Author Archives: Stephen Dawson

Everything online all the time

Posted on January 15, 2011 by Stephen Dawson

The Gadget Guy reports that 200,000 pre-WWII recordings have been donated by Universal Music to the US Library of Congress, which will convert them to a digital format and make them available for free online. I reckon this is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Analogue, Audio, Music | Leave a comment

Keep those fingers under control

Posted on January 14, 2011 by Stephen Dawson

Since I got the iPad I’ve been using this really cool facility called dropbox.com to keep the articles I’m currently working on in sync between the iPad and the main computer. You get 2GB of storage for free, and it … Continue reading →

Posted in Admin, Computer | Leave a comment

Why we like music remains a mystery

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Stephen Dawson

In a comment to an earlier post Treblid linked to an interesting article in Discovery News called ‘Why Music Makes You Happy‘. The article relates a study in which the brain function of a number of people was analysed during … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Rant | 3 Comments

I hate proprietary disc formats

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Stephen Dawson

I’m testing a PVR on which you can apparently record to external hard disk drives as well as internal one. So I plug in a 1TB hard disk to test it out. Unit won’t recognised it. Plug it into the … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer, DTV | 4 Comments

Even the best can succumb to the times

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Stephen Dawson

The other night I stumbled across a clip on Rage of Mick Jagger performing his 1985 single ‘Just Another Night’. Even he ended up looking like a 1985 performer, with the plastered-on white face and the heavy eye liner and … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 1 Comment

A Primer on Scientific Testing

Posted on January 11, 2011 by Stephen Dawson

In comments recently there has been a discussion about such things as double blind testing. I’ve recently been listening to back issues of the Skeptoid podcast, and as it happens, Episode 13 is entitled ‘A Primer on Scientific Testing’. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Mysticism, Testing | 6 Comments

Colin Whatmough: 1950-2011

Posted on January 6, 2011 by Stephen Dawson

I was shocked to read this morning that Colin Whatmough, the founder and owner of the Whatmough Monitors loudspeaker firm, has passed away suddenly. He was only 60. The company produces many excellent loudspeakers and subwoofers, some of which I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc | 5 Comments

Bit perfect digital audio

Posted on January 6, 2011 by Stephen Dawson

In a comment to an earlier post, Fredrick mentioned that he had ‘read an interesting article by Chris Connaker at computeraudiophile.com. While testing Asus sound cards, he believes he has achieved bit perfect playback that still sounds awful’. A little … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Computer, How Things Work | 5 Comments

A note on my attitude

Posted on January 6, 2011 by Stephen Dawson

I hope I’m not coming across too strident about the cable stuff I’ve been writing about lately. Or, rather, I hope my stridency is not putting readers off. Please feel free to disagree with me on this or any other … Continue reading →

Posted in Admin, Blu-ray, Giveaway | 12 Comments

Wobbling grooves

Posted on January 5, 2011 by Stephen Dawson

Years ago I wrote a post in which I mentioned my long search for a good recording of Bach’s Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor. In the end I found a Telarc one with impressive bass. I suggested in that … Continue reading →

Posted in Analogue, Vinyl | Leave a comment