SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast

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 Announcement00:00:36 Introductions00:03:22 Manifesting Beckham00:06:23 It’s pronounced “WiiM”00:08:20 The pieces of the Linkplay puzzle00:13:56 Taking a big bet00:18:31 Appealing to different demographics00:21:28 From hi-fi to home theater00:24:32 What happened with AirPlay00:28:30 The future00:30:47 The headphone hook and the vinyl fad00:35:39 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 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 Announcement00:00:36 Introductions and family traditions00:06:34 Career-type decisions00:10:19 Why Bluesound?00:14:00 Design matters00:20:53 Avoiding cannibalism00:27:51 Polishing that crystal ball00:33:51 AI versus the real world00:43:04 Outro music: "Brother” by Montessori

This week, host Jorden Guth moderates a conversation between podcast producer Dennis Burger and returning guest L. Paul Hales, founder and chief designer of California-based Pro Audio Technology. Together, they explore the future of hi-fi and the role room correction may play in shaping it. This is the first installment of a two-part discussion. Sources: “Are JL Audio’s Primacy Speakers the Future of Stereo?”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/are-jl-audio-s-primacy-speakers-the-future-of-stereo/ “JL Audio’s Primacy Active Loudspeaker Systems: Charting a New Course Under Garmin” by Roger Kanno: https://www.soundstageglobal.com/index.php/blogging-on-audio/232-roger-kanno/1266-jl-audios-primacy-active-loudspeaker-systems-charting-a-new-course-under-garmin “Are JL Audio’s Primacy Speakers the Future of Stereo?” (S5:E4): https://youtu.be/xdyxqp9kYvE?si=lZwAeCePVYoVOLl6 “Chest-Pounding Bass, Done Smarter 🔊 Theory’s Renegade Approach to LFE”: https://youtu.be/vtOgOT5hsu0?si=0J9qiAfDGGK-8XHR Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:36 Introductions00:09:59 Can bad rooms benefit from room correction?00:16:43 Dennis enters the chat00:23:15 The parable of the piano 00:30:12 Direct vs. reverberant sound00:36:14 Grimes theory of economic unfairness, but speakers instead of boots00:40:59 Outro music: "Techné” by Art Against Agony

JL Audio's new Primacy active loudspeaker system has generated plenty of discussion since its debut, but how did the project come together—and what does it say about the future of high-end audio? In this episode, host Jorden Guth speaks with Doug Henderson, Garmin's Director of Home Audio, about his 50-year journey in the audio industry, from selling hi-fi in Manhattan during the 1970s to leadership roles at Dahlquist, Bowers & Wilkins, and now JL Audio. Henderson explains how the Primacy project evolved, why active DSP-based loudspeakers represent a major shift in home audio, and how technologies developed for automotive and marine audio helped shape JL Audio's flagship home-audio system. The conversation also explores changing listening habits, the importance of making high-performance audio more accessible, and what the next generation of music lovers may expect from hi-fi systems in the decades ahead. Sources: “Are JL Audio’s Primacy Speakers the Future of Stereo?”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/are-jl-audio-s-primacy-speakers-the-future-of-stereo/ “JL Audio’s Primacy Active Loudspeaker Systems: Charting a New Course Under Garmin”: by Roger Kanno: https://www.soundstageglobal.com/index.php/blogging-on-audio/232-roger-kanno/1266-jl-audios-primacy-active-loudspeaker-systems-charting-a-new-course-under-garmin Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:36 Introductions00:05:29 From Harmony Hut to Dalquist00:09:09 Memories of Saul Marantz00:10:35 JL Audio’s turf 00:16:46 DSP and the Art of High-Fidelity00:19:31 The origins of Primacy?00:22:52 Why speakers look the way they do00:26:17 Pricing Primacy00:30:01 What we got right and wrong00:35:33 Peering into the crystal ball00:39:51 Outro music: "The Buddha’s a Beatle” by 5 Sided Cube

