Buying a vintage turntable can offer many advantages over shiny new decks fresh off the production line. First and foremost, going vintage can make obtaining a higher-quality turntable more affordable. The potential to grab a bargain will undoubtedly appeal to many record collectors, as, let’s face it, HiFi audio and record collecting isn’t exactly the cheapest of hobbies. When choosing … Read More
The Best-Selling Albums of All Time – USA & Worldwide
Crafting the perfect album is a true art form. There’s a certain level of skill required in taking a collection of individual songs and compiling them into a finished body of work. When everything comes together, an otherwise ordinary handful of tracks become something extra special, capturing the heart and minds of music fans for decades to come. So what … Read More
Rough Trade West – Record Store Spotlight
Opened in 1976 by Geoff Travis, the original Rough Trade store based in West London would eventually spawn a series of record stores and a record label responsible for some of the most loved acts to immerge from the British independent music scene. Sound Matters visited the iconic Rough Trade West to explore what makes this place historically important and a … Read More
VMP Announce New Audiophile Pressing Plant
As the industry continues to feel the strain of long production times and frustrations with quality control, could this be a sign of more things to come? In a recent major statement, the leading vinyl record subscription service, VMP (Vinyl Me, Please), announced plans to open its own pressing plant in Denver, Colorado. In the statement, VMP CEO, Cameron Schaefer … Read More
Eight Bad Habits That Will Destroy Your Vinyl Records
Getting the best possible sound from any vinyl record collection requires a significant amount of discipline. Unlike digital music, it requires lots of time and maintenance to keep the music flowing and the sound quality sharp. As vinyl collectors, we like to think we possess the patience necessary to reap the rewards – but come on, be honest, you’ve been … Read More
HEXMAT Eclipse Review – The Best Platter Mat?
Back in 2020, Hungarian innovators HEXMAT turned the platter mat market on its head with the truly unique Yellow Bird record isolator. The new Eclipse model promises further improvements on the initial concept. Can it deliver? Sound Matters put the HEXMAT Eclipse through its paces. Platter mats are often overlooked in the turntable accessory market. After all, why would a … Read More
The Only Record Cleaning Pads You’ll Ever Need?
GrooveWasher now has not just one but three different record cleaning pads. The two additional cleaning pads are said to have distinct advantages and serve very specific purposes. The topic of how to clean vinyl records is fairly contentious. After all, each record collector has their preferred method and products for maintaining clean records that sound great. As the saying … Read More
Locked Grooves Vinyl – Endless Fun (Literally)
In a recent feature, we explored the weird and wonderful world of run-out groove messages. From mastering engineer signatures to hidden messages and inside-jokes, there is a whole world of interesting etchings to explore. Closely related to this topic is the world of audible locked grooves. Standard records have a locked groove at the end of each side, usually in … Read More
Win a GrooveWasher Record Cleaning Bundle
We’re delighted to provide you with a chance of winning GrooveWasher’s Mondo Record and Stylus Care System. The Mondo bundle is their top-of-the-line care package and comes complete with GrooveWasher’s beautiful solid walnut handle and display block. You will also receive an SC1 Stylus Cleaning Kit, the vibrant splash landing towel, and a sizable 8oz refill bottle. With all this … Read More
Jack White to Major Labels: “Build Your Own Pressing Plants”
In a recent video and statement, Jack White calls on major labels to build their own pressing plants once again. His plea comes at a moment in time where demand for vinyl records continues to grow year on year, but the capacity for production remains rudimentary and pushed to the limit. In his statement, he claims, “At least once a … Read More