Hi-fi articles
Explainers on how high-end audio works and how to get the best from it.
Valve vs Solid-State Amplifiers: What Really DiffersHow valve (tube) and transistor amplifiers work, why they sound different, and what each asks of your loudspeakers and your wallet.
Electrostatic Loudspeakers ExplainedHow electrostatic speakers work, why they are prized for transparency, and what amplifier, room and placement they need.
Getting the Best from a Turntable: Set-up and IsolationLevel, tracking force, alignment and isolation: the set-up steps that make the biggest difference to vinyl playback.
Moving Magnet vs Moving Coil CartridgesThe difference between MM and MC phono cartridges, what each needs from your phono stage, and how to choose.
Bi-Wiring and Bi-Amping ExplainedWhat bi-wiring, passive bi-amping and active bi-amping actually change, and when each is worth trying.
Choosing Speaker Cables and InterconnectsWhat matters electrically in hi-fi cables, what to spend, and how to approach the cable question sensibly.
Loudspeaker Placement and Room AcousticsHow to position loudspeakers and treat a room so that any hi-fi system sounds its best: free, practical steps.
What Makes High-End Hi-Fi Different?What high-end audio companies do differently in design, build and measurement, and what that means when you choose a system.