Displaying items by tag: stereo - StereoLife Magazine

A manufacturer of boutique, handcrafted personal audio products, Erzetich, has announced some exciting new updates to its popular Mania and Phobos headphones - which will be music to the ears of the brand's fans. In the modern world, a quality pair of headphones is considered an essential part of our lifestyle, and a lot of people spend a considerable amount of time looking for the perfect set. In an age where we have more choice than ever when it comes to streaming and on-demand music, customers expect stylish and high-quality headphones which enhance their experience.

IsoAcoustics adds to their award-winning line of isolation products with the Aperta Sub, an isolation stand designed for subwoofers weighing up to 80 pounds (36.3 kg). The Aperta Sub allows the listener to discover greater bass definition from their subwoofer with fewer complaints from their neighbors. The manufacturer explains that we are hard-wired to pick up bass rhythms more than other tones, and low bass frequencies allow the listener to feel a deep syncopated connection to their favorite music or movies. The large pulsating driver produces energy and vibrations that travel through solid structures that create issues in the listening space and can often be disturbing to others. Room treatment can be costly and doesn't mitigate structure borne-noises. Enter the Aperta Sub isolation stand that not only reduces these disturbances but also delivers better-sounding audio.

When iFi Audio launched its original micro iDSD headphone amp, preamp, and DAC back in 2014, it raised the bar for small portable, high-performing DACs. It's been lifting it higher ever since. Last November saw the introduction of the nano iDSD Black Label, with a host of new features including support for MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) audio. Now, iFi has excelled itself again with the launch of xDSD - the first in the company's next generation of portable DACs.

Ten years ago, listening to music from the computer was regarded in the audiophile circle as cheap entertainment designed for people not interested in the quality of sound and audio equipment. That way of thinking was popular for a reason. Firstly, the quality of the files. When the high-speed internet was not widespread, music was only available in highly compressed MP3 files. Data transmission speed wasn't the only problem. If someone decided to purchase one of the first portable MP3 players, they probably wouldn't have had more than 32 or 64 MB of space. Secondly, hardly anyone used something more serious than plastic speakers for $10. Using the computer as a signal source was regarded as a perversion. Thirdly, having the audio files meant that they were illegally downloaded from the network, which is obviously unethical.

Bluesound, makers of the award-winning hi-res wireless multi-room line of audio players, has announced a new generation of its best-selling Node Wireless Hi-Res Multi-Room Music Streamer and Powernode Wireless Hi-Res Multi-Room Streaming Amplifier. The upgrades include new DAC designs, more powerful processors, and touch panel controls with presets and proximity sensors, while the Powernode also receives substantially more power. Both feature an easy-to-clean satin finish in either black or white. "Since the beginning, Bluesound has set out to provide a modern hi-res multi-room streaming experience for customers who care about audio quality. We have seen the Node and Powernode quickly become the go-to streaming components for discerning music lovers, because of our focus on high-quality listening and on the software features that make the products - all the way back to our first generation - even better over time. This latest generation, once again, sets the bar for performance and value in their respective categories." - says Matt Simmonds, Bluesound Product Manager.

British hi-fi specialist has launched Uniti Atom Headphone Edition - a headphone-optimized version of its multiple-award-winning Uniti Atom music streaming system, designed to be the ultimate solo listening source. Unlike traditional headphone amplifiers and DACs, which require a separate computer or streaming device, Uniti Atom Headphone Edition is a fully formed music-streaming system - just add headphones. Uniti Atom Headphone Edition features a completely new transformer design, dedicated to providing - in true Naim tradition - the very best power supply to the headphone amplification circuitry. The new discrete transistor circuit design enables Uniti Atom Headphone Edition to gain balanced headphone outputs, on both 4 pin XLR and Pentaconn, maximizing the performance of high-end headphones with those connections. The 6.3mm output is also there.

Swedish lifestyle audio brand announces the launch of Los Angeles - the world's first self-charging, wireless active noise-canceling headphones powered by Powerfoyle solar cell material. Using advanced green technology, Los Angeles converts all forms of light, outdoor and indoor, into energy to deliver virtually infinite playtime. Los Angeles brings revolutionary innovation to the headphone market and is designed to live up to the brand's tagline, 'Designed for Life in Motion'. For the first time ever, you can experience virtually unlimited listening with solar charging. Los Angeles never stops charging when exposed to light, both outdoors and indoors, providing a nonstop audio experience.

French manufacturer of digital audio brings new enhancements to its DACs, which benefit from a series of new features under the EX label. These include a network input giving access to streaming functionalities, as well as a USB slot for direct connection of storage media. Additionally, a DSP-based acoustic correction feature offers a wide range of possibilities for adjusting to the listening environment. Extended version of the B.dac, the B.dac EX is a response to many requests for network playback and D/A conversion functionalities in a single product.

Hegel Music Systems is a perfect example of a company driven by good ideas, rational decisions, and putting the most important thing first - the sound. The Norwegians can boast of many interesting technical solutions, but neither care for selecting the right components for each model, nor hours spent on designing circuit boards or pursuit of functionality distracted them from that universal goal. Although it may seem improbable to those who know the hi-fi market very well, Hegel's team consists of only seven people. We can add professionals working for external subcontractors, but on a daily basis, you'll find four, maybe five people at the company's headquarters in Oslo. Nevertheless, we are talking about a brand that has won probably all the most important awards in the industry and whose actions have been watched closely for many years even by more successful and experienced competitors. What is so special about Hegel then? Maybe it is the simplicity typical for Scandinavian manufacturers? Maybe it's a specific mixture of proprietary technologies, love for music, and business sense, thanks to which the factory founded by Bent Holter got on a roll when all the others were hiding in corners, fearing economic crisis? Maybe the secret is the progressive approach of Norwegian designers, who were introduced to the subject of files and converters ten years ago, and today streaming and connecting audio equipment with smart home systems is something normal for them? Or maybe all these things come together during the listening session, when we place the gear on the table, turn it on, play our favorite music and...

Even the longest journey has to begin with the first step. For Sony, one of these steps was to release the CDP-101 player, which launched the adventures of the Compact Disc format. So this is genesis - the first audiophile CD player. The device was released in 1982 and followed by the first compact album - reissued "52nd Street" by Billy Joel. Sony was ahead of their partner in creating the CD format because Philips unveiled its first player a month later (it was the CD-100). This player was based on a CX-20017 16-bit D/A converter made by Sony (like most of the electronics used for the construction of this machine) and the KSS-100A laser module. These days the CDP-101 was one of the most advanced devices for general commercial use with 34 chips onboard.