Would you buy the world’s best sounding power amplifier if it were dressed up in a metal garbage pail?

When my friend, Sandy Gross was responsible for marketing Polk Audio in the late 70s and early 80s one of the challenges he faced was acceptance of the brand as a serious contender. It was a tough challenge. Their competitors were pretty serious people including Dr. Amar Bose, Edgar Villchur, Dr. Sydney Harman, and Henry […]

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Mid-levels systems

Getting into a mid-level system is probably easier than defining it. Is price the determinate for categorizing a system, or is it performance? Do we call a great sounding economy system entry-level because it doesn’t cost much? I’ve seen small fortunes invested in loudspeakers connected to mid-level or even entry-level electronics. And I’ve seen the […]

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PS AUDIO: The cure can be worse than the disease

Paul McGowan writes: In our comments about amplifier damping and how higher damping factors offer better control of the loudspeaker than that of low damping factors, several of you wrote suggesting that some high damping amps sound cold while the opposite can also apply. This observation has merit but the conclusion that better control of […]

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SUMO: Rich May of Sumo: An Audio Dynasty

John Atkinson wrote in 2010 ….. Way back in the mists of time, around 1980 to be exact, the Marantz company in Europe introduces a range of ostensibly cost-no-object solid-state electronics under the “Esotec” banner. Manufactured in Japan, but apparently designed in the USA, these ruggedly constructed components are noteworthy in that the power amplifiers […]

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PROTECTION: When technology changes an industry, the first reaction by the industry is to protect itself by whatever means possible

Paul McGowan … My son Scott handed me a new book he just finished reading and suggested I read it.  I am reading it and enjoying it.  Others send me music to listen to. Sharing books and music has been a part of our culture for many, many years.  I suspect it will continue to […]

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