Record Shopping In Barcelona

David Millar, freelance blogger, recently travelled to Spain and did some extensive vinyl shopping in Barcelona. Check out his account of his experience on his blog: Barcelona Record Buying Bliss.
 

Update on Neil Young's Pono Music Service

Pono Player in use at The Audio Saloon Pono Session

Further to the original 2012 announcement of Neil Young's new Pono Music Service, last week at The Audio Salon, was the first time many consumers had the opportunity to hear the PonoPlayer and Pono music. Pono CEO John Hamm was on hand discussing where Pono has been, where it's at now, and where it's headed. It seems to have been Unanimously agreed that Pono sounds great. Read the full article (and see photos of the event) at Computer Audiophile: The Audio Salon Pono Event Wrap-up.
   

Uncrating Focal Stella Utopias

Just recently I changed careers, and now work in the Hi-Fi Retail industry. Yesterday at our showroom we unpacked a pair of Focal Stella Utopia III EMs - this is the first time speakers of these quality and value have been publicly available in New Zealand in a retail setting for people to view and demonstrate. So here's a little video of us unpacking one of them...
   

   

A is for Amber Rubarth & Amy Rigby and B is for Barbara Belloni

Amber Rubarth's "Sessions From The 17th Ward" (2012) is an album I have in 24-bit 192kHz resolution - and in my opinion is a very stunning recording - this is one of my favourite acoustic singer/songwriter performances (along with Stephanie Schneiderman "Live At The Old Church") and is simply a wonderful album. For the Audiophiles it's also a stunning recording done in pristine quality!

A Meeting With Devialet

NZ Devialet Conference, May 2014 - Day 2 Workshop

Devialet (pronounced Dá ve-a-lay or pretty close to that - they don't seem to be too concerned if you get it right or not) is a French company that is taking the Hi-Fi world by storm - their radical new technology and approach is without doubt the future of Hi-Fi appliances. Last weekend I was lucky enough to be involved in a Devialet Conference & Workshop held here in New Zealand with Andy Kennard, Devialet's General Manager for Asia-Pacific.

Nickel Creek, Sea Oleena, & Ian Anderson

Some recent new music purchase have included the following: Nickel Creek's "A Dotted Line" in 24-bit/96kHz resolution; Sea Oleena's "Sea Oleena" & "Sleeplessness" EPs from Bandcamp (in 16-bit/44.1kHz resolution), and Ian Anderson's "Homo Erraticus" in 24-bit/48kHz resolution.