We recently created a section we called vinyl arcana. Arcana is defined by the Free Dictionary on the web as:

1. A deep secret; a mystery.
2. Specialized knowledge or details unknown to or misunderstood by the average person.

When it comes to “knowledge or details unknown to or misunderstood by the average person” — in this case, the average audiophile — we believe we are uniquely qualified to discuss these subjects, owing to the fact that we seem to be the only record reviewers currently using rigorous controls, blinded experiments and the scientific method to arrive at reproducible results not limited by the reader’s (sufficiently advanced) analog playback system.

Much of what we have written is here on the blog to help the serious, dedicated “lover of sound” find a better way to discover it for himself, starting with:

• Learning to listen critically

while

• Conducting record experiments

What knowledge we gain is then shared with our readers:

• Label advice

• Stamper information

and

• Moderately helpful title-specific advice

In addition, below you will find links to advice for record collectors looking for the best vinyl pressings:

• Records that sound better in mono 

• Records that sound better in stereo

• Records that sound great in both mono and stereo 

• Records that sound better on the right domestic pressing 

• Records that sound better on the right import pressing 

• Records that sound better on the right early pressing 

• Records that sound better on the right reissue pressing

Thinking About Records

1. Skeptical thinking is key to finding better records

2. Thinking critically about records is helpful too

3. Avoid these mistaken ideas in record collecting and audio

Other Reviews and Commentaries You May Find of Interest

• Commentaries on Heavy Vinyl

• Commentaries on Half-speed mastering

• Records we’ve “discovered” with exceptional sound

If you are searching for the perfect sound, you came to the right place.