Michael Fremer from Analog Planet Verifies My Claims On $450 Acetates + Lets Talk ERC Records Again
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- Here is the link to the original video - • A New John Coltrane A ...
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My final comment: every label that Mike sells and advocates and every pressing plant that manufactures them, whether QRP, RTI, Record Industry, Optimal or Pallas distributes or manufactures defective records. Many arrive at my home with split seams or other defects in manufacturing or packing and that includes Mo-Fi One Steps. No pressing plant or record manufacturer achieves perfection. Mike could make that same nasty video he made about ERC about Mo-Fi, Analogue Productions, Sam Records, Chasing The Dragon, Music Matters, Blue Note Tone Poet etc. or any specialty label that he sells but he chose to single out ERC. Why? If you, his acolytes think it’s ok to trash a company trying to do good work and mostly succeeding, that’s your call. And if you wish to call me names and impugn my integrity for pointing it out to your little circle of friends, be my guest. I did my job.
Guess he missed the point.
You just look like a shill Micheal. You are embarrassing yourself. I love your videos and content too, but come on.
That didn’t sound at all elitist…
I think people who buy ERC records typically have enough money that they are going to buy them no matter what anyone says about them. ERC records sell out super fast and have a huge collectibility factor. I doubt one man’s opinion will hurt ERC.
Mike has a point about the scale of operation - when you make 1 record a month and pump out 300 records they ought to be absolutely perfect. ERC opens themselves up to this kind of criticism with their astronomically high prices. The game they are playing opens themselves up to criticism other audiophile labels are immune to.
Yes, Analogue Planet, you have done your job. It can be said that every production plant has errors and as far as ERC, Mike has politely expressed his opinion and in the same breath highlighted ERC's high points. You, like a total coward, started a useless video regarding record brushes and lacquers and in a passive aggressive manor dovetailed your dialogue into dragging another professional through the mud. It seems a simple apology regarding a misunderstanding would be the remedy but not expected.
A $50 record should be damn near perfect. A $575 record should be absolutely perfect in every single way. Anything less is unacceptable.
Exactly what i was thinking while watching this video. Well said thank you.
A $575 record should come with a butler to put it on the turntable.
@@seanconlon2408 hee heee :-)
@@seanconlon2408 a $575 record should come with a turntable
If you have watched many Michael Fremer video's and the way he talks about records..He sounds like he is 1/2 bubble off. I think he did to many drug's back in 1960's-70's..I'm glad to see you hold your ground. You are correct about the cost. Rip off!!!
All arguments get thrown out the door when someone uses a sharpie on a record at that price . I’m still laughing at the absurdity of that . Even how serious it actually is . To sell something as “brand new” and at an outrageous price and it’s literally been vandalised!! is so shocking it’s laughable .
I am a recording artist and get acetates all the time of my own records. Everything you say about acetates is 100% correct. They are for authorising the sound only, they are not durable, or proposed for long term play. Unbelievable that you are being challenged on that.
Michael Fremer is fake news...
I’ve been casually following Michael Fremer for 30 years. I’ve read his articles and watched many of his videos. I’ve been watching Mike In Groove’s videos for one year. I’ve now purchased several hundred dollars worth of records from his website. And guess what- I trust Mike more than Michael. Mike tells it like it is. He’s got no axe to grind. He’s going to sell records with me or without me. Fremer gives off the sense that he survives and thrives off of free “review merch.” Plus he has an attitude. Listen, I’m grateful that Fremer has kept up the fight for decades. I really am. But when it comes to spending my hard-earned $$$, I’m going to trust Mike In Groove every time.
well said me too i love the in groove
No writer survives off “free review merch.” Fremer has more experience with vinyl and turntables than anyone, and 100s of reviews to prove it.
I’ve been reading Michael Fremer since he wrote for The Absolute Sound.
You know, those days when audiophile mags were Readers Digest sized?
But I’m in your corner on this. Honesty and candour.
Good on you Mike.
Michael Fremer is getting very old & do not believe his hearing is that good any more (must be due to age),grumby old man, what can I say, I admired him before this but now it is over Fremer..........
