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<I>Note: This review appeared in the February 1999 issue of </I>Stereophile Guide to Home Theater<I> (issue number 22) and is appearing here until </I>SGHT<I> completes its own Archives database.</I>

A funny thing happened to Linn Product's Brian Morris when he attempted to bring Linn's new Sondek CD12 through Customs as hand-luggage:

Music lovers within driving distance of San Francisco and those planning a visit for later this month should set aside Sunday, February 28, for a feast of black vinyl. That's the day the <A HREF="http://www.sfcm.edu/">San Francisco Conservatory of Music</A> holds its Giant LP Sale.

One of the benefits of being music editor of <I>Stereophile</I>---after, of course, unimaginable wealth, unquestioned power, and hot and cold running editorial groupies---is that every year in February I get to write about death. That, and the rather odd personality traits of the <I>Stereophile</I> writing staff.

Conrad-Johnson is one of audio's "marquee" companies, and charges accordingly. The Premier Twelve tube monoblock power amplifier, rated at 140W, sells for a rather steep $3495 each, meaning that unless you listen in mono, be prepared to lay out almost $7000 just for the amplification link in your audio chain. Apparently, many audiophiles feel the money is well spent: according to Conrad-Johnson, the Twelve has been a consistently strong seller during its approximately five-year production history.

Our first new archive article this week is "<A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//musicrecordings/82/">Building a Library: The Grateful Dead</A>," in which past AES chairperson Elizabeth Cohen reveals her thoughts about what the band has meant to a musical generation. Also included is a complete Dead discography, lots of lyrics, and a little history.

Last week, <A HREF="http://www.referencerecordings.com">Reference Recordings</A>, of San Francisco, announced that it is planning five new symphonic projects to be recorded by "Prof." Keith Johnson in 88.2kHz, HDCD, 5-channel discrete surround sound. These will be released on standard two-channel CD in the coming year, and eventually on DVD-Audio disc. According to RR, with these ambitious plans, the company hopes to reverse the industry-wide decline in new recordings of classical orchestral music.