SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Are JL Audio’s Primacy Speakers the Future of Stereo? May 08, 2026

Show notes

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider and SoundStage! Access editor Dennis Burger to discuss the remarkable technology behind JL Audio’s new fully active, DSP-optimized Primacy loudspeakers, including the three-way T6 tower and two-way T3 standmount model. Do these highly integrated speakers point toward the future of high-end audio, or are they a radical detour from traditional hi-fi thinking? Along with debating the concept itself, the group also digs into Doug’s early listening impressions and what makes these speakers so different from most of today’s high-end designs.

Sources:

“JL Audio’s First Hi-Fi Speakers Rethink Stereo—Primacy T6 and S3” by SoundStage Network: https://youtu.be/m2yuMHwr8TQ?si=rpIeewakT7ulK7Ja

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:36 Introductions
00:03:06 The rumours of JL Audio’s demise…
00:16:47 A radical approach?
00:23:08 We can’t show, but we can tell
00:26:08 Yeah, they cost that much!
00:27:40 The real future of real high-end?
00:32:48 Achille’s heel or nah?
00:33:45 OK, but do they even sound good?
00:42:28 Outro music: "Flying Above the Sun" by Yehezkel Raz feat. Sivan Talmor

Steinway Lyngdorf CCO: Hi-Fi’s Nokia Moment? Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Steinway Lyngdorf CCO Peter Keller-Larsen draws on his experience at Nokia during the iPhone era to explain why user experience, simplicity, and real customer insight now matter more than ever. From gaming and home cinema to changing listening habits, he argues that hi-fi must evolve—or risk being left behind.

Sources:

“The Hi-Fi Generation Gap—and What the Industry Must Do”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/the-hi-fi-generation-gap%e2%80%94and-what-the-industry-must-do/

“German Hi-Fi Giant T+A's CEO on the Future of Audio”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/german-hi-fi-giant-ta-ceo-on-the-future-of-audio/

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:36 Introductions and origin stories
00:06:18 The Danish Steve Jobs?
00:09:38 Dennis was right about gaming . . .
00:18:01 . . . and the physiological benefits of good sound
00:21:49 Plug and play
00:24:52 Opposition research
00:27:09 Who’s getting it right?
00:34:26 Outro music: “Cloud Ten” by Novembers

Simaudio’s Étienne Gautier on Fixing Hi-Fi’s Future Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast, host Jorden Guth is joined by Simaudio’s product director, Étienne Gautier, for a wide-ranging conversation about where hi-fi is headed—and what needs to change. They discuss the lack of industry standards, what hi-fi can learn from other sectors, the real value of trade shows, the role of education, and how today’s “hustle culture” mindset affects both companies and consumers.

Sources:

“Inside the Moon 371: Étienne Gautier on Simaudio's New Compass Collection”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/inside-the-moon-371-etienne-gautier-on-simaudios-new-compass-collection/

“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
00:00:36 Introductions
00:03:31 Organizing the industry and setting standards
00:12:03 Cross-polination in hi-fi
00:14:01 Journalistic standards?
00:17:46 Trade show blues
00:19:35 Education and exposure
00:25:33 Coming out of the basement
00:32:03 Connected vs. disconnected
00:31:49 Outro music: “Magilla Trench” by Art Against Agony

German Hi-Fi Giant T+A’s CEO on the Future of Audio Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

In the Season 5 premiere of the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast, host Jorden Guth sits down with Conradin Amft, CEO of T+A Elektroakustik, to explore how high-end audio needs to evolve to reach a new generation.

The conversation digs into the headphone-to-hi-fi pipeline, the growing appeal of all-in-one systems, and why user interface, user experience, and industrial design now matter as much as sound quality. Amft also explains what hi-fi can learn from other industries—and how a legacy brand experiments without losing its identity.