This man has integrity.
exactly! that's what makes Mike the man. he's got integrity and passion, someone you can trust with this type of stuff
Hey whats up dereck, watched a bunch of your videos. This man has integrity, my thoughts exactly. This guy the'in'groove has helped me with finding the best sounding pressings and what pressings to look for.
Mike probably has integrity. The only thing we can know is who of the combatants is making the most sense. Listen to the language first. Listen to the man, second.
I'm a local in Phoenix and love seeing Mike and the gang. I even take my 9 year old son and am getting him into vinyl now. I always try and ask Mike about one copy versus another and he always gives a great and informative response. Recently I saw an album from my youth (the Cars Heartbeat City). They had a version for $10 and another for $40. I asked him what the difference was and he said the $40 was unopened and if I planned on listening to it I should get the $10 version. Knowing how Mike cleans all his used records (some of the best items I have purchased from him were used $5 classical albums!), I knew it would sound great. And it does. No BS from him. Keep up the amazing work Mike! And yes, if I ever buy a $500+ NEW record, that sucker better be pristine!
During your live stream yesterday, a customer asked about a record on your back wall. You told him, "you don't want that" then you explained that a newer / better pressing was coming soon. Then you instructed an employee to take it off the wall. I'm too lazy to go back through that video and find it but I witnessed it live. That's Integrity man! Keep on doing what you do Mike. There's really no need to explain your position to trolls since you already make it clear in most every video. 👍
That's pretty nice. I would appreciate that info too.
was it the JFA record I saw the other day? ;)
We're with you, Mike.
Fremer is being crude and senile.
You make phenomenal content that doesn't make me feel alienated the way Fremer's videos do.
Mike, in my opinion, you are a honest and genuine good guy. That is why I buy my new records from your online site. Keep on spinning.
Great response Mike, I was once in the audio industry (importer and distributor) and there are many bully boy characters in the industry so it certainly comes as no surprise we see it in the record industry too. It can be like something out of a mafia/gang war movie sometimes.
Keep up the great work and attitude
I can only speak to my experience with my first (and sadly last) purchase from ERC. I bought the stereo pressing of Everybody Digs Bill Evans. The packaging, jacket, and inner were all very well done; beautiful in fact. Unfortunately, the LP was extremely noisy, even after 2 cleanings. After I contacted them, they quickly responded and replaced the record and apologised, but the replacement, while better, was still noisy. Not what I would expect from a £350 record. I haven’t tried my luck with ERC again, which is a shame because I really like the concept of a small bespoke audiophile label hand printing their jackets and using an all valve system.
Exact same experience here.
@@StuartMcFarlane Glad to hear there are more who had the same experience as me. I thought I was either crazy or really unlucky!
Time has found a way to deteriorate Fremer’s brain. His insufferable, self righteous know-it all-attitude outweighs any positive. What a drain on the hobby.
Couldn't have said it better
Again, thank you Mike for looking out for US, the CONSUMER! It's very much appreciated buddy, and I'll continue to shop online with your store! Very satisfied with your business!
Defending erc for their defects is LAUGHABLE
for 500 us $ a new record must be at least absolutely pefect !!
What a wonderfully even-tempered, methodically laid-out response. As a UA-camr myself, who sometimes gets erroneous and occasionally nasty comments, this was a clinic on how to defend yourself without resorting to vitriol. Keep up the good work, Mike. You’re a trusted voice in the vinyl community.
Well said, I agree. Whatever issues I have had with records from Mike, has taken care of them IMMEDIATELY, whether an inclusion on an expensive vinyl, I received a shipping lable within a couple of days and credited me because the Bruce Springsteen album had sold out. They accidentally sent switched albums with an order, one phone call, got Mike, that day he sent a shipping lable to me, it only took a trip to the Post Office to rectify the issue - no drama, no tears. Mike is the Man.
Mike is a very classy true-blue American man.
@@scottclute8413 I believe he's Italian-American. But I get your point.
It's unfortunate that Michael chose to respond in the fashion he did. This could have been such a great conversation about something that is on the surface super interesting for both his and your viewers. While i don't agree with his method, I imagine when he gets intimate entry into these companies, personal visits, interviews, and the free records on top, that they all add to create a level of allegiance.. so when you comment in a way that has the potential of impacting the livelihood of someone he may have a close relationship with, he naturally is in defensive mode.. in the same way his comments must haves felt as an attack on your livelihood. Its clearly time for detante. No need to split you two into good and bad camp. You are both valuable in my book.
