Archive for 'Tag Archives: 'pstracks''
Solid state vs. fields
This post will most likely stand the hair up on the back of EE necks because it’ll be riddled with inaccuracies I will use to make a point about why devices sound differently in audio circuits. [...]
The personality of equipment
Have you ever noticed that many dogs resemble their owners? I think the same is true for equipment and the personality of the designs. In our hand-crafted industry of the high-end many designs bear the sonic [...]
In the garden of Eden
In the late 1960′s the way music was played over the airwaves was going through a major shift, much like it is today. For many years only songs of less than about 4 minutes were ever [...]
Pots in a box
In the early 70′s Stan (The “S” in PS) and I only made phono preamplifiers. They had no controls, just a turntable input and a set of RCA outputs. Designed to go into the auxiliary inputs [...]
How to explain the high-end
“The justification for a great music system is the same as for a great instrument: It makes possible a musical experience that cannot be duplicated by lesser means” My friend Jim McCullough who owns the Cello [...]
Should we support hoarding?
Yahoo is suing Facebook for violating some of its patents for technologies it both uses and doesn’t use. Yahoo waited years to take this action and it wasn’t until Facebook announced its IPO that they went [...]
It’s obvious
Ever notice how something is obvious only after someone points it out to you? In our post on Software Jitter I got several emails from folks telling me “that’s an obvious distortion path”. True enough but [...]
Where did they all go?
Yesterday’s post about rooms and loudspeakers sparked a lot of questions about what diffusors to use and how to place them. Funny thing is, there’s really no good answer any more. I used to advocate RPG diffusors [...]
Jean Luc Ponty
I am fairly certain that if I asked 10 people to name the instrument that they most associate with jazz, very few, if any of them would name the violin. The gentleman who is the subject [...]
A rose is a rose……
There’s increasing evidence that rhymes, poems, meter and cadence in stories were created not because they are beautiful but because they helped us keep the words straight before the advent of written language. It is how [...]
How much to add
One of the challenges facing any designer is how many features to add – or put another way – how many features not to add. The general thought is the more features a product has the [...]
Amazed
Mark Lewis our resident Brit working in our sales department and helping me with the Reference system installed a pair of Anthony Gallo Strada loudspeakers for me to hear – having never heard a pair. He’s [...]
Bottom Five
Lawrence Schenbeck talks about his favorite music by his least-favorite composers. Some surprising choices, both ways. [...]
Adding value
I’ve written recently about increasing the rewards of creators who add value to something and reducing the amount of those that bring the value to the table yet create nothing. With that thought in mind I [...]
Apple turntable?
You probably read that Steve Jobs of Apple listened mostly to vinyl instead of his fabled iPod creation. He was a real music lover and preferred the sound of vinyl to that of digital. What you [...]
All purpose audio
One of Paul’s Posts readers, Mark S, asks the question of why we manufacturers seem to work so hard at building kit that serves all music and all tastes equally well. I think it’s a good [...]
One more thin mint
Remember the Monty Python skit of the fat guy exploding after eating one more thin mint? When it comes to music, do we ever have enough? When I look at my shelves full of physical media [...]
I want more!
The sorting order of a major music library is critical as I have written about as of late – composers by their last name, artists, orchestras and bands by the first/last names. Once you get the [...]
What is a good recording?
In response to my post Making Peace a reader asked the question “what exactly is a good recording?” Great question and here’s what’s interesting: we all know a great or poor recording the moment we hear one. [...]
Making peace
Many of you are familiar with the Audiophile’s dilemma: well recorded music sounds better on a high-end system and poorly recorded music sounds worse. It’s the problem of extremes: a high-end system extends the extremes – [...]
How much is enough?
A question being raised by folks interested in the debate on sharing is how creators (musicians, authors, inventors, artists) get back to where they were before the internet changed everything for them? The simple answer is [...]
Squishing dynamics
Have you ever wanted music playing at a background level to be easier to hear the full content? To do that you need to squish the loudest notes and turn up the volume on the [...]
Is magic real?
Is magic real? Of course not, but maybe, just maybe our propensity to discover the trick only gets in our way of enjoying the show. [...]
Harmony
Ever notice how the most popular music in all genre's has harmony? I think we love harmony in music and in every day life. [...]
Drink more beer!
My story about bringing tears to the uninitiated had a mention of Bose and and that sparked a bit of controversy so why not just keep on the same track? [...]
Like Bose?
I always get asked if what I do for a living is "like Bose?" but recently am reminded just how far away what we do is to what the average person thinks is high-end. [...]
What if no one was there?
If you forward an email, write a comment, make a post and no one reads it, does it matter? [...]
Not so golden ears
Golden ears doesn't have much to do with your hearing ability - rather the connection to your brain. [...]
More Mystery Composers
Once again, Lawrence Schenbeck tests your knowledge with a quiz on two classical composers, widely separated by time and space. [...]
Measurements that matter
When you measure something, it's important to understand the underlying causes of what you're measuring to make any sense of it. [...]
Thimk different
Focusing design efforts on making what everyone else is already doing better is a dead end street in many cases [...]
