Articles Archive - Page 132 of 266

Qobuz – free Hi-Res album downloads through May 15

During this period of containment, millions of people around the world turn to music as a means of escape and the number of initiatives to overcome social isolation is increasing.

We’re here to help! We’ve teamed up with Qobuz, making 21 albums available to download in CD and Hi-Res quality. But you have to be quick – you have until May 15, 2020.

From medieval polyphonies to Schubert’s Ninth Symphony conducted by Philippe Herreweghe, to jazz-fusion and even Afro-pop legend Papa Wembe, you can download away to your heart’s content:

https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/search?q=qobuz-music-gifts&utm_source=e-mail&utm_medium=marketing&utm_campaign=QobuzMusicGifts_media&qbzs=DownloadOp&qbzc=musicgifts_media

Monitor Audio Launches New Bronze Loudspeaker Series

MONITOR AUDIO BRONZE SERIES – MADE FOR YOU

Monitor Audio officially launched the 6th generation of its award-winning Bronze Series of loudspeakers. The new speakers have received a complete upgrade in both sound and build quality to give a performance to remember.

The Bronze Series features a new Uniform Dispersion Waveguide which combines with Monitor Audio’s signature C-CAM Gold Dome Tweeter to give even sound dispersion, improved time alignment and wider directivity for a more lifelike listening experience.

The unique, acoustically transparent hexagonal dispersion patterns on the tweeter covers give Bronze a premium feel and allow light to catch the distinctive gold tweeter domes behind the grilles. Gold-plated terminals and Pureflow silver-plated oxygen-free copper internal cabling offer secure cable connectivity.

The fresh cabinet designs have clean and simple lines and are available in a choice of four contemporary finishes. Sleek contrasting baffles and matching magnetic cloth-covered grilles provide an understated appearance.

Since its first launch two decades ago, the multi award-winning Bronze Series has set the standard as a class leader and today there are thousands of satisfied owners across the globe.

With a choice of eight models, including Monitor Audio’s first Dolby Atmos^®enabled module, the Bronze Series has been designed to please any music or movie lover. The attractive styling and choice of finishes ensure that the speakers will complement any room in the home.

Key Features

Superior in build quality and sound

Designed for your home, with clean lines to suit both classic and contemporary home décor

Performance led – intricately engineered to optimise the audio experience

Monitor Audio signature C-CAM Gold Dome Tweeter featuring new Uniform Dispersion (UD) Waveguide

Monitor Audio C-CAM Mid-Bass Drivers featuring new Damped Concentric Mode (DCM) technology which works in partnership with UD Waveguide to lower the crossover frequency

The Monitor Audio family look with acoustically transparent hexagonal dispersion pattern on the tweeter plate

Rear ported and tuned for ease of positioning without affecting sound performance

Two dedicated cinema speakers, Bronze FX and new Bronze AMS Dolby Atmos® enabled upward-firing speakers to add a new dimension to movie soundtracks

New Bronze AMS Dolby Atmos® enabled speakers

5 year Warranty

Choice of four high-quality contemporary finishes – White, Walnut, Urban Grey and Black

Finishes

Black – black vinyl and satin dark grey front baffle

White – white vinyl and satin light grey front baffle

Walnut – walnut wood vinyl and satin dark grey front baffle

Urban Grey – grey wood vinyl and satin light grey front baffle

Bronze Series Specifications

Model	Bronze 50	Bronze 100	Bronze 200	Bronze 500	Bronze C150	Bronze FX	Bronze AMS Dolby Atmos® Enabled Speaker
System Format	2-way	2-way	2.5-way	2.5-way	2-way	2-way	2-way
Frequency response (-6dB) Free field In room	62 Hz – 25 kHz 40 Hz – 30 kHz	52 Hz – 25 kHz 37 Hz – 30 kHz	45 Hz – 25 kHz 35 Hz – 30 kHz	41 Hz – 25 kHz 32 Hz – 30 kHz	83 Hz – 25 kHz 66 Hz – 30 kHz	88 Hz – 25 kHz 74 Hz – 30 kHz	120 Hz – 25 kHz 105 Hz – 30 kHz
Sensitivity (2.83v @ 1m)	85 dB	87 dB	88 dB	90 dB	88 dB	86 dB	86 dB
Nominal impedance	8 Ohms	8 Ohms	8 Ohms	8 Ohms	8 Ohms	8 Ohms	8 Ohms
Minimum Impedance	4.4 Ohms	4.5 Ohms	4.4 Ohms	4.1 Ohms	4.3 Ohms	4 Ohms	4 Ohms
Maximum SPL	107 dBA (pair)	110 dBA (pair)	112 dBA (pair)	116 dBA (pair)	109 dBA (each)	108 dBA (pair)	107 dBA (pair)
Power Handling (RMS)	80 W	100 W	120 W	200 W	120 W	80 W	60 W
Recommended Amplifier Requirements	20 – 80 W	30 – 100 W	40 – 120 W	60 – 200 W	30 – 120 W	20 – 80 W	10 – 60 W
Bass Alignment	Bass reflex HiVe II port system	Bass reflex HiVe II port system	Bass reflex Dual HiVe II port system	Bass reflex Dual HiVe II port system	Sealed cabinet	Sealed cabinet	Sealed cabinet
Crossover Frequency	2,5 kHz	2,2 kHz	700 Hz 2,4 kHz	550 Hz 2,7 kHz	2,7 kHz	2,8 kHz	2,5 kHz
Drive Unit Complement	1 x 51/2” C-CAM mid-bass driver 1 x 25 mm C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter with UD Waveguide	1 x 8” C-CAM mid-bass driver 1 x 25 mm C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter with UD Waveguide	2 x 51/2” C-CAM mid-bass driver 1 x 25 mm C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter with UD Waveguide	2 x 8” C-CAM mid-bass driver 1 x 25 mm C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter with UD Waveguide	2 x 51/2” C-CAM mid-bass driver 1 x 25 mm C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter with UD Waveguide	1 x 51/2” C-CAM mid-bass driver 2 x 25 mm C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter with UD Waveguide	1 x 4” C-CAM mid-bass driver 1 x 25 mm C-CAM Gold Dome tweeter with optimised Waveguide*
External Dimensions including Grille and Terminals (H x W x D)	281 x 166 x 265 mm 111/16 x 69/16 x 107/16”	376 x 231 x 325 mm 1413/16 x 91/8 x 1213/16”	886 x 166 x 265 mm 347/8 x 69/16 x 107/16”	951 x 231 x 325 mm 377/16 x 91/8 x 1213/16”	166 x 451 x 225 mm 69/16 x 173/4 x 88/16”	287 x 284 x 124 mm 115/16 x 113/16 x 47/8”	152 x 166 x 242 mm 6 x 69/16 x 91/2”
External Dimensions including Outrigger Feet and Spikes (H x W x D)	N/A	N/A	909 x 229 x 304 mm 3513/16 x 9 x 1115/16”	974 x 294 x 364 mm 383/8 x 119/16 x 145/16”	N/A	N/A	N/A
Weight (Each)	5.0 kg 11 lb	7.8 kg 17 lb 3 oz	12.8 kg 28 lb 4 oz	18.0 kg 39 lb 11 oz	7.0 kg 15 lb 7 oz	3.9 kg 8 lb 10 oz	2.5 kg 5 lb 8 oz
Finishes	Black, White, Walnut, Urban Grey	Black, White	Black, White

