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 53: Match Mains and Sub with Your Ears
You’ve probably calibrated your subwoofers. Maybe you’ve run sweeps, confirmed the response curve, and dialed in what looks like textbook flat. The chart on your app says it’s right—but something...
Tip Number 52: Beware the Nearfield Mirage
You’ve likely tried the nearfield sweet spot—close to the speakers, out of the room’s way. And it works. Imaging sharpens. Reflections drop. But then you notice something: the soundstage might...
Tip Number 51: Move Your Feet, Not Just Your Ears
You’ve likely dialed in everything. The triangle’s perfect. The gear’s warm. The room’s quiet and tuned. You cue a favorite track—and still, something might not quite cohere. Imaging seems close,...
Tip Number 50: Let the System Warm Up—All of It
You’ve likely just settled in for a late-night session—dim lights, a record queued, maybe even a drink in hand. You press play and it sounds... clean. Balanced, even. But still,...
Tip Number 49: Know Your Speaker’s Baffle Behavior
You’ve probably pulled your speakers well into the room. Imaging’s likely locked, the soundstage might feel spacious. Still, maybe there’s something off with vocals—possibly a little thin, not quite embodied....
Tip Number 48: Kill the Light Switch Buzz
Everything’s powered up. You’re just settling in. The room’s quiet. Then—someone hits a switch. A soft pop, a faint tick, maybe a little crackle through the speakers. It’s over in...