COPPER

A PS Audio Publication

Issue 164 • Free Online Magazine

Issue 164 Opening Salvo

The Space Between the Notes

The Space Between the Notes

Sometimes, music is good. Other times, silence is good.

It is with sadness that we report that Mr. Atsushi Miura, the founder of high-end tube electronics company AIR TIGHT, has passed away at the age of 88. Recipient of a High-End Audio Hall of Fame award from The Absolute Sound, Miura was the creator of a number of superb-sounding, impeccably built vacuum-tube components, many based around triode tubes. Before founding AIR TIGHT, Miura had spent many years at Luxman, eventually becoming president of its US division. Another audio legend has left us.

In this issue: Ivan Berger remembers the late Bascom H. King, with comments from Paul McGowan and myself. I conclude our coverage of AXPONA 2022 (lots of photos!) and Ken Kessler reports on the recent UK Tonbridge AudioJumble (lots of photos!). Wayne Robins reviews albums from Arcade Fire and Jon Batiste. Anne E. Johnson considers countertenors, and New Orleans songwriting legend Mary Gauthier. John Seetoo concludes his series on another Southern songwriting great, Shelby Lynne. Tom Methans spends some quality time with the Grado RS1x headphones. Jack Flory begins a series on his favorite concert venues: first stop, Colorado. Andrew Daly takes Solace in the album of the same name by Held By Trees, and interviews the band.

Adrian Wu continues his series on the joys of monophonic LPs. I cover two new releases from Octave Records: the “Gypsy Grass” group TIERRO Band with Bridget Lee’s Everlasting Dance, and Audiophile Masters, Volume VI. Ray Chelstowski interviews Lawrence Gowan, keyboardist and singer with rock titans Styx, celebrating their 50th anniversary. Rudy Radelic makes the finish line at the 24 Hours of Lemons road rally. Steven Bryan Bieler begins to reveal the secret history of tribute albums. B. Jan Montana’s monumental journey continues. J.I. Agnew finds hardware that makes the cut with his continuing series on record lathes. Tom Gibbs concludes his series on singer/songwriter Nick Drake in high-resolution audio. Russ Welton begins a two-part interview with vinyl mastering engineer Lewis Hopkin. We round out the issue with a pressing decision, undercover listening devices, nothing short of a miracle, and a skyward ascent.

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, Adrian Wu

Contributing Editors:
Ivan Berger, Steven Bryan Bieler, Andrew Daly, Jack Flory, Harris Fogel, Steve Kindig, Ed Kwok, 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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#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 #226 From The Audiophile’s Guide: Active Room Correction and Digital Signal Processing by Paul McGowan Jan 05, 2026 #226 PS Audio in the News by Frank Doris Jan 05, 2026 #226 Back to My Reel-to-Reel Roots, Part 25: Half-Full, Not Empty by Ken Kessler Jan 05, 2026 #226 Happy New Year! by Frank Doris Jan 05, 2026 #226 Turn It Down! by Peter Xeni Jan 05, 2026 #226 Ghost Riders by James Schrimpf Jan 05, 2026 #226 A Factory Tour of Audio Manufacturer German Physiks by Markus "Marsu" Manthey Jan 04, 2026 #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

The Space Between the Notes

The Space Between the Notes

Sometimes, music is good. Other times, silence is good.

It is with sadness that we report that Mr. Atsushi Miura, the founder of high-end tube electronics company AIR TIGHT, has passed away at the age of 88. Recipient of a High-End Audio Hall of Fame award from The Absolute Sound, Miura was the creator of a number of superb-sounding, impeccably built vacuum-tube components, many based around triode tubes. Before founding AIR TIGHT, Miura had spent many years at Luxman, eventually becoming president of its US division. Another audio legend has left us.

In this issue: Ivan Berger remembers the late Bascom H. King, with comments from Paul McGowan and myself. I conclude our coverage of AXPONA 2022 (lots of photos!) and Ken Kessler reports on the recent UK Tonbridge AudioJumble (lots of photos!). Wayne Robins reviews albums from Arcade Fire and Jon Batiste. Anne E. Johnson considers countertenors, and New Orleans songwriting legend Mary Gauthier. John Seetoo concludes his series on another Southern songwriting great, Shelby Lynne. Tom Methans spends some quality time with the Grado RS1x headphones. Jack Flory begins a series on his favorite concert venues: first stop, Colorado. Andrew Daly takes Solace in the album of the same name by Held By Trees, and interviews the band.

Adrian Wu continues his series on the joys of monophonic LPs. I cover two new releases from Octave Records: the “Gypsy Grass” group TIERRO Band with Bridget Lee’s Everlasting Dance, and Audiophile Masters, Volume VI. Ray Chelstowski interviews Lawrence Gowan, keyboardist and singer with rock titans Styx, celebrating their 50th anniversary. Rudy Radelic makes the finish line at the 24 Hours of Lemons road rally. Steven Bryan Bieler begins to reveal the secret history of tribute albums. B. Jan Montana’s monumental journey continues. J.I. Agnew finds hardware that makes the cut with his continuing series on record lathes. Tom Gibbs concludes his series on singer/songwriter Nick Drake in high-resolution audio. Russ Welton begins a two-part interview with vinyl mastering engineer Lewis Hopkin. We round out the issue with a pressing decision, undercover listening devices, nothing short of a miracle, and a skyward ascent.

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, Adrian Wu

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