Computer Audiophile is proud to announce the inaugural Computer Audiophile Symposium to take place at world-renowned Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California. Never before has an event demonstrated this complete musical chain. Experience everything from a live acoustic performance to a high resolution digital recording to the state of the art in computer-based playback. Witness legendary Recording Engineer and product innovator Prof. Keith O. Johnson capture this live performance. Industry leaders including Mastering Engineer Paul Stubblebine, Reference Recording's Marcia Martin, Sonic Studio's Jonathan Reichbach, Berkeley Audio Design's Michael "Pflash" Pflaumer, and representatives from Meridian-Sooloos will illustrate every step in the chain from performance to playback. In addition to these well recognized panelists, Matan Arazi will debut a groundbreaking music server and his approach to developing this all-out assault on computer based-playback.

The major purpose of this Symposium will be focussed on clearing up confusion and explaining high quality computer-based playback in the home. Chris Connaker, Founder of Computer Audiophile and accomplished Information Technology professional, will discuss and demonstrate a wide array of music server technologies. Chris will cover many topics from file formats to FireWire interfaces and DACs to operating system configurations to digital music distribution throughout the home. These are just a sampling of the topics Chris will review in this new and exciting world of computer and High-End audio convergence. The Symposium will also provide attendees an opportunity to ask questions and interact with every panelist and presenter. Hear first hand from the people who have been in the trenches of computer-based audio for over 18 years. This is an extraordinary opportunity to learn about the current state of computer-based playback in addition to where it may be headed. Concluding this unique experience will be the opportunity to download a high resolution recording of the exact performance witnessed by the Symposium attendees. This will provide a valuable reference to compare the sound of live versus recorded music as each person ventures into the next phase of their musical journey with computer-based playback.

The Computer Audiophile Symposium will be hosted by Computer Audiophile's Founder Chris Connaker and sponsored by Tim Marutani of Marutani Consulting in Emeryville, CA and Maier Shadi of The Audio Salon in Beverly Hills, CA. This Symposium will be centered around innovation, knowledge and insight into the complete musical chain and focused heavily on computer-based playback. State of the art high-end playback systems will be used during the Symposium to demonstrate technologies and concepts. However this will not be an event that revolves solely around audio components. Rather, insightful concepts and discussions about how certain components may be used to obtain high quality sound will take precedence. Attendees will hear from both technical innovators as well as those who understand and have designed demanding home audio solutions for audiophiles around the world. In addition to all of this, the location of this Symposium is enough to give any music aficionado goose bumps. Fantasy Studios has an incredibly rich history involving artists from Creedence Clearwater Revival to Santana to countless Jazz greats. Entering Fantasy Studios and walking the halls that so many greats have walked in addition to attending the Symposium in Studios A and D where so many great recordings were made is a profound experience in itself. Join those with a passion for music at the place where decades of great music was recorded and gain tremendous insight into reproducing great recordings in the home.

The Computer Audiophile Symposium will consist of two identical sessions the weekend of June 27th & 28th, 2009. Food and Beverages will be served at both sessions. Each session will be at least four hours in length (breaks included). Parking is available in the Fantasy Studios lot at no additional cost. There are a very limited number of tickets available for each session as this is a very intimate setting. The sessions will both be held in Studio A with the live recordings to take place in Studio D.

Session One: 3 PM Saturday 06/27/2009
Price: $279

Session Two: 12 PM Sunday 06/28/2009
Price: $279

Accommodations:

Attendees from out-of-town may contact Amanda at Fantasy Studios for a reduced rate at the Claremont hotel in Berkeley. The Claremont is three miles from the event and a wonderful place to stay. In addition to the Claremont Amanda will be happy to direct Symposium attendees to other reduced rate accommodations in the Berkeley area.

Amanda Howell 510-486-2038 | email

The distinguished panelists include:

Keith Johnson - Reference Recordings

Paul Stubblebine - Paul Stubblebine Mastering & DVD | The Tape Project

Marcia Martin - Reference Recordings

Jonathan Reichbach - Sonic Studio

Michael "Pflash" Pflaumer - Berkeley Audio Design

Rob Darling (Sat.) - Merdian-Sooloos

Brad Paulsen (Sun.) - Merdian-Sooloos

Matan Arazi

Fantasy Studios - Home Page | Complete History | Client List |

The Symposium sponsors share a passion for music that spans several decades.

Timothy Marutani (Marutani Consulting, email, 1-510-652-1911) is a veteran dealer whose experience dates back to the 1970's. Even then Tim was drawn to cutting edge technologies. Tim's range of expertise is reflected in projects he has completed around the world, from whole house sound, video and automation to edge of the art two channel installations. He began using computer-based audio 14+ years ago and began a research project over two years ago with the goal of identifying the hardware and software that will define computer playback for his customers.

Maier Shadi (The Audio Salon, email, 1-800-900-1563) is a dealer whose professional relationship with High End audio began in the 1990's. Maier has developed a world wide customer base including senior executives, managers and artists at major record labels. His experience developing reference quality two channel systems and his commitment to service sets him apart in the industry. To Maier the future of computer-based playback will fulfill the promise of ultimate sound quality and unmatched convenience. Maier continues to share his passion with customers whether they are building their first or last high-end system.

The collaboration between Tim and Maier in sponsoring and codeveloping this Symposium is driven by a desire to help remove the initial hurdles that computer playback presents and allow end users to resume their enjoyment of music.

Information about the Symposium host:

Chris Connaker is an audiophile who has loved music and high quality sound for as long as he can remember. He listens to all types of music on CD, SACD, DVD-Audio, Vinyl, and high quality downloads. He started Computer Audiophile to fill a large gap in the audiophile community. While trying to take his music listening experience to the next level with a computer-based system he discovered it was very hard to find answers and quality products for audiophile grade computer-based / music servers. Instead of waiting for traditional sources to cover this in greater detail, Chris founded Computer Audiophile in November of 2007. The site brings together Chris' background in Information Technology and his passion for music. Chris has over a decade of experience designing, configuring, and managing global IT networks. From desktop hardware and software to network disk / storage to switches, routers, and firewalls. Chris has experience with all of them. Chris believes the term "computer audiophile" will soon be synonymous with "audiophile" and future generations of audiophiles will laugh at the fact people once used anything other than music servers.

Contact Information:
Chris Connaker
chris@computeraudiophile.com
www.computeraudiophile.com