The last installment in Bob Dylan’s so-called “rock trilogy” is an ambitious and accomplished creative crossroads that came to be the perfect pivot point to intersect his hippie minstrel poet past with the electric swagger of his trio of albums in the mid-1960s… The version of this album featured is the VMP Essentials release cut by Ryan Smith at Sterling … Read More
Phono vs Line: What’s the Difference? – Vinyl 101
The terms “phono” and “line” are often misunderstood, particularly by new record collectors. Understandably, phono inputs can confuse music enthusiasts as they use the same RCA connectors as the inputs and outputs labels as “line” or “aux” on turntables and amplifiers. So what’s the difference between phono and line signals? Fortunately, it’s easy to boil this question down to a … Read More
Moving Magnet Vs Moving Coil Phono Cartridges – What’s The Difference?
When it comes to choosing the right components for your turntable, your phono cartridge is, well, pretty important. After all, this is the device that makes direct contact with your records. In most audio systems, inputs are almost certainly more important than outputs; to put it frankly—shit in, shit out. There are two main types of phono cartridge available: moving … Read More
How NOT to clean vinyl records
Great vinyl records are clean vinyl records, that much is well understood. But with so much advice available on the internet, how can you determine which cleaning methods lead to vinyl nirvana, and which ones lead to frustration and regret? We’ve covered plenty of tried and tested cleaning methods at Sound Matters, but this article is different. This time, we’ll be … Read More
Why Are Vinyl Records So Expensive? Will Prices Come Down?
Consumer demand for vinyl records continues to defy all odds in the digital age. By the end of 2022, total units sold in the US capped out at 43.5 million records (up 4.2% from 41.7 million in 2021—according to this report). Given that $30-$40 price tags are not uncommon on your average LP, it’s quite remarkable to see such sustained … Read More
Why Buy Vinyl Records? Top Five Reasons
In a world where we can access almost any piece of music at the click of a mouse or the tap of a screen, who would think that a physical format like vinyl would continue to endure? Far from being a nostalgia trip, vinyl records are now enjoyed by a wide range of ages by music fans searching for something … Read More
Best Turntable Isolation Platform: Buyer’s Guide
Vibration and resonance are the enemies of many vinyl enthusiasts. At best, it clouds the audio output, hindering your listening enjoyment. Worse still, it can disturb your stylus enough to knock it straight out of the groove during playback. There are many ways to guard your turntable against vibrations and resonance, from choosing the right turntable position to upgrading your … Read More
Do Picture Disc Vinyl Records Sound Worse?
A large part of vinyl’s lasting appeal is the artwork. The larger physical canvas has long given musicians the chance to express their art beyond the music in a way that adds to the overall experience of collecting and listening to music. In the case of a picture disc vinyl record, the whole product becomes a canvas, opening up a … Read More
Exclusive Twelve Inch & GrooveWasher Holiday Bundle
Available exclusively this holiday season to Sound Matters subscribers: A Twelve Inch Original 4ECO bundled with a limited edition signature Groovewasher Walnut record cleaning brush – both now available at the sale price of €99 + free shipping (regular price 109 + shipping average of €20). Shipping is free to the US, Canada, UK, & EU (Only 80 kits available – … Read More
How to Fix Scratches on Vinyl Records Using a Toothpick
We’ve all got those records in our collection that, for one reason or another, have suffered the dreaded fate of a gouge or deep scratch on the surface resulting in the record skipping or looping. In many cases, these records are often perfectly listenable apparent from the affected area, making it all the more frustrating that an otherwise perfect piece … Read More
