Latest News – page 11

Stratton Acoustics has introduced two models of compact bookshelf loudspeakers – Element 6 and Element 8. Both speakers use the company’s patented soft dome tweeters with a diameter of 29 mm, equipped with a waveguide to provide wide sound dispersion. The models are hand-assembled at the company’s own factory in England.

The SMSL company presented the SMSL VMV A1 Pro power amplifier - using lnfineon's latest GaN FET transistors, with a switching frequency of up to 1 MHz. Such unique circuitry guarantees, according to the company, absolutely natural sound and up to 400 W of output power.

Treehaus Audiolab has announced the Treehaus Audiolab LCR Phono reference vacuum tube phono preamplifier. To equalize the signal, the device uses only passive components: inductors (L), capacitors (C) and resistors (R).

Rotel DX-5 is a compact model, but despite its dimensions, the device does not use digital amplification and operates in class A/B, reaching 2 x 33 W into 4 Ohm load and 2 x 25 W into 8 Ohm speakers. The new product is equipped with a power supply based on a powerful toroidal transformer created by Rotel itself, and high-current transistors.

The Totaldac d1-total digital-to-analog converter has been introduced – according to the company, this device guarantees the maximum possible for a single-block design with external PSU. “Under the hood”, in addition to the d1-triunity DAC converter, there is also volume control, a network streamer (latest version developed for the d1-streamer-live), 40 femtoseconds oscillators, a microfilter USB loop (developed for the d1-streamer-live) and anti-vibration supports.

Japanese company Audio-Technica has announced the imminent opening of pre-orders for a limited edition of the innovative Audio-Technica Hotaru turntable (since May 30, 2025). The model will go on sale in October of this year at a price of $ 9,990 US - only 1000 turntables will be made.

PS Audio has released a line of new components - The Paul McGowan Signature Series, which includes a preamp, DAC, disk transport and phonostage. All components feature innovative circuitry and offer impressive performance.

Technical Audio Devices Laboratories has introduced the TAD-M2500TX stereo power amplifier – the device sports a completely rethought circuit design, uses upgraded power transformers and a redesigned machined aluminum chassis (machined from a 90 kg solid block of aluminum).

A very powerful (2 x 400 W into 8 Ohm and 2 x 400 W into 4 Ohm loudspeakers) integrated amplifier JAVA HI-FI Carbon Double Shot is presented. The model uses a fully balanced dual-mono configuration with an LDR pre-amp stage and GaN FET power amp stage.

Swiss audio manufacturer Revox releases reincarnations of its most famous reel-to-reel tape recorders, for example, the Revox B77 MK III. But today we are in for a truly impressive new product - the company presented the result of cooperation with Alice Cooper himself, the Revox B77 MK III Alice Cooper Edition. The model is released in a limited edition of 25 copies at a price of 27,000 euros.

The Danish company Gryphon Audio, known for its reference High-End amplifiers and other equipment, has released its first MC-cartridge for vinyl record players for the first time in 40 years. The pickup took the basic design from the Ortofon MC Diamond – but Gryphon Audio specialists made significant changes.

The Wattson Audio Madison AMPLIFIER integrated amplifier is presented – created in cooperation with CH Precision. The model has an input impedance of 100 kOhms and operates in the widest frequency band from 1 to 400,000 Hz. With a 120 dB signal-to-noise ratio and distortion of less than 0.05%, the output power reaches 2 x 50 W per 8 ohm speaker and increases to 2 x 100 W per 2 ohm load.

The SME Model 35 turntable replaces the Model 30 in the company’s lineup; the expensive unit (priced at £35,999 in black or silver, or £37,999 in Midnight and Gunmetal anodised finishes) features a radically redesigned suspension – now using a three- columns design with upgraded vibration-decoupling feet.

SME has unveiled its new Model 8 turntable, which the company says is an “entry ticket” into high-quality analogue sound (available in white, navy or black, with an SME Series 309 tonearm, it will retail for £9,999).

HarmonicDyne has released new wired headphones HarmonicDyne BAROQUE – the model uses large-sized 60 mm dynamic drivers with a metal-ceramic diaphragm. This approach simultaneously minimizes distortion, providing an ideal piston stroke, and guarantees a fast dynamic response.

The ONIX Zenith XST20 SACD/CD transport has been unveiled, offering what the company claims is the unique ability to play any SACD disc in true DSD quality with any compatible external DAC. The ONIX Zenith XST20 is the start of a new signature product series that will soon consist of three corresponding desktop components, with a digital-to-analog converter and a network streamer to follow soon.

French company Jadis presented the first DAC of a new range, Jadis JS5 - a dual-block digital-to-analog converter of the highest echelon, using a tubes (four dual triodes in the signal path, as well as two pentodes for controlling an external power supply - 2 x ECC82, 2 x ECC88, 1 x EL84 and 1 x EF86).

Soulnote M-3X is a new monoblock power amplifier from a famous Japanese company. The model will replace the Soulnote M-3 amplifier and will offer twice as much current (a 1,600 VA power transformer is used), which will provide significantly better control of the acoustics.

At the upcoming AXPONA show (April 11-13, 2025) in Schaumberg, IL, Audio Research will introduce six new audio components that represent the culmination of 55 years of experience.

Japanese corporation Accuphase has introduced a powerful but compact integrated amplifier Accuphase E-3000 – the new model will replace the E-280 in the company's model range.