The Latest
ELROG’s New Australian Partnership
German valve manufacturing specialist ELROG, also known as Deutsche Elektronenröhren Manufaktur GmbH, has cemented a new local partnership agreement with Line Magnetic Australia.
Densen Breathes Oxygen
Electronics specialist Densen has announced Oxygen Module, a retrofitable module which brings streaming capabilities to the company’s past generations of integrated amplifiers and preamplifiers.
- Details
- Written by Vedran Simunovic Vedran Simunovic
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 15 May 2020 15 May 2020
Stax SRM-700S Electrostatic Headphone Amplifier
If I had one Hi-Fi story to pass on to the new generations, it would go something like this: “Dear young people, we live in a world full of magical devices. They let us do wonderful things and if our grand-grand-grandparents saw us they’d think we’re all wizards. But looks can be deceptive. Long ago people could only listen to the music with their own ears, but although these days we can play any song, sonata or symphony by just tapping on a screen, the real sound of a guitar, violin or any other instrument is a mystery to many of us. We hear reproduced approximation of the sound and we’re happy with it. We seldom hear “the real thing”, live and vibrant! The best example of this are the headphones you use. There are so many of them… earbuds, over-the-ear, wireless, noise-cancelling, what have you. Some are cheap, some cost quite a bit, some sound nice, some sound better, some are ugly, some look good… but 99% of them are not even close to the real thing!
- Details
- Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 15 May 2020 15 May 2020
EGM Audio Black ML Reference AC Power Cable
I once had the attitude – not that long ago – that life was too short to compare, let alone strictly A/B, AC power cables. After all, given a well-designed cable featuring good amounts of copper and appropriate shielding, AC power should be delivered to your device in a way that would suit its function. Especially in the case of good amplification where astute engineering makes full use of inherent elements such as extensive filtering, regulation and massive supporting power supplies. But in fact, it may be because of these design elements that I subsequently discovered (after finally spending some time comparing AC cables) the sonic differences AC power cables can make. Yes, often subtle but present nevertheless. Sharing the point of view that AC cables can indeed make a noticeable difference is Australian cable specialist EGM Audio. We take a look at the company’s high value flagship offerings in the new Black ML Reference AC cables.
Steinway Lyngdorf Under New Australian & New Zealand Distributorship
BusiSoft AV has obtained the Australian and New Zealand distribution rights for Danish company Steinway Lyngdorf and its sub-set brands Steinway & Sons and Lyngdorf Audio.
Gold Note’s New DS-10 PLUS DAC Streamer & PSU-10 EVO Power Supply
Italy’s Gold Note has upgraded its successful DS-10 Swiss Army knife DAC/Streamer/preamplifier/headphone amplifier with a further optional upgrade in the new matching PSU-10 EVO.
Home Entertainment Expo Melbourne 2021
After having to postpone the StereoNET Hi-Fi Show event slated for late 2020, the show runners have announced an all-new larger scale event for 2021 which will include all-manner of technologies à la CES.
Chester Group Announces Australian Audio Show for 2021
In a communiqué with SoundStage! Australia, audio show specialist Chester Group has confirmed plans for an audio event with a difference in 2021.
APL’s New DSD-AR DAC Now in Australia
In-keeping with its DSD processing adherence, digital specialist APL has announced the new DSD-AR, a mid-priced option for those wishing to experience the company’s highly-acclaimed Digital-to-Analogue converters.
- Details
- Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 01 May 2020 01 May 2020
SB Acoustics Rinjani BE Loudspeaker Kit
It’s been my experience that audio sees very rare true bargains. Yes, there’s gear that presents varying degrees of value-for-money for different reasons. It may be due to an unexpectedly high build and parts quality at the asking price. Sometimes, components may be widely perceived to perform beyond expectations. There may be reasons attached to a company’s reputation or a given product’s legacy which may automatically bestow added worth. But a genuine bargain from a product that offers most of the above, and considerably more in a number of important areas, is akin to the sighting of Bigfoot… or if in the Aussie bush, the spotting of the mythical Yowie. The SB Acoustics Rinjani BE debunks the myth – Yowies do exist after all.
- Details
- Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer
- Category: Ed Comment Ed Comment
- Published: 01 May 2020 01 May 2020
Very Human Games – An Introduction to Stephen Dawson
SoundStage! Australia has had the good fortune of attracting a team of audio writers with enormous experience. Each is a passionate music lover and a true audiophile. Yes, they love the gear too… the industrial designs, the luxurious materials, the engineering, the often heroic construction and the passionate people behind the products. SoundStage! Australia’s writers have also dedicated a collective lifetime, or two, assembling audio systems which are not only reference points, in varying degrees, but also intimately reflect the biases and personalities of their music-loving architects.
- Details
- Written by News Editor News Editor
- Category: News News
- Published: 24 April 2020 24 April 2020
i of the Storm – Dynaudio’s New Contour i Series
Loudspeaker powerhouse Dynaudio has released an improved version of its highly popular Contour loudspeakers first launched in 2016 and now marked with the ‘i’ classification.