2020 | Page 2 | audiophil(e)-online

Supreme³ microfuses from HiFi-Tuning – Review

2020-05-262020-05-26 Daniel Plaßmann

It is in the nature of things that manufacturers and developers praise their products in the highest possible terms. This makes it all the more satisfying when the products can keep their promises. And if the whole thing just costs 45 euros … jackpot!
This trial started with extremely low expectations: I should try out two microfuses to check whether a detailed test is worthwhile. To be honest, my opinion was already certain: It won’t work. Not because microfuses cannot influence the sound, but because some simply do not – or let’s say fairly – have no serious influence. At least that was my previous experience.

Gold Note P-1000 MKII

2020-05-252020-05-25 press release

Florence, Italy | 2020 – Designed for High-End audio systems, P-1000 MkII is an innovative Class-A line preamplifier powered by a new proprietary Six Gain Stage design and with Relays volume control and is made for real music lovers. Completing the 1000 series of Gold Note Hifi electronics, P-1000 MkII is powered by a Triple Linear Transformer power supply and features 8 independent stereo inputs. Advanced functions paired with high-quality materials and an exquisite Italian product design turn P-1000 MkII into a luxury solid state amplifier capable of top-class performances.…

Aqua acoustic quality LinQ Network Interface

2020-05-182020-05-18 press release

Milan, Italy | 2020 – Introducing the LinQ – Our Network Interface The new LinQ was created following a precise idea.Fast and standard technical solutions do not belong to the aqua philosophy.aqua has developed an extremely streamlined long-life platform and network bridge modules, focused on audio playback functions.We prefer to use know-how developed in-house, for a number of reasons in respect the aqua SQ standards.This has required a considerable effort in terms of time and resources, but the result is immediately evident on first use. LinQ is a highly modular…

Accuphase C-47 Phono Amplifier

2020-05-112020-05-11 press release

Yokohama, Japan | 2020 – The Realization of a Dream — Fully Balanced Phono Equalizer Amp. The C-47 is the first phono amplifier of this series which realizes a fully balanced configuration from input to output. The resulting product not only is highly impervious to external noise, it also features a dedicated head amplifier optimized for the characteristics of MC and MM phono cartridges, and a high-accuracy equalizer amplifier, thereby ensuring precise equalization with a minimum of noise. A set of newly added dedicated balanced MC phono inputs enables balanced connection…

More than ever, Audio Matters

2020-05-072020-05-07 press release

Munich/Europe, May 07 | HARMAN launches new Podcast Series and Documentary on the Art of Listening for Audio Enthusiasts to come together through the Power of Music In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, millions upon millions of people from all corners of the globe have found themselves faced with a stark new reality of lockdown and social distancing. Events have been cancelled; engagements have been put on hold; the world seems to have slowed to a crawl. And while isolation measures are of the utmost importance in battling the…

Wharfedale Elysian Series

2020-05-04 press release

Cambridgeshire, England | 2020 – Wharfedale ELYSIAN is a new flagship loudspeaker series that pushes the boundaries of capability and performance from a speaker at this price-point. A genuine example of luxury audio, ELYSIAN offers indulgence in design, materials aesthetic and performance. A thorough and no compromise approach has lead the Wharfedale engineers to create a benchmark in affordable, audiophile-grade luxury loudspeakers. Cutting edge design and class-leading technology are combined to deliver musical reproduction that will proudly challenge the world’s finest loudspeakers. One for the connoisseur and one for the history…

UBSOUND Loudspeakers “Feel Series”

2020-05-012020-04-29 press release

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.

New ASR Emitter Amplifier Models

2020-04-292020-04-29 press release

Herborn, Germany | May 2020 – The emitter amplifier series has been available since 1980. Although the noble components were highly praised by the trade press right from the start, developer and company boss Mr. Friedrich Schaefer never tired of constantly developing his “babies”. This is the reason why the currently available models also have the best sound quality. The new emitters are incredibly fast, sound powerful and are very precise with many fine details and a wide and deep spatial image. With extreme control and explosive pressure and resolution…

Luxman D-03X CD/Digital Media Player

2020-04-272020-04-27 press release

Yokohama-shi, Tokyo, Japan | April 2020 – Luxman’s latest digital player, the D-03X, includes a host of new features such as Master Quality Authenticated full decoding for MQA files and MQA-CDs, support for DSD® files up to quad rate 11.28 MHz, Bulk Pet® USB transfer and fully balanced output circuitry. “The new D-03X supports exciting new file formats and transfer technologies,” said Jeff Sigmund, president of Luxman America. “But it also embodies the timeless principles of Luxman’s precision chassis and circuit design.” CD PLAYBACK AND USB INPUTPlayer circuitry features independent left…

Thorens TD1600 Classic

2020-04-202020-04-20 press release

Bergisch Gladbach, Germany | 2020 – Thorens, the world’s oldest Consumer Electronics Company, proudly introduces successors to their legendary 160-Series Turntables. Thorens’ NEW 1600-series combine the ‘160’s DNA with state-of-the-art design, manufacturing and materials technology. The result is a classically beautiful analog component that evokes the iconic 160 but whose performance competes with the finest turntables available today. Introduced in 1972, the TD160 immediately became the standard against which all other turntables were judged. Suspending the platter, arm and bearing from three springs isolated the record and cartridge from mechanical…

