The Latest
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- Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 01 September 2018 01 September 2018
SGR Audio Model V Statement Hi-Fi Equipment Rack
The audio ‘limelight’ is, by and large, monopolised by the often outrageous industrial designs of components flashing chrome and gold plating, sporting sharply styled (and edged) heatsink metalwork or by those exuding the warm seduction of glowing glass. The less glamorous racking system which, critically, provides support to the various audio apparatus, is often naively seen as a secondary player. However, a high quality Hi-Fi equipment rack is of extreme importance within the context of a well-sorted high-end audio system. If solidly-engineered, an audio rack can provide discernable sonic gains by isolating and/or coupling your expensive electronics allowing the expression of their full potential. Here, in the flagship SGR Audio Model V Statement, I examine one of the very best in terms of technical design, build quality, finish options and, most importantly, its facilitation and communication of music.
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- Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer
- Category: Features Features
- Published: 01 September 2018 01 September 2018
Factory Tour – AMG Analog Manufaktur Germany
While for the most part, a reviewer’s lot is an almost sedentary one, an occupation tied to looming deadlines, the seemingly incessant pounding on the keyboards and square-eyed goggling at a computer screen, the Ying to the Yang is that here at SoundStage! Australia we also get to play with some of the most exotic audio gear on the planet. But aside from playing with awesome kit – sometimes all too briefly – another aspect of the gig that I really enjoy is the travelling. Product launches aside, once or twice a year, I see myself at audio shows where my priority has been towards the industry’s flagship event: the momentous High End Munich. It’s that show’s location that presents some tasty side dishes to the main course. By that, I mean that while in Europe, which is half a planet away from Australia, I usually make efforts to tandem a visit to a manufacturer. Heck, time-permitting, I may even squeeze-in a non-audio-related sightseeing trip. Post High End Munich 2018, I had the opportunity of visiting high-end turntable specialist Analog Manufaktur Germany, more commonly known as AMG.
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- Written by News Editor News Editor
- Category: News News
- Published: 24 August 2018 24 August 2018
Yamaha Announces Flagship High-End Components
Yamaha, the world’s largest audio company with over a century-old history, has announced a new range of high-end products which are to be its flagships.
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- Written by News Editor News Editor
- Category: News News
- Published: 21 August 2018 21 August 2018
Bowers & Wilkins Announces New 600 Series
When the world’s largest loudspeaker manufacturer releases a new series of quality affordable speakers, the industry takes notice. Consequently, the official announcement of the new Bowers & Wilkins 600 series speakers is now a ubiquitous presence throughout the global audio online publications.
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- Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 15 August 2018 15 August 2018
Wilson Audio Specialties TuneTot Loudspeakers
Predominantly, Wilson Audio Specialties has achieved an enviable reputation and has garnered universal acclaim for its engineering excellence of massive full-range loudspeaker systems. Paradoxically, this has occurred despite the company’s breakthrough product being the iconic WATT (Wilson Audio Tiny Tot), a high precision 2-way monitor that, in a subsequent iteration, ‘grew’ up to be a near full-range speaker via the addition of the ‘Puppy’ dedicated bass module. And while Wilson Audio Specialties’ uncompromising trickle down technology advanced its subsequent smaller floorstanding designs, the lessons learnt with ‘the big ones’ have consequently also led to exceptional standmount loudspeakers – generations of CUB and Duette – that, while being necessarily simpler in execution, have enjoyed the substantial benefits of the engineering team’s continuous research. Now, under the Wilson Special Applications Engineering (WSAE) division, we see a new monitor in the diminutive TuneTot.
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- Written by News Editor News Editor
- Category: News News
- Published: 16 August 2018 16 August 2018
Definitive Technology Complimentary Upgrade Program
In an exclusive deal for the Australian market, select Definitive Technology speakers are being offered with a complimentary upgrade to the next model up the food chain.
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- Written by News Editor News Editor
- Category: News News
- Published: 13 August 2018 13 August 2018
New Flagship Preamplifier & Monoblock Amplifiers from Vinnie Rossi
Modular design expert Vinnie Rossi has announced the new L2 range-topping electronics featuring a dynamic duo of DHT valve preamplifier and diminutive monoblock amplifiers.
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- Written by News Editor News Editor
- Category: News News
- Published: 09 August 2018 09 August 2018
New Australian Partner for Monitor Audio & Roksan
Interdyn has announced it has acquired the distribution rights in Australia for respected British audio specialist companies Monitor Audio and Roksan.
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- Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 01 August 2018 01 August 2018
REL Acoustics 212/SE Active Subwoofer
Listening to music is an experience for the emotions. It’s a practice that needs to engage, to connect and to seize the listener allowing him or her to share in the visions of its creators. At its most beautiful and captivating, it can be an escape… a transport into the realms of the imagination. But for the facsimile to approach the ‘live’ event, the reproducing apparatus needs to reflect music’s full potential in terms of frequency span, even if, its true dynamic power is as yet unobtainable. So, in order to convey the full emotional – and even physical – spectrum of music, you’ll need the practical means by which to experience ‘full range’ reproduction. And that, is only accurately available via a very large floorstanding, high power loudspeaker or a true subwoofer. Enter the REL Acoustics 212/SE…
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- Written by Tom Waters Tom Waters
- Category: Reviews Reviews
- Published: 01 August 2018 01 August 2018
M8audio Sweet Maxwell Loudspeakers
How big a speaker do you really need? Well, that really depends on a number of factors. If you have a very large listening room, like to listen at volume levels that would scare possums in the next block, or have a primordial craving for bass depth and bass power, then perhaps small speakers are not for you. That said the M8audio Sweet Maxwell speakers perform surprisingly well when high-jumping criteria that are typically hostile to smaller speakers. In many normal home situations, you may well achieve better sound with high quality stand-mount speakers like the Sweet Maxwell than with similarly priced floorstanding speakers that superficially appear impressive but, may in fact, be poorly constructed and braced and/or may be the product of compromises in the design of the crossovers or may incorporate low quality drivers.
SGR Audio Limited Edition Loudspeaker Upgrade
As part of a limited production run, owners of SGR Audio’s superb Convex Series CX3B Mk.1 standmount and CX3C Mk.1 centre channel active loudspeakers will be able to upgrade to Mk.2 status featuring the ground-breaking ‘Current Drive’ amplification technology and a new and improved tweeter design.
Upscale Sound – Chord Electronics Hugo M Scaler
As an expansion of the highly acclaimed Hugo family of products, UK digital specialist Chord Electronics has announced the Hugo M Scaler, a standalone upscaler featuring proprietary FPGA digital technology.
