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Pro-Ject Audio Systems T2 W Wi-Fi Turntable with Sumiko Rainier Cartridge

Written by: Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 September 2023

Did this heading just make you do a double take? I wouldn’t be surprised if it did because Wi-Fi and turntable are two words you don’t expect to see back-to-back. Indeed, Pro-Ject Audio Systems’ T2 W ($1199; all prices in USD unless noted otherwise) is the first product of its kind: a turntable that can stream audio over a home network to multiple devices.

Read more: Pro-Ject Audio Systems T2 W Wi-Fi Turntable with Sumiko Rainier Cartridge

Klipsch The Nines Active Loudspeaker System

Written by: Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 August 2023

I think marketing geniuses can sometimes be too smart for the good of the companies they’re trying to promote. Consider the slogan that Klipsch Audio Technologies came up with in 2021 to celebrate the brand’s 75th anniversary: “Pissing off the neighbors since 1946.” The company even created a “Pissing Off the Neighbors” edition of its RB-81 MkII bookshelf loudspeaker (now discontinued).

Read more: Klipsch The Nines Active Loudspeaker System

Bluesound Powernode Edge Streaming Integrated Amplifier

Written by: Todd Whitesel
Created: 01 July 2023

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

From the perspective of a pre-teen in the late 1970s, it seemed as if hi-fi was everywhere, and separate components ruled. In our living room, we had shag-white carpet, a Dual turntable, and a Marantz cassette deck and receiver. I remember the receiver’s gorgeous blue front lighting and joy-to-use Gyro Wheel tuner. A pair of Pioneer speakers with lustrous woodgrain cabinets rounded out the system. But I envied neighbors who had flashier systems from JVC, Sansui, and Technics. One friend had a complete silver Pioneer system at home, including the stunning CT-F1000 cassette deck, which I lusted after but couldn’t possibly afford. So, I compromised. I saved $200 from my allowance and summer jobs and bought a Panasonic all-in-one, which included a turntable, receiver, cassette deck, and matching speakers—my first stereo system.

Read more: Bluesound Powernode Edge Streaming Integrated Amplifier

Cambridge Audio Alva TT V2 Turntable

Written by: Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 15 June 2023

In early May, a curious factoid popped up in my news feed. According to a 2023 study by Los Angeles–based Luminate, a sales analysis company that specializes in entertainment and media, only half of those who bought vinyl records during the previous year actually owned a turntable. Weird!

Read more: Cambridge Audio Alva TT V2 Turntable

NAD CS1 Network Music Player

Written by: Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 June 2023

When I told SoundStage! Network founder Doug Schneider about the NAD CS1, he asked a simple question: “Who’s this product for?” Lots of people, I responded. My brother, Ian, and his wife, Roberta. My sister-in-law, Petrea, and her husband, Paul. And a whole bunch of other folks. Priced at $349 (all prices in USD), the CS1 is aimed at listeners who want to stream music from their smart devices to a sound system that lacks network connectivity—without having to install special apps.

Read more: NAD CS1 Network Music Player

Rotel S14 Streaming Integrated Amplifier

Written by: Dennis Burger
Created: 15 May 2023

As I was taking a second pass through my rough draft of the intro for this review, it occurred to me that I was effectively aping the theme song for Cheers. It seems to me that the hardest part of making your way in today’s world of connected, streaming, networked, Bluetoothed, AirPlayed, Chromecasted audio—especially for a traditional hi-fi company—is figuring out how to spin what makes your thing different from any number of other things that do the same thing, not to mention how to compete with the Sonoses, BluOSes, and HEOSes of the world.

Read more: Rotel S14 Streaming Integrated Amplifier

Triangle Borea BR03 BT Powered Loudspeaker System

Written by: Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 May 2023

Reviewers' ChoiceWhat would you expect to pay for a 60Wpc class-D amplifier with a built-in phono stage and Bluetooth receiver? $400? $500? $600? How about $170? That’s the difference in price between a pair of Triangle’s Borea BR03 standmount speakers, which were enthusiastically reviewed by Diego Estan on SoundStage! Access in May 2020, and the Borea BR03 BT, the subject of this review.

Read more: Triangle Borea BR03 BT Powered Loudspeaker System

iFi Audio Neo Stream Streaming DAC-Preamplifier

Written by: Dennis Burger
Created: 15 April 2023

When I’m reviewing a hi-fi product, I sometimes ask: “Why do you need to spend more?” More and more these days, iFi Audio is the brand that prompts my rhetorical question. If you’re looking for a good DAC, why would you need to spend more than you’d pay for the brand’s Zen One Signature ($349, all prices in USD)? If you’re simply looking to add audiophile-quality Bluetooth reception to a system that lacks it and you don’t need crazy range or digital outputs, why would you spend a dime more than the cost of the Zen Air Blue? And if you’re looking for a good music streamer that supports everything from Roon and AirPlay to network-attached storage and connected solid-state drives—assuming you don’t mind a few operational quirks—what could you want that the $399 Zen Stream (reviewed last year by Gordon Brockhouse) doesn’t offer? Mind you, I’m not saying there aren’t valid answers to these questions. In fact, in many respects, the Neo Stream network audio streamer ($1299) seems to be iFi’s own answer to that last one.

