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The Occasional Podcast

Brian Hunter
High-Fidelity Audio
Audio Equipment
High Fidelity Audio
Hifi Audio
Turntables
Audio Engineering
Hifi
Sound Quality
Speakers
Digital Audio
ZMF Headphones
Turntable Cartridges
Devore Fidelity
Measurements
High-End Audio
Yacht Rock
Quad ESL 57
Music Production
Nordost
SVS

Join us in an audio-centric exploration of high fidelity listening. Gear talk, recommendations, interviews and plenty of interesting insights into high-end and personal audio, manufacturing and the people that make up the pastime. Our discussions primarily focus on music, music production, HiFi, audiophile speakers, headphones, amplifiers, turntables (record players), tubes, CD players, digital st... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes160Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TechnologyMusic

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Artwork for The Occasional Podcast

Latest Episodes

An interview with Rob Watts of Chord Electronics. Rob drops by the studio to help educate, inform, and explain some of the finer points of digital audio. In this episode, we discuss ladder DACs, the tenure of the CD and upcoming products from Chord E... more

YouTube

An interview with Miki Yamanaka. As an accomplished jazz musician and pianist, Miki joins the show this week with her sparkling personality, some great humor and thoughtful insights into how artists think about sound, listening, recording and perform... more

YouTube

An interview with Jason Stoddard of Schiit Audio. A long time friend of the show, Jason returns once again to chat about keeping things real on the entry-level of high fidelity. We talk about how Jason finds direction for raising expectations at the ... more

YouTube

A verbal get-together with John Klima of the Post And Beam podcast. In this episode we run down the top 10 best party speakers as recommended by the pt.AUDIO staff. John co-hosts the show and gives us his impressions of the brand new Wharfedale Dento... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Rob Watts
Engineer and Chief Designer at Chord Electronics
Chord Electronics
Episode: What Is A Transient? What Is Pre-Ringing? Rob Watts Of Chord Returns!
Miki Yamanaka
Pianist, organist, composer, educator; new album BREATHE
Jazz musician (New York scene)
Episode: Jazz Musician Miki Yamanaka Discusses Her New Album Breathe
Jason Stoddard
Co-founder/CEO of Schiit Audio
Schiit Audio
Episode: Raising The Floor With Jason Stoddard Of Schiit Audio
John Klima
Co-host and guest on the show, audio reviewer and enthusiast
Episode: Top 10 Best Party Speakers Plus Wharfedale Denton 1S Impressions
John Siau
From Benchmark Media Systems, with focus on amplifier and DAC design
Benchmark Media Systems
Episode: John Siau Of Benchmark Media Systems
Julie Mullins
Journalist, Stereophile Magazine
Stereophile Magazine
Episode: Julie Mullins (Stereophile/Analog Planet)
William Low
Executive/engineer at AudioQuest, guest on this episode
AudioQuest
Episode: William Low From AudioQuest
Steve Guttenberg
The Reviewer, widely published writer and YouTube educator in HiFi
CNET, Stereophile, YouTube channel The Audiophiliac
Episode: Steve Guttenberg And Andrew Jones - Live Recording From AXPONA 2026
Andrew Jones
The Designer behind Jones and Cerreta, ex-MoFi contributor
Jones and Cerreta, MoFi
Episode: Steve Guttenberg And Andrew Jones - Live Recording From AXPONA 2026

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 132 ratings
  • I enjoy all the OP podcasts and this is one of the best! An incredible story presented in great detail. This would make a great movie. Nice job!!

    Podcast Addict
    RP99
    4 years ago
  • I enjoy all the OP podcasts and this is one of the best! An incredible story presented in great detail. This would make a great movie. Nice job!!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    RP99
    4 years ago
  • Dave McNair interview deserves 5 stars, by itself

    The October 13, 2021, interview with mastering engineer and Part Time Audiophile writer Dave McNair is the most eye-opening audiophile interview I've heard. To those who heard this interview, the 2022 MoFi revelations would not have been surprising. Despite being a mastering engineer who appreciates vinyl sound, McNair is open about the the compromises inherent to vinyl mastering, from de-essing (contributing to "warm" sound because high frequencies limited) to the RIAA curve. It's an educat... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DCNYer
    United States4 years ago
  • Great Podcast… topical, varied, expert, revealing

