marklevinson

Hi Miko, Sorry for the lack of posts from DH. Please read the review of Master Class by Matej Isak in Mono Stereo Mono and Stereo High-End Audio Magazine: Daniel Hertz Master Class review . I encourage anyone on this blog to read it. As you may know, Apple will sell a compact (for us) DH audio system (hopefully in the $5,000 range) starting in October and we are totally overloaded focusing on getting the products into production so have been delayed in making test tracks available. One catch about test tracks is that we have to get authorizations from the record companies; and ideally they should be matched to the playback system being used and this is not possible with test tracks. But still it shows something and we will post some. Some MC users report that the most impressive improvements occur with A+ and very small amounts of EQ (1dB or less) applied to well recorded tracks. Others love the ability to take 1950's jazz and obtain much more natural sound with the likes of John Coltrane,Ella Fitzgerald, the MJQ, etc. These may require more EQ. Don't forget, the systems these were designed to be played on are, in most cases, far different from the systems in use today, with different frequency response. MC is for anyone who enjoys it and gets benefit from using it. But unlike audio software developers, my first goal is not to sell software. My first goal is to enable DH customers to have their musical dreams come true. I personally would not be motivated to own a high performance audio system without MC, it would be too disappointing with the limitations of PCM digital audio and most recordings. Now that MC is a reality, there is much more purpose to the advantages that DH hardware offers. In the last 8 months, we have reports from people using MC with a wide variety of systems and will publish some comments soon. Unlike other software, MC enables you to make new AIFF files that are essentially remastered versions using A+ and EQ. MC is not just a player, it is a file generator that makes AIFF files that play on any player. Quicktime is a very good one by the way. Comparing MC with other players is like comparing Photoshop to ImageViewer. They do different things. When you live with MC for a while, you will most likely come to use it as a file generator, not just a player, although you could. One of the most rewarding experiences I have had is using MC to make new versions of "Sonny Rollins and the MJQ" - a live concert from the 1950's that is truly great jazz that will never happen again. I grew up with this recording, and the ability to hear it with this quality of natural sound is a privilege I am grateful for. We cannot give away tracks like this unless we have permission from the record companies, so we will have to see what we can get in the way of authorizations.

Hi One and a half, Good question. Comments by MC users will be posted here soon, and on the DH website. So far, everyone is thrilled. One man who owned a Cello Audio Palette for 10 years says, "My Audio Palette is back! It's a whole new system." In view of the reputation of the Cello Audio Palette, the risk of buying MC is quite low since it provides the same performance or better, with more features. You are right, customer feedback is a very good indicator.

Hi Geoff, Your thoughtful comments and suggestions are very much appreciated. Since CES, Daniel Hertz has been overwhelmed with interest from customers, dealers, distributors and press, as well as our scheduled projects. We are a small company and our resources are fully deployed to handle all this. It is a good idea to make a free trial download version of Master Class, only that there are some issues that must be dealt when we have time. Master Class has been purchased by a number of astute listeners who are all very happy with it. Their comments will be available soon and will appear as posts here, also on the DH web site. The iconic status and performance of the Cello Audio Palette is already well established, and MC is the digital version of it. One MC user who formerly owned a Cello Audio Palette for 10 years said, "My Audio Palette is back!" I am working on a new name for A+ as you and others suggest. Due to new developments in technology, we are re-engineering the M9 amplifier (the companion to the M8 speaker) before its introduction in October. I don't want to produce products unless they need no changes for a long time. The M8 and M9 will be sold a system by Apple starting this fall, so our attention is focused on getting everything in place on time. While waiting for a free trial download of MC, many people may well go out and spend far more just to eke out a small pleasing change in frequency response that will be obsolete the next time they make the next change. As Dick Burwen, originator of the EQ concept of the Cello Audio Palette, said in 1984, "Everyone needs a good set of tone controls." We also need a way to have a more analog listening experience from digital audio. These are the basics addressed by MC.

Sorry for your frustration. We have been swamped since CES. Music downloads will soon be available - original and Master Class processed. The best is to make them yourself, for your system, but a free download of Master Class is not possible right now. We are working on it, following the guidance of top internet security specialists. People who bought Master Class are raving about it, saying it works as described at Daniel Hertz. Some highly respected record companies will be using Master Class for their mastering, which will enhance the reputation of our technology. Eventually, the word will be out, and the typical initial reservations will fade away.

