Best Tube Amplifier Podcasts (2024)

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Ep. 133: "A Spicy Tomato Sauce" 1:34:56

9d ago1:34:56

1:34:56

It's the 133rd episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all-things-tube amp! Want to be a part of our show? Just email us a question or voice memo to podcast@fretboardjournal.com. Some of the topics discussed: 1:14 Skip's 1950 Ferguson tractor, the Truth About Lawn Mowers 7:28 A zebra on …

1
Can We Finally Admit that Wireless Loudspeakers Don't Suck? 46:32

9d ago46:32

46:32

The wireless loudspeaker category has made enormous strides over the past 5 years and there is no question that there are high-end options that offer better sonic performance, superior connectivity options, and greater value for your money than traditional passive loudspeakers. Don't listen to members of the Hi-Fi press who try to tell you that you…

1
Sony is Bringing the Cinema Home with new 2024 BRAVIA 4K TVs and Soundbars 37:01

19d ago37:01

37:01

Today (April 17, 2024) Sony introduced its new 2024 line of BRAVIA 4K TVs, Soundbars and Theater speakers. Take a deep dive into the product launch with eCoustics Founder, Brian Mitchell and Editor at Large, Chris Boylan who got a hands-on tour of all the new products last month at Sony Pictures Studios in Los Angeles. Sony says, "Cinema is Coming …

1
Ep. 132: "Start Dark" 1:21:58

1M ago1:21:58

1:21:58

No guests or special theme this week...just an all-new, old-school episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps, where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all-things-tube amp. Want to be a part of our show? Just email us a question or voice memo to podcast@fretboardjournal.com. Some of the topics discussed: 1:31 What's on Skip's workbench: Va…

1
Rotate This? The Best Audiophile Turntables Between $600 and $2,000 33:03

1M ago33:03

33:03

Are you considering a turntable upgrade in 2024? Before you empty your wallet on a deck that might seem like the right path for you — we have a few suggestions that might make more sense long-term if your budget is between $600 and $2,000. Does it make sense to spend more? We think the market has shifted and there are some outstanding options from …

1
Philips Hue & Other Noisy Things | Bonny Light Horseman 35:02

2M ago35:02

35:02

When someone named Spammy emails you, you have a choice: flag as a phishing threat, or read in entirety? Well, we do get a kick out of seeing the moniker appear in our mailbox, from a listener whose skewering takes leave us chuckling every time. While most emailers use the show email to send questions, Spammy mostly offers witty commentary with no …

1
The Last Days of Gear Fetishism? How Network Amplifiers Are Going to Change Hi-Fi Forever 40:29

1M ago40:29

40:29

The gear fetishism that has stunted the mainstream growth of high-end audio for almost four decades is about to run out of runway and that might be the most positive development in years. How we consume music has completely shifted and whilst there will always be room on the credenza for a turntable, or even a CD player, the reality is that real es…

1
Sankar's Audeze: How a Boutique High-End Headphone Brand Sparked a Revolution in Sound and May Have Changed the Gaming Experience Forever 45:29

2M ago45:29

45:29

Audeze’s Co-Founder & CEO, Sankar Thiagasamudram, joins eCoustics Senior Headphone & Portables Editor William Jennings and Producer (and Audeze Artist) Mitch Anderson to discuss its 16 year journey as an innovator in the global Head-Fi revolution. Founded in 2008 as a boutique audiophile brand, Audeze's first concept was a loudspeaker which never c…

1
The New Lost Dunlavy Episode | Blake Mills 52:10

2M ago52:10

52:10

By popular demand, we present the new lost Dunlavy episode. Longtime listeners know that Darren and Duncan originally recorded 10 podcasts before publishing the very first one, as practice. One of those, referenced in early talks about the guys' dearly beloved Dunlavy speakers, was a thorough explanation of how they landed them for free, and insigh…

1
Ep. 131: "Sandy Soil" 1:48:19

2M ago1:48:19

1:48:19

Illustrator/musician/underground comix legend Robert Armstrong (Mickey Rat, Couch Potato, the Cheap Suit Serenaders!) joins Skip and Jason this week for a very special installment of the Truth About Vintage Amps. Want to support our show? Join our Patreon! Some of the topics discussed: 1:38 NOS military-grade green pilot light jewels from Gary Econ…

