LATEST ADDITIONS

Mike Mettler  |  Jan 03, 2024  |  3 comments

The Gruvy Awards are back yet again! An annual event, The Gruvys are given to the best products AnalogPlanet reviewed in the most recent calendar year. This time around, the Gruvys honor the gear we tested in 2023 and subsequently found to possess a combination of high build quality, exceptional sonics, and in the case of less expensive gear, provide great value for the money. Read on to see what products made the 2023 AP Gruvy Awards cut. . .

Mike Mettler,  |  Dec 30, 2023  |  13 comments

Looks like another year has gone by with a seemingly endless release-cycle parade consisting of scores of brand-new LPs from both known artists and untested newcomers alike, along with a myriad of archival vinyl reissues and overstuffed box sets galore — a good number of them presented in the much-preferred AAA form to boot. With the calendar set to turn over to 2024 any day now, that means it’s high time to assess the best of what we’ve heard on wax during the past 12 months. Read on to see AP editor Mike Mettler and chief LP reviewer Mark Smotroff’s respective lists of the top archival and new LP releases of 2023. . .

Mark Smotroff  |  Dec 28, 2023  |  5 comments

The inherent quality of Jack White’s songwriting and production skills ultimately elevated The White Stripes’ much-celebrated April 2003 LP Elephant to the next level — and Analogue Productions’ new AAA 200g 45rpm 2LP version takes it even higher. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see why Elephant sets yet another benchmark in the ever-expanding UHQR series. . .

Ken Micallef  |  Dec 27, 2023  |  10 comments

Built and manufactured by Dr. Phil Marchand of Rochester, New York, the Marchand Electronics LN112 moving coil (MC) tube phono preamp is a compact unit with a big, tube-generated sound. Read Ken Micallef’s review to find out just how musical sounding the LN112 is, and how it stacks up in its price class. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Dec 26, 2023  |  4 comments

There’s nothing like looking at aspirational gear during the holidays, and we just came upon a cool new prototype turntable that’s sure to turn some heads — and maybe (well, eventually) even some ears too. Said cool piece of gear is the RYTM turntable, courtesy of industrial designer Jorge Paez. Read on to see what Paez has come up with for the minimalist but quite sleek RYTM ’table. . .

Mike Mettler, ,  |  Dec 22, 2023  |  6 comments

That’s right folks, don’t touch that dial — it’s another tag-team album review, just in time for that last-minute holiday push. This time around, AP editor Mike Mettler, along with ace reviewers Mark Smotroff and Ken Micallef, are combining forces to proffer a three-man review of the new 50th anniversary 180g AAA 2LP 45rpm edition of Frank Zappa’s top-shelf September 1973 release, Over-Nite Sensation, an album all three of us regard with great affinity. We also review the limited-edition 3LP version of ONS too, which contains an extra LP of bonus tracks. Read on to see how this Zappa-loving triumvirate of Mike, Mark, and Ken get reety-awrighty with their analysis of a stone-cold classic LP in its new 45rpm incarnation. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Dec 21, 2023  |  3 comments

Still thinking about getting a new turntable for the holidays? Gold Note may have just what you need. Read on to see all the features and specs for the Italian manufacturer’s latest, the quite classy and affordable T-5 turntable. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Dec 19, 2023  |  3 comments

Even though they initially took flight in the burgeoning digital age as the calendar turned to the 1990s, The Black Crowes have always had an analog-centric mindset. During a recent Zoom interview with AP editor Mike Mettler, Black Crowes lead vocalist Chris Robinson and lead guitarist/vocalist Rich Robinson, alongside producer George Drakoulias, all came together to discuss how finding the original quarter-inch master unlocked the Southern Harmony vinyl collection, which vintage turntables both Brothers Robinson swear by, and why sequencing the album for vinyl playback was always of primary consideration. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Dec 18, 2023  |  5 comments

It’s beginning to look a lot like. . . Ortofon. (What, did you think another word was supposed to fill that sentence out, or something?) The European manufacturer offers a number of cool new tonearms and accessories to consider as possible stocking stuffers before the holidays overrun us all, so read on to see what this venerable Danish company has in store for you and/or the analog lovers on your shopping list. . .

Mark Smotroff  |  Dec 15, 2023  |  3 comments

Los Lobos’ benchmark 1992 album Kiko reigns supreme on its 30th anniversary tri-gatefold 3LP Record Store Day set that features an expanded 2LP version of the original album plus a bonus third LP of outtakes and studio jams. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see why you need to find a copy of this special 3LP edition of Kiko for your collection, ASAP. . .

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