July 08, 2026

“The End of Legitimate Audio Journalism”

1 hour 15 minutes

We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed

This week, Dennis and Brent take a surface-level dive into the biggest controversy to hit the pro-audio world this year: Jim Lill’s exhaustive investigation of the source of a mic preamp’s tone, or lack thereof. They also slog through maybe half a percent of the response videos in the quest for one that has more to say than “trust me, bro.” They wrap up with an attempt to give veteran Stereophile technical editor John Atkinson the tribute he deserved upon the announcement of his retirement.

💿 “The Audiophile Society's Speaker Test and System Optimization Album”: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album. Use code AudioUnleashed25 for 25% off.

📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930

Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP

Brent’s audio projects:

💿 The Audiophile Society's Amazing Fabulous Magnificent Speaker Test Album (engineered by Brent with VO by Dennis): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album

💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album

💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants

Further Reading:

“Tested: Where Does The Tone Come From In A Microphone Preamp?” by Jim Lill: https://youtu.be/K-vIeA7yy6Q?si=2PIoW0nYlvlunSiq

“Jim Lill Is Wrong About Microphone Preamps” by Andrew Chapman Creative: https://youtu.be/cJRaHFg1ojA?si=8PJyaD4_1Ggn8SnE

“Someone Said All Preamps Sound the Same. So I Tested 8.” by Spinlight Studio: https://youtu.be/pZiFS6HSdLY?si=CBZL8nFp9cQxZIth

“Why that mic pre test is whack.” by JJBlair: https://youtu.be/WIm_1Vglvs4?si=1twB4bMTErdVT1s9

“The End of an Era: John Atkinson Retires” by Jim Austin: https://stereophile.com/content/end-era-john-atkinson-retires

“Audio Note Meishu Tonmeister Phono integrated amplifier” review by Ken Micallef: https://www.stereophile.com/content/audio-note-meishu-tonmeister-phono-integrated-amplifier

“Tannoy Revolution XT 6 loudspeaker” by Herb Reichert: https://www.stereophile.com/content/tannoy-revolution-xt-6-loudspeaker

...more