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.

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Gramophone Dreams #112: Audio Note IO II phono cartridge & Audio Note AN-S4L SUT

Herb Reichert Aug 26, 2026

When I began writing for Stereophile in 2014, I decided not to mention Audio Note. I decided this because during the best part of the 1990s, I enthusiastically represented both Audio Note UK and Audio Note Japan (Kondo). I did not want my new readers thinking my Stereophile review stories were biased by my previous affiliations.

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Gramophone Dreams #110: LAiV Harmony µDAC, Etsuro Urushi Cobalt Blue, Bob's Devices Sky 20-S

Herb Reichert Jul 01, 2026

In my studio, I have a hand-sized wood box. It is the soundbox of an African musical instrument with a small internal volume, a pencil-sized sound hole, a bent steel bridge, and an array of eight steel wires with flattened ends—a keyboard. It is called a mbira . . . you can buy a spiffy varnished mbira at Walmart, where it is called a "Kalimba."

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).

Brilliant Corners Phono Cartridge Reviews

Brilliant Corners #39: Koetsu Reborn

Alex Halberstadt Jun 02, 2026

I find myself appreciating more and more the way perfectionist audio—a peculiar mix of art, craft, and engineering—tends to attract idealists. Temperamentally, hi-fi people tend to be unlike people involved in the manufacture of ring-joint gaskets or digital kitchen timers—activities that, without a doubt, have their own scales of excellence.

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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.

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Spin Doctor #36: Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista Vinyl S phono preamp, Sumiko Oriole phono cartridge

Michael Trei May 13, 2026

I get nervous when I hear that an audio company I like is suddenly under new ownership. Are the new owners planning to carry forward the legacy of the company's founders, or will they try to move things in a different direction?

Brilliant Corners Phono Cartridge Reviews

Brilliant Corners #38: Listening to the Aidas Violet Phono Cartridge

Alex Halberstadt May 06, 2026

Aidas Svazas is an artisan residing in Lithuania's second largest city, Kaunas. Svazas started out as a cartridge repairman, and our first encounter took place when, on a friend's recommendation, I sent him a Fairchild 225-A, a mono cartridge from the 1950s, to be restored.

Gramophone Dreams Phono Cartridge Reviews Phono Preamp Reviews

Gramophone Dreams #106: Lab12 Melto2 Phono, Tzar DST V1 Black Knight Corian, Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250

Herb Reichert Feb 25, 2026

On the front page of its owner's manual, Greek amplifier manufacturer Lab12 describes the Melto2 ($4995) as a "Remote Controlled, Fully Adjustable Phono Preamplifier." I'd describe it as a clear-speaking, fun-to-use, cartridge- and record-collector's dream. Plus: It's got tubes.

Analog Corner Phono Cartridge Reviews Phono Preamp Reviews

Analog Corner #212: Analog Comparisons, New Phono Products from Zesto & Miyajima

Michael Fremer Jan 12, 2026 First Published: Mar 01, 2013

How was last fall for you? Mine was crazy. I traveled much of October: the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest one weekend, emceeing Chad Kassem's Blues Masters at the Crossroads Blues Festival the next, and the week after that, appearing at two Audio Advice stores, in Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina. From there I traveled to Los Angeles to attend a 30th-anniversary celebration for Tron at Grauman's Chinese Theatre.