Mike Prager Audiophile Writer’s Biography

Mike Prager professional audiophile reviewer
Reading Time: 3 minutes

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 earned an SB in Humanities and Science from M.I.T. 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 has over 10 years experience as an audiophile writer. His specialties in the audiophile editorial world include class-D power amplifiers, high performance stand-mount or bookshelf speakers. Mike is one of the most experienced audiophile reviewers when it comes to digital room correction. In terms of audio, Mike Prager is an enthusiast of subwoofers. He uses literally four SVS SB-3000 subwoofers in his dedicated listening room which is a powerful audiophile statement but no small logistical feat.

Mike Prager's Audiophile Reference System
Mike Prager professional audiophile reviewer as seen from the listening position

Mike Prager’s Reference Audiophile System

Synology DS-1522 Network Drive
Custom NUC running Roon ROCK
Auralic Aries G1 streamer
• NAD M66 Preamp with Dirac Room Correction (read the review)
Schiit Loki Max equalizer (read the review)
Benchmark Media AHB2 monoblock power amps (read the review)
Janszen Valentina P8 hybrid electrostatic speakers (read the review)
(4) SVS SB-3000 subwoofers (yes, we meant four)
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
Mike Prager’s reference audiophile system looking from the speakers towards the rear of the room

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 (read the review)
Harbeth P3ESR main speakers
• Bowers & Wilkins ASW610 sub

Mike Prager's Reference Audiophile Rack
Mike Prager’s Reference Audiophile Rack

Social Media and Other Contact Information For Mike Prager

Mike Prager on LinkedIn

Mike Prager on Muckrack