Displaying items by tag: hiend - StereoLife Magazine

Bryston BR-20

Bryston is one of the companies that use a very logical naming scheme for their products. Thus, amplifier symbols usually contain the letter "B", DACs start with "BDA", network players - "BDP", home theater processors - "SP" and preamplifiers - "BP". They are supplemented with numbers, which may indicate their output power (the B135² integrated amplifier delivers 135W per channel into 8 ohms) or inform us which generation of a given model we are dealing with (the BHA-1 is the first headphone amplifier from the Canadian factory, and the BDP-3 already had two predecessors - BDP-1 and BDP-2). Devices that cannot be assigned to any of the existing categories are scarce. So when Bryston decided to break the current pattern and release a preamplifier that should have been called the BP-18³ (because it is the successor to the BP-17³) but was given the BR-20 symbol, it was clear that this was no accident. The reason for this sudden change turned out to be, unfortunately, very sad. The Canadians wanted to honor their colleague and long-time company president, Brian Russel, who died in his sleep of a heart attack last year. At the time, Bryston's team was putting the finishing touches on the device, which was to be named BP-18³. Members of the design team and executives knew that this model could be a real revelation to many audiophiles - even those using very elaborate, expensive stereo systems. Thus, at the end of 2020, Bryston revealed the new two-channel preamplifier - BR-20.

Norma Audio Revo IPA-140

The history of Norma Audio began in 1987 in Cremona - the hometown of famous composers, such as Ponchielli and Monteverdi, and great violin masters - Stradivari, Amati, and Guarneri. It was a man with an equally Italian-sounding name - Enrico Rossi - who created the apparatus on which you can listen to such wonderful music in the comfort of your living room. The first device manufactured under the Norma Audio brand was the NS 123 amplifier. It was not a spectacular commercial success, but nobody expected that. A completely new chapter in the company's history began when it was acquired by Opal Electronics, a manufacturer of electronic measuring devices. In 1991, Norma's owner started a research project to understand how audio equipment can degrade sound and how this can be avoided. Seven years later, he found what he was looking for. It was certainly not one brilliant solution but rather a collection of rules and general guidelines. Unlike manufacturers who have built their reputation on a particular technical solution, Norma doesn't base its entire business on a single patent. But if you would like to know what you can expect from this gear, Enrico Rossi makes it clear - the sound should be natural, dynamic, and succinct with a very realistic midrange.

Audiomica Laboratory Andra Reference & Rhod Reference M2

Audiomica Laboratory has updated its product line with two models that belong to their reference Red series. The current Audiomica Labs catalog includes over 60 proprietary cables, and the existing models are successively modified and updated after extensive testing. The latest cables are the Red Reference series which have been recognized by demanding music lovers around the world for their great value for money.

Naim Solstice Special Edition

Vinyl lovers can now finally enjoy the full Naim Audio experience with the launch of Solstice, the first turntable in the British brand's almost 50-year history. It comes partnered with a next-generation version of the iconic Naim Aro tonearm, an Equinox MC cartridge, Solstice Series Phono Stage, Power Supply, and bespoke accessories set. Naim will create just 500 units of this Solstice Special Edition package. "Solstice Special Edition offers an exceptional all-around experience. If you love the organic, authenticity of vinyl, now you can enjoy it with the musical purity and passion only a Naim system can deliver." - says Naim Audio Research & Development Director, Paul Neville.

Cyrus Hark III

Cyrus is delighted to announce a new rack system, the Hark III, designed for their new XR Series of uncompromising components (amplifiers, preamps, CD players, and more). The Hark III allows audiophiles to proudly display their coveted collection of Cyrus hi-fi gear in an elegant vertical column with built-in cable management. The Hark III features fully adjustable shelf heights, allowing multiple product configurations. Hark III is shipped complete with four shelving units but is able to accommodate up to 8 shelves per rack (additional pairs of shelves are available separately).

Erzetich Mania & Phobos

A manufacturer of boutique, handcrafted personal audio products, Erzetich, has announced some exciting new updates to its popular Mania and Phobos headphones - which will be music to the ears of the brand's fans. In the modern world, a quality pair of headphones is considered an essential part of our lifestyle, and a lot of people spend a considerable amount of time looking for the perfect set. In an age where we have more choice than ever when it comes to streaming and on-demand music, customers expect stylish and high-quality headphones which enhance their experience.

Hegel H20

Hegel Music Systems is a perfect example of a company driven by good ideas, rational decisions, and putting the most important thing first - the sound. The Norwegians can boast of many interesting technical solutions, but neither care for selecting the right components for each model, nor hours spent on designing circuit boards or pursuit of functionality distracted them from that universal goal. Although it may seem improbable to those who know the hi-fi market very well, Hegel's team consists of only seven people. We can add professionals working for external subcontractors, but on a daily basis, you'll find four, maybe five people at the company's headquarters in Oslo. Nevertheless, we are talking about a brand that has won probably all the most important awards in the industry and whose actions have been watched closely for many years even by more successful and experienced competitors. What is so special about Hegel then? Maybe it is the simplicity typical for Scandinavian manufacturers? Maybe it's a specific mixture of proprietary technologies, love for music, and business sense, thanks to which the factory founded by Bent Holter got on a roll when all the others were hiding in corners, fearing economic crisis? Maybe the secret is the progressive approach of Norwegian designers, who were introduced to the subject of files and converters ten years ago, and today streaming and connecting audio equipment with smart home systems is something normal for them? Or maybe all these things come together during the listening session, when we place the gear on the table, turn it on, play our favorite music and...

Linn Klimax DSM

Linn launched next-generation Klimax DSM, the ultimate streaming product and the closest you can get to streaming audio perfection. Applying almost five decades of digital technology learnings and expertise, every element has been designed from first principles and is fully optimised for the best musical performance. A complete reimagining of its flagship streamer, the new Klimax DSM introduces an exquisite custom-designed enclosure that provides acoustic isolation along with visual and tactile luxury. Crucially, the enclosure cradles the beating heart of Klimax DSM and its most critical component, Organik DAC - the ground-breaking, first ever, all-Linn digital to analogue converter.

Focal Clear Mg

Focal unveils a new reference - Clear Mg. In addition to their sophisticated finishes, the sound reproduction of these open-back headphones is even sharper than that of their Clear predecessor. The luxury of Focal products lies in their performance and the experience they offer, as well as in every detail that enhances the object to make it more than a set of headphones. After four years of research and development, the engineers at Focal have designed a Magnesium dome for the Clear Mg speaker drivers. This new alloy, combined with an M-shaped dome, contributes to even more lightness, rigidity, and damping, the three success factors for a speaker driver. The sound reproduction is fine, precise, and impactful, for a striking sound.

Meze Audio Empyrean Phoenix

Meze Audio, audio is introducing Empyrean Phoenix, a rare collector's item that celebrates the rebirth of their flagship headphone through a fusion of art and high-end audio technology. This fiery red and black version of the flagship Empyrean features a CNC sculpted aluminum chassis hand-finished with irregular patterns that create contrast and play of light and shadow, making each pair entirely unique. Behind the artfully redesigned frame, Empyrean Phoenix hides the same breakthrough technology of its predecessor - the first Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver, created exclusively for Meze by the Ukrainian audio company Rinaro. The driver delivers a complex, balanced sound signature that allows users to immerse into a pure listening experience while enjoying the comfortable, ergonomic design typical to Meze products.

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