News

March 9, AKM">http://www.akm.com">AKM Semiconductor, Inc. introduced the AK5392, a 24-bit stereo analog-to-digital (A/D) converter based on its proprietary dual-bit delta-sigma technology. The AK5392 reportedly achieves a dynamic range of 116dB, said to be a 15dB improvement over other single-chip alternatives.

In an announcement that could stun the neophyte custom CD compilation business and concurrently impact future prospects for the $12 billion music recording industry, superSonic">http://www.supersonicboom.com/">superSonic BOOM has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Ergon Technology for a patented manufacturing process covering customized audio products. Like Open">http://www.openmarket.com">Open Market's announcement last week that it had received patents from the US government for its e-commerce technology, superSonic's announcement raises more questions than it answers.

Coming soon on the Madrigal">http://www.madrigal.com">Madrigal Audio Laboratories website is La Folia, a music webzine. Edited by Mike Silverton, La Folia sets out to supplement the audiophile press by directing its emphasis at recordings elsewhere neglected: present-day art music (aka "classical"), free and improvisational jazz, category-defying hybrids, and whatever else strikes their "clutch of sweet-spot stuckees as rare and well done."

In cooperation with the International Intellectual Property Alliance, the Recording">http://www.riaa.com">Recording Industry Association of America filed a reportmailto:lpelliccia@riaa.com">report; in February with the United States Trade Representative outlining the problems that US record companies face conducting business in foreign marketplaces. The report highlights inadequacies in copyright protection with respect to standards and enforcement, and identifies major impediments to market access.

Move over, CDNowhttp://www.cdnow.com">CDNow;, N2Khttp://www.n2k.com">N2K;, and Music">http://www.musicblvd.com">Music Boulevard---Amazon.comhttp://www.Amazon.com">Amazon.com; and Best">http://www.bestbuy.com">Best Buy want to play.

On February 23, Pacific Microsonics announced that Atlantic">http://www.atlantic-records.com/">Atlantic Records' forthcoming golden-anniversary release will feature classic popular recordings remastered using Pacific's high-resolution HDCDhttp://www.hdcd.com">HDCD; technology. The patented High Definition Compatible Disc process enhances the detail, richness, and dynamics of compact disc performance.

So far, 139 qualified bidders have signed on for the FCC's new auction. Almost all are hoping to jump into the Local Multipoint Distribution Service business.