L’Or du Son • May 2026
Dear Friends,
I hope you are all well.
This month, we reached out to several respected publications to invite reviews of our latest cartridges on the LS10 platform: the LS10 MKII “S” and the LS10 MKII “G”. We are very much looking forward to the reviewers’ feedback, and to sharing their impressions with you in due course.
For now, we invite you to explore a curated selection of recent reviews, news, and analog discoveries that caught our attention.
Enjoy the read!
Gregory de Richemont
Reviews
Aurorasound HFSA-02 Integrated Tube Amplifier
Following positive impressions of previous Aurorasound gear, this review covers the HFSA-02 integrated tube amplifier’s performance and design, continuing the brand’s reputation for quality analog amplification.
Hana Umami Black Phono Cartridge
A detailed evaluation of the $11,500 MC cartridge, continuing the reviewer’s positive experience with Hana products and highlighting its sonic refinement and musicality.
Analog Relax EX500 Moving Coil Cartridge
This MC cartridge delivers performance exceeding expectations, combining design and sonic qualities that appeal to discerning analog listeners.
A Tale of Two Thorens Turntables: TD 124 DD 140th vs. TD 404 DD
A personal account comparing two Thorens direct-drive models, emphasizing design, aesthetics, and analog playback preferences.
Dan D’Agostino Progression S350 Stereo Power Amplifier
A retrospective review praising the sound quality and user-friendly design of Dan D’Agostino’s high-end integrated amplifier and phono stage.
News & Releases
AVID Ingenium SE Turntable Enhances Motor and Tonearm Design
The updated Ingenium SE improves speed stability and noise reduction with a revised motor system, power supply, and tonearm, refining the original plug-and-play concept for better analog playback.
Next Verve Vault Audiophile Vinyl Reissues Announced
Verve Label Group and UMe present new audiophile vinyl reissues remastered by Ryan K Smith from original analog tapes, appealing to collectors and audiophiles.
AudioDeskSysteme Gläss GmbH Introduces Silent Core One Vinyl Cleaner
The latest evolution of the original ultrasonic vinyl cleaner enhances cleaning effectiveness and user experience, maintaining its benchmark status in analog record care.
Tristan Louth-Robins Announces ‘White Sands’ Vinyl Preorder
His second album emphasizes conventional instrumentation and harmonic structure, with vinyl shipping in August 2026, offering a fresh direction in his analog releases.
HIGH END Vienna 2026 Debuts at Austria Center
The premier high-end audio show relocates to Vienna, offering larger, immersive listening rooms and a sold-out exhibitor floor celebrating analog and digital audio.
iFi Introduces ZEN Air Phono 2 MM/MC Preamplifier
The latest entry-level phono stage from iFi offers improved performance at an accessible $129 price point for analog enthusiasts.
Rhino High Fidelity Announces ‘Workingman’s Dead’ on Vinyl and Tape
A new release of the classic album is available on both vinyl and reel-to-reel tape, appealing to collectors and analog aficionados.
Montreal Audiofest 2026: Lower Level and Left Corridor Highlights
Coverage of exhibitor rooms and special pricing on Audio-Technica gear, capturing the vibrant atmosphere of this major analog audio event.
ThivanLabs Debuts Ultimate 300 Preamp and Grandhorn Gamma Speakers at High End Vienna
Vietnamese brand ThivanLabs introduces a 300B single-ended tube preamp and new loudspeakers, expanding their analog audio lineup at the Vienna show.
AXPONA 2026 Show Report Highlights Growth and New Gear
North America’s largest high-end audio event saw record attendance and featured over 750 brands, showcasing the vitality of the analog and audiophile community.
Music & Mastering
Complete Cafe Bohemia Dorham Recordings Released on Triple AAA Vinyl
This deluxe 3-LP set offers audiophiles 180g AAA vinyl with a laminated gatefold and detailed booklet, preserving classic jazz performances with high-quality pressing and presentation.
Review Explosion: Yen Records Vinyl Reissues from Sony Japan
A series of reissues featuring artists Miharu Koshi, Testpattern, Jun Togawa, and Tamao Koike, appealing to collectors of Japanese analog releases.
Jogging House Releases Ambient Album ‘Sender’ Recorded on 1/4" Tape
An ambient album crafted entirely on the Elektron Tonverk with kalimba samples, recorded live to tape in single takes, showcasing the creative potential of hardware limitations and analog capture.
Two Mahler Fifths Released: One Classic, One New Audiophile Edition
Reference Recordings and Decca Pure Analogue offer audiophiles a choice between a vintage and a modern audiophile release of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony.
SIMULACRI: Modular Synth and Double Bass Improvisation Duo
A new Bandcamp release featuring live duo improvisations blending modular synth textures with augmented double bass, recorded and mixed in Milan.
Brooklyn Rider’s ‘The Four Elements’ Celebrated on Vinyl
This release exemplifies the vinyl renaissance by presenting music from active musicians with high-quality analog production and pressing.
Vinylphyle Series Releases Yin Yang Titles from Gang Starr and Flying Burrito Brothers
A unique pairing of vinyl reissues sourced from tape and U-Matic formats, offering diverse analog listening experiences.
Culture & Essays
Audiophiles and the Evolution of Music Listening
A reflection on how recorded sound transformed music access, from live performance necessity to high-fidelity home listening experiences.
What Kind of Audiophile Music Do You Prefer?
An exploration of listener preferences and how they influence speaker choice, emphasizing the subjective nature of analog sound appreciation.
Serious Buyers Only: A Record Store Encounter
An anecdote highlighting the challenges of pricing and patience in vinyl retail, reflecting on collector and dealer dynamics in the analog community.
L’Or du Son
A Monthly Exploration of the Analog World
A thoughtful selection of reviews, articles, videos, discussions, and news to deepen our connection with music and analog sound.
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