The HiFi Five Podcast

The HiFi Five Episode 17: Guest Doug Schneider, SoundStage!

The HiFi Five Podcast

Show Notes

Which is the most technologically impressive audio manufacturer factory you have ever visited?Is there any way to bridge the subjectivist audio/measurements objectivist divide? Do you personally believe that everything we hear can be measured? How can any advertiser supported magazine or review site or YT channel maintain editorial independence and honesty? Doesn’t advertising become influence even unintentionally? How transparent should media outlets be about who pays their bills? Over...

More from The HiFi Five Podcast

Oct 15, 2026

The HiFi Five Episode 42: Truths About Cables Guests: Matthew Bond -- Founder and Designer, Matthew Bond Audio; formerly Founder and Designer at Tara Labs Galen Gareis -- Designer at Iconoclast Cables; formerly Principal Engineer at Belden Wire & Cable Ralph Karsten -- Founder and Designer of Atma-Sphere tube and solid-state electronics William Low -- Founder and Chief Designer of Audioquest Eric Neff -- Reviewer for HiFi+ Magazine This is the most candid and insightful discus...

Sep 24, 2026

This is the most actionable, answer-packed discussion about set-up issues and conundrums we all face ever recorded! Guests: Frank Doris -- Editor, Copper Magazine; Senior Associate Editor, Positive FeedbackPeter Noerbaek -- Founder and Designer, PBN Audio Lee Scoggins -- Reviewer, Positive Feedback Norman Varney -- Founder, A/V RoomService Topics: What are the most common setup mistakes audiophiles make? Can measurements really tell you where to put your speakers and listening cha...

Sep 10, 2026

The HiFi Five Episode 40: Are HiFi Influencers Breaking the Rules? This episode shines a bright line on many questionable practices in the industry, and proposes a remedy. Guests: Frank Doris -- Editor of Copper Magazine, Senior Associate Editor at Positive Feedback Mike Powell -- OCD HiFi Guy and founder of the audio brand Verastarr and online dealer 11Stereo Stu McCreary -- attorney and Senior Associate Editor and legal counsel for Positive-Feedback David Robinson -- Founder, ...

Aug 27, 2026

The HiFi Five Episode 39: Is Vinyl All That? Guests: Jefferson Douglas -- CEO of Tubelandia Music Mike Lavigne -- audiophile hobbyist Amadeus Meitner -- Managing Director, EMM Labs and Meitner Doug Schneider -- founder of SoundStage! Topics: Which is the best sounding format, and what does best sounding mean? When great vinyl beats state-of-the-art digital, what are we really hearing -- the format, better mastering, or better gear? If master tape is the ultimate reference, which gets ...

Aug 13, 2026

The HiFi Five Episode 38: Buying Used Components and Repairs Guests: Morrison Agen -- Hardcore HiFi, a dealer and component repair and restoration business Jay Caceres -- Jay’s Audio Lab, a dealer in used components Peter Glenn -- Director of Quality Assurance at The Music Room, a dealer in used components Jim Yager -- audiophile hobbyist Topics: Is buying used actually the smartest way to build a great high-end audio system? What high-end components are safest to buy us...

See all episodes →