Analog Corner

Analog Corner Powerline Accessory Reviews

Analog Corner #198: More Power To Ya! The Shunyata Hydra Triton

Michael Fremer Oct 05, 2026 First Published: Jan 01, 2012

We interrupt our regularly scheduled analog programming for this important message: Shunyata Research's proprietary DTCD Analyzer finally proves that power cords, power conditioners, circuit breakers, even fuses measure differently, and that perhaps these measured differences are what audio enthusiasts hear when they swap out these elements in their systems.

Analog Corner Phono Preamp Reviews

Analog Corner #199: Wadax Does Analog Digitally

Michael Fremer Sep 14, 2026 First Published: Feb 01, 2012

Michael Fremer by Jeff Wong

Other than for archiving and iPod use, is there any good reason to digitize vinyl playback? Pure Vinyl's Rob Robinson thinks so. His software offers RIAA and dozens of digital-domain equalization curves that he claims are inherently superior to any analog-domain filtering.

Analog Corner Phono Cartridge Reviews

Analog Corner #200: The Soundsmith Goes Direct-Cut; Soundsmith Sussurro phono cartridge

Michael Fremer Sep 07, 2026 First Published: Mar 01, 2012

Peter Ledermann's head rose from his Neumann SX-74 cutting lathe. He looked concerned. "The platter stopped turning the other day and I'm not exactly sure why," he said. "It started working again, but you know, these things are old..."

Analog Corner Phono Cartridge Reviews

Analog Corner #202: CD takes on LP and Atlas takes on Titan

Michael Fremer Aug 31, 2026 First Published: May 01, 2012

The vinyl revival was bound to produce a backlash. On February 10 2012, Science Friday, a weekly NPR program, ran a segment titled "Why Vinyl Sounds Better than CD, or Not." Both guests said "or Not" without really explaining why. The show made me even more crazy than usual.

Analog Corner Phono Accessory Reviews Phono Preamp Reviews

Analog Corner #203: A Whole Lotta Analog Stuff!

Michael Fremer Aug 24, 2026 First Published: Jun 12, 2012

The latest product from Graham Slee is the Reflex M ($1240). Like the company's previous designs, the lightweight Reflex M is housed in a small aluminum case and is powered by an outboard 24V DC power supply. RIAA equalization is applied actively within the negative feedback loop.

Analog Corner Audacious Audio Turntable Reviews

Analog Corner #204: The Onedof Turntable, a Smooth Operator

Michael Fremer Jul 26, 2026 First Published: Jul 01, 2012

Will yet another $150,000 turntable fly in 2012? I'm speaking metaphorically, of course, but if any designer could make a turntable literally fly, it would be the Onedof's designer, Aleks Bakman.

Analog Corner Phono Cartridge Reviews Phono Preamp Reviews

Analog Corner #205: H&S Ice Blue phono cartridge, Manley Chinook phono preamplifier

Michael Fremer Jun 12, 2026 First Published: Aug 01, 2012

AnalogPlanet.com has gone live. Allan Toussaint should title an album. Elvis Costello should write a song. I'm running the website, and will continue to write this monthly column for Stereophile, as well as equipment reviews (though fewer of the latter).

Analog Corner Phono Cartridge Reviews Phono Preamp Reviews

Analog Corner #206: Travels, Musical Fidelity M1ViNL phono preamplifier, Clearaudio Goldfinger Statement phono cartridge

Michael Fremer May 25, 2026 First Published: Sep 01, 2012

I recently spent a week traveling—it was good to get out of the basement! First up, toward the end of May, was an event at the Audio Alternative, in Fort Collins, Colorado. Owner Rick Duplisea is a vinyl fanatic and Linnie whose store—actually, his sprawling home—is packed with gear and LPs. His record collection beats mine.

Analog Corner Audacious Audio Tonearm Reviews Turntable Reviews

Analog Corner #207: Wave Kinetics NVS Reference turntable & Durand Telos tonearm

Michael Fremer May 11, 2026 First Published: Oct 01, 2012

The late Jonathan Tinn of Blue Light Audio, importer of darTZeel electronics and a partner in Playback Designs with DSD expert Andreas Koch, loved vinyl. He approached Wave Kinetics' Matt Schuster and proposed that they together produce a turntable. Matt Schuster came up with the Wave Kinetics NVS Reference turntable ($45,000).

Analog Corner Tonearm Reviews Turntable Reviews

Analog Corner #208: Spiral Groove SG1.1 turntable & Centroid tonearm

Michael Fremer Apr 13, 2026 First Published: Nov 01, 2012

Allen Perkins's Spiral Groove SG1.1 turntable ($25,000) is a remarkably dense, compact, belt-driven design that weighs a surprising 75lb. With the motor isolated inside its 18.5" wide by 15" deep plinth, the SG1.1 has a small footprint, and its height of ca 5", including feet, permits a flexibility of placement seldom found with premium-priced turntables.