Dear Colin, The Art of Electronics (Horowitz & Hill) 3rd ed… … as DIYers probably already know is now out, only 25 years after the 2nd ed. My copy arrived today. I’m not trained in electronics and make no claim to more than a passing knowledge, but have enjoyed these authors’ style of presentation since […]
AUDIO The Insider
Found 438 results
PAUL McGOWAN / PS AUDIO I was poking around in the sales area of PS Audio recently and found myself fondling the knobs and switches on one of our older preamplifiers from 40 years ago, the PS Audio 5.0. This older preamplifier hailed from a time when preamps and power amps had no displays. In […]
PAUL McGOWAN / PS AUDIO I am delighted when taboos and rituals are challenged and good things still happen. Remember how much more enjoyable playing music became when we no longer had to demagnetize or paint green edges on CDs? Or weigh down the tops of our equipment with VPI Bricks? Or paint the tip […]
PAUL McGOWAN / PS AUDIO Though I am not an avid listener of the news, the last time I listened, some newly elected congressman from Long Island admitted to having fabricated just about everything about his life and career. And when questioned, he says everyone makes mistakes. I wonder how it would go over in our […]
Take for example the BHK600 monoblocks. Now there is a BIG amplifier. Big enough that not that many people are able to have one. But for the few that are able to enjoy the best in class, there’s simply nothing that compares. And that’s an elusive statement because how does one make such a comparison? For me, […]
After reading what I just wrote, I am certain that the hairs on the backs of many necks just popped straight out. Standing hairs and raised eyebrows aside, time and again, I have been convinced that my silver-based cables outperform their copper-based brethren. Why that would be is a mystery. Yes, I have read about […]
PAUL McGOWAN Here’s something crazy. The mass of the FR30 and FR20’s tweeter and midrange diaphragms is less than the air being moved. Compare that with the heavier mass of even the best diamond-encrusted tweeter in the world, and, at least for me, I experience a moment’s pause. A pause for two reasons. First, I never thought […]
In any endeavor, it’s important to be clear about what you hope to achieve and then worry about how you will get there. Here’s a good example from two recent recording sessions at Octave Records. Both sessions used the Steinway piano in Octave’s tracking room. The first was a solo classical music piece while the second was a group pop track. Does […]
Vacuum tubes are considered to sound “fatter”, “warmer” and generally “softer” than their solid state counterparts. Does that mean they sacrifice resolution for sound quality? Watch Now
PA speakers are used in some of the best concerts in the world. So, can they also be high-end and used to reproduce quality audio in the home or a club? Watch Now
Dear Colin, I recently saw a 240v integrated amp from the UK and was wondering if it is ok to use with a Step Down Converter? What are the pros and cons of using a step down device? Does it affect the sound and am I in jeopardy of blowing the transformer or ruining […]
High-end audio DACs range in price from a few hundred to a few hundred thousand dollars. Are they worth it? Where does one draw the line on quality and deciding how much to spend on their new DAC? Watch Now
Previously published here in 2017 It’s impossible, however hard I try, to remain immune to the financial crisis gripping the UK. Of course it’s tempting, and yes I have been sorely tempted, just to sit back in the comparative warmth and security of Stereonow, warm in both the physical and the financial sense, and try […]
Hi Colin. Just had a crackle in a left channel (nothing you’ve built by the way), fade to nothing, then that stench of death. Took the lid off my Crimson mono (a simple oblong) and all looks healthy in fact like new, the only thing that’s gone is the fuse. Could it be a mains […]
We hear the term “resolution” referred to a lot in high-end audio but what exactly does it mean? How can it be achieved? And is it even desirable? Watch Now Paul McGowan
Hello Colin, please be patient with me because although I am an experienced listener I’m not very conversant with the technology that is available today. By this I mean I really just plug in and just listen. However recently I started to think about some of the units I use, In particular a Musical Fidelity […]
Dear Colin, Computer grade parts? What are computer grade parts.. such as Computer grade power-supply caps? Are these type of parts an upgrade and/or better than audiophile grade parts? For example, I’ve heard some people say, “I’ve upgraded my power supply caps in my amp to computer grade caps”. I don’t think I’d want computer […]
PS AUDIO: If we believe analog is superior to digital or vice versa, we tend to gravitate toward other groups that believe the same thing. It seems true in politics, stereos, cars, and perhaps even stamp collecting. We’re looking for affirmational support that we made the right choice. Newbies to our hobby don’t suffer the […]
PS AUDIO: It is not difficult to imagine left, right, and center imaging on a stereo system. It’s also likely not too much of a stretch to understand depth. After all, a proper stereo recording reproduces depth as a measure of how far away from the recording microphones the instruments or performers are. Harder for […]
Hello Colin and may I congratulate you on your resurrection. My question is this. As it is generally agreed that as a consequence of the variation of the mains waveform systems sound different at different times of any twenty four hours, do you do your fine-tuning at a similar time each day for continuity? Or […]
Dear Colin, impedance match of preamp and main amp. I am considering mating a McIntosh Mc602 with a Bat Vk 51se. I noticed the input impedance on the Mc602 is 10K. While most Bat amps are much higher. Do you see a problem with this? It seems I remember at Stereophile I used to know […]
Dear Colin, An audiophile friend made the following argument to me: “Stop looking for a new CD player. With a very good to excellent high-end interconnect you will not only improve the performance of the CD, but other downstream components.” I had to disagree with my friend claiming a $400 or $500 IC is not […]
Q: I know vintage gear isn’t your business of course but, hey, I trust your expertise and so I wonder if you can help with a component issue please? I’m doing a Sansui restoration and the main caps are Nichicon & Elna. There are many differing capacitor ranges, do you have any specific recommendations? […]
