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  • From Halfway House to Vinyl Powerhouse: The Full Interview With Chad Kassem

    In this interview, Chad Kassem recounts his journey from a halfway house in Kansas to founding Acoustic Sounds, sharing how personal struggles, a passion for blues, and a relentless pursuit of quality helped revive vinylโ€™s prestige.

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  • IsoAcoustics and Sonus faber cooperate on the new high-end Suprema sound system

    Sonus faber and IsoAcoustics have worked together to optimize the decoupling of the new Sonus faber Suprema flagship speaker system retailing for US$750,000. This 2.2 system consists of two main speaker columns, two subwoofers, an active crossover and employs IsoAcoustics GAIA-Capsule isolators in its base to mitigate vibrations. Markham, Ontario, 19th March 2024 โ€“ IsoAcoustics…

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  • Books, Beats, and Buds: Jimi Hendrix’s ‘Purple Haze’

    In the swirling, electric year of 1967, a groundbreaking track reverberated through the UK, soon to envelop the US in its mesmerizing sound waves. This wasnโ€™t just any songโ€”it was โ€œPurple Hazeโ€ by the Jimi Hendrix Experience, a sonic masterpiece that would redefine the boundaries of rock music. But beyond its revolutionary guitar riffs and…

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  • Review: Pylon Audio Diamond 25 mkII Loudspeaker

    Pylon Audioโ€™s Diamond 25 MkII may resemble its predecessor, but its sonic upgrades are striking. This refined floorstander now offers increased dynamics, clarity, and boldnessโ€”without losing its signature warmth and balanceโ€”all at a compelling price.

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  • “No, I have the best system in the world!”: The Musical Match Between Totem and McIntosh

    In this profile, Alain Gascon shares his audiophile journeyโ€”from teenage catalog dreams to a vinyl-focused system built around Totem Winds and McIntosh gearโ€”emphasizing musicโ€™s emotional power over technical obsession.

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  • Audio Research’s Val and Sheree Cora Tell All, Part 2

    In the final part of his interview, new Audio Research owner Val Cora outlines bold plans for reviving the iconic brandโ€”promising U.S.-made innovation, design freedom, and a renewed push for excellence, including a special update to the i50.

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  • Can Cables and Ancillary Equipment Improve Digital Sound?

    Reflecting on years of digital audio upgrades, Tom Gibbs details how his setupโ€”centered on Euphony Audio servers and Gustard and Topping DACsโ€”has surpassed early streaming efforts, challenging โ€œbits are bitsโ€ dogma with revelations on cables, clocks, and file compression.

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  • Hifitrends Awards: The Best Affordable Music Streamers And Dacs Of 2023

    Hifitrends crowns the Wiim Pro Plus streamer ($219), SMSL DO300 DAC ($549), and iFi Hip Dac 3 ($199) as 2023โ€™s best affordable audio gearโ€”delivering top-tier performance without breaking the bank.

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  • Our first flipbook magazine is now available!

    Here it isโ€”Issue 1 of PMA Magazineโ€™s flipbook version. I know what youโ€™re thinking: โ€œPMA Magazine comes in a flipbook version?โ€ It does now. And while its launch may come as a surprise to you, the audio elves behind its creation planned its release for months. What took so long? The timing. The elves thought:…

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  • The Room Acoustics Series: Reflecting on Sidewall First Reflections

    Sidewall reflections can make or break a soundstage, but when their delays fall under 10ms, as in this case, treatment is optional. Kevin Fielding favors angled plywood over absorption to maintain openness and spatial realism.

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  • Comedy of Errors

    Reflecting on past gear and personal growth, the author finds that mistakesโ€”whether in audio or lifeโ€”are inevitable, but embracing them can lead to better sound, stronger relationships, and genuine self-acceptance.

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  • Is Digital Simply โ€œOnes and Zerosโ€?

    A fiery Facebook debate ignited over Herb Reichertโ€™s claim that Hegelโ€™s Viking CD player outperformed streamed files, reigniting the clash between โ€œbits are bitsโ€ objectivists and subjectivists who trust their ears over theory.

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  • Audio Research’s Val and Sheree Cora Tell All, Part 1

    In one of 2023โ€™s biggest audiophile bombshells, Valerio Cora of Acora Acoustics rescues Audio Research from near-bankruptcy, vowing to preserve its legacy while energizing the iconic brand with support from returning staff and industry goodwill.

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  • How I Became an Audiophile

    From childhood 78s on a Nebraska farm to high-end speakers decades later, Lawrence Schenbeckโ€™s lifelong journey with music and gear shows how deep listeningโ€”and deeper friendshipsโ€”make the audiophile pursuit truly meaningful.

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  • Introducing Spotifade: The Premium Choice of Musical Nomads

    In this hipster fever dream, Spotifade deletes tracks once they get too popularโ€”where fleeting songs, un-Shazamable tunes, and anti-algorithm playlists reign supreme.

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