SoundStageAustralia.com

Details: Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer; Category: Reviews Reviews; Published: 15 January 2018 15 January 2018

Vinnie Rossi LIO Modular Integrated Amplifier

As audio system complexity grows in relation to our rising demands for a wider choice of music listening alternatives, manufacturers have had to make product development decisions based on either product integration, additional stand-alone offerings or a mixture of both. As an example, you may have an integrated amplifier – itself, an amalgamation solution – which may present the option of a factory-fitted in-built phono stage or an independent unit which could be acquired when convenient when funds allow. Another method of providing multiple functionality, added features and diverse playback options is by way of modular design. This method requires particular design attention and presents its own engineering challenges but, when done right, a modular design can provide extended functionality, simplicity in terms of component count and, importantly, potential performance benefits by way of eliminating added componentry and interconnecting cables. Vinnie Rossi’s LIO integrated amplifier takes this extremely clever and challenging-to-implement concept to its full potential.

Details: Written by News Editor News Editor; Category: News News; Published: 09 January 2018 09 January 2018

Qutest DAC

Chord Electronics has been making high-tech digital-to-analogue converters with proprietary FPGA circuitry for quite some time and, in fact, may have been among the first to do so. Another signature theme of the company is a design aesthetic that tends to blend superb build quality with ever more diminutive form factors. Enter the new Qutest, Chord’s tiniest DAC packed with the company’s ever-evolving digital technology.

Details: Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer; Category: Ed Comment Ed Comment; Published: 02 January 2018 02 January 2018

SoundStage! Network's Products of the Year 2017

True to the meaning of the word Network, back in July 2017 the SoundStage! Universe expanded to include this land Down Under. Since our ‘Big Bang’ six months ago, our Australian team reviewed a stellar list of gear covering all areas of audio reproduction. And while the product coverage has been all-encompassing, it nevertheless would be remiss of us here at SoundStage! Australia to hold our own POTY Awards based on such a brief – yet highly productive – life span.

Details: Written by News Editor News Editor; Category: News News; Published: 20 December 2017 20 December 2017

Massive Musical Fidelity Australian Pricing Restructure

Audio Marketing, Australia’s distributor for Musical Fidelity, has managed to build a very high profile and a respected reputation for the UK manufacturer over three decades of uninterrupted representation in this country. Now, in an effort to offer extraordinary value to Australian customers, Musical Fidelity’s wide product range has been reinvented at the retail level to slot into never-seen-before price points.

Details: Written by News Editor News Editor; Category: News News; Published: 18 December 2017 18 December 2017

Big Boulder – Boulder Amplifiers’ New 1110 Preamplifier

Boulder Amplifiers has announced the perfect mate for the recently released 1160 power amplifier; the all-new 1110 full-function preamplifier joins the stable of 1100 series products from the Colorado-based company.

Details: Written by Scott Campbell Scott Campbell; Category: Reviews Reviews; Published: 15 December 2017 15 December 2017

Bowers & Wilkins 705 S2 Loudspeakers

Bowers and Wilkins. Yes, B&W... A name familiar to almost every audiophile that ever obsessed over their bits, bytes or tonearm balance. From the almighty Nautilus, an absolute landmark of a speaker, the DM6 and its unusual shape, the mighty 801 and 808 which are coveted, collected and admired to this day.

Details: Written by Peter Katsoolis Peter Katsoolis; Category: Reviews Reviews; Published: 15 December 2017 15 December 2017

Sennheiser HDV 820 Headphone Amplifier

Recently, under guarded supervision (actually I’m often under guarded supervision but that’s another story…) this reprobate listener had the privilege of experiencing the distinctly esoteric and musically liberating Sennheiser statement headphone system, the HE-1. The music selection was limited but that serene aggregation of valves and marble and electrostatic drivers brought me ecstatic peace in an instant.

Details: Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer; Category: Ed Comment Ed Comment; Published: 15 December 2017 15 December 2017

On, Dancer! On, Prancer! On, Credit Card Blitzen!

SoundStage! Australia is nigh on half a year old – #believe? Yes, over the last six months we’ve featured dozens of articles covering product reviews, news items and manufacturer factory tours. We have also introduced a Videos page featuring insights into the workings of some of the best manufacturers in the world via skilfully-produced video shorts. As it now stands, our site is stuffed with exciting content like a bulging Christmas stocking… with something for everyone. And that brings us to the subject of the Festive Season. Here at SoundStage! Australia (SSA) HQ, we’re taking a short break over the Holidays. We’re off today and back on January 15, 2018 but of course, diligent members of our SoundStage! Network will be at the frontline in Las Vegas for the CES 2018. Watch out for the comprehensive coverage.

Details: Written by News Editor News Editor; Category: News News; Published: 11 December 2017 11 December 2017

Magico Brings On the A Game

High-end speaker specialist Magico, who has been trickling out its latest spare-no-expense M series speakers and continues its development of the upmarket S series, now introduces the company’s entry level A series with the new A3. The A3 speaker includes many of Magico’s trademark features in the aluminium enclosure and high quality bespoke drivers.

Details: Written by News Editor News Editor; Category: News News; Published: 07 December 2017 07 December 2017

Perreaux’s New High-Power Integrated Amplifier

New Zealand’s Perreaux, one of the country’s longest-running manufacturers, has announced a new high power integrated amplifier with a whole stream of in-built features making it a hub of amplification and source connectivity.

Details: Written by Josh Givorshner Josh Givorshner; Category: Reviews Reviews; Published: 01 December 2017 01 December 2017

Sonus faber Amati Tradition Loudspeakers

From the Editor – Sometimes the convergence of worlds results in events that flout with the laws of the universe. While SoundStage! Ultra’s Aron Garrecht was thoroughly putting the Amati Tradition through its paces, SoundStage! Australia’s own Joshua Givorshner was tenaciously penning his own views on this important speaker from Sonus faber. Garrecht’s excellent review published on November 15 can be read here, while below, as an independently reinforcing viewpoint from the other side of the world, is Givorshner’s thoughtful take on this remarkable design… Edgar Kramer

Details: Written by Edgar Kramer Edgar Kramer; Category: Reviews Reviews; Published: 01 December 2017 01 December 2017

Vermouth Audio Black Pearl Mk.II Interconnect, Speaker & AC Power Cables

Back in August 2017 I had the pleasure of living with the Vermouth Audio Little Luccas Mk.II Limited Edition loudspeakers in order to assess them and, subsequently, formally review them on SoundStage! Australia here. I was thoroughly taken by these Indonesian speakers’ engaging sound based on the superb RAAL ribbon tweeter, SB Acoustics mid-bass driver, high quality crossover componentry and solidly-built solid timber enclosure. I also admired the pleasing aesthetics, the world-class finish and a number of other design choices which served as evidence of a passionate and dedicated designer capable of thorough attention to detail. Move forward some time to the present and here, in situ for review, is the company’s Black Pearl Mk.II loom which sits at the top of Vermouth Audio’s cable line-up.