2nd Edition
Technics Tracks High-Res Download Store Opens Today
The Technics Tracks High-Res Download Store opens today for residents of the UK and Germany. Technics claims "tens of thousands" of 24-bit/192kHz tracks at launch, "hundreds of thousands" of 24-bit tracks, as well as an "extensive collection of 16-bit/44.1kHz CD quality tracks."
Sony's (Expensive) Audiophile microSD Card
Attention audiophiles: duck and cover! Another questionable product aimed squarely at us so we're in for it now (again)! While Sony claims the SR-64HXA, a Class 10 64GB microSDXC card which will cost ¥18,500 (roughly $155), produces less electrical noise when reading data as compared to a standard microSD card, the mainstream press ain't buyin' it and they're throwing stones our way (again).
Download of the Week: Egyptrixx
Machine dreams. For some reason, I've really been enjoying music that can best be described as punishing lately. That said, I certainly have had a soft spot for hard music going all the way back to bands like Einstürzende Neubauten, Throbbing Gristle, Nocturnal Emissions and various and sundry industrial noise groups and the like.
Audioengine B1 Bluetooth Music Receiver
Under inspection today is their B1 Bluetooth Music Receiver which adds Bluetooth connectivity to any hi-fi while also offering an internal DAC as well as a Toslink output if you already own a DAC you enjoy. What's the point of Bluetooth? Fun.
Consumers Want Better Sound Quality!
According to a report by UK-base CSR, "State Of Play Report – The world of home audio through the eyes of the consumer", what people want most from their home audio experience is better sound quality. A whopping 77% of respondents would like better audio quality at home and they are wiling to pay for it which bodes well for our musical futures.
Pono Plays DSD Now!
With firmware update v1.0.5, the Pono Player now plays DSD64 and DSD128 files. I dragged and dropped a few DSD albums into my player and I'm listening to The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan from Acoustic Sounds and it sounds just lovely. Like analog.
Download of the Week: Viet Cong
Another tip from my friend Joe, "I've listened to it through twice and I'm still not sure what the fuck..." It took me longer. After a few weeks of listening to Calgary, Alberta based Viet Cong's first and self-titled album on Jagjaguwar I've come to dig its decidedly dark and brutalist groove.
Teac AI-301DA
The TEAC Corporation, a $1.2 billion manufacturing company headquartered in Japan, was founded in 1953. The TEAC division is in the "field of music and audio" and they've pioneered many a product for the studio and home.
Ethernet Madness!
I think it started on Reddit then spread like wildfire to a number of websites including Ars Technica, The Register, HotHardware, and more. Not to mention the forums. What's all the fuss? Expensive Ethernet cables. $10,000 Ethernet cables (actually the price is $8,000 and all of these sites got it wrong).
1st Edition
Teac AI-301DA
The TEAC Corporation, a $1.2 billion manufacturing company headquartered in Japan, was founded in 1953. The TEAC division is in the "field of music and audio" and they've pioneered many a product for the studio and home.
Ethernet Madness!
I think it started on Reddit then spread like wildfire to a number of websites including Ars Technica, The Register, HotHardware, and more. Not to mention the forums. What's all the fuss? Expensive Ethernet cables. $10,000 Ethernet cables (actually the price is $8,000 and all of these sites got it wrong).
The PS Audio and Blue Coast Records High Res Challenge!
Audio manufacturer PS Audio and recording company Blue Coast Records, who specialize in DSD recordings, have each offered a high res challenge to the writers who could not hear the differences high res audio offers when reviewing Neil Young's Pono Player (you can read my review here. Spoiler Alter: I heard a difference).
Pure Music Improves Streamthrough
Streamthrough has been around for 4 years and is fully integrated with Pure Music so you only need to launch (and buy) one app to stream music from your music library or via streaming services like Tidal, Spotify, etc. More from Pure Music.
Download of the Week: Aine O'Dwyer
Erstwhile harpist Áine O'Dwyer got her hands on the pipe organ in St Mark’s Church, Islington over the course of several months.
PS Audio Sprout
I see it, I hear it, I like it. Sprout plays vinyl and digital (up to 24/192), lets you stream to it via Bluetooth from your smartphone while pumping out 32 watts of Class D power per channel into 8 Ohms (50W into 4). It delivers all of this in a small, simple, attractive package and it costs $799. What more do you need to know?
Fidelizer Pro 6.5
Fidelizer Pro 6.5 is the creation of an audiophile from Thailand by the name of Keetakawee Punpeng. Back in 2011, Keetakawee released freeware for Windows called Fidelizer that provided optimization for dedicated Windows computers working as music servers.
Breaking News: Not Everyone Loves Pono!
In addition to the NY Post and Gizmodo, Ars Technica has weighed in on Pono as has David Pogue of Yahoo. The verdict? People can't really tell the difference between high res files and lower resolutions, some people prefer the iPhone, and generally high res audio is a bunch of snake oil. Just ask Monty and buy yourself a better pair of headphones.
Jay Z Is Buying Tidal!
According to Endgaget, "'Project Panther,' a company indirectly owned by Jay Z's S. Carter Enterprises, has made a bid for Aspiro, a company that runs Tidal" for 464 million Swedish crowns ($56 million) in cash.
Is High Resolution Audio Elitist?
Reading some of the responses to Pono, and to Neil Young, you have to wonder if some of the stronger negative takes on what is a plea for better sound quality are rooted in an emotional response as opposed to a technical one.
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