April 26th, 2023
Book a Ticket to The Definitive Seattle's Analog Open House April 29th! featuring TechDAS, SAT, Rega, Clearaudio, Linn and MoFiBy: Tracking Angle
To reserve your spot click on: this link Read More
April 23rd, 2023
Watch the MusicWatch Sponsored Webinar "Fundamentals of Vinyl Record Care" three record cleaning product manufacturers weigh in on their cleaning techBy: Michael Fremer
On Wednesday April 19th I moderated a MusicWatch sponsored webinar titled "Fundamentals of Vinyl Record Care". The panelists were Spinclean's Mark Mawhinney, Finesound's Jeff Coates and Kirmuss Audio's Charles Kirmuss Each represented one of the three basic record cleaning methodologies: manual wet-vat, "velvet lip" vacuum and cavitation. Finesounds imports and distributes Pro-Ject record cleaning machines. The two others are... Read More
April 22nd, 2023
A Supersense Nina Simone Picture Disc/Lacquer lacquer side A is screenprint art, side B "I Put a Spell on You" at 45rpmBy: Tracking Angle
Supersense, Vienna-based purveyors of custom cut lacquer versions of iconic LPs recently announced a new reissue program featuring a "picture disc" on lacquer side one and a cut-from-tape track on side two, in this case Nina Simone's version of "I Put a Spell on You".According to the website:"This edition is super strictly limited to only 99 pieces and comes in a handmade, all analog printed Slim Case, especially developed for our picture... Read More
April 22nd, 2023
New X-quisite VORO Cartridge From HiFiction new addition to the X-quisite cartridge lineupBy: Michael Fremer
HiFiction, manufacturer of the X-quisite cartridge line introduced today the new VORO cartridge. As with previous models, the VORO features a one piece patented ceramic/Armco cantilever/coil former. The new VORO features a high-efficiency double-layer iron core. The generator is covered by a skeletonized ceramic sculpture, giving it an "organic" look, according to HiFiction.Other VORO particulars include "4 nines" copper coil wire, a FGS (Fritz... Read More
April 19th, 2023
At AXPONA 2023 Technics Introduces Something New and Something Refined one's a new network streamer, one's a new finish for an "old" favoriteBy: Tracking Angle
Due to consumer demand, Technics' feature-packed SL-1500C turntable will in May be available in a contemporary matte white finish. Nothing else about this popular direct drive turntable changes but with turntables now entering the serious mainstream, white fits better than silver or black into many home environments, so why not? The $1299 1500C-W includes a built in defeatable phono preamplifier and comes with an Ortofon 2M Red pre-installed as well as auto lift... Read More
March 15th, 2023
Andover's SpinDeck 2 Adds Features, Priced Low at $299 key features simplify use, add convenienceBy: Tracking Angle
Andover Audio just announced the new Spin Deck 2 turntable, budget priced at $299 complete with Audio Technica AT3600 cartridge and acrylic dustcover. The "starter" turntable now features electronic speed control and automatic end of side shut-off and arm return. The Audio-Technica 3600 comes pre-mounted for easy set-up, but can easily be upgraded.The new Spin Deck 2 also includes a by-passable built-in MM phono preamp. In addition, for greater speed... Read More
March 14th, 2023
Metallica Acquires Furnace Pressing—Yes, "That" Metallica Alexandria, VA-based pressing plant has produced for the band 5 million+ records since 2014By: Tracking Angle
One way to assure you don't have to wait for your records to be pressed is to buy a pressing plant. That's what the band Metallica just did, buying a majority interest in Alexandria, VA based Furnace Pressing from founder Eric Astor and his business partners.Furnace's Exterior—Photo Taken During November, 2021 VisitFrom the press release:Founded by Eric Astor in 1996, Furnace is known for making extremely high-quality records at its 70,000 square foot,... Read More
March 1st, 2023
Hana Introduces the new Umami Blue Moving Coil Cartridge from Excel Sound's master cartridge designer Mateo Okada-sanBy: Tracking Angle
Musical Surroundings today announced the new $2500 Hana-Umami Blue cartridge. From the press release: "The new cartridge follows in the Hana “Brilliant and Gorgeous” tradition of providing the listener with sublime enjoyment. Embodying the true sense of synergy, the HANA-Umami Blue combines the essential ingredients of the HANA-Umami Red with the ALNICO based generator of the HANA ML."The new cartridge incorporates the Auricle™ body design, unique and... Read More
February 28th, 2023
Parasound Adds Darren Myers to its Audio Design Team new title is Vice President of Research and DevelopmentBy: Michael Fremer
