Displaying items by tag: tidal - StereoLife Magazine

Cambridge Audio is expanding its Evo series, a range of all-in-one systems designed for listeners who want a real hi-fi setup without building a traditional stack of separate components. This approach has become one of the most interesting directions in modern home audio. More people now listen through streaming services, connect their systems to a TV, sometimes return to vinyl, and still want to keep passive loudspeakers and full-scale stereo sound. From the beginning, Evo was created for exactly that kind of user - connect speakers, configure the network, and use a single device that combines an amplifier, streamer, DAC, and a broad range of inputs. Now the British manufacturer is taking the concept further with the Evo 300, the most powerful and most advanced streaming amplifier in the history of the series.

Yamaha has introduced two new AV receivers, the RX500A and RX300A, designed to serve as modern hubs for home entertainment - from cinema and music to gaming. The manufacturer is clearly targeting users who want to build a system around conventional loudspeakers and an AV receiver, but also expect the convenience associated with modern TVs, consoles and streaming devices. The RX500A is a 7.2-channel design, while the RX300A is a 5.2-channel model, but both support Dolby Atmos, four HDMI inputs compatible with current video and gaming standards, Bluetooth Multipoint and automatic room correction. These are not AV receivers designed only for home cinema in the traditional sense, but rather versatile control units intended to bring films, series, sport, games and everyday music listening together in one relatively easy-to-use system.

Harman Kardon has refreshed one of the most recognizable products in its catalog. The SoundSticks 5 Wi-Fi is a new version of the transparent speaker system that, for many years, was associated mainly with computers, desktops and its distinctive, almost sculptural form. This time, however, the emphasis shifts clearly toward a modern wireless system for everyday music listening. The transparent subwoofer and slim satellite speakers remain, but they are now joined by Wi-Fi connectivity, support for popular streaming platforms, Bluetooth 6.0, app-based control and lighting effects that react to the music. The SoundSticks 5 Wi-Fi is therefore not just another variation of a familiar design. It is an attempt to adapt this idea to the way music is used at home today - without signal cables, without a traditional source and, in most cases, without the need to connect anything apart from power.

Moon is expanding its Compass Collection with two new components that clearly move the series closer to technologies previously associated with the brand's higher-end reference designs. After the 371, a complete streaming amplifier, the company is now introducing a classic two-box system made up of the 491 network player and preamplifier, and the 461 power amplifier. It is an interesting move, because the Compass Collection was originally positioned as a more accessible, compact and practical answer to the flagship North Collection, but it is now becoming clear that the idea is not simply to simplify the range. The new components are designed to bring some of Moon's more advanced technologies into a more traditional two-unit system, where one device handles sources, digital-to-analog conversion, volume control, vinyl playback and headphones, while the other takes care of driving the loudspeakers.

Matrix Audio continues to develop its M Series, the company's most advanced line of digital sources, but its latest model is not simply another product aimed only at users looking for a full, no-compromise flagship. The MS-1c is intended as a more accessible entry point into this family, retaining many of the solutions known from the MS-1, but presenting them in the form of a network player that can work both as a standalone analog source and as a digital transport for an external DAC. In practice, this makes it a device for listeners who want to build a modern system based on streaming, a local file library and high-quality digital-to-analog conversion, but do not necessarily need the most elaborate model in the catalog. "The MS-1c is a response to the needs of audiophiles who are looking for the highest-quality digital source, but also value simplicity and functionality. Inheriting solutions from our flagship MS-1, the MS-1c offers the same level of precision and musicality while remaining a more accessible solution for those building their dream hi-fi system." - said Cao Yang, CEO of Matrix Audio.

Advance Paris has introduced the Nova series, a new flagship platform of hybrid integrated amplifiers designed to function as complete control centers for modern stereo systems while preserving the company's established tube-assisted analog architecture. Positioned above the Classic and Apex ranges in the manufacturer's lineup, the Nova platform represents Advance Paris's most ambitious integrated amplifier concept to date. The series includes two amplifiers - the A-i130 and A-i190 - together with optional streaming and Bluetooth expansion modules and a dedicated rotary remote controller. First previewed at High End Munich 2025, the lineup is scheduled to make its North American debut at AXPONA 2026, with global availability expected from May 2026.

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.