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. . .
While it is indeed Labor Day, we here at AP have decided to recast the day under the “Labor of Love” banner so that we can take a look at some of the analog offerings from companies we didn’t get to spend much time with back at High End Munich 2024. One of those companies is Taiwanese manufacturer Zorin Audio, known for their fine lines of turntables, tonearms, and ION-generator static eliminators. Today, we’ve decided to zero in on their TP-S5 turntable. Whether you’re still laboring or totally relaxing today, read on to see specs and features of the updated TP-S5. . .
When I began looking into the new Auris MYSTiK turntable to see what it was all about, the soundtrack in my head immediately kicked into Neil Peart’s distinct percussive opening to Rush’s “Mystic Rhythms,” which seemed to be quite the logical and appropriate vibe for how to best appreciate the noted Serbian company’s new table. While nature seems to spin, read on to see all specs and features of the MYSTiK. . .
Every year, EISA, the Expert Imaging and Sound Association, gives out Hi-Fi awards for the very best gear on the market in a wide range of product categories, as voted upon by their Expert Group members. Read on to see what analog-centric gear garnered EISA 2024-2025 awards, and why. . .
We loved seeing DS Audio’s top-tier Grand Master EX optical cartridge deployed in a number of system demos at both High End Munich 2024 and AXPONA 2024 — and we’re equally pleased to see the recent emergence of a third-generation model, the DS-E3. Read on to see all the features and specs of the new DS-E3 cartridge, and its companion EQ/phono preamp. . .
Affordable turntables are always a good thing in our book, especially if they help usher audiophile newbies into the fold. That’s one of the main reasons why we’re going to take a look at Audio-Technica’s AT-LP70XBT fully automatic wireless belt-drive turntable today. Read on to see all features and specs for the AT-LP70XBT table, and why you can recommend it as a potential starting point for the budding audiophile(s) in your life. . .
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. . .
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. . .
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. . .
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. . .
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. . .
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. . .
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. . .
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. . .
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. . .