Read more: iFi Audio Neo Stream Streaming DAC-Preamplifier

PSB Alpha iQ Streaming Active Loudspeaker System

Written by: Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 15 March 2023

Reviewers' ChoiceIn audio, as in other pursuits, looks are often deceiving. A case in point is PSB’s new Alpha iQ active loudspeaker system. Priced at $1499 (all prices in USD except where noted), the Alpha iQ looks a lot like PSB’s Alpha AM3 powered speaker system, which costs only $549. The Alpha iQ and Alpha AM3 even have the same driver complement for each speaker: a 4″ polypropylene midrange-woofer with a rubber surround and steel basket, mounted above a 0.75″ ferrofluid-damped, aluminum-dome tweeter with neodymium magnet.

Read more: PSB Alpha iQ Streaming Active Loudspeaker System

Elac Debut ConneX DCB41 Powered Loudspeaker System

Written by: Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 March 2023

Since COVID-19 arrived in North America three years ago, I’ve been to exactly two audio shows, both in my home city: the 2021 and 2022 editions of the Toronto Audiofest. Fellow SoundStagers Doug Schneider and Jason Thorpe also attended TAF 2022, and as Doug outlined in his show report on SoundStage!Global, they came upon some pretty exotic gear at the show.

Read more: Elac Debut ConneX DCB41 Powered Loudspeaker System

Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 Soundbar

Written by: Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 February 2023

To purists and zealots, compromise is a dirty word; but for most of us, compromising is how we get along in life. This is as true of audio as any other pursuit. We can daydream about our ultimate systems, but we have to reconcile those dreams with reality—with our budgets, our living spaces, and the people who share those spaces.

