Displaying items by tag: hires - StereoLife Magazine

Questyle Audio Engineering is proud to commemorate their achievement with the release of their evolution flagship product, the CMA Fifteen. Questyle's patented Current Mode Amplification uses current, instead of voltage, to amplify audio signals, leading to tremendous performance differences when compared to traditional audio amplifiers. The CMA Fifteen takes the already popular CMA Twelve to new heights, becoming the first Questyle headphone amp and DAC to feature the ESS SABER ES9038PRO, the world's highest performance 32-bit DAC available. Featuring unparalleled audio reproduction, brilliantly clear transparency, and massively open sound, the CMA Fifteen chases extreme performance to achieve system-level lossless purity.

Astell&Kern introduced the second generation model of its popular and award-winning entry-level player, the A&norma SR25 MKII. Every aspect admired about the original SR25 is retained with the new model improving on the audio performance, adding new features, such as a balanced 4.4mm headphone jack, and tweaking its already eye-catching and ultra-compact design. The A&norma SR25 MKII represents the perfect entry-point into Astell&Kern's unrivaled world of high-resolution music playback on the move. Astell&Kern A&norma SR25 MKII feature upgrades include Replay Gain function to uniformly adjust volume playback from sound sources up to 24 bit/192 kHz, AK File Drop for easier wireless file transfers, BT Sink function for simpler connection of the SR25 MKII to an external Bluetooth device, and extra internal silver-plated shielding, first seen in the higher-end SP2000T, to protect from electromagnetic interference.

When iFi Audio launched its original micro iDSD headphone amp, preamp, and DAC back in 2014, it raised the bar for small portable, high-performing DACs. It's been lifting it higher ever since. Last November saw the introduction of the nano iDSD Black Label, with a host of new features including support for MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) audio. Now, iFi has excelled itself again with the launch of xDSD - the first in the company's next generation of portable DACs.

Bluesound, makers of the award-winning hi-res wireless multi-room line of audio players, has announced a new generation of its best-selling Node Wireless Hi-Res Multi-Room Music Streamer and Powernode Wireless Hi-Res Multi-Room Streaming Amplifier. The upgrades include new DAC designs, more powerful processors, and touch panel controls with presets and proximity sensors, while the Powernode also receives substantially more power. Both feature an easy-to-clean satin finish in either black or white. "Since the beginning, Bluesound has set out to provide a modern hi-res multi-room streaming experience for customers who care about audio quality. We have seen the Node and Powernode quickly become the go-to streaming components for discerning music lovers, because of our focus on high-quality listening and on the software features that make the products - all the way back to our first generation - even better over time. This latest generation, once again, sets the bar for performance and value in their respective categories." - says Matt Simmonds, Bluesound Product Manager.

British hi-fi specialist has launched Uniti Atom Headphone Edition - a headphone-optimized version of its multiple-award-winning Uniti Atom music streaming system, designed to be the ultimate solo listening source. Unlike traditional headphone amplifiers and DACs, which require a separate computer or streaming device, Uniti Atom Headphone Edition is a fully formed music-streaming system - just add headphones. Uniti Atom Headphone Edition features a completely new transformer design, dedicated to providing - in true Naim tradition - the very best power supply to the headphone amplification circuitry. The new discrete transistor circuit design enables Uniti Atom Headphone Edition to gain balanced headphone outputs, on both 4 pin XLR and Pentaconn, maximizing the performance of high-end headphones with those connections. The 6.3mm output is also there.

French manufacturer of digital audio brings new enhancements to its DACs, which benefit from a series of new features under the EX label. These include a network input giving access to streaming functionalities, as well as a USB slot for direct connection of storage media. Additionally, a DSP-based acoustic correction feature offers a wide range of possibilities for adjusting to the listening environment. Extended version of the B.dac, the B.dac EX is a response to many requests for network playback and D/A conversion functionalities in a single product.

Cambridge Audio has been at the forefront of British audio innovation for over 50 years and Evo represents an evolution in hi-fi - an all-in-one music player that combines timeless design, cutting edge technology, streaming smarts, and incredible audio performance into one streamlined and compact box. Designed in Cambridge Audio's London studio, Evo's minimal and timeless aesthetic will fit into any interior and lifestyle. Lead designer Ged Martin chose premium materials and used industrial design principles to create a product that champions simplicity and will endure for many years. Taking inspiration from the wood trims of the iconic P40, Cambridge Audio's first ever product from 1968, Evo has beautiful walnut wood side panels that complement the sleek, black anodised aluminium cabinet. Evo also comes with a choice of formed black side panels made from Richlite, an innovative new material made primarily from recycled paper. The side panels can be switched out according to each customer's style. Completing Evo's elegant design is a dual-concentric rotary dial and large 6.8in LCD display panel that shows off album artwork in full colour.

Bryston has unveiled the BR-20 preamplifier, which combines a brand-new analog preamplifier with the company's flagship digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) platform and a high-performance streaming music player.

Four years ago Audio Analogue celebrated its twentieth birthday with a handful of brand new Anniversary editions of the company's earlier classic amplifiers. Then the brand launched its PureAA line of products, drawing key ideas from the Anniversary amps and adding a raft of further features. Third in the line, following the AAcento amplifier and AAphono, is the new AAdac.

Marantz announced two products signifying a new era for the brand, the Model 30 Integrated Amplifier, and SACD 30n Network Audio Streamer & SACD Player. Born out of the founding mission of Saul Marantz, whose aim was getting the listener as close to the original recording as possible, the Model 30 and SACD 30n were expertly designed and precisely tuned over the last three years. Meticulously manufactured in Shirakawa, Japan, they are also the first Marantz products to launch with the brand's new industrial design language, celebrating and modernizing signature design elements from legendary Marantz products of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.