Author: Dave Denyer

David Denyer PR & the reel-to-reel rambler

Going live: in which Dave Denyer spends two fascinating days at London’s Air Studios witnessing Chasing The Dragon’s audiophile recordings

August 6, 2019

A week after a wonderful trip to visit Recording the Masters in France (write-up coming soon), I found myself heading to London’s iconic Air Studios. Have I mentioned how much love my job? Just the once or twice perhaps… Since this was my second visit to Hampstead’s hallowed ground, I had some idea of what … More Going live: in which Dave Denyer spends two fascinating days at London’s Air Studios witnessing Chasing The Dragon’s audiophile recordings

The full English breakfast: Dave Denyer listens to Chasing the Dragon’s Live Beethoven Series on master tape

July 12, 2019

UK-based audiophile label Chasing The Dragon’s latest addition to their reassuringly-expanding catalogue is the classical equivalent of the full English breakfast: music that’s been performed and recorded countless times, that extends far beyond the usual reach of classical music and that’s sure to be immensely popular. (Okay so the breakfast analogy may be stretching it … More The full English breakfast: Dave Denyer listens to Chasing the Dragon’s Live Beethoven Series on master tape

Capturing ambience: Neville Roberts explores the art of making a masterful live recording

June 27, 2019

Reel-to-reel master tapes have the ability to convey the ambience of a venue like no other recording medium. Hi-fi journalist Neville Roberts looks into some of the techniques used in modern recordings that can really help capture the atmosphere of the performance venue. Making a modern recording is a bit more complex than simply switching … More Capturing ambience: Neville Roberts explores the art of making a masterful live recording

One for collectors of vintage commercially-released tapes: the Columbia House Record Club

May 30, 2019

If you’re a collector of vintage commercially-released tapes, here’s something that might interest you. A short while ago I received an email from US-based music lover Kabir Bhatia, who had just discovered the reel-to-reel rambler and who kindly offered to share with readers a listing he’d compiled of the tapes that were released by the … More One for collectors of vintage commercially-released tapes: the Columbia House Record Club

Still reeling: Ken Kessler discovers audiophile cassettes

May 23, 2019

You know that irksome feeling when you really want to hate something but you can’t help loving it? Worse still, have you ever waxed lyrical in the public domain about how terrible something is, and then found yourself being blown away by it? Then you’ll understand how poor Ken Kessler feels, as this self-confessed cassette … More Still reeling: Ken Kessler discovers audiophile cassettes

The High-End Show 2019: the rambler reports on some exciting reel-to-reel happenings in Munich

May 16, 2019

The Munich High-End Show always seems to go from strength to strength and for me 2019 was the best year yet – not least because of a number of enticing developments in the niche-but-growing world of audiophile tape. I had a brilliant few days catching up with a range of tape movers and shakers. Here’s … More The High-End Show 2019: the rambler reports on some exciting reel-to-reel happenings in Munich

Another brand new, modern R2R deck is on its way… check out a preview of the Thorens TM 1600 at the Munich High-End Show 2019!

May 8, 2019

The renowned Swiss analogue hi-fi brand Thorens, known for its excellent turntables, has recently announced that it is working with none other than Ballfinger to launch a brand new reel-to-reel player, designed for home use. The machine is due for launch in summer 2020 with a limited production of 100 units. Its estimated price will … More Another brand new, modern R2R deck is on its way… check out a preview of the Thorens TM 1600 at the Munich High-End Show 2019!

R2R goes mainstream as the ‘return of reel-to-reel’ is heralded in the UK’s Sunday Telegraph newspaper (hint: the rambler may have given them a tip-off!)

May 7, 2019

“It began with vinyl, and cassettes closely followed. But now reel-to-reel tape decks have joined the analogue revival and are making a comeback, as musicians reject new technology for the ‘unbelievable’ sound of the classic machines.” So writes journalist Laura FitzPatrick in this weekend’s Sunday Telegraph, a national newspaper with a print run of around … More R2R goes mainstream as the ‘return of reel-to-reel’ is heralded in the UK’s Sunday Telegraph newspaper (hint: the rambler may have given them a tip-off!)

Tape operating level aka ‘reference fluxivity’: what’s it all about (and why should you care)?

April 25, 2019

So, I’ve been investigating the subject of tape operating levels. Or, to use the more technical-sounding term, reference fluxivity. I actually started looking into it a few months ago but it’s taken me this long to get my thoughts into enough of a semblance of order to write something vaguely coherent! Why? Well, it turns … More Tape operating level aka ‘reference fluxivity’: what’s it all about (and why should you care)?

Review: a classical musical masterclass from UltraAnalogue Recordings

March 25, 2019

About six months ago I penned my first review of a tape from Toronto-based UltraAnalogue Recordings, Shostakovich Cello Sonata & Elgar’s Salut d’Amour. To say that I enjoyed myself would be an understatement (have I mentioned how much I love my job?) and so it was only a matter of time before I went back … More Review: a classical musical masterclass from UltraAnalogue Recordings