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The State of Streaming—2023

Written by: Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 15 February 2023

Typically, articles predicting developments for the coming year come out in early January, or even late December. But here we are, two weeks into February, and Simplifi finally has a feature outlining what we can expect from music streaming in 2023. Do I feel badly about this delay? Not in the least. Because when it comes to lateness, I have nothing on Spotify and Apple Music. Those streaming giants have both missed self-imposed deadlines by well over a year. With that excuse out of the way, here are three streaming stories I’ll be watching in 2023.

Read more: The State of Streaming—2023

Gordon's System, Re-Simplifi'd

Written by: Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 15 January 2023

Sometime last spring, it became clear to me that I’d be upgrading my hi-fi setup before the year was out. Not that I was dissatisfied with the gear I already owned—quite the contrary. I loved listening to that system, which comprised an NAD C 658 streaming DAC-preamp ($1999, all prices in USD), a pair of Elac Navis ARF-51 active floorstanding speakers ($3999.96/pair), and an SVS Micro 3000 subwoofer ($899.99). That system has provided countless hours of listening pleasure for me, my music-loving missus, and visitors to our home.

Read more: Gordon's System, Re-Simplifi'd

Mix Master: PMC's Heff Moraes on Making Music in Atmos

Written by: Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 15 December 2022

Since the 1970s, record labels and audio manufacturers have been trying to convince music lovers to move beyond two-channel stereo. Music doesn’t just happen in front of us, argue proponents of surround music; it happens all around us. We could get a better experience if we added speakers beside and/or behind the listening position.

Read more: Mix Master: PMC's Heff Moraes on Making Music in Atmos

Toronto Audiofest 2022, Simplifi’d

Written by: Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 15 November 2022

How would you rather spend a glorious Canadian autumn weekend? Walking in the park? Taking a drive in the country? Raking the leaves? Or roaming the halls of a generic suburban hotel?

Read more: Toronto Audiofest 2022, Simplifi’d

The Great Debate: Is Component Hi-Fi Dead?

Written by: Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 15 August 2022

Lately, I’ve been enjoying the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast, which is hosted by Brent Butterworth, senior editor of SoundStage! Solo, and Dennis Burger, senior editor of SoundStage! Access. Brent and Dennis tackle a wide range of topics and do a ton of preparation for each episode. The production is polished, the discussions are well-informed and thought-provoking, and the presentation is casual and inviting.

Read more: The Great Debate: Is Component Hi-Fi Dead?

Evolving Hi-Fi: My Journey with a Fleet of Devialet Silver Phantoms

Written by: Kurt Wetzel
Created: 15 July 2022

I never wanted to purchase new speakers. I never wanted to go digital. It all happened by accident.

Read more: Evolving Hi-Fi: My Journey with a Fleet of Devialet Silver Phantoms

Simplifi'd Hi-Fi at Munich High End–and Elsewhere

Written by: Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 15 June 2022

The greatest audio show on earth is back. After a two-year, pandemic-induced hiatus, the 2022 Munich High End show took place from May 19 to 22. The SoundStage! Network sent a four-person editorial team to Bavaria: founder and publisher Doug Schneider; editor-in-chief Jeff Fritz; Edward Kramer, editor of SoundStage! Australia; and Jonathan Gorse, a UK-based contributor to SoundStage! Ultra. Together, they filed 18 dispatches from Munich, which you can find on SoundStage! Global.

Read more: Simplifi'd Hi-Fi at Munich High End–and Elsewhere

How We Listen

Written by: Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 15 May 2022

When it comes to consuming music, you can split the SoundStage! team into a few broad categories: those who are big into physical media, those who have fully embraced streaming, those who rely on downloaded and ripped music, and those with feet in all these camps.

Read more: How We Listen

Wayback Playback

Written by: Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 15 April 2022

Across the SoundStage! Network, you’ll find coverage of all kinds of audio products: high-end gear on SoundStage! Ultra, affordable components on SoundStage! Access, headphones and accessories on SoundStage! Solo, lifestyle audio here on SoundStage! Simplifi, portable Bluetooth speakers on SoundStage! Xperience, news and events on SoundStage! Global, and all manner of gear on the mothership—SoundStage! Hi-Fi.

