Notebook

Canada's September 8 counter-tariffs hit smartphones, routers and bread makers — and skipped hi-fi entirely. But American-made audio is getting dearer anyway, and European, British and Japanese gear enters at zero. A distributor on what the customs schedule actually says, the dealer email that got it wrong, and why this is the year to buy from somewhere that isn't charging you for a war.

Notes from High End Vienna 2026, where Rick Rubin walked a hall devoted to addition: an honest look at an industry climbing the price ladder, the vanishing middle market, and four small brands still colouring outside the lines.