2nd Edition
Four Phono Preamp File Identities Revealed!
While in excess of 6000 people read the story and many thousands downloaded the files, for some reason fewer than 100 analogplanet.com readers chose to vote for which phono preamp sounded best reproducing a short segment of Mehmet Ali Sanlikol's big band album what's next.
Four Phono Preamps Reviewed
This $99.99 unit originally intended for the custom install home theater market and "budget conscious audiophile" is a small, lightweight, "no-frills" unit 2.5"x1.5"x4.5" powered by a 12v DC "wall wart".
Tour the SME Factory
Following Munich's High End 2014 show I flew to the U.K. where I met up with Chad Kassem and Chad Stelly of Acoustic Sounds, the new American SME distributor. On Monday, May 19th we took a train to Shoreham by Sea to visit turntable and tonearm manufacturer SME.
SME's New Model 10-Worldwide Exclusive First Look!
During a visit to SME's factory May 19th company operations manager Liam Daly introduced the upcoming completely redesigned Model 10 turntable due for release some time in 2015.
Tri-Planar Introduces SE Version of its Standard 10" Tonearm
Tri-Planar's new SE version of its 10" tonearm (Mk. VII edition) features a shorter version of its damped carbon fiber arm tube found on the U12 model.
The new Brinkmann Spyder’s hub construction allows you to have from one to four tonearms. Removing the 22 pound glass-surfaced aluminum platter reveals a large bearing attached to a hub arrayed with large threaded holes that can secure up to four winged armboard platforms.
AMG Introduces Battery Powered Phono Preamplifier
AMG introduced $5000 battery powered phono preamplifier at HE 2014 with circuit designed by Michael Yee featuring both RCA and XLR inputs.
AMG Adds To Line Lower Priced Giro Turntable
Turntable and tonearm manufacturer AMG debuted the $9,900 Giro turntable, which comes complete with 9" AMG 9W2 tonearm.
Famous Swiss Tape Recorder Brand To Re-introduce Reel-to-Reel Analog Recorder!
Not allowed to divulge the brand name but a famous Swiss company renowned for its pro audio and semi-pro reel to reel tape decks will begin again next year manufacturing a reel-to-reel tape deck! As unlikely as has been the vinyl resurgence, this news is even more unlikely, yet it is happening.
1st Edition
Reporting Live From Munich's High End Show Starting Thursday
Coverage of Munich's High End Show, arguably the world's largest and best audio show begins Thursday, May 15th with tweets during the day (@analogplanet) and posts at night including GoPro videos posted to YouTube. Stay tuned!
Best Yet "Letter to the Editor"
I have sent you numerous emails on recommended advice of high end turntables, given that you review products of this type.
Zorin Audio TP-S3 Turntable and PUS-12 Tone Arm By the Numbers
Zorin Audio is a Taiwan ROC-based company producing a series of tone arms and turntables that last year at an audio show impressed visually. The machining appeared superb and the designs sensible, but with sufficient innovation to draw my interest.
So You Want to Be A Vinyl Mastering Engineer? Let Chris Bellman Teach You
On June 28th and 29th, Mastering engineer Chris Bellman (CB in your "dead wax") and recording engineer/mixer Francis Buckley will present the two day course "Analog Mastering in a Digital World" at Bernie Grundman Mastering. It's part of a Studio Prodigy Master Class Series
Sam Records Reissues Deluxe AAA Edition of Early French Chet Baker LP
Sam Records is a one man, Paris, France-based operation began in 2011. The one man is Fred Thomas, who has self-professed interests in both jazz and photography. He also obviously is a man who cuts no corners and who believes in authenticity.
Nashville's United Record Pressing Expanding With Sixteen New Presses
On Wednesday, May 7th, Nashville's United Record Pressing announced a major plant expansion with the planned addition of 16 additional presses. To meet demand the company currently operated 24/6 snd has been doing so for the past two years.
Which MM Phono Preamp Sounds Best?
Please download these four files, compare the sound and vote on your favorite. Then put on an audio reviewer hat and please post a comment about each file containing as much detail as you wish to contribute.
Blue Note $19.95 Second Batch Well-Pressed By URP
The second batch of $19.95 digitally sourced Blue Notes has arrived and it's going to take time to go through all of them but there were a few surprises, the most pleasant of which is that aside from side two of the iconic Something Else (BN1595) looking like "cake icing", visually these records appear to be extremely well-pressed.
The Gruvy Awards
gruvyawards_300.jpgThe Gruvy Awards are chosen by AnalogPlanet's editor, Michael Fremer, and go to products that are found to possess a combination of high build quality, exceptional sonics and in the case of less expensive gear, provide great value for the money.
VPI Tonearm Comparison: File Identities Revealed!
This one was really interesting! 17% of voters said the files were identical. 44% voted for "File A". 39% voted for "File B".
Source AnalogPlanet
