Sinatra's Second Act
Was Frank Sinatra's failed marriage to Ava Gardner responsible for one of the greatest <A HREF="http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200707/sinatra">comebacks</A> in American art?
Wes Phillips
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Vandersteen Quatro Wood loudspeaker
<A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/interviews/688vandersteen">Richard Vandersteen</A> was in good form at the 20th-anniversary seminar held by retailer Advanced Audio on November 11, 2006. When asked about his priorities in loudspeaker design, he sat erect in the seat next to me and thundered, "I will <I>not</I> [<I>slams table with open hand</I>] spend one red cent on cosmetics that I could have put into improving the sound of a loudspeaker!"
Happy 60th Transistor
December 16, 2007 was the 60<SUP>th</SUP> anniversary of the invention of the point transfer transistor. <I>Forbes</I> has an <A HREF="http://www.forbes.com/opinions/2007/12/15/transister-creation-anniversa…; on it.
Why We Love the Internet
<B>IRebuildMarantz.com:</B> Robert D. Bowdish sent us an email recently, pointing us to his <A HREF="http://www.irebuildmarantz.com/"> IRebuildMarants.com website</A>, which he describes as "my semi-DYI site that's for the purpose of keeping great vintage audio gear alive."
Industry Update: Immedia Distributes Lehmann; Audio-Technica Introduces Ripping Turntable
<B>Lehmann Audio:</B> <A HREF="http://www.immediasound.com/">Immedia</A>, the Berkeley, CA–based distributor of Lyra cartridges, Finite Element stands, Sonics by Joachim Gerhard loudspeakers, and Spiral Groove turntables, has become Lehmann Audio's US distributor.
Third Time Lucky?
On December 2, we posted an <A HREF="http://stereophile.com/news/120307samplerateconversion/">article</A> based on conversations with Benchmark Audio's John Siau, which described Siau's thoughts on the bit-transparency of later versions of iTunes. On December 9, Gordon Rankin weighed in with Wavelength Audio's <A HREF="http://stereophile.com/news/121007fixes/">thoughts on the subject</A>.
This Is Just So Wrong
<A HREF="http://www.holosonics.com/">Holosonics</A> is called the "audio spotlight" because it can project sound directly <I>into</I> your head, claiming that it is inaudible just a step away.
Come In, Rangoon!
Bagheera likes the <A HREF="http://www.questforsound.com/tuners/tuners_R601PW.htm">R601W Tube Hi-Fi FM/AM Classic Radio</A>. What's not to like? It's tubed, has a walnut cabinet, and she looks good on it.
Dedication
Huckleberry keeps his kitty velcro <I>very</I> sharp.
Man, the Tool Using Animal
As the son of a hardware store owner, I'd call us men, the tool <I>hoarding</I> animals. According to a recent archeological find in Jordan, <A HREF="http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2007/12/13/ancient-toolkit.html?dcitc=w19… much has changed</A> in 14,000 years.