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Ep. 130: "America's Hat" 1:45:18

3M ago1:45:18

1:45:18

It's a very special, all-Canadian episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, the call-in show where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all things tube amp repair! This week, we have special guests Calvin McCormick (Hiwatt) and Mike Watson of The 6L6s along for the ride. Reminder: You should join our Patreon. Some of the topics dis…

1
Don't Be Nervous. It's Finally Time to Cut the Cord: Q Acoustics' M40 Wireless Micro-Towers Prove that High-End Audio Has Made the Jump 50:13

3M ago50:13

50:13

Can we finally stop pretending that wireless loudspeakers offer an inferior listening experience. The desire to sell high-end audio systems consisting of expensive boxes made of ticky tacky has become an impediment to the growth of the next generation of audiophiles and brands like Q Acoustics are working very hard to offer the best possible passiv…

1
Searching for the Highest Value | Mighty Poplar 38:36

3M ago38:36

38:36

With apologies for the delay, and for the audio which was nearly impossible to fix, the guys are back to answer a question from listener Rob Shrode. This episode is about the idea of a special price point threshold in each product category above which one can expect substantial performance improvement compared to below the threshold. As usual, it's…

1
Ep. 129: "Summer of the Comet" 1:17:16

3M ago1:17:16

1:17:16

Welcome to ep. 129 of the Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, the call-in show where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all things tube amp repair. This week, it's an (almost) all-Fender episode! Reminder: You should join our Patreon. Some of the topics discussed: :44 Jason goes to the NAMM Show 4:20 Skip is fixing his 1961 Comet 9:04 Wha…

1
A Little Extra Padding: How a Little Headphone Accessories Company Has Changed the Way We Listen. 57:30

3M ago57:30

57:30

With consumers spending tens of billions of dollars on headphones and earbuds, the product has become a commodity and one that is rather disposable. But does that need to be the case? Have you thrown away a perfectly good pair of earbuds or headphones because the ear pads or ear tips are worn down or busted up? Dekoni Audio have not only cornered t…

1
The Beauty of FM | Fabiano do Nascimento 28:06

3M ago28:06

28:06

The HiFi Podcast is back with a tech-centric take on FM Radio, answering a listener question and delving into why so many audiophiles gravitate toward it as a favorite source. As so many conversations do, this one meanders toward noise and distortion, but Darren's take on the loveliness of the sound of FM may surprise you. Brazilian musician Fabian…

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Ep. 128: "The Smells Were Overwhelming" 1:43:14

4M ago1:43:14

1:43:14

Welcome to episode 128 of the Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, the call-in show where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all things tube amp repair. The first hour of this show probably belongs on our Patreon, but I'm feeling generous and sharing it with everyone. Reminder: You should join our Patreon. (The amp questions kick in around…

1
Room Treatment As We See It | Voces8 38:33

4M ago38:33

38:33

In this episode, a listener requests a deeper dive into room treatment for optimizing sound in a HiFi listening space, and the fellas oblige. In fact, Darren and Duncan leap at the chance to talk about the curious look of some commercial treatment products, bemoan the high prices of some seemingly cheap-to-develop elements, and generally touch on m…

1
All About GaN FETs | Mitski 43:24

4M ago43:24

43:24

Welcome to the new season and new format for The HiFi Podcast. This time, the boys are back and apparently recording under a popular confluence of flight paths, but if you can get past the air traffic noise, this episode is one you don't want to miss. Darren dives deep into the makeup and uses and pros and cons of Gallium-Nitride Field Effect Trans…

1
Arcam Radia, JBL Classic and Roon: Interview with Jim Garrett 55:45

4M ago55:45

55:45

In our second podcast with Jim Garrett, head of product strategy and planning at Harman Luxury Audio we discuss Arcam’s new product refresh. The British Hi-Fi brand has just introduced the sleek new Radia series of audio components, which consists of five new models: • Arcam A5 Integrated Amp – $699 • Arcam A15 Integrated Amp – $1,099 • Arcam A25 I…

1
Ep. 127: "The Rogue Hoe" 51:19

5M ago51:19

51:19

We're closing out 2023 with special guest Bill Krinard of Two Rock! https://www.two-rock.com I won't even attempt to annotate this episode but Bill joins us at 5:36 and fields a bunch of listener-submitted questions on transformers with dissimilar primary windings; Two-Rock's design process; how he uses oscilloscopes; Ampegs; Filmosound mods; poten…

