LATEST ADDITIONS

Record Buying Tips
This is What "Non-Fill" Looks Like
Michael Fremer  |  Aug 02, 2012  |  First Published: Dec 31, 1969  |  24 comments
"Non-fill" refers to a pressing defect that occurs when the molten vinyl does not flow fully to produce a well-formed groove. It occurs most often on a 180g record's outer edge and is caused by the vinyl's beginning to harden prematurely.

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Record Cleaning Machine Reviews
The World's Best Record Cleaning Machine?
Michael Fremer  |  Aug 02, 2012  |  First Published: Dec 31, 1969  |  48 comments
Getting a review sample of this unique ultrasonic record cleaning machine took years because apparently the small German manufacturer could not keep up with demand. I’ve heard from a few sources that reliability was not high during those early days but that now that’s been sorted out as has manufacturing capacity.

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Ask Mikey
"360 Sound" vs. "360 Sound"
Michael Fremer  |  Aug 02, 2012  |  First Published: Dec 31, 1969  |  15 comments
Hey Mikey- I have a question you might post and answer since it's general interest, I think. In your recent Freewheelin' Bob Dylan review you mentioned the white and black label Stereo 360 records from Columbia, and you mention that the black label indicates Columbia's all-tube cutting chain.

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News
IMPEX To Issue "Belafonte Sings the Blues" As Double 45rpm Set
Michael Fremer  |  Aug 02, 2012  |  First Published: Dec 31, 1969  |  4 comments
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Ask Mikey
Static Cling!
Michael Fremer  |  Aug 01, 2012  |  First Published: Dec 31, 1969  |  16 comments
Love the website. I can't stay off of it! I have an "Ask Mikey' question:

"What do you use to control static pops and clicks on your records?"

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Letters to the Editor
Bill Evans Box and Separates
Michael Fremer  |  Aug 01, 2012  |  First Published: Dec 31, 1969  |  9 comments
A couple of years ago I started getting in to vinyl. I’m young enough that I fell in love with music when it was still being produced on vinyl.

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Sweepstakes
Lyra Delos Phono Cartridge From Music Direct Sweepstakes
Jon Iverson  |  Aug 01, 2012  |  First Published: Dec 31, 1969  |  378 comments
Register to win a Lyra Delos Phono Cartridge From Music Direct (MSRP $1,650) we are giving away.

The new design of the Lyra Delos allows the coils of the cartridge to stay aligned with the magnetic circuit while the tracking force is applied. What does this mean? Well, in a nutshell, it means Lyra head designer Jonathan Carr has discovered a way to keep the angles in perfect alignment at all times. This allows the Delos to track better; clearly improving sound quality, particularly low-level resolution, dynamic range, transient impact, and immediacy. It delivers all the accuracy, detail and overall musicality all analog lovers crave.

[This sweepstakes is now closed.]

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Record Buying Tips
Reissue Labels To Avoid and Some Best to Proceed With Caution
Michael Fremer  |  Jul 28, 2012  |  First Published: Dec 31, 1969  |  97 comments
Call me crazy (and you wouldn't be the first!) but when I spend $25 or $50 on a 180 gram reissue, I want to know the source used and who did the cutting, plating and pressing. Don't you? But we don't get that vital information as often as we'd like, do we?

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Album Reviews
Clare and the Reasons' Berlin Adventure
Michael Fremer  |  Jul 27, 2012  |  2 comments
This is the third album from Brooklyn based Clare and the Reasons and its first to be issued on vinyl. Movie, the group's 2007 debut features Van Dyke Parks and Sufjan Stevens to give you an idea of what's going on here.

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Album Reviews
IMPEX Reissues Ellington Columbia Classic AAA
Michael Fremer  |  Jul 27, 2012  |  9 comments
Starting in 1954 the late veteran DJ William B. Williams hosted a long-running radio show on WNEW-AM called "Make Believe Ballroom" (a name, coincidentally, we also used at summer camp for kids who prematurely wore jock straps before they really had a need to).
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