Skylabs

10/01/2026

Huge thanks to Drew and the team at Moon Audio for having Kevin from Skylabs Audio on **The Fidelity Exchange** podcast!

If you haven't checked out the episode yet, we dive deep into:

* The truth about vintage audio restoration & servicing
* Skylabs Audio’s history and our historic 1890s shop location
* The "curse" of gear swapping vs. pure musical enjoyment
* Bringing back community listening rooms & group listening events

👉 **Watch the full interview here:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0MesdurvJ4

Be sure to show some love to Drew and the Moon Audio crew—give the video a **Like** and **Subscribe** to **Moon Audio**!

➡️ *FIND YOUR AUDIO NIRVANA, TAKE OUR QUIZ* – https://www.moon-audi...

09/29/2026

Huge thanks to our friend Ben at Novalux Stereophonic for making this one. It's crazy what youtube is allowing.

Watch Ben's video here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0THvU3NmYsA

And go subscribe to Novalux Stereophonic while you're there. Ben makes incredible "how to" videos on vintage stereo equiptment.

Want to help us fight it? Subscribe to the channels you know are real and the next time you get served one of theses AI generated videos in your feed, give it a thumbs down.

Thank you
Kevin

Patreon - Learn Audio Repair Differently:https://novaluxstereophon...

09/24/2026

The 12 CDs for a penny offer defined a generation, but the stories of how people actually gamed the Columbia House system are even more wild than the deals themselves. From signing up household pets like Chester the Siamese cat to the crafty, albeit dark, method of marking mail as deceased to stop the bills, the ingenuity was endless.

This deep dive uncovers how a massive loophole involving minors—who signed up with zero credit checks or parental permission—turned the music industry's strangest business model upside down. It’s a nostalgic and eye-opening look at the gray area that defined music collecting for millions of Gen Xers and millennials.

09/18/2026

What's your favorite The Who track / album?

We added a few more titles to our The Who lineup!
Who's Next UHQR
The Who Live At Leads - Acoustic Sounds
My Generation - Acoustic Sounds.

09/17/2026

Skylabs is excited to now be carrying the full Nagaoka MP line of cartridges, styli, and headshells. If the name is new to you, Nagaoka has been quietly at the center of vinyl playback for decades — the company started out in 1940 making precision clock parts, moved into sapphire replacement needles, and produced Japan's first diamond needle in 1956, and today more than 90 percent of the phono styli sold worldwide come out of their factory in Higashine City, Yamagata Prefecture. The MP series launched in 1979 and takes a different path than most: instead of the big heavy magnets used in a typical MM design, Nagaoka uses a smaller, lighter magnetized Permalloy, which lets the cantilever track the groove more freely. The result is the warm, full-bodied tone the line is known for. Best part — the styli are user-replaceable, so you can start with an MP-110 and work your way up the line without starting over. Come by the shop and we'll get one on your table.

09/17/2026

Ever wonder why a generation that never lived through the 1970s is obsessed with Silverface Pioneers and Marantz receivers? It turns out this isn't about reliving the past—it’s about something called Anemoia.

This phenomenon captures a deep longing for an era one never actually experienced. While many assume collectors are just chasing memories, the truth is far more profound. It’s a collective craving for the honesty, stability, and tangible craftsmanship of a bygone time. Ultimately, this obsession with vintage gear isn't just about the equipment; it’s a reflection of our modern exhaustion with the hyper-convenient, digital world we inhabit today. Discover why the analog sound of the past feels more relevant now than ever.

09/14/2026

Why do modern gadgets feel disposable while vintage gear seems built to last forever? There is a fascinating shift happening as more people turn away from complex, app-dependent tech and return to the reliability of classic stereo equipment. This look at vintage audio reveals why obsolete tech is actually winning the battle against planned obsolescence.

Forget about firmware updates that break your favorite features, subscription models that drain your wallet, or apps that stop working the moment a company decides to discontinue support. There’s a quiet freedom in physical controls—the tactile satisfaction of turning a bass k**b rather than fumbling through three menus on a smartphone. For many collectors, it’s not just about nostalgia; it’s about independence, superior longevity, and reclaiming control over the listening experience. Discover why the golden age of hi-fi isn't just a trip down memory lane, but a smarter way to listen today.

09/11/2026

The vintage audio scene is packed with hidden gems, but one brand from the 80s and 90s stands out as absolutely indestructible: Onkyo. While collectors often chase big names, the legendary durability and incredible phono stages of models like the TX-840, 830, and 910 make them the ultimate buy on sight finds.

These units are the unsung heroes of the hi-fi world. Whether it’s for a garage setup that needs to survive the elements or a main system that delivers pure, reliable sound, Onkyo remains the outlier that performs far beyond its price tag. If a silver faceplate isn’t a dealbreaker, these machines prove that high-quality, bulletproof audio doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

09/07/2026

Vintage stereo buying tip, or just gambling? Do you feel lucky?

09/04/2026

Labor Day Weekend Sale — Now through September 7th!

We're kicking off the long weekend with some great deals, both online and in the store. Here's everything on sale:

🛍️ Online & In-Store · September 4–7
10% off all Skylabs branded products and shirts
Shop in person or anytime at skylabsaudio.com — the discount runs all the way through Monday September 7th.

🏪 In-Store Only · Friday September 4 & Saturday September 5
10% off used vinyl records — dig through the bins and find something great
10% off open box equipment from:
→ Advance Paris
→ Cambridge Audio
→ Eversolo

These in-store deals are two days only, so if you've been eyeing something on the floor or want to flip through the vinyl, this is the weekend to come in.

Stop by, say hi, and save a little on the way out. Happy Labor Day from the Skylabs team! 🎶

📍 Skylabs Audio · Valley Junction, West Des Moines, Iowa
🔗 skylabsaudio.com