Buying a vintage turntable can offer many advantages over shiny new decks fresh off the production line. First and foremost, going vintage can make obtaining a higher-quality turntable more affordable. The potential to grab a bargain will undoubtedly appeal to many record collectors, as, let’s face it, HiFi audio and record collecting isn’t exactly the cheapest of hobbies. When choosing … Read More
HEXMAT Eclipse Review – The Best Platter Mat?
Back in 2020, Hungarian innovators HEXMAT turned the platter mat market on its head with the truly unique Yellow Bird record isolator. The new Eclipse model promises further improvements on the initial concept. Can it deliver? Sound Matters put the HEXMAT Eclipse through its paces. Platter mats are often overlooked in the turntable accessory market. After all, why would a … Read More
New Bamboo Vinyl Wall Display from Twelve Inch
In a push to improve the quality and sustainability of their products, Sound Matters partners Twelve Inch have switched their popular frameless record display systems from plastic to Bamboo. As a vinyl enthusiast and a fan of natural materials to boot, the new product sounds ideal on paper. Sound Matters dig deeper to see how the new design measures up. … Read More
Top Vinyl Record Books For Record Collectors
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
Vinyl Pursuit – Used Record Shopping without the Nasty Surprises?
Buying used vinyl records online is fraught with potential problems; from inaccurate condition grading to the hassle of cleaning each record when it arrives, there’s a lot that can go wrong. Vinyl Pursuit, a new service based in Canada, is on a mission to change that with its new premium online used record store. Unlike most used vinyl purchased online, … Read More
VinylBox Subscription Review – An Eclectic Service for Budding Record Enthusiasts
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
Pro-Ject VC-E Review – Is it as good as the bigger VC-S2 ALU
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
How to Remove Static from Vinyl Records Using the Milty Zerostat
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
Holy Grail Re-Issues: De-Loused in the Comatorium
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
Synthizer Bamboo Vinyl Record Holder Review
If you’re anything like me, your vinyl record collection is an ever-expanding beast. Once you’re hit with the vinyl bug, there’s no satisfying that itch to buy more records as you set out on a lifetime journey of musical discovery. The bigger your collection gets, the more creative you have to get with storage. A record crate becomes a record … Read More