Keepin' it Groovy!  

While my recent Analog Updates have focused on some of the fantastic vinyl re-issues that are dropping, I wanted to turn my attention to another avenue for building (or re-building) a good collection of LPs: second-hand records. 

While a great deal, sometimes they need a little love. Enter record cleaning.

Computer Audio Fantasy  

Is computer audio the next big thing?  Many audiophiles (and non-audiophiles) believe it is here already.  I have been on the bandwagon ever since researching last December's Computer Audio for the Audiophile article.  

Nevertheless, there are countless music lovers stuck on the sidelines because, notwithstanding the potential storage, replay and sonic benefits, there are simply too many questions, choices, misunderstandings, etc.  

Enter, the Computer Audio Symposium.

Note Perfect 

Along with the labels "Riverside" and "Impulse," the words "Blue Note" are synonymous with Jazz.  

Unfortunately for music lovers and record collectors, the original pressings of Blue Note's catalog are difficult to locate (especially in pristine condition) and often prohibitively expensive to acquire. Rejoice! There is no need to be blue anymore... for fans of the Blue Note recordings of the 50's and 60's, two separate vinyl reissue series are now at hand.  

All the info after the jump.

An Abundance of Riches!  

Vinyl is having something of a resurgence, being pretty much the only category of physical media in the music industry currently showing growth.

Having previously reported on the sonic benefits available to those of us who spin the old fashioned vinyl LP, I would be remiss if I failed to call to your attention several of the titles which have been recently reissued on vinyl.

Computer Audio 101: Revving Up a New Spin for CD Playback

For years now, hobbyists have been transforming their computers into audio source components, a natural endpoint for all kinds of digital music.

Conceptually, it's quite simple—store, instantaneously access, and manage an entire library of music on your computer. No more sorting through piles of CDs. Yet, serious audiophiles (especially those not computer savvy) have traditionally been hesitant to embrace this "techno" alternative to their tried and true CD players.

They should take a new look, as the computer can be the powerful audiophile device.

Don't get stuck with low quality MP3s. This quick guide will take you through step by step how to rip your CDs the audiophile way.

When "ripping" a music file from a Compact Disc the audiophile way, there are two goals. First, extract a bit-perfect copy. Second, obtain the corresponding album cover image and meta data—the album title, song titles, artist and genre. Luckily, iTunes (and similar programs) helps on both fronts, as long as you choose the following correct settings.

Was it ever really gone?

Spinning and buying records, while remaining a niche, has enjoyed a renaissance recently as vinyl playback equipment enters its golden age.

Why, however, would anyone consider adding a record player to their audio or multimedia system for the first time, or the first time in a long time?

Because records can sound much better – more like music, less like a facsimile.