COPPER

A PS Audio Publication

Issue 31 • Free Online Magazine

Issue 31 Opening Salvo

Issue 31

Issue 31

By the time you read this, Axpona will be over. With the blessings of the pixel pixies, we'll have a feature next issue.

We seem to be well and truly into Spring, here in Boulder---days are sunny and warmish, things are in bloom, allergies are aggravated. May snowstorms are not unknown here, but seem awfully unlikely  when sitting in the sun.

All this means that there is life beyond the listening room. What better than to sit on your deck or in the park, and read Copper? And yes, you have my permission to enjoy a beverage or two...

This issue is full of good stuff, says the ever-modest Editor.  Professor Schenbeck leads off with a look at American-made symphonic pieces; Dan Schwartz introduces us to Swiss composer Nik Bärtsch; Richard Murison branches out to discuss temperament, equal-, well-, and foul-; Jay Jay French reveals the mysteries behind pop music and politics; Duncan Taylor returns to the genre of Livetronica with EOTO; new contributor Anne E. Johnson writes about the dramatic indie artist Brendan Maclean;  Woody Woodward takes an emotional and evocative look at Johnny Winter; and I write about tone and the Mother Of All Speakers (no, really).

Something Old/Something New contains reviews of records by two wildly-different artists: Damaged Bug and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (!?!). Industry News has more bad news about retailer hhgregg, and the bizarre return of Neil Young to the contentious world of hi-res. We have three strong features: first, tube amp designer Roger Gibboni writes about that mysterious warmth; our friend Jim Smith is back with more answers to reader questions; and reader-turned-contributor B. Jan Montana once again faces domestic discord. We wrap up this issue with another reader system in In My Room, and a timely Parting Shot.

One final nag/reminder: we’d love to help audio societies publicize their activities and upcoming meetings. Let us know about what you’re doing, or write up a recent event—send it and some clear pics to us via the email tab at the top of the page, and we’ll get you up on High Society---which will be back soon, along with new interviews, more new contributors, and new topics.

Until next issue---enjoy Spring!

Cheers, Leebs.

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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

Issue 31

Issue 31

By the time you read this, Axpona will be over. With the blessings of the pixel pixies, we'll have a feature next issue.

We seem to be well and truly into Spring, here in Boulder---days are sunny and warmish, things are in bloom, allergies are aggravated. May snowstorms are not unknown here, but seem awfully unlikely  when sitting in the sun.

All this means that there is life beyond the listening room. What better than to sit on your deck or in the park, and read Copper? And yes, you have my permission to enjoy a beverage or two...

This issue is full of good stuff, says the ever-modest Editor.  Professor Schenbeck leads off with a look at American-made symphonic pieces; Dan Schwartz introduces us to Swiss composer Nik Bärtsch; Richard Murison branches out to discuss temperament, equal-, well-, and foul-; Jay Jay French reveals the mysteries behind pop music and politics; Duncan Taylor returns to the genre of Livetronica with EOTO; new contributor Anne E. Johnson writes about the dramatic indie artist Brendan Maclean;  Woody Woodward takes an emotional and evocative look at Johnny Winter; and I write about tone and the Mother Of All Speakers (no, really).

Something Old/Something New contains reviews of records by two wildly-different artists: Damaged Bug and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (!?!). Industry News has more bad news about retailer hhgregg, and the bizarre return of Neil Young to the contentious world of hi-res. We have three strong features: first, tube amp designer Roger Gibboni writes about that mysterious warmth; our friend Jim Smith is back with more answers to reader questions; and reader-turned-contributor B. Jan Montana once again faces domestic discord. We wrap up this issue with another reader system in In My Room, and a timely Parting Shot.

One final nag/reminder: we’d love to help audio societies publicize their activities and upcoming meetings. Let us know about what you’re doing, or write up a recent event—send it and some clear pics to us via the email tab at the top of the page, and we’ll get you up on High Society---which will be back soon, along with new interviews, more new contributors, and new topics.

Until next issue---enjoy Spring!

Cheers, Leebs.

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