The power of music & audio

  • Is Shenzhen Becoming the New Tokyo of the Hi-Fi World?

    You don’t notice a shift when it’s happening—you notice it when it’s already won. One day, Tokyo is the undisputed king of high-fidelity audio, Silicon Valley is the heart of global innovation, and America’s tech elite are the benevolent architects of progress. The next? Shenzhen is building the future at factory-floor speed, the West is […]

  • Advertise with PMA Magazine

    As one of the biggest Canadian hi-fi magazine, our bilingual (English & French) publication offers you a powerful platform for reaching over 100K+ monthly visitors.

  • The Saul Authority: The Story of Hi-Fi Pioneer Saul Marantz

    Saul Marantz, a graphic designer turned audio pioneer, redefined high-fidelity sound with his groundbreaking designs. From the revolutionary Model 7 preamp to the ill-fated but legendary 10B tuner, his relentless pursuit of perfection shaped the golden age of Hi-Fi—even at great personal cost.

  • Korea’s Audio “Cafés”—Where the Customer ISN’T Always Right

    Jonson Lee visits three music-listening spaces in Korea where silence is enforced, and the sound system—not the customer—rules. These venues offer a rare escape from choice overload, immersing visitors in pure, communal music appreciation.

The Music Column, presented by

  • Advertise with PMA Magazine

    As one of the biggest Canadian hi-fi magazine, our bilingual (English & French) publication offers you a powerful platform for reaching over 100K+ monthly visitors.

  • The Saul Authority: The Story of Hi-Fi Pioneer Saul Marantz

    Saul Marantz, a graphic designer turned audio pioneer, redefined high-fidelity sound with his groundbreaking designs. From the revolutionary Model 7 preamp to the ill-fated but legendary 10B tuner, his relentless pursuit of perfection shaped the golden age of Hi-Fi—even at great personal cost.

  • Korea’s Audio “Cafés”—Where the Customer ISN’T Always Right

    Jonson Lee visits three music-listening spaces in Korea where silence is enforced, and the sound system—not the customer—rules. These venues offer a rare escape from choice overload, immersing visitors in pure, communal music appreciation.

Winnipeg’s Altitudo Audio: Reaching New Heights in Sound

Altitudo Audio is a high-end audio retailer built on a lifelong passion for pure, immersive sound. Founded by brothers Leonid and Viktor Yamborko, Altitudo Audio has quickly established itself as a premier destination for audiophiles…

Shanling CR60 Brings Effortless CD Playback and Ripping to Any System

Compact, Intuitive, and Affordable: the CR60 is an Easy, High-Performance Add-on to Rack and Desktop Audio Systems Montreal, Quebec, January 27, 2025 – Forté Distribution, a key distributor of audio and audiophile music products, is now…

This is Seoul! Mon Acoustic, The Korean Hi-Fi Brand Making Waves

High-end audio is a world of extremes. Some brands chase raw power, turning up the bass and sculpting frequencies to create a larger-than-life effect. Others lean on nostalgia, clinging to the warmth of analog designs…

How to Play In a Rock Band, 7: Playing on Medium-Sized Stages

Frank Doris offers a soundcheck pro tip and talks about playing on a bigger stage, with the vagaries that come with it.

Review: McIntosh C2800 Preamplifier

Simon Wilce takes McIntosh’s new McIntosh C2800 Preamplifier for a spin, and shares his impressions.

Supercars on Gravel Roads: Are You Wasting Your Sound System’s Potential?

Would you drive a Formula 1 racing car on a gravel road? Not if you could help it, right? Because on a gravel road, you know that an F1 car can’t reveal its potential. Yet, this is exactly what many audiophiles do when they play their high-end audio system in an untreated room.

Dragon, Concerto for Pipa—A Historical Meeting Between East and West

Captivated by Liu Fang’s mastery of the pipa, composer Christian Thomas created Dragon, Concerto for Pipa—a sweeping East-meets-West musical odyssey.

Paul Whitehead: The Visionary Artist Behind Genesis’ Most Iconic Album Covers

Paul Whitehead, the artist behind Genesis’ album covers, reflects on his iconic work and creative journey. Alter egos, the Borg Symphony, live concert paintings, and his ever-evolving artistry continue to define his innovative spirit.

Paris’ Sonic Escapes: 8 Listening Bars You Can’t Miss

Paris’ jazz kissa-inspired bars like Listener and Bambino blend high-fidelity sound, vinyl culture, and refined design, redefining nightlife for audiophiles.

Golden Ears Anonymous: A 12-Step Program for Recovering Audiophiles

From apologizing to loved ones neglected during DAC testing to listening to Dark Side of the Moon on a $20 speaker, this clever guide skewers obsessive habits with wit, reminding readers that “it’s the ear, not the gear.”

An Interview with David Chesky – ‘The Great European Songbook’ Live at Montreal’s Bourgie Hall

David Chesky, audiophile pioneer and Grammy nominee, shares insights in an exclusive interview ahead of his trio’s live performance of The Great European Songbook at Montreal’s Bourgie Hall on January 23. Tickets are available now, for $19 – $38.

How to Play In a Rock Band, 7: Playing on Medium-Sized Stages

Frank Doris offers a soundcheck pro tip and talks about playing on a bigger stage, with the vagaries that come with it.

Review: McIntosh C2800 Preamplifier

Simon Wilce takes McIntosh’s new McIntosh C2800 Preamplifier for a spin, and shares his impressions.

Supercars on Gravel Roads: Are You Wasting Your Sound System’s Potential?

Would you drive a Formula 1 racing car on a gravel road? Not if you could help it, right? Because on a gravel road, you know that an F1 car can’t reveal its potential. Yet, this is exactly what many audiophiles do when they play their high-end audio system in an untreated room.

Dragon, Concerto for Pipa—A Historical Meeting Between East and West

Captivated by Liu Fang’s mastery of the pipa, composer Christian Thomas created Dragon, Concerto for Pipa—a sweeping East-meets-West musical odyssey.

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