SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast

MoFi-pocalypse - Mobile Fidelity Digital Debacle | Monitor Audio Studio 20 | iFi Audio Zen One Signature

In this week’s first segment (02:48 to 15:52), hosts Brent Butterworth and Dennis Burger share their varied opinions on “MoFi-gate,” the biggest scandal in the analog audiophile world right now. It turns out that Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab—long lauded for their all-analog production process—actually creates their lacquer masters from 4X DSD files these days, not directly from the master tapes. Will this be the end of this revered audiophile company? Is the outrage justified? Brent and Dennis have thoughts.
Next up (16:24 to 28:15), they dig back through the Stereophile archives to discuss a review of the Monitor Audio Studio 20 loudspeaker written by Robert Harley in 1991, complete with measurements by John Atkinson. Monitor Audio is a brand beloved by Brent and Dennis alike, so this throwback review gives them both the opportunity to reflect on just how much has changed in the world of loudspeaker design in the past 30 years. 
Finally (28:50 to 39:20), they dig into James Hale’s latest “Art+Tech” column on SoundStage! Experience, in which he explores the music of Charles Lloyd through a pair of different iFi Audio DACs, including the same Zen One Signature, which Dennis recently fell in love with and added to his reference stereo system. Somehow or another, though, this leads right back to a discussion about vinyl. 
Sources:
"Mobile Fidelity UPDATE New details on the current Controversy" by The 'In' Groove: https://youtu.be/mrahjsfJBc8
"Mobile Fidelity - Interview on Mastering With Shawn Britton, Krieg Wunderlich & Rob LoVerde" by The 'In' Groove: https://youtu.be/shg0780YgAE
"Michael Fremer from Tracking Angle Focus on the MoFi Video" by 45 RPM Audiophile: https://youtu.be/Xl15-RC3wMU
"Did Mobile Fidelity Lie?? The evidence examined (with a surprise at the end!)" by poetryonplastic: https://youtu.be/S6kFRQ9NTDw
"Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab VINYL, oops!" by Steve Guttenberg Audiophiliac: https://youtu.be/B-_1lL3tfS0
“Kind of Blue: The Making of the Miles Davis Masterpiece” by Ashley Kahn https://www.dacapopress.com/titles/ashley-kahn/kind-of-blue/9780306815584/
"Monitor Audio Studio 20 loudspeaker review" by Robert Harley (First Published on Dec 1, 1991): https://www.stereophile.com/content/monitor-audio-studio-20-loudspeaker
"The iFi Audio Zen One Signature and Go Bar Open the Door to Charles Lloyd’s Chapel" by James Hale: https://www.soundstagexperience.com/index.php/features-menu/art-tech/1075-the-ifi-audio-zen-one-signature-and-go-bar-open-the-door-to-charles-lloyd-s-chapel
"iFi Audio Zen One Signature Digital-to-Analog Converter review" by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1197-ifi-audio-zen-one-signature-digital-to-analog-converter

The ”Free Bird” of Hi-Fi - Audio Group Denmark and RF | Pitt & Giblin and ”Future-Fi” | Selective Product Reviews

In this week’s first segment (3:24 to 24:13), hosts Brent Butterworth and Dennis Burger once again discuss the issue of RF interference, this time with regard to electronics, not speakers. A new product by Audio Group Denmark purports to deliver three levels of protection against noise sneaking in on your gear’s unused inputs. Is there anything to it?
Next up (24:44 to 36:46), they geek out over a really wild new speaker from Pitt & Giblin, which looks like a steampunk analog audiophile dream, but is powered by the latest in active class-D technology. That leads right into a sort of philosophical musing by John Darko of Darko Audio about a category he’s dubbed “Future-Fi.” 
Finally (37:18 to 51:10), they dig into a piece by SoundStage! editorial overlord Jeff Fritz about why audio journalists review some brands and not others. This gives Brent and Dennis the opportunity to discuss their somewhat different philosophies about what to review and why, and how PR and brand recognition play into the products they write about. 
Sources:
“Ansuz Acoustics Sortz” by Anthony Kershaw: https://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2022/3/15/p3by3j4tge7ua99hujode955rfnuqg
SEESII Portable TinySA Spectrum Analyzer: https://amzn.to/3z2EsKK
Australian Manufacturer Pitt & Giblin's New Dynamic Duo” by SoundStage! Australia News Editor: https://www.soundstageaustralia.com/index.php/news/677-australian-manufacturer-pitt-giblins-new-dynamic-duo
"Is this the future of hi-fi? (I think it might be)" by John Darko: https://darko.audio/2022/07/is-this-the-future-of-hi-fi-i-think-it-might-be/
“The Curious Case of Avalon Acoustics” by Jeff Fritz: https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/features-menu/opinion-menu/1122-the-curious-case-of-avalon-acoustics

Maybe This is Satire - McIntosh LB200 Light Box | Vintage Hi-Fi | ChiFi Earphones

