The Complete Guide to High-End Audio

In this newly updated directory, the latest in cutting-edge audio equipment is provided, including how to choose the best audio equipment on a budget, how to get the best sound for the money, and how to set up a system for maximum performance. Revised and expanded to include all the latest audio technologies, this book is packed with expert advice how to make speakers sound up to 50 percent better at no cost, avoid the most common system set-up mistakes, and how to choose the one speaker in 50 worth owning. Among the new topics covered are streaming audio, computer-based music servers, music-management apps, wireless streaming, high-resolution digital audio. A short course on listening-room acoustics is presented and additional information on audio for home theater, multichannel audio, system set-up secrets, and what each component's specifications and measurements mean is also provided.

Robert Harley is the editor in chief of The Absolute Sound, the world's most respected magazine on high-performance audio. He has written more than 1,200 product reviews and articles on high-quality music reproduction. His books on home audio have sold more than 300,000 copies in five languages. He lives in Albuquerque, NM.

Contents
Foreword xvi
Preface to the Sixth Edition xviii
About the Author xx

1 What Is High-End Audio? 1

2 Choosing a High-End Audio System 7

3 Becoming a Better Listener 27

4 Preamplifiers and Phono Stages 57

5 Power and Integrated Amplifiers 81

6 Loudspeakers 117

7 Digital Source Components: DACs, Music Servers, Streaming,
Disc Players, Interfaces 173

8 Turntables, Tonearms, and Cartridges: The LP Playback System 255

10 Audio for Home Theater 317

11 Multichannel Audio 345

12 Personal Audio: Headphones, Desktop, and Mobile Audio 361
13 System Setup Secrets, Part One: Loudspeaker Placement and Room
Acoustics 381

14 System Setup Secrets, Part Two: Expert Tuning Techniques,
Accessories, Equipment Racks, and AC Power Conditioners 425

15 Specifications and Measurements 451

Appendix A: Sound and Hearing 463

Appendix B: Audio and Electronics Basics 479

Appendix C: Digital Audio Basics 503

Glossary 519

Index 559