Read more: Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 Soundbar

  1. JBL 4305P Active Loudspeaker System
  2. Dynaudio Focus 30 Active Loudspeaker System
  3. SVS Prime Wireless Pro Active Loudspeaker System
  4. Totem Acoustic Kin Play Tower Powered Loudspeaker System
  5. System Audio Legend 7.2 Silverback Active On-Wall Speaker and Stereo Hub
  6. Roksan Attessa Streaming Integrated Amplifier
  7. JBL L75ms Integrated Music System
  8. KEF LS60 Wireless Active Speaker System
  9. Zidoo Neo S 4K UHD Media Player
  10. Q Acoustics M20 HD Powered Wireless Music System
  11. Sonus Faber Omnia Wireless Music System
  12. Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Wireless Speaker
  13. NAD Masters M10 V2 Streaming Integrated Amplifier
  14. Mission LX Connect Wireless Active Speakers and Hub
  15. Linn Series 3 Active Loudspeakers
  16. Bang & Olufsen Beolab 28 Active Loudspeakers
  17. KEF KC62 Powered Subwoofer
  18. NAD C 700 Streaming Integrated Amplifier
  19. iFi Audio Zen Stream Wi-Fi Streamer
  20. System Audio Legend 40.2 Silverback Active Loudspeakers and Stereo Hub WiSA Transmitter
  21. Bluesound Node Streaming DAC-Preamplifier
  22. Acoustic Energy AE1 Active Loudspeakers
  23. Q Acoustics Q Active 200 Active Loudspeakers
  24. Bluesound Powernode Multiroom Streaming Integrated Amplifier
  25. Edifier Airpulse A300Pro Active Loudspeakers
  26. KEF LS50 Wireless II Active Loudspeakers
  27. Bryston BR-20 Streaming Preamplifier-DAC
  28. HEDD Type 05 MK2 Active Speakers and Bass 08 Subwoofer
  29. SVS 3000 Micro Subwoofer
  30. Sony SA-Z1 Active Nearfield Loudspeakers
  31. Heavenly Soundworks FIVE17 Active Loudspeakers
  32. Marantz SACD 30n SACD/CD Player and Streaming DAC-Preamp
  33. DALI Oberon 1 C Active Loudspeakers and Sound Hub Wireless Transmitter
  34. PSB Alpha AM3 Powered Loudspeakers
  35. iFi Audio Neo iDSD DAC-Preamp-Headphone Amplifier
  36. Bluesound Pulse Sub+ Wireless Subwoofer
  37. PSB Alpha AM5 Powered Loudspeakers
  38. SVS Prime Wireless SoundBase Streaming Integrated Amplifier
  39. Focal Solo6 Be Active Loudspeakers
  40. Buchardt Audio A500 Active Loudspeakers and Stereo Hub WiSA Transmitter
  41. Klipsch The Fives Active Loudspeakers
  42. Triangle Elara LN01A Powered Loudspeakers
  43. Volumio Primo Community Edition and Hi-Fi Edition Streaming DACs
  44. System Audio Legend 5 Silverback Active Loudspeakers and Stereo Hub WiSA Transmitter
  45. Andover Audio Model-One Turntable Music System
  46. Elac Alchemy DDP-2 Streaming DAC-Preamp
  47. Focal Shape 65 Analog Active Loudspeakers
  48. HEDD Type 07 Analog Active Loudspeakers
  49. exaSound Audio Design Delta Music Server M100
  50. Bryston BDA-3.14 Streaming DAC-Preamplifier
  51. iFi Audio Pro iDSD Streaming DAC-Preamp-Headphone Amplifier
  52. Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar
  53. DALI Rubicon 6 C Hybrid Active Loudspeakers
  54. Pro-Ject Audio Systems Pre Box RS2 Digital DAC-Preamp-Headphone Amp
  55. Klipsch RW-51M Wireless Powered Loudspeakers
  56. iFi Audio Aurora Wireless Music System
  57. Naim Audio Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation Wireless Music System
  58. Cambridge Audio CXA81 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  59. Hegel Music Systems H120 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  60. DALI Katch One Soundbar
  61. NAD Classic C 658 BluOS Streaming DAC
  62. Kanto Audio Tuk Powered Loudspeakers
  63. Lumin T2 Network Music Player
  64. Naim Audio ND5 XS 2 Network Music Player
  65. Elac Navis ARF-51 Active Loudspeakers
  66. Devialet Phantom Reactor 900 Active Loudspeakers
  67. PMC result6 Active Loudspeakers
  68. Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo Active Loudspeakers
  69. Naim Audio Mu-so 2nd Generation Wireless Music System
  70. McIntosh Laboratory MTI100 Integrated Turntable
  71. Yamaha WXA-50 MusicCast Streaming Amplifier
  72. NAD Masters M10 BluOS Streaming Integrated Amplifier
  73. Primare SC15 Prisma Streaming DAC-Preamp
  74. Naim Uniti Core CD Ripper/Music Server
  75. Elac Navis ARB-51 Active Loudspeakers
  76. Bluesound Pulse 2i Wireless Speaker
  77. SVS Prime Wireless Active Speakers
  78. Totem Acoustic Kin Play Powered Speakers
  79. KEF LSX Active Loudspeakers
  80. Bluesound Vault 2i CD Ripper-Server-Streamer
  81. Pro-Ject Audio Systems Stream Box S2 Ultra Music Streamer
  82. Kii Audio Three DSP-Controlled Active Loudspeakers
  83. Aurender S5W Battery-Powered Wireless Active Loudspeakers
  84. Cambridge Audio Yoyo (L) Wireless Speaker
  85. DALI Callisto 2 C Active Speaker System
  86. Kanto SYD Bluetooth Speaker
  87. LG G7 ThinQ Smartphone
  88. Pro-Ject Audio Systems Juke Box E Turntable-Integrated Amplifier
  89. NAD D 3020 V2 Bluetooth Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  90. Polk Assist Wi-Fi Smart Speaker
  91. MartinLogan Unison Wireless Preamplifier
  92. Dynaudio Music 7 Wi-Fi Speaker
  93. Musical Fidelity M6 Encore 225 Music System
  94. Cocktail Audio X35 Music System
  95. Peachtree Audio decco125 Sky Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  96. Technics Ottava f SC-C70 Music System
  97. JBL Link 500 Wi-Fi Speaker
  98. Trinnov Amethyst DAC-Preamplifier-Processor
  99. Control4 Triad One Streaming Amplifier
  100. Elac Discovery Z3 Wi-Fi Speaker
  101. Klipsch Heritage Wireless Three Wi-Fi Speaker
  102. Paradigm PW 300 Wi-Fi Loudspeakers
  103. Thiel Audio Aurora Home Wi-Fi Speaker
  104. Hegel Music Systems H190 DAC-Integrated Amplifier
  105. Yamaha R-N803 Network Stereo Receiver
  106. Onkyo TX-8270 Network Stereo Receiver
  107. Dynaudio Focus 20 XD Active Loudspeakers
  108. Riva Audio Festival Wi-Fi Speaker
  109. Naim Audio Uniti Atom Wireless Streaming DAC-Integrated Amplifier
  110. NAD Masters Series M50.2 Digital Music Player
  111. Bryston BryFi BW-1 Wi-Fi Speaker
  112. Arcam rPlay Music Streamer
  113. Auralic Polaris Wireless Streaming DAC-Integrated Amplifier
  114. Simaudio Moon Neo ACE DAC-Streamer-Integrated Amplifier
  115. NAD C 368 DAC-Integrated Amplifier
  116. Lumin M1 Integrated Amplifier-Network Music Player
  117. Arcam Solo Music DAC-Integrated Amplifier-Universal Player
  118. McIntosh Laboratory RS100 Wi-Fi Loudspeakers
  119. Hegel Music Systems Röst Integrated Amplifier
  120. Naim Audio Mu-so Qb Wi-Fi Speaker
  121. Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 2 Wi-Fi Speaker

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