Hi Rocco, John here. I ordered the Knosti unit you reviewed about a week ago. Question for you-- how long did yours take to arrive? Mine is not late yet, but I'd like to get an idea of what to expect before I ask them to check on it. According to DHL tracking, mine has been sitting at IPZ Frankfurt since last Friday. Thanks for the info if you know the approx. delivery time. I enjoy your videos-- thanks!
Damn brotha man! You got the whole shebang lol. I just got the Colored LP and 45 but they both beautiful. Even got a one for the mother in law. But I was piss't and unaware they made a cassette for this, now I gotta wait till someone sells one on Discogs. Much love brotha man
There might be other comments to this general effect, but @PiecesofVinyl does Knosti say there is a specific benefit to air drying the records with the cleaning fluid on them? Or if preferred, could you just wipe with a microfiber or even stick it on a vacuum RCM real quick to dry it? Thanks for your thorough reviews.
As an aside, the relentlessly thorough Paul Rigby (The Audiophile Man) apparently decided to remove the rubber rings from the clamps, with blessings from Knosti, to solve the suction problem that makes removing them a hassle.
You certainly could go to a vacuum after the cleaning however on my vacuum setup the record sits on a platter so one side would be totally wet when I put it down. I actually thought about doing this. I would not wipe with a microfiber as that would make it dirty again.
I’ve used a few forwarding services to get American releases delivered to me in the uk and I would definitely not recommend any of them lol So many hidden fees etc. I’m lucky to have friends state side that hold onto records for me now tho 🙏 Overall this is a great video as always from Rocco but what’s been said by the CEO hasn’t really done anything to change my negative opinion on these VMP changes 😪
Word. Thanks for watching and commenting. Shipping international is way too expensive in general. I cringe when I can only find something overseas and a lot of the stuff I like seems to go over there!
Does anyone know at what speed you need to play half speed mastering LP ? I played it at 33 but the voice is...deeper than it should be...I have ABBA Waterloo half speed mastering....do I need to play it at 45 ? 78? What do I need to do to make it sound "normal" ?
If it’s a 33rpm record it should be played at 33. Half speed mastering doesn’t have anything to do with the rpm a record is cut at. Is it possible the record is a 45rpm LP? Playing it at 33 would make it sound slow and low. But half speed mastering doesn’t affect this.
@@PiecesofVinyl It is a 45 rpm 12'' LP ...and it works normal on 45 speed....and at first I didn't see it ...but it says on back of cover that it's 45 rpm...thanks for help..been listening to album that's why I didn't respond sooner. This was my first half speed master recording so I just put it on 33 speed like all the other 12 '' vinyl. Anyway thaks for help/response. Spread like an eagle on bed and tell your wife that tonight she's on top :D :P Your work is done...good deed done.
Rocco, this was a useful video. I am a VMP international member and I am obviously disappointed not to be able to renew but I accept there are reasons for it. I understand you are not a professional interviewer but, for me, it would be better if you spoke less. Although professional interviewers often make the same mistake. What they do not typically do, however, is make apologies on behalf of the interviewee or reframe their answers to make them better. When that happens it makes me feel a little condescended to and it does not help your disclaimer at the outset that you are not shilling for VMP. Just ask the questions flat. And let the guy answer. And, by all means, say what your own personal experience has been.
This is not the only video and review that has been giving the Fluance RT-85 a good review. I do like the style and does seem to be really nice for the $500 asking price. I am currently using a 1980's vintageTechnics SL-QL15 linear tracker. The thing is over 40 years old (don't know if mine was the original 1983 version or the revised 1989 release), but still works like brand-new, so don't intend to replace it anytime soon. I did just put an LP Gear Reference VS cartridge on it, and really sounds good. But if I ever need to replace my trusty ol' Technics, that Fluance is on my short list.
Having just got back 'into' collecting and watching a few different channels for inspiration be that albums or equipment, it became apparent that i had never listened to AJA. I rectified this by streaming it as I do where possible before buying a physical copy. Whilst the plaudits for AJA are far and wide. Im glad i haven't bought it, be that for a cheap price let alone the UHQR recording. I was hugely underwhelmed (apologies to all those fans out there). Anyhow just wanted to say fantastic content, channel and production. Cheers
Not all of their titles will be there - and that might not be forever either. Also you do get discounts on the vinyl including for both exclusives and anthologies and you can bundle multiple purchases for free with your record of the month shipment.
