Copper Magazine · Issue 170 · A free PS Audio publication
Issue 170 Opening Salvo

Digital in an Analog World

Digital in an Analog World

We are greatly saddened to report the passing of Chris Sommovigo on August 15, 2022, from a cardiac event. He was most recently associated with Black Cat Cables, and had done work for Kimber Kable, Stereolab and others, and worked in audio distribution, and publishing. He was highly regarded in the industry and I had only met him once, at a show a few years ago, yet we hit it off immediately. For more information, please read David W. Robinson’s heartfelt tribute in Positive Feedback.

In this issue: J.I. Agnew delves into an ultra-rare Japanese portable (!) record cutting lathe, and reports on the cessation of operations of HD Vinyl, with some thoughts on vinyl manufacturing. Larry Jaffee remembers getting hooked on CDs in the 1980s. Tom Methans encounters a high-end audio system – in clubland. Harris Fogel concludes his report on T.H.E. Show 2022, once again with lots of photos. B. Jan Montana continues his pilgrimage. John Seetoo interviews David W. Hewitt, a pioneer of remote recording. Andrew Daly has a conversation with rock journalist Elise Krentzel. Ken Kessler attends the best private members club ever.

Anne E. Johnson talk talk talks about the Psychedelic Furs, and appreciates the magnificent vocal music of Orlande de Lassus. Ken Sander floats over CES. Alón Sagee talks with synesthetic artist Melissa McCracken in a mind-opening interview. Rudy Radelic keeps driving through a lemons road rally. Adrian Wu ponders the sonic attributes of tape versus vinyl. I report on the Octave Records LP release of Zuill Bailey’s The Complete Bach Cello Suites. Ray Chelstowski talks with songwriter and Broadway composer Duncan Sheik about his new album, Claptrap. Russ Welton encounters a tough customer. Tom Gibbs has to move his audio system. We wrap up the issue with world music, pure distortion, unfortunate timing, and a nameless destination.

Staff Writers:

J.I. Agnew, Ray Chelstowski, Cliff Chenfeld, Jay Jay French, Tom Gibbs, Roy Hall, Rich Isaacs, Anne E. Johnson, Don Kaplan, Ken Kessler, Don Lindich, Stuart Marvin, Tom Methans, B. Jan Montana, Rudy Radelic, Tim Riley, Wayne Robins, Alón Sagee, Ken Sander, John Seetoo, Dan Schwartz, Russ Welton, Adrian Wu

Contributing Editors:
Ivan Berger, Steven Bryan Bieler, Andrew Daly, Jack Flory, Harris Fogel, Steve Kindig, Ed Kwok, David Snyder, Bob Wood

Cover:
“Cartoon Bob” D’Amico

Cartoons:
James Whitworth, Peter Xeni

Parting Shots:
James Schrimpf, B. Jan Montana, Rich Isaacs (and others)

Audio Anthropology Photos:
Howard Kneller, Steve Rowell

Editor:
Frank Doris

Publisher:
Paul McGowan

Advertising Sales:
No one. We are free from advertising and subscribing to Copper is free.

