We set up systems that appeal to us first and foremost. If they appeal to other people as well that’s a bonus. We focus on the neutral reproduction of the human voice… the most complex instrument there is. Once that is accomplished, everything else, like deep bass, correct piano, engaging violin, all fall into place.

The type of systems that we enjoy are built around high efficiency speakers that are more similar to a thin-walled cello than heavy resonance-cancelling cabinets. The amplifiers we prefer are tube based with simple, low watt per channel power. The source that we prefer is a turntable with a good, but not necessarily expensive moving magnet or moving coil cartridge and a tube phono preamplifier. Efficient speakers allow for lower power and lower power presents less distortion.

The other component that contributes to beautiful music is the quality of the record itself. This can’t be understated. This does not mean that one should necessarily go out and buy a 200g three hundred dollar new pressing of Santana or Michael Jackson… you might get better true analog sound from a 25 cent pressing of Martin Denny’s Exotica at your local thrift shop. Seriously, getting original records (that did not spend any time being digitally processed) or getting short run re-pressings (fully analog) from small companies who take their time producing a clean LP goes a lot further than many other HiFi tweaks. ERC, Intervention Records, Command pressings by Enoch Light, Third Man, to name a few.