John Cox

Blogs · @wyome

Tagged audio · everything

Bootie Mashup

Best of Bootie 2006

I can see this is a page describing Bootie's 2006 annual mashup compilation with bonus tracks, but the content provided doesn't include the actual article text or arguments that would typically be saved. The page appears to be primarily navigation and structural elements for a music download platform, showing sections for tracks, bonus tracks, videos, monthly top 10 mashups, and themed albums. Without the substantive content of what was actually saved, I cannot write an accurate summary explaining why this particular piece was worth keeping.

Permalink audiomusic

Play Dead

Grateful Dead Streaming - Listen to Live Concerts & Vault Recordings | Play Dead

Play Dead is the official Grateful Dead streaming service launching with over 20 previously unreleased complete shows, plus two new vault recordings added weekly, all in high-resolution audio quality. The service provides access to the band's entire official discography including Dave's Picks box sets and archival releases, organized chronologically by performance date for the first time. At $9.99/month or $99.99/year, it also integrates with the nugs platform for access to related artists like Dead & Company and Phil Lesh & Friends.

Permalink audiomusicstreaming

Fosi Audio

Gear Patrol

www.henleyaudio.co.uk

Henley Audio | Pro-Ject Announce a new standard in Entry-level | Welcome to Henley Audio

Pro-Ject's new E1.2 is a £249 fully manual turntable that strips away modern conveniences like Bluetooth and USB to focus on core analogue sound quality, drawing philosophical inspiration from the company's original 1991 turntable that helped spark the vinyl revival. The deck features significant upgrades over its predecessor including a heavier die-cast aluminium platter with damping, an improved sub-platter, and a new low-mass cartridge with neodymium magnet, all mounted on a rigid composite fibre plinth and handmade in Europe. Pro-Ject positions it as an accessible entry point for newcomers to vinyl that pairs with modern integrated amps and active speakers already equipped with phono stages, backed by a 25-year spare parts guarantee.

Permalink audiosustainableturntablevinyl

Pro-Ject Audio Systems

E1.2 – Pro-Ject Audio Systems

The E1.2 is an entry-level turntable handmade in the Czech Republic that arrives pre-adjusted and ready to play out of the box, featuring a premium MM cartridge, heavy 730g die-cast aluminum platter, and CNC-machined tonearm designed to deliver warm, smooth sound without requiring technical setup. It's available in three variants—standard, with built-in phono preamp, or with Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity—and comes in multiple finishes including wood, black, and white, with optional satin color options for the Bluetooth model. The design prioritizes simplicity and quality components over complexity, emphasizing solid engineering and low background noise at an accessible price point.

Permalink audioturntablevinylhandmade

Kanto Audio

fosiaudio.com

Fosi Audio Merak CD Player

This is a product listing for an all-in-one desktop CD transport built around the SC6137D/CS43131/TPA6120 chipset combo, pairing a precision servo mechanism with an integrated DAC and headphone amp. Worth keeping for the spec sheet: it rips CDs to USB or plays USB drives directly, outputs via headphone jack, line, and optical, and posts respectable measured numbers (121–124dB SNR, sub-0.002% THD+N). Useful as a reference if shopping for a compact CD-to-digital/headphone-amp combo unit rather than a pure transport.

Permalink gearaudioelectronics

leak-hifi.co.uk

TruStream

This is a product page for the LEAK TruStream network streamer/DAC, built around Silent Angel's streaming platform and an ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M reference DAC, supporting Spotify/TIDAL/Qobuz Connect, Roon Ready, AirPlay 2 and hi-res formats up to PCM 768kHz/DSD512. It's worth keeping mainly for the full spec sheet (I/O options including balanced XLR, coaxial/optical digital out, USB audio, headphone amp specs) and the framing of the unit as a complete source component styled to match LEAK's Stereo 130/230 amplifiers rather than a bare digital transport.

Permalink technologyaudiofurniturestreaming

www.gearpatrol.com

A Legendary Hi-Fi Company Just Breathed New Life Into Its Older Speakers

Marshall's new Heddon is a $300 wireless hub that enables multi-room audio grouping and Wi-Fi streaming for its existing Bluetooth home speakers using Auracast technology, supporting services like Spotify Connect and AirPlay. It works wirelessly with the brand's third-generation speakers (Acton III, Stanmore III, Woburn III) and can connect older models via wired RCA outputs, while also featuring RCA inputs for streaming vinyl records throughout the home. The Heddon is available now with promotional discounts: half off when purchasing one speaker, or free with the purchase of two or more.

Permalink audiomusicstreamingsmart home

www.nytimes.com

Outgrown Your Starter Record Player? Here’s How to Shop for a Quality Turntable.

Belt-drive turntables are cheaper and isolate the platter from motor vibration but require periodic belt replacement, while direct-drive systems offer consistent speed and superior reliability at higher cost, with DJs favoring them for their precision. Beyond motor type, buyers should consider whether they need a built-in phono preamp (convenient for beginners, but external preamps offer more flexibility), the quality of the phono cartridge (which significantly affects sound and is replaceable), and optional features like Bluetooth connectivity (which digitizes the signal but adds flexibility) and USB digitization capability. Ease-of-use factors like speed adjustment, tonearm tracking force adjustment, cue levers, and auto-return functions vary by model and should match your priorities and listening habits.

