I’ve just published another piece in Forbes in my series on the emerging market for “high-res” audio, reflecting the recent surge in activity in this space as both the major record labels and consumer electronics companies see opportunity in expanding the market for high-quality digital audio beyond the audiophile niche.  This piece is about new codec technologies — an area that hasn’t seen much innovation since a decade ago.  As always, your feedback is most welcome.

As a postscript to that piece, it continues to amaze me — in a positive way — that vinyl is making such a comeback.  Our favorite indie music store in Western Massachusetts recently got rid of all of its CDs and is now selling vinyl exclusively.  Even Barnes & Noble is now selling a small, mostly highbrow selection of vinyl LPs.  Most amazing of all?  They’re flying off the shelves at an eye-opening $22 apiece.  And everyone used to complain about the $16 CD — which didn’t scratch, took up less space, was easier to play, etc., etc.