I clean all my records with the Knosti Antistat (European version of the Spinclean). That costs about €50. I use a 95/5 mixture of destilled water and alcohol, with 1-2 drops of dishwasher fluid. The records will airdry. This method, while ir might be imperfect, brings me clean and shiny records that play very nice and silent without hassle and with little money to spend. Just use an antistatic brush to maintain your records and keep them dust free. And invest in your stylus, I use a micro lineair. This will do more to your sound than paying +1000 for an ultrasonic cleaner, they are very expensive and their additional contribution is marginal compared to just spinclean.
If this is their old solution from their manual cleaning machines it DOES leave a deposit. Stylus picks up a grey substance from the grooves. I would recommend use distilled water.
Thank for watching! However - there is a level on RU-vid of a "sponsored" video - go and watch many tech reviews - they will often say a company has sent them a product for review - but they are not a sponsor - but the video might indeed have a separate sponsor (usually square space). Those sponsorships are where the company involved actually PAYS anywhere from $500-$5000 for a video. There is obviously bias since the company has reached out with the product and I accepted it - but - I would not review products on my channel I would not stand behind or recommend. I try to be very up front about that with both the audience and the brands I deal with. I have turned down many as well.
Great discussion. I’m with you. VMP makes records I want to buy, really consistently actually, and if i don’t want a title, then I swap for something I do want. This latest Ahmed Abdul Malik is a reason to join in and of itself, and it just so happens to be the very next title. Granted I’m all in on jazz, but there’s plenty this year to love and every title I’ve grabbed has been phenomenal. The box sets are the icing on top.
thanks for watching and commenting! I am very excited for the Ahmed Abdul Malik - and the Gus Cannon - I am not familiar with either - but they are both things I would go far in a store! I value your opinion too - you are not the kind of the guy that sugar coats things!
Got black and bronz black is angel more spacious preamped with tubes psvan compared to jj. Rca cables audioquest silver green and battery dbs silver direct respons .passionate we are.
As I have been a subscriber for 4 years and was one of the supposed “400” that had their Rocket to Russia swap reversed and NEVER got an email about it, maybe Matt should make future stock available to us first. 😡
YES! Hopefully from VMP if it becomes available again and not having to pick one up from a reseller on eBay for $$$! Still pretty 😡about their screw up as I’m sure other subscribers are.
@@PiecesofVinylwhat kind of answer is that? The guy is telling you that Matt LIED in the interview (which you made!) and all you have to say is “well that sucks”. 🤦🏻
@@fidelios_frequency DUDE - what is your problem? If you want to accuse me of something - SAY IT - better yet - make a video about it - im sure it will get way more views if it has a TON of negativity and speculation maybe even outright lies - I have no idea if this commenter is telling truth about their situation - so I tried to be sympathetic - "...That Sucks" - but also remind him - if - at the end of they day - you still want the record - you will still get it and you will get it from them - at retail cost - not scalpers prices. And Matt flat out said - there were people - about 400 or so - that this guys was referring to - that got caught up in the mess - so how was Matt lying? Again - what is that you - or others - think VMP is up to exactly? To make AAA pressings and TRICK people into getting them - or not getting them - or making them mad about it? Like - clearly - the company has had some internal issues and they are trying to rectify it - the god damn CEO came on to talk openly about it!! - which is more then I can say for MOFI who actually did LIE to their customers and had a god damn class action lawsuit about it - if you dont like VMP anymore - "BYE FELICIA" - I still do - I have three records coming in today - two of which I have never heard and Im super excited for - so again - I fail to see the "GOTCHA" moment that you all seem to be looking for - from either me or this company. I have been up front about everything - I am not a secret employee - I fucking wish I was - I pay the price increases too! If I were trying to do some kind of shady deal - I am going about it all wrong - and my credit cards can vouche for that - do you need to see them too?? Like WTF man??
