If you subscribe to Bound for Sound, you will have read the very positive review by Rich Weiner of these speakers made in Australia. The speakers employ a ribbon driver extending well down into the midrange, augmented by a conventional moving coil woofer. There are various models, with the top of the line priced around $4500 the pair. Mr. Koutsoulis will demonstrate the speakers, using a Redgum amplifier (also made in Australia), and we may likely have other amplification to try. A videotape presentation by the designer will be shown, to give technical details.

Please bring some good music you wish to play, and of course invite interested friends.

Peter Lyngdorf, who had flown from Denmark a few days prior, gave a superb demonstration of the TacT Audio Millennium digital preamp/amp/DAC and RCS room correction system. We used a Theta Jade CD transport, ProAc Response 2.5 speakers, and MIT digital cable and speaker cable, all graciously loaned by Quintessence Audio.

At Peter's request, the speakers were set against the wall, rather than out into the room, as would probably be more customary. Without room treatment, he used a microphone in combination with the RCS and a laptop computer with TacT's custom software to measure each loudspeaker's response in the room at a typical listening position. Within a couple of minutes, the correction curves were plotted and corrections downloaded to the RCS unit (which can also serve as a preamp). The resulting flattening of frequency response (i.e., no lumpy bass, etc.) while maintaining depth of image was astonishing to many. The room correction was switched in and out, and the effect was immediately audible to all--unanimously favoring using the RCS.

Many were surprised to learn that, among other things, Mr. Lyngdorf had owned NAD. Leaving home as a rebellious teenager because his parents wouldn't stand for his building speakers and other stereo equipment, Peter worked his way to his present situation.

It should be interesting to see what TacT has in store for the future. He indicated they will have an upgrade of the Millennium as well as at least one considerably less expensive version. TacT will accommodate the technologies of 24 bit, SACD, and such as they take form, through upgrades which either the customer or dealer will be able to perform.

December 19th - Christmas party, music of the season, lots of goodies, and officer elections. We may also have some items to demonstrate.

January 16th - James Ginsburg (Cedille Records). Did you see the September/October issue of Fanfare? There is an interesting article about Cedille, mentioning its recently celebrated tenth anniversary. In a nutshell: Mr. Ginsburg founded Cedille while a 23-year-old law student at University of Chicago, wanting to produce the kind of CDs he would like to buy himself. Using local talented musicians who would stand on their own merits against well known international artists, Ginsburg has recorded nearly 50 releases, including pianists Dmitri Paperno and David Schrader; violinist Rachel Barton; light-soprano Patrice Michaels Bedi; pianist-composer Easley Blackwood; the Chicago Baroque Ensemble; and the Chicago Chamber Musicians. At the beginning of 1994, Cedille was converted to a nonprofit organization, the Chicago Classical Recording Foundation, enabling fund raising and grants from the Illinois Arts Council and Channel 11, as well as donations from private foundations and individuals. As you can imagine, Mr. Ginsburg eventually chose to drop out of law school, yet he says his parents, including his mother, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, are his biggest supporters.

Visit our web site sometime! Those interested in fine tuning their audio systems will find the new "Tips and Tweaks" section useful. There are links to technical articles, detailed phono setup and cartridge alignment (as well as a free alignment protractor), digital and loudspeaker articles, DIY tips, and so on. We're invite ideas and suggestions, and we'll probably be adding music discussion links soon.

Our web site is at www.xnet.com/~bpwalsh/cas.html and is updated at least every couple of weeks and includes our newsletters and news of interest.

Egglestonworks is reported to be back in business.

The Winter Consumer Electronics Show will be held in Las Vegas from January 6th through 9th, 2000. Registration for this trade show, which includes a large number of high end audio exhibits, can be done conveniently by visiting the show web site at www.cesweb.org, or contact us for a registration form.

President Vice President Treasurer

Brian Walsh Rich Sacks Dennis Anderson

(847) 382-8433 (847) 843-2554 (630) 830-9142

bpwalsh@xnet.com rich2@mediaone.net