Bronze W10 Subwoofer Specifications

Model	Bronze W10 Subwoofer
System Format	Long-throw 10” driver featuring ‘dished’ C-CAM cone. 10” flat panel ABR (Auxiliary Bass Radiator). 18 mm MDF internally braced construction
Lower Frequency Limit	-3 dB @ 33 Hz / -10 dB @ 28 Hz (Free Field) Default preset: Music, -3 dB @ 29 Hz / -10 dB @ 25 Hz (In room)
Upper Frequency Limit	-6 dB @ 150 Hz
Drive Unit Complement	1 x 250 mm (10”) C-CAM subwoofer driver featuring a 2” long throw voice coil
Linear Driver Excursion	17 mm peak to peak
Amplifier Output	220 W
Amplifier Classification	Class D with high current Switch mode power supply (SMPSU)
Phase Control	0 Degrees & 180 Degree pure Invert
Low Pass Filter Alignment	2nd order (12 dB/Octave), from 40 Hz to 120 Hz
Equalisation DSP	3 pre-set modes: Music, Movie, Impact
Auto Sensing	Line Level >3mV. Auto Standby feature after 20 mins
Audio Inputs	LFE unbalanced input RCA Stereo unbalanced inputs RCA
Input Impedance	20 kOhms input impedance
12 V Trigger	3.5 mm mono mini-jack. 6 V threshold
Electrical Certifications	CE / CB / ETL / Fcc / CCC / ErP (Energy saving compliant)
Mains Input Voltage	100 – 120 VAC ~60Hz / 220 – 240 VAC ~50/60 Hz (Manually selected)
Power Consumption	Maximum 300 W, Standby <0.5 W (ErP compliance)
Fuse Type	20 mm T4AL 250 VAC
External Dimensions including Amp, Drivers & Terminals (H x W x D)	321 x 321 x 364 mm 125/8 x 125/8 x 145/16“
External Dimensions including Amp, Drivers, Terminals & Feet (H x W x D)	366.5 x 321 x 364 mm 147/16 x 125/8 x 145/16“
Weight (Unpacked)	13.4 kg / 29 lb 9 oz
Finishes	Black, White, Walnut, Urban Grey

For more information email [email protected]

Additional technical details are available at www.monitoraudio.com

Monitor Audio is a wholly British owned and managed loudspeaker designer and manufacturer. Since 1972 it has been at the leading edge of loudspeaker design and technology, perfecting the implementation of metal drivers. It is renowned for exemplary speaker cabinet construction and finish.

Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories.

Dolby, Dolby Atmos, and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.

Innovative new cable offer from Black Rhodium.

Closure of hi-fi shops throughout the UK coupled with minimal exports orders due to the Coronavirus has challenged Black Rhodium to seek new markets and new opportunities to sell online. Black Rhodium has some great assets in the high quality wire and connectors used to build top quality audio cables. And very goods stocks of some. So Black Rhodium has risen to the challenge. ’99 by BLACK RHODIUM’ offers consumers the benefits of superb sound from using very high quality parts, but simply constructed to keep prIces low.

99 by BLACK RHODIUM offers a high grade 1m stereo interconnect and a 3m speaker cable pair for only £99.

Both cables use a silver plated copper wire insulated in silicone rubber as is used on Black Rhodium high end hand built loudspeaker cables.

The loudspeaker cable uses Black Rhodium gold plated Universal 4mm plugs specially designed to accept a wide of cable sizes from 0.5 sq. mm to 6 sq. mm. With a flexible cover, the ‘Universal’ plug is particularly suited for BiWire cables and is used in Black Rhodium BiWire cables.

The RCA interconnect is terminated with the Graham Nalty GN-3 gold plated RCA plug which has been specially chosen for Black Rhodium interconnects, including the award winning Operetta interconnect, on account of its excellent sound quality.

Both cables can be purchased directly from the Black Rhodium web site https://blackrhodium.co.uk/product-category/99-range/

WIN! Three chances to win a fantastic AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt worth £269

We have teamed up with our friends from AudioQuest to bring you an excitingcompetition and a chance to win one of three DragonFly Cobalts worth £269.

Alan Sircom reviewed this in Hi-Fi+ issue #175 (pages 116-117) where he wrote, “The Cobalt is the third and latest generation of DragonFly from AudioQuest since the original DragonFly DAC first hit the streets back in 2012. That lone model eventually morphed into two models in 2016 – the entry-level DragonFly Black and the more up-scale DragonFly Red.

He went on to say, “The sound of the Cobalt is light, tight, lean and fun. It is exceptionally clean and detailed sounding, building heavily on the already clean and detailed red. If the black opened the window, and the Red cleaned the window, then the Cobalt builds a bigger window and brings industrial window-cleaning products to the party”.

He concluded the review by saying, “In truth, I’m loving the AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt and the way it revolutionises my travel plans. Armed with a Cobalt, a tablet and a pair of noisecancelling headphones, I can destroy the environment from 32,000ft for hours on end, or I can be eco-chummy and take the train for a week or two. Either way I get to listen to my music and watch Netflix with effortless, unfatiguing sound.”

Competition Question

What colours where the first two DragonFly DACs?

A. Blue and Orange

B. Black and Red

C. Brown and Yellow

Please send your answer – either ‘A’, ‘B’ or ‘C’ – via email to [email protected] placing the words ‘AudioQuest Cobalt competition’ in the title. Remember to include your name and address in the email. Alternatively, send your answer on a postcard (including your name, address, and contact details) to AudioQuest Cobalt Competition, Unit 3, Sandleheath Industrial Estate, Sandleheath, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6 1PA.

Competition Rules

The competition will run from April 30th, 2020 until July 2nd, 2020. The competition is open to everyone, but multiple, automated or bulk entries will be disqualified. The winner will be chosen at random from all valid entries, will be contacted via email (where possible) and their name will be published in the magazine. The Editor’s decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into. Absolute Multimedia (UK) Ltd. is compliant with the Data Protection Act and UK laws apply. Our policy is such that we will not pass on your details to any third party without your prior consent.

Lindemann – New From Old. Musicbook Upgrade “SOURCE 2020“

Good news for the owners of older Musicbook digital sources – LINDEMANN is now making them future-proof. With a full hard- and firmware upgrade to the latest version Musicbook SOURCE. This is available as of now for all Musicbooks of the first and second generation (10, 15, 20, 25 with or without DSD).

What will be done?

Of the previous “old unit“ only the housing, the display and the remote control will continue to be used. The entire electronics is replaced! Units with a CD drive (Musicbook 15+25) are equipped with a new CD-ROM drive, but not so devices without a CD drive (Musicbook 10+20). On models which haven’t supported streaming so far (Musicbook 10+15), this function will now be added. That way every upgraded device will correspond both technically & soundwise 100% to the new Musicbook SOURCE.

What benefits does the upgrade 2020 bring?

✓ New, considerably more powerful streaming platform with all audiophile streaming services (TIDAL, Qobuz, Deezer, HIGHRESAUDIO) plus Roon-ready support

✓ HighRes streaming, also in studio master quality, up to 384 kHz / 24bit and DSD256

✓ Perfect wireless streaming with dual antenna and AC standard – also of high-resolution tracks. A LAN cable is therefore no longer required.

✓ New convenient Lindemann app for Android and iOS with tablet support in landscape mode. Easy to use, very stable operation.

