Archive-name: AudioFAQ/part1
Last-modified: 1999/2/1
Version: 2.14

1.0 Contents:

    Part 1 Intro
	1.0	Contents
	2.0	Organization
	3.0	Purpose
	4.0	Omissions
	5.0	Credits
	6.0	Errors and Corrections
	7.0	Disclaimer
	8.0	Copyright Notice
    Part 2 Systems
	9.0	High Fidelity Systems
    Part 3 Sources
	10.0	CD Players, CDs, Turntables, and LPs
    Part 4 Amplifiers
	11.0	Amplifiers
    Part 5 Speakers
	12.0	Speakers
    Part 6 Rooms
	13.0	Listening Rooms and Houses
    Part 7 Recording
	14.0	Recording
    Part 8 Wire
	15.0	Wire
    Part 9 Retail
	16.0	Retail
    Part 10 Mail Order
	17.0	Mail Order
    Part 11 Networking
	18.0	Net Protocol
    Part 12 The Press
	19.0	The Press
    Part 13 Misc
	20.0	Miscellaneous

2.0 Organization:

This FAQ is divided into a preamble and a list of subjects. Each
subject is described by a list of questions and answers. Some 
questions have no answers yet. That's life.

This FAQ is split into 13 individual postings. This FAQ also references
a frequent posting of sources for audio via Mail Order. That list is
maintained by nau@SSESCO.com (William R. Nau). Contact Mr. Nau directly
for information or corrections to that posting. The list is also
available via FTP in the /pub/Rec.Audio directory of ssesco.com
as file Mailorder.txt

Lines beginning with "|" are new since the last version of the FAQ.

3.0 Purpose:

The purpose of this FAQ is to address frequently-asked questions as a
whole, so that rec.audio.* volume can be reduced. Towards this end, we
assembled a list of common questions, and some general answers to these
questions. Audio is part science and part art, so some of the answers
are objectively correct, while others try to open-mindedly present both
sides of a subject.

4.0 Omissions:

Many valuable things have been left out of the FAQ. In part this is 
because there is just too much to say about audio. In part, this is 
because the general reader doesn't need that much detail. Also, some
things were omitted because they are too controversial or inflammatory.

5.0 Credits:

This FAQ is the work of many people. Allow me to thank everyone who 
helped now. Some of the contributors to this FAQ are listed below. 
Others have made great contributions, and are no less appreciated.

	andrew@research.att.com (Andrew Hume)
	jj@research.att.com (jj)
	Ken Kantor of NHT
	neidorff@unitrode.com (Bob Neidorff)
	Rick Oakley (no internet access)
	DPierce@world.std.com (Richard d Pierce)
	P.Smee@bristol.ac.uk (Paul Smee)
	gabe@panix.com (Gabe M. Wiener)

6.0 Errors and Corrections:

If you have a correction to the FAQ, additional information, or a new
topic for the FAQ, please send e-mail to neidorff@unitrode.com describing
your thoughts in detail. Please include your e-mail address in your
submission, so that we can stay in touch. Every submission will be
considered for inclusion in the next release of the FAQ. This FAQ will
be reposted every month.

7.0 Disclaimer:

Everyone's human. Nothing is perfect. The people who wrote the
information here put varying amounts of research into their work. 
To the best of my knowledge, no one made any contribution or comment
because of a vested interest.

Audio is a very lucrative and competitive industry, filled with honest
companies, aggressive marketing people, people who stretch the truth
very thin, excellent products, and lousy products. We tried hard to
screen the hype from valuable data. If we insulted, omitted, or
otherwise disturbed you, your company, your product, or something 
you feel strongly about, please let me know.

The information here attempts to paraphrase a large portion of the
information exchanged in rec.audio newsgroup discussions. At times,
people will make recommendations or suggestions to others on some of
these newsgroups. Some of these statements are included here because
we have been asked to include statements of that sort. These
statements, and everything in this document are the opinions of various
people. Nothing here is intended as recommendation or suggestion.

Further, no matter how it is worded, nothing here should be taken as
fact. The authors take no responsibility for any use of this
information.

8.0 Copyright Notice:

The information contained here is collectively copyrighted by the 
authors. The right to reproduce this is hereby given, provided it is 
copied intact, with the text of sections 1 through 8, inclusive. 
However, the authors explicitly prohibit selling this document, any 
of its parts, or any document which contains parts of this document.

--
Bob Neidorff; Unitrode Corporation  |  Internet: neidorff@unitrode.com
7 Continental Blvd.                 |  Voice   : (US) 603-429-8541
Merrimack, NH  03054-0399 USA       |  FAX     : (US) 603-429-8564

Note: Unitrode Corporation has openings for Analog and Mixed
Signal Design Engineers in Merrimack, New Hampshire.  If
interested, please send resume in confidence to address above.