April 10, 2021

Archetype: The Ortofon SPU – A Moving Coil Origin Story

Since its introduction in 1959, the Ortofon SPU (stereo pick up) has remained largely unscathed from the ‘newer is better’ mantra that permeates much of society. Robert Gudmandsen’s 62-year-old design is still considered one of the most influential cartridges in high fidelity.
December 10, 2021

Koetsu Black: Emotional High Fidelity

Koetsu cartridges built by the hand of Japanese sword maker and boxer Yoshiaki Sugano have developed a cult following for their unique musicality, harmonic resolution, timbral delicacy and poetic bass.
May 6, 2022

Review: The Denon Aluminum Body Cap

Giant killer. Punches above its weight class. Hi-fi’s greatest bargain… these are a small sample of accolades the venerable Denon DL-103 moving-coil has garnered in the six decades since its introduction as a broadcast cartridge in Japan. Audiophile rhetoric or deserved praise? And does a $68 upgrade in the Denon Aluminum Body Cap make it a better cartridge?
June 19, 2022

Groove Tickler: The Needle and the Damage Done

A calling does not always ring clearly through time and space. Many struggle through life trying on jobs or careers which turn out to be a poor fit for their unique dimensions. Joseph Long followed a circuitous employment path before finding himself behind a high-powered microscope intuiting the needle and the damage done to phono cartridges.