Well said.
Nicely articulated
Agreed, this is also why I stopped buying Stereo Magazines 30 years ago.
How honest are the reviews when the next page is a full spread advertisement
of the same gear. I get it’s just Business. ✌️
@@1999zrx1100 you are far more dishonest than am I
Fremer has not even endorsed this particular product. His issue was with claims about the nature of lacquers in general. Who is he "protecting" exactly? I don't think Fremer has misrepresented the inherent longevity of lacquers. I think his actual demo speaks volumes to the fact that he not only believes what he is saying about lacquers but that he offered unimpeachable objective evidence in support. I have had many an argument with Fremer and I have no problem calling him out when I think he is wrong about something. Ask Fremer. But the idea that he is being dishonest to protect either company, both of whose products sell out, is some conspiracy theory garbage IMO.
Mike is clearly a no-bullshit, straight to the point, kind of guy and I love it. He tells it like it is and I trust what he says more than anyone else on UA-cam when it comes to jazz records. Gonna go happily buy some records from him right now.
At least Fremer doesn't post videos of his political stance disguised as record reviews as Maslov did recently. Revolting. I could not unsubscribe to his channel fast enough and will never view a video of his again. People that depend on fans of their work to survive should keep their personal political views to themselves. Just ask Hollywoke how that's going.
You guys should bond over your hatred of Crosley Cruisers.
I think what this boils down to is Mike E. advocates for the consumer by calling out overpriced BS like ERC. Fremer's demographic is rich dudes who will spend $600 on a record just to flex. As In Groove fans, we count on Mike to tell us where the best values are. Fremer has lost touch with the consumer. All that being said, the flaws Mike E. points out in his ERC video are egregious. THANK YOU Mike E. and In Groove for keeping it real and going to bat against payola'd elitists like Fremer. Much Respect.
Thats how I feel about it.
I'm ready to try this experiment. You can pick out the $50-$100K worth of merchandise and I'll write the review.
No one who sells snake oil wants the truth told so they're going after you personally. This is an exceptionally well researched takedown. Keep at it, Mike!
O shit, here we go…
:D
*grabs popcorn
Mike. Listen. I know I'm not alone when I say I appreciate unbiased reviews of any product. I know you are doing your job honestly and trying to guide to make good choices with our money. Keep up the good work buddy.
I enjoy your channel, Mike, as well as Michael Fremer's. I do purchase online now and then from you as well. I enjoyed your rebuttal and the way you tackled things head-on. Well done. Having watched and read Fremer over the years, I suspect (I don't KNOW, but I SUSPECT) that he's pretty forthcoming about when things are good or not. I think the difference may be that when he gets a record sent to him from ERC, it's a record that has been carefully inspected before shipping because ERC knows that if Fremer gets a bad one, the negative publicity could be devastating. In contrast, when you or I make an actual purchase, we are just randomly receiving one of their products. Personally, I'll always give more weight to the opinion of the person who paid their own money for a product rather than a person who is reviewing something that was sent to them for free.
I like you both. Just keep on doing what you're doing.
Cheers, Tom
But at this price, shouldn’t every copy be that scrutinized?
If a company can box and ship a low volume $400 record, they should be able to take 30 seconds to inspect the actual disc before sealing. If ERC was a Japanese company, each LP would be perfect
@@daleclark4160 I agree with you. What SHOULD happen and what DOES happen may not be the same thing.
A beef of this magnitude hasn't happened since Biggie and Tupac
Maybe Fremer should get out of his basement more. Sitting there with a obscene amount of free product I don't trust anything he says. Love Mike and Angel , keep it up!
Had to unsubscribe Analog Planet after it came to light that Michael Fremer gets records for free. Thanks for everything he made for the industry but he's too deep with the companies at this time.
