September 20th, 2023
Technics Debuts New SL-1200GR2 Turntable sound in an untreated hotel room was smooth and pleasingBy: Michael Fremer
At a hotel adjacent to company headquarters, Bill Voss, Technics' American Business Development Manager, introduced the new $2199 "next gen" SL1200GR turntable featuring a revolutionary new Delta Sigma drive control technique said to produce smooth, accurate rotational stability and a new power supply similar to the one used in the top of the line SL-1000R, said to produce an exceptionally low noise floor. Based on the informal listening session... Read More
September 8th, 2023
Technics Introduces SL-1200GR2/SL-1210GR2 "Next Gen" Direct Drive Turntable includes "revolutionary new drive control"By: Tracking Angle
Technics just unveiled its "next gen" direct drive turntable, the SL-1200GR2 (silver) and the SL01210GR2 (black). According to the press release, the new turntable "...features a revolutionary new drive control technique for smooth, accurate rotational stability and a new power supply for an exceptionally low noise floor. "The newly upgraded turntable is equipped with standout audio and design features, including: · A new Delta-Sigma-Drive and a... Read More
September 6th, 2023
Pro-Ject Audio Systems Launches Extensive EVO Tonearm Line Displayed at Munich High End 2023 9,10 and 12 inch arms, straight and "S" shaped and fabricated from a variety of materialsBy: Tracking Angle
This press release lists prices in Euros only so not sure if this launch is simultaneously in Europe and the USA but it's newsworthy nonetheless. At Munich High End 2023 Pro-Ject Audio Systems launched an extensive "EVO" line of new tonearms in both standard and premium versions that occupied a rather large sized wall. This photo shows only some of the arms on that wall.Pro-Ject EVO arms at Munich High End 2023The lineup includes 9",10" and... Read More
August 29th, 2023
Agnew Analog Introduces A New Lacquer Cutting Lathe! the first new lathe in how many decades?By: Michael Fremer
(Photo credit: Sarah Beastman Hamilton [Lebeast Photography of Vancouver, BC, Canada])Greece-based Agnew Analog, recently introduced the Agnew Analog Reference Instrument Type 612, a brand new disk mastering lathe, now available to order. It's the first new "from the ground up" lacquer cutting lathe to be introduced in since 1966 which is when Neumann introduced its VMS 66 (L.J. Scully began making them in the 1930s for 78rpm record manufacturing). The... Read More
August 12th, 2023
Curated Used Record Seller AudiophileUSA Adds GrooveWasher Record Cleaning Accessories to the Mix you mean you have to clean records too?By: Michael Fremer
Online used record seller AudioPhileUSA offers a few accessories on its website including Mobile Fidelity Original Master Sleeve, but until now, the company, which was founded in the U.K. decades ago by online record selling pioneer John Turton, who brought it to America before selling it to the current owner Mark Hoover, didn't offer record cleaning accessories. That's now changed with the introduction of the GrooveWasher record cleaner line.While the basic... Read More
July 26th, 2023
Focal Naim North America Adds AVIDHIFI Turntables for North America Distribution AVID abandons its original "go it alone in America" distribution strategyBy: Tracking Angle
Montreal – July 26, 2023 – Focal Naim North America is excited to announce the addition of the highly reputable brand AVIDHIFI to its North America distribution network. With the incorporation of AVIDHIFI, Focal Naim North America adds a lineup of high-end turntables made in England to its current audio partners. “Focal Naim North America is proud to distribute AVIDHIFI with its exceptional build quality and outstanding sonic performance,” said Roman Vet, VP Marketing... Read More
July 25th, 2023
What Exactly Goes on at a "Making Vinyl" Event? here's some of what occurred at Making Vinyl Minneapolis the past JuneBy: Tracking Angle
During the past decade, consumer demand for vinyl outpaced pressing capacity, resulting in delays of as much as 10 months. But that changed in the past year when existing players on both sides of the Atlantic dramatically expanded volume capabilities by adding machinery, and new plants became operational. Moderator Eric Astor, whose Furnace Record Pressing recently sold a majority ownership stake to Metallica, discusses the topic with pressing newcomer Connie Comeau, COO of The ADS Group/Copycats Media, and two indie label execs jazz specialist Zev Feldman, and Andrew Rossiter, of reissue label Org Music.
Read MoreJuly 16th, 2023
From the Office of Audio Research CEO Valerio Cora this is the second press release since the new ownershipBy: Tracking Angle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 13, 2023Audio ResearchFrom the Office of Our CEO: A Message from Valerio CoraMaple Grove, MN: Audio Research gains ground as new ownership makes strides towardaddressing customer questions about what, if anything, will be changing at ARC.First, existing and future customers should be aware that all Audio Research warranties – past,present, and future – remain intact and will be honored.Second, Audio Research has a stable and abundant supply... Read More
July 13th, 2023
Hagerman Audio Labs Delivers an Aesthetic Upgrade to Popular Phono Products looks matterBy: Tracking Angle
Hagerman Audio Labs recently announced aesthetic upgrades to a number of its most popular and popularly priced products including the $589 Cornet MM vacuum tube phono preamplifier pictured above, now upgraded into a metal chassis with optional available wood side panels.Hagerman Cornet "sporting wood"The circuit topology features common cathode class-A gain stages with no feedback, passive equalization, and cathode follower output buffers with constant... Read More
July 11th, 2023
SME M2 Series Tonearms Now Available in the United States and Canada M2 series returns as separately available tonearmsBy: Tracking Angle
Buffalo, NY, July 11, 2023 -- Bluebird Music, North American distributor for SME is pleased to announce SME M2 Series tonearms are now available for sale. Previously SME tonearms were only available with SME turntables.M2 Series tonearms are precision instruments that feature well-tried SME principles and the design and engineering excellence for which SME is renowned worldwide. By providing a superior platform for your favorite phono cartridges M2 tonearms contribute... Read More
June 27th, 2023
Third Man Records and Blue Note Records Team Up For 313 Series Partnership Detroit native, Blue Note President Don Was picks five Detroit-themed Blue NotesBy: Tracking Angle
Blue Note and Jack White's Third Man Records have partnered on a series of Detroit-themed releases from the Blue Note catalog chosen by Detroit native Don Was. In a highly unusual move for the label, the original master tapes were supplied to Third Man for cutting at Third Man where the records are also being pressed.Thad Jones Detroit-New York Junction and Donald Byrd Electric Byrd will be available on July 21, followed by Elvin Jones Genesis and Kenny Cox and... Read More