Michael Fremer

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AQVOX Audio Devices Phono 2Ci phono preamplifier

Michael Fremer | Jul 29, 2008 | 0 comments

The German company AQVOX Audio Devices has produced an innovative moving-coil/moving-magnet solid-state phono preamplifier, the Phono 2Ci, that's as intriguing for its technology and performance as it is for its relatively low price: $1400. The zero-feedback, op-amp–free circuit uses a compact switch-mode power supply that's built into the chassis and features conventional voltage gain for moving-magnet cartridges via its RCA jacks, and current gain for moving-coil cartridges through the balanced XLR inputs. Rear-panel switches select between RCA or XLR inputs and offer a convenient ground lift. Either the single-ended or the balanced outputs can be used with either input. Unfortunately, the tight spacing of the RCA input and output jacks, which are mounted on the circuit board, will somewhat limit your choice of cables: Pairs of thick-barreled plugs will have difficulty fitting.

Phono Preamp Reviews

Arcam’s Surprising rPhono Offers Up to 82dB Gain, Rumble Filter and Variable MC Loading

Michael Fremer | Feb 24, 2018 | First Published: Feb 24, 2018 | 4 comments

Phono preamps arrive here by the stack. It’s difficult keeping up. To be honest, Arcam’s rPhono arrived before the JC3 Jr. but here, anything with John Curl’s name attached automatically goes to the head of the queue, especially considering the Jr.’s remarkable $1495 price.

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Art Dudley passed peacefully this morning around

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News

Archive of Contemporary Music's "Swinging Summer Record Sale" Begins Saturday June 8th Michael Fremer | views-field-created"> Jun 04, 2013 | 1 comments

New York's Archive of Contemporary Music (ARC) announces its "Swinging Summer Record Sale" beginning Saturday June 8th through Sunday June 16th from 11AM to 6PM

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Can I Have My Money Back?

Are These Your "101 Essential Rock Records"? Michael Fremer | views-field-created"> Dec 06, 2012 | 11 comments

Noted record and memorabilia collector Jeff Gold's sumptuously produced new coffee table book "101 Essential Rock Records: The Golden Age of Vinyl From The Beatles to The Sex Pistols" hits all of the genre's correct notes. It is impressively produced eye candy that first can be consumed visually and later enjoyed for it multi-layered content.

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Album Reviews

Aretha Franklin "Amazing Grace The Complete Recordings" On Vinyl For the First Time Michael Fremer | views-field-created"> Apr 23, 2019 | 12 comments

It seems appropriate to review Rhino’s sumptuous 4 LP set Aretha Franklin’s Amazing Grace The Complete Recordings, her enduring gospel album recorded in a Los Angeles church and released in June of 1972 on Atlantic Records, two days after Kanye West’s Easter morning “gospel service” at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival before 50,000 fans.

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Capital AudioFest 2013

Arion MM/MC Phono Preamp From Luminous Audio Michael Fremer | views-field-created"> Jul 30, 2013 | 0 comments

Richmond, VA-based Luminous Audio demoed its soon to be introduced Arion phono preamp.

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Album Reviews

Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers/First Flight To Tokyo: The Lost 1961 Recordings Michael Fremer | views-field-created"> Jan 03, 2022 | 52 comments

The Blakey was cut from 96/24 files according to Chris Bellman at BG Mastering for the surmised reason: the songs were on multiple tapes and the most expeditious way to produce cutting masters was to first digitize. The annotation wasn't clear but I don't think anyone was "trying to pull a fast one"._MF). It was Beatlemania when Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers landed at Haneda Airport, New Year’s Day, 1961. Of course, The Beatles hadn’t yet happened, but neither had Blakey and his group ever been greeted in America with the rousing enthusiasm they encountered both upon landing and during the series of shows in which they performed in Japan that month.

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News

Art Dudley, Rest In Peace Michael Fremer | views-field-created"> Apr 14, 2020 | First Published: Apr 14, 2020 | 34 comments

The hi-fi world has lost a giant, and we at Stereophile have lost a brother. 4am after a short illness. The cause was metastatic cancer. Reading >

Album Reviews

Art Pepper Ronnie Scott Stand Issued Complete Michael Fremer | views-field-created"> Sep 01, 2011 | 1 comments

Alto sax bop legend Art Pepper (1925-1982) had accrued a lot of mileage but few OnePass points when he blew into London with his trio in June of 1980 to play a fortnight gig at the famous Ronnie Scott’s Club.

Munich 2017

Arthur Khoubesserian's Statement Tonearm

Michael Fremer | May 31, 2017 | First Published: May 31, 2017 | 3 comments

Even if you're not about to spend $24,000 on a tonearm, you ought to watch this veteran turntable and tonearm designer explain what he's done here and why it costs so much.

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Michael Fremer

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