The Occasional Podcast

Interview with Rich Grado of Grado Labs. The Brooklyn-based Grado has been making turntable cartridges and headphones for the better part of a century. Now with the launch of their retail site 4ourears.com and the move into wireless personal audio, the company is making changes to the way they do things - while still keeping true to their long-standing legacy in hifi. S5E3 Sponsors: FOCALdotCOM– French Hi-Fi Global Leader SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California, Starting At $49 INNOUSdotCOM - Listen From Within

Everything you ever wanted to know about optimizing your budget for audio gear. Interview with Jonathan Derda of MoFi. On this episode, we cover how much to budget for each product category of audio gear. We provide general guidance on where to spend your money on speakers, amplifiers, sources and more. S5E2 Sponsors: FOCALdotCOM– French Hi-Fi Global Leader SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California, Starting At $49 INNOUSdotCOM - Listen From Within

Interview with Co-Founder of Schiit Audio Mike Moffat. The digital brains behind one of entry-level hifi's favorite upstart, Mike Moffat joins the show to talk about his experience creating some of the first DACs on the planet and his second tidal wave of success with Schiit Audio. Special co-host thanks to PartTimeAudiophile publisher Scot Hull. S5E1 Sponsors: NAIMAUDIOdotCOM– British Hi-Fi Specialist SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California, Starting At $49 INNOUSdotCOM - Listen From Within

Interview with Josh Meredith and Angela Cardas of Cardas Audio. In this episode The PartTimeAudiophile editorial crew drops their picks for the best audio products of 2020. Josh and Angela also help us answer the age old question: Why Do Radio Stations Always Play The Same Songs Over And Over? S4E10 Sponsors: QOBUZdotCOM - Authentic Music Experience SONUSFABERdotCOM - Artisans of Sound The LSA Group and CorePower - State Of The Art Power At Real World Prices

Interview with Heinz Lichtenegger of Pro-Ject, an high fidelity audio company internationally known for turntables, electronics and speakers. Started in 1991, Pro-Ject dove into the record player business at a time when the world's focus was on the CD. Now a world-wide brand, the turntable maker supplies both its own products and OEM options for a multitude of companies. Owner and President Heinz Lichtenegger joins us to chat about his passion for great sound, the evolution of the turntable market and continuing affordable options to bring new listeners into the fold. S4E9 Sponsors: QOBUZdotCOM - Authentic Music Experience MCINTOSHLABSdotCOM – Legendary Audio Equipment The LSA Group and CorePower - State Of The Art Power At Real World Prices

Everything you ever wanted to know about buying a turntable, records, and getting started with high fidelity analog playback. Interview with Jonathan Derda of MoFi. We dig deep in this episode which covers off on a multitude of subjects centered around getting started with vinyl. How much to spend? What is required? How to get the most out of your system? How to improve the sound from your current turntable? Jon leaves no stone unearthed in this beginner's guide to buying vinyl and record players - filled with tips and tricks for analog playback that even a seasoned audiophile will enjoy. S4E8 Sponsors: QOBUZdotCOM - Authentic Music Experience MCINTOSHLABSdotCOM – Legendary Audio Equipment The LSA Group and CorePower - State Of The Art Power At Real World Prices

Interview with the president of Marantz & Classe Joel Sietsema and Senior Director of Technical Category Management Emmanuel Millot. Very special bonus interview with documentary filmmakers Kevin Smokler and Christopher Boone. Kevin and Christopher recently co-directed a film called Vinyl Nation which focuses on the 10 year run of vinyl resurgence and record collecting we now find ourselves in. It's timely and a ton of fun. S4E7 Sponsors: QOBUZdotCOM - Authentic Music Experience AUDIORESEARCHdotCOM - High Performance Vacuum Tube Electronics Since 1970 The LSA Group and CorePower - State Of The Art Power At Real World Prices

Interview with Mats Andersen of QLN Audio. Episode 6 explores two-way speaker design in depth with Mats Andersen, designer and owner of QLN Audio and maker of the highly transparent Signature 3 standmount/bookshelf style speaker. Mats pulls from his deep well of knowledge to chat about 2-way vs 3-way design, benefits, challenges and learnings on the subject. Also, the best audio products of 2020 so far. Special thanks to Rafe Arnott from RESISTORMAGdotCOM for his contribution to this week's episode. S4E6 Sponsors: QOBUZdotCOM - Authentic Music Experience SONUSFABERdotCOM - Artisans of Sound The LSA Group and CorePower - State Of The Art Power At Real World Prices

