Audio Unleashed

Brent Butterworth & Dennis Burger
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This is Audio Unleashed: the world’s only totally unfiltered, freewheeling, fearless discussion about the latest events in the world of audio, featuring veteran audio reviewers Brent Butterworth and Dennis Burger. With decades of experience, a modest grasp of science and logic, and a marginal degree of financial security, they can tell the good from the bad, and the proven from the preposterous — and they’re not afraid to tell you what’s what.

  1. 5日前

    “I Was Expecting Some Nina Totenberg”

    We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent spend a lot of time and a lot of words riffing on the same fundamental theme: are we making this hi-fi stuff entirely too complicated? And if so, why? Does REL need to make stuff up about mysterious disappearing bass harmonics to sell its gorgeous subs? Does Benchmark have to make stuff up about audible distortion to sell its excellent amplifiers? And perhaps most importantly: does cheapaudioman have to make stuff up about 4K Blu-ray players to sell ED drugs? 💿 “The Audiophile Society's Speaker Test and System Optimization Album”: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album. Use code AudioUnleashed25 for 25% off.  📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930 Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP Brent’s audio projects: 💿 The Audiophile Society's Amazing Fabulous Magnificent Speaker Test Album (engineered by Brent with VO by Dennis): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album   💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album   💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants   Further Reading: REL S/850 Review by Chris Frankland: https://hifiplus.com/articles/rel-s-850/ How Loud is the Distortion from Your Power Amplifier? by John Siau: https://benchmarkmedia.com/blogs/videos/how-loud-is-the-distortion-from-your-power-amplifier-1 Don't Buy a CD Player in 2026!? Buy This Instead by cheapaudioman: https://youtu.be/nnBwdMuGa_0?si=eME1ZvTkTjZQ06eK CEDIA Expo 2026 Looks to be Another Scaled-Back Show by Ted Green: https://www.strata-gee.com/cedia-expo-2026-looks-to-be-another-scaled-back-show/

  2. 9月2日

    “I’m Going to Poop on This Amp”

    We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent kick things off with a bit of a different segment: a deep dive into some of the wackier (and cooler) IEMs Brent has found on Facebook, and a look into the psychology of the people buying and reviewing them. Then they investigate what sort of “intimate machines” Stereophile’s Jim Austin is into, and whether we should care if “normal” people can afford them. They wrap the regular episode’s discussion with a read-through of Darko’s review scorecard, and what kind of score Darko deserves on his own test. 💿 “The Audiophile Society's Speaker Test and System Optimization Album”: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album. Use code AudioUnleashed25 for 25% off.  📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930 Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP Brent’s audio projects: 💿 The Audiophile Society's Amazing Fabulous Magnificent Speaker Test Album (engineered by Brent with VO by Dennis): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants Further Reading: Some of the crazy IEMs Brent has discovered: Artpical Raphael Palavox Steel Heart and Akasha AME Gnome Brise Audio Fugaku Faith Audio U1000 Unique Melody Mason Asahi “Intimate Machines” by Jim Austin: https://stereophile.com/content/intimate-machines “Darko’s hi-fi review scorecard” by John Darko: https://stereophile.com/content/intimate-machines

  3. 8月19日

    “A Loom of Fuses”