"SAN FRANCISCO (February 28, 2023) – Early in his tenure as Parasound's new owner, David Sheriff made a commitment to the company's legendary designer, John Curl, to bring more of his new ideas to the fore. To accelerate this process, Sheriff has hired Darren Myers as Vice President of Research and Development. Myers was most recently Senior Analog Design Engineer for PS Audio, and earlier a designer for Classe Audio and B&W Loudspeakers. He is a... Read More
February 3rd, 2023
Marley Family/Tuff Gong Pressed in Jamaica Limited Edition LP Series Announced in celebration of Bob Marley's 78th birthdayBy: Tracking Angle
(Los Angeles – February 3, 2023)— The Marley Family Tuff Gong, and UMe commemorate Bob Marley’s 78th birthday....with a series of events, including a dozen limited-edition Bob Marley vinyl LPs each numbered and press exclusively at the legendary Tuff Gong International headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica featuring nine original studio an two original live albums plus Legend the world's best-selling reggae album.Interesting fact #1: The limited-edition albums were... Read More
January 30th, 2023
2023 Verve/Impulse! Acoustic Sounds Series Announced Today 12 essential jazz albumsBy: Michael Fremer
This year's 12 Verve/Impulse! titles were announced today, all cut by Ryan Smith using the original master tapes. First to be released will be The Oscar Peterson Trio's Night Train.
Read MoreJanuary 13th, 2023
ECM Moving Cautiously Back Into Vinyl Today Announces Six New Titles the label has been issuing a few older titles over timeBy: Tracking Angle
ECM today announced six new titles available now or coming soon on vinyl. The titles are: Avishai Cohen: Naked Truth (pictured above), Mark Turner: Return from the Stars (available March 25th)—Tord Gustavsen Trio: Opening—John Scofield: John Scofield—Oded Tzur: Isabela—Enrico Rava & Fred Hersch: The Song is You—Within the press release: There is a searching, yearning quality to Naked Truth, and a raw beauty and vulnerability in Avishai Cohen’s trumpet sound on his... Read More
January 12th, 2023
Blue Note Announces New 2023 "Tone Poet" Series Line-Up acclaimed all-analog mastered from original tape 180g series produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin GrayBy: Tracking Angle
Blue Note Records just announced the upcoming 2023 line-up for the Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series, produced by "Tone Poet" Joe Harley and mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio. RTI manufactures the records, which are packaged in deluxe gatefold tip-on jackets. Once again, Harley handpicked the titles, which include include acknowledged treasures from the Blue Note catalog as well as underrated classics, modern era standouts, and albums from... Read More
January 11th, 2023
Kevin Gray's New Analog-Tube Driven Recording Chain Stars In New Video see what goes in before you hear what comes outBy: Tracking Angle
Last year mastering engineer Kevin Gray built a living room recording studio adjacent to his Cohearent Mastering suite. He's been working on an all-analog recording chain to go with it and now he's ready in this video to show it off. (Photo: L-R: Audio-Fidelity/DCC Compact Classics founder Marshall Blonstein, Fremer, Kevin Gray at Cohearent mastering session for TRON soundtrack album.) Read More
January 5th, 2023
SME Updates Turntable Lineup to MK2 Editions new generation A.C. synchronous motor drive systemBy: Tracking Angle
Buffalo, NY, January 5, 2023—Bluebird Music, SME's North American distributor announced today the immediate availability of the all-new SME MK2 series turntables. The SME product range now includes: Model 12 MK2, Model 15 MK2, Model 20 MK2, Model 30 MK2 and Synergy MK2. The main photo is of the Model 15 MK2.According to Bluebird, the primary feature of the MK2 editions is a "highly sophisticated new generation drive system consisting of an A.C. synchronous... Read More
December 12th, 2022
Universal Music Group Launches "Music 4 Good" Charity Auction Benefitting World Central Kitchen, Planned Parenthood & others bid and win items like "Getz/Gilberto" lacquer, Blue Note at Sea Cruise & dinner with Don WasBy: Michael Fremer
Santa Monica, December 12, 2022 – To celebrate the holiday season and support charities making a difference in communities around the world, Universal Music Group today launched the Music 4 Good charity auction in partnership with Charitybuzz, offering exclusive items and experiences provided by some of the world’s most beloved artists and renowned record labels. Proceeds from the auction will benefit organizations including World Central Kitchen, Planned Parenthood,... Read More