Drawn from Paul McGowan’s The Audiophile’s Guide series, these daily tips offer concise, expert insight into refining high-end stereo systems. With a half century of experience at PS Audio, McGowan distills complex concepts into practical steps—ideal for us audiophiles seeking to elevate realism, correct system flaws, and make their music come alive.
Easy to subscribe and even easier to unsubscribe if you wish. Wake up each day with a short tip to help bring the magic of high-end audio into your home.
The Daily Tip
Tip Number 65: Your Power Strip—and Wall Outlet...
Your system’s power is handled. Everything’s plugged into a conditioner or high-quality power strip. It’s been that way for years. But recently, you’ve noticed a drop in performance. The sound...
Tip Number 64: Don’t Underestimate the Humble B...
Your speakers are matched. Your cables are identical. You measure distances to the millimeter. Still, the center image leans left. You swap channels. It persists. Then you discover the balance...
Tip Number 63: A Stylus Brush Is Not a Cleaning...
Your records are pristine. Your stylus gets a quick flick before each play. But over time, you notice distortion. Treble softens. The groove seems unstable. Could that little dry brush...
Tip Number 62: Mute the Room When You Press Pause
You hit pause. The music stops—but so does the magic. Now you hear the room. HVAC noise. Appliance hum. Diffusers that seem to ring. Suddenly, it’s clear: your system’s not...
Tip Number 61: Listen in the Morning
Your system is identical. The track is the same. But yesterday it sounded amazing—and today it doesn’t. It’s not your imagination. It might be the hour. What to DoTry listening...
Tip Number 60: More Power Means More Control
You’ve matched everything carefully—speakers, room, source, cables. Yet the system still struggles under dynamic pressure. Loud passages feel strained. Bass is sluggish. The sound loses composure at high volume. You...