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Description
Welcome to The HiFi Five -- a weekly news magazine and roundtable discussion show about all things high-end audio!
Featuring:
Jay Caceres - Jay's Audio Lab; pre-owned dealer, audio reviewer
Elliot Goldman - Bending Wave USA; high-end audio distributor and retailer
Danny Kaey - Sonic Flare; hi-fi reviewer
Ron Resnick (moderator) - WhatsBestForum; Clarisys Audio dealer; audio reviewer
Our fifth chair will host one-time guests and recurring guests.
This show is going to be a candid, free-wheeling and no-holds-barred behind-the-scenes look at the high-end audio industry. We're going to give you insight, opinions and perspectives. We also are going discuss components and music.
19 Episodes
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Welcome to The HiFi Five -- a weekly news and roundtable discussion show about all things high-end audio! Featuring: Jay Caceres - Jay's Audio Lab; pre-owned dealer; audio reviewer Elliot Goldman - Bending Wave USA; high-end audio distributor and retailer Danny Kaey - EMMLabs Advisor Sonic Flare; audio and music reviewer Ron Resnick (moderator) - WhatsBestForum; audio reviewer Our fifth chair will host one-time guests and recurring guests. This show is a candid, freewheeling, behind-the...
In Episode 13 we discuss: When is high pricing actually too much? Is $151,000 for speaker cables just absurd? How can the absolute sound and Stereophile remain truthful while still making money? Should the magazines help whitewash and cover up component defects? Is the traditional Harry Pearson-style comparative review dead? What is a review today? Are today's reviews any different than a long-form product brochure? Do you really need multiple sources -- vinyl/streaming/disc/tape?...
In Episode 11 we discuss: — How did audio get so combative? Is it typical internet keyboard warrioring, or are audiophiles exceptionally s#itty? — In the same seat in the concert hall we all hear substantially the same thing. So why do our stereos end up sounding so different? Danny, Elliot and Jay say it is just personal preferences or lack of listening education. Ron explains his hypothesis about “sonic cues.” — What does "Best of Show" really mean? Is “pay to play” involv...
Welcome to The HiFi Five -- a weekly news and roundtable discussion show about all things high-end audio! Featuring: Jay Caceres - Jay's Audio Lab; pre-owned dealer; audio reviewer Elliot Goldman - Bending Wave USA; high-end audio distributor and retailer Danny Kaey - EMMLabs Advisor Sonic Flare; audio and music reviewer Ron Resnick (moderator) - WhatsBestForum; Clarisys Audio dealer; audio reviewer Our fifth chair will host one-time guests and recurring guests. This show is a can...
Welcome to The HiFi Five -- a weekly news and roundtable discussion show about all things high-end audio! Featuring: Jay Caceres - Jay's Audio Lab; pre-owned dealer; audio reviewer Elliot Goldman - Bending Wave USA; high-end audio distributor and retailer Danny Kaey - EMMLabs Advisor Sonic Flare; audio and music reviewer Ron Resnick (moderator) - WhatsBestForum; Clarisys Audio dealer; audio reviewer Our fifth chair will host one-time guests and recurring guests. This show is a can...
Welcome to The HiFi Five -- a weekly news and roundtable discussion show about all things high-end audio! Featuring: Jay Caceres - Jay's Audio Lab; pre-owned dealer; audio reviewer Elliot Goldman - Bending Wave USA; high-end audio distributor and retailer Danny Kaey - EMMLabs Advisor Sonic Flare; audio and music reviewer Ron Resnick (moderator) - WhatsBestForum; Clarisys Audio dealer; audio reviewer Our fifth chair will host one-time guests and recurring guests. This show i...
Welcome to the inaugural episode of The HiFi Five -- a weekly news magazine and roundtable discussion show about all things high-end audio! Featuring: Jay Caceres - Jay's Audio Lab; pre-owned dealer, audio reviewer Elliot Goldman - Bending Wave USA; high-end audio distributor and retailer Danny Kaey - Sonic Flare; hi-fi reviewer Ron Resnick (moderator) - WhatsBestForum; Clarisys Audio dealer; audio reviewer Our fifth chair will host one-time guests and recurring guests. Thi...
This week saw the announcement of the industry's first seven figure component — the Borresen M8 at $1,200,000. Is the race for eye-popping MSRPs good or bad for the industry? Why do manufacturers hire a distributor, instead of managing a network of dealers directly? How difficult is it to find qualified retailers for high-end brands in the USA? Can high-end products be properly represented by non-traditional home dealers? What role do print and on-line review magazines play today ...
