SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast

This week on the 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦! 𝘈𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘥𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘵, host Jorden Guth sits down on location with Arendal Sound founder and CEO Jan Ove Lassesen to look back at the company’s most pivotal year to date. Following the launch of the flagship 1528 series—its most ambitious engineering project yet—Arendal Sound has experienced rapid growth and major operational shifts. Lassesen walks through what has changed since the 1528’s debut: how the company approaches R&D and measurement, what its prototyping pipeline looks like today, how shipping and logistics have evolved, and what it really takes to move a product from concept to customer in a global direct-to-consumer model. It’s an inside look at a brand navigating momentum, scaling ambitions, and the challenges that come with success. Sources: “Norwegian Loudspeaker Disruptor: Arendal Sound Founder Jan Lassesen” on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/norwegian-loudspeaker-disruptor-arendal-sound-founder-jan-lassesen/ “Exposed: Arendal Sound 1528 Loudspeakers—Key Design Details Audiophiles Need to Know”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Nr6ExBq3Ss “The Norwegian Speaker Company More Audiophiles Need to Know About: Arendal Sound”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_Hmz0cYTBY Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 Catching up with Jan 00:06:28 R&D as a time-saver, Klippel as a space-saver 00:09:26 Prototyping 00:11:37 The long and winding road from manufacturer to consumer 00:20:48 The right solution for the right customer 00:22:52 The shipping problem 00:26:45 The path forward 00:34:00 Outro music: “Somni” by Lake Union

This week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth is joined by Vinnie Rossi, founder of VinnieRossi. They trace his path in audio—from the beginnings of Red Wine Audio (a name inspired by the Italian translation of “Vinnie Rossi”) to the creation of the VinnieRossi brand and its flagship Brama series. Vinnie also talks about where his products are built, why those manufacturing choices matter, and how they shape his design approach. “About Vinnie Rossi” by Hans Wetzel: https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/features-menu/in-good-company/1007-about-vinnie-rossi Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 Introductions  00:05:26 The road to Red Wine 00:16:32 A change of names 00:33:21 Where it’s made and why 00:39:50 A choice of tubes 00:44:33 Outro music: “Mon Amour” by ANBR

Host Jorden Guth talks with SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider and SoundStage! Ultra editor Jason Thorpe about Warsaw’s Audio Video Show 2025—what sets it apart from other hi-fi events, their favorite gear finds, and whether optical phono cartridges are the future or just a niche. Sources: Audio Video Show 2025 Coverage from Warsaw, Poland, on SoundStage! Global: https://soundstageglobal.com/index.php/shows-events/audio-video-show-2025-warsaw-poland Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 The road to Warsaw 00:04:27 New gear, who dis? 00:09:37 The business of audio shows 00:15:40 Optical vinyl? 00:22:45 Why Jason isn’t holding space for the CD revival 00:27:00 The best of the rest? 00:40:47 Room for improvement? 00:43:50 Outro music: “L.A. Suite: Sunset Blvd / Peatloaf Ave” by Art Against Agony

Host Jorden Guth visits Diapason founder Alessandro Schiavi in Brescia, Italy, to talk about his lifelong pursuit of musical realism and the art of building speakers by hand. Schiavi traces his journey from teenage recording engineer to maker of some of Italy’s most beautiful loudspeakers, explains why every cabinet is still crafted locally from aged walnut and olive wood, and introduces his latest creation—the Didascalìa, a stunning two-way floorstander debuting today. Sources: “Diapason Didascalìa — Rethinking the Two-Way Loudspeaker” by SoundStage! Network: https://youtu.be/V94uSXjLeqE  Diapason: https://www.diapason-italia.com/en/ Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 Introductions  00:10:26 The case for natural materials 00:15:00 Handcrafted artistry 00:20:31 Didascalìa 00:31:15 Trying to please all the people all the time 00:35:56 Outro music: “Under a Weary Moon” by Ziv Moran

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Bill Voss, Business Development Manager (US) for Technics, to explore the brand’s long history within Panasonic and its continued dedication to reproducing music with accuracy and emotion. Voss discusses how Technics has carried its legacy of analog excellence into the digital era, why innovation remains central to its identity, and how the company’s blend of precision engineering and musical warmth continues to deliver true audio bliss. Sources: “WHY Music Enthusiasts Still Love VINYL Records!” by SoundStage! Network: https://youtu.be/uaastkHfUsM?si=ynTbigAuTdyIL_YT Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 Introductions  00:05:16 Six Degrees of Technics 00:12:52 The distinction between Technics and Panasonic 00:18:10 Can you call it a comeback? 00:26:14 Why vinyl? 00:43:44 Outro music: “Stick Around” by Max Hixon