Read more: Wayback Playback

Listen While You Work

Written by: Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 15 March 2022

One of the occupational hazards of writing for an audiophile website is a condition photography enthusiasts call GAS—Gear Acquisition Syndrome. After hearing about a new lens (or amplifier), you decide you really, really need this new toy, even though the gear you already own is more than adequate for your needs. During my adult life, I’ve experienced GAS hundreds—maybe thousands—of times, and succumbed to it more often than I care to admit.

Read more: Listen While You Work

The State of Streaming—2022

Written by: Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 15 February 2022

Was 2021 the year that lossless and hi-rez music streaming became mainstream? Last year, Spotify promised it would start delivering lossless music, but failed to deliver. Three months later, Apple announced plans to offer lossless and hi-rez content, and started delivering shortly thereafter. Amazon Music HD had been offering lossless and hi-rez music since 2019; but following Apple’s move, Amazon reduced its price for the service. These aggressive moves by major providers like Apple and Amazon led several smaller streaming services to revamp their own pricing plans in 2021.

Read more: The State of Streaming—2022

  1. Why "Simplifi"—Five Years Later
  2. The Evolution of BluOS: An Interview with Lenbrook's Andrew Haines
  3. Dolby Atmos Music in Your Home
  4. The Big Switch
  5. I'm Only in It for the Money
  6. Encore! Encore! An Interview with Patricia Barber, Jim Anderson, and Ulrike Schwarz
  7. The New Apple Music
  8. Moving Forward with Formation: An Interview with Andy Kerr of Bowers & Wilkins
  9. Glory Days
  10. Spotify Goes Lossless
  11. In Defense of Streaming
  12. Tinkering Simplifi'd
  13. Simplifi Defined
  14. Going Deep with Artison
  15. A Simplifi Yearbook
  16. A Perfect Pair
  17. The Critical Component
  18. Has the Time Come for Surround Music?
  19. My Top Ten Products of the Last Two Years
  20. Turning Pro
  21. All About That Bass
  22. Gently Down the Stream
  23. Big Events
  24. Rules of the Game
  25. The Name Game
  26. January 1, 2020: The State of Streaming
  27. Warsaw’s Audio Video Show 2019, Simplifi’d
  28. Toronto Audiofest 2019, Simplifi'd
  29. Hi-Rez à-Go-Go
  30. Streaming the Classics
  31. Play Nice Together -- An Interview with Rob Darling of Roon Labs
  32. Active Voices, Part Three: KEF's Jack Oclee-Brown
  33. High End 2019, Simplifi'd
  34. Active Voices, Part Two: Axiom Audio's Andrew Welker
  35. Montréal Audio Fest Simplifi'd
  36. Active Voices, Part One: Elac's Andrew Jones
  37. Let's Keep it Simple
  38. A Roon of One's Own
  39. How I Simplifi'd My Wi-Fi
  40. Are Downloads Dead?
  41. Hi-Rez Streaming: Tidal vs. Qobuz
  42. Toronto Audiofest 2018 Simplifi'd
  43. How I Simplifi'd My Hi-Fi
  44. Time to Celebrate: Five Years of Google Chromecast
  45. How Good Can Voice Recognition Get?
  46. Are Smart Speakers Any Good for Audiophiles?
  47. High End 2018, Simplifi'd
  48. Is the Smart Speaker a Dumb Idea?
  49. What's Up with Apple AirPlay 2?
  50. The Spotify Dilemma
  51. CES 2018, Simplifi’d
  52. Farewell, CES
  53. Room Tunes
  54. Social Streaming
  55. CEDIA 2017, Simplifi’d
  56. Classical Prime Time
  57. The Röst Reconsidered
  58. High End 2017, Simplifi'd
  59. Vinyl: There's an App for That
  60. Metadata: Life with Roon
  61. The Internet and Audio: The Good, the Bad, and the Impossible
  62. The State of Streaming
  63. CES 2017, Simplifi'd
  64. Why "Simplifi"

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