2nd Edition
RMAF 2013 The Wrap!
"Does it do double DSD?" After I heard this query for the umpteenth time I started to cringe. There were DSD seminars, DSD-capable DACs in abundance, and new DSD download sites and sources announced. People played DSD, talked about DSD, and listened to DSD.
Synergistic Research High Frequency Transducer and Frequency Equalizer
My original intentions for the use of these products were in the application of computer audio. But as I discovered, the HFT and FEQ go far beyond computer audio, and benefit all audio systems regardless of their source. I felt that these new products were so significant in their performance that I should share my total experience with the AudioStream readers. So please indulge my deviation from computer audio as I describe the HFT and FEQ products.
Bluesound: Hi-Fi for a Wireless Generation
Newcomer Bluesound held a press event yesterday at 60 Thompson Hotel in Soho (nice!). Along with other members of the press, John Banks, Bluesound's Chief Brand Officer, and Tony Williamson, Product Support Manager, introduced us to the Bluesound brand and products.
Download of the Week: Tim Hecker
Beautiful music seems to constantly recede. Just when you've found a piece, the next time you grab for it its gone. Or so it seems to go most often, familiarity breeds loss, or something along those lines.
Asus Xonar Essence STU USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier
was impressed with the Asus Xonar Essence One MUSES Edition that I reviewed back in November of last year (see review) finding it fun and engaging to listen to. The new Essence STU due to be released later this month is the Essence One's little brother offering much of the same functionality of its bigger brother minus the latter's XLR outputs.
Grateful Dead: Complete Studio Albums Collection Remastered in HD
The HDTracks.com heavens opened this fall and out poured all 13 Grateful Dead studio albums. Your choice: 24/96 or 24/192 PCM in WAV, AIFF, ALAC or FLAC, fresh from the original master tapes.
DSD Resources: DSD Download Sites
Most important of all is the music. Here are the places around the 'net where you can find DSD downloads.
1st Edition
RMAF 2013!
Michael Lavorgna provides live coverage from the show in Denver Colorado.
Asus Xonar Essence STU USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier
was impressed with the Asus Xonar Essence One MUSES Edition that I reviewed back in November of last year (see review) finding it fun and engaging to listen to. The new Essence STU due to be released later this month is the Essence One's little brother offering much of the same functionality of its bigger brother minus the latter's XLR outputs.
Grateful Dead: Complete Studio Albums Collection Remastered in HD
The HDTracks.com heavens opened this fall and out poured all 13 Grateful Dead studio albums. Your choice: 24/96 or 24/192 PCM in WAV, AIFF, ALAC or FLAC, fresh from the original master tapes.
Download of the Week: Rokia Traoré
PJ Harvey collaborator John Parish lends his producing and guitar playing skills to this, Rokia Traoré's fifth album.
AudioQuest Vodka Ethernet Cable and Diamond Ethernet Cable
I hemmed and hawed. I procrastinated. I averted, diverted, rescheduled, delayed, prolonged, and put off reviewing the AudioQuest Vodka and Diamond Ethernet Cables hoping that something would change.
Download of the Week: Oneohtrix Point Never
A kaleidoscopic sound collage of cinematic proportions. Big, bold musical movements with glimpses of sheer beauty shattered by glitchy staccato breaks and fractured voices.
Jenny Hval Rocks
Last night Jenny Hval and her two bandmates lit up NYC's Mercury Lounge. Some performers during some performances have the ability to capture the room, making everything around you recede into the distance while the music becomes your every breath.
Smithsonian Folkways Radio
A world of music in streaming sound. After I followed the Kora Trail to the Smithsonian Folkways website and Foday Musa Suso, I clicked on their Radio Player and spent the better part of the evening immersed in the music of our world. China, Africa, Mexico, American roots, and more.
The NPR Music App
If you like NPR's First Listen and other music-related programming, you'll love the app for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Reader Deckeda recently mentioned the NPR Music App in one of his comments and now's as good a time as any to check it out. The newest featured release is Oneohtrix Point Never's R Plus Seven and its a doozy.
Download of the Week: Howard Hanson-An American Romantic
Howard Hanson (1896-1981) was a conductor, composer, and director of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. He was one of the most prominent American composers of musical Romanticism who believed that music should strive to preserve beauty, clarity and simplicity. You won’t find dissonance in Howard Hansen’s music.
DSD Resources: DSD Download Sites
Most important of all is the music. Here are the places around the 'net where you can find DSD downloads.
Source Audio Stream
