Displaying items by tag: network - StereoLife Magazine

For years, KEF has been steadily developing the concept of a complete stereo system contained within a pair of active speakers. The history of this part of the company's lineup goes back much further than the rise of music streaming. Its symbolic starting point is the LS3/5a monitor, developed by the BBC in the 1970s using KEF drivers. The company returned to that tradition for its 50th anniversary with the passive LS50, followed several years later by the active LS50 Wireless. Subsequent generations of the LS50 Wireless, the smaller LSX systems and the slim LS60 Wireless floorstanders established an entire family of products in which the amplification, digital-to-analog conversion, streamer and digital crossover are designed from the outset as a single system. The latest and most luxurious expression of this idea is the LS Luxe, an active stand-mounted system positioned above the LS50 Wireless II while remaining considerably more compact than the floorstanding LS60 Wireless.

Hegel is introducing two new integrated amplifiers built around the same core platform but aimed at different types of system. The H200, described by the manufacturer as "The Connected", combines a 2 x 150 W amplifier with a digital-to-analogue converter, network player, MM phono stage and headphone output. The A200, or "The Classic", retains the same power output and key circuit solutions, but is an entirely analogue design intended for use with external sources such as streamers and DACs. Both amplifiers employ a Class AB output stage delivering 150 W per channel into 8 ohms. The H200 and A200 are designed to remain stable into loads as low as 2 ohms, while the damping factor of their output stages exceeds 4000. Both models also feature Hegel's SoundEngine2 technology, which is designed to detect and reduce distortion at the point where it occurs, before it travels further through the signal path. The basic amplifier architecture is therefore shared, with the main differences concerning connectivity, features and the role each model is intended to play within a system. Rather than creating one heavily equipped amplifier for everyone, Hegel has developed two versions - a complete network-enabled model and a more traditional integrated amplifier without a digital section.

One of the awkward realities of network audio is that streaming platforms can age much faster than the hardware built around them. A DAC, analog output stage or power supply may remain perfectly capable for years, while changes in licensing, operating systems and service APIs can leave an otherwise expensive streamer without the latest Connect protocols. HiFi Rose has decided to address that problem with a piece of hardware rather than another firmware update. RW800, also known as Rose Air Lite, is a tiny streaming module designed primarily to add current network functions to existing HiFi Rose components, but it can just as easily leave the Rose ecosystem altogether and operate as an inexpensive standalone streamer in almost any audio system.

Ferrum has spent the last few years building a compact ecosystem around digital conversion, headphone amplification and power management, but one obvious piece has been missing - a network transport of its own. That gap is now filled by Broen, the Polish company's first dedicated streaming product and a natural partner for the Wandla DAC family and Hypsos power supply. The model was previewed at the Audio Video Show in Warsaw and the Paris Audio Video Show in late 2025, but has now reached its final production form. Its name means "bridge" in Danish, which neatly summarizes the concept - Broen is designed as a digital gateway between streaming services, local music libraries and an external DAC rather than another all-in-one streamer with conversion and analog circuitry squeezed into the same chassis.

Bluesound, the original wireless hi-res multi-room music brand, proudly announces that its highly anticipated flagship wireless music streamer, the Node ICON, is now available worldwide. Starting at $899, the Node Icon is the pinnacle of Bluesound's innovation in high-resolution streaming and a new benchmark for the brand's acclaimed line of wireless multi-room music streamers. The new Node Icon delivers an unparalleled listening experience by combining cutting-edge engineering, exceptional sound quality, and a sleek ultramodern design. With its revolutionary Dual-Mono DAC architecture, featuring two ESS Sabre ES9039Q2M DACs, the Node Icon offers precise audio playback with ultra-low distortion. It also features a high-quality aluminium chassis, 5" full-colour display, and a beautiful matte black finish that integrates into any home stereo setup, while its wide array of digital/analog connectivity make it versatile enough for any high-end audio system.

NAD Electronics, the highly regarded manufacturer of high-performance audio-video components, today announced the NAD CS1 Endpoint Network Streamer, a compact, minimalist design that makes it easy to add streaming capability to any music system. Employing audiophile-grade components, the NAD CS1 can play high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/192kHz. It features Bluetooth, Ethernet, dual-band Wi-Fi and supports the most popular streaming and casting protocols, including Apple AirPlay 2, GoogleCast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect and Roon. Certification for network sharing via DNLA/UPnP protocols expected to be complete with retail available of CS1 in March 2023. That means listeners don't have to install a dedicated app to use the CS1; they can control playback with the music apps they use every day.

Marantz announced the PM7000N, the company's first fully discrete integrated Hi-Fi amplifier with wireless music streaming capabilities. With HEOS Built-in, listeners can stream up to the highest resolution music from Amazon HD, Spotify, Pandora, TIDAL and more, or local music file libraries. The PM7000N has been engineered using custom designed, hand-selected, high-grade audio components to deliver truly exceptional sound quality with Hi-Res audio support, onboard phono stage, voice control, and more.