Copper

“I see music as fluid architecture.” – Joni Mitchell

In this issue: Paul McGowan begins a series on the 50^th anniversary of PS Audio. Octave Records releases one of its most inviting albums yet: Jazz Classics: 1950s by keyboardist Tom Amend. B. Jan Montana leverages karma for fun and profit. Jeff Weiner concludes his series on folk singers. I interview organizational sociologist Rene Wiedner on the survival of the vinyl industry. Wayne Robins reviews country/rock music phenomenon Zach Bryan. Rudy Radelic continues his series, The Vinyl Beat. Adrian Wu discovers four-track stereo reel-to-reel tapes. Harris Fogel continues his photo essay series on the people of NAMM 2024. AAA Magazine’s Ernst Müller takes a deep look at Mendelssohn’s “Italian” and “Scottish” symphonies on vinyl.

Rich Isaacs checks out more test records and demo discs. I continue my series on how to play in a rock band by asking: why? Ray Chelstowski reviews the John Lennon Mind Games – The Ultimate Collection box set, and talks with singer/songwriter JD Souther on the reissue of his classic You’re Only Lonely album. Ken Kessler gets back to his reel-to-reel roots with more thoughts about tape hygiene. PS Audio gets some rave reviews and comments for the new aspen FR5 loudspeaker, the aspen FR30, and other products. We conclude the issue with tin ears, an application error, a hearing test, and architectural textures.

Contributors to This Issue:
Ray Chelstowski, Frank Doris, Harris Fogel, Rich Isaacs, Ken Kessler, Paul McGowan, B. Jan Montana, Ernst Müller, Rudy Radelic, Wayne Robins, James Schrimpf, Jeff Weiner, James Whitworth, Adrian Wu, Peter Xeni

Logo Design:
Susan Schwartz-Christian, from a concept by Bob D’Amico

Editor:
Frank Doris

Publisher:
Paul McGowan

Advertising Sales:
No one. We are free from advertising and subscribing to Copper is free.

Copper’s Comments Policy:

Copper’s comments sections are moderated. While we encourage thoughtful and spirited discussion, please be civil.

The editor and Copper’s editorial staff reserve the right to delete comments according to our discretion. This includes: political commentary; posts that are abusive, insulting, demeaning or defamatory; posts that are in violation of someone’s privacy; comments that violate the use of copyrighted information; posts that contain personal information; and comments that contain links to suspect websites (phishing sites or those that contain viruses and so on). Spam will be blocked or deleted.

Copper is a place to be enthusiastic about music, audio and other topics. It is most especially not a forum for political discussion, trolling, or rude behavior. Thanks for your consideration.

 – FD

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Alón Sagee, Copper contributor and president of the San Francisco Audiophile Society. While I never had the opportunity to meet him in person, I had the pleasure of working with him quite a bit when he was writing for Copper. See my tribute to Alón in this issue.

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Also in this issue: Paul McGowan offers a brief history of the evolution of loudspeakers. Octave Records has released The Art of Hi-Fi Volume 5: Woodwinds, a showcase for reed instruments. B. Jan Montana visits T.H.E. Show 2024. I watch the movie Dare to Be Different about the former, legendary new music station WLIR-FM, and attend a discussion with the director and WLIR DJs. Wayne Robins reviews The Power of the Heart: A Tribute to Lou Reed. I begin a new series that gives advice and tips on playing in a rock band. Ray Chelstowski reports on the return of indie-rock pioneers the dB’s and interviews singer/guitarist Peter Holsapple. Rich Isaacs checks out more test records and demo discs.

Rudy Radelic begins a new column, The Vinyl Beat, that will look at current reissues and some old classics. Harris Fogel photographs people at the 2024 NAMM Show. We have guest articles from AAA magazine for the 70^th anniversary of the Fender Stratocaster electric guitar, and a piece from FIDELITY that asks: why does music move us? Howard Kneller goes wireless with the Sonus faber Omnia in From the Listening Chair. We re-run a classic Ken Kessler column on revisiting his reel-to-reel roots. PS Audio gets some stellar reviews for the AirLens streamer, StellarGold preamplifier and BHK Signature 300 mono power amplifier. The issue wraps up with console magic, a tasty tweak, and some Las Vegas rockin’.

