Displaying items by tag: tidal - StereoLife Magazine

In the age of streaming and digital audio files, one might think that listening to music has never been simpler. In practice, however, especially for more demanding users, it remains a surprisingly complicated business, particularly when we want to combine the convenience of using a smartphone with the capabilities of more advanced audio equipment. When it comes to managing music playback, we usually have two options. The first is to use the app provided by the streaming service itself - quick and intuitive, but offering only basic functionality. Better control over sound or more advanced options are out of the question, and on top of that our player must be compatible with a given app and hold the right certification for it to appear on the list of available output devices at all. The second option is to turn to external software such as Audirvana, Roon or apps supplied by hardware manufacturers such as BluOS, Lumin or Auralic. This is where the trouble begins as well. Either something important is missing, or the app turns out to be clumsy and unstable, or it is excellent, refined and versatile, but expensive. What is missing is a single standard and a common language. Every company goes its own way - some build their own closed ecosystems, others support already existing platforms, and some seem to be waiting, although it is not entirely clear for what. As a result, the user has to improvise and navigate between all these options, which often ends with the use of several different apps. One streamer appears in the streaming service app, another does not. One supports all the popular standards, while with another the wait for certification has already dragged on for a year, and nobody knows whether customers will ever get it. One proprietary app turns out to be polished, another is irritating at every turn. And yet it was all supposed to be so elegant... Streamers, DACs and all-in-one systems are still evolving relatively quickly, but when it comes to apps, the last real breakthrough was Roon, which arrived on the scene ten years ago. That software has also continued to evolve, though perhaps not as quickly as some would like. Meanwhile, a very serious rival has emerged right under our noses. Meet JPLAY.

Denon is expanding its wireless Denon Home family with three new speakers - the Home 200, Home 400 and Home 600. The company presents them as the next step in its premium home multi-room system, combining wireless operation, HEOS integration and a more refined approach to industrial design. The Denon Home line has become one of the more important pillars of the brand's current portfolio, and the new models are intended to broaden it both in terms of scale and functionality. As Denon explains, the project began not only with questions about power, drivers and connectivity, but also with a more practical one - how a speaker should function in a real living space. That is why the new models use seamless fabrics, anodised aluminium, smooth finishes, soft silicone elements and simple geometric forms designed to blend more naturally into modern interiors.

JPLAY has added HighResAudio as its third integrated streaming service alongside TIDAL and Qobuz, further strengthening its position as a playback application focused on high-quality audio and multi-source library management within a single interface. The new partner service specialises in studio-quality hi-resolution recordings, offering lossless streaming up to 24-bit/192 kHz together with access to a virtual storage space for purchased music. This combination may be particularly appealing to listeners who treat high-resolution files as a primary listening format rather than simply an extension of conventional streaming. Integration with HighResAudio is already available in the latest version of the JPLAY app. After signing in to a HighResAudio account from within JPLAY, users gain access to the platform's full streaming catalogue and can browse it in the same unified environment used for other supported services.

iFi Audio is continuing to develop its compact ZEN line with the introduction of the ZEN Stream 3, a dedicated network transport designed for users who already own a DAC and want the cleanest, most stable possible digital signal to bring high-resolution streaming into an existing hi-fi system. The new model builds on the original ZEN Stream concept, but combines updated hardware with a newer streaming engine and expanded software support, while remaining firmly focused on one job only - delivering music from the network to an external DAC.

In 1997, Radiohead released their album OK Computer. It was a record that not only startled the band's loyal followers but also anyone who happened to hear it. It explored themes of technology, alienation, and social unrest in a rapidly shifting world, and it's often read as a darkly prophetic commentary on the dehumanizing influence of the digital age - a message that, almost thirty years later, still feels unnervingly precise. The lyrics, often delivered in a weary, detached voice, paint a grim, inevitable future where people lose themselves in virtual realities. They trace the moment when tools meant to serve us quietly begin to own us, turning convenience into dependence. The album became legendary for its unorthodox production and haunting, atmospheric sound, both of which heightened its sense of unease and disorientation.

