Awards Show for the very best hifi product of 2022. Marc Phillips and Scot Hull of PartTimeAudiophile close out the year with an interview representing the mass of nominations and awards for product of the year from the site. Metric tons of high fidelity products were listened to, and there were many outstanding products across all catagories. We reveal our pick for the king of them all for 2022, but also highlight the picks for analog, digital, speakers and more.
Check out the full product of the year post on PartTimeAudiophile.com as well as our Best Value of the year award.
S8E10 Sponsors:
ZUAUDIOdotCOM - Any music, amp or room, there's a Zu for You
VONSCHWEIKERTAUDIOdotCOM - VSA Loudspeakers
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
WHARFEDALEUSAdotCOM - Legendary British Sound – Elevated
An interview with Anthony Chiarella of Specialty Sound & Vision and our 2023 Buyer's Guide Special. Scot, Marc and Brian go over some of the best and brightest audio products reviewed and heard for the upcoming year. Broken out into 12 categories, the buyer's guide provides some insight into the season's best audiophile products along with some general hifi banter and acoustic tips.
The show also features a surprising follow up to our S8E5 Halloween special with Anthony who actually worked at Crazy Eddie's retail chain in New Jersey from 1977-1981, before it was dissolved due to Eddie Antar's criminal prosecution. He shares personal stories from that time and further explores the subject with his first hand experience on the sales floor.
S8E9 Sponsors:
ZUAUDIOdotCOM - Any music, amp or room, there's a Zu for You
VONSCHWEIKERTAUDIOdotCOM - VSA Loudspeakers
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
WHARFEDALEUSAdotCOM - Legendary British Sound – Elevated
Interview with Sean Casey of Zu Audio and Bart Andeer Of The Florida HiFi Show (Florida International Audio Expo). This week's double header features the proprieter of the Florida Audio Show, plus the return of Sean Casey, a first since his intial appearance in S1E1! Bart gives us the low down on the next big audio show in Tampa coming on February 17-19 2023, plus all his expierences traveling across the globe with HiFi in mind. Sean talks music, creativity, new gear and old, entry-level to his never publicly released flagships.
S8E8 Sponsors:
VONSCHWEIKERTAUDIOdotCOM - VSA Loudspeakers
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
WHARFEDALEUSAdotCOM - Legendary British Sound – Elevated
Eric, Grover, Dave and Jameson from the PartTimeAudiophile.com writing staff join The Occasional Podcast to give thier impressions of all the audio gear that was on display at Capital Audiofest 2022 in DC. This episode covers all the showroom highlights and the latest hifi product releases from the East Coast event. Best of show, standout gear and plenty of weekend observations.
S8E7 Sponsors:
THEVOICETHATISdotCOM - For The Love Of Music
ZUAUDIOdotCOM - Any music, amp or room, there's a Zu for You
VONSCHWEIKERTAUDIOdotCOM - VSA Loudspeakers
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
WHARFEDALEUSAdotCOM - Legendary British Sound – Elevated
Interview with Andrew Jones of Mofi Electronics. We visit Andrew Jones' (ELAC/KEF/Pionneer) design office in Beverly Hills to get an exclusive first look at his new Source Point 10 concentric loudspeaker, the first release under the new MoFi Electronics brand. Andrew gives us all the updates on the new monitor-sized two-way and devulges his philosophies when it comes to material choice, bracing, crossovers, form factor and more.
If you are attending Capital Audiofest this weekend, please swing by the Wilson Room and see this show's sponsor, Doug White and The Voice That Is. Doug will showcasing the new Tidal Piano G3 loudspeakers (and Critical Mass Systems Ultra Q Rack) in their first US appearance.
S8E6 Sponsors:
THEVOICETHATISdotCOM - For The Love Of Music
ZUAUDIOdotCOM - Any music, amp or room, there's a Zu for You
VONSCHWEIKERTAUDIOdotCOM - VSA Loudspeakers
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
An Occasional Podcast Halloween special. What ever happened to Crazy Eddie's chain of electronics stores? In this episode, we explore the rise, fraud and fallout of one of the biggest retail scams that just kept getting bigger and bigger.
What started as a small electronics chain grew into 43 stores in four states and an alleged $300 million in sales. If you were around the area in the 80's, the signature high energy "crazy Eddie" commercials saturated the popular culture at the time. His brand of intense media blitz earned a place in the mindset of many, millions of stolen dollars and a crimial investigation.
This epsiode also marks the return of co-host Bryan Beasley, special thanks to him for his many contributions helping put this complex show together.
S8E5 Sponsors:
ZUAUDIOdotCOM - Any music, amp or room, there's a Zu for You
PURISTAUDIODESIGNdotCOM - Let Us Connect You To The Music!
INNUOSdotCOM - Listen From Within
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
Interview with legendary speaker designer Andrew Jones of MoFi Electronics. Andrew joins the podcast again to do a deep dive into the design elements of speaker cabinets. His history creating speakers spans the years making iconic hifi from the likes of ELAC, KEF, TAD, Pioneer - just to name a few. In this episode we expore topics like how to get bass out of small sizes, how much damping is the correct amount, what designs have proven to be the most useful for certain scenarios and more. It is pretty much everything you ever wanted to know about the precious enclosures we cradle our drivers in, and maybe a little bit extra for good measure.
