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
Sound Matters test Pro-Ject’s new and improved flagship vacuum-powered record cleaning machine: Keeping your vinyl records clean is essential if you want them to sound great for a lifetime and beyond. For this reason, vinyl record cleaning remains one of the most-read topics on Sound Matters. For those on a tight budget, you can achieve great results cleaning records by … Read More
Canadian-based company, Vinyl Storage Solutions (VSS) made a big impact on the vinyl community earlier this year when their innovative take on the humble outer record sleeve began flying off the shelves. Company founder, Mike Sarazin set out to improve on existing designs by incorporating 100% North American materials, and by introducing an innovative dual pocket design. (Check out our … Read More
As the seasons change, so does our desire for music, food, drink, and many other pleasures that make life worth living. As spring passes to summer, and summer to autumn (or fall depending on where you live), we’re encouraged into a state of reflection that reminds us of our own humanity. Put more eloquently, in the words of Yoko Ono: … Read More
So you’ve decided to start collecting vinyl. Fantastic! In our great digital age, vinyl records offer an experience that is authentic and rewarding. At this stage, there’s a good chance you’re looking for something a little more from your music than a streaming service and a laptop. But most of all, you’re likely hooked on vinyl as a physical medium; … Read More
For your records to sound the best they possibly can, they need to be clean. There are many great ways to clean vinyl records by hand using a cleaning solution and microfiber cloths, but these methods can quickly become time-consuming if you need to batch clean multiple records in one sitting. Vacuum record cleaning machines are convenient and effective but … Read More
Controlling turntable resonance is imperative if you want to achieve the best possible sound from your vinyl records. All turntables require damping to control external and mechanical resonance, and even modest setups can receive a significant performance improvement from just a little attention in this area. Acrylic platters are revered across the hi-fi industry for helping to drastically reduce turntable … Read More
Your turntable phono cartridge is an incredibly sensitive bit of kit capable of turning even very small vibrations into an electrical signal that inevitably ends up processed as sound. Any resonance, vibrations, or mechanical noise that is processed by the cartridge will muddy the sound of your records, and in louder, more extreme circumstance, feedback can occur. Needless to say, … Read More
A cork slip mat is one of the most affordable, yet effective upgrades you can make to your turntable setup. Cork has many benefits including reduced static, better isolation from motor/belt sound, and (best of all) a tighter, more focused playback sound. In my experience, the bass frequency performance, in particular, is reinforced by the addition of a good quality … Read More
Pro-Ject Audio Systems have rightfully gained a reputation in the market for manufacturing elegant turntables. Their approach is refreshingly simple, with bells and whistles removed in favour of high-quality components delivering the best possible performance at each price-point. I’ve tested the Pro-Ject Essential II before and was impressed with the performance given the relatively low price. Naturally, when the opportunity … Read More