✓ Newly developed digital/analog converter: new master clock with ultra low jitter values over the entire audio bandwidth, next generation converter elements (2 x AK4493) in mono mode. Our biggest step towards perfect digital playback so far.

✓ Completely revised analog preamp, now featuring a top-level phono MM input.

✓ Improved headphone output with higher output current which can drive impedances down to 16 ohms.

✓ New CD-ROM drive with faster access time and lower noise emission.

✓ And much more …

Prices (incl. 2-year new warranty)

Musicbook w/o CD drive: € 1,490.- [models: musicbook:10 (DSD), musicbook:20 (DSD)]

Musicbook w CD drive: € 1,690.- [models: musicbook:15 (DSD), musicbook:25 (DSD)]

For more information please visit https://lindemann-audio.de/musicbook-upgrade-2020/?lang=en

Your contact for further inquiries: Christopher von Delhaes +49 (0)8153 95 333-90 [email protected] www.lindemann-audio.de

UBSOUND LAUNCHES WORLDWIDE ITS NEW HANDCRAFTED LOUDSPEAKERS “FEEL SERIES” DESIGNED IN MILAN AND MADE IN ITALY

On the occasion of the company’s ninth birthday the Italian UBSOUND launches the Feel Series: premium handmade passive Loudspeakers available in two models (bookshelf and floor standing) and in four vibrant colours to choose from, designed and handcrafted in Italy.

· Design and manufacturing Made in Italy

· Loudspeakers handmade in the heart of Milan

· Implementation of the exclusive HDNSS audio technology

· A unique design that stands out in any setting

· Full compatibility with amplifiers up to 100W per channel with 8 Ω impedance

· 3 year manufacturer’s official warranty

Milan, April 2020– On the occasion of the company’s ninth birthday, just seven months after the debut of their flagship Velvet Series, the Italian UBSOUND launches its Feel Series premium handmade passive Loudspeakers, available in two models and four vibrant colours.

UBSOUND, leader in the audio segment and working in over 50 countries worldwide, launches the Feel Series in two versions: the FL32 bookshelf or stand model (USD 2,000 per pair) and the FL38 floor standing model (USD 2,500 per pair).

Both models come in four color variations: elegant Black, brilliant White, sport Red, fashion Yellow. Respecting the production craftsmanship, the external wood of the loudspeakers is finished with a special multi-layer, ultra-resistant and scratch-resistant shining paint which is manually applied.

Every single loudspeaker is manufactured and painted with spray lacquering applied with care and the deep Italian experience. During all production phases the loudspeaker is carefully checked and tested one by one. Every single product is numbered and, due to its manual manufacture, is actually unique in the world.

For the engineering of the Feel series, UBSOUND has implemented its HDNSS (High Definition Natural Sound Signature) audio technology to which the flagship series (Velvet Series) owes its success. The goal of this exclusive technology is to return a very natural sound, not processed or modified. The physical approach in the study of the dynamics of resonances has allowed UBSOUND to better design and develop this technology. UBSOUND loudspeakers deliver with remarkable fidelity an impressive amount of acoustic detail, with a perfect soundstage during playback. Their natural and slightly warm acoustic signature is due to the exclusive implementation of the 45° curved asymmetric front bass reflex that plays a fundamental role in the homogeneity of the propagation of low frequencies below 200Hz. “The perfect sound obviously does not exist, but with this exclusive technology UBSOUND has been able to create a pure, natural and balanced sound”Marzio Gasparro – CEO at UBSOUND Group – states.

The name “Feel” comes from the sensation that is perceived when someone touches or is touched by something. The chosen name represents the double meaning it incorporates and refers both to the physical sensationexperienced by touching these loudspeakers and to the emotional sensationexperienced when moved by the music coming from the loudspeakers in such a natural way. The combination of these sensations transforms the experience into a 360-degree sensory feeling.

They are high performance passive loudspeakers compatible with all amplifiers with a maximum power of 100W per channel at 8Ω impedance. They can be used with digital amplifiers, integrated, analogue, valve tube, class-A, high current, standard 2-channel stereo systems, compact systems and also 5+1 home-theatre systems using the two Velvet loudspeakers as front monitors in the left and right channels. They are also suitable for the ‘pure direct line’ system (no equalization) available on some amplifiers; also suitable for those who simply want to replace their home hi-fi system loudspeakers in order to achieve significantly better sound performances.

“Coming from the flagship Velvet Series, with the Feel Series we have increased our range of loudspeakers by introducing a more lively design.”Marzio Gasparro (CEO at UBSOUND Group) declares.“The size of both FEEL models is smaller in order to easily integrate them into any room. Also the introduction of the colourrange answers to the desire to own an eccentric and unique piece of furniture that represents in a distinctive way the sound source for the room in which the loudspeaker is placed.” Marzio Gasparro concludes.

Technical Specifications

	FEEL FL32	FEEL FL38
Diameter of the 2-way coaxial dynamic hybrid driver	21 cm (8,3”)	21 cm (8,3”)
Maximum power input	100 W	100 W
Suggested power input	From 15 W to 80 W	From 15W to 80W
Impedance	8Ω	8Ω
Frequency response	32 Hz – 22.600 Hz (±3 db)	31 Hz – 22.600 Hz (±3 db)
Sensitivity	89 dB (2,83 V/1 m)	89 dB (2,83 V/1 m)
Maximum harmonic distortion	< 1%	< 1%
Dimensions	35 x 24 x 30 cm (HxWxD)	90 x 24 x 30 cm (HxWxD)
Weight	6 Kg /13 lb	13 Kg/27 lb
Bass-reflex	Front, asymmetrical and 45° curved	Front, asymmetrical and 45° curved
Positioning	Bookshelf or stand	Floor standing tower
Terminals allow for connections	Stripped cables, cables with banana plugs or spade terminals	Stripped cables, cables with banana plugs or spade terminals
Recommended running-in period	100 hours of use	100 hours of use
Price	£ 2.000 (pair)	£ 2.500 (pair)
Available colours	Elegant Black, brilliant White, sport Red, fashion Yellow	Elegant Black, brilliant White, sport Red, fashion Yellow

Official UBSOUND Video:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=YTtL_I7WOtA

Where to buy, Prices and Warranty

The Feel Series loudspeakers are already available for purchase from the official manufacturer website with free shipping worldwidedirectly from the Italian factory to your home and covered by 3 year official warrantyby UBSOUND. The products will be available for shipping starting from the 25^thof May 2020. The Feel Series loudspeakers may be also available for purchase in the future in some of the finest and prestigious Hi-Fi stores around the world.

Official company website, more info and where to buy worldwide: www.ubsound.com

About UBSOUND

UBSOUND Group is an Italian company based in Milan and founded in 2011. They specialize in high-end wooden handcrafted passive loudspeakers, designed & engineered in Milan and Made in Italy. The company works in more than 50 countries worldwide with an excellent brand awareness due to the great quality of its products.

Press Office

[email protected]

UBSOUND Group

Via Tucidide, 56 – 20134 – Milano – Italy – Tel. +39 02 70 12 66 55

Announcing the official launch of: AKu Audio | Advanced Loudspeaker Systems Engineering

Coming from a family of three generations of engineers, we have coupled our technology background with our passion for sound & music to create modern, high-quality loudspeaker systems for various sectors and applications.