Stressing out
Preamps and sources get stressed out easily, so give them a break whenever you can. [...]
I can always tell
Live vs. recorded? How is it we can always tell? Here's a clue for you. [...]
Bi-wiring
Is bi-wiring your speakers the way to go? I believe so and here's why. [...]
No Band Aids here!
AC regeneration and power conditioning are two completely different and unrelated topics. One rebuilds and generates new, the other a simple Band Aid. [...]
Through the open window
We are taking a few days off and enjoying the quiet of Carmel California. Last night we’re walking by a hotel and through an open window I hear the sound of a live piano. The folks [...]
The Vector DAC
A vector DAC? What the heck is that? Discover Paul's idea for a new DAC. [...]
When we can’t we won’t
When you know what you don't know you always come out on the short end of the stick. [...]
Millimeters matter
Small changes in speaker placement make huge differences in imaging, but why? [...]
The problem with Netflix
Does putting lipstick on a pig really help? The people at Netflix and those pesky receiver manufacturers keep hoping so. [...]
All the rage
What happened to green paint on the CD edges? Why do fads come and go? [...]
Open mind
Some things just can't change, or can they? [...]
The sweet spot
How do you get a wider sweet spot? By giiving something else up. [...]
Obsession
Sometimes our obsessions get the best of us and it's time to take a break. [...]
The business model
Every dollar the manufacturer does not receive for his products is a dollar spent to access a customer. Is it money well spent? [...]
Direct shot
Music is an emotional experience when we're "into it" and an analytical experience when we're just "listening". [...]
Safety
We typically choose the safe route but that road is not going to lead us anywhere but predictable. [...]
I will remember yesterday
Some remember the day when Buddy and the music died. Some the day when Elvis the king died. Others remember John when the inspiration died. I remember yesterday, when my hero died. Bye Steve. You made [...]
Audio shows
Local audio fairs are growing in number, but is this the answer to great access to equipment to demo? [...]
Fatigue
Do you suffer from listener fatigue with your system? Here's some things to look out for. [...]
A new day
The last in a three part series of how we might resurrect the local high-end audio dealer and what it would take. [...]
Maybe Frito Bandito?
I promised yesterday to get into specifics about the idea I put forth of manufacturers adopting the Wal Mart approach of not owning inventory as way to get local “audio experts” to become high-end retailers. Reader [...]
Wal Mart?
Here's the start of an idea we are kicking around about how to get high-end dealers back into our communities. [...]
Designing by ear
How do you learn to design high-end equipment by ear? [...]
What’s it take to be high-end?
What makes a design high-end even if it measures the same as one that is not? [...]
Jazz for TV and film
Mission impossible? You bet, jazz composers have written many TV and film scores you're familiar with. [...]
Increased depth
How does one increase depth of soundstage in a system? [...]
Adult children
Every few years a new generation enters into the field of possible high-end devotees. What are we doing to welcome them into the fold? [...]
If it sounded good once….
I pulled out a 30 year old piece of kit and was surprised just how good it was. [...]
Classical Corner: Mahler 101
Gustav Mahler is featured in this month's Classical Corner. A fascinating look at a modern composer that you'll enjoy. [...]
The Outsider Sound That Will Save Pop Music
Classical music may be the “highest” genre -speaking in terms of music as an art form- but Pop, accessible to all, with a simple, easily digested structure uniquely conducive to the concise and pleasurable expression of [...]
Classical Corner: Baroque Orchestral Suites
Dance fever is nothing new. Lawrence Schenbeck discusses great Baroque dance music in new and old recordings of Bach, Rameau, and Handel by Jordi Savall, Frederick Fennell, Charles Mackerras, and others. [...]
Steve Tibbetts’ “Complex Little Cathedrals”
What album would work best with a lazy Sunday morning with coffee and the paper? A long drive in the country? While preparing for a hectic commute? Reining in focus in order to study? Winding down after [...]
Classical Corner Mystery Composers
Lawrence Schenbeck introduces three "Mystery Composers" whose music should be more widely enjoyed. [...]
Classical Corner Beethoven
For years, the great tenor saxophonist Lester Young carried around an old recording of “Singin’ the Blues” made by Frankie Trumbauer and his band in 1927. When he was asked why, Young said “ the [...]
Building a sound room
Moving from one home to another can sometimes afford us the luxury of starting fresh for our sound rooms. Here's a great journey with stunning results. [...]
My hifi journey
Andy Stoneman gives us his blow-by-blow description of building his music system from the ground up - getting connected - a journey many of us can relate to and be envious of, all at the same [...]
Classical Corner Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi is recognized as one of the greatest Baroque composers of all time. In this edition of Lawrence Schenbeck's Classical Corner, we learn about this composer and enjoy his music. [...]
What is the High-End?
We use the term "high-end" a lot but what does it actually mean? How do you define high-end? What separates high-end from the everyday when it comes to audio? We examine in detail [...]
Classical Corner Stravinsky
In this second edition of Classical Corner, Lawrence covers the great Igor Stravinsky with musical excerpts and lots of help understanding the composer's methodology and work. A must read. [...]