Everything you ever wanted to know about digital audio. In episode 5 of season 4, we explore the great digital landscape with Alex Brinkman of Auralic Audio. Together we tackle all the hurdles of getting into digital audio, exploring the options and creating a high fidelity, high resolution playback system that is right for you. There is a lot that we cover, so get out your notepad. S4E5 Sponsors: QOBUZdotCOM - Authentic Music Experience SONUSFABERdotCOM - Artisans of Sound The LSA Group and CorePower - State Of The Art Power At Real World Prices

An interview with Jeremy Bryan of MBL North America. MBL offers some of the most exotic speaker designs on the market. More than merely a driver in a box, the German company creates electronics and speakers that are as expensive as they are unique. Jeremy takes us through a quick history of the company along with some of the finer details on what makes the bespoke technologies different from other transducers. S4E4 Sponsors: QOBUZdotCOM - Authentic Music Experience MCINTOSHLABSdotCOM – Legendary Audio Equipment The LSA Group and CorePower - State Of The Art Power At Real World Prices

The Loudness Wars. Special guest mastering engineer Dave McNair and Grover Neville help explain the Loudness Wars. How did we get here? Where are we going? Are things getting better, or worse? Dave and Grover give first hand experience to help us better understand the current state of things in regards to dynamic compression and its effects on popular music. S4E3 Sponsors: QOBUZdotCOM - Authentic Music Experience MCINTOSHLABSdotCOM – Legendary Audio Equipment The LSA Group and CorePower - State Of The Art Power At Real World Prices

An interview with digital designer Rob Watts of Chord Electronics fame. Rob Watts has seen much success in hifi designing under the British brand Chord. With a long history in the semiconductor industry along with heavy chops in digital audio, Rob is a wealth of information with the sales figures to back it up. S4E2 Sponsors: QOBUZdotCOM - Authentic Music Experience SONUSFABERdotCOM - Artisans of Sound ZUAUDIOdotCOM - Omen DW Sale, July 1st At Noon

A beginner's guide to understanding mastering and a buyer's guide to remastered albums. In this episode we explore the acoustic art of Mastering. What is Mastering? What does it mean when an album is Remastered? Does that make an album worth buying again if I already own it? We dive deep with mastering engineer Dave McNair and Grover Neville to unearth answers to these burning questions and more. Co-Hosted by Bryan Beasley. S4E1 of The Occasional Podcast is sponsored by: DCSLTDdotCOdotUK - Only The Music WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You Can't Please Everyone, So Why Not Please Yourself? AUDIORESEARCHdotCOM - High Performance Vacuum Tube Electronics Since 1970.

Interview with Nelson Pass of Pass Labs Part 2. In part two of our series with Nelson Pass we talk about design philosophy and the history of his "other project" company, First Watt. Widely considered one of hifi's leading solid state amplifier designers, Nelson talks about the status of the industry, listening habits and his vantage point into the dynamic hobby of audio listening. S3E12 of The Occasional Podcast is sponsored by: VAC-AMPSdotCOM - For When Music Matters WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You Can't Please Everyone, So Why Not Please Yourself?

Interview with Nelson Pass of Pass Labs. In our season closer, we walk down the history of one of audio's most prolific amplifier designers Nelson Pass. This episode includes stories from his early days, design philosophy and early successes in the hifi industry. Part 1 of our two part series with Nelson. S3E11 of The Occasional Podcast is sponsored by: VAC-AMPSdotCOM - For When Music Matters WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You Can't Please Everyone, So Why Not Please Yourself? ZUAUDIOdotCOM - Loudspeakers, Cables and Cartridges.

Recap and highlights from FLAX 2020 in Tampa, Florida. Brian Hunter is joined by PartTimeAudiophile contributors Marc Phillips and Dave McNair with all the highlights, takeaways and great sounding gear from the relatively new show on the US scene. Bonus intro interview with show organizer Bart Andeer. S3E10 Sponsored by VAC-AMPSdotCOM - For When Music Matters FLAX 2020 Show Coverage Sponsored by The LSA Group and CorePower.

