Chord Electronics has launched their most advanced compact DAC called the Qutest. A highly accomplished standalone device, the new Qutest is based on the latest proprietary Rob Watts' FPGA technology developed for the class-leading Hugo 2 DAC/headphone amp. Qutest uses an all-new precision-machined aluminium chassis and includes several new features, including fascia controls.
Harman International is showcasing the Mark Levinson the No 585.5 Integrated Amplifier with Pure Phono module. The No 585.5 is the second integrated amplifier in the Mark Levinson 500 series range - an upgrade to the award-winning No 585 which adds the brand's Pure Phono capability and other new features while retaining the existing Precision Link DAC and analog inputs. In addition to the Pure Phono module, the No 585.5 also includes an upgraded remote control and new three-piece extruded, machined, and anodized aluminum top cover which replaces the current single-piece top cover of the original No 585 and matches the appearance of all other Mark Levinson 500 Series products.
Dynaudio has announced Music - a family of four intelligent wireless speakers. Dynaudio Music provides one-touch simplicity. It adapts seamlessly (and automatically) to any room or position, and to surrounding noise levels - so music always sounds its best. It even gives personalized playlists featuring only the music its users love with Music Now. All at the touch of a button.
Marantz introduced a home theater pre-amplifier with 13.2 channel processing and full 4K Ultra HD. The AV8805 supports virtually any high-resolution multichannel audio format, including the latest surround formats from Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Auro-3D. Current feedback HDAMs enhance music for a superior listening experience, plus whole-home audio and voice-control make the AV8805 a must-have for serious cinephiles.
Leema Acoustics' new Pulse IV amplifier is the ideal hub for contemporary music-listening with its turntable connectivity, Bluetooth playback and seven digital inputs enabling a huge range of devices to connect. The Pulse IV is a highly versatile and powerful integrated amplifier that enables a world of music to be enjoyed with Leema Acoustics' sound quality thanks to a huge connectivity suite bringing together music playback in all its forms, whether on vinyl, streamed from smartphones and tablets via aptX Bluetooth, or stored on computers, laptops and more.
Astell&Kern introduces a new sub-brand of desktop audio products called ACRO. Astell&Kern has taken their expertise in designing best-selling, world-class portable audio devices and put that knowledge into the first desktop audio product, the ACRO L1000 - the first desktop headphone amplifier from Astell&Kern.
The new PX headphones from audio giant Bowers & Wilkins mark the company's first foray into the noise-canceling and wireless spaces. B&W's aim here was not only to encompass the benefits inherent to the noise-free headphone experience but to also incorporate some truly innovative features, class-leading audio performance, and the latest Bluetooth technology.
Rotel Electronics introduced the RAP-1580 home theater surround amplified processor. The RAP-1580 is the ideal home theater solution for those who don't have space for separate components, yet still desire uncompromising performance. Sporting the latest HDMI2.0a hardware and Dolby Atmos and DTS-X 7.1.4 processing, its amplifier section is built upon a powerful class A/B design with 7 x 100 watts per channel, all channels driven into 8 ohms, anchored by a massive Rotel-made toroidal transformer.
Mission, B&W, KEF, Castle, Celestion, Rogers, NAD, Acoustic Energy, Naim, Spendor, Harbeth or ProAc are only a few companies whose names all audiophiles should associate with what might be called the British school of sound. Absolutely, this does not mean that the products of all these brands sound the same. You can distinguish here, at least, a couple of trends, but there is no denying that in this part of the world a lot of audiophile legends were created. Recently, another British company reminded us about itself. So far Chord Electronics were mainly engaged in hi-end gear for home use, but thanks to a small, functional headphone DAC everyone heard about it. This DAC was of course the Hugo. Hugo TT is its bigger brother - a typical desktop model, with an expanded functionality. Since we didn't have a chance to review any of them, we took both and decided to compare them.