Japan's Only Analog Audio Magazine "Kikan Analog" Latest Issue No. 92 to be Released July 3, 2026 (Fri)

Cover of the latest issue No. 92 of "Kikan Analog," Japan's only analog audio magazine.

Ongen Publishing Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yusuke Kazama) has released the latest issue, No. 92, of "Kikan Analog," Japan's only analog audio magazine that introduces stories related to analog audio, people, and objects, on July 3, 2026 (Fri).

This issue features "Turntable Form: Exploring the Relationship Between Form and Sound," which delves into the beautiful and unique designs of turntables, and a second feature, "I Love 7-inch Records!!," which explores the profound charm of 7-inch records, also known as "donut records." Please pick up this unmissable issue and take a look.

◼︎ Feature: Functional Beauty as Described by Audio Critics, Photographers, and Designers Turntable Form: Exploring the Relationship Between Form and Sound

Despite being a simple device that merely spins a disc, the relentless pursuit of controlling vibrations and rotating the record horizontally and stably has led to diverse design philosophies and unique forms. This feature focuses on the relationship between design and form, with audio critics, photographers, and designers sharing their insights.

・Turntable Sound Experience by Cover Photographer Michihiro Baba

Michihiro Baba, a photographer who has shot 91 covers for "Kikan Analog" magazine from issue 2 to issue 92, had actually never heard the sound of the turntables he photographed. This time, at the suggestion of Shuri Yasuda, an audio writer interested in the relationship between turntable design and sound, he was invited to listen to five distinct turntables. What are the charms of their forms from a photographer's perspective, and what were his impressions upon actually hearing the sound? We present a conversation between Mr. Baba and Mr. Yasuda.

・Audio Critics Discuss the Forms of Their Long-Time Favorite Turntables

"Form Talk" of the long-time favorite players of familiar audio critics from "Analog" magazine. Five writers have contributed their thoughts on how their respective design philosophies connect to the forms. (Writers: Takashi Ishihara, Shintaro Ohashi, Yoshio Kohara, Yu Suzuki, Ikuo Tsunoda)

◼︎ Second Feature: The Tension of a Single Song! Tremendous Sound Pressure I Love 7-inch Records!!

Small discs, well-known hit songs, and the powerful sound unique to 45 RPM – 7-inch records, or "donut records," are packed with a different kind of charm than LPs. In this feature on 7-inch records, we interview enthusiasts who are captivated by them, have them share their passion, and thoroughly explore the history, culture, and sound quality of 7-inch records. Please lend an ear to the powerful sound of 7-inch records that have delivered music at the forefront of popular music.

◼︎ Deep Dive into Master Musicians ◆ Jordi Savall, Treasure Hunter of Early Music

Jordi Savall, a viola da gamba player and conductor, has shed light on the rich musical cultures of Spain and the Middle East, which have been passed down since before the period often focused on in Western music history (Italy and Germany), and has revived the charm of early music for contemporary audiences. Here, we report on a discussion held in April 2026 at Sound Create, where philosopher Masao Kurosaki and audio critic Tadashi Yamanouchi explored the appeal of Savall's music and thought while listening to his records.

Jordi Savall (Photo by David Ignaszewski alia vox)

◼︎ Selected! Five-Star Stories of Blissful Masterpieces

In "Five-Star Stories of Sound," we review new products from this season that are expected to become long-sellers, have appealing stories, or are milestone products that are unlikely to become obsolete. The models introduced this time are:

・Analog Player THORENS/TD124DD Exclusive

・Analog Player THORENS/TD404DD

・MC Phono Equalizer REGA/AOS MC

・Analog Player REGA/Planar 6 RS

・MC Cartridge ortofon/MC Vertex

・MC Cartridge Audio-Technica/AT-MCD1

・Tonearm REED/REED 2B

・Vacuum Tube Amplifier OTOMON/Soverign

・Phono Equalizer for Optical Cartridge DS Audio/TB-50

・Speaker System PIEGA/Premium 801

◼︎ Series: Setting Bible for Analog Enthusiasts

In the popular series "Setting Bible" by Atsunori Ishimine, the theme is "Leveling the Turntable." It provides practical know-how for leveling turntables that do not have adjustment mechanisms on their legs.

◼︎ Series: Arisa Iida's Zero-Based Analog Audio (Final Installment)

The popular series "Zero-Based Analog Audio" by Arisa Iida and Chigaku Inoue focuses on "Tone Arm Shapes," including J-shaped, S-shaped, and straight arms with offset headshells. Ms. Iida, who started her journey into record playback from zero knowledge, has now reached the level of a veteran. This is the final installment of the series.

