Shawn Kernes Blog

I am often asked questions like "is this amp powerful enough for my speakers?" so i thought i would take a moment to write up a definitive answer.  To begin answering the question, it's important to know how loud you want your system to be at your listening position. This can be different for everyone, but using the THX reference level of 85db with 20db of headroom (max 105db) as a starting point is pretty safe.  https://www.thx.com/questions/what-is-the-reference-level/ Without getting into all the math... Doubling amplifier power boosts output by 3db. Using 2 speakers in a stereo setup will boost output by 3db. Positioning speakers close to a wall will boost output by around 3db positioning speakers in a corner will boost output by around 6db. And output will decrease by 6db for each doubling of distance between the listener and the speaker.  Its kind of a lot to remember, but fortunately there are tools, like this one that do all the work for you:  http://myhometheater

  “Affordable” Phono Preamplifier Review I always find it tough to start a new audio equipment review, partially because i find writing hard and partially because there is such a broad spectrum of needs, desires, and knowledge in this hobby. So… Bear with me, i'm going to try to make this particular review work for everyone, if a section is too rudimentary or doesn’t apply to you, skip it (or read it anyway, since i took the time to write it).  What’s needed to play a record?  In general, every two channel audio system requires a pair of speakers, an amplifier, a preamplifier, an audio source, and a bunch of wire to connect it all together.  Yea, i know, it sounds like a lot of stuff, but not to worry... There are plenty of products (such as the Sonos Amp, Bluesound PowerNode 2i, and Amazon Echo Link Amp) that house everything you need, with the exception of speakers, to listen to music via your favorite streaming service, in one small box.  Playing records (aka vinyl or LP’s, neve

Is there any point to an "entry level" vinyl playback system? I recently ran ran across someone asking a this question, and it got me thinking... In a world where "entry level" digital playback is so damn good and so accessible, why would anyone go for an entry level vinyl playback system, which is both lower absolute quality and often significantly more expensive.  Let's start with a cost comparison: Streaming services range from free to about $20/month. Generally you get what you pay for in this arena, but even the free services are of reasonable quality and have catalog's consisting of millions of songs these days. The highest quality services, such as Tidal and Qobuz, cost a bit less than one new record per month.  Records range from about $3 for less desirable examples at used record stores, if you happen to have one in your town, to upwards of $100. On average you can expect to pay $20-$35 for a new record at Target, Walmart, or Amazon.   Streaming mus

Link to THX Press Release:  https://www.thx.com/blog/thx-launches-dacamp-thx-onyx/ Link to ASR Measurements:  https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/thx-onyx-review-headphone-adapter.22223/ SAN FRANCISCO, April 7, 2021 —  THX Ltd., a world-class audio and video certification and technology company, today announced the global launch of its first consumer electronics device, THX Onyx™. Staying true to its mission to empower high fidelity for entertainment, the company unveiled THX Onyx with improvements over traditional DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) amplifiers by including THX AAA™ amplifier technology onboard to ensure lossless, pure sound that empowers listeners to hear content the way the artist intended. THX Onyx has both THX AAA and ESS Pro DAC chips inside, as well as MQA support, creating the best-in-class portable DAC/Amplifier solution on the market today at this price for powering wired headphones.              “THX was founded on the principle that qual

PS Audio has been making the Perfectwave digital to audio converter (DAC) for quite some time, in fact, it is now at the tail end of its third incarnation, all using the same casework.  It started with the Perfectwave DAC back in xxxx, in 2012 it was upgraded to the Perfectwave MKII, and then, with the introduction of Ted Smith to the PS Audio Team, the Perfectwave Directstream (aka DS) followed in 2014.  The DS has remained PS Audio’s flagship DAC since 2014, roughly 7 years, with all upgrades being free and applied as firmware updates. Even more impressive is that many audio journalists and audiophiles still consider the DS to be among the best sounding, if not the best measuring, DAC’s on the market.  Full disclosure, the PS Audio Directstream DAC is my personal reference. From what I gather, the last planned firmware update, Sunshine (named for sunshine peak in Colorado) for the DS MKI is scheduled to arrive by the end of April 2021… Though, according to a representative of PS Audi

I'm lucky enough to have both stock and parts conneXion modified PS Audio GCPH phono preamplifiers... So I figure why not finally write up a proper comparison. A bit of background info: http://www.underwoodhifi.com/modifications/ps-audio-modifications http://www.10audio.com/psaud_gcph.htm https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/impressions-of-ps-audio-gcph First, a quick note on what I don't like about the modified GCPH. I hate the WBT-0210-Cu RCA connectors... Yes, they are probably electrically superior products, but the ergonomics suck. It's why I use Kimber RCA connectors on my DIY projects. It's also worth noting that, as with all PS Audio Gain Cell gear, you want to make sure you have adjusted gain on the back panel such that the volume level is "correct" with the gain cell adjusted to between 11:00 and 14:00. Think of the gain cell as a tool for fine tuning output level, not as volume control. Test Systems: VPI Scout Turntable Dynavector 20x