Michael Fremer

CES 2014
Lamm Introduces Model LP 2.1 Dual Monaural Pure Vacuum Tube Phono Preamplifier
Michael Fremer  |  Jan 09, 2014  |  0 comments
Vladimir Lamm introduced at CES 2014 the new LP 2.1 phono preamplifier, a pure Class A vacuum tube based phono preamplifier operating pure "Class A" with no loop feedback.
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CES 2014
Audio Research Ref Phono 10 Makes CES Debut
Michael Fremer  |  Jan 09, 2014  |  1 comments
Billed as a state of the art phono preamp, ARC's new Ref Phono 10 is a two box true dual mono hybrid design featuring a JFET front end coupled to a 4 6H30 tube output
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CES 2014
Pro-Ject Announces Major Line Re-Vamp-Upgrade at 2014 International CES (YouTube Video Enhanced)
Michael Fremer  |  Jan 08, 2014  |  20 comments
Pro-Ject announced at CES 2014 a major line upgrade. We have a GoPro video covering all of it but because of pathetic internet speed we are unable to post at this time. It might have to wait until after CES.

For now, here are the details: The $199 Elemental is now in full production. This is an "out of the box" ready to play 'table complete with Ortofon OM-5 cartridge. The intent is to kill the grew chewing Crosely junk by convincing budget buyers that spending $60 on a turntable and $30 on a 180g version of Dark Side of the Moon is DUMB.

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CES 2014
2014 International CES Opens To News That USA Vinyl Sales Hit 22 Year "Record" High
Michael Fremer  |  Jan 08, 2014  |  4 comments
The 2014 International CES opened yesterday, with attendance down due to the extremely cold weather conditions gripping the nation, but among vinyl fans warm feelings prevailed as sales were the highest in 2013 since the 1991 debut of Soundscan. And it can be argued that Soundscan barely "scratches the surface" of actual record sales.

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Cartridge Reviews
The Kubotek Haniwa HCTR01 MkII-6T Green Marker Phono Cartridge
Michael Fremer  |  Jan 05, 2014  |  6 comments
The moving coil cartridge advantage comes in great part due to its far lower moving mass. A relatively light-weight coil moves and reacts faster than a far heavier magnet. The lighter the coil, the less the mass.

Over the past few years, thanks to improved magnets and coil and former materials as well as how they are implemented, designers have found ways to increase output efficiency. Thus fewer turns of wire are required to produce a given voltage output.

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Album Reviews
"Uncle Meat"—Frank Zappa's Soundtrack Album to a Movie He Correctly Predicted You Would Never See
Michael Fremer  |  Jan 03, 2014  |  6 comments
Frank Zappa’s sprawling 1969 soundtrack from a movie (he correctly supposes in a speech balloon) “….you will probably never get to see”, has ripened beautifully with age.

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Vote
Five Phono Preamplifiers Compared. You Be the Judge - Pick One! (File #2 updated)
Michael Fremer  |  Jan 02, 2014  |  31 comments
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News
RTI Absolved: Shipping Snafu Caused These Abrasions
Michael Fremer  |  Jan 01, 2014  |  18 comments
What caused the abrasions seen in the picture of the one of four abraded LPs in the Record Store Day Roy Orbison box set? Analogplanet asked the question and wondered whether it was industrial sabotage, sloppy handing or a shipping snafu. We now think we have an answer.

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Phono Preamp Reviews
PS Audio's NuWave DSD/PCM Phono Converter Reviewed
Michael Fremer  |  Dec 29, 2013  |  8 comments
This is a review of the NuWave Phono Converter's phono preamp section only. A review of the double DSD based A/D converter will follow soon.

Multipurpose products like PS Audio’s snazzy new NuWave Phono Converter offer a mix of great possibilities and possible compromises. In one sleek box you have a capable and versatile MM/MC phono preamplifier and an analog to digital converter through which you can conveniently digitize your vinyl—as well as any analog input you feed it— at up to double DSD resolution. All for $1895.

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News
Kronos Audio Products to Introduce Lower Priced Sparta Turntable at the International CES Show
Michael Fremer  |  Dec 23, 2013  |  8 comments
Canada based Kronos Audio Products announced the introduction of Sparta, a lower priced edition of its dual platter turntable design. The new dual platter $21,000 'table (introductory price) is similar in concept to the more expensive Kronos Limited Edition and Kronos PRO models.

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