In this episode of the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast, Étienne Gautier, product director at Simaudio, joins the conversation to discuss the launch of the Moon 371 integrated amplifier. He explains the thinking behind the new model, the company’s design and engineering philosophies, and why the 371 is the first step in Simaudio’s forthcoming Compass Collection series. From the roots of the company’s innovation culture to the technologies inside the 371, Gautier provides an insider’s view of how Simaudio is shaping its next generation of products. Sources: “Meet the Moon 791: Simaudio’s Next-Gen Streaming Integrated Amplifier”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-quykEscBH0 “The Moon 371’s Secret Amplifier Weapons: MDCA and MHP Explained”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nbJaSVR17A “Simaudio’s North Collection: The Future of Hi-Fi?”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/simaudio-s-north-collection-the-future-of-hi-fi/ Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 Introductions and the obsession with oligarch audio 00:02:56 What’s in a name… and some numbers? 00:12:51 What better time than now? 00:19:47 A different sort of power supply 00:21:55 Remote options 00:30:29 What’s to come? 00:32:13 Outro music: “Entre les Doigts” by Sarah Benasouli

We all know the saying: “Good things come to those who wait.” And it’s true once again. While our current episode is finished, we must wait until September 30 to launch it because of an embargo from Simaudio. But come next Tuesday, we’ll be back with an episode that reveals all the details about a compelling new product from this well-established Canadian hi-fi brand.

This week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage’s Doug Schneider and Dennis Burger to discuss three issues holding hi-fi back and how we’d fix them. Is there too much emphasis on astronomically priced products? Is the industry ignoring potential new customers? Are there just too darned many speaker companies? . Sources: The Record Centre: https://therecordcentre.com/ “The Dynaudio Contour Comeback: Legacy and 20 Black Edition Loudspeakers”: https://youtu.be/xJ1GvkM6ats?si=ZCjvuqvH-piOB90m “The Most Dangerous Myth in Audio”: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1174-the-most-dangerous-myth-in-audio Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 Introductions and the obsession with oligarch audio 00:16:49 What even is an audiophile? 00:19:52 Record shops as the new nexus of hi-fi? 00:27:05 Part of the problem or part of the solution? 00:30:22 Are there just too many speaker companies? 00:35:17 Why bother? 00:58:19 What we’re listening to 00:59:31 Outro music: “Chasing a Hurricane” by Leva & Patric Lemieux

This week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth is joined by Valerio Cora, founder and CEO of Acora Acoustics Corporation, to discuss the manufacturing of stone speakers (no, you read that correctly), how relying on exotic materials affects decisions about where and how to manufacturer, and what it means to deliver a luxury experience. Sources: “What’s Fresh at the Florida Audio Expo? Acora Acoustics . . .” by Jason Davis: https://youtu.be/_q7pMJ3LSjs?si=6CuOUDp72lZLX-h0 Acora Acoustics: https://acoraacoustics.com/ Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 Introductions 00:02:44 Acora Acoustics’ origin story 00:10:37 Would off-shoring be more or less expensive? 00:16:45 Working with truly unique materials 00:22:33 A question of burn-in 00:27:38 Heavy metal thunder? 00:30:35 What defines a luxury experience? 00:32:55 Outro music: “The Ice Cream Booth” by Ziv Grinberg

In this episode, host Jorden Guth talks with Badar Qureshi, president of PML Sound International—the company behind Paradigm, Anthem, MartinLogan, and GoldenEar Technology—about how his years at Toyota shaped his approach to building world-class audio gear. They discuss where and how each brand’s products are made, why lean manufacturing matters in today’s unpredictable world, how the pandemic affected production, and the surprising parallels between crafting high-performance cars and high-fidelity speakers. Sources:   “Paradigm's Prestige Series | SoundStage! InSight” by SoundStage! Network: https://youtu.be/_q7pMJ3LSjs?si=6CuOUDp72lZLX-h0 Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 Introductions and getting to know Badar 00:03:14 How to decide what gets made where 00:10:17 GoldenEar enters the chat 00:12:11 The ABCs of supply chains 00:17:31 The chaos of COVID and its lingering effects 00:25:34 Applying the lessons of the past to the future 00:35:11 Long-distance quality control 00:43:38 Outro music: “Nuevos Colores” by Tomas Novoa

