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AudioQuest’s Small $299 DragonFly Cobalt Offers Stunning Digital Audio Playback
Malachi Lui  |  Oct 21, 2019  |  78 comments
For as long as I’ve reviewed high-performance audio equipment, I’ve repeatedly iterated that to bring young people into the hobby, audio manufacturers need to make excellent, affordable, and convenient products. If a product fails any one of those criteria, hundreds of potential audio enthusiasts are turned away and save for a few outliers, hi-fi continues to be a hobby for old, mostly white men.

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News
Mastering Engineer Bob Ludwig Recipient of dCS's First Legends Award
Michael Fremer  |  Oct 20, 2019  |  5 comments
At a ceremony in New York City during the 147th AES (Audio Engineering Society) Convention, mastering legend Bob Ludwig was given the first dCS Legends Awards. The company, best know for its line of SACD player/DACs and streaming audio DACs, has already announced upcoming recipients, many of whom were at the event to congratulate Ludwig.

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News
Frank Ocean Drops Two Limited Edition 7” Singles of New Music
Malachi Lui  |  Oct 20, 2019  |  9 comments
Following a year of selective magazine interviews and the recent opening of a VIP 80s retro nightclub, musical genius Frank Ocean is finally back with new music. In addition to returning today to his Beats1 Blonded radio show to premiere a new song “DHL,” Frank also posted preorders on his website for two 7” singles of new music.
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Analog Gear News
Chord Introduces Affordable "Huei" MM/MC Phono Preamp
Michael Fremer  |  Oct 17, 2019  |  5 comments
The Huei is based on Chord Electronics’ high-end, award-winning Symphonic MC phono stage. While the Symphonic offered MC compatibility only, the Huei offers both MC and MM compatibility, opening the world of Chord high end analog playback to everyone listening to vinyl.

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News
Is Michael Weiss's AAA Joe Ferla engineered and Mixed Kickstarter Project Worthy of Your Support?
Michael Fremer  |  Oct 17, 2019  |  25 comments
Keyboardist Michael Weiss released in 2003 a CD of his all-analog (AAA) production of Soul Journey, a collection of nine original compositions arranged for sextet featuring Steve Wilson, alto sax, Ryan Kisor, trumpet and flugelhorn, Steve Davis, trombone, Paul Gill, bass and Daniel Sadownick, percussion. It was recorded to 2 inch 30IPS tape at Avatar Studios New York by Joe Ferla and mixed by Joe to 1/2" 30IPS analog tape.

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News
At "Making Vinyl, Hollywood", Bernie Grundman Gets A Lifetime Achievement Award
Michael Fremer  |  Oct 15, 2019  |  9 comments
Guitarist Steve Vai gave veteran mastering engineer Bernie Grundman a well-deserved Making Vinyl lifetime achievement award at Monday's Making Vinyl, Hollywood 2019, Blue Note Tone Poet reissue series curator Joe Harley delivered an 80th Anniversary Blue Note slide show and Phonocut demonstrated a home new vinyl cutting system. Those were only a few of day one's highlights at Making Vinyl, Hollywood taking place at the W Hotel, Hollywood.

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News
This is What IGOR "Stitching" Looks Like
Michael Fremer  |  Oct 14, 2019  |  15 comments
We inadvertently identified Memphis Record Pressing as being responsible for pressing Tyler, the Creator's IGOR. Obviously some buyers got copies like mine seen in this picture showing a horrendous case of audible "stitching". MRP received some not pleasant emails from readers. These should be directed to United Record Pressing, which actually pressed this terrible looking record. Apologies to MRP and we vow greater diligence going forward.
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News
The Mikey and Chad Show Comes to The Audio Salon For One Night Only!
Michael Fremer  |  Oct 12, 2019  |  4 comments
"Making Vinyl, Hollywood" comes to the W hotel Monday and Tuesday October14th and 15th. AnalogPlanet editor Michael Fremer moderates panels and Analogue Productions/Acoustic Sounds mogul Chad Kassem participates. Tuesday evening the Mikey and Chad Show (or the Chad and Mikey Show, if you you prefer) comes to The Audio Salon, Santa Monica 6-9PM for one show only! If you're in the area, come on over. We'll have fun and spin some great records on a killer system.

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Album Reviews
IGOR Vinyl Arrives! (Correction and Apologies to MRP)
Malachi Lui  |  Oct 11, 2019  |  5 comments
As I approached the check-out counter at Music Millennium with a standard black vinyl copy of IGOR, I told the cashier about my endless obsession with this album. “Don’t get too obsessed with these things,” he said.

“I’m afraid it’s too late,” I replied.

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News
Beverly "Guitar" Watkins R.I.P. October 1st, Played At Last Year's "Blues at the Crossroads"
Michael Fremer  |  Oct 09, 2019  |  4 comments
Beverly "Guitar" Watkins passed away in Atlanta on October 1st at age 80. She had a heart attack after previously suffering a stroke. I'd missed the news until reading the obit in today's New York Times. If you've not watched this video posted here and on the AnalogPlanet YouTube channel last fall, do yourself a big favor and watch it now. Here's what was written when the video originally posted:

79 year old Beverly "Guitar" Watkins, unknown to most in the audience, puts on a fiery, funky and fierce standing ovation hour-long performance on the first night of Chad Kassem's "Blues at the Crossroads" Blues Festival Friday October 26th.

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