ESS Technology 32-bit/768kHz SABRE ES9033Q DAC
ESS Technology's new SABRE ES9033Q DAC handles 32-bit/768kHz, DSD512, as well as TDM and DoP formats. While the ES9033Q is a two-channel DAC chip, it can be employed in
mono balanced mode as well. This new chip has a dynamic range of 122+dB (A weighted) with DRE and -108dB of THD+N per channel. It also features a very useful 2Vrms line driver output stage resulting in "an optimum system performance" says the company. In addition, system designers can save on the total bill-of-materials (BOM), board space and power consumption by taking advantage of the
ES9033Q's built-in phase lock loop (PLL), eliminating the need for an external crystal or oscillator.
There's no need to decode lossy proprietary formats as ESS Technology's ES9033Q includes eight pre-programmed filters that are designed to preserve the time-domain response while providing the best imaging and accurate signal preservation possible. A stereo de-emphasis filter can also be set if required.
This not only ensures accurate timing, it also provides a variety of settings
depending on the sound 'personality' desired. The ES9033Q can be programmed using various input methods including I2C, SPI, and hardware modes are available. It also features ESS' proprietary HyperStream II modulator that gives their DACs "legendary sound quality". HyperStream II modulation allows for timing jitter to be pushed out of the audio range so the resulting soundstage is pure and consistent.
04 / 12 / 21
The HiFi Summit's Q2 2021 Online Trade Show
The HiFi Summit's third online trade show, taking place from June
24th through 28th, seeks to deliver the best possible experience for attendees. This time around, Joe Mariano truly wants to connect with you and the audio community. Seminar speakers will take the time after their sessions to answer attendee questions in the VIP video chat.
They've made videos specifically to introduce you to their brand and products.
When it comes time to upgrade your system or to recommend products to others, remember that these companies are the ones who thought it was important to interact with customers and potential customers. They felt that it was worth their time and effort to participate. "I applaud them for their courage, conviction, and belief in us. I am proud to be a part of this audio
community," says Joe Mariano of The HiFi Summit. In addition, you
the audience and enthusiast can decide which products will win awards for Most Innovative, Best Design, Best Presentation, and Most Desirable.
04 / 09 / 21
SoundCheck 19 Multi-Channel Measurements
System
With modern times comes modern solutions for immersive audio
/ immersivephilesTM, which is already in millions of automobiles and
hi-res 192kHz true lossless high-end audio systems. SoundCheck 19's new release of Listen Inc.'s flagship audio test and measurement system offers additional functionality for multi-channel measurements. This includes a new multi-channel RTA, WASAPI-exclusive mode, and AmpConnect 621 control. Additionally, the inclusion of room acoustics measurements offers increased capability for those looking to evaluate devices in real-world
situations. The original ANSI S1.11-2004 Class 0 standard compliant, single-channel RTA has been enhanced to show multiple channels simultaneously. Settings for these can be configured independently, e.g. adding different weighting curves, and the power-averaged response displayed. This is a convenient way to view many measurements across a wide range of applications.
The optional RT60 Room Acoustics module enables measurement of the reverberation time and clarity of any room or space with fully calibrated signal paths. Another enhancement is the option to use WASAPI-exclusive mode with Windows 10 audio devices, allowing SoundCheck to bypass the Windows audio engine. SoundCheck 19 supports AmpConnect 621, Listen's new high resolution (up to 192kHz) multi-channel audio interface. The absence of front panel knobs also provides an added level of test integrity by ensuring that settings cannot be inadvertently adjusted outside of your test configuration. SoundCheck 19 with AmpConnect 621 is a simple and cost-effective solution for automotive and immersivephileTM setup measurements with a six-microphone array, sound power measurements, etc.
Note: Immersivephile(s) is TM by Steven R. Rochlin.
04 / 08 / 21
EMM Labs CDSA SE Stereo SACD
/ CD Player Review The gold standard! Review
By Phil Gold I'm going to say upfront that
this machine is capable of the best digital sound it has been my pleasure
to hear, the best by some margin. It will open your eyes to the stunning
potential of SACD, so often hidden by mediocre implementations, and can go
head to head with exotic vinyl spinners for ultimate fidelity. There is no
aural sugar coating, artificial warmth or hyped up dynamics designed to
impress in the showroom. This is the real McCoy — a machine dedicated to
extracting the maximum accuracy from a two channel SACD signal. But it is
not the user-friendliest piece of equipment, it won't do multi-channel or
DVD-Audio, and who knows where SACD is heading! ---> EMM Labs CDSA SE
stereo SACD / CD player review.
