NAD Electronics, the highly regarded manufacturer of high-performance audio/video components, today unveiled another new and unique Masters Series product. The M28, a seven-channel high-performance amplifier that can serve as a powerful engine for a state-of-the-art multi-channel system for music or home theatre. Of note, the reference amplifier is the first multi-channel amplifier to utilize Purifi's Eigentakt (self-clocking) amplifier technology.
Audio Analogue celebrated its twentieth birthday by launching a line of bang-up-to-date 'Anniversary' editions of the company's earlier classic amplifiers. Now, the Puccini and Maestro integrated models are joined by the new Bellini preamplifier and Donizetti power amplifier. Audio Analogue's original Bellini and Donizetti amplifiers were two of the brand's early classics, first launched at the turn of the millennium. The new 'Anniversary' editions may share a name with these originals, but in every other respect, they are originals in their own right, featuring completely new designs and technologies.
With its 30th-anniversary year fast approaching, Chord Electronics has launched Ultima, a new state-of-the-art flagship amplifier featuring John Franks' latest circuit topology, the first all-new design in three decades. Ultima is the Ultimate expression of the finest high-performance, ultra-fast, ultra-high-power amplifier technology available today. Comprising a reference-quality preamp and two mono power amplifiers, Ultima is Chord Electronics' most accomplished amplifier in its 30-year history and one that draws on the company's three decades of research, design and engineering in Great Britain. The Ultima mono power amplifiers have been designed and engineered for the very finest hi-fi systems, those which by their very nature, have the most demanding and difficult-to-drive speakers.
When Audiolab launched the iconic 8000A in 1983, it swiftly became Britain's favourite 'step-up' from the budget amps of the time. Its crisp ergonomics, high-quality engineering, useful range of facilities and excellent all-round sound won it a legion of fans, cementing its place as one of the British hi-fi scene's most significant products. 25 years on and the company is set to repeat the feat: the new 6000A is the ideal amp for modern music lovers seeking premium-level performance, build quality and facilities at an affordable price.
As highly regarded as it was (and it was), the MCX series had just one potential drawback - it was massive. Which wasn't a problem in the days of 'bigger is better' but lately our living spaces are becoming more compact and we're living an increasingly mobile lifestyle. During 2016 and 2017 Exposure introduced its innovative XM series of hi-fi components, each of which sports an impressive complement of high quality features in a neat, half-width size. So, having perfected the art of packing a great deal of high-performing technology into a smaller space, the company then turned its attention to revisiting the top end of its offering and the question of how to create its finest combination of amplifiers yet at a fraction of the physical size. The result is the brand new 5010 series which features two products - a preamplifier and a pair of mono power amplifiers.
After two years in development, the all-new Reference 160M (REF160M) monoblock power amplifier is built like no other, yet it is unmistakably Audio Research. It features a refined audio topology with fewer and better components in the signal-path than in previous designs, switchable ultralinear/triode operation, proprietary auto-bias, output tube monitoring and protection, an advanced power meter, and much more. This array of features has never been offered before in an Audio Research amplifier.
Cambridge Audio celebrates its 50th anniversary with the introduction of Edge, a flagship hi-fi system that introduces a new standard for sound and design from the company. The new series builds on Cambridge Audio's driving principles of creating products that bring the 'Great British Sound' - a pure, unfiltered audio experience - into the home, offering the company's most accomplished system to date, says the release.
NAD Electronics announced a new affordable integrated amplifier the C328. Blending simplicity and outstanding performance with flexibility, the C328 is designed for the music lover searching for a superb sounding amplifier that can master music sources, past and present.
Classé has announced the availability of a new series of components called Sigma. The first devices from these line will be 7.1-channel home cinema processor and two power amplifiers - for two or five channels. Each of the them will provide exactly 200 watts per channel at 8-ohm load. Could this be an interesting idea for a hi-end stereo system and multichannel home cinema all in one? SSP processor and the AMP5 power amplifier will be priced at $5000, while the AMP2 stereo amplifier will cost $3500. Photos by Classe Audio.
Plinius introduces a stereo power amplifier designed for professionals. Home Theatre installers had been using Plinius amps and in their words found them bulletproof, so the company designed a smaller enclosure. But the amp still weighs 32 kg and delivers 310 W into 8 ohms. Price is estimated around €8900. Photos by Plinius Audio.