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PODCAST

The Audiophiles Guide

The Audiophile"s Guide podcast is your invitation into the world of high-end audio, and connecting with me, Paul McGowan—a 50-year veteran in the art and science of sound and the co-founder and CEO of PS Audio. We do kind of a mind meld between me and our technologically connected hosts. Each episode is a fresh, no-nonsense exploration of how to bring music to life in your home, drawn from my decades of hands-on experience designing the gear that makes it happen.

technology

All Episodes

22:06

Vinyl Playback secrets

The Audiophiles Guide ·

2025/08/03

Vinyl can be magical—but only if it’s set up right. This episode uncovers the secrets of great vinyl playback, with guidance from The Audiophile’s Guide. From cartridge alignment and tracking force to phono preamps and vibration control, every detail matters when you're dragging a diamond through a groove. Whether you're chasing warmth, texture, or that unmistakable analog presence, this is where the ritual meets the reward. If vinyl’s your path, these are the steps to make it shine. The Audi...

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18:11

Setup, the unsung hero

The Audiophiles Guide ·

2025/08/02

Great gear gets the glory, but setup is what makes it sing. In this episode, The Audiophile’s Guide sheds light on the unsung hero of every high-end system: placement, tuning, and room interaction. It’s not about what you own—it’s what you do with it. From speaker toe-in to seat position to finding that magical center image, proper setup can transform even modest gear into a system that disappears. Want to unlock the magic? Start here. The Audiophile’s Guide publishes daily. Want to learn mor...

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9:48

The standing wave battle

The Audiophiles Guide ·

2025/08/01

Bass that booms, bass that disappears—welcome to the standing wave battle. This episode dives into the physics of low-frequency chaos, drawing on The Audiophile’s Guide to explain why certain notes vanish while others overwhelm the room. Standing waves are pressure zones caused by your room’s dimensions, and they’re the enemy of accurate bass. But they can be fought. With careful speaker placement, listening position tweaks, and the right subwoofer setup, you can win the battle—and hear what ...

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14:41

Conquering room modes

The Audiophiles Guide ·

2025/07/31

Boomy bass, vanished kick drums, that one note that rattles the walls—blame room modes. In this episode, we tackle how to conquer these invisible troublemakers using insights from The Audiophile’s Guide. Room modes are standing waves that exaggerate or cancel bass, and they’re baked into your space whether you like it or not. But with smart placement, tuning, and a little help from subwoofers, they can be tamed. Better bass starts with understanding the room. The Audiophile’s Guide publishes ...

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11:00

Sonic holography, the power of the diffuser

The Audiophiles Guide ·

2025/07/30

When a system images well, it’s not just sound—it’s sculpture. This episode explores sonic holography and the powerful role diffusers play in creating it, guided by concepts from The Audiophile’s Guide. Unlike absorbers that deaden the room, diffusers scatter reflections without killing energy—unlocking depth, width, and a soundstage that hangs in midair. If you’ve ever chased that elusive 3D image where the speakers vanish and the performers appear, diffusion might be your missing piece. The...

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17:29

Separates vs. Integrateds

The Audiophiles Guide ·

2025/07/29

More boxes or one and done? This episode breaks down the pros and cons of separates vs. integrateds, based on insights from The Audiophile’s Guide. Is it better to build your system with dedicated components for each job, or simplify with an all-in-one unit? From performance and flexibility to cost and space, the discussion covers what matters—and what doesn’t—when choosing your system’s core. Whether you're building up or scaling down, this one helps you decide. The Audiophile’s Guide publis...

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14:48

The phono preamplifier

The Audiophiles Guide ·

2025/07/28

Small signal, big impact. This episode digs into the fundamentals of the phono preamplifier, the unsung hero of any vinyl-based system. Pulling from The Audiophile’s Guide, the conversation breaks down why this tiny component matters so much—amplifying fragile signals, applying RIAA EQ, and shaping the character of what you hear. Whether you’re new to analog or fine-tuning your setup, it’s a reminder that great vinyl playback starts with the right foundation. The Audiophile’s Guide publishes ...

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16:27

Working with loudspeakers

The Audiophiles Guide ·

2025/07/27

Loudspeakers don’t just make sound—they shape it. In this episode, drawn from The Audiophile’s Guide, the focus is on working with speakers during system setup. It’s not about gear swapping or specs, but about finding the exact placement that unlocks realism, depth, and musicality. From toe-in to spacing to that elusive sweet spot, small changes make big differences. If you want your speakers to disappear and the soundstage to come alive, start here. The Audiophile’s Guide publishes daily. Wa...

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16:11

Getting intimate with headphones

The Audiophiles Guide ·

2025/07/26

Headphones strip away the room, the system, and the setup—leaving just you and the music. This episode explores the uniquely intimate experience of headphone listening through the lens of The Audiophile’s Guide. What do you gain when you listen this way, and what do you lose? From soundstage and imaging to emotional connection, it’s a deep dive into personal listening and why sometimes, the best seat in the house is the one between your ears. The Audiophile’s Guide publishes daily. Want to le...

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23:10

Building sonic bliss

The Audiophiles Guide ·

2025/07/25

What does it take to build a system that makes the music feel real? This episode unpacks the journey to sonic bliss, using The Audiophile’s Guide as a blueprint. From choosing the right gear to placing it just so, it’s about more than specs—it’s about creating a space where the speakers vanish and the sound takes over. Whether you’re starting fresh or refining a longtime setup, this one’s all about building a system that disappears. The Audiophile’s Guide publishes daily. Want to learn more o...

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20:06

Music or Equipment: which is more important?

The Audiophiles Guide ·

2025/07/24

Ok, classic question. In this episode, the focus turns to a classic audiophile question: what matters more—the music or the equipment? Based on insights from The Audiophile’s Guide, the discussion explores where passion meets performance. Is it enough to love the music, or does gear elevate the experience? Can high-end components distract from the emotional core of a song? Whether you build your system around your favorite albums or the other way around, this episode cuts to the heart of the ...

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12:56

Analog vs. Digital

The Audiophiles Guide ·

2025/07/23

In this episode, it’s analog vs. digital. Drawing from The Audiophile’s Guide, the conversation dives into the strengths and trade-offs of both formats—from the tactile magic of vinyl to the precision and convenience of streaming. What makes one sound more “real” than the other? How do system choices shape what you hear? Whether you’re loyal to the stylus or deep into DACs, this is a clear-eyed look at two very different paths to great sound. The Audiophile’s Guide publishes daily. Want to le...

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12:50

Using your ears to tune

The Audiophiles Guide ·

2025/07/22

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? ...

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23:48

Want some controversy? Let's talk cables

The Audiophiles Guide ·

2025/07/21

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...

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23:14

Tune your system with the best tools on the planet,...

The Audiophiles Guide ·

2025/07/20

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 ...

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13:22

Two ways to setup your subwoofer for killer bass

The Audiophiles Guide ·

2025/07/19

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 G...

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11:30

Tilting the speakers for better imaging

The Audiophiles Guide ·

2025/07/18

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 publish...

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14:05

Some easy setup tweaks for your system

The Audiophiles Guide ·

2025/07/17

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 da...

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15:12

How the tiny drivers in headphones make bass

The Audiophiles Guide ·

2025/07/16

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 Aud...

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28:40

The mighty vinyl stylus

The Audiophiles Guide ·

2025/07/15

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 dai...

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86 results

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