The Occasional Podcast

Interview with Sean Casey of Zu Audio and Bart Andeer Of The Florida HiFi Show (Florida International Audio Expo). This week's double header features the proprieter of the Florida Audio Show, plus the return of Sean Casey, a first since his intial appearance in S1E1! Bart gives us the low down on the next big audio show in Tampa coming on February 17-19 2023, plus all his expierences traveling across the globe with HiFi in mind. Sean talks music, creativity, new gear and old, entry-level to...

Eric, Grover, Dave and Jameson from the PartTimeAudiophile.com writing staff join The Occasional Podcast to give thier impressions of all the audio gear that was on display at Capital Audiofest 2022 in DC. This episode covers all the showroom highlights and the latest hifi product releases from the East Coast event. Best of show, standout gear and plenty of weekend observations. S8E7 Sponsors: THEVOICETHATISdotCOM - For The Love Of Music ZUAUDIOdotCOM - Any music, amp or room, there's a...

Interview with Andrew Jones of Mofi Electronics. We visit Andrew Jones' (ELAC/KEF/Pionneer) design office in Beverly Hills to get an exclusive first look at his new Source Point 10 concentric loudspeaker, the first release under the new MoFi Electronics brand. Andrew gives us all the updates on the new monitor-sized two-way and devulges his philosophies when it comes to material choice, bracing, crossovers, form factor and more. If you are attending Capital Audiofest this weekend, please...

An Occasional Podcast Halloween special. What ever happened to Crazy Eddie's chain of electronics stores? In this episode, we explore the rise, fraud and fallout of one of the biggest retail scams that just kept getting bigger and bigger. What started as a small electronics chain grew into 43 stores in four states and an alleged $300 million in sales. If you were around the area in the 80's, the signature high energy "crazy Eddie" commercials saturated the popular culture at the time. His...

Interview with legendary speaker designer Andrew Jones of MoFi Electronics. Andrew joins the podcast again to do a deep dive into the design elements of speaker cabinets. His history creating speakers spans the years making iconic hifi from the likes of ELAC, KEF, TAD, Pioneer - just to name a few. In this episode we expore topics like how to get bass out of small sizes, how much damping is the correct amount, what designs have proven to be the most useful for certain scenarios and more. It...

Brian Hunter covers the large swath of high fidelity product launches that hit the market this week in preparation for the upcoming holiday season. Much of the new gear is highly anticipated flagship offerings as well as some new tech and updated feature sets to established favorites. Includes live show coverage and 6 interviews with manufacturers including DCS, Focal and more. S8E3 Sponsors: ZUAUDIOdotCOM - Any music, amp or room, there's a Zu for You PURISTAUDIODESIGNdotCOM - Let Us...

An interview with PTA's Marc Phillips upon his return from Denmark. Marc joins the show to recap his trip to see a few Danish hifi manufacturers. Fresh from the audio show in Munich, Marc heads back out to Europe to follow up with a few high end brands that caught his eye at the international show including Borrenson, Aavik and Ansuz from the Audio Group Denmark and also Dali Speakers. We also drop the latest audiophile news including new product releases and upcoming events for fall. S8E2...

Marc Phillips joins the show to give his impressions of all the audio gear that was on display at Pacific Audio Fest 2022 in Seattle. This episode covers all the highlights in high fidelity and Marc's overall vibe from the debut of the West Coast's newest audio event. Best of show, standout gear and new product releases. S8E1 Sponsors: THEVOICETHATISdotCOM - For The Love Of Music ZUAUDIOdotCOM - Any music, amp or room, there's a Zu for You PURISTAUDIODESIGNdotCOM - Let Us Connect You To...

A tribute to the 300b amplifier tube with Gary Dews of Border Patrol Audio Electronics. Why is the 300b so common in audiophile tube amplifier designs? What about the 300b makes it unique amoung the many options available to amp makers? In this episode, we explore everything you would ever want to know about this direct heated triode, including usage, benefits, drawbacks and the current state of pricing and supply. S7E10 Sponsors: ZUAUDIOdotCOM - Any music, amp or room, there's a Zu for...

