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A step-by-step guide to loudspeaker placement: room modes, SBIR, the equilateral triangle, toe-in, the 38 percent rule and treatment priorities.

Generator physics, load matching, tonearm resonance calculation, stylus profiles and cost of ownership. Verified published specifications for three benchmark models.

The Accuphase DP-470 CD player has been unveiled, representing an evolutionary upgrade to the respected Japanese company's product lineup. True to tradition, the DP-470 employs a drive mechanism with a low center of gravity; a rubber damper is positioned between the laser pickup transport mechanism and the disc loader to suppress lens actuator resonance. An eight-pole neodymium magnet ensures secure disc clamping.

Cayin has released the Jazz 70 integrated tube amplifier, the smallest and most affordable model in the Jazz family, which also includes the Jazz 80, Jazz 90 and Jazz 100. The amplifier combines traditional tube circuitry with modern connectivity: three RCA inputs are provided for analog sources, while wireless playback is available via Bluetooth.

The latest Merason DAC 2 utilizes a pair of Burr-Brown PCM1794A chips in a true dual-mono configuration. According to the manufacturer, this setup increases dynamic range by 5 dB and results in a wider soundstage.

The new Atoll IN800 Evolution integrated amplifier combines a pair of AM400 Evolution monoblocks and a PR400 Evolution preamplifier within a single chassis. It delivers 2 x 350 W into 8 ohms and up to 2 x 550 W into 4 ohms. Each channel utilizes sixteen matched MOSFETs, while the driver stages employ Darlington transistors; the design features a symmetrical topology with low global negative feedback.

Vinnie Rossi is launching a new, more accessible equipment line called Canta, with the Canta Phono Preamplifier being the first device in the series. In the autumn of 2026, the lineup will expand to include the Canta Integrated Amplifier, Canta Preamplifier, and Canta Stereo Power Amplifier.

Majority has introduced two new turntables, the Stylo and Folio, aimed at users looking for an affordable system that is easy to set up. The Stylo is designed for use with external speakers, while the Folio features built-in speakers and can operate as a standalone system without additional components.

Vincent has updated its SV-737 hybrid integrated amplifier from the tubeLine series with the introduction of the new SV-737MK. While retaining the core circuitry of its predecessor, the manufacturer has significantly revised the connectivity options. The built-in Wi-Fi module has been replaced by HDMI ARC, allowing a TV to be connected directly to the stereo system, while network playback is now intended to be handled by an external streamer. The amplifier has also gained a Pre Out and a direct input to the power amplifier section.

Mexican company Margules has released a special edition of its U-280 SC tube power amplifier to celebrate the model’s 30th anniversary. The amplifier retains the key technical solutions of the original design, which the manufacturer has continued to refine over the past three decades, including pure Class A operation, selectable output-stage modes, and a proprietary automatic tube bias adjustment system.

Japanese company Esoteric has introduced the new T-01 turntable, incorporating technologies previously developed for the flagship Grandioso T1. The model features a contactless magnetic drive system, magnetic bearing load reduction, and the ability to connect an external 10 MHz master clock.

Sonoro has expanded its Signature lineup with the ORCHESTRA Slim Signature compact passive speakers, designed for smaller rooms. The model was developed with the involvement of Karl-Heinz Fink and is also optimized for placement close to a wall. Measuring just 180 mm wide, the speakers are 326 mm high and 260 mm deep, allowing them to be placed on stands, cabinets, or shelves.

The eternal audiophile question: which amplification topology is better, tube or solid-state? The short answer is simple. If your loudspeakers hold a stable impedance no lower than 6 ohms and a sensitivity above 90 dB, a tube amplifier is worth considering. If your speakers show impedance dips below 3 ohms, that approach will only harm the system. Like it or not, tube and solid-state designs differ first of all in their nonlinear distortion spectrum and their output impedance, and every other parameter turns out to be a derivative of those two figures.

Singapore-based LAiV has opened pre-orders for the second version of its acclaimed LAiV Harmony DAC. The Harmony DAC 2 is scheduled for release in September 2026, priced at $3,994 or €4,495. The unit employs a fully balanced R2R conversion circuit and now features a Class A output buffer, a 10 MHz master clock input, and a sample rate converter.

The listening room accounts for more than half of what your system sounds like. Optimising the sound of a room you already live in is far harder than getting things right in a new one from the start, so we have put together a full guide and checklist for choosing a listening room. It will help if you are house-hunting: follow it, and even entry-level Hi-Fi will take an audible step up in quality.