The same reason everyone does: time is money.

Free vs Specialist

Accountant, doctor, electrician, or lawyer, people consult with specialists when they want the highest calibre of expertise and insight. Our advisory consults are a paid, professional service powered by a specialist with two top-100 uni qualifications: an honours degree in science and a science teaching qualification, plus a lifetime immersed in hi-fi and over 15 years experience running Liquid Audio.

Like all aspects of this business, it’s a serious endeavour that delivers deep expertise and many other benefits to our appreciative customers and is specifically designed to counter the misinformation that pervades this space. If this all makes perfect sense, we’re here for you.

Get the best advice you can find from Mike, and please, stop quoting forum posts as authorities. Only the guys who actually work, live and breathe this stuff really know.

Jon S

Time = Money

A uni-educated specialist (rather than a fake ‘engineer’, for example) drives this service. Liquid Audio is all I do. Every consult requires time to engage, respond to questions, analyse equipment, research and calculate technical answers, and provide robust, tailored solutions and guidance. It’s work.

“So, you charge for advice?”

No, I charge for my time.

“But I can get free advice on the internet.”

You can, gathered from trusted sources like this website, so let’s read what the internet itself says about that:

“Free advice offers accessibility but risks being unspecific, unreliable, or lacking depth, whereas a specialist provides tailored, expert guidance for complex or high-stakes situations, though it comes at a cost … For important decisions, investing in a specialist is often the more effective and safer choice.”

Google AI, October 2025

Entitlement

Some bizarrely believe they are ‘entitled’ to assistance, an amusing concept I addressed in an article that received overwhelming community support. Stranger still, people who generate no business have the greatest expectations, as if they are ‘owed’ something, and I have nothing else to do. I’ve been generously contributing to the hi-fi community for over 15 years. I don’t owe anybody anything.

Examples

G: ‘G’ sought assistance with his expensive Sansui amplifier after enjoying my articles. When I suggested he purchase some discussion time, G exploded: “F*** you, I’m not going to pay you.” G became more upset after realising he’d become an example of entitlement.

K: ‘K’ read my KD-600 turntable articles, received free phone advice, and then sought detailed KD-600 improvement guidance. When I suggested he purchase a consult, K threatened that he knew “Someone in the Australian Tax Office.” K tried to obtain my help some years later, hoping I’d forgotten. I haven’t.

M: ‘M’ purchased a 30-minute consultation, yielding a game-changing Accuphase amplifier purchase. Unfortunately, and I suspect after drinking, M ranted that he’d “Paid for 60 minutes but only received 20”. I sent proof of his 30-minute purchase and the 50 minutes of assistance he received, but received no apology.

Exchange

Our advisory service provides expert advice and guidance, tailored to each customer’s unique needs. It’s an exceptional service, loved by many. Paid services like this reduce time/energy/goodwill-draining interactions with chancers and grifters and foster positive, beneficial exchanges with other hard-working, reasonable people, who receive the highest calibre of assistance, saving them time and money and delivering outstanding results.

Mike … you, of course, are a gem. We are so lucky to have someone as passionate, intelligent, ethical and hardworking in little ol’ Perth.

David H