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Hi-Fi and Record Shopping in the Land of the Rising Sun 42:38

5M ago42:38

42:38

In September 2023, vintage columnist Eric Pye (@audioloveyyc) spent three weeks in Japan pursuing audio perfection in all forms. In this episode of the eCoustics podcast, he and podcast producer Mitch Anderson (@black_circle_radio) discuss shopping in Japan for modern and vintage HiFi, and new and used music on vinyl and other mediums. Conversation…

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Ep. 126: "They Do Eventually Die" 1:40:44

5M ago1:40:44

1:40:44

Transformer talk, spaghetti carbonara, goat horn jazz, and more transformer talk...it's the 126th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps! Want to be a part of our show? Submit your question or voice memo to podcast@fretboardjournal.com. Some of the topics discussed this week: :48 Skip types out a tube chart 3:16 This week's sponsors: Emerald City …

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House of the Rising Sun: A Journey to the Japanese Jazz Kissa 41:49

5M ago41:49

41:49

In September 2023, vintage columnist Eric Pye (@audioloveyyc) spent three weeks in Japan pursuing audio perfection in all forms. In this episode of the eCoustics podcast, he and podcast producer Mitch Anderson (@black_circle_radio) discuss the history and current state of Jazz Kissa culture, how visiting a Jazz Kissa is such a special experience, a…

1
Unveiling Audiophile Mysteries: Exploring Tubes, Bias Settings, and Circuit Design in High-End Amplifiers 1:12:38

5M ago1:12:38

1:12:38

Delve deep into the world of audiophile amplifiers as host Lachlan chats with Andrew, Alisa and Lutz from Sparkos Labs - renowned manufacturers of discrete op-amps and the Aries and Gemini headphone amplifiers. Unravel the enigmatic nuances of tube amplification, starting with the intriguing insights into the Gemini's tuning for the 6922 tubes and …

1
Ace of Space? Andover Audio Has an Affordable and Unique Solution for Your Hi-Fi Budget Blues 45:05

5M ago45:05

45:05

With consumers moving away from expensive multi-component systems and looking for more economical and space-spacing alternatives, the question has to be asked -- who is actually offering solutions that are affordable? Bob Hazelwood, Director of Engineering and Product Development, Andover Audio, joins us on the eCoustics podcast to discuss their ra…

1
Why EXPENSIVE products get better reviews and other interesting stuff... 33:51

6M ago33:51

33:51

Why did Chris choose to pick-up Abyss headphones to distribute here in Australia? Why does Lachlan allow brands to give him products for free to review and how does that not cause bias? Or does it? Do brands demonstrate bias in who they give products to for reviews? Why is it that the reviews of expensive gear tend to be less critical? What's next …

1
Capital Audiofest 2023: Are High-End Audio Manufacturers Living on Borrowed Time? 39:04

5M ago39:04

39:04

A new generation of music listeners are stepping outside their traditional comfort zones and looking for better ways to enjoy their music collections. But will they find that at a traditional Hi-Fi show? EIC Ian White and Producer Mitch Anderson break down CAF 2023 and why horrible music, unaffordable systems, and an aging customer base do not port…

1
What Makes a UST Projector the Best? Inside the 2023 Laser TV Showdown 1:07:58

6M ago1:07:58

1:07:58

Looking for a 4K UST projector or a portable lifestyle projector for your home? At the 2023 Laser TV Showdown, six unbiased expert judges took a look at the top UST projectors and the top portable 4K projectors (aka lifestyle projectors) and picked the winners in each category. Join us for a discussion with the organizers of the event as they revea…

1
Ep. 125: "Put Your Hands on the Hood" 1:08:40

6M ago1:08:40

1:08:40

It's the 125th installment of the Truth About Vintage Amps with Skip Simmons! Want to be a part of our show? Just email us a question or voice memo to podcast@fretboardjournal.com. Some of the topics discussed this week: :51 Skip works on a Jim Kelley Amp, built-in attenuators, the magnetic field caused by a Tweed Bassman speaker 3:30 Skip needs an…

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The Best Hi-Fi Year of Our Lives: eCoustics Roundtable 1:00:40

