The Occasional Podcast

A tribute to the 300b amplifier tube with Gary Dews of Border Patrol Audio Electronics. Why is the 300b so common in audiophile tube amplifier designs? What about the 300b makes it unique amoung the many options available to amp makers? In this episode, we explore everything you would ever want to know about this direct heated triode, including usage, benefits, drawbacks and the current state of pricing and supply.

S7E10 Sponsors:

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WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You can't please everyone, so why don't you please yourself?

An interview with the legendary voice of analog hifi, Michael Fremer. Michael joins the show to chat about his long, tenured history reviewing audio products. Along with his 40+ years of expierence with turntables, Michael has worked as a writer in Hollywood, a DJ for radio, a stand up comedian and YouTube personality. You can follow his newest projects starting soon at www.trackingangle.com.

S7E9 Sponsors:

MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment

SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49

PURISTAUDIODESIGNdotCOM - Let Us Connect You To The Music!

WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You can't please everyone, so why don't you please yourself?

Interview with Jon Derda Of Mofi Electronics. In this week's episode we expore the current state of Class D amplification. Historically, the amplifier topology has had a rocky past with the audiophile mainstream, but have current technological advances changed the way we look at this catagory? Jon joins us to help explain the current state of things, new technologies like Gallium Nitride (GaN) and what the future might hold for hifi and class D.

S7E8 Sponsors:

MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment

SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49

PURISTAUDIODESIGNdotCOM - Let Us Connect You To The Music!

WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You can't please everyone, so why don't you please yourself?

Marc Phillips joins the show to give his impressions of all the audio gear that was on display at High End Munich 2022. We cover all the highlights from one of the world's biggest high fidelity audio shows held in Germany. Best of show, standout gear and new product releases.

S7E7 Sponsors:

MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment

SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49

PURISTAUDIODESIGNdotCOM - Let Us Connect You To The Music!

WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You can't please everyone, so why don't you please yourself?

Interview with Romain Vet, VP Marketing Focal Naim America and Bes Nievera, Brand Ambessedor from Music Direct. This episode is a bit of a double header. We follow up with Naim-Focal to see what is going on in the big corperate world of high fidelity audio. The France-based multi-brand has taken some new leaps into fresh product catagories as of late. We also check in with Bes Nievera, an industry vetran with more than 40 years of sales, support and brand represetation in the audiophile realm. Bes shares some great stories, tips, and tricks from his long walk on the shores of hifi.

S7E6 Sponsors:

MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment

SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49

PURISTAUDIODESIGNdotCOM - Let Us Connect You To The Music!

WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You can't please everyone, so why don't you please yourself?

Andrew Jones (speaker designer, Pioneer/KEF/TAD) joins the podcast again to talk about the "why" of his recent move from ELAC to MoFi Electronics. Recorded live from AXPONA 2022 in Chicago, Andrew elaborates on his journey to upcoming developments with the currently speakerless MoFi brand and why he thinks the partnership will make for a solid pairing with his next designs.

S7E5 Sponsors:

MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment

SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49

PURISTAUDIODESIGNdotCOM - Let Us Connect You To The Music!

WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You can't please everyone, so why don't you please yourself?

Greg Neville And Marc Phillips join the show to give their impressions of all the audio gear that was on display at Chicago's AXPONA 2022. Recorded live April 22-24 from the audio show, we cover all the highlights from the hifi listening rooms and Ear Gear Expo hall. Best of show, standout gear and new product releases.

S7E4 Sponsors:

MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment

SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49

PURISTAUDIODESIGNdotCOM - Let Us Connect You To The Music!

WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You can't please everyone, so why don't you please yourself?

Interview with Mark Schneider of LTA. Mark joins the show this week to disuss his unique brand of tube amplifiers based around the designs of David Berning. Also, new product roundup for the upcoming AXPONA audio show in Chicago, IL.

S7E3 Sponsors:

MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment

SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49

AXPONAdotCOM - North America's Audio Expo

WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You can't please everyone, so why don't you please yourself?

Interview with Damon Von Schweikert Of VSA. The CEO of one of high-end's most prolific speaker brands sits down with us to discuss a lifelong experience in audio. His hifi resume starts with his father's early legacy and provides an unique look at the community at large. Damon shares his tips, tricks and observations of an evolving landscape from the perspective of an audiophile speaker manufacturer whose product lines have crossed decades.

S7E2 Sponsors:

MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment

SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49

AXPONAdotCOM - North America's Audio Expo

WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You can't please everyone, so why don't you please yourself?

A discussion about the current state of the world's tube supply. Is there going to be a major issue getting replacement tubes for hifi amplifiers and production gear? Brian Hunter and Marc Phillips from PTA Productions put together a few talking points with the help of Jason Stoddard from Schiit Audio and EveAnna Manley from Manely Labs. Also an interview with audio showrunner Liz Miller Smith and Mark Freed.

S7E1 Sponsors:

MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment

SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49

AXPONAdotCOM - North America's Audio Expo

WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You can't please everyone, so why don't you please yourself?