Surface Noise | Bonus Trax: VMP Lives? Kind of...Plus Arnaldo Gets the MoFi Hookup
Vinyl Community PodcastsSummary
Vinyl collecting is evolving into a more social experience with the introduction of the Spins app, which allows users to connect with friends and fellow collectors while hunting for records. The app features a buddy system that acts as a team of personal shoppers at record stores, helping users find rare albums. Additionally, a social feed keeps users updated on what their friends and other collectors are listening to and purchasing.
In a recent vinyl-related event hosted by Mobile Fidelity, attendees had the opportunity to listen to the first batch of Rush albums being reissued. The event featured discussions with industry professionals, including Jim Davis, who shared insights on the mastering process. Attendees noted improvements in sound quality across the albums played, with one standout being the one-step reissue of "Farewell to Kings." The event also included parting gifts for attendees, further enhancing the communal atmosphere of vinyl collecting.
The conversation also touched on the challenges faced by Vinyl Me Please, a subscription service that has recently undergone changes. Reviewers, including Arnaldo, discussed the complexities of the company's transition and the mixed reactions from the vinyl community regarding its new direction. The dialogue highlighted the importance of transparency and communication in rebuilding trust with customers who felt abandoned during the service's previous struggles.
Show Notes
What happens when a vinyl record collector gets invited to an exclusive Mobile Fidelity (MoFi) listening event and returns to tell the tale? The answer may surprise you! Welcome to another unfiltered edition of Surface Noise | Bonus Trax, where the conversation continues long after the power hour ends! This week Arnaldo (Fidelios_Frequency) takes us behind the scenes of an invitation-only Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (MoFi) listening event in New York City, celebrating + showcasing the latest audiophile reissues from legendary Canadian rock band RUSH. From conversations with MoFi's Jim Davis to hearing the new One-Step pressings firsthand, we get the inside scoop on the sound quality, mastering decisions, and some very generous parting gifts. Has Arnaldo officially boarded the audiophile influencer gravy train? 🤔💭 But the conversation doesn't stop there. We also dive into the complicated return of Vinyl Me, Please (VMP) and the controversy surrounding its Fela Kuti box set. With some former customers reportedly left holding unfulfilled preorders, what happens when the company's new ownership starts distributing complimentary review copies to vinyl YouTubers? Arnaldo shares his experience receiving and reviewing the box set, while the panel tackles some uncomfortable questions about transparency, credibility, and the responsibilities of vinyl reviewers. Along the way, expect plenty of laughs, good-natured shilling accusations, audiophile rabbit holes, and the kind of spontaneous conversations that make these Bonus Trax anything but predictable. Surface Noise + Bonus Trax is where the Vinyl Community keeps talking. No scripts, no filters, and absolutely no guarantees that we'll stay on topic. Part of the Vinyl Community Podcasts network — podcasts for, by, and featuring members of the Vinyl Community.
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For more on host Concert Buddie: https://www.youtube.com/@ConcertBuddie https://concertbuddie.com IG: @concertbuddie To vote in the "Top Host" competition, please click here: https://tophost.org/2026/chance-hollingsworth
For more on Arnaldo (fidelios_frequency): https://www.youtube.com/@fidelios_frequency IG: @fidelios_frequency
For more on Chris (Groove Seeker): https://www.youtube.com/@Groove_Seeker IG: @thegrooveseeker
For more information on Vinyl Community Podcasts: https://vinylcommunitypodcasts.com . . . . .
Don't forget to visit FOTS (friends of the show) Vinyl Storage Solutions for the BEST sleeves to protect your best records (and your worst). Save 10% using the code(s) below: VCP10
For more information on the Spinz Vinyl App for IOS and taking your collecting game to the next level, get your free download here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/spinz-vinyl-record-scanner/id6758249212
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