Displaying items by tag: tidal - StereoLife Magazine

Audiophiles love beautiful, original, and, unfortunately, very expensive electronic devices. Turntables made with incredible precision, powerful tube amplifiers, huge loudspeakers, thick cables - we associate all this with a sophisticated, engaging sound, but there is no doubt that above a certain level all this fun begins to smell of madness. This is perfectly evident at exhibitions, where one can taste the sound of stereo systems worth millions of dollars. Some visitors get the impression of participating in a sick experiment. The degree of complexity of such extreme systems, as well as their dimensions and prices, have a repulsive effect on music lovers. Besides, let's be honest, when visiting a showroom with such equipment, didn't you ever think to yourself that at such prices you'd better start looking elsewhere? Didn't you come to the conclusion that even if you got such a set for free, you wouldn't have anywhere to put it? Some companies have recognized this problem, but their solution is most often to put the dream of owning a decent stereo completely out of your head. Don't have lots of cash to spend on your hi-fi? Then get some small network speakers or a soundbar and sod off. And that's not exactly the point, is it?

French company Octavio has created a compact network amplifier built for audiophiles and music lovers who appreciate modern solutions at an affordable price. The founders of the young manufactory say they wanted to democratize hi-fi and simplify the stereo system and the process of using it. The company was born in two student apartments in Lille. Its founders, David and Victor, owned vintage audio systems whose sound they greatly appreciated, but which were not compatible with new formats, digital sources, or streaming services. So they both faced the same problem - how to preserve the quality of their hi-fi setup while easily taking advantage of the latest innovations? The idea of parting with their existing system was unimaginable to them. What if the solution was simply to upgrade it rather than replace it? After months of designing and testing, they created a device that made their dream come true. After a successful crowdfunding campaign, Octavio was born.

Over 60 years KEF has worked tirelessly to hone their craft and revolutionise the landscape of audio speakers. To mark this momentous milestone KEF has combined all their key technologies to deliver superlative acoustic performance in a distinctive, stylish and modern floorstanding speaker. The LS60 Wireless is as powerful as it is attractive and its slim design makes room placement adaptable for everyone. The LS60 Wireless produces an impressively powerful, rich and full-bodied sound that evenly fills any space with high-fidelity audio.

Marantz introduced the Model 40n integrated amplifier. This new model sets a new standard for outstanding sound quality while providing easy access to a vast library of digital music, podcasts and more. Featuring exquisite design, the Model 40n has been engineered for those who appreciate excellence in craftsmanship and performance in all aspects of their lives. The Model 40n is constructed from the finest materials, adding elegance and refinement to any room. "I strongly believe you don’t have to be an audiophile to enjoy rich, warm sound. With our Model 40n we’ve further perfected the balance between what we’re known for - our sound - with added simplicity, gorgeous design, modern upgrades, and power. This product is truly ideal for those who require excellent performance yet find elegance in simplicity and ease of use." - said Joel Sietsema, Marantz president.

NAD Electronics continues its expansion in the "just add speakers" category with the introduction of the C700 BluOS Streaming Amplifier. Housed in a compact and modern design, the C700 was designed with a listener in mind who seeks an uncompromised listening experience with a focus on value. Inside the solid aluminum housing is a powerful HybridDigital UcD amplifier and BluOS Enabled network streamer. Using the intuitive BluOS app, the ability to cue music from a digital library, or stream from internet radio and online services like Spotify, Amazon Music HD, Tidal, and Qobuz could not be easier. The C700 delivers an experience similar to the award-winning Masters Series M10 BluOS Music Streaming Amplifier.

Bryston is one of the companies that use a very logical naming scheme for their products. Thus, amplifier symbols usually contain the letter "B", DACs start with "BDA", network players - "BDP", home theater processors - "SP" and preamplifiers - "BP". They are supplemented with numbers, which may indicate their output power (the B135² integrated amplifier delivers 135W per channel into 8 ohms) or inform us which generation of a given model we are dealing with (the BHA-1 is the first headphone amplifier from the Canadian factory, and the BDP-3 already had two predecessors - BDP-1 and BDP-2). Devices that cannot be assigned to any of the existing categories are scarce. So when Bryston decided to break the current pattern and release a preamplifier that should have been called the BP-18³ (because it is the successor to the BP-17³) but was given the BR-20 symbol, it was clear that this was no accident. The reason for this sudden change turned out to be, unfortunately, very sad. The Canadians wanted to honor their colleague and long-time company president, Brian Russel, who died in his sleep of a heart attack last year. At the time, Bryston's team was putting the finishing touches on the device, which was to be named BP-18³. Members of the design team and executives knew that this model could be a real revelation to many audiophiles - even those using very elaborate, expensive stereo systems. Thus, at the end of 2020, Bryston revealed the new two-channel preamplifier - BR-20.

Cambridge Audio has been at the forefront of British audio innovation for over 50 years and Evo represents an evolution in hi-fi - an all-in-one music player that combines timeless design, cutting edge technology, streaming smarts, and incredible audio performance into one streamlined and compact box. Designed in Cambridge Audio's London studio, Evo's minimal and timeless aesthetic will fit into any interior and lifestyle. Lead designer Ged Martin chose premium materials and used industrial design principles to create a product that champions simplicity and will endure for many years. Taking inspiration from the wood trims of the iconic P40, Cambridge Audio's first ever product from 1968, Evo has beautiful walnut wood side panels that complement the sleek, black anodised aluminium cabinet. Evo also comes with a choice of formed black side panels made from Richlite, an innovative new material made primarily from recycled paper. The side panels can be switched out according to each customer's style. Completing Evo's elegant design is a dual-concentric rotary dial and large 6.8in LCD display panel that shows off album artwork in full colour.

Bryston has introduced the BDA-3.14 multi-function DAC that adds an array of impressive features to the much-heralded BDA-3 DAC platform. The BDA-3.14 delivers the performance and unmatched build quality that music aficionados have come to expect from Bryston.

Audiolab extends its award-winning, entry-level 6000 Series with the 6000N Play - a network audio player that adds extensive wireless streaming facilities to any high-quality audio system. The 6000N Play combines the versatility of the DTS Play-Fi wireless audio platform with Audiolab's sonic know-how to deliver a great-sounding Wi-Fi streaming solution that is simple to set up and use. Users can stream from any source on their wireless network - smartphones, tablets, PCs, and Macs, as well as NAS drives and music servers - utilizing the 6000N Play's dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi. It also connects wirelessly with other Play-Fi-equipped devices, enabling a fully synchronized multi-room set-up.