    I’ve listened to several of the podcasts and they’ve all been useful and worthwhile. But the podcast about how records are made gobsmacked me with so much reveal and info I would never have known or suspected. Probably because I’m new to this audiophile shtick. In the first 5 minutes of the pod, I learned that most records are made from digital masters or maybe even not that!😱🤯😤😩🤬 Hold on, you just blew away my preconceived bias pro vinyl and anti digital. That’s harsh, but true! I love it.... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kshkval
    United States5 years ago
  • Get a new host

    I love listening to hi-fi talk and really enjoy the people that he has interviewed. I just barely can’t stand listening to it because of the host, he sounds like he’s half buzzed and just has some of the stupidest, repetitive questions that get asked in all these interviews. Have some fresh ideas and mix it up a bit.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Sampras270
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience appreciates live event coverage and comparisons across brands and products.”],
Shows strong guest lineups and in‑depth gear talk, great for listeners who want actionable audio‑gear insight.
Episodes blend humor with technical detail and real world show notes, making complex topics accessible.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#141
Australia/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#63
Indonesia/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#79
Spain/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#104
Ukraine/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#166
United Arab Emirates/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#194
Israel/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What Is A Transient? What Is Pre-Ringing? Rob Watts Of Chord Returns!
Q: What is the formal kind of definition and how does it apply to your work?
A transient is the start of a note or the sudden onset of sound, and its timing is essential in how the brain reconstructs timbre, space, and pitch, which drives Watts's emphasis on precise transient timing in both DAC and ADC designs.
Jazz Musician Miki Yamanaka Discusses Her New Album Breathe
Q: Why is vinyl and physical media important to you and your audience?
Because vinyl and physical formats create and sustain a social, human listening experience that you can share in person, making interaction with audiences and fans part of the art, which is something the online world doesn't fully capture.
Jazz Musician Miki Yamanaka Discusses Her New Album Breathe
Q: Tell us about your album BREATHE and how the recording came about.
The trio has worked together for about six years, with a history of previous records, and the addition of Nicole Glover created a new dynamic; the label Seller Live brought them together, and personal experiences and a shared love of jazz influenced the project, including the emotional turning points from family losses that gave the project deeper meaning.
Top 10 Best Party Speakers Plus Wharfedale Denton 1S Impressions
Q: Are cassettes making a comeback, and what did you think about that WE-001 Dark Side of the Moon edition as a test case?
The hosts approach the revival topic with curiosity and nostalgia, acknowledging the portability and tactile appeal of cassettes while questioning fidelity compared to digital formats; they view the cassette edition of the Dark Side of the Moon reissue as an interesting novelty that may interest collectors, but remain skeptical about real audio fidelity versus modern digital formats.
Top 10 Best Party Speakers Plus Wharfedale Denton 1S Impressions
Q: So John, what are your thoughts on the Wharfedale Denton 1S compared to other party-oriented speakers we've discussed?
John emphasizes the Denton 1S's strong detail and the smooth integration of looks and sound, noting its unique rounded-convex cabinet and the back-panel brightness switch as practical features for different room setups, while acknowledging it might not be everyone's preferred aesthetic; overall, he sees it as a compelling two-way option with strong midrange clarity and a nuanced bass response when not overwhelmed by subwoofers.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Occasional Podcast

What is The Occasional Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A gear-focused interview show centered on high‑fidelity audio, reviews, and industry conversations. Episodes commonly feature deep dives with designers, engineers, journalists, and prominent hi‑fi personalities, interwoven with show coverage from audio expos, live demonstrations, and practical listening tips. Listeners can expect candid discussions about measurements vs. listening, speaker design, DACs, room acoustics, and the evolving hi‑fi landscape, plus frequent sponsor reads and show news. The format blends technical analysis with accessible storytelling, making it useful for audiophiles, product enthusiasts, and professionals scouting expert guests or sponsorship opportunities. A notable strength is the long-running access to industry... more

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How many listeners does The Occasional Podcast get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Occasional Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Occasional Podcast:

1. SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast
2. Not An Audiophile
3. the ecoustics podcast
4. Audio Unleashed
5. The Absolute Sound Podcast

How many episodes of The Occasional Podcast are there?

The Occasional Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 160 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Occasional Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on The Occasional Podcast?

Recent guests on The Occasional Podcast include:

1. Rob Watts
2. Miki Yamanaka
3. Jason Stoddard
4. John Klima
5. John Siau
6. Julie Mullins
7. William Low
8. Steve Guttenberg

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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