An interview with the legendary voice of analog hifi, Michael Fremer. Michael joins the show to chat about his long, tenured history reviewing audio products. Along with his 40+ years of expierence with turntables, Michael has worked as a writer in Hollywood, a DJ for radio, a stand up comedian and YouTube personality. You can follow his newest projects starting soon at www.trackingangle.com. S7E9 Sponsors: MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment SCHIITdotCOM - Audio...

Interview with Jon Derda Of Mofi Electronics. In this week's episode we expore the current state of Class D amplification. Historically, the amplifier topology has had a rocky past with the audiophile mainstream, but have current technological advances changed the way we look at this catagory? Jon joins us to help explain the current state of things, new technologies like Gallium Nitride (GaN) and what the future might hold for hifi and class D. S7E8 Sponsors: MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM -...

Marc Phillips joins the show to give his impressions of all the audio gear that was on display at High End Munich 2022. We cover all the highlights from one of the world's biggest high fidelity audio shows held in Germany. Best of show, standout gear and new product releases. S7E7 Sponsors: MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49 PURISTAUDIODESIGNdotCOM - Let Us Connect You To The...

Interview with Romain Vet, VP Marketing Focal Naim America and Bes Nievera, Brand Ambessedor from Music Direct. This episode is a bit of a double header. We follow up with Naim-Focal to see what is going on in the big corperate world of high fidelity audio. The France-based multi-brand has taken some new leaps into fresh product catagories as of late. We also check in with Bes Nievera, an industry vetran with more than 40 years of sales, support and brand represetation in the audiophile...

Andrew Jones (speaker designer, Pioneer/KEF/TAD) joins the podcast again to talk about the "why" of his recent move from ELAC to MoFi Electronics. Recorded live from AXPONA 2022 in Chicago, Andrew elaborates on his journey to upcoming developments with the currently speakerless MoFi brand and why he thinks the partnership will make for a solid pairing with his next designs. S7E5 Sponsors: MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed &...

Greg Neville And Marc Phillips join the show to give their impressions of all the audio gear that was on display at Chicago's AXPONA 2022. Recorded live April 22-24 from the audio show, we cover all the highlights from the hifi listening rooms and Ear Gear Expo hall. Best of show, standout gear and new product releases. S7E4 Sponsors: MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At...

Interview with Mark Schneider of LTA. Mark joins the show this week to disuss his unique brand of tube amplifiers based around the designs of David Berning. Also, new product roundup for the upcoming AXPONA audio show in Chicago, IL. S7E3 Sponsors: MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog Equipment SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California & Texas, Starting At $49 AXPONAdotCOM - North America’s Audio Expo WELLPLEASEDAVdotCOM - You can’t please everyone, so why...

Interview with Damon Von Schweikert Of VSA. The CEO of one of high-end's most prolific speaker brands sits down with us to discuss a lifelong experience in audio. His hifi resume starts with his father's early legacy and provides an unique look at the community at large. Damon shares his tips, tricks and observations of an evolving landscape from the perspective of an audiophile speaker manufacturer whose product lines have crossed decades. S7E2 Sponsors: MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM -...

A discussion about the current state of the world's tube supply. Is there going to be a major issue getting replacement tubes for hifi amplifiers and production gear? Brian Hunter and Marc Phillips from PTA Productions put together a few talking points with the help of Jason Stoddard from Schiit Audio and EveAnna Manley from Manely Labs. Also an interview with audio showrunner Liz Miller Smith and Mark Freed. S7E1 Sponsors: MUSICALSURROUNDINGSdotCOM - World-Class Analog...

Amplifier designer Jason Stoddard takes us through the signal path of an amplifer. Jason talks us across all the elements and parts of amplifier design, starting with the analog signal and ending with speaker or headphone output. He provides tips on what to look for in good parts, as well as what topogies work best in any given situation. It's a great epsiode chock full of interesting information and antecdotes for anyone who ever wondered how amplifiers really work. S6E10...

An interview with Steve Sells, Technical Director, Electronics at Naim Audio. As part 3 of our exploration into British HiFi (What is British Hifi?, History Of The LS3/5a) we sit down with Steve from Naim Audio to discuss the legendary British audio brand that has helped shape the high fidelity landscape over the years. A longstanding Brit-Fi icon, Naim is known for its classic amplifiers and cutting edge streaming devices (along with other audio components and even a record label). S6E9...