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 47: Don’t Let Summer Melt Your System
You’ve already dialed in toe-in, imaging’s solid—but lately, things feel off. You sit down to listen and the sparkle’s gone. Bass that used to anchor the room now just softens...
Tip Number 46: Don’t Let Your Speaker Grilles H...
You’ve finally got it right. The toe-in is locked, imaging’s solid, bass is tuned. And yet—something’s holding back. Not unpleasant, just a little less dimensional than expected. The shimmer’s not...
Tip Number 45: A Humble Doorstop Can Kill a Buzz
Your system probably measures clean. No hiss, no hum in the signal. Power seems stable. Cables are routed with care. But now and then, something nags. A faint buzz. A...
Tip Number 44: Use Your Bookshelf as a Diffuser
You’ve probably done the work. First reflections seem handled. Corners are tamed. Imaging is sharp. Bass feels honest. Still, the sound comes across as... dry. Not sterile—just slightly restrained. You...
Tip Number 43: The First Octave Isn’t Optional
Your system might sound as fast and clean as you were hoping for. The bass feels tight, the imaging focused, the detail just right. Everything seems in place—until the music...
Tip Number 42: Tilt Happens—Use It to Your Adva...
You’ve probably done everything right. The triangle’s dialed. Toe-in appears perfectly symmetrical. Distance checks out. Level is dead-on. Still, something doesn’t quite land. Vocals seem to sit low. Cymbals might...