
Not An Audiophile
Andrew Hutchison·51 episodes
Explore HiFi from behind the scenes featuring interviews with designers, engineers and experts discussing speakers, amps, turntables, cables and more. HiFi pros talk design, get technical, offer opinions, provide news, reviews, and insights. Bringing the best and brightest from brands and shows around the world.
Episodes
He's a Millenial making and breaking the rules of loudspeaker design. Atlas Harmonic shifts the focus away from measurements and toward how music actually feels. Fewer assumptions. Better connection. A new generation in HiFi. Show Partner - Devore Fidelity
What does real sound like? Modernised, revitalised, historically grand with a modern take and a new model. Kiat Low — the man behind the revival of this iconic, heritage brand — explains why Duntech still delivers one of the most convincing, lifelike sounds in high-end audio. Show Partner - Devore Fidelity
Reviewer gets inside the Exposure 5510 amp and says it sounds better than his Naim Uniti Star and as good as an Accuphase. The Exposure 5510 Review goes inside with component and build quality, functionality and most importantly - sound. Adding insights is the Exposure designer, who tells us how he achieved the surprisingly large, detailed sound of the Exposure 5510. Show Partner - Devore Fidelity
ProAc, iconic British loudspeaker brand, offers both ribbon and dome tweeters. Is one better or just different? A rare and exclusive interview with the third generation of ProAc, Zoe Tyler-Mardle. One of the UK's most respected brands doing things differently whilst honouring the history of perfectly natural sound. Show Partner - Devore Fidelity
High End HiFi didn't ISN'T expensive, you just forgot the context. Andrew and David use figures, not "forum theory" to reframe nostalgia, proving that "vintage" brands were once High End. Mourning the loss of great Japanese brands. Where did they go? AND we decide we need to delve further into GR-Research Episode 045 claims on training AI to "hear" and diagnose audio. Show Partner - March Audio
Estelon, dCS and Oephi justify their pricing with their unique take on design and engineering BUT say the goal is the music and the "toys" should disappear. It's a deep dive into how industrial design, materials science, and complex engineering serve the music - but at what cost? Would you want something as sculptural as an Estelon or outrageous as a $500,000 DAC music system to disappear? Show Partner - March Audio
Danny Richie of GR-Research challenges Hi-Fi dogma. Why big brands need his upgrade for great sound. Tube connectors, cables, mods, loudspeaker design, DIY & more. Sponsored By March Audio
AI is changing how people buy HiFi and even decide what "good sound" is - but what is the real impact of AI in the HiFi world. Andrew Hutchison and David Corazza break down the risks, the myths, and the strange new behaviour emerging in audio retail. How to know if you suffer from G.A.S (Gear Addiction Syndrome). Which one of the three styles of audio enthusiasts are you? AI shaping musical taste and why algorithms often get it wrong. How online reviews, marketing hype & LLM data bias distort consumer choices. Real-world stories from HiFi retail when AI "experts" meet human ears. Why listening will always beat algorithms, data and spreadsheets. PLUS last minute gift ideas for the audio enthusiast in your life that might just save Xmas. Sponsored By March Audio
Inside home theatre and cinema sound design, engineering and manufacture with Krix Loudspeakers. Scott Krix tells all to Not An Audiophile's Andrew Hutchison in a story of evolution from horn loaded HiFi to international home theatre and commercial cinema powerhouse. The evolution of Krix Loudspeakers involves innovation, adaptation, a dedicated factory and an uncanny vision. Krix Loudspeakers are now positioned on the world stage in the revolution of international cinema and home theatre sound solutions. We explore Krix Loudspeakers' early adoption of and involvement in Dolby Atmos cinema engineering and how commercial R & D is revolutionising the home theatre sound experience. A must for enthusiasts of HiFi, horn speakers, home theatre evolution and HiFi history. Scott Krix tells the story of the 50 years gone and the 50 years to come from Krix Loudspeakers. Sponsored By March Audio