6M ago1:00:40

1:00:40

2023 was a year of discovery for all of us. New music. Some strange audio discoveries that have panned out beyond our wildest dreams. It was also a year where some of us stretched their budget and looked beyond what we thought we needed after exposure to some of the best Hi-Fi and home theater systems currently available. Does anyone really need 24…

1
Ep. 124: "Night Train" 1:10:30

6M ago1:10:30

1:10:30

It's the 124th installment of the Truth About Vintage Amps with Skip Simmons: Conductive paints, speaker impedance mismatches, pizza hacks and lots of dad jokes! Want to be a part of our show? Just email us a question or voice memo to podcast@fretboardjournal.com. Our sponsors are Emerald City Guitars, Amplified Parts, Stringjoy Strings, and Grez G…

1
What Exactly Does Music Do To Your Brain? 51:07

7M ago51:07

51:07

Have you ever wondered why music changes the way your brain deals with pain, love, or anxiety? Is it possible to use music to diagnose the early onset of Dementia or Alzheimer's disease? Leading Israeli Scientist, Dr. Neta Maimon, joins this episode's host, editor-in-chief Ian White, on the eCoustics podcast from Netanya, Israel, to discuss how the…

1
Can Westone Audio Reclaim Dominance in the IEM Market? 48:50

7M ago48:50

48:50

In this episode, eCoustics Senior Headphone Editor, W. Jennings speaks with Tal Kocen (Vice President, Consumer Product) and Dave Friesema (Technical Director/General Manager) of Westone Audio about the company’s wide range of custom and universal fit IEM products. Westone has been making earphones and audio accessories for musicians and audiophile…

1
Ep. 123: "Salt to Taste" 1:46:47

7M ago1:46:47

1:46:47

Today, we celebrate the millionth download of our podcast with one of our favorite conversations to date: Longtime TAVA contributor Larry Chung joins Skip and Jason to talk about the zen and art of early tube amp restoration and so much more. We also tackle a bunch of questions from our listeners about PAs, field coil speakers, guitar amp finds, an…

1
Ep. 122: "A Low Ceiling Situation" 1:34:04

7M ago1:34:04

1:34:04

** Note to the Amp Purists: There is virtually NO amp talk on this episode. If that's what you're seeking, stay tuned for TAVA episode 123, out tomorrow, where we'll have two hours of deep amp knowledge with special guest Larry Chung. Everyone else: Enjoy a very special TAVA featuring Skip's son, Will!** What's it like to have amp tech Skip Simmons…

1
UE Pro: In Pursuit of the Ultimate Earphones with Vincent Liu 1:14:20

7M ago1:14:20

1:14:20

eCoustics Senior Headphone Editor W. Jennings recently sat down with Vincent Liu, Ultimate Ears Pro’s Head of Product & Operations for a conversation about the new Premier 21-driver IEM. This discussion touches on the impacts of the pandemic on Ultimate Ears Pro and how that provided opportunities to rethink some design elements of existing models …

1
Ep. 121: "Plaid Bell Bottoms" 1:33:40

8M ago1:33:40

1:33:40

It's the 121st episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps, the call-in show where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all things tube amp. This week: Special guest Jim Kelley joins us (around the 28-minute mark)! Want to be a part of the show? Keep the amp questions for Skip coming to podcast@fretboardjournal.com! Voice memos or emails are …

1
Song of the Divine: An Intimate Conversation with Al Anderson of The Original Wailers 51:27

8M ago51:27

51:27

Legendary guitarist, Al Anderson, toured with Bob Marley & The Wailers from 1974 until just before Marley’s death in 1981. Anderson's stunning lead guitar work on iconic classics like "No Woman, No Cry," "Three O’clock Road Block," and "Could You Be Loved" earned him a place in music history. Al continues touring to this day as the sole member of t…

1
We're Back! New Season Format Announcement, Plus An Album 23:55

8M ago23:55

23:55

Apologies for the wait. Apologies for the sound glitches and skips in this one - still figuring out the new mobile recording rig. But the boys of The HiFi Podcast are back, and in this pre-season announcement, Darren and Duncan explain the plan for the next chapter of the podcast, which will now be divided into seasons and feature shorter but more …

