Remember the Cassette Revolution?
Every few decades technical advances have improved the quality and convenience of music audio formats. After the ground-breaking unbreakable microgroove LP, we saw the audio cassette, then the Compact Disc, and the Download, and Spotify. Innovation Never Sleeps. HiFi enthusiasts and jazz-hipsters alike were taken by surprise by launch of what some critics have hailed the Ultimate Audio Format Revolution: the Wax Cylinder.
Maximum Revolution – 180rpm
Industry experts confidently predict 2024 will be the Year of the Wax Cylinder. Coinciding with the launch of the portable Edison X wax cylinder player, advance orders for the new format look set to eclipse the vinyl revival of recent years, with sales of the 180rpm tube set to overtake the 180-gram audiophile vinyl disk by Christmas.
Growth in 180-rpm Wax Cylinder sales now forecast to overtake vinyl
The launch of the audiophile 180rpm wax cylinder has seen record companies scrambling to reissue their back catalogues in the latest most talked about innovation since the last one.
Blue Note backs Back-to-Wax, with a new Tone Poet “Waxing-Lyrical” Series
Mastering guru Kevin Grey is seen here at inCohearent Studios, putting the final touches to the first wax cylinder Blue Note reissue
Grey explains: “The 1900s wax cylinder technology has been brought completely up to date. The big advance is cylinder rotation speed. The improved melting point of modern wax permits rotation speeds of up to 180 rpm, four times the previous 45rpm maximum speed of vinyl, allowing massively increased dynamic range. Combined with modern brass-horn speaker technology, and cut from the original master tapes, we think the 180rpm wax cylinder is the future audiophile format of choice”.
Are there any concerns about any environmental impact of 180rpm Wax Cylinder technology?” Grey responded: The original Edison wax cylinder was made primarily from animal fats, including whale blubber, even baby seals. Our formulation is entirely plant-based wax substitute, 100% Vegan, and the cylinders are fully recyclable. The planet is in safe hands with this technology“
Just as the stereo revolution required listeners to invest in a stereogram, a 180rpm cylinder player is required to take advantage of the super-audio performance of wax cylinders. The cylinders are not currently compatible with conventional vinyl turntables, though a spindle-fitted right-angle adaptor and 4x platter speed turbo-booster is expected to be seen later this year.
Grey’s Blue Note Wax Cylinder production line, work in progress
Blue Note President Don Was today announced the entire Blue Note catalogue would be made available in this exciting new format in 2024, starting with the acclaimed Hank Mobley self-titled issue 1568, 180rpm Edition.
Competition Time
Be among the first to own this Wax Cylinder 180rpm Collector’s Edition of Hank Mobley’s iconic Blue Note 1568, and join Ten lucky LJC readers. Simply click the Like icon at the foot of this post to be entered automatically into the free prize draw. Ten lucky winners will be drawn at random from entrants after the deadline. The future could be yours today, but hurry! Competition must close noon, Saturday April 1. Yes, this year.
Let’s get Back-to-Wax! Get clicking, and good luck!
ADVERTISEMENTExclusively for LJC readers, special introductory offer! The ultimate sound quality Edison X 180rpm wax cylinder player Limited Edition can be yours for only $999 (RRP $14,999). Reserve yours now, and get with the 180rpm music revolution.