By the beginning of the 70s the music world was in a significant transition state. The Beatles were done, and a combination of events, including the Stone’s notorious Altamont show in December 1969 signaled that the “peace and love” movement was dead. It was time to usher in a new era. Despite the turmoil, The Rolling Stones were really hitting … Read More
Degritter MARK II Review: The World’s Best Ultrasonic Record Cleaner?
The Estonian brand Degritter took the vinyl community by storm when it released its original Degritter record cleaning machine just a few short years ago. The Degritter record cleaner quickly built a reputation for being one of the best ultrasonic record cleaning machines for home use. Not wanting to rest on their laurels, the Degritter MARK II promises even better performance. Can … Read More
Pro-Ject Phono Box DS2 Review – An Audiophile Bargain?
With its minimalistic design but impressive versatility, the Phono Box DS2 promises audiophile quality at a bargain price. Can it deliver on this promise and how does this phono preamp compare to it’s more expensive tube counterpart, the Tube Box DS2? As the owner of Pro-Ject’s Stereo Box DS2 integrated amplifier with a built-in phono stage, I was curious to … Read More
Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2 Review – A Highly Versatile Tube Phone Preamp?
The Tube Box DS2 promises audiophile phono stage credentials with added tube “warmth” and versatility to suit a wide range of cartridges. Does it deliver the musicality and character vacuum tubes are known for? Sound Matters compare the performance of a built-in phono preamp to the Tube Box DS2 as a component upgrade. Impressive Versatility Sound quality aside, the Tube … Read More
Can You Leave a Record on the Turntable? – Bad Idea?
When spinning your favorite records of an evening, you might be tempted at the end of the night to simply close the lid (if your turntable has one) rather than return the record to its sleeve. So can you leave a record on the turntable for an extended period? Today, I’ll explain why that’s not such a great idea… OK, … Read More
Best Record Cleaning Machines
If you’re the proud owner of a large vinyl record collection, or you want to step up your record cleaning game, a record cleaning machine is one of the best investments you can make. Yes, they require some investment up-front, but in the name of priceless record preservation and the pursuit of audio nirvana, they are worth every penny. There … Read More
What is an LP vs an EP – Differences & Examples
The terms LP and EP are often used without thinking about their origin, and in our digital age, both are frequently misunderstood. Like many acronyms in the music industry, their meaning has a historical background but continues to evolve. Today, you’ll learn what an EP is, where the term comes from, how it differs from an LP, and what the … Read More
LP vs Vinyl: Are LP and Vinyl the Same Thing?
The world of vinyl and record collecting is full of jargon and regularly used terms that are often confusing for those just starting out on their record-collecting journey. Lots of terms are interchangeable or there are multiple words used to mean the same thing. Confusing, right? LP vs Vinyl is one of the most common examples… So is an “LP” … Read More
Pro-Ject VC-S3 Review – Better than the Compact Edition?
Similarly to the new Pro-Ject VC-E2, the larger VC-S3 promises several upgrades. But does the larger model have the edge over its more compact counterpart? Is it better at cleaning vinyl records? Pro-Ject’s flagship vacuum record cleaning machine has undergone several upgrades over the years, moving from a simple MDF construction to the much more durable aluminum chassis we know … Read More