Paul's Posts

In a recent post, Differing viewpoints, I reported that the difference between two identical systems—Octave's mix room and PS Audio's reference room—was big enough that I developed a new mixing... Read more...

1's and 0's

How simple life in the digital domain seems. It's just 1's and 0's. No one has to worry about waveshape and transition points to make sure timing is correct. And... Read more...

Forbidden fruit

I am delighted when taboos and rituals are challenged and good things still happen. Remember how much more enjoyable playing music became when we no longer had to demagnetize or... Read more...

Precious metals

There is no doubt in my mind that an audio or power cable whose conductors are made from silver rather than copper will sound better. After reading what I just... Read more...

Lighter than air

Here's something crazy. The mass of the FR30 and FR20's tweeter and midrange diaphragms is less than the air being moved. Compare that with the heavier mass of even the... Read more...

What and how

In any endeavor, it's important to be clear about what you hope to achieve and then worry about how you will get there. Here's a good example from two recent... Read more...

Big amps

No matter what your speakers or your tastes in music are, a big amplifier—and I mean really big—will always set your system apart. Take for example the BHK600 monoblocks. Now... Read more...

What changed?

I was poking around in the sales area of PS Audio recently and found myself fondling the knobs and switches on one of our older preamplifiers from 40 years ago,... Read more...

Last day of the year

In one sense, the calendar is silly. Other than being valuable to people who make their living off the land, I don't know how much value to place on one... Read more...

The art of sharing

For the nearly 50 years I've been involved with High-End Audio, it's been better because of the shared experiences of others. Most all of what I've learned over the years... Read more...

Success meter

If you've ever been to an audio show, you know the differences in systems and loudspeakers can be extreme. In one room, if you are fortunate enough to get the... Read more...

We're not even close

Part of the joy and privilege of being involved in both the recording and playback chains is the chance to grow and learn: new methods in recordings of miking and... Read more...

Sub sats

I often get asked why we need reasonably sized speaker boxes. After all, if we're willing to include a subwoofer in our mix, why couldn't the midrange tweeter boxes be... Read more...

Methodology

Few things in engineering are straightforward. In fact, more often than not, how you do something is more important than what you do. Take, for example, the task of PC... Read more...

Christmas day

Christmas is a holiday not celebrated everywhere, so perhaps it makes sense to share a few kind words that hopefully resonate universally. A simple poem from the American design engineer... Read more...

Be one of the first

I've been fortunate enough to be intimately involved with high-performance audio for just about half a century. In all those years, it's been rare that a new product delighted as... Read more...

Life's changes

As long as I am reminiscing about what feels like a past life of (almost) a different person—the me of decades ago—I am struggling to remember how we ever got... Read more...

High-end doesn't mean expensive

I am guessing a number of people believe that to qualify as high-end audio gear means it must be expensive. I want to argue the opposite. The true meaning of... Read more...

Differing viewpoints

Let me share an interesting experience. At Octave Records, we have built a state-of-the-art mix room with the best equipment we know to exist: FR30 loudspeakers, BHK monoblocks, BHK pre,... Read more...

Techno-Babble

Back in the 70s, when I became fascinated with high-end audio, there was a list of terms rarely heard today: tape hiss, surface noise, VTA, azimuth, cantilever, and rumble. To... Read more...

Country/Region

Country/Region