Drawn from Paul McGowan’s The Audiophile’s Guide series, these daily tips offer concise, expert insight into refining high-end stereo systems. With a half century of experience at PS Audio, McGowan distills complex concepts into practical steps—ideal for us audiophiles seeking to elevate realism, correct system flaws, and make their music come alive.

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The Daily Tip

Tip Number 25: Only Filter Rumble When You’ve D...

Paul McGowan

You’re spinning vinyl. Everything feels right—organic, dimensional, alive. But during quiet moments, you notice it: your woofers are pulsing, visibly flapping in and out as if responding to something you...

Tip Number 24: That Port Plug Might Be a Lifesaver

Paul McGowan

You’ve probably got it dialed. Rear-ported speakers, carefully placed. They’re expressive, balanced, even moving. But positioning’s always been the dance. Too close to the wall, and the bass seems swollen—clouding...

Tip Number 23: the midpoint problem

Paul McGowan

You’ve probably done the work. Equal distances. Matched toe-in. Even symmetry left to right. Everything suggests this should be the spot. And yet, something’s unsettled. The low end might feel...

Tip Number 22: Clean Records Are Not Optional

Paul McGowan

You drop the needle on a favorite LP. The notes are familiar. But between them? Something’s riding shotgun. A soft crackle. A faint hiss that seems baked into the silence....

Tip Number 21: Break In the System, Not Just th...

Paul McGowan

You’ve unpacked your new system. The gear’s top-shelf, just placed, likely even leveled. Everything measures clean, nothing’s glaringly wrong. Still, it feels like the music’s waiting. The treble may sound...

Tip Number 20: Sub Placement Isn’t Guesswork—It...

Paul McGowan

You’ve probably done the practical thing. The subwoofer’s placed where it fits—maybe tucked beside the rack, or just out of sight. The bass is there—but it doesn’t feel reliable. Some...