Mike Mettler

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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Interviews
Keyboardist Bill Payne on Little Feat’s First New Studio Album in 12 Years, Sam’s Place, and Why He Loves the Recent Slew of Historical 2LP & 3LP Warner Records Reissues That Show How Willin’ the Band Is to Embrace Their Rich Vinyl Legacy
Mike Mettler  |  Jul 05, 2024  |  First Published: Jul 05, 2024  |  5 comments

Bill Payne is a glue guy — as in, the co-founding keyboardist of Little Feat is the connective tissue that sweetens the musical pot of everything he touches, something that’s in full effect on Little Feat’s new 145g studio LP, Sam’s Place. In a recent Zoom interview with AP editor Mike Mettler, Payne discussed how Sam’s Place came together so instinctively, what some of his favorite vintage Little Feat tracks are on vinyl and why, and how the band mixes complexity and beauty together to create such a signature sound. . .

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Analog Gear News
With the Xtension 9 Evolution, Pro-Ject Invites You to Design Your Own Turntable
Mike Mettler  |  Jul 02, 2024  |  First Published: Jul 02, 2024  |  5 comments

Ever want to build your own turntable, piece by piece? Well, Pro-Ject is letting you do just that with their new Xtension 9 Evolution table. Read on to see just how you can do it by customizing key turntable elements such as tonearm, cartridge, phono preamp, power supply, cabling, and finish, as you see fit. . .

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Analog Gear News
Rega Nd5 MM Cartridge
Mike Mettler  |  Jul 01, 2024  |  First Published: Jul 01, 2024  |  5 comments

Rega does it again. Part of the company’s burgeoning Nd cartridge line, the Nd5 moving magnet (MM) cartridge is said to be a “world first” (their words) in terms of using a neodymium magnet — hence, the periodic table-like abbreviated “Nd” portion of the cart’s nomenclature, Read on to see what all the Rega Nd5 MM cart’s other features and specs are. . .

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ALBUM RELEASE NEWS
Pat Metheny’s Debut Album, 1976’s Bright Size Life, Sees ECM Luminessence Series 180g 1LP Reissue on August 2
Mike Mettler  |  Jun 27, 2024  |  First Published: Jun 27, 2024  |  12 comments

The future is so bright, we gotta cue up some Pat Metheny vinyl, STAT. Well, ECM must have gotten wind of our wishes, for the renowned label has just announced it will reissue Metheny’s groundbreaking debut LP, March 1976’s Bright Size Life, on 180g vinyl on August 2, 2024, as part of their rightly vaunted Luminessence Series. Read to see more details about this highly anticipated reissue. . .

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Analog Gear News
Wrensilva Record Console Collection
Mike Mettler  |  Jun 25, 2024  |  First Published: Jun 25, 2024  |  15 comments

Continuing with this week’s retro-gear vibe, we now turn to Wrensilva, a San Diego-based company who are debuting two new entries into their Record Console Collection — the M1 and The Standard. Read on to see all the specs and features, plus what three hand-curated Blue Note LPs come with each console. . .

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