I feel fortunate to live in Katoomba, more fondly referred to by locals as K-Town, a history-rich town an hour-and-a-bit from Sydney central. K-Town teethers on the edge of ragged, rocky escarpments which put on a daily show of breathtaking beauty and drama… each scene enriched by an ever-changing palette of natural magnificence. It’s where coarse, high sandstone cliffs are often veiled by rising, ghostly mists which are there… and then not. Where dense gum-bush lines the rocky edges of shimmering waterfalls. Where the unique wildlife can be cute, or savage, or… deafening. Cicadas. This spring, after a seven year hiatus, the hordes are back in ridiculous numbers. The orange-tinged ‘Eastern Double Drummer’ is as boisterous as Danny Carey on steroids. Yep, near-120dB! Shouty, aroused males, throating a piercing chorus underlying the soundtrack to the SoundStage! in-room Insta reels. Heck, I’ve even had post comments pointing to that communal, ringing mayhem. Yet, here I am, presenting to you the antithesis of all that racket. I’m talking the best audio of 2024. How’s that for a segue?
Awardees 2024
So, it’s the time of the year where the industry celebrates the very best audio products. In synchronisation with the SoundStage! Networks’ own awards, once again I bring to you the SoundStage! Australia Products of the Year Awards 2024!
As you’d expect, this is an exceptional list of components, each making a powerful statement which stands out within its market space. It’s a systematic examination of all the products reviewed throughout 2024, leading to the final listing. This year the Network’s awards are presented by Kellylee Evans who takes-up the baton from last year’s Dominique Fils-Aimé. Evans is an acclaimed Canadian jazz and soul artist with a near-two-decades career which has produced nine highly successful albums available for streaming and purchasing across the major platforms and in varied formats. Hit-up our YouTube channel to watch Evans’ 2024 Awards presentation.
I’d like to thank SoundStage! Australia’s dedicated writers around the country. Each has their individual style and personal approach to the evaluation process while sharing a common passion for music and an enthusiasm for discovering the nuances of outstanding audio products.
As our Awards intros go, “We select the awardees based on a number of parameters. Of course, the most important of these is performance. If it don’t shake the booty, it ain’t gonna cut it. As the sweeteners, build quality, engineering proficiency, features list, and other elements we deem important come into play. Even a product’s heritage and its overall historic relevance play a part.”
Lastly, SoundStage! Australia owes its growth to a loyal, expanding readership (viewership too, via our YouTube channel’s varied series) and a strong network of corporate supporters… all part of our expanding Australian and global universe. Thank you all for your continued support. Wishing each and every one of you a musical Festive Season. 2025 let’s go!
… Edgar Kramer
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Hall of Fame Award recognises an outstanding product that is current but has been inspired, or pays contemporary homage, to an earlier generation with a rich history or that may have achieved classic status. This Award may not be presented every year, of course.
Pioneering Design Achievement is awarded to a product which shows a company’s forward thinking. It may include a feature, or list of features, applied in advance of the competition. The product may even be a recipient of a proprietary technology for either exclusive or industry-wide applications.
Evolutionary Design Achievement awards products which are inspired by, or are an advancement of, a respected multi-generational lineage, now re-engineered with modern materials and refined manufacturing methodologies. Of course, the sonic performance is state-of-the-art.
Outstanding Performance is awarded to a fine-tuned product presenting exceptional sound quality and is among ‘the best of the best’.
Innovation in Design places importance on a product that offers a point of difference in terms of unique features, advanced engineering or innovative design, in addition to excellent sound performance.
Aesthetics & Sound Quality is self-explanatory but with an emphasis on high-performance components (on par with the ‘Outstanding Performance’ category) that are also aesthetically beautiful.
Exceptional Value combines dollar mileage with superb performance aspects.
Products of the Year 2024
Please note: We include a short reviewer’s ‘grab’ as a general prompt, however, we suggest reading the originally-published review (click on the product title) for the complete reviewer’s evaluation.
