Amateur Hour: The Hi-Fi Audio Rabbit Hole w/ Simon Stewart & Jonathan Ellsworth

Amateur Hour: The Hi-Fi Audio Rabbit Hole w/ Simon Stewart & Jonathan Ellsworth

Author: BLISTER March 18, 2026 Duration: 1:14:35

Jonathan started falling down the rabbit hole of hi-fi audio gear, and he says it’s all Simon’s fault. So in this conversation, Simon talks to Jonathan about his audio journey; why he’s singled out the world of hi-fi headphones as a place to begin; why he’s become a believer in “EQ”; and why it feels almost inevitable that he’ll end up exploring the world of loudspeakers, too.

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TOPICS & TIMES:

Craft Collective (1:18)

Why Headphones Make Sense (5:53)

Is Beethoven the Original Heavy Metal? (12:25)

Headphones vs Speakers (15:57)

Jonathan’s First Hi-Fi Headphones (29:19)

Why You Should ‘EQ’ (35:07)

The Qudelix-5k DAC/AMP + Equalizer (36:20)

Dedicated Headphone Amp vs Integrated Amp (40:49)

The JDS Labs Headphone AMP+DAC (44:10)

Active vs Passive Speakers (1:01:18)

Where To Go From Here? (1:06:35)

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There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when someone has dedicated their life to making something tangible, driven by obsession over details most of us overlook. CRAFTED, from BLISTER, is built on those conversations. Each episode moves beyond a simple product review to explore the entire ecosystem of creation, whether the subject is a meticulously roasted coffee, a complex whiskey, a precision timepiece, or a bold new wine. You'll hear directly from the individuals who define these fields-brewers, distillers, founders, and artisans who started their ventures not because it was easy, but because they couldn't imagine doing anything else. This podcast digs into the raw materials, the failed experiments, the business risks taken on a principle, and the quiet triumphs that happen long before a product reaches a shelf. It’s about the philosophy embedded in the process as much as the technical skill. Tuning in feels less like listening to an interview and more like pulling up a stool in a workshop or a tasting room, offering an intimate look at the patience, setbacks, and unwavering standards that transform a simple idea into a crafted object. The stories are specific, but the themes of creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit are universal, connecting anyone who appreciates the depth behind a well-made thing.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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