The compact, two piece VERA 20 Phono Preamplifier from MR Labs may look more like a piece of medical technology and less like high performance audio gear, but don’t let its plain looks deceive you.
It consists of two relatively small chassis, one containing the amplification and signal processing electronics and the other the power supply. The power supply chassis (which at approximately 6 pounds weighs 3 times more than the amplification chassis) is capped at one end with a beefy heat sink more typical of a power amplifier. The two chassis connect via a pair of multi-pin umbilicals.
The producer Ralph Sall had an idea ten years ago or so: why not get some of the greatest musical talents of our time to pay tribute to Sir Paul McCartney by having them cover his songs? What could possibly go wrong?
A reader forwarded a link to a story by Colette LaBouff published in The Morning News, "a magazine of essays, art, humor and culture" that I'm 100% certain you will enjoy reading. The publisher has generously granted us permission to provide the link.
Legacy's long awaiting Bruce Springsteen vinyl box set arrived so analogplanet.com editor Michael Fremer unboxed it with the camera rolling. Have a look:
Jimmy Durante (some younger readers may need to look him up) used to say "Everybody's gotta get into the act!" and when it comes to vinyl, he was correct! It's sold at Whole Foods (which because of some of the customers I encounter there I like to call "A-Whole Foods") at Urban Outfitters (along with Crosley "groove chewers"), Target and other unlikely vinyl venues.
For the second time in two years I was invited to participate in North Carolina retailer Audio Advice's "Music Matters" customer appreciation event. No doubt some of you have attended a similar type happening at your local audio retailer—if you're fortunate enough to have one in your area.
Register to win a pair of Vanatoo Transparent One Speakers (MSRP $499.00) we are giving away.
According to the company:
"The Vanatoo Transparent One powered speakers set a new price/performance benchmark in the audiophile world. They produce unexpectedly great sound quality (honest, tight bass down to 48Hz!) from small bookshelf speakers that give you a lot of flexibility in how you use them. They are equally at home as a desktop audio system, a music streaming solution for a room where you want music but not stacks of equipment, or as a compact system you take with you on your weekend getaways."