TWO GOOD EARS
Bertoncello’s blog, TWOGOODEARS, is centred on a deep love of music in all its forms — from live concerts to recorded sound on discs and recordings.
His writing emphasises music’s expressive and emotional power. He advocates enjoying music for its beauty and impact, and seeks systems and approaches that enhance musicality rather than just technical
A recurring idea is what Bertoncello calls “High‑Musicality” — the notion that audio should serve music and emotional connection, not just demonstrate equipment capabilities. He frames his content as ways to make life better and to make Earth a better place to live, suggesting an optimistic and reflective approach to experience and culture. Some of the articles and posts from Stefano include:
The Music’s Best Friends
In “The Music’s Best Friends”, Bertoncello reflects on recordings that have shaped his listening life. He highlights why certain performances endure — a solo’s phrasing, a recording’s warmth, or the energy of a live session. He blends these observations with thoughts on listening environments, formats, and the emotions each experience evokes. The essay shows how music shapes memory, feeling, and identity, with treasured recordings serving as touchstones for both familiar and new sound worlds, celebrating the human experience of music.
Old & New — ReVox A‑40 and Esoteric System
In this post, Old and New Bertoncello compares vintage and modern audio gear, exploring both technical traits and listening experiences. He contrasts the warm, balanced ReVox A‑40 amplifier with the precise, high-resolution Esoteric digital system. He highlights how each conveys musical detail, emotion, and spatial cues, showing that vintage charm and modern clarity both enhance the listening experience. The essay also examines system synergy, noting how amplifier, source, speakers, and room interact to reveal nuances that might otherwise remain hidden.
Only Gears?
In “Only Gears?”, Bertoncello reflects on reviving dormant audio equipment, blending technical and emotional experience. He describes the satisfaction of reconnecting cables, powering up vintage amplifiers, and hearing systems come to life — the hums, clicks, and warm tones signalling a machine’s return to purpose. These moments connect listeners to the gear's history and craftsmanship, turning restoration into a form of musical meditation. The post shows that audio equipment is more than technology; it is part of a lived listening experience, offering emotional reward and deeper insight into the music it reproduces.
Jean Hiraga meets ALE and Be Yamamura: one of the VERY best systems in the world?
In this post, Bertoncello describes an extraordinary listening session with audio legend Jean Hiraga and Be Yamamura, featuring a bespoke high-end system built around ALE six-way speakers with top-grade beryllium diaphragms and hand-made Class A amplification.
The system’s sheer scale — massive compression drivers, a multi-way crossover, custom room correction, and a cutting-edge DAC — is contrasted with its musical impact, where piano, harpsichord, and orchestral recordings take on stunning presence, detail, and dimensionality.
He highlights how this carefully tailored setup creates a sound that feels both natural and emotionally alive, showing why exceptional system design can transcend raw technical data to deliver powerful musical immersion.