Wagner’s Ring for Audiophiles part 1
Richard Wagner's four-opera Ring Cycle is beloved of some, and anathema to others. Reviewer, music critic and Audiophile Jason Victor Serinus helps us appreciate Wagner and his mammoth creation in this two-part survey, complete with audio [...]
Music Spins Me Right Round
Crank it up! Eddie Van Halen, Buffalo Springfield, Elvis Costello and Jazz great Oliver Nelson's new vinyl releases are reviewed in this edition of Josh Bizar's great column on vinyl and music that keeps us [...]
Classical Corner Mozart
Classical Corner: a new series on classical music that delves deep into what makes it work. A fascinating piece about Mozart and the language his music speaks includes musical examples. [...]
Getting all your system has
Does buying expensive high-end equipment or upgrades to existing equipment make for a high-end experience? No says author Florent Duchateau in the first of a series of articles on how to get the most from [...]
Elton John in High Definition
There are now 5 Elton John 24/96kHz releases available for download and writer Gilbert Heatherwick is hearing things not found on the original vinyl pressings or the 44.1/16bit releases most of us have. [...]
The difference between the P5 and P10 Power Plants
Find out the differences between the two Power Plants, why you would choose one over the other, the specifications between the two and an overview of what a Power Plant is and does in your system. [...]
It spins me right round like a record baby
Great reviews of music on vinyl from Josh Bizar. Fleetwood MAC, Charles Mingus, Stevie Ray Vaughan and the new Pink Floyd release. This is vinyl at its best from someone who certainly knows. [...]
Welcome to PSTracks
There's a new kid on the block, PSTracks. This is the online newspaper dedicated to connecting the high-end together, both figuratively and electronically. Find out what we're all about by reading our charter. [...]
No longer living in shame
PSTracks reader Robert Guerin saw his picture in one of our newsletters and contacted us. We asked him to share his story and his system with us. We hope more of our readers will [...]
Music industry turned upside down
If the music industry is in shambles, is anyone doing well? Absolutely. In this report we learn about the new paradigm of delivering music through independent labels and music lovers are the ones that [...]
New iPad and iPhone app released
Now there's a new Apple app for UPnP streaming audio that includes cover art and helps make the experience a real pleasure. PS Audio releases its latest UPnP controller that works with Linn, Olive, PS [...]
My last high-end system?
How many times have you said to yourself, "this is the last system I am ever going to own?" Reader Jack Bolton believes this latest system just might be "the one". Share his system [...]
Reflections on Recording Vijay Iyer’s latest album
What's the recording process like when making a high-end album from scratch? Blue Coast Records engineer Cookie Marenco walks us through the process of making a high-end recording with artist Vijay Lyer. [...]
How Wall Street Destroyed the Music Industry
The music industry is a wreck and while most people blame iTunes and Napster, musician Dan Schwartz has a different view: exposing the real reasons for the collapse and it isn't who you might think [...]
The very first product
What goes into designing a high-end audio product? PS designer Paul McGowan walks us through the process started nearly 40 years ago as PS Audio designed its first product ever, a phono stage. [...]
Home networking part 1
You just bought the best router on the market and you're all set. Really? Actually, what you have is the low end of what's possible for a home network and expert Aaron Gutin starts [...]
PSTracks Mobile ready
PSTracks is an online newspaper about the high end and it's available now as a special mobile viewing edition on Apple, Droid, Blackberry and other mobile devices. Check out this high-end viewing experience. [...]
Paul Simon – SO BEAUTIFUL OR SO WHAT
Paul Simon hasn't had an album released in five years, so what's the opinion on his latest release? Reviewer Gilbert Heatherwick reviews Paul Simon's latest release So beautiful or so what. See what he [...]
3-D sound real or a gimmick?
Anyone into high-end audio knows the goal with a great system is to create a three dimensional lifelike image from the system, one that sends tingles when the lights are off. New advances in stereo [...]
Downloads and serious music collecting
What's it like to go from years of collecting vinyl, moving on to collecting CD's and then transfer all that to a hard disc drive to make a new system? Gilbert Heatherwick walks us through [...]
Google’s Music Service
First there was iTunes which lives on your computer. The trend today is to get the media out of your storage and into the "cloud". Apple's rumored to be going this way and Google [...]
Ham fisted upsampling
Some downloaded music that claims to be high resolution isn't - yet customers are asked to pay a premium price for it. Is upsampling something really high resolution or is there more to it than [...]
The First CES
The first in a new series about the high-end. Industry veteran Paul McGowan shares with us some funny stories about the high-end, the first trip to the consumer electronics show and we relive some of [...]
A bias right in the middle
True - which is ne of the reasons we use complimentary symmetry design
A bias right in the middle
But in a sense in your single ended example there is no real middle. I
Odd or even?
So that others can find it on the internet, read it for themselves and
Odd or even?
Why would you mention the individual's name in a post, which I believe
Odd or even?
I've heard this assertion for the longest time and I must say I can't