Constantine Soo (Dagogo publisher) recently asked me to write an article focused on the most significant phono cartridges over the last 80 years. I thought it would be a lot of fun but would require a great deal of research. At first, we thought of one or perhaps two articles focusing on early classics and […]

These are indeed times that can try our collective…, and with that, I am taking this special downtime to listen even more critically to the music I list, even if that means not agreeing with critics and public opinion. Bill Laswell’s music, as well as, the title of his album: Against Empire got me really […]

It came out of the blue like a virus, but, unlike a virus, it was beneficial. In fact, it was the opposite of a virus—it was an upgrade. Actually, a pair of upgrades. The wide envelope that usually signals an investment seminar or charitable organization update turned out to be an unexpected revision to the […]

These are indeed times that can try our collective…, and with that, I am taking this special downtime to listen even more critically to the music I list, even if that means not agreeing with critics and public opinion. The John Adams “Must the Devil Have All the Good Tunes” really struck a chord, not […]

Pass Laboratories has a core of talents I dub the Pass Labs Four: Founder Nelson Pass, not a boastful character but witty, adventurous and quiet, that is until you get him up on a stage and he opens up. And he attracts talents and major nerds who are like him. Then there is Kent English, […]

This column introduces Jazz musician Andre Ekyan (1907-1972) and tells the story of his role mentoring and promoting gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt, guiding him into the world of professional music performance. Ekyan played alto saxophone and clarinet and made robust contributions to the development of Jazz in France. A self-taught musician, arranger and bandleader, Ekyan […]

These are “special” times. More than enough for everyone this week. Much more. Until things return to a degree of relative normalcy all the weekly selections shall be bolded. The groupings of New Releases, Re-issues, Re-masters and Miscellany shall stay the same. Within Miscellany one might find all manner of live performances, as well as […]

I play records almost every day including a number of records that I bought as a teenager. Some of the older and worn records do not show as much benefit using a more expensive phono cartridge. Several years ago, I purchased a Sumiko Black Pearl ($100) moving magnet cartridge to see if it, with its […]

Publisher’s note: Yoshi Segoshi of Sakura Systems, which is the North American Importer of 47 Laboratories from Japan, is the only company able to secure products from 47 Laboratories for sale in North America. Junji Kimura, president of 47 Laboratories, has also reached out to various online entities that are selling his products. He never […]

These are “special” times. More than enough for everyone this week. Much more. Until things return to a degree of relative normalcy all the weekly selections shall be bolded. The groupings of New Releases, Re-issues, Re-masters and Miscellany shall stay the same. Within Miscellany one might find all manner of live performances, as well as […]

As we become somewhat more accustomed to this new way of life, there remains so much with which me re-accustom ourselves. This week a number of both sombre and reflective compositions. Something tells we’re not in Kansas and that the … is yet to come Until things return to a degree of relative normalcy all […]

Cage match Budget audio is like a cage match, with manufacturers pitted against each other in a battle to be declared the best value in audio. Two perennial loudspeaker contenders are Vandersteen and Magnepan, and for the sound quality each presents, they deservedly reap their share of customers. The principles at each company must breathe […]

Consider yourself sequestered, consider yourself quarantined, consider yourself one of us. Music can make the time go … Until things return to a degree of relative normalcy all the weekly selections shall be bolded. The groupings of New Releases, Re-issues, Re-masters and Miscellany shall stay the same. Within Miscellany one might find all manner of […]

Consider yourself sequestered, consider yourself quarantined, consider yourself one of us. Music can make the time go … I have BOLDED those selections which caught both my eye and ear this week. The groupings of New Releases, Re-issues, Re-masters and Miscellany shall stay the same. Within Miscellany one might find all manner of live performances, […]

  (Designed for use with PureAudioProject speakers) Could your audiophile life use a little spicing up? Care to go where no lazy audiophile has gone? Want some mid-Winter fun? How about a speaker system that caters to adventure with an adjustable active crossover? In this article I focus on my first month with the PureAudioProject […]

