Latest Additions


  • Munich 2013 Show Coverage
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  • Focal XS Book Music System Sweepstakes
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  • Focal Professional Solo6 Be
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  • Greatest Bits Makeover!
    • Devialet
    Munich 2013
    Michael Lavorgna • May 14, 2013 • 0 comments
    Devialet introduced four new versions of their D-Premier D/A integrated amplifier that so impressed John Atkinson (see review). If you are not familiar with Devialet I encourage you read JA's review for all of the details but to summarize Devialet rolls up a DAC, network player, integrated amplifier, and more into one slim, slick, and appealingly modern aluminum body. The new line-up offers the Devialet technology at various price points and power ratings with increasing levels of functionality. The Devialet 110 (€4990) sits at the entry end of the line and offers 110Wpc of output power. The 170 (€6990) ups the power rating to 170Wpc and adds an MM/MC phono input. The Devialet 240 offers, as you have probably figured out by now, 240Wpc and the 500 (€22,900) tops out at 500Wpc.
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    Die Werdenfelser Alphorngruppe
    Munich 2013
    Michael Lavorgna • May 14, 2013 • 0 comments
    A traditional horn setup caught in a candid in between blowing moment. This was just one of the live music performances to be found around the Munich High End show.
    Buffalo LinkStation LS400 NAS
    Munich 2013
    Michael Lavorgna • May 14, 2013 • 0 comments
    Buffalo Technology had their LS400 Series NAS devices on hand (the stouter of the two black boxes in the pic) that are geared for the audiophile market. Capable of handling AIFF, ALAC, WAV, FLAC, and DSD data, the DLNA/UPnP compatible LS400 Series includes a 1.2GHz ARMADA370 processor and 512Mbytes of DRAM running TwonkyMedia 7. The LS400 Series comes in three flavors— the single-drive LinkStation 410D ($229/2TB, $269/3TB, $399/4TB), dual-drive LinkStation 420D ($289/2TB, $369/4TB, $469/6TB, $719/8TB), and the diskless LinkStation 421E ($149/diskless enclosure).
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    Aria Hi-End Music Server
    Munich 2013
    Michael Lavorgna • May 14, 2013 • 2 comments
    The Aria music server (€3,995) from Digibit offers unlimited extended metadata fields and access to the SonataDB of classical music extended metadata as well as AMG, GD3, Freedb, and Musicbrainz for a classical music lover's metadata dreams come true. The Aria provides automatic CD ripping using dBPoweramp, an iPad app for control, up to 2TB of SSD storage or up to 4TB of HSDD storage, DLNA/UPnP compatibility so you can also access music on your network-attached storage, and up to 32/384kHz and DSD playback capability. Aria uses a professional-grade Teac DVD-R drive, a custom ultra-low power industrial grade motherboard, an optional 24/192 and DSD-capable asynchronous USB DAC, S/PDIF (RCA and BNC), AES/EBU, and I2S outputs, all wrapped up in a fanless aluminum case.
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    Bel Canto Black
    Munich 2013
    Michael Lavorgna • May 13, 2013 • 0 comments
    Bel Canto Black represents a shift in the balance of power. Or maybe I should say a shift in DAC? The Black series consists of two components—the C1 Controller and the PMD1 Power DAC. The Controller can be viewed as a preamplifier/renderer which includes your standard digital inputs (Coax and Toslink), UPnP Ethernet, USB, and AES/EBU. The twist here is there's no DAC but there is a 32-bit digital volume control, multiple user selectable FIR filters, and an A to D converter for the analog input. Your signal gets re-clocked in the Controller and in the case of an analog signal gets converted to 24/192 digital before getting passed on to the monoblock Power DACs via ST Fiber or AES/EBU. The DAC portion of the Power DAC is capable of handling up to 24/192 data while the power side puts out 400W into 8 ohms and 1200W into 2 ohms. Projected pricing is in the neighborhood of $15,000 per box.
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    mo°sound
    Munich 2013
    Michael Lavorgna • May 12, 2013 • 0 comments
    Swiss company mo°sound offers passive ceramic-clad spherical speakers that are destined for a classy desktop. The standard version MO°SPEAKER (€760/pair) comes in black and white as well as upgraded finish options including gold and silver.
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    Dali Kubik Free
    Munich 2013
    Michael Lavorgna • May 12, 2013 • 0 comments
    The Dali Kubik Free speakers are sold as singles with an active version (€769/each) and a passive version (€349/each) so you can go mono or stereo and you can do so in your choice of nine colorful colors. You connect to your Kubik Free via aptX Bluetooth 3.0, USB, Toslink, RCA, or 3.5mm minijack, and their output comes courtesy of a 100W internal amp driving two 5" woofers and two 25mm soft dome tweeters.
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    Amphion Ion+ Limited Edition
    Munich 2013
    Michael Lavorgna • May 12, 2013 • 0 comments
    Amphion was showing off some colorful versions of their Ion+ speakers (€500/each) that were hand painted by Danish artist Kristian Hornsleth in a limited edition (€3,000/pair). For those looking to brighten up their listening environment with aural and visual art, these speakers fit the bill on both counts.
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    Moon Audio Blue Dragon Custom USB Cable Sweepstakes
    Sweepstakes
    Jon Iverson • May 10, 2013 • 57 comments
    Register to win a Moon Audio Blue Dragon Custom USB Cable (MSRP $100.00) we are giving away.

    $100 for 3 foot version USB A to USB B or USB A to USB Mini B (choice of winner depending on what they are connecting to). Moon will create a custom cable depending on what the user needs / user will be in communication w/Moon to get the connectors they need.

    [This Sweepstakes is now closed.]

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    NuForce Cube
    Munich 2013
    Michael Lavorgna • May 10, 2013 • 0 comments
    The NuForce Cube ($99.00) is a speaker, headphone amp, and 16-bit/48kHz-capable USB DAC all stuffed into a 2" cube. There's a rechargeable lithium battery for up to 8 hours of play, a 3.5mm minijack analog input so you can connect your phone or portable music player and use the Cube as a headphone amp or take advantage of its larger-than-your-phone's speaker. The Cube comes in your choice of black, silver, red, or blue and was on silent display so I cannot attest to the manufacturer's claim that the Cube, "...blows cheap plastic, low-quality portable speakers out of the water."