Excellent video. I respect you for respecting Fremer given how much of a dou**e the guy is. Personally I find him to be an elitist cancer. He's part of the reason vinyl is becoming a rich man's sport. Can't stand the guy. You on the other hand are what we need. Yeah you hype high end stuff that may be financially out of reach for many of us but you are honest and provide so much information that we can find outstanding alternatives. Thank you for not succumbing to the bullshit
vinyl doesn't have to be, you can get good cheap secondhand stock. main thing is getting the new production to scale up more.
the 'limited' edition stuff, needs to end. But ultimately the niche stuff like MFSL is aimed at a type of buyer. They have high end gear etc, you don't need to pay that much at all.
@@varsityathlete9927 no doubt. I actually use the recommendations here to search out original pressings which usually can be found for a fraction of the prices of the new releases and sound better (IMO)
Michael Fremer has a home system that is worth more than a million dollars. How does he afford that? In a video tour of his listening room made for Stereophile, a listening room which is nothing more than a very cramped basement, he states that it is "none of our business" how he affords his insane system, and then implies that the reason he can afford it is the lucrative proceeds from a video he sells showing people how to set up their turntables. Which is so preposterous as to be insulting. If he had a trust fund or a very rich spouse or some other legit reason he could afford a rig that is truly a .0001 percent type of set up, he could also afford a better listening room. But... high end audio companies don't comp reviewers with real estate, do they? I seriously think that until Fremer credibly explains his relationship to the ultra high end audio world and why he has a billionaire's system in his basement, he should keep his mouth shut about anyone else's integrity or need to apologize for anything.
In Michael's defense he listens to the records, I used to know people at a company that installed such systems in houses worth 10s of millions. the owners would never listen to a single thing, it is just another room you have to add to the house. the company did theaters and audio rooms. There was a fetish for having a cinema room, music room, etc in houses, great when the owners would spend at best a few weeks in the country.
Perfect response, Mike. You backed your claims with clearly stated facts, not once appealing to your (evident) credibility as an expert on the subject. Your honesty is beyond question as you always criticize some releases even if it would hurt your business somehow (I remember your "less than enthusiastic" review of Neil Young's box set). Keep it up!
And another comment - if a company only issues 300 copies of an album it should be SPECTACULAR. Anything from packaging to shipping to the sound quality. If you buy a Rolls Royce it should be better manufactured and quality controlled than a Ford. I do not have a ton of audiophile albums but from the ones I do have I expect the highest quality.
The record Mike showed had obviously been opened and poorly repacked by his customer. All ERC records come with a rice paper inner and are not packed so they shake around in the box. I get defective records from Mobile Fidelity, Analogue Productions and every other audiophile label. No one is perfect. Your comment is packed with self righteous foolishness. No label and I mean NO LABEL achieves the level of perfection you insist upon in your comment.
@@AnalogPlanet Yes. ERC has unique packaging that IME is pretty effective. But shipping is always a hazard. No record company can change that fact. as for the expectation of perfection...I would challenge anyone, ANYONE to visually inspect 300 records and make zero errors. Of course they should be held to a standard that is reflective of the price tag. But has anyone bought one of these records, had a problem and was not completely taken care of by ERC?
@@AnalogPlanet you obviously didnt watch the video. you cant compare a company’s qc that presses 300 records to ones that press 10,000+. thats the argument here. if you’re pressing such a low amount you really should not be having any sorts of defects.. ESPECIALLY for $500+ lol that isnt chump change for a record the least the damn company can do is make sure your copy comes pristine
@@AnalogPlanet Self righteous foolishmemt? I'd like to know when was the last time you spent $500 on an album Mr. Fremer.
@@AnalogPlanet But then again, you're a New Yorker and none of us mortals from the rest of the country know nothing about anything. I'm willing to bet you're the first one to complain to the high heavens if you have any quality control issues with your car (assuming you own one and assuming you paid for it.)
Mr. Fremer showed and playes laquers from 1995 and 2006; that's not very old compared to vinyl records. I would like to see and hear an laquer from the 60's; a vinyl record from the 60's still sounds the same !!
Mister Fremer is a show man paid by the (vinyl) Industry. Educated and fun to watch but certainly not unbiased. I like to see his vids as I like yours. I think it was unnecessary to argue in this way or form. Maybe a misunderstanding even. Lacquer does not last as long as regular vinyls do. I think we can all agree on that. They don’t fall apart that easy but it is only fair to point out the fact that lacquer is a fragile media. Thanks for that.
