Michael Fremer

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A Current Affair: The Intriguing MR Labs VERA 20 MC Phono Preamplifier

Michael Fremer | Nov 24, 2014 | First Published: Nov 24, 2014 | comments

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,

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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.

ra-20-mc-phono-preamplifier">Continue Reading >

AAA Vinyl Album Reviews

A D2D "Four Seasons" That Hits All of the Right Notes Michael Fremer | views-field-created"> Sep 10, 2015 | comments

If you've already got a version of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" that you like, I'm not suggesting you need a "second opinion" though in my world any well-produced, good-sounding musically worthwhile and well-performed D2D record is a treasure worth owning

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News

A Day In the Life Of Vinyl Michael Fremer | views-field-created"> Dec 06, 2016 | First Published: Dec 06, 2016 | comments

What a day. It actually started yesterday when I exited an airplane and entered the Newark International Airport terminal and spotted a record store!

Album Reviews

A Digital Kind of Blue? Michael Fremer | views-field-created"> Apr 01, 2011 | comments

More than enough has been written about this album for me to attempt to add anything of value to the mix. It's the best selling jazz album ever and continues to sell the way Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon does in the rock world.

AAA Vinyl Album Reviews

A Dream of a One Step Monk's Dream From Mo-Fi

Michael Fremer | Mar 30, 2020 | comments

If you're saying Monk's creative juices had begun to dry up by the time he signed with Columbia Records and released this 1963 label debut album you'll get no argument from me. But Monk, all of 46 when this was recorded, had a secret weapon: his rock'n'roll band of the hard-blowing Charlie Rouse on tenor sax, John Ore on bass and Frankie Dunlop on drums.

Album Reviews

A Drifting Group Tries to Keep it Together

Michael Fremer | Feb 01, 2007 | comments

For my money, the greatest YES album, musically and sonically was 1971’s The Yes Album (Atlantic SD 8283), recorded Autumn of 1970, and if you can find an original, thick “1841 Broadway” pressing, get one. An audiophile-quality reissue generated from the master tape would be nice, but unfortunately, Rhino took it upon itself to reissue it recently in their first, undistinguished entry into vinyl, and it wasn’t very good.

Album Reviews

A Folk Classic Reissued By Cisco Music

Michael Fremer | Aug 01, 2003 | comments

A cold-steel stoic intensity inhabits the faces of Canadian folksingers Ian Tyson and Sylvia Fricker on the cover of their 1965 Vanguard album Northern Journey. The photo’s low light and blue cast amplify the title’s message. Combine the front cover with the scholarly ethno-musicalogical liner notes you’ll find on the back—perhaps a reflexive reaction to the commercialization of folk music back then and an attempt to separate Ian and Sylvia from many trite, packaged folk acts of the time—and you have an almost forbiddingly chilly surface.

Album Reviews

A Great Acoustic Blues Albums Reissued By Pure Pleasure

Michael Fremer | Nov 01, 2005 | comments

These ten acoustic tunes cut by Buddy Guy on 6 and 12 string guitar, and Junior Wells on harmonica back in 1981 during a visit to Sysmo Studios in Paris, France states the case for the acoustic blues as well as any album I can think of, but if you’re not into the genre, don’t expect this reissue to pull you around. Well, take that back: the sound may drag you in.

Letters to the Editor

A Great Way to Start The New Year!

Michael Fremer | Jan 01, 2016 | First Published: Jan 01, 2016 | comments

I just wanted to thank you for your fervent passion to keep vinyl alive in these digital times. I have been a big fan of Analog Planet since my early years of collecting. I am 17 years old now but I have been collecting vinyl since I was 12. My first time stepping into a record store was a monumental experience that will always be a watershed moment in my life. It also became my college essay (trying to convert the admissions offices).

Features

A Hearing Aid For You From Doppler Labs

Michael Fremer | Dec 18, 2014 | First Published: Dec 18, 2014 | comments

The term "hearing aid" strikes terror into the hearts of audiophiles of all ages. Glasses? OK. But "hearing aid"? No one wants to admit to needing one so that's why you need a set of DUBS Acoustic Filters now.

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Michael Fremer

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