Audiophile Insights
27 May 2023
Copper Variants Explained
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Red copper, yellow copper, White copper, T1 copper... all just copper?
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8 January 2022
System Synergy Q&A
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This section is created specifically to allow comments that do not pertain to any single component that I reviewed, or that otherwise don’t fit in a particular category, such as questions relating to overall system synergy. Feel free to ask me anything and, time permitting, I will respond below. Related Posts
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14 April 2021
Phono Cartridge Stylus Shapes
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Want to know all there is to know about phono cartridge stylus shapes? Look no further as this article has all the essential information all in one place. It dives into the similarities, differences and overlap, explains the aspect of Contact Area and the differences between Bonded and Nude diamonds, between a Round Shank and a Square Shank, and covers stylus longevity.
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10 June 2020
With solid, silver-plated connections up to 50 mm2 and 0 AWG Massive OFC internal conductors, large contact areas with pneumatic high contact pressure for the lowest possible impedance and a complete absence of undesired inductive parts, the Doepke DFS-2 offers uncompromised quality. At 600 euros, does it justify its cost? Read on to find out!
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5 June 2020
In order to assess a high-end digital cable, one needs to refer to a standard. But what defines the baseline? And how do USB and Ethernet cables compare to the traditional S/PDIF and AES/EBU cables?
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21 December 2018
Don't commit the tragic mistake of interchanging your instrument and speaker cables. It's a complete waste of energy and you end up spending more for replacements.
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25 February 2017
Phono cartridges can make or break a turntable, but the headshell also has a not inconsiderable influence on the sound.
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28 December 2016
Although called digital amps by many people, most "digital" amps aren't digital at all.
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27 April 2014
Genelec 8050 and Wadia 121 with a Computer Source in the secondary setup.
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26 January 2014
A bi-amping experiment using Apogee Divas
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25 January 2014
Opinions differ and even manufacturers can't agree on which is the best method
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25 November 2013
Speaker Cable Connectors
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These connectors make more difference to the sound than you'd think
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18 November 2012
Even a music server turns out to be sensitive to its placement
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4 September 2012
Upgrading Magnepan Crossovers
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Those diminutive external boxes turn out to have an enormous impact on the sound!
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9 May 2012
Kernel Streaming for Winamp 5
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It is widely known that kernel streaming is the way to go in order to obtain the best sound.
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24 April 2012
CD Ripping
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Sometimes I come across things in the wonderful world of audio that drive me nuts.
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4 February 2012
Sometimes, the feeling emerges that manufacturers, in their quest for perfection, go a little too far in the matters of detail retrieval and accuracy, thereby necessitating you buy the best in amplification, cables and source components.
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26 December 2011
WAV and Tagging
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WAV or AIFF files may appear to have tags when they are accessed through applications such as iTunes and Winamp, but in fact the data may only reside in these apps' database, because they don't actually write tags to these files themselves.
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18 September 2011
There are a couple of methods for sending audiodata over an usb cable. Here's an explanation of the principles behind them and the advantages of one over another.
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25 August 2011
The physical medium on which your music files are stored has an influence on the sound when played back from it.
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24 August 2011
Winamp 5 has a few settings you should know about that have a large influence on the sound
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30 July 2011
A Straight Wire With Gain
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Barb wire, hearing your wallet, all interlinks sound the same and the best amp is a straight wire with gain. Here are some musings on these subjects.
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10 April 2011
Despite all I've learned about audio, I haven't yet been able to fully tackle this last barrier. In this article I'd like to share what I have learned so far.
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31 March 2011
Are shorter signal paths better by definition?
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20 February 2011
A cable's sleeve has a huge influence on its sound. What's more: adding another layer around an already insulated cable still has a large effect!
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24 December 2010
Lossless Audio (FLAC)
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Lossless computer audio file formats such as FLAC are technically lossless indeed. But do they sound the same as a WAV?
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26 October 2010
Mac compared to PC, two iTunes sound enhancements and a range of DA-converters and USB interfaces
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24 August 2010
Treble
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Open, airy, rolled-off, dark, edgy etc, there is a lot to say about the high frequencies, but this is easily misinterpreted
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24 August 2010
Optimizing iTunes for Windows
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This popular program for Mac and Windows needs some tweaks in order to make it sound good on Windows
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25 July 2010
Computer Audio – SSD versus HDD
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This may be hard to believe but the type of drive also has an influence on the sound.