 – FD

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Favorites From T.H.E. Show SoCal 2026 by Cam Martin Oct 05, 2026 #235 Singer/Songwriter John David Schrader: On the Need to Create, Part Two by Joe Caplan Oct 05, 2026 #235 A Life in High-End Audio: The Roy Hall Interview, Part Two by Frank Doris Oct 05, 2026 #235 Grammy-Winning Producer, Songwriter, and Guitarist John Leventhal Goes Instrumental With National Drift by Ray Chelstowski Oct 05, 2026 #235 From Swimming Pool to New Listening Room—to Founding an Accidental Audio Company by Gilles Laferrière Oct 05, 2026 #235 The Vinyl Beat’s Size Matters Edition by Rudy Radelic Oct 05, 2026 #235 The Sublime Complexities of Nature by B. Jan Montana Oct 05, 2026 #235 How to Play In a Rock Band, 28: Growing Older and Dealing With It by Frank Doris Oct 05, 2026 #235 Young Rascals: From Bar Band to Stardom by Wayne Robins Oct 05, 2026 #235 Duncan Sheik: In Memoriam by Ray Chelstowski Oct 05, 2026 #235 From The Listening Chair: The Meze Audio 105 Silva Headphones by Howard Kneller Oct 05, 2026 #235 Checking Out Some NOLA Loudspeakers – and Some Thoughts About Audio Writing by Frank Doris Oct 05, 2026 #235 The Kanazawa Phonograph Museum: Music from a Time Capsule by Sebastian Polcyn Oct 05, 2026 #235 PS Audio in the News by PS Audio Staff Oct 05, 2026 #235 From The Audiophile’s Guide: Making the Most Critical Choice by Paul McGowan Oct 05, 2026 #235 Evolutionary Growth by Frank Doris Oct 05, 2026 #235 Speed Racer by Peter Xeni Oct 05, 2026 #235 Happy Halloween! by James Schrimpf Oct 05, 2026 #234 A Life in High-End Audio: The Roy Hall Interview, Part One by Frank Doris Sep 07, 2026 #234 Jason Greenlaw Offers His Personal Perspective on Jazz Guitar in Vantage Point by Frank Doris Sep 07, 2026 #234 Transcendent Phoenix: Lucina Yue Brings the Ancient Konghou Into Modern Times by Frank Doris Sep 07, 2026 #234 We Must All Follow Our Bliss by B. Jan Montana Sep 07, 2026 #234 How to Play in a Rock Band, 27: Leveling Up by Frank Doris Sep 07, 2026 #234 Ross Valory: Traveling Into New Musical Territory With All of the Above by Ray Chelstowski Sep 07, 2026 #234 Singer/Songwriter John David Schrader: On the Need to Create by Joe Caplan Sep 07, 2026 #234 The People Who Make Audio Happen: More From T.H.E. Show SoCal 2026 by Harris Fogel Sep 07, 2026 #234 The Vinyl Beat Digs Into the Gadget Box by Rudy Radelic Sep 07, 2026 #234 The Rolling Stones: Foreign Tongues Spoken Loud by Wayne Robins Sep 07, 2026 #234 Musical Moments by Rich Isaacs Sep 07, 2026 #234 Rags for Solo Piano and a Dog: David Chesky's Ragtime Music for the Modern Age by Frankly Speaking Sep 07, 2026 #234 HIGH END 2026, Vienna: Here to Stay by Carsten Barnbeck Sep 07, 2026 #234 From The Audiophile’s Guide: The Two Main Types of Loudpeakers – Box and Panel by Paul McGowan Sep 07, 2026 #234 Letting it Slide by Frank Doris Sep 07, 2026 #234 PS Audio in the News by PS Audio Staff Sep 07, 2026 #234 Long Playing by Peter Xeni Sep 07, 2026 #234 La Mer by B. Jan Montana Sep 07, 2026 #233 A Report From The Total Hi-Fi Experience Show SoCal 2026 by B. Jan Montana Aug 03, 2026 #233 Bluegrass Meets Country, Folk, Jazz and More in All That We Carried by The Squid City Slingers by Frank Doris Aug 03, 2026 #233 Corey Glover and One Tribe Nation: A Variegated Musical Collective by Ray Chelstowski Aug 03, 2026 #233 Excursions with Clive: The Late Clive Davis, A Personal History by Wayne Robins Aug 03, 2026 #233 AI, Art, and Music: A Conversation With Synthography Art by Joe Caplan Aug 03, 2026 #233 New American Symphonies: A Rediscovered Gem and a Vital Contemporary Work by Frank Doris Aug 03, 2026 #233 The Vinyl Beat: Genesis, the Dave Clark Five, Antonio Carlos Jobim and More by Rudy Radelic Aug 03, 2026 #233 How to Play in a Rock Band, 26: When It's Time to Record Your Music by Frank Doris Aug 03, 2026 #233 More From T.H.E. Show 2026, and the People Who Made it Happen by Harris Fogel Aug 03, 2026 #233 Underappreciated Artists, Part Three: Icehouse by Rich Isaacs Aug 03, 2026 #233 The Surprisingly Rich and Varied Music of Somalia by Steve Kindig Aug 03, 2026

Digital in an Analog World

Digital in an Analog World

We are greatly saddened to report the passing of Chris Sommovigo on August 15, 2022, from a cardiac event. He was most recently associated with Black Cat Cables, and had done work for Kimber Kable, Stereolab and others, and worked in audio distribution, and publishing. He was highly regarded in the industry and I had only met him once, at a show a few years ago, yet we hit it off immediately. For more information, please read David W. Robinson’s heartfelt tribute in Positive Feedback.

In this issue: J.I. Agnew delves into an ultra-rare Japanese portable (!) record cutting lathe, and reports on the cessation of operations of HD Vinyl, with some thoughts on vinyl manufacturing. Larry Jaffee remembers getting hooked on CDs in the 1980s. Tom Methans encounters a high-end audio system – in clubland. Harris Fogel concludes his report on T.H.E. Show 2022, once again with lots of photos. B. Jan Montana continues his pilgrimage. John Seetoo interviews David W. Hewitt, a pioneer of remote recording. Andrew Daly has a conversation with rock journalist Elise Krentzel. Ken Kessler attends the best private members club ever.

Anne E. Johnson talk talk talks about the Psychedelic Furs, and appreciates the magnificent vocal music of Orlande de Lassus. Ken Sander floats over CES. Alón Sagee talks with synesthetic artist Melissa McCracken in a mind-opening interview. Rudy Radelic keeps driving through a lemons road rally. Adrian Wu ponders the sonic attributes of tape versus vinyl. I report on the Octave Records LP release of Zuill Bailey’s The Complete Bach Cello Suites. Ray Chelstowski talks with songwriter and Broadway composer Duncan Sheik about his new album, Claptrap. Russ Welton encounters a tough customer. Tom Gibbs has to move his audio system. We wrap up the issue with world music, pure distortion, unfortunate timing, and a nameless destination.

Staff Writers:

J.I. Agnew, Ray Chelstowski, Cliff Chenfeld, Jay Jay French, Tom Gibbs, Roy Hall, Rich Isaacs, Anne E. Johnson, Don Kaplan, Ken Kessler, Don Lindich, Stuart Marvin, Tom Methans, B. Jan Montana, Rudy Radelic, Tim Riley, Wayne Robins, Alón Sagee, Ken Sander, John Seetoo, Dan Schwartz, Russ Welton, Adrian Wu

Contributing Editors:
Ivan Berger, Steven Bryan Bieler, Andrew Daly, Jack Flory, Harris Fogel, Steve Kindig, Ed Kwok, David Snyder, Bob Wood

Cover:
“Cartoon Bob” D’Amico

Cartoons:
James Whitworth, Peter Xeni

Parting Shots:
James Schrimpf, B. Jan Montana, Rich Isaacs (and others)

Audio Anthropology Photos:
Howard Kneller, Steve Rowell

Editor:
Frank Doris

Publisher:
Paul McGowan

Advertising Sales:
No one. We are free from advertising and subscribing to Copper is free.

 – FD

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