S8E4 Sponsors:
ZUAUDIOdotCOM - Any music, amp or room, there's a Zu for You
PURISTAUDIODESIGNdotCOM - Let Us Connect You To The Music!
INNUOSdotCOM - Listen From Within
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
Brian Hunter covers the large swath of high fidelity product launches that hit the market this week in preparation for the upcoming holiday season. Much of the new gear is highly anticipated flagship offerings as well as some new tech and updated feature sets to established favorites. Includes live show coverage and 6 interviews with manufacturers including DCS, Focal and more.
S8E3 Sponsors:
ZUAUDIOdotCOM - Any music, amp or room, there's a Zu for You
PURISTAUDIODESIGNdotCOM - Let Us Connect You To The Music!
INNUOSdotCOM - Listen From Within
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
An interview with PTA's Marc Phillips upon his return from Denmark. Marc joins the show to recap his trip to see a few Danish hifi manufacturers. Fresh from the audio show in Munich, Marc heads back out to Europe to follow up with a few high end brands that caught his eye at the international show including Borrenson, Aavik and Ansuz from the Audio Group Denmark and also Dali Speakers. We also drop the latest audiophile news including new product releases and upcoming events for fall.
S8E2 Sponsors:
ZUAUDIOdotCOM - Any music, amp or room, there's a Zu for You
PURISTAUDIODESIGNdotCOM - Let Us Connect You To The Music!
INNOUSdotCOM - Listen From Within
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
Marc Phillips joins the show to give his impressions of all the audio gear that was on display at Pacific Audio Fest 2022 in Seattle. This episode covers all the highlights in high fidelity and Marc's overall vibe from the debut of the West Coast's newest audio event. Best of show, standout gear and new product releases.
S8E1 Sponsors:
THEVOICETHATISdotCOM - For The Love Of Music
ZUAUDIOdotCOM - Any music, amp or room, there's a Zu for You
PURISTAUDIODESIGNdotCOM - Let Us Connect You To The Music!
INNUOSdotCOM - Listen From Within
A tribute to the 300b amplifier tube with Gary Dews of Border Patrol Audio Electronics. Why is the 300b so common in audiophile tube amplifier designs? What about the 300b makes it unique amoung the many options available to amp makers? In this episode, we explore everything you would ever want to know about this direct heated triode, including usage, benefits, drawbacks and the current state of pricing and supply.
S7E10 Sponsors:
ZUAUDIOdotCOM - Any music, amp or room, there's a Zu for You
MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You can’t please everyone, so why don’t you please yourself?
An interview with the legendary voice of analog hifi, Michael Fremer. Michael joins the show to chat about his long, tenured history reviewing audio products. Along with his 40+ years of expierence with turntables, Michael has worked as a writer in Hollywood, a DJ for radio, a stand up comedian and YouTube personality. You can follow his newest projects starting soon at www.trackingangle.com.
S7E9 Sponsors:
MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
PURISTAUDIODESIGNdotCOM - Let Us Connect You To The Music!
WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You can’t please everyone, so why don’t you please yourself?
Interview with Jon Derda Of Mofi Electronics. In this week's episode we expore the current state of Class D amplification. Historically, the amplifier topology has had a rocky past with the audiophile mainstream, but have current technological advances changed the way we look at this catagory? Jon joins us to help explain the current state of things, new technologies like Gallium Nitride (GaN) and what the future might hold for hifi and class D.
S7E8 Sponsors:
MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
PURISTAUDIODESIGNdotCOM - Let Us Connect You To The Music!
WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You can’t please everyone, so why don’t you please yourself?
Marc Phillips joins the show to give his impressions of all the audio gear that was on display at High End Munich 2022. We cover all the highlights from one of the world's biggest high fidelity audio shows held in Germany. Best of show, standout gear and new product releases.
S7E7 Sponsors:
MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
PURISTAUDIODESIGNdotCOM - Let Us Connect You To The Music!
WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You can’t please everyone, so why don’t you please yourself?
Interview with Romain Vet, VP Marketing Focal Naim America and Bes Nievera, Brand Ambessedor from Music Direct. This episode is a bit of a double header. We follow up with Naim-Focal to see what is going on in the big corperate world of high fidelity audio. The France-based multi-brand has taken some new leaps into fresh product catagories as of late. We also check in with Bes Nievera, an industry vetran with more than 40 years of sales, support and brand represetation in the audiophile realm. Bes shares some great stories, tips, and tricks from his long walk on the shores of hifi.
S7E6 Sponsors:
MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
PURISTAUDIODESIGNdotCOM - Let Us Connect You To The Music!
WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You can’t please everyone, so why don’t you please yourself?
Andrew Jones (speaker designer, Pioneer/KEF/TAD) joins the podcast again to talk about the "why" of his recent move from ELAC to MoFi Electronics. Recorded live from AXPONA 2022 in Chicago, Andrew elaborates on his journey to upcoming developments with the currently speakerless MoFi brand and why he thinks the partnership will make for a solid pairing with his next designs.
S7E5 Sponsors:
MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
PURISTAUDIODESIGNdotCOM - Let Us Connect You To The Music!
WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You can’t please everyone, so why don’t you please yourself?
Greg Neville And Marc Phillips join the show to give their impressions of all the audio gear that was on display at Chicago's AXPONA 2022. Recorded live April 22-24 from the audio show, we cover all the highlights from the hifi listening rooms and Ear Gear Expo hall. Best of show, standout gear and new product releases.
