Analog Gear News

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Analog Gear NewsNews
Furnace Manufacturing Builds New 16 Press Pressing and Packaging Plant
Michael Fremer  |  Nov 20, 2017  |  2 comments
That new record you just unboxed probably came shrink-wrapped or in a perforated sealed bag. Maybe it has a sticker or two on it or it's a numbered limited edition. Watch how all of this happens in this just produced video shot at Furnace Manufacturing with founder Eric Astor. And then go to Furnace's brand new, soon to be operational vinyl pressing plant that will also incorporate the packaging facility, which has outgrown its current location. Furnace began in the 1990s as a production and packaging agent for indie and major labels—perhaps you’re unsure about what that exactly means. After watching the video you will—and perhaps you'll come to appreciate an LP production cost you've not before considered.

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Analog Gear NewsNews
Furnace Record Pressing Tests One of Ten Rebuilt Toolex Presses Soon to Go "Live"!
Michael Fremer  |  Dec 20, 2016  |  1 comments
Do you need to see more pressing plants go online to be convinced that the vinyl resurgence is surging? How about this: Furnace Record Pressing in Fairfax Virginia will soon go "live" with ten fully rebuilt Toolex Alpha presses.

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Analog Gear NewsNews
Gearbox Develops Kickstarter Funded Innovative Turntable
Michael Fremer  |  Jan 03, 2017  |  29 comments
Gearbox Records, best known as a mastering studio equipped with a vintage tube-based cutting system, announces an innovative new turntable with built-in vacuum tube-based phono preamp and auto-Bluetooth streaming.

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Analog Gear NewsNews
Gold Note Debuts Full Featured PH-1000 MM/MC Phono Preamp
Michael Fremer  |  Mar 29, 2021  |  9 comments
Italy-based Gold Note announced today its new PH-1000 phono preamplifier, which the company calls "the best phono stage we have ever created." It is among the most flexible phono preamplifiers ever, that is for sure.

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Analog Gear News
Grado's New Prestige Series 2 Updates Classic Grado Cartridge Line
Michael Fremer  |  Nov 26, 2017  |  8 comments
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Analog Gear NewsNews
Hagerman Audio Labs Introduces Trumpet MC-Vacuum Tube Phonostage
Michael Fremer  |  Dec 07, 2020  |  3 comments
The 3rd generation Hagerman Audio Labs Trumpet MC, according to the designer, "...maintains the superb sonic performance of the original, while cleverly cutting costs via technological advancements.

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Analog Gear News
Hana introduces Umami Red MC Cartridge
Michael Fremer  |  Aug 04, 2020  |  14 comments
Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda-san officially coined the term "Umami" in 1908, defining it as a very pleasing or delicious flavor on the palette, a synergistic effect resulting in higher taste intensity.

From the Musical Surroundings press release:

"When Hana decided to create a high-end cartridge, Master cartridge designer Masao Okada-san applied the concept of Umami combining brilliant materials and classic Japanese techniques with modern audio engineering."

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Analog Gear News
Hegel Music Systems Debuts V10— Its First Ever MM/MC Phono Preamplifier
Michael Fremer  |  Jan 13, 2021  |  10 comments
Norway-based Hegel Music Systems just announced the February 2021 release of the V10, the company's first MM/MC phono preamplifier, though chief designer Bent Holter says he's been "tinkering" with phono preamp designs since the mid 1990s.

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Analog Gear News
HiFiction Introduces Innovative X-quisite Cartridge Line
Michael Fremer  |  Jul 26, 2020  |  11 comments
Switzerland-based HiFiction, best known for its line of Thales tangential tracking pivoted tonearms and high-performance compact turntables recently announced a new, high technology cartridge line called X-quisite (in July of 2018 HiFiction announced its acquisition of EMT’s cartridge assets).

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Analog Gear NewsNews
How Audio-Technica Builds the ART1000 MC Phono Cartridge (price and tech correction)
Michael Fremer  |  Jul 16, 2016  |  9 comments
During my visit to Audio-Technica in Machida City, Tokyo, Japan, I was I given a tour of the factory, which mostly produces microphones along with some headphone components. Other than the new ART1000, all of the cartridge manufacturing and assembly takes place either at another factory in Fukui, Japan or at an Audio-Technica owned factory in China.

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Analog Gear News
I Have a +1 to the Third Man Records Pressing Plant Opening Party. Want to Go?
Michael Fremer  |  Feb 17, 2017  |  18 comments
I have a +1 invitation to the grand opening party at Third Man Records' Detroit pressing plant for Friday February 24th at 8 PM. Want to join me?

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Analog Gear News
In The Record Cleaning Machine Wars VPI Comes Out Vacuuming
Michael Fremer  |  Sep 20, 2013  |  4 comments
VPI just announced a new record cleaning machine, the MW-1 Cyclone. The new $1000 record cleaning machine shares the 16.5's shape but is of aluminum and has a removable lid rather than one that's hinged. Its bi-directional platter functions with the vacuum off or on.

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Analog Gear NewsNewsRecord Handling and Storage Tips
Kate Koeppel Design Introduces "The Record Tote"
Michael Fremer  |  Nov 10, 2015  |  7 comments
Kate Koeppel Design in collaboration with GDS Cloth Goods has just introduced The Record Tote— an LP bag Taylor Swift and every style conscious vinyl fanatic will want be seen with.

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Analog Gear NewsCES 2016
Keith Monks' New $2500 Record Cleaning Machine Debuts at CES 2016
Michael Fremer  |  Jan 13, 2016  |  5 comments
Jonathan Monks demonstrated the new $2500 Keith Monks record cleaning machine— to date, the company's least expensive model, but it incorporates many of the high quality components found in the more expensive Monks machines.

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Analog Gear NewsMunich 2016
Kondo Debuts New GE-10 MM Phono Preamp At Munich HIgh End 2016
Michael Fremer  |  May 14, 2016  |  2 comments
Kondo introduced the GE-10, its first new phono preamplifier in many years.

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