The Audio Cynic·Issue 00 · September 2026

The Honest Bench: what repair, ownership, and the industry’s promises look like up close.

Nine pieces from the bench and the industry: practical diagnosis, repair economics, ownership promises, and the editorial choices that shape what readers are told.

01Heritage & IndustryBy Bill LeebensRepair Belongs in the Product StoryRepairability, parts support, and service information are product decisions. They deserve a place in the story before the sale.5 min read 02Heritage & IndustryBy Bill LeebensA Review Begins Before the Equipment Is Turned OnProduct claims, setup choices, and the conditions of a listening test shape what a review can honestly tell you.5 min read 03Heritage & IndustryBy Bill LeebensA Warranty Is Part of the ProductA warranty is part of the ownership promise. Its duration, exclusions, service path, and parts support matter after the sale.5 min read 04Heritage & IndustryBy Bill LeebensThe Brochure and the BenchMarketing describes the promise of ownership. The bench reveals the work required to keep that promise honest.5 min read 05Heritage & IndustryBy Bill LeebensWhen a New Model Replaces a Good OneA replacement cycle can signal real progress, but it can also turn a perfectly useful product into yesterday’s story before its useful life is over.5 min read 06Heritage & IndustryBy Bill LeebensThe Show Floor Is a Story TooA trade-show room communicates through layout, presentation, and attention as much as through specifications. Readers should know what that atmosphere can and cannot prove.5 min read 07Ask the BenchBy Tj TomasettiAsk the Bench: My Vintage Receiver Hums. Is It Worth Fixing?A hum is a symptom, not a diagnosis. What it usually means in vintage gear, and how to know whether the repair makes sense before anyone quotes you.4 min read 08The MagazineBy Tj TomasettiThe First Bench Tool Does Not Need to Be ExpensiveA modest soldering iron can open the door to repair, but information, practice, and safety matter more than the price of the tool.4 min read 09Audio Repair Field GuideBy Tj TomasettiThe Capacitor Problem: Why Old Gear Changes Over TimeElectrolytic capacitors age. Here is what that can mean for an amplifier, receiver, DAC, or other older piece of audio gear.6 min read

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