Mike Mettler

Mike Mettler  |  Apr 11, 2023  |  First Published: Apr 11, 2023  |  9 comments

We’re often asked by younger/newer AP sitegoers who have budgetary concerns where they can get started in this ever-widening turntable universe of ours, so we like to suggest a number of entry-point options where they can come join the analog party at their pace. All LP-lovin’ comers welcome, after all. With this in mind, today, we’re putting the spotlight on Mitchell Acoustics and their quite affordable uStream TT2 turntable. Read on to see how the TT2 might fit into your own starter-system plans, and/or those of someone you know. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Apr 06, 2023  |  First Published: Apr 06, 2023  |  23 comments

We’re very much looking forward to all the new analog gear expected to be shown at this year’s AXPONA in Schaumburg, Illinois from April 14-16, and Luxman has already given us an advance taste by letting us know they’ll be introducing their brand-new flagship PD-191A turntable at the big show. Read on to get all the respective specs, features, and stats about this cool, vintage-looking new ’table. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Apr 03, 2023  |  First Published: Apr 03, 2023  |  4 comments

I don’t know about you, but I still quite enjoy seeing tubes on full display when it comes to the design philosophy behind certain types of analog gear. Case in point: the simply tube-ariffic look of Marchand’s LN112 tube phono preamp, which is available in both MM and MC versions. Read on to find out more about Marchand’s fine phono preamp options. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Mar 30, 2023  |  First Published: Mar 30, 2023  |  6 comments

There’s a special intuitive connection certain musicians share that cannot be qualified in technical terms, but can instead be described as being both magical and mysterious. Case in point: the 60-years-and-counting musical mindmeld between lead vocalist Colin Blunstone and keyboardist/vocalist Rod Argent, the twin driving forces behind British invasion stalwarts The Zombies. Still going strong today, The Zombies are on the precipice of the imminent release of their seventh studio album, Different Game, which comes out in fine 1LP form on March 31 via Cooking Vinyl. In a recent Zoom interview with AP editor Mike Mettler, Zombies vocalist Colin Blunstone discussed the connective sonic tissue between Different Game and their 1968 masterpiece Odessey and Oracle, why he prefers hearing songs like “Time of the Season” in mono, and why the Odessey album benefitted from some things The Beatles left behind in EMI Studios while they were recording their legendary June 1967 Sgt. Pepper album. Read on to glean all the properly seasoned details. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Mar 28, 2023  |  First Published: Mar 28, 2023  |  13 comments

For the love of music. It’s a statement of purpose we can all identify with — and it also happens to be the tagline for Michell, the iconic UK audio brand founded back in the mid-1960s long known for their high-quality reference turntables, tonearms, cartridges, and accessories. Of late, we’ve been enamored with the rebranded and duly updated Michell Gyro SE turntable — which, we might add, can also be properly paired with the company’s TecnoArm 2 tonearm. Read on to find out more about this quite cool ’table and tonearm combo. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Mar 24, 2023  |  First Published: Mar 24, 2023  |  17 comments

Blood, Sweat & Tears were on top of the world — and then, suddenly, they weren’t. A new documentary titled What the Hell Happened to Blood, Sweat & Tears? seeks to set the record straight. Read on to see what BS&T co-founding drummer Bobby Colomby and AP editor Mike Mettler discussed when they got on Zoom together earlier this week to talk about the impetus for the documentary, the secrets contained within the runout grooves of certain records he produced, and his view of what the best-sounding Blood, Sweat & Tears track on vinyl is, and why. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Mar 22, 2023  |  First Published: Mar 22, 2023  |  23 comments

Peter, we love your way. To wit: iconoclast British guitarist/vocalist Peter Frampton and Intervention Records have collectively announced that his Frampton@50: In The Studio 1972-1975 180g 3LP box set is being readied for release on July 28. Read on to find out all the details regarding this fine all-analog vinyl collection of three key entries from Frampton’s early solo career. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Mar 21, 2023  |  First Published: Mar 21, 2023  |  0 comments

LITE up, everybody. As impressed as we’ve been with Gold Note’s premium PH-1000 phono preamp, we are also looking forward to that flagship model’s offshoot, the PH-1000 LITE. Read on to find out more about the LITE, other forthcoming phono stage offerings from this well-respected Italian manufacturer, and news about their just announced U.S. distribution deal. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Mar 16, 2023  |  First Published: Mar 16, 2023  |  4 comments

Jack White has vinyl in his veins. Okay, maybe that’s a bit of a stretch, but there’s no denying White is front and center when it comes to his all-out passion for vinyl. In the ongoing effort of releasing both new and reissued LPs under his Third Man Records banner, it’s just been announced that one of White’s previous bands, The White Stripes, will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of their fourth studio album Elephant by releasing a limited edition 180g 2LP version of it on color vinyl on April 21. Read on to glean all the Elephant wax stats you need to know. . .

Mike Mettler  |  Mar 15, 2023  |  First Published: Mar 15, 2023  |  1 comments

Subtitle this one, …And Vinyl for All. To wit: Metallica and Furnace Record Pressing have jointly announced that Metallica has acquired the majority interest in Furnace, a leading provider of high-quality vinyl and related services based in Alexandria, Virginia. Read on to see what the revised vinyl-oriented partnership entails, and how Furnace founder Eric Astor and Metallica co-founders Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield have to say about it. . .

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