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Share a Tune, Go to Jail

Barry Willis Jul 20, 2003 First Published: Jul 20, 2003

Will the threat of lawsuits have any effect on the file-sharing phenomenon? The music industry hopes and prays that it will. As of July 19, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) had sought and obtained "at least 871 federal subpoenas against computer users . . . with 75 new subpoenas being approved each day," according to an Associated Press report.

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FBI Stamp of Audio Approval

Jon Iverson Jul 20, 2003 First Published: Jul 20, 2003

While the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is working overtime to jail file traders, members of the US Congress are introducing bill">http://www.stereophile.com/news/11691/">bill after bill targeting with criminal prosecution the 60 million Americans engaged in Internet file sharing.

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Zektor to the Rescue

Stereophile Staff Jul 20, 2003 First Published: Jul 20, 2003

One of the most common complaints about multichannel audio has nothing to do with sound quality. It's the lack of multichannel switching on most preamps and receivers that irks most audiophiles.

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Super Audio Forum

Jon Iverson Jul 20, 2003 First Published: Jul 20, 2003

More than 70 producers, engineers, and representatives from consumer and professional equipment manufacturers, record companies, and recording studios recently came together in Europe to discuss new ways to promote and establish Super Audio CD. After a two-day conference in London, the attendees say they have agreed to establish the Super Audio Forum to foster a "supportive environment for the exchange of knowledge and marketing information, as well as providing a platform for industry-wide collaboration."

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Added to the Archives This Week

Stereophile Staff Jul 13, 2003 First Published: Jul 13, 2003

Brian Damkroger ponders the Class&#233">http://www.stereophile.com//amplificationreviews/878/">Classé Omega monoblock power amplifier. "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.

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RIAA Pursues Puretunes

Barry Willis Jul 13, 2003 First Published: Jul 13, 2003

The owners of Spanish website Puretunes.com are the latest to feel the wrath of the Recording">http://www.riaa.com">Recording Industry Association of America (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.

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Vinyl Record Day Returns

Jon Iverson Jul 13, 2003 First Published: Jul 13, 2003

Vinyl junkies who missed the first">http://www.stereophile.com/news/11417/">first official Vinyl Record Day 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.

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Over 1 Billion Served

Jon Iverson Jul 13, 2003 First Published: Jul 13, 2003

Whether or not online file-trading has had an effect on compact disc purchases positivehttp://www.stereophile.com/news/11643/">positive; or negativehttp://www.stereophile.com/news/11679/">negative;, a new report published by the International">http://www.ifpi.com">International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (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.

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Retail Roundup

Barry Willis Jul 13, 2003 First Published: Jul 13, 2003

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.

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Tweeter Group Facing Loss

Barry Willis Jul 06, 2003 First Published: Jul 06, 2003

A continuing sales slump has the Tweeter">http://www.tweeter.com">Tweeter Entertainment Group, Inc. projecting losses for the third straight quarter.