Inside Airtight, Japan's legendary high end, tube-amplifier brand. The future of Airtight - a new direction. The family legacy from Luxman to present. An extraordinary focus on craftsmanship and quality. A sound ethos based on "orchestration" and a dynamic, ultra-musical family sound. From micro-resonance tuning to hand-built monocoque chassis, this is a rare look at how true high-end audio is made. Where is Airtight going in the future with a move in a new direction in the wind. A must-listen for audiophiles, tube lovers and anyone fascinated by Japanese precision and heritage. Sponsored By March Audio
YG Acoustics is far from average. Founded in the USA and still made to this day in Colorado, a state of the art facility is backed by astrophysics based research and development. Aurele from YG Acoustics joins David Corazza at the 2025 Stereonet HiFi & AV Show to reveal how nano-surgical precision and obsessive attention to sonic excellence come together to create loudspeakers that blur the line between technology and sound — and why YG's culture of fun and passion keeps innovation alive. Sponsored By March Audio
Turntables and analogue sound. Linn, Thorens and big brands perpetuate popular beliefs to maintain sales. Arthur Khoubesserian from The Funk Firm refuses to stay silent - voicing his disappointment in and disapproval of the HiFi industry. Renowned for groundbreaking innovation in analogue sound backed by physics, Arthur challenges the industry to stop living in the past and embrace the newest science and technology. Funk engineers product at the cutting edge of science and reveals his latest projects including designing the next-gen DJ turntable. His history with Pink Triangle and now with The Funk Firm is backed by a passion and determination to drag analogue sound into the future. Not silent, not impressed and not putting up with ignorance in the industry for one more minute, an interview with Arthur Khoubesserian from The Funk Firm is an eye-opener to innovation and passion. Sponsored By March Audio
HiFi review. Quad 3 Integrated amplifier had issues that surprised our host. Reviewing inside the box with a qualified technician for a look at build quality and components. Functionality and sound - was it better than Naim? At the top end of the bottom of the market, is it worth the money or is it just nostalgia? We cover everything in our comprehensive review. Plus, guest revelations that shocked us! On our 1st birthday, we revisit 5 guest interviews with surprises we didn't anticipate. You may know the brand, but getting to know the person behind the name is sometimes eye-opening. Sponsored By Len Wallis Audio
How did the iconic Orangutan O/96 loudspeaker with its wide baffle and orangutan features became THE loudspeaker to own? Still handcrafted in the USA after 25 years. John DeVore chats about wide baffle loudspeaker design, genuine sound quality, having fun with model names and much more. Sponsored By Len Wallis Audio
HiFi Show expose. No holding back from our golden eared hosts rounding up the Stereonet HiFi & AV Show Melbourne 2025 Who got it right and who got it terribly wrong? Surprising new brands, new models, affordable vs high end, great sound and one big brand who missed the mark entirely. Sponsored By Len Wallis Audio
Inside the life of an international HiFi reviewer who wields his power like a conductor leading a symphony. His favourite HiFi, love of classic cars and belief that reviews should not be verdicts for the death of a brand. With the power of opinion comes responsibility to approach reviewing without prejudice, bias or dishonesty. First and foremost a music lover with a discerning ear, acting as gatekeeper for the most revered HiFi reviews in the world. Sponsored By Len Wallis Audio
Reviewing the exciting new release from WiiM - the WiiM Amp Ultra. Our two HiFi professionals discuss in Part 1 and go in depth in Part 2 the good and bad of the new WiiM. ALSO HiFi retailing is dominated by older (mostly men) who have made HiFi their lives. Alex Stuart is a rare young HiFi retail owner who believes that his drive and enthusiasm makes tradition and experience look "tired". Sponsored By Len Wallis Audio
Preconceptions, misconceptions and misinformation - Are you hearing the system or the opinions or others? Is too much information ruining your HiFi experience? ALSO our HiFi professionals talk turntables - the most complex "simple" HiFi component you can use. Do you know everything on our Top 10? Sponsored By Len Wallis Audio
