test record (2)

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.