Editorial April 2026

April 2026

The great big listening room gig is completed bar fine tuning. The system is sounding magnificent even if I so say so myself and I am really, really enjoying time spent in front of it. There is always something new to be heard and the world of music that comes with a relatively affordable Tidal subscription still boggles the mind. Yes, iTunes have been around for what feels like centuries but coupling actual music to actual listening on actual equipment shows us just how far digital has moved music forwards (a little bird whispered in my ear that someone sold more CD players than turn tables recently, which is a sound bite that I will keep half an eye on).

Back to my system, adding 800W a channel (at least temporarily) via two solid mono blocks hasn’t made things any the worse I might add! It’s not any louder, but the levels of control are far more absolute in measured terms and at concert levels of loudness control means everything. As with cars and Clarkson’s observation that ‘power solves everything’ I have to admit that there is a kernel of truth in the statement.

In terms of progression however, the nature of the listening beast is that changing the system now feels like throwing out a comfortable pair of jeans.  You get used to it. And until they are completely worn out, why change them for new ones?

But this is the challenge. New kit can be better.

Or it can be… different?

I often wonder how it is that we can tell ‘different’ from ‘better’.

The answer of course is to listen. And I made that mistake recently by listening to bigger derivatives of my loved Logans. Dammit! The rabbit hole beckons with ever increasing vigour and enthusiasm.

My advice to everyone remains the same. Small changes first, with plenty of evaluation. Trust your ears. Try and stick to one change at a time albeit that this is easier said than done sometimes. As you progress matters don’t become scared of changes however, because mistakes can always be easily undone. If you don’t try how will you ever find out in the first place?

Music is therapy – my alone down catch up chill relax tune back into the world let it all go centre my being therapy. True Listening Pleasure. So why wouldn’t you want to squeeze the maximum you could from it?

Do it!

William Kelly

Publisher