Kostas Metaxas designs luxury collections of high end HiFi. Every item in the collection is HiFi Art - totally and utterly unique, organic and outrageously interesting. -"Otherwise they have no reason to exist". He made a decision to create a "visual language", to go out on his own and design uniqueness in an industry that had failed to evolve. Sponsored By Len Wallis Audio
Parliament House, The Adelaide Festival Centre and New York's largest church. Where sound perfection is required, VAF has always been there. The evolution of uncommon sound, past, present and future. Sponsored By Len Wallis Audio
Wharfedale, Castle & Mission. Audiophiles diagnosed and room acoustics dissected. The meaning and importance of balance in loudspeaker design. Opinions on horn loaded, tubes and why price has nothing to do with quality of sound. Sponsored By The StereoNet Home Entertainment Expo Melbourne August 2025
Vinyl restoration technology and two outrageous speaker designs. Sponsored By Harbottle Audio
Laurence Dickie, interviewed at Munich High End 2025 goes deep into loudspeaker design and sets Not An Audiophile host straight on some audio assumptions. Laurence Dickie is best known as the designer of Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus and the Vivid Audio loudspeakers. Munich High End 2025 roundup where our host offers the best, worst and best affordable of the final High End in Munich. Sponsored By Harbottle Audio
Bowers Focal; Sonus Faber; McIntosh; Denon; Marantz; Piega; Audio Research; March Audio; Naim and more. New products, models and behind the concepts. Sponsored By Harbottle Audio
From the infamous "recap everything" advice to the idea that streaming robs musicians, we cut through the noise with first-hand experience, facts and a healthy dose of skepticism. Sponsored By Harbottle Audio
Does HiFi gear really sound better than it ever did? What's changed and what does the future of HiFi look like? The evolution of HiFi over 47 years of Len Wallis Audio. Sponsored By Stereonet
Richter, Dohmann, Musical Fidelity, Air Tight Tube amps, Fischer & Fischer slate speakers, Microphase and more... Sponsored By SpectraFlora
The highly-qualified and experienced ear behind the Soundstage Australia HiFi reviews has been everywhere, listened to everything and met every big name in HiFi. Sponsored By SpectraFlora
Improve speaker and room acoustics with one simple step. Ground-breaking technology in the DEQX processor allows passive speakers to become active and diagnoses and improves inherent sound issues with passive speakers and listening rooms. Kim Ryrie, designer of the the Fairlight Synthesizer explains his latest project, the DEQX speaker and room processor. Sponsored By SpectraFlora
Cartridge compliance, tracking force and tonearm alignment - why they are so important. The top 5 points affecting turntable sound Best turntable, tonearm and cartridge combos. Platter mat considerations. Why the quality of turntable leads are critical. How technology has solved the vibration isolation problem and how Dohmann Audio Helix One and Helix Two turntables are changing the way you experience analogue. Sponsored By SpectraFlora
What constitutes good music? 5 tracks/albums that you should know to test your speakers, hold an educated conversation about music and to just plain feel alive! Two HiFi professionals with polar opposite tastes in music hold an opinion party on what's great, good and just plain rubbish. Sponsored By stereonet.com
Subwoofers by Harbottle Audio, Canada. Sit down with the designer for the world's best tech talk on every aspect of producing the greatest subwoofers ever.
The Fairlight CMI changed music making forever. The "world's greatest synthesizer" offered a never-before-imagined conduit between technology and creativity. Co-founder, Kim Ryrie made it all possible and casually chats about his history and the ground-breaking technology that is the Fairlight.
KEF, Monitor Audio, WiiM are just a few HiFi brands you constantly hear about in reviews and news. Our experts list their under-exposed brands that are as good or better. Our hosts voted best sound for 2024 - Stax SR-X9000 Headphones and Acapella Loudspeakers feature in the "blew me away" category. We discuss the destruction of Tom Evans Audio by the Mend It Mark video and wonder if anyone really cares that 9 out of 10 HiFi and audio products out of China are rubbish?
