Copper

Audio show season is upon us, kicking off in the US with Florida Audio Expo, which takes place February 21 – 23 at the Sheraton Tampa Brandon. It’s the first time for me and I’m stoked to report on the show, now in a bigger venue, and get away from the Northeast winter!

CanJam NYC (New York), and the Bristol Hi-Fi Show in the UK will take place on the same weekend. Next will come Sound Society Denmark (March 1 – 2, Copenhagen), Southwest Audio Fest (March 21 – 23, Dallas, Texas), Audio Show Deluxe (March 22 – 23, Whittlebury Park, UK), Oslo Hi-Fi Show (March 22 – 23), Montreal Audiofest (March 28 – 30), Shanghai International Audio & Video Show (April 11 – 13), AXPONA Audio Expo North America (April 11 – 13, Schaumburg, IL), Northern International Audio & Visual Show (April 25 – 27, Penang, Malaysia), T.H.E. Lone Star Audiofest (May 2 – 4, Round Rock, Texas), and HIGH-END Munich (May 15 – 18)…and that’s just in the first half of 2025 and may not be an all-inclusive list.

In this issue: B. Jan Montana tells a love story. Octave Records expands its portfolio of jazz music with pianist Tom Amend’s Jazz Classics: 1960s. DALI Speakers holds an informative showcase event. Making Vinyl’s Larry Jaffee offers a vinyl industry update. Jeff Weiner concludes his series on the (sort of) roots of rock and roll. Wayne Robins goes back in time with an interview with pop music legend Lesley Gore. PS Audio’s own Paul McGowan offers an excerpt from his upcoming book series, The Audiophile’s Guide, with an installment on digital audio. We start a new photo essay series from Harris Fogel: The People Who Make Audio Happen.

Ray Chelstowski talks with singer/songwriter Paul Thorn about his new album, Just a Vapor. I continue my series on how to play in a rock band with advice on playing on bigger stages. Rudy Radelic and The Vinyl Beat cover reissues and releases from Max Abrams, the Jazz Crusaders, Donald Byrd, Andreas Vollenweider, and more. Our publishing partner FIDELITY magazine visits Vienna’s Finest Audio Show. Copper Classics features Ken Kessler checking out reel-to-reel tapes and machines. From The Listening Chair looks at the Bluesound NODE ICON. PS Audio earns accolades for the Aspen FR30 loudspeaker, Stellar Strata MK2 integrated amp, and other products. The issue wraps up with high fi, a visit to that old audio gang of mine, and lyrical architecture.

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Contributors to This Issue:
Ray Chelstowski, Frank Doris, Harris Fogel, Rich Isaacs, Larry Jaffee, Ken Kessler, Howard Kneller, B. Jan Montana, Paul McGowan, Rudy Radelic, Wayne Robins, James Schrimpf, Jeff Weiner, Peter Xeni

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

Editor:
Frank Doris

Publisher:
Paul McGowan

Post-publication Nitpicker:
Rich Isaacs

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 – FD

Happy New Year from all of us at Copper!

In this issue: Octave Records latest release, Louisa Amend Live at the Muse Performance Space, features jazz singer Louisa Amend and band playing a set of standards, originals and more. I visit New York City jazz kissa All Blues and listen to a new Miles Davis re-issue, Birth of the Blue. Rudy Radelic reviews that album and other reissue LPs in The Vinyl Beat. Jeff Weiner begins a series on the roots (sort of) of rock and roll. B. Jan Montana enjoys sacred listening sessions. Wayne Robins contemplates the true meaning of yacht rock. Paul McGowan remembers PS Audio’s first product, the P300 PowerPlant.

I wrap up my report on Capital Audiofest 2024. We conclude our interview with Jamie Howarth of Plangent Processes, which corrects for the minute speed variations in master tapes to provide sonic improvements. Our series on how to play in a rock band continues with advice on playing on medium-sized stages. Harris Fogel has a look at the people who made the last AES convention happen. Howard Kneller goes From The Listening Chair to portable audio. PS Audio garners best of the year awards from Future Audiophile and Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity. Ken Kessler gets re-educated about reel-to-reel tape. We conclude the first issue of 2025 with vintage voltage, headphone hair, and colors in the sun.