The tactile nature of vinyl records is both what makes the format appealing, and also challenging. Well cared for records can last a lifetime, while poorly looked after records will quickly become worthless and unlistenable. For the best listening experience, consider following these key points to help look after your vinyl records and preserve them for many years to come. … Read More
How to Shop For Used Records
Browsing the used section of your local record store is one of the best ways to expand your love of music and vinyl. Used records are a treasure trove of musical history. There are thousands of titles from across many decades just waiting to be discovered, but finding the right record at the right price can feel like searching for … Read More
Win a Copy of The Vinyl Revival Film & Book
COMPETITION CLOSED – Winner Announced:Huge congratulations to Neil who is our winner of the competition. Neil has been contacted via email and we’ll be getting the prize out to him very soon. Not to worry if you haven’t been lucky this time. We’re always running regular competitions here at Sound Matters, so we look forward to giving our readers another … Read More
Ten of the Best Budget to Mid-Range Turntables in 2020
Vinyl is back! The momentum behind consumer enthusiasm for the vinyl experience shows no sign of slowing, and while streaming offers day-to-day convenience on a mass-market level, vinyl continues to appeal among the most decerning of music fans. Hi-Fi equipment across the board has a reputation for costing a lot of money, but in truth, there are plenty of options … Read More
Does Colored Vinyl Sound Worse Than Black Vinyl?
Colored vinyl gets a bad wrap among vinyl and HiFi circles. For years, colored pressings were infamous for lousy quality. They are subsequently cast aside to this day by many as little more than a marketing gimmick. But is this really fair? Can the color of a vinyl record really make that much difference? On face value, a debate around how color … Read More
Introducing – The Spindle Podcast
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
Vinyl Run-Out Groove Messages – The Weird and The Wonderful
Traditionally, the dead wax between the final grooves and the record label is a relatively benign, uninteresting space. You might find a matrix number, or perhaps a few extra digits referring to the cut or take of a particular record—or maybe, if you’re lucky, the mastering engineer or pressing plant will add their own signature. Look a little closer, though, … 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