AudioQuest Niagara 3000

2020-04-142020-04-14 press release

Irvine, CA, USA | 2020 – The science of AC power delivery is not a simple one; it demands focus, and the devil is in the details. In fact, the great increase in airborne and AC-line-transmitted radio signals, combined with overtaxed utility lines and the ever-increasing demands from high-definition audio/video components, has rendered our utilities’ AC power a somewhat antiquated technology. Where Alternating Current (AC) is concerned, we’re relying on a century-old technology created for incandescent lights and electric motors—technology that was certainly never meant to power the sophisticated analog…

Triangle Art M-100 Tube Amplifier

2020-04-062020-04-06 press release

Anaheim, USA | 2020 – The newly designed M-100 Tube Amplifier is a state-of-the-art mono-block amplifier offering the ultimate listening experience. With the use of 2 KT120 output tubes, 2 6SN7 driver tubes (per channel) under Class A push-pull Triode mode, the M-100 is capable to deliver 120 watts of power. The M-100 Tube Amplifier uses the latest mono-block circuitry and only highest quality parts and components are used throughout the amplifier circuit. The power and output transformers are custom wound in the USA in order to meet our high standards.…

Chord Electronics 2GO

2020-03-302020-03-30 press release

Kent, United Kingdom | 2020 – The 2go streamer/server transforms the abilities of the Hugo 2, adding both Ethernet and wireless streaming, plus 4 TB of microSD card storage to the award-winning DAC/pre/headphone amp. 2go is a high-performance streamer/server that transforms the Hugo 2 DAC into a fully featured Wi-Fi- and Ethernet-enabled device with up to 4 TB of solid-state library playback, bringing the proven sound quality benefits of our award-winning Hugo 2 DAC technology to network audio. 2go benefits from 2x 2 TB-rated microSD card slots for digital storage and…

McIntosh MX170 A/V Processor

2020-03-232020-03-23 press release

Binghamton, NY | 2020 – McIntosh, the global leader in prestigious home entertainment and ultimate-quality audio for 70 years, is happy to announce the MX170 A/V Processor. Experience movies in the comfort of your home theater with the brilliance of 4K Ultra HD, the vividness of High Dynamic Range (HDR), and the immersiveness of 3D surround sound like never before with the MX170 A/V Processor. Complete with the latest in home theater technology, the MX170 has everything needed to deliver a breathtaking audio and cinema experience. When it comes to the…

AUDIO RESEARCH REF PHONO 3SE

2020-03-162020-03-16 press release

Audio_Research_Ref_Phono_3_featrued_Image

Minneapolis, USA | March, 2020 – Audio Research (ARC) is pleased to announce important updates to its highest-performance phono stage, the Reference Phono 3 Phono Preamplifier with the launch of the Reference Phono 3SE. Following the launch of the recent Reference (REF) 6SE Line-Stage Preamplifier, ARC’s 50th Anniversary product line continues with a special edition update of the Ref Phono 3 Preamplifier. The REF Phono 3SE ($17,000 USD) replaces the REF Phono 3, a product introduced in 2016 that has been recognized and awarded internationally for its incredible performance. The knowledge…

Rega Ania Pro MC

2020-03-092020-03-09 press release

Southend-on-Sea, United Kingdom | 2020 – The latest member of the Rega MC cartridge range the Ania Pro uses our advanced Vital profile nude diamond stylus. This profile is designed to extract as much detail from the vinyl surface as possible. The Ania Pro delivers tight bass warm midranges and accurate top end frequencies to offer a well balanced and detailed performance. Using our unique hand-wound micro coil found in the rest of the MC range, the Ania Pro is housed in a unique PPS highly rigid body, ensuring accurate construction and Rega’s three point fixing method which offers the optimum…

Gold Note PA-10 Power Amplifier

2020-03-022020-03-02 press release

Firence, Italy | 2020 – PA-10 is Gold Note’s newest power amplifier of the smaller but not less efficient product range called Series 10. Characterized by great built quality and featuring selected audio components, PA-10 is capable of astounding power compared to its compact size and furthermore offers a wide range of functions such as our unique adjustable damping factor technology that lets you match the amplifier to your loudspeakers perfectly. SMALL BUT POWERFUL PA-10 is the new power amplifier of the Gold Note Series 10 that can play either…

Chord Ultima Pre

2020-02-242020-02-24 press release

Kent, United Kingdom | 2020 – Our flagship preamp, ULTIMA, neither adds to or takes away from, the precious incoming signal. Designed to be entirely uncompromising, the ULTIMA preamp is a world-class amplifier with advanced proprietary Chord Electronics technology. A product of three decades of research, design and engineering here in the UK, it benefits from true dual-mono construction with separate ultra-high-frequency power supplies for each channel, giving the best possible separation. With the addition of valuable low-noise circuitry, the noise floor performance is exceptional, at beyond -117dB. Featuring impressive…

