Paul's Posts

My fancy digital watch just asked if I want to upgrade to the latest operating system. Sure, why not? Maybe it’s better? Maybe it’s worse. I have no way to... Read more...

Machine love

I have loved quite a number of machines in my day: my Austin Healey 3000 (which I wrote about in my book), my Audio Research SP3 preamplifier, my Gaglia espresso... Read more...

Family Time

Since our humble beginnings in 1974, we’ve always considered our customers family. There’s never been this odd us/them mentality we see at some companies. To us, our team and extended... Read more...

Users vs. listeners

Interacting with a front panel has always been important, but rarely how we judge a piece of equipment. Even the klunkiest front panel layouts were tolerated if the unit's sound... Read more...

The chosen few

It's worrying to think we audiophiles might be the chosen few, the golden eared bunch endowed with perception powers not shared with the plebiscite. Worrying, but not true. In all... Read more...

The small room dilemma

Most reviews and written advice seem to revolve around bigger rooms where space is not an issue. What about folks who have small spaces to enjoy music? Where do they... Read more...

Finding just the right spot

Most preamplifiers have a zone on their level controls where they sound best; typically higher on their dials. Finding that perfect spot on the dial isn't too hard, but getting... Read more...

If a tree falls…

…in the forest and there's no one to witness, does it make a sound? We all know the answer to this question because we understand the mechanism of sound, but... Read more...

The quiet few

When we proffer an opinion we risk ridicule. It's probably been that way from before we swung down from the trees to walk on the savannahs. The thought of offering... Read more...

Does purity lead to distortion?

When new technologies replace old ones they're judged on how close they replicate the original. How else would we know if it's as good as what we're replacing? Take for... Read more...

Do facts matter?

Opinions are easy enough to accept or ignore. After all, they are just opinions. But facts? No, we believe facts are facts and therefore inviolate. Except we tend to wiggle... Read more...

What is knowable?

Spring is in full swing and the pollinators are busy at work, flitting from flower to flower in pursuit of sweet nectar. If you watch bees moving between flowers you... Read more...

Uncovering the music

When we try new software or add a new piece of gear we often discover more in the music. Suddenly, that bit of detail we didn't know existed pops out... Read more...

If we only knew

There are few things in stereo reproduction as important as setup: how well your speakers are positioned, how accepting your room is, the choices you've made in placement. I can't... Read more...

Warriors, philosophers and evangelists

Ahhh, the cable wars. Have you ever seen such vitriol? Hate? Devotion? Passion? We don't get as excited about breakfast cereal choices as we do with interconnecting cables or vinyl... Read more...

The audiobook is now available

I doubt that anything in my life has gone according to plan (and maybe that's always been the plan). When we launched my new book, 99% True, Almost a National... Read more...

What, no cannons?

Reader John Vookles sent me this note: "Years ago I was selling a pair of Acoustat 3s so I ran an ad in the paper (this was pre-internet). A gentleman... Read more...

Setting standards

We all have a personal set of standards. These bar-setting rules determine just about everything in our lives from how we dress, eat, interact, advertise ourselves, choose our friends, and... Read more...

Today is the day

Have you ever taken a long journey and been just a little disappointed when you finally got to where you were going? I am reminded that often the journey's more... Read more...

The scarcity argument

Everyone's doing it is a crossroad argument. Some of us embrace the popular while others run as quickly as possible. The same can be said for scarcity: some shy away... Read more...

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