Latest News – page 2

Gryphon Audio Designs has announced the Helios preamplifier, built in a two-chassis configuration with a separate power supply. The new model is positioned as an entirely new development, combining reference-grade technical performance with very broad compatibility in complex audio systems.

Takumi Recordplayer has expanded its range of vinyl turntables with the introduction of the Level 1.1 model. The manufacturer positions the new product as an entry-level solution in its lineup, designed to appeal both to those just beginning their journey into vinyl and to more demanding users.

British company Ophidian has expanded its S-series with the introduction of the new SKYE floorstanding loudspeakers. The new model has been developed and is manufactured in the United Kingdom, complementing the range that previously included the SEREN standmount speaker. With this model, the manufacturer is focusing on a combination of classic styling, high-quality finishing, and modern engineering solutions.

Greek company Ideon Audio is preparing to premiere its new Axiom DAC digital-to-analog converter at AXPONA 2026, which will take place from April 10 to 12 in Chicago. The manufacturer calls this model the largest-scale and most ambitious project in its history. According to the developers, the Axiom DAC is intended to become the quintessence of Ideon Audio’s accumulated experience in digital technologies, power supply design, precision engineering, and signal control.

Radiant Acoustics has introduced the Clarity 66, the third loudspeaker system in its lineup and the brand’s first floorstanding model. After two bookshelf speakers, the company has moved into a more serious segment with a flagship loudspeaker that, according to its developers, most fully reflects the Radiant Acoustics approach to sound.

French company Jadis Electronics has expanded its lineup with the new Aria integrated tube amplifier, which replaces the Orchestra and now takes the position of the entry-level model in the brand’s catalog. That said, it should not be seen as a budget solution: this is still a full-fledged High End component, built in keeping with Jadis traditions.

British company Quad Hifi has expanded its Platina series by introducing its third component – the Platina CDT CD transport. The model was announced earlier and has now officially reached the market. The unit does not feature a built-in digital-to-analogue converter, which is entirely logical: the DAC section is already included in the Quad Platina Integrated amplifier.

Danish company Buchardt Audio has released the third version of its most well-known bookshelf loudspeaker, the S400 MK3. The updated model features a larger cabinet, new drivers, and a redesigned crossover, while also undergoing significant structural changes compared with previous versions. Although Buchardt Audio cannot boast a century-long history like some other Scandinavian manufacturers, the brand has built a solid reputation in recent years. This was made possible by a successful concept: relatively compact loudspeakers capable of delivering a bigger and fuller sound than their size would suggest. It was precisely this philosophy that made the original S400 so well known, followed by the S400 MKII with an updated crossover and higher-quality internal components, and later the S400 MKII Signature with additional tuning refinements. Now, in 2026, the company takes the next step and brings the platform to a new level with the release of the S400 MK3.

Rotel has introduced two new components under the Michi brand that launch the new Prestige series – the Michi Prestige Q430 CD player and the Michi Prestige X430 integrated amplifier. The new range is conceived as a more accessible alternative to the brand’s higher-end Michi components, while retaining the key engineering solutions and signature styling familiar from the flagship Reference series.

French reel-to-reel tape recorder manufacturer Analog Audio Design has announced an upgrade to its renowned Analog Audio Design TP-1100 model. This updated version of the R2R tape recorder uses a direct drive, which should improve stability and playback quality.

British company Rogers, long regarded as one of the iconic loudspeaker manufacturers, has introduced a new version of one of its signature models – the PM510 S3. The new product is a modern interpretation of a system that first appeared back in the 1980s. Historically, the Rogers PM510 was created as a passive loudspeaker based on the technical solutions of the famous BBC LS5/8 Grade One studio monitor, developed for professional broadcast monitoring, where tonal accuracy, low distortion, and predictable system behavior are critically important. By releasing a passive version of this platform, Rogers once gave studios and demanding audio enthusiasts the opportunity to use external amplification while preserving the character and advantages of the BBC reference monitoring approach.

Wilson Benesch is preparing the world premiere of its new Greenwich vinyl turntable, which will take place next weekend at the Audio Show Deluxe in Whittlebury, United Kingdom. According to the manufacturer, this model represents the next stage in the evolution of the company’s proprietary GMT analog platform and demonstrates the further development of the brand’s core technologies in the field of vinyl playback.

Matrix Audio, a company specializing in premium audio equipment, has introduced new models within its compact N series. The already available NT-1 digital music transport is now joined by the ND-1 external digital-to-analog converter and the NA-1 headphone amplifier. The manufacturer envisions the complete system as a desktop setup, complemented by another new addition – the modular TEMPO DX RACK stand.

The Backes&Müller ICE 525 preamplifier has received a built-in phono stage based on modern digital technologies. According to the developers, this approach makes it possible to achieve the highest level of accuracy even with non-standard cartridges. The company claims that the new model is capable of delivering a signal-to-noise ratio unattainable for traditional analogue phono stages. In addition, the manufacturer places special emphasis on the convenience of setup and day-to-day operation.

Australian company Burson Audio has released two new desktop headphone amplifiers – the Conductor Stellar and Soloist Stellar. Both new models are positioned in the company’s lineup between the entry-level Playmate 3 series and the more senior Grand Tourer devices. The Conductor Stellar features a built-in digital-to-analog converter and a Bluetooth module, while the Soloist Stellar is designed as a fully analog unit.

Polish manufacturer of high-end audio equipment Ferrum Audio has announced the second generation of the Wandla GoldenSound Edition Gen 2 – an updated version of its DAC/preamplifier based on the original Wandla model and the special GoldenSound Edition variant. The new model develops the ideas of its predecessors and places even greater emphasis on flexible sound tailoring to match a specific system and the owner’s preferences.

American audio equipment manufacturer Grado Labs has released the new open-back full-size Signature S550 headphones, expanding its proprietary Signature series. The new model is aimed at listeners who value warmth, naturalness, and a comfortable, non-fatiguing presentation, while preserving the openness, speed, and detail that are characteristic of Grado sound.

The Japanese audio manufacturer Soulnote has released the second version of its A-0 integrated amplifier, which delivers just 10 watts per channel, though in this case the modest power figures are part of a deliberate concept. The designers focused not on a substantial power reserve, but on precision, control, and musical expressiveness. What we have here is an amplifier with an extremely minimalist philosophy, built on a fully discrete circuit and operating without negative feedback.

The brand Lumïn has launched the second generation of its network hub, the Lumïn P2, combining the functions of a streamer, digital-to-analogue converter and preamplifier. The new model develops the ideas of the P1, but offers a more powerful processing platform, a more advanced DAC section and expanded integration options for a modern audio system. According to the manufacturer, the Lumïn P2 is intended to serve as the central element of a contemporary High End system. The device combines a network player, DAC and preamplifier in a single chassis, making it possible to build a compact yet functionally rich digital front end.

Italian company Gold Note has launched the external PSX-5.2 power supply as an upgrade for the electronic components in its proprietary Series 5.2 lineup. Unlike accessories that focus on isolated improvements, the emphasis here is on a broader, system-wide effect. The manufacturer positions the new unit as a way to raise the overall performance of the system by making the sound more cohesive, stable, and clean, with greater dynamic freedom and a quieter background.