Fremer is a cartoon character. A parody of a record collector. I got a lot out of him, but he is often cringey. I've never had that feeling about this channel.
It’s weird to see someone that champions vinyl go after a record store owner that obviously knows what he’s talking about. Money will make you turn on your morals quickly. A lesson for everyone.
those types of people make an entire chapter in their book about all this.. it's all for a marketing angle. Fremer is a master con artist - what makes him masterful? His lack of 'emotion' when he talks, and the fact he mixes in MOSTLY truth in his snake-oil rhetoric. Been calling him out for years.. some are catching on - but that's what is great about America.. free speech.
He was wrong about lacquers. I proved it. What else is there to say? It’s not a hit job. I
@@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777 lol
@@AnalogPlanet and your ability to turn it around and find some sort of humor in it . nothing wrong with that aspect. You certainly are clever sir - and I do enjoy we have free speech to some degree here..
@@AnalogPlanet yeah but it certainly comes off as one, you must see that.
Mike, great job of informing your audience on ERC. Now that we know that Mike gets GIFTS from ERC? His reviews seem misleading! And not very truthful. Very sad indeed. Keep on giving your honest opinions. Follow the money. Thank You!!!
I’m with Mike on this one. Exactly what are you paying for when you spend $500 on a new sealed Lp limited to 300 pressings? Isn’t the idea to have a higher quality record with higher standards? Then it’s not ok for that $500 record to have bubbles or any defects whatsoever. At only 300 copies (not 3,000+) is it too much to ask for each copy to be inspected and rejected for flaws, defects, etc of any kind? Absolutely not and Fremer…who I think has in the past demonstrated that he can be a self righteous full of himself know it all asshole…is wrong and missing the point. Wouldn’t be the first time, sucker bet it won’t be the last
Fremer messed up on this one. I like and respect everything he does and always will... but his response to InGrooves video was sloppy, suspicious, disrespectful, and just not thought out well.
I trust anyone who sells records for a living, and also buys and listens to records as a consumer. Not an entitled reviewer who gets free review copies of everything (and I suspect many of those are hand-picked by the labels so the reviewer gets a perfect copy--I'm sick of the "I've never had a problem" replies from certain reviewers after I'd been through a few awful pressings of the exact same title). I am no longer buying new vinyl pressings due to so many issues I've had with them and, on one of my other channels, will be doing a Hall of Shame video to call them out. Inexcusable for the price being charged today.
I have, however, been buying sealed, new old stock records that play back better than these new pressings, for far less cost. Granted, they are mostly rarities and had low pressing runs, never reissued digitally either, so it's not an issue of choosing from dozens of pressings (like trying to find a decent ABC copy of a Steely Dan record, which nobody seems to agree on).
I rarely buy vinyl on road trips (especially in hotter climates), but next time I'm in Phoenix, you can plan on me parking myself in the store for an hour or two to scour the bins. 😁
I enjoy In grooves shootouts , I follow others who I look towards info on vinyl , but the reason I enjoy in grooves channel , in what he says in the beginning of every video , Brick 🧱 and mortar shop. To me that’s means an establishment that represents the small guys in the vinyl community. I’m a diesel mechanic on a budget , my hi fi system is basic but I feel will reproduce the best sound quality for the budget and that includes vinyl , if Mike says that this is the best copy to look for in a shootout , Damit I’m going hunting for that copy and if it’s pricey , I’ll save up , that’s why I work . If I shell out over $500 dollars for a reissue, it better be prestine , there is no reason in having defects , you only made 300 !!!! Quality control should be a cinch . Mike keep on what you are doing brother , I’m done watching the other guys channel . This has proven my first impression of him. It’s must be an age thing .
Pride and ego can be a two-sided coin. The tough parts are admitting our faults and forgiving others theirs.
I enjoy both your UA-cam presentations because I learn from both of you. My favorite part of yours Mike is
your interaction with your wife and how loving you are to her. All the best.
Hi Mike, I just would like to express my appreciation of your channel. Your opinions and reviews are of great value for us record buyers. Keep up the good work!
