SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast

This week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth is joined by James Hale, author of SoundStage! Xperience’s popular “Art+Tech” column, to discuss his unique approach to hardware and music reviews, how the column came about, the value of today’s audio gear as compared with that of decades past, and how technology influences the creation and enjoyment of art. 
Sources:
"How Good Can the Focal Utopia Headphones Make Remarkable Recordings Sound?" by James Hale: https://www.soundstagexperience.com/index.php/features-menu/art-tech/1104-how-good-can-the-focal-utopia-headphones-make-remarkable-recordings-sound
"Battling Anxiety with Arcade Fire and the Rotel A12MKII Integrated Amplifier-DAC" by James Hale: https://www.soundstagexperience.com/index.php/features-menu/art-tech/1072-battling-anxiety-with-arcade-fire-and-the-rotel-a12mkii-integrated-amplifier-dac
http://jameshale.ca/music.html
https://downbeat.com/site/author/james-hale
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:20 How SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider inspired “Art+Tech”00:22:56 Musical interlude: "My Bet" by RocknStock00:24:05 It’s about the music, silly!00:39:39 …except for opera

This week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth is joined by Dr. Mark Waldrep of AIX Records fame to discuss changes in the audiophile music marketplace over the years, as well as Mark’s controversial and ever-evolving views on high-resolution music recording and playback, as well as why he stopped mastering records altogether.
Sources:
"Audibility of a CD-Standard A/DA/A Loop Inserted into High-Resolution Audio Playback" by E. Brad Meyerand David R. Moran: https://secure.aes.org/forum/pubs/journal/?ID=2#:~:text=The%20test%20results%20show%20that,Authors%3A%20Meyer%2C%20E
"Researching HD-Audio: The Truth" by Mark Waldrep: https://www.realhd-audio.com/?p=6993
https://www.aixrecords.com/
https://www.itrax.com/
“Music and Audio: A User Guide to Better Sound: by Mark Waldrep: https://www.musicandaudioguide.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@markwaldrep5143
https://www.artistconnection.net/
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:20 Does high-res matter?00:35:25 Musical interlude: "Concerto in Fm (Bach)" by Ohad Ben-Ari00:37:21 The most important component of your system00:41:45 Is MQA a snow job?00:48:54 The beauty of Bach

In this week’s episode, host Jorden Guth is joined by legendary mastering engineer Bernie Grundman to discuss what mastering is, what it isn’t, how mastering differs from remastering, and why vinyl sometimes sounds better than digital.
Sources:
“Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section” by Joseph Taylor: https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/features-menu/recording-of-the-month-menu/1175-art-pepper-art-pepper-meets-the-rhythm-section
"Is It Just Me, or Are CDs Too Loud?" by Joseph Taylor: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/feature-articles/on-music/944-is-it-just-me-or-are-cds-too-loud
"The Music Man" on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/the-music-man-joe-taylor-on-vinyl-and-cassettes-next-gen-audiophiles-curated-music-selections/
Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:20 What does a mastering engineer do? 00:20:25 Musical interlude: “Say No More” by Julian Hartwell00:22:49 Digital vs. analog and radio vs. streaming00:35:24 What music moves Bernie Grundman

In this week’s episode, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider and electronics measurements specialist Diego Estan to discuss the publication’s measurement philosophy and methodology, and also get to the root of what the heck quadrature is and why you should have paid attention in physics class. Along the way, they discuss some of the best-measuring gear they’ve experienced, some of the most idiosyncratic, and how and why these measurements matter. They also talk about an important topic to Doug: volume-control accuracy, something that surprised Jorden. 
Sources:
“This is Why We Measure” by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1240-this-is-why-we-measure
“Should You Buy More Amplifier or More Speaker Than You Need?” by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1172-should-you-buy-more-amplifier-or-more-speaker-than-you-need
“NAD Masters M23 Stereo/Mono Amplifier Measurements” by Diego Estan: https://www.soundstagenetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2912:nad-masters-m23-stereo-mono-amplifier-measurements&catid=97:amplifier-measurements&Itemid=154 
“Atoll Electronique IN200 Integrated Amplifier Measurements” by Diego Estan: https://www.soundstagenetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2772:atoll-electronique-in200-signature-integrated-amplifier-measurements&catid=97:amplifier-measurements&Itemid=154 
“Is 'Trickle Up' Tech the Future of Hi-Fi?” by Dennis Burger:  https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1243-is-trickle-up-tech-the-future-of-hi-fi
Chapters:0:00 Announcement0:20 What we measure20:43 Musical interlude: “An Issue” by Lalinea21:52 How much do these measurements matter?1:03:59 Canadians rock!