@@PiecesofVinyl Rocco, I think you are taking this way too personal. First: I don’t do attack videos. I will however publish my (final) ROTM VMP video explaining why I decided to end my membership. Second: I’ve been doing monthly videos about VMP releases on my channel for about 2 years and been a paying member since 2017 (I got receipts too, lol). I’ve reviewed 24 releases and in 95% of the times spoken about and recommended them very highly. I’ve also applauded the VMP customer service team in resolving any issue I have raised. I have a smaller channel than yours and maybe you haven’t seen those videos. So, before you accuse me of spreading negativity about VMP, you should actually do your research. Third: You’re spinning your (incorrect) interpretation of the Tax Code to make it seem like producing “social promo reels” for VMP in exchange for an expensive box set does not fall in the “shilling” category. Sorry buddy, the IRS would think differently. You’re not fooling me. You didn’t like me calling you out so you decided to make light of it with your “tacos” comment. Lame and childish response. Just own up to your faux pas and retract. Fourth: Companies are in business to make money, not to educate people in music or vinyl collecting. They will spin a bad story to make themselves look good. Your piece helped them do exactly that. Damage control. The CEO stated that all members whose swaps were cancelled received an email informing them. @philipciulla1417 indicated that was not the case and believes he may never get the Ramones record. In fact, Storf has gone on record saying that it will not be re-pressed. Do your research. You would rather question @philipciulla1417 telling the truth rather than the CEO. You took sides, not a good look. Also, check the Facebook VMP fan group, another member mentioned receiving in the mail a totally different swap instead of the Ramones, no email either. Lastly: Don’t believe everything CEO’s tell you
A big problem in the VC is people attaching their identities to reissue companies. There are different VC reissue 'tribes': VMP, AS, MoFi and so on. People within these tribes feel 'their' company (which they don't own) can do no wrong. When mishaps occur, people's self-worth can take a hit, and it seems like thats whats happening here. You're reacting in a very personal way to something an external corporation is doing. Hang in there and take care of your own mental health. Don't worry about VMP. The people mad at VMP are not mad at you. It isn't personal.
I dont think anyone is mad at me - in the same year I decided to document my bundles I get each month from this company - this all blows up - so since I have made 8 videos this year (with 4 more coming) - plus another about the Anthology - it comes off like I work for this place so I try to be clear about the fact that I do not. At the end of the day for me - it's about the music - I spend more time in those videos talking about the music and the music is what drew me to this place - if there is a chance I can prevent this place and its music choices from going away - I want to try at least.
Super helpful walk through of the struggles VMP is facing. My only recommendation based on this information is that VMP needs to do a better job of making their exclusives worth the $44 / month cost for an annual member. Competition is much higher now with Rhino High Fidelity, Mobile Fidelity, and Acoustic Sounds, who also delivery exclusive high quality pressings and packaging. Pricing is nearly the same. I don't need a membership for those and I know what I'm getting, where with VMP I am not sure what I'm getting month to month but I've outlayed the money. The risk is high as a consumer to trust VMP is going to have the exclusives that we want.
I can’t believe people have gotten to the point they interrogate small businesses about whether or not they’ve let employees go. Thanks for the interview. It was definitely a lightbulb moment when he was talking about how growth and expansion doesn’t actually mean better and things should only grow to be the size they need to be, and grow naturally from there. And also, I feel like what’s happening here is happening everywhere, there’s heads of businesses making videos like these talking to the people who are all suddenly acting like union reps in industries they may not even be involved in but since it’s become so easy to follow a narrative of a company doing the people wrong, every company deserving or not is not only losing money but being scrutinized at every turn for it, as if they want to
Record collectors are very demanding - and rightfully so to hold a place to account - but at the same time - be careful what you wish for - if we complain about all of them - and all the go away - then what?
A big thank you to Matt Fiedler for his information provided, and more importantly the transparency. Many of us are sticking with VMP due to the high quality mastering, jackets, and product, and are willing to patiently ride out some bumps in the road while things are straightened out. And thank you for the positivity, Rocco. A valuable commodity in short supply in today’s vinyl community!
Rocco, getting goods or services in exchange for other goods or services within a "business" setting (as you described) is considered "bartering" and should be reported to the IRS and IS taxable. Careful what statements you put out there. Just because you put a disclaimer in your video that you didn't "receive cash" from VMP or that you are not "an employee" of VMP doesn't exempt you from a sort of "quid pro quo" relationship with VMP either from a business point of view or a "vinyl community integrity" aspect.
@@PiecesofVinyl I don’t care what you do with the tacos 🌮. Your whole preamble is misguiding and is portraying incorrect information. You can make light of what I said, but you’re twisting the facts to show that you’re transparent. That’s all.
Great interview and I'm super happy this video made me aware of your channel. I think the thing I worry about with VMP was that over the last 3 years, everything had been looking up for them. Releases were more widely available, there were more AAA titles cut by the best engineers, and then the news that they hired Gary Salstrom, one of the best pressing plant managers/engineers in the world, it felt like were were witnessing the rise of another Analogue Productions which was exciting. I understand they were likely lied to by their old CEO, but I do worry that their firing is going to mean VMP returning more to what it used to be: this little niche company in the vinyl world that sometimes put out a definitive reissue but mostly stayed in their lane. I think the move to the zine reinforces that, it makes it harder for anyone outside the club to enjoy or buy their product.
Thanks for watching and commenting! I have been a fan of your channel for a while! My hope is this will allow them to focus on better quality I think maybe the ambition was there to be the next AP - but that is not realistic - but they can be something unique hopefully.
