The MP3 audio format has been garnering significant press coverage of late: record labels abhor the piracy problems, consumers love the ease of use and access, and audiophiles can't stand the compressed sound. Does any of this matter to you?
All right, 'fess up. Have you ever bought pirated music? Sometimes it's the only way to get what you want.
Protecting copyrighted music has become a major issue in the digital age, but we wonder how it affects audiophiles.
We noted from last week's results that many of you do play instruments for fun and fortune. But several of you wondered why there were no categories for sound engineers, audio manufacturers, etc.
Audio wisdom holds that musicians tend to neglect their stereo systems. But we're wondering how many of <I>Stereophile</I>'s readers play music themselves, both for fun and professionally.
Most audiophiles' record collections include LPs <I>and</I> CDs, but one format invariably is played more than the other. In yours, which one is it, and by how much?
Some people think that an audio component, like a good wine, reveals its full bouquet only when enjoyed and evaluated at length. Others think they can immediately tell whether or not a component is to their liking. Reader Federico Cribiore wants to know: How long does it takes you?
The February issue sees the latest update of <I>Stereophile</I>'s "Records To Die For," in which the magazine's staff reveals what got them going in 1998. But what about <I>your</I> choice?
Some form of high-resolution digital audio is right around the corner. Whether it's SACD, DVD-Audio, or both, will you be an early adopter, or will you wait until the dust settles?
The benefits of more choice or an audiophile disaster? It seems that Sony/Philips' SACD and DVD-Audio are on a collision course in their race for the title of the next high-end audio format. If they decide to duke it out, we'll get to compare the two formats ourselves, but is this good or bad for the audiophile?