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by SoundStage! founder Doug Schneider and SoundStage! Access editor Dennis Burger to discuss the remarkable technology behind JL Audio’s new fully active, DSP-optimized Primacy loudspeakers, including the three-way T6 tower and two-way T3 standmount model. Do these highly integrated speakers point toward the future of high-end audio, or are they a radical detour from traditional hi-fi thinking? Along with debating the concept itself, the group also digs into Doug’s early listening impressions and what makes these speakers so different from most of today’s high-end designs. Sources: “JL Audio’s First Hi-Fi Speakers Rethink Stereo—Primacy T6 and S3” by SoundStage Network: https://youtu.be/m2yuMHwr8TQ?si=rpIeewakT7ulK7Ja Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:36 Introductions00:03:06 The rumours of JL Audio’s demise…00:16:47 A radical approach?00:23:08 We can’t show, but we can tell00:26:08 Yeah, they cost that much!00:27:40 The real future of real high-end?00:32:48 Achille’s heel or nah?00:33:45 OK, but do they even sound good?00:42:28 Outro music: "Flying Above the Sun" by Yehezkel Raz feat. Sivan Talmor

In this episode of the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast, host Jorden Guth is joined by Simaudio’s product director, Étienne Gautier, for a wide-ranging conversation about where hi-fi is headed—and what needs to change. They discuss the lack of industry standards, what hi-fi can learn from other sectors, the real value of trade shows, the role of education, and how today’s “hustle culture” mindset affects both companies and consumers. Sources: “Inside the Moon 371: Étienne Gautier on Simaudio's New Compass Collection”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/inside-the-moon-371-etienne-gautier-on-simaudios-new-compass-collection/ “Simaudio’s North Collection: The Future of Hi-Fi?”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/simaudio-s-north-collection-the-future-of-hi-fi/ Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:36 Introductions00:03:31 Organizing the industry and setting standards00:12:03 Cross-polination in hi-fi00:14:01 Journalistic standards?00:17:46 Trade show blues00:19:35 Education and exposure00:25:33 Coming out of the basement00:32:03 Connected vs. disconnected00:31:49 Outro music: “Magilla Trench” by Art Against Agony

What does it mean for audio gear to be “technically correct,” and why should listeners care? In the fourth-season finale of the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast, host Jorden Guth and producer Dennis Burger are joined by John Siau, vice president of Benchmark Media Systems. He discusses his background in the broadcast industry and how that experience shaped Benchmark’s engineering-driven approach to audio design. The conversation explores the evolution of DAC technology, the relationship between hi-fi and professional audio, and the ongoing balance between listening impressions and objective measurements. Siau also explains why he believes accurate measurements ultimately lead to better musical performance and addresses common misconceptions about digital audio. The episode concludes with a look at Benchmark’s commitment to designing and manufacturing its products in the United States, and why the Syracuse, New York–based company sees domestic production as both a practical and philosophical choice. Sources: “Florida International Audio Expo: Aretai and Benchmark Present a No-Nonsense Showstopper”: https://www.soundstageglobal.com/index.php/shows-events/florida-international-audio-expo-2026-tampa-usa/1255-fiae-2026-aretai-and-benchmark-present-a-no-nonsense-showstopper Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:31 Introductions00:07:09 DACs of a different era00:10:03 Why hi-res matters for production00:12:43 What does transparency mean?00:16:00 Hi-fi vs. pro audio00:19:09 Listening vs. measurements00:23:32 Linear phase and the issue of ringing00:27:50 Nerding out on Nyquist00:33:41 Born (and built) in the USA00:40:03 Outro music: “Seven Seasons” by The Days

This week, host Jorden Guth is joined by Thomas Gunvaldsen, Project Lead at Arendal Sound, to discuss his path into audio, Arendal Sound’s evolution, and the design thinking behind the new 1610 series of loudspeakers. Gunvaldsen explains how the 1610 series applies key concepts from Arendal’s flagship 1528 series to deliver high performance at a lower price—and what truly sets it apart from the company’s earlier designs. Sources: “Arendal Sound 1610 Loudspeakers: Near-1528 Performance, Lower Price” on SoundStage! InSight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNKB5PML1LY “The Norwegian Speaker Company More Audiophiles Need to Know About: Arendal Sound” on SoundStage! InSight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_Hmz0cYTBY “Arendal Sound’s Big Leap” on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/arendal-sound-s-big-leap-innovation-impact-and-a-transformational-year/ “Arendal Sound 1528 Monitor 8 Loudspeaker” review by Philip Beaudette: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/2021-arendal-sound-1528-monitor-8-loudspeaker Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:31 Introductions00:05:42 From car to home00:08:33 Flirtations with snakeoil and the road to objectivity00:11:04 A side quest in China00:15:44 The longest interview ever00:19:08 Speaker evolution00:28:33 161000:35:00 A lot of holes00:37:35 Outro music: “Plantation” by Omri Smadar

