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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#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

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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