What aspect of vinyl playback do you believe is most misunderstood, and how do different turntable designs try to address it? Do different turntable drive systems have a consistent sonic signature? Do most direct drive turntables sound similar? Do most belt drive turntables sound similar? What is most important to the sound of the system: the turntable, the tonearm or the phono cartridge? How important is speed accuracy (maintaining exactly 33.33) versus speed stability (spe...
Which is the most technologically impressive audio manufacturer factory you have ever visited?Is there any way to bridge the subjectivist audio/measurements objectivist divide? Do you personally believe that everything we hear can be measured? How can any advertiser supported magazine or review site or YT channel maintain editorial independence and honesty? Doesn’t advertising become influence even unintentionally? How transparent should media outlets be about who pays their bills? Over...
How have the scientific studies of hearing and audio at Bell Labs and at Harman impacted your work in audio? Why has the industry not insisted that reviewers, manufacturers, influencers and marketers to publish their ear hearing measurements as evidence of credibility for their audio pronouncements? Are there inherent sonic advantages to: dipole planar speakers, horn speakers, dynamic driver speakers? If a box speaker, to port or not to port? Do exotic materials for driver cones sound b...
In Episode 14 we discuss: If you had to judge a very expensive, high-end stereo system using only one song what track do you choose and why?Why should any audiophile listen to YouTube Influencers? How should influencers deal with the conflicts of interest between what they tell their audiences and what they sell? What brands and components do you not sell but which you like a lot and think sound great. When cable manufacturers test and voice their own designs, how can manufacturers claim grea...
In Episode 12 we discuss: — What was the moment you fell in love with high-end audio? — What was the first system you were wowed by? Elliot tells Harry Pearson stories! — What is your most memorable system of all time? — What audio component would you like to get in the coming year? — Horn loudspeakers? — Audio related New Year’s resolutions?
In Episode 10 we discuss: — How do manufacturers/distributor/dealers get non-audiophile wealthy people to buy expensive systems? We discuss introducing new people into the hobby, Maier Shadi of The Audio Salon and Joe Cali’s Gryphon LA showroom — Which cable in the audio system makes the biggest sonic difference, and why? Jay discusses the main AC distribution cable, and Danny, Elliot and Ron vote for speaker cable — High-end sales in 2025: Up or Down? — Should dealers charg...
In Episode 9 we discuss: — If you could listen to music with one audio reviewer/influencer who would you select, and why? Three of us selected Michael Fremer! — Do uber-expensive flagship components make marketing strategy sense to sell mid-range components? We discuss the marketing hype around claimed innovations, and why dealers really are the main clients of many manufacturers. — Vintage components: better sound than today’s contemporary high-end dealer sound or nostalgia and fal...
In Episode 8 we discuss: — Fragmentation of interests: Is this one hobby focused only on equipment or multiple hobbies? — Is the “deal" (meaning the price and trade-in terms) more important than the sound of the components? — Is there a legitimate concern about undisclosed compensation to audio shills or fanboys? We discuss the pros and cons of long term equipment loans, the practices of Jonathan Valin and Robert Harley, industry ethics, compensation to influencers and accommodation dis...
In this episode we discuss: -- The influence of magazine reviewers, influencers and audio forums to consumers when buying components. We discuss Jay's business, The Absolute Sound's YouTube Channel and What's Best Forum. -- What role do audiophile consumers play in hiding component problems and helping manufacturers whitewash defective products? We discuss the behind-the-scenes reality of what goes on with hobbyists and manufacturers when components have design defects. -- Is the traditional ...
Welcome to The HiFi Five -- a weekly news and roundtable discussion show about all things high-end audio! Featuring: Jay Caceres - Jay's Audio Lab; pre-owned dealer; audio reviewer Elliot Goldman - Bending Wave USA; high-end audio distributor and retailer Danny Kaey - EMMLabs Advisor Sonic Flare; audio and music reviewer Ron Resnick (moderator) - WhatsBestForum; Clarisys Audio dealer; audio reviewer Our fifth chair will host one-time guests and recurring guests. This show i...
Welcome to The HiFi Five -- a weekly news and roundtable discussion show about all things high-end audio! Featuring: Jay Caceres - Jay's Audio Lab; pre-owned dealer; audio reviewer Elliot Goldman - Bending Wave USA; high-end audio distributor and retailer Danny Kaey - EMMLabs Advisor Sonic Flare; audio and music reviewer Ron Resnick (moderator) - WhatsBestForum; Clarisys Audio dealer; audio reviewer Our fifth chair will host one-time guests and recurring guests. This show i...
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