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Complete Guide to High-End Audio?

post #1 of 3
6/18/11 at 5:05pm
Thread Starter 

I'm looking for a high quality text on Hi-Fi equipment and related topics but so far I have only found Robert Harley's 'Complete Guide to High-End Audio' which seems to have conflicting reviews. Does anybody have any experience with or knowledge about this book or its author? There was one thread on the previous edition but the new 4th edition is said to be revised, expanded etc so I was wondering if anyone could help me out. If anybody has any other book recommendations that would be appreciated as well.

http://www.hifibooks.com/heaudio.html


Edited by coolguyalex - 6/18/11 at 7:37pm
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post #2 of 3
6/19/11 at 1:14am
I own and have read Harley's book. Some of it is valuable, but he also swallows snakeoil.

Instead of a guide, consider the DIY texts. You might not be interested in DIY, but getting your head around it will give you the tools to seriously evaluate gear. If you don't understand the fundamentals, you might end up drinking the snakeoil, too.

I'd recommend the books by Morgan Jones and Bruce Rozenblit when it comes to amps. There aren't any texts I know of for headphones, but Vance Dickason's "Loudspeaker Cookbook" is a great way to learn about speakers. So is Linkwitz' site. Also, read the Vinyl Anachronist's articles in you're interested in vinyl. You can also find a wealth of information at Pete Millett's site. Get familiar with the DIY aspect and you'll become a good judge of what's real and what is BS in this hobby. Take the scientific approach and you'll get great audio while saving a lot of money avoiding the bogus stuff.
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post #3 of 3
6/19/11 at 2:12am
This one, eveyrything you need to know about speakers and more: Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms
Quote:
Floyd Toole, a leading expert in the field of sound reproduction, explains how to design the best possible listening experience for recording control rooms and home entertainment systems. This comprehensive work considers the whole sound reproduction chain from multi channel audio configurations and the loudspeaker/room system to acoustics and psychoacoustics and the evaluation process.

Part 1 shows the reader how to create the best listening experience, offering practical approaches to the sound reproduction chain. Parts 2 and 3 are an in-depth consideration of acoustics and psychoacoustics - the science behind Part 1.

* How to design a great audio system - for a home entertainment system or a professional recording control room
* Offers a comprehensive look at the sound reproduction chain offering practical advice and helpful graphics throughout
* Learn from a leading expert in sound reproduction - Floyd Toole provides essential knowledge in a highly readable and entertaining style
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