The new JDS Labs Atom Phono is more than just a phono preamp, it’s a RIAA phono stage that doubles as a tone control. As the company’s first major move into the phono preamp market, does it measure up? According to JDS Labs, the Atom Phono is “a strong RIAA phono preamp and clean tone control all in one.” There … Read More

The H019 is an all-in-one record player with built-in speakers and Bluetooth input connectivity. All-in-one record players have a bad reputation for poor sound, low build quality, and sometimes even both. Can this affordable record players from Angels Horn buck the trend? The Angels Horn H019 plays 33 1/3 & 45 RPM records and comes factory-fitted with an Audio Technica … Read More

The Debut Evo 2 represents the fifth generation of Pro-Ject’s acclaimed Debut line, a series celebrated for its quality and accessibility. With upgrades inspired by Pro-Ject’s higher-end turntables, could this be the ultimate “sweet spot” model for those seeking affordable audiophile sound? The last Debut model I reviewed, the Debut Carbon Evo, introduced several welcome enhancements to the series. Most … Read More

The RT85 sits at the top of Fluance’s Referrence Series of turntables, which starts with the RT82 model and offers incremental upgrades at each step. Originally, the RT85 shipped only with an Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge—a superb cartridge at its price point and one I’ve used for many years. That said, the Ortofon range of cartridges have a distinct sound … Read More

The MC Pro phono preamp by Michael Fidler (Classic Audio Ltd) promises a whisper-quiet signal-to-noise ratio, alongside hyper-accurate RIAA performance. Having been suitably impressed with Michael’s Spartan 15 moving magnet phono stage, can his first venture into the delicate world of moving coil amplification knock it out of the park once again? As is the case with all Michael Fidler … Read More

The iFi ZEN Phono lists some impressive specs for a phono preamp sitting in the sub-$200/£200 price bracket. iFi makes the bold statement that “you will fall in love with your LPs all over again,” but with such stiff competition in the market, how does the ZEN phono measure up? Having reviewed many affordable phono preamps here at Sound Matters, … Read More

Featuring Bluetooth connectivity, a rosewood veneer MDF plinth, and a sleek carbon fiber tonearm, Audio Technica’s LPW50BT combines stylistic flair with impressive sound. Is this the levelling-up manual turntable you’ve been looking for? Pros Cons Engaging and well-balanced sound. Bluetooth was temperamental to connect (in my experience). Excellent build quality from both a look and feel perspective – a joy … 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

Michael Fidler’s company, Classic Audio Ltd made significant waves across the vinyl community back in December 2021 with the release of his Spartan 10 model phono preamp. By favoring all through-hole original circuit technology in place of cheaper surface-mounted exotically-sourced parts, the Spartan 10 was a breath of fresh air in a world where price and production scalability often take … Read More