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Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer

Category: Reviews Reviews

Published: 15 September 2021 15 September 2021

Degritter Ultrasonic Record Cleaner

According to a number of recent, credible reports widely aired online, the ‘black circle’ has outsold the silver disc for the first time since the 1990s. Both in terms of unit numbers and monetary revenue. By quite a clear-cut margin too. Having said that, in the music industry universe, streaming is by far (and I stress far) the most popular means of enjoying music. Be that as it may, vinyl has emerged from a full samsara cycle and its reincarnation is here to stay. Plus, in addition to its wider current availability, there’s an infinite amount of it in past collections. Yes, a whole heap of vinyl out there. And it needs a regular bath.

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Written by News Editor News Editor

Category: News News

Published: 13 September 2021 13 September 2021

DEQX 4th Generation Processors Announced

Australian digital specialist DEQX has unveiled its 4th Generation multi-tasking processors with proprietary Advanced HD-Active (top model), DEQX Cloud and a host of new features.

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Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer

Category: Reviews Reviews

Published: 01 September 2021 01 September 2021

MUTEC MC-3+ USB Smart Reclocker & REF10 Reference Master Clock

While the largest percentage of digital music streamers/players offer a USB output (often as the sole option), many respected engineers strongly accredit either S/PDIF or AES/EBU connectivity as the superior interface between the music source and the downstream digital-to-analogue converter. As with anything audio, this is open to debate. Equally persuasive arguments assert a well-thought-out USB interface can be at least the equal to the alternative transmittance methods. Virtues are often slaves to implementation and both sides of the coin can shimmer with objective and subjective brilliance. So, many highly capable DACs omit a USB input altogether. Conversely, many streamer/players provide that as the only output option. In those applications, a USB to S/PDIF and AES/EBU converter is required. What if said converter is also complimented with a superbly-engineered in-built clocking topology? Further, would a state-of-the-art external Master Clock elevate music enjoyment to even higher levels? Enter the Alpha specimens of the species, the MUTEC MC-3+ USB ‘Reclocker’ and REF10 Reference Master Clock.

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Written by News Editor News Editor

Category: News News

Published: 30 August 2021 30 August 2021

EarMen Tradutto DAC to Land in Australia

Headphone and digital specialist EarMen (sister company to valve amplification maker Auris Audio) recently unveiled its newest DAC which is due to hit our shores in September 2021.

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Written by News Editor News Editor

Category: News News

Published: 29 August 2021 29 August 2021

Kharma Introduces 3.0 Upgrade to Exquisite Line

The Netherlands’ Kharma, manufacturer of high-end loudspeakers, electronics and accessories of the über order, has announced a significant revision to its entire Exquisite line of loudspeakers.

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Written by News Editor News Editor

Category: News News

Published: 25 August 2021 25 August 2021

Bowers & Wilkins’ 800 Series Diamond Re-Polished

In a timed and synchronised global announcement, Bowers & Wilkins unveils the new flagship 800 Series loudspeakers featuring a battery of new technology while also subtly refining the unique aesthetic design.

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Written by News Editor News Editor

Category: News News

Published: 23 August 2021 23 August 2021

The Chester Group Announces 2022 Audio Show

With a comeback to some form of ‘normality’ expected in 2022 – provided our vaccination uptake remains as strong as it currently is – the concept of the audio show may be returning. To that end, The Chester Group gives a hint at what’s to come.

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Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer

Category: Features Features

Published: 20 August 2021 20 August 2021

Sydney’s Reinvented Music Hot Spot: Audio Connection

In this writer’s view, there were only three high-end audio salons in the Harbour City in the 1990s able to demonstrate a wide sampling of the best high-end audio on the planet. Audio Connection was one. It had the largest and the most diverse representation despite having the most modest premises at the time. Back then, as a wet-behind-the-ears grommet surfing the waves of Sydney’s hi-fi scene, I longed for those unattainable pearls of desire. Coral-like beauties, down deep and alluring but beyond my reach on the water’s surface, an ocean of crispy greens between us. Yes, Audio Connection was the Barrier Reef of Sydney’s hi-fi scene. Expertly curated by my good friend Josef Riedeger, the store was crammed with the best exotica. His generous hand brought those coveted components closer to the shallows, within my reach, where I often delighted in netting them.

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