Marten at AXPONA 2026
At AXPONA 2026, Ken Micallef speaks with Marten Global Sales Manager Martin Dunhoff about the company's latest offering, the new $500K Marten Coltrane Quintet Extreme loudspeakers.
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Wash, Repeat, Don't Rinse; More on Cleaning LPs
I wrote in the April 2026 issue of Stereophile that when you clean records in an ultrasonic bath, you need to make some decisions. The first is whether it's necessary to use distilled water or whether tap water is good enough . . . The next decision is, should I use a surfactant?
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Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman on the Triumphant Return of The Guess Who
Mike Mettler talks with Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman about The Guess Who's new reunion tour, why they were early proponents of releasing stereo singles, which one of them loves vinyl and which one prefers CD and digital, and how the eternal hit that is "American Woman" was born out of an improvised riff during a live show.
May 2026 Classical Record Reviews
Brahms: Trio Op.114; Tabea Zimmermann, viola; Jean-Guihen Queyras, cello; Javier Perianes, piano. Mahler: Symphony 9; London Philharmonic Orchestra/Vladimir Jurowski. Sean Shibe: Vesper. Elsa Barraine: Symphonies 1 & 2; Song-Koï; Les Tziganes; Orchestre National de France/Cristian Măcelaru.
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May 2026 Jazz Record Reviews
Gabrielle Cavassa: Diavola; Miroslav Vitous: Mountain Call; Pepper Adams Quintet; Cecil Taylor Unit: Fragments: The Complete 1969 Salle Pleyel Concerts; Javon Jackson: Jackson Plays Dylan.
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May 2026 Rock/Pop Record Reviews
Deary: Birding; Bird Streets: The Escape Artist; Kula Shaker: Wormslayer; Miles Kane: Sunlight in the Shadows.
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Advance Paris at AXPONA 2026
At AXPONA 2026, Ken Micallef speaks with Advance Paris owner Dimitri Peucelle about the company's latest gear at the show, including its new line of Nova integrated amplifiers.
Nordost QNet7 reclocking network switch
In the opinion of this hi-fi reviewer, the debate over the efficacy of audio-quality network switches should be over. As logic would dictate, when connections are made via a network switch, the quality of its inputs, outputs, oscillators (clocks), power supplies, and pathways affects the sound of everything downstream. It's clearly audible. Everything matters.
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An "Average Joe" Goes to a Listening Party
The Thursday after AXPONA, I planned to go to a listening party, sponsored by our town's library and held at a local art gallery. I thought that for once I would expand my horizons and spend time with others who love music instead of sitting alone in front of my hi-fi.—Joe Lynn
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Ex Machina Soundworks and Danville Signal at AXPONA 2026
At AXPONA 2026, Ken Micallef speaks with Ex Machina Soundworks' Dev Avidon and Danville Signal's Al Clark about the all-in-one Main Sequence System they demo’ed together at the show.