Found this side of the story / always 2 sides - actually 3 sides / the 3rd being somewhere in the middle .....this soap opera will continue....... A trio of executives fired from Denver-based Vinyl Me, Please record club have responded to an updated lawsuit against them by adding details to counter-suits that they say prove their innocence. They are alleging breach of contract and withheld severance, which they say stems from vindictive board members at the Denver-based company. Adam Block and Cameron Schaefer filed a countersuit against the company over the summer and updated it on Sept. 13, in response to an amended complaint from VMP, which was filed on Aug. 30. Former executive Richard L. Kylberg is represented separately and is planning to file an individual response to VMP’s updated lawsuit, Block told The Denver Post. The back-and-forth has been going for nearly five months. The VMP board in March fired and in May sued Block, Schaefer and Kylberg for allegedly diverting hundreds of thousands of dollars in company funds to a separately owned record-pressing plant in the River North Art District, which the suit characterized as a pricey pet project. They used NDAs, a secret codename and other methods to obscure the project, VMP’s lawsuit alleges. Block and Schaefer then responded with a July countersuit. VMP updated its original, May lawsuit on Aug. 30, and the former execs responded with their updated complaint Sept. 13 - with Kylberg’s update due by Sept. 27. VMP is an upscale record-reissue company that charges more than $50 per month or $500, per year for subscriptions. Schaefer was the CEO, Block the CFO, and Kylberg the chief strategy officer. “To date, the pressing plant has not demonstrated the ability to press vinyl records in a timely or professional manner,” VMP’s Denver District Court lawsuit reads. But the executives are saying in their counter-suits that they were unjustly terminated and are seeking “appropriate remedies and sanctions” against VMP. They are also asking for monetary damages, penalties and attorney’s fees, the suit reads. Schaefer believes he is entitled to severance payments of more than $165,000, while Block said he owed $135,000. “Upon information and belief, this bad faith lawsuit is being pushed and paid for by a board member, Keith Stoltz …” according to Block and Schaefer’s countersuit. “… who is extraordinarily wealthy and who has, in the past, openly boasted to these Defendants that he has in bad faith fired and then filed meritless lawsuits against former employees of other companies that he owns to ‘teach them a lesson’ and to punish them when they did not follow his directives.” Their counter-suit further alleges that the execs were fired in order to avoid paying them severance, and to attempt to force them through expensive litigation to forfeit their ownership in the company. Block and Schaefer are being represented by Stephen E. Csajaghy and Marisa Hudson-Arney of Denver’s Condit Csajaghy LLC. Vinyl Me, Please, representatives did not respond to Denver Post requests for comment, but they are expected to file an answer to the counter-suit by Oct. 11, Block said. The company is also facing backlash from current and former members who have complained of price increases, months-long shipping delays and narrowing options for their subscriptions.
We will see - I was only gonna keep my monthly series going until December - but now - I might have to keep it going just to document it either way - my hope is - I will be talking about a CTI box set in the future.
When your turntable does not feature adjustable tonearm height, you're going to run into complications trying to put ultra-high-end cartridges on it. If - for instance - you own the very popular Fluance RT-85, stick with the Ortofon 2M Blue. It's pre-suited for the angle of the tonearm, and it's a very quality cartridge. If you feel you need something more than the "Blue", you're going to be needing to get into more expensive tables.
There were a lot more Q's I could have asked - but I figured no one would watch a 2 hour video! That said - I think he kind of touched on it - running more tracks makes things way more complicated - I think - they think - they can cover ROCK stuff in the Essentials Track - which I kind of agree with - but they keep putting Hip Hop stuff there - and they kept the Hip Hop track - again - we could go on for days!
YES YES YES YES!!!!!! Thank you for talking about the super duper low distance between my blue cartridge and my record. I am now using a Technics SL-1500C turntable, upgraded from a TEAC TN-400S. On that turntable, the edges of the blue cartridge actually scraped along the record. I destroyed a blue cartridge trying to manually lower the stylus. That super duper low clearance is one resaon why I am worried about upgrading to the Black. Can you give me your thoughts about my experience? Thanx.
I CONSTANTLY look at it - and it seems to be fine on my end. I thought I had damaged my 2M Blue - but it also seems to be OK - I have never had them scrape the record - was the record warped at all?