This week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth is is once again joined by Ian Colquhoun, founder of Axiom Audio. This time, they’re on Ian’s boat having a conversation about the ins and outs and what-have-yous of hi-fi manufacturing in the 21st century, with topics including the current trade war, as well as the unconsidered logistics of this sort of work. Ian’s company, Colquhoun Audio Laboratories, owns the Axiom Audio, Bryston, and Magnum Dynalab audio brands. Sources: “Axiom Audio’s Ian Colquhoun and NRC”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/axiom-audio-s-ian-colquhoun-and-nrc-origin-dr-floyd-toole-music-types-twin-tweeters-measurements/ “Axiom Audio’s Ian Colquhoun and NRC” on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/axiom-audio-s-ian-colquhoun-and-nrc-origin-dr-floyd-toole-music-types-twin-tweeters-measurements/ Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 Introductions and a history lesson 00:06:02 A revolution in manufacturing 00:10:17 Making stuff in the current geopolitical climate 00:13:02 Tariffs and such 00:26:11 The unconsidered logistics 00:29:23 Outro music: “Get Outta Way” by Where’s Lulu?

This week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth is joined by Andrew Welker, Chief Product Officer at Colquhoun Audio Laboratories, owner of Axiom Audio, Bryston, and Magnum Dynalab, This podcast is a first for us: it is recorded entirely inside an anechoic chamber! The two discuss Welker’s history with hi-fi, as well as the importance of having a human element in quality control despite the fact that we’re living in an increasingly automated world. Sources: “Axiom Audio’s Ian Colquhoun and NRC”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/axiom-audio-s-ian-colquhoun-and-nrc-origin-dr-floyd-toole-music-types-twin-tweeters-measurements/ Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 Introductions and a personal history with audio 00:04:23 The Paul Barton connection 00:05:44 A fortuitous education 00:11:55 Ian Colquhoun enters the chat 00:13:52 The basics of quality control 00:27:06 Problem solving and preparedness 00:31:55 Outro music: “How We Fell in Love” by Tom Meira Armony

This week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth is joined once again by Jack Oclee-Brown,  VP of Technology at KEF, to discuss the company’s new VECO technology, what inspired it, how it works, how it was developed, and the new products that rely heavily on it. Sources: “Xio with VECO: KEF’s Revolutionary Velocity Control Technology in Its First Soundbar Explained”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K842LVG1Ur0 “KEF's Breakthrough VECO Speaker Technology to Lower Distortion–Explained by Its Inventors”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pXeETlY4uU  Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 What is VECO 00:07:54 The inspiration for VECO 00:20:15 The ups and downs of voltage amplification 00:24:05 New soundbar, who dis? 00:31:53 Building a better playlist 00:33:44 Outro music: “Nao’s Lullaby” by Rafi B. Levy

Due to an embargo on confidential information, we have to delay the release of our 8th episode this season until July 8. In that episode, we'll feature a podcast with KEF's VP of Technology, Jack O'Clee-Brown, discussing some exciting new KEF loudspeaker technology!

This week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth is joined once again by Pro Audio Technology owner/president L. Paul Hales, who shares his unique perspective about manufacturing in America and overseas, why different products for his different brands are made where they are made, how the current trade war chaos is affecting manufacturing and business decisions, and what the future may hold.  Sources: “Marrying Hi-Fi with Pro Audio - Paul Hales”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/marrying-hi-fi-with-pro-audio-paul-hales-pro-audio-technology-origins-what-matters/ “What Do Knitting and Hi-Fi Have in Common? (Hint: It’s Politics)” by Dennis Burger: https://soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1339-what-do-knitting-and-hi-fi-have-in-common-hint-its-politics Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 Introductions 00:11:13 Supply chains matter 00:14:48 Are trade deficits all that bad? 00:19:49 When American manufacturing makes sense 00:21:38 How tariffs actually work 00:26:59 Why this trade war is unwinnable 00:28:58 How tariffs could work effectively 00:40:42 Looking to the future 00:57:33 Outro music: "Baby I’m Stuck in a Cone” Ge Filter Fish

