It’s not a spectator sport
Are you a music/audio enthusiast?
Do you seek competent advice on choosing audio system components?
The search takes effort.
And it will take more effort than in the recent past.
The point: This is not a spectator sport.
The hunt
The web is an easy place to start a search.
However, too many sites offer well-meant, inaccurate, inexperienced, and misleading opinions.
The bigBox is an in-person version of the online experience.
Sifting competent online/bigBox guidance from the others is discouraging.
In addition to dubious advice, both share another shortcoming.
They do not provide adequate, if any, in-person listening auditions.
It’s like choosing a color with eyes shut.
The 1st rule of audio: Your ears are the final judge.
The independent brick-and-mortar audio specialist is the recommended option.
It’s the home of competent guidance and in-person demonstration.
These specialists are often discovered after store hours, listening and comparing audio components.
They live by the 1st rule of audio. Our ears are the final judge.
Sadly, they are disappearing from our high-fidelity audio streets.
Therefore, even more effort is needed to find competent guidance.
Online sightings?
Where can you go if your brick-and-mortar specialist disappears?
Although it’s difficult to find online expert guidance.
It does exist.
I offer a short list of exceptional professional audio guides.
In addition, this list can lead you to additional expert professionals.
The obvious shortcoming, the audition, will be addressed following the list.
1st Sighting – Paul McGowan
Paul McGowan, a founder of PS Audio, is an audio legend.
He offers the daily video “Ask Paul.”
He answers questions received from budding and seasoned audio enthusiasts.
The questions range from elementary to advanced subjects.
Here is his PS Audio page Link.
“Ask Paul” videos are also available on YouTube.
This LINK discusses how to match amps to speakers.
2nd Sighting – Michael Fremer
Michael Fremer is renowned for his support of vinyl records.
He does not dismiss digital. He prefers vinyl LPs.
But he does dismiss those with impressive test gear that claim we don’t hear what we hear.
It’s audibly clear. They can’t yet measure all of what we do hear.
Paul McGowan introduces Michael via this “Ask Paul” video LINK.
This YouTube Link enters Michael Fremer’s amazing workspace.
Fremer is also the editor of the outstanding music website, The Tracking Angle.
Select this LINK. to the Tracking Angle.
3rd Sighting Nelson Pass
Nelson Pass is a legendary audio engineer.
His electronics, amplifiers, and preamplifiers are of the best on planet earth.
He offers illuminating tech articles that cover a wide range of audio subjects.
Select this Pass Labs Link.
4th Sighting Auralex
Auralex is an acoustical products company.
Acoustics is a subject that intimidates even seasoned enthusiasts.
But their free primer, Acoustics 101, can ease you into the subject matter.
It includes worthwhile accessible solutions that can make clear, audible improvements.
Select this LINK to download a free PDF copy of Acoustics 101.
The Caveat
Elliot Goldman of Bending Wave USA stated, “The skills required to optimize and select
audio components are like many other trades in that they are learned and practiced over time.”
Yep, “learned and practiced over time.”
That’s what your local specialist brought to the table.
They invested dollars into a wide selection of components.
They also invested time auditioning and comparing.
The caveat is you must now accept the role of the brick-and-mortar.
This means purchasing components under review before audition.
It’s a gamble that can be minimized via sellers who offer plus ship products for audition.
The lower-cost used audio market can also minimize risk.
It’s also the place to resell your older components, and components that don’t pass your audition.
That’s It – almost
One last comment.
My good friend Steve maintained that everything makes a difference, from the electrical panel to your speaker and acoustical environment. This truth has continued to surprise me for decades.
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