Permalink audioaccessoriesturntablevinyl

www.nytimes.com

How to Connect Your New Turntable to Any Audio System

Connecting a modern turntable to contemporary audio systems requires understanding the phono preamp, a specialized component that processes the turntable's signal before it reaches speakers or headphones. The specific connection method depends on your equipment: receivers and some powered speakers have built-in phono preamps for direct connection, while Bluetooth turntables offer wireless streaming, and Wi-Fi speakers require either analog connections or additional devices like music streamers to avoid costly intermediaries. The article walks through each scenario—from traditional receivers to wireless headphones to Sonos systems—explaining which components you need and where potential bottlenecks occur, such as needing a standalone phono preamp when neither your turntable nor speakers have one built in.

Permalink audioturntablewi‑fiphono preamp

www.gearpatrol.com

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Review: Spatial Audio Joins the Party

Bose's new QuietComfort Ultra over-ear headphones offer incremental improvements rather than major innovations, excelling in comfort, noise cancellation, and battery life while introducing a spatial audio feature called "Immersive Audio" that enhances the listening experience without being transformative. The review concludes that they're a solid choice for anyone needing new noise-canceling headphones, though existing Bose users won't find compelling reasons to upgrade, and competitors like Sony's WH-1000XM5 offer similarly compelling alternatives at lower prices.

Permalink audioreviewselectronics

www.gearpatrol.com

The Best Vintage Turntables That You Can (Maybe) Still Buy

Vintage turntables attract buyers primarily for their aesthetic appeal, nostalgic value, and affordability compared to modern equivalents, though they typically require restoration work and won't match the sound quality of contemporary models. The article identifies iconic models from the 1970s and '80s like the Linn Sondek LP12 and Technics SP-10, explaining that sourcing these requires patience and research through secondhand marketplaces, with potential restoration costs that may exceed the original purchase price. Success in buying vintage hi-fi depends on communicating with sellers to understand a turntable's condition and consulting local shops about repair feasibility before committing to a purchase.

Permalink gearaudiovintagevinyl

www.gearpatrol.com

Two Vintage-Audio Professionals Pick Their Go-To Stereo Receivers

Vintage stereo receivers and amplifiers remain highly sought-after for their aesthetic appeal and warm, analog sound quality, though they typically require expensive restoration since many original parts are no longer manufactured. Audio experts highlight the most desirable models, including the Marantz 2270 receiver and 1060 integrated amp from the early 1970s, the Fisher 500C and 800C tube receivers from the 1960s, Pioneer's powerful SX-series receivers, and the highly-regarded McIntosh line, with more affordable options like the Dynaco ST-70 also attracting enthusiasts. The appeal lies partly in the "thrill of the hunt" combined with superior sonic characteristics—particularly the warm, full-bodied sound of tube amplifiers that modern equipment cannot replicate.

Permalink gearaudiovintagerestoration

www.gearpatrol.com

How to Build a Hi-Fi Turntable System for Less than $1,000

The piece explains that vinyl's resurgence has made it easy and affordable to build a complete turntable system, breaking down the four essential components (turntable, phono preamp, amplifier, and speakers) and how they work together. It then presents three different budget-friendly system configurations under $1,000, each combining components in different ways: an integrated turntable paired with a wireless powered speaker, a turntable with separate external preamp and powered speakers, and a turntable with an integrated amplifier and passive speakers that allows for future upgrades.

Permalink audiobudgetturntablevinyl

www.gearpatrol.com

The Complete Guide to All of Pro-Ject’s Excellent Turntables

Pro-Ject, an Austrian company founded in 1991, manufactures turntables ranging from budget-friendly entry-level models ($300–$500) to ultra-premium audiophile systems (over $16,000), all designed around the founder's goal of making high-quality vinyl playback accessible across price points. The company achieves competitive pricing by producing most components in-house across facilities in Austria, Czech Republic, and Slovakia, and integrating its own phono stages, DACs, and amplifiers directly into turntables. The guide walks through Pro-Ject's major product lines—from the E1 and Primary series for beginners, through mid-range options like the T Series and Debut line, to high-end alternatives like the RPM Carbon and X Series, concluding with premium offerings like the Signature series for discerning audiophiles.

Permalink gearaudioreviewsturntable

geekdad.com

Wireless Vinyl: How I Got a Record Player Connected to Our AirPlay Music System [Updated]

The author describes a DIY solution for playing vinyl records wirelessly throughout a home using modern AirPlay-compatible speaker systems, since no manufacturers offer AirPlay-ready turntables. By combining a standard turntable with a built-in preamp, a Bluetooth audio transmitter, a Bluetooth receiver, and Mac software utilities (Line-In and AirFoil), he created a system that routes vinyl audio from a game room turntable to speakers in multiple rooms across the house. While admittedly a workaround, the setup successfully enables the nostalgic experience of playing physical records on demand anywhere in the home.

Permalink audiodiysmart homevinyl

www.nytimes.com

Smart secondhand shopping

Wirecutter's Alexander Aciman puts Lululemon's "Like New" resale program to the test, ordering flagship leggings and other pieces to judge whether the discounts justify buying someone else's used activewear. The piece weighs pricing, condition, and quality against the brand's premium reputation, part of a broader Wirecutter series probing whether retailer-run resale programs actually deliver value compared to traditional thrifting.

Permalink sustainabilityaudiovintagefurniture