RIP Art Dudley


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What was Art, in his 50’s? I loved his Listener mag, and his subtle dissing of HP (he worked for him at TAS). He brought the discussion of "tonal density" and "color saturation" in music reproduction to my attention, and some other sophisticated matters. The ability of any given component to reproduce the "forward momentum" (PRAT) in a music was a major priority, I would guess as a result of he being a onetime "Linnie". I admit he lost me when he would discuss the ability of a component to reveal the musical "intent" of the artist, which I found somewhat presumptuous ;-) .

He had a wide and deep appreciation and understanding of lots of disparate musical genres, and approached the quality of a recording "music first". My kinda guy.

Oh, this is a shock. He was my favorite Stereophile writer, along with Herb Riechert. Just the perfect balance of humor, focus and just humanity. I shared his taste in reproduction and just think he was a pleasure to read. I always gravitated toward his columns first.

He will leave a gaping, quiet  hole in the Stereoplile staff, and I am really, really going to miss that guy!