beginner audiophile | hifi | gear reviews | stereo | hi-end audio

Audiophilia: Is it on the rise, or is it declining?  Well...both, kinda.  Join Patrick Norton and Michael O'Neal as they discuss how, in some ways, the industry is on the rise, and in some ways, on the decline.  We also talk about T.H.E. Show, Newport, and Patrick is reviewing the Sennheiser HD1 Headphones.  

Then, Michael reviews the Klipsch "The Sixes" bookshelf speakers, and wraps up with the Jabra Sport Elite True Wireless Earbuds.  

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s theme:  Good headphones vs. “Good Stereo” The News:

LAAS CANCELED

ROON 1.5 is out

DIY Audio Amp Camp Amp https://diyaudiostore.com/collections/frontpage/products/amp-camp-amp-kit?variant=7072933085218

Kirby Meets Audio on YouTube

http://www.linkwitzlab.com/

Mini DSP 

Education Segment

Good headphone setup vs a good stereo speaker setup. 

Sony MDR7506 + Audioquest Dragonfly or Schiit Fulla 2…

http://www.schiit.com/products/fulla-2

Mr. Speakers Aeon https://www.mrspeakers.com/headphones-15/aeon.html

https://www.jdslabs.com/products/151/the-element/

https://www.jdslabs.com/products/175/el-amp/

https://www.jdslabs.com/products/174/el-dac/

https://www.amazon.com/ELAC-Uni-fi-Bookshelf-Speaker-Black/dp/B01CRYWVG

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2mk5.html

GEAR REVIEW

Micca MB 42X

• Balanced Woven carbon fiber woofer for enhanced transient and impactful bass
• High performance Silk dome tweeter for smooth treble and accurate imaging and Frequency Response: 60Hz-20kHz (Typical In-Room)
• Highly optimized 12Db crossover with Zobel network and baffle step compensation
• Ported enclosure delivers extended bass response with low distortion
• Dramatically transformed sound signature that is incredibly open, balanced, and dynamic
• Sensitivity: 85dB 1W/1M
• $89.95
• 9.5 (H) x 5.8 (W) x 6.5 (D)
• https://www.amazon.com/Micca-MB42X-Bookshelf-Speakers-Tweeter/dp/B00E7H8GG2?ref=ast_p_ep
• https://www.fakespot.com/product/micca-mb42x-bookshelf-speakers-black

Listener Questions

Paul Hello Michael, I emailed you a couple of weeks ago in regards to your opinion if I should upgrade my polk subs to an SVS 13 ultra. Well, I took your advice and I purchased the SVS SB 16 ultra. Not just one,  but two SVS SB 16 ultras. I absolutely Love both of them, it was a great upgrade. Thank you for the great advice, I will keep these for a very long time. I do have another question. You mention the benefits of buying gear from Craigs list or ebay. I read on several sites to be aware of counterfeits. Is counterfeits something to worry about in the Audiophile world . If so, which audio items would you not buy from craigs list or ebay.

Thanks for such a great podcast!

PICK OF THE WEEK

TRON Soundtrack by Daft Punk

http://www.chesky.com/album/sessions-17th-ward-cd356

Loudness wars: http://www.chicagomasteringservice.com/loudness.html

https://www.computeraudiophile.com/forums/topic/14445-another-gem-ruined-by-rick-rubin-and-vlado-meller-ratm/https://www.computeraudiophile.com/forums/topic/14445-another-gem-ruined-by-rick-rubin-and-vlado-meller-ratm/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dude.  We're getting the BAND back together!!  Dr. Paul Anderson and I (The OG!) are back for episode 25 of BA.  After catching up, we chat about the incredible KEF LS50 Wireless, and offer our first impressions.  Then, we dive into a few of your questions before the GREAT BOOKSHELVES + SUB VS. TOWER SPEAKERS BAKE OFF.  (The results might not be what you think...)

 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today the boys wrap up what they saw and heard at CanJam 2018 in Los Angeles, including tons of mini product reviews.  We strapped on Sennheisers Orpheus $50,000 headphone system to mindboggling results.  And chatted with Joe Harley about being one of the founders of Audioquest, what gives you "bang for the buck" in audio cables, what it's like to hit a home run with a device like the DragonFly, and more!! 

 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patrick Norton and Michael O’Neal catch up on the latest news, what gear is in the review funnel, and talk about the Elac Debut 2.0.  Then we talk about how to set yourself up to audition gear at a stereo show or a conference.  Michael reviews the Marantz SR7009 and we talk about how to […]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 22 of Beginner Audiophile is jam packed! Patrick Norton Co-Hosts this one with Michael O’Neal.  We talk about the reality vs. myth of amps vs. watts in amplifiers, dig into reviews of the Beyerdynamic Aventho Wireless and the Hive Home Security System, answer a few listener questions, and announce the winner of the 1moreusa.com […]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's ep. Harris and I talk about what we saw and heard at CES.  We've also got a new contest where you can win a pair of 1moreUSA Triple Driver Earbuds!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patrick Norton (http://tekthing.com) joins me, through a hacking cough, to wrap up all things audio and home theater we discovered at CES (The Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas at the beginning of January 2018. Gear Guide: RHA T20i Hi-res in-ear headphones with DualCoil driver  JDS Labs The Element DAC Schiit Fulla 2 DAC Audioquest … Continue reading 20: CES Wrap-Up Part 1, with Patrick Norton →

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s episode is an excerpt from a fantastic New Yorker article entitled “Audiophilia Forever: An Expensive New Year’s Shopping Guide” written by David Denby. (Click here to read the entire article) It does such a great job explaining what an audiophile is, the recent history of audiophile music and recordings, and the “state of the […]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s show we chat with Matthew from Vinyl Revival in Melbourne Australia.  We had a great convo about the renaissance of “good” audio, getting huge bang for the buck out of your turntable, and his choices for systems costing $1000, $2500, and $5000! Be sure to subscribe, and follow us on Instagram as well. […]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices