Welcome to Analog Planet!

It’s a new era here at Analog Planet, starting today. Michael Fremer has left to pursue other endeavors, and we wish him well. Going forward, Analog Planet remains a vital part of the AVTech Media family that also includes Stereophile, Hi-Fi News, Hi-Fi Choice, Home Cinema Choice, and Sound & Vision, and we will continue to bring you the finest analog-driven content there is. You’ll get all the in-depth album reviews, detailed equipment reviews, news about upcoming vinyl releases and new gear announcements, as well as deep-dive, vinyl-centric interviews with musicians, producers, engineers, and manufacturers alike, just as you’ve come to know and expect.

Our content-providing stable of expert writers is comprised of industry names you all know and follow, including lifelong audio journalists, recording engineers, turntable setup specialists, and more. Collectively speaking, at last count, we have well over (yep!) 200 years’ worth of experience covering the analog universe.

Me, I got my start as an editor at High Fidelity magazine back in the late 1980s, and I’ve written about gear and music for almost 35 years (and counting) for Stereo Review, Musical America, Sound & Image, Sound & Vision, Popular Science, and Stereophile, to name but a few. You’ve also likely seen my byline on liner notes gracing a number of box sets, historical reissues, and new releases in recent years. Wherever I go, I always make sure to stop at the local record store (and sometimes stores, plural) to do hands-on “research,” and I inevitably end up finding something I don’t already have—and/or I’ll pick up a backup copy of an LP I play often, just in case. (You know how it is.)

Please let us know in the comments section below about what you’d like to see more coverage of here on Analog Planet. For example—Is that new deluxe box set worth the money? Are the liner notes detailed enough? Is that tonearm the one I really need? Is it time to upgrade my turntable and speakers?

If you are part of the great vinyl resurgence, then this is your home, and we aim to make you very welcome.

Spin on!

Mike Mettler
Contributing Music Editor
a.k.a. “The SoundBard”

COMMENTS
johnnythunder2's picture

and not the day to day editor of AP ?

TokyoMatt's picture

What a spineless way of announcing Michaels departure.
Irrespective of the circumstances of his departure, at least a thank you to Michael was in order.
Poor form.
I hope Malachi follows Michael...

MrGneiss's picture

Wow, that sucks!!

Rashers's picture

will catch up with your other ventures. Hopefully the new editor(s) of this site will respect its long history and enthusiastic support for all things analog.

arcman67's picture

I'm looking forward to the new site. Things like brushes, protective sleeves for covers (Tons on Amazon...some too snug, etc), vibration feet, Isolation stands (Like Butcher Block Acoustics), tweaks for the 1200 series Turntables offered by KAB Electronics, phono cables, headshells, mats, ...plus many more items.

Noodlebluesman's picture

or snarky left-wing (or any kind of) political commentary.

johnnythunder2's picture

political commentary as being the point of contention, I hope the new editors of AP spend a lot of time reviewing lots of crap cheap bargain equipment for you and your ilk to enjoy.

Noodlebluesman's picture

for your astute response. I read "The Atlantic" for political and social commentary, not for reviews of Pro Ject TTs. I'm humbled and in awe of people like you in the elite 1% who look down on the middle (aka "working") class peons who enjoy good Schiit gear.
Me and my "ilk" constitute a sizeable portion of AP and SR's readership. I'm looking forward to this "Great Reset" of AP.

xennial's picture

That guy's comment sucked, but I also think you shouldn't think of him as left wing. he's certainly a Neo liberal centrist who doesn't enjoy Trump's form of white supremacism, but that's as close as left as he's going to get. As for you, working class people like myself fight as hard as possible to stop wage theft by corporations through unions. you should consider forming one at your job, they're wonderful!

mb's picture

.

markmck12's picture

Speaking personally, Michael has provided me with a lot of pleasure, and many laughs, over many years. Primarily my enjoyment came from the left field delivery, the detail, the honesty, the quirkiness, and most important of all his sense of being genuine. I was drawn to how Michael stuck out in an ocean of homogeneous wannabes. Not the end, just a new chapter. Good luck.

latinaudio's picture

As other said before, Mickey is the only reason I come here. Malachi is outstanding making music reviews, but nobody knows more about all analog hardware. Is the Onzow zerodust problem the main reason for the dismiss? Hope to read you soon, Mickey. You are the best friend of all records lovers.

markmck12's picture

I'm aware the CEO of Onzow Labo was chasing MF, and left a comment to that effect on this site in April 2022. Had not heard anything since. Did it go legal?

azmoon's picture

Sorry Mike, whoever you are, but Fremer IS Analog Planet. I agree the content has not been what it used to be mostly because of the horrible content from Lui.

