CD

Ion Audio had a slew of new USB turntables on display at CES this year. Of all the new models, the turntable I'm the most interested to get my hands on is the LP2CD, a direct-to-CDR vinyl archiving solution.

The LP2CD includes an all-metal platter, an LCD display, a USB connection, a switchable line/phono audio output, and a front-loading CD player and recorder. At $449, the LP2CD turntable doesn't come cheap. There's something to be said, however, for paying a little extra to take a computer out of the vinyl archiving equation (although the LP2CD can … Read more

Today in Las Vegas, Burmester Audiosysteme, Germany's legendary manufacturer of ultra high-performance electronics and speakers, is exhibiting its 069 Reference Line CD Player. This amazing machine draws oohs and aahs even before it makes a sound, it's that gorgeous.

The 069 CD Player is a cutting-edge digital playback system, created for well heeled connoisseurs of music and German industrial design. Its audiophile credentials come in the form of its proprietary belt drive motor system that spins the CDs (instead of the off-the-shelf direct-drive mechanisms other manufacturers use).

The 069 CD Player's spiked feet may be set directly … Read more

You can finally chuck that stomper and paper label. Someone's come up with a standalone CD/DVD printer that can actually output up to 1,200dpi graphics directly onto your CD or DVD. We've seen disc printers featured in printers, but the Dymo DiscPainter claims to put a new spin on the process.

If you have $280 to throw away and a crate of discs to label, according to Uncrate, this little USB device is the way to go. It uses RadialPrint technology, which spins the disc while it prints everything in full color, directly on discs, from … Read more

Todd Haynes' new Bob Dylan biopic "I'm Not There" stars Cate Blanchett, Christian Bale, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger and Ben Whishaw playing different aspects of Dylan's life. The film comes out later this month, but the soundtrack is here now. The 34 track, two-CD set mixes interpretations by what I call "Baby Bobs," artists, many born before the music was originally recorded, and "Boomer Bobs," Dylan's contemporaries. And curiously enough, the Baby Bobs mostly dish out for note-for-note recreations of the originals, while the oldsters veer off in different directions.

Jeff … Read more

Aside from the outlandish loudspeakers that seem to come out on a regular basis, some of the more interesting designs we've seen lately in musical hardware have come from an unlikely source: CD players.

Some are compact systems that are fitting for a SoHo loft, but others are destined for the serious audiophile market as well, such as the "Mini Droplet 3.1." Despite its unfortunate name, this is the most drool-worthy high-end player we've seen since the "Eagle"--and, according to Audio Junkies, it comes with some impressive credentials.

We would hope so, … Read more

We learned long ago to stop worrying about whether our home media equipment was cool enough, admitting freely that we still listen to CDs and (gasp) even the occasional vinyl album. And occasionally we're actually glad that we haven't gone fully into the MP3 era, especially when we see a sound system like this.

Marantz--a name we grew up with, in the days of 200-pound stereo systems--has come up a stunning CD player with a sliding mirrored panel that hides the disc until it's bathed in LED lighting, according to OhGizmo. It also has a USB connection … Read more

Words to live by from CD Baby founder and president Derek Sivers.

I've blogged enthusiastically about CD Baby before: I've used the service and recommend it without reservation. Artists who own the distribution rights to their music--which includes just about any unsigned artist--can send as few as 5 CDs (or as many as they like) to CD Baby. For a one-time fee of $35 and 9% of all sales, CD Baby provides an online store front and handles fulfillment. They also have a digital distribution service that places your music in iTunes and other online stores, and takes … Read more

What do you do when you have way too many CD coasters lying around in the house? The idea must have plagued designer Belen Hermosa as well, with the result being the "Panda Chair."

While we're all for the recycle and reuse movement, we're guessing this one would just replace those neck and back aches with new pains in your butt and thighs. Still, it's an interesting intepretation of a computer chair--just one that might be better appreciated from afar.

(Source: Crave Asia)

In addition to the disc-ripping and -burning capabilities with which Nero first made its mark, the digital-media suite also offers a bevy of options for managing movies, music, and photos. Nero helps you create and edit videos and music files, share that content online, turn your PC into a media center, and back up and recover data in case of disaster. Nero 8 includes a revamped entry page in addition to new support for burning and creating HD and Blu-ray CDs and DVDs.

Nero 8 costs $79 to download, $99 for the box, and $49 to upgrade from Nero 7 Ultra Edition. In the past, Nero has not issued a new version of its software every year, unlike so many other brands. Instead, a new package would come onto the market every other year or so. Peppered between each release were significant updates that Nero's 50 million or so active users could download for free. Now, however, Nero will follow an annual version-update schedule.… Read more