SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! Ultra senior editor Jason Thorpe to talk about My Audiophile Neighborhood, his ongoing SoundStage! Global series chronicling what happens when he introduces friends and neighbors to better sound.

But the conversation quickly becomes about something bigger: If we want hi-fi to thrive, how do we actually create new enthusiasts? Jorden and Jason discuss why good communication matters, why the hobby’s obsession with constant upgrading can work against it, the realities of the generation gap, and why advocacy has to extend beyond preaching to people who are already converted. Most importantly, they explore why praxis—putting ideas into action—is every bit as important as theory when it comes to bringing new people into hi-fi.

Sources:

Jason’s blog posts on SoundStage! Global: https://www.soundstageglobal.com/index.php/blogging-on-audio/181-jason-thorpe

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:36 Introduction to Jason’s audiophile neighbors
00:09:35 Wanting something but not knowing what
00:15:09 The importance of Orwell and engaging prose
00:20:04 The compulsion to upgrade is optional
00:25:35 The generation thing
00:30:02 The importance of advocacy
00:36:15 The importance of praxis
00:39:22 The importance of incentive structures
00:43:40 Outro music: "Kumare Brothers" by Dialgo

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Michael Johnson, Global Marketing Director for Monitor Audio Group, to discuss the Monitor Audio Experience Centre, creating gateways to audiophilia, and the company’s ten-year roadmap. They also explore whether vinyl represents hi-fi’s past or future, the role active speakers might play at Monitor Audio, and why video games could be an important way to introduce a new generation to better sound.

Sources:

“Monitor Audio: From Concept 50 to Hyphn and Beyond” on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/monitor-audio-from-concept-50-to-hyphn-and-beyond-into-hi-fi-making-monitor-audio-speakers-the-response/

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:36 Introductions
00:02:32 The Experience Centre
00:07:46 Sound and the tech that creates it
00:11:19 Conveying experiences
00:15:25 A gateway to hi-fi?
00:19:44 The ten-year roadmap
00:21:53 Is vinyl the past or the future?
00:28:39 What about active speakers?
00:36:12 Audio for video games
00:41:23 Outro music: “Let the Road Begin” by Ziv Moran

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Dominique Lingruen, vice president of sales for Linkplay Technology Inc., parent company of WiiM—a fast-growing hi-fi brand whose expanding lineup includes streamers, amplifiers, wireless speakers, subwoofers, and other products designed for the modern connected audio system.

Topics of conversation include Dominique’s personal history in hi-fi, WiiM’s meteoric rise, the importance of personalization, how the company is reaching a younger and more female audience, what happened with AirPlay, and—perhaps most importantly—the best recipe for banana pancakes.

Plus, what does WiiM even mean? Jorden finds out.

Sources:

WiiM Amp Ultra Streaming Integrated Amplifier review by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1358-wiim-amp-ultra-streaming-integrated-amplifier

“The WiiM Amp Ultra—What’s Happened to Me?” by Jason Thorpe: https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/features-menu/opinion-menu/1297-the-wiim-amp-ultra-whats-happened-to-me

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:36 Introductions
00:03:22 Manifesting Beckham
00:06:23 It’s pronounced “WiiM”
00:08:20 The pieces of the Linkplay puzzle
00:13:56 Taking a big bet
00:18:31 Appealing to different demographics
00:21:28 From hi-fi to home theater
00:24:32 What happened with AirPlay
00:28:30 The future
00:30:47 The headphone hook and the vinyl fad
00:35:39 My-fi?
00:40:14 What would a WiiM AVR look like?
00:41:23 Outro music: “Four Leaf Clover” by Louis Island

Host Jorden Guth welcomes Emotiva founder Dan Laufman back to the podcast for a conversation about where hi-fi is headed. From the retro-inspired Nostala line to the need for high-value, long-lasting audio gear, Laufman explains why making great sound more accessible is essential to the industry's future.

Sources:

“Dan Laufman on the Value of Emotiva”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/dan-laufman-on-the-value-of-emotiva/

Emotiva BasX TA2+ stereo receiver by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1393-emotiva-basx-ta2-stereo-receiver

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:36 Introductions and the origins of Nostala
00:04:34 Listening to the music or the speakers?
00:07:23 Who is this retro-revival supposed to appeal to?
00:10:14 Retro-inspired electronics, too?
00:12:45 Making sense of model names
00:19:42 These young audiophiles are a different breed
00:23:11 Audio isn’t like other electronics
00:30:13 Education is empowerment
00:33:51 The return of Emofest
00:35:21 The soundtrack to Dan’s life
00:37:39 Outro music: “After 2AM” by Ziggy

Host Jorden Guth is joined by Matt Simmonds, Vice President of Product Development at Lenbrook, for a behind-the-scenes look at how modern hi-fi products come to life. Simmonds discusses his family's history in audio, the origins of Bluesound, the importance of industrial design, and how companies weigh innovation, market trends, and emerging technologies like AI when deciding what products to build next.

Sources:

"Bluesound's High-Style Pulse Sub+ Subwoofer"—SoundStage! Talks (December 2020): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2-ljBZQ4uE

Chapters:
00:00:00 Announcement
00:00:36 Introductions and family traditions
00:06:34 Career-type decisions
00:10:19 Why Bluesound?
00:14:00 Design matters
00:20:53 Avoiding cannibalism
00:27:51 Polishing that crystal ball
00:33:51 AI versus the real world
00:43:04 Outro music: "Brother” by Montessori