Mike Mettler

Analog Gear News
Dual CS 529 Turntable
Mike Mettler  |  Aug 06, 2024  |  First Published: Aug 06, 2024  |  0 comments

One of the many affordable turntables that impressed us at High End Munich 2024 was Dual’s CS 529, which features a twin gimbal tonearm and a pre-mounted Ortofon 2M Red cartridge (among other things), so we felt it was time to give the German company’s latest a closer look. Read on to see all the features and specs of the Dual CS 529 table. . .

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Analog Gear News
Pro-Ject Debut PRO B Turntable
Mike Mettler  |  Aug 05, 2024  |  First Published: Aug 05, 2024  |  2 comments

We loved it when Pro-Ject debuted their commemorative Debut PRO turntable three years ago in conjunction with the company’s 30th anniversary, and we also love that they’ve just introduced the upgraded version of that very cool table, the Debut PRO B. Read on to see all specs and improved features of the Debut PRO B. . .

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AAA VinylALBUM RELEASE NEWS
Rhino’s High Fidelity Series Continues to Sizzle Here on August 2 With ZZ Top’s From The Top: 1971-1976, an AAA 180g 5LP Box Set Available Exclusively at Rhino.com
Mike Mettler  |  Aug 02, 2024  |  First Published: Aug 02, 2024  |  1 comments

Have mercy! Rhino High Fidelity (a.k.a. Rhino Hi-Fi) does it again with today’s special box set release — namely, ZZ Top’s From The Top: 1971-1976, a limited-edition vinyl reissue collection containing the first five LPs from that little ol’ band from Texas — ZZ Top’s First Album (1971), Rio Grande Mud (1972), Tres Hombres (1973), Fandango! (1975), and Tejas (1976). Read on to learn about the source materials, the SRP, and where you can get From the Top exclusively. . .

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FeaturesNews
Diggers Factory Review Preview
Mike Mettler,  |  Jul 29, 2024  |  First Published: Jul 29, 2024  |  1 comments

When it comes to vinyl, we’re all about passion — and we here at AP absolutely love the passion that fuels the French boutique label, distributor, and online record store, Diggers Factory. Check out Shanon McKellar’s sneak peek videoclip as she previews some of the Diggers Factory releases she plans to review. . .

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Interviews
RIP John Mayall: A Deep Conversation With the Late, Great Father of the British Blues Movement of the 1960s, Whose Lifelong Mission Was to Keep the Blues Real, Especially on Vinyl
Mike Mettler  |  Jul 24, 2024  |  First Published: Jul 24, 2024  |  3 comments
John Mayall, the undisputed father of the British blues movement, passed away at age 90 in California on July 22, 2024. Mayall emerged in the heyday of the ’60s blues-rock scene in Britain, and over the ensuing years, he shepherded the ace guitar-slinging likes of Eric Clapton, Peter Green, and Mick Taylor. In an updated and expanded interview with AP editor Mike Mettler, Mayall discussed why he preferred to cut his tracks in as few takes as possible, what specific factor he based his sequencing choices on, and how his 1966 Blues Breakers With Eric Clapton LP truly opened up a new avenue of recording. . .

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Analog Gear News
Titanic Audio Newton Record Clamp
Mike Mettler  |  Jul 22, 2024  |  First Published: Jul 22, 2024  |  14 comments

I’m sure most of us use some kind of record clamp to stabilize the vinyl we’re spinning, whether old or new. Lately, I’ve felt like updating mine, so I’ve been looking at a number of clamps across the SRP spectrum from the readily affordable up to the ogle-worthy budget busters. Somewhere between those two SRP poles is one such clamp that recently caught my eye — namely, the striking model shown here, the Titanic Audio Newton record clamp. Read on to clamp down on all the Newton’s specs and features. . .

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Analog Gear News
Acoustical Systems Astellar Turntable
Mike Mettler  |  Jul 15, 2024  |  First Published: Jul 15, 2024  |  9 comments

Some high-end turntables are truly works of art and masterful engineering combined, worth admiring in full regardless of the price point of entry. Such is the case with the latest from ace designer Dietrich Brakemeier — namely, the Acoustical Systems Astellar turntable. Read on to see all the specs and features of AS and Brakemeier’s wholly impressive Astellar table. . .

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ALBUM RELEASE NEWS
Frank Zappa’s Strictly Commercial 1974 Solo Album Apostrophe (’) Is Marked for Expanded 180g 2LP & Color Vinyl 180g 1LP 50th Anniversary Editions on September 13, While Frank Zappa for President 180g 2LP RSD 2024 Set Gets Wider Release on July 19
Mike Mettler  |  Jul 12, 2024  |  First Published: Jul 12, 2024  |  1 comments

The crux of the biscuit is this — in proper celebration of 50 years of Frank Zappa’s March 1974 solo LP Apostrophe (’), a newly expanded 50th anniversary edition will be released on September 13, 2024, via Zappa Records/UMe in a variety of formats, including 180g 2LP+7-inch and 180g 1 LP color vinyl editions. Read on to see what the bonus material includes and what the color vinyl choices entail, in addition to what you can expect with the wider release of the RSD 2024 180g 2LP Frank Zappa for President collection on July 19. . .

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Analog Gear News
E.A.T. Fortissimo S Turntable
Mike Mettler  |  Jul 09, 2024  |  First Published: Jul 09, 2024  |  5 comments

We always seem to enjoy whatever gear E.A.T. — short for European Audio Team — has ready to serve us, and we’ve just learned that the Vienna-based company’s New York-based distribution partner, VANA Ltd., is officially bringing their formidable Fortissimo S turntable across the Pond. Read on to see what’s what with the features and specs for the Fortissimo S table. . .

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Analog Gear News
FiiO CP13 Transparent Portable Cassette Player
Mike Mettler  |  Jul 08, 2024  |  First Published: Jul 08, 2024  |  8 comments

The tape revival continues ever onward. With that in mind, we’re going to take a look at a new tape-related offering from portable-gear manufacturer FiiO — namely, their CP13 transparent portable cassette player. Read on to see what the CP13 has to offer. . .

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