We started our journey 16 years ago, designing and experimenting in novel and cost-effective hi-end loudspeakers, culminating in our current state-of-the-art loudspeakers’ portfolio.

We have a clear vision and knowledge of the technologies to be developed, amalgamating resources and technologies from various sectors of science & engineering, serving our plan to realize a continuous stream of new and advanced products.

Our products and solutions cover the needs of sound professionals, high-end enthusiasts as well as home theater aficionados.

A lifelong dream and target of our team was to reach the point where our development and design surpass existing solutions in the global soundscape, without cutting corners.

We welcome you to our journey towards your audio nirvana!

AKu loudspeaker systems are a collection of statements.

It is not easy to fit them in standardized categories, since their design and unique construction sets them apart, virtually creating a new category of their own.

Our efforts focus on pioneering design approaches in order to tackle common issues in current loudspeaker manufacturing & application in tandem with aesthetically pleasing forms and finishes.

Our ultimate goal is to provide the best in audio technologies and solutions for the discerning listener and sound professional, whatever their listening environment may be.

AKu announces five loudspeaker system models with its launch.

Enarghia

AKu’s flagship system. A high precision/patent loaded system capable of delivering true live music dynamics with ease and adapting to any listener and sound environment.

The culmination of a 5-year R&D effort, aimed to achieve perfection in every single detail.

System architecture

– Active 3-way, 5 chamber, floor stander with multi-layered proprietary body construction. Amplitude, time & phase aligned. Highly accurate linear phase crossovers.

– Asymmetric internal surfaces with embedded stiffeners in all directions.

– Minimal Vibration MDF composite design.

*Enarghia in ancient Greek stood for, the delivery of a clear definition – Purity – Coherence in thought

Talos

A rare combination of aesthetics and performance. Bringing bold design and studio quality sound to listeners who rightfully, do not accept cubism.

System architecture

– Active 3-way, 4 chamber, floor stander with multi-layered proprietary body construction. Amplitude, time & phase aligned. Highly accurate linear phase crossovers (premium version).

– Nonplanar internal surfaces.

– Minimal Vibration MDF composite design.

*Talos in Greek mythology was the giant automaton Hephaestus created to guard the island of Crete in the Aegean Sea.

Ichor

One of the best performing near/midfield monitors in the world which also dares to enter any modern living space. Single piece, cast-aluminum with high precision machining, assembles the ideal foundation for a pair of singular transducers to excel. Available as Ichor and Ichor EB which adds two passive radiators for extended bass response.

System architecture

– Active 2-way, 2 chamber monitor with cast-aluminum proprietary body construction. Amplitude & time aligned. Ribbed, nonplanar internal surfaces.

– Minimal Vibration two material design.

*Ichor in ancient Greek was the blood of gods and kings. Golden and powerful. Toxic to mortals.

πerix

AKu’s unique proposition for smaller systems covering home theater and desktop audio applications introducing bold design, in combination with high quality materials and assembly techniques.

Offering configurations of 2.1 | 5.1 | 7.2 sets, with optional wall mount, floor standing and desktop versions.

System architecture

πerix sat: Passive 2-way, 2 chamber satellite, with stacked mdf cabinet construction and laser-cut steel stands. Nonplanar internal surfaces. Mirrored Left-Right design.

πerix center: Passive 2-way, 3 chamber center channel satellite, with stacked mdf cabinet construction and laser-cut steel feet or wall mount. Nonplanar internal surfaces.

πerix sub v2.1: Active 250Watt subwoofer with stacked mdf cabinet construction, laser-cut steel covers and 3D-printed supports. Ribbed, nonplanar internal surfaces. Embedded 38mm internal braces.

πerix sub v5.1-7.2: Active 450Watt subwoofer with stacked mdf cabinet construction, laser-cut steel covers and 3D-printed supports. Ribbed, nonplanar internal surfaces. Embedded 38mm internal braces.

*πerix in Greek are the things that surround you.

Drop

AKu’s entry level solution with no skimping in craftmanship and materials. Ideal for premium spaces which require a discreet and high-quality sound system for low & medium volume music playback.

Drop series can be deployed in various configurations and finished in any color needed to suit the installation environment.

System architecture

drop sat: Passive full-range acoustic suspension satellite speaker, with lathe processed stacked mdf cabinet construction. Stepped, nonplanar internal surfaces.

drop sub: Passive 300Watt subwoofer with lathe processed stacked mdf cabinet construction. Stepped, nonplanar internal surfaces.

AKu was founded by Mr. George Kazantzis and is based in Athens. AKu evolves around modern technologies, especially in sound reproduction systems. Always aiming for novel solutions and bold design. George, as a systems designer and visionary, teamed up with his brother, Kostas Kazantzis in order to combine their strong points and passion for great sound, in further developing various original concepts the first one had prepared through years of designing and prototyping.

G. Kazantzis has studied music, audio engineering, acoustics, electronic engineering and has a strong background in loudspeaker & acoustic elements prototyping, pro & consumer AV systems design/integration/install, Recording & Broadcast Studio design, Live and studio Recording & Mixing for music, Drumming, IT systems, Security systems design, Command Centers, Networks and Electrical / Electronic systems. Projects in the aforementioned sectors completed in EMEA regions and USA.

K. Kazantzis has studied Mechanical Engineering and has a strong background in CAD/CAM, AV systems install, Computing, metal systems design & manufacturing, assembly line design, Vehicle & Shipping parts design and quality control systems. Projects in the aforementioned sectors completed in EMEA regions.

All the above, contribute to the creation of a singular toolset necessary to pioneer in loudspeaker design & production.

AKu loudspeaker systems are currently sold worldwide via factory direct orders. AKu plans to expand its sales via a solid dealer network in key countries.

AKu products are made in Europe/Greece under strict quality controlled processes.

AKu has a strong after-sales support service, with proposals for placement, room acoustics and remote measurements for proper integration.

AKu has a strong cooperation with DEQX, Hypex, Scan-speak and more.

For more information, please contact us at: [email protected]

AKu s.m.p.c.

Nea Erythraia GR-14671, Athens/Greece

Web: www.aku-audio.com

*Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/aku.audio) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/aku.audio or #akuaudio)

oBravo Cupid hybrid planar magnetic/dynamic earphone

David Teng is the founder of oBravo, a Taiwanese manufacturer specialising in high-end, high performance headphones and earphones. oBravo’s initial development efforts centred on full-size headphones, such as the HAMT-1 hybrid AMT/dynamic driver-equipped headphones reviewed by Hi-Fi+ Editor Alan Sircom in issues 120 and 121. Later, oBravo branched out to design ultra high performance hybrid earphones that sounded terrific, but also were typically quite expensive.

Most oBravo headphones and earphones use hybrid driver arrays, deftly combining dynamic mid-bass drivers with exotic planar magnetic, ribbon, or air motion transformer-type (AMT) tweeters. The three common threads we have observed in oBravo products to date have been an emphasis on refined and very revealing sound quality, expertly crafted hybrid driver arrays, and relatively high selling prices. However, at Munich High-End 2019 oBravo surprised us with a highly disruptive new product we never anticipated.

At Munich, David Teng greeted me and said, “I’ve got a new hybrid earphone I want you to hear.” The earphone was called the Cupid and it was beautifully made, surprisingly small, and sounded so good that I felt sure it would be expensive. But I was wrong about that.

