News

Echoing the sentiments of their American">http://www.stereophile.com/news/11282/">American counterparts, German music industry executives are blaming the popularity of the CD burner for slumping music sales. "More music is probably being heard now than ever before," said German Recording Industry Association president Gerd Gebhardt, "but the music is not paid for, because copying has become so cheap and easy."

Back in November of 2000, Kalman Rubinson took on the McCormack">http://www.stereophile.com//amplificationreviews/545/">McCormack DNA-225 power amplifier, following the rebirth of the company that he had so admired. "McCormack is still the guiding spirit behind these new models, which incorporate aspects of the original designs, much of the SMc upgrades, and some new wrinkles. I quickly put in my bid for a test sample of the DNA-225." His analysis awaits.

Andy Warhol's famous dictum—that eventually, everyone will enjoy 15 minutes of fame—could apply equally to Internet startups.

We were saddened to learn of the death of inventor and audio engineer David Blackmer. The founder of dbx and Earthworks">http://www.earthwks.com">Earthworks Audio Products, Inc. died at his home in Wilton, NH on March 21. He was 75.

EMI">http://www.emigroup.com">EMI Group PLC has gotten serious about surviving in a depressed market. In the wake of a disastrous multimillion-dollar payouthttp://www.stereophile.com/news/11265/">payout; to pop singer Mariah Carey, the UK music label has announced sweeping cutbacks in its workforce—including many American executives—and in its roster of artists.

Both SACD and DVD-Audio have been slow finding their way into higher-end players. Sony dominates the market for SACD, and the other major consumer electronics manufacturers are trickling out DVD-A and universal players. The few exceptions include SACD machines from Classéhttp://www.stereophile.com//digitalsourcereviews/474/">Classé; and Accuphasehttp://www.stereophile.com//digitalsourcereviews/340/">Accuphase;. Soon to be added to the list: Linn.

Is it the low exhibitor rates? The excuse to visit Montreal, perhaps North America's most cosmopolitan city? The efficiency and charm of organizer Marie-Christine Prin and her assistants? Whatever the reason(s), Montreal's Festival Son & Image has become a real success story, attracting an ever-increasing array of exhibitors and audiophiles from far and wide. Last year, the Festival spilled over from the downtown Delta Hotel to the Four Points Sheraton across the street; this year, there were exhibits in the Holiday Inn next door as well.