The Complete Guide to High-End Audio
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""Without question the best value in high-end audio."
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Product Description
In this newly updated directory, the latest in cutting-edge audio equipment is provided, including how to choose the best audio equipment on a budget, how to get the best sound for the money, and how to set up a system for maximum performance. Revised and expanded to include all the latest audio technologies, this book is packed with expert advice how to make speakers sound up to 50 per cent better at no cost, avoid the most common system set-up mistakes, and how to choose the one speaker in 50 worth owning. Among the new topics covered are computer-based music servers, wireless streaming of audio, high-resolution digital audio, internet downloads, HD radio, Blu-ray Disc, and the new high-resolution surround-sound formats. A short course on listening-room acoustics is presented and additional information on audio for home theatre, multi-channel audio, system set-up secrets, and what each component's specifications and measurements mean is also provided.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Fist a disclaimer...I'm not an audio engineer or circuit designer. I'm also a relative newcomer to high-end audio--but am a long time music lover. This review is based on the 1995 edition of this book (I understand new ed is forthcoming). I felt the author did an exceptionally good job in structuring the book and writing to an appropriate level of reader. He describes what each component does, how it works, what to listen for when testing, etc...The initial chapters which are "stage setting" chapters, teminology, etc. are also very valuable. Lots of technical details are included, but they are in appendices so that someone who is interested, can go get the info there, while those less interested in that don't get bogged down in the detail. So, bottom line: this *has* to be a very difficult book to write--ie, author is writing to a very diverse readership in terms of audio expertise, etc. As one who is interested in high-end audio and in the process of upgrading a mid-range system to a true high-end system, I found this book invaluable. Well worth the $$ and time if you have even a passing interest in audio/music. Highly recommended.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is excellent for anyone even remotely interested in hi-fi and good music. Robert Harley has done a very good job at spanning the various levels of detail, from the general overviews to the details of a CD player's inner workings. There is enough background explanation for the novice, and also enough detail for the enthusiast or the hard-core hi-fi buff. But one of the most amazing achievements of this book is its sheer readability. Harley's professionalism and enthusiasm show through clearly, and his use of examples and enlightening analogies combine together to create a book that even hi-fi sceptic friends of mine have found hard to put down!
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As an engineer and a lover of great sound, I was looking forward to getting an in depth understanding of audio technology.
To me however, the author does not maintain enough distance between himself and the Hi-Fi industry to provide a critical explanation and assessment of the technologies. Too often his opinions reinforce the audio sector's brilliant marketing strategy: super high prices are used to make just plain expensive look like a bargain whilst 'good enough' should be avoided. When writing for an aspirational hi-fi magazine this I can understand, but in a 'comprehensive guide' I expect a bit more balance.
The technical explanations themselves mix levels of detail, science, pseudoscience and opinion, and, without references or evidence beyond the authors own experience, it is difficult to asertain any relationships between a technology and a consistent impact on the perceived sound.
With a little critical distance this could have been a great achievement but is actually an exercise in Hi-Fi marketing sycophancy.
To me however, the author does not maintain enough distance between himself and the Hi-Fi industry to provide a critical explanation and assessment of the technologies. Too often his opinions reinforce the audio sector's brilliant marketing strategy: super high prices are used to make just plain expensive look like a bargain whilst 'good enough' should be avoided. When writing for an aspirational hi-fi magazine this I can understand, but in a 'comprehensive guide' I expect a bit more balance.
The technical explanations themselves mix levels of detail, science, pseudoscience and opinion, and, without references or evidence beyond the authors own experience, it is difficult to asertain any relationships between a technology and a consistent impact on the perceived sound.
With a little critical distance this could have been a great achievement but is actually an exercise in Hi-Fi marketing sycophancy.
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