Sources:

“Selling Emotions: Conradin Amft on T+A’s History and Future”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/selling-emotions-conradin-amft-on-tas-history-and-future-then-to-now-hi-fi-tomorrow/

“Made-in-Germany Hi-Fi and Playback-Control Software from T+A”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/made-in-germany-hi-fi-and-software-from-ta/

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:36 Introductions
00:06:00 The headphone-to-hi-fi pipeline
00:12:00 The appeal of all-in-ones
00:15:57 Inspiration from other industries
00:22:06 UI and UX
00:24:40 Aesthetics matter more than ever
00:30:20 Testing new waters
00:31:49 Outro music: “Take Me Home” by Channel 13

Technically Correct: John Siau on DACs and Measurements Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

What does it mean for audio gear to be “technically correct,” and why should listeners care?

In the fourth-season finale of the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast, host Jorden Guth and producer Dennis Burger are joined by John Siau, vice president of Benchmark Media Systems. He discusses his background in the broadcast industry and how that experience shaped Benchmark’s engineering-driven approach to audio design.

The conversation explores the evolution of DAC technology, the relationship between hi-fi and professional audio, and the ongoing balance between listening impressions and objective measurements. Siau also explains why he believes accurate measurements ultimately lead to better musical performance and addresses common misconceptions about digital audio.

The episode concludes with a look at Benchmark’s commitment to designing and manufacturing its products in the United States, and why the Syracuse, New York–based company sees domestic production as both a practical and philosophical choice.

Sources:

“Florida International Audio Expo: Aretai and Benchmark Present a No-Nonsense Showstopper”: https://www.soundstageglobal.com/index.php/shows-events/florida-international-audio-expo-2026-tampa-usa/1255-fiae-2026-aretai-and-benchmark-present-a-no-nonsense-showstopper

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:31 Introductions
00:07:09 DACs of a different era
00:10:03 Why hi-res matters for production
00:12:43 What does transparency mean?
00:16:00 Hi-fi vs. pro audio
00:19:09 Listening vs. measurements
00:23:32 Linear phase and the issue of ringing
00:27:50 Nerding out on Nyquist
00:33:41 Born (and built) in the USA
00:40:03 Outro music: “Seven Seasons” by The Days

The Hi-Fi Generation Gap—and What the Industry Must Do Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast producer and SoundStage! Access editor Dennis Burger to offer a sneak peek at what’s ahead in season five of the podcast. They discuss Dennis’s recent editorial, “Yet Another Navel-Gazing Editorial About Boomers, Kids, and the Future of Hi-Fi,” as well as a manifesto from SoundStage! Network founder Doug Schneider titled “A New Year’s Wake-Up Call for the Hi-Fi Industry,” and what it all means for the long-term health of our hobby, our industry, and the media outlets that cover them both.

Sources:

“Yet Another Navel-Gazing Editorial About Boomers, Kids, and the Future of Hi-Fi” by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1368-yet-another-navel-gazing-editorial-about-boomers-kids-and-the-future-of-hi-fi
“A New Year’s Wake-Up Call for the Hi-Fi Industry” by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/2024-a-new-years-wake-up-call-for-the-hi%E2%80%91fi-industry

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:31 Introductions
00:01:27 The hi-fi demographic shift from 10,000 feet
00:10:02 Can video games be hi-fi?
00:13:51 Does the dominant entertainment medium influence the hobby?
00:30:29 Why is “movies vs. music” a thing?
00:43:05 The marketing trap
00:54:36 Outro music: “Strata” by Lake Union

From 1528 to 1610: Arendal Sound’s New Speaker Series Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Thomas Gunvaldsen, Project Lead at Arendal Sound, to discuss his path into audio, Arendal Sound’s evolution, and the design thinking behind the new 1610 series of loudspeakers. Gunvaldsen explains how the 1610 series applies key concepts from Arendal’s flagship 1528 series to deliver high performance at a lower price—and what truly sets it apart from the company’s earlier designs.