S7E4 Sponsors:
MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
PURISTAUDIODESIGNdotCOM - Let Us Connect You To The Music!
WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You can’t please everyone, so why don’t you please yourself?
Interview with Mark Schneider of LTA. Mark joins the show this week to disuss his unique brand of tube amplifiers based around the designs of David Berning. Also, new product roundup for the upcoming AXPONA audio show in Chicago, IL.
S7E3 Sponsors:
MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
AXPONAdotCOM - North America’s Audio Expo
WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You can’t please everyone, so why don’t you please yourself?
Interview with Damon Von Schweikert Of VSA. The CEO of one of high-end's most prolific speaker brands sits down with us to discuss a lifelong experience in audio. His hifi resume starts with his father's early legacy and provides an unique look at the community at large. Damon shares his tips, tricks and observations of an evolving landscape from the perspective of an audiophile speaker manufacturer whose product lines have crossed decades.
S7E2 Sponsors:
MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
AXPONAdotCOM - North America’s Audio Expo
WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You can’t please everyone, so why don’t you please yourself?
S7E1 Sponsors:
MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
AXPONAdotCOM - North America’s Audio Expo
WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You can’t please everyone, so why don’t you please yourself?
Amplifier designer Jason Stoddard takes us through the signal path of an amplifer. Jason talks us across all the elements and parts of amplifier design, starting with the analog signal and ending with speaker or headphone output. He provides tips on what to look for in good parts, as well as what topogies work best in any given situation. It's a great epsiode chock full of interesting information and antecdotes for anyone who ever wondered how amplifiers really work.
S6E10 Sponsors:
MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment
SVSOUNDdotCOM– Join the Sound R|Evolution.
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
WHARFEDALEUSAdotCOM - Legendary British Sound – Elevated
An interview with Steve Sells, Technical Director, Electronics at Naim Audio. As part 3 of our exploration into British HiFi (What is British Hifi?, History Of The LS3/5a) we sit down with Steve from Naim Audio to discuss the legendary British audio brand that has helped shape the high fidelity landscape over the years. A longstanding Brit-Fi icon, Naim is known for its classic amplifiers and cutting edge streaming devices (along with other audio components and even a record label).
S6E9 Sponsors:
MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment
SVSOUNDdotCOM– Join the Sound R|Evolution.
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
WHARFEDALEUSAdotCOM - Legendary British Sound – Elevated
Our favorite products from Season 6. The Occasional Podcast end of the year awards the best audio/hifi products we have heard. With the help of the PartTimeAudiophile writing staff, we wrap up 2021 in style with gear recommendations, music and great sound. Special thanks to Marc Phillips, Mohammed Samji and Grover Neville for help with the nominations.
S6E8 Sponsors:
MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment
SVSOUNDdotCOM– Join the Sound R|Evolution.
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
WHARFEDALEUSAdotCOM - Legendary British Sound – Elevated
Everything you ever wanted to know about the BBC's LS3/5a loudspeaker. As a follow up to our podcast "What Is British HiFi?" Marc and Brian interview Jerry Bloomfield of Falcon Acoustics. Jerry has a vast history with the LS3/5a including its implementation, research, construction and original design goals dating back to its inception back in 1975. Licensed by the BBC to manufacturers, the LS3/5a has stood the test of time and proven to be one of the cornerstones of high fidelity's (and especially brit-fi) history.
S6E7 Sponsors:
MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment
SVSOUNDdotCOM– Join the Sound R|Evolution.
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
WHARFEDALEUSAdotCOM - Legendary British Sound – Elevated
A beginner's guide to wireless audio - tips, tricks and high fidelity options. Audio with little-to-no wires is a growing category, even among audiophiles. While some connections like bluetooth are lossy, there are an increasingly large amount of applications where wireless technologies make the pleasure of listening to music just that much more convenient. In this episode, we sit down with Nick Brown and Smith Freeman from SVS and revisit all the latest ins, outs and round abouts of wireless listening. This includes (but not limited to) the newest protocols, product categories, streaming, how to, tips, wifi, bluetooth, setup, troubleshooting and more.
S6E6 Sponsors:
MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment
PURISTAUDIODESIGNdotCOM - Let Us Connect You To The Music!
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
WHARFEDALEUSAdotCOM - Legendary British Sound – Elevated
Interview with Axel Grell - the designer of legendary headphones from Sennheiser, including the HD 600/650, HD 800 and Orpheus headphone system. Axel sits down with us to chat about all things headphones, including the direction they are going, his experience designing the sound for some of personal audio's biggest audiophile headphones, and the founding of his new headphone company Grell.
S6E5 Sponsors:
MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment
SVSOUNDdotCOM– Join the Sound R|Evolution.
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
WHARFEDALEUSAdotCOM - Legendary British Sound – Elevated
How vinyl records are mastered and produced. Vinyl pressings are a complicated thing to create. It is a much more intricate process compared the simplicity of the digital copy that has come to dominate the market (although digital resolution and streaming have their own unique set of variables as well). In this episode mastering engineer Dave McNair helps us decode the steps from the source tape (or digital master) to the final pressed vinyl record.
S6E4 Sponsors:
MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment
PURISTAUDIODESIGNdotCOM - Let Us Connect You To The Music!