Interview with Sonus Faber President and CEO Jeff Poggi and Brand Manager William Kline. This episode also features all the latest in hifi news including hot items coming out of the recent consumer electronics CES show in Las Vegas. Co-host Bryan Beasley. SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Made In The US, Starting At $49 AXPONAdotCOM - North America's Audio Expo

Zach and Bevin Mehrbach from ZMF Headphones get interviewed. Also 2019 year-end roundup of the "best of" audio products according to Bryan and Brian. Special bonus: Two Grown Men Arguing In A YouTube Comments Section. Co-host Bryan Beasley. SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Made In The US, Starting At $49

Extended interview with Von Schweikert Audio's Leif Swanson and Damon Von Schweikert. S3E7 kicks off with a full rundown of the new LCD-1 headphone by Audeze and the RAD-0 by Rosson Audio Design. Damon and Leif drop some knowledge on us about what it's like to make high-end speakers, manufacturing in the US and accuracy in listening. Special bonus "Two Grown Men Arguing On Facebook". Co-host Bryan Beasley. MOON-AUDIOdotCOM - Dragon Audio Cables - Unleash Your Music! AXPONAdotCOM - North America's Audio Expo SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Made In The US, Starting At $49.

How to get into reel to reel audio, interview with Greg Beron of United Home Audio. Every wonder what it takes to listen to music on your home stereo with reel to reel playback as a source? In this episode we outline all the ups and down, positive and negatives for one of the most analog-ist type of hifi systems. Co-host Bryan Beasley steps in to share his experience with the platform and UHA R2R expert Greg Beron takes us all the way down the rabbit hole with his high-end, end-game gear. SCHIITdotCOM – Audio components made in the US, starting at $49.

Recap and highlights from Capital Audiofest 2019 located in DC. ParttimeAudiophile editor Scot Hull is joined by staff writers Marc Phillips and Eric Franklin Shook along with special guests Grover Neville, Dave McNair and Jameson Mourafetis. S3E5 Sponsored by Schiit Audio - Audio Components Made In The US, Starting At $49. CAF 2019 Show Coverage Sponsored by Verdant Audio and Tenacious Sound

Interview with David Solomon and Dan Mackta, the US Qobuz team. This episode also features a bonus introduction: an audiophile's guide to wireless audio listening - along with 5 wireless headphones reviewed and compared. David and Dan take us through the newest stateside high resolution music streaming service that is shaking up the hifi industry. Co-Host Bryan Beasley. SCHIITdotCOM - Audio components made in the US, starting at $49. ZUAUDIOdotCOM - Loudspeakers, Cables and Cartridges.

An in-depth interview with Jeff Joseph of Joseph Audio plus a full rundown and review of the new Beatle's Abbey Road Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition. Co-host Bryan Beasley discusses the sonic intricacies of the newest Beatles reissue along with all the tasty extras sure to tickle the fancy of any lifelong fan. Jeff joins us at AXPONA this year to give a history of the hifi loudspeaker brand Joseph Audio, some of his favorite sonic tastes and what its life growing up on the east coast in the heyday of high fidelity audio. WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You can't please everyone, so why don't you please yourself?

Highlights from Rocky Mountain Audiofest 2019. Brian Hunter and PartTimeAudiophile founder Scot Hull break down all the good, bad and crispy from the most recent audio show in Denver, CO. The September show covered some of the best in high end audio as well as headphone/personal audio from the headspace ballroom. RMAF 2019 coverage brought to you by: The LSA Group – The new high-end high-value speaker standard. CorePower – State-of-the-art power at real-world prices.

Part-Time Audiophile In our Season 3 opener, legendary amplifier designer Dan D'Agostino discusses his extensive history with high-end audio starting with his successes with Krell all the way to his current namesake brand. 500 pound amplifiers, audio jewelry and giant heatsinks all inhabit the conversation that ranges from design strategies to the day-to-day challenges of chasing better sound. Co-Host Bryan Beasley. US.AstellnKern.com – The Way Music Was Meant to Be Heard The post Dan D'Agostino appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.

Part-Time Audiophile Recap and highlights from the High End Audio Show in Munich, Germany. Special interview with T.H.E. Show's organizers Maurice Jung and Emiko. PartTimeAudiophile editor Scot Hull sits down with us once again to discuss his trip to the world's largest audio show hosted in Munich. Here he spins his tale in the battle for his passport, taking in all the sounds and dining on his favorite local cuisines. Special co host Bryan Beasley. Munich 2019 coverage brought to you by: The LSA Group – The new high-end high-value speaker standard. CorePower – State-of-the-art power at real-world prices. The post T.H.E. Show Interview & Munich 2019 Highlights appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.

