Metaxas & Sins will launch brand new open reel tape recorder at 2018 Munich High End Show

May 4, 2018

You’ve no doubt heard the rumours. You may have read a few teasers. Perhaps you wondered whether it would actually happen. It’s happening. In May 2018, high-end audio brand Metaxas & Sins will launch one of the world’s first modern day open reel tape recorders. If you’re familiar with the unique work of creator Kostas … More Metaxas & Sins will launch brand new open reel tape recorder at 2018 Munich High End Show

Open Reel Records does it again: the pure joy of discovering yet more world-class musicians I hadn’t heard of

February 21, 2018

You know that feeling when you discover a new musician, band, singer or orchestra… or, even better, a long-standing one that’s new to you but since they’re not actually new, there’s already a back-catalogue of treats to look forward to? Oh boy, is that a good feeling! Here’s what makes it even better: when the … More Open Reel Records does it again: the pure joy of discovering yet more world-class musicians I hadn’t heard of

Got an audio ailment? Need some hi-fi healing or reel-to-reel rehab? Allow me to introduce you to The Audiophile’s Clinic

February 16, 2018

Do you live, breathe, eat, sleep and dream music and sound? Then, dear reader, I’m delighted to report that I’ve discovered something that can help: The Audiophile’s Clinic. Don’t worry, this isn’t a rehab clinic. Nobody’s going to try to cure you of your addiction. On the contrary, the aim of The Audiophile’s Clinic is … More Got an audio ailment? Need some hi-fi healing or reel-to-reel rehab? Allow me to introduce you to The Audiophile’s Clinic

Will 2018 be the year of reel-to-reel, as Metaxas & Sins announces the creation of new ‘GQT’ Portable Analogue Tape Recorder, and the Ballfinger M-063 comes to market?

January 9, 2018

Here’s a new year brain teaser: what was first attempted in Austria, shortly thereafter taken up in Germany and is now being hotly pursued by a Greek? The answer (of course, given the above title) is the development of a brand new reel-to-reel tape deck. And whoever gets there first will have quite the world … More Will 2018 be the year of reel-to-reel, as Metaxas & Sins announces the creation of new ‘GQT’ Portable Analogue Tape Recorder, and the Ballfinger M-063 comes to market?

“Mike Valentine is to blame”: falling in love again or how I came to be a reel-to-reel rambler

September 20, 2017

In my previous ramble I introduced you to Mike Valentine. Then again, chances are you knew of him already. To some, he’s a renowned underwater film cameraman credited on an enviable list of A-list movies. To others, he’s the owner of the excellent UK audiophile record label, Chasing the Dragon, with quite a reputation for … More “Mike Valentine is to blame”: falling in love again or how I came to be a reel-to-reel rambler

Open reel tape versus direct-cut vinyl: two versions of Chasing the Dragon’s superb ‘A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald’ go head to head

August 18, 2017

Audiophile record label Chasing the Dragon has been causing quite a stir with its superb quality direct-cut vinyl albums. Earlier this year, the label also began to release master tape versions of those albums, taken from simultaneous recordings of the exact same live studio performances. As a lover of both vinyl and tape, I couldn’t … More Open reel tape versus direct-cut vinyl: two versions of Chasing the Dragon’s superb ‘A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald’ go head to head

“Staggering”. The rambler is blown away by Open Reel Records’ recording of Eduard Kunz on master tape: “the greatest pianist I’d never heard of”

March 16, 2017

Eduard Kunz: Sonatas Beethoven Piano Sonata in C Major No.21 Op.53 ‘Waldstein’, plus Brahms Piano Sonata No. 3 in F Minor Op.5 Open Reel Records. They don’t call me the ‘rambling reviewer’ for nothing and this, dear reader, will be no exception. But stick with me and you may well be handsomely rewarded, because there … More “Staggering”. The rambler is blown away by Open Reel Records’ recording of Eduard Kunz on master tape: “the greatest pianist I’d never heard of”

New Ballfinger M-063 reel-to-reel tape player: exclusive report for Mono & Stereo

February 7, 2017

As reel-to-reel tape continues to capture the attention of audiophiles and music lovers around the world, a number of companies have mooted the idea of re-instating production of tape players to meet the needs of this re-emerging market. To date, however, no new machine has actually materialised and so those of us who crave the … More New Ballfinger M-063 reel-to-reel tape player: exclusive report for Mono & Stereo

Reel-to-reel review: Greetje Kauffeld & Band – ‘On My Way To The 30th Analog Forum Anniversary’ from STS Digital

February 2, 2017

Don’t let the name of Dutch high-end recording label STS Digital confuse you. Yes, they’re called ‘Digital’ but even so, they produce vinyl records and reel-to-reel tapes as well as CDs. While we’re in clarification mode, let’s start with a brief explanation of the name of this particular album, which is also a tad unusual. … More Reel-to-reel review: Greetje Kauffeld & Band – ‘On My Way To The 30th Analog Forum Anniversary’ from STS Digital