When I asked the projected price of the Cupids, Teng replied with practiced nonchalance, “Oh, about £249.” Hunhh?!?I could scarcely believe my ears, partly because the Cupid sounded competitive with earphones carrying four-figure price tags, and partly because it was one of the least expensive oBravo earphones ever.

The Cupids use compact lozenge-shaped earpieces made of mirror-polished brass treated to an electroplated ‘black gold’ finish. The driver complement consists of a 6mm dynamic mid-bass driver with neodymium motor magnets and a 8mm second-generation planar magnetic tweeter (patented). Signal connections are via enhanced oB-MMCX connectors. A 1.2m, balanced signal cable with silver-plated OCC conductors and a 2.5mm balanced plug comes standard, along with a 3.5mm adapter. Also included are three pairs of silicone and Comply™ Foam ear tips. a small two-chamber carry bag designed to keep the earpieces from chafing against one another, and an oBravo cable tie-down strip. This configuration, called the Cupid Prime, sells for £249 (or $269 US).

I tried the Cupids with an Astell&Kern SP1000M DAP loaded with CD-quality or better music files and with the Tidal app. I also ran the earphones with an iPad Air and a Samsung Galaxy Note 9 smartphone. I soon discovered the easy-to-drive Cupids performed surprisingly well with my tablet and smartphone, though they were sufficiently revealing to underscore the substantial qualitative differences between those devices versus the much higher performance Astell&Kern DAP.

Next, I found the Cupids offered all the core elements of the oBravo ‘house sound’: namely, neutral and smooth top-to-bottom tonal balance, exquisite and seamless integration between their dynamic and planar magnetic drivers, expressive dynamics, and a very fine degree of resolution. If you were wondering if the Cupids are a ‘real’ oBravo, the emphatic answer is “Yes!”

Two tracks will help illustrate the qualities that make the Cupids so special. The first is ‘Charlie Foxtrot’ from The Souljazz Orchestra’s Chaos Theories [Strut Records, 16/44.1]. The song is chockfull of incisive, intensely syncopated piano, percussion, trumpet, and saxophone lines and the Cupids conveyed the instruments’ timbres and dynamics with terrific energy and clarity; each instrumental voice sounded pure and completely distinct from the others. The second is “My Friend the Forest” from Nils Frahm’s All Melody [Erased Tapes, 16/44.1], where the Cupid’s not only captured the sweet, pensive tonality of Frahm’s piano, but also brilliantly rendered all the small micro-details that conveyed the action of the piano and the reverberant characteristics of the recording space. Frankly, £249 earphones aren’t normally expected to do such things so well, but somehow the Cupids pulled it off.

If you want a substantial taste of what serious high-end earphones are all about, yet without putting your budget in distress, look no further than oBravo’s Cupids. At their asking price they are not just a bargain, but a musical gift.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Type: Hybrid planar magnetic/dynamic universal fit earphone

Driver complement: 6mm dynamic mid-bass driver, 8mm planar magnetic tweeter (patented)

Frequency response: 20Hz–40kHz

Impedance: 16 ohms

Sensitivity: 105dB

Weight: Not specified

Accessories: Three pairs of silicone ear tips, three pairs of Comply™ Foam ear tips, fabric protective pouch, a cable tie‑down strip, 1.2m balance signal cable with silver‑plated OCC conductors and a 2.5mm balanced plug, and a 3.5mm adapter

Price: £249 UK (or $249 US)

MANUFACTURER INFORMATION

oBravo Audio

URL: obravoaudio.com

UK/US Distributor

oBravo UK

URL: obravo.co.uk

Sonus faber Olympica Nova 1 stand-mount loudspeaker

Since the announcement at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2019 of the new range of Olympica speakers from Sonus faber, the Nova, have offered an intriguing glimpse of the future direction of this famous Italian company. Since the brand was founded in 1983 Sonus faber speakers have made their name through their fabulously elegant cabinets, as well as higher-end models being named after great violin makers (like Stradivarius or Guaneri) or Italian locations associated with musical history, such as Cremona.

Franco Serblin, the founder of the company, left in 2006 to explore new loudspeaker designs and sadly passed away in 2013. But Sonus faber continued under new ownership. Sonus faber is an important part of the McIntosh Group and recently seems to have re-committed the brand to the original high-end concept of ultra-stylish Italian design. These new speakers are made in Vicenza in Italy and not in China, as has been the case with some of the brand’s lower-priced designs. There’s certainly a distinct flavour to any Sonus faber speaker. The house sound has always been very smooth, relaxed and detailed with superb driver integration, and of course the allure of those wooden cabinet designs. I couldn’t help but wonder if the new Nova range was going to continue that trend or perhaps evolve into something sharper and tonally challenging. I chose the smallest speaker in the Nova range, the 1, a stand-mounted twin driver design. It’s a classic, simple configuration that I have always admired and reviewed many, many times over the years as most manufacturers have one in their range.

People buy stand-mounted speakers for many reasons but obviously the convenience of size is often the main decider. Also, like me, they love their speed and focussed detail which often brings perspectives and views of the music and the soundstage that are very different to the floor standing alternatives that are more room-dominant and can often sound slow and even ponderous in comparison. Obviously there are always going to be limitations to any small stand-mount but the good ones are always full of surprises and musical delights that can only really succeed if the drivers are of superlative quality, incorporated into a thoughtfully designed cabinet and crossover. They will usually have a port and this too needs to really work with the music and not just be there for a bit of extra bass weight. All of these areas have been addressed in the Nova 1.

The cabinet is a thing of beauty. Standing around 35 cm high with an elegant, sweeping boat back the wood finish mixes with some subtle aluminium elements. They are constructed with a nod towards stringed-instrument making techniques. The eight-piece laminated sides are gently bent towards the rear, a bit like the beginning of a spiral, where they are folded asymmetrically to allow a full length slotted port. This is called Stealth Ultraflex system and is vented through aluminium fins to allow the pressure within the cabinet to be released in a controlled way. Each pair of speakers features a left and right version as the ports are mounted slightly to one side of the cabinet’s natural rear apex. It also allows for an extra degree of latitude when tuning the room installation as the port can be sited to either the inside or the outside of the speaker. Connections at the rear are single or bi-wired should you have pre-configured cabling. The mounting plate on the front baffle that carries the twin drivers has another Sonus faber trademark, a real leather surround while the detachable grill has the immediately recognisable thin rubber strands, held under tension by a pair of aluminium curved bars that slot into the baffle.

The slatted-wooden finish speaks directly to the beautiful Italian Riva speedboats for me. It’s another iconic look and a reference that speaks to luxury and endlessly stylish Italian design. To round off the aesthetics the top and bottom plates of the speaker are rimmed with a quite lovely aluminium insert that completes the look perfectly. Overall it’s a very balanced organic, warm, detailed and elegant design. This is continued with the custom aluminium stands. As if Sonus faber would allow the Nova 1 to end up sitting on a crude open-frame metal design! The speakers bolt to the cabinet via two top-plate outrigger extensions and continue down a slim, fluted central pillar with a rear cut-out to hide cables. It feels as though there is some damping material inside, probably sand. The pillar is fitted to a thin baseplate, rimmed in silver and tuned by some superbly finished spikes with full adjustment through a threaded fitting and locked off by a knurled bolt. Floor protectors are also part of the whole package. Visually I think the Nova 1 is stunning and is quite superbly finished with every small detail being delicately and tastefully executed.

