I’m pleased to announce the launch of a new Podcast by Sound Matters called The Spindle. Having grown the Sound Matters website over the last few years to a platform attracting over 30,000 visitors a month, it is high time we diversified our content offering. Let’s face it, some folks don’t like reading—others simply don’t have the time—and while great … Read More
Pro-Ject X1 Turntable Review
For nearly 30 years, Pro-Ject has exemplified what it takes to design audiophile-quality turntables that don’t break the bank. The X1 model is the most recent incarnation of the design that started it all, the Pro-Ject 1. In the new X1, Pro-Ject has a turntable design embodying all the core principles that continue to drive the company to this day. … Read More
Clear Inner Sleeves? More Bright Ideas form Innovators, Vinyl Storage Solutions
Canadian startup, Vinyl Storage Solutions (VSS) make designing innovative new record sleeves look easy, as they hit the market with yet another new product. Owner, Mike Sarazin left a lasting impression on Sound Matters last year with two great products that attempt to re-invent the record sleeve. Firstly, his dual-pocket outer sleeves, which enable you to seal the record artwork … Read More
Pro-Ject’s Founder, Heinz Lichtenegger, talks turntables, the changing vinyl market, and the importance of a ‘great analog experience’.
For over two decades, Austrian-based company, Pro-Ject, has made a considerable impact on the turntable market. Their ability to create high-quality, minimalist turntables that deliver audiophile results without breaking the bank has won them a loyal following among the vinyl community. To learn more about the secrets behind their success, I spoke with the company’s CEO, Heinz Lichtenegger, about how … Read More
Vinyl Record Industry Shows “Commitment and Resilience” Despite COVID-19 Impact
According to the Vinyl Alliance, a quick survey amongst their members shows the commitment and resilience of the industry. As if the vinyl record industry hadn’t suffered enough in the wake of February’s disastrous Apollo Masters fire, along comes a global pandemic. The fallout of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is hitting the entire economy hard, and the vinyl record industry is certainly … Read More
Lockdown Giveaway: Win an AudioQuest Record Brush + Booze & Vinyl Book
Competition Closed: Winner Announced! A huge congratulations to Simon who we’ve contacted by email as the winner of our recent “Lockdown Giveaway”. Don’t worry if you’ve not been lucky this time around, we’ll be running similar initiatives in the future. Thank you to all who took part and continue to support the website – it means a whole lot! It’s … Read More
Music For Isolation
So here we are. Has it really come to this!? At the time of writing, Europe is currently the epicenter of a worldwide pandemic, with the US not far behind if the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to advance. I’m writing this piece from my UK home, where we are currently experiencing a nationwide lockdown in an attempt to nip this … Read More
Vinyl Wings: Record Subscription Review
Every record tells a story. It could be the personal experience of each musician, a hidden message behind the cover art, or the unique production and build-up that leads to a piece of music on wax. In any case, like a snapshot in time, every record ever made is a moment captured for all future generations to enjoy. Record subscription … Read More
Hazel & Alice – Won’t You Come & Sing For Me: Liner Notes According to BCR, Vol 4
The original liner notes from this record are rather special, so special, in fact, that I just had to scan them digitally. They were written by Neil V. Rosenberg from the Memorial University of Newfoundland (Canada) on April 15th, 1973. I did this because they provide such incredible insight, not only into the songs, but also a brief and ugly … Read More
Wax Wash Vinyl Record Cleaner Review
As we like to say at Sound Matters, great vinyl records are clean vinyl records. I’m slightly obsessed with cleaning vinyl, and in many ways, I find the whole process strangely therapeutic. (What can I say, record collectors are strange folk). With the aforementioned in mind, I will always welcome the opportunity to review a new method or cleaning product. … Read More