Tag Archives: vinyl

Audio-Technica Intro New Open Ear Audiophile Headphones

STOW, OH, October, 2024 — Our friends at Audio-Technica are at it again and have just announced the introduction of their ATH-ADX3000 Open-Air Dynamic Headphones, designed to bring true high-end sound quality to the under-$1,000 usd headphones category. Celebrating 50 years of headphone design and production, the new ATH-ADX3000 features Audio-Technica’s most advanced driver technology to deliver natural, spacious audio.

A Few Takeaways (more below)

Light and comfortable, weighing less than 10 ounces and with velour earpads, the ATH-ADX3000 headphones are comfortable, to say the least. If you are a home recordist know that they’re ideal for long mix sessions, and not just due to comfort or their open-back design.

58-millimeter integrated driver units house tungsten-coated diaphragms (which produce excellent transient response), voice coils, baffles, and pure iron magnetic circuits. Coupled with Audio-Technica’s proprietary Core Mount Technology that optimally places the driver units, this results in full-range audio reproduction across an astonishing 5Hz–45kHz frequency response that needs to be heard to be believed.

These near-flagship headphones come with a specially designed aluminum carrying case.

Uses the A2DC proprietary coaxial connector which reduces connector rotation and glitchy connections.

The Nitty Gritty

The ATH-ADX3000’s open-back design allows unrestricted airflow of the diaphragm, for extremely pure audio quality with realistic soundstaging and imaging, with nearly no use of dampening material or acoustic aids. The ATH-ADX3000 features a full-range driver that is designed entirely by the engineers at Audio-Technica and manufactured and hand-assembled in Audio-Technica’s Machida, Japan factory. The driver utilizes the same technology as the company’s acclaimed flagship ATH-ADX5000 headphones.

Japanese Craftmanship

As a leading innovator in transducer technology for over 60 years, Audio-Technica places special emphasis on driver design to achieve the optimal sound from each pair of headphones. Did we mention that the ATH-ADX3000’s integrated driver units are handmade in our Machida, Tokyo, facility to ensure the highest quality? Sure did- but it is worth repeating.

Audio-Technica’s exclusive Core Mount Technology positions the driver’s voice coil in the middle of its housing, so that the acoustic space is balanced in both the front and the back of the driver. Audio-Technica lead engineer Hiromichi Ozawa noted, “Our engineers worked hard to achieve a frequency response that is not easy to obtain by using only natural air flow. Our expertise in driver technology influenced our approach to open-back headphones, and enabled us to ensure that the driver diaphragm moves with the purest motion possible.”

The ATH-ADX3000 employs a 58 mm tungsten-coated diaphragm, pure iron magnetic circuit, voice coil, and aluminum housing, which are all combined in a single integrated driver unit. The diaphragm is extremely lightweight and responsive, and the pure iron magnet enables exceptional dynamic range and high efficiency. Together, this approach creates an optimum structure that offers superb clarity and stereo imaging, with articulate bass, a smooth midrange, and detailed, extended high frequencies.

The ATH-ADX3000 is designed for long-wearing comfort, thanks to its light weight of only 280 grams. It’s supplied with a detachable 3.0m (9.8-foot) cable with A2DC connectors and comes with a robust aluminum storage case.

A2DC Connector

The Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000 Open-Air Dynamic Headphones is available starting October 24, 2024, at a suggested retail price of $999 usd/ $1,387 cad.

Audio-Technica was founded in 1962 with the mission of producing high-quality audio for everyone. As we have grown to design critically acclaimed headphones, turntables and microphones, we have retained the belief that great audio should not be enjoyed only by the select few, but accessible to all. Building upon our analog heritage, we work to expand the limits of audio technology, pursuing an ever-changing purity of sound that creates connections and enriches lives. For the Silo, Frank Doris.

New Flagship Turntable From Audio-Technica Delivers

STOW, OH, September 30, 2024 — Our friends at Audio-Technica are pleased to announce the introduction and availability of its AT-LP8X Semi-Automatic Direct Drive Turntable.

The AT-LP8X is Audio-Technica’s new flagship turntable and its first-ever semi-automatic model.

It is designed to deliver exceptional vinyl record playback, with features including a VM95 Series cartridge (included), adjustable VTA (vertical tracking angle), a newly-designed motor, and additional refinements.

In addition to delivering outstanding sound from 33-1/3, 45 and 78-RPM records, the Audio-Technica AT-LP8X offers the convenience of semi-automatic operation, where the tonearm raises itself off the record and the motor stops at the end of a side. The AT-LP8X comes with a pre-mounted high-performance AT-VM95E Dual Magnet phono cartridge with an elliptical stylus, for superior resolution, stereo imaging, and tracking. The cartridge is pre-mounted on Audio-Technica’s new AT-L10 removeable headshell (also available separately) for easy installation. The AT-VM95E is compatible with any VM95 Series replacement stylus.

