Hi-fi
Esoteric S-05 stereo power amplifier brings Class A Grandioso engineering to a smaller chassis
Esoteric’s S-05 is a dual-mono Class A stereo power amplifier drawing on the circuit philosophy and selected engineering…
Author: Marcus Carlsen
Marcus Carlsen is an avid audiophile with a deep passion for hi-fi systems, high-end headphones, and premium speakers. Marcus constantly explores the latest audio technologies and equipment, from precision-engineered speakers to the finest headphones.
Audio
Sunfire: Bob Carver’s True Subwoofer and Home Cinema Legacy
Founded by Bob Carver in 1972, Sunfire built its reputation on compact, high-output True Subwoofers and the Tracking…
Hi-fi
Naim ND5 XS 2: A Versatile Network Player With Naim’s Streaming Platform
The Naim ND5 XS 2 combines network streaming, local digital inputs and Naim’s distinctive system integration in the…
Speakers
PSB iQ1 and iQ2 Active Speakers Bring BluOS, HDMI eARC and Phono to Compact Stereo
PSB’s new iQ1 and iQ2 are compact active stereo speaker systems combining BluOS streaming, HDMI eARC, an MM…
Hi-fi
Vinnie Rossi Brama Gen 2 amplifiers bring 300B valves and MOSFET power stages
Vinnie Rossi has introduced the second-generation Brama range, comprising an integrated amplifier, preamplifier and monoblock power amplifier. The…
Hi-fi
Matrix Audio MS-1 flagship streamer brings DAC, phono stage and preamp into one chassis
Matrix Audio’s MS-1 is a flagship network streamer built as a digital and analogue control centre, combining dual-mono…
Turntables
TEAC TN-400BTX/TB Limited Edition Turntable Brings Turquoise Blue to Vinyl and Bluetooth
TEAC’s limited-edition TN-400BTX/TB pairs a high-gloss Turquoise Blue finish with belt drive, an S-shaped tonearm, a fitted Audio-Technica…
Technology
Audio-GD DI-24 digital interface brings 10MHz clocking and FPGA signal processing
Audio-GD’s DI-24 is a USB-to-digital interface built around an Amanero USB module, FPGA processing and flexible internal or…
Speakers
Wharfedale Diamond Active A2: a cable-light active stereo system with wireless speaker links
Wharfedale’s Diamond Active A2 combines powered speakers with a compact H1 hub, moving source switching and wireless transmission…
Amplifiers
Topping DX1 DAC/headphone amplifier brings AKM conversion to a $99 desktop design
Topping’s compact DX1 combines an AKM AK4493S DAC, XMOS USB interface and a useful 280mW-per-channel headphone stage in…
Amplifiers
Soulnote A-0 ver.2: A 10W No-Feedback Integrated Amplifier for Sensitive Speakers
Soulnote’s A-0 ver.2 is a deliberately low-power, fully discrete integrated amplifier that prioritises a short signal path, zero…
DAC
DUNU DTC-800 Portable DAC/Headphone Amp Brings Dual CS43198 DACs for $98.99
DUNU’s DTC-800 is a compact USB DAC and headphone amplifier built around dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 DACs, balanced…
Speakers
Bluesound Pulse Sub Plus brings an 8-inch driver and 22Hz bass to wireless systems
Bluesound’s Pulse Sub Plus is a compact, app-configured wireless subwoofer with an 8-inch long-throw driver, 150W amplification and…
Hi-fi
Primare NP5 Prisma Gains Roon Ready Certification
Primare’s compact NP5 Prisma network player has gained Roon Ready certification, bringing Roon’s controlled, bit-perfect network playback to…
Speakers
Davone Reference 1: Danish three-way floorstanders with beryllium and Textreme drivers
Davone’s Reference 1 is a substantial three-way floorstander combining a pure-beryllium tweeter, a Textreme carbon-fibre midrange unit and…
Hi-fi
McIntosh MB100 Media Bridge: Network Music Server with 1TB Storage
McIntosh’s MB100 combines local music storage, network discovery, streaming-service access and a 32-bit/192kHz DAC in a full-width component…
Hi-fi
Argon Audio SA1: a compact Class D amplifier with phono, TV and subwoofer options
Argon Audio’s SA1 packs 2 x 40 watts, MM phono, aptX HD Bluetooth and TV-friendly optical connectivity into…
Amplifiers
Constellation Audio previews Inspiration 2 stereo and mono power amplifiers
Constellation Audio has revealed the Inspiration 2 power-amplifier range in stereo and mono forms, with a new C-SMPS…
Streaming
Yamaha WXAD-10: A Compact MusicCast Streaming Upgrade for Existing Hi-Fi
Yamaha’s WXAD-10 is a small network streaming adapter intended to bring MusicCast, local-network playback and app control to…
Speakers
Audio Physic unveils new Cardeas flagship loudspeaker with PowerTrain design
Audio Physic’s new-generation Cardeas is a four-way flagship floorstander built around an asymmetric honeycomb cabinet, a dedicated tweeter/crossover…
Headphones
CVJ Bidong: seven-driver hybrid IEM with a three-way crossover
CVJ’s limited-edition Bidong is a $189 in-ear monitor using one dynamic driver and six balanced armature drivers per…
Hi-fi
Electrocompaniet ECI 6 MKII: a powerful analogue integrated amplifier with upgrade potential
Electrocompaniet’s ECI 6 MKII combines a fully balanced analogue design, substantial power supply and 2-ohm load capability in…
Speakers
Stratton Acoustics Expands Its Element Range With Compact Element 6 and Element 8 Speakers
Stratton Acoustics has introduced the Element 6 and Element 8, two UK-built standmount loudspeakers that bring the company’s…
DAC
Topping DX5 II DAC: What to Verify Before You Buy
The Topping DX5 II is identified in the supplied material as a DAC and a bestseller, but the…