Contributors to this issue:
Ray Chelstowski, Frank Doris, Harris Fogel, Rich Isaacs, Nick Joyce, Ken Kessler, Howard Kneller, Paul McGowan, B. Jan Montana, Rudy Radelic, Wayne Robins, Hans-Jürgen Schaal, Peter Xeni

Logo Design:
Susan Schwartz-Christian, from a concept by Bob D’Amico

Editor:
Frank Doris

Publisher:
Paul McGowan

Advertising Sales:
No one. We are free from advertising and subscribing to Copper is free.

Copper’s Comments Policy:

Copper’s comments sections are moderated. While we encourage thoughtful and spirited discussion, please be civil.

The editor and Copper’s editorial staff reserve the right to delete comments according to our discretion. This includes: political commentary; posts that are abusive, insulting, demeaning or defamatory; posts that are in violation of someone’s privacy; comments that violate the use of copyrighted information; posts that contain personal information; and comments that contain links to suspect websites (phishing sites or those that contain viruses and so on). Spam will be blocked or deleted.

Copper is a place to be enthusiastic about music, audio and other topics. It is most especially not a forum for political discussion, trolling, or rude behavior. Thanks for your consideration.

 – FD

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” – Albert Einstein

In this issue: We have two AXPONA 2024 show reports, from Rudy Radelic and AXPONA coverage from myself, and more coverage of CanJam NYC 2024, where headphone goodness abounded. Paul McGowan wraps up his series on favorite microphones and mic preamps. Octave Records has a new demonstration disc, The Art of Hi-Fi Volume 04: Strings. I remember audio retailing legend Andy Singer. Wayne Robins tells us about some very talented artists at the recent Folk Alliance International festival, and Jeff Weiner begins a series on favorite folk singers.

I interview Moti Margolit of Sonic Edge, creators of some very interesting and innovative micro-speaker technology. Ray Chelstowski talks with Bill Payne, veteran member of Little Feat, and Mat Kearney, about their upcoming new albums. Rich Isaacs has another installment in praise of test records and demo discs. B. Jan Montana revisits the analog obsession. From The Listening Chair, Howard Kneller digs the IsoTek V5 Elektra power conditioner. Guest articles from PMA and FIDELITY feature treasures from the vinyl vault and a visit to Italian audio manufacturer Gold Note. PS Audio gets some attention at AXPONA and elsewhere. We close out the issue with making the grade, paying for play, and childhood dreams.

Contributors to This Issue:
Carsten Barnbeck, Ray Chelstowski, Frank Doris, Rich Isaacs, Howard Kneller, Claude Lemaire, Paul McGowan, B. Jan Montana, Rudy Radelic, Wayne Robins, Jeff Weiner, Peter Xeni 

Logo Design:
Susan Schwartz-Christian, from a concept by Bob D’Amico

Staff Photographer/Contributing Editor:
Harris Fogel

Editor:
Frank Doris

Publisher:
Paul McGowan

Advertising Sales:
No one. We are free from advertising and subscribing to Copper is free.

Copper’s Comments Policy:

Copper’s comments sections are moderated. While we encourage thoughtful and spirited discussion, please be civil.

The editor and Copper’s editorial staff reserve the right to delete comments according to our discretion. This includes: political commentary; posts that are abusive, insulting, demeaning or defamatory; posts that are in violation of someone’s privacy; comments that violate the use of copyrighted information; posts that contain personal information; and comments that contain links to suspect websites (phishing sites or those that contain viruses and so on). Spam will be blocked or deleted.

Copper is a place to be enthusiastic about music, audio and other topics. It is most especially not a forum for political discussion, trolling, or rude behavior. Thanks for your consideration.

 – FD