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Wilson Audio CEO Daryl Wilson to talk about what it was like to grow up alongside the storied brand, which his father, David, and mother, Sheryl, founded; how his path through life led him back to the company; and how Wilson speakers are designed, built, and voiced differently from other loudspeakers.
Sources:
“The Great North American Loudspeaker Tour: Wilson Audio Specialties” by Jeff Fritz: https://www.soundstageultra.com/twbas/twbas_200908_wilson.htm
Wilson Audio Specialties WATT/Puppy 7 Loudspeakers review  by Jeff Fritz: https://soundstageultra.com/equipment/wilson_watt_puppy_7.htm
Wilson Audio website: https://www.wilsonaudio.com/
Chapters:0:00 Announcement0:20 Growing up on Wilson Audio 21:54 Musical interlude: “Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Summer: 3. Presto” by the Dover Quartet22:18 Reference standards, the importance of time alignment, and the future of hi-fi47:28 Pink Floyd Fridays and guilty pleasures

Host Jorden Guth is trotting the globe this week and is tight on time, so he and producer Dennis Burger dug into the vaults to pull out an interview from last year with Simaudio’s marketing director Étienne Gautier. In this extended cut of the conversation, Dennis and Étienne discuss how the company’s marketing strategy is evolving and why Moon by Simaudio decided to sponsor the best art-restoration show on YouTube.
Sources:
“Moon by Simaudio Has Exited the Echo Chamber” by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1201-moon-by-simaudio-has-exited-the-echo-chamber
"The Maverick" by Baumgartner Restoration: https://youtu.be/LV2eOu14fQM
Taskmaster on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Taskmaster
Hania Rani: https://haniarani.com/
Chapters:0:00 Announcement0:20 Why brand awareness matters 5:51 Musical Interlude I: "Jazz it Up" by Wesly Thomas6:18 In conversation with Simaudio’s Étienne Gautier23:45 Musical Interlude II: "Jazz it Up" by Wesly Thomas24:07 The importance of emotional connections

In this episode, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! Xperience senior editor Joseph Taylor to discuss his love for vinyl, the cassette tape revival, creating the next generation of audiophiles, and the ways in which music mastering has changed over the decades. 
They also dig into Joe’s ongoing “Curator” series of articles, how he finds his inspiration, why he focuses on certain artists, and how he and his daughters influence one another’s musical tastes. 
Sources:
“Experience ‘Xperience’ Anew” by Joseph Taylor: https://www.soundstagexperience.com/index.php/features-menu/pulse-menu/1093-experience-xperience-anew
“En Attendant Ana: Juillet" by Joseph Taylor: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/music-and-movie-reviews/featured-releases/1032-en-attendant-ana-juillet
“Savak: Human Error / Human Delight" by Joseph Taylor: https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/features-menu/recording-of-the-month-menu/1112-savak-human-error-human-delight
“James Brown, Curated” by Joseph Taylor: https://www.soundstagexperience.com/index.php/features-menu/curator/1099
You can also find links to all of Joe’s “Curator” articles at: https://www.soundstagexperience.com/index.php/features-menu/curator
Chapters:0:00 Announcement0:20 Why Joe still loves vinyl20:06 Musical Interlude: “Freerolling” by T. Bless & the Professionals20:32 Crafting “Curator” and picking desert-island discs

In this episode, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! Solo editor Geoff Morrison to discuss headphones as a gateway drug into hi-fi, traveling with over-ears vs. on-ears, and mixing audio for a variety of headphones, speakers, and even YouTube. 
They also dig into dedicated music players vs. smartphones, whether or not Bluetooth can deliver good sounds, if anyone can do noise canceling better than Bose, and Geoff’s personal recommendations for good in-ears and on-ears for on the road and at home.
By the way, Geoff’s first international trip since the pandemic was in 2022, not 2020, and feels horrified he said the wrong year during the podcast.
Sources:
“Bald Nomad – adventures described in words and pictures” by Geoff Morrison: http://baldnomad.com/ 
“A Bluetooth Blind Test” by Brent Butterworth: http://www.brentbutterworth.com/bluetooth-blind-test.html
@GeoffMorrison on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GeoffreyMorrison914
"Eardrum Suck: The Mystery Solved!" by Brent Butterworth: https://www.soundstagesolo.com/index.php/features/178-eardrum-suck-the-mystery-solved
“Do Noise-Cancelling Headphones Hurt Your Ears? You’re Not Alone” by Brent Butterworth and Lauren Dragan: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/how-do-noise-cancelling-headphones-work/
@inveterate_adventurer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inveterate_adventurer/?hl=en
Chapters:0:00 Announcement0:20 Getting to know Geoff23:09 Musical Interlude24:15 YouTube, Noise canceling, and whether anybody can beat Bose