From the desk of Paul McGowan

Paul's Posts

Notes on music, gear, and the long pursuit of better sound. New most mornings.

Paul's Posts

More from Paul

  1. Loud!Loud doesn’t equal dynamic. It’s a common trap. You turn up the volume and the system feels more alive. The bass hits harder, the treble shines:... Loud!
  2. Your Room, Their VisionEvery recording engineer had a room in mind when they made your favorite album. It’s easy to forget that music is recorded in physical spaces. Rooms... Your Room, Their Vision
  3. Why music matters mostWe build systems to serve music—not the other way around. It sounds obvious, but it’s easy to lose sight of. We obsess over gear, upgrades, and... Why music matters most
  4. DisconnectedSome systems sound amazing, but never move you. They’re clear. Detailed. Impressive. But emotionally? They fall flat. HiFi. You like the sound at first, but you... Disconnected
  5. Listening with our brainsOops. My apologies. This was supposed to be yesterday's Paul's Post, and I got them mixed up. Oh well, they still say the asme thing, just... Listening with our brains
  6. The shape of soundWhat we perceive as bass, warmth, or body in a cable has less to do with how loud the lows are—and more to do with timing.... The shape of sound
  7. Hearing with our brainsWhat we hear from a cable isn’t just in the cable—it’s in our brain. That’s one of the most striking ideas from AudioQuest founder Bill Low,... Hearing with our brains
  8. Different sides of truthIn my experience, no one brings more science to cable design than Galen Gareis of Iconoclast, and no one has contributed more to the art of... Different sides of truth
  9. The Last Few PercentGetting imaging right is easy compared to getting the music right. I’ve heard countless systems that can pin a violin dead-center or place a voice with... The Last Few Percent
  10. Pure power isn't an optionEvery piece of equipment in your system starts with the AC power coming out of the wall. That power runs the circuits, charges the capacitors, and... Pure power isn't an option
  11. Connecting it altogetherThe role of signal cables in a high-end system is one of the most debated topics in audio. Some people insist cables are just wire and... Connecting it altogether
  12. Power to the speakersA power amplifier doesn't just make things louder. It takes the delicate voltage signal from your preamp and converts it into current—real electrical muscle that can... Power to the speakers
  13. Transparent windowsOn the surface, a preamplifier seems straightforward. It selects which source you're listening to, adjusts the volume, and sends a line-level signal to the power amplifier.... Transparent windows