Adjustable Vertical Tracking Angle VTA

The J-shaped aluminum tonearm is inspired by classic Audio-Technica designs and has adjustable VTA, enabling it to be optimized for virtually any phono cartridge. In addition, the AT-LP8X provides adjustments for anti-skating and tracking force, and comes with a sub-counterweight that enables the use of cartridges with a weight range from 14 to 23.5 grams.

The AT-LP8X incorporates a new low-torque direct drive DC motor, with a speed sensor system that ensures accurate speed stability. It features a 1-inch-thick (25 mm) rubber-damped, anti-resonance, die-cast aluminum platter and a rubber mat, the most substantial platter ever offered on an Audio-Technica turntable, for reduced resonance and more accurate and uncolored vinyl playback. It also features a new internal switching power supply that is optimized for audio use, ensuring minimum noise in the signal chain. The AT-LP8X comes with a detachable RCA cable, removeable hinged dust cover, and 45-RPM adapter.

The Audio-Technica AT-LP8X Semi-Automatic Direct Drive Turntable is now available, at a suggested U.S. retail price of $999 / CAD $1,348. For the Silo, Frank Doris.

Audio-Technica was founded in 1962 with the mission of producing high-quality audio for everyone. As we have grown to design critically acclaimed headphones, turntables and microphones, we have retained the belief that great audio should not be enjoyed only by the select few, but accessible to all. Building upon our analog heritage, we work to expand the limits of audio technology, pursuing an ever-changing purity of sound that creates connections and enriches lives.

— For further information regarding product availability and pricing in Europe, contact Tanya Williams (TWilliams@audio-technica.eu) please mention The Silo when contacting.

How This 5000 Dollar Compact Loudspeaker Delivers

PS Audio Introduces Its Compact, High-Performance aspen FR5 Loudspeaker

– New FR5 stand-mount speaker delivers expansive sound in a room-friendly design

Boulder, Colorado, July 2024 – PS Audio recently announced the introduction of its aspen FR5 loudspeaker, a stand-mounted speaker that delivers the same quality of extraordinary musical realism as the larger aspen Series models, in a compact design that fits easily into smaller and medium-sized rooms.



The new FR5 features a custom-designed PS Audio push-pull planar magnetic high-frequency driver, complemented by a newly-designed midrange/woofer, and a high-excursion passive radiator. Available in satin black or satin white with optional matching stands, the PS Audio FR5 is styled to complement any décor.

Paul McGowan, PS Audio CEO pointed out: “The FR5 was designed to bring the same level of uncompromising sound quality as all aspen Series speakers into any listening environment, and is ideal for living spaces where floorstanding speakers can’t be used. Although it’s small, the FR5 delivers powerful and dynamic sound with extended bass, and will play surprisingly loud even in larger rooms.”

The FR5 measures 14.5 inches high by 8 inches wide by 13 inches deep (28.25 inches high with optional stands). The drivers in the FR5 are purpose-designed by PS Audio and are tuned for optimum performance in a two-way stand-mount configuration. The 2.5-inch planar magnetic ribbon tweeter is the same unit used in all aspen Series loudspeakers. It utilizes a symmetrical push-pull design with a high-strength magnet and a diaphragm made from Teonex® film, a material that provides exceptional clarity, transient response and resolution.

The aspen FR5 features a newly-designed 6.5-inch cast frame midrange/woofer made from Curv woven polypropylene, a material that is drawn into thin monofilaments and woven and reinforced using a proprietary process. The high-excursion driver employs a split-gap magnet structure with dual Faraday rings and a custom suspension. It’s augmented by a rear-firing 6 by 9-inch passive radiator to achieve in-room low-frequency extension down to 30 Hz. Both FR5 drivers are mounted on a thermoset resin front baffle that adds rigidity and minimizes diffraction effects.

PS Audio’s aspen FR5 utilizes a new enclosure technology, with viscoelastic damping sheets between the bracing and cabinet side walls, and around the woofer. This minimizes unwanted enclosure vibrations and contributes to the FR5’s superb imaging and spaciousness. The crossover uses air-core inductors, metallized poly capacitors, and wirewound resistors to ensure maximum sonic purity and seamless driver integration.

The FR5’s simple, elegant design is complemented by its optional matching stand, which has an integrated wire management system and can be mass-loaded. The FR5 comes with magnetically detachable grilles.

