The Latest
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- Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 15 August 2024 15 August 2024
Cary Audio SLI-80HS Integrated Amplifier
Contrary to stale audiophilia lore, it can be said that just about all competently designed amplifiers, regardless of technology, can produce a realistic semblance of the tonality of instruments and the human voice. Yet, when it comes to true ‘tone’, many music enthusiasts and audiophiles persist in believing the technology that wrangles the purest timbral qualities is inherent in the perennial vacuum tube (or valve, per UK and Australia). Regardless of the technology of choice, whether valve, transistor, or ‘digital’ amplification, there’s no denying that the relative circuit simplicity of valve-based amplifiers can produce an extremely natural and convincingly realistic representation of instruments and voices. At hand at SoundStage! Australia HQ, and resplendent with an impressive array of ‘glass’ perched on its top panel, is Cary Audio’s SLI-80HS which, while seemingly simple on the surface, holds a couple of aces up its sleeve. Can this unassuming integrated deliver on the promise of purity and musical beauty?
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- Written by News Editor News Editor
- Category: News News
- Published: 09 August 2024 09 August 2024
dCS Launches Flagship Varèse Music System
Digital audio specialist dCS has announced an ambitious no-holds-barred five-box music playback system teeming with the company’s newest, most advanced digital technologies.
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- Written by News Editor News Editor
- Category: News News
- Published: 05 August 2024 05 August 2024
The Adelphi Show, Singapore 2024
On the inaugural showing at its home base in Singapore and named after the city’s famous ‘audio Mecca’ landmark, The Adelphi Show registers the newest addition to the global hi-fi events calendar.
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- Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 01 August 2024 01 August 2024
Kudos Audio Titan 808 Loudspeakers
Kudos Audio may be a somewhat young entity, however, in a relatively short time it has confidently gouged deep impressions in the diverse landscape of high quality loudspeakers. The company offers a strong entry point into its wares via the accomplished Cardea series, while the notably more ambitious, and aptly named, Titan range is the showcase for the finest technologies Kudos Audio has to offer. Taking advantage of the many benefits of modular design, where the tweeter and midrange are incorporated in an independent enclosure, as are the low frequency drivers, the Titan 808 loudspeaker builds the concept with bespoke transducers and intelligent engineering. In addition, its sizable anatomy promises deep low frequencies and an overall large scale sound. So, is Kudos Audio’s flagship 808 a true Titan?
Sonus faber Reinvents the Classic Concertino Loudspeakers
The fourth generation of Sonus faber’s iconic Concertino launches with a respectful re-imagining of core design principles while forging ahead with the company’s latest technologies.
Blok Launches Stax 2G Modular Audio Furniture
Hailing from Essex in the United Kingdom and part of the Monitor Audio Group, audio furniture specialist Blok has announced its new, customisable Stax 2G hi-fi equipment support system.
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- Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 15 July 2024 15 July 2024
Classé Audio Delta PRE Mk II Preamplifier
On its website, Classé Audio states that the new Delta PRE Mk II preamplifier can be the “foundation of your perfect system”. In this case, it’s quite sensible marketing parlance because I’m also of the opinion that the good ole preamplifier is, indeed, the very heart of an audio system. On paper, the extra circuitry and interconnecting cable required to connect said preamplifier should be a backward step when compared to the simplicity of interfacing a DAC, for example, directly to a power amplifier. After all, there’s more than enough output voltage on tap there and most have an in-built volume control (bit-stripping notwithstanding). Yet, it’s been my experience that having that preamp intermediary almost always equates to a more engaging and dynamic sound. Never mind the obvious accommodation of additional sources. So, how would a high-tech, fully featured, 21st century preamplifier like Classé Audio’s new Delta PRE Mk II perform then?
Monitor Audio Studio 89 Loudspeakers Landed in Australia
In praise of the company’s Studio Series of the 1980s, Monitor Audio introduces Studio 89, a standmount speaker paying homage to the highly acclaimed series while capitalising on the company’s latest technologies.
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- Written by Mark Busby Mark Busby
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 01 July 2024 01 July 2024
Rega Research Naia Turntable
Having started out my hi-fi journey in the early 1980s with a Rega Planar 3 turntable, I jumped at the chance to hear and review the latest flagship model from Rega. Called the Naia, this turntable offers all the accumulated technical knowledge gained during the existence of Rega Research’s 51 years of knowledge. The Naia package in this review includes the option for a factory fitted Aphelion 2, Rega’s top of the line moving coil cartridge.
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- Written by Barry James Johnston Barry James Johnston
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 01 July 2024 01 July 2024
in-akustik Referenz LS-4005 AIR Loudspeaker Cable
Snake oil! Reviewing cables can be both a controversial and simultaneously difficult audio review task. What are we comparing after all? Soke copper and some other copper? The gauge of a wire? Conductor type? Dielectric? The velocity of propagation? Capacitance? What does it all mean in the real world and to your ears? How do the electrical properties of a length of metal affect the way a piece of music sounds? Let’s get stuck in before the hoards gather outside my studio.
Yamaha’s Hi-Fi Division Celebrates 70th Anniversary
In light of its first musical instrument being manufactured in the late 1800s, Yamaha’s audio Division could be seen as a veritable youngster. Yet, the 70th anniversary makes Yamaha one of the longest running audio manufacturers.
M&K Sound Introduces Volkswoofer Limited Edition Subwoofer
As part of its 50 year anniversary and as a form of tribute to the company’s highly acclaimed original Volkswoofer low frequency transducer, M&K Sound has announced the celebratory Volkswoofer Limited Edition subwoofer.
