analog (9)

Precise vinyl record centering for turntables

Presenting a custom record centering accessory, intended as a very quick and simple way of centering vinyl records with oversize center holes.

This compact and lightweight accessory is simply placed on the center spindle of your turntable over the record and twisted, positioning the sharp edge between the spindle and record hole, taking up any excessive clearance.

SA-74 Suspension Unit Repair From Neumann VMS-70 Disk Mastering Lathe

Repairing an SA-74 suspension unit, from a Neumann VMS-70 disk mastering lathe, which arrived with the head lift/drop lever jammed in the down position, preventing the top lid from being removed! The Neumann SX-74 stereophonic motional feedback cutter head was still attached, as it had been glued to the mount adapter, which can only be removed from the suspension unit by opening the top lid! Several mechanical and electrical repairs, adjustment/calibration procedures and even a bit of machining on the 1961 Moore Special Tools Jig Borer later, it was fully brought back to original specifications!

Agnew Analog Type 631 Direct Drive Motor and Type 231 Control Module

The Agnew Analog Reference Instrument Type 631 is a high performance direct drive motor, designed for professional disk mastering lathes and turntables. It is usually positioned on the floor under the lathe or turntable, driving the platter directly by means of a long driveshaft, similar to the drive system of the Neumann VMS-70 and several other professional disk mastering systems.



Accurate Record Reproduction: Thorens TD160, SME 3009 and Van den Hul MC Two

For some reason, the people involved with the manufacturing of vinyl records are rather stoic types. The rare occasion when they are in a talkative mood, they mostly talk about the manufacturing process and equipment. They are not often talking about what happens after the records have been manufactured, the actual reproduction of these records, for pleasure or for the most critical step of manufacturing: Quality control.

Modified Thorens TD160 with SME 3009 and Van den Hul MC Two cartridge, with a test record
Modified Thorens TD160 with SME 3009 and Van den Hul MC Two cartridge, with a test record

What follows is the story of the restoration, modification, assembly, calibration and testing, of some components, which, if used properly, can result in a highly accurate phonograph disk reproduction system.

Critical listening at home: Audiophile High Fidelity Sound Reproducing Systems and the Recording Industry

audiophile analog audio setup

Meet George Vardis, a retired biologist with a Master's Degree in Food Technology, residing in Athens, Greece. George is a sophisticated man with many interests, including sailing, photography, motorbikes, and music. He plays the piano and the guitar, but his career always steered well clear of the music industry. He was never a recording artist, nor was he a recording engineer. In fact, he has probably never seen a recording studio in real life.

Absolute Polarity for Magnetic Tape

https://www.agnewanalog.com
https://www.magneticfidelity.com
PDF version

The Tape story

Following the publication of my recent article, titled "Absolute Polarity for Disk Records" [1], I received encouraging feedback and requests for further information. Record enthusiasts often wonder about the dark secrets of the record production and manufacturing process, while professional mastering engineers are (or at least should be) striving to keep all their equipment in perfect working order, according to international standards. Their common goal is the best possible transfer of the sound from the performance space to the listening room. Magnetic tape is experiencing an impressive rise in popularity as a consumer medium in audiophile circles, with more albums becoming available in reels of 1/4" tape.