Hear More Music

A giant THANK YOU goes out to all of the recent new subscribers to Hear More Music. It always is nice to know that others share my interests in audio and music.

I've been reading some books about music, a niche audio company and I even opened up an old subwoofer to give you a peak inside. So I'll post some photos hear as a hint of upcoming blog posts in the near future. Thanks again and please check the Upvote feature (Posthaven-speak for "I like it, I really like it") at the bottom of each post.

The real, original Fleetwood Mac. Yes, well before Stevie and Lindsey came aboard!

More than an audio book, Schiit Happened, offers many lessons about starting up a business and the do's and do nots.

That's inside a subwoofer? Crazy.

Headphone gear!

Thanks again,

Doug

Dear subscribers and want-to-be such, if you have been kind enough to subscribe to this audio-related review site we follow up by sending you an email confirmation back to you. We don't send emails to you announcing our latest post until you confirm your subscription. If anyone didn't get the email (it often goes to spam), let me know via this site or directly to me at hearmoremusic@gmail.com. I appreciate all of you who have subscribed so far and hope everyone else who like the content here will subscribe also. Again, make sure to check your spam folder if you have not received an email reminder from us.

Thanks so very much-

Doug 

I've seen advertisements for Spin-Clean in various audio and music magazines for more years than I can remember. I'd notice the bright yellow plastic photo out of the corner of my eye and...turn the page, interested but not enough to explore further. When I first began listening and collecting records I'd clean them with a dry, soft cloth which I found only increases the amount of static electricity and static cling. Pulling the record out of the record sleeve and wiping with a dry cloth only became a magnet for dust. But, we all have to learn somehow.

When I worked in stereo retail we sold Dishwasher record cleaners. I quickly learned that applying a small amount of the magic Discwasher fluid (slyly hidden inside the hand held brush) on one edge of the brush was a much better way of cleaning. The fluid and fine brush hairs seemed to pull dirt, dust and grime from the grooves and an efficient and affordable manner. We sold tons of Discwasher products along with extra fluid. And that little brush, to clean the larger brush!

I finally decided in 2023 that I wanted to try the Spin-Clean. At only $79.00 including fluid, special cleaning cloths, rollers and the basin itself it seemed like an economical way to try a manual record cleaning machine. No, it doesn't plug into the wall. It's an all analog and manual process. The Spin-Clean Kit comes with the basin and basin lid, a pair of adjustable snap-in rollers, 'thick & plush' velvet cleaning brushes, two cotton cloths for drying and a bottle of their secret sauce record washer fluid. You supply the distilled water*. Thanks to the lovely Moneypenney for the wonderful Christmas gift!

Simply fill the basin up to the line with distilled water and pour two caps full of their fluid over the cleaning brushes. Before filling the basin slide the two cleaning brushes and snap in rollers in place. Fill the basin. Then manually place the LP in the water, lined up with the two rollers and in between the two brushes. Manual spin the record three times left and three times right. Done. Pull out the record and (this is where each person may wipe and dry in their own preferred way), I lay the record down on one cotton cloth, hold it into place with one hand while cleaning the LP with your other hand and cloth in a circular motion.

I write this review because I've found that the Spin-Clean is a fantastic, low cost product for cleaning records. Cleaning your old, tired records with a Spin-Clean will bring them back to life, resulting in much better clarity and sound. Will Spin-Clean fix scratches? No, but you'll be amazed at just how the clicks and pops you hear are simply from static electricity, dust and grime. I found the differences to be amazing. Spin-Clean also suggests cleaning your brand new records- during the stamping process there may be some residue left on them before they are inserted into the record sleeve.

All the above said and done, the process can be a bit tedious however the results can be stunning. Clean, shiny black discs brought back from the used bin dead. Dial up some music and spin your old, tired and new vinyl clean.

Extra Spin-Clean fluid, rollers and cleaning rags are available on their website and HINT: only use the Spin-Clean cloth rags. They make a big difference in your results. I found that following their directions in the manual are very important in order to experience the best results.

And by the way. once cleaned consider ridding yourself of the original paper sleeve and replace it with an inner sleeve from Mobile Fidelity for added protection and cleanliness.

Spin-Clean. Made in the USA. Highly recommended.

Spin-Clean https://www.spinclean.com/

Mobile Fidelity Inner Record Sleeves https://www.amazon.com/Mobile-Fidelity-Sound-Inner-Sleeves/dp/B001LQSFKY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3C2Q4XB6DI4EL&keywords=mobile%2Bfidelity%2Binner%2Bsleeves&qid=1705609084&sprefix=mobile%2Bfidelity%2Caps%2C91&sr=8-3&th=1

*Distilled water...1.40/gallon at my local grocery store.

In the 1920's Louis Armstrong recorded with two groups of jazz musicians. Enter the Hot Fives and, the Hot Sevens. in 2006 Wynton Marsalis recorded many of both jazz groups songs in this live session at the Jazz At Lincoln Center in New York. If you love jazz this is a must listen. Upbeat and slow selections abound with very good sound quality, tone and pace. Aside from streaming on the usual services such as Deezer, Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal and Qobuz, you can download in either (MP3 or WAV formats) from the Jazz At Lincoln Center online store at https://store.jazz.org/collections/music/products/louis-armstrong-s-hot-fives-and-hot-sevens?variant=40659316572245

I've contacted Jazz At Lincoln Center to inquire if these recordings are available on CD or vinyl LP but have not heard back from them as of posting of this review.

