Impex Records Featured in the October 2026 Issue of Hi-Fi Choice
Impex Records is honored to be featured in the October 2026 issue of Hi-Fi Choice, a respected UK magazine dedicated to high-fidelity audio and music reproduction.
In an opinion piece titled “One Step Beyond!”, audio writer Neville Roberts explores the story behind Impex Records and the care that goes into producing our audiophile vinyl reissues.
Discovering Impex Records
Roberts explains that he discovered Impex Records while browsing the catalog of fellow Los Angeles label Yarlung Records. The connection caught his attention because both labels have worked with the renowned Bernie Grundman Mastering.
While Yarlung Records is known for producing new recordings, Roberts notes that Impex specializes in premium reissues of classic albums. This distinction led him to investigate the history, philosophy, and production methods behind the Impex catalog.
From Cisco Music to Impex Records
The article traces our roots to Cisco Music, an audiophile label that produced premium LPs, SACDs, and gold and aluminum CDs.
Following Cisco Music’s closure in 2008, David Fonn and his daughter, Abey Fonn, founded Impex Records in 2010. The name “Impex” is derived from “import-export,” reflecting the company’s international beginnings and worldwide community of listeners.
Today, Abey leads Impex Records with a continued focus on artist relationships, outstanding audio quality, and exceptional packaging.
That commitment influences every aspect of an Impex release—from selecting the recording and locating the best available source material to mastering, pressing, and designing the finished package.
Why the One-Step Process Matters
A central focus of the Hi-Fi Choice feature is the one-step mastering and pressing process used for select Impex releases.
Traditional record production commonly uses a three-step plating process involving a father, mother, and stamper. This method supports larger production quantities because multiple stampers can be created, but every additional generation introduces another stage between the master recording and the finished record.
With a one-step release, the process is streamlined by creating a stamper directly from the lacquer. Reducing the number of intermediate stages helps preserve more of the recording’s musical detail, dynamics, and immediacy.
Because fewer records can be pressed through this process, Impex one-step releases are produced as strictly limited editions.
Exceptional Materials and Original Sources
Roberts also highlights Impex Records’ dedication to working from original master tapes whenever they are available.
Mastering engineers may sometimes receive a selection of original masters, alternate mixes, working parts, or safety copies. Making these materials available during the mastering process helps the team identify the source that offers the most faithful and compelling presentation of the original performance.
For select premium releases, Impex uses VR900-Supreme vinyl, a specialized compound designed to provide an exceptionally quiet playback surface. Our 180-gram and 200-gram pressings combine careful manufacturing with the substantial feel and durability collectors expect from a premium record.
Celebrating Classic Music in Audiophile Quality
The feature recognizes Impex Records’ work with classic jazz recordings from legendary artists, including Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, and Thelonious Monk.
Following his investigation, Roberts expressed an interest in experiencing Impex releases firsthand, specifically mentioning Ellington Indigos and Michel Legrand – Legrand Jazz.
We look forward to introducing him—and more music lovers throughout the United Kingdom—to the sound, presentation, and craftsmanship of Impex Records.
Thank You to Neville Roberts and Hi-Fi Choice
We sincerely thank Neville Roberts for taking the time to explore the Impex story and share it with the readers of Hi-Fi Choice.
It is an honor to see our history and production philosophy recognized by a writer who shares our appreciation for outstanding recordings and thoughtfully produced physical media.
The complete opinion piece, “One Step Beyond!”, appears in the October 2026 issue of Hi-Fi Choice.
