News

Music Matters, the mostly annual audio showcase from Definitive Audio in Seattle, made a welcome return March 8–9 after a two-year pandemic-imposed hiatus. Divided into two two-hour sessions, the 16th edition of the private, ultra-concentrated audio show in miniature saw invitees moving between 20-minute presentations in four rooms, with ample time left for visiting systems in two others and schmoozing with industry legends.

Between several national and regional product premieres, presenters at Music Matters 2023 emphasized the importance of Definitive Audio (with locations in Seattle and Bellevue) to their brands. As if to underscore the dealership's centrality, star presenters include David Steven, CEO of Cambridge, England–based dCS, audio legend Dan D'Agostino of Arizona-based Dan D'Agostino Master Systems, Mike Latvis (aka Mr. HRS) of Buffalo, New York's Harmonic Resolution Systems), and Garth Leerer of Musical Surroundings, which imports and distributes Clearaudio.

Pacific Northwest audio retailer Definitive Audio is holding its sixth Music Matters, "A Night of the Best in 2-Channel Audio," this coming Wednesday (February 9) at its Seattle location (6206 Roosevelt Way NE) from 5–10pm.

Appearing in person and each giving presentations lasting 30 minutes, will be representatives from Audio Research, Ayre Acoustics, B&W, Classé, Finite Elemente, GoldenEar, Harmonic Resolution, Linn, Meridian, Peachtree Audio, Transparent, and Wilson Audio, while Stereophile editor John Atkinson will be demonstrating the benefits of high-resolution audio and the evils of MP3, using the master files of some of his recordings.

Other highlights of Music Matters 6 will include the world debut of the new B&W PM1 Prestige Monitor loudspeaker, presented by its designer, Dr. John Dibb; Meridian's new DSP 3200 digital active bookshelf speaker system and the Media Core 200 digital music system; as well as the new VX-R stereo amplifier from Ayre. Audio Research will debut the Reference Anniversary Preamplifier; and Linn’s Gilad Tiefenbrun will introduce the updated Akurate DS system. Classé’s Dave Nauber will debut the new CP-800 digital preamplifier; HRS will present the MXR Reference stand; Transparent Audio’s Transparent’s Josh Clark and Karen Sumner will transport the audience in a musical time machine with a wide variety of music genres—classical, blues, jazz, rock, and contemporary independent music; and Sandy Gross of GoldenEar will demonstrate the Triton Two loudspeakers, which impressed the heck out of Stereophile's scribes at the 2011 CES.

Seating is limited, please RSVP to (206) 524-6633 or on-line at www.definitive.com. Light hors d'oeuvres & refreshments will be served.

Wednesday, May 25 (yikes, that's tomorrow!), 5–9pm: Stereo Exchange (627 Broadway, Manhattan) will host a “Music Matters” event with Stereophile’s Michael Fremer.

Peachtree Audio, BelCanto, Amarra, Wisdom Audio, Simaudio, Transparent Audio, Meridian, and Vienna Acoustics will demonstrate their equipment. Learn how to get great sound from the digital devices you already own. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served. (Who can ask for anything more?)

This is definitely going to be a fun evening, and I hope to see you there!

High-end audio retailer Listen-Up is holding two evenings of music seminars and audio demonstrations at its Denver location (685 South Pearl Street) Tuesday April 7 and Wednesday April 8, from 5pm to 9pm. As well as Stereophile editor John Atkinson (above left) and Shawn Britton of Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs (above right), who will be talking about how recordings are made and how to make them sound the best in your home, presenters will include Sandy Gross (GoldenEar), Wendell Diller (Magnepan), Paul Barton (PSB Loudspeakers), Owen Kwon (Astell&Kern) Doug Henderson (Bowers & Wilkins), Dave Nauber (Classé), Costa Koulisakis (Simaudio Moon), Steve Silberman (AudioQuest), Matt Reilly (Devialet), and John Hunter (REL Acoustics).

Colorado high-end retailer ListenUp has three Music Matters events scheduled next week, one for each of their locations: Tuesday, May 5, in Colorado Springs—230 North Tejon Street, (719) 633-2600—Wednesday, May 6, in Denver—685 South Pearl Street, (303) 778-0780; Thursday, May 7, in Boulder—2034 Arapahoe Avenue, (303) 444-0479.

With the COVID-19–related cancelation of Munich High End and the postponement or cancelation of other national and regional audio shows, smaller, local events such as Seattle’s 15-year old Music Matters event, which returned to Definitive Audio Seattle on March 5–6, have gained importance—at least as long as they are able to avoid being shut down.

Following the highly successful release of three Beatles outtakes sets a few years back, Capitol">http://www.capitolrecords.com/">Capitol Records announced last week that another set of unreleased recordings, this time from former Beatle John Lennon, will hit stores November 3. The four-disc set will include over 100 home recordings, studio outtakes, and other works never released in public. Titled The John Lennon Anthology, the set was put together with help from Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, and their son Sean Lennon. Also included will be 60 pages of notes, including art, writings, and photos.