Audio Unleashed

• “Maybe We’re the Chumps”

  We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent deconstruct the latest column by Stereophile’s editor-in-chief and contemplate whether his position on spooky woo-woo has devolved in the past decade. Then they ogle cool amps and preamps on AliExpress that borrow revered brands yet cost only hundreds—and also examine how crazy it’d be to buy this stuff right now (b/c tariffs, not b/c communism and chopsticks). They conclude with a not-terribly-deep dive into a new article from Dennis about audio DIY, but not the kind of audio DIY you’re probably imagining. Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album Dennis’s book recommendations: 📚 Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly: https://amzn.to/4aMl9Xl 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET Further Reading:  “Chips for Chumps” by Jim Austin: https://www.stereophile.com/asweseeit/505awsi/index.html “Chips Are Still For Chumps” by Jim Austin: https://www.stereophile.com/content/chips-are-still-chumps Can't afford getting my MiniDSP Flex HTx out of Customs: https://www.reddit.com/r/audiophile/comments/1jw4agi/cant_afford_getting_my_minidsp_flex_htx_out_of/?share_id=8ttFl2ZUnK8f5iRYFUiXX&utm_content=1&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1 “Nobody Warned Me Vinyl Would Turn Into a DIY Hobby” by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1332-nobody-warned-me-vinyl-would-turn-into-a-diy-hobby “AXPONA 2025 Audio Show Report” by The Absolute Sound: https://youtu.be/yma3eOoy3ts?si=OfWbec3_nunA8qei

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  56:49
• “More Useful Than Five Years’ Worth of Audio Magazines”

  We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent explore the fast-growing world of made-to-order lathe-cut records – and even play one for you! (Prepare to be … well, prepared.) Then they delight in some made-to-order pink noise from Erin’s Audio Corner, and deconstruct Holly Cole’s new made-to-order (well, for audiophiles) album with the help of Stereophile.  Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album Dennis’s book recommendations: 📚 Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly: https://amzn.to/4aMl9Xl 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET   Further Reading:  “Mid-Fi: Cutting Plastic Records with Michael Dixon” by Scott Evans: https://tapeop.com/interviews/165/mid-fi-cutting-plastic-records-michael-dixon/ “How Would YOU Describe These Sounds? | Audiophile Challenge!” by Erin's Audio Corner: https://youtu.be/Yu0VE2RVBGE?si=9Gk96P9JL48UlZqV “Holly Cole's Dark Moon” by Robert Baird: https://www.stereophile.com/content/holly-coles-dark-moon

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  55:47
• “Not Understanding What Nirvana Means”

  We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent stop by Strata-gee to see how Sonos is strategorizing to scramble back to the summit of the sound souk with a new … oh, wait, change in plans! Then they ally themselves (very conditionally) with a British-ish mastering engineer who contends that high-priced DACs are a scam. Then they bring their incomparable incredulity to bear on the question of whether adding hobbled Dolby Atmos functionality to Cadillacs is the way forward for Atmos or Cadillac. Brent’s audio projects: 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album   Dennis’s book recommendations: 📚 Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly: https://amzn.to/4aMl9Xl 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET Further Reading:  “Is Sonos Adrift and Directionless? Or On the Right Track?” by Ted Green: https://www.strata-gee.com/is-sonos-adrift-and-directionless-or-on-the-right-track/ “The DAC Scam - Almost everyone believes the hype” by AP Mastering: https://youtu.be/7Sg1nYLmLCw?si=SrQ47F74vdBWgNTX “DAC Delusion: These test results are insane!” by AP Mastering: https://youtu.be/LbcEgxm6RTU?si=jICNAe4CLwDgEgAI “General Motors Introduces Dolby Atmos Across its Entire 2026 EV Lineup”: https://audioxpress.com/news/general-motors-introduces-dolby-atmos-across-entire-2025-ev-lineup  

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  1:00:14
• “Fun and Depressing at the Same Time!”

  We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent page through the storied Gray Lady (known to some as the New York Times and to Brent as “employer”) and find, to their amazement, an in-depth profile of high-end vinyl company Acoustic Sounds and its iconoclastic proprietor, Chad Kassem. Then they check out what YouTube star Cheapaudioman says are the biggest mistakes audiophiles can make (besides failing to listen to the Audio Unleashed podcast). They conclude by digging through a Tape Op profile of a man in Burbank, California whose life’s work is getting messed-up tapes to play so you can finally hear A Flock of Seagulls as they were meant to be heard. Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases): 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 📚 Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly: https://amzn.to/4aMl9Xl 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET   Further Reading:  “The Wizard of Vinyl is in Kansas” by Ben Sisario: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/05/arts/music/vinyl-albums-chad-kassem-acoustic-sounds.html “Don't Waste Money on These Audiophile TRAPS!” by cheapaudioman: https://youtu.be/m4ubVpSe_8M?si=oGUpiToYTT39eCuT “How to Make Your Own Audio Diffusers” by Brent: https://www.lifewire.com/make-your-own-audio-diffuser-3134903 Shibuya Hi-Fi Vinyl Bar: https://www.shibuyahifi.com/ “Dan Johnson: Preserving the Past” by Larry Crane: https://tapeop.com/interviews/165/dan-johnson/ Nonagon Infinity Live - 8-Track: https://needlejuicerecords.com/products/nonagon-infinity-live-8-track

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  1:10:02
• “Ignorance Is Such a Rare Commodity”

  We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent unexpectedly flip the phase of their podcast by lavishly praising another audio pundit. But they quickly get back to business with an in-depth report on what might be the most preposterous subwoofer review (and most preposterous subwoofer setup) in a long history of preposterous subwoofer reviews by audiophile mags. Then they try to figure out why a famed accessories manufacturer insists that blind testing doesn’t work yet employs it nonetheless, and contemplate Passion for Sound’s assertion that science disproves the validity of science. Buy-now links for products mentioned herein (As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small cut from qualifying purchases): 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s new album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 📚 Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly: https://amzn.to/4aMl9Xl 📚 Budget Travel For Dummies by Geoffrey Morrison: https://amzn.to/3uiIPlp 📚Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms by Floyd Toole: https://amzn.to/3ZlTLtE 📚Loudspeaker Design Cookbook 8th Edition: Volume 1 by Vance Dickason: https://amzn.to/42pdwk0 📚 The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back by Jacob Ward: https://amzn.to/4cyzSET Further Reading:  “Improve Your Stereo With These Three EASY Tips!” by Erin’s Audio Corner: https://youtu.be/FHjy0ZV0V7U?si=yg19a1toVoVlAIfZ “REL No.31 powered subwoofer” by Rogier van Bakel: https://www.stereophile.com/content/rel-no31-powered-subwoofer “Why you SHOULDN'T trust blind audio tests (according to science)” by Passion for Sound: https://youtu.be/OZMACL6z3OU?si=j84a3V4DvehHNZ_w “What the AKG K371 Headphones Tell Us About Slow Listening” by Brent Butterworth: https://www.soundstagesolo.com/index.php/features/221-what-the-akg-k371-headphones-tell-us-about-slow-listening

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  1:02:05

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