Six of the best: in which Ken Kessler atones for prior tape ‘sins’ by stocking up on vintage decks

November 1, 2018

About a month ago, we learnt that renowned hi-fi journalist Ken Kessler has harboured a life-long love of tape. Now, he comes clean about the full extent of his fondness for all things open reel. At this stage, it’s worth letting you know just how badly infected I am by the open-reel bug. Having just … More Six of the best: in which Ken Kessler atones for prior tape ‘sins’ by stocking up on vintage decks

Investing in talented young musicians – Neville Roberts discovers Yarlung Records’ philanthropic approach to recording excellence and checks out a few albums

October 24, 2018

US-based GRAMMY® award-winning recording label Yarlung Records is all about helping talented young musicians to launch their careers. Neville Roberts chats to the label’s philanthropic founder, and listens to a handful of the label’s extremely impressive artists and recordings. An old audiophile friend of mine (and recent convert to analogue tape – he still hasn’t … More Investing in talented young musicians – Neville Roberts discovers Yarlung Records’ philanthropic approach to recording excellence and checks out a few albums

Chasing The Dragon copy master tapes now available on 7-inch reels at 7.5ips

October 22, 2018

Let’s say you launch into the world of tape with a vintage domestic deck. And you’re having a fine time playing old, commercially-released tapes that you’ve been gleefully tracking down on eBay and the like… But then, one day, a couple of master tape copies begin to catch your eye. All of a sudden there seem … More Chasing The Dragon copy master tapes now available on 7-inch reels at 7.5ips

“The reel deal”: the rambler makes the case for tape in Hi-Fi Choice magazine

September 24, 2018

In the latest issue (October 2018) of Hi-Fi Choice you’ll find the reel-to-reel rambler lurking among the ‘Opinion’ columns. “Self-confessed analogue addict Dave Denyer…” it says. I can’t argue with that. The piece charts my journey into tape, starting with a pivotal love-at-first-listen moment in September 2013 – which you can also read about in … More “The reel deal”: the rambler makes the case for tape in Hi-Fi Choice magazine

‘Decked by tape’: for Ken Kessler, open reel tape has been with him all the way

September 21, 2018

As a hi-fi journalist of international standing, Ken Kessler has a breadth and depth of experience in all things audio. In fact, there’s not much in the world of hi-fi that he hasn’t seen or heard and, as his readers know and appreciate, he isn’t afraid to be candid in sharing his opinions about it … More ‘Decked by tape’: for Ken Kessler, open reel tape has been with him all the way

Neville Roberts listens to Chasing The Dragon’s ‘España’ – live, on master tape and direct-cut vinyl

September 13, 2018

Last year, hi-fi journalist Neville Roberts headed to London’s AIR Studios to witness audiophile label Chasing The Dragon’s recording of a new album, España. The recording was simultaneously captured direct-to-disk and on master tape. Here, Neville shares his impressions of the day and of the resulting vinyl LP and copy master tape.  There’s something rather … More Neville Roberts listens to Chasing The Dragon’s ‘España’ – live, on master tape and direct-cut vinyl

Emotion, wit and stunning transparency: Shostakovich Cello Sonata & Elgar’s Salut d’Amour from UltraAnalogue Recordings (part 2 of 2)

August 31, 2018

Canada-based UltraAnalogue Recordings has just released 3 new open reel tapes, all recorded at a live concert held in May 2018 featuring star cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan with pianist Benjamin Smith. Priced at $275 each, the three are: Shostakovich Cello Sonata & Elgar’s Salut d’Amour; Brahms Cello Sonata No.2; and Albeniz Asturias, Shchedrin Imitating Albeniz, Tchaikovsky Nocturne … More Emotion, wit and stunning transparency: Shostakovich Cello Sonata & Elgar’s Salut d’Amour from UltraAnalogue Recordings (part 2 of 2)

Putting the ‘ultra’ into analogue: introducing Canada-based UltraAnalogue Recordings (part 1 of 2)

August 30, 2018

One of the great benefits of my reel-to-reel ramblings, apart from the obvious one of discovering some the most incredible-sounding recorded music out there, is that I get to chat at some length with people who are at the forefront of the pursuit of sonic excellence. One of those people is Edward (Ed) Pong, the … More Putting the ‘ultra’ into analogue: introducing Canada-based UltraAnalogue Recordings (part 1 of 2)

A lifelong reel obsession: Neville Roberts recalls the tape decks he’s known and loved over the years – and celebrates the R2R revival

August 15, 2018

Audio journalist and regular Hi-Fi Choice contributor, Neville Roberts, has been fascinated by open reel tape for most of his life. Here, he casts his mind back over the many and varied tape decks he’s shared his life with to date. If you’re in the market for a vintage machine, there’s some great pointers here. … More A lifelong reel obsession: Neville Roberts recalls the tape decks he’s known and loved over the years – and celebrates the R2R revival