Frequently asked questions about general hi-fi stuff including various types of equipment, technical concepts and advice for getting the best results.
There is some risk associated with buying anything, whether old or new. I would argue that it can be even riskier buying modern, firmware-driven, plastic, made-in-China equipment that will likely fail within 5 years and at that point be completely unrepairable. As long as you mitigate your risk, buying older hi-fi gear should not be […]
A smart question to ask, belt-drive turntables are much cheaper to make. Even small manufacturers can tool up to make a basic belt-drive turntable. You could just about make your own at home and that’s how many small manufacturers start out. Direct-drive turntable manufacture is quite different though. It requires considerably more engineering and capital
Why are there so many new belt-drive turntables? Read More »
It depends on the system, sometimes yes, usually no. The sound pressure levels achievable with a hi-fi system come down to two parameters: amplifier power output and speaker sensitivity. Low-power amplifiers can create realistic sound pressures and dynamics, but only when partnered with sensitive speakers. This all comes down to simple physics. A 20W or
Are low-power amplifiers acceptable in hi-fi systems? Read More »
That depends on the circumstances. Properly installing and setting up a cartridge with the right hardware and precisely calibrating overhang, azimuth, tracking force, anti-skate, VTA, arm lifter position and height using the correct tools is never a 5-minute job. It can take significant time with a complex deck/installation but no matter what the scenario, doing
I advise you to slowly back away from any guru implying they possess magical powers in relation to designing/repairing/improving audio gear, and run when safe to do so! Magic Audio gurus are generally associated with pseudoscience and nonsense, often claiming magical powers through ‘secret’ wiring skills, ‘special’ ultra-bad construction techniques and dollops of mystical horse-$hit.
I’d like you to consider something: we put men on the Moon in 1969, more than 50 years ago. There are three key elements here: Take a moment to process that, and no, it wasn’t a hoax. Do you reckon we could do it now..? I seriously have my doubts, but either way, it tells
How can vintage audio gear and formats sound so good? Read More »
As of 2023, it’s either magnetic tape running at 15 IPS, an excellent vinyl playback system, or the best hi-resolution digital files played back through seriously good DACs. People are often upset to learn that their favourite digital files were originally recorded onto analog tape, but there is more obscuring of the provenance of digital
What’s the highest fidelity, highest resolution music source I can access at home? Read More »
