COPPER

A PS Audio Publication

Issue 155 • Free Online Magazine

Issue 155 Opening Salvo

Never to be Forgotten

Never to be Forgotten

It is with great sadness that we report the loss of two of the industry’s most knowledgeable and most well-loved people. Robert Heiblim (69) was an expert in product development and management, and founder of consulting company Bluesalve Partners. He was a former president of Denon’s US operations, and chairman of the Audio Division of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). Robert was a friend, and I had the pleasure of working with him when he contributed a number of articles to Copper. He was universally liked and one of the smartest people around.

Mel Schilling (88) was an audio-industry veteran who established one of the first high-end stores, Music and Sound, in 1968. He later founded Camelot Technology, and most recently, Xhifi. Ken Kessler has a tribute in this issue.

And the world will never be the same without the towering musical talent of Meat Loaf, who left us at age 74.

In this issue: Ken Kessler remembers audio pioneer and all-around mensch, Mel Schilling. Anne E. Johnson appreciates Danish bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and Irish rock legends U2. I conclude our interview with Gordon Stanley of the Spreckels Organ Society with a look at recording the incredible instrument, the world’s largest pipe organ in an outdoor venue. J.I. Agnew continues his exploration into record-cutting lathes. John Seetoo covers the career of under-appreciated rockers Be-Bop Deluxe and guitar wizard Bill Nelson. Harris Fogel has a CES 2022 show report and so does Don Lindich. Tom Methans is a good influence on those around him. Russ Welton looks at speaker measurements using Spinorama.

How much control do artists have over the use of their music? Jay Jay French explains an important aspect. B. Jan Montana receives further enlightenment during his epic journey. Rich Isaacs remembers John Wasserman, the San Francisco Chronicle’s irreverent music and cultural events critic. Tom Gibbs recommends more demonstration-quality musical selections. Ray Chelstowski admires Gideon King & City Blog and their dazzling blend of creative musical virtuosity. Stuart Marvin digs into a landmark album: The Blues Project’s Projections. We conclude the issue with an open and shut case, backwards priorities, sweet spots, and a tip of the hat to Meat Loaf.