In this week’s first segment (2:30 to 15:01), hosts Brent Butterworth and Dennis Burger talk about McIntosh Laboratory’s newest product, the LB200 Light Box. This $1500 black box is, in the words of McIntosh, “very unique.” But what is it? Brent and Dennis explain this history of this controversial product and debate whether or not it’s worth the price.
Next up (15:51 to 34:44), they take a call from Gordon Sauck, owner of Innovative Audio, Canada’s “largest vintage audio emporium.” Gordon shares some thoughts about Dennis’ recent article on the appeal of vintage gear, as well as some anecdotes about what his customers are looking for, what they’re buying, and what he considers the golden age for stereo receivers.
Finally (35:36 to 56:08), Dennis picks Brent’s brain about Chi-Fi earphones. What are they, why is Brent reviewing so many of them here recently, and is that term problematic or what? 
Sources:
McIntosh LB200 Light Box: https://shop.mcintoshlabs.com/collections/gifts/products/lb200-light-box
“Why Is Vintage Audio So Hot Right Now?” by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1196-why-is-vintage-audio-so-hot-right-now
Innovative Audio homepage: http://vintageaudio.ca/
“KZ x Crinacle CRN Earphones” by Brent Butterworth: https://www.soundstagesolo.com/index.php/equipment/earphones/334-kz-x-crinacle-crn-earphones
“CCA C10 Earphones” by Brent Butterworth: https://www.soundstagesolo.com/index.php/equipment/earphones/319-cca-c10-earphones
“NiceHCK DB3 Earphones” by Brent Butterworth: https://www.soundstagesolo.com/index.php/equipment/earphones/339-nicehck-db3-earphones
“TinHiFi T3 Plus Earphones” by Brent Butterworth: https://www.soundstagesolo.com/index.php/equipment/earphones/340-tinhifi-t3-plus-earphones

Double-U Tee Eff - $29,150 Headphone Stack | Measurements Good and Bad | ”Resolving” PS Audio

In this week’s first segment (03:48 to 17:46), hosts Brent Butterworth and Dennis Burger discuss a new $29,150 headphone listening stack from dCS, and contrast that audio extravagance with a recent video from headphone tester/tuner Crinacle, in which he busts some myths about standalone headphone amps. 
Next up (17:46 to 44:32), SoundStage! Founder Doug Schneider calls in to discuss gear measurements from a publisher’s perspective. Are they bad for business? Do they alienate manufacturers? Are they useful to readers? And how do they help subjective reviewers support or defend their observations?
Wrapping things up (44:32 to end), Brent and Dennis give their thoughts on one of the most overused but poorly defined terms in audio: “resolving.” What does it mean in terms of speakers? Is “highly resolving” a good thing or a bad thing? A few videos from PS Audio’s Paul McGowan might give us some insight.  
Sources:SoundStage! Network landing page: https://www.soundstagenetwork.com/
”Introducing dCS Lina” by TAS Staff: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/introducing-dcs-lina
“You Don't NEED an Amplifier” by Crinacle+ https://youtu.be/a3moaaOpYZM
PSB Speakers - 50 Years | Full Documentary: https://youtu.be/i_qy0dZDX8Q
“Can Speakers Be Too Resolving?” by PS Audio: https://youtu.be/6XFn8JPIr40
“Resolving Loudspeakers” by PS Audio: https://youtu.be/qPpr9g_i7xw
“What Speakers Have Resolving Power?” by PS Audio: https://youtu.be/PkErAEp7y0o
“What Measurements Can We Hhear?” by PS Audio: https://youtu.be/KHTYqOm3Y8c

The Actual Sausage-Making - How We Listen | More on Munich’s High End 2022 | KEF LS60 Wireless Speaker System

In this episode, hosts Brent Butterworth and Dennis Burger use an article by Gordon Brockhouse on SoundStageSimplifi.com about how SoundStage! Network contributors consume music as a springboard into a discussion about a new AES paper on how audio masters and streaming-app settings affect listener preferences. 
Next, the coverage of High End 2022 in Munich continues in the form of a discussion with SoundStage! editor-in-chief Jeff Fritz, who calls in to give his hot takes. 
Wrapping things up, Brent and Dennis ask and attempt to answer a simple question: How long does it actually take us to evaluate the sound of a new piece of audio gear? The answer may surprise you. 
Sources:"How We Listen" by Gordon Brockhouse: https://www.soundstagesimplifi.com/index.php/feature-articles/204-how-we-listen
"Listener Preferences in Streamed Music" by Jon Allan and Susanna Leijonhufvud: https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=21557
“High End 2022 - Munich, Germany” by Doug Schneider, Jeff Fritz, Jonathan Gorse, and Edgar Kramer: https://www.soundstageglobal.com/index.php/shows-events/high-end-2022-munich-germany
"High End 2022: Jeff's Hot Takes" by Jeff Fritz: https://www.soundstageglobal.com/index.php/shows-events/high-end-2022-munich-germany/1015-he-2022-jeffs-hot-takes
“A Short Film About the KEF LS60 Wireless” by John Darko: https://darko.audio/2022/05/a-short-film-about-the-kef-ls60-wireless/

