MAINS FILTERS: Howard Popeck keeps it simple

Introduction This series, written by features editor Howard Popeck  is designed to, in jargon-free terms, explain, introduce, educate and otherwise assist anyone who is interested in learning more about how music in the home is produced. It’s a growing archive. Thank you. Neil McCauley / editor in chief ++++++++++++++++   There are two types Series […]

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Quill

Why I don’t exhibit at UK audio shows

Howard Popeck writes: I wrote this in 2008 and unearthed it today. My views haven’t changed. It’s not just the many £1,000s exhibitors pay for a decent room, nor the standing up for hours on end talking happily to (in the main) very receptive, enthusiastic decent folk, nor the hernia-inducing activity of lifting, unpacking and […]

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LINN: Source last…a tale of the LP12 vs a Radioshack

As some of you may know, in the last few years I have migrated from Naim 552/500/DBLs to some custom built speakers and tube amps and have never looked back. A friend of mine who was running DBLs actively with 3×500 did the same and also loved the final results. So, in an effort to […]

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MAPLENOLL: What happened?

Freddy Benson writes … USA based company founded by production engineer and ex-fighter pilot Bob Dilger in the early 80’s when he agreed to take over a tiny division of the Coloney contracting company that manufactured an high end turntable/arm in exchange for consulting work he had done for them. Mr. Dilger simplified the design […]

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From our 2010 archives / McDonalds and a possible link to why people like me use the Apple i-pod when perhaps I should know better!

Howard Popeck writes:  Here I am on this hot evening earlier this week, going back to work after feeding my cats and as is usual with me, despite being on the track for fast weight loss, I feel hungry. So where do I go, in fact where does anyone go at a time like this […]

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From the archive / Dear diary – Me as Tony Hancock, Jack Bruce and Andy Fraser -but not all at the same time. Lucid dreaming, Stevie Nicks (unrelated),self-indulgence and, err – that’s it.

Dear me. What a miserable day last Friday was. Too much paper work. Either that or I’m just plain inefficient. Probably the latter. Not only do I feel like Tony Hancock, when I glance in the mirror I look like him too. S**t! Gloom relieved by some very kind emails. Now receiving at least 20 […]

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The inside track on the LNM (Linn Naim Mujahedeen), converting the PRaT Kafirs and foot-tapping finger-snapping staff who really should have known better.

Originally published here in 2009 Howard Popeck writes: I was in a particularly foul mood when CV emailed me this question a while back. My choice of language as shown here is not necessarily what I might use today. However, I stand by every word regarding the sentiment. Channa Vithana asked: Can you give an […]

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UNDERSTANDING: Timbre

PS AUDIO / Paul McGowan: Musical timbre is the term we use to describe the sonic qualities that distinguish one instrument or voice from another. It’s a complex and subjective quality that includes the harmonic content (the collection of overtones), the attack and decay of the sound, and the envelope of the sound (the pattern […]

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