The Occasional Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Product Of The Season Awards! Plus Our Visit to Van Halen's 5150 Studios Jun 07, 2021

Show notes

Our favorite picks for audio products from the past 6 months! PLUS Co-Host Bryan Beasley and Brian Hunter recap their visit to the legendary Van Halen 5150 recording studios. Special thanks to PartTimeAudiphile Editor-In-Chief Marc Phillips for his help with nominations for TOP's Products Of The Season.

S5E10 Sponsors: NAIMAUDIOdotCOM– British Hi-Fi Specialist SCHIITdotCOM – Audio Components Designed & Built in California, Starting At $49 QOBUZdotCOM - Authentic Music Experience

What Is British HiFi? May 19, 2021

Show notes

What is British HiFi? We explore this somewhat vague topic with the help of Rob Watts, Andrew Jones, Mike Moffat and Johan Coorg. Is it a sound? A frequency response? A specific market? Special thanks to PartTimeAudiphile editor Marc Phillips for co-hosting duties.

S5E9 Sponsors:

NAIMAUDIOdotCOM– British Hi-Fi Specialist SCHIITdotCOM – Audio Components Designed & Built in California, Starting At $49 BRYSTONdotCOM - Taking Power To the Next Level

Al Schmitt Revisited Apr 28, 2021

Show notes

An interview with the legendary music engineer and producer Al Schmitt. The sad news hit early Tuesday morning, music engineer and producer Al Schmitt had passed away at at 91. I got a chance to sit down with the music legend to chat about his legacy and upcoming book just a few years ago. I was recording interviews for Stereophile's Audiostream Podcast at the time, and Al was equal parts gracious and entertaining during the nearly three hours we spent together talking about his expansive, full life. His work in the music industry spans so many years, and he had so many fun and crazy stories to tell from his professional experience with the likes of Sam Cook, Todo, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Paul McCartney and more. 23 grammies worth, to be exact. I've revisited the entire interview on this week's Occasional Podcast to help give a small glimpse at the man who spent almost his entire life dedicated to making music sound better.

S5E8 Sponsors:

FOCALdotCOM – French Hi-Fi Global Leader

BRYSTONdotCOM - Taking Power To the Next Level

SCHIITdotCOM – Audio Components Designed & Built in California, Starting At $49

Andrew Jones Returns! Apr 19, 2021

Show notes

Interview with Andrew Jones of ELAC and Pioneer fame. Andrew is a legendary speaker designer that has worked for KEF, TAD and more. He returns to the show to talk about the latest in speaker designs including his thoughts on meta material, deep bass from small enclosures and how the recent pandemic has affected the hifi industry.

S5E7 Sponsors:

FOCALdotCOM– French Hi-Fi Global Leader

SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California, Starting At $49

ZUAUDIOdotCOM - A Revolution in American Hi-Fi

Subwoofers & Two-Channel Audio: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know Apr 06, 2021

Show notes

Everything you ever wanted to know about subwoofers and two channel listening. In this episode we dive deeper than we have ever dove before, straight into a subwoofer. SVS Director of Technology, Ed Mullen helps us unroot all the helpful tidbits for getting the best, and most seamless listening experience with subs. This includes basics, room placement, how to connect, tips, advice and even setup options for both stereo and home theater rigs. One of our most in-depth and informative podcasts to date.

S5E6 Sponsors:

FOCALdotCOM– French Hi-Fi Global Leader

SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California, Starting At $49

INNOUSdotCOM - Listen From Within

Everything Makes A Difference: Music Server Edition Mar 22, 2021

Show notes

Everything you ever wanted to know about music servers for two channel listening. Interview with Nuno Vitorino from Innuos. A deep dive into music servers and their role in a high fidelity playback system. What to look for, where to get started, what are high priority design elements... and all the reasons why everything makes a difference - even music servers.

S5E5 Sponsors: FOCALdotCOM– French Hi-Fi Global Leader SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California, Starting At $49 ZUAUDIOdotCOM - A Revolution in American Hi-Fi

Integrateds and Two Ways - Downsizing without Compromising Mar 08, 2021

Show notes

Integrated Amplifiers and Two Way Loudspeakers, a match made in heaven. In this episode we discuss all the lovely benefits (and some of the potential drawbacks) of two of high fidelity audio's most beloved compact options for home playback. Whether you have limited space or just love the sound of a simple crossover design, this interview with PartTimeAudiophile's Marc Phillips draws from his deep pool of knowledge (and love) for the highly utilized sub genre of audiophilia.

S5E4 Sponsors:

FOCALdotCOM– French Hi-Fi Global Leader

SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California, Starting At $49

INNOUSdotCOM - Listen From Within

Richard Grado Of Grado Labs Feb 22, 2021

Show notes

Interview with Rich Grado of Grado Labs. The Brooklyn-based Grado has been making turntable cartridges and headphones for the better part of a century. Now with the launch of their retail site 4ourears.com and the move into wireless personal audio, the company is making changes to the way they do things - while still keeping true to their long-standing legacy in hifi.

S5E3 Sponsors: FOCALdotCOM– French Hi-Fi Global Leader SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California, Starting At $49 INNOUSdotCOM - Listen From Within

How to: Budget For Audio Gear - From Entry Level to High End Feb 09, 2021

Show notes

Everything you ever wanted to know about optimizing your budget for audio gear. Interview with Jonathan Derda of MoFi. On this episode, we cover how much to budget for each product category of audio gear. We provide general guidance on where to spend your money on speakers, amplifiers, sources and more.

S5E2 Sponsors: FOCALdotCOM– French Hi-Fi Global Leader SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California, Starting At $49 INNOUSdotCOM - Listen From Within

Mike Moffat Of Schiit Audio And Theta Digital Jan 25, 2021

Show notes

Interview with Co-Founder of Schiit Audio Mike Moffat. The digital brains behind one of entry-level hifi's favorite upstart, Mike Moffat joins the show to talk about his experience creating some of the first DACs on the planet and his second tidal wave of success with Schiit Audio. Special co-host thanks to PartTimeAudiophile publisher Scot Hull.

S5E1 Sponsors:

NAIMAUDIOdotCOM– British Hi-Fi Specialist

SCHIITdotCOM - Audio Components Designed & Built in California, Starting At $49

INNOUSdotCOM - Listen From Within

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected