COPPER

A PS Audio Publication

Issue 180 • Free Online Magazine

Issue 180 Opening Salvo

Goodbye to Jeff

Goodbye to Jeff

Sadly, we’ve lost a lot of great artists, but this one hit particularly hard for a lot of us: Jeff Beck passed away on January 10, 2023 at the age of 78. His prominence as one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time cannot be overstated: no one else sounded like him or ever will in his ability to effortlessly and astoundingly bend the electric guitar to his musical wishes.

We’re also saddened by the death of singer/songwriter Lisa Marie Presley at 54. The only child of Elvis and Priscilla Presley, Lisa Marie had worked in the music industry and released three albums. RIP to someone who left us far too soon.

In this issue: Jay Jay French remembers Jeff Beck. Anne E. Johnson enjoys new interpretations of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion and the men behind the masks of Daft Punk. Wayne Robins re-listens to Stephen Stills’ Manassas. Andrew Daly talks with influential indie label producer and Garbage drummer Butch Vig. J.I. Agnew reads Passion for Vinyl as he goes around the world in 80 (record-cutting) lathes. I cover the launch of Octave Records’ new The Art of Hi-Fi series and its first release, Volume 01: Bass. Harris Fogel makes the scene at Capital Audiofest. Howard Kneller checks out xDuoo’s MT-604 headphone amplifier. Ken Kessler continues his 50th anniversary look at the fabled Linn LP12 turntable, and has a tense encounter with founder Ivor Tiefenbrun.

Rudy Radelic continues his exploration of CTI Records with a look at some of the label’s subsidiaries. Ken Sander puts a borrowed Porsche through the paces and encounters Miles Davis. Tom Methans covers Philly’s record store scene. Ray Chelstowski talks with Wicked Cool Records rocker Ryan Hamilton. Larry Jaffee looks at home entertainment formats over the past 50 years. John Seetoo interviews “(I’ve Had) the Time of My Life” Academy award-winning songwriter John DeNicola. Russ Welton begins a series on in-ear headphones. Tom Gibbs gets his new listening rooms in order. We conclude the issue with ephemeral music, naming a newborn, a tough decision, and a message from the street.

Staff Writers:

J.I. Agnew, Ray Chelstowski, Andrew Daly, Harris Fogel, 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, Jack Flory, Steve Kindig, Ed Kwok, Ted Shafran, 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.

Copper’s Comments Policy:

Copper’s comments sections are moderated. While we encourage thoughtful and spirited discussion, please be civil.

The editor and Copper’s editorial staff reserve the right to delete comments according to our discretion. This includes: political commentary; posts that are abusive, insulting, demeaning or defamatory; posts that are in violation of someone’s privacy; comments that violate the use of copyrighted information; posts that contain personal information; and comments that contain links to suspect websites (phishing sites or those that contain viruses and so on). Spam will be blocked or deleted.

Copper is a place to be enthusiastic about music, audio and other topics. It is most especially not a forum for political discussion, trolling, or rude behavior. Thanks for your consideration.

– 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

Goodbye to Jeff

Goodbye to Jeff

Sadly, we’ve lost a lot of great artists, but this one hit particularly hard for a lot of us: Jeff Beck passed away on January 10, 2023 at the age of 78. His prominence as one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time cannot be overstated: no one else sounded like him or ever will in his ability to effortlessly and astoundingly bend the electric guitar to his musical wishes.

We’re also saddened by the death of singer/songwriter Lisa Marie Presley at 54. The only child of Elvis and Priscilla Presley, Lisa Marie had worked in the music industry and released three albums. RIP to someone who left us far too soon.

In this issue: Jay Jay French remembers Jeff Beck. Anne E. Johnson enjoys new interpretations of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion and the men behind the masks of Daft Punk. Wayne Robins re-listens to Stephen Stills’ Manassas. Andrew Daly talks with influential indie label producer and Garbage drummer Butch Vig. J.I. Agnew reads Passion for Vinyl as he goes around the world in 80 (record-cutting) lathes. I cover the launch of Octave Records’ new The Art of Hi-Fi series and its first release, Volume 01: Bass. Harris Fogel makes the scene at Capital Audiofest. Howard Kneller checks out xDuoo’s MT-604 headphone amplifier. Ken Kessler continues his 50th anniversary look at the fabled Linn LP12 turntable, and has a tense encounter with founder Ivor Tiefenbrun.

Rudy Radelic continues his exploration of CTI Records with a look at some of the label’s subsidiaries. Ken Sander puts a borrowed Porsche through the paces and encounters Miles Davis. Tom Methans covers Philly’s record store scene. Ray Chelstowski talks with Wicked Cool Records rocker Ryan Hamilton. Larry Jaffee looks at home entertainment formats over the past 50 years. John Seetoo interviews “(I’ve Had) the Time of My Life” Academy award-winning songwriter John DeNicola. Russ Welton begins a series on in-ear headphones. Tom Gibbs gets his new listening rooms in order. We conclude the issue with ephemeral music, naming a newborn, a tough decision, and a message from the street.

Staff Writers:

J.I. Agnew, Ray Chelstowski, Andrew Daly, Harris Fogel, 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, Jack Flory, Steve Kindig, Ed Kwok, Ted Shafran, 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.

Copper’s Comments Policy:

Copper’s comments sections are moderated. While we encourage thoughtful and spirited discussion, please be civil.

The editor and Copper’s editorial staff reserve the right to delete comments according to our discretion. This includes: political commentary; posts that are abusive, insulting, demeaning or defamatory; posts that are in violation of someone’s privacy; comments that violate the use of copyrighted information; posts that contain personal information; and comments that contain links to suspect websites (phishing sites or those that contain viruses and so on). Spam will be blocked or deleted.

Copper is a place to be enthusiastic about music, audio and other topics. It is most especially not a forum for political discussion, trolling, or rude behavior. Thanks for your consideration.

– FD

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