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
WHARFEDALEUSAdotCOM - Legendary British Sound – Elevated
Tube amplifiers, tube topologies explained! This episode is our guide to tube amplifiers, and features deep dive interviews with Gary Dews of Border Patrol Audio Electronics and Mark Schneider of Linear Tube Audio. SET, Pentode, OTL, Push-Pull? The designs of tube amplifiers in hifi is a rich as their love for three letter acronyms. Join us for a thorough exploration of all the different ways to derive power from a glass tube.
S6E3 Sponsors:
MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment
PURISTAUDIODESIGNdotCOM - Let Us Connect You To The Music!
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
WHARFEDALEUSAdotCOM - Legendary British Sound – Elevated
How are meta materials being used in audio? Plus, we talk about if/how expensive cables can make a difference in audio systems. Dan Clark of Dan Clark Audio joins us to discuss and explain meta materials use in hifi. Dan recently launched a new headphone called the DCA Stealth that is the first to incorporate the rising technology in a personal audio setting. The PTA staff comes together to chat about the ever evolving discussion around the value and use case of expensive cables, and audio cables in general. Guests include Marc Phillips, Scot Hull, Grover Neville and Dave McNair from PTA editorial.
S6E2 Sponsors:
MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment
PURISTAUDIODESIGNdotCOM - Let Us Connect You To The Music!
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
WHARFEDALEUSAdotCOM - Legendary British Sound – Elevated
An audiophile conversation though the lens of production. Mastering engineer Dave McNair and producer Grover Neville cover off on a variety of subjects including clean and musical systems vs colorations, discussions on the idea of detail, what is accuracy and how Jazz music makes it easy to uphold audiophile pursuits in production.
S6E1 Sponsors:
MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment
PURISTAUDIODESIGNdotCOM - Let Us Connect You To The Music!
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49
WHARFEDALEUSAdotCOM - Legendary British Sound – Elevated
Our favorite picks for audio products from the past 6 months! PLUS Co-Host Bryan Beasley and Brian Hunter recap their visit to the legendary Van Halen 5150 recording studios. Special thanks to PartTimeAudiphile Editor-In-Chief Marc Phillips for his help with nominations for TOP's Products Of The Season.
S5E10 Sponsors:
NAIMAUDIOdotCOM– British Hi-Fi Specialist
SCHIITdotCOM – Audio Components Designed & Built in California, Starting At $49
QOBUZdotCOM - Authentic Music Experience
What is British HiFi? We explore this somewhat vague topic with the help of Rob Watts, Andrew Jones, Mike Moffat and Johan Coorg. Is it a sound? A frequency response? A specific market? Special thanks to PartTimeAudiphile editor Marc Phillips for co-hosting duties.
S5E9 Sponsors:
NAIMAUDIOdotCOM– British Hi-Fi Specialist
SCHIITdotCOM – Audio Components Designed & Built in California, Starting At $49
BRYSTONdotCOM - Taking Power To the Next Level
An interview with the legendary music engineer and producer Al Schmitt. The sad news hit early Tuesday morning, music engineer and producer Al Schmitt had passed away at at 91. I got a chance to sit down with the music legend to chat about his legacy and upcoming book just a few years ago. I was recording interviews for Stereophile's Audiostream Podcast at the time, and Al was equal parts gracious and entertaining during the nearly three hours we spent together talking about his expansive, full life. His work in the music industry spans so many years, and he had so many fun and crazy stories to tell from his professional experience with the likes of Sam Cook, Todo, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Paul McCartney and more. 23 grammies worth, to be exact. I've revisited the entire interview on this week's Occasional Podcast to help give a small glimpse at the man who spent almost his entire life dedicated to making music sound better.
S5E8 Sponsors:
FOCALdotCOM – French Hi-Fi Global Leader
BRYSTONdotCOM - Taking Power To the Next Level
SCHIITdotCOM – Audio Components Designed & Built in California, Starting At $49
Interview with Andrew Jones of ELAC and Pioneer fame. Andrew is a legendary speaker designer that has worked for KEF, TAD and more. He returns to the show to talk about the latest in speaker designs including his thoughts on meta material, deep bass from small enclosures and how the recent pandemic has affected the hifi industry.
S5E7 Sponsors:
FOCALdotCOM– French Hi-Fi Global Leader
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California, Starting At $49
ZUAUDIOdotCOM - A Revolution in American Hi-Fi
Everything you ever wanted to know about subwoofers and two channel listening. In this episode we dive deeper than we have ever dove before, straight into a subwoofer. SVS Director of Technology, Ed Mullen helps us unroot all the helpful tidbits for getting the best, and most seamless listening experience with subs. This includes basics, room placement, how to connect, tips, advice and even setup options for both stereo and home theater rigs. One of our most in-depth and informative podcasts to date.
S5E6 Sponsors:
FOCALdotCOM– French Hi-Fi Global Leader
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California, Starting At $49
INNOUSdotCOM - Listen From Within
Everything you ever wanted to know about music servers for two channel listening. Interview with Nuno Vitorino from Innuos. A deep dive into music servers and their role in a high fidelity playback system. What to look for, where to get started, what are high priority design elements... and all the reasons why everything makes a difference - even music servers.
S5E5 Sponsors:
FOCALdotCOM– French Hi-Fi Global Leader
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California, Starting At $49
ZUAUDIOdotCOM - A Revolution in American Hi-Fi
Integrated Amplifiers and Two Way Loudspeakers, a match made in heaven. In this episode we discuss all the lovely benefits (and some of the potential drawbacks) of two of high fidelity audio's most beloved compact options for home playback. Whether you have limited space or just love the sound of a simple crossover design, this interview with PartTimeAudiophile's Marc Phillips draws from his deep pool of knowledge (and love) for the highly utilized sub genre of audiophilia.
