The Complete Guide to High-End Audio

The more I read this book, the more I like it. At the time I bought it, I already had the fourth edition of Harley's book; I'm happy to report that the twice revised sixth edition has expanded signifiantly to cover new technologies such as high-resolution streaming audio, downloads, and network-connected audio products, and much more. Harley's attitude toward the reader can best be appreciated when you compare his book to certain other audiophile books and online columns. At one extreme of this spectrum are two-channel purists who believe all receivers are bad and you must buy the specific separate components that they recommend; at the other extreme are generalists whose aim is primarily to teach you to set things up right without advocating or condemning any specific audio component. Harley wisely takes a middle ground, managing to be objective most of the time -- what to buy and not to buy (e.g. how to choose a loudspeaker) -- and subjective only where necessary, as when discussing soundstaging or musicality. He establishes his place on this spectrum with just the right mix of information and advice, avoiding snobbery at one extreme and overcooked generalizations at the other. He covers everything that could interest you, and probably many things you have never heard of. He is thorough -- exhaustive without being exhausting. Above all Harley speaks to music lovers, not audiophile equipment collectors. A musician himself, Harley always compares what he hears from the speakers and electronics with what he has played and remembers about live music he has played himself. This sixth edition of Robert Harley's "The Complete Guide to High-End Audio" is a classic that keeps improving. It is probably is the best source available on this subject anywhere.

If you are a novice or an old head, this book will teach you anything and everything about your stereo. This is my second copy! I’ve learned so much and I thought I was pretty smart about my stereo. I found out differently!

Great source for audiophiles.

This is a comprehensive book on hifi that covers a lot of ground - basics to theory. If you’re like me, you’ll find yourself taking some of the more anal recommendations with a grain of salt. For instance, I’m sure it happens, but I’m not going to take my brand new speaker apart to make sure the driver mounting bolts are secure. Nor am I going to lose sleep over my cables touching the floor.

Very well organized and easy to read, I think it's great for the non electrical engineer, or maybe FOR them so they learn how to speak to ordinary folks! As someone who has revived my serious stereo component audio listening after years of pushing it to the background and raising a family, this really has helped me understand the myriad of choices available and see beyond the brands and hype.

Llegó en la fecha y en perfectas condiciones. Ahora necesito horas para leerlo. Satisfecho!

Great update in this new edition - lotts of good info.

Harley was unique in his depth and breath of understanding of the high-end Audio market and high-end Audio performance. This book is the lexicon of all that knowledge. Highly recommended for the beginner to the expert.

muy interesante y completo

Very useful and informativ. A must for High End HiFi freaks.

C'est un plaisir de lire cet ouvrage : techniquement correct, sans influence sur tel où tel solution oû marque. A lire dans l'ordre que vous souhaitez. Adressé a une audience internationale, en conséquence l'anglais facile à comprendre. Pour les novices les termes techniques sont expliqués une façon simple et claire.

The book is structured very well. The autor analysed all the area of the High-End audio and presented it in a very comprehensive way. I'm not electronic enginner but I answered many questions to myself. Especially the class "A" amplification, why we need more power(ampers ) when the resistance of the speakers is getting low etc...

As described good value for money