I've purchased 4 LPs from ERC... Each and every time, there was some kind of unacceptable defect. I no longer purchase any ERC releases. The laquer master cut? LOL... no way will I purchase any of those... I believe those will be a brief oddity, and soon listed under "Failed Consumer Audio Formats"
After all is said and done, I'm just glad I never bought ERC. For the price they charge and the low output there is no excuse for the disappointed customers reporting issues with noisy pressings.
I trust Mike’s integrity and know he is not afraid to say what needs to be said. Quality control should be much tighter from a company that charges more than ten times the average Mofi or Analogue Productions etc. Fremer is not spending his hard earned money on these expensive records so he is a little out of touch with the average collector who not getting free records. Fremer cannot be impartial if he excepts free records whether it is conscious or not. He is deluding himself. He won’t risk losing out on free stuff.
Send me 100K in LPs and I’ll say that you poop gold bars. 😁 Mike, do you! You do you so well and I for one enjoy you. Txs
Honest….. That’s why I follow you and buy records from your store online. I support the audio people who provide their honest opinion uncut.
HI Mike, I could agree with you more. Mr. Fremer is a paid professional reviewer of equipment. I was not aware of the arrangement with ERC, i believed that getting monthly free expensive records is conflict of interest, to say the least.. Even though I like Mr. Fremer UA-cam and articles that he writes and video, I much like to hear reviews from you as you are not a professional paid reviewer, and I respect your unbiased opinion.
Keep up the great videos.
Your integrity and credibility is in tack, and thank you for always looking out for us, the consumer. Your always honest, regarding getting the best value for our hard earned money. You will continue to remain a trusted source. That other fella played himself, and what little left he had of any integrity. Without integrity, one has no credibility
I watched one video of Fremer's where he was bragging about the fact his neighbor had a stroke and his wife sold off his record collection and didn't know what it was worth, and Michael was ecstatic to buy it so cheap. He then proceeded to impersonate the stroke victim... That's all I needed to see.
U never talk how much u pay for the records.akways avoid to mention that fact
Nice to hear the straight truth from somebody who isn't a shill. Always enjoy your videos and you must be doing something right if the people who directly benefit from the uneducated consumer are coming after you.
Fremer believes he’s the saviour of vinyl and has the arrogance that goes with that belief.
When I first got into vinyl, I would read and listen to Fremer. I even bought items based on his recommendations but many records didn’t sound as good as he was saying. As time went by, I noticed he would never really give a bad review. I then finally realized he was just being fed free stuff and that he was a shill for the record companies and stopped reading/listening to him.
I had the exact same experience.
He didn't say the record had a "tiny bubble". He said he bought the Don Ho record "Tiny Bubbles!"
I was quite frankly very disappointed at the way Mr Fremer responded to your video. I thought he was unfounded and childish. I thought better of him.
I for one, feel that you would never lead me astray when it comes to the search for the best sound
Mike, I appreciate your honesty and straightforward views on things. I also appreciate the way you guys pack your records for shipping!
Fremer deserves respect for helping to keep the vinyl torch going during the dark years, but he’s a know-it-all who acts like a big f’n baby if anyone challenges his “expertise”. I remember him insulting the entirety of the Steve Hoffman forum because of conversations about pitch problems on some of the earlier Blue Note re-issues…simply because HE couldn’t hear the issues. In his mind, it’s not really an issues unless he’s the one who finds it and brings it up. Everyone else’s are dismissed.
I always believed he got a cut from these labels for "hyping up" releases, and various products. If you were to criticize a record essentially disrupting hundreds of people from buying it, then he doesn't make any money. Womp, womp, you have every right to, and we appreciate it man.
Bingo
I like when you present hard evidence to someone that in bullying you. In the light of crap pressings scratches, scuffs, I ordered 4 copys of Sam Records. Limited edition, dont know how limited. On the web side says: Each record has been visually checked to prevent defects. All 4 came clean. 28 € each. All Sounds amazing. That is how it shold be. With no worrys for issues. Any way. Stone cold evidence layed down to fremer.
