February 1, 2009
A New Year, a New Website, a New Concept for
"TWBAS"
Although Ive just gotten back from
the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show, as I write this I have a lot of energy. My enthusiasm
certainly wasnt fueled by the nutritious food or the great sleep I got in Las Vegas,
but instead by the new design of the Ultra Audio website, the articles were
publishing this month, and what we have in store for you for the near future. When I look
at what were presenting to you, Im pumped.
First, the skinny on the new website: Right away, along
with the new look, youll see some functional enhancements. The first is that all of
our product reviews and feature articles are now found under the
"Features" tab. The articles are no longer divided among multiple tabs, so no
more hunting around for our content. If youre here to read what weve written,
youre just one click away from a list of our latest articles.
The second addition to Ultra Audio is a
"Galleries" section. We welcome the talented Chris Lang, of ProMotion Picture Co., as Ultra
Audios official photographer. In "Galleries" youll see his
innovative images of high-end audio -- and perhaps the work of guest photographers as
well. Ive found it fascinating to work with Chris on his photo shoots, particularly
after participating in his unique vision of how high-end audio equipment, systems, and
spaces should be captured in images. His photo gallery on the Thiel CS2.4SE loudspeaker
captures the product beautifully, and gives a good indication of how the speaker looks in
the real world. My full review of the CS2.4SE in our "Features" section will
tell you exactly how the speaker sounded to me. When you see Chriss images in the
context of my words, we hope youll have a new and more fully rounded perspective on
this wonderful product.
Also in "Features" this month is an insightful
and personal profile of industry icon Professor Keith O. Johnson. Ultra Audio
contributor Simeon Sandiford has enjoyed a friendship with Prof. Johnson for many years,
and his observations illustrate just how much influence on high-end audio this man has
had. Whether it be his work with Spectral Audio, Pacific Microsonics, or Reference
Recordings, chances are that youve been touched by the fruits of Johnsons
labors at some point in your audiophile life.
TWBAS: five important little letters
Over the past five years Ive covered some of the best
high-end-audio gear in existence in my column, "The Worlds Best Audio
System." The "TWBAS" tab on the Ultra Audio home page has been the
portal to a space where I write about some of the most extreme audio components in
existence, some of which are my favorites. But the focus of "TWBAS" is shifting
a bit.
It all began with a message I posted on the Audio Video
Science Forum: Im in the planning stages now and would like to solicit opinions
on what system, if you were me, youd like to hear. The skys the limit. Doesnt
sound too controversial, does it? Well, since I posted that message in October of last
year, in addition to the almost 40,000 views and over 800 responses to the
thread, Ive received countless e-mails and phone calls, and was even tracked
down in the halls of CES, all to explain my purpose. Lots of folks have weighed in on my
query, and now, finally, "The Worlds Best Audio System," or one version of
it, is not only being revealed, but actually set up. Thats right -- come March 2009,
six of the worlds best makers of audio gear will descend on my home in Hampstead,
North Carolina, for a listening event like no other. And youll read about it, and
see photos and video of it, here on Ultra Audio and across the SoundStage! Network.
Oh yeah, thats going to be fun . . . . til then, I might not get much
sleep.
. . . Jeff Fritz
jeff@ultraaudio.com
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