Mike Prager is a lifetime music lover, and a flutist when young, who has attended thousands of musical concerts and club dates in Miami, New York, and elsewhere at such storied venues as the Village Vanguard, Sweet Basil, Ali’s Alley, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and CBGB. Prager also is a longtime audiophile whose approach to system-building is choosing gear and setup choices that make decisive improvements to sound. As an amateur recordist, Mike operated the Grant Street Studio in his listening room, recording Three Hand Stephen and collaborating musicians.
Mike has an SB in Humanities and Science from MIT and a PhD in Oceanography from the University of Rhode Island. A retired research biologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, he’s the author of many scientific papers and of analysis software used internationally. Prager’s letters have been published in Stereophile Magazine and elsewhere.
For five years, Mike Prager organized the Portland (Oregon) Audio Club and is proud of having helped many members get better sound. Listening to members’ systems ranging in price from under $600 to well over $500,000 convinced him that engaging sound is possible on any budget. Today, Prager lives in Portland, where he enjoys hiking in the Columbia River Gorge and exploring the state’s many wild places.
![Mike Prager's Audiophile Reference System](https://futureaudiophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MikePrager-ReferenceAudiophileRoom-Front-1024x577.jpg)
Mike Prager’s Reference Audiophile System
Synology DS-1522 NAS, Qobuz
Custom NUC running Roon ROCK
Auralic Aries G1 streamer
Anthem STR DAC-preamp with ARC room correction and crossovers (read the review)
Schiit Loki Max equalizer (read the review)
Benchmark AHB2 mono block power amps
Janszen Valentina P8 hybrid electrostatic speakers
(4 yes, four) SVS SB-3000 subwoofers
Auralic Taurus 2 headphone amp
Sennheiser HD650 headphones
Dedicated room with QuietRock soundproofing
Various acoustical treatments from ASC, GIK, RPG, and Vicoustic
Torus RM-20 and Furman IT Ref 15i power conditioners
Racks and stands by Butcher Block and Billy Bags
![Mike Prager's reference audiophile system looking from the speakers towards the rear of the room](https://futureaudiophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MikePrager-AudiophileReferenceSystem-Rear-1024x577.jpg)
Mike Prager’s Desktop Audiophile System
Windows i7 computer running Roon Remote and JRiver Media Center
Classé CP-800 DAC-Preamp
Buckeye Amps Hypex NCx500 Stereo Amplifier.
Harbeth P3ESR main speakers
B&W ASW610 sub
![Mike Prager's Reference Audiophile Rack](https://futureaudiophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MikePrager-ReferenceAudiophileRack-1024x683.jpg)