Markus Lindholm

Markus Lindholm

A devoted music lover whose tastes stretch from heavy riffs to jazz. Professionally, an IT specialist, which probably explains his weakness for things that either work perfectly or refuse to make any sense at all. He is interested not only in the hi-fi equipment itself, but also in those strange phenomena that seem to exist somewhere between physics, psychology and magic, known as audiovoodoo.

Moon 491 & 461

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.

Buchardt Audio S400 MK3

Buchardt Audio unveiled the S400 MK3, the latest generation of one of the company's most important loudspeakers and a model that has remained central to its lineup since the first S400 prototype appeared in 2016. What began as a compact standmount developed with the aid of the Klippel Near Field Scanner quickly became one of the most frequently recommended speakers in its class, largely because it combined a relatively small enclosure with unusually large-scale sound, generous bass weight, and a wide, room-friendly presentation. With the new S400 MK3, Buchardt is not presenting a mild refresh but what it describes as a complete redesign, retaining only a single part from the previous version - the binding posts.

Dynaudio Legend

Dynaudio introduced the Legend, a compact high-end standmount loudspeaker positioned outside the company's regular product ranges and conceived as a design-led model that combines reference-grade driver technology with furniture-level craftsmanship. Rather than forming part of an existing series, the Legend follows the tradition of special standalone releases such as the Special Forty, offering a distinctive interpretation of Dynaudio's core engineering philosophy in a compact enclosure intended for flexible placement and relaxed listening environments.

Ø Audio Ymir

Ø Audio has introduced the Ymir, a new reference floorstanding loudspeaker that marks a decisive shift in the company's design direction and stands apart from earlier models such as the Icon 12 and Verdande. Described by the manufacturer as a clean-sheet development rather than an evolution of existing platforms, the Ymir combines a large-format compression-driver architecture with a newly engineered bass system and an unusually rigid cabinet structure intended to deliver high sensitivity and controlled directivity in real-world listening rooms rather than only optimized demonstration environments.

Matrix Audio NA-1

Matrix Audio has introduced the NA-1, a flagship headphone amplifier from the company's new N Series, designed as the central element of ambitious desktop and stationary systems for demanding users of both dynamic and planar headphones. The unit is a fully analog design operating in pure Class A and built entirely from discrete components. According to the manufacturer, it combines high output power with low noise and precise signal control. The amplifier delivers up to 20 W in balanced mode, making it suitable not only for low-sensitivity planar headphones but also for highly sensitive in-ear monitors. As Cao Yang, CEO of Matrix Audio, explains, "NA-1 represents the culmination of our efforts to create the ideal amplifier. We focused on removing every barrier between the listener and the music. With its fully balanced Class A architecture and powerful power supply, NA-1 handles the most demanding loads with the ease and refinement expected by serious audiophiles."

GIK Acoustics Bass Trap Panels

GIK Acoustics is expanding its low-frequency treatment lineup with three new deep Bass Trap Panels aimed at rooms where excess bass energy remains one of the hardest problems to control. The new additions - the Classic Bass Trap Panel '60Hz', Amplitude Bass Trap Panel '60Hz', and FlexRange Bass Trap Panel '50Hz' - are designed to deliver stronger absorption lower in the frequency range than the company's existing standard-depth models, addressing standing waves, bass build-up, and the kind of low-end smear that can undermine clarity in studios, listening rooms, home theaters, and other acoustically demanding spaces.

Michi Prestige X430 & Q430

Michi is Rotel's luxury sub-brand, positioned from the outset as the more ambitious and more overtly audiophile branch of the company's catalogue. Its components have typically stood out for their carefully judged industrial design, high power output, refined internal architecture and a strong emphasis on build quality, so the arrival of the new Prestige Series feels like a logical next step in the brand's development. With this new range, Michi appears to be opening the door to a broader group of listeners. Two components join the portfolio at launch - the X430 integrated amplifier and the Q430 CD player. Both are presented as products that bring together the engineering discipline, visual sophistication and key technologies associated with more expensive Michi designs, but at a lower entry point. That sends a fairly clear message about where the brand wants to go next - preserving its high-end identity while creating a more realistic way in for listeners who may previously have admired the Michi catalogue from a distance rather than from a buying position.

Revival Audio Atalante Grande Réserve

Revival Audio is expanding its Atalante family with a new limited edition flagship, the Atalante Grande Réserve, restricted to 300 pairs worldwide. The name borrows from the vocabulary of fine cognac and champagne and is intended to signal a carefully crafted, rare expression rather than a simple cosmetic variant. The new model develops the benchmark set by the Atalante 7 Évo, yet is aimed at listeners who want genuinely reference level performance in a more refined, well proportioned format. It brings together the design language and acoustic engineering of the Atalante series in a loudspeaker that is meant to feel like a complete, self contained statement rather than just the next step up the range.

Pro-Ject Debut Reference 10

Pro-Ject Audio Systems is expanding its long-running Debut family with a new premium model designed to sit at the top of the range. The Debut Reference 10 is a manual belt-drive turntable that aims to bridge the gap between accessible hi-fi and fully fledged audiophile vinyl replay, combining a substantial acrylic platter, a new 10 inch hybrid carbon aluminium tonearm and a factory-fitted Pick it PRO Balanced moving magnet cartridge. With electronic speed switching, an upgraded motor system and the option of a fully balanced signal path, the deck is intended as a complete analogue front end for listeners who want to extract more detail and refinement from their record collection without moving to a much larger or more complex design.

Primare Allt-i-Ett

Primare has unveiled its new all-in-one audio system, the Allt-i-Ett - a complete high-end solution combining a network player, amplifier and loudspeakers within a single elegant enclosure. Designed to deliver premium performance with Scandinavian simplicity, the Allt-i-Ett embodies the Swedish manufacturer's minimalist approach to audio engineering. Its name, meaning 'all-in-one' in Swedish, reflects both the concept and the company's philosophy of bringing outstanding sound quality to as many listeners as possible, without the need for multiple components. At its core, the Allt-i-Ett delivers a powerful 300-watt peak output supported by advanced digital signal processing and a versatile range of connection options. The system is designed for both convenience and fidelity, offering easy integration into any modern living space. It caters equally to those who want a refined, plug-and-play system and to experienced audiophiles seeking a high-performance secondary setup.

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