Primare has unveiled its new all-in-one audio system, the Allt-i-Ett - a complete high-end solution combining a network player, amplifier and loudspeakers within a single elegant enclosure. Designed to deliver premium performance with Scandinavian simplicity, the Allt-i-Ett embodies the Swedish manufacturer's minimalist approach to audio engineering. Its name, meaning 'all-in-one' in Swedish, reflects both the concept and the company's philosophy of bringing outstanding sound quality to as many listeners as possible, without the need for multiple components. At its core, the Allt-i-Ett delivers a powerful 300-watt peak output supported by advanced digital signal processing and a versatile range of connection options. The system is designed for both convenience and fidelity, offering easy integration into any modern living space. It caters equally to those who want a refined, plug-and-play system and to experienced audiophiles seeking a high-performance secondary setup.

In Norse mythology, Thor is known as the god of thunder, lightning, marriage, vitality, agriculture, and the home hearth. He was said to be more sympathetic to humans than his father, Odin, though equally violent. He traveled in a chariot harnessed to goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr. Furthermore, he was usually depicted as a mighty man with a red beard and three key attributes - a belt doubling his power, iron gauntlets, and a great battle hammer called Mjolnir (Mjølner). Whenever Thor hurled his hammer, it would unfailingly come back to him, crushing the target of his master's attack ("Mjøl" in modern Norwegian literally means "flour" or "powder," so "Mjølner" can be understood as "a tool for grinding to powder"). The impact of this unusual weapon was to be accompanied by lightning. How valuable this hammer was to Thor can be seen in the song telling the story of what he went to when a giant named Thrym stole Mjolnir, demanding the hand of the goddess Freya for its return. According to this legend, Thor, at the instigation of Heimdall, the guardian of Asgard, was to disguise himself as Freya, shielding himself with a veil. Thinking that the plan had succeeded, Thrym and his companions held a wedding, during which the rightful owner of Mjolnir seems to have forgotten his mission for a while and got carried away by his emotions. He ate eight salmon and an ox, which caused concern among the giants, but Loki explained the phenomenon by saying that the "bride" had not eaten for a week in anticipation of her nuptials with Thrym. At the end of the feast, when, according to tradition, Mjolnir was laid in the bosom of "Freya" to seal the marriage, Thor grabbed his hammer and slaughtered the giants. Not surprisingly, Mjolnir became the most popular symbol used by Scandinavians not only in the Middle Ages but even today, if only in coats of arms and emblems. And what does this have to do with the H600? Let me explain...

Naim unveils Uniti Nova Power Edition, an all-in-one player that drives Hi-Fi loudspeakers with power and musical resonance Uniti Nova Power Edition is the new all-in-one player from Naim, the British brand that excels in the creation of high-end Hi-Fi systems. With 150 W of power, this high-resolution audio player and stereo amplifier is the ideal all-round solution to combine with a pair of powerful, Hi-Fi loudspeakers. It complements Naim's Uniti range, which is hailed worldwide as the range that includes the best all-in-one players on the market.

Sonus Faber announced the launch of its new active wireless stereo speaker - Duetto, a wireless stereo speaker system featuring a multicomponent hi-fi system with distinct characteristics across design, sound quality, connectivity, and ease of use. The external design of Duetto follows the Sonus Faber decades-old philosophy of the most natural sound reproduction through the use of natural materials. The Duetto lute-shaped wood cabinet merged with an elegant and custom-designed heatsink guarantees stiffness and musicality while avoiding internal resonance, creating the Sonus Faber signature Natural Sound. It also has a leather top interface Senso which allows for the user to control and set up the speaker functions such as volume, input selection, and connections.

NAD Electronics launched the C3050 stereophonic amplifier. The unit draws upon aesthetic cues from the 1970's while boasting class-leading amplification - a HybridDigital UcD output stage and high-performance Texas Instruments PCM5242 differential DAC work together to deliver wonderful detail, immersive three-dimensionality, and thrilling dynamics. The C3050 also features NAD's MDC2 future proofing technology. By installing an optional module into the MDC2 expansion slot on the rear panel, listeners can add exciting new capabilities like BluOS high-resolution multi-room streaming and Dirac Live room correction.