Frequently asked questions about general hi-fi stuff including various types of equipment, technical concepts and advice for getting the best results.
You can, just don’t expect me to answer them! I avoid using text messages for business, but even more so when they come out of hours, from people I don’t know! Please stop before messaging and consider that we all need time off and that SMS messages are a really bad first point of contact, […]
Can I send text messages out of hours asking for advice? Read More »
Capacitors are important and I have thousands in my parts inventory. Let’s dig into why. To answer this we perhaps need to look first at what they do and how they are made. Capacitors store charge, like little reservoirs. They also block the flow of direct current and therefore DC voltages. Some are made of
No, this is misinformation typically found in forums and amplified by people lacking the background to effectively filter it. Reality Check I need to preface this FAQ by noting that with all technical concepts, probably all concepts period, the real answers are nuanced. Understanding the nuance comes with education and experience, learning 101. In other
System resolution limitations or ‘bottlenecks’ are critically important as they define the maximum performance attainable with a given set of equipment. Think of it this way: You could have the best pair of speakers and source equipment in the world, but if your amplifier can only support a certain level of performance, maybe it has
What are system resolution limitations and why are they important? Read More »
Generally no, unless you are able to have equipment inspected and you understand that PayPal offers no buyer protection on Gumtree. You need to be careful when buying anything like this on Gumtree, a local classifieds selling platform here in Australia. Did you know sellers can circumvent the buyer protection that normally exists when you use PayPal?
Yes, but there is much more to know. Let’s get this out of the way: good cables always improve system performance. That said, there is more snake oil and pseudoscience in cables than just about any other aspect of hi-fi, and the hi-fi world is already filled with nonsense. You know my thoughts on nonsense,
There are so many elements inside a CD player contributing to the sound that no two CD players will ever sound the same, except perhaps two of the same model. When you play a CD, what you hear is the sum of many complex electronic and mechanical elements working together. This of course applies to
