Audiophile Books
Unfortunately, audiophile books are few and far in between. I will endeavor to look out for them and compile a list in this section and hope to review these books as soon as I can get them.
The Complete Guide to High-End Audio
Robert Harley, a distinguished personality in the high-end audio industry has written a seminal book on high-end audio. Already in its Sixth Edition, the book is 7" x 10", with a spread of 593 pages, The book features more than 200 photos and illustrations including a 550+ term glossary. I had the privilege of meeting him in Singapore for the Singapore High-End Audio exhibition back in the day when he had a full set of hair and beard. His book (First Edition) was just published and was promoted during the exhibition. Back then, he was the Technical Editor of Stereophile magazine before becoming the Editor-in-Chief of The Absolute Sound magazine. Robert Harley brings more than 30 years of reviewing experience, providing you with an insight into best practices written for budding audiophiles and the initiated. Besides being a technical writer and audio journalist, Robert is well-heeled in the business of recording having worked as a recording engineer, studio owner, and compact-disc mastering engineer. I only read his first edition and sadly not his latest offering, therefore I can’t speak to it. Suffice it to say, if the first edition is anything to go by, you should without hesitation buy his book and benefit from his years of experience.
You can call 1.800.888.4741 to order the books by phone, its priced at USD 44.95 plus shipping
TAS Illustrated History of High-End Audio
Volume One: Loudspeakers
320 pages, Year release: 2013
Cost: $129.99
Volume Two: Electronics
336 pages, Year release: 2023
Cost: $55.99
TAS (The Absolute Sound) offers a large-format (LP-size) coffee table book on the history of High-End Audio. Their first offering Volume 1: Loudspeakers and more recently Volume 2: Electronics details the evolution of both products back in the day up to present-day technologies. Personalities who had shaped and influenced the designs and manufacturing of the same are all collectively featured in an illustrative manner. You will get a peek into the past and discover iconic designs and legendary designers that would push the limits of performance. You will also understand today’s innovation with the use of technology pushing the limits even further complete with stories and photographs. It is said that the third and final volume, featuring analog and digital sources, will be published in 2027.
An autographed edition, signed by Robert Harley, Editor in Chief of The Absolute Sound is also available.
A special preview of the new volume in the Illustrated History series may be found at store.theabsolutesound.com.
THE STEREO: Unlock the Secrets to Good Sound
Paul McGowan co-founder and CEO of PS Audio started the company in 1973. At the time of this writing, he was 61 years old, and a vegetarian no less. His company manufactures audio components for the high-end audio industry. In 1990 he partnered with the late Arnie Nudell founder (1968) of Infinity Systems formed Genesis in the year 1990. Paul has published a book on the Audiophile’s Guide THE STEREO: Unlock the Secrets to Good Sound which I have not yet read and regrettably am unable to opine at this time but will surely sometime in the future.
Jim Smith - Get Better Sound - The Reference Set-Up Guide
Jim Smith with over 35 years of experience offers 31 Secrets and 202 illustrated tips in his publication. His experience came from installing and voicing all kinds of sound systems for audiophiles, audio shops, and at audio shows boasting over ten thousand hours of hands-on experience. Among other topics, you will get over 30 detailed room/speaker set-up tips. I have not read this book and cannot opine on this as yet. I have ordered the book from Acoustics Sounds and still awaiting it as it is back-ordered. Hope to deliver a book review in good time.
Price USD 37.70
Acoustics Sounds
Dries Van Hooydonck from the Audiophile Academy provides a free download for an E-Book - "The Greatest Audiophile Record Labels in the world"
https://audiophileacademy.com/e-books/audiophile-record-labels/