Articles and Reviews – page 2

Choosing a preamplifier and its precise pairing with the rest of the path and, above all, the power amplifier is not an easy task. Especially when new models of components are constantly entering the market. Our editorial rating was compiled specifically to facilitate the choice and includes seven ultra-modern preamplifiers for every taste and budget.

We continue our series of publications about truly extraordinary audio systems – and next up is a system that will surprise even seasoned audiophiles. Systems of this caliber are rare in the world, but its owner isn't resting on his laurels and is now eagerly awaiting new loudspeakers.

As usual, in the fall - there is a flurry of new audio equipment on the market. Choosing an integrated amplifier, the heart of any audio system, is not very easy in such a situation - your eyes run wide, Therefore, we have compiled for you an expert rating of the most important for the industry and excellent-sounding amplifiers in almost all price categories - meet the editorial hit parade.

Choosing floorstanding loudspeakers is now akin to looking through a kaleidoscope – your eyes run wild from the abundance of choice. That’s why we’ve put together an editorial expert rating of the seven most impressive new speakers for you – as usual, the list is sorted in ascending order of cost.

Our new expert selection of acoustics is dedicated to modern bookshelf speakers – there are quite a few new models on the market in 2025, so the editors have compiled a rating of the most impressive loudspeakers for you. Those that sound vibrant, gentle and natural – regardless of the price range.

The compact disc seems to be experiencing a rebirth – a little late in comparison with vinyl. Huge accumulated CD collections, excellent playback quality guaranteed by modern technologies and keen interest of audiophiles have moved the ice – new models of CD players are constantly appearing on the market. The editors have compiled an expert rating and selected for you the most interesting new models of this class of audio components.

Choosing a vinyl cartridge is a responsible matter, but our new rating will make the choice easier. The editors have collected for you seven of the most interesting and new models of sound cartridges – for every taste and budget.

Our new editorial rating of the best modern tonearms covers almost all price groups - so vinyl fans will have plenty to choose from. A good tonearm is the key to high-quality playback of records, so we hope the new selection will dot the "i's".

Choosing a phono preamplifier for vinyl is always a difficult task. It is not for nothing that they say that even a high-quality turntable, tonearm and cartridge can be ruined by the wrong selection of a correction module. Well, we have selected for you a rating and hit parade of new products on the phono preamplifier market.

So, we choose the newest and most modern digital-to-analog converters. The rating of the seven most interesting models for "digital", as usual, is sorted in order of increasing cost, so that everyone can find a DAC to their taste and wallet.

The summer season of 2025 pleased us with a sufficient number of new audio equipment – especially in the turntable market. So, the editors have prepared for you a rating of the seven most interesting models for playing records

WADAX Studio • Player is a unique product in every sense. A digital-to-analog converter built on a proprietary topology and using 620 custom machined parts and a total of 14 different materials and alloys in its design. A top-class network streamer with embedded Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz clients and certified Audirvana and Roon. And also a multi-format disc player supporting CD and SACD. Well, let's hold our breath and move on to testing!

By resuming the introduction of 300B tubes, Western Electric has created a full-scale storm on the audiophile market. Well, the American manufacturer has many more things in its arsenal that can surprise fans of good sound – for example, the Western Electric 91E integrated single-ended amplifier, which we are testing today.

Choosing new floorstanding loudspeakers is not an easy task, but our new guide will help you navigate the flurry of new products. Acoustic systems with high-class sound have become much more affordable – which makes market research even more interesting.

Our new buyer's guide and equipment rating is visited by full (with a digital-to-analog converter) streamers or network players. The number of these components is growing day by day, which is why the selection turned out to be interesting - from inexpensive models to High-End class mastodons.

Extra-class floorstanding acoustic systems, Wilson Benesch Omnium – the culmination of 30 years of development experience from the famous British company. The model was created in collaboration after long and thorough research work of the SSUCHY project. The second from the top in the company's range, loudspeakers embodied the most advanced, bold and new sound solutions.

The culmination of decades of research by the renowned Acapella – the complete system (with electronics) Acapella HYPERSPHERE costs 5 million euros, and the speaker systems themselves can be purchased for “only” 3.2 million euros. Well, let’s study the true pinnacle of uncompromising Ultra High-End design.

SAT XD1 is a true pearl of the modern horizon of High End audio equipment. Based on completely rethought engineering solutions of the direct-drive Technics SP-10R turntable, the redesigned vinyl turntable from the famous Marc Gomez amazes with both its sound and price. But, such is the price for truly ultimate quality…

Linn describes its new Linn 360 acoustic systems as a development from scratch, which uses «New cabinet. New drive units. New electronics. New everything». The innovative speakers are truly amazing – both in their appearance and in the large-scale sound, literally breaking our ideas about the physical capabilities of cabinets and drivers of this size.

The new Raidho speakers no longer look like a rethinking of past models - this is exactly what Raidho TD3.10 is. The bass foundation here is formed by large-sized 10” woofers, and tantalum midrange drivers with a diamond coating may well earn a cult status. But first things first – in the article we will try to reveal in detail all the technical innovations of the model and tell you about its sound.