Hall of Fame
Wilson Audio The WATT/Puppy Loudspeakers, Reviewed by Edgar Kramer – October 2024
“In my opinion, The WATT/Puppy is the new sweet spot in Wilson Audio’s line-up. Hands-down, it surpasses the vast and widely-acclaimed merits of the company’s products down-tier. It also vigorously manifests many of the virtues of the models up the chain.”
Pioneering Design Achievement
NAD Masters M66 Streaming DAC/Preamplifier, Reviewed by Barry Jones – September 2024
“The M66 is an exceptional component providing an incredibly powerful set of features at a very affordable price… you’d have to spend a lot more to put together a system that could come close to the level of performance possible here. True to its objectives, NAD has provided a truly killer piece of gear…”
Innovation in Design
Classé Audio Delta PRE Mk II Preamplifier, Reviewed by Edgar Kramer – July 2024
“… sounds detailed, fluid, controlled and dynamic across its wide bandwidth. Plus, you can tailor its sound to whatever your heart desires via the on-board DSP/EQ… if exceptional sound quality, versatility, and reduced box count/interconnecting cabling are all priorities, then the Classé Audio Delta PRE Mk II presents an inarguably attractive, rock solid alternative.”
Naim Audio Uniti Nova PE Streaming Amplifier, Reviewed by Barry Jones – June 2024
“… Naim’s Uniti Nova PE is hands-down the most impressive, immersive and enjoyable audio experience I have had so far as a reviewer. It truly succeeds on so many levels.”
Aesthetics & Sound Quality
Estelon AURA Loudspeakers, Reviewed by Edgar Kramer – March 2024
“Elegance and aesthetics aside, the speakers feature reassuringly rigid cabinets employing quality drivers and crossover network components which… in the hands of Estelon’s skilled engineers, have amounted to excellence. Yes, with this outstanding speaker, Estelon has undoubtedly shown that AURA’s energy can indeed have a very powerful impact…
Gryphon Audio Diablo 333 Integrated Amplifier, Reviewed by Edgar Kramer – June 2024
“Diablo 333 offers powerful dynamics, firm bass grip, authentic tone, exacting resolution, and so, so much more… It truly is one of the very best amplification products, be integrated or not, that money can buy.”
Outstanding Performance
Dellichord FR2035 Active Loudspeakers, Reviewed by Edgar Kramer – April 2024
“The FR2035 sounds dynamic, tonally and spatially precise, refined and offers a deep and powerful low frequency output which, within a prescribed threshold, can be adjusted to the room’s acoustics. Another winning design from Dellichord.”
Kudos Audio Titan 808 Loudspeakers, Reviewed by Edgar Kramer – August 2024
“Regardless of configuration, the crucial ingredients at hand are superb and the engineering is skilled, as evidenced by the 808s excellent sonic performance.”
Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista Vinyl 2 Phono Stage, Reviewed by Barry Johnston – October 2024
“There’s air, spades of headroom, dynamics for days, and a beautifully clean insight… There’s oodles of tight, clean, dynamic bass, harmonies are effortless… if you can afford it, this exceptional phono stage is simply a no brainer.
Rega Research Naia Turntable, Reviewed by Mark Busby – July 2024
“The clever combination of lightweight and advanced materials allows Naia to produce a highly musical experience. The Rega Research Naia turntable wows the listener with its insight, control and immersive musical portrayal.”
REL Acoustics No. 31 Reference Series Subwoofer, Reviewed by Barry Johnston – January 2024
“REL has really created something magical with these. I am almost lost for words regarding their level of performance and build quality. The engineers and designers at REL Acoustics have created a masterpiece. Thank you.”
Exceptional Value
DS Audio DS-E3 Optical Cartridge, Reviewed by Vedran Simunovic – October 2024
“It will transform the relationship between you and your records. I wouldn’t be surprised if you binge-play your whole vinyl collection. It does that to you… with DS-E3 now as part of my reference system, the star of the show is vinyl again, no question. DS-E3 is a game changer…”