Well, at least The Absolute Sound is getting a good analog writer for a change. Maybe MF can loosen up the tight attitude on that magazine. Stereophile? Gone downhill sine Atkinson left and the death of their best overall writer.

jazz's picture

and this site hopefully develops to something useful for a possibly different clientele. I wish Mike Mettler all the best! I just hoped, ML continues to work here (kidding…a little).

What I’d like to see here (or elsewhere)regarding music media is no influencing for the latest releases but critical review from folks who know many originals as well as most of the nameable reissues at least since the 90’s to compare with. I don’t need musical opinions so much, as we all have them ourselves long enough. Independence would be welcome, as nowadays hardly any reviewer who further wants to get those few insanely limited and expensive releases for free, which are hardly catchable for us normals, will do anything than praise them, no matter how good or bad they partly are. But that’s just a dream.

Regarding phono HW reviews, it needs to be comparative with various other references, not just nice text about one product reviewed (as all other reviews are just nice text about every HW reviewed anyway).

Regarding features, results of a deep networking with labels and manufacturers would be welcome.

jazz's picture

I prefer to read music media reviews from people who listen to them on top level high end gear, as judgements strongly vary depending on what level of gear and tweaked out room/placement the reviewer hears it. May sound snobby but it’s a fact.

hi-fivinyljunkie's picture

Fremer can be found at trackingangle.com from late this month.

PeterPani's picture

Mike Mettler could tell this in his article, too.
And ML?

MalachiLui's picture

yeah, i'll be over at trackingangle.com with fremer.

TokyoMatt's picture

...without Micky and your humour, wit and diversity of opinion, AP becomes just another audio blog...

Glotz's picture

All of the speculation and hate from the usual suspects is typical.

Anton D's picture

Maybe having two places to hate will dilute the douchery.

What a shriveled bunch of pequeños testículos.

I get embarrassed on their behalf.

Glotz's picture

Oh I needed that today! Kudos Anton!

Tom L's picture

I have aways enjoyed Mike Mettler's work for Sound & Vision and have corresponded with him about music in general several times. I'm not aware that he has any particular expertise about analog, but he will be backed up by others (so far unknown) and I'm willing to give him a chance.
I will also continue to follow Fremer at his new home. No matter what you think of his work and personality-I like him a lot-he remains the gold standard when it comes to LPs, turntables and cartridges.

Andy18367's picture

...the Mr. Mettler has signed his post NOT as the new editor-in-chief, but as contributing music editor. In the writing biz, "contributing editor" means the person is not on staff, i.e., not a full-time employee.

Make of this what you will. It's not a criticism of Mr. Mettler. What I make of it is that, like so many, many other sites, AP itself (and perhaps the AV Tech network as a whole) is being challenged to do more with less. We certainly see this on sister site Stereophile, where this week we have 5,000 little Axpona squibs from (also contributing editor, not full-time employee) Jason Victor Serinus. (He writes so much of their stuff I now think of him as Jason Victor Stereophile!)

But you know what else I see over at Stereophile? Hardly any comments. In the biz (again), we call this lack of engagement.

When you have no show roundup articles with analysis of what's going on and instead have dozens of articles where each of them mentions the vendors in one room at a show, and the vendor names are in the headline, what one seems to be doing there is keyworking for Google search, probably in a bid to drive page views. But this approach militates against engagement, because there's nothing unique there.

John Atkinson, the nation of audiophiles turns its lonely eyes to you and says: Help!

viridian's picture

IMHO the site was getting stale and becoming a bit of a circus. Glad you will be bringing fresh energy and a new perspective.

Russo7516's picture

When I posted the news MF was leaving . Mr LUI deleted my comment. Stripping me of my 1 amendment right . FYI I did not say anything off color. I would like those comments reinstated . It is my personal comments and my property . Will this be the way Analog Planet we be ran ? Cause I told the truth it was on every other site about Fremer’s departure .
Mike will be missed on here .

_cruster's picture

It seems that you do not understand what the first amendment is or does.

DietChapstick's picture

Gotta love the comment boxes here. It's like a new kind of stupid gets invented every day.

As for content, how about hardware reviews focusing on gear that ordinary people might actually buy? Like stuff in the $1-2K range or less? I'd also like to see lab reports to go with the subjective reviews.

For the record reviews, people visiting this site want as much info as possible about sourcing and mastering. That means if the info isn't obvious by looking at the record, the label's website, etc. then the person writing the review should make inquiries and not shoot from the hip. If the quality of the record is poor, it should be mentioned.

I'd also like to see more label-oriented interviews, mastering engineer interviews, and so on.

Regarding musical content, it would be nice if things diversified beyond typical classic rock and more conservative forms of jazz. To be fair the site did branch out occasionally but not often enough.

