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How to transition to audio separates 1

Posted 7 hours ago

If you're moving from a receiver or integrated amplifier to separates, what's the best way to go about it? Should you do it bit by bit or all at once, and why?

Should you build your own speakers? 5

Posted 1 day ago

If you don't have the budget to buy great high end loudspeakers is it possible to build your own? And, should you?

Digital recording, analog sound 3

Posted 2 days ago

Analog has long been the gold standard for digital audio to replicate, but long ago the actual technology of digital left analog in the dust. Why do we still use the term "analog" to describe perfection in music's reproduction?

What to study to become an audio engineer 3

Posted 3 days ago

So you want to design high performance audio gear? Do you go to school first or dig in and learn along the way?

What’s the best way to get digital audio into your DAC? 5

Posted 4 days ago

There are multiple means of getting digital audio from your CD player, computer, or streaming device into your DAC. Which one of the many is the best?

Will more watts give me more bass? 1

Posted 5 days ago

If your speakers don't have the bass response you hoped for will increasing the wattage of your power amplifier or receiver help?

Can you combine multiple XLR cables? 2

Posted 6 days ago

XLR balanced interconnects are the best sounding connections between stereo equipment when high performance audio is concerned. But what if you do not have the proper length of cable? Can you connect two or more?

What is discrete circuitry? 6

Posted 1 week ago

We hear about integrated circuits as well as discrete circuitry. What are the differences between the two and are there advantages?

How does the sound stage exceed speaker width? 2

Posted 1 week ago

We understand how a phantom center channel is created in a stereo speaker setup, but how do speakers manage to have sound stages that exceed the width of the two speakers?

How to use a receiver’s AB speaker switch 0

Posted 1 week ago

Receivers have a switch on their front panel that permits the choice of two speaker sets in different rooms. But, what if someone wants both speaker sets on at the same time?

How to get more moving coil gain 0

Posted 1 week ago

The gain of his new turntable setup doesn't match the gain setting of CDs on his preamplifier. How does he fix this problem and should he?

Why do tube amps use square transformers? 1

Posted 1 week ago

Vacuum tube amplifiers traditionally sport twin square transformers on their frames while solid state amps seem to have only single round toroids for their operation. Why is that?

Is it better to have one big sub or two smaller ones? 13

Posted 1 week ago

A 12" subwoofer goes lower and plays louder than a smaller, 10" version but what about two 10" vs. one 12" subwoofer?

How do you know if you should add a Power Plant? 1

Posted 1 week ago

An AC power regenerator like PS Audio's Power Plant can be an essential element in the best sounding high-end audio systems. But, when's the right time to consider one?

How do dipole speakers make magic? 4

Posted 2 weeks ago

There seems to be a certain "magic" when a properly set up pair of dipole speakers are playing. How does that work and why?

What is the impact of recordings? 1

Posted 2 weeks ago

Recordings are all over the map when it comes to sound quality. How much of that is the microphone and how much is the recording itself?

How to audition multiple products from a dealer 2

Posted 2 weeks ago

When you audition stereo equipment at a dealer's showroom how do you know if it's the system or the component you like?

Are revealing speakers a blessing or a curse? 2

Posted 2 weeks ago

This is an age old question of how come when something gets better it also shows up more flaws of what used to sound good? Can this be resolved?

Turning a stereo amp into a monoblock 3

Posted 2 weeks ago

Can a stereo amplifier become a monoblock amplifier? If so, how does that work and what are the differences?

Is it possible to be a cheap audiophile? 5

Posted 2 weeks ago

Audiophile and cheap don't always fit together well but that doesn't mean there's any less desire for great sound! What's a budget minded audiophile to do?

USB cables vs. RCA cables for audio 3

Posted 2 weeks ago

This viewer's source is far away from his DAC. Should he use a long USB and short RCA interconnects or the opposite, and why?

Do YouTube videos help your sales? 3

Posted 3 weeks ago

Paul's got over 70,000 YouTube subscribers to his daily video series but how have those affected sales? Why do you make them and what's the goal?

How does vinyl playback work? 1

Posted 3 weeks ago

The grooves on a record contain all the information of every kind of music from rock and roll to classical, but how does that work? How can a series of wiggles translate into the London Philharmonic Orchestra?

How to set the loudest point of music 8

Posted 3 weeks ago

Every piece of music has the perfect volume setting and all are different. What's one to do? Here's a clever idea suggested by Paul's viewer.

Switching supplies vs. analog supplies 2

Posted 3 weeks ago

The trend in electronics today leans towards inclusion of a switch mode power supply as opposed to the more traditional toroidal analog supplies. Is this a good trend and how do they work?