Stereophile mag's parent company hits hard times
We've been steering around stories related to the woeful state of the economy — and even trying to add some sunshine of our own — because, frankly, writing about an endless string of companies hitting hard times is just depressing. But the bankruptcy of Source Interlink, parent company of Stereophile magazine, strikes a nostalgic chord for us. Our introduction to the crazy audiophile world came through the folio-sized pages, but recent glances at magazine racks show a slimming magazine and a move towards the nosebleed price regime of the high-end. We don't think that the growth in consumer audio — and (gasp) convenience — is at odds with high performance, and one magazine is hardly a bellwether for an entire market; but it's clear that manufacturers need to do more than put high-grade finishes and price tags on their goods to enjoy a healthy business that can survive changing trends in today's market. But we'd love to hear your thoughts — what's your take on the health of high-end audio?