Part-Time Audiophile Recap and highlights from AXPONA 2019. PartTimeAudiophile founder Scot Hull pops in to talk about what is quickly becoming the "Munich" audio event of North America. Caught up in the tidal wave that is the 2Q show circuit, Scot takes a short breather to discuss AXPONA's hottest products, best sounding rooms and why every audio event could use a giant room full of storm troopers. AXPONA 2019 coverage brought to you by: The LSA Group – The new high-end high-value speaker standard. CorePower – State-of-the-art power at real-world prices. The post AXPONA 2019 Highlights appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.

Part-Time Audiophile Dave and Carol Clark From Positive Feedback Return… this time with more Carol! We catch up with the co-owners of Positive Feedback and the founders of the Los Angeles Audiophile Society on all their fun adventures in the past year. Including (but not limited to): music, mayhem and how to be the coolest Grandma at any given audio show. Co-host Bryan Beasley. AXPONAdotCom – Chicago's Premier Audio Expo The post Dave And Carol Clark From Positive Feedback Return! appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.

Part-Time Audiophile Allen Perkins of Spiral Groove Turntables. Allen dives into his history with one of audio's most nostalgic playback devices. Designing for others, then designing with his company Spiral Groove, he knows what it takes to make a good, better and absolute best turntable as high fidelity source. Co-host Bryan Beasley. RAVENAUDIOdotCOM – The World Finest Tube Amps, Speakers and Cables. The post Allen Perkins of Spiral Groove appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.

Part-Time Audiophile Christopher Hildebrand of Fern And Roby. Christopher drops some knowledge with a behind-the-scenes look at his manufacturing process, what it means to be a creative, and his role working with audio makers of all types. Co-Host Bryan Beasley. AXPONAdotCom – Chicago's Premier Audio Expo The post Christopher Hildebrand of Fern and Roby appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.

Part-Time Audiophile Bill Dudleston of Legacy Audio. Bill provides an in-depth look into both technical and theoretical perspectives of audio. Followed by long history of designing high end loudspeakers, the man at the helm of Legacy gives us his download on the current state of things, a look back, and the future of audio in general. WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM – You can't please everyone, so why don't you please yourself? The post Bill Dudleston of Legacy Audio appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.

Part-Time Audiophile Recap and highlights from Las Vegas CES 2019. An audiophile perspective on the changing landscape of the Consumer Electronics Show from Nevada. All the high end and headphone news from the event including new DACs, streamers and the state of "True Wireless". SCHIITdotCOM – Audio components made in the USA, starting at $49. The post CES 2019 Highlights appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.

Part-Time Audiophile Mat Weisfeld of VPI Industries. Mat sits down with us to chat about his family legacy at the famed audiophile turntable company, what its like to cost out a $30k turntable and his experiences now running the helm in his father's footsteps. SCHIITdotCOM – Audio components made in the USA, starting at $49. The post Mat Weisfeld of VPI Industries appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.

Part-Time Audiophile Garth Powell of AudioQuest. Garth sits down to elaborate on his move from wine country to Orange County, talk noise isolation in power design and key us into his life as an established Jazz drummer. Special co-host Bryan Beasley and Elizabeth Klingele. WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM – You can't please everyone, so why don't you please yourself? The post Garth Powell of AudioQuest appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.

Part-Time Audiophile Vinnie Rossi of Red Wine Audio and Vinnie Rossi Audio. Vinnie talks all things "double e", his take on audiophile forums and why we should strive to be more comfortable with the grey in life. Co-host Bryan Beasley. THEVOICETHATISdotCOM – For the love of music! The post Vinnie Rossi appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.

Part-Time Audiophile Rocky Mountain Audiofest 2018 recap and highlights. Co-Host Scot Hull and the rest of the PartTimeAudiophile team throw in their favorites from the Denver audio show, talk bourbon and explain why all the real deals in audio are cut at the hotel bar. SCHIITdotCOM – Audio components made in the USA, starting at $49. The post Rocky Mountain Audiofest 2018 appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.

Part-Time Audiophile Gayle Sanders of MartinLogan and now Eikon Audio. Gayle walks us through his long history with hi-fi audio, working with electrostatic speakers and moving things forward on the digital edge. Co-host Bryan Beasley. WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM – You can't please everyone, so why don't you please yourself? The post Gayle Sanders of Eikon and MartinLogan appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.

Part-Time Audiophile T.H.E. Show in Irvine 2018 Recap and Highlights. Brian and Bryan tell all about their experience at Southern California's only audio show this year. Interviews with show runner Maurice Jung and AGD Productions Alberto Guerra plus all the best sounds, sights and smells from the little show that could. The post TOP Season 1.75: THE SHOW 2018 appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.