If you want to gain readership beyond the 60+ crowd you'll need to try harder in this area. I can tell you I don't care about the latest album from an aging hippie rock star that was past their prime 45+ years ago.

xennial's picture

I second all of this!

rich d's picture

...if we all just thanked Mikey, ML et al for their work up to this point and wish everyone success in the future? That would sure beat the bitch-slapping contest I see here.

Two other points: a website can't take away your first amendment rights. You don't have a constitutional right to post anything you want on someone else's free website. That's like claiming the right to spray graffiti on someone else's wall. Secondly, if divergent political opinions bother you, then crawl back into your cave, close your eyes and wait for 1947 to come back. Some days it seems we're nearly there.

I feel better now.

Glotz's picture

Very correct about 'rights'.

Thanking the writers is key.

Thanks Mikey! Thanks Malachi!

rich d's picture

Thanks Lotz, in fact.

Glotz's picture

NT

Andrei's picture

First Amendment Rights! My car did not start - I want my first amendment rights. The power bill is heavy this month - I want my first amendment rights.

Russo7516's picture

Well you should sit in courts than. Cause free sites have been sued on this stuff for deleting commente or banning a person. As long as comments arent in very bad taste. It is all good.
It happened on a Civic page and they were brought to court. They had to give a settlement and reinstate the person and comments .But what do I know .
Gotta look up the court index !

rich d's picture

I did "sit in courts". A lot. For a living. And I stand behind every word I wrote. The Bill of Rights is, in essence, a list of stuff the government can't proscribe. Privately held websites are free to restrict their content, though the nature and scope of those restrictions is very much in a state of legal flux these days. Also, while I admit that in my haste I'm capable of some crimes against grammar and spelling, your writing is frankly atrocious. Ideas carry more weight when they're expressed elegantly and cogently.

Tasingegade's picture

Ditto what Chapstick wrote. How about some measurements, of cartridges, phono stages, etc? I know i know, you cant "measure your feeling".." Feel the music!". But the truth is, engineering does matter to performance.

Also second the request for information/interviews from mastering engineers, profiles of what they have in their system and what their sonic priorities are, the source material of a record (AAA or digital etc.).

However I diverge that this site should offer much in the way of music reviews from the perspective of a music reviewer, with actual musical knowledge. See Pitchfork, DownBeat, Alex Ross of the New Yorker, etc. Audio reviewers get way out of their depth when the comment on the quality of a performance or music itself, IMO. This aspect of the hobby is about gear. Everyone has their own opinions about music..

Russo7516's picture

Thanks

Anton D's picture

Maybe you can try posting while using Grammarly and wearing an offensive hat!

Win win!

Silver dot e's picture

Michael Fremer re-introduced me to what music is supposed to sound like; his witticisms separate him from the pack of other reviewers and experts and he was always personable and informative whenever I'd reach out to him directly. This site holds no further interest for me in his absence.

Anton D's picture

Looking forward to you keeping your word.

rich d's picture

Keep their word, that is. The "cancel my subscription" crowd invariably make these lofty pronouncements then skulk around in the background or get a new screen name and keep on complaining. They probably stalk their old girlfriends after the girlfriends leave them for someone with a larger and more satisfying, er, wallet.

fishbone35's picture

I'm with you. I've followed MF for years and learned a lot. When ML's reviews starting appearing, I knew the end was near. Now it's come and rather than reading about gear and reviews, I'll just sit back and enjoy my music with the "new ears" MF gave me.

spencer1's picture

Maybe I haven't been paying attention but this is a shock.
I came here primarily for record reviews that included clear information about the quality of the recording, the pressing and clear lineage and mastering chain information.
I hope that that continues and I will check in. If not then I too am gone.
I will of course follow Michael in his new venture.

Steve Edwards's picture

My main attraction to AP has always been, as you say, "clear information about the quality of the recording, the pressing and clear lineage and mastering chain information." I have observed a significant decrease in that area. While I read most of the equipment reviews, my main interest is the reissue reviews. Play on

Intermediate Listener's picture

See Ruth, 1:16

Anton D's picture

2 Timothy 4:3-4

Read it and tell me I am wrong.

Paul was perhaps the first audiophile.

viridian's picture

…I bought the record.

RH's picture

As you know you have a tough act to follow.

Wishing you and the analog planet staff all the best. I'll continue to check out this site.

Cheers.