Transcriptors Hydraulic Reference
Turntable For Sale.... Again
As seen in the retro-futuristic classic movie A Clockwork
Orange, the Transcriptors Hydraulic Reference turntable (£4000) in now available for sale. In Alex's (Malcolm McDowell) bedroom in
A Clockwork Orange we find a stunning turntable on which he plays his beloved Beethoven records. This, the Transcriptors Hydraulic Reference Turntable, is an award-winning piece first produced in the 1960s and was selected by Stanley Kubrick himself to appear in the film. This iconic turntable, which also appears in the hospital scene as well as in Alex's bedroom, was first designed and manufactured by the late David Gammon in 1964. Gammon's son Michael told us how it came to appear in
the movie: "In 1969 Stanley Kubrick visited my father at his Borehamwood factory and asked him if he could purchase a Hydraulic Reference to use in his latest film project. He let Stanley have the
turntable".
Their turntables have been widely used in numerous television commercials and in many films: The Skeleton turntable was used in the
X-Men: First Class (2011) and Creepshow (1982) and the Hydraulic Reference Turntable can be spotted in
The Look Of Love (2013) as well as A Clockwork Orange (1972). Various turntable parts were also used in another Stanley Kubrick production,
2001 A Space Odyssey. These turntables are still handmade to order today exclusively through Film And Furniture website. They are hand built to the same design and specification as they were in 1964, with
an individual serial number featured on each product.
T.H.E. Human Side Award-Winning Documentary
Please join us today as T.H.E. Show will make available their new award-earning video
T.H.E. Human Side. T.H.E. Human Side is a documentary short film about enjoying the music and what is means for you. They
will have a live interactive chat running, so you'll be able to comment and ask questions as you watch. This documentary had a private, limited premiere at T.H.E. Show 2019 but has never been seen by the global public. We hope you will enjoy this celebration of the human spirit in audio and music as we look forward to T.H.E. Show 2021 this coming June 11th through 13th at the Hilton Long Beach, CA.
04 / 07 / 21
The Pacific Audio
Fest 2021 From July 30 Through August 1
"Covid has obviously thrown more wrenches into the audio show schedule. Considering the constantly changing dates of some shows this year we want to assure everyone that if we cannot safely hold the Pacific Audio Fest on our scheduled dates (July
30 -- Aug. 1 2021) then we will simply refund all deposits and plan on similar dates for
2022," says PAF's Lou Hinkley. "We will not change our dates in 2021 because doing so would intrude on the long established show dates of RMAF and Capitol Audio Fest, and our belief and policy is that we are all in this
together. Our firm policy is 100% refunds in case of a Covid
cancellation and vendors will have first right of refusal in 2022 on the rooms they reserved. We strongly feel this is the only way to deal responsibly with everybody in the audio community."
Held at the Doubletree Hilton Sea-Tac Washington,
it this time it looks like PAF will have a good shot at holding the show as
planned and they'll make an announcement around May 1 to confirm the situation. That should give everyone enough time to adjust their plans if need be. Lets
is all hope that the progress of the last month continues and we can get close to normal, or the new normal, by the end of July. Thanks to everyone who has been so supportive, the Pacific Audio Fest will be a great and fun show
for everybody! Enjoy the Music.com's Pacific
Audio Fest (PAF 201) show report will be online shortly after the event.
RMAF Show 2021 From October 8th
Through 10th
Featuring the most luxurious destination for America's
high-end audio, personal audio, and immersive sound exhibition, plus excellent
weather too, the family friendly Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center
is Rocky Mountain International Audio Fest's (RMAF) 2021's home in Denver.
Celebrating RMAF's very special 17th continuous Denver event, more than any
other American audiophile show, attendees can enjoy the beautiful atmosphere and
consistently glorious weather. All are welcome and questions are encouraged.
Many exhibit spaces will, in total, feature more than 200 high-end audio, video,
personal audio, and immersive sound brands. Many exhibitors continue to
come back each year to showcase the very finest of high fidelity luxury audio
gear. Come experience many major household audio brands from around the world
during this truly international showcase of luxurious lifestyle for music
lovers.
RMAF opened exhibitor registration on Monday,
March 15 and is begin assigning proprietary rooms. As you may remember, those
exhibitors who participated in RMAF 2019 will have the first opportunity to
claim their same rooms or request a change. Beginning on Monday, April 12,
exhibitors who are new to RMAF and those who are returning after a hiatus will
be able to reserve any rooms not yet claimed by 2019 exhibitors. "Because
of the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 information and mandates, we are not
accepting payments for exhibit space until May 17," says
04 / 06 / 21
The Science Of Rock N' Roll Exhibition For Sale
Rasmus Auctions has been tasked to sell the Science Of Rock N' Roll Exhibition. This is a complete liquidation auction of the exhibition and includes a 10,000 sq/ft space that provides a fresh look at the history of rock from the perspective of science and technology. This is offered in its entirety to include rights and title to all exhibits, light, sound, show, fixtures, trademarks, artwork, materials, and intellectual property. Hard assets are stored on four tractor-trailers and kept in exhibition cases designed for
touring.