    We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent get the party started by pondering the deep question of whether or not a “loom” of anything is automatically sus. Next up, they split hairs over the distinction between a clone and an homage by way of Erin’s Audio Corner’s new video about a Chinese McIntosh knock-off. Then they wrap up the main show by answering a listener’s question about Darko. 💿 “The Audiophile Society's Speaker Test and System Optimization Album”: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album. Use code AudioUnleashed25 for 25% off.  📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930 Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP Brent’s audio projects: 💿 The Audiophile Society's Amazing Fabulous Magnificent Speaker Test Album (engineered by Brent with VO by Dennis): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants Further Reading:  “Most Audiophiles Upgrade in the Wrong Order Why the System — Not the Component — Is the Unit of Analysis: A Response to the Acurus/Aragon Upgrade Pyramid” by Theodore Walton Denney III: https://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/most-audiophiles-upgrade-in-the-wrong-order-why-the-system-not-the-component-is-the-unit-of-analysis-a-response-to-the-acurus-aragon-upgrade-pyramid/ “Most Audiophiles Upgrade in the Wrong Order” by u/Goooooner4Life: https://www.reddit.com/r/audiophile/comments/1v7vqwx/most_audiophiles_upgrade_in_the_wrong_order/ “Fake Mcintosh Audiophile Tube Amplifier vs the Real Deal” by Erin's Audio Corner: https://youtu.be/7wMTjeYVYXQ?si=KwWbl2Q_7lxxjGu2 “Five dongle DACs for your consideration” by John Darko: https://darko.audio/2026/07/five-dongle-dacs-for-your-consideration/ “The great DAC distraction 🌶️” by John Darko: https://darko.audio/2026/03/the-great-dac-distraction/ “KEF Coda W review: real hi-fi for less than a Sonos Arc Ultra” by John Darko: https://darko.audio/2026/02/kef-coda-w-review-real-hi-fi-for-less-than-a-sonos-arc-ultra/

  4. 8月5日

    “They Had To Wear Pants At Some Point”

    We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent dig deep into a Reddit post about soundbars to gain some insight into how A.I. is going to make sense of audiophiles in the future. (That’ll make sense in context, promise.) After that, they riff on some interesting new data about CD and LP sales, which prove K-pop and wall art are driving the whole audio biz. Then they turn their fleeting attention to recent developments in streaming — apparently, Spotify editorial playlists are in decline, but is Spotify still the only streamer that matters? Brent has some data of his own (and a $147 ASCAP payment!) to add to the conversation. 💿 “The Audiophile Society's Speaker Test and System Optimization Album”: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album.  📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930 Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP Brent’s audio projects: 💿 The Audiophile Society's Amazing Fabulous Magnificent Speaker Test Album (engineered by Brent with VO by Dennis): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants Further Reading:  “Are soundbars getting like, really good?” by u/jpinakron: https://www.reddit.com/r/audiophile/comments/1uypwah/are_soundbars_getting_like_really_good/ “Luminate Midyear Report 2026: R&B/Hip-Hop Falls, Dance Rises, CDs Surge 16% & More” by Kristin Robinson: https://www.billboard.com/author/kristin-robinson/ “A Your Morning Coffee Special Episode: A Conversation with Jaime Marconette from Luminate” by Your Morning Coffee: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-your-morning-coffee-special-episode-a/id1529809478?i=1000776959540 “Spotify’s editorial playlists look enormous, but they’re shrinking” by Austin Staubus: https://medium.com/@itsnorequests/spotifys-editorial-playlists-look-enormous-but-they-re-shrinking-4ea5575c81a9 “Find Your Anti-Algorithm” by Dennis Burger: https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/feature-articles/1392 “(How Much Is) That Doggie In the Window?" by Cyger and Butterworth: https://youtu.be/_C5B7V8WW8s?si=zS2TJsssPNNPtK0f

  5. 7月22日

    “I Want to Be Floyd When I Grow Up”

