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Welcome to my series Treasures from the Vinyl Vault. In it, I will feature select gems from my approximately 12,000 ever-growing vinyl collection, accumulated over a 45-year period and counting.
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Jazz pianist Jean-Michel Pilc, once a devoted audiophile with Linn and Naim gear, now favors simpler setups and live recordings, believing music—not the gear—should move us, whether it’s Mingus or McCartney.
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An Interview with André Perry, legendary record producer and founder of the fabled Le Studio, Part 2
Founder of Le Studio, the iconic, pop-culture defining music studio tucked in the Canadian wilderness, André Perry worked with some of the biggest artists in the biz. Did he have any favourites?
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Claude Lemaire’s sprawling DIY vinyl system may look eccentric, but its rich, soulful sound proves his unorthodox tweaks and vintage gear choices are far from frivolous.
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Marlboro, NJ – June 9, 2022: Today, KEF is announcing the upcoming launch of the LSX II Wireless HiFi System. Much more than a simple upgrade from the award-winning original, LSX II combines class-leading sound with the all-encompassing W2 wireless platform from the pioneering LS50 Wireless II and LS60 Wireless. Offering high-fidelity sound, numerous connectivity…
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Jonson Lee argues that no gear upgrade rivals a clear mind—distraction and interpretation, he writes, add more “noise and distortion” to the listening experience than any component ever could.
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Fleeing taxes and chaos, the Rolling Stones holed up in a French villa and conjured “Exile on Main St.” — a murky, magnificent sprawl of blues, gospel, and rock’n’roll defiance that still resonates 50 years on.
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Québec Acoustique’s William Desjardins proves the audiophile flame burns bright in the next generation, curating a $10K system with astonishing synergy, warmth, and realism that outshines setups costing twice as much.
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As protests raged and culture shifted in 1968, soul and funk artists like James Brown, The Temptations, and Marvin Gaye redefined Black music with psychedelic grooves, political messages, and genre-breaking experimentation.
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Three SPDIF cables from AudioQuest, Kimber, and Audience face off—each delivering distinct sonic strengths—while the old-school Auric Illuminator CD treatment surprisingly proves its worth, boosting clarity, ambiance, and realism across multiple discs.
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Rotel’s A12MKII integrated amp-DAC impresses with refined power, a premium DAC, and warm, balanced sound. While lacking AAC Bluetooth support, it shines with dynamic range, rich midrange, and build quality that outclasses rivals.
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George Harrison’s enthusiasm for Delaney & Bonnie’s Accept No Substitute nearly landed the duo on Apple Records—until label politics and Delaney’s double-dealing derailed the deal, sparking industry drama and setting off a ripple through rock history.
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Braving the brisk Montreal weather, Mike Harkins attends the 2022 Montréal Audiofest, where standout systems from Focal, Muraudio, PS Audio, and more share the spotlight with jazz sets, Dolby Atmos demos, and rooftop ducks.
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Luthier Okkyum Kim and reviewer Robert Schryer audition Audio Element’s $10K Krypton system in Pasadena and are stunned by its deep, articulate bass and musical realism—qualities that rival systems many times its price.
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Rob Halford’s brief decision to axe guitarist Andy Sneap nearly derailed Judas Priest’s 50th anniversary tour—until he reversed course, reaffirming the band’s twin-guitar identity and delivering a triumphant metal lesson in self-awareness.
