Mike Mettler

Mike Mettler  |  Oct 01, 2024  |  First Published: Oct 01, 2024  |  3 comments

If anybody knows how to make turntables and tonearms right, it’s SME, the stalwart British company who’ve been manufacturing high-quality high-end gear since 1959. Recently, SME updated their vaunted Model 15 turntable to MK2 status, and that’s the version we’re looking further into today. Read on to see all the features and specs for the Model 15 MK2 table. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Sep 26, 2024  |  First Published: Sep 26, 2024  |  1 comments

What becomes a cult-favorite legend most? When it comes to onetime Bob Dylan tour manager, noted folk artist, songwriter, painter, and producer Bob Neuwirth, it seems quite befitting that a long-awaited reissue of the artist’s self-titled 1974 debut album is set to receive new life on vinyl with a 50th anniversary 1LP reissue on Sunset Blvd. Records on September 27, 2024. Read on to see why you might want to get your hands on Bob Neuwirth sooner than later. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Sep 23, 2024  |  First Published: Sep 23, 2024  |  8 comments

We’re all about seeking out affordable cartridges, which is but one reason why coming across Le Son’s SL1 MKII MC phono cartridge is such a fine sight to see. Read on to see all the features and specs of the Shanghai-based company’s new SL1 MKII MC cart. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Sep 19, 2024  |  First Published: Sep 19, 2024  |  1 comments

It’s been a minute, but AVID have announced their first new turntable since 2018 — and it’s a beauty dubbed the Acutus Dark Iron, which takes the place of the prior Acutus Dark Limited Edition model to now serve as the new entry point in their top-line Acutus series. Read on to see all the features and specs for the Acutus Dark Iron table. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Sep 18, 2024  |  First Published: Sep 18, 2024  |  6 comments

JD Souther, a consummate American songwriter known for co-writing hits and choice deep cuts for (and with) the Eagles as well as for his poignant collaborations with James Taylor, Roy Orbison, and onetime life partner Linda Ronstadt, passed away at age 78 at his home in New Mexico on September 17, 2024. In an updated and expanded interview with AP editor Mike Mettler, Souther discussed his appreciation for good turntables and mastering for vinyl, how long it took “New Kid in Town” (one of the many hit Eagles songs he co-wrote) to finally come to full fruition, and what artists/producers must do to make “great” vinyl masters. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Sep 17, 2024  |  First Published: Sep 17, 2024  |  1 comments

To borrow a line, Vienna waits for you. The High End Society has just announced that the annual High End Show that’s long been held in Munich will be moving to Vienna in 2026. Read on to see all the details about the new venue and when High End Vienna 2026 will be taking place. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Sep 12, 2024  |  First Published: Sep 12, 2024  |  9 comments

I’m in love with The Beatles, and I feel fine — and I bet you’ll feel that way too after I tell you that a new 180g 8LP box set titled The Beatles: 1964 U.S. Albums in Mono is officially slated for release on November 22, 2024, via Apple Corps Ltd./Capitol/UMe. Read on to find out all the analog stats, details, and tracklisting info for all seven LPs (one of them is a 2LP set) in this truly Fab box. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Sep 10, 2024  |  First Published: Sep 10, 2024  |  4 comments

Ain’t life grand? So is our appreciation for fine turntables, which leads us to zeroing in on the latest entry in Technics’ Grand Class series — namely, the SL-1300G. Read on to see all the specs and features of the SL-1300G table. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Sep 05, 2024  |  First Published: Sep 05, 2024  |  3 comments

Some artists give great lip service to being humble, spiritual messengers of their artistic muse — and then there’s Jon Anderson. The eternal voice of vintage Yes just keeps on keeping on, with his instantly recognizable alto tenor at the forefront of True, a vibrant new album credited to Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks that was released in various 2LP forms — including transparent blue, gold, and black vinyl — by Frontiers on August 23, 2024. During a recent Zoom interview with AP editor Mike Mettler, Anderson discusses how True came to be, what his favorite Yes tracks on vinyl are and why, and what Yes album Rahsaan Roland Kirk once told Jon he personally admired. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Sep 03, 2024  |  First Published: Sep 03, 2024  |  3 comments

Hana is back to doing what they do best, as they’ve just announced the upcoming release of their SL Mk II moving coil (MC) cartridge. The SL Mk II is considered to be an upgrade to their Hana S series cartridges. For the SL Mk II cart, master cartridge designer Masao Okada has implemented a new tapered aluminum cantilever with increased rigidity and effective mass reduction at the nude diamond Shibata stylus tip. Read on to see more about all the features and specs for the SL Mk II cartridge. . .

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