The aspen FR5 will be available in August 2024 at a suggested retail price of US $3,499/ CAD $4,771 per pair. The optional stands will be available at US $500/ CAD $682 per pair.

aspen FR5 Features at a Glance:

  • Enclosure type: sealed
  • High-frequency transducer: 2.5-inch planar magnetic ribbon tweeter with Teonex diaphragm
  • Midrange/low-frequency transducer: 6.5-inch cast-frame, Curv woven polypropylene, split-gap magnet structure with dual copper Faraday rings
  • Passive radiator: 6 by 9-inch rear-firing
  • Thermoset resin fiberglass-composite woofer baffle
  • Magnetically-attached grille
  • Custom crossover with premium metallized poly capacitors, air-core inductors and wirewound resistors
  • Frequency Response: 35 Hz – 20 kHz (- 6 dB, half-space; 30 Hz – 6 dB in-room)
  • Crossover Frequency: 1,750 Hz
  • Sensitivity: 83.5 dB
  • Nominal Impedance: 6 ohms (5.6 ohms minimum)
  • Recommended Amplifier Power: 50 – 150 watts
  • Dimensions: 14.5 x 8 x 13 inches (speaker only), optional stand, 28.25 x 11.75 x 14 inches
  • Weight: speaker, 26.6 lbs. (12.1 kg), stand, 13.7 lbs. (6.2 kg)

For the Silo, Frank Doris.

Teonex is a registered trademark of DuPont Teijin Films.

Discog’s Most Collected Album Releases Of July Include Canadian Neil Young

PORTLAND, OR. August, 2020:  Discogs, the world’s record store, today released its list of the Top 10 Most Popular Records released in July 2020.  

The following rankings — the 10 most popular albums overall and the 10 most popular albums by genre — are determined by how many people worldwide have added these items to their record collections on Discogs. Discogs’ abundant data is made available from the over 400 million items cataloged in the Collections of its 7.3 million users. On average, the Discogs Community is adding 7 million items to their Collections monthly and has passed 12.8 million releases in its open-source user-driven Database.

View the complete list of the Top 10 Most Collected Records by genre

1 Khruangbin ‎– Mordechai | 4,528

Mordechai album cover

2 Bob Dylan ‎– Rough And Rowdy Ways | 3,673

Rough And Rowdy Ways album cover

3 Fiona Apple ‎– Fetch The Bolt Cutters | 3,538

Fetch The Bolt Cutters album cover

4 Phoebe Bridgers ‎– Punisher | 2,376

Punisher album cover

5 Neil Young ‎– Homegrown | 2,099

Homegrown album cover

6 Lady Gaga ‎– Chromatica | 1,844

Chromatica album cover

7 The Rolling Stones ‎– Living In A Ghost Town | 1,792

Living In A Ghost Town album cover

8 Paul Weller ‎– On Sunset | 1,625

On Sunset album cover

9 Haim ‎– Women In Music Pt. III | 1,323

Women In Music Pt. III album cover

10 Dance Gavin Dance ‎– Afterburner | 1,319

Afterburner album cover

Top 10 Most Expensive Records Sold On Discogs In May 2020

PORTLAND, OR. July, 2020:  Discogs, the world’s record store, recently released its latest Top 30 Most Expensive records list for items sold in the Discogs Marketplace during May.  The complete list for May 2020 can be viewed on the Discogs Blog, while the following are the highest priced records sold with all prices in US dollars (multiply by 1.36 for current CAD dollar exchange rate) :

1

Jay Richford & Gary Stevan - Feelings

Jay Richford & Gary Stevan – Feelings

Sold for $5,660.00
Label: Carosello
Format: LP, Album
Country: Italy
Released: 1974
Genres: Jazz, Funk / Soul |Styles: Jazz-Funk, Easy Listening, Soul-Jazz, Psychedelic

2

Charlie Parker - Bird Blows The Blues

Charlie Parker – Bird Blows The Blues

Sold for $4,999.00
Label: Dial Records
Format: LP, Album, Comp
Country: US
Released: 1949
Genres: Jazz | Styles: Bop

3

The Queers - Love Me

The Queers – Love Me

Sold for $4,000.00
Label: Doheny Records
Format: 7″
Country: US
Released: 1982
Genres: Rock | Styles: Punk

4

Willie Tee - Teasing You Again / Your Love, My Love Together

Willie Tee – Teasing You Again / Your Love, My Love Together

Sold for $3,813.00
Label: Gatur Records
Format: 7″
Country: US
Released: 1972
Genres: Funk / Soul | Styles: Soul

5

Michael Rabin With Leon Pommers - Mosaics

Michael Rabin With Leon Pommers – Mosaics

Sold for $3,527.00
Label: Capitol Records, Capitol Records
Format: LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1959
Genres: Classical | Styles: N/A

6

Nick Drake - Five Leaves Left

Nick Drake – Five Leaves Left

Sold for $3,409.00
Label: Island Records
Format: LP, Album, Gat
Country: UK
Released: 1969
Genres: Rock, Folk, World, & Country | Styles: Folk Rock