Sitting In a Sweat Box - Bankrupt Onkyo | KEF LS60 Wireless | SoundStage! at Munich’s High End

In this episode, hosts Brent Butterworth and Dennis Burger read the obituary for Onkyo, lament the company’s demise, then dig into why it may (or may not) ultimately be a good thing for the Onkyo brand. Next up, they discuss what is undoubtedly one of the most important speakers announced so far this year, the new KEF LS60 Wireless loudspeaker system. 
Wrapping things up, Brent and Dennis scratch the surface of SoundStage! Global’s coverage of High End 2022 in Munich, spotlighting some of the products that grabbed their attention.
Sources:
“Onkyo has gone bankrupt” by John Hvidlykke: https://www.lbtechreviews.com/news/hi-fi/onkyo-has-gone-bankrupt
“VOXX International Corporation Completes The Acquisition Of The Audio/Video Business Of Onkyo Home Entertainment Corporation”: https://investors.voxxintl.com/news-releases/news-release-details/voxx-international-corporation-completes-acquisition-audiovideo
“Premium Audio Company, LLC Comments on Onkyo Home Entertainment Bankruptcy Filing”: https://investors.voxxintl.com/news-releases/news-release-details/premium-audio-company-llc-comments-onkyo-home-entertainment
“KEF LS60 Wireless Loudspeakers”: https://www.soundstageaustralia.com/index.php/news/660-kef-ls60-wireless-loudspeakers
“A short film about the KEF LS60 Wireless” by John Darko: https://darko.audio/2022/05/a-short-film-about-the-kef-ls60-wireless/
“High End 2022 - Munich, Germany” by Doug Schneider, Jeff Fritz, Jonathan Gorse, and Edgar Kramer: https://www.soundstageglobal.com/index.php/shows-events/high-end-2022-munich-germany

Somewhat Marginal in Functionality - Bose Layoffs | Headphone Consistency | Hearing Health

In this episode of the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast, hosts Brent Butterworth and Dennis Burger kick things off by talking about declining sales and layoffs at the former heavyweight of the audio world, Bose. Next up, they dig into an article by Brent, in which he tested the consistency of headphones and earphones at a variety of price points. 
Finally, they discuss a recent article by Dennis, in which he discussed his annual self-administered hearing test and advocated for a wider discussion about hearing health in the audiophile community. 
Sources:
"Layoffs hit Bose as the company focuses on its ‘most popular’ products" by Anissa Gardizy: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/05/03/business/layoffs-hit-bose-company-focuses-its-most-popular-products/
“How Consistent Is the Quality of Headphones and Earphones?” by Brent Butterworth: https://www.soundstagesolo.com/index.php/features/333-how-consistent-is-the-quality-of-headphones-and-earphones
"Every Audiophile Needs to Do This Annually" by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1189-every-audiophile-needs-to-do-this-annually
Mimi Health website: https://mimi.health/hearing-test-apps
AudioCheck High Frequency Range Test (8-22 kHz): https://www.audiocheck.net/audiotests_frequencycheckhigh.php
AudioCheck Blind Tests: https://www.audiocheck.net/blindtests_index.php

You Could Be Beyoncé - Stenheim & Paradigm | Live-Music Reference | Montreal Audiofest 2022

In this episode of the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast, hosts Brent Butterworth and Dennis Burger riff on an article by Diego Estan, in which he re-evaluated a pair of Stenheim Alumine Two speakers that demand something a little different in terms of setup. That leads to some insights gleaned from an interview Dennis conducted with Zoltan Balla and Blake Alty of Paradigm about how room design is influencing speaker design.
In the second segment, Brent and Dennis revisit the “live music as a reference” debate, which leads to a discussion about an old article by Sean Olive on live-versus-recorded-music tests and why they’re problematic. Lastly, they vicariously visit the Montreal Audiofest 2022 by way of SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider’s show coverage, and discuss the products they wish they could have heard themselves. 
Sources:
"Doing Our Due Diligence: Room Gain Revisited with the Stenheim Alumine Two Loudspeakers" by Doug Schneider and Diego Estan: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1661-doing-our-due-diligence-room-gain-revisited-with-the-stenheim-alumine-two-loudspeakers
"A Fantastic Gateway" by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1186-a-fantastic-gateway-a-qa-with-paradigms-zoltan-balla-and-blake-alty-on-the-new-monitor-se-8000f-loudspeaker
"On Live Music" by Jim Austin: https://www.stereophile.com/content/live-music
"Why Live-versus-Recorded Listening Tests Don't Work" by Sean Olive: https://seanolive.blogspot.com/2010/07/why-live-versus-recorded-listening.html
"AudioQuest NightHawk Headphones" by Brent Butterworth: https://www.soundstagesolo.com/index.php/equipment/headphones/75-audioquest-nighthawk-headphones
"Montreal Audiofest 2022 - Montreal, Canada" by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstageglobal.com/index.php/shows-events/montreal-audiofest-2022-montreal-canada