Whether you stream or download this music needs listening to. Jazz enthusiasts will surely embrace them and those who are just now exploring jazz as a music medium will be introduced to great music and audiophile-level sound quality (except for the MP3 lossy format).

Edit: The folks at Jazz At Lincoln Center were kind enough to respond to my question about availability of this recording on CD and vinyl LP. Unfortunately they have no other plans to release this on physical media at this time. So, streaming or via download from their website is the only way to enjoy this great recording.

Thank you very much for visiting Hear More Music!

Doug

For some, knowing the reference components used in a reviewers system is important so they may make an informed decision as to the strengths, and weaknesses, of said reviewer's system as a whole and how it may compare to the reader's own system. With that in mind and to keep the reader informed here are the components used in product and music reviews:

Core Electronics:

Schiit Audio Saga+ pre-amplifier

Technics SA-TX200 power amplifier 

Peachtree Audio Decco65 integrated amplifier 

Analog/Vinyl:

U-Turn Orbit turntable with acrylic platter 

Grado Black3 stereo phono cartridge

Audio Technica VM95E phono cartridge 

Schiit Audio Mani phono pre-amplifier 

Digital Components:

Schiit Audio Magni DAC 

Peachtree Audio DAC*IT*X DAC

Rotel RCD-1572Mk2 CD player 

Streamer -  Apple iPad and Deezer HiFi

Music Streaming Source(s):

Deezer HiFi

Loudspeakers:

Peachtree Audio Design 5 stand mount

Cable and Interconnects:

Monster 14 gauge speaker wire (12' lengths) 

Interconnects by Audioquest, Capitol and Rotel

So, what components are you using in your audio system? Feel free to leave your reply in the comments. 

Learn about the authentic and original Japanese jazz cafe in these very informative publications by Katsumasa Kusunose. I ordered directly from their website and received them within two to three weeks. Note: unless you speak and read Japanese please be sure to select the English versions! Recommended reading. 

https://jazzcity.store/

Like many I spent most of 2020 at home. Hunkered down, I listened to more music than ever. Much of that time was spent exploring new music by unfamiliar artists, playing music genres much different from what I would normally listen to. I listened to many of the CDs in my home music library and even delved into those old Boston and Chicago albums that I hadn't heard in ages (seriously, those first six Chicago albums are fantastic). Jazz, classical (I'm a sucker for Mozart) and the Allman Brothers all sounded great. But I wanted, needed something different. I mean really, how many times can one listen to Dark Side Of The Moon? Sacrilege I know but you catch my drift.

Deezer HiFi streaming subscription totally helped my new music needs. Millions of full albums, playlists and EPs at my disposal for the cost of one CD each month. And the sound quality with their HiFi version is full CD quality. If you enjoy finding new and old music I recommend Deezer highly. I can access my Deezer choices through smartphone, tablet, desktop and Sonos at home. Other services such as Qobuz, Tidal, Amazon, Spotify are great ways to enjoy more music than ever before. Choose the one best for your listening needs.

So here are ten recent finds, artists and their albums, that I discovered during Pandemic 2020. Give them a listen and see what you think. Road trip!

Discovered at Stereophile magazine.

Discovered on Facebook.

Discovered on Darko Audio YouTube channel.

This news from Michael Timmins’ Cowboy Junkies!

“Many years ago, in the time before streaming services and back when we'd gather together to make music, Margo ventured down the 401 to Guelph, Ontario and to the home of Jeff Bird. There she spent some time with Jeff and a few of his talented musical friends and recorded songs by some of her favourite artists. This album may have been recorded fifteen years ago, but these songs are timeless.... as is Margo's voice...enjoy.”

This album is only available as a digital download or as a digital stream. It is not available as a CD or on vinyl. You can find it here: 

#Spotify #AppleMusic #AmazonMusic #TIDAL #Deezer #iTunes #Pandora #Napster #music #margotimmins #cowboyjunkies #jeffbird #hearmoremusic 

I’ve been a Doobie Brothers fan since first hearing their third studio album, “The Captain and Me” in 1973.  Their mix of hard-edged guitars with vocal harmonies won me over.  Songs like Natural Thing, Long Train Runnin’, China Grove…well, ALL of them only gave a sneak peak at what was to become a popular hit-making band.

Fast forward to the 2010 edition of the band.  They had their huge hits and concert tours throughout the eighties.  After singer Michael McDonald left the band they continued to tour and record without the success of earlier years.  They brought back their original record producer, friend Ted Templeman, along with original guitarists and vocalists Pat Simmons and Tom Johnston.  After playing a few gigs together they asked former drummer Michael Hossick and master-of-all-stringed-instruments John McFee to reunite for a new Doobies album and tour.

Adding to the fun, Willie Nelson and ex-Doobie Michael McDonald make appearances.  Don’t be fooled however, this is no re-union album with ‘guest artists’ added for filler.  The Doobies of old with their harmonies, timeless rhythms and guitar solos are here.  If you enjoyed this band in the past give them another try here.

A nice twist is the remake of ‘Nobody’ from their first album.  This version has a new guitar solo and spotlights Johnston’s rougher vocal style.   Producer Templeton played up to every band member’s strengths and styles.  The Simmons-Johnston-McFee trio is one of the best front lines in rock while drummer Hossick’s playing is forward and driven.  Templeton did what many of us music purists hope for by not overdriving and overmixing the album.  It sounds equally good on a smaller system or better home audio gear.

Whether you want to relive the Doobie glory years or just want a great rock record give World Gone Crazy a listen. Enjoy.

Thanks for visiting Hear More Music!

Doug