S5E4 Sponsors:
FOCALdotCOM– French Hi-Fi Global Leader
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California, Starting At $49
INNOUSdotCOM - Listen From Within
Interview with Rich Grado of Grado Labs. The Brooklyn-based Grado has been making turntable cartridges and headphones for the better part of a century. Now with the launch of their retail site 4ourears.com and the move into wireless personal audio, the company is making changes to the way they do things - while still keeping true to their long-standing legacy in hifi.
S5E3 Sponsors:
FOCALdotCOM– French Hi-Fi Global Leader
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California, Starting At $49
INNOUSdotCOM - Listen From Within
Everything you ever wanted to know about optimizing your budget for audio gear. Interview with Jonathan Derda of MoFi. On this episode, we cover how much to budget for each product category of audio gear. We provide general guidance on where to spend your money on speakers, amplifiers, sources and more.
S5E2 Sponsors:
FOCALdotCOM– French Hi-Fi Global Leader
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California, Starting At $49
INNOUSdotCOM - Listen From Within
Interview with Co-Founder of Schiit Audio Mike Moffat. The digital brains behind one of entry-level hifi's favorite upstart, Mike Moffat joins the show to talk about his experience creating some of the first DACs on the planet and his second tidal wave of success with Schiit Audio. Special co-host thanks to PartTimeAudiophile publisher Scot Hull.
S5E1 Sponsors:
NAIMAUDIOdotCOM– British Hi-Fi Specialist
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California, Starting At $49
INNOUSdotCOM - Listen From Within
Interview with Josh Meredith and Angela Cardas of Cardas Audio. In this episode The PartTimeAudiophile editorial crew drops their picks for the best audio products of 2020. Josh and Angela also help us answer the age old question: Why Do Radio Stations Always Play The Same Songs Over And Over?
S4E10 Sponsors:
QOBUZdotCOM - Authentic Music Experience SONUSFABERdotCOM - Artisans of Sound
The LSA Group and CorePower - State Of The Art Power At Real World Prices
Interview with Heinz Lichtenegger of Pro-Ject, an high fidelity audio company internationally known for turntables, electronics and speakers. Started in 1991, Pro-Ject dove into the record player business at a time when the world's focus was on the CD. Now a world-wide brand, the turntable maker supplies both its own products and OEM options for a multitude of companies. Owner and President Heinz Lichtenegger joins us to chat about his passion for great sound, the evolution of the turntable market and continuing affordable options to bring new listeners into the fold.
S4E9 Sponsors:
QOBUZdotCOM - Authentic Music Experience MCINTOSHLABSdotCOM – Legendary Audio Equipment
The LSA Group and CorePower - State Of The Art Power At Real World Prices
Everything you ever wanted to know about buying a turntable, records, and getting started with high fidelity analog playback. Interview with Jonathan Derda of MoFi. We dig deep in this episode which covers off on a multitude of subjects centered around getting started with vinyl. How much to spend? What is required? How to get the most out of your system? How to improve the sound from your current turntable? Jon leaves no stone unearthed in this beginner's guide to buying vinyl and record players - filled with tips and tricks for analog playback that even a seasoned audiophile will enjoy.
S4E8 Sponsors:
QOBUZdotCOM - Authentic Music Experience MCINTOSHLABSdotCOM – Legendary Audio Equipment The LSA Group and CorePower - State Of The Art Power At Real World Prices
Interview with the president of Marantz & Classe Joel Sietsema and Senior Director of Technical Category Management Emmanuel Millot. Very special bonus interview with documentary filmmakers Kevin Smokler and Christopher Boone. Kevin and Christopher recently co-directed a film called Vinyl Nation which focuses on the 10 year run of vinyl resurgence and record collecting we now find ourselves in. It's timely and a ton of fun.
S4E7 Sponsors:
QOBUZdotCOM - Authentic Music Experience
AUDIORESEARCHdotCOM - High Performance Vacuum Tube Electronics Since 1970
The LSA Group and CorePower - State Of The Art Power At Real World Prices
Interview with Mats Andersen of QLN Audio. Episode 6 explores two-way speaker design in depth with Mats Andersen, designer and owner of QLN Audio and maker of the highly transparent Signature 3 standmount/bookshelf style speaker. Mats pulls from his deep well of knowledge to chat about 2-way vs 3-way design, benefits, challenges and learnings on the subject. Also, the best audio products of 2020 so far. Special thanks to Rafe Arnott from RESISTORMAGdotCOM for his contribution to this week's episode.
S4E6 Sponsors:
QOBUZdotCOM - Authentic Music Experience
SONUSFABERdotCOM - Artisans of Sound
The LSA Group and CorePower - State Of The Art Power At Real World Prices
Everything you ever wanted to know about digital audio. In episode 5 of season 4, we explore the great digital landscape with Alex Brinkman of Auralic Audio. Together we tackle all the hurdles of getting into digital audio, exploring the options and creating a high fidelity, high resolution playback system that is right for you. There is a lot that we cover, so get out your notepad.