    We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent kick things off with a response to a Patron who had some defensive words for OJAS, aka Devon Turnbull. Then they add their voices to the biggest discussion in audio right now: the Axiss Audio lawsuit against The Greek Audio Geek, Suncoast Audio, and Clarisys Audio for defamation and conspiracy. And they tackle the confounding question of whether or not the judgment of some dude sitting around in his underwear will pass muster in a court of law. With that out of the way, they invite Pro Audio Technology and Theory Audio Design owner and CEO Paul Hales to rant about the cult of high-end audio and explain how he engineered his escape. They conclude by turning their attention to all the ways in which the A.I. bubble is about to make everything more expensive—except, of course, for Class-AB amps. And (maybe!) cable lifters.   💿 “The Audiophile Society's Speaker Test and System Optimization Album”: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album. Use code AudioUnleashed25 for 25% off.  📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930 Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP Brent’s audio projects: 💿 The Audiophile Society's Amazing Fabulous Magnificent Speaker Test Album (engineered by Brent with VO by Dennis): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants Further Reading:  “AXISS Audio Distribution Files Federal Lawsuit - UPDATED” by Jason Victor Serinus: https://www.stereophile.com/content/axiss-audio-distribution-files-federal-lawsuit “Attorney Kerry Harvey Analyzes the Axiss Lawsuit: The HiFi Five Episode 33” by The HiFi Five: https://youtu.be/1EL-FJT6ftI?si=Yb7xEE1rP0vX_lLh “The HiFi Five Episode 33: Axiss Lawsuit” by The HiFi Five and SoundStage! Network: https://www.youtube.com/live/pMB2R3zFhn0?si=nr6fs4cRZdXliSuM “It would be disingenuous to say that we have a plan for attracting younger music fans” by Alastair Stevenson: https://www.whathifi.com/hi-fi/dacs/it-would-be-disingenuous-to-say-that-we-have-a-plan-for-attracting-younger-music-fans-audioquest-on-the-new-dragonfly-and-getting-gen-z-into-hi-fi “Hi-Fi Nerd Fight Part 1—Dennis Burger vs. Paul Hales” on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/hi-fi-nerd-fight-dennis-burger-vs-paul-hales-on-room-correction-part-1/ “Hi-Fi Nerd Fight Part 2—Dennis Burger vs. Paul Hales” on the SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast: https://www.soundstage.life/e/hi-fi-nerd-fight-dennis-burger-vs-paul-hales-on-room-correction-part-2/ “Your Electronics Are About to Get Way More Expensive” by Nitish Pahwa: https://slate.com/business/2026/07/ai-car-phone-expensive-iran.html “The Letter That Moved a Market” by Mastin Bailey: https://medium.com/@mastinbailey/the-letter-that-moved-a-market-95a249dd7b3b

  6. 7月8日

    “The End of Legitimate Audio Journalism”

    We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Dennis and Brent take a surface-level dive into the biggest controversy to hit the pro-audio world this year: Jim Lill’s exhaustive investigation of the source of a mic preamp’s tone, or lack thereof. They also slog through maybe half a percent of the response videos in the quest for one that has more to say than “trust me, bro.” They wrap up with an attempt to give veteran Stereophile technical editor John Atkinson the tribute he deserved upon the announcement of his retirement.  💿 “The Audiophile Society's Speaker Test and System Optimization Album”: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album. Use code AudioUnleashed25 for 25% off.  📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930 Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP Brent’s audio projects: 💿 The Audiophile Society's Amazing Fabulous Magnificent Speaker Test Album (engineered by Brent with VO by Dennis): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants   Further Reading:  “Tested: Where Does The Tone Come From In A Microphone Preamp?” by Jim Lill: https://youtu.be/K-vIeA7yy6Q?si=2PIoW0nYlvlunSiq “Jim Lill Is Wrong About Microphone Preamps” by Andrew Chapman Creative: https://youtu.be/cJRaHFg1ojA?si=8PJyaD4_1Ggn8SnE “Someone Said All Preamps Sound the Same. So I Tested 8.” by Spinlight Studio: https://youtu.be/pZiFS6HSdLY?si=CBZL8nFp9cQxZIth “Why that mic pre test is whack.” by JJBlair: https://youtu.be/WIm_1Vglvs4?si=1twB4bMTErdVT1s9 “The End of an Era: John Atkinson Retires” by Jim Austin: https://stereophile.com/content/end-era-john-atkinson-retires “Audio Note Meishu Tonmeister Phono integrated amplifier” review by Ken Micallef: https://www.stereophile.com/content/audio-note-meishu-tonmeister-phono-integrated-amplifier “Tannoy Revolution XT 6 loudspeaker” by Herb Reichert: https://www.stereophile.com/content/tannoy-revolution-xt-6-loudspeaker

  7. 6月24日

    “Effort is a Little Passé These Days”

