Do you use dedicated headphone amplification?
Judging from the response to last week's poll, <I>Stereophile</I> readers love headphones. Do you use dedicated headphone amplification?
Do you use your system for both two-channel and 5.1 or 7.1?
Multi-channel music releases may have slowed to a trickle, but with home theater still going strong, reader Greg Abarr is curious: "How many people use their systems for both two-channel and 5.1 or 7.1?"
Do you want surround-sound in your audio system?
With the proposed DVD-Audio format comes the opportunity for multiple channels of high-quality sound. But would you even consider adding more speakers to your two-channel system?
Do you want tone controls on your preamp?
This week's Soapbox finds reader Mark Gdovin lamenting the lack of tone controls on modern audiophile preamps. Do you look for tone controls when you purchase a preamp?
Does Stereophile recommend too many components?
In the January 2005 issue of <I>Stereophile</I>, reader "KCA" suggests rather impolitely that the magazine recommends too many components. What do you think?
Does a component's industrial design matter to you? How much?
In a blog comment, reader Henry writes "I won't buy a component that does not look right . . . . It needs to have a look like someone cared deeply about the appearance of the thing as a function of performance." <P> Does a component's industrial design matter to you? How much?
Does a great audio system influence your choice when buying an automobile?
These days, an increasing number of new automobiles are emphasing a custom audio system as a selling feature
Does it bother you when a disc is mastered with extra compression to make it sound louder?
In the June issue of <I>Stereophile</I>, John Atkinson writes about the disturbing practice of mastering music releases with unmusical compression and limiting. Is this a big deal for you?
Does it help if you "break in" a component? If so, tell us about it.
One of the age-old audio battles is whether or not a component needs to be "broken-in" first to sound its best. Does it help to break in a component and, if so, what is the most dramatic example you've experienced?
Does small speaker size matter to you?
Does size matter? Is it important to you to find the smallest speaker that still delivers the sound you want?