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Everything you ever wanted to know about audio, music and its reproduction is here. PS Audio co-founder and CEO Paul McGowan shares his more than 40 years of high-end audio experience, stories, interviews, and hilarious tales in this one-of-a-kind podcast. Ohm's Law is produced by PS Audio and prese…

Paul McGowan


    • May 24, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 5m AVG DURATION
    • 394 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Ohms Law

    Different audio systems for different needs

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2022 5:18


    Is it possible to have one system for both serious listening and background music?

    Can speakers be too resolving?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2022 8:35


    Highly resolving speakers make apparent everything good and bad in a recording.

    Best way to control audio gain

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2022 6:15


    Amplifiers have a fixed gain and level changes are handled by the preamplifier. Is this the best way?

    Are audio reviews and tests valid?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2022 7:30


    We hear from reviewers and measurementists about the quality and sound potential of equipment, but which ones should we pay attention to?

    ADCs vs DACs

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2022 4:51


    DACs have improved over the years, but what about ADCs?

    ADCs vs DACs

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2022 4:51


    DACs have improved over the years, but what about ADCs?

    A tour of PS Audio’s Music Room II

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2022 8:46


    Join us in learning about PS Audio’s Music Room II

    Why you cannot mix DSD

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2022 6:13


    DSD is the ultimate format for recording but it has its drawbacks. Paul explains why.

    Why speaker manufacturers ignore rooms

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2022 4:58


    Why speaker manufacturers rarely take the room into account.

    Why SACD is encrypted

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2022 6:49


    SACD is a great format of optical disc but with one flaw. Its layer containing the master DSD file cannot be accessed by outside DACs. It remains locked by a unique encryption code. Find out why.

    Vintage or new speakers?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2022 5:45


    Given the incredibly low prices for used loudspeakers is it better to buy vintage or go with new?

    Understanding voltage, current and wattage in amps

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2022 8:09


    We so often get confused about all the engineering terms used to explain how amps, watts, impedance, and voltage play a part in powering a speaker. Paul helps us understand in simple terms.

    The problem with Audiophile music

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2022 5:39


    Purist recording labels like PS Audio’s Octave Records have a reputation for a narrow class of music. Paul explains why stars like Stevie Wonder have yet to record with us.

    Subs and satellite speakers

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2022 5:02


    Is it best to setup a sub sat stereo system or would you be better off with full range speakers?

    Soundbars for home theater

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2022 5:22


    Does PS Audio’s Paul McGowan approve of soundbars for home theater? The answer may surprise you.

    Precisely measuring speaker distance

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2022 5:20


    How important is it to precisely measure speakers and their distances?

    Measurements vs. Listening

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2022 5:28


    This age old question is back, but in this video Paul offers a fresh middle of the road perspective.

    Matching subwoofer power to amp power

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2022 4:37


    If the main power amplifier has a gain of a few hundred watts, is it alright to pair with a subwoofer many times more powerful?

    How to select preamp gain

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2022 5:28


    How to set the appropritae gain level on your preamplifier.

    How to let people down gently

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2022 6:16


    If a friend asks how their stereo system is sounding how do you reply, especially if you don’t like it? Paul helps us with a few gentle hints.

    Front of the house home speakers

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2022 4:07


    Are FOH speakers audiophile ready and approved?

    FM interference with stereo systems

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2022 4:45


    If you add an FM tuner to your stereo system should you worry about RF interference?

    Determining speaker placement

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2022 4:30


    Paul helps us understand how to determine speaker placement.

    Impedance matching and cables

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2022 7:06


    How much does impedance matter in cables? Find out the truth.

    Subwoofers and headroom

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2022 4:09


    Does adding a subwoofer increase system headroom? Find out the facts.

    Balanced audio and SET amps

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2022 4:38


    Balanced inputs and SET amplifiers.