For this landmark 100th episode (Season 4, Episode 22), current host Jorden Guth is joined by original hosts Dennis Burger and Brent Butterworth for a wide-ranging conversation on the evolution of the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast. Together, they look back at how the show began, why it needed to change, and how it has grown across four seasons into what it is today. Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:31 Introductions00:01:04 The origins of the podcast00:05:23 Passing the baton to Jorden00:10:40 Technical difficulties00:15:48 Turn, turn, turn00:28:31 Why we care where it’s made00:37:12 We get comments!00:43:25 Doug’s master plan00:48:07 Outro music: “Bamba African Market” by Kaleido Sea

Host Jorden Guth travels to Stavanger, Norway, to visit T-Time Vinyl Plant, where he sits down with general manager Sigve Håland to discuss how the facility came to be, why it’s located where it is, and how modern vinyl records are actually made. The conversation then moves step by step through the pressing process—from lacquers and stampers to presses, cooling, and quality control—explaining what truly matters for sound quality in today’s vinyl era. Sources: T-Time Vinyl Plant: https://t-timevinylplant.com/“T-Time Vinyl Plant record pressing” by SoundStage! Network on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1402154741482521 Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:31 Origin stories00:04:10 Norwegian . . . vinyl?00:07:14 Good vibes00:10:53 Why press locally?00:12:59 Keep cool, man!00:16:36 Pellets to platters00:19:49 QC00:22:37 What about the rejects?00:28:17 The future of T-Time00:30:44 Outro music: “There” by Lake Jons

This week, SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast host Jorden Guth is joined by Vinnie Rossi, founder of VinnieRossi. They trace his path in audio—from the beginnings of Red Wine Audio (a name inspired by the Italian translation of “Vinnie Rossi”) to the creation of the VinnieRossi brand and its flagship Brama series. Vinnie also talks about where his products are built, why those manufacturing choices matter, and how they shape his design approach. Sources: “About Vinnie Rossi” by Hans Wetzel: https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/features-menu/in-good-company/1007-about-vinnie-rossi Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:31 Introductions 00:05:26 The road to Red Wine00:16:32 A change of names00:33:21 Where it’s made and why00:39:50 A choice of tubes00:44:33 Outro music: “Mon Amour” by ANBR

Host Jorden Guth visits Diapason founder Alessandro Schiavi in Brescia, Italy, to talk about his lifelong pursuit of musical realism and the art of building speakers by hand. Schiavi traces his journey from teenage recording engineer to maker of some of Italy’s most beautiful loudspeakers, explains why every cabinet is still crafted locally from aged walnut and olive wood, and introduces his latest creation—the Didascalìa, a stunning two-way floorstander debuting today. Sources: “Diapason Didascalìa — Rethinking the Two-Way Loudspeaker” by SoundStage! Network: https://youtu.be/V94uSXjLeqE Diapason: https://www.diapason-italia.com/en/ Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:31 Introductions 00:10:26 The case for natural materials00:15:00 Handcrafted artistry00:20:31 Didascalìa00:31:15 Trying to please all the people all the time00:35:56 Outro music: “Under a Weary Moon” by Ziv Moran

In this episode of the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast, Étienne Gautier, product director at Simaudio, joins the conversation to discuss the launch of the Moon 371 integrated amplifier. He explains the thinking behind the new model, the company’s design and engineering philosophies, and why the 371 is the first step in Simaudio’s forthcoming Compass Collection series. From the roots of the company’s innovation culture to the technologies inside the 371, Gautier provides an insider’s view of how Simaudio is shaping its next generation of products. Sources: “Meet the Moon 791: Simaudio’s Next-Gen Streaming Integrated Amplifier”:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-quykEscBH0 “The Moon 371’s Secret Amplifier Weapons: MDCA and MHP Explained”:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nbJaSVR17A “Simaudio’s North Collection: The Future of Hi-Fi?”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/simaudio-s-north-collection-the-future-of-hi-fi/ Chapters:00:00:00 Announcement00:00:31 Introductions and the obsession with oligarch audio00:02:56 What’s in a name… and some numbers?00:12:51 What better time than now?00:19:47 A different sort of power supply00:21:55 Remote options00:30:29 What’s to come?00:32:13 Outro music: “Entre les Doigts” by Sarah Benasouli