Mike Mettler

Mike Mettler  |  Dec 19, 2023  |  First Published: Dec 19, 2023  |  3 comments

Even though they initially took flight in the burgeoning digital age as the calendar turned to the 1990s, The Black Crowes have always had an analog-centric mindset. During a recent Zoom interview with AP editor Mike Mettler, Black Crowes lead vocalist Chris Robinson and lead guitarist/vocalist Rich Robinson, alongside producer George Drakoulias, all came together to discuss how finding the original quarter-inch master unlocked the Southern Harmony vinyl collection, which vintage turntables both Brothers Robinson swear by, and why sequencing the album for vinyl playback was always of primary consideration. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Dec 18, 2023  |  First Published: Dec 18, 2023  |  6 comments

It’s beginning to look a lot like. . . Ortofon. (What, did you think another word was supposed to fill that sentence out, or something?) The European manufacturer offers a number of cool new tonearms and accessories to consider as possible stocking stuffers before the holidays overrun us all, so read on to see what this venerable Danish company has in store for you and/or the analog lovers on your shopping list. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Dec 14, 2023  |  First Published: Dec 14, 2023  |  3 comments

And The Stones, they just keep on roll-roll-rollin’ along. To that end, ABKCO Records will release The Rolling Stones Singles 1966-1971 on February 2, 2024, as a limited-edition box set that will include reproductions of 18 of the band’s 7in vinyl singles and EPs originally released by Decca, London Records, and ABKCO. Read on to see which singles are included, what all the extras are, and what the box’s SRP will be. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Dec 12, 2023  |  First Published: Dec 12, 2023  |  7 comments

Table Toppers is back in full force! As you may recall, we recently asked you, the AP faithful, to quite literally “show us your turntables!” for an all-new feature section titled Table Toppers — and ever since then, we’ve been combing through a treasure trove of your many great submissions. Here in Part 2, we introduce you to the fine, fine analog-centric system owned by Jake Juros, MD, a psychiatrist based in Los Angeles. Read on to see some cool pics of the good doctor’s fabulous setup, plus see what his favorite LPs are, gain some insight into his record-cleaning rituals, and learn the “real reason” why he loves vinyl more than streaming or CDs. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Dec 11, 2023  |  First Published: Dec 11, 2023  |  0 comments

While looking over all the great gear that was on display at last month’s Capital Audiofest (CAF), we saw quite a number of products we earmarked for looking into further after the show beyond the coverage we already had planned for our various CAF show reports. One of them, Fern & Roby’s Montrose Heirloom turntable, is today’s deep-dive subject, so read on to see what this supercool ’table manufactured in Richmond, Virginia, is all about. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Dec 07, 2023  |  First Published: Dec 07, 2023  |  2 comments

The jailer man and Sailor Sam are at it again. Paul McCartney & Wings will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Band on the Run on February 2, 2024, with a 2LP edition featuring previously unreleased “Underdubbed” mixes on LP2, and a separate half-speed-mastered 1LP version of the original December 1973 release. Read on to see just what “Underdubbed” mixes entail, and if these new versions of Band on the Run

Mike Mettler  |  Dec 05, 2023  |  First Published: Dec 05, 2023  |  2 comments

So many great new products to be seen at the most recent Capital Audiofest (CAF), so little time. Well, that’s not entirely true, as our intrepid analog-centric editorial team spent quite a lot of time on the case at CAF 2023. That said, there’s some additional gear that was on display at CAF we wanted to take a deeper dive into, one of those items being DS Audio’s Grand Master EX optical cartridge. Read on to see what the impressively high-end Grand Master EX cart has to offer. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Nov 29, 2023  |  First Published: Nov 29, 2023  |  5 comments

Polish turntable and tube amp manufacturer Muarah launched their new MT-3 turntable and MY-1/9 tonearm at the recent, 25th edition of the Audio Video Show in Warsaw, so we figured they were both well worth a respective closer look. Read on to see more about the MT-3’s impressive specs and features. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Nov 28, 2023  |  First Published: Nov 28, 2023  |  8 comments

Pangea Audio has just announced the soon-forthcoming Record Doctor X, a new edition of their acclaimed Record Doctor vacuum record cleaning machines that simultaneously cleans both sides of a record in order to “sav[e] time and effort over current versions” (their words). Read on to see if the all-new RDX VRCM fits your own current and/or future record cleaning needs. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Nov 22, 2023  |  First Published: Nov 22, 2023  |  2 comments

“Scandinavian design with an international twist.” So says notable Danish company Aavik Acoustics about their R-580 phono preamp, so we figured we’d take a closer look at this cool unit before we head on into the extended holiday weekend ahead. Read on to get all the R-580 specs and feature details. . .

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