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Therefore, the elegant solution of an integrated amplifier with a built-in DAC and streamer (to which you only need to add a couple of speakers) has become a true industry standard. The sound quality of the latest streaming amplifiers has leaped forward - a true revolution has occurred in the segment over the past ten years. So now this class of equipment no longer seems like a compromise between price, convenience, and quality.

Renowned Danish loudspeaker manufacturer DALI has introduced the Vega wireless audio system – a compact all-in-one solution designed for users who want serious sound without a traditional rack of components, an external amplifier, or separate loudspeakers. The model’s world debut is scheduled for High End Vienna 2026, which will take place in early June in Vienna. DALI emphasizes that Vega is the result of the company’s many years of experience in loudspeaker design and is intended to bring the brand’s signature approach into a more compact and interior-friendly format.

SMSL has expanded its premium VMV series with the new VMV P2 MK2 desktop headphone amplifier. The new model was introduced alongside the flagship VMV D2R MK2 DAC, which was previously covered, and belongs to the updated MK2 generation of devices. SMSL positions this pairing as one of the brand’s most advanced solutions for desktop Hi-Fi systems, aimed at audiophiles and professional users.

Scottish company Fyne Audio has introduced the Cubitt 5 – its first active wireless speaker system with built-in streaming capabilities. For the brand, this model marks an important step toward a more accessible and convenient format: the Cubitt 5 is designed for those who want to enjoy Fyne Audio’s signature sound without a separate amplifier, complex cabling, or a traditional multi-component Hi-Fi system.

French brand YBA will present its new Design One SACD player at High End Vienna 2026. It is a compact battery-powered model designed not only for traditional Hi-Fi systems, but also for desktop and portable use. According to the company, the Design One is the first YBA device created specifically for the portable/desktop audio segment. The unit combines an SACD/CD transport, a digital-to-analogue converter and a headphone amplifier in a single chassis. The player measures 188 × 166 × 40 mm and weighs 1.34 kg.

Wharfedale is expanding its Heritage series with the new compact Denton 1S loudspeaker. The new model looks back to the brand’s history and is directly inspired by the Denton 1, introduced in 1974. At the time, that speaker was an unusual experiment for Wharfedale: compared with the company’s classic wooden models, it stood out with a more modern appearance, flexible placement options and an unconventional engineering approach.

Lotoo has introduced two new components for desktop audio systems: the Lotoo Gungnir DAC with headphone amplifier and the Lotoo LPX-01 external power supply, designed specifically to work with it, but not exclusively. The company will showcase both devices at High End 2026 Vienna in early June, as well as in the World of Headphones area in Vienna.

German company Econik has introduced the active loudspeaker system Econik 1851 – a two-way model with an unusual suspended design and an enclosure made from quartz sand. For a brand that only began releasing its first loudspeaker systems in 2023, the new model marks a noticeable step toward a more experimental design language and a less conventional engineering philosophy.

Meanwhile, the functions of a phono preamp (amplifying the signal from the cartridge, restoring the frequency response through equalization) are performed with an extremely low-level signal - highly sensitive to interference and crosstalk. Even minimal correction errors are subsequently multiplied at a much higher signal level in the amplifier circuit. In this article, we've compiled seven of the most impressive phono preamplifiers, sorted in ascending order of price. Looking to upgrade your entry-level hi-fi system? This article is for you. Thinking about upgrading your high-end vinyl audio system? This ranking will point you in the right direction.

British company Exposure Electronics has introduced its flagship preamplifier, the Exposure 5510 Preamp. Designed for serious stereo audio systems, the model emphasizes engineering, ease of use, and thoughtful connectivity, rather than flashy interface solutions, touchscreens, or apps.

Danish company Jamo has introduced its new Concert Legacy series of passive loudspeakers, with which the brand brings the Concert name back to the high-end classic Hi-Fi segment. The line-up includes three models: the standmount Concert Legacy 8, the floorstanding Concert Legacy 9 and the top-of-the-range Concert Legacy 11. The new models are inspired by Jamo Concert loudspeakers from the 1990s, but are built around modern drivers, an updated engineering platform and a more refined cabinet design.

British company dCS has introduced the MCD 16 – a new digital-to-analog converter and the brand’s first model developed from the outset for multichannel audio formats. The device will make its public debut at High End Vienna 2026, which will take place in Vienna from June 4 to 7. Deliveries of the dCS MCD 16 are scheduled for autumn 2026; closer to that date, the manufacturer promises to reveal the full technical specifications and recommended price.

British company iFi Audio has expanded its affordable ZEN Air line with three new second-generation components. The series now includes the ZEN Air Blue 2 Bluetooth receiver, the ZEN Air Phono 2 phono stage, and the ZEN Air DAC 2 USB DAC with headphone amplifier. All three devices are aimed at users who want to upgrade a compact desktop or home Hi-Fi system without moving into a more expensive segment.

German audio manufacturer Lindemann has expanded its Woodnote series with the introduction of the third model in the line – the Woodnote Bridge network transport. The device follows a minimalist concept and is designed exclusively to transmit a digital audio signal to an external DAC or an amplifier with digital inputs.

Japanese brand Air Tight has updated its current product lineup with the new ATC-6 tube preamplifier. The model succeeds the ATC-3 roughly twenty years after the latter’s release and is positioned as the most accessible preamplifier in the company’s catalogue.