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9 July 2010
SACD and DSD
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SACD promised even more perfect sound forever. It was hoped that it would replace CD and revitalize the music market. Alas it did not, but the DSD format is still around. Here are my thoughts on the subject.
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30 June 2010
Much more important than given credit for!
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5 June 2010
Caldera speaker wired with Transparent or Synergistic Research cables.
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10 May 2010
Just like the old analog versus digital matter or Mac versus PC, Balanced versus Unbalanced and/or XLR versus cinch connections is a discussion in which many people seem to have a definite point of view
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29 April 2010
Audio Lingo
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Audiolingo can be very confusing. People can mean different things when they talk about musicality and the same goes for many more audiophile words to describe how a component sounds.
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28 April 2010
Changing the standard Yarbo connectors to IeGO 24k Gold cryo connectors
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4 December 2009
Electrostatic speakers and Magnetostatic speakers both are planar dipoles, and they both tend to be flat and large. But there's a lot more to know about the technical principles behind these speakers. Some interesting reading, I promise!
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29 November 2009
Power cables can have a significant influence on the perceived sound of your system. But did you know that the phase and position in the extensionblock also matters?
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20 October 2009
AWG to mm2 Conversion
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For European people, AWG sizes can be very confusing, so here's a handy conversion table
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20 October 2009
There are quite large differences in sound among CD transports. Yes, even when you only use the digital output, still you can hear differences in the perceived speed, attack, and fluidity.
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4 August 2009
Filtering: yes or no? This is a much debated topic and everyone seems to have an opinion.
So do I, of course!
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26 July 2009
This cable is easier to terminate than Cardas Golden Reference, but it's still no standard job
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18 July 2009
Changing the standard Yarbo connectors to IeGO 24k Gold cryo connectors
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2 July 2009
Double Blind Listening Tests
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For a lot of sceptics double blind testing is the only valid method of comparing equipment, but is it?
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5 June 2009
As always, both methods have their own advantages, but there is one unique clear advantage to taking the integrated player route.
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5 June 2009
Does a separate transport and DAC sound better than an integrated player?
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18 May 2009
This apparently simple player secretly has some fine tuning abilities hidden in its configuration menu.
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2 April 2009
Do digital cables really make a difference in sound? And if so, what are the differences?
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2 April 2009
Detail versus Musicality
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The upgrade-virus can easily take over control: where to draw the line?
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29 January 2009
Schuko Connector Standards
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Worldwide applications of powerconnectors and more info about the Schuko connector.
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29 January 2009
IEC Connector Standards
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We all use connectors that adhere to this standard on a daily basis, but what do the type numbers stand for?
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2 January 2009
Most normal (serial) power distribution blocks have two or three internal brass strips that connect the inlet to all the outlets in a single run. What's the advantage of wiring every socket of the block independently?
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2 January 2009
Cable Length
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Best use a short lead? Or rather a minimum of 1,5 meters? Opinions divert.
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16 December 2008
When recording LP's, what sounds better? Digitized or recorded analog?
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16 August 2008
System Synergy
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It's rare that a given component performs 100% in a given setup rightaway
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12 August 2008
Component Placement
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Every piece of equipment can be placed on numerous kinds of underlay materials. All materials have their own acoustic properties.
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6 August 2008
Warming Up
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Warming up is related to, but different from running in. Warming up happens each time a component has been disconnected from the mains power.
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4 August 2008
Running-In
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Some people are not convinced that this phenomenon even exists and maintain that it is a psychological effect
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4 August 2008
Speaker Placement
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Apart from the obvious moving around of the speakers, there are various other variables to hooking up and installation of loudspeakers.
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30 July 2008
Cable Connections: use end sleeves or tinning?
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21 June 2008
Upsampling explained by means of two reference dCS components: Delius DAC and Purcell upsampler.
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30 May 2008
Useful hint for people who make their own powercables using the Bals type 73 schuko plug
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24 May 2008
Every piece of equipment can be placed on numerous kinds of shelf materials. All materials have their own acoustic properties.
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