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Analog Gear News
Seen at High End Munich 2023: Takumi TT Level 3.1 Turntable
Mike Mettler  |  May 24, 2023

Continuing with our highlighting of some of the coolest gear seen and heard at High End Munich 2023, we now turn our eyes and ears to Takumi’s TT Level 3.1 turntable, which was being auditioning in fine form as part of a top-shelf demo system consisting of a Moonriver Audio phono stage, Moonriver amplifiers, Aretai speakers, and Viablue cables. Read on to find out more about the new Level 3.1 turntable. . .

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Analog Gear News
Seen at High End Munich 2023: Rega Planar 3 50th Anniversary Edition Turntable
Mike Mettler  |  May 22, 2023

With High End Munich 2023 officially in the books, we now commence our highlighting of some of the coolest gear seen and heard at the big show. First, we’d like to take a moment and commend Rega in recognition of the company’s 50th anniversary this year — especially considering how this venerable high-end British manufacturer was celebrating that golden milestone in style at their booth in Munich by showcasing the 50th anniversary edition of their legendary Planar 3 turntable, replete with walnut finish. Read on to glean more about the full majesty of the 50th anniversary edition of Rega’s vaunted Planar 3 turntable. . .

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News
On the Season Finale of Vinyl Obsession, Vocalist Hunter Hayes & Actor Dan Cortese Gilbert Hunt Down Their Top 5 LPs
Mike Mettler  |  May 21, 2023

Who's making their Top 5 picks on this week's season finale episode of AXS TV's Vinyl Obsession? Glad you asked. This Sunday evening, May 21, multiplatinum singer/songwriter Hunter Hayes and actor/host Dan Cortese bring us along on their respective shopping trips at Grimey's in Nashville as they both search for their Top 5 LPs. Read on to get a double dose of AP-exclusive sneak previews of tonight's ep. . .

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Album Reviews
David Byrne’s Complete Score From The Broadway Production Of The Catherine Wheel Is Worth Every Spin of This Expanded 2LP RSD 2023 Edition
Mark Smotroff  |  May 19, 2023

David Byrne’s The Catherine Wheel has long been a favorite release amongst his fervent fanbase, dating back to the album’s first, albeit abbreviated appearance on vinyl in December 1981. Finally, The Complete Score From the Broadway Production of “The Catherine Wheel” gets its full due on 2LP black vinyl, thanks to its Record Store Day 2023 release in a run of 6,500 copies. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see if this expanded edition should become an essential part of your own Catherine Wheel listening experience. . .

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News
Exclusive Premiere: How Clare Fischer Utilized the Yamaha EX-42 Synthesizer on Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood’s 1972 Classic Nancy & Lee Again, Now Available in a First-Time 1LP Remastered Reissue From Light in the Attic
Mike Mettler  |  May 17, 2023

Archival label Light in the Attic (LITA) is behind the first official LP reissue of Nancy & Lee Again, the acclaimed 1972 sophomore collaborative album from Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood, which was remastered for this release using the original analog tapes. In an AP exclusive video premiere, we go inside keyboard wizard Clare Fischer’s innovative deployment of the Yamaha EX-42 synthesizer on this truly classic album. . .

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Analog Gear News
High End Munich 2023 Preview: Goldring E4 Moving Magnet Cartridge
Mike Mettler  |  May 16, 2023

With High End Munich 2023 right around the corner, we’re already getting word about some of the cool new analog gear debuting at the show. One such item that’s caught our eye is Goldring’s new E4 moving magnet cartridge. Read on to see what you can expect to get with the flagship E4 MMC. . .

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Analog Gear News
Metaxas & Sins Papillon Reel-to-Reel Tape Player
Mike Mettler  |  May 15, 2023

Reel-to-reel tape players have been making quite the comeback of late, something we’re indeed excited to see for such a vaunted analog format. Relative to that, we’re even more pleased to note how the well-respected Metaxas & Sins brand name is making its new North American-distribution deal with Reel Sound Distribution known via a fine array of high-end gear, including the flagship model known as the Papillon reel-to-reel player. Read on to learn more about how the stunning Papillon operates in the modern age. . .

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News
On This Week’s Episode of Vinyl Obsession, Kathy Valentine of The Go-Go’s & Country Vocalist Brantley Gilbert Select Their Top 5 LPs
Mike Mettler  |  May 14, 2023

Who's making their Top 5 picks on this week's episode of AXS TV's Vinyl Obsession? Glad you asked. This Sunday evening, May 14, Kathy Valentine of The Go-Go's and country vocalist Brantley Gilbert bring us along during their respective shopping trips at Grimey's in Nashville as they both search for their Top 5 LPs. Read on to get a pair of AP-exclusive sneak previews of tonight's ep. . .

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Album Reviews
The Grateful Dead’s Plangent Processes-Restored Boston 5.7.77 180g 5LP RSD 2023-Exclusive Box Set Completes One of Their Essential Live Trilogies
Mark Smotroff  |  May 12, 2023

On Record Store Day 2023, Rhino Records issued another entry in their fine series of super-deluxe multidisc vinyl box sets celebrating the road trips of the Grateful Dead, a 180g 5LP box set titled Boston Garden, Boston, MA 5/7/77 (a.k.a. Boston 5.7.77). This new edition is an important historical puzzle piece in the band’s storied legacy, effectively completing a trilogy of live releases culled from their epic spring 1977 tour peak. AP’s resident Deadhead Mark Smotroff got his hands on one these new limited edition collections, so read on to see his reasoning as to why it’s an instantly essential entry in the Dead’s live legacy on vinyl. . .

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Interviews
Ian Hunter May No Longer Be a Young Dude, But He Proves How Hard He Can Still Rock on Vinyl With a Little Help From His Friends on a Killer New Solo LP, Defiance Part 1
Mike Mettler  |  May 11, 2023

Ian Hunter is a survivor. Not only that, but the veteran British vocalist of Mott the Hoople fame and a lengthy and fruitful solo career shows no signs of slowing down at age 83. The keen evidence laid out before us are the ten balls-out rockers populating his latest solo album, Defiance Part 1, released via Blue Cat/Sun Records on April 21 on black vinyl. In a recent Zoom audio interview with AP editor Mike Mettler, Hunter discusses what he means by recording his music “back to front,” why Mott the Hoople’s version of “All the Young Dudes” endures to this day, and how Jerry Lee Lewis first got his juices a-goin’ to become a killer performer and recording artist. Don’t be shy — read on to get fully bitten by the Hunter mystique on vinyl. . .

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