COPPER

A PS Audio Publication

Issue 170 • Free Online Magazine

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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#232 What came first: Art or Music? A Conversation With Artist Jose Acosta by Joe Caplan Jul 06, 2026 #232 Blow By Blow: The Jeff Beck Story: An Insightful Book About a Guitar Icon by Ray Chelstowski Jul 06, 2026 #232 Creed Over Camaraderie? by B. Jan Montana Jul 06, 2026 #232 Chronicles of a Sound Pilgrim at the 2026 Montreal Audiofest by Hugues Morin Jul 06, 2026 #232 The Vinyl Beat: Summer Grooves by Rudy Radelic Jul 06, 2026 #232 Hibbing Hillbilly Dylan's Acoustic Rock by Wayne Robins Jul 06, 2026 #232 Quad Quads and Plasmatronics Tweeters: An Extraordinary System Comes to Life by Frank Doris Jul 06, 2026 #232 In Praise of Live Music, Once Again by Ted Shafran Jul 06, 2026 #232 Allnic Audio’s L-9000 Preamplifier: Design and Engineering Innovation by Howard Kneller Jul 06, 2026 #232 “Best Of” Lists and Rage Bait: Enough Already by Frank Doris Jul 06, 2026 #232 Quick Takes: Bud Shank, Paulo Almeida, Jakob Dreyer, Tim Eriksen and Peter Irvine by Frank Doris Jul 06, 2026 #232 My Impressions of AXPONA 2026, Part 2 by Frank Doris Jul 06, 2026 #232 How to Play in a Rock Band, 25: Encounters With Famous Musicians, Part Three by Frank Doris Jul 06, 2026 #232 Budgets, and Systems From Small to Outrageous by Paul McGowan Jul 06, 2026 #232 PS Audio in the News by PS Audio Staff Jul 06, 2026 #232 Hand It Over by Frank Doris Jul 06, 2026 #232 Difference of Opinion by Peter Xeni Jul 06, 2026 #232 Wabi-sabi Tree by James Schrimpf Jul 06, 2026 #231 Piano Prodigy Jude Kofie Releases His Debut Album On Octave Records by Frank Doris Jun 01, 2026 #231 Underappreciated Artists, Part Two: City Boy by Rich Isaacs Jun 01, 2026 #231 Music and the Art of Creation: Talking With Saxophonist Rob Scheps by Joe Caplan Jun 01, 2026 #231 How to Play in a Rock Band, 24: Further Adventures at the 2026 Montauk Music Festival by Frank Doris Jun 01, 2026 #231 Courtney Barnett: Creature of Habit by Wayne Robins Jun 01, 2026 #231 Angine de Poitrine: Interstellar Guitar Rock Saviors Headed for Late-Night TV Pop Stardom? by Mark Lepage Jun 01, 2026 #231 My Impressions of AXPONA 2026, Part One by Frank Doris Jun 01, 2026 #231 2026 La Jolla Concours d'Elegance: Another Aesthetic Feast by B. Jan Montana Jun 01, 2026 #231 Country Music Icon Jo Dee Messina’s Bridges: A New Beginning by Ray Chelstowski Jun 01, 2026 #231 The Luxury Dispatch Hosts a Video Podcast With Ken Kessler by Ken Kessler Jun 01, 2026 #231 The Vinyl Beat: Tracking in the Motor City by Rudy Radelic Jun 01, 2026 #231 Lots of Fun With DSP: The Ferrum Audio WANDLA DAC and Its Tube Mode by Frank Doris Jun 01, 2026 #231 From The Audiophile's Guide: Digital Source Components and Streaming Audio by Paul McGowan Jun 01, 2026 #231 Onkyo’s Monster M-510 power amplifier by The Staff at Just Audio Jun 01, 2026 #231 PS Audio in the News by PS Audio Staff Jun 01, 2026 #231 Naming Convention by Peter Xeni Jun 01, 2026 #231 Les Invisibles by Frank Doris Jun 01, 2026 #231 Wildlife Scene by James Schrimpf Jun 01, 2026 #230 Camaraderie by B. Jan Montana May 04, 2026 #230 AXPONA 2026: A Family Gathering by Paul McGowan May 04, 2026 #230 Pianist Ryan Benthall Explores Jazz Realms and Far Beyond With Divine Sky by Frank Doris May 04, 2026 #230 The Vinyl Beat in AXPONA-Land by Rudy Radelic May 04, 2026 #230 Teddy Thompson’s Musical Growth Deepens With Never Be the Same by Ray Chelstowski May 04, 2026 #230 More Fun in the Sun: Florida Audio Expo, Part Two by Frank Doris May 04, 2026 #230 CanJam NYC 2026 Show Report: Heady Sound, Part Two by Frank Doris and Harris Fogel May 04, 2026 #230 Sonic Youth On Murray Street by Wayne Robins May 04, 2026 #230 Graffeo Coffee: A Symphony of Sensory Experience by Joe Caplan May 04, 2026 #230 The Saul Authority: The Story of Hi-Fi Pioneer Saul Marantz by Olivier Meunier-Plante May 04, 2026 #230 How to Play in a Rock Band, 23: Encounters With Famous Musicians, Part Two by Frank Doris May 04, 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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