Pretzel Logic's picture

Sure, you may have drove me a little nuts on occasion, but I'll always be thankful to you for introducing me to the music of Haruomi Hosono. Keep at it.

ps_guy's picture

When I first started reading Stereophile, around 20 years ago, the magazine ran a survey. The results said that readers typically owned stereos that cost about 10% of their annual income, and spent about 3% of that income on equipment each year. The median household income in the U.S. is right around 70k and the 90th percentile is just over 200k. Let's assume that these numbers still hold and that the average audiophile is buying about one piece of kit each year. That's 2k-6k per piece. I love Fremer as a writer, but his primary focus on cost-no-object gear left little room for full evaluations of the type of gear that most of us are looking to purchase.

I think that you guys could carve out a nice market niche by focusing more coverage on the 2k-6k price point with cartridges priced maybe between ($400-$3,000) to match those pieces.

That and more album reviews that appeal to late Gen X and Millennials (say 1980-2010) would be greatly appreciated, and prevent you from competing fully with Fremer's new site.

Glotz's picture

Totally on point.

Pretzel Logic's picture

This is the most constructive and accurate statement made on this whole thread.

Jazz listener's picture

I always thought MF owned this website? I mean, it has no other content other than his!

It would have been nice to have heard it directly from him in one final article. But perhaps he wasn't given the opportunity... the short (to say the least) send-off to him here perhaps actually speaks volumes...

John Atkinson's picture
Jazz listener wrote:
I always thought MF owned this website? I mean, it has no other content other than his!

Mikey was hired as an employee by first The Enthusiast Network, then AVTech Media, from May 2012 onward to be the editor of the Analog Planet website and a full-time columnist and reviewer for Stereophile.

Jazz listener wrote:
It would have been nice to have heard it directly from him in one final article. But perhaps he wasn't given the opportunity... the short (to say the least) send-off to him here perhaps actually speaks volumes...

Mikey's final column and review for Stereophile will appear in the magazine's September issue, and I am writing a short appreciation of his contributions for that issue.

John Atkinson
Technical Editor, Stereophile

Intermediate Listener's picture

And the non send-off represents total lack of class.

Nathan Zeller's picture

I can't believe some of the nasty comments I'm reading here. Malachi deserves way more respect than some people are showing him. Whenever I'm busy, which is the vast majority of the time, Malachi is the one covering newer artists. Malachi is especially valuable to the community in this way as he brings younger people into this hobby. I know personally I wouldn't even be writing in this industry if it weren't for Malachi acting as a role model of sorts. Show the guy some respect at bare minimum, though really he deserves our kindness.

shawnwes's picture

You like him, that's great & you cheer him on. At the moment he's just a cocky frat boy that needs a few years of growth and experience to make him readable.

xennial's picture

Isn't he like 15? why are people so angry at his reviews? Is it because he reviews new music? Is it that he is still awed by things?

Those that hate him should've skipped his articles and moved on the next one to avoid their angina coming back.

HoDu's picture

I wish Mr. Fremer and Mr. Mettler well, and look forward to seeing what they write going forward. How 'bout hoping for the best for all? (OK, I know that's old-fashioned, but still.)

Analogue+Fan's picture

This is bad news, because in the absolute sound they only review ultra high-end, without specifications, without measurements, without interesting comparisons, and with dull and boring recordings.

It will be a boring review.

jlstrat's picture

I've spent a lot of time here and will miss Mr. F. Good luck to him and the rest.

Fsonicsmith's picture

Tyll Hertsens WAS InnerFidelity and once he was gone the website by that name died. Gone.
Michael Lavorgna left Audio Stream (or was let go, can't recall, don't care) and Audio Stream became useless and to my knowledge is no-more.
If you scroll to the bottom of this page you will see that AP is the last of the many spin-off websites and it too will go the way of the Dodo.
It is interesting to me that S'phile published Mike Fremer's review of the top Grado cartridge just two days ago. And there is no mention of his leaving on the Stereophile website. Yet. I respect Jim Austin. I suspect and hope he will say something appropriate, true, and with class.

latinaudio's picture

Or is just Analog Planet?
If both... I´ll second a previous comment:
Mr. Atkinson: Help! come back to the helm!

Nathan Zeller's picture

To my knowledge, Michael Fremer will no longer write for Stereophile as it's also backed by AVTech. He will be writing for The Absolute Sound and a revival of his pre-AnalogPlanet magazine, which is trackingangle.com.

HiFiMark's picture

Not really, but yes, for us who love music, HiFI, vinyl, and all, this is a significant event. AP is on my daily interweb rounds to be sure...
I agree with a more affordable approach to gear reviewed, particularly stuff that is exceptional value for money. We can all use the assist from those who get to pursue such matters professionally / semi-professionally.
As for Malachi: lad, you are bright, a good communicator (for your age) and getting better. Please lose the arrogance, gain some humility, don't engage with the trolls, and be creative enough to not use expletives in your writing.
Michael F.: I look forward to seeing where you go with your new assignment(s). I most treasure the terrific record reviews and insights.
New Michael: keep it fresh, keep it real, keep it about the music and the analog experience and all will be well here.