Parasound Halo JC 1+ Monoblock

2020-02-172020-02-24 press release

San Francisco, CA, USA | 2020 – For nearly two decades, the Parasound Halo JC 1 monoblock power amplifier, designed by the legendary John Curl, was Parasound’s flagship product, and the aspirational amplifier for thousands of audiophiles world-wide. A five-year effort by Curl and Parasound, and sweeping circuit improvements, have resulted in the amazing Parasound Halo JC 1+ monoblock amplifier. With 450 watts into 8 ohms, 850 watts into 4 ohms, 1300 watts into 2 ohms, and a peak current of 180 amperes, the JC 1+ excels even with speakers that can dip…

Promoting Independent Musicians With a Superb Sound Experience

2020-02-132020-02-13 press release

Slowenia, Europe | 2020 – Erzetich, an audio company from Slovenia, has released Gold – a compilation of indie music released on an audiophile-grade gold-plated CD. The aim is to contribute to the recognition of outstanding independent musicians and to offer audiophiles a superb music and audio experience. Twelve songs in the compilation are performed by talented independent musicians and have been chosen among several hundred that applied to the contest. The compilation will be a welcome addition to any audiophile’s collection of CDs, as the prerequisite for selecting the…

Magico A5 – A-Series Loudspeaker

2020-02-102020-02-10 press release

Hayward, CA, USA | 2020 – The largest and most advanced of Magico’s A Series, the A5 incorporates the company’s first 5-inch pure midrange driver as well as enhanced midrange and bass driver cone technology. These new cones achieve unprecedented stiffness-to-weight ratio, a key parameter that Magico has pursued over the past 15 years. In addition, the crossover debuts Mundorf’s new M-Resist Ultra foil resistors for unmatched transparency, liquidity and power handling. “The A Series has been a great success in reaching a wider audience,” said Magico’s founder, Alon Wolf.…

Accuphase P-4500 Stereo Power Amplifier

2020-02-032020-02-03 press release

Yokohama, Japan | 2020 – The P-4500 is a new addition to the highly acclaimed Accuphase lineup of quality High End Audio Stereo Power Amplifiers. Stereo power amplifier with outstanding performance The quest for the optimal power amplifier has just taken another giant leap forward. The P-4500 features an instrumentation amplifier configuration realized with discrete semiconductors in the signal path, triple Darlington 4-parallel complementary push-pull architecture and many other technology advantages. The result is an impressive S/N ratio of 121 dB, rated output of 500 watts into 1 ohm (music signals), and…

Silversmith Audio FIDELIUM Speaker Cable

2020-01-272020-01-27 press release

Springfield, VA, USA | January, 2020 – Celebrating 20 Years, Silversmith Audio Announces a Revolutionary New Line of Speaker Cable: FIDELIUM. New Cable Line Represents a 330% Performance Increase Over Previous Top-of-the-Line PALLADIUM at 1/10 the Price. Silversmith Audio today announced the launch of a new line of speaker cable that offers the audiophile community industry-best performance at surprisingly affordable prices. AN EVOLUTIONARY BREAKTHROUGH: The skin-effect characteristics of Silversmith Audio’s FIDELIUM alloy are up to 33 times superior to those of copper or silver. The FIDELIUM speaker cable, already at less than…

Focal Chora Line

2020-01-202020-01-20 press release

Saint-Étienne, France | 2020 – Focal completes its Chora line for Home Cinema configurations. After presenting its Chora 806, Chora 816 and Chora 826 hi-fi loudspeakers in September 2019, the expert Saint-Étienne manufacturer of high-fidelity products now completes its line with Home Cinema solutions: Chora 826-D, Chora Center and Chora Surround. For deep bass, the brand also unveils a brand new subwoofer, the SUB 600P. Manufactured in France, these four new products will be revealed to the public for the first time at the CES trade show in Las Vegas. AT THE HEART…

Q Acoustics 3030i loudspeakers

2020-01-132020-01-13 press release

Hertfordshire, United Kingdom | 2020 – Q Acoustics expands award-winning 3000i range with powerful 3030i standmount loudspeaker. British audio specialists, Q Acoustics, has added a new model to its award-winning 3000i loudspeaker range: the 3030i standmount speaker, engineered to provide more powerful bass performance in a conveniently compact size. The 3030i slots into the range between the 3020i bookshelf speaker and 3050i floorstander. While retaining the elegant, compact appearance of a standmount speaker, it derives its woofer design from the much larger and more powerful 3050i floor standing model. This 165mm…

Chord Electronics Huei Phono stage

2020-01-062020-01-06 press release

Kent, United Kingdom | 2020 – Based on 30 years of amplifier-building expertise, Huei offers MM/MC compatibility and integrates turntables to our amplifiers. Entirely conceived, engineered and manufactured in Great Britain, Huei has been carefully designed to provide turntables with the same high standards of amplification that Chord Electronics has become known for over the past 30 years. Benefitting from both Moving Magnet and Moving Coil functionality, Huei offers compatibility with a huge range of cartridges thanks to comprehensive gain and impedance-matching options; Huei’s high- and low-gain switching settings are…