Vinyl record subscription services continue to grow in popularity. They’re a fantastic way to grow your collection, discover new music, and broaden your musical horizon. At Sound Matters, we’ve reviewed a wide range of vinyl record subscription services available in North America, the UK, and the EU. Each service offers a unique approach, with some focusing on specific genres and … Read More
Make your records sing with the best speakers for vinyl records that won’t break the bank. The speakers are your turntable’s voice to the world. If you’re lucky enough to have a nice turntable or record player, you want to do it justice with a nice set of speakers. And while I always say the first part of the audio … Read More
Does the VC-E compact record cleaning machine from Pro-Ject match up to its bigger brother, the VC-S2 ALU? Sound Matters put the device through its paces. When Pro-Ject upgraded its popular vacuum record cleaning machines with shiny new aluminum chassis, we quickly investigated the new VC-S2 ALU. As a direct replacement for Pro-Ject’s flagship VC-S, the new VC-S2 ALU brought … Read More
Getting set up to play vinyl records doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, some of the most affordable budget turntables on the market are capable of delivering Hi-Fi results for as little as $199. Thanks to a continued resurgence in the popularity of vinyl as a medium, several manufacturers of turntables have applied their engineering prowess to produce … Read More
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. We’ve got a fantastic range of gift ideas … 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
If you’re the proud owner of a large vinyl record collection, or you want to step up your record cleaning game, a record cleaning machine is one of the best investments you can make. Yes, they require some investment up-front, but in the name of priceless record preservation and the pursuit of audio nirvana, they are worth every penny. There … Read More
For vinyl collectors, statically charged records are a persistent thorn in the side. When a vinyl record becomes statically charged, it acts like a magnet for any dust lurking near its vicinity, making it near-impossible to keep the record clean. Watch our video below or a full demonstration or continue reading to learn more. The problem is most acute in … Read More
For many, The Mars Volta ‘De-loused in the Comatorium’ is a holy grail album to bag on vinyl. So as VMP (Vinyl Me, Please) make this modern prog-rock classic their Essentials Record of the Month for July, we delve into this monstrously epic display of music virtuosity to find out why it’s still sought after nearly 20 years later. De-Loused … 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