PS AUDIO: The problem with headphones

Paul McGowan writes: I am often asked what headphones I recommend and the answer for me is simple: I don’t.  While I certainly recognize the popularity of headphones and appreciate what they can do, I am personally not a fan for several reasons: I miss the visceral feel of the music as well as the […]

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CABASSE: Audiophile interview with Delphine Dall

STEREOLIFE ….. Cabasse is recognized as one of the best known loudspeaker manufacturers, and one which gives us very interesting products, especially in the high end segment. Founded in 1950 by Georges Cabasse, the firm inherited not only its creator’s name, but also his genius as his special gift, a memory for sounds led him […]

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IMPOSTERS: When it comes to our HiFi systems and how good they sound, I suspect they are far better than most of us inwardly fear

At some level, we’re all imposters. We fear our projected self-worth—the way we present ourselves or the way we believe others see us—doesn’t live up to expectations. In my 74 years, I haven’t met anyone that doesn’t to some extent suffer from what is commonly known as Imposter Syndrome. Maybe it’s a fear that our HiFi […]

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CHRISTINE McVIE: Sad news

Christine McVie, Fleetwood Mac singer-songwriter, dies aged 79 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-63812952 https://news.sky.com/story/fleetwood-macs-christine-mcvie-dies-aged-79-12758951 https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/christine-mcvie-fleetwood-mac-songs-death-cause-b2236462.html

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AUDIO INSIDER

TRADING VITRIOL FOR VIEWS: No, I am not going to mention any websites nor point any fingers. I don’t need to because you already know what I am talking about.

Angry forums with millions of views. If you build a platform for angry voices they will rush to spew their ill temper. One such site, by a famous person in our industry, has millions of viewers and he’s happy about that—not so much about the hate, but the millions. He likes the millions. Is it […]

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PS AUDIO: Your Dirty Dozen

Paul McGowan: It’s tempting to make a snap judgment that a new change to your setup is wonderful – working miracles – but many times this “first blush” critique won’t stand the test of time. It turns out that it’s quite easy to get enamored with one area of improvement while not noticing a failure […]

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OPEN REEL DECKS: Akai GX-747, Philips N4520, Tandberg TD-20A, Technics RS-1500US, Technics RS-1800 and Teac 7300

These are notes I made for a letter to the editor of Hi-Fi World after a particularly interesting feature re Reel to Reel machines in the February 2008 issue. I didn’t get around to sending it. Dear David. The Neville Roberts feature “The Reel Thing” ( February 2008) was a joy to read. Not only […]

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COUNTERPOINT: What happened?

First published in Stereophile in 1998 For the last few months, random postings kept appearing on internet newsgroups and in my e-mail box: “Anybody know what happened to Counterpoint?” At last count there were 10,000 Counterpoint preamps, power amps, and loudspeakers fanned out across the planet, some dating back to 1977, when the company launched […]

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CATHERINE LIMA: Stories and Lies CD launch.

  Jazz editor Tony Andrews writes: I woke very early this morning with a purpose in mind. I normally get woken most mornings by my pussy cat DeeLee howling for attention but this morning I was up before she could start the howling process. My reason for the early start was to listen to Stories […]

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CHOPIN: A Polish ‘Nationalist’ whose music also resonates across China

“BEIJING — The great Polish composer Frederic Chopin is one of the classical music world’s best-loved musicians, admired both for his lyrical piano compositions and romantic life story.The bicentennial of his birth has thus been marked by a seemingly endless series of concerts and commemorations. While many of these are in Poland (where Chopin was […]

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