The drivers are interesting. The tweeter is a 28 mm silk soft dome that features the Sonus faber DAD technology. Damped Apex Dome is a self-explanatory technique aimed at increasing both extension and smoothness of response by introducing some selective damping to the apex of the dome. A solid aluminium arch across the face of the dome helps regulate phase behaviour. Internally, the motor is powered by a Neodymium magnet.

The mid/bass driver has a new open cage metal chassis and a much longer throw cone formed from a sandwich construction technique using a twin layer of cellulose pulp with what is described as a synaptic foam between them. A fabric-coated dust cap seals the unit.

One of the nice things about this speaker/stand amalgamation is that it is relatively light in weight which makes siting them within your listening room extremely simple. You can make large or micro adjustment quickly and easily. Also good news is the fact that the Nova 1 is extremely forgiving where positioning is concerned. It’s not a speaker that needs much in the way of tiny locational or toe-in changes. I initially placed them in what looks like their natural positions in my listening room and let them run for a few days before looking more closely at fine-tuning. The excellence of that full-length slotted rear port means that they are very, very tolerant of rear-wall proximity. Even at high listening levels it’s hard to feel much air movement through the Ultraflex port which is very different to the compressed air piston that conventional small-speaker round ports usually produce. You can hear this too. I wouldn’t necessarily sit them hard back against a rear wall but a foot or so out will not be a problem and a metre will give them more breathing room. Likewise, they are very forgiving when it comes to their toe-in or the orientation of the port (inside or out). I reckon these are just about the most versatile stand-mounted high-end design I have heard and that’s just one of their notable qualities.

At 87dB efficiency they are happy with some grippy power in their driving amplifier and depending on your particular tastes, I would personally look for an amplifier of no less than 50 watts that wasn’t over-smooth. That tweeter is more than capable of dealing with large doses of high frequency energy and resolving that with very impressive articulation.

The Nova 1 is one of those speakers that you can listen to for hours and hours without fatigue. They took a couple of days to come on song but when they did, they promptly disappeared. Solo piano often exposes all those small speaker traits that can be irritating. Compression, note-pinching and bleached tonality often combines with the cabinet size to leave the piano itself sounding unsatisfying and just plain small. Not so with the Nova 1 where the general scale and tonal qualities are interesting and impressive. There is also the way in which they actually project the music into the room with such ease and smooth rhythmic movement, meaning the instrument just appears with no congested, miniature tinkling pianos to be found. Close your eyes and you’d be hard pushed to point to where the sound is actually coming from. This broad and deep, relaxed view of the musical perspectives soon became one of the most admirable aspects of the Nova 1 for me and gave me that sense of confidence in the system that, if you don’t have, quickly becomes tiresome and a real barrier to relaxed enjoyment.

Listening to Robbie Robertson’s timeless Music For The Native Americans [Capitol] showed how all the design elements that have been incorporated in the Nova 1 come together musically. This is a broad and deep recording, full of the mystery of the American plains and with an atmosphere of tradition and mysticism. It is full of big, slack-skinned drums and background chants. I have to admit that I wondered if the diminutive Sonus faber would make much of it. I wasn’t disappointed. Lovely deep perspectives and rolling bass filled the room and as I drove the amplifier harder the speaker responded quite beautifully. The rear port works so smoothly, with no chuffing that the response, as the frequencies fall and the transients rise, never found the speaker in trouble at all. It unquestionably adds a great deal of refinement to the sound.

Adding power just made it louder and more imposing, even when the really low sub-drums were beating out their rhythmic message the scaling and clarity of the entire soundstage is very good. That tweeter too is a fine driver, made all the better by the brilliant way the twin drivers function as one. Integration is about as good as I have heard from such a small two-way and as the Robbie Robertson album showed, it’s dramatic and emotionally moving too.

‘Cherokee Morning Song’ with its interwoven vocal chants was spacious and articulate again showing the Nova 1’s interesting presentation. This isn’t a speaker that stuns with pinpoint detailing or needlepoint high frequency shimmer. Instead, these Sonus fabers display the music like a painting and invite you to view the whole where you will find the tweeter working with fine resolution and never drawing attention to itself. But the treble performance is embedded and not sitting atop the mid and bass. Where the Nova 1 is concerned transitional smoothness and the whole musical picture take precedent. Once you are used to their balance you can begin to appreciate the sheer range of colour and tonal nuance that they are capable of that are quite surprising.

You may be thinking that this is a speaker for the classical listener and you’d be right and wrong. They specialise in atmosphere and are extraordinarily adept at describing the subtlest of pitch or tempo shifts whether it be from Einaudi’s Seven Days Walking [Decca], a collection of discs that chart the passing of time and landscapes in a series of musical piano poems. The MQA version of this from Tidal Masters is as dreamy a way of passing a wet afternoon as I have heard. Or Billy Cobham’s seminal 1973 album Spectrum [Atlantic], a work that perhaps marked the beginning of the fusion between jazz and rock. It’s powerful and visceral and the Nova 1’s lapped it up and spat it out. Not many small speakers make such a good job of ‘Quadrant 4’. More edgy and tonally uncomfortable perhaps, but not as colourful and unflustered. Check out ‘Stratus’ and the moment that Cobham, after a series of pressed rolls on the snare, works his way around the tom-toms before opening those broad shoulders of his and inviting bassist Ron Carter to lend foundation to a ridiculously infectious groove that just drives. You wouldn’t believe that the Sonus fabers could maintain order with Cobham working the kit over Carters evil bass line but I’m listening to it at silly levels while I’m writing this and I can tell you that this is one hell of a foot-tapping loudspeaker.

The more I listened to the Nova 1, the more I liked them. Beautifully made and very smooth looking, they are a class all-rounder. There is something almost non-hi fi about them and the way they tell their musical stories. Give them a great amplifier and source, kick back and let them go. They’re much more than just a pretty face.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Type: Two-way, vented, stand-mount loudspeaker
Drivers: 28mm tweeter with Neodymium motor with DAD150 mm bass/mid driver with eddy current-free voice coil
Impedance: Nominal 4 ohm
Crossover Freq: 2500Hz
Freq. response: 45 Hz–35,000 Hz
Sensitivity: 87dB
Suggested amplifier power: 35w–250w
Dimensions: 355 × 200 × 380 (including grill) mm
Stand: Single pillar aluminium
Weight: 10.5 Kg (17.1 Kg with stand)
Finishes: Walnut or Wenge
Price: £5,950 per pair. Stands £995
Manufacturer: Sonus faber

URL: sonusfaber.com

UK Distributor: Absolute Sounds

URL: absolutesounds.com

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Linn Series 3 wireless speaker system

Anyone with even a passing knowledge of high-quality hi-fi knows the name ‘Linn’. Anyone with a more abiding interest knows Linn to be one of the industry’s true innovators, from its Sondek LP12 of the early 1970s (which to this day remains a turntable capable of bringing a lump to the throat of even the most jaded listener) to the evangelical fervour of its mid-2000s embrace of digital audio streaming. The clearsightedness of Linn’s vision has always been admirable, the sonic quality of its products has always been unarguable, the prices it tends to set have always been considerable. When the time comes to make a documentary of the Linn story, it’s going to have one heck of a montage.

Which makes the appearance of the Linn Series 3 wireless speaker just a little surprising. There’s a fairly un-Linn-like element of ‘giving the people what they ask for’ about this product, which is rather at odds with the company’s more usual policy of ‘giving the people what they don’t yet realise they want’.