S4E5 Sponsors:
QOBUZdotCOM - Authentic Music Experience
SONUSFABERdotCOM - Artisans of Sound
The LSA Group and CorePower - State Of The Art Power At Real World Prices
An interview with Jeremy Bryan of MBL North America. MBL offers some of the most exotic speaker designs on the market. More than merely a driver in a box, the German company creates electronics and speakers that are as expensive as they are unique. Jeremy takes us through a quick history of the company along with some of the finer details on what makes the bespoke technologies different from other transducers.
S4E4 Sponsors:
QOBUZdotCOM - Authentic Music Experience
MCINTOSHLABSdotCOM – Legendary Audio Equipment
The LSA Group and CorePower - State Of The Art Power At Real World Prices
The Loudness Wars. Special guest mastering engineer Dave McNair and Grover Neville help explain the Loudness Wars. How did we get here? Where are we going? Are things getting better, or worse? Dave and Grover give first hand experience to help us better understand the current state of things in regards to dynamic compression and its effects on popular music.
S4E3 Sponsors:
QOBUZdotCOM - Authentic Music Experience
MCINTOSHLABSdotCOM – Legendary Audio Equipment
The LSA Group and CorePower - State Of The Art Power At Real World Prices
An interview with digital designer Rob Watts of Chord Electronics fame. Rob Watts has seen much success in hifi designing under the British brand Chord. With a long history in the semiconductor industry along with heavy chops in digital audio, Rob is a wealth of information with the sales figures to back it up.
S4E2 Sponsors:
QOBUZdotCOM - Authentic Music Experience
SONUSFABERdotCOM - Artisans of Sound
ZUAUDIOdotCOM - Omen DW Sale, July 1st At Noon
A beginner's guide to understanding mastering and a buyer's guide to remastered albums. In this episode we explore the acoustic art of Mastering. What is Mastering? What does it mean when an album is Remastered? Does that make an album worth buying again if I already own it? We dive deep with mastering engineer Dave McNair and Grover Neville to unearth answers to these burning questions and more. Co-Hosted by Bryan Beasley.
S4E1 of The Occasional Podcast is sponsored by:
DCSLTDdotCOdotUK - Only The Music
WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You Can't Please Everyone, So Why Not Please Yourself?
AUDIORESEARCHdotCOM - High Performance Vacuum Tube Electronics Since 1970.
Interview with Nelson Pass of Pass Labs Part 2. In part two of our series with Nelson Pass we talk about design philosophy and the history of his "other project" company, First Watt. Widely considered one of hifi's leading solid state amplifier designers, Nelson talks about the status of the industry, listening habits and his vantage point into the dynamic hobby of audio listening.
S3E12 of The Occasional Podcast is sponsored by:
VAC-AMPSdotCOM - For When Music Matters
WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You Can't Please Everyone, So Why Not Please Yourself?
Interview with Nelson Pass of Pass Labs. In our season closer, we walk down the history of one of audio's most prolific amplifier designers Nelson Pass. This episode includes stories from his early days, design philosophy and early successes in the hifi industry. Part 1 of our two part series with Nelson.
S3E11 of The Occasional Podcast is sponsored by:
VAC-AMPSdotCOM - For When Music Matters
WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You Can't Please Everyone, So Why Not Please Yourself?
ZUAUDIOdotCOM - Loudspeakers, Cables and Cartridges.
Recap and highlights from FLAX 2020 in Tampa, Florida. Brian Hunter is joined by PartTimeAudiophile contributors Marc Phillips and Dave McNair with all the highlights, takeaways and great sounding gear from the relatively new show on the US scene. Bonus intro interview with show organizer Bart Andeer.
S3E10 Sponsored by VAC-AMPSdotCOM - For When Music Matters
FLAX 2020 Show Coverage Sponsored by The LSA Group and CorePower.
Interview with Sonus Faber President and CEO Jeff Poggi and Brand Manager William Kline. This episode also features all the latest in hifi news including hot items coming out of the recent consumer electronics CES show in Las Vegas. Co-host Bryan Beasley.
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Made In The US, Starting At $49
AXPONAdotCOM - North America's Audio Expo
Zach and Bevin Mehrbach from ZMF Headphones get interviewed. Also 2019 year-end roundup of the "best of" audio products according to Bryan and Brian. Special bonus: Two Grown Men Arguing In A YouTube Comments Section. Co-host Bryan Beasley.
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Made In The US, Starting At $49
Extended interview with Von Schweikert Audio's Leif Swanson and Damon Von Schweikert. S3E7 kicks off with a full rundown of the new LCD-1 headphone by Audeze and the RAD-0 by Rosson Audio Design. Damon and Leif drop some knowledge on us about what it's like to make high-end speakers, manufacturing in the US and accuracy in listening. Special bonus "Two Grown Men Arguing On Facebook". Co-host Bryan Beasley.
MOON-AUDIOdotCOM - Dragon Audio Cables - Unleash Your Music!
AXPONAdotCOM - North America's Audio Expo
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Made In The US, Starting At $49.
How to get into reel to reel audio, interview with Greg Beron of United Home Audio. Every wonder what it takes to listen to music on your home stereo with reel to reel playback as a source? In this episode we outline all the ups and down, positive and negatives for one of the most analog-ist type of hifi systems. Co-host Bryan Beasley steps in to share his experience with the platform and UHA R2R expert Greg Beron takes us all the way down the rabbit hole with his high-end, end-game gear.
SCHIITdotCOM – Audio components made in the US, starting at $49.
