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I’ve been pursuing good sound quality for decades. Along the journey, I learned about various elements that make up a good audio system. And one important lesson I learned is this: Sometimes, those small, seemingly less important elements turn out to be game changers. In an audio system, we pay most of our attention to…
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I have a friend who listened only to classical music. One day I had him listen to the music of John Coltrane, a jazz giant. And in honor of the saxophonist’s Giant status, the track I had my friend listen to was “Giant Steps”. As he was listening, I was trying to decide what I…
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Whoever said “the best things in life are free” obviously never dabbled in high end audio. That’s not to say you can’t improve the sound of the system you already have with some judicious tweaking.
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The human voice is an amazing thing. I can think of no other instrument that moves our emotions and soul as powerfully. The examples are endless: Freddie Mercury, Beyoncé, Ella Fitzgerald, Bobby McFerrin, Luciano Pavarotti, Ariana Grande… Just take your pick. And it’s not just singers’ voices that we respond strongly to. How about the…
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Recalling his journey from AM radio to Julian Hirsch-era Stereo Review, Tom Gibbs charts how flashy gear and measurements gave way to the deeper truth: great sound comes from system synergy, not specs alone.
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Just as listening to bad music is no fun, it’s no fun listening to bad audio, so knowing what to listen for when auditioning a component is important. “Stop, Hey, What’s That Sound?” is a series dedicated to recognizing aspects of good and bad sound reproduction. Once you’ve settled on what features you want your…
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I’ve always loved listening to music on a sound system, even going as far back as when all I had access to was my parents’ outdated, low-fi stereo system. It was in my college’s music library, where I worked, that I was introduced to quality sound, although at the time I had no idea what…
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After decades of lo-fi compromises, improved gear and high-res streaming from Tidal to Qobuz signal a turning point—finally letting listeners hear the full artistry behind recordings, not just a compressed shadow of it.
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A T-800 might settle for bad sound, but as this witty essay makes clear, music is meant to stir human emotion—not metallic circuits. Good audio connects us; bad audio shuts us down.
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From du Pré’s iconic Elgar to Stravinsky’s riotous Rite of Spring, this list highlights five stunning classical recordings—each a sonic and emotional powerhouse, perfectly suited for seasoned collectors or curious newcomers alike.