Glotz's picture

I think the whole family of websites here (AP, SP, SV, HFN) need big design changes. The visible space of website real estate being absolute number one issue. Even the ads seem out of place a bit.

The website style 20+ years old and it looks quite antiquated. It's also an awkward format for posters to use. It's hard to read for this middle-aged guy with astigmatic eyes. I do understand the archives would take years to get back in the right place, but maybe you guys should sell some old speakers and pay professionals to assist until its realized. It's too long overdue.

It would also be really helpful to have some editor-based suggestions and guidelines that set expectations of posters and editors on this family of websites. This way we avoid raising the ire of the editors as well as posters thinking they can offer up any comment they feel.

I am finding that censorship chafes for everyone, but perhaps by setting better expectations of say, in the vein of The Audiophile Man, posts in general would be more on point and respectful. It's important to remember that ones' opinion really doesn't matter if you are not offering up something constructive and respectfully. All discussion devolves if not.

Remind us all (myself included) that critical shit-talking should not be allowed and over time people will learn how to act here vs. a pure audio forum site. I believe Stereophile wants that, and expectations need to be broadcasted.

mixpro's picture

Money Talks, and Michael walks. clearly we don't know if there was a dust-up with AVtech Media but I'd say it's safe to say he'll be able to write his own ticket at TA/TAS. Congrats are in order Mikey, I guess. I second Andy18367's comments that The comments about Stereophile's lack of overall coverage of Axpona and Munich are spot on. I hope these changes not a sign that multiple axes are about fall at Stereophile, too.. I for one appreciate Stereophile's hard measured data contrasted with TAS' opinion only approach. As to the future AnalogPlanet, Please keep all older reviews in a Searchable Archive. Those are big shoes to fill AND a valuable resource for readers. Good Wishes to Mike Mettler. I'd see if Herb Reichert would be willing to write some content.

kenmac's picture

Stereophile covered AXPONA extensively. Easily the best coverage of the recent event.

arcman67's picture

I think would be quite valuable as AP moves forward

kenmac's picture

Thanks.

malco49's picture

funny i always thought this was fremer's website. i guess i will stick around to see what the new content is. and also see what fremer get's up to . i think he is pretty funny and glib. i did sour on him a bit when he had that dust up with the guy who has a record store and does youtube video's. thought fremer came across as a bit of a bully so to speak. but hey in the big picture it's all pretty small potatoes.

Anton D's picture

Analog Planet had 261,100 visits last month. Average visit duration, 1 minute 30 seconds.

35% female. (Good sign.)

Age is amazing: 60% were 44 and younger! (25% were 25-34.) Good demographic.

Global ranking 253,614. US ranking 101,232, Category rank 1,465 (I bet that's too broad a 'category.")

Link here: https://www.similarweb.com/website/analogplanet.com/#overview

Here is a surprise: TAS had 363,700 visits, global ranking 172,671, US ranking 78,050.

The other data here: https://www.similarweb.com/website/theabsolutesound.com/#overview

Stereophile...

800,700 visits, Global rank 34,188, 'category,' rank 400.

https://www.similarweb.com/website/stereophile.com/#overview

___

Just for a a sense of scale.

I would have guessed much lower for TAS. I've tried subscribing but I didn't relate to it as well as I relate to Stereophile's stable. Different palates, not disparaging TAS.

Are you ready for a holy crap moment?

Audio Science Review seems to be one of the big players....

2,400,000 visits last month.

Global ranking 23,411. US ranking 21,800, 'Catrgory ranking 116.

I totally did not expect that!

And, if you look at total time spent at each site, ASR runs about 3-4 times longer for viewer engagement.

https://www.similarweb.com/website/audiosciencereview.com/#overview

Numbers-wise, it seems a move to the ASR umbrella would be the Willie Sutton move.

Andy18367's picture

Thanks for the G2, Anton. Very interesting. With the stipulation that similarweb.com is not used by major publishers (Adobe's Omniture and Google Analytics are the industry standards) and is not necessarily reliable, I will give the TL:DR on what these numbers mean (with the caveat that this is my opinion and is speculative).

It (in my opinion) likely means that AV Tech's network of sites is at best treading water in a difficult marketplace. The numbers for page views, engagement, and bounce rate are horrendous. (A key metric that's missing is what's called unique visitors, which gives you the actual size of the audience.)

This explains the continued focus on uber expensive equipment. Mass market audio companies -- a business that has collapsed anyway -- don't advertise on sites with little traffic. What SP and AP CAN offer is not traffic but "leads": high-income, high-spending people who can afford Wilson speakers without having to finance them. These buyers, BTW, are almost 100% male.

