extra cost, which is how my review sample was configured.