This week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth chats with SoundStage! Ultra editor Jason Thorpe about his adventures at High End 2025, the final year in Munich. Jason was there with SoundStage! Contributor Matt Bonaccio and SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider. They dig into the best gear Jason saw, his sense of larger trends, and what the upcoming move may or may not mean.  Also, sandwiches. Sources: High End 2025 coverage on SoundStageGlobal.com: https://soundstageglobal.com/index.php/shows-events/high-end-2025-munich-germany Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 Introductions 00:05:39 Spools of wire 00:10:37 What do air hockey tables and turntables have in common? 00:14:31 The sound of speakers 00:22:07 More techno! 00:26:19 Black boxes 00:29:46 The future of High End 00:38:44 Outro music: "Look Up” by Diffie Bosman

This week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth is sits down for a one-on-one with Gabi Rynveld, PR and brand ambassador for International Audio Holding, to discuss the history of Siltech and Crystal cable, the importance of manufacturing in the Netherlands, how distinct companies maintain their personality and brand identity under the umbrella of one manufacturer, and more. Sources: “The Rolex of Hi-Fi Cables - Siltech's Flagship Royal Crown Series”: https://youtu.be/yN-nEreboLE?si=gTkHHRv4FGSwsyB- “Ultra Hi-Fi: Crystal Cable's "Core" Silver-Gold Cable Line—the Diamond Series 2 Update”: https://youtu.be/vpWM6DeyXDE?si=GPM0Sgo8QqTyy6o_ Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 The origin of Crystal Cable 00:12:40 HMS Elektronik enters the chat 00:22:47 New/old brand or old/new brand? 00:43:00 Don’t forget the music 00:47:50 Outro music: "Thaïs" by Jules Massenet, performed by Ohad Ben Ari

This week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth is joined by Jack Oclee-Brown,  VP of Technology at KEF, to discuss the decisions that go into what products are made where, and the intricate relationship between measurements and manufacturing. Sources: “KEF’s Jack Oclee-Brown” on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/kef-jack-oclee-brown-the-tangerine-waveguide-blade-loudspeakers-aspirational-hi-fi/  Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 Discussions about quality and quantity 00:09:45 Lab standards vs. line standards 00:23:10 What about headphones? 00:28:37 Outro music: “Ohio Country” by When Mountains Move

This week, host Jorden Guth joins Martijn Mensink of Dutch & Dutch to discuss what aspects of the company’s beloved 8c speakers are made where, how the decision is made to craft some things in-house and outsource other elements, why driver manufacturing and DSP development are very different enterprises, and what the future holds for the design and manufacture of products of its type. Sources: “Martijn Mensink On the Magic of Dutch & Dutch”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/martijn-mensink-on-the-magic-of-dutch-dutch-active-speakers-cardioid-dispersion-acoustics/ "Dutch & Dutch 8c Active Loudspeakers Reviewed" by Diego Estan: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1270-dutch-dutch-8c-active-loudspeakers "Intro to Dutch & Dutch and the 8c Active Loudspeaker - SoundStage! InSight": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2R9lEJH4Og&ab_channel=soundstagenetwork "Dutch & Dutch 8c Active Loudspeaker in Detail - SoundStage! InSight": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW-6R5HP8SE&ab_channel=soundstagenetwork Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 Introductions 00:21:43 Unexpected lessons 00:26:24 Outro music: “Get it Right” by Water on Mars

In this week’s episode, host Jorden Guth chats with T+A elektroakustik COO Conradin Amft to learn more about the value proposition of where components are manufactured, why German manufacturing still has value in and of itself irrespective of the financial considerations, and why the choice fo where to manufacture is different for products with and without software. Closing music: “Leaf by Leaf” by Yoed Nir and Ziv Moran Sources: “44 Years of T+A—Germany's Hi-Fi Giant in Detail”: https://youtu.be/lzW18SuAJW0?si=SUjQkUfzU-obTWDv “T+A Elektroakustik Criterion S 230 Loudspeaker” by George de Sa: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1932-t-a-elektroakustik-criterion-s-230-loudspeaker “The T+A Elektroakustik R 2500 R Proves Why the Stereo Receiver Might Make a Comeback” by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/system-one/1938-the-t-a-elektroakustik-r-2500-r-proves-why-the-stereo-receiver-might-make-a-comeback Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:31 Introductions/What gets built where and why? 00:14:44 The software factor 00:26:36 “Leaf by Leaf” by Yoed Nir and Ziv Moran