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, WL Woodward, Adrian Wu

Contributing Editors:
Ivan Berger, Steven Bryan Bieler, Jack Flory, Harris Fogel, Robert Heiblim, Steve Kindig, Ed Kwok, 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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#228 Serita’s Black Rose Duo Shakes Your Soul With a Blend of Funk, Rock, Blues and a Whole Lot More by Frank Doris Mar 02, 2026 #228 Vinyl, A Love Story by Wayne Robins Mar 02, 2026 #228 Thrill Seeker by B. Jan Montana Mar 02, 2026 #228 The Vinyl Beat: Donald Byrd, Bill Evans, Wes Montgomery, Eddie Palmieri and Frank Sinatra by Rudy Radelic Mar 02, 2026 #228 Listening to Prestige: The History of a Vitally Important Jazz Record Label by Frank Doris Mar 02, 2026 #228 How to Play in a Rock Band, 21: Touring With James Lee Stanley by Frank Doris Mar 02, 2026 #228 The NAMM 2026 Show: The Music Industry’s Premier Event by John Volanski Mar 02, 2026 #228 The Earliest Stars of Country Music, Part Two by Jeff Weiner Mar 02, 2026 #228 From The Audiophile's Guide: A Brief History of Stereophonic Sound by Paul McGowan Mar 02, 2026 #228 A Bone to Pick With Streaming Audio by Frank Doris Mar 02, 2026 #228 Blast Off With Bluesman Duke Robillard by Ray Chelstowski Mar 02, 2026 #228 A Visit to the Marten Loudspeaker Factory in Göteborg, Sweden by Ingo Schulz and Sebastian Polcyn Mar 02, 2026 #228 Pure Distortion by Peter Xeni Mar 02, 2026 #228 A Nagra Factory Tour by Markus "Marsu" Manthey Mar 02, 2026 #228 Back to My Reel-to-Reel Roots, Part 27: Noodge and Ye Shall Receive, Part Two by Ken Kessler Mar 02, 2026 #228 PS Audio in the News by PS Audio Staff Mar 02, 2026 #228 90-Degree Stereo by Frank Doris Mar 02, 2026 #228 The Keys to Art by Rich Isaacs Mar 02, 2026 #227 Seth Lewis Gets in the Groove With Take a Look Around: a Tribute to the Meters by Frank Doris Feb 02, 2026 #227 Passport to Sound: May Anwar’s Audio Learning Experience for Young People by Frank Doris Feb 02, 2026 #227 Conjectures on Cosmic Consciousness by B. Jan Montana Feb 02, 2026 #227 The Big Takeover Turns 45 by Wayne Robins Feb 02, 2026 #227 Music and Chocolate: On the Sensory Connection by Joe Caplan Feb 02, 2026 #227 Singer/Songwriter Chris Berardo: Getting Wilder All the Time by Ray Chelstowski Feb 02, 2026 #227 The Earliest Stars of Country Music, Part One by Jeff Weiner Feb 02, 2026 #227 The Vinyl Beat Goes Down to Tijuana (By Way of Los Angeles), Part Two by Rudy Radelic Feb 02, 2026 #227 How to Play in a Rock Band, 20: On the Road With Blood, Sweat & Tears’ Guitarist Gabe Cummins by Frank Doris Feb 02, 2026 #227 From The Audiophile’s Guide: Audio Specs and Measuring by Paul McGowan Feb 02, 2026 #227 Our Brain is Always Listening by Peter Trübner Feb 02, 2026 #227 PS Audio in the News by PS Audio Staff Feb 02, 2026 #227 The Listening Chair: Sleek Style and Sound From the Luxman L3 by Howard Kneller Feb 02, 2026 #227 The Los Angeles and Orange County Audio Society Celebrates Its 32nd Anniversary, Honoring David and Sheryl Lee Wilson and Bernie Grundman by Harris Fogel Feb 02, 2026 #227 Back to My Reel-to-Reel Roots, Part 26: Half Full – Not Half Empty, Redux by Ken Kessler Feb 02, 2026 #227 That's What Puzzles Us... by Frank Doris Feb 02, 2026 #227 Record-Breaking by Peter Xeni Feb 02, 2026 #227 The Long and Winding Road by B. Jan Montana Feb 02, 2026 #226 JJ Murphy’s Sleep Paralysis is a Genre-Bending Musical Journey Through Jazz, Fusion and More by Frank Doris Jan 05, 2026 #226 Stewardship by Consent by B. Jan Montana Jan 05, 2026 #226 Food, Music, and Sensory Experience: An Interview With Professor Jonathan Zearfoss of the Culinary Institute of America by Joe Caplan Jan 05, 2026 #226 Studio Confidential: A Who’s Who of Recording Engineers Tell Their Stories by Frank Doris Jan 05, 2026 #226 Pilot Radio is Reborn, 50 Years Later: Talking With CEO Barak Epstein by Frank Doris Jan 05, 2026 #226 The Vinyl Beat Goes Down to Tijuana (By Way of Los Angeles), Part One by Rudy Radelic Jan 05, 2026 #226 Capital Audiofest 2025: Must-See Stereo, Part Two by Frank Doris Jan 05, 2026 #226 My Morning Jacket’s Carl Broemel and Tyler Ramsey Collaborate on Their Acoustic Guitar Album, Celestun by Ray Chelstowski Jan 05, 2026 #226 The People Who Make Audio Happen: CanJam SoCal 2025, Part Two by Harris Fogel Jan 05, 2026 #226 How to Play in a Rock Band, 19: Touring Can Make You Crazy, Part One by Frank Doris Jan 05, 2026 #226 Linda Ronstadt Goes Bigger by Wayne Robins Jan 05, 2026

Never to be Forgotten

Never to be Forgotten

It is with great sadness that we report the loss of two of the industry’s most knowledgeable and most well-loved people. Robert Heiblim (69) was an expert in product development and management, and founder of consulting company Bluesalve Partners. He was a former president of Denon’s US operations, and chairman of the Audio Division of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). Robert was a friend, and I had the pleasure of working with him when he contributed a number of articles to Copper. He was universally liked and one of the smartest people around.

Mel Schilling (88) was an audio-industry veteran who established one of the first high-end stores, Music and Sound, in 1968. He later founded Camelot Technology, and most recently, Xhifi. Ken Kessler has a tribute in this issue.

And the world will never be the same without the towering musical talent of Meat Loaf, who left us at age 74.

In this issue: Ken Kessler remembers audio pioneer and all-around mensch, Mel Schilling. Anne E. Johnson appreciates Danish bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and Irish rock legends U2. I conclude our interview with Gordon Stanley of the Spreckels Organ Society with a look at recording the incredible instrument, the world’s largest pipe organ in an outdoor venue. J.I. Agnew continues his exploration into record-cutting lathes. John Seetoo covers the career of under-appreciated rockers Be-Bop Deluxe and guitar wizard Bill Nelson. Harris Fogel has a CES 2022 show report and so does Don Lindich. Tom Methans is a good influence on those around him. Russ Welton looks at speaker measurements using Spinorama.

How much control do artists have over the use of their music? Jay Jay French explains an important aspect. B. Jan Montana receives further enlightenment during his epic journey. Rich Isaacs remembers John Wasserman, the San Francisco Chronicle’s irreverent music and cultural events critic. Tom Gibbs recommends more demonstration-quality musical selections. Ray Chelstowski admires Gideon King & City Blog and their dazzling blend of creative musical virtuosity. Stuart Marvin digs into a landmark album: The Blues Project’s Projections. We conclude the issue with an open and shut case, backwards priorities, sweet spots, and a tip of the hat to Meat Loaf.

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, WL Woodward, Adrian Wu

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