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Naim Audio
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iFi Audio

This fall marked the 10th anniversary of file-based, high-resolution audio playback. The New York City-based website HDtracks opened its virtual doors in March 2008; in October of that year, it added to its catalog 24-bit/88.2kHz and 24/96 FLAC files.

Sometime soon, hopefully before the end of 2018, North American audiophiles will have their choice of two high-resolution music-streaming services. One of them is a familiar name -- now available in 57 countries, Tidal has been operating in North America since 2015. The other is a relative unknown, at least on the west side of the Atlantic.

Music lovers have been trying to solve a problem ever since they began collecting recordings: How to have convenient access to large music libraries?

Toronto has a new audio show. The first-ever Toronto Audiofest was held at the Westin Toronto Airport Hotel October 19-21. In one year, it has effectively supplanted the Toronto Audio-Video Entertainment Show (TAVES), which began in 2011 but gradually lost its way.

Last month, I talked about the advantages that voice command can bring to audio enthusiasts -- and the complications that limit its applicability to music listening. This month I talk in a bit more depth about the prospects for voice-command technology: How much better can voice-command systems get, and might they someday be the primary user interface for audio systems?

A year ago this month, my missus and I made a life-changing decision. We would sell the Toronto home where she had lived for 26 years, and move to a smaller house in the same neighborhood. Our kids had long since left the nest (lucky us!), and that big five-bedroom house was way more real estate than we needed. Downsizing would free up money for our retirements (we are now both, officially, geezers) and simplify our lives.

I’ve reacted with hostility to many audio writers’ musings about smart speakers. I’m beginning to wonder if I’ve been wrong.

  1. High End 2018, Simplifi'd
  2. Is the Smart Speaker a Dumb Idea?
  3. What's Up with Apple AirPlay 2?
  4. The Spotify Dilemma
  5. CES 2018, Simplifi’d
  6. Farewell, CES
  7. Room Tunes
  8. Social Streaming
  9. CEDIA 2017, Simplifi’d
  10. Classical Prime Time
  11. The Röst Reconsidered
  12. High End 2017, Simplifi'd
  13. Vinyl: There's an App for That
  14. Metadata: Life with Roon
  15. The Internet and Audio: The Good, the Bad, and the Impossible
  16. The State of Streaming
  17. CES 2017, Simplifi'd
  18. Why "Simplifi"