Yes, by the standards of single-speaker wireless digital audio systems, Series 3 is punishingly expensive. A single ‘301’ Series 3 will set you back £2,950, and if you add a partnering ‘302’ to form a stereo pair you’re looking at £5,450. At that sort of money, credible alternatives consist primarily of Devialet’s £2,490 Gold Phantom single speaker (a profoundly bonkers 4500-watt show-off) or Bowers & Wilkins’ £3,499 Formation Duo stereo pair (admirably musical, relatively staid and businesslike in appearance, and looking more and more of a bargain the longer this sentence goes on).

The 301 Series 3 is self-contained; it includes everything you might reasonably expect, as well as some uniquely Linn touches. Its driver array consists of a 19mm silk tweeter above a 160mm doped paper mid/bass driver – each is driven by 100 watts of Class D amplification. By the time your digital audio files arrive in analogue form at the power amp stage, they’ve been pored over by Linn’s Exakt digital processing engine.

The Exakt technology is intended to deliver linear phase performance across the entire frequency range – that’s been its mission statement since Linn first introduced it in 2013. Incoming digital audio information (here up to a maximum of 24bit/192kHz, all popular file types catered for) is kept in the digital domain until the last possible moment – anything less hearty than 24bit/192kHz is upscaled, as Exakt handles digital crossover filtering at this resolution. The signal is then upsampled to 768kHz before its conversion to analogue, an instant before it hits the power amps.

Getting information into a 301 Series 3 is simple, no matter your preferences. As well as being Roon-ready (301 has an Ethernet socket, just in case you value rock-solid integrity of connection to your local network over full-on wirelessness), there’s Apple AirPlay and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity. The Kazoo control app allows the user to integrate Qobuz, Spotify, TuneIn radio and TIDAL accounts too, though Linn’s rather vocal scepticism regarding MQA means TIDAL Masters is unavailable. There’s even an HDMI ARC socket, in case you want to involve Series 3 in your video, as well as your audio, experience.

The 302 Series 3 that makes up a stereo arrangement is, relatively speaking, a much simpler creature. It has the same driver complement and amplification arrangement as its 301 foreman, naturally, but connectivity is simply mains power and an Ethernet-style socket for an Exakt Link connection to 301. ‘Wireless’, in the case of a Linn Series 3 stereo system, means a mains connection for each speaker and a (bundled) Exakt Link cable joining them.

There’s no denying the industrial design of Series 3 is a bit of a departure for Linn. The 30 × 25 × 21cm (h/w/d) infinite baffle cabinet is cast from a ceramic mineral before being finished by hand, and its inviting curvaceousness is matched by its tactility. Linn is prepared to talk, at length, about the material’s density, stiffness, and damping properties – no doubt the engineering principles behind it are solid, but the fact it looks and feels so unusual and so alluring doesn’t do any harm either. The thin, stiff and magnetically attached grille only adds to the visual drama. And Series 3 is a shape that invites those who gaze upon it to project their own meanings – does it look like a wine-glass, as Linn suggests? A bulb of fennel? Please send your suggestions to the usual address.

Control is achievable, up to a point, using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant voice control – as long as you already have a mic-equipped speaker on your network, Bluetooth-driven integration into the Google Home or Alexa app is easy enough. Or you can use the touch-controls integrated into the winningly tactile glass top-plate of the 301: one hundred individual LEDs form a gently glowing circle to indicate gain level, and there are controls for initial set-up, Bluetooth pairing and ‘favourites’. It’s a responsive and pleasant interface, though it collects fingerprints like a scene-of-crime investigator.

Chances are you’ll use the Linn/Kazoo control app more often than anything else, though – it has all the functionality you need, and is where the seriously monied can set up their Series 3 multi-room system. Control apps can be Kryptonite to companies smaller than Global Colossuses – everyone knows what an excellent control app is like, thanks to their familiarity with those from Apple, Sonos and so on, and it can be hard for firms with restricted resources to match up. Sure enough, the Series 3 control app isn’t absolutely state of the art – but it’s comprehensive, and more stable than some of Linn’s most direct competitors can manage. As a consequence, it’s more usable and less frustrating than quite a few I could mention.

For all Linn’s willingness to explore different materials, shapes, and interfaces with Series 3s, though, it doesn’t seem prepared to compromise in the slightest where sonic characteristics are concerned. Use Roon to access a networked 24bit/192kHz mono file of Frank Sinatra’s magnificently unhappy In the Wee Small Hours [Capitol] and it’s apparent. Nelson Riddle’s arrangements sound as lush and lyrical as ever, the casual precision of Sinatra’s vocal is absolutely packed with detailed information. The result is a presentation that’s as elegant and effortless as one might expect, yet meticulous in its control of the attack and decay of individual sounds.

There’s nothing prissy or overly analytical about the way Series 3 sounds, but the speaker nevertheless wants you to appreciate you’re getting the full picture. From the deep, textured bass foundations of The Hold Steady’s Stay Positive [Rough Trade] to the crashy, splashy top end, organisation is straight-edged and almost fanatical. And in the midrange, which on this album is an audio fistfight between guitars, voice, backing vocals, organ, and piano, there’s more breathing-space and elbow-room than frankly sounds possible on lesser wireless speakers.

Linn’s Exakt technology is every bit as effective here as it is far higher up the company’s product range. Timing is unquestionable – the Series 3 presents David Axelrod’s Songs of Innocence [Capitol] as an utterly unified whole, with each disparate element hanging from the rhythm section contributions of Earl Palmer and Carol Kaye. The delivery is reminiscent of a military parade or the murmuration of starlings, inasmuch there are numerous discrete elements all locked together, displaying common purpose and moving in unshakably sympathetic style. Axelrod’s infatuation with sinuous-electric-psychedelia-meets-luxurious-string-arrangement sounds more straightforwardly correct and balanced here than via any other wireless all-in-one.

The restless dynamics, both broad and low-level, of Miles Davis’ On the Corner [Columbia] pose no problems either. Series 3 is a poised, tonally convincing listen, and it puts worthwhile distance between ‘very quiet’ and ‘very loud’. That said, it doesn’t have the out-and-out scale of Naim’s Mu-so 2nd Generation or the aforementioned Devialet Gold Phantom. That’s not to suggest Series 3 doesn’t breathe deeply enough, mind you, simply that those two are extremely powerful. And Series 3 manages to stay in control of its soundstage even when operating at significant volume, which is an impressive feat in its own right.

Series 3 has demonstrated some isolated instances of dislike for the occasional Android smartphone – Linn is promising an imminent ‘maintenance release’, but prospective owners might want to check their particular Android smartphone’s Bluetooth compatibility with Series 3. Because other than that, there’s no reason to leave it off your shortlist. When some enterprising video streaming services gets around to making The Linn Story (as they surely must), Series 3’s place in the montage seems assured.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Type: Two-way, two-driver standmounter with augmented infinite baffle
Driver complement: 1 × 19mm tweeter, 1 × 160mm mid/bass driver
Frequency response: 42Hz–20kHz
Crossover frequency: 2.3kHz
Maximum SPL (dB): 101
Dimensions (hwd, cm): 29.6 × 25 × 20.6
Weight (kg): 6.9
Finishes: White cabinet. Silver or gold grille
Price: £,2950 (single); £5,450 (stereo system)

Manufacturer: Linn

Tel: 0800 001 5111 (UK only)

URL: www.linn.co.uk

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Product Announcement: 3 INPUT MASTER TRIDENT Tape Head Preamplifier for professional users of Reel to Reel Tape Decks from Merrill Audio.

