Florida 2023
Fine Sounds Americas | FLAX 2023
At some point during the 2023 Florida Audio Expo, Scot Hull asked me if I had visited the Fine Sounds Americas room. I’d noticed it during my wanderings, but I didn’t go in right away. […]
sumiko
Buyers Guide
The Best Cartridges, Tonearms, and Headshells | Buyers Guide Summer 2022
Welcome to the Best Phono Cartridges, Tonearms, and Headshells section of the Part-Time Audiophile Buyers Guide for Summer 2022. The Guide is more than “We heartily endorse this [fill in the blank].” This collection represents […]
Announcements
Sumiko Wellfleet Moving Magnet Cartridge | NEWS
It’s good to have options. Sumiko gives that to us with their Rainier collection of phono carts. Utilizing the stylus swap method, Rainier owners can upgrade to five assembly variations of styli with use the […]
Announcements
Win A Sumiko Amethyst Phono Cartridge! | PTA Giveaway
This month Part-Time Audiophile has partnered with Sumiko to bring some additional holiday cheer to one lucky reader. That’s right, we are giving away a brand spanking new Sumiko Amethyst phono cart, just like the […]
Buyers Guide
The Best Phono Cartridges, Tonearms and Headshells | Buyers Guide 2022
Welcome to the Best Phono Cartridges, Tonearms, and Headshells section of the Part-Time Audiophile Buyers Guide for 2022. The Guide is more than “We heartily endorse this [fill in the blank ].” This collection represents […]
Analog
Pass Labs XP-22 Preamplifier and XP-27 Phono Preamplifier | REVIEW
They’ve been here for a long time, this Pass Labs XP-22 preamplifier and matching XP-27 phono stage combo. Months, maybe even a year. They’ve watched other amps and preamps and integrated amps and phono stages […]
Analog
Sumiko Celebration 40 MC Phono Cartridge | REVIEW
The Sumiko Celebration 40 moving-coil phono cartridge entered the stable during a very busy time for analog at my place. I’ve plenty of phono preamps and step-up transformers and cartridges in for review, and we’re […]
Analog
Sumiko Amethyst MM Phono Cartridge | REVIEW
This isn’t the first time in the last few months where I had to explain my reasoning behind reviewing a certain component. Take this new Sumiko Amethyst cartridge, a moving-magnet cartridge that retails for a […]
Announcements
NEW Sumiko Cartridges: Blue Point No.3, Celebration 40, and RS78
Can you smell that? It’s that NEW cartridge smell. Three (or four if you count both the Blue Point hi and lo; or only two if you don’t and don’t count a stylus either) phono […]
Buyers Guide
The Best Tonearms and Phono Cartridges | Buyers Guide Summer 2021
The Best Tonearms [Editor’s note: Welcome to the Part-Time Audiophile Buyers Guide for Summer 2021! These are the best tonearms that we, the PTA team, have heard.] Tonearms Sorane TA-1L ($1,875 USD) From the Japanese […]
Analog
LSA T-3 Turntable | REVIEW
Maybe you’ve started to notice a certain theme in many of my reviews, so it won’t surprise you to hear that the LSA T-3 turntable (website) and I also go way back. We’re talking […]
Analog
The Best Tonearms and Phono Cartridges | Buyers Guide 2021
The Best Tonearms [Editor’s note: Welcome to the Part-Time Audiophile Buyers Guide for 2021! This year we decided to mix it up a little by breaking up the Buyers Guide into sections, which makes it […]
Analog
Goldring Ethos Phono Cartridge | REVIEW
I wasn’t supposed to review the Goldring Ethos phono cartridge. It merely hitched a ride with the Thorens TD-1601 turntable and arm combo that I have in for review. Anthony Chiarella, who represents both companies, […]
Analog
Sumiko Songbird Low Output MC Phono Cartridge | REVIEW
In reviewing the Sumiko Songbird phono cartridge, the little brother/sister to the Sumiko Starling I reviewed in The Occasional, I encountered somewhat of a dilemma. Is it wise to start off with the flagship product […]
Analog
Fern and Roby Maverick Phono Preamplifier | REVIEW
I originally intended to include this review of the Fern and Roby Maverick phono preamplifier as part of my testing of their Montrose turntable and tonearm. Things changed during the review process, however—what was once […]
Analog
Hana ML Phono Cartridge | REVIEW
My first experience with Hana cartridges of Japan came at the 2016 Newport Show when I had organized my Down Under Audio exhibit rooms for Colleen Cardas Imports. My idea was this—after visiting Australia in […]
Components
Vinnie Rossi L2i Integrated Amplifier | REVIEW
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last couple of years, you’re probably aware that Vinnie Rossi has been shaking up the world of high-end audio shows with his tremendous L2 amplification line. […]
Analog
Palmer 2.5i Turntable and Audio Origami PU7 Tonearm | REVIEW
This review of the Palmer 2.5i turntable and the Audio Origami PU7 tonearm has been decades in the making. If you’ve been following the Vinyl Anachronist columns on Perfect Sound Forever over the last 22 […]
Announcements
SUMIKO to Acquire Distribution of Rotel Electronics | Announcements
SUMIKO ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF ROTEL ELECTRONICS USA AND LATAM DISTRIBUTION THE COMPANY IS THRILLED TO ADD THE DYNAMIC BRAND TO THEIR ROSTER OF HIGH-END AUDIO BRANDS MAPLE GROVE, MI – May 5, 2020 – Sumiko has […]
Analog
PS Audio Stellar Phono Preamplifier | REVIEW
After arranging to review the PS Audio Stellar phono preamplifier, I realized that the first time and only time I’ve reviewed a PS Audio product was way back in 2008, when the GCPH phono stage […]