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From apologizing to loved ones neglected during DAC testing to listening to Dark Side of the Moon on a $20 speaker, this clever guide skewers obsessive habits with wit, reminding readers that “it’s the ear, not the gear.”
Picture it: the 1993 MTV Video Music Awards. An event known for its unpredictable moments, a red carpet full of rebellious stars, and backstage antics that could make headlines. But no one was ready for one of the most iconic snapshots of the night—a crying baby Frances Bean Cobain cradled in the arms of RuPaul,…
In the annals of rock history, few moments resonate as deeply as the summer of 1980 when AC/DC unleashed their thunderous masterpiece, “Back in Black.” This wasn’t just any album release; it was a seismic shift that redefined the band’s legacy and left an indelible mark on the world of rock ‘n’ roll. Rising from…
The Vinyl Beat is a new column that will dig up notable vinyl nuggets, past and present.
Photos by Robert Schryer except where otherwise indicated. I’d never listened to the WATT/Puppy speaker before, but, of course, as an audiophile, I’d heard of it, although not in the last few years, the reason for which will be revealed in a moment. But I always wanted to hear it, so having been offered the…
“It’s holographic. I close my eyes and can feel the sound of my system around me, like there’s a soft breeze running through everything. That is the ultimate.”
In the hallowed halls of the most elite audiophile forums, where the mere mention of MP3s is considered blasphemy and vinyl is revered with a religious fervor, a revolutionary new product has sent shockwaves through the community: Moon Rock Record Needles. These aren’t your grandmother’s diamond-tipped needles, oh no. These are painstakingly crafted from genuine…
In the hallowed halls of audiophilia, where the quest for acoustic perfection is more sacred than the silence in a monastery, a groundbreaking revelation is about to send shockwaves. Audiophiles, brace yourselves, for the game is about to change, not with another esoteric piece of equipment, but with something far more… personal. Enter the Ear…
In a world inundated with chart-toppers and viral tracks that infiltrate every earbud, a brave new frontier in music streaming is making waves—or perhaps more accurately, gentle ripples. Enter Spotifade, the esoteric cousin of the streaming giant we all know and occasionally love. This isn’t just another streaming platform; it’s a veritable resistance against the…
In the ever-evolving landscape of hip-hop, a phenomenon reverberates with unwavering resonance – “The 1985 Effect.” This term is harvested from the seeds of J. Cole’s candid song “1985 (Intro to ‘The Fall Off’),” where wisdom intertwines with rhythm, creating a narrative that pierces the fabric of contemporary hip-hop culture. The song paints an authentic…
In the luminous haze of the early ’90s, hair metal’s excesses dominated, and pop melodies entranced. But from Aberdeen, Washington, a distinct sound was about to change everything. Nirvana’s “Nevermind”, released on September 24, 1991, catapulted grunge into mainstream consciousness, redefining rock’s boundaries and societal conventions. The stories embedded within Nirvana’s “Nevermind” are as captivating…
Are you weary of that old-fashioned, pedestrian approach to sound emanating from beneath your feet? Do the regular floor-standers seem a tad too… earthbound for your elevated tastes? Have you caught your neck complaining after hours of jamming to tunes from those towering behemoths we call standing speakers? Fear not, dear audiophiles, for an auditory…
September 10, 1991. The music world was about to be irrevocably shaken. The airwaves, long dominated by polished pop beats and the electric glitz of the ’80s, were intercepted by a raw, gritty guitar riff heralding the arrival of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” As the lead single from the band’s seminal “Nevermind” album, this…
In the radiant summer of 1969, the idyllic town of Bethel, New York, would bear witness to an event that would become the anthem of a generation. Over 400,000 free spirits, music lovers, and dreamers flocked to a sprawling dairy farm owned by the kind-hearted Max and Miriam Yasgur. The venue: the Woodstock Music &…
On August 1, 1981, an unprecedented event occurred in the media industry that would forever change the way we consume music: the launch of MTV (Music Television). The first-ever music video to grace this new platform was The Buggles’ fittingly prophetic “Video Killed the Radio Star,” a title that foresaw the pivotal shift about to…