Japan's Only Analog Audio Magazine 'Quarterly Analog' Issue 91 Released on April 3, 2026
Ongen Publishing has released the latest 91st issue of 'Quarterly Analog,' featuring the winners of the 'Analog Grand Prix 2026' and a special discussion on Keith Jarrett's improvisational masterpiece 'The Köln Concert.'
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 20:00
## Analog Grand Prix 2026 Announced!
The full results of the 'Analog Grand Prix 2026' awards are published. For the Gold Award models, sound quality reviews by all four judges are included. This year, special attention is also given to the newly established 'Analog Accessories' category, featuring high-quality phono cables, shell leads, and static removal items that support the record playback environment.
### What is 'Analog Grand Prix'?
Hosted by Ongen Publishing, this award selects equipment essential for analog playback, such as turntables, cartridges, phono equalizers, and tube amplifiers. Selection is based on votes from 23 specialized audio stores nationwide and a judging committee of four experts: Ikuo Tsunoda (Chair), Shun Ishihara, Chitake Inoue, and Yoshio Obara.
## Let's Listen and Discuss: The Improvisation of the Century 'The Köln Concert'
Over half a century has passed since Keith Jarrett's 'The Köln Concert.' This completely improvised solo piano performance became a miracle of music, selling 4 million copies as the best-selling solo jazz album in history. Recently, classical pianist Chinami Yamaguchi released a reproduction based on the transcribed score. We discuss what this work meant to us and the essence of 'improvisation.'
- Part 1: Questioning the pros and cons of Chinami Yamaguchi's version (Yasuo Terashima, Masao Kurosaki, Hiromi Shimada).
- Part 2: Playback depth of the Köln Concert (Shuri Yasuda).
- Part 3: System plans for the most attractive listening experience of both versions (Ikuo Tsunoda, Tadashi Yamanouchi, Shuri Yasuda).
## Selected Five-Star Stories of Sonic Masterpieces
Reviews of high-end products expected to become long-sellers, including:
- Analog Turntables: THALES Tonarm 'REFERENCE-TURNTABLE' (Yoshio Obara)
- Record Players: clearaudio 'Compass' (Chitake Inoue)
- Tonearms: SAEC 'WE-712'/'WE-709', GLANZLAB 'MH-10SUSII', Ortofon 'AS-212R Black Edition'
- Cartridges: Acoustic Revive 'MC-1'
- Amplifiers: AUDIO NOTE 'Melius', OTOMON 'Hibiki300'
## Earth Cable Verification: 16 Models Tested
Earth cables, once considered a minor accessory, are now gaining attention for their impact on sound quality. We tested 16 models to show how much a single cable can transform the listening experience, beyond just preventing hum noise.
## New Series: I Want to Hear This Record on These Speakers
Featuring 'Graciela Susana 76/45' paired with PIEGA Premium 301 Gen2. This essay series explores the imaginative pairings of specific records with audio gear.
## Special Project: Old vs. New FM Tuners
Yoshio Obara challenges FM reception using a 40-year-old tuner from storage and compares its sound with the latest state-of-the-art models.
The full results of the 'Analog Grand Prix 2026' awards are published. For the Gold Award models, sound quality reviews by all four judges are included. This year, special attention is also given to the newly established 'Analog Accessories' category, featuring high-quality phono cables, shell leads, and static removal items that support the record playback environment.
### What is 'Analog Grand Prix'?
Hosted by Ongen Publishing, this award selects equipment essential for analog playback, such as turntables, cartridges, phono equalizers, and tube amplifiers. Selection is based on votes from 23 specialized audio stores nationwide and a judging committee of four experts: Ikuo Tsunoda (Chair), Shun Ishihara, Chitake Inoue, and Yoshio Obara.
## Let's Listen and Discuss: The Improvisation of the Century 'The Köln Concert'
Over half a century has passed since Keith Jarrett's 'The Köln Concert.' This completely improvised solo piano performance became a miracle of music, selling 4 million copies as the best-selling solo jazz album in history. Recently, classical pianist Chinami Yamaguchi released a reproduction based on the transcribed score. We discuss what this work meant to us and the essence of 'improvisation.'
- Part 1: Questioning the pros and cons of Chinami Yamaguchi's version (Yasuo Terashima, Masao Kurosaki, Hiromi Shimada).
- Part 2: Playback depth of the Köln Concert (Shuri Yasuda).
- Part 3: System plans for the most attractive listening experience of both versions (Ikuo Tsunoda, Tadashi Yamanouchi, Shuri Yasuda).
## Selected Five-Star Stories of Sonic Masterpieces
Reviews of high-end products expected to become long-sellers, including:
- Analog Turntables: THALES Tonarm 'REFERENCE-TURNTABLE' (Yoshio Obara)
- Record Players: clearaudio 'Compass' (Chitake Inoue)
- Tonearms: SAEC 'WE-712'/'WE-709', GLANZLAB 'MH-10SUSII', Ortofon 'AS-212R Black Edition'
- Cartridges: Acoustic Revive 'MC-1'
- Amplifiers: AUDIO NOTE 'Melius', OTOMON 'Hibiki300'
## Earth Cable Verification: 16 Models Tested
Earth cables, once considered a minor accessory, are now gaining attention for their impact on sound quality. We tested 16 models to show how much a single cable can transform the listening experience, beyond just preventing hum noise.
## New Series: I Want to Hear This Record on These Speakers
Featuring 'Graciela Susana 76/45' paired with PIEGA Premium 301 Gen2. This essay series explores the imaginative pairings of specific records with audio gear.
## Special Project: Old vs. New FM Tuners
Yoshio Obara challenges FM reception using a 40-year-old tuner from storage and compares its sound with the latest state-of-the-art models.
FAQ
What kind of magazine is 'Quarterly Analog'?
It is Japan's only specialized magazine focusing on analog audio equipment (record players, cartridges, etc.) and the stories of people and things behind them. It is published four times a year.
What is the Analog Grand Prix 2026?
It is an award hosted by Ongen Publishing to select outstanding analog playback equipment. Results are decided by votes from 23 specialty stores and 4 expert judges across Japan.
What are the highlights of the 'The Köln Concert' feature?
It features a discussion on Keith Jarrett's improvisational masterpiece and Chinami Yamaguchi's classical reproduction of it, exploring the essence of improvisation and the best audio setups for listening.