Welcome to volume 26 of Record Roundup, my regular feature on all-things related to turntables and records. For the first edition of 2024, I’m talking about another record-shattering year for vinyl record sales, Record Store Day 2024, product reviews, some new gear from Canada’s Fluance, and VMP releases.
Vinyl Sales Continue to be On Fire
The RIAA released its 2023 annual report on revenue and to the surprise of no-one who is a fan of vinyl, records sales continue to be on fire. According to the RIAA numbers (full report here), vinyl record sales eclipsed CD sales for the second year in a row in unit sales while revenue from record sales increased 10% to $1.4 billion for 2023 – the 17th straight year of growth.
Record Store Day 2024
April 20 is the day. Record fans, start checking the release list because Record Store Day 2024 – with its collection of exclusive, limited edition vinyl releases – is just two weeks away. Among the releases of note, Rhino is offering Talking Heads’ Live at WCOZ 77, The Doors’ Live at Konserthuset, Stockholm September 20, 1968, and for country fans, Dwight Yoakam’s The Beginnings And Then Some: The Albums of The ‘80s.
Crosley C8 Review
In case you missed it, I reviewed the affordable Crosley C8 turntable in January. This is an entry-level, belt-drive turntable that has a lot to offer for its $279 price tag, including a walnut finish MDF plinth, an aluminium platter and tonearm and a pre-mounted Audio Technica AT-3600 cartridge.
New Releases From Fluance
Technically this isn’t “new” per se, but watch for a coming review of the Fluance RT81+ turntable, which was announced late last year. This update on the RT81 features an Audio Technica VM95E cartridge and an upgraded, dampened aluminum platter. I have a review unit in my basement, I’m just waiting for some home renovation work – about the worst possible environment to be testing a new turntable – to wrap before unboxing it.
Fluance has also released a new accessory, the IB40 Turntable Isolation Base. I have one of these sitting in my office and will be testing it along with that RT81+ turntable.
Klipsch The Three Plus Premium Bluetooth Speaker
Not every record fan has the room or budget for a component sound system with PHONO input and a pair of speakers. I just reviewed a compact audio system that would be ideal for either situation.
The Three Plus is a premium Bluetooth speaker from well-known American audio brand Klipsch. The Three Plus features a handsome mid-century modern design with real wood veneer, wraparound cloth and a chunky metal volume dial. It packs a punch with its 120W of bi-amplified power driving a pair of full range drivers and an impressive 5.25-inch high excursion woofer. Look around back and you’ll find dual RCA inputs, a ground post and a switchable PHONO pre-amp.
Intrigued? You can read my full review of the Klipsch Three Plus here.
Vinyl Me Please Featured Record
As much fun as it is bin diving, Record Store Day isn’t the only way to score an exclusive release. Subscription service Vinyl Me Please is a great source for unusual exclusives, including box sets and unique colored vinyl. Just check out this Rock Record of the Month release for January, Black Sabbath’s Master of Reality. I love the Purple Orchid splatter effect on this one and the 1971 album has probably never sounded better than VMP’s release on 180g vinyl with AAA lacquers cut from the master tapes by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound. Collectors take note, newly available for pre-order from VMP is this eight LP John Coltrane box set, featuring his Love Supreme album plus alternate takes and live versions.
Missed the last edition of Record Roundup? Volume 25 featured a selection of turntables priced at $250 and under.
Disclosure: Vinyl Me Please provided a record membership for evaluation purposes but had no input into this review.
