Displaying items by tag: digital - StereoLife Magazine

The moment comes in every audiophile's life. After enough experimenting with speakers, amplifiers, and source components, once the system finally starts sounding genuinely good, a question begins to nag at us - should we be paying more attention to cables? Some people agree completely, arguing that cables are just as much a part of the signal path as an amplifier or speakers. Others laugh the whole idea off and insist that anyone who believes in cable differences simply should have paid more attention in physics class. In truth, there is only one way to find out - try it and decide for yourself. If we hear no difference, there are really only three logical explanations. The first is that our system still is not revealing enough to expose those nuances, or that the cables we borrowed for comparison, despite their prettier plugs and more upscale appearance, are not actually much different from what we already use. The second is that our hearing is not quite as sensitive as we would like to think, and what others describe as a night-and-day transformation is, for us, barely there at all. The third is that cables have no effect on sound whatsoever and serve only to improve the owner's mood and the manufacturer's cash flow.

Mission has expanded its compact 778 Series with the introduction of the 778CDT, a dedicated CD transport designed to complete the lineup alongside the 778X integrated amplifier and the recently announced 778S music streamer. The new model is aimed at listeners who still rely on physical digital media and want a purpose-built transport that can make the most of an external DAC or an amplifier with digital inputs, rather than a conventional all-in-one CD player. In that sense, the 778CDT is not just a matching accessory for the rest of the series, but a sign that Mission sees continued value in CD playback as part of a modern hi-fi system.

Ferrum has introduced the Wandla GoldenSound Edition Gen 2, an updated version of its DAC and preamplifier platform developed in collaboration with GoldenSound. Building on the EISA award-winning Wandla architecture and the earlier GoldenSound Edition variant, the new model focuses on expanded user control over tonal balance, spatial presentation and harmonic character through redesigned versions of three key processing tools - Impact+, Tube Mode and Spatial Enhancement - all refined using Ferrum's Sweet Spot Tuning approach.

Matrix Audio has introduced the ND-1, a new digital-to-analogue converter in the company's N Series, conceived as a dedicated source component for advanced stereo systems and headphone-based desktop setups. Rather than treating the DAC as one function inside a wider all-in-one platform, Matrix Audio is positioning the ND-1 as a focused, purist design built around one core objective - high-performance digital decoding with a degree of tonal flexibility that remains relatively unusual in this category. Officially unveiled as part of the complete N Series line-up in March 2026, the ND-1 joins the NT-1 digital audio transport and the NA-1 headphone amplifier to form what Matrix describes as a premium desktop separates system.

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.

iFi Audio has introduced the GO link 2, a new version of its compact USB dongle DAC designed for users who want a quick and effective way to improve the sound quality of a laptop or smartphone without rebuilding an entire system. The idea is to retain everything that made the first generation successful while delivering a more noticeable step forward in both measured performance and day-to-day functionality. Like its predecessor, the GO link 2 bypasses the basic integrated audio stages found in most computers and mobile devices, taking over the digital-to-analogue conversion process itself so that even an ordinary notebook or phone can become a genuinely usable source for more demanding headphones.

There are now two parallel trends becoming increasingly visible in the portable audio market - a renewed interest in physical media and a growing appetite for digital conversion methods associated with a more traditional, more "analog" presentation. The FiiO DM15 R2R sits squarely at the intersection of those two ideas, combining the format of a portable CD player with an advanced R2R DAC and a feature set more commonly associated with modern network players and desktop DACs. It is aimed at listeners who do not want to give up their compact disc collections, but still expect serious output power, a balanced signal path, USB DAC functionality and high-resolution wireless transmission. At its current market positioning, the DM15 R2R enters a category in which genuinely audiophile-minded portable CD players remain relatively rare.

Canor is expanding its catalog with two new components designed to become the heart of a modern stereo system. The Verto D4S digital-to-analogue converter and Virtus I4S solid-state integrated amplifier have been conceived as a matching duo in terms of sound, functionality and industrial design, while remaining flexible enough to work in other system configurations. Both models focus on a minimalist aesthetic, refined ergonomics and circuit solutions derived from Canor's higher series. As a result, the Foundation line is no longer just an entry point into the brand's portfolio, but a fully fledged proposition for discerning listeners who want to build a system around a single, coherent concept.

More and more listeners are happy to stream music from a smartphone, laptop or games console, but do not necessarily want to accept a step down in quality compared with a full-sized hi-fi system. It is this group that Astell&Kern is targeting with the AK HC5, a compact USB digital to analogue converter that brings the flagship DAC architecture from the Korean brand's top portable players into a highly portable dongle format. The new device is intended as a natural companion for smartphones, notebooks and gaming hardware in situations where convenience matters as much as sound quality and where users would like to get closer to the performance associated with high end portable players.

iFi Audio is launching the iDSD Phantom as the most advanced product in its history, a single-box flagship that combines a reference DAC, network streamer and powerful headphone amplifier. The new model is aimed at listeners who want a system voiced as close as possible to studio monitoring, but wrapped in a form that integrates into a domestic setup. Rather than a minor upgrade to the earlier Pro iDSD, the Phantom is built on a substantially reworked platform that revisits everything from the digital core and streaming engine to the analogue output stages, power supply and user interface, with the stated goal of delivering the most refined listening experience the company has created so far.