Ramblings.

This issue is dedicated in loving memory to Pooch (Summer 1985-November 15, 2003). She was a mighty hunter, a faithful friend, and a sweet, sweet dog who died in my arms yet lives in my heart.

Welcome to Issue 98 (Go, Parnelli, go!), which features the latest installment of our annual Sensible Choice listing of recommended loudspeakers of various shapes, sizes, prices, and purposes. You will also find in these pages our usual assortment of equipment and music reviews, along with six of one and a half-dozen or so of another.

Welcome Aboard: David A. Rich, a technical whiz of no small repute who has occasionally contributed to our pages in the past, has officially joined our staff as Technical Editor. I look forward to some exciting technical contributions from him; but even more so, I look forward to having more frequent interactions with him, because he is so much fun to talk to on nearly any subject, particularly music.

Don't Stop the Music: 2003, especially the past few months, has been quite a year for music. My More Jazz Than Not column for this issue is a bit longer than usual, and there is so much more I could have put in that I just had to set aside for next time. The Naxos label continues to astound with their continual stream of new and exciting releases, ECM continues their long history of excellence (likewise for Telarc and Rounder), and many other labels both ...