Yesterday we learned that sales of vinyl have outstripped CDs for the first time in decades. An article posted in Rolling Stone Magazine (which I have not yet read) made the rounds at RMAF, yesterday. I haven't yet figured out if this means sales of CDs are continuing their downward spiral or vinyl's picking up steam, but whatever the implications, it's certainly a twist of events.

And speaking of vinyl, one of the great treats of a consumer tradeshow like RMAF is the chance for our Hi-Fi Family to gather together and enjoy what we all are interested in, music and 2-channel audio.

Reviewer Michael Fremer of Stereophile and Analog Planet fame was generous enough to bring his collection of prized vinyl to our room and play it to a packed house for an hour. Just check out the crowd. I could barely squeeze into this standing room only group outside the few prized seats in our listening area to get this picture in the first place.

What a treat! Mikey pulled from his arsenal a prized copy of Joni Mitchel's Court and Spark to start the afternoon off, and I don't believe anyone in the room had heard such glorious music. All were transfixed with the vinyl he played. I had chills running down my spine listening to his last track, Zepplin's Stairway to Heaven. Holy Moly! I am so used to the flat and lifeless digital version that I had no idea of what the recording really sounded like.

Fremer and Stellar Phono designer, Darren Myers, worked well together to make this a seminal event. In the second picture down, we were also honored by the presence of Sheryl Wilson of Wilson Audio fame in the front row.

Here are a few more pictures from the event to enjoy.