COPPER

A PS Audio Publication

Issue 154 • Free Online Magazine

Issue 154 Opening Salvo

Issue 154

Issue 154

The audio world has lost another legend with the passing of Max Townshend at 78. Born in Perth, Australia, he was the head of UK-based Townshend Audio and designer of a wide range of high-end products, including cables, the Seismic series of isolation products, the Allegri preamplifiers, plus loudspeakers and other creations. I had the pleasure of speaking with him one last time about a year ago in conjunction with an article he wrote for Copper Issue 124, “The ‘Sound’ of Speaker Cables: An Analysis,” and as always he was generous with his knowledge, unflinching in his beliefs, and a blast to talk to. RIP to one of the industry’s true titans.

In this issue: Wayne Robins finds the Neil Young Archives to be a very deep resource. I cover Octave Records latest musical sampler, Audiophile Masters, Vol. III. Russ Welton asks: how loud will your speakers go? Don Kaplan chronicles his quest to find his Goldilocks audio system. B. Jan Montana becomes more enlightened on his journey to Sturgis. Ken Sander goes on tour with Wishbone Ash. Jack Flory ponders the power of Ohm’s law. Ray Chelstowski talks with folk-pop artist Eddie Berman about his exceptional new album, Broken English. Don Lindich tells us what CES 2022 was like. Ken Kessler comes clean with reel-to-reel tape hygiene.

I talk with Gordon Stanley of the Spreckels Organ Society about one of the world’s most remarkable musical instruments. J.I. Agnew digs deeper into the world of record-cutting lathes. Andy Schaub has some audiophile plans for the new year. Rudy Radelic checks out a SweetVinyl record-noise reduction system. Anne E. Johnson enlightens us on the music of classical artist Carl Maria von Weber, and Motown pioneer Mary Wells. Tom Gibbs shows off audio demo tracks. John Seetoo pays another virtual visit to AES Fall 2021 and the psychology of hearing, and a listen to some heavyweight producers. Our A/V department caps off the issue with shrink wrap misadventures, a jittery audiophile, space-age audio, and green transportation.

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, Ken Sander, John Seetoo, Dan Schwartz, Russ Welton, WL Woodward, Adrian Wu

Contributing Editors:
Ivan Berger, Steven Bryan Bieler, Jack Flory, Harris Fogel, Robert Heiblim, Steve Kindig, Ed Kwok, Alón Sagee, Andy Schaub, 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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#225 Capital Audiofest 2025: Must-See Stereo, Part One by Frank Doris Dec 01, 2025 #225 Otis Taylor and the Electrics Delivers a Powerful Set of Hypnotic Modern Blues by Frank Doris Dec 01, 2025 #225 A Christmas Miracle by B. Jan Montana Dec 01, 2025 #225 T.H.E. Show New York 2025, Part Two: Plenty to See, Hear, and Enjoy by Frank Doris Dec 01, 2025 #225 Underappreciated Artists, Part One: Martin Briley by Rich Isaacs Dec 01, 2025 #225 Rock and Roll is Here to Stay by Wayne Robins Dec 01, 2025 #225 A Lifetime of Holiday Record (and CD) Listening by Rudy Radelic Dec 01, 2025 #225 Little Feat: Not Saying Goodbye, Not Yet by Ray Chelstowski Dec 01, 2025 #225 How to Play in a Rock Band, Part 18: Dealing With Burnout by Frank Doris Dec 01, 2025 #225 The People Who Make Audio Happen: CanJam SoCal 2025 by Harris Fogel Dec 01, 2025 #225 Chicago’s Sonic Sanctuaries: Four Hi‑Fi Listening Bars Channeling the Jazz‑Kissa Spirit by Olivier Meunier-Plante Dec 01, 2025 #225 From The Audiophile’s Guide: Controlling Bass Frequencies Through Membrane Absorbers (and How to Build Your Own) by Paul McGowan Dec 01, 2025 #225 Your Editor’s Tips for Attending Audio Shows by Frank Doris Dec 01, 2025 #225 PS Audio in the News by Frank Doris Dec 01, 2025 #225 Back to My Reel-to-Reel Roots, Part 24 by Ken Kessler Dec 01, 2025 #225 Holiday Music by Frank Doris Dec 01, 2025 #225 Puppy Prognostication by Peter Xeni Dec 01, 2025 #225 How to Post Comments on Copper by Frank Doris Dec 01, 2025 #225 Living Color by Rudy Radelic Dec 01, 2025 #224 T.H.E. Show New York 2025, Part One: A New Beginning by Frank Doris Nov 03, 2025 #224 Fool’s Leap of Faith is the Extraordinary Octave Records Debut from Singer/Songwriter Tyler Burba and Visit by Frank Doris Nov 03, 2025 #224 The Beatles’ “Aeolian Cadences.” What? by Wayne Robins Nov 03, 2025 #224 Persona Non Grata by B. Jan Montana Nov 03, 2025 #224 Talking With Recording Engineer Barry Diament of Soundkeeper Recordings, Part Two by Frank Doris Nov 03, 2025 #224 B Sides, B Movies, and Beware of Zombies by Rudy Radelic Nov 03, 2025 #224 The Burn-In Chronicles: 1,000 Hours to Sonic Salvation by Olivier Meunier-Plante Nov 03, 2025 #224 A Conversation With Mat Weisfeld of VPI Industries by Joe Caplan Nov 03, 2025 #224 Blues-Rocker Kenny Wayne Shepherd Celebrates 30 Years of Ledbetter Heights by Ray Chelstowski Nov 03, 2025 #224 Playing in a Rock Band, 17: When Good Gigs Go Bad, Part Two by Frank Doris Nov 03, 2025 #224 From The Audiophile’s Guide: Dealing with Odd-Shaped Rooms by Paul McGowan Nov 03, 2025 #224 TEAC’s TN-3B-SE Turntable Plays Bob Dylan by Howard Kneller Nov 03, 2025 #224 PS Audio in the News by Frank Doris Nov 03, 2025 #224 Lost in Translation by Peter Xeni Nov 03, 2025 #224 Reel-to-Reel Roots, Part 23: Better Than Rice Krispies by Ken Kessler Nov 03, 2025 #224 I Bring Joy! by Frank Doris Nov 03, 2025 #224 Screen Test by Rich Isaacs Nov 03, 2025 #224 How to Post Comments on Copper by Frank Doris Nov 03, 2025 #132 Dr. Patrick Gleeson: The Interview, Part Two by Rich Isaacs Oct 07, 2025 #223 World Fusion Meets Flamenco in Gratitude from Steve Mullins and Rim of the Well by Frank Doris Oct 06, 2025 #223 Judging Albums by Their Covers by Rich Isaacs Oct 06, 2025 #223 Recent Arrivals and 12-inch Royalty by Rudy Radelic Oct 06, 2025 #223 Summer of Creem, Part Two by Wayne Robins Oct 06, 2025 #223 Recording Engineer Barry Diament of Soundkeeper Recordings: Striving for Natural Sound by Frank Doris Oct 06, 2025 #223 Tea on the Terrace by B. Jan Montana Oct 06, 2025 #223 How Good Can Car Audio Get? by Joe Caplan Oct 06, 2025 #223 The Advantages of a Dedicated Listening Room by Paul McGowan Oct 06, 2025 #223 1! 2! 3! 4! Surrounded by the Ramones in Dolby Atmos! by Frank Doris Oct 06, 2025

