Unlike more listening sessions you are listening ‘to the equipment’, not the music specifically. (theoretically) How does this or that piece handle the reference piece? How does it compare to a previous chunk of hifi gear?  

What can I do with an unplayable 33/45 record?
Unfortunately, most of those are sent to landfills and it is an industry challenge. Luckily one company in NZ is leading the charge in Auckland: Holiday Records (NZ’s premium record pressing plant). This is very much a part of the sustainability ethos they have

Owning a classic watch is much like collecting vinyl records—both offer a deeply tactile, analogue experience that resonates with those who value craftsmanship, nostalgia, and heritage. Just as the warmth of a vinyl record can stir memories and emotion, a vintage timepiece can evoke the era it was made in and hint at the lives of its previous owners. It's not just about telling time—it's about telling a story.

For me, it was Queen's A Night at the Opera (1975). At the time, Queen wasn't really on my radar until "Bohemian Rhapsody" began dominating the airwaves in early 1976. Its unconventional structure and theatrical flair were both unusual and captivating. The song's surreal lyrics—mentioning characters like Scaramouche and terms like Fandango—piqued our interest and drew us into its eccentric world. 

Pink Floyd's Live at Pompeii has long been revered as a mythical classic, capturing the band at a pivotal moment in their evolution. Five decades later, this iconic performance has been carefully restored and remixed, offering fans both old and new a chance to experience it in the theatre or Remastered LP, CD or Blu-ray.. 

During a late-night scroll, I stumbled across some ReVox gear, complete with grainy, low-res photos. (More on the rest of the haul soon.) But the big score? A very tidy ReVox B790 linear tracking turntable from around 1977–1982. I’d heard of this lovely bit of audiophile kit but had never seen one in person—bit of a unicorn in NZ.