Paul's Posts

Analog isn’t just a format—it’s the bridge between music and emotion. From the warm embrace of vinyl to the glowing allure of vacuum tubes, analog audio has a depth and... Read more...

Harmonic richness

It’s easy to miss harmonic richness. You don’t notice its absence until one day, by chance or by luck, you hear it in full bloom. And then, like tasting real... Read more...

The Audiophile’s Guide: Limited Run Collector’s Edition

Some things in life are too special to pass up. For those who appreciate the finest in sound and craftsmanship, The Audiophile’s Guide Limited Run Collector’s Edition is more than... Read more...

Seeing music

We audiophiles take a lot for granted. Sit in the sweet spot, close your eyes, and there they are—the musicians, spread across the soundstage, each in their own space. The... Read more...

The Loudspeaker

Loudspeakers are the final storytellers of your music. No matter how good your system is, if your speakers aren’t properly set up, you’ll never hear what’s really on the recording.... Read more...

Experiencing music

Sometimes, it's good to go back to the beginning and remind ourselves about what we do and what we love. As Audiophiles, listening isn’t just about hearing music—it’s about experiencing... Read more...

What is an Audiophile?

There appears to be a pervasive misconception that being an audiophile is all about money—that it’s a hobby for those who can afford expensive equipment and fancy listening rooms. But... Read more...

Sorting through all the choices

It’s easy to get caught up in the appeal of expensive gear. A two-inch-thick, machined aluminum front panel? Beautiful. A chassis so solid it feels like it was carved from... Read more...

The Stereo

A stereo system isn’t just a collection of gear—it’s a carefully tuned instrument. So many people set up their speakers as best they can, plug in their gear, and believe... Read more...

The chase

Every one of us eventually asks ourselves: Am I listening to the music, or just listening to my system? It’s a fair question. We tinker, we tweak, we swap out... Read more...

Closing the gap

For years, CDs and SACDs have been the gold standard for digital playback. Spin a well-mastered disc on a top-tier player like the PS Audio PerfectWave SACD Transport, and the... Read more...

The lonely amp

Power amps are easy to ignore. They sit there, silent and unassuming, just a big box with a plain faceplate. No knobs to turn, no screens to watch, no dials... Read more...

The beauty of mistakes

Baking sourdough seems simple—just water, flour, salt, and starter. How hard could it be? But then you realize the variables: fermentation time, hydration levels, room temperature, even the way you... Read more...

The magic of synergy

You can have the finest ingredients in the world—a perfectly ripe heirloom tomato, hand-pressed olive oil, fresh basil—but if the balance is off, the dish falls flat. Too much salt?... Read more...

Going green?

Solar panels and going green are the right things to do, but they will impact audio quality. Converting the rays of the sun into electrical energy takes another level of... Read more...

Hangovers

If we indulge too much in any one thing like drinking, partying, or eating, the negative impacts stay with us the next day. The same can be said for overindulging... Read more...

On purpose

Is it a mistake if you did it on purpose? I remember the first time I watched Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy's masterpiece, Best in Show. I thought it was... Read more...

Unexpected treasure

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of a particular technology helps us know what to listen for, but true evaluation takes time. For example, if I’m auditioning a new Class D... Read more...

Process matters

Two identical new cars—matching in weight, wheelbase, and horsepower—will exhibit significantly different performance characteristics depending on whether a gasoline engine or an electric motor powers them. That's because process matters.... Read more...

variety and variability

One of the keys to successfully setting up a stereo system is variety and variability. Make sure you use a broad variety of music that covers the gamut of tones... Read more...

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