I unsubscribed to @analogplanet's way before this whole thing. The way Michael spoke to people and the way he still speaks about other people in his videos (as we are seeing now) just made it clear his videos were not for me. Yeah, he has lots of decades of experience, a ton of knowledge many would envy and plenty of connections in the vinyl industry but who wants to learn from a person who you just can't stand for more than 3 minutes. It's a shame that a person with such knowledge and the capacity of being fantastic teacher to so many ended up being a complete a-hole.
While I acknowledge Michael Fremer's position in the vinyl community, Mike has truly laid out in a very cogent way the craziness that some of the audiophile labels are getting away with. Exposing the reality of sub par records--being sold for exorbitant amounts of money is necessary to bring the industry back to Earth and administer a dose of reality. I also agree with Mike's point concerning the fragility of lacquers and clearly laying out their intended uses and not letting others pull the wool of the collective public's eyes.
Mike-Thank you for standing up to Fremer. While I’ve learned a lot from Fremer’s videos, he can be a bully. He’s trying to bully you. You’re not having it. I find you to be totally trustworthy. Keep on truckin’. Peter
Not worth wasting your time arguing with the people with disposable money that can afford to spend 500 on a pressing that may or may not sound 5% better than a 50 dollar copy.And for reviewers who receive free merch for continued praise for their products I'm happy to listen to unbiased reviews by knowledgeable people.
there is no such thing as unbiased subjective reviews.
Consumer reports
Preach it Brother! Thanks for the honest information.
Mike, your comments on lacquers are fair, and I always appreciate your opinions and advice. I generally like Michael Fremer’s videos and reviews and his dry wit, but I never knew that he gets all these records for free. He should have disclosed that. I agree that tens of thousands of dollars of free product has to affect someone’s reviews of ERC product. Fremer has no skin in the game. When I spend $50 on a record and get an inferior copy, it smarts. But if someone gave me that record for free, it probably wouldn’t bother me as much. For over $500 a record from ERC, it is right to expect perfection. Also, I bet Fremer doesn’t just get a random record from the stack. His review copy is probably carefully inspected by ERC before going out to him, knowing it is going to be reviewed.
I think it is general knoweldge at this point? All (90%+) of his reveiws are freebies from either cartridges to records. Some I believe he might get asked to send back, but majority he keeps, especially records. There is a reason he links to stores whenever he review a record or announce it (Like ERC and Music Direct). Not disputing his integrity, but it is hard to take a review with 100% facevalue when it based on something for free that actually worth ton of money.
@@athas12 Well put.
I don’t like Justin Bieber either…
Thanks for looking out for the small guy
Hey Mike I love your reply to Michael Fremer. He was trying so hard to knock you out. I really like Fremer but I think you’re 100% right in this case. Love your videos by the way.
Mike, thanks for your leveled response. You're spot on! Your videos are highly appreciated.
You are the standard that everyone should go by! Your word is gold. I have bought from you and have an immense respect for you. I don't miss your videos ever and you are honest and up front.
Honestly, I find the whole thing pretty entertaining. Music, the recorded sound, vinyl records, analog tape, audiophile gear, etc. should be a topic of spirited debate at all times. It’s the fiery passion for this addictive hobby that kept it alive in the dark ages of CD.
I agree with you Mike. When you're attacked out of nowhere, and you know you're right and can back it up, you have every right to get indignant about. it.
I hear ya Mike and I Appreciate you for the honesty on what to buy and what to avoid. But yes some lacquers sound great but their integrity is limited!
Regarding acetates, there's not much question that they deteriorate much more rapidly than any other audiophile medium.
Here is the original video about John Coltrane that is being discussed here ua-cam.com/video/qXAP45d1ZKw/v-deo.html
LOL. Fremer described you as "angry". You seem pretty chill and reasonable. Always thought he was a nut job. I might have been one of those people you saved from buying the Coltrane on acetates. Thanks!
Really an unfortunate development between two guys fighting for the right thing generally.
I love your channel, especially the shootouts and agree with all of your findings there as well as I believe in your honesty, also in case of ERC and lacquers. Keep on with this,!
