[TONEPUB]

Hello All:

A little late this issue with some computer gremlins, but we came through!

More reviews than normal, so we hope you enjoy it.

The link is not up on the site yet, but you can download it here, now:

http://www.tonepublications.com/images/pdfs/TA_015.pdf

Thanks again for reading....

[toocool4]

Thanks Jeff just downloading now.

Chris

[mcullinan]

Sweet Jesus its here! You are the manly man.
Mike

[RichardS]

Nice stuff, Jeff, but I've got to admit I was a little disappointed with the Wadia 170i review.

I get that you liked it and think that it compares with and beats many similarly priced transport options, and that it didn't beat the more expensive ones. But how, and in what ways? What were it's deficiencies compared to the Wadia, Meridian and Naim CD players when used as transports? How bad is the jitter and what is its sound signature (and would it benefit from a jitter box)?

Also, what about the remote. I'm guessing it doesn't have a screen. How do you see and access songs if your dock is 15-20 feet away? What options are available so that you can access this from the listening seat? I use a RWA Olive Musica and access the display using a Nokia -- anything similar for the ipod/wadia?

Sorry for all the questions, but this thing has me really intrigued.

[TheChairGuy]

Super read - just super - all the way thru.

I'm simply amazed at what you pack in each issue, Jeff (and crew).  Great stuff 

John

[saisunil]

Hi Tonepub - did a quick scan through and read the headphone related coverage of Issue #15.
It is exciting and joy to read as always.

Keep up this good work or should I call it as free service to audiophile and music lovers around the world. 

Cheers
Sunil.

[dburna]

Most impressive, Jeff.  One word of advice, though.  If you reviewed all of the equipment listed in this issue personally in the last two months, I want you to refrain from driving and/or operating heavy machinery -- clearly you have to be massively sleep-deprived!!   

Keep up the terrific work,

-dB 

[TomS]

Jeff,

For whatever reason I haven't been inclined to read review rags (and soft versions) the past few years, but for some reason I peeked at this one.  I have to say it was absolutely outstanding in every way - breakthrough stuff in my humble opinion.  The diversity of the music reviews was especially refreshing.  Truly a great read and a visual treat!

Tom

[Affordable$$Audio]

Glad to hear you solved the gremlin issue Jeff.  I was about to send out an SOS.

[TONEPUB]

Nice stuff, Jeff, but I've got to admit I was a little disappointed with the Wadia 170i review.

I get that you liked it and think that it compares with and beats many similarly priced transport options, and that it didn't beat the more expensive ones. But how, and in what ways? What were it's deficiencies compared to the Wadia, Meridian and Naim CD players when used as transports? How bad is the jitter and what is its sound signature (and would it benefit from a jitter box)?

Also, what about the remote. I'm guessing it doesn't have a screen. How do you see and access songs if your dock is 15-20 feet away? What options are available so that you can access this from the listening seat? I use a RWA Olive Musica and access the display using a Nokia -- anything similar for the ipod/wadia?

Sorry for all the questions, but this thing has me really intrigued.

Sorry you are dissapointed, its a 379 dollar box that does some pretty amazing things.

First off, you can't use any Naim CD player as a transport, they don't offer that functionality.

No, it doesn't have a screen, again, note the price.

The iDock is not meant to be a full blown music server because it has obvious storage
limitations.  In terms of sound quality though, as I said in the review it is dependent on
the DAC that you use it with.  However, I found the combination of the Wadia 170 and the
$599 Channel Islands DAC to be equal or superior to anything I've heard from the majors
for less than $2500 and it holds it's own with quite a few of the players costing even more.

I really see the iDock as a great way to make more use of your iPod in a high end system
and allow your kids and friends to join in the fun.  The fact that it's a serious high end component
for that kind of money is a tremendous bonus.

I didn't expect it to compete with my 15 thousand dollar Meridian 808 or the 32 thousand dollar Naim 555, but it DID perform very admirably.  What this combination lacks is just the same as what a state of the art analog deck has when compared to a lower priced one:

Less resolution, transparency, dynamics, etc.

But again, with the 170/channel islands combo plugged in to my reference system, it's awfully good.

For 379, go buy one!  If you don't like it, I'm sure there will be someone on Audiogon that will buy it back from you.....

It's supposed to be fun.

[TONEPUB]

Also, glad you guys liked the music coverage.

We are expanding that even more in the months to come, stay tuned!!

[TheChairGuy]

Also, glad you guys liked the music coverage.

We are expanding that even more in the months to come, stay tuned!!

Seriously Jeff - the music coverage really is fantastic.  Your near-encyclopedic knowledge of music and musicians is really very different and excellent 

Boy, do I have my nose up your  _ _ _ today, but you deserve the accolades (especially at the newsstand price you charge for TONE Audio  )

John

[arthurs]

Great issue Jeff.  IMO, pound for pound Tone is the best audio/music read available, by a wide margin.

[griller]

SWEET!      Just awesome Jeff>>>

[TONEPUB]

I must say that I really appreciate the comments.  We have had such a crappy
three months, that it really helps!

[pardales]

I agree with the sentiments expressed above. You have created an interesting, exciting, and enjoyable publication that I look forward to reading with each new issue. 

[TONEPUB]

One thing I really need to express is the reason TONE has turned out as well
as it has is because I have an awesome staff!

My reviewers all have a wide range of experience and very different systems, so it's
pretty easy to get a good read on how something sounds.  Same with our music
writers.

Most importantly, we have a very wide range of musical taste between us and I can
honestly say we all came to this game because we loved music, so that part is really
a ton of fun, someone here always has a cool record to listen to.

There are almost 20 people on the staff now, so I could never do this much work myself!
I have a great group that shares my vision, so I couldn't ask for much more.

(ok, I'd like a new Porsche GT3, but I wouldn't have any time to drive it!!)

[Brad]

Great read, Jeff.
Keep up the good work.

Enjoyed both the writing style and the tons of music articles.

[kenreau]

Sweet Jesus, the eagle has landed, awesome job, et al.  I can only concur with all the accolades.  You and your staff deserve them all!

Tone is the best pound-for-pound audio & music enthusiast publication there is.  And, judging by the 500+ hits already on this thread today, highly anticipated for each new issue.  And, noticing the 1:20am new issue email notice, sounds like a few days R & R are well deserved.

Please keep up the great work, it is appreciated. 

Ken

[Mike Dzurko]

Jeff:

You have put together a dream team      For that you should be very proud. In a relatively short time you have built a superb publication.