There are very few of these folks, they are hard to reach and they are very valuable. Interestingly, we see that TAS is now upping its investment in its site to go after those high-end ad dollars, too.

I think Stereophile and Analog Planet leave TAS in the dust as far as quality of content is concerned -- TAS has been little more than press releases. But clearly TAS is adding more original content so we will have some interesting times ahead as the competition between SP and TAS heats up.

If it were my business (and it's not), what I would focus on is trying to boost engagement. The paradox here is that it is controversy that drives engagement, yet controversy scares advertisers and therefore scares editors. (To be fair, it didn't scare Mikey. He got down and dirty with the best of them.)

It's also hard to drive increased page views and engagement without increasing the editorial budget. (You'll notice that ASR solicits donations, so even a forum requires money to run.) And it's hard to increase the budget unless you get more advertising. It's like walking a tightrope.

I wish SP and AP the best; they're all we have left of the glorious heritage of the audio press, which many of us grew up with in the 1960s and 70s.

Anton D's picture

Thank you for the added education!

Montpier's picture

Now retired former corporate market researched had never heard of similarweb.com and no idea of data quality.

One of the metrics that caught my eye was Affinity scores. How should I interpret AP.com's 100% with Stereophile.com vs. Stereophile.com's 82% score w/AP.com? Presumably that's indicative of the narrower Vinyl orientation of the AP.com site. And perhaps calls into question the incrementally of AP.com?

But then I'm kinda puzzled by the supposed variance in M/F gender skews between the two sites (again, no idea as to reliability, which obviously is going to be more wonky on demos) - any thoughts on what looks like a not huge but still notable uptick for attributed women visitors?

Montpier's picture

*researcher* *incrementality*

Glotz's picture

And while their reviews have become less critical, Robert Harley and staff have always told the truth and proved to a critical voice nonetheless.

Though Harry Pearson is gone, Robert Harley and Jonathan Valin continue to promote groundbreaking articles throughout the years. Both of their contributions to drive the discussion about music reproduction in some ways that Stereophile has and does not. Few know more about digital than RH.

I've also been subscribing to both Stereophile and TAS largely for 30 years and I find them both super essential.

Fsonicsmith's picture

I was not aware of this site-similarweb-and thanks for introducing it to the cave dwellers like me. That said, I question it's accuracy. You are no doubt still active in that wine website I used to regularly participate in (I miss some folks there!). If similarweb were to be believed, the mix of females to males is 40-60%. I can only surmise that a lot of the guys are using their wive's computers. I have no doubt Fu is :-)

richiep's picture

Would it be appropriate for MF to address all the AP subscribers about his leaving and future endeavors on this site? Him being a significant part of this and clearly his reduction in content recently may be why viewer ship is down. His knowledge & wit will be missed on this channel and the ability to review products and show videos because of his relationships with manufactures by cutting all the BS by his integrity, not hawking or shilling for anyone. MM will do great job, I've read many of his reviews through different magazines since the 90's if I remember correctly, best of luck. Wish you all the best MF and thank you for the countless reviews especially your most recent 3 part series of 3 plus hours you will be missed on this site, I hope your next opportunity provides you with your choices, Thanks very much.

PMO's picture

Michael's contributions were pretty stale (giving every review 10 or 11). The addition of his young friend really certainly made the site noisier, but certainly no better. Let's hope we can see a new a fresh direction with better content!

johnnythunder2's picture

are going to start giving bad reviews to equipment, think again. AP and Stereophile etc. are not Consumer Reports. They are not risking ad dollars by being consumer watchdogs. That's not what magazines do anymore. And by the way, MF gave lots of negative reviews. Go read earlier columns. I don't think MF's writing was ever stale even if you think so. Don't underestimate his following or his influence or his knowledge and his ability to describe how equipment sounds in a smart, witty style.

Bigmule1972's picture

Seemed AP was trying to change as MF content was becoming less and less and ML content considerably increasing….and that’s direction I didn’t care for. I’m looking forward to the elimination of the dogmatic “Kanye is god the greatest artist ever” perspective.

Dpoggenburg's picture

I wish you guys good luck under new management. As long as you're focusing on bringing GREAT sounding records to your audience's attention, I will stay tuned. In the meantime, I have been a fan of Mikey's for 20+ years: I can't even tell you how many great records he's turned me on to; he is irreplaceable in the vinyl community and I look forward to checking him out at trackingangle.com

dial's picture

Thanks to the censor's scissors. And goodbye to the so called "democrazy".

philgo01's picture

So sad to see him depart... I enjoy his insights and his humor even though at times her reviews stuff that are priced in the stratosphere that I can not relate to... I have a hunch internal POLITICS played a role with his departure. Just makes no sense to have such a great following...... I look forward to reading his column at The Absolute Sound. Good to have choices though... Arivaderci Analog Planet. Sayonara y Adios !