Recap and highlights from Capital Audiofest 2019 located in DC. ParttimeAudiophile editor Scot Hull is joined by staff writers Marc Phillips and Eric Franklin Shook along with special guests Grover Neville, Dave McNair and Jameson Mourafetis.
S3E5 Sponsored by Schiit Audio - Audio Components Made In The US, Starting At $49.
CAF 2019 Show Coverage Sponsored by Verdant Audio and Tenacious Sound
Interview with David Solomon and Dan Mackta, the US Qobuz team. This episode also features a bonus introduction: an audiophile's guide to wireless audio listening - along with 5 wireless headphones reviewed and compared. David and Dan take us through the newest stateside high resolution music streaming service that is shaking up the hifi industry. Co-Host Bryan Beasley.
SCHIITdotCOM - Audio components made in the US, starting at $49.
ZUAUDIOdotCOM - Loudspeakers, Cables and Cartridges.
An in-depth interview with Jeff Joseph of Joseph Audio plus a full rundown and review of the new Beatle's Abbey Road Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition. Co-host Bryan Beasley discusses the sonic intricacies of the newest Beatles reissue along with all the tasty extras sure to tickle the fancy of any lifelong fan. Jeff joins us at AXPONA this year to give a history of the hifi loudspeaker brand Joseph Audio, some of his favorite sonic tastes and what its life growing up on the east coast in the heyday of high fidelity audio.
WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You can't please everyone, so why don't you please yourself?
Highlights from Rocky Mountain Audiofest 2019. Brian Hunter and PartTimeAudiophile founder Scot Hull break down all the good, bad and crispy from the most recent audio show in Denver, CO. The September show covered some of the best in high end audio as well as headphone/personal audio from the headspace ballroom. RMAF 2019 coverage brought to you by: The LSA Group – The new high-end high-value speaker standard. CorePower – State-of-the-art power at real-world prices.
In our Season 3 opener, legendary amplifier designer Dan D’Agostino discusses his extensive history with high-end audio starting with his successes with Krell all the way to his current namesake brand. 500 pound amplifiers, audio jewelry and giant heatsinks all inhabit the conversation that ranges from design strategies to the day-to-day challenges of chasing better sound. Co-Host Bryan Beasley. US.AstellnKern.com – The Way Music Was Meant to Be Heard
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Recap and highlights from the High End Audio Show in Munich, Germany. Special interview with T.H.E. Show’s organizers Maurice Jung and Emiko. PartTimeAudiophile editor Scot Hull sits down with us once again to discuss his trip to the world’s largest audio show hosted in Munich. Here he spins his tale in the battle for his passport, taking in all the sounds and dining on his favorite local cuisines. Special co host Bryan Beasley. Munich 2019 coverage brought to you by: The LSA Group – The new high-end high-value speaker standard. CorePower – State-of-the-art power at real-world prices.
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Recap and highlights from AXPONA 2019. PartTimeAudiophile founder Scot Hull pops in to talk about what is quickly becoming the “Munich” audio event of North America. Caught up in the tidal wave that is the 2Q show circuit, Scot takes a short breather to discuss AXPONA’s hottest products, best sounding rooms and why every audio event could use a giant room full of storm troopers. AXPONA 2019 coverage brought to you by: The LSA Group – The new high-end high-value speaker standard. CorePower – State-of-the-art power at real-world prices.
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Dave and Carol Clark From Positive Feedback Return… this time with more Carol! We catch up with the co-owners of Positive Feedback and the founders of the Los Angeles Audiophile Society on all their fun adventures in the past year. Including (but not limited to): music, mayhem and how to be the coolest Grandma at any given audio show. Co-host Bryan Beasley. AXPONAdotCom – Chicago’s Premier Audio Expo
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Allen Perkins of Spiral Groove Turntables. Allen dives into his history with one of audio’s most nostalgic playback devices. Designing for others, then designing with his company Spiral Groove, he knows what it takes to make a good, better and absolute best turntable as high fidelity source. Co-host Bryan Beasley. RAVENAUDIOdotCOM – The World Finest Tube Amps, Speakers and Cables.
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Christopher Hildebrand of Fern And Roby. Christopher drops some knowledge with a behind-the-scenes look at his manufacturing process, what it means to be a creative, and his role working with audio makers of all types. Co-Host Bryan Beasley. AXPONAdotCom – Chicago’s Premier Audio Expo
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Bill Dudleston of Legacy Audio. Bill provides an in-depth look into both technical and theoretical perspectives of audio. Followed by long history of designing high end loudspeakers, the man at the helm of Legacy gives us his download on the current state of things, a look back, and the future of audio in general. WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM – You can’t please everyone, so why don’t you please yourself?
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Recap and highlights from Las Vegas CES 2019. An audiophile perspective on the changing landscape of the Consumer Electronics Show from Nevada. All the high end and headphone news from the event including new DACs, streamers and the state of “True Wireless”. SCHIITdotCOM – Audio components made in the USA, starting at $49.
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Mat Weisfeld of VPI Industries. Mat sits down with us to chat about his family legacy at the famed audiophile turntable company, what its like to cost out a $30k turntable and his experiences now running the helm in his father’s footsteps. SCHIITdotCOM – Audio components made in the USA, starting at $49.
