A Golden Age for the Budget Audiophile

Have you noticed the absolute proliferation of cool digital audio products in the sub-$500 market lately? With so much buzz around new class D modules and affordable R2R DACs and even budget speakers that are "specs monsters", the hosts of The Hifi Podcast believe now is the best time to be a budget audiophile.

There are some interesting quirks in some of the eye-poppingly cheap gear from China, with occasional designs focused solely on being impressive in one area or specification. Still, the sheer volume and variety of enjoyable and reasonably-priced products coming from the world's most populous country is energizing, and a complete boon for the growth of our zany hobby.

Earlier in the episode, the guys find it difficult to stay "on segment", with a diversion into the self noise of resistors and a discussion about objectivism and subjectivism in hifi audio. A listener question about power cables brings the boys back to reality.

This week's album recommendation is surprising. Debut albums shouldn't sound this good, and this one from an up and coming UK artist is musically fascinating to boot.

This podcast is powered by CommonGround Cables Whisper power cable. Read customer reviews and order your own at www.commongroundcables.com.

Find all of our album recommendations in one place, at www.thehifipodcast.net.