◼︎ Series: Chikonki Restoration Struggles

Naoki Aihara's popular series "Chikonki Restoration Struggles" reports on the restoration of an HMV102. It chronicles the process of bringing an old chikonki (phonograph) back to life with a sense of realism like a movie scene.

◼︎ Series: Play and for Play (Final Installment)

This is also the final installment of the popular series "Play and for Play" by Yoshio Kohara. This popular project involves selecting an original and a cover performance of a single song from the record shelf to savor. The concluding piece is "Smile," composed by Charles Chaplin for the 1936 film "Modern Times" and later became a jazz standard.

◼︎ Series: New Release Reviews

"New Release Review" introduces new analog records. This time, we feature Michael Jackson, who is gaining renewed attention with a movie release, and a best-of album from the Jackson 5, along with a total of 42 titles.

Magazine Information

Magazine Title: Kikan Analog No. 92 2026 SUMMER

Release Date: July 3, 2026 (Fri)

Price: 1,680 yen (1,527 yen excluding tax)

Format: A4 variant (H285mm x W210mm)

Publication Frequency: Periodical (Quarterly Magazine)

Release Dates: January 3 / April 3 / July 3 / October 3

Publisher: Ongen Publishing Co., Ltd.

Editor-in-Chief: Mikiko Noma

Distribution: Bookstores nationwide, online bookstores

・Ongen Publishing Co., Ltd. Online Shop PHILEWEB.SHOP

・Amazon Page for This Magazine: Print Edition, Kindle Edition

About Ongen Publishing

Founded in 1949. Operates a media business that publishes specialized magazines and web media for pure audio and home theater, as well as a solutions business including awards, events, and direct sales. ●Company Name: Ongen Publishing Co., Ltd. ●Representative Director: Yusuke Kazama ●Location: 4F, Itopia Iwamotocho ANNEX, 2-14-2 Iwamotocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0032

●Corporate Website: https://www.ongen.co.jp

<Web Media> ●PHILE WEB: Japan's largest information site for AV/audio/mobile (5 million monthly unique users, 20 million monthly page views) ●PHILE WEB Audio: Information channel delving into pure audio with deep expertise ●Premium Headphone Guide WEB: Information channel conveying the appeal of earphones, headphones, and portable audio ●Home Theater Channel: Information channel for home theaters that make "a life with a home theater" possible ●Digicam Channel: A channel packed with in-depth information for photo and camera fans ●PHILE WEB Business: A channel covering various information in the home appliance business ●Gadget Gate: An information site introducing the latest tech/gadget topics from a unique perspective

●LWL online: An information site proposing a new lifestyle where wellness and luxury coexist

●music score: A music review platform themed "Listen, Record, Connect. A place to love music more."

<Magazine Media> ●Kikan Audio Accessory: A specialized magazine pursuing high-quality sound reproduction in pure audio ●Kikan Analog: A magazine disseminating information on enjoying record playback, analog audio, and the latest news ●Home Theater File: A specialized magazine for "homes with home theaters" and "audiovisual" ●Premium Headphone Guide Magazine: A specialized magazine providing in-depth portable audio information for earphone/headphone enthusiasts ●Taisen Series: A special issue introducing cables and accessories useful for reproducing good sound and images

<Free Magazines> ●Premium Headphone Guide: A free magazine packed with information on earphones, headphones, and portable audio. Distributed free of charge at electronics retailers, headphone specialty stores, etc. ●VGP Award Winning Products Shopping Guide: A free magazine publishing the results of the "VGP," Japan's largest comprehensive award for audiovisual equipment. Distributed free of charge at electronics retailers, etc. ●DGP Award Winning Products Shopping Guide: A free magazine publishing the results of the "DGP Imaging Awards" for digital cameras and their peripherals. Distributed free of charge at electronics retailers, camera specialty stores, etc.

●First Analog Player: A free magazine to learn about the existence of analog players, how to choose them, and how to listen to them. Distributed free of charge at record stores, electronics retailers, etc.

<Awards> ●VGP Award: Japan's largest comprehensive award for audiovisual equipment. Held in summer and winter. ●DGP Imaging Award: An award for digital cameras and their peripherals. Held every autumn. ●DGP Mobile Award: An award for "smartphone cameras" and their peripherals. Held every spring. ●Audio Masterpiece Award: An award selecting true masterpieces of pure audio equipment. Held every autumn. ●Audio Accessory Masterpiece Award: An award selecting excellent audio accessory products. Held every autumn. ●Analog Grand Prix: An award selecting audio equipment that embodies an "analog feel." Held every spring.

<EC Sites>

●PHILEWEB.shop: A marketplace-style EC site operated by Ongen Publishing