The Records That Never Leave Us
Certain records become permanently tied to the people, moments, and memories that shape our lives. This Memorial Day reflection explores why music, and especially vinyl, carries such a deep emotional connection.
Certain records become permanently tied to the people, moments, and memories that shape our lives. This Memorial Day reflection explores why music, and especially vinyl, carries such a deep emotional connection.
Vinyl records are more popular than ever, but many collectors are asking the same question: why are so many new pressings defective? From warped records and non-fill to surface noise and off-center pressings, modern vinyl quality control has become a growing frustration in the hobby.
Vinyl records were once an affordable way to discover music. Today, premium pressings, luxury packaging, and rising prices are transforming the hobby into something far more exclusive. Has vinyl become a luxury market?
AudioDesk Systeme has unveiled the new Premium “Silent Core One” Vinyl Cleaner, featuring quieter operation, faster drying, improved filtration, and major serviceability upgrades to its legendary ultrasonic record cleaning platform.
Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab is bringing Stone Temple Pilots’ *No. 4* to audiophile vinyl for the very first time. Here’s why this aggressive, underrated 1999 album could become one of MoFi’s most exciting rock reissues yet.
Capitol Records revisits Pet Sounds with its 2026 Definitive Sound Series One-Step release, delivering one of the most natural and emotionally engaging presentations of this legendary album I’ve heard.
Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab is giving Van Halen’s iconic 1984 the full audiophile treatment with a new UltraDisc One-Step 45RPM box set and Hybrid SACD sourced from the original analog master tapes. Here’s why this could become the definitive version of a rock classic.
Wheels Turn Beneath My Feet finally returns to vinyl for the first time since 2012, and this new reissue from Experience Vinyl and Ninja Tune delivers quiet surfaces, stunning realism, expansive soundstage, and emotionally engaging performances worthy of the album’s legendary reputation.
Sony launches the Artone Signature series, a new line of audiophile vinyl. The debut release, Golden Earring’s Moontan, features premium mastering, deluxe packaging, and an in-house production process for serious vinyl collectors and hi-fi enthusiasts.
Recorded in 1958, years before bossa nova became a global phenomenon, Bud Shank’s 'Holiday in Brazil' captures jazz and Brazilian music colliding in real time. This new Impex Records pressing shines a spotlight on one of the most overlooked and atmospheric jazz recordings of its era.
A New Album Arrives July 10 and Honestly… This Is Great News for Rock Music The The Rolling Stones are officially back with a brand-new studio album titled Foreign Tongues, arriving July 10, 2026. The announcement comes alongside the release of the album’s first single, In the Stars, giving
Just weeks after a record breaking year for AXPONA, one of the biggest names in high end audio events is officially changing hands. AXPONA, short for Audio Expo North America, has been acquired by Sound & Fury LLC, ending JD Events’ long run as the owner and operator of the
Hi-Fi & Audio
During a recent trip to London, I had the opportunity to visit SUPATRAC HQ and spend time with Richard Braine to see firsthand how the Blackbird and Nighthawk tonearms come to life. What I expected was a small boutique operation. What I didn’t expect was just how much of
Raye
An ambitious, theatrical album that refuses to play by the rules What if one of the most talked-about albums of 2026 wasn’t built around a single hit? That’s exactly what RAYE delivers with This Music May Contain Hope. No obvious chorus. No easy standout track. And yet, it
iFi Audio
There’s no shortage of entry-level DACs on the market, but most of them feel like compromises. Either they’re stripped down to the point where they limit your system, or they try to do too much and miss the fundamentals. iFi is taking another swing at that balance with
Guides & Tutorials
If you own a Roon Nucleus and skipped the internal storage option when you bought it, you’re not alone. The good news is that adding an internal SSD later is not only possible, it’s actually a straightforward upgrade that can significantly improve how you manage and access your
Industry & Events
AXPONA 2026 delivered three days of standout sound, massive systems, and real discovery. From immersive listening rooms to a buzzing marketplace, this year’s show proved high-end audio is evolving while staying rooted in the joy of listening.
Vinyl Records
After eight years, Robyn returns with Sexistential—a bold, experimental album that trades hooks for ideas. It’s thought-provoking and well-crafted on vinyl, but may leave some listeners wanting more.
Hi-Fi & Audio
The DS Audio ION-001 Vinyl Ionizer tackles one of vinyl’s most overlooked issues—static. In this review, we explore how it works, what it improves, and whether eliminating static during playback actually makes a difference in real-world listening.