Scandinavian Audio Research Debuts
There's a new drive-unit manufacturing company on the block, but it's really just the same old guys who brought you VIFA, ScanSpeak, and DST—the original pros from Dover, in other words.
Schaumburg, eventually. Dutch & Dutch, thankfully.
Rogier van Bakel recounts the "adventure" of how he finally got to AXPONA 2026—and how brand new, pre-production Dutch & Dutch 15c speakers came to his rescue upon arrival.
Schott/DG's CD-pluscore Raises Bar for Interactive Music
Enhanced Compact Discs (ECDs) are one of a host of hybrids and mutations popping up in the garden of digital infotainment. Many ECDs have added biographical text, still pictures, short video clips, and garish graphics to bulk up the content of basic music CDs. Others provide links to fan clubs, to an artist's website, or to the record label's home page. Most such efforts could be categorized as "art for art's sake"---experimental projects undertaken without any clear idea as to how the finished product will be used. "Value added" is usually the justification, but rarely the result.
Science Yields Magic?
Audiophiles know that cleaning up their AC supplies can yield a cornucopia of sonic benefits, including a quieter background, better retrieval of detail, and a subjectively wider dynamic range. The phenomenon is so well-recognized that it has spawned an entire industry devoted to making electrical conditioners, line filters, noise suppressors, and specialty power cords.
Scientists: CD Rot For Real
The compact disc has given rise to all sorts of questionable accessories: magic pens with green ink, reflective stickers, rim dampers, absorbent mats, spindle weights, cleaners, buffers, polishers, and demagnetizers. It's amazing how many products are needed to make perfect sound perfect.
Scott McGowan launches Sprout HiFi after 17 years at PS Audio
Scott McGowan has left PS Audio to form Sprout HiFi, a new company built around a next-generation Sprout amplifier. The first Sprout HiFi product, a revamped version of the Sprout100, is projected for 2026, with email sign-ups open now.
Scott Walker Audio Surprises with Estelon, Soulution, Synergistic Research at T.H.E. Show
First things first. This was one of the best-sounding rooms at T.H.E. Show. Given its sheer size, I have no question that some of the success was due to the various and sundry magical Synergistic Research accoutermentsI counted 10 so-called "Acoustic Room Treatment" devices and 5 Synergistic Power Conditioning devices (including Purple fuses)along with new Synergistic Racks (intended for internal use) and, no surprise, Synergistic Research cabling.
Scott Walker Audio Takes It From the Top at SouthWest Audio Fest 2026
At SouthWest Audio Fest 2026, Ken Micallef speaks with Scott Walker of Scott Walker Audio about the all the gear in one of his company's room at the show, including a McIntosh preamplifier, McIntosh amplifier, Sonus Faber loudspeakers, and REL Acoustics subwoofers.
Scratching That Vinyl Itch
Music lover Dennis Cassidy had an itch years ago to start an audiophile label dedicated to releasing the particular kinds of music he liked with the best vinyl and packaging available. Cassidy was involved with music distributor Sound Advice at the time, which sold the standard audiophile favorites from Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs, and others.
SDMI Applies Legal Pressure to Suppress Hacks
Back in September, the Secure">http://www.sdmi.org">Secure Digital Music Initiative issued a public challenge that offered cash rewards for successfully uncovering and removing watermarks from recorded music. The challenge">http://www.stereophile.com/news/10878/">challenge was met by a number of hackers, most notable among them Professor Edward Felten of Princeton University's Computer Science Department.