| PS Audio announces the release of The Audiophile’s Guide, a comprehensive 10-volume series on every aspect of audio system setup, equipment selection, analog and digital technology, speaker placement, room acoustics, and other topics related to getting the most musical enjoyment from an audio system. Written by PS Audio CEO Paul McGowan, it’s the most complete body of high-end audio knowledge available anywhere. The Audiophile’s Guide hardcover book series is filled with clear, practical wisdom and real-life examples that guide readers into getting the most from their audio systems, regardless of cost or complexity. The book includes how-to tips, step-by-step instructions, and real-world stories and examples including actual listening rooms and systems. Paul McGowan noted, “think of it as sitting down with a knowledgeable friend who’s sharing hard-won wisdom about how to make music come alive in your home.”  PS Audio’s new 10-book collection, written by Paul McGowan, is a must-have.The 10 books in the series include: The Stereo – learn the essential techniques that transform good systems into great ones, including speaker placement, system matching, developing critical listening skills, and more. The Loudspeaker – even the world’s finest loudspeakers will not perform to their potential without proper setup. Master the techniques that help speakers disappear, leaving the music to float in three-dimensional space. Analog Audio – navigate the world of turntables, phono cartridges, preamps and power amplifiers, and vacuum tubes, and find out about how analog sound continues to offer an extraordinary listening experience. Digital Audio – from sampling an audio signal to reconstructing it in high-resolution sound, this volume explains and demystifies the digital audio signal path and the various technologies involved in achieving ultimate digital sound quality. Vinyl – discover the secrets behind achieving the full potential of analog playback in this volume that covers every aspect of turntable setup, cartridge alignment, and phono stage optimization. The Listening Room – the space in which we listen is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of musical enjoyment. This volume tells how to transform even challenging spaces into ideal listening environments. The Subwoofer – explore the world of deep bass reproduction, its impact on music and movies, and how to achieve the best low-frequency performance in any listening room. Headphones – learn about dynamic, planar magnetic, electrostatic, closed-back and open-air models and more, and how headphones can create an intimate connection to your favorite music. Home Theater – enjoy movies and TV with the thrilling, immersive sound that a great multichannel audio setup can deliver. The book explains how to bring the cinema experience home. The Collection – this volume distills the knowledge of the above books into everything learned from more than 50 years of Paul McGowan’s experience in audio. Like the other volumes in the series, it’s written in an accessible style yet filled with technical depth, to provide the ultimate roadmap to audio excellence and musical magic. Volumes one through nine of The Audiophile’s Guide are available for a suggested retail price of $39.99, with Volume 10, The Collection, offered at $49.99. In addition, The Audiophile’s Guide Limited Run Collectors’ Edition is available as a deluxe series with case binding, with the books presented in a custom-made slipcase. Each Collectors’ Edition set is available at $499.00 with complimentary worldwide shipping. |
The Audiophile History of PS Audio
PS Audio has been part of the high-end audio world since the early 1970s. Founded in 1973 by Paul McGowan and Stan Warren, the company began with a simple idea: better sound through smarter engineering. Their first product was a standalone phono preamp—something rare at the time. Most phono stages were buried inside receivers, and few were optimized for serious analog playback. PS Audio’s early success came from addressing that gap directly.
The company’s name came from the founders’ initials, and in its early years, PS Audio focused on analog electronics—preamps and amplifiers that earned a solid reputation among audiophiles for their clean design and straight-ahead performance. During the 1980s, the company released several well-received preamps and amplifiers, including the Model Two and the Linear Control Centers. They were known for reliability and value, not for chasing fads.
Over time, the company changed hands and direction. McGowan left for a period and later worked at Genesis Technologies with Arnie Nudell, founder of Infinity. In 1997, McGowan reacquired the PS Audio name and restarted the company in Boulder, Colorado. That version of PS Audio quickly took a new path, shifting its focus toward power regeneration with the introduction of the Power Plant P300. Unlike passive conditioners, this device regenerated a new AC sine wave, providing stable power to connected audio gear—a major advancement at the time.
Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, PS Audio steadily expanded. One of its most notable digital products was the DirectStream DAC, developed with Ted Smith. Instead of using off-the-shelf chipsets, the DAC employed FPGA architecture to upsample everything to DSD. The firmware could be updated over time, allowing owners to improve their gear without replacing it. It was an unconventional move, but it paid off. The DirectStream DAC became one of the company’s most respected products.
Another important development came with the launch of the Stellar Series, led by engineer Darren Meyers. These components—Stellar Gain Cell DAC, M700 monoblocks, and the S300 stereo amp—combined analog Class A input stages with Class D power output. It was a modern solution aimed at listeners who wanted performance without spending into the five-figure range. The hybrid approach gave users clean, powerful sound in a compact form factor, without the trade-offs associated with earlier Class D designs.
PS Audio also carved out a distinct identity by investing in direct communication with customers. Paul McGowan’s daily blog, videos, and community engagement helped the brand maintain a more personal connection with its audience. That kind of transparency and content focus helped build trust—something that’s often missing in high-end audio marketing.
More recently, PS Audio introduced its first loudspeakers, developed in part with input from Arnie Nudell before his passing. This move allowed the company to offer a full-system approach—from source to amplification to speakers—all voiced under one roof.
Today, PS Audio designs and manufactures most of its products in Boulder. The company remains privately owned and focused on its core values: clean power, transparent signal paths, and putting listeners first. That consistency is a big part of what’s made PS Audio last in a business known for constant churn.
