Latest News – page 4

Meze Audio has released the top-of-the-line Meze Audio ASTRU in-ear headphones. The model is based on a single dynamic driver, delivering premium sound, comparable to headphone designs with multiple drivers.

The German loudspeaker manufacturer Canton has introduced a special version of its popular compact bookshelf monitors, the Canton Reference 9 GS Edition, developed under the guidance of company founder Günther Seitz. The new model combines selected components from the flagship Canton Reference Alpha line with the compact concept of the Reference 9. The speakers are offered in four exclusive finishes.

The French company Jadis Electronics has announced a replacement in its lineup for the popular integrated amplifier I35. Its place will be taken by the Jadis Óde model. The output stages of the new amplifier operate in pure Class A and are built around KT88 beam tetrodes, hand-selected by Jadis. The amplifier can also use KT120 tubes.

Audio Technology Switzerland, the company behind the Nagra brand, introduced the Nagra Compact Streamer network transport in December 2025. Now the Swiss manufacturer has announced a similar device, but this time with a built-in DAC section – the Nagra Compact Player. At the same time, the company has removed the digital outputs. According to the developers, the Nagra Compact Player is a complete High End digital source that combines advanced streaming functionality with a high-quality DAC and an analog output stage built in a dual-mono configuration. The new network player supports PCM playback up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD up to DSD256, and was developed with special attention to clock architecture, power supply design, and the implementation of the analog stage.

Magico has introduced the Magico S7 2026 loudspeaker, which now leads the popular S Series lineup. The new model features a five-driver, three-way configuration and weighs 174 kg. The S Series began its renewal in 2023 with the debut of the revolutionary S3, which set a new benchmark for performance in its price segment. The following year saw the introduction of the larger and more ambitious S5, pushing the series even further. In late 2024, Magico unveiled the compact S2, delivering impressive power and resolution in a smaller form factor. Now it is the turn of the flagship S7 – bold, uncompromising, and definitive.

British audio manufacturer Rega Research has introduced the new Rega AOS MC phono stage, specifically designed for moving coil cartridges (MC – Moving Coil). According to the developers, the new model is based on the flagship Aura.

British loudspeaker manufacturer ProAc unveiled the two-way monitor loudspeaker ProAc Response DB1R at the Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2026. The “R” in the model name stands for ribbon, referring to the ribbon tweeter. The new model builds upon the concept of the compact two-way ProAc Response DB1, which is equipped with a soft-dome tweeter.

The British loudspeaker manufacturer ATC unveiled the active three-way loudspeaker system ATC EL50 Anniversary at the Bristol HiFi Show 2026. The model will be released in a limited edition. According to ATC, the ATC EL50 Anniversary is based on the company’s legendary 50 platform. The new model continues the brand’s discrete active multi-amplified concept, tracing back to models such as the SCM50 Anniversary and the SE series. The industrial design references the ATC EL150 with its elliptical enclosure, originally developed by company founder Bill Woodman.

The Italian company Gold Note has introduced the new Gold Note PH-5.2 phono stage, capable of working with both moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) cartridges. The new model is an evolution of the previous PH-5 and embodies the concept that Gold Note has promoted for many years in the world of analog audio: high fidelity is not a matter of taste or sonic character, but a responsibility toward the original recording.

Norwegian company Arendal Sound has unveiled the 1610 loudspeaker series, bringing design cues inspired by the brand’s flagship models and a three-way architecture into a more accessible price segment – without compromising sound quality. Building on its flagship 1528 loudspeaker lineup, Arendal Sound returns with the new 1610 range: a deliberately “downsized” version aimed at serious performance, but without the flagship price tag.

Italian company Gold Note continues to expand its 5.2 series of electronic components with the introduction of the Gold Note CD-5.2 CD player, an evolutionary development of the popular Gold Note CD-5 model. The new unit features an updated chassis design, improved power supply, and a modern user interface. Among the new features is volume control, allowing the component to be connected directly to power amplifiers or active loudspeakers.

The Japanese company Luxman has turned one hundred years old. To mark the occasion, the firm has introduced two new flagship models created as a modern reference pair, combining a century of analog and digital engineering experience. The new Luxman D-100c (SA)CD player and Luxman L-100c integrated amplifier form the foundation of the Luxman 100 Centennial Series, which celebrates the brand’s origins in 1925 while also reaffirming its long-standing pursuit of perfection rather than a chase for novelty.

The Italian audio manufacturer Unison Research has introduced a new amplifier set from the Unico V2 series, consisting of the Unico Pre V2 preamplifier and the Unico DM V2 power amplifier. Both components are built on a hybrid design and implemented in a “dual mono” concept.

The American tube audio manufacturer Audio Research has introduced the integrated amplifier Audio Research I/55, which combines proven engineering solutions with modern functionality. The new model borrows key design elements from the flagship Audio Research I/70 and adapts them to a more compact chassis. As a result, the Audio Research I/55 integrated amplifier is aimed at listeners who value the characteristic tube sound but do not want to compromise on flexible connectivity and ease of use. As the successor to the Audio Research I/50, the new model incorporates important technical improvements from the larger Audio Research I/70 and brings them into a format suitable for compact High End systems.

The MoFi Electronics division of the American company Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab has introduced a more affordable version of its flagship MasterPhono phono stage. The new model is called the MoFi UltraPhono Pro and features a single input. This version also offers fewer additional functions and does without the VU meters that give the flagship a touch of vintage character.

British company Arcam has expanded the Radia family of audio products by unveiling a new range of loudspeakers at ISE 2026 in Barcelona. Until now the series consisted exclusively of amplifiers, but the manufacturer now aims to offer complete audio systems within the Radia lineup.

The British high-end audio manufacturer Audio Note (UK) has marked 35 years since the release of its Oto integrated amplifier by launching the Audio Note Oto SE 35th Anniversary Edition, which the company describes as the most significant modernization and improvement of the design in all those years. First introduced in 1991, the Audio Note Oto tube integrated amplifier holds a special place in the history of Audio Note (UK).

The Serbian company Soulines will present the Soulines tt23 vinyl turntable at the Bristol HiFi Show 2026. The dimensions and shape of the base of the Soulines tt23 have been optimized using the golden ratio and the Fibonacci sequence to provide uniform vibration damping and reduce the moment of inertia in all three planes relative to the center of gravity.

The Japanese brand Esoteric has introduced a new XE series of electronic components, including the Esoteric N-05XE network player, preamplifier and DAC, and the Esoteric S-05XE stereo power amplifier operating in pure Class A. The new products will go on sale in March 2026.

The well-known manufacturer of tube audio equipment, Audio Research, has introduced a new stereo power amplifier, the Audio Research D-80, in the Reference series, combining pentode operation, automatic bias adjustment and balanced signal transmission with an output power of 70 W per channel.