Mac Edition Radio

Mac Edition Radio produces reviews and news stories about the latest technologies, digital imaging, music, & photography.

Review - The 2020 Daguerreian Society Symposium

The Daguerreian Society was formed in 1988 as a group “dedicated to the history, science, and art of the daguerreotype,” but has expanded its mission; hence the Society’s new tag line: “dedicated to the history, science, and art of early photography and processes.” Normally, the Society hosts on an annual five-day conference, but due to the pandemic, they cut two days from the event, but kept a full schedule of speakers, panels, and museum tours, created a Virtual TradeFair, a benefit auction, and even informal time to chat over drinks or dinner. How well did this important symposium work out as a virtual event? Read on for our full review.

Harris Fogel with editorial support by Nancy Burlan, Stephen Perloff, and Sarah Weatherwax, Posted 1/11/2021

Review – Audeze LCD-1 Open-Back Foldable Planar Magnetic Headphones and Orchard Audio’s PecanPi® USB - USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier

One of the most talked about new headphones is the Audeze LCD-1 Open-Back Foldable Planar Magnetic Headphones, an affordable, flexible, and sonically superior product. How to review them? Why, just pair them with the PecanPi® USB - USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier, from Orchard Audio, a small (tiny?) one-man company, run by Leonid (Leo) Ayzenshtat, that’s been winning rave reviews for its affordable gear. To listen, we played wonderful tracks from Qobuz, Universal Music, Chesky Records, Owlsong Productions, and others. Read on for our full review.

Harris Fogel and Frank Schramm, with editorial input from Nancy Burlan, posted 12/9/2020, updated 1/5/2020

One Week out from CES: Eight Areas to Watch

With only a week to go until it begins, John Mulhern III's attention is now solidly on CES 2021 in mid-January, and he writes about eight areas he's watching at the Consumer Technology Association's annual trade show—all virtual for the first time this year.

John Mulhern III, Posted 1/4/2021

2020 Holiday Technology Upgrade Guide

From John Mulhern III's perspective, the (merciful) end of 2020 is a time to re-examine technology categories that have quietly improved over the last few years.

He's got five suggestions for potential upgrades in this holiday season: noise-cancelling headphones, a high-end keyboard, RAM and storage, mesh networks, and considering a new iPad.

John Mulhern III, posted 12/13/2020

Review – Raycop RS Pro UV+ / Steamless Heat Vacuum, Omni Air Cordless Stick Vacuum, Omni Power UV+ Cordless Vacuum, & Raycop GO UV+ Ultra-Light Cordless Vacuum

COVID-19, the invisible virus holding the world hostage, has caused many to worry about staying healthy. Trying to eliminate the bacteria and viruses in our homes, offices, and vehicles is one approach. UV-C light is considered among the most effective ways to disinfect places the virus might be lurking, and the easiest way we have found to keep your home safe is with a line of vacuums from Raycop, a Japanese company founded by Immunologist Dr. Michael Lee to help people make their homes healthier and to mitigate allergies. Their new line of UV-C equipped vacuums promises to keep your home clean as well as kill nasty viruses and bacteria, all without chemicals. Read on for our full report.

Harris Fogel and Nancy Burlan, Posted 9/22/2020, updated 12/2/2020

Review – Vacuum Your Vinyl with the Record Doctor VI Record Cleaning Machine

In Part One of this article, we explored the Spin-Clean Record Cleaner. Here in Part Two, we’ll delve into the more sophisticated and elegant approach to rid your vinyl of clicks, pops, and noise, with a step up to the recently updated and revised Record Doctor VI Record Cleaning Machine. Like the Spin-Clean, the Record Doctor VI washes your albums. But unlike the Spin-Doctor, the Record Doctor VI Record Cleaning Machine washes and then vacuums your precious vinyl clean. Are pops, crackles, and surface noise on your albums driving you crazy? If so, read on to learn just how clean your albums can be, at an affordable price!

Harris Fogel, with editorial input by Nancy Burlan, posted 8/14/2020

Review – Atlantic Technology FS-HAL1 In-Ear Monitors

When the pandemic hit full force in March, we were almost instantly cut off from many of the things we took for granted, including the ability to hear live music performances. In the beginning, we found ourselves glued to the TV to learn of the latest updates about the virus and its impact, or listening to news on the radio or internet. Once our awareness was sufficiently raised about health and safety practices, we remembered that we needed to pay closer attention to what was going into our ears, and how. Luckily, one of the rare positive treats we discovered in 2020 were the Atlantic FS-HAL1 In-Ear Monitors. Read on to learn more about these stylish, ergonomic monitors.

By Nancy Burlan and Harris Fogel, Posted July, 20, 2020, Updated November 10, 2020

Review – Spin-Clean Your Vinyl with the Spin-Clean Record Washer MKII

When the pandemic first struck, it’s fair to say that most of us had no idea that the quarantine would last for months. Many of us, including audiophiles, wondered, what to do with all this newfound time. For the lucky few who still had jobs, working from home means less time spent commuting, and more time to catch up on old, overdue projects – like cleaning your record collection! There are many ways to do this, and in this, Part one of a two-part article, we’ll explore two tools to rid your vinyl of annoying clicks and pops. We’ll start with the Spin-Clean Record Washer MKII in this article, and in part two, we’ll take a look at the Record Doctor VI.

Harris Fogel, with editorial input by Nancy Burlan, posted 7/4/2020

Review – HIFIMAN Jade II Electrostatic Headphones – Part 4 of 4

In Part One, Two, and Three, of our reviews of the HIFIMAN Jade II Electrostatic Headphones, we began by describing the headphones, amplifier, and power supply. We looked at the headphones in terms of interconnects, in particular the True Balanced™ Premier SE Analog Interconnects by Pangea Audio, and some tips on achieving the best fit and performance, using Dekoni Audio Nuggets. And in this, Part 4, we listened to them, starting with the recent remasters of The Beatles, The Stones, Toto, and Steely Dan, streaming from Qobuz, getting to know the Jade IIs sound signature and musicality. Read on for our full review.

Harris Fogel, with Nancy Burlan, posted 5/15/2020

Review – HIFIMAN Jade II Electrostatic Headphones – Part 3 of 4

In Part One of our review of the HIFIMAN Jade II Electrostatic Headphones, we began by describing the headphones, amplifier, and power supply. In Part Two, we explored the headphones in terms of interconnects, in particular the True Balanced™ Premier SE Analog Interconnects by Pangea Audio, and some tips on achieving the best fit and performance, using Dekoni Audio Nuggets. In Part Three, we listen to them, and explore their sound and musicality. Using some first-rate DAC/Amplifier hardware from Mytek, Oppo, & EarMan, we start with the brilliant new album from Fiona Apple – “Fetch The Bolt Cutters” on Qobuz, and see how the Jade IIs measure up.

Read on for our full review.

Harris Fogel, with Nancy Burlan, posted 4/18/2020

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