Analog Gear News

Fender the guitar company announced on September 21st the release of this limited edition "The Fender x Mo-Fi PrecisionDeck" turntable created in association with Mo-Fi. The Fender Custom Shop's principal Master Builder Yuriy Shiskov crafted the shape using the same swamp ash wood used in the iconic Fender Precision Bass guitar.

Thorens today announced two new turntables: the TD1500 and the TD403. The 1500 takes its design cues from the iconic TD 150 introduced in 1965 that according to Thorens's press release featured for the first time in a mass produced turntable a spring suspended sub-chassis with a flat belt driven inner platter. However, the AR-XA introduced in 1961 had this design feature and sold 100s of 1000s so must be considered "mass produced". The TD403 is the "big brother" of the recently introduced TD 402.

SME Loricraft recently announced upgraded versions of its PRC4i and PRC6i "thread type" vacuum record cleaning machines.

Italy-based Gold Note announced today its new PH-1000 phono preamplifier, which the company calls "the best phono stage we have ever created." It is among the most flexible phono preamplifiers ever, that is for sure.

George Harrison would have turned 78 today but this George Harrison themed Pro-Ject turntable spins at 33 1/3 and 45. It's a special edition Essential III featuring stainless steel bearing, aluminum pulley, new DC motor speee controller, acrylic platter, 8.6" one piece aluminum tonearm featuring sapphire bearings and an Ortofon OM10 cartridge.

At Making Vinyl Hollywood, 2019 Austria-based PHONOCUT demonstrated a still in development all-analog based home vinyl cutting system that uses blank vinyl (not lacquer) discs. At 4:52 in the embedded video at the above link you can watch the compact system cut a record and learn more about it.

Ortofon just announced a new $999 2M moving magnet cartridge: the 2M Black LVB 250 in honor of Ludwig Von Beethoven's 250th birthday. More than just a re-badge, the 2M Black LVB 250 incorporates, among other enhancements, the nude Shibata stylus and boron cantilever found on the more costly MC Cadenza Black.