Mike Prager Audiophile Writer’s Biography

Mike Prager professional audiophile reviewer
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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
Mike Prager professional audiophile reviewer as seen from the listening position

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

Schiit Loki Max broadband equalizer

Apollon PuriFi 1ET400A Monoblock power amps

Janszen Valentina P8 hybrid electrostatic speakers

(4 yes, four) SVS SB-3000 subs

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.

Harbeth P3ESR main speakers

B&W 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