HiFi cable technology and myths discussed in detail with Matthew Bond from Matthew Bond Audio. Copper competition, cable lifters, directional cables and bogus quality claims are all discussed with strong opinions, science and experience making for a fascinating episode on HiFi cables.
The founder of Creek Audio, Mike Creek tells the inside story of how the brand became the worldwide success it is today. Listeners are treated to a tech talk on the Class B amplifier that started it all, Mike's approach to value engineering and how retail exclusivity over mainstream distribution worked magic.
Bose takeover of McIntosh? Andrew & David can’t decide how it could ever be a good thing for HiFi. Stupid HiFi tweaks inc special bi-wire links? Kooky audio ideas no longer around including colouring CDs with a special green pen to improve sound quality? AND HiFi regrets. Both Andrew and David regret disposing of turntables but David wins the saddest turntable disposal story
Have you ever wanted to sell your speakers and try something else because they just don't sound the way you thought they would? Maybe the something else you should try is acoustics. David Spargo in Part 2 talks about the intricacies of how the brain perceives sound and practical changes you can make to take advantage of the system you love in the space you have.
With the help of Douglas Self, a hewn from solid aluminium chassis and new colour coating technology, award winning amplifiers by Kleio Audio are making great looking music.
HiFi news, discussion, opinion. Will Tidal Survive? Wharefdale Super Lintons listened to the day of release. We think specs really don't seem to matter
Ralph Waters has a candid conversation about his philosophies on loudspeaker design and on life and shares a story of when he met the Garrott Brothers at their home.
Brad Serhan interviews a new cartridge re tipper in Australia, Mr Chris Allman and legend of audio design in Australia Mr Kim Ryrie at the Stereonet HiFi Show 2024
Andrew talks about the newest Dellichord model, the 70S a nod to the 70s era and simpler loudspeaker design with easy listening in mind. The 70S represents a bold step in prioritizing sound quality over aesthetics.
Step into the fascinating world of audio engineering with David Spargo, a master acoustician whose journey through the recording industry is as rich as the sounds he helps create. In our latest podcast episode on Not An Audiophile, David shares his experiences from the early days to becoming a pivotal figure in the world of vinyl mastering and acoustics.
Discover the fascinating journey of Ralph Waters, founder of Richter Acoustics, in our latest Not An Audiophile - The Podcast episode. From beginnings in teaching and psychology to pioneering the Australian HiFi and audio industry, Ralph shares his insights and stories about the challenges and triumphs of building a brand in Australia that thrives and sets standards still today.
Morris Swift from Serhan Swift chats to Andrew Hutchison from Dellichord about how he ended up in electronics instead of medicine. He reminds us how much things have changed, how fast it happens and how HiFi has become somehow less expensive. Two loudspeaker manufacturers covering the fun, rewards, difficulties and costs associated with being an Australian manufacturer.
Jon De Sensi, designer and engineer of OAD Ultrafidelity Andrew Hutchison from Dellichord and Brad Serhan from Serhan Swift discuss this “staggeringly” amazing HiFi preamplifier and amplifier. Fully CNC chassis and remote control of premium grade aluminium. Australian Made and sporting some world-firsts.
Brad Serhan continues his history of Orpheus Loudspeakers including how the Orpheus Minotaur became the go-to speaker for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation as well as EMI Mastering Studios Studios 301 and Channels Seven and Ten. Introducing Kiat Low, road trips, bed bugs and great opportunities for HiFi in the 90s.
Alan discusses how a background in jet engine testing helps when designing audio amplifiers and loudspeakers. Inside the head of an engineer passionate about the intricacies of equipment and sound design, innovation and experimentation.
Matthew goes deep inside the intricacies, design, engineering and manufacture of high quality cables. From the inception of TARA Labs and the cables that took the world by storm to the new Matthew Bond Audio and his revolutionary new designs.
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