I have always been amongst music and sounds from as long as I can remember, my parents both played the piano and I was given a Lute at the age of 11. But I think my interest in electronics came from the realization that it was the only route to enjoying music, I never really learnt to play an instrument, reproduction and fidelity were somehow more interesting.

A bit of background, many years ago, from building a crystal set at the age of ten, then one valve, then two etc. up to a full push pull stereo amplifier by the age of 13 - the interest has always been there.

At it’s peak and in a bed sit, the system comprised, Thorens TD124 deck, Quad 33 pre-amp, Radford STA100 amp and Quad ESL57s. This system apart from sounding absolutely gorgeous, appeared to work magic in it’s effect on girlies knickers, so well in fact that I ended up getting married. But after a visit from the IR bailiffs it was no more. For many years with film work and a divorce, Hi Fi kind of lost it’s edge and I lost interest.

However it has now been regenerated largely due the the absolutely stunning sound of the TRIPATH, amplifier modules, and this has prompted me to order a pair of the latest Quad electrostatic speakers for a ridicules number of ££££s. But I noticed that Hi Fi dealers went into a state of disbelief on hearing my plan to use a £120 amplifier and a Sony Walkman type CD player. I think this is based on some notion that if you are spending say £4500 on speakers then it is only right to spend say £3000 on the amplifier and probably £500 on cables etc.

This is of course complete nonsense, it does not cost a lot, relatively to make the best amplifier around but it does to make the best speakers.

So let’s have look at some truths about the world of Hi Fi.

There’s not a lot out there to be found, but there is an awful lot of complete snake oil.

Burn in, this is about the time it takes for one to mentally come to terms with the reality of spending a ridiculous sum of money on some complete Hi Fi bullshit, apart from MC speakers & valve amps., and possibly turntables. I believe that in medical speak it is known as the Placebo effect, although that in it’s self can be totally convincing.

Cables, 99% complete bullshit, cable direction, this is a total non starter as all audio signals are intrinsically AC and therefore traveling in both directions at all times.

Stands and supports, apart from you’re vinyl disc player, almost total bullshit.

Mains conditioners - bear in mind the AC supply is approximately 670 Volts peak to peak 50Hz and that gets filtered down to complete inaudibility - therefore a few millivolts of interference does not come into the equation. Most annoying clicks & pops can be removed with a 30p suppressor.

Interconnects, I don’t believe that anyone in the world can hear the difference between a £2 quality nickel plated phono lead and a Russ Andrews £500 gold interconnect, I am so convinced of this that I will wager £1,000 to anyone who can prove me wrong, that's how convinced I am.

I was interviewed once by a Hi Fi magazine, during developing the sound system for the Alien Wars Game at the Trocadero in London, and I asked the interviewer some questions about this silly obsession that people have with cables and gold connectors etc., you would not believe the answer.

The products sell, they sell the magazine and that sells advertising space so we all earn out of it’, what’s my problem with that.

I rest my case !

HOME