Are you still holding on to any ancient audio gear simply for nostalgiac reasons?
Reader Robert Baum writes that he bought a new KA-7002 Kenwood amp in 1973, and though he's upgraded several times since then, "it's been living under our bed (yes, it's still alive!) for at least a dozen years.
Are you still interested in buying a CD-only player for your system?
Reader Arnel Enero wonders if the advent of DVD-Audio and SACD has dampened your desire for a new CD-only player.
Are you still interested in CD players?
Discs may be getting passé, but the technology keeps maturing and most music is still released on CD. Besides, deals on used discs also abound. Are you still interested in CD players?
Assuming you have good speakers of average sensitivity, how much amplifier power is necessary for good imaging and dynamics?
Audio amplifiers are now available in power ratings of as low as a few watts. At the other end of the scale are gigawatt amps of 1000W or more. Most fall somewhere in the middle. How much power does a good system really need?
Assuming your system sounds good otherwise, how important is accurate, powerful deep bass for satisfying musical performance?
Low bass is probably the most difficult part of the audio spectrum for loudspeakers to reproduce accurately. Most speakers with "quick, tight bass" don't go very low. Conversely, most speakers that <I>do</I> go low sound muddy and undefined in the bottom octaves. A good subwoofer is the usual solution, but is deep bass really necessary for musical satisfaction?
At what price would you seriously consider buying an SACD player? Why?
Sony announced last week that they are lowering the price of their latest SACD player to $3500. Is this the right price to get your attention?
Can an audio system ever be perfect?
Some of us strive to reproduce a recording faithfully, while others look simply to create a pleasing sound, no matter what the source. Regardless of how you define perfection, can an audio system ever be perfect?
Can you hear a faint "background" ringing or hissing in your ears when it is dead quiet?
Reader BeeJay DeeJay would like to know if readers can hear a faint "background" ringing or hissing in their ears when it is dead quiet? If so, what is the extent of that hiss or noise, and is it bothersome when listening?
Can you set up and align your own cartridge?
As technology marches on, some of the old audiophile ways become lost arts. Do you still have the skills needed to set up and align a cartridge on a tonearm and turntable?
Can you think of any audiophile links that readers may not be aware of?
Audiophile websites cover every niche of the hobby, and new ones are always fun to find. Are there any worthy audiophile links that <I>Stereophile</I> readers may not be aware of?