Latest News – page 18

FiiO has introduced a spectacular portable HD music player FiiO SnowSky Echo Mini – the design of which is inspired by the iconic Sony Walkman cassette players. Moreover, even the control logic and control buttons here coincide with the ancestor. And the color 1.99" IPS display and a resolution of 170 x 320 pixels displays the animation of the playing cassette during playback of digital files.

The British company Origin Live has announced the fifth generation of tonearms for vinyl record turntables Origin Live Mk5. The Origin Live Mk5 tonearm series implements technologies borrowed from more expensive lines, such as a multi-layer counterweight.

The wood-veneered cabinets of the new Wharfedale ASTON bookshelf loudspeakers immediately catch the eye – but “on board” such a strict classic solution is a whole bunch of innovations. The model is equipped with a 6" (150 mm) brand-new Mid/Bass driver with a diffuser made of Carbon Fibre. The driver is mounted in a rigid, cast chassis, which eliminates unwanted resonances as much as possible.

TEAC has introduced the compact TEAC AP-507 two-channel power amplifier, which implements the latest Hypex NCOREx Class D technology. Compared to its predecessor AP-505, the TEAC AP-507 is equipped with an updated amplifier module with higher output power and low distortion. In addition, the TEAC AP-507 amplifier supports bridge mode for use as a powerful monoblock.

Pro-Ject has released the Pro-Ject DAC Box RS Final Edition digital-to-analog converter – the new product features a pair of audiophile Diamond ECC88 tubes. All circuit elements of the Pro-Ject Audio DAC Box RS Final Edition have undergone a special selection, and the internal wiring has also been upgraded. The DAC output stage is implemented in a balanced circuit, while the tube circuit can be either connected or disconnected using a button on the front panel.

The American manufacturer of High-End audio equipment, Boulder, has introduced a new stereo power amplifier, the Boulder 1162. The model offers 2 x 300 watts of power into 8 ohm speakers and a staggering 2 x 900 watts into 4 ohm load.

McIntosh has unveiled the McIntosh DS200 network streamer – a high-end device that combines high-quality digital-to-analog conversion and ergonomic streaming. The model offers Spotify Connect and TIDAL Connect options along with Apple AirPlay, Roon Ready, Bluetooth 5.0 (AAC, and Qualcomm aptX HD), and Google Cast (Google Assistant compatible for voice control is also on board) – so you won’t need any additional apps to control the device.

Japanese company Phasemation has released the hybrid preamplifier Phasemation CM-1500. The device is equipped with a patented “Hybrid Passive Attenuator” volume control and offers high input impedance and low output impedance – which guarantees perfect matching with other components of the signal path.

Chord has expanded its GroundARAY and PowerARAY anti-noise systems ranges with the PhonoARAY, a filtering solution that allows virtual grounding of turntables to the phonopreamp or to the Phono input of an integrated amplifier.

Esoteric has unveiled the Grandioso N1T – the first streamer (network transport) in the company’s flagship series. The Esoteric Grandioso N1T is a perfect match for the flagship Grandioso D1X SE monoblock DACs and the Grandioso K1X SE Super Audio CD player. Sales of the new product will begin in March 2025.

The Arcam ST25 network streamer, announced in 2024, has gone on sale. The Arcam ST25 will be the perfect companion to the Arcam A5, A15 and A25 integrated amplifiers, which lack network functionality. The streamer is based on the Hyperstream iV platform and is assembled on a 6-layer electronic board with a continuous ground bus to protect sensitive components from interference and noise.

The South Korean company Hifi Rose has updated the RS150 network audio streamer, which was presented more than four years ago. The new version is called HiFi Rose RS151 – the streamer has several significant improvements compared to the previous one.

Børresen, a brand of Audio Group Denmark, has announced the expansion of its floor-standing loudspeaker line – the Børresen C2 and Børresen C3. The new acoustics are equipped with redesigned drivers, improved crossovers and an anti-resonance cabinet design.

Moondrop has unveiled its flagship Moondrop Psyche in-ear headphones, a very expensive new product with handcrafted faceplates featuring the MITSUKIYUKI character. The Moondrop Psyche headphones are equipped with a hybrid assembly of ten drivers and emitters, including two dynamic 10-mm drivers, four balanced armature emitters, and four planar magnetic emitters!

Woo Audio has unveiled the anniversary version of the Woo Audio WA24 20th Anniversary Edition reference tube headphone amplifier. Each element of the WA24 20th Anniversary Edition has been carefully selected to achieve the highest sound quality. The amplifier is based on four custom-made 3A/109E vacuum triodes with medium gain and direct heating, chosen for their low noise and durability. The single-ended topology of the amplifier provides the highest gain, and the oversized output transformer - the highest power and dynamic range for even the most complex headphones.

The Italian company Gold Note has introduced the Diana line of acoustic systems – modular acoustics that combine excellent sound and configuration flexibility. The Gold Note Diana series is designed for audiophiles looking for versatility – the line includes configurable bookshelf and floorstanding models.

The Japanese company TAD (Technical Audio Devices Laboratories), 9 years after the launch of the ME1 bookshelf speakers, has released an updated version with the ME1TX index. The new model under the name has rethought drivers and a number of improvements.

Pro-Ject has introduced a compact stereo power amplifier Pro-Ject Amp Box RS2. A distinctive feature of the new product is the use of a pair of vacuum tubes and the ability to switch the model to a bridged mode.

German company TIDAL presented the floorstanding active acoustics TIDAL AP1. The idea of ​​the new model was born with the launch of the TIDAL x Bugatti project - TIDAL AP1 is designed to transfer the quality of the company's top speakers to a slightly more affordable High End segment.

The Yamaha NS-600A speakers feature balanced and precise sound (thanks to the proprietary Harmonious Diaphragm technology) and an impressive finish of the cabinets, reminiscent of the finish of grand pianos. The Yamaha NS-600A uses innovative RS (Resonance Suppression) chambers located at the rear of the tweeter