    Did Paul dodge a bullet?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2022 6:54


    The new FR30 speakers from PS are more expensive than budget speakers. Was that on purpose? And check out our new YouTube channel, Octave Records https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSObrk2ePzVwHgCtxzHU22g

    Can multiple woofers compete?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2022 4:56


    Learn the difference between multiple woofers and one big one. And check out our new YouTube channel, Octave Records https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSObrk2ePzVwHgCtxzHU22g

    compete woofers
    How age affects hearing

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2022 8:01


    Our hearing degrades with age. Does this mean we can’t enjoy high-end audio? And check out our new YouTube channel, Octave Records https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSObrk2ePzVwHgCtxzHU22g

    Controlling the soundstage

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2022 5:35


    How best to make the speakers disappear? And check out our new YouTube channel, Octave Records https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSObrk2ePzVwHgCtxzHU22g

    Low cost earplugs

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2022 6:33


    Protect your hearing with Paul’s cheap earplugs. And check out our new YouTube channel, Octave Records https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSObrk2ePzVwHgCtxzHU22g

    Where to place stereo equipment

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2022 5:26


    Find out where best to place your equipment. And check out our new YouTube channel, Octave Records https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSObrk2ePzVwHgCtxzHU22g

    Amps that double their power

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2022 4:31


    How power doubling affects performance. And check out our new YouTube channel, Octave Records https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSObrk2ePzVwHgCtxzHU22g

    Tube Rolling

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2022 4:43


    Getting the best sound from your vacuum tube products. And check out our new YouTube channel, Octave Records https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSObrk2ePzVwHgCtxzHU22g

    HiFi sound of the 70s

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2022 6:59


    Find out if HiFi equipment in the 70s was better or worse. And check out our new YouTube channel, Octave Records https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSObrk2ePzVwHgCtxzHU22g

    PRaT vs Fidelity

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2022 6:42


    Find out how music can make your foot tap and emotionally engage with you.

    Speaker sensitivity in and out of the room

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2021 6:10


    Speakers have different sensitivities in and out of the room. Find out why.

    A resolving loudspeaker

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2021 5:18


    We hear the term “resolving” as it applies to high-end audio loudspeakers, but what does that actually mean?

    Why the “L” in solder is silent

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2021 4:58


    Why is it Americans don’t say the “L” in solder? A Brit who does say the “L” wants to know. Paul gives us a bit of a history lesson.

    Quality recordings vs playback

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2021 5:38


    How good is recording equipment? Learn more at Octave Record’s YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSObrk2ePzVwHgCtxzHU22g

    Perfect stereo image of a piano

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2021 4:31


    The correct way to record a piano. Learn more at Octave Record’s YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSObrk2ePzVwHgCtxzHU22g

    Do audio connector materials matter?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2021 6:04


    Audio connectors mostly have a thin layer of precious metal like gold or silver on them, but what of the base material they are made of?

    Is high resolution audio a misconception?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2021 5:26


    Do you get closer to the artist with high resolution? Learn more at Octave Record’s YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSObrk2ePzVwHgCtxzHU22g

    Extracting the best from audio components

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2021 5:01


    It’s important to extract all that is possible from each of our individual components, but how do you know when it’s best?

    Mixing class A with Class D amps

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2021 4:46


    Is it a good idea to mix and match different classes of amplifiers together?

    Hardware vs software crossovers

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2021 5:11


    Paul helps us understand the differences between a hardware based passive crossover and the electronic kind.

    What do input capacitors provide on amplifiers?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2021 6:44


    Known as blocking caps, Paul explains the function of input capacitors on amplifiers and preamplifiers.

    Speaker power vs amplifier power

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2021 5:11


    Is it better to have a high power amplifier feeding a low power capable speaker or the opposite?

    Optimizing AC power for stereos

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2021 5:12


    When it comes to home AC wiring, what are best practices for getting the most out of a high-performance audio system?

    Small woofers vs big woofers

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2021 4:58


    Are big woofers better than multiple smaller woofers?

    woofers
    Are braided power cables better?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2021 6:16


    Power cables are an important contributor to the performance of high end audio systems. Does their construction matter? What benefits do braided cables bring relative to standard parallel cables?

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