Simaudio’s Étienne Gautier on Fixing Hi-Fi’s Future

In this episode of the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast, host Jorden Guth is joined by Simaudio’s product director, Étienne Gautier, for a wide-ranging conversation about where hi-fi is headed—and what needs to change. They discuss the lack of industry standards, what hi-fi can learn from other sectors, the real value of trade shows, the role of education, and how today’s “hustle culture” mindset affects both companies and consumers. Sources: “Inside the Moon 371: Étienne Gautier on Simaudio's New Compass Collection”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/inside-the-moon-371-etienne-gautier-on-simaudios-new-compass-collection/ “Simaudio’s North Collection: The Future of Hi-Fi?”: https://www.soundstage.life/e/simaudio-s-north-collection-the-future-of-hi-fi/ Chapters: 00:00:00 Announcement 00:00:36 Introductions 00:03:31 Organizing the industry and setting standards 00:12:03 Cross-polination in hi-fi 00:14:01 Journalistic standards? 00:17:46 Trade show blues 00:19:35 Education and exposure 00:25:33 Coming out of the basement 00:32:03 Connected vs. disconnected 00:31:49 Outro music: “Magilla Trench” by Art Against Agony