How to get good sound in a crowded place
Posted 2 hours ago
If you're trying to get good sound in a crowded cocktail lounge without overpowering everyone, what's the best way to do that?
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How to downsample high resolution files
Posted 1 day ago
If your DAC cannot accept higher resolution files, what's the best way to downsample them to something the DAC can play?
What are the best low cost integrated amps?
Posted 2 days ago
There are fewer and fewer integrated amplifiers today. If you're searching for one, is there a best choice in low cost integrated amplifiers?
The truth behind balanced circuits
Posted 3 days ago
Audio buzzwords are everywhere. The person asks what the truth is behind statements like "fully balanced" and "balanced inputs and outputs". Paul gives us the straight scoop on this often misunderstood technology.
Is line level or headphone output the best?
Posted 4 days ago
When connecting your preamp or headphone amplifier to your speakers, which output is best to use from a sonic standpoint? This person hears a difference but cannot decide which is best.
Where do tubes sound their best?
Posted 5 days ago
If you're going to have vacuum tubes in your audio equipment, where's the best place for them? In the power amp or preamp? The phono stage? This often asked question has a lot of people wondering.
How to choose speakers
Posted 6 days ago
Choosing the right speakers for a particular room or set of musical tastes isn't the easiest and this person looks for some expert advice on the subject of which Paul's happy to share.
Can you improve your listening skills?
Posted 1 week ago
How do you learn to relate what you hear in reproduced music into circuit changes like the engineers at PS Audio do? Is it something you're born with or can it be learned?
What happened to FM tuners?
Posted 1 week ago
Most high-end audio products do not have FM tuners. Why is that? Is FM radio a dying art form or is there another reason this questioner hasn't yet thought of?
Why do speakers sound better louder?
Posted 1 week ago
When loudspeakers play at soft levels they sound pretty wimpy. Kind of "meh". Why is that and how loud do they have to get to come alive?
Why do PS Audio Power Plants use MOVs?
Posted 1 week ago
MOVs are designed to protect our systems and homes from surges and spikes down the electrical line. But, they sometimes die. Why then use them in an expensive power regenerator like the PS Audio Power Plant?
How does a speaker coil work?
Posted 1 week ago
We mostly take our stereo systems for granted. Put a CD or vinyl on and bingo, out comes music. But look inside. How do things actually work? Paul shows us how this most basic of devices, the speaker coil, works.
Can you plug a DAC directly into an amp?
Posted 1 week ago
Most people assume you need a preamplifier to control the source and volume feeding a power amplifier. But, can you take the output of a DAC and skip that step?
Windom launches
Posted 1 week ago
It's Audiophile Day today, the 2nd of October. To celebrate, we're launching the single biggest upgrade to our DAC in history, Windom. The upgrade is free to DirectStream owners. Paul tells us about DirectStream and we get treated to a rare mountaintop interview with digital genius, Ted Smith. It's a video worth watching.
What is a DAC?
Posted 2 weeks ago
One of the most basic building blocks in high end audio is a DAC. But, what exactly is a DAC and why would people want one?
What’s the minimum room size for stereo?
Posted 2 weeks ago
As the world grows it seems that our living spaces shrink. What's an audiophile to do? If you only have a small amount of real estate in which to build your dream audio system, what's the minimum?
RMAF 2019
Posted 2 weeks ago
Now that Rocky Mountain Audio Fest is over for 2019, it's fun to look back at the show and get a different view of it. Here's Paul's interview with two young Youtubers out to change the world of audio.
What is MQA?
Posted 2 weeks ago
What exactly is MQA and how does it sound? Paul goes into some depth on this audio compression and fixit process with some answers that might surprise you.
What class of amplifier is best?
Posted 2 weeks ago
What class of amplifier from A, AB, D and even F sound the best in a hifi system? Paul tackles this often asked question from the control room of Octave Records.
Selecting an amplifier to match your speaker
Posted 2 weeks ago
Vintage loudspeakers often sound best driven by vintage electronics and the opposite is true for modern equipment. What's the best way to decide where to go for amp selection and speaker pairing?
Should you run a full signal into a subwoofer?
Posted 2 weeks ago
There are more schools of thought on subwoofer connection than Carter's got little pills. However, there's one right answer when it comes to high-end audio and Paul has it for us.
What’s the best speaker enclosure type?
Posted 3 weeks ago
What's the best sounding speaker enclosure type between ported, sealed, or transmission line? Paul answers this question and offers a bit of education on the subject at the same time.
How important are a product’s looks?
Posted 3 weeks ago
Can you tell what's inside a consumer audio product by the way it's outsides look? And how important are the looks of a product to us, anyway?
What gives you the right?
Posted 3 weeks ago
This viewer had some pretty strong comments he made about Paul's videos and they got deleted! He's outraged and wonders who gave anyone the right to take away his free speech.
What are the best audio capacitors?
Posted 3 weeks ago
When using capacitors to couple the audio signal inside a preamp or power amplifier design (if it's not DC coupled) what are your favorites from a sonic standpoint. Paul shares his secrets and favorite caps with us.