Stephen Mejias

U-Turn Audio Orbit on Kickstarter
Stephen Mejias
Stephen Mejias  |  Dec 18, 2012  |  9 comments
Back in August, we told you about the proposed $150 Orbit turntable from upstart U-Turn Audio. The company is now moving closer to making their dream a reality. And, if they can keep their promise of high-performance sound and construction, that reality will likely be a dream-come-true for many young and budget-minded music lovers.

U-Turn Audio is funding their project through Kickstarter and hopes to raise $60,000 by Monday, January 21, 2013. As I write, 90 backers have pledged $15,666. (Is that a multiple of 33.3?)

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My Favorite Records of 2012
Stephen Mejias
Stephen Mejias  |  Dec 10, 2012  |  31 comments
Helm's Impossible Symmetry—one of my favorite records of 2012.

In the January 2013 issue of Stereophile, I list my 15 favorite records of the year (p.53). Here is an expanded, slightly more detailed list.

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The Entry Level #24
Stand Loudspeaker ReviewsBudget Component ReviewsThe Entry Level
Stephen Mejias  |  Dec 06, 2012  |  8 comments
There are two things that don't have to mean anything; one is music and the other is laughter.—Immanuel Kant

We can dance until we die.—Katy Perry

I'd always figured I'd wind up with a girl who loved the Mets, hated cats, and had grown up on Sonic Youth and the Pixies—a female version of me, more or less. What could be better?

Was my vision misguided? Maybe. Narcissistic? Probably. A symptom of low self-esteem?

Hmm . . .

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Headphone Commute's ...and darkness came: Music to benefit victims of Hurricane Sandy
Stephen Mejias
Stephen Mejias  |  Nov 30, 2012  |  2 comments
On the morning of November 7, about a week after Sandy hit our area, the people behind Headphone Commute, a website devoted to the appreciation of music and high-quality sound, reached out to their favorite artists and asked if they’d like to donate tracks for a compilation, the entire proceeds of which would go to Doctors Without Borders and The Humane Society, in an effort to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy.

By midday, Headphone Commute had received confirmations from 10 artists, included among them acclaimed pianist Nils Frahm. Over the next several days, more artists eagerly offered contributions. Today, the roster of musicians reads like a “Who’s Who” in the worlds of modern classical, ambient electronic, and experimental music: Olafur Arnalds, Black Swan, Peter Broderick, Celer, Dakota Suite, Lawrence English, Hauschka, Ezekiel Honig, Johann Johannsson, Max Richter, Scanner, Valgeir Sigurdsson, and dozens more.

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Stereophile's Products of 2012
Products of the Year
Stephen Mejias  |  Nov 27, 2012  |  51 comments
It's been a long year. Now it's time to party.

Each December since 1992, Stereophile has named a few special components its "Products of the Year." These are products that not only define the present audio landscape, but that we hope will someday be seen as classics—products you'll want to pass on to future generations of audiophiles and music lovers.

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The British Invasion v.2: The Beatles Tour the US—on LP
NewsStephen Mejias
Stephen Mejias  |  Nov 09, 2012  |  2 comments
Over at AnalogPlanet, Michael Fremer has kept us up to date on the highly anticipated remastered Beatles LPs. While the reemergence of the Beatles catalog on vinyl is exciting news for many music lovers, audiophiles are most curious about how these new editions will sound.

Get ready to find out.

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The Entry Level #23
Phono Cartridge ReviewsPhono Accessory ReviewsThe Entry Level
Stephen Mejias  |  Nov 08, 2012  |  6 comments
It was around 7pm on Tuesday evening when I bumped into Nicole and Ms. Little on Newark Avenue, in downtown Jersey City. The girls were on their way to Kristen's shop, Kanibal Home, for their weekly book-club meeting. (Or was it Writing Club? Knitting? Screen printing? Butterfly pinning? I can never keep track.) I was on my way home, not to read, write, or listen to music, but . . .

"Hi, honey," Ms. Little said. "Going home to play with your cartridge?"

I made a face, nodded, sighed. Sensing some sharp-witted remark forming in Nicole's filthy mind, I beat her to the punch: "Yup, that's what I call it."

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Chord's John Franks at Audio High
News
Stephen Mejias  |  Nov 07, 2012  |  0 comments
Thursday, November 8, 4–8pm: Audio High (165 Moffett Boulevard, Mountain View, CA) will host John Franks of Chord Electronics. Franks will introduce the latest edition to Chord’s Reference line, the DSX1000 network player. For more info, e-mail jez@audiohigh.com, call (650) 964-4000, or visit the Audio High website.
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On Sale Now: The Recommended Component’s Collector’s Edition
NewsStephen Mejias
Stephen Mejias  |  Nov 06, 2012  |  9 comments
After two full weeks away from the office—Hurricane Sandy followed us from Puerto Rico to New Jersey—it was especially nice to get back in here and be greeted by the Stereophile Recommended Components Collector’s Edition.

Isn’t it beautiful?

For me, every one of its 180 pages represents blinding pain and seemingly endless suffering. But, for you, dear reader, we hope the Recommended Components Collector’s Edition will represent nothing but pure pleasure and joy.

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VPI Industries Traveler turntable
Budget Component ReviewsTurntable Reviews
Stephen Mejias  |  Nov 05, 2012  |  56 comments
On May 21, 2008, five months after purchasing my very first turntable (a Rega Research P3-24), I decided that my obsession with LPs had grown to the extent that I could no longer function without a good record-cleaning machine. I'd done some research and found that the device best suited to my life and wallet was VPI's time-honored HW-16.5. I was certain, anxious, determined. But that morning, when I gave VPI a call, the line was busy. When I called again in the afternoon, the line was busy. When I called again in the evening, the line was busy.
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