Part-Time Audiophile AXPONA 2018 Recap and Highlights. Co-Host Bryan Beasley reminisces about his first big audio show, what its like crossing paths with a my little pony convention and why Macallan 18 is no substitute for malt liquor. Special thanks for contributions from the PTA show writers, Rafe Arnott, Eric Shook and Lee Scoggins. ZESTOAUDIOdotCOM – Fine Handcrafted Analog Electronics The post TOP Season 1.5: AXPONA 2018 Highlights appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.

Part-Time Audiophile Sandy Gross of Polk Audio, Definitive Audio and Golden Ear Technology. Sandy spins his tale of building massively successful audio companies, working in Hollywood and life as a professional slot car racer. Bonus interview with Liz Miller, Event Director of the upcoming AXPONA audio show in Chicago. Co host Bryan Beasley. MCINTOSHLABSdotCOM – Legendary Audio Equipment The post Sandy Gross of GoldenEar Technology appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.

Part-Time Audiophile Dave and Carol Clark of Positive Feedback. Dave and Carol give us all the details on creating a print magazine, shifting to an online publication and learning how to really enjoy audio shows. Co host Bryan Beasley. ADORAMADOTCOM – The Pro's Choice for Sound The post Dave and Carol Clark of Positive Feedback appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.

Part-Time Audiophile EveAnna Manley of Manley Labs. EveAnna gives us a tour of the factory in Chino, deliberates amplifier design and talks the finer points of the walking treadmill desk. Recorded directly at the lab in Southern California. ADORAMADOTCOM – The Pro's Choice for Sound The post EveAnna Manley of Manley Laboratories appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.

Part-Time Audiophile Vitaliy Belo of 64 Audio. Vitaliy goes behind the mic to share with us his thoughts on earphone design, audiophile preferences and what its like being part of a family band. Co-host Bryan Beasley. ADORAMADOTCOM – The Pro's Choice for Sound The post Vitaliy Belo appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.

Part-Time Audiophile John DeVore of DeVORE FIDELITY. John walks us through his process for designing loudspeakers, the New York audio scene of the late 90's and why drummers will always be in demand. Special co-host Bryan Beasley. ADORAMADOTCOM – The Pro's Choice for Sound The post John DeVore appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.

Part-Time Audiophile Schiit Audio co-founder Jason Stoddard. Jason conveys his thoughts on MQA, audiophile cables and what its like taking an audio company from the garage to the warehouse. Recorded live at the Schiitr retail space in downtown Newhall, CA. ATOCHADESIGNDOTCOM – Handmade American Furniture for Vinyl Lovers The post Jason Stoddard appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.

Part-Time Audiophile Andrew Jones of ELAC, Pioneer, TAD and KEF. Andrew enlightens us about his long history with audio, designing speakers for a Japanese company and what its like growing up with a mirror twin. Special Co-Host Bryan Beasley. https://www.atochadesign.com – Handmade American Furniture for Vinyl Lovers The post Andrew Jones appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.

Part-Time Audiophile Paolo and Livio walk us through the process of designing the new McIntosh XRT2.1k and Sonus Faber AIDA loudspeakers. Recorded at the World of McIntosh Townhouse in New York, the body (industrial) and soul (acoustic) of design for the McIntosh Group discuss driver materials, colors and how our hearing is most sensitive to the scream of the weakest of our kind (2k-6k). Don't forget to check out PartTimeAudiophile this month for the Winter issue of The Occasional Magazine! The post World Of McIntosh – Paolo Tezzon & Livio Cucuzza appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.

Part-Time Audiophile Zev Feldman of Resonance Records. Zev is a record hunter and the Indiana Jones of lost Jazz. He gives us the lowdown on digging up old albums and breathing new life into Bill Evens, Wes Montgomery and more. Special co-host Bryan Beasley. Check out PartTimeAudiophile this month for the Winter issue of The Occasional Magazine. Its packed with reviews and loads of hifi imagery, including shots from our interview here with Zev. The post Zev Feldman appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.

Part-Time Audiophile NAMM prep and CMO of HiFiMAN, Andrew Regan. Andy talks touring with David Bowie, selling high-end in New York and the absence of pre-show brown M&Ms. Special co-host Bryan Beasley. The post Andy Regan appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.

Part-Time Audiophile Audio highlights from CES 2018 with co-host Bes Nievera. Bes is brand ambassador for Music Direct & on-air host of DCB Jazz at WDCB 90.9 FM in Chicago. The post CES 2018 appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.