Zardoz's picture

I find it very interesting that all of Malachi's comments on this subject have been removed. Without them it was hard to tell where Mikey had gone.
Thank you Michael for all the years of info. This site will miss you, but I will follow you to trackingangle.

Wymax's picture

I would call it small shoes, very small shoes, by the new team. If that is the new line, then I am worried. Away with hateful comments, of course, but sensible critical comments will probably go the same way, when the moderating team finds it hurtful for their business. I have seen it too often.

Andy18367's picture

...brings the average age of the Analog Planet readership back up to 65. (With Malachi, the average age goes down to 64. Sorta like the inverse of the average income when Bill Gates walks into a bar. You do the math!)

cgh's picture

Thank you Mikey for all the years of info and thoughts, I appreciate it and look forward to following you on the new venture.

I really don't get the comments' section. It could be a place for great discussion, and it sometimes is that. If there's something I don't want to read I don't click on it. If someone has a view that I don't agree with I don't get offended or try to change their minds. I don't want it to be a place for homogenous groupthink. I could care less what Mikey's peccadillos are composed of, political, biting, or otherwise, it's what makes Mikey Mikey.

That being said there's been a decline in the quality of certain publications that's catalyzed by an aging industry that can't seem to effectively evolve or reinvent itself at a time when people have more means than any time in history yet feel personally impoverished or lagging the Jones'. I stopped paying attention to TAS about a decade ago because I didn't care for their writing, and I really liked JA1. Oddly that tide is changing, but at least I have a choice.

Theoriginalthor123's picture

he was fired for age (like I was fired over a VPN.) PERIOD! He was "opinionated"!
he also didn't seem to be a lockdown Larry. He liked to do face to face business ,unlike the cloud crowd.
he also made the mistake of having ML review the old sacred boomer jazz totems.

_cruster's picture

...on the dumbest take yet.

_cruster's picture

...on the dumbest take yet.

johnnythunder2's picture

in 4 days. Websites exist to be updated with content. Not click bait. But articles we want to read to gain knowledge of music, equipment etc. Analog Planet and the parent company makes a change and get nada. The same can be said of the clunky out dated interface and look of the sites. This is personal blog level garbage. Obviously whoever is running this business only cares about the print magazine and selling little banner and side ads. It's pretty awful. If you're going to make a seismic shift and lose a "star" columnist, at least make up for it with something for the readers instead of a review of a Grizzly Bear lp.

AnalogJ's picture

This site came out of The Tracking Angle, as a few others have stated. I subscribed to that in the '90s. This site had his substance and style all over it, mostly for the good.

Like him and his posts or not, it was an extension of Fremer.

So not having him be here anymore will turn thls into something else. It will be analog-related, but keeping the name doesn't mean it will have the same feel. Art Dudley's Listener Magazine was distinctly reflected his personality and perspective. Someone else using that title would likely have little of the feel which Dudley brought to it.

The same here. You might as well call this Positive Analog Feedback, or Analog Sound.

Will it be good? It might. We might as well give it chance, but it's not going to be Michael Fremer. Unless the writers are trying to specifically channeling Fremer, it will be someone else's vision through their eyes.

Ivan Lietaert's picture

When I emptied my ancestral home some years ago, after my parents had died, I lugged our now vintage Onkyo stereo chain to my place, and this reignited my interest in analog sound. So after bringing down my box of vinyl records from the attic, I really got into it again.
I decided to buy a new entry level Project Essential III turntable, and before I did that, I sent Michael Fremer an email with some (now trivial) questons. But, to my surprise, he kindly and patiently replied to my questions, with his typical enthusiasm.
Vinyl records are his life, and when everyone else went over to the other (digital) side, decennia ago, Michal stubbornly chose for the 'analog' side. His role in the revival of vinyl records cannot be overestimated.
Yes, some of the stellar equipment has a stellar price tag too, but Michael also wrote about budget priced gear (search for iFi Zen, Pro-Ject etc.)
I'm going to miss Michael, especially his videos in which he walks through his huge collection of records and reviews some of the legendary recordings he owns.
I'm sure he's doing fine, and he's already working hard on his next 'endeavour'.
He'll be missed here!

Wymax's picture

nt

MalachiLui's picture

yes, that is correct. trackingangle.com has a mailing list for when the site launches, and there's also a trackingangle youtube channel.

ONZOW Labo's picture

Dear Michael Framer and Analog planet
This is Akira Ishibashi from ONZOW LABO.

