Contents 06 Letters 124 Manufacturer Comments 40 TAS Journal Basic Repertoire: Britpop Andy Downing 17 Guest Editorial 18 Industry News 22 Future TAS 26 Start Me Up A Complete Rega System Barry Willis 32 iTAS Bardaudio Wireless Audio System Neil Gader Music 152 Recording of the Issue Joanna Newsom: Ys 128 Jazz The scoop on the newest discs from Tomasz Stanko, Kenny Garrett, Evan Parker, Von Freeman, Martin, Scofield, Medeski & Wood, and David Binney. Plus, the Anthony Wilson Nonet on SACD and LP. 136 Classical Coverage of the new Hilary Hahn, Bartók’s Mikrokosmos, Leon Fleisher’s The Journey, Gabriela Montero’s Bach and Beyond, Sting’s Songs from the Labyrinth, Eleni Karaindrou’s Elegy of the Uprooting, Mozart’s Zaide, two Sony “Great Performance” remasters, and a pair of Shostakovich SACDs. 148 Rock Etc. Reviews of the latest CDs and LPs from sunnO))) & Boris, TV on the Radio, Bound Stems, Solomon Burke, Lupe Fiasco, Willie Nelson, Madeleine Peyroux, Bob Dylan, Chris Thile, The Mars Volta, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Buddy Guy, Tortoise, and, a most unusual gospel collection. 168 TAS Back Page 11 Questions for Ted Denney of Synergistic Research, by Neil Gader. 26 22 152 founder; chairman, editorial advisory board editor-in-chief editor executive editor managing and music editor acquisitions manager and associate editor art director hp’s equipment setup senior writers John W. Cooledge, Anthony H. Cordesman, Robert E. Greene, Chris Martens, Andrew Quint, Sallie Reynolds, Paul Seydor, Alan Taffel reviewers and contributing writers managing editor, avguide.com web producer Absolute Multimedia, Inc. chairman and ceo vice president/publisher advertising reps Harry Pearson Robert Harley Wayne Garcia Jonathan Valin Bob Gendron Neil Gader Torquil Dewar Danny Gonzalez Soren Baker, Greg Cahill, Dan Davis, Andy Downing, Jim Hannon, Jacob Heilbrunn, Sue Kraft, Mark Lehman, Ted Libbey, David McGee, Bill Milkowski, Derk Richardson, Don Saltzman, Max Shepherd Monica M. Williams Ari Koinuma Thomas B. Martin, Jr. Mark Fisher Cheryl Smith (512) 891-7775 Marvin Lewis MTM Sales (718) 225-8803 reprints and e-prints: Jennifer Martin, Wrights Reprints, toll free: (877) 652-5295, Outside the U.S.: (281) 419-5725, jmartin@wrightsreprints.com subscriptions, renewals, changes of address: phone: (888) 732-1625 (US) or (815) 734-5833 (outside US), or write The Absolute Sound, Subscription Services, PO Box 629, Mt Morris, IL 61054. Ten issues: in the US, $36; Canada $52 (GST included); outside North America, $71 (includes air mail). Payments must be by credit card (VISA, MasterCard, American Express) or US funds drawn on a US bank, with checks payable to Absolute Multimedia, Inc. editorial matters: Address letters to The Editor, The Absolute Sound, PO Box 1768, Tijeras, New Mexico 87059, or e-mail rharley@absolutemultimedia.com. classified advertising: Please use form in back of issue. newsstand distribution and local dealers: Contact IPD, 27500 Riverview Center Blvd., Suite 400, Bonita Springs, Florida 34134, (239) 949-4450 publishing matters: Contact Mark Fisher at the address below or e-mail mfisher@absolutemultimedia.com. Publications Mail Agreement 40600599 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to Station A / P.O. Box 54 / Windsor, ON N9A 6J5 e-mail: info@theabsolutesound.com Absolute Multimedia, Inc. 4544 S. Lamar, Bldg. G-300 Austin, Texas 78745 phone: (512) 892-8682 · fax: (512) 891-0375 e-mail: tas@absolutemultimedia.com www.theabsolutesound.com 2006 Absolute Multimedia, Inc., December 2006. The Absolute Sound (ISSN#0097-1138) is published ten times per year, $42 per year for US residents. Absolute Multimedia, Inc., 4544 S. Lamar, Bldg G300, Austin, Texas 78745. Periodical Postage paid at Austin, Texas and additional mailing offices. Canadian publication mail account #1551566. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Absolute Sound, Subscription Services, PO Box 629, Mt Morris, IL 61054. Printed in the USA. December 2006 The Absolute Sound