The Occasional Podcast

Latest Episodes:

An Interview With Jana Dagdagan (Jana Loves HiFi/Stereophile) Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

In this episode we sit down with Jana Dagdagan from the YouTube channel Jana Loves HiFi. Jana shares her story and gives us her unique perspective on the HiFi industry, having worked with both Stereophile magazine and darko.audio before recently kicking off her own YouTube channel. Jana's videos have a keen eye for angles and a distinctly cinematic feel in a sea of talking head creators. A refreshing talent in the HiFi industry, you can find her YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@janaloveshifi

S14E3 Sponsors:

AXPONAdotCOM - North America's Audio Expo

AUDIOQUESTdotCOM — High-Performance Cables & Power Products — Made for You

PTdotAUDIO - Great Sounds Meet Good Times

THEVOICETHATISdotCOM - For The Joy Of Music

WOOAUDIOdotCOM - The New WA300-BAL Speaker Amp

AUDIOVISIONSFdotCOM - San Francisco May 16th-17th In-Store HiFi Celebration

Frank Doris Of Copper Magazine And The Absolute Sound Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

An interview with long time industry writer/editor/PR/guitarist Frank Doris. Frank is an audiophile enthusiast who has written for The Absolute Sound (back in the Harry Pearson days) and now Copper Magazine. He has also worked in PR (and does so currently) with various HiFi brands. This episode contains mostly stories from Frank's history in the hobby, along with a little cosmic wisdom and teachings from a life well lived.

S14E2 Sponsors:

AXPONAdotCOM - North America's Audio Expo

AUDIOQUESTdotCOM — High-Performance Cables & Power Products — Made for You

PTdotAUDIO - Great Sounds Meet Good Times

THEVOICETHATISdotCOM - For The Joy Of Music

WOOAUDIOdotCOM - The New WA300-BAL Speaker Amp

Robert Harley Of The Absolute Sound Magazine Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

An interview with Robert Harley, Editor-In-Chief of The Absolute Sound. In the Season 14 premier, we enter our 2026 collection of conversations with none other than Robert Harley himself. One of the more prolific reviewers of the hobby, Robert chats about his long tenure in high-end audio, along with his unique perspective (and history) with analog, critical listening, regionalized sounds and just enjoying the music. He also drops in some of his favorite designers and engineers in audio from over the years. A really great interview with a massively influential personality in HiFi.

S14E1 Sponsors:

AXPONAdotCOM - North America's Audio Expo

AUDIOQUESTdotCOM — High-Performance Cables & Power Products — Made for You

PTdotAUDIO - Great Sounds Meet Good Times

THEVOICETHATISdotCOM - For The Joy Of Music

BORDERPATROLdotNET - For Music Lovers, Not Scope Jockeys

Florida Audio Expo 2026 - HiFi Highlights And Best Of Show Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

Marc and Brian take on pt.AUDIO's coverage of the Florida Audio Expo in Tampa, held February 20-22. This episode reports back on all the showroom highlights and the latest hifi product releases from the Q1 event. Best of show, standout gear and plenty of weekend observations. From proper room etiquette to stranded HiFi writers, this episode tells you everything you need to know about the first big audio event of 2026.

S13E11 Sponsors:

AUDIOQUESTdotCOM — High-Performance Cables & Power Products — Made for You

PTdotAUDIO - Great Sounds Meet Good Times

PASSLABSdotCOM - Rediscover Your Music Like Never Before

WHARFEDALEUSAdotCOM - Legendary British Sound – Elevated

SVSOUNDdotCOM – Join the Sound R|Evolution

AXPONAdotCOM - North America's Audio Expo

The History And Continuing Legacy Of The Quad ESL 57 Loudspeaker Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

A full breakdown of the history and ongoing legacy of one of, if not THE most iconic and legendary speaker of all time, the Quad ESL 57 Electrostatic Loudspeaker. In this informative and educational episode, we provide some context, impressions and observations about one of the most-longstanding reference HiFi speakers ever. What makes the ESL 57 so special? How did it earn its title in the pantheon of audiophile history books? Brian Hunter lays it all out in simple terms. Special thanks to pt.AUDIO Editor-In-Chief Marc Phillips for his help with the episode!

S13E10 Sponsors:

AUDIOQUESTdotCOM — High-Performance Cables & Power Products — Made for You

PTdotAUDIO - Great Sounds Meet Good Times

PASSLABSdotCOM - Rediscover Your Music Like Never Before

WHARFEDALEUSAdotCOM - Legendary British Sound – Elevated

SVSOUNDdotCOM – Join the Sound R|Evolution

AXPONAdotCOM - North America's Audio Expo

Pro Audio Vs. HiFi - Why They May Be More Alike Than You Think - An Interview With Brad Lunde Of Lone Mountain Audio Jan 15, 2026

Show notes

An Interview With Brad Lunde, President of Lone Mountain Audio. This episode is packed with tons of amazing stories, tips, and advice - from both sides of the musical coin - Pro Audio and HiFi. Plenty of ink has been spilled on the differences between utilizing HiFi as a way to consume music, and the techniques for producing music using speakers and other production gear as "tools". However, the two are not as dissimilar as one might initially expect considering all this. Brad helps break down some of differences, but he really brings together a ton of common themes that exist for both goals. His commentary provides powerful insights on setting up systems, defining "perfection" and room acoustics. He even gives us a fantastic list of music from his favorite sound engineers to follow.