Very good video/interview. Answers to lot of key questions! I am/was an international subscriber from New Zealand. Hopping that i can join again in the future (Will miss VMP till there) :) Thanks for the video
same - in nz - not at that price though ! was fun while it lasted. Theyd be better to bulk ship to key countries and then have someone redistribute using local delivery from there... I'll put my hand up for NZ and Australia
@@NiceWindow yes...those prices in current economy it's a problem...not sure if they open for international customers in future again if they get a little % what VMP have now unless there's a 'fish' campaign. Probably having a less profit margin right now and holding the customer would benefit VMP more in the future. Local distribution would be good but we would be having only the common store albums or overstock. Was good when it latest yes...agree
@@nunosouto1278 yeah i think they could limit countries, uk, japan, europe (excl uk), aus, nz, and try that and limit customers to only record of the month (including swaps) and ship only once a month to those regions - ready packaged in one ship and then ship onto local customers from there
The degritter MKII is the best for the money. Power is everything with ultrasonic cleaning and the degritter is 120 vs 40 for the disco and himunguru. The size of the cavitation bubbles is very important and 40 just doesn’t produce the right size. I have owned the humunguru and sold it off.
Check online the following. The size in microns the grooves are vs what 46 will produce in bubble size. They are not small enough to get deep into the groove.
@@Vinylfromtheunderground I’d be thrilled if you bought me a Degritter. Since they are over $3000.00 plus tax I can't afford one. I’d love to have one though😉
Rocco, your AWSOME brotha man. Thanks for doing this. I knew from the get go when I started watching you that you had something special going on and all these vinyl record companies coming to you or willing to talk is great, and affirming what I thought from the beginning. Very informative, and interesting to watch. Much love to you brotha man
@@PiecesofVinyl That is cool! I didn't even know RU-vid did anything like that for content creators, and fans. I'll wear it with honor botha man, much live to you
Great interview @piecesofvinyl. Of all the debunking of certain traditional practices out there, the one that caught my attention most was "Focus more on the rinsing." Even the top brand vacuum machines emphasize that there is no need for a rinse step after vacuuming off the cleaning fluid. Would love to know what you or @Steve-PerfectVinylForever think here? Is the single vacuum step enough to prevent leaving behind a damaging residue? If not, what would make sense for the separate rinse step? I believe pure distilled water wouldn't penetrate those grooves enough to wash much residue away. Then you’d kinda be back where you started, no? Would love your thoughts.
You can reach out to Steve - he is great about giving answers - that said - when I use my Vacuum cleaner I actually use the clean distilled water RINSE - while the Tergikleen solution is still on the record - I made a video about this - its like Im over saturating the record with the clean water - then I Vacuum - now - It seems to work for me - I have been doing this for about 2 years now and I dont notice any trace left behind. But again - nothing is perfect - except for maybe Perfect Vinyl Forevers Process!
Great video! That cart sounds amazing. Specs and measurements do tell the whole story though. Things like warm or cold sound correlates directly with the frequency response. There's nothing in audio we can hear which can't be measured. Good thing the 2M Black measures really well.
A couple extra points I should have made in the video - This is 100% made and Manufactured in Germany. The machine is also Hand Assembled and I did mention the ABS plastic - but - it also has a scratch resistant layer that is soft to the touch - and overall feels very premium - some folks have commented that it looks cheap - its def. NOT cheaply made. Also - it DOES fit in a typical Kallax shelf for storing when not using!
It gives less stress to your cart - since its not following a warp - and I would imagine there would be some playback improvement since on a dish warped record - the stylus could be traveling up hill or downhill and start to effect the speed of the record.
Having owned and repaired several old Sony Walkman, while most only require belts, some may need major repairs and it will overwhelmed novice cassette users. I am glad new cassette players are being made for people who are not mechanically inclined or have time tinkering. Audio quality may not satisfy the audiophiles, but it is good enough for me. Personally I prefer FIIO over We as Rewind because of lower price and more compact size.
I would love to try and repair my own - specifically one of those OG Sony skinny Walkmans - but those cost like $400 even for broken ones! Nice to you know you prefer this over the We are Rewind - I have actually been considering one of those - but they are pricey - but they do have bluetooth and that is convenient - though it kinda defeats the purpose....
@PiecesofVinyl Certain models command high prices such as Toshiba KT-AS10 cost 300-400 for rough condition. Aiwa HS-P7 aka HS-P02 MKII in USA and HS-P07 ib EU cost $400 for rough ones. I suggest checking out other models with metal body often sold under $200 average condition. WM-F10II, WM-F100, WM-F202. Plastic models are less elegant, but cheaper, such as WM-F44 often requires a new belt and idle tire. Also 1993-2000 models might be cheaper as well. Also service manuals are available online many for free, some for a small cost, so you can see the level of complexities and how to tear it apart.