BERNARDSVILLE, New Jersey, USA – Merrill Audio introduces, for REEL to REEL professionals who have more than 1 Tape deck the MASTER TRIDENT Tape Head Preamp with 3 inputs for use with multiple decks. The newly released MASTER TRIDENT Tape Head Preamp improves the studio quality reproduction of your Master Tapes. Quiet, dynamic and realistic presentation of your master tapes can now be heard to an uncanny degree of realism with the MASTER TRIDENT Tape Head Preamp from Merrill Audio. Additional features include 3 settings per input, VU Meters for calibration, High Frequency Level Adjustments, output level control, channel balance and VU Meter level adjustment. Finally, there is a Studio Quality Tape Head Preamplifier for the professionals of Reel to Reel Tape playback. Merrill Audio, known for Musical Immediacy and ultra-low noise floor, is very excited to introduce the MASTER TRIDENT Tape Head Preamplifier for the Audio Purist when nothing but only the best will do.

Merrill Audio MASTER TRIDENT Tape Head Preamp is the 3rd of a series of exquisite Tape Head Preamplifiers recently introduced. Price at $19,000, it is an ideal addition to the Ampex ATR 100, 102 and 104 series, STUDER or the Otari MTR desks. Merrill Audio can provide the plug in card to access the Tape Head directly on the Ampex ATR 100 series Machines, replacing the onboard preamp cards for an order increase in performance. The maximum gain on the Merrill Audio Master TRIDENT Tape Head Preamp is set to 71dB, and has an adjustable output level from 0dB to 71dB. There are 6 Speed and Equalization settings provided which are 3.75ips/NAB, 7.5 IPS/NAB, 7.5 IPS/IEC, 15IPS/NAB, 15IPS/IEC and 30IPS/AES. Easy settings are done from the Capacitive Color 5inch touch screen from the front panel touch screen. The total of 9 saved setting configuration is saved to memory which are restored on power up. The Merrill Audio MASTER TRIDENT Tape Head Preamplifier will accept Tape outputs from 0.3mV to 6mV and has a maximum peak to peak output range of 24 volts, allowing for superb dynamics.

The Merrill Audio MASTER TRIDENT Tape Head Preamplifier comes in a work of art chassis, Rose Gold Front, black chassis with a full color, 5inch, Capacitive touch screen TFT display for easy reading and configuration.

High Definition Tape Transfers, Owner and mastering expert, Robert Witrak, says, “”Have to say WOW the tape pre is incredible!! It’s making my 7.5ips tapes sound like 15ips !!”

The Merrill Audio MASTER TRIDENT Tape Head Preamplifier is built with ultra-tight tolerance components, Silver plated Teflon sleeved wire, fully balanced inputs and outputs, custom Merrill Audio XLR connectors with gold plated pins with Teflon body in metal housing is used. The KRATOS II external power supply is ultra-low noise power supply gives the Merrill Audio MASTER Tape Head Preamplifier an ultra-low noise floor with great immediacy in reproduction. Currently Shipping.

Now at select dealers and directly from Merrill Audio.

More information at https://merrillaudio.net/master-tape-head-preamp/

For more information

Merrill Audio Advanced Technology Labs, LLC

[email protected]

www.MerrillAudio.net

Transformational 2go streamer/server for the award-winning Hugo 2 DAC now shipping globally

28th April 2020, Kent, UK:Chord Electronics’ 2go, the revolutionary streamer/server designed to transform the Hugo 2 DAC into a fully featured Wi-Fi- and Ethernet-enabled network music player and streamer, is now shipping globally and is available to buy from the company’s international dealer network.

Announced in December, debuted in January and revealed (in Europe) in February, the new 2go streamer/server (along with the partnering 2yu digital interface) made its international debut at CanJam New York in January 2020, which was closely followed by the European launch at The Bristol Hi-Fi Show in February, which enabled show-goers to get ‘hands-on’.

2go introduces high-resolution streaming to Chord Electronics’ multi-award-winning Hugo 2 DAC/headphone and also benefits from 2x 2 TB-rated SD card slots for digital storage and playback, enabling Hugo 2 as a high-capacity solid-state digital music server (using MPD), all from a compact, space-saving and highly portable device.

All forms of digital playback can benefit from battery power alone, negating the need for external power supplies, expensive mains conditioners, distribution boards and cables etc., and removing the potentially degrading influence of AC mains noise and artefacts.

2go contains highly advanced miniaturised electronic engineering that, in keeping with all Chord Electronics’ amplifiers and DACs, uses proprietary British technology. It enables streamed and SD card-stored digital music files to benefit from Chord Electronics’ multi-award-winning DAC technology, found in the Hugo 2. Adding 2go to Hugo 2, effectively creates the most sonically advanced compact music streamer available today.

2go brings the benefits of both wireless convenience (2.4GHz Wi-Fi and A2DP Bluetooth) plus the stability and performance of wired (Gigabit) Ethernet connectivity, the latter offering set-up-free plug and play operation. 2go also benefits from comprehensive audio interfacing and offers Tidal, Qobuz and Internet radio playback with Spotify (and others) earmarked for the future. 2go is also Roon Ready, offers gapless audio and DoP/Bit Perfect support, as well as being fully DLNA-compliant (server/renderer) and AirPlay-ready.

A key feature of 2go is its auto-switching input function: every audio interface is always on, therefore switching between inputs is as easy as hitting ‘play’ on the chosen control point app; 2go convenience-switches between all its inputs automatically, giving a seamless user experience when playing music from different sources or even streaming services.

Like all of Chord Electronics’ hardware, 2go is handmade in the UK and shares the same aircraft-grade aluminium casework, along with design cues from the Hugo 2. Based around a powerful triple-core audio processor, 2go’s proprietary streaming circuit has been skilfully engineered into a slender chassis which offers Micro USB charging of the internal batteries, a power on/status/battery/network indicator, 2x 2 TB-rated SD card slots, a Gigabit Ethernet port and an IR window; an internal voice engine also allows for audible status information.

Set-up is via Chord Electronics’ well-established Gofigure configuration app which has been recently updated for both Android and iOS users, adding new features and benefits.

Price and availability

2go £995(Hugo 2 is priced at £1,800)

Images

High-res images: 2go here

Press contact/review samples

Dan George +44 (0)7899 808918 or [email protected]

Chord Electronics’ contacts for publication

Tel: +44 (0)1622 721444

Email: [email protected]
www.chordelectronics.co.uk

About Chord Electronics Ltd

Chord Electronics Ltd is a world-leading manufacturer of high-performance hi-fi and audio products. Since 1989, from its spectacular riverside base in Kent, England, Chord Electronics has been creating some of the planet’s finest hi-fi, home cinema and professional audio equipment. A technology-driven innovator, Chord Electronics continues to deliver excellence through exemplary audio engineering, cutting-edge design and a true aesthetic understanding.

Chord Electronics is trusted and admired internationally and its global customer base includes:Metropolis Studios, Abbey Road Studios (London); Sony Music Studios (New York), Skywalker Sound (California) and more. www.chordelectronics.co.uk

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

UK Distributor: Absolute Sounds

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Linn

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