Gift Ideas For Vinyl Lovers & Record Collectors 2023

Marc HenshallReviews1 Comment

Vinyl lover gifts guaranteed to make their day! It’s that time of year again; the temperature is dropping, the nights are drawing in, and that nagging question of what to buy friends and family for the big day is becoming more significant with each passing week. If you’re buying for the vinyl record enthusiast, you’ve come to the right place. … Read More

Fluance RT81+ Review – Superior Entry-Level Turntable?

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Canadian-based audio brand Fluance has earned a reputation for packing unbelievable value into its products. In particular, the RT81 brought exceptional value to anyone seeking to kickstart their vinyl hobby or jump back in after re-discovering a long-lost record collection. The RT81+ adds an acrylic platter mat, adjustable feet, and Audio Technica’s new AT-VM95E cartridge to Fluance’s popular affordable turntable … Read More

Schiit Mani 2 Review – Best Budget Phono Preamp?

Marc HenshallReviews9 Comments

Since its initial release in 2014, the Mani phono preamp from Schiit Audio has gained a reputation as one of the best-sounding affordable options on the market.  Fast forward to the present day, and there’s a new kid in town, the Schiit Mani 2. The latest incarnation of this much-loved phono stage promises (in the words of Schiit Audio) to … Read More

Moon 110LP v2 Review: Next Level Phono Preamp?

Marc HenshallReviews6 Comments

Compact, beautifully designed, and relatively affordable—could the Moon 110LP v2 take your vinyl playback into the stratosphere and beyond? The Moon 110LP v2 by SIMAUDIO is the company’s take on an affordable phono preamp, aiming to take technologies developed for their higher-end phono preamps and make them more accessible in an affordable, low-profile unit. Everyone loves an audiophile bargain, and … Read More

Pro-Ject T1 Review – Gateway to Audiophile?

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Sitting between Pro-Ject’s new entry-level E1 and the legendary “Debut” line, does Pro-Ject’s T1 turntable offer the best bang for your buck? Having recently reviewed the Pro-Ject Primary E and E1 entry-level turntables, Sound Matters explore what you gain for stepping up a level in the Pro-Ject upgrade path.  The Pro-Ject T1 is said to bring “audiophile design to a … Read More

Pro-Ject E1 Review – A Great First Turntable?

Marc HenshallReviews5 Comments

When it comes to designing affordable turntables with true HiFi sound, Pro-Ject are a formidable force. The Austrian company calls their relatively new E1 series “Entry 1 into the world of analog sound”. Could the Pro-Ject E1 be the ideal first turntable? Pros: Great sound at this price point | Handy speed switching | Super easy setup | Optional built-In … Read More

Pro-Ject Primary E Review: Great Vinyl Sound?

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Pro-Ject has a long-held reputation for nailing the basics to produce entry level-decks with real audiophile credentials. But does the Primary E live up to its forebears?  Pros: Basic playback performance is spot on | Easy plug-and-play setup | Energetic and lively sound. Cons: Not much to look at, but a small price to pay for nailing the sonic performance at such … Read More

Fosi Audio Box X2 Phono Preamp Review – Audiophile Bargain?

Marc HenshallReviews9 Comments

With a highly attractive price tag of just $70, the Fosi Audio Box X2 tube phono preamplifier has rightly caught the attention of value-seeking vinyl enthusiasts. But at such a low cost, can it really improve the sound of your records? The Fosi Audio Box X2 is a tube phono preamplifier of sorts. In reality, like most affordable tube phono … Read More

Ten of the Best Vinyl Record Subscription Services in 2023

Marc HenshallReviews26 Comments

Across the vinyl community, there is a shared appreciation for the experience of collecting and playing records. We all have an affection for the physical product and the extra dimension it brings to the music we love. As an increasing number of music fans discover the joy of vinyl, there is a growing number of vinyl record subscriptions and record … Read More

Rega Fono Mini A2D MK2 Review

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Could Rega’s entry-level phono stage be one of the best budget phono preamps on the market? If you want to get the very best performance from your turntable’s cartridge, a great-sounding phono preamp is essential.  Rega has a long-standing reputation for delivering exceptional audiophile value with products prioritizing sound quality over bells and whistles.  The Fono Mini A2D MK2 is … Read More