Although Michael Fremer also tells what he thinks generally, he partly seems less questioning towards the record industry for more or less good reasons, yes. But you’re both not as far apart as it seems right now. Just bury this as soon as you both can, we need both of you with your points of view. You both are the most reliable and professional vinyl and mastering reviewers and observers of the scene out there. Don’t stop with what both of you are doing. I trust both of you while I consider Fremer”s stronger industry promoter role and your straight talk without caring more than needed for diplomacy towards the record industry, which I really appreciate very much. I think finally your different points of view are rather depending on different personal experiences with those products and character of your publications than with your even higher independence of the record industry (which in paired with you experience is very valuable for us watchers).
Conflict drives interest and engagement. If the community gets too stagnant it dies, so I think a little chaos is a good thing.
Waiting for the day you make a video on your Reel To Reel Collection
your funniest Video so far :-) thx for sharing Mike
Hey, very interesting, I love Mike’s videos and Micheal’s too. This disagreement give us the chance, the buyers, to get more information about the product and of how things works in this industry. I would love that you guys would make a video together debating that issue. Again I love both these guys, two passionate but please stay focus on the products and the process of making records. Stay away from the “I have ethic and the other guys don’t, “ it’s useless to me, let people make their own idea on that. Thanks for your videos Mike 😃
Haha yes mike, a 400+ dollar record should not have a tiny bubble or any default’s. Never. Good video. Don’t let him get under your skin. You rock man
Hi Mike, nice video.
Not taking anybody "Elitists" crap!!!
Standing up for yourself and the vinyl community. F'k em
I watched Mikael Framers video. It’s so childish you really should ignore it.
Nobody who is balanced can question your integrity.. Your passion and love for vinyl is clear. I will continue to follow your channel and watch your excellent uploads. With very best wishes from London England. Peter
Who’s Michael again? You have and will always be good in my book. Your honesty, based on your opinions, are as solid as they come. People wanna poke, that’s ok, but poke accordingly. Not like a Douche Bag.
What happened to Mike's video on lacquers? Is it still up?
YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL UA-cam CHANNEL!!!! Thank you, Mike, for sharing your knowledge and passion for vinyl. I hope to visit your store one day!!!!
IMO at $575 each one s/b played fully on a decent tt setup & a digital file of the playback compared by a computer for anomalies against a known baseline file. If it passes then ship it.
This will be good for business at the In Groove. Fremer is the Kanye to Mike at the In Groove’s Taylor Swift.
Mike, there's a reason you have so many views and subscribers. You have an integrity and knowledge of the format that many respect. Full stop. Fremer's ad hominem attacks are embarrassing.
Bravo! Now THIS is the type of video I truly appreciate seeing. An obviously knowledgeable person with integrity thoughtfully responding to another knowledgeable person's commentary severely lacking in integrity. No repeating the words of the other in a "you're wrong" chant motif or other repulsive mannerisms which make light of the other's words. I respect the wisdom of both presenters, but the visibly thoughtfulness of Mike's response is stellar in comparison to Mr. Fremer's. Thank you for making this video, even though you weren't going to. I believe you have shown the qualities we all wish we could see in every respectable source of information on the vinyl domain. Thank you Mike.
Great video Mike! Thanks for the additional information. Keep up the awesome content
I stopped listening to Michael Fremer when he told people that Aquafina bottled water was good water to use to clean vinyl records. The guy also sounds arrogant. He seems to think that everyone who is into vinyl can afford to spend money on vinyl records and hi-fi gear like a drunken sailor as he does. Fremer really should come down off his high horse and let people like Mike at The 'In' Groove provide their own unbiased opinion about vinyl records and help the rest of us who don't have tons on money to spend on the vinyl record hobby.
IMO reviewers who receive free equipment are always compromised and have to be taken with a grain of salt. Even if they mean well, there’s always bias. For example, if a product sucks the reviewer may not post a review which creates a type of publication bias. My point is these things are subtle which is why I always prefer reviewers who are detached from the manufacture. An example is Amir from Audio Science. And I believe Mike also falls in this camp
Free beer tastes better.
hey Mike owner of the in groove in Phoenix Arizona, you're the only go to go guy for vinyl. never steered me wrong. I was watching you when you were a beard less mike and your passion remains the same. angels a lucky woman, don't change!
Popcorn
There is no way I could be objective if ERC was shipping me free records. And that’s ok I would like to be on that VIP list. That said the Dalia Lama said to me - “Rev, just find one person dumber than you.”