Best HiFi Products Of The Year (So Far) Plus! Pacific Audiofest 2024 Highlights And Best Of Show
Release Date: 09/10/2024
The Occasional Podcast
An interview with Vince Burzzese of Totem Acoustic. Vince has been developing speakers for many years, and his longtime brand Totem Acoustic has carved out its audience in the HiFi realm since 1987. We sit down with him to chat about his design philosophy, audio journey, and more in this very unique interview. Vince is a rare Canadian designer based out of Montreal, Quebec. His goals and mission in audio are made clear and help provide an interesting insight into the how and why he has dedicated his professional life to audio. It is a really fun listen for anyone interested in high-end audio,...
info_outlineThe Occasional Podcast
An intervew with Director of Acoustic Design at IAG, Peter Comeau. Peter helps manage the sound design for IAG brands, including Wharfedale, Mission, Quad, Castle and Audiolab. We chat him up and discuss his outlook on listening, reproducing sound and more. Peter gives his take on several audiophile myths, including how far a speaker should really be placed from a wall for the best bass response. He also sheds a little more light on the idea of "British" speaker designs and some of the pros and cons of two-way vs three-way approaches. This includes some insights into the new (and very popular)...
info_outlineThe Occasional Podcast
Our recommendations for the top 10 best sounding integrated amplifiers from the past 12 months. Marc and Brian run down their best amp picks from cheapest to most expensive. Released in conjunction with the pt.AUDIO Buyer's Guide Summer 2025. You can check out all the "best of" gear from every HiFi category here: Video coverage: Season 12 Merch is now available! The pt.AUDIO Record Weight In Walnut : S12E7 Sponsors: - Traditional Craft, Modern Acoustics - A Clear Choice For The Best Connection - Nothing Brings You Closer To The Music - Great Sounds Meet Good Times
info_outlineThe Occasional Podcast
An interview with Kevin Hayes Of VAC. The KT88 and the 300b tube are some of the most popular options for HiFi amplification. But what are the differences and why do some amp designers choose one over the other? Kevin explains the situation and also discusses Class A, if amplifiers "warm up", and if tubes sound better in the pre amp or power amp. A very educational and inspirational interview with a tube designer that has been in the business for over 35 years. Video coverage: Season 12 Merch is now available! The pt.AUDIO Record Weight In Walnut : S12E6 Sponsors: - Traditional Craft,...
info_outlineThe Occasional Podcast
Andrew Jones of MoFi Electronics joins the 5-timers club with us this week on The Occasional Podcast. Recorded at AXPONA 2025, this episode tackles the finer talking points of loudspeaker bass design, as well as all the new interesting bits on Mr. Jones upcoming MoFi Electronics flagship floorstander, the Sourcepoint V10. Andrew Jones has a long history with high fidelity design, working for speaker brands like KEF, TAD, Pioneer and Elac. In this episode Andrew discusses some audio myths, A/B comparisons and what the idea of "better" truly means within the context of audio listening....
info_outlineThe Occasional Podcast
Live from Chicago, IL - The cast and crew from PartTimeAudiophile's coverage of AXPONA 2025 weigh in. Held April 11-13 in the Schaumburg Convention Center, this episode reports back on all the showroom highlights and the latest hifi product releases from the largest high fidelity audio event in North America. Best of show, standout gear and plenty of weekend observations. Special thanks to Marc Phillips and Graig Neville. Video coverage: Season 12 Merch is now available! The pt.AUDIO Record Weight In Walnut : S12E4 Sponsors: - Traditional Craft, Modern Acoustics - A Clear Choice For The...
info_outlineThe Occasional Podcast
Our picks for the top 10 best sounding speakers from the past 12 months. Marc and Brian rundown their best speaker picks from cheapest to most expensive. In preparation for the upcoming AXPONA show in Chicago, the pt.AUDIO staff presents some of the best speaker listens since the last show. Much has been updated, revealed and redeemed. Also don't forget to check out the show sponsor of this episode: Tidal Audio and The Voice That Is along with Audio Ultra and Artisan Fidelity will be at the Chicago Marriott Schaumburg April 11th and 12th from 10am to 5pm where they will feature three big rooms...
info_outlineThe Occasional Podcast
Ever sit at your 9 to 5 and wonder what it would be like to venture out on your own, in your favorite hobby? This is exactly what Zach Mehrbach of did until he kicked off what turned out to be one of the most successful micro-brands in the headphone space. In this episode we explore some of the growing pains of a small business in personal audio, hunting wood, Steve Jobs and going from a metaphoric "David" to "Goliath". Season 12 Merch is now available! The pt.AUDIO Record Weight In Walnut : S12E2 Sponsors: - A Clear Choice For The Best Connection - Audio Components Designed &...
info_outlineThe Occasional Podcast
Our Season 12 opener is with David Chesky of Chesky Records and The Audiophile Society. Along with creating the high resolution music download service HDTracks.com, David is a composer, Jazz pianist and founder of both the label Chesky Records and a new venture with a focus on 3D sound called the Audiophile Society. In this episode he discusses life as a musician, creator and composer with audiophile pursuits. A great listen for anyone looking to hear more about the latest in HiFi music production, life as a Jazz musician and more. David's latest projects: | Season 12 Merch is now available!...
info_outlineThe Occasional Podcast
An interview with Drew Baird Of . Drew joins the Season 11 finale with tons of unique insights into the current state of the CD - and some of his observations might actually surprise you. In this episode we explore the impacts of physical media on the current audiophile landscape, system matching, the eventual takeover of AI and more. An excellent learning/conversional piece about the current state of HiFi and what to expect to see in the next few years. Drew owns and operates the online retailer and has an absolutely massive cache of product knowledge including sales trends and...
info_outlineThe best audio products of the year so far, and all the HiFi Highlights and Best Of Show from Pacific Audiofest in Seattle, WA. PT.Audio Editor-In-Chief Marc Phillips rejoins the show straight off the plane from PAF 2024. He gives us the big download on all the best products we have for 2024 so far, and all of his nominations for best of show from the Pacific Northwest event.
The last episode of Season 10 is packed with the highest recommendations from across high fidelity audio with tons of options from the most current round of product launches in the market. A must listen for anyone interested in the latest and greatest for the hobby.
S10E10 Sponsors:
ZMFHEADPHONESdotCOM - Traditional Craft, Modern Acoustics
AUDIOCAFEBEVERLYHILLSdotCOM - Emotional Musical Engagment
FERNANDROBYdotCOM - Expert Craftmanship for Elevated Sound Systems
SVSOUNDdotCOM – Join the Sound R|Evolution