What news in 2023 struck you?


Gang,

It seems the audio press seems to have no end of press releases to hype, but I'm curious looking back for the year what news regarding the audio industry has most struck you?

For instance, the sale of ARC, and Roon, and B&W (or was that last year) seemed pretty significant.  Class D amps with GaN transistors created a lot of buzz and claims of Class D finally reaching it's promised potential.  Textreme drivers have appeared here and there, as has the Purifi woofer...

I also recall a Monitor Audio prototype that struck me as really innovative. 

What else has stuck in your mind longer than ten minutes this year?

erik_squires

Clayton Shaw's return with a new company, and a new open baffle speaker. I've always wanted to audition Spatial or Pure Audio Projects in my system, but the price kept me at bay. Bought Clayton's Caladans on reputation, the second I could I placed my order. Patiently waiting now

Mmm, the sale of Ohm which considering the death of Strohbeen was a no-brainer but unobvious to me at the time....still wishing for a major Lotto win...😏🤷‍♂️

Guess it falls to the few and tinker-types like yours unruly to flounder on...

The (grudging?) acceptance of Class D as a means of amplification...."....getting better all the time..." to snag a line... *S*

'Chi-Fi', the 'threat of'...Well, considering the size of their market, the love of good music repro and the fans of, everywhere in general....and the growth of the electronics' industry in Asia....*fingers crossed*....

A return of the Technics' SL-10, a 'mass-market' linear-tracking TT that came Standard with a moving-coil cart?  Did what it did without being a fuss 'bout it?

(Yes, 'you' may have a major $ one with a cart (or 4) to 'match', but....)

..some of us live in a 'fi' desert...

I believe Salk retired, didn't go out of business...and I read he will continue to service his speakers...some sites also indicated a new venture for him...