MQA, the encode/decode system for halving file sizes is making serious inroads into the pro and domestic scene. Warner Music signed up to MQA shortly before the show and the ability to decode the format appeared in a number of new DACs. Essentially built to provide higher resolution streaming services MQA seems to have the […]
Someone described the High End show in Munich as the Superbowl of the audio industry, it’s certainly a fabulous event with considerably more audio hardware gathered in one building than you will find anywhere else, but luckily there weren’t any guys in shoulder pads and helmets around. Here is the first tranche of new products […]
While some can’t get enough of the vinyl revival those of us who never stopped spinning the stuff appreciate the delights of a decent turntable, and there were more than a few at Bristol, not least the new Planar 3 (above). Even the Japanese are joining in with Technics reviving DJ favourite the SL 1200 […]
There was a distinct buzz on the first day of the Bristol show, it’s always lively but this year the energy was higher and, it turned out, people were here to do more than look and listen. Sales were up fifty per cent on last year and higher than they have been for over a […]
Having organised the Audiojumble events for 23 years the remarkable John Howes has stepped back and passed the ‘reins’ over to the next generation. The February 2016 jumble was the first to be entirely run by Richard, Michael and Catherine Howes. It proved a popular event teaming with hi-fi and record collectors on the look […]
Metropolis Studios in Chiswick is a choice location for an audio event. Built in a former Victorian power station the building has numerous rooms, open spaces and a café serving pounding beats! The Headroom show attracted a broad array of exhibitors and a fair few enthusiasts, the latter getting the opportunity to hear some of […]
The Audio Video is not only about obscure brands and vintage kit, the National Stadium featured nearly all the big brands in the business in 60 rooms. There were also a lot of headphones and a good selection of ‘real world’ products alongside some wild esoterica. Here’s a taste of what was on offer and […]
The Audio Video show in Warsaw, Poland has grown to be the second largest in Europe and packs in every variety of audio kit you can imagine alongside a selection of big TVs. Located in two hotels and the national stadium it gathers audio brands from across the world. There is naturally a strong showing […]
Roksan Oxygene 30 turntableDetails were still a bit scant at the show but the beautiful new Oxygene series turntable is apparently quite different from previous Roksan designs. The motor has a complete new housing and the platter and arm are decoupled from the lower plinth by O rings. It is apparently a four piece plinth […]
Music First Classic Headphone Pre amplifierMusic First has produced its first headphone amplifier/preamplifier. By using autoformers for the passive volume controls MF has managed to make its least expensive preamp yet at £1,900. It has six inputs and two outputs and those of us familiar with MF products are more than a little excited about […]
At the end of every show report there are always more pictures left, sometimes of gear that just looks fantastic like the Care Orchestra Celestial Crossway mains conditioner (above), which wins our best product name of the show award, and often stuff that plain looks interesting but somehow got left to the end. Either way, […]
Focal SopraFocal has plugged the gap between the Electra Be and Utopia ranges with Sopra. This two model range has three patents pending and comes in several finishes, but really it’s orange or nothing. The technologies that Focal is hoping to make its own are a new surround profile for the midrange driver that provides […]