Sources:

“Arendal Sound 1610 Loudspeakers: Near-1528 Performance, Lower Price” on SoundStage! InSight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNKB5PML1LY

“The Norwegian Speaker Company More Audiophiles Need to Know About: Arendal Sound” on SoundStage! InSight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_Hmz0cYTBY

“Arendal Sound’s Big Leap” on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/arendal-sound-s-big-leap-innovation-impact-and-a-transformational-year/

“Arendal Sound 1528 Monitor 8 Loudspeaker” review by Philip Beaudette: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/2021-arendal-sound-1528-monitor-8-loudspeaker

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:31 Introductions
00:05:42 From car to home
00:08:33 Flirtations with snakeoil and the road to objectivity
00:11:04 A side quest in China
00:15:44 The longest interview ever
00:19:08 Speaker evolution
00:28:33 1610
00:35:00 A lot of holes
00:37:35 Outro music: “Plantation” by Omri Smadar

Bryston at 50: Made in Canada, Built to Last, and Looking Ahead Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

As Bryston marks its 50th anniversary, host Jorden Guth sits down with CEO James Tanner for a wide-ranging conversation about where the company came from—and where it’s going next.

Bryston’s roots trace back to medical electronics before the company transitioned into high-performance audio in the 1970s, when Chris Russell began designing amplifiers that would define the brand’s reputation. In this discussion, Tanner reflects on Bryston’s history, its long-standing commitment to manufacturing in Canada, how and why aspects of the famous warranty have evolved, and what the next 50 years could look like for one of high-end audio’s most enduring companies.

Along the way, the conversation touches on manufacturing realities, brand recognition, and—inevitably—some Canadian hockey talk.

Sources:

“The History of Bryston According to CEO James Tanner” on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/the-history-of-bryston-according-to-ceo-james-tanner/

“Canadian Hi-Fi Trilogy: Axiom Audio, Bryston, and Magnum Dynalab—All Under One Expanding Roof” by Doug Schneider: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1785-canadian-hi-fi-trilogy-axiom-audio-bryston-and-magnum-dynalab-all-under-one-expanding-roof

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:31 Introductions
00:07:40 When’s our anniversary?
00:11:39 Making more, not less
00:14:20 Where does the factory end?
00:15:17 Brand recognition matters
00:18:38 Warranty changes
00:21:49 The next 50 years of Bryston
00:24:40 Two Canadians talking about hockey
00:26:21 Outro music: “Blues for Leo” by Amos Ever Hadani

Four Seasons of Sound—From the Beginning to Episode 100 Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

For this landmark 100th episode (Season 4, Episode 22), current host Jorden Guth is joined by original hosts Dennis Burger and Brent Butterworth for a wide-ranging conversation on the evolution of the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast. Together, they look back at how the show began, why it needed to change, and how it has grown across four seasons into what it is today.

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:31 Introductions
00:01:04 The origins of the podcast
00:05:23 Passing the baton to Jorden
00:10:40 Technical difficulties
00:15:48 Turn, turn, turn
00:28:31 Why we care where it’s made
00:37:12 We get comments!
00:43:25 Doug’s master plan
00:48:07 Outro music: “Bamba African Market” by Kaleido Sea

Electrocompaniet: Born in Norway, Still Built There Jan 02, 2026

Show notes

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Lasse Danielsen, sales and marketing director at Electrocompaniet, for a conversation that blends personal history with company heritage. Danielsen talks about a lifelong obsession with music, the role of happenstance in bringing him to Electrocompaniet, and how those same values are reflected in the brand itself.

The discussion explores Electrocompaniet’s Norwegian origins, why the company has chosen to remain based and built in Norway from the beginning, and how designing, assembling, and sourcing nearly all parts locally continues to define its products. Together, they examine how place, people, and long-term thinking shape Electrocompaniet’s sound, identity, and future direction.

Sources:

“‘The World's Best-Sounding Power Amplifier’ of 1977—Electrocompaniet's Surprising 52-Year History” by SoundStage! Network: https://youtu.be/gu49PjqtyiI?si=tm3GF1PuRzHSkU7P

“Precision in 1000 Steps: Electrocompaniet’s EC 5 Preamplifier” by SoundStage! Network: https://youtu.be/0oY0tx1FAog?si=hTMZICutPbSdszSQ

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:31 Introductions
00:04:57 A fateful conversation
00:07:45 Job transitions
00:10:36 A brief history of Electrocompaniet
00:15:10 The Michael Jackson connection
00:18:30 Another gold-dust moment
00:20:17 Westcontrol enters the chat
00:25:42 A question of off-shoring
00:28:48 New preamp, who dis?
00:39:36 Outro music: “How the Story Goes” by Ge Filter Fish

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