1
Beyond Audiophile Expectations: Geshelli Labs' AK4499EX DACs & Sparkos Magic 59:00

8M ago59:00

59:00

🎧 Get ready to embark on an auditory adventure like never before! In this electrifying episode, we sit down with the dynamic duo, Geno & Sherri, from Geshelli Labs, as they take us deep into the realm of audio innovation. 🌟 Discover the cutting-edge technology behind Geshelli Labs' new range of DACs, featuring the game-changing AKM AK4499EX DAC chi…

1
Ep. 120: "One Call" 1:09:38

9M ago1:09:38

1:09:38

It's the 120th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps, the call-in show where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all things tube amp. This week in a nutshell: Is this the Fender Yale?; lots of Fretboard Summit love; Skip sneaks a mower across the border; magnifiers; tomato gravy; and rumblings of a possible Oregon Truth About Vintage A…

1
Making MoFi the Soundtrack of Your Life 49:50

9M ago49:50

49:50

Lenny CoCo spends his days and nights traversing North America, spreading the gospel for MoFi Distribution, as their National Specialty Audio Sales Manager. After more than 32 years in the business, he has seen it all and can help music listeners assemble the audio system of their dreams, regardless of price. His passion for music and hi-fi began w…

1
The Lamborghini of Audio, Gryphon's Sales Director, Rune Skov 21:48

9M ago21:48

21:48

In our third installment with Gryphon Audio Designs, we speak with Gryphon’s Sales Director, Rune Skov, at T.H.E. Show 2023. He’s responsible for the company’s worldwide sales strategy, tasked with the daunting goal of turning Gryphon into the most sought-after brand in hi-fi. Gryphon Audio’s vision is clear: the company wants its brand to be as re…

1
SVS Immersion is Here, There, and Everywhere: Live from T.H.E. Show 2023 32:54

9M ago32:54

32:54

SVS has a gone from a factory-direct seller of affordable subwoofers, to a full fledged audio brand to be reckoned with. In keeping to their high value / affordable roots, SVS now sells a full lineup of loudspeakers, wireless speakers, and accessories in addition to subwoofers. The company has racked up so many awards, it's nearly impossible to go …

1
Get Blown Away by JBL Sound Again, Interview with Jim Garrett of Harman Luxury Audio Group 1:18:45

9M ago1:18:45

1:18:45

In this episode eCoustics founder Brian Mitchell sits down with Jim Garrett, head of product strategy and planning at the Harman Luxury Audio Group, which is composed of five active brands — JBL, JBL Synthesis, Arcam, Mark Levinson, and Revel. The discussion centers around the luxury side of the JBL business, which includes the modernized re-launch…

1
Ep. 119: "Painting Some Dots" 1:17:40

9M ago1:17:40

1:17:40

It's the 119th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps, the call-in show where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all things tube amp. Want to be a part of the show? Keep the amp questions for Skip coming to podcast@fretboardjournal.com! Voice memos or emails are welcome. Don't forget we now have a Patreon if you'd like to support the s…

1
The Wonderful Wizard of GaN? Pulling Back the Curtains on the Next Generation of Amplification 32:00

9M ago32:00

32:00

In this episode we return to the T.H.E. Show 2023, where we talk with Allen Sides of Ocean Way Audio and Alberto Guerra of AGD Productions. The unlikely duo have teamed up at T.H.E. Show in Costa Mesa, CA to demonstrate the synergy between AGD electronics and Ocean Way loudspeakers. Allen Sides is a five-time Grammy winning engineer/producer who ha…

1
This Must Be the Place: How Cambridge Audio’s “Music First” Ethos is Making Itself a Final Destination For Music Listeners 43:16

9M ago43:16

43:16

Cambridge Audio has been a “music first” brand since its inception and one would like to think that every company that designs and manufactures audio components and loudspeakers shares that same ethos. With so much emphasis on the hardware, it is most certainly refreshing to see that the British manufacturer is taking a different approach to reach …

1
Ep. 118: "Pirate Ale" (Special Guest: Ben Harper) 1:43:44

10M ago1:43:44

1:43:44

This week, we’re joined by the one-and-only Ben Harper, who has a couple of questions for Skip right before his Lyon, France concert. Ben regales us with tales of a rare Weissenborn spotted on a Disneyland ride, Dumbles, and pre-show skateboarding (which Skip is a little worried about). He also spills the beans on his new touring amp of choice… a T…

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