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.
Easy to subscribe and even easier to unsubscribe if you wish. Wake up each day with a short tip to help bring the magic of high-end audio into your home.
The Daily Tip
Tip Number 9: Subwoofer Phase Isn’t Set-and-Forget
You’ve likely blended your sub with care. Crossover feels smooth. Integration seems natural. But once you sit down, something shifts. The bass might lean to one side. It could feel...
Tip Number 8: Match Your Listening Height to th...
The system hopefully sounds solid. Imaging holds. Transients feel clean. But vocals land too low—just enough to make the stage feel tilted. It may not be distracting, but it never...
Tip Number 7: Remove the Gear Rack Between Your...
The system checks all the boxes. Reference-grade gear. Careful matching. A symmetrical room. You sit down, cue something spatial—and the instruments appear where expected. Left is left, right is right....
Tip Number 6: Rugs Aren’t Optional—They’re Hori...
You’ve done the homework. Your speakers are placed with care. The walls are treated, the subs are tuned. But the sound still has an edge—a brightness that won’t quite settle....
Tip Number 5: Shorten the Distance Behind You
Perhaps you've done everything right. The triangle measures out. Imaging seems solid. Tonal balance feels smooth. Still, something’s missing. Vocals sit on the speakers, not behind them. The soundstage feels...
Tip Number 4: Treat the Ceiling or Blur the Image
You’ve likely covered the bases. The room seems symmetrical. First reflections on the side walls are probably treated. There’s a thick rug anchoring the floor. Imaging might be decent. The...