S13E9 Sponsors:

AUDIOQUESTdotCOM — High-Performance Cables & Power Products — Made for You

PTdotAUDIO - Great Sounds Meet Good Times

PASSLABSdotCOM - Rediscover Your Music Like Never Before

WHARFEDALEUSAdotCOM - Legendary British Sound – Elevated

SVSOUNDdotCOM – Join the Sound R|Evolution

AXPONAdotCOM - North America's Audio Expo

An Interview With Teenage Speaker Designer Lucca Chesky and 2025 Product Of The Year Awards! Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

19-year-old Lucca Chesky already has few speaker designs under his belt. The LC1 and LC2 Bookshelves have been touring the HiFi audio show circuit and earning some well-deserved accolades in the process. Implementing both 3D printing and a sub-$2k budget invites not only a younger crowd with more entry-level spending habits, but also some real HiFi intentions to a entirely new crowd of much-needed audiophiles. S13E8 also includes pt.AUDIO Editor-In-Chief Marc Phillips following up on the 2025 Buyer's Guide with a continuation of the pt.AWARDS season and the recipients of Product of the Year, Best Value of the Year and Best Bookshelf Speaker of the Year.

See the full 2025 Buyers Guide in written form at PT.Audio.

Video coverage: https://www.youtube.com/@PT-Audio

pt.AUDIO Record Weight In Copper

pt.AUDIO Record Weight In Gold

S13E8 Sponsors:

AUDIOQUESTdotCOM — High-Performance Cables & Power Products — Made for You

PTdotAUDIO - Great Sounds Meet Good Times

PASSLABSdotCOM - Rediscover Your Music Like Never Before

WHARFEDALEUSAdotCOM - Legendary British Sound – Elevated

SVSOUNDdotCOM – Join the Sound R|Evolution

The Best Hi-Fi Products For 2026: Speakers, Amps, DACs & Turntables Reviewed Dec 08, 2025

Show notes

Our 2026 Buyer's Guide For Audiophiles. Marc and Brian go over some of the best and brightest audio products reviewed and heard for the upcoming year. Broken out into several HiFi categories, the buyer's guide provides some insight into the season's best audiophile products along with some general banter and tips for the hobby. See the full guide in written form at PT.Audio.

Video coverage: https://www.youtube.com/@PT-Audio

pt.AUDIO Record Weight In Copper

pt.AUDIO Record Weight In Gold

S13E7 Sponsors:

AUDIOQUESTdotCOM — High-Performance Cables & Power Products — Made for You

PTdotAUDIO - Great Sounds Meet Good Times

PASSLABSdotCOM - Rediscover Your Music Like Never Before

WHARFEDALEUSAdotCOM - Legendary British Sound – Elevated

SVSOUNDdotCOM – Join the Sound R|Evolution

Capital Audiofest 2025 - HiFi Highlights And Best Of Show Nov 19, 2025

Show notes

Coverage and impressions from Captial Audiofest 2025. Marc, Brian and Scot broadcast live from the big DC audio event. This show includes full impressions and observations on trends. What rooms sounded like perfection? What new products really impressed? All the details on a ton of new gear get annouced at this East Coast show and we have them all to share with you in this robust, boots-on-the-ground episode.

This episode's event sponsor is Doug White and The Voice That Is. Doug was showcasing the Tidal Piano G3 Loudpeaker, TIDAL Ferios G2 amplifier, Turnbull Audio Prestige Audio Cables and new Power Distributor, REL Carbon Special Black Label, and Equitech Model 2RQ at Capital Audiofest 2025.

CAF 2025 Video coverage: https://www.youtube.com/@PT-Audio

Season 12 Merch is now available!

The pt.AUDIO Record Weight In Walnut : 230 Gram

All The New Audiophile & HiFi Product Announcements For The Holiday Season - What You May Have Missed! Nov 05, 2025

Show notes

Marc And Brian from pt.AUDIO run down all the latest gear hitting the HiFi and Audiophile market for the holiday season. From premium speaker products to headphones, IEMs and amplifiers, this episode discusses and dissects all the new product announcements for 4th quarter and beyond.

If you are attending Capital Audiofest next weekend, please swing by the Wilson Room and see our CAF 2025 sponsor, Doug White and The Voice That Is. Doug will showcasing his fine selection of brands including Tidal Audio, Turnbull Cables, Equitech, REL Subwoofers and more.

Video coverage: https://www.youtube.com/@PT-Audio

The pt.AUDIO Record Weight In Walnut : 230 Gram

S13E5 Sponsors:

AUDIOQUESTdotCOM — High-Performance Cables & Power Products — Made for You

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

PTdotAUDIO - Great Sounds Meet Good Times

PASSLABSdotCOM - Rediscover Your Music Like Never Before

WHARFEDALEUSAdotCOM - Legendary British Sound – Elevated

THEVOICETHATISdotCOM - The Wilson Room At Captial Audiofest 2025