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
December 6th, 2022
High End 2023 is Fully Booked As of December 6th Munich show dates are May 18-21By: Michael Fremer
Press release: Following the registration deadline for the HIGH END 2023 on 30th November 2022, the company HIGH END SOCIETY Service GmbH is pleased to announce that the international audio show is yet again fully booked. According to the event organiser, the demand for the popular atrium rooms in particular far exceeded the capacities available. The continued interest in the event among exhibitors is extremely positive and demonstrates how trade shows will continue... Read More
November 26th, 2022
Nagra Launches Its First Phono Cartridge Manufactured "In House" As Shown in Video TourBy: Michael Fremer
Nagra recently announced the launch of the Nagra Reference MC, its first phono cartridge. Delivery of the first production units is scheduled for December and will be available in both 4 ohm and 6 ohm internal impedance variants outputting respectively, 0.30mV@5cm/S and .45mV@5cm/S.The built in-house cartridge features a ruby cantilever mated to a titanium structure with DLC (diamond like carbon) coating. The Swiss-made stylus is a Gyger S. The double layer coil is... Read More
November 18th, 2022
Andover Audio Debuts $249 SpinStage MM/MC Phono Preamp first in new "Soundbite" seriesBy: Michael Fremer
Andover Audio's new $249 (MSRP) Spinstage MM/MC phono preamp housed in a clear finish bead blasted anodized aluminum chassis features a series of design innovations rarely found in budget MM/MC phono preamps including a separate MC stage using ultra-low-noise discrete transistors in a type of transconductance topology.Another cool feature is an "aux input" that returns to users the usurped input. In other words, you can add the Spinstage and not lose a... Read More
October 25th, 2022
Ortofon Introduces Concorde Elite Mk II—a DJ Cartridge That Thinks it's For Audiophile Playback promises a "new level of sound quality, not previously found in DJ categorized cartridges"By: Michael Fremer
Ortofon's popular "plug and play" Concorde DJ cartridges get a sonic, visual and technical upgrade. The new nude elliptical stylus is meant for listening not "scratching".
Read MoreOctober 18th, 2022
Listening Event Invite and Other Industry News west coast Wilson Alexia V debut and distribution newsBy: Michael Fremer
Tracking Angle welcomes and will promote worldwide audio industry news, including store events, product launches, etc. If you have an announcement of this type you wish to publicize, send it our way. The Audio Salon, Santa Monica, CA hosts Wilson Audio's Peter McGrath who will introduce the new Alexia V loudspeaker Thursday October 20th 4PM-8PM. Space is limited and RSVP required. There are also a few limited time slots available for Friday October, 21st by... Read More
October 5th, 2022
Unboxing the new ABKCO Rolling Stones 7" singles 1963-1966 Box Set+ U-Turn Theory View Nice box! And you'll see close up the just reviewed U-Turn Orbit Theory TurntableBy: Michael Fremer
We now can add embedded videos to stories so here's the latest YouTube video unboxing the Rolling Stones 7" 1963-1966 45rpm singles and EP box set plus a closer look at the new U-Turn Orbit Theory turntable reviewed elsewhere on this site. Read More
October 5th, 2022
Hagerman Audio Labs Updates Bugle MC Phono Preamp 4th gen MM/MC eliminated DIP switches, adds upgradesBy: Michael Fremer
The 4th generation Bugle MC Phono preamp from Hagerman Audio Labs eliminated DIP switches and moves gain and loading switches to the front panel. As the specs below indicate, the Bugle has plenty of gain for all but the very lowest MC cartridge. The previous iterations were encased in plastic. This new one is in an aluminum chassis, which probably makes for a better shielded enclosure. The price is a very reasonable $249.00Specifications40/52/58/64dB gain... Read More
October 5th, 2022
Pro-Ject Introduces Power Box RS2 Power Supply Upgrade For Select Turntables and Phono Preamps fits 18-20V Pro-Ject phono stages and 15V D.C. turntablesBy: Michael Fremer
Replaces "wall warts" with linear power supply that includes a large toroidal transformer. Blurb says: "A linear power supply consists of a massive toroidal transformer which disallows interference from the mains to negatively impact the performance of your audio gear. The built-in transformer has a much higher power reserve compared to the standard power adapter. It has very low output impedance and in combination with a large filtration capacity, it... Read More