7

The

The “Group”* Featuring Cecil Washington – I Don’t Like To Lose

Sold for $3,236.00
Label: Prophonics Studios
Format: 7″
Country: US
Released: 1966
Genres: Funk / Soul | Styles: Soul

8

AC/DC - Can I Sit Next To You, Girl

AC/DC – Can I Sit Next To You, Girl

Sold for $3,139.00
Label: Albert Productions
Format: 7″, Single, Promo, A-l
Country: Australia
Released: 1974
Genres: Rock | Styles: Hard Rock

9

Marvin Gaye - What's Going On

Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On

Sold for $3,000.00
Label: Tamla, Tamla
Format: LP, Album, Gat
Country: US
Released: 1971
Genres: Funk / Soul | Styles: Soul

10

Delaney & Bonnie - The Original Delaney And Bonnie

Delaney & Bonnie – The Original Delaney And Bonnie

Sold for $2,752.00
Label: Apple Records
Format: Acetate, LP
Country: UK
Released: 1969
Genres: Rock | Styles: Southern Rock

Audio-Technica Offering Innovative 2020 Audio Products

At CES 2020 Audio-Technica will introduce a host of innovative products including headphones, turntables and mics across a wide variety of categories, from high value to ultimate-performance.

New QuietPoint truly wireless in-ear headphones combine next-generation truly wireless technology with digital hybrid active noise-cancelling electronics. The result is improved high-fidelity sound with superior noise cancelling performance.

A new belt-drive turntable combines an exceptional vinyl listening experience with a stunning, high-gloss piano black finish that complements any music system. The turntable includes a VM95E phono cartridge, built-in phono preamp and accessories.

Audio-Technica will introduce four all-new high-end headphones. The on-ear models combine beautifully crafted exotic woods with superb sound. The in-ear model features an exclusive hybrid multi-driver system for unmatched in-ear listening. All offer Hi-Res Audio quality.

Two Sonic Sport in-ear headphones will make their debut. One model features a built-in portable music player for the ultimate in on-the-go listening convenience. Both headphones offer a host of fitness-friendly features and powerful, immersive sound.

Audio-Technica’s newly upgraded ATR Series microphones feature improvements such as USB-C connectivity, high-performance internal A/D converters and restyled designs. They’re ideal for streaming, podcasting, recording, live performance and more. For the Silo, Frank Doris.

If you find yourself in the area, please visit us at CES Booth 20648, South Hall 1, Las Vegas Convention Center to hear these and other products.

Supreme Analog Vinyl Record Weights Trending

“If there is no sound philosophy in making the audio gear, then all product you make is plagiarism.” Zoran Mihajlovic
Having grown up around record players of dubious quality, I remember very clearly my first ‘real’ turntable. An audiophile friend of the family helped my father put together an entry level system for my 15th birthday. The system included 3 way Acoustic Research speakers, Sansui integrated amplifier, Sansui 3 head cassette deck and my first decent turntable- a gently used Sansui direct drive with a shiny S-arm and what looked like a strange silver hockey puck.

At 15 I was into my second year of drumming and with this turntable was now able to play along to LP records without having to worry about the inevitable skipping that the cheap family record player performed almost every time I hit the bass drum hard. I later learned that the puck was actually a custom made record clamp that the previous owner had fashioned to squeeze every last bit of performance out of the record player.

There is a surprising amount of science behind the advantages of using record clamps to ‘push’ the vinyl down onto the slipmat and platter and people that use them swear by them. In general terms, the added mass from the fitted clamp flattens warps in the record and a beneficial flywheel effect takes place once the record is spinning at speed.

Today, turntable designs have advanced and exotic materials and technologies are incorporated into high end models. This has translated into a need for ultra high quality clamps designed to properly secure records to all kinds of esoteric spindles and platters.

Enter Zoran Mihajlovic- a man devoted to producing the highest quality record clamps such as the Model 1 via his Serbian company Supreme Analog. At 3000 euros (at time of this article, 1 euro = 1.5 Canadian dollars) , this is a record clamp (Supreme-Analog calls it a record weight) that is produced on order only and commands attention.

Supreme Analog Model 1 record weight
70mm wide, 50mm high, 460g weight
Swiss stainless steel and Serbian sinked wood

Supreme Analog Basic Line Record BL006 stainless steel
If you are on a more modest budget, they also offer the BL-006 for 250 euros. Also made from Swiss stainless steel, the more basic model weighs in at 950g and ships world wide for free in a solid wood box.

It’s easy to tell that Supreme-Analog have a real passion for audio and they make a number of interesting products including jewel like tonearms and gorgeous horn speakers. Check them all out.  For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.