Hifi Books

At last! Everything you need to know to become a knowledgeable buyer of today's home entertainment systems.

Robert Harley, Editor-in-Chief of The Absolute Sound, tells you everything you need to know to become a better listener and better buyer of quality high-fidelity components. With this book you will discover how to get the best sound for your money; how to identify the weak links in your system and upgrade where it will do the most good; how to setup and tweak your system to get maximum performance from equipment you already own; and, most of all, how to become a more perceptive and appreciative listener. This book makes hi-fi more fun!

In 15 fact-filled chapters and four appendices—covering everything from the basics to technical matters (in plain English!)—this book helps you to reap the benefits of Mr. Harley's years of reviewing experience, saving you time, trouble, trial and error. Your knowledge is as important as your money, maybe more so, because it's possible to assemble a wonderfully satisfying stereo system for far less money than you might think.

Widely acknowledged as the reference on high-quality music reproduction with more than 100,000 copies sold in four languages, The Complete Guide to High-End Audio has been expanded, revised, and updated to cover the latest developments in high-end audio. New third edition contains 640 pages, 270+ photos and illustrations, and a 550+ term glossary.

Written for beginners and experienced listeners alike!

These are just a few of the secrets you will learn:

• High-end sound at low prices; how to do it cheap and still do it right
• How to find the one loudspeaker in 50 worth owning
• How to make your speakers sound up to 50% better—at no cost to you
• Why all “100W” amplifiers don’t sound the same
• Five system setup mistakes and how to avoid them
• How to avoid buying yesterday’s technology

Free download of Robert Harley’s System Set-Up Secrets, excerpted from The Complete Guide to High-End Audio.

Table of Contents

• What is High-End Audio?
• Choosing a High-End Audio System
• Becoming a Better Listener
• How to Get the Best Sound from Your Room
• Preamplifiers
• Power and Integrated Amplifiers
• Loudspeakers
• Digital Source Components
• Turntables, Tonearms, and Cartridges: The LP Playback System
• FM Tuners and Digital Audio Radio
• Cables and Interconnects
• High-End Audio Accessories
• Audio for Home Theater
• Multichannel Audio
• Specifications and Measurements
• Appendix A: Sound and Hearing
• Appendix B: Audio and Electronics Basics
• Appendix C: Digital Audio Basics
• Appendix D: The Role of Critical Listening in Evaluating Audio Equipment Quality