Sonyโs Elcaset promised reel-to-reel fidelity in cassette form but flopped spectacularly, while PlayTape, Tefifon, and MiniDisc joined a graveyard of brilliant but doomed formats, crushed by cheaper, simpler, and more convenient rivals.
Can pop music compete with classicalโs sonic precision? Jonson Lee delves into recording techniques that make classical music a benchmark for audiophiles seeking pure sound.
Tom Gibbs reveals how Euphonyโs new software and a top-notch DAC took his music system to stunning new heights, with sound so real it feels like a live concert.
The Vinyl Beat digs up notable vinyl nuggets like INXS’s โKickโ 45 RPM reissue, Sheila E’s salsa debut, and Rachel Z’s introspective jazz trio recording.
In a house bursting with 13 speakers and 6 subwoofers, one audiophileโs living room doubles as a 7.6.6 surround-sound sanctuaryโthough his wife might call it something else entirely.
From boomboxes to Bluetooth, this lively history tracks the cultural and technological evolution of portable musicโhighlighting how innovations like the Walkman, Discman, iPod, and wireless earbuds shaped how (and where) we listen.
Pierre Dallaire returns with Part 2 of his musical journey, highlighting five stellar recordingsโeach a gateway to a different era, from da Milanoโs divine lute to Debussyโs impressionistic piano, all chosen to ignite deeper listening.
Once dismissed as a passing fad, surround sound is staging a comebackโwith streaming giants offering immersive content and home tech better than ever, it may finally be time to rejoin the multichannel revolution.
In Part 2 of Gilles Laferriereโs revealing interview, Michael Fremer reflects on his departure from Stereophile, his triumphant return to The Absolute Sound, and the exciting ventures fueling his passionโfrom producing records to mentoring young writersโall while reaffirming vinylโs enduring magic.
From Acoraโs granite giants to Endowโs space-age arrays, Mike Harkins captures the innovation and immersive sound at Florida Audio Expo 2023, where 77 exhibits showcased audioโs finest and boldest in Tampaโs warmth.
To keep his system clean and cool, Mike Harkins tucked away his components in a closetโthen turned to AC Infinityโs smart, silent fans to battle heat and boost reliability without sacrificing style or performance.
Raised on Zeppelin and Deep Purple in India, Priyoโs path to high-end audio took flight in Canadaโhis journey from vintage gear to a hybrid-tube system is powered by curiosity, experimentation, and sonic transformation.
Despite MoFiโs DSD controversy, Claude Lemaire finds their Eye in the Sky 45 rpm remaster a revelationโeclipsing his Canadian first press with staggering dynamics, transparency, and an analog warmth that challenges purist assumptions.