SoundStage! Simplifi | SoundStageSimplifi.com

: Written by: AJ Wykes; Created: 01 November 2025

FiiO has made quite a name for itself in headphone-audio circles thanks to the quality of its well-priced portable electronics, which include DACs, DAPs, headphone amplifiers, and Bluetooth transmitters and receivers. Recently, the Chinese brand has been expanding its product offerings into other areas, such as headphones, turntables, and active loudspeakers.

: Written by: AJ Wykes; Created: 01 October 2025

German loudspeaker manufacturer Elac has made a number of appearances on this site, with products like the all-analog active Navis ARB‑51 bookshelf and Navis ARF‑51 floorstanding loudspeakers having been featured in reviews here. More recently we featured the Debut ConneX DCB41, the company’s entry-level powered bookshelf speaker system (US$699), designed at Elac Research in Ontario, Canada, and reviewed by Gordon Brockhouse in March 2023.

: Written by: AJ Wykes; Created: 01 September 2025

Note: for the full suite of measurements from the SoundStage! Audio-Electronics Lab, click this link.

Eversolo is a relatively new name in hi-fi, though it may be familiar to followers of this site thanks to Roger Kanno’s recent review of the DMP‑A8 streaming preamplifier. During its short time on the market, the company has quickly garnered acclaim for products that are well built, feature customizable interfaces, and offer exceptional value.

: Written by: AJ Wykes; Created: 15 July 2025

I must admit that, prior to this review, I had no experience with Fluance’s products. This is surprising, given that Fluance has been in business for over 25 years and is a Canadian company based in Ontario—where I lived for over a decade. Despite my ignorance, Fluance has become a recognized hi-fi brand, thanks to its well-regarded loudspeaker and turntable products.

: Written by: Dennis Burger; Created: 15 June 2025

As much as I love the quality and convenience of modern connected audio—not to mention the incredible value provided by music services such as Qobuz—I must admit I understand why some audiophiles prefer to stick with their traditional media and more boutique-y gear.

: Written by: Roger Kanno; Created: 01 June 2025

Note: for the full suite of measurements from the SoundStage! Audio-Electronics Lab, click this link.

Reviewers' Choice In the past four years, SoundStage! Simplifi has featured reviews of four releases of the Bluesound Node streamer: the 2021 Node streaming DAC-preamplifier (reviewed by Gordon Brockhouse, October 2021), the 2023 Node X streaming DAC-preamplifier (reviewed by me in October 2023), the 2024 Node Nano streamer (reviewed by Todd Whitesel, September 2024), and the 2024 Node streaming preamplifier (reviewed by Gordon Brockhouse, February 2025). In December 2024, Bluesound added another model to its Node line that is a little different from the others: the Node Icon. In this version, the streamer is intended to be a reference component for a high-quality audio system; yet, by high-end standards, it is still priced reasonably at $1199 (all prices USD).

: Written by: AJ Wykes; Created: 01 May 2025

Note: for the full suite of measurements from the SoundStage! Audio-Electronics Lab, click this link.

Reviewers' Choice When SoundStage! managing editor Gordon Brockhouse asked me which products I’d be interested in reviewing for the site, one of my first suggestions was the WiiM Ultra streaming preamplifier. I’d already become familiar with the company’s puck-shaped entry-level Mini streamer, and its more advanced sibling not only fit the bill for the Simplifi remit, but was also receiving high praise from other outlets. Time to get on board!

: Written by: Gordon Brockhouse; Created: 01 April 2025

It was a few minutes past 5 p.m. on the last day of winter in the northern hemisphere, and I was sitting in an Adirondack chair on my second-floor deck enjoying a crisp sauvignon blanc from the southern hemisphere. I’d been aching for some outdoor lounging ever since the temperatures first started plunging last November. With the daytime high reaching 66°F, this was my chance.

: Written by: Roger Kanno; Created: 15 March 2025

Cambridge Audio has been in the music-streamer business since the early 2010s, developing their StreamMagic software platform and producing many high-quality streaming components. Along the way, they have become one of the go-to brands for affordable, high-value streaming solutions. Sure, they also offer the relatively expensive Edge NQ network player ($4999, all prices in USD) as part of their reference Edge series, but much of their extensive catalog is geared towards cost-conscious audiophiles.

: Written by: Gordon Brockhouse; Created: 15 February 2025

Reviewers' Choice This is the first time I’ve ever kicked off a product review with an apology, but I believe an apology is in order here—for two reasons.

The first is lateness. On August 20, Bluesound announced a new version of its popular Node streaming preamp. Priced at $549 (all prices in USD), the 2024 Node began shipping in late September. Bluesound also announced two brand-new Nodes: the affordable Node Nano ($299), reviewed by Todd Whitesel last September on Simplifi, and the flagship Node Icon ($999).

: Written by: Roger Kanno; Created: 01 February 2025

Note: for the full suite of measurements from the SoundStage! Audio-Electronics Lab, click this link.

Last fall, the UK hi-fi brand Roksan updated their premium Caspian integrated amplifier. The first Caspian amplifier appeared in 1998; replacement models followed in 2004 and 2010. Roksan’s new fourth-generation Caspian lineup includes two integrated amplifiers—the Caspian 4G Integrated Amplifier ($3750, all prices in USD) and the subject of this review, the Caspian 4G Streaming Amplifier ($5000). Both models incorporate a host of Roksan’s premium analog and digital circuit designs, but the Caspian 4G Streaming Amplifier adds a network streamer based on the highly respected BluOS streaming platform from Canada’s Lenbrook Industries. Other than BluOS streaming, the two amplifiers are almost identical.