The Future of Audio Engineering

John La Grou predicts your future: When Tape Op’s 420th issue rolls out in 2040, the way we record, edit, mix, and master audio will be transformed entirely from the processes we use today. Currently we are separated by physical barriers – big consoles, big speakers, large acoustically designed rooms, outboard racks, patching bays, monitor […]

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Skin Deep

Art Dudley (Stereophile) writes: In the old days, when audio-show reports routinely appeared in the print edition of Stereophile, life was easier. I spent my show days visiting exhibitors and listening to new gear, but I decorated those days with record shopping, dining out, and staying up late to visit with friends in the industry. […]

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PS AUDIO: The Amygdala

Paul McGowan writes: Music is an emotional experience. Our emotions are centered in an ancient part of our brains called the Amygdala.  My friend Seth refers to this as the “Lizard Brain”. Some music and some high-end systems give us an emotional experience so strong we remember it to this day; others never get past […]

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PS AUDIO: “Of the two types of power supplies found on class D amps, linear or switch mode, the latter is taking over and the former is moving down in popularity”

Paul McGowan writes: Of the two types of power supplies found on class D amps, linear or switch mode, the latter is taking over and the former is moving down in popularity.  It’s a natural progression as combining a giant power transformer and capacitor bank supply with a small and lightweight power amplifier doesn’t make […]

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Getting intimately familiar

Paul McGowan writes: I mentioned that the first step in setting any system up is to get to know your music well.  This can serve you in many ways: including bringing your collection of music to an audio show to hear what it sounds like.  This only really works if you’re intimately familiar with a […]

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HiFi snobs – the East / West divide

JJP writes:  Actually audio has real snob appeal in many countries in the Far East. Some buyers of expensive stuff love music, others want status. There is no status to hifi in the West. Why, I don’t entirely understand. True story: when we first started selling Clayton amps, one guy from Hong Kong came to […]

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PS AUDIO “I believe the basic problem is the loudspeaker itself and less so the electronic chain and microphones used to pickup the music.”

Paul McGowan writes: You are walking down the street perfectly happy after a good lunch or so, when suddenly from nowhere you hear music. It could be a sound two blocks away, poor acoustics, noisy background etc. Maybe it’s a street musician, but the thing is that your brain can detect this as live music […]

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PSB speakers: Alpha Powered Sub-Sat

Jim Clements writes:  The Alpha PS1s are PSB’s first powered speakers, and are bookshelf in size. Driven by built-in Class D amplifiers, they feature 3.5″ metalized polypropylene main drivers and 0.75″ aluminum dome tweeters in elegant ported enclosures. These speakers are the latest member of PSB’s Alpha line which has been very popular and well […]

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