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Garth Powell of AudioQuest. Garth sits down to elaborate on his move from wine country to Orange County, talk noise isolation in power design and key us into his life as an established Jazz drummer. Special co-host Bryan Beasley and Elizabeth Klingele. WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM – You can’t please everyone, so why don’t you please yourself?
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Vinnie Rossi of Red Wine Audio and Vinnie Rossi Audio. Vinnie talks all things “double e”, his take on audiophile forums and why we should strive to be more comfortable with the grey in life. Co-host Bryan Beasley. THEVOICETHATISdotCOM – For the love of music!
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Rocky Mountain Audiofest 2018 recap and highlights. Co-Host Scot Hull and the rest of the PartTimeAudiophile team throw in their favorites from the Denver audio show, talk bourbon and explain why all the real deals in audio are cut at the hotel bar. SCHIITdotCOM – Audio components made in the USA, starting at $49.
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Gayle Sanders of MartinLogan and now Eikon Audio. Gayle walks us through his long history with hi-fi audio, working with electrostatic speakers and moving things forward on the digital edge. Co-host Bryan Beasley. WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM – You can’t please everyone, so why don’t you please yourself?
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T.H.E. Show in Irvine 2018 Recap and Highlights. Brian and Bryan tell all about their experience at Southern California’s only audio show this year. Interviews with show runner Maurice Jung and AGD Productions Alberto Guerra plus all the best sounds, sights and smells from the little show that could.
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AXPONA 2018 Recap and Highlights. Co-Host Bryan Beasley reminisces about his first big audio show, what its like crossing paths with a my little pony convention and why Macallan 18 is no substitute for malt liquor. Special thanks for contributions from the PTA show writers, Rafe Arnott, Eric Shook and Lee Scoggins. ZESTOAUDIOdotCOM – Fine Handcrafted Analog Electronics
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Sandy Gross of Polk Audio, Definitive Audio and Golden Ear Technology. Sandy spins his tale of building massively successful audio companies, working in Hollywood and life as a professional slot car racer. Bonus interview with Liz Miller, Event Director of the upcoming AXPONA audio show in Chicago. Co host Bryan Beasley. MCINTOSHLABSdotCOM – Legendary Audio Equipment
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Dave and Carol Clark of Positive Feedback. Dave and Carol give us all the details on creating a print magazine, shifting to an online publication and learning how to really enjoy audio shows. Co host Bryan Beasley. ADORAMADOTCOM – The Pro’s Choice for Sound
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EveAnna Manley of Manley Labs. EveAnna gives us a tour of the factory in Chino, deliberates amplifier design and talks the finer points of the walking treadmill desk. Recorded directly at the lab in Southern California. ADORAMADOTCOM – The Pro’s Choice for Sound
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Vitaliy Belo of 64 Audio. Vitaliy goes behind the mic to share with us his thoughts on earphone design, audiophile preferences and what its like being part of a family band. Co-host Bryan Beasley. ADORAMADOTCOM – The Pro’s Choice for Sound
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John DeVore of DeVORE FIDELITY. John walks us through his process for designing loudspeakers, the New York audio scene of the late 90’s and why drummers will always be in demand. Special co-host Bryan Beasley. ADORAMADOTCOM – The Pro’s Choice for Sound
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Schiit Audio co-founder Jason Stoddard. Jason conveys his thoughts on MQA, audiophile cables and what its like taking an audio company from the garage to the warehouse. Recorded live at the Schiitr retail space in downtown Newhall, CA. ATOCHADESIGNDOTCOM – Handmade American Furniture for Vinyl Lovers
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Andrew Jones of ELAC, Pioneer, TAD and KEF. Andrew enlightens us about his long history with audio, designing speakers for a Japanese company and what its like growing up with a mirror twin. Special Co-Host Bryan Beasley. https://www.atochadesign.com – Handmade American Furniture for Vinyl Lovers
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Paolo and Livio walk us through the process of designing the new McIntosh XRT2.1k and Sonus Faber AIDA loudspeakers. Recorded at the World of McIntosh Townhouse in New York, the body (industrial) and soul (acoustic) of design for the McIntosh Group discuss driver materials, colors and how our hearing is most sensitive to the scream of the weakest of our kind (2k-6k). Don’t forget to check out PartTimeAudiophile this month for the Winter issue of The Occasional Magazine!
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Zev Feldman of Resonance Records. Zev is a record hunter and the Indiana Jones of lost Jazz. He gives us the lowdown on digging up old albums and breathing new life into Bill Evens, Wes Montgomery and more. Special co-host Bryan Beasley. Check out PartTimeAudiophile this month for the Winter issue of The Occasional Magazine. Its packed with reviews and loads of hifi imagery, including shots from our interview here with Zev.
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NAMM prep and CMO of HiFiMAN, Andrew Regan. Andy talks touring with David Bowie, selling high-end in New York and the absence of pre-show brown M&Ms. Special co-host Bryan Beasley.
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Audio highlights from CES 2018 with co-host Bes Nievera. Bes is brand ambassador for Music Direct & on-air host of DCB Jazz at WDCB 90.9 FM in Chicago.
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Sean from Zu Audio talks about speaker design, running from the police in Ogden and attending audio shows. This podcast is the second installment from our two part interview. You can listen to Part 1 here. Sean’s site: www.zuaudio.com Please subscribe and leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoyed the show!
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Welcome to the first episode of the Occasional Podcast! Our maiden voyage kicks off with CES prep and part one of our two part interview with Sean Casey of Zu Audio.
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