March 8th, 2023
Pure Audio Project Trio 15 Coax10 Modular Open Baffle Loudspeaker hands-on-fun By: Ken RedmondSpeaker manufacturer PureAudioProject occupies a unique marketplace position. Instead of shipping fully assembled loudspeakers, it mostly sends its worldwide customers modular components for home assembly. The individual components are shipped directly to the customer from company warehouses in the US and Germany or directly from the manufacturers of individual parts. This business model offers the customer excellent value and the ability to customize the sound.While... Read More
Comments: 8March 7th, 2023
Two Must See Seminars at Florida International Audio Expo 2023 Finally! cavitation explained clearly and concisely and the 7 targets of proper cartridge alignment By: Michael Fremer
What exactly is "cavitation" as applied to record cleaning? None of the novelty videos on YouTube explain what it is and most of them make recommendations that clearly indicate the advocates have no idea what they are talking about! In fact, many of the "cavitation" machines do not actually cavitate.
What are the 7 alignment targets necessary to hit in order to properly align a cartridge? And what are the benefits of proper alignment in addition to better sonic performance?
Read More Comments: 45March 6th, 2023
Starting a Jamaican Music Collection Part 2b―Rock Steady: The Groups Delving into the best of Jamaican rock steady By: Willie LuncheonetteIn the "Starting a Jamaican Music Collection" series, in part 1 we covered ska and in part 2a rock steady, the singer. We now come to rock steady, the groups. To recapitulate, ska lasted roughly from 1960 to the later part of 1966. Rock steady then took over the island. The fast tempi and thundering horns of many ska songs gave way to rock steady's much slower beat. Playing a much more prominent role in the new genre were the bass and drums and along... Read More
Comments: 7March 5th, 2023
Nathan Davis Live Recordings Re-pressed by Sam Records The 3LP 'Live In Paris' is still available and highly desirable By: Michael Fremer
This recently re-pressed set of Nathan Davis live in Paris recordings should help create a new following for this somewhat overlooked American multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator who turned down a Blue Note contract and an offer to join Art Blakey's group, remaining in Paris during the turbulent 1960s.
Read More Comments: 8March 5th, 2023
Marquee Moon....Tom Verlaine and Television's "Not Punk Rock" Masterpiece A Personal History Of Punk Rock By: Joseph W. WashekTom Verlaine died on January 28, 2023. He was the guitarist, singer, songwriter for, and co-founder of the band Television. Their first album "Marque Moon", released in February 1977, is a masterpiece and, like all masterpieces, an expression of a unique talent and sensibility that fits in no category or genre. But the media and the streaming services insist that "Marquee Moon" is a "punk" album and Television was a "punk" band.... Read More
Comments: 11March 3rd, 2023
Tune in Saturday, March 4th 3PM (EST) For "Reviewing Reviews" with Michael Fremer and Ken Kessler, hosted by "Michael45rpm" By: Tracking AngleMichael Ludwigs who hosts the popular "michael45" YouTube channel will have as his guests tomorrow, Saturday March 4th, in a live YouTube stream TrackingAngle.com editor Michael Fremer and esteemed veteran audio and music reviewer Ken Kessler. The discussion will revolve around music and audio reviewing, but mostly music. What is a music reviewer's job? What are his or her responsibilities to the reader/viewer? To the record label? To the artist? What... Read More
Comments: 3March 3rd, 2023
Christian McBride's 2009 Collaborative Project Got a 2021 Limited Edition Double Vinyl Release great sound and music By: Michael FremerI got invited to a record launch party for Christian McBride's new album "Christian McBride's New Jawn Prime" held at Oswald Mills Audio's Brooklyn loft. "Conversations...." had been sitting unplayed for far too long so I figured I'd give it a spin to prep for the launch.McBride listening to his new album played back on the OMA K3 turntableI'm not sure if he'd ever heard any of his recordings reproduced on a system... Read More
Comments: 1Koeppel Design has some cool products including a stylish record bag, record dividers, a "now spinning" stand and some other products for style conscious vinyl fans/record hoarders. This newest accessory may for some be a stretch.Koeppel offers a pad of catalog cards —a notepad of 50 sturdy cards plus pen—that you use to catalog each record in your collection (or the ones most meaningful to you). One side of the card features this information:The other side... Read More
Comments: 12March 2nd, 2023
Audio Intelligent Enzymatic Record Cleaning Concentrate For "Ultrasonic" Cleaning Machines brings down the fluid cost but may void your Audio Deske warranty By: Michael FremerOwners of the Audio Deske record cleaning machine know it's convenient and does a good job cleaning records. They also know that the Audio Deske cleaning fluid is costly: $33 for a single small bottle of detergent good for cleaning approximately 150 records, depending upon how clean or dirty they are going into the machine. Because of the cost, it's tempting to use the tank up to the 150 record limit even if you think it's better to change it more... Read More
Comments: 31March 1st, 2023
Gil Scott-Heron’s ‘Pieces Of A Man’ Reissued On AAA Vinyl BGP’s 45 rpm edition of this essential album is a stunning revelation By: Malachi LuiGil Scott-Heron’s Pieces Of A Man shouldn’t be relevant anymore. That is, it shouldn’t have to be relevant anymore, but it unfortunately still is. Since its 1971 release, its themes of racism, poverty, addiction, and the slight hope for a better future have retained a visceral urgency; partly because of Scott-Heron’s brilliant lyrics and powerful performances, and also because over 50 years later, the issues he wrote about continually worsen.Released on producer Bob... Read More
Comments: 7March 1st, 2023
Craft Announces Re-Launch of Original Jazz Classics (OJC Series)! first two cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio using the original master tapes By: Tracking AngleCraft Recordings relaunches Original Jazz Classics – the acclaimed reissue series that faithfully presented more than 850 memorable jazz albums over three decades. The soon to be relaunched reissue series will be focused on audiophile-quality vinyl and HD audio releases. Upcoming reissues include titles from Bill Evans, John Coltrane, Dave Brubeck, Mal Waldron and Yusef Lateef, with further details to be announced soon via Craft Recordings. First launched in 1982... Read More
Comments: 9March 1st, 2023
ECM Announces "Luminessence"—a New Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series "cut from the original masters made in europe analog productions wherever possible" By: Tracking Angle
The series Includes jewels of the label’s deep catalogue that have long been out of print or have never been available on vinyl, packaged in elegant, high-quality editions cut from the original masters made in Europe analogue production wherever possible
Read More Comments: 7March 1st, 2023
Florida International Audio Expo 2023 Video Coverage Part 1 From the top 14th floor down to the 7th floor By: Michael FremerLast week's Florida International Audio Expo in Tampa truly was an "international" event. Before the show, the "international" characterization seemed somewhat over the top. After all, this is a recent, relatively small regional show organized by non-professionals. But show organizers knew something most attendees didn't: it truly was an international show! Japanese speaker manufacturer TAD took a big room and even company president... Read More
Comments: 0March 1st, 2023
Hana Introduces the new Umami Blue Moving Coil Cartridge from Excel Sound's master cartridge designer Mateo Okada-san By: Tracking AngleMusical 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
Comments: 3February 28th, 2023
Parasound Adds Darren Myers to its Audio Design Team new title is Vice President of Research and Development By: 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
Comments: 1