COPPER

A PS Audio Publication

Issue 185 • Free Online Magazine

Issue 185 Opening Salvo

Table of Contents – Issue 185

Table of Contents – Issue 185

Copper’s gone to a new web platform, as many of you have undoubtedly noticed. We’ve got new features like a search bar (yay!), and others – but there are also some bugs. We are aware of these growing pains and are working mightily to fix them. One thing in particular to point out: you can now download the issue as a PDF again (yay again!) but for now the navigation is clunky. Here’s how to do it:

Click on the Download PDF link at the top of the issue’s opening page (under the issue number). This will take you to a new screen. However, there’s no obvious Save or other button. You will need to go to Print on your browser, and then choose Save as PDF, or in some browsers, Print as PDF. On Chrome, in the Print menu, go to Destination, then choose Save as PDF from the drop-down menu. For Safari, go to the Print menu, then click on the PDF button and choose Save as PDF from the drop-down menu. We promise we’re working to make this easier!

In this issue: Anne E. Johnson listens to the Bangles. John Seetoo reports on CanJam 2023, the specialty headphones show. Wayne Robins has thoughts on the Rolling Stones’ pivotal Between the Buttons album. J.I. Agnew repairs a vintage Western Electric record lathe cutter head, and Rich Isaacs has an easy fix for off-center records. I conclude my interview with Dave Rusan, audiophile and maker of Prince’s Cloud guitars. Ray Chelstowski talks with the brilliant indie-folk-rock songwriter Eric D. Johnson of Fruit Bats.

Larry Jaffee remembers legendary producer Phil Ramone on the 10th anniversary of his passing. Harris Fogel tells us why digital asset management is important, and not just for music. Russ Welton concludes his interview with Scott Smith and Tadd Swanlund of eartip maker Comply Foam on how to get the best sound from in-ear headphones. Andrew Daly checks in with up-and-coming Canadian guitarist Sierra Levesque. Howard Kneller sits in The Listening Chair to admire an Acoustic Signature turntable. We wrap up the issue with box speakers, tailor-made listening, vestibular vertigo, and a window into the past.

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, 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.

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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

Table of Contents – Issue 185

Table of Contents – Issue 185

Copper’s gone to a new web platform, as many of you have undoubtedly noticed. We’ve got new features like a search bar (yay!), and others – but there are also some bugs. We are aware of these growing pains and are working mightily to fix them. One thing in particular to point out: you can now download the issue as a PDF again (yay again!) but for now the navigation is clunky. Here’s how to do it:

Click on the Download PDF link at the top of the issue’s opening page (under the issue number). This will take you to a new screen. However, there’s no obvious Save or other button. You will need to go to Print on your browser, and then choose Save as PDF, or in some browsers, Print as PDF. On Chrome, in the Print menu, go to Destination, then choose Save as PDF from the drop-down menu. For Safari, go to the Print menu, then click on the PDF button and choose Save as PDF from the drop-down menu. We promise we’re working to make this easier!

In this issue: Anne E. Johnson listens to the Bangles. John Seetoo reports on CanJam 2023, the specialty headphones show. Wayne Robins has thoughts on the Rolling Stones’ pivotal Between the Buttons album. J.I. Agnew repairs a vintage Western Electric record lathe cutter head, and Rich Isaacs has an easy fix for off-center records. I conclude my interview with Dave Rusan, audiophile and maker of Prince’s Cloud guitars. Ray Chelstowski talks with the brilliant indie-folk-rock songwriter Eric D. Johnson of Fruit Bats.

Larry Jaffee remembers legendary producer Phil Ramone on the 10th anniversary of his passing. Harris Fogel tells us why digital asset management is important, and not just for music. Russ Welton concludes his interview with Scott Smith and Tadd Swanlund of eartip maker Comply Foam on how to get the best sound from in-ear headphones. Andrew Daly checks in with up-and-coming Canadian guitarist Sierra Levesque. Howard Kneller sits in The Listening Chair to admire an Acoustic Signature turntable. We wrap up the issue with box speakers, tailor-made listening, vestibular vertigo, and a window into the past.

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, 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.

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