Category Archive

More of an isolator than a traditional platter mat, the new HEXMAT “Yellow Bird” is both visually striking and intriguing. As vinyl enthusiasts, we are constantly in pursuit of the perfect setup and sound. A great turntable is only half the battle, as all aspects and components of any HiFi setup will affect the final sound. Turntable mats are certainly … Read More

The 2M series from Ortofon has, for many, become the de facto cartridge and styli range for the vinyl revival. The ubiquitous 2M Red, in particular, has rightly earnt a reputation as one of the best-sounding affordable cartridges on the market at just $99 or £95. Sound-wise, the performance is undoubtedly impressive across the 2M range, which is semi-modular to … Read More

As record enthusiasts, we like nothing more than to indulge in our hobby. We’ll explore every aspect in search of vinyl nirvana, whether it’s through the pages of a website like Sound Matters, the many excellent resources available on YouTube, or even good old fashioned printed books. Many of us don’t do things by halves, and we’re a stickler for … Read More

One of my key motivators for starting Sound Matters was the loss of experience and musical discovery that happens when you surrender all music ownership to the internet. The abundance of choice online is amazing, and it’s never been easier or cheaper to access more music than a person can consume in a lifetime. The trouble is, the experience just … Read More

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

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

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

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

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