Issue 154

Issue 154

The audio world has lost another legend with the passing of Max Townshend at 78. Born in Perth, Australia, he was the head of UK-based Townshend Audio and designer of a wide range of high-end products, including cables, the Seismic series of isolation products, the Allegri preamplifiers, plus loudspeakers and other creations. I had the pleasure of speaking with him one last time about a year ago in conjunction with an article he wrote for Copper Issue 124, “The ‘Sound’ of Speaker Cables: An Analysis,” and as always he was generous with his knowledge, unflinching in his beliefs, and a blast to talk to. RIP to one of the industry’s true titans.

In this issue: Wayne Robins finds the Neil Young Archives to be a very deep resource. I cover Octave Records latest musical sampler, Audiophile Masters, Vol. III. Russ Welton asks: how loud will your speakers go? Don Kaplan chronicles his quest to find his Goldilocks audio system. B. Jan Montana becomes more enlightened on his journey to Sturgis. Ken Sander goes on tour with Wishbone Ash. Jack Flory ponders the power of Ohm’s law. Ray Chelstowski talks with folk-pop artist Eddie Berman about his exceptional new album, Broken English. Don Lindich tells us what CES 2022 was like. Ken Kessler comes clean with reel-to-reel tape hygiene.

I talk with Gordon Stanley of the Spreckels Organ Society about one of the world’s most remarkable musical instruments. J.I. Agnew digs deeper into the world of record-cutting lathes. Andy Schaub has some audiophile plans for the new year. Rudy Radelic checks out a SweetVinyl record-noise reduction system. Anne E. Johnson enlightens us on the music of classical artist Carl Maria von Weber, and Motown pioneer Mary Wells. Tom Gibbs shows off audio demo tracks. John Seetoo pays another virtual visit to AES Fall 2021 and the psychology of hearing, and a listen to some heavyweight producers. Our A/V department caps off the issue with shrink wrap misadventures, a jittery audiophile, space-age audio, and green transportation.

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, Ken Sander, John Seetoo, Dan Schwartz, Russ Welton, WL Woodward, Adrian Wu

Contributing Editors:
Ivan Berger, Steven Bryan Bieler, Jack Flory, Harris Fogel, Robert Heiblim, Steve Kindig, Ed Kwok, Alón Sagee, Andy Schaub, 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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