Jorge Paez’s RYTM Turntable

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. . .

Round Robin Review: Your Ears Can’t Go Wrong With UMe’s Stellar AAA 180g 45rpm 2LP Set or the AAA 180g 45rpm-and-33 1/3rpm Combo 3LP Limited Edition Honoring the 50th Anniversary of Frank Zappa’s Over-Nite Sensation

Primary Category: 
Artist: 
Frank Zappa
Album: 
Over-Nite Sensation: 50th Anniversary Edition
Cred Label: 
Zappa Records/UMe
Cred Prod: 
Frank Zappa (original album); Ahmet Zappa, Joe Travers (reissue LPs)
Cred Eng: 
Barry Keene, Terry Dunavan, Fred Borkgren, Steve Desper
Cred Mix: 
Kerry McNabb (remix)
Cred Mast: 
Lacquers cut from original analog tapes by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering, Los Angeles

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. . .

Gold Note T-5 Turntable

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. . .

The Black Crowes Confirm That Finding the Original Quarter-Inch Master Tapes Inspired How the New 180g 4LP 30th Anniversary Box Set Commemorating Their 1992 Album The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion Was Able to Take Flight on Vinyl

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. . .

Ortofon Tonearms & Accessories

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. . .

Los Lobos’ Benchmark 1992 Album Kiko Reigns Supreme on RSD 30th Anniversary Tri-Gatefold 3LP Set That Features Expanded 2LP Version of the Original Album Plus a Bonus LP of Outtakes and Studio Jams

The music on Los Lobos’ Kiko is timeless. When I first heard it upon its initial May 1992 release, I immediately felt the album was an instant classic. In fact, I rank Kiko right up there with early Americana-leaning cinemascopic albums by The Band (1968’s Music From Big Pink through 1971’s Cahoots), the Grateful Dead (their two 1970 LPs, American Beauty a1d Workingman’s Dead) and even some of Neil Young’s early iconic works (1970’s After the Gold Rush, 1972’s Harvest). Kiko is that good.

Primary Category: 
Category: 
Artist: 
Los Lobos
Album: 
Kiko
Cred Label: 
Slash/Warner Records
Cred Prod: 
Los Lobos and Mitchell Froom (original album); Los Lobos and Matt Block (reissue)
Cred Eng: 
Paul duGré, Tchad Blake, Wendy Thompson, John Paterno (original album)
Cred Mix: 
Tchad Blake with Dan Bosworth (original album)
Cred Mast: 
Mastered for vinyl with lacquers cut by Dave McNair, Dave McNair Mastering

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. . .

MoFi Electronics SourcePoint 8 Loudspeakers Sweepstakes

Register to win a pair of MoFi Electronics SourcePoint 8 Loudspeakers (retail value $2,999.00 ) we are giving away.

"In a recent Stereophile review, the MoFi Electronics SourcePoint 8 Loudspeakers, masterfully designed by Andrew Jones, have captured the attention of audiophiles with their exceptional sound quality. Hailed as 'a revelation in audio fidelity,' these speakers showcase Jones' expertise in a compact yet powerful design. A reviewer observed, 'The SourcePoint 8 doesn't just play music; it breathes life into every track.'"

Click on the picture above for details on how to enter.

The Rolling Stones Singles 1966-1971 Box Set With 18 45s Coming From ABKCO on February 2

And The Stones, they just keep on roll-roll-rollin’ along. To that end, ABKCO Records will release The Rolling Stones Singles 1966-1971 on February 2, 2024, as a limited-edition box set that will include reproductions of 18 of the band’s 7in vinyl singles and EPs originally released by Decca, London Records, and ABKCO. Read on to see which singles are included, what all the extras are, and what the box’s SRP will be. . .

Table Toppers, Take 2: A Strikingly Spectacular Subplatter Upgrade in Los Angeles

Table Toppers is back in full force! As you may recall, we recently asked you, the AP faithful, to quite literally “show us your turntables!” for an all-new feature section titled Table Toppers — and ever since then, we’ve been combing through a treasure trove of your many great submissions. Here in Part 2, we introduce you to the fine, fine analog-centric system owned by Jake Juros, MD, a psychiatrist based in Los Angeles. Read on to see some cool pics of the good doctor’s fabulous setup, plus see what his favorite LPs are, gain some insight into his record-cleaning rituals, and learn the “real reason” why he loves vinyl more than streaming or CDs. . .

Fern & Roby Montrose Heirloom Turntable

While looking over all the great gear that was on display at last month’s Capital Audiofest (CAF), we saw quite a number of products we earmarked for looking into further after the show beyond the coverage we already had planned for our various CAF show reports. One of them, Fern & Roby’s Montrose Heirloom turntable, is today’s deep-dive subject, so read on to see what this supercool ’table manufactured in Richmond, Virginia, is all about. . .

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