Holy FS – you HAVE to hear this! The Stooges’ Fun House from Rhino

Straight from the off I need to come clean; for the past 56 years Fun House and the Stooges have not been on my radar. I grew up as a fan of progressive rock and shied away from anything hard and aggressive, too… confrontational. By the mid‑seventies, when I was first starting to buy records … More Holy FS – you HAVE to hear this! The Stooges’ Fun House from Rhino

Inside Reel to Reel Haven & Stella Records: the studio keeping tape culture alive — and giving back

It’s always exciting when a new reel‑to‑reel–focused label or studio appears on the scene. But here we have something that’s quite different from your typical audiophile pursuit. Reel to Reel Haven is a restoration and recording company combination that’s keeping tape culture alive – and giving back to wider society at the same time. Reel … More Inside Reel to Reel Haven & Stella Records: the studio keeping tape culture alive — and giving back

The Stooges Fun House on R2R from Rhino

Another cracker just announced from the folks at Rhino High Fidelity – here’s the press release: The Stooges Fun House albums reimagined for audiophiles on new reel-to-reel arriving today (29th May). Fun House’s open-reel debut offers fans a fresh way to experience its chaotic brilliance. Fun House (Rhino High Fidelity R2R) – duplicated in real time from a … More The Stooges Fun House on R2R from Rhino

Oh come all ye grateful Dead-Heads: ‘Workingman’s Dead’ from Rhino High Fidelity Reel-To-Reel

Four months feels like an eternity when you’re waiting for something special. But the moment the promised one finally arrives, all that waiting collapses into a faint little shadow behind you. Back in December last year, I had the pleasure of chatting with Rhino’s Steve Woolard, the man behind the recent Rhino High Fidelity reel‑to‑reel … More Oh come all ye grateful Dead-Heads: ‘Workingman’s Dead’ from Rhino High Fidelity Reel-To-Reel

The 8 decks in The Absolute Sound’s Editors’ Choice Awards 2026

The March issue of The Absolute Sound includes the US audio magazine latest round of Editors’ Choice Awards. Last year the Awards featured 7 tape decks – and this year’s list of 8 features the same line-up, but with the addition of the Metaxas Papillon at the top end of the price range. As ever, … More The 8 decks in The Absolute Sound’s Editors’ Choice Awards 2026

Metaxas Papillon Studio tape deck wins The Absolute Sound’s Product of the Year Award 2026

Congratulations to Kostas Metaxas, who has just bagged a second Product of the Year Award from The Absolute Sound! His Tourbillon T-RX tape player won in 2022 and now, in 2026, it’s the Papillon Studio tape deck – which also recently won a Golden Ear Award from the magazine too. So it’s safe to say … More Metaxas Papillon Studio tape deck wins The Absolute Sound’s Product of the Year Award 2026

“A new standard in source components” – The Absolute Sound on the Metaxas Papillon tape deck

US audio magazine The Absolute Sound’s coverage of, and support for, reel-to-reel currently beats that of all other hi-fi magazines and webzines that I’m aware of, largely thanks to reviewer Jonathan Valin’s passion for all things tape – and indeed his ear for excellent sound in general, which he rightly identifies as reaching its pinnacle … More “A new standard in source components” – The Absolute Sound on the Metaxas Papillon tape deck

Oscar Peterson’s ‘My Favorite Instrument’ on tape reviewed by Neville Roberts

Big thanks to hi-fi journalist Neville Roberts, who reports here on Oscar Peterson’s My Favorite Instrument from Horch House / Revox. Horch House is a supplier of high quality copy-master tapes made directly from legendary analogue recordings. These recordings include classical works, jazz, blues and easy listening music. Horch House is now part of Revox … More Oscar Peterson’s ‘My Favorite Instrument’ on tape reviewed by Neville Roberts

Rhino High Fidelity reel-to-reel review #2: T. Rex’s ‘Electric Warrior’

This is the second of my Rhino High Fidelity Reel-To-Reel tape reviews, and this time it’s a band I’ve known and loved even longer than Yes – the subject of my first Rhino review. Here we have T. Rex’s Electric Warrior – widely considered to be Marc Bolan’s defining work. Back in my Celestion sales … More Rhino High Fidelity reel-to-reel review #2: T. Rex’s ‘Electric Warrior’

Hell, YES…! ‘The Yes Album’ from Rhino High Fidelity Reel-To-Reel – a review

Well, folks, this is the moment! Having championed the resurgence of reel-to-reel tape, with a particular leaning towards ¼” 15ips R2R master copies, for around a decade now, it seems that my Holy Grail has finally materialised… Not that I’ve been starved of incredible choices, mind. The past ten years have seen some very significant … More Hell, YES…! ‘The Yes Album’ from Rhino High Fidelity Reel-To-Reel – a review