    We’re on Patreon! Find us at https://www.patreon.com/AudioUnleashed This week, Brent and Dennis dig into a review of Sonarworks’ SoundID Virtual Monitoring PRO system, which aims to go toe-to-toe with the Smyth Realiser for a tenth of the cost. Is this, at long last, a practical and effective way to simulate speakers through headphones? Then they dig into the coverage of High End Vienna to discuss the venue change and the coolest new products shown at the show, and confidently opine about the current relevance (or not) of B&W and JBL. After that, they talk about sound systems as an aesthetic vibe completely divorced from their function as sound systems. Are audiophiles suddenly hip? (Spoiler: No.) 💿 “The Audiophile Society's Speaker Test and System Optimization Album”: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album. Use code AudioUnleashed25 for 25% off.  📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930 Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP Brent’s audio projects: 💿 The Audiophile Society's Amazing Fabulous Magnificent Speaker Test Album (engineered by Brent with VO by Dennis): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants Further Reading:  “Sonarworks: SoundID Virtual Monitoring PRO” by Adam Kagan: https://tapeop.com/reviews/gear/173/soundid-virtual-monitoring-pro “High End 2026 coverage fromVienna, Austria” on SoundStage! Global: https://www.soundstageglobal.com/index.php/shows-events/high-end-2026-vienna-austria “10 of the most exciting hi-fi products we saw at High End Vienna 2026” by Kashfia Kabir: https://www.whathifi.com/hi-fi/turntables/10-of-the-most-exciting-hi-fi-products-we-saw-at-high-end-vienna-2026 “Why is everyone suddenly obsessed with sound systems?”: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DYqMiX4v_6c/

  8. 6月10日

    “We Need Some Plausible Deniability Here”

    This week, Brent and Dennis are just asking questions. Questions such as: Do VU meters really make everything sound better? (Obviously, yes.) Can you do science if you don’t even understand science? (Probably not on purpose!) If our music is going to be made by taste-making hacks using AI, does hi-fi even matter anymore? (Nerd fight!) 💿 “The Audiophile Society's Speaker Test and System Optimization Album”: https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album. Use code AudioUnleashed25 for 25% off.  📖 Get your copy of the 4th edition of Floyd Toole’s legendary book, Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers, Rooms and Headphones with DISCOUNT CODE 25SMA4: https://www.routledge.com/Sound-Reproduction-The-Acoustics-and-Psychoacoustics-of-Loudspeakers-Rooms-and-Headphones/Toole-Olive-Welti/p/book/9781032761930 Dennis’ relaunched YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventureswithCPAP Brent’s audio projects: 💿 The Audiophile Society's Amazing Fabulous Magnificent Speaker Test Album (engineered by Brent with VO by Dennis): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-speaker-test-and-system-optimization-album 💿 The Audiophile Society's Headphone Evaluation and Spatial Audio Test Album (engineered by Brent): https://theaudiophilesociety.com/collections/albums/products/the-audiophile-societys-headphone-evaluation-and-spatial-audio-test-album 💿 Plaid Pants, Brent’s latest album! https://cygerbutterworth.bandcamp.com/album/plaid-pants Further Reading:  “Keith Pray Acquires Stereophile in a Management Buyout”: https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/keith-pray-acquires-stereophile-in-a-management-buyout.42487/ “This HiFi Upgrade Changed How I Hear Everything” by cheapaudioman: https://youtu.be/XqELlz_vl5U?si=0lPX7GaXSVu7K-Sp “What the Spec Sheet Doesn’t Capture” by Theodore W. Denney III: https://www.synergisticresearch.com/fundamentals/tunein-with-ted/what-the-spec-sheet-doesnt-capture/ “Independent Perceptual Evidence for Electromagnetic Field Effects in High-End Audio Systems” probably written by Claude (in our opinion): https://www.synergisticresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/SR-WhitePaper-CanJam2026-v4.pdf “Music After the Generative AI Creative Big Bang” by Kylie Bylin: https://www.hypebot.com/music-after-the-generative-ai-creative-big-bang/

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關於

This is Audio Unleashed: the world’s only totally unfiltered, freewheeling, fearless discussion about the latest events in the world of audio, featuring veteran audio reviewers Brent Butterworth and Dennis Burger. With decades of experience, a modest grasp of science and logic, and a marginal degree of financial security, they can tell the good from the bad, and the proven from the preposterous — and they’re not afraid to tell you what’s what.

資料

  • 創作者
    Brent Butterworth & Dennis Burger
  • 活躍年份
    2023年 - 2026年
  • 單集
    88
  • 分級
    兒童適宜
  • 版權
    © Copyright 2023 Butterburger Productions. All rights reserved.
  • 節目網站
    Audio Unleashed

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