Hemiolia Records at Munich High End Show – and with another brand new tape!

May 18, 2023

If you’ve been following this blog, you’ll know that there have been some very exciting releases on master tape copy from Italian label Hemiolia Records in recent months – Charles Mingus’ Mingus Ah Um, Getz / Gilberto, Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue and John Coltrane’s Blue Train. If you’re heading to the Munich High End Show … More Hemiolia Records at Munich High End Show – and with another brand new tape!

Metaxas R2R decks now available in USA & Canada thanks to new Florida-based US distribution

May 16, 2023

Just spotted online via various high-end audio media and sharing here in case you missed it… Florida-based Reel Sound Distribution Inc. has issued a press release announcing that is now the exclusive North American distributor of hi-fi brand Metaxas & Sins, following a partnership agreement with designer Kostas Metaxas. Which means that Metaxas’ duo of reel-to-reel … More Metaxas R2R decks now available in USA & Canada thanks to new Florida-based US distribution

New on tape: Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio no. 1 in D minor Op. 49 from UltraAnalogue Recordings

May 8, 2023

There’s something about the number three: it’s the first prime number, it’s the symbol of the holy trinity, it defines the dimensions of the physical space in which we exist. In contrast, in a duo (a pair, a duality), there’s a kind of balance between ‘x and y’. But when you add a third element … More New on tape: Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio no. 1 in D minor Op. 49 from UltraAnalogue Recordings

From ‘meh’ to ‘masterpiece’: Charles Mingus’ Mingus Ah Um from Hemiolia Records on 15ips 2-track tape

May 2, 2023

Did you ever have an album that you really wanted to like – say, because it’s held in high esteem and seen as a great example of a genre you love and know a thing or two – and yet, you just can’t get into it? You have a nagging suspicion that ‘it’s not you, … More From ‘meh’ to ‘masterpiece’: Charles Mingus’ Mingus Ah Um from Hemiolia Records on 15ips 2-track tape

5 tape decks in The Absolute Sound’s Editors’ Choice Awards 2023

April 11, 2023

US audio magazine The Absolute Sound’s annual Editors’ Choice Awards flag up a selection of the world’s best-sounding kit, and it’s great to see a category for tape decks again this year. In fact, the magazine has been a clear supporter of the revival of tape, with some pretty good coverage of decks etc. Last … More 5 tape decks in The Absolute Sound’s Editors’ Choice Awards 2023

Metaxas Tourbillon T-RX tape deck wins a Product of the Year Award 2022 from The Absolute Sound

March 28, 2023

Rewind just a few short years and who knew there’d be a category in US audio magazine The Absolute Sound’s Product of the Year Awards for ‘Open Reel Tape Machine of the Year’. Seems like tape is well and truly back on the map! Okay, so there isn’t exactly a huge pool of contenders, but … More Metaxas Tourbillon T-RX tape deck wins a Product of the Year Award 2022 from The Absolute Sound

Exclusive news! New tape release from Hemiolia: the seminal Getz / Gilberto

March 17, 2023

Oh boy. Bit of a scoop here folks. Not only do we now have one of my all-time favourite recordings – Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue – in its full sublime tape glory, but now another absolute jazz classic has just been released on 15ips 2-track tape. Thanks to Italian label Hemiolia Records having signed … More Exclusive news! New tape release from Hemiolia: the seminal Getz / Gilberto

The best version bar none: Miles Davis’ ‘Kind of Blue’ on copy master tape from Hemiolia Records

March 3, 2023

Cards on the table: this is one of my all-time favourite albums, so I’m going to get into some fairly extensive rambling here. What can I say, I’m excited! Yes, there have been many and varied reissues and versions of Miles Davis’ seminal 1959 masterpiece over the years. But it’s never before happened on 15ips, … More The best version bar none: Miles Davis’ ‘Kind of Blue’ on copy master tape from Hemiolia Records

RX Reels: Vote for new design prototypes (and… there’s a whole new R2R product on the horizon)

February 27, 2023

If you’re signed up to RX Reels’ newsletter, you’ll know about this already. If not, here’s the deal… right now, you get chip in to the design of some seriously high quality reels! RX Reels’ Kevin Root is getting ready to produce a few new designs, and he’d like you / us to help him … More RX Reels: Vote for new design prototypes (and… there’s a whole new R2R product on the horizon)

New from Chasing the Dragon: custom-made reels for all master tape copies

February 21, 2023

Chasing the Dragon is a UK-based niche audiophile label that makes superb quality recordings on reel-to-reel tape only, which are then released as master tape copies as well as in various vinyl formats (direct cut, audiophile and binaural) and on CD. Chasing the Dragon’s Mike Valentine has just announced that all of their master tape … More New from Chasing the Dragon: custom-made reels for all master tape copies