My email mentioned on my latest post was send to this address,
MFremer@analogplanet.com
which I found on this page.
https://www.analogplanet.com/category/ask-mikey

Before you leave Analog planet, I think you still have the responsibility to explain to your audio fans about the characteristic of plasticizers, the consequence for those who use this type of material to prevent further tragedies on their stylus.
As said before there is no plasticizer in our ONZOW ZERODUST.
Even though you will be starting on Tracking Angle, I hope you will be taking care of your fans who loved to read every single of your article here.

With regards,
Akira

Ivan Lietaert's picture

In this 'era of canceling', are MF's contributions going to remain online here, or perhaps, are they being canceled?
Just curious...

nomaslarge's picture

wiped from the web by Stereophile corporate, all his contributions to AudioStream gone completely. From a time when he was possibly the best resource there way on the developing digital scene. I get the feeling his parting was not amicable and so they just scrubbed his content. Ridiculous.

MalachiLui's picture

he's got his own site (twitteringmachines.com) now, though i've also had a hard time finding his audiostream stuff. not sure what the case with that is, but hopefully some of it's available on the internet archive.

xennial's picture

can we please move beyond the discussion of cancel culture. it only exists in your mind.

nomaslarge's picture

Was the beginning of the end for Stereophile. I remember thinking that the day I read the news of Art's death. Columnists/reviewers of any ilk... yes they have to have a wealth of knowledge and experience but ultimately they are entertainers. Not a lot of entertainment value left at Stereophile. No Art, no Sam Tellig, no Bob Reina, now no Fremer. Reichert about the only personality they have left and he... is an acquired taste to put it mildly. What Stereophile writer now makes you excited to open up the magazine or go to the website? Serinus? I actually like him and think he gives a good account of himself but man it's a slog to get through one of his reviews without just skipping to the end to see if he liked it or not. New editor is unreadable and also often doesn't seem to make any sense. Entertainment value, at least for a while now, has been what Stereophile had over TAS. In the absence of it, the 'Phile stable feels like a crew of lightweights when it comes to actual knowledge. Though maybe it doesn't matter because the only question facing any blog or rag in this space is how to get younger and no one seems to have an answer yet.

Bob Henneberger's picture

I have followed Michael Fremer since i was a kid in tha 90's , From his articles in the stereo rag's that i so enjoyed reading , To his crusade for vinyl records and wanting to show the world that they sounded better than CDs, He has dedicated his life to getting good analog sound, And though he will be missed dearly i have no doubt that Malachi and Mike M share his passion and will keep AP going strong for years to come, The guys running this site are not just going to get bored with their records and sell them all, They have passion and love for this hobby you can see in the way they write,,, Looking foward to reading,,,

MalachiLui's picture

i'd just like to clarify that i'm no longer affiliated with analogplanet as a writer, and will be joining michael fremer's new site trackingangle.com.

volvic's picture

Can we please have an edit link after we post? I am a terrible writer and usually have to go back and make changes to my initial post. It would go a long way towards making me more coherent.

DeMeNC's picture

I’d like comparisons. I asked MF if he liked a turntable he just favorably reviewed more than than one he he favorably reviewed months earlier. He said he couldn’t compare them because he didn’t have them to compare side by side. That response didn’t strike me as integrity as much as avoiding offending a manufacturer and sponsor. So, let’s see some side by side comparisons…start with $1000-1500 direct drive turntables equiped with the same cartridges.

bwright's picture

Where do I begin? Mike has been the one voice of truth and reason in a forest of offerings and suspect claims. He gave me my first break with a Don Bartley / Sgt. Pepper Audio 5 interview here in Analog Planet, and I owe him a big debt of gratitude.

I have always loved his writing style - blending personal stories with his incisive technical knowledge. And I've always appreciated his reviews of the more esoteric and expensive gear, as that's a fascinating area to me, whether or not I can can afford that $200K turntable. He has always made an effort to cover both ends of the price spectrum.

And I'm sorry to see folks taking aim at Malachi - he's a superb writer, and simply has his own opinions about music, as we all do. When Mike invited him to write, I felt that was a brilliant way to directly engage an incoming generation of vinyl fans. His taste in music may be different than my own, but my Dad wasn't fond of my AC/DC, Cheap Trick, Led Zeppelin and Frampton albums, either. :) He provides honest and well crafted appraisals through his own lens.

I'll miss Mike here, but also wish the incoming team all the best. He will be a tough act to follow, but any site that promotes and studies the elements of this fantastic hobby deserves our ongoing support.

Static's picture

Well seeing Michael leave is sad.

redchaser's picture

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

fejevar's picture

https://www.irvingconcretecompany.com will stay tuned for more analog excellence!

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