Hi Mappi75, Yes, Ilok is another highly regarded provider of internet security. Wibu is more adapted for our needs, but both are good companies. The issues are the same. The focus of DH is on the serious user, and I hope people will understand that our priority is to do it right or not at all. This goes for audio performance as well as internet security. But I do agree, if we can find a way to eliminate the dongle, we will. It is a pain.

Hi Souptin, Your comments are appreciated. We are exploring trial versions and will post our findings soon. Master Class is not a typical consumer product and our goal is not to sell large quantities of software. Our first commitment is to make every Daniel Hertz customer totally thrilled with their music system. No excuses. My Cello Audio Palette (1985-2000) is highly regarded because it enables the listener to obtain amazing improvements with a unique set of tone controls (EQ) without introducing any unwanted artifacts. But the Cello Audio Palette was priced out of reach of most users, and is almost impossible to make in today's world. The listening freedom and enjoyment it provides has not gone out of style. Master Class is the digital version of the Audio Palette, with even finer resolution ().1dB) and many useful features, for a very small fraction of the price. The performance and value is possible because we harness the powerful computing capacity and flexibility of the Mac OS intelligently. Anyone who knows about the Cello Audio Palette will know that a digital version for USD 660, with all the extra features, is a true bargain. This will all come out in time. I remember when people scoffed at the price tag of the original Audio Palette. Those same units sell for double that today. But the suggestions for a free trial version of Master Class are excellent and we are looking into it seriously. With regard to your inquiry about dialing in corrections that account for differences in cables, this really has to be done on an individual basis with the equipment you have in place. DH suggests that people can use Master Class to fine tune the tonal balance of the recordings they want to play; and/or to fine tune the tonal balance of their music systems. Those who do so will be very surprised by the importance of even a few tenths of a dB change. With Master Class, you have the ability to do an instant, noiseless AB test by taking the EQ out by clicking Bypass. You will see that such changes are very akin to what you hear by changing hardware. One point, the "Mark Levinson" range of products is made by Harman Int'l. I have had no connection with any "Mark Levinson" branded product since 1980. For info on my work, please see Daniel Hertz .

Hi Paul and Superdad, What does this have to do with Master Class or internet security? Are we on a new subject? I lost the thread. Can you help me?

Hi wgscott, Do you really think this is the case? Just curious if you are joking.

Hi wgscott, Of course, DH wants to make it as easy as possible for people to try Master Class while protecting our IP. We are working on a free trail solution. In any case, the real value of MC will be understood soon by the public. The first user comments are coming in and they are all raves.

Hi Paul.raulerson, As I said, Wibu told me about the dongle-less solution but strongly recommended their dongle option. According to them, it has never been cracked. I am not worried about losing a few sales. The issue is that in principle object to stealing. Anyway, as I said, I am not an internet security expert so I rely on those who are. Thanks for wanting to help me, and if you find any better options, I am most grateful. I believe in making things as easy and user friendly as possible, so no dongles is great if we can do it securely.

Hi Paul.raulerson, We use Wibu. Wibu management advised me to go with the dongle. According to them, it is far more secure. I did not say "top of the music industry" - I said "top people" - referring in this case to the top management of Wibu.

Hi Alex, Your kind words and interest in Master Class are appreciated. You are welcome to write me at [email protected]. Thanks, Mark

Hi Concombre Masqué, The issue is getting the best security solution for a cost we can afford. Your getting "bored" shows that you are most concerned with having your needs met without wanting to look at the needs of the other side. The "distrust/believe" issue is your creation, not anyone else's. I am not asking anyone to believe anything. People find out for themselves in time.

Hi Paul.raulerson, Great to have your input. If you could refer me to an expert that can propose a better solution along the lines you mention, I would appreciate it. I am a music and audio guy, not a computer/internet expert. I work with people at the top of the industry who have excellent track records, client lists, and reputations, who agree that the Wibu dongle gives the best protection at a cost that DH can afford. I am always open to better solutions, and look forward to an suggestions you may have. You can reach me at my direct email address [email protected] .

Hi Superdad, You are right, sample tracks are not the ultimate solution, just a start until we see if we can make a trial version available. We are a small company and have to live within our means, and some of the security big companies use is out of reach for us.You may not know it, but big companies spend fortunes on security far beyond what we can manage. In response to your points: 1. people can find original CD tracks of the files we use to verify we don't make deceptive comparisons. Anyway, we are not so stupid as to do that. The truth always comes out, and we are not going to trash our reputation for any reason. 2. yes, there is repertoire that appeals to a wide variety off people. 3. Correct!!! you are right, this is the real point!