Gizmodo on the Future of Data Storage

Gizmodo has a very interesting article on current data storage mediums and their limitations, and the multiple directions that storage will be heading in the future. While the article has more to do with computers than audio, all recorded music is simple data, and where data storage is going will have a significant effect on the future of music systems. I firmly believe that the Compact Disc will be the last distributed mass market physical medium for music. The MP3 is likely to be the format of choice for casual music listeners for many years to come, but as audiophiles finally transition away from the CD and towards servers and music streamers, interest will shift away from transports and vibration to which types of storage offer the lowest levels of EMI and jitter. Even currently available technology like solid-state hard drives are vastly superior to the old fashioned mechanical drives contained in most servers currently on the market because they produce no noise and virtually no heat. Here's a quote from the article:

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Vincent CD Player Offers Tube or Solid-State Sound

If you've ever wanted to listen to one album with a tube driven CD player and the next with pure solid-state, Vincent Audio's new C-60 CD player can switch between the two at the touch of a button. Designed to complement Vincent's V-60 vacuum tube integrated amplifier, the C-60 features fully balanced circuitry, a high quality Philips transport, and 24-bit/192-kHz PCN1792 DACs.

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Synergistic Research Galileo Universal Cells

Synergistic Research has followed up on their bank busting flagship Galileo interconnects and speaker cables with the release of the new Galileo Universal Cells. The Universal Cells are based on the same boxes that come with the megabuck Galileo cables, and use the same type of active electromagnetic conditioning as the Tesla Powercell line conditioner. The difference is they are designed to work with any brand of cables.

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Cnet Ranks Their Favorite Desktop Speakers

If you're in the market for a new set of stereo desktop speakers, check out Cnet's list of their favorite 2.0 and 2.1 models. Of their picks, the M-Audio Studiophile AV40 stands out as a worthwhile choice for audiophiles. Some of their other choices like the Altec Lansing Expressionist Bass and Logitech Z-5 - not so much.

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Asus Launches World’s Smallest Surround Bar

Asus has released a new surround bar designed for use on the desktop called the Cine5. According to Asus, the Cine5 is the world's smallest sound bar to cram in a full 5 channels. The elegantly named "EmbracingSound Theatre HD" technology provides the faux surround effect from the single enclosure.

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Onkyo Says Have Some THX with Your 3D

Onkyo is hot on Pioneer's heels with its own 2010 HDMI 1.4 equipped, 3D ready receivers. Leading the charge is the TX-SR608, which features new 192-kHz/24-bit Burr-Brown PCM1690 DACs, a new GUI, Audyssey DSX dimensional sound processing, and a new power amplifier section that uses a three-stage inverted Darlington output topology to increase power to 100 watts per channel. Thanks to the newfound grunt, the TX-SR608 qualifies for the THX Select2 stamp of approval.

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France Gets Tough on Piracy – Piracy Increases

From the "duh" column comes news that France's controversial three-strikes "Hadopi" law which allows the music industry to track down repeated copyright infringers has not had the intended effect of reducing file sharing. Proponents of the law claimed that about two-thirds of the people would stop illegal downloading after the first warning letter, and more than 95% would stop after the second. Instead, piracy in France has increased by 3%.

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Choose Your Color with Meridian Select

High-end audio manufacturer Meridian has announced a new program called "Select", which allows buyers to uniquely customize their products. Similar to programs offered by some automakers like Audi Exclusive, the Select service lets you choose from a wide array of custom colors using the RAL Classic system - the European color reference standard. Meridian Select is available on all of the company's lacquer finished DSP speakers, the SW1600 and SW5500 subwoofers, and all 800 Series electronics.

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Second Skin Speaker Tweaker Pads

Second Skin, the sound deadening company has re-released their Speaker Tweaker Pads. The Speaker Tweakers are designed to sit three to eight inches behind your OEM or aftermarket door speakers and absorb and diffuse the reflections from the rear wave of the speaker. Without the interference of reflections from inside the door panel, distortion is reduced and response is improved.

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New Pioneer Receivers Get 3D

Filed under: Home Audio > Receivers



Pioneer has released their new 2010 receiver lineup, and the big new feature is HDMI 1.4 and 3D pass-through support for all models. The new lineup consists of the VSX-520-K ($229), the VSX-820-K ($299), the VSX-920-K ($399), the VSX-1020-K ($549), and the range topper VSX-1120-K ($749), in addition to HDMI 1.4, all models also support Bluetooth and Dolby ProLogic IIz.

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Advertise Your Favorite Artists on Your Headphones

Filed under: Headphones > On-Ear Headphones



Industrial designer Brian Garret Schuur has created some rather unusual headphones. They feature a sculpted headband custom made to order with the names of your favorite artists and some weird (and probably uncomfortable) earpads, and are simply known as the "Street Headphones".

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Monster Butterfly Phones by Vivienne Tam

Filed under: Headphones > In-Ear Headphones



If you're not excited about the prospect of having Dr. Dre or Lady Gaga in your ears, don't fret! Monster Cable still wants your money! Monster's latest famous person influenced headphones leave the world of music for the world of fashion, and feature a design that echoes uber fashion designer Vivienne Tam's "Butterfly Lovers" collection. Says Ms. Tam: "Fashion and music together give you a different journey, different world and experiences of life. Music gives my designs movement and rhythm. I dance with my designs. Double Happiness."

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Cambridge Audio 550A Integrated Amp and 550C CD Player Review

If you're in the market for a high quality integrated amp and CD player for under $600 each, take a look at the Azur 550A integrated amp and 550C CD player from value kings Cambridge Audio. The 550A uses a high quality Alps volume pot, oversized toroidal transformer, high-current Sanken output transistors, and produces 60 watts per channel. The 550C features a Wolfson WM8740 24-bit/192kHz DAC. Here's a quote from the recently posted Absolute Sound review:

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Imerge MS1-HD Media Server with Blu-ray

Filed under: Home Audio > Network Music Players



Imerge's latest MS1-HD media server one-ups most currently available servers thanks to the inclusion of a Blu-ray drive and Blu-ray storage capabilities. The MS1-HD can send music or high definition movies to any network connected room, with control provided by either a native touch screen interface or an iPhone app.

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New Audiojunkies Forum

We have recently updated our forum to a new vBulletin system. We've also created a bridge system that allows us to transfer your current account to the new forum. If you had an account previously, check your email for your new pass word. If not, you can always create a new account to join the community.



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