Four things I know better than most
Pick your interest and I'll point you straight to the best content and the gear worth buying.
This isn't a content farm.
It's one person's obsession.
I've worked in electronics for 25 years and at various points I've owned nearly every home computer and games console you can think of. It started with a Sinclair ZX81 and honestly, it never really stopped.
Every recommendation on this site is based on gear I've personally tested or owned. When I say something is worth buying, it's because I'd buy it again. When I say avoid something, it's because I've made that mistake so you don't have to.
Latest from the lab
Vintage vs Modern Components: Why You Can’t Always Use Modern Replacements
You’re holding a 1978 Marantz receiver. The sound is glorious—warm, detailed, musical. Then one channel cuts out. You take it to a…
Power Supply Troubleshooting: Beyond Capacitors — Transformers, Rectifiers, and Regulation
You flip on a vintage amplifier or Sega Genesis and the power LED flickers. Maybe there’s a faint hum underneath the audio,…
Diagnostic Multimeter Testing for Audio Equipment: A Technician’s Guide
You’ve got a vintage amplifier that worked perfectly three months ago. Now it’s producing sound, but something feels off—a subtle distortion on…
Vinyl Record Grading, Preservation, and Building a Stable Collection: The Engineering Reality Behind Analog Longevity
You’ve just inherited a collection of vinyl records from an estate sale, or maybe you’ve spent years hunting for that specific pressing…
Vintage Amplifier Restoration Decision Matrix: When to Repair, Recap, or Walk Away
You’ve found a 1970s tube amplifier at an estate sale for $80. It looks promising—original paperwork, minimal cabinet damage, all tubes present.…
When to Use an External Phono Preamp: Decision Matrix for Vinyl Playback
You’ve just picked up a vintage turntable at an estate sale. It sounds good, but flat—almost muffled compared to a friend’s system.…