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SoundStage! Simplifi
SoundStage! Simplifi
Focal DIVA MEZZA Utopia
Focal DIVA MEZZA Utopia
NAD C 700 V2
NAD C 700 V2

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

JBL 4305P Active Loudspeaker System

Written by: Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 January 2023

Inspired by a SoundStage! Audiophile Podcast episode, I posed a rhetorical question in a Simplifi feature published a few months ago: “Is Component Hi-Fi Dead?” During that podcast episode, Brent Butterworth, senior editor of SoundStage! Solo, had asked if we really need amplifiers anymore, given the growing acceptance of powered and active speakers with built-in amplification. “Amps are never going to die,” Brent opined, “but are amps kind of dead?” Dennis Burger, senior editor of SoundStage! Access, replied: “I don’t know if they’re dead. I just think they are unnecessary.”

Read more: JBL 4305P Active Loudspeaker System

Dynaudio Focus 30 Active Loudspeaker System

Written by: Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 December 2022

Reviewers' ChoiceI’ve had a soft spot for Dynaudio for many years. For one thing, the Danish brand practically invented high-performance Simplifi’d hi-fi. When Dynaudio launched its Xeo range of active speakers in 2012, there were many excellent tabletop music systems on the market. But Dynaudio’s Xeo 3 standmount and Xeo 5 floorstanding speaker systems were different: they delivered real stereo from two discrete enclosures. Other than two-prong power inlets, the enclosures had no connectors of any kind. Instead, they received 16-bit/48kHz PCM audio from a companion wireless transmitter, which had mini-USB, optical (TosLink) S/PDIF, and line-level analog inputs (RCA and 3.5mm). The Xeo speaker systems made it possible to get serious stereo sound in multipurpose living spaces without cluttering them up with gear and cables.

Read more: Dynaudio Focus 30 Active Loudspeaker System

SVS Prime Wireless Pro Active Loudspeaker System

Written by: Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 November 2022

Reviewers' ChoiceQuite often, when a manufacturer updates a popular product, the new model offers only incremental improvements over the one it replaces. But sometimes, the new product represents a major upgrade over the original; and that is the case with SVS’s Prime Wireless Pro active loudspeaker system ($899.99, all prices in USD). The Prime Wireless Pro costs 50% more than the company’s Prime Wireless active speaker system (discontinued, $599.99 when available), but it contains a host of improvements.

Read more: SVS Prime Wireless Pro Active Loudspeaker System

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

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