Top Stories

Shanling UP4 Ver.22 - Portable DAC/Headphone Amplifier
Shanling seems to understand perfectly well the needs of the discerning audiophile who is often on the move, so they are offering a small but very interesting suitable device, the UP4.

MSB Technology The Discrete DAC - D/A Converter.
The Discrete DAC is MSB's smallest D/A converter, but that doesn't mean many things on absolute terms. What we are dealing with here is a design based on their custom conversion approach, featuring a top-quality construction and, in our DUT configuration, is accompanied by a smart USB line isolation system. This is digital audio at its best!

hARt Lab Tune Three - Power Amplifier.
In our first contact with a new manufacturer from Greece, we've had the opportunity to review a power amplifier that stands out, not only with its build quality but with its architecture and ideas behind it. In the field of high-performance audio, there is nothing more attractive than some out-of-the-box ideas!
News & Industry Update

Kii introduced the SEVEN loudspeaker.
Whether you begin with just a single Kii SEVEN for independent use, opt for a stereo pair arrangement in your living space, or outfit your residence with a multiroom speaker system or a 3D immersive media setup, the technology is available to assist you in tailoring your ideal acoustic environment.

Austrian Audio unveiled new headphone and headphone amplifier.
Austrian Audio enters the high-end audio market with The Composer premium reference headphone and Full Score One premium headphone amplifier.

Vertere introduced the XtraX and Dark Sabre phono cartridges.
Touraj Moghaddam, the founder and chief designer of Vertere, unveiled the XtraX moving coil cartridge and Dark Sabre moving magnet cartridge, which are significant improvements over their predecessors, which will now sit beneath them in the Vertere cartridge range.

The Virtuosa Anniversario loudspeaker from Xavian.
With Virtuosa Anniversario, you can have the best that the world of reproduction technology currently has to offer in your home, and Xavian are proud to be the first in the world to offer a mass-produced model, fully equipped with Ellipticor transducers. The loudspeaker is available in a limited edition of only 50 pairs.

McIntosh introduced the MQ112 Environmental Equalizer.
The MQ112 does more than just fix room acoustics; it can also breathe new life into older, imperfect recordings. With the MQ112, you can target specific frequencies, compensating for deficiencies in vintage tracks and unveiling their hidden brilliance, McIntosh says.

Musical Fidelity partners with WiiM!
Musical Fidelity announced a cooperation with one of the best companies for streaming products. Therefore, as of November 1st, selected Musical Fidelity integrated amplifiers will come with a free WiiM streamer.

MonAcoustic's PlatiMon Virtual Coaxial One loudspeaker.
MonAcoustic's latest offering, the PlatiMon Virtual Coaxial One, is a true marvel of product design for high end audio consumers, specially designed to replicate natural sound reproduction while achieving a wide range of frequencies from 53 Hz to 28K Hz.

Black Wheel: A vertical turntable system from Miniot.
The Black Wheel is an audiophile turntable turned upside down. All delicate technology is inside the base, under your record. Like all Wheels, the Black Wheel turns counterclockwise. Since they only build a few of them by hand, you need to order as soon as possible!
Equipment Reviews...

S.M.S.L DO100 - HO100 - DAC/USB DAC - Headphone Amplifier.
The pair of devices we review here are far more than just a sign of our times, which constantly require better systems for audio reproduction through headphones. It is a case study on how modern devices should be designed when aiming for the best possible value-for-money performance.

Review: ATC SCM 19 Loudspeaker.
SCM19, ATC's entry level "Hi-Fi" series top stand-mount model, proved to be one of the best compact loudspeakers you can buy in this price range, especially if what you are looking for is some real high fidelity behavior. How did they manage this? Read the review to find out…