Articles and Reviews – page 3

Devialet Astra is the latest French integrated amplifier, featuring a built-in streamer, digital-to-analog converter, and phono stage - a direct successor to the acclaimed Devialet Expert series. All of this capability is packaged in a slim chassis measuring just 47 mm in height and weighing 7.3 kg. The remarkable amplification performance is delivered by the proprietary ADH (Analog Digital Hybrid) topology, which combines a Class A analog preamplification stage with a Class D output stage, producing 150 W into 8 ohms and 300 W into 4 ohms.

The KEF LS50 Meta are among the most popular bookshelf speakers in the world today. With careful system matching, they punch well above their weight class in terms of sound quality, competing convincingly with far more expensive designs. That said, 85 dB sensitivity and impedance dips down to 3.2 ohms impose very strict demands on amplification. In many hastily assembled setups, these speakers can sound pale and lifeless - literally draining every last drop of power from the amplifier.

Our ranking of the most expensive high-end cartridges for vinyl is truly definitive. There are no one-off cartridges here – all models are mass-produced as of early 2026. Only the cream of the audiophile crown, only genuine gold for your ears.

Headphones have also entered the Ultra High-End range, making our new ranking of the most expensive "portable headphone speakers" quite interesting. As usual, the list doesn't include discontinued models or one-off diamond-studded headphones – it features only mass-produced, yet extraordinary examples.

Although all modern streaming services share broadly similar transmission algorithms and codecs - FLAC, ALAC - the same recordings can sound noticeably different from one platform to the next. Mastering choices, post-processing, server infrastructure, loudness normalization, and bitrate all influence the end result, and it is these small distinctions that separate a presentation that is merely good from one that is genuinely audiophile-grade. In this article we examine and compare the leading music streaming services and attempt to determine which one comes out on top for sound quality.

Our ranking of Ultra High-End audio equipment continues – next up is a look at the most expensive and impressive preamplifiers. The models below are mass-produced; the list does not include long-discontinued units or one-off components. And believe us, each of these preamps is capable of surprising even seasoned audiophiles with their sound quality.

Ultra-high-end is sweeping the globe – and engineers, unencumbered by cost constraints, are creating true masterpieces. Our new top-tier list of the most impressive audio components is comprised of ultra-expensive power amplifiers – ones that will surprise even seasoned audiophiles. As usual, the ranking is based on current production models – you won't find any concept amplifiers, one-offs, or long-discontinued components here.

Part I of this guide is available at this link. In this second half, we cover the remaining six amplifiers in the premium tier, comprehensive comparison charts, speaker matching, system-building recommendations, and the verdict.

Can you buy a genuinely capable integrated amplifier today for between $250 and $2,500? Is there real audiophile life at the entry-level Hi-Fi tier? Unequivocally, yes - and the latest engineering makes it possible to achieve outstanding results at sensible prices. The challenge lies elsewhere: this segment is extraordinarily crowded, the number of models is overwhelming, and separating the worthwhile from the mediocre without getting lost is no small task. We have therefore analysed eighteen amplifiers across the sector and assembled a thorough encyclopedia of affordable integrated amplifiers.

Part I of this comparison covers our assessment of the thirteen finest current integrated amplifiers in this price bracket. This second and final part of the premium integrated amplifier guide addresses practical application - from loudspeaker pairing recommendations to specification matrices and the final rankings.

Integrated amplifiers in the $8,000 to $22,000 range represent the final frontier of High-End audio before the commitment to fully separates-based amplification. This sector offers outstanding flexibility and ergonomics alongside genuinely exceptional sound quality. To navigate the considerable wealth of choice - and there are a great many models competing in this space - we have compiled a survey of thirteen of the finest currently available. Part I presents our assessment of each candidate; Part II will be devoted to detailed selection guidance and the final rankings.

A high-quality integrated amplifier occupies the critical position between upper Hi-Fi and entry-level High-End - and it is precisely the $4,000 to $30,000 price bracket that attracts the most intense audiophile attention. Here we are not yet paying astronomical sums for incremental sonic gains, and we are not committing to a multi-box approach with monoblocks and a separate preamplifier. We are getting outstanding results from a single integrated component. Today's integrated amplifiers incorporate a wealth of advanced engineering and are genuinely capable of surprising even seasoned listeners. To help navigate the options, we have assembled a global ranking of fifteen of the finest available - something for every taste.

Over the past 20 years, the field of high-end audio equipment and systems has seen tectonic shifts. Innovative driver designs, special cabinet materials, and revolutionary crossovers have all pushed the boundaries of our perception, regardless of price. Our new hit parade compiles the most impressive and most expensive speakers in the world as of 2026. And unlike many other rankings, this list doesn't include speakers released as a one-off in 2008 or long since discontinued. Only production models, only renowned brands—and only Ultra High-End.

Ultra high-end equipment never ceases to amaze with both its sound quality and the engineering ingenuity of its designers. Our new selection features eight of the most modern and very expensive turntables – a ranking of stunning turntables is here for you.

For many years, High-End audio was associated with a "big" system in a large space - a dedicated listening room, large floorstanding speakers, and a component audio system. Oh, and let's not forget the super-expensive cables, stands, power supply filtering systems, and anti-resonance mountings. This paradigm not only defined system architecture but also became, essentially, an axiom for High-End audio.

Our new top-tier list features the most modern and advanced network players or streamers for streaming audio. These devices are advancing at breakneck speed – to help you navigate the sea of ​​choices, our editors have compiled this expert ranking.

The high-end audio segment today offers exceptional sound quality and a true triumph of engineering. The best cost-no-object solutions in modern digital-to-analog converters are here – these seven models will blow your mind with both their sound and their price tag.

Our new editorial ranking will help you navigate the preamplifier landscape. The most impressive models of 2025 are compiled in ascending order of price, so Hi-Fi and high-end enthusiasts will be sure to find a device to suit their tastes.

We're wrapping up another year of results, this time focusing on high-end power amplifiers. True three-dimensional sound, genuinely rich imaging and timbral precision, and luxurious bass - this selection will satisfy even the most seasoned audiophiles.

We are publishing our final ranking of integrated amplifiers, compiled from models released in 2025. As usual, this selection is sorted by increasing price, so you can choose amplifiers from the Hi-Fi categories and move into the High-End and Ultra-High-End segments. Most of the components featured feature advanced streaming capabilities and digital-to-analog converters, so to create a complete music system, you only need to add speakers.