Displaying items by tag: player - StereoLife Magazine

Astell&Kern is one of the most recognisable brands in the high-resolution portable player segment. The company built its reputation on advanced Android-based digital audio players designed to combine high sound quality with support for streaming services and a distinctive angular industrial design. The A&ultima line serves as the manufacturer's flagship series, where its most sophisticated technical solutions typically make their debut, including complex DAC configurations, elaborate headphone amplification stages and proprietary technologies intended to improve signal processing and reduce noise. Limited editions of these players have long attracted particular attention, and because copper is a material that carries strong positive associations in the hi-fi world, the standard A&ultima SP4000 is now joined by a special A&ultima SP4000 Copper version. According to the manufacturer, copper has been used not only for visual impact but also as a component intended to influence the sonic character directly. The new model is aimed at listeners who treat a portable player as a fully fledged high-end source in any listening environment.

We Are Rewind has announced an exclusive collaboration with Duran Duran for the WE-001 Duran Duran Special Edition, a portable cassette player that pairs the band's distinctive visual world with a thoroughly modern take on the classic Walkman style. Finished in a look that echoes the chrome and shimmering tones associated with Duran Duran's Pop Trash era, the player is supplied with a special reissue of the album on cassette, turning the bundle into both a listening device and a collectible object that nods to the period when the band's tapes were a defining part of pop culture.

FiiO is expanding its line-up of advanced portable players with a new flagship model, the M27. The device has been designed as a portable-desktop crossover, combining the freedom of listening on the move with the performance and flexibility of a full-size desktop component. In practice the M27 can work both as a standalone player with a powerful headphone amplifier and as a high-quality digital source in an elaborate stereo system, which according to the manufacturer is intended to set a new benchmark in the high-end portable player segment.

FiiO launches the M11S hi-res portable music player. Featuring dual ES9038Q2M DACs, the M11S is able to decode up to 384kHz/DSD256 audio. The versatile M11S builds upon the success of previous award-winning portable audio players from FiiO. Alongside its 3.5mm single-ended and 2.5mm/4.4mm balanced headphone outputs, and dedicated line-out, the M11S also offers LDAC, aptX HD, and LHDC Hi-Res Bluetooth connectivity. Further wireless options are available thanks to the support for AirPlay and DLNA streaming.

Astell&Kern reveals the Kann Max portable digital audio player (DAP), the 4th model in its acclaimed Kann series. By applying advanced design and audio technology, this newfound power is also housed in a more compact and lightweight chassis. The result is an even wider variety of headphones, including sophisticated high impedance models, can be optimally driven without the need for additional amplification. Music fans can experience the original studio-quality sound without compromise - anywhere, anytime. As the power output increases, so does the noise level that adversely affects the audio performance. Through innovative integrated circuit design, Astell&Kern is able to achieve a low noise level while hitting the new 15Vrms 'Super' output setting.

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.

Bryston has introduced the BDA-3.14 multi-function DAC that adds an array of impressive features to the much-heralded BDA-3 DAC platform. The BDA-3.14 delivers the performance and unmatched build quality that music aficionados have come to expect from Bryston.

Heinz Lichtenegger is one of the most interesting and forward-thinking people in the audio industry. The founder of Pro-Ject is known for his unwavering love for vinyl records and turntables. He is one of those who always believed in the power of vinyl and more - he's probably largely responsible for the renaissance of this medium. All turntable lovers should know his products - many of them have started their analog adventure with a Pro-Ject, and even those who do not use vinyl certainly associate the company with Box Design units. Where did it all come from, and what plans does Heinz have for the nearest future?

The largest exhibition of audio equipment in Europe is behind us so we are getting back to normal operation. Before this happens, we wrote a small summary of the whole event. The form of our reports is forced by the size of the exhibition. Even before exploring the MOC halls we came to the conclusion that it's impossible to see it all, but we tried nevertheless. We could of course focus on ten, twenty or thirty rooms with the most anticipated new stuff or just the most expensive equipment, but what kind of report would it be, if you have hundreds or thousands of companies and you only pick a few dozens? So we hope that our gallery at least allows you to catch the climate of High End and see some interesting devices. For now all the photos have been posted, also on our profile on Instagram. If you are interested in our impressions of the exhibition, if you were out there somewhere or you want to go to Munich next year, we hope it would be an interesting lecture.