ECM: The Sound Next to Silence
Cologne, 24 January 1975. The wrong piano, an exhausted pianist. From that night Manfred Eicher built an aesthetic no one has managed to copy.
The highlights
the best of this issueBoards of Canada — Music Has the Right to Children
Detuned synths, drowsy beats and voices from old documentaries: the record that made the future sound like a decayed past.
Prefab Sprout: Pop's Great Underrated Recluse
Go to Deep Cuts →
The Best Phono Preamps to Start With (Under €200)
Browse the guides →
Tokyo — Records handled like porcelain…
Explore the cities →
Five records every month
The editor's picks →
Reviews
on the turntable this week
Vinyl Cities
Every real music city has its own vinyl geography. It doesn't show up on Google Maps. You find it by going.
Tokyo — Records handled like porcelain, priced like they matter.
Read the episode →Deep Cuts & Reportage
essays, portraits, listening, reportage
Prefab Sprout: Pop's Great Underrated Recluse
Paddy McAloon wrote some of the finest songs in English pop, then vanished. The story of Prefab Sprout, his writing, and the albums he never released.
Guides & Reference
finding your way in vinyl
The Complete Vinyl Collector's Guide
Everything serious vinyl collectors need to know: turntables, pressings, cleaning, storage, and how to build a...
The Best Phono Preamps to Start With (Under €200)
Budget phono preamps under €200 compared: MM and MC, USB, subsonic filter. Which phono stage to buy when starting with...
iFi ZEN Air Phono 2 vs Cambridge Alva Solo: Which One to Buy?
iFi ZEN Air Phono 2 vs Cambridge Alva Solo: MM/MC, subsonic filter, sound, build. Which sub-€200 phono preamp to buy and...
MM vs MC: Which Cartridge Is Right for You
MM or MC cartridges: the real differences in output, phono stage, stylus, sound and cost. Which one suits beginners, and...
Vinyl Glossary: The Collector's Lexicon
Groov-illa's vinyl glossary: 180 gram, gatefold, matrix, dead wax, obi and more terms explained clearly, to read...
Rega Planar 1 vs Pro-Ject T1: Which One to Buy?
Rega Planar 1 vs Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB compared: sound, setup, upgrades and value. Which entry-level turntable should you...
The editors' picks
every month, five records chosen blindEvery month, five records the editors listened to with their eyes closed. No charts. No algorithms. Just ears.
June 2026 · From the editorsThe Collector's Books
books for record lovers
Vinyl GlossaryThe Language of the Groove
Go to glossary →Inner sleeve
Sleeve
The inner bag that holds the record inside the sleeve. May be plain paper (white or black), printed paper with lyrics and photos, or anti-static polyethylene. The original inner, especially if printed, increases collectible value.
cf. Gatefold · Shrink wrap
