In this episode, discover how to tune a high-end stereo system using only your ears. Drawing from The Audiophile’s Guide, the conversation explores how careful speaker placement and listening-based adjustments can unlock a three-dimensional soundstage, make speakers vanish, and bring music vividly to life. No apps, no meters—just your ears, a system, and the right techniques to get the most out of your setup.

The Audiophile’s Guide publishes daily. Want to learn more or join the HiFi Family? Visit PS Audio. To get your own copy of Paul McGowan’s The Audiophile’s Guide, get it on Amazon.

Cables—essential component or snake oil? In this episode, our hosts wade into one of high-end audio’s most hotly debated topics: do cables really matter? From interconnects to speaker wires to power cords, we separate the engineering from the audiophile lore and share what we’ve actually heard in the listening room. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, this is a conversation that might change the way you think about what connects your system together.

The Audiophile’s Guide publishes daily. Want to learn more or join the HiFi Family? Visit PS Audio. To get your own copy of Paul McGowan’s The Audiophile’s Guide, get it on Amazon.

You don’t need fancy gear to get your system dialed in—just your ears. On today’s episode, we explore how to tune your system using the best tools on the planet: your own hearing and a little focused listening. From imaging and tonal balance to depth and soundstage, we’ll walk through what to listen for, how to trust your instincts, and why your ears know more than any measurement ever could. Sometimes, better sound is just a listen away.

The Audiophile’s Guide publishes daily. Want to learn more or join the HiFi Family? Visit PS Audio. To get your own copy of Paul McGowan’s The Audiophile’s Guide, get it on Amazon.

Getting great bass isn’t just about having a subwoofer—it’s about setting it up right. On today’s episode, we explore two proven methods for dialing in your sub: the classic corner-placement technique and the more precise crawl-and-measure approach. Each has its strengths, depending on your room, gear, and goals. We’ll break down how they work, what to listen for, and how to blend your sub seamlessly with your mains. If your system needs better bass, this is where to start.

The Audiophile’s Guide publishes daily. Want to learn more or join the HiFi Family? Visit PS Audio. To get your own copy of Paul McGowan’s The Audiophile’s Guide, get it on Amazon.

Tilting your speakers—just a few degrees—can sharpen imaging, improve clarity, and bring your soundstage into better focus. On today’s episode, we explore how small changes to speaker angle, or rake, affect how sound reaches your ears. You’ll learn when to try it, what to listen for, and how to dial in the tilt for your room and seating height. It’s a simple tweak that can reveal hidden depth and detail in your favorite recordings—and it’s easier than you think.

The Audiophile’s Guide publishes daily. Want to learn more or join the HiFi Family? Visit PS Audio. To get your own copy of Paul McGowan’s The Audiophile’s Guide, get it on Amazon.

Have a free Saturday afternoon? Join our hosts as they walk you through a handful of easy setup tweaks that can make a real difference in your system’s sound. From speaker toe-in to listening position, cable dressing to component placement, these small changes take just minutes—but can unlock better imaging, clarity, and musical flow. No new gear needed, just a little time and a fresh listen. If you’re ready to make your system sing, this episode’s for you.

The Audiophile’s Guide publishes daily. Want to learn more or join the HiFi Family? Visit PS Audio. To get your own copy of Paul McGowan’s The Audiophile’s Guide, get it on Amazon.

How do those tiny headphone drivers manage to create deep, powerful bass? On today’s episode, hosts Robert and Sarah explore the science behind low-frequency reproduction in miniature. From driver design and enclosure tricks to the role your ear canal plays, they’ll break down how headphones pull off the illusion of full-range sound. It’s not just magic—it’s smart engineering. Whether you’re a headphone junkie or just curious, you’ll never hear your favorite tracks the same way again.

The Audiophile’s Guide publishes daily. Want to learn more or join the HiFi Family? Visit PS Audio. To get your own copy of Paul McGowan’s The Audiophile’s Guide, get it on Amazon.

It’s one of the smallest parts in your system—but the most important. On today’s episode, hosts Robert and Sarah take a close look at the mighty vinyl stylus. This microscopic diamond traces the grooves of your records with astonishing precision, converting physical motion into music. They’ll explore how stylus shape, size, and alignment affect sound, why it wears out, and how to care for it. If you love vinyl, it all starts with that tiny, remarkable tip.

The Audiophile’s Guide publishes daily. Want to learn more or join the HiFi Family? Visit PS Audio. To get your own copy of Paul McGowan’s The Audiophile’s Guide, get it on Amazon.

Getting your turntable’s vertical tracking angle (VTA) right can unlock a new level of clarity, depth, and realism in your vinyl playback. On today’s episode, we’ll look at what VTA actually is, why it matters, and how small adjustments can have a big sonic payoff. Whether your tonearm is adjustable or fixed, we’ll walk through simple ways to get the most from your cartridge—and help your records sound the way they were meant to.

The Audiophile’s Guide publishes daily. Want to learn more or join the HiFi Family? Visit PS Audio. To get your own copy of Paul McGowan’s The Audiophile’s Guide, get it on Amazon.

In the 1970s, a radical idea shook up recording: skip the tape. On this episode, we explore the era of direct-to-disc—the high-wire act of capturing music straight to vinyl in real time. No edits. No safety net. Just pure, uncompressed sound with jaw-dropping dynamics. We’ll look at the challenges, the gear, the pioneers like Doug Sax and Lincoln Mayorga—and why, for a brief shining moment, DTD gave us vinyl at its absolute best.

The Audiophile’s Guide publishes daily. Want to learn more or join the HiFi Family? Visit PS Audio. To get your own copy of Paul McGowan’s The Audiophile’s Guide, get it on Amazon.