So much, too much going on. Releases from here, from there, everywhere. I have BOLDED those selections which caught both my eye and ear this week. The groupings of New Releases, Re-issues, Re-masters and Miscellany shall stay the same. Within Miscellany one might find all manner of live performances, as well as archival/historic recordings.   […]

  So much, too much going on. Releases from here, from there, everywhere. I have BOLDED those selections which caught both my eye and ear this week. The groupings of New Releases, Re-issues, Re-masters and Miscellany shall stay the same. Within Miscellany one might find all manner of live performances, as well as archival/historic recordings. […]

  Last year I gave a very positive review of the Ortofon MC1 Turbo, a high-output moving coil phono cartridge ($240). During the review I compared it to the popular Ortofon 2M Red moving magnet cartridge ($99). I found the MC1 Turbo to have a nice, relaxed sound, whereas the Ortofon 2M Red was very […]

NARP, the New Album Releases Project, got its start at NAR, New Album Releases, and back then – January 17,  2018, I had no idea that it would evolve into a project and be still going strong just about two years later. A proper backgrounder can be read here: https://www.dagogo.com/what-is-nar/ In light of NARP’s longevity […]

Imagine if you will a record cleaning panel gone wrong. It slipped its gears and from most if not all accounts went off the reservation. This is what was relayed to me by a number of sources about such a panel at RMAF 2019, so much so that certain members of the panel and others […]

NARP, the New Album Releases Project, got its start at NAR, New Album Releases, and back then – January 17,  2018, I had no idea that it would evolve into a project and be still going strong just about two years later. A proper backgrounder can be read here: https://www.dagogo.com/what-is-nar/ In light of NARP’s longevity […]

Allo’s USBridge Signature, introduced about this time last year, supersedes the original USBridge. I was keen to evaluate this new unit as I was so impressed with the original, and up until this new product was announced the original design was my go-to recommendation for those looking for such a solution. The earlier USBridge was […]

NARP, the New Album Releases Project, got its start at NAR, New Album Releases, and back then – January 17,  2018, I had no idea that it would evolve into a project and be still going strong just about two years later. A proper backgrounder can be read here: https://www.dagogo.com/what-is-nar/ In light of NARP’s longevity […]

Also read Benny Goodman’s Kingdom of Swing, Part 1 of 2 Combos, Maturity and Legacy In the late 1930s the innovative Swing combos of Benny Goodman http://www.jazzhotbigstep.com/45801.html (1909-1986) shaped a new small-band Jazz format.  His trios, quartets and sextets introduced sophisticated combo jazz to a broad popular audience.  Goodman did for clarinet what Louis Armstrong […]

I met up with Dave Cope of Old Forge Marketing and Old Forge Studio at the California Audio Show (CAS) in July 2019.  Dave is the US importer for Pure Audio, a line of audio equipment amplification from New Zealand. After listening in the room Dave had set it up it was very clear to […]

NARP, the New Album Releases Project, got its start at NAR, New Album Releases, and back then – January 17,  2018, I had no idea that it would evolve into a project and be still going strong just about two years later. A proper backgrounder can be read here: https://www.dagogo.com/what-is-nar/ In light of NARP’s longevity […]

NARP, the New Album Releases Project, got its start at NAR, New Album Releases, and back then – January 17,  2018, I had no idea that it would evolve into a project and be still going strong just about two years later. A proper backgrounder can be read here: https://www.dagogo.com/what-is-nar/ In light of NARP’s longevity […]

[Publisher’s note: This article is presented by Dagogo Senior Reviewer David Blumenstein.] Always Learning Having been a self-taught mastering engineer for the last 22 years (among other things), I’ve had the chance to learn some simple things independently which are not necessarily the same as what you would receive with formal training. Much of this […]

For the past three years, my favorite phono cartridge has been the Hana EH, which I have listened to  almost every day for hours. The Hana is a high-output moving coil cartridge, so, unlike moving magnet cartridges, the stylus is not user replaceable after it wears out. Since I don’t have a high powered microscope […]

You’ve just bought a new sound system or maybe you’re just moving the one you have. You’ve brought it home and now you can’t wait to get it set up and ready to play. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your stereo system. Where you put your components […]