AMS

Not so long ago, even rank amateurs pretended to be sound engineers when listening to jazz or Journey. Just like a real audiophile, you furrowed your brow over graphic equalizers and studied up on reference speakers and multi-CD changers. If your life was going to include a party or seduction, you needed a stereo — and your choice of equipment made a statement.

Then the iPod and iTunes changed that; for all but the fanatics, they took the art out of playing music in the car or at home. And then came that unromantic iPod dock: no longer did your choice of Harman/Kardon or a scuffed boombox say anything about you except that that you were lugging around some antiquated junk.

What a comedown. The old rarefied knowledge — and finesse with the levers and knobs and high-stacked component systems — suddenly seemed worthless…