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the ecoustics podcast

the ecoustics podcast

By: Black Circle Studios
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Passionate about music, movies, HiFi audio, headphones and home theater, eCoustics has been covering the A/V industry since 1999. Join our diverse cast of journalists, audiophiles, industry experts and special guests for always spirited, sometimes controversial discussions about the latest news, happenings and trends in the audio, video and music industries.

Whether you're listening through stereo loudspeakers with a vintage tube amp, rocking a multi-channel home theater, on-the-go with wireless speakers or headphones, streaming music or spinning vinyl, the experienced team at ecoustics breaks down what you need to know to really enjoy music and movies at home and on the road.

https://www.ecoustics.comCopyright Black Circle Studios Economics Music
Episodes
  • Perfect Sound Forever: Why Aren’t We There Yet? w/ Rob Watts

    Perfect Sound Forever: Why Aren’t We There Yet? w/ Rob Watts
    Mar 16 2026
    Join Chord Electronics’ digital audio consultant Rob Watts as he dives deep into the challenges of reproducing lifelike sound from 16-bit/44.1kHz PCM. From his groundbreaking DAC designs—spanning $650 to $20,000—to why off-the-shelf chips can’t compete, Rob explains how his unique approach goes beyond conventional measurement-based audio engineering. He also previews Chord’s next flagship product, the Quartet M Scaler, which will build on the Hugo M Scaler, and shares his thoughts on DSD, the importance of cables, and hidden sonic factors like RF and power supply issues. Even 45 years after the CD’s debut, there’s still high-resolution audio left to uncover.

    Sponsors: Thank you to our sponsors SVS & Shure

    Panel:
    Rob Watts, Digital Audio Consultant, Chord Electronics
    Brian Mitchell, Host & eCoustics Founder

    Credits:
    Original intro music by The Arc of All. https://sourceoflightandpower.bandcamp.com
    Voice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.com
    Production by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.com

    Keep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Headphone, Home Theater and Music news by visiting: https://www.ecoustics.com

    #ecoustics #dacs #chordelectronics #audioengineering #digitalaudio #musicstreaming #hifi #audiophile
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    1 hr and 28 mins
  • From JAL to Jazz Kissa: Why Japan Became the Cultural Capital of Audio

    From JAL to Jazz Kissa: Why Japan Became the Cultural Capital of Audio
    Mar 2 2026
    Japan has become the world’s most in demand travel destination since the pandemic, but beyond cherry blossoms, bullet trains, Lawson runs, anime and those dangerously good 7-Eleven egg salad sandwiches, there’s a deeper pull that audiophiles can’t ignore.

    In this episode of the eCoustics podcast, resident Japanophile Eric Pye (@audioloveyyc) and reluctant future convert Mitch Anderson (@blackcircleradio) go all in on Japan’s cultural gravity and its quiet takeover of audio: the pilgrimage to e-Earphone, late night jazz kissa listening rooms, Technics heritage, Three Blind Mice pressings, JICO styli, portable travel rigs, flying JAL, record hunting in back alleys, and why Japan still treats music as ritual instead of background noise. This isn’t tourism hype it’s immersion, listening culture, and what the rest of us may have forgotten.

    Links for further information:
    Japanese Jazz Kissa and the Art of the Piano Trio: Exit to Vintage Street
    Jazz Kissa Culture Goes Global: Exit to Vintage Street
    Jazz City online store: Purchase Jazz Kissa magazines and books
    Tokyo Jazz Joints website
    @jazz_kissa on Instagram


    Thank you to our sponsor SVS & Shure for supporting this episode!

    https://www.svsound.com

    https://www.shure.com

    In the Episode:
    • Eric Pye, Vintage Audio Columnist
    • Mitch Anderson, Producer
    Credits:
    • Original intro music by The Arc of All.
    • Voice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited.
    • Production by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios.
    Keep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Music, Home Theater, and Headphone news by visiting:
    https://www.ecoustics.com

    #hifi #audiophile #vintageaudio #jazzkissa #japanesejazz #vinylcommunity #consumerelectronics #podcast #jico #ecousticsd #blackcircleradio #audioloveyyc #instavinyl #vinylcommunity
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    50 mins
  • Tube Amps in 2026: Rolling Glass, Blowing Fuses, and Why Valves Still Reign Victorious

    Tube Amps in 2026: Rolling Glass, Blowing Fuses, and Why Valves Still Reign Victorious
    Feb 13 2026
    Vacuum tubes are supposed to be extinct yet here we are in 2026 still arguing swapping and occasionally getting electrocuted. In this episode Mitch Anderson, Eric Pye, and Jeremy Sikora strip the romance out of valves and talk about why they still matter without leaning on lazy audiophile clichés.

    The discussion cuts through tube rolling reality versus placebo and the ongoing new production versus NOS debate. It also looks at why Ray Tubes are suddenly on everyone’s radar and what Jeremy’s amp building class at the American Wireless Communication Museum teaches you that spec sheets never will.

    Along the way, we connect the dots between Talk Talk’s obsessive studio craft, Miles Davis with Jimmy Cobb’s unshakable timing, and the Tron soundtrack, while getting very real about tube amp safety; from blown parts to painful zaps, because high voltage does not care how experienced you think you are.

    Thank you to SVS and Shure for their support of our programming!

    https://www.svsound.com

    https://www.shure.com

    Credits:
    • Original intro music by The Arc of All. https://sourceoflightandpower.bandcamp.com
    • Voice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.com
    • Production by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.com

    Don't forget to check our website for daily updates on the latest electronics, news, recommendations, and deals on high-end audio, loudspeakers, earphones, TVs, and more.

    https://www.ecoustics.com

    #raytubes #vacuumtubes #audiovalves #vinylcommunity #audioloveyyc #budgetaudiophiler #blackcircleradio #ecoustics #hifi #audiophile #hometheater #listeningroom #musicindustry #analogaudio
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    58 mins
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