Part-Time Audiophile

10/07/2025

We were pretty blown away by the 25th anniversary celebration that Antonio and Randolph were able to put together at their AudioVision retail store last year, so when they asked us to come back for another round - we couldn't be more excited. The level of product and brand representation is fantastic for anyone looking to hear HiFi gear in the San Fransisco area....

We were pretty blown away by the 25th anniversary celebration that Antonio and Randolph were able to put together at their AudioVision retail store last year, so when they asked us to come back for another round - we couldn't be more excited. The level of product and brand representation is

10/05/2025

Marc Phillips is having a wonderful weekend in Toronto at Boutique Audio Gallery, listening to the new Zellaton Statement Ultra loudspeakers.

10/05/2025

Audiophiles love big amps, big speakers, and big egos. But does bigger actually mean better — or just heavier?...

Is Bigger Better? The Cult of Size Audiophiles have a thing about size. Bigger amps, bigger speakers, bigger rooms, bigger budgets, bigger egos. If Freud had been into hi-fi, he could have retired early. We whisper about “headroom” and “driver excursion” with the same nervous energy as teena...

10/03/2025

Acora MRB-1: A Revelation in Minimalism I first met Valerio Cora, the founder of Acora Acoustics, and, as of May 2023, the new owner and CEO of Audio Research Corporation, in November 2018 at that year’s Capital Audiofest, where he was presenting his newly established loudspeaker brand to the world. Val was showing his new three-model SR range, including the SRB, SRC-1, and SRC-2, all featuring natural stone enclosures....

Acora MRB-1: A Revelation in Minimalism I first met Valerio Cora, the founder of Acora Acoustics, and, as of May 2023, the new owner and CEO of Audio Research Corporation, in November 2018 at that year’s Capital Audiofest, where he was presenting his newly established loudspeaker brand

10/02/2025

Focal loudspeakers have a reputation for beauty as well as performance, and now the French audio manufacturer has created Focal Crafts, a "workshop" designed for making limited edition pieces that implement stunning colors and materials in their loudspeaker and headphone lines. Here's the official press release from Focal/Naim: SAINT-ÉTIENNE, France, Oct. 2, 2025 — Focal unveils Focal Crafts, a workshop dedicated to the creation of exclusive pieces, where artisanal excellence meets innovation....

Focal loudspeakers have a reputation for beauty as well as performance, and now the French audio manufacturer has created Focal Crafts, a "workshop" designed for making limited edition pieces that implement stunning colors and materials in their loudspeaker and headphone lines. Here's the official p...

09/30/2025

Headphones with subwoofers built-in from HiFiCON 2025.

Our bi-weekly Podcast: https://pt.audio/category/audio-life/occasional-podcast/Always and forever the craziest thing I ever see at any given headphone show. ...

09/30/2025

Technical Audio Devices Laboratories, Inc. (TADL), the legendary Japanese audio manufacturer renowned for its uncompromising pursuit of sonic purity, is pleased to announce the appointment of Rutherford Audio Inc. as its distributor for HiFi consumer products in both Canada and the USA. Founded with a heritage of innovation in professional studio monitors, TADL has long been synonymous with precision engineering, artisanal craftsmanship, and musical realism....

Technical Audio Devices Laboratories, Inc. (TADL), the legendary Japanese audio manufacturer renowned for its uncompromising pursuit of sonic purity, is pleased to announce the appointment of Rutherford Audio Inc. as its distributor for HiFi consumer products in both Canada and the USA. Founded with...

09/28/2025

I hadn't heard of SoundSpace Systems loudspeakers before Jason Melman of Boutique Audio Gallery (BAG) in Toronto asked me if I wanted to review a pair. I'd just been introduced to Jason Melman at that point, although I had been invited to his dealer events twice by then--first by Michael Vamos of Audio Skies and again by Duncan Taylor of…...

I hadn't heard of SoundSpace Systems loudspeakers before Jason Melman of Boutique Audio Gallery (BAG) in Toronto asked me if I wanted to review a pair. I'd just been introduced to Jason Melman at that point, although I had been invited to his dealer events twice by then--first by Michael Vamos

09/26/2025

Quad and Wharfedale system review: Quad 33 Preamplifier ($1,599 USD), Quad 303 Stereo Amplifier ($1,599 USD) and Wharfedale Super Denton Speakers ($1,400 USD per pair)Text by John RichardsonPhotos by Ellie Bigler In the watch enthusiast world, the idea of a homage piece is quite common, with the iconic Rolex Submariner being perhaps the most oft-copied design in horological history....

Quad and Wharfedale system review: Quad 33 Preamplifier ($1,599 USD), Quad 303 Stereo Amplifier ($1,599 USD) and Wharfedale Super Denton Speakers ($1,400 USD per pair)Text by John RichardsonPhotos by Ellie Bigler In the watch enthusiast world, the idea of a homage piece is quite common, with the ico...

09/25/2025

This week on The Occasional Podcast we are looking back into our past and pulling together some of the best moments from our 12 seasons on the "air"! It's been a great learning experience for everyone, filled with amazing interviews from some of audio's greatest minds. For S13E2, we cover a few of our best conversations and insights on the polarizing subject of…...

This week on The Occasional Podcast we are looking back into our past and pulling together some of the best moments from our 12 seasons on the "air"! It's been a great learning experience for everyone, filled with amazing interviews from some of audio's greatest minds. For S13E2, we cover

09/24/2025

STAMFORD, CT — September 23, 2025 — HARMAN International ("HARMAN"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., focused on connected technologies for automotive, consumer, and enterprise markets, today announced it has completed the acquisition of Sound United, the former consumer audio business of Masimo Corporation (NASDAQ: MASI). Sound United’s portfolio of iconic audio brands includes Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, Definitive Technology, Polk Audio, HEOS, …...

STAMFORD, CT — September 23, 2025 — HARMAN International ("HARMAN"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., focused on connected technologies for automotive, consumer, and enterprise markets, today announced it has completed the acquisition of Sound United, the former consum...

09/20/2025

No other two-way bookshelf speaker has impressed me more upon first listen than the Acora Acoustics MRB-1 loudspeakers. I remember it vividly--I was at the 2024 Capital Audiofest, and of course I went into the Acora room because I need to hear "Chocolate Chip Trip" at least once on the flagship VRC-1s, which cost $218,000/pair and are currently the champions of delivering that Tool song and making it sound like drummer Danny Carey was wandering through the halls of the show and decided to drop in and play for the crowd....

No other two-way bookshelf speaker has impressed me more upon first listen than the Acora Acoustics MRB-1 loudspeakers. I remember it vividly--I was at the 2024 Capital Audiofest, and of course I went into the Acora room because I need to hear "Chocolate Chip Trip" at least once on the flagship