Tracking Angle Looking To Add A Few Good Equipment Reviewers to Our Team

published experience helps, but not a requirement!

Tracking Angle wants to add a few equipment reviewers to our already impressive writer roster. Published experience is not required, though it would be helpful. When I began writing for The Absolute Sound in 1986 it was as a music reviewer/editor but I wanted to review equipment. The late, legendary Harry Pearson was willing to give me a chance so he sent a pair of inexpensive Siefert Research bookshelf loudspeakers for review and over the next few months the manuscript got mailed out (how quaint!) only to be returned shortly thereafter with red pencil notes strewn throughout.

Pearson devoted time and energy to me and I eventually got the hang of it. I will always be grateful to him for the time and effort he devoted to helping me write that first review. Unfortunately, the company went out of business by the time the review was ready. But I was ready.

If you have any interest in becoming an equipment reviewer, or if you already are one and wish to "jump ship", be "poached", "step up", etc. please contact me at michael@trackingangle.com. If you're going to AXPONA next weekend (April 11-14) please stop me in the halls or wherever you see me and lets talk!

Comments

2025-04-06 11:27:36 PM

Dave10.9mNofLCA wrote:

Wow...! What a generous offer. If I were 30 years younger, even 20 (currently 70+) I'd take you up on that.

Hope you find some hidden talents Mr. Fremer.
- 2025-04-08 04:30:38 AM
  
  Malachi Lui wrote:
  
  hey man. michael is 78 now! anyone who's got trained/discerning ears is qualified!
  - 2025-04-09 03:52:15 AM
    
    Anton wrote:
    
    At 78, your stylus wears out sooner.
    
    ;-D
    - 2025-04-09 10:41:02 AM
      
      tim davis wrote:
      
      Hells yes, Anton. You absolutely excel at succinctness with accuracy. Believe it or not, your words which I've seen on this forum are the best. IMO, you should get this gig. As always of course, I could be wrong, seeing as how my all-time music journalism hero is Lester Bangs.
2025-04-07 02:19:56 AM

Dave wrote:

Very cool. All I'd need would be talent, time, and temerity!
2025-04-07 08:57:51 AM

Fred Morris wrote:

Ha, I bought a pair of Siefert speakers (Maxim VI?) based on a review in Stereophile right about that time. With an AR turntable and Harman Kardon integrated amp, they were my first baby steps into the high end.
2025-04-07 01:26:32 PM

tim davis wrote:

Well now, this is kind of interesting to me. I'm recently retired & have a lot of free time along with a life long passion for music & thereby music playback gear. My main focus for audio excellence is dynamic impact & transient fidelty. My system & room do not enable much in the way of soundstage depth so I freely admit I'd me no help at all reviewing components that excel in that area. I could shine a light on equipment that bring to the table what I've been digging for so long however. My current reference system consists of (in reverse order) A DIY 2 way that features an enclosure with a 5 layer 4 & 3/4" thick front baffles & 1& 1/2" inch thick rear & side walls along with internal bracing & GR Research No-Rez internal damping. I wish all to hell I could show the build photos here & now but, alas, tis not to be. It's a 2way design with (sadly now discontinued thanks to Engulf & Devour, no wait, I meant B&C's) takeover of Eminence's Textreme compression driver mounted in La Voce's HD1403 1.4" Cast Aluminum Constant Directivity 80 x 60 Horns along with the Aurum Cantus AC300/75C2C 12" Woofers powered by an ancient NAD 2200 from a Kenwood Basics C2 pre with some upgrades from DRM Audio receiving a phono signal from Hagerman AudioLab's Cornet 4 with currently 2 JJ 12AX7s & one 1950s NOS RCA 12AU7 (which is still breaking in) processing various MM carts starting with AT Vms & ending up with Nagaoka Mp 200 & Dynavector 10X5 retipped by Soundsmith with the Ruby cantilever option. For digital it's very basic. My own PC Windows 10 build with a prosumer Focusrite Scarlett 2in/2out adc/dac handling any sample rate to 24 bit 192khz. Other than that, the most helpful thing I could disclose as to whether or not I'd be a good fit for TA is this. The best sounding LP I've ever experienced according to my own set of values is RCA Victor – LSP-2118 1960s release by Sons of the Pioneers - Cool Water. The 1970s reissue ain't bad either! I often do joke about never understanding just how them singing cowboys found the way to take a full orchestra (& then some!) along with them on a cattle drive.
- 2025-04-07 01:39:56 PM
  
  tim davis wrote:
  
  I don't really expecty to be hired but! I would really appreciate a chance to visit Mikey's workplace someday if'n I ever do manage to take a vacation excursion to NYC, & get to experience the playback on his rig of them Sons of the Pioneers along with the debut lp from Galactic Cowboys (no relation). If I can Dream........
- 2025-04-07 04:43:30 PM
  
  bwb wrote:
  
  Not sure the best I've ever heard, but "Cool Water" is an excellent sounding LP. an 11 for sure. LPM-2118 the mono version is also worth checking out. Original pressings are readily available.
  - 2025-04-07 04:50:10 PM
    
    tim davis wrote:
    
    The instrumental bloom on it just blows my my mind & ears over & over. By all means, would you please tell me what other lps you've heard in that realm so I can go & check them out as well? Much appreciated in advance. AKA Thank you!
    - 2025-04-07 04:58:24 PM
      
      tim davis wrote:
      
      Also, also,..... BWB if'n hypothetically you could bring a couple LPs to Mikey's overwhelmingly awesome workspace to listen to what would they be?
      - 2025-04-07 05:03:12 PM
        
        tim davis wrote:
        
        Also,also,also, Meester Fremer, I do believe you have an opportunity in front of you to engage a pair of your biggest fans somewhere someway down the road although, as always, I do realize I could be wrong.
- 2025-04-07 11:22:38 PM
  
  Ivan Bacon wrote:
  
  Tim i have enjoyed your contributions here but i would postulate that one prerequisite for being a writer is the use of
  
  PARAGRAPHS.
  
  It is very difficult to read a LARGE block of print with no breaks in content.
  
  Getalonglittledoggy ;)
  - 2025-04-08 11:27:06 AM
    
    tim davis wrote:
    
    Hey, Ivan. You're not wrong. My problem with writing with proper formatting is I feel most compelled to share my thoughts with others whenever I'm near to blackout drunkeness. When stone cold sober I'm so anti-social that it depresses me. In addition to the lack of paragraphs, I think I have some kind of record for run-on sentences with dangling participles & gawd knows what else galore. In addition to all that, there's my love of pidgin English such as what the late great Walt Kelly often ran amuck with.
2025-04-07 11:26:21 PM

bill schweitzer wrote:

Eye wood luv two right four ewe
- 2025-04-08 11:34:30 AM
  
  tim davis wrote:
  
  bill, this is so awesome to me! 6 homonyms & one Prince-o-nym. Well done sir! I salute you.
2025-04-08 01:30:52 PM

NLak wrote:

What a brilliant offer for those with the chops for this sort of thing. I always admire reviewers' ability to listen, analyze, and distill their thoughts on a component that makes me feel like I am there. I do not doubt that whoever steps up will do an admirable job. I can't wait for the first review.
2025-04-10 10:22:47 PM

AV wrote:

Hello Michael, just a thought - would it be worthwhile reaching out to Martin Colloms in UK to see if he would be interested ( I am sure you know Martin?). Martin is hugely respected and would be a great addition to your wonderful team if he was interested. Great to see TA doing so so well and expanding. Best of luck