"Rock n' roll is as much a product of science and technology as it the offspring of the blues, R&B, hillbilly and
jazz," says the exhibition's website. "Scientific discoveries have had an incalculable effect on how we make, listen to, sell, acquire, perform, share and enjoy music. The more You think about it, the more fascinating it gets. The Science of Rock N' Roll tells the story of rock n' roll from a different perspective: how our need to make music has led to new technologies and how those technologies ended up changing the way we make music. We hope you will enjoy this new spin on rock history."
04 / 05 / 21
Gold Note Audio PH-1000 MM / MC Phono Stage
Gold Note Audio's new PH-1000 MM/MC phono stage (€9600) is the best phono stage the company has ever offered and is 100% made within Italy. Featuring a Class A headphone output,
it also provides +40 EQ curves preset, four adjustable custom EQ curves, and an optional high-quality Class A line preamplifier. Besides the amazing amount of 40 EQ curves available, you can
customize the EQ curves manually by adjusting three main parameters. With seven gain and 12 load levels, as well as six capacitance options, the PH-1000 can drive the most exotic of cartridges easily.
All the functionalities are managed through discrete audio-grade components and sealed single switches, always shortening the signal path to deliver superior audio quality and extract even the finest details from the vinyl record. Gold Note Audio's PH-1000 offers three independent inputs, two unbalanced RCA and one balanced XLR. There are also two other inputs, one RCA and one XLR, that can be used either for the external load plugs for even finer control of the load, or as line inputs on the PH-1000 with preamplifier. Add the other functionalities, such as the headphone output,
a stereo / mono control with phase inversion, L/R channel swap, and rumble subsonic filter.
04 / 02 / 21
FLAC
Lossless 24-bit/192kHz Zappa On Qobuz
Qobuz has partnered with UMe and Zappa Records to provide dozens of Frank Zappa albums for the first time in true lossless Hi-Res Audio. Totaling 29 albums spanning all phases of Zappa's groundbreaking career, the new five-week campaign will span a series of drops between now and May 7th, with classic and influential albums released for download and streaming in true lossless Hi-Res Music quality for the first time in
history. Beginning April 2, fans will be able to stream and download nine albums exclusively on Qobuz. The albums will be available in native 24-bit/192kHz Hi-Res
Music FLAC format. Each will include an extensive PDF digital booklet, a feature only available on
Qobuz's streaming apps. On April 1 more Zappa album will drop. Also of note is that Qobuz is running a program now through May 15th called 'Qobuz music gifts,' where they're offering a wide array of Hi-Res albums for free download.
04 / 01 / 21
Enjoy the Music.com's
Special April Review Magazine
This month's Enjoy the Music.comReview
Magazine features some special goodies for April 1. We also have a glorious variety of great gear reviews, thoughtful think pieces,
and more! See Enjoy the Music.com's
March Review Magazine at this link.
A Primer: Attending An Audio Show Plus a few tasty bits of insider
info you need to know.
Article By Steven R. Rochlin Hi guys and gals in AudioLand.
With all these show reports contained within the Enjoy the Music.com
pages, i felt you would be interested in what it takes to cover shows as
a humble writer looking to get scoops on all the groovy gear. First comes making
all the arrangements. The airline tickets, the hotel reservation, the rental
car... Nothing hard with that except being a bit strenuous on your wallet. Have
you seen what these hotel rooms cost? Almost 300 sheckles for the 'phile
City show... each night! Hmmm, being short on cashola i guess it will be fun
staying at the YMCA for me again this year.... --->A Primer: Attending
an audio show.
Digital Audio Consumption Grows,
Even
In A Pandemic Article By Ted Green, President Of The Stratecon Group, Inc. In new data from eMarketer, we learn that digital audio continues to grow even in the wake of a global pandemic. And by grow, they mean that the time users spend listening to this type of content continues to increase. Early in the pandemic, this didn't necessarily look like it would be the case, as homebound consumers turned to traditional TV or social media (or both) leading many researchers to suggest digital audio would lose some
ground. Many market researchers, including eMarketer, had predicted that digital audio would be hit hard by the pandemic. Why would they think that? Because conventional wisdom had it that most users enjoyed listening to this kind of content during their commute to/from work. ---> Digital
audio consumption grows...
Radio Shack's Realistic System 200 Review Tremendous features and an
authentic value! Review By Mark Rochlin Today I received the most amazing unit to evaluate, the
Realistic System 200! New for 1988, this unit represents a new peak of the Tandy
/ Radio Shack line and continues the tradition of quality and value that makes
Radio Shack famous and guarantees their continued success. Their System 200's
ingenious design revolves around both sonic excellence and ease of use. Styled
in a custom made faux walnut-looking rack with matching speakers, this unit will
enhance the style of your living room. Radio Shack has taken the unique approach
of enclosing the entire unit within one single chassis. This allows them to invest
into their system where it counts, the internal electronics. --->
Radio Shack's Realistic System 200 stereo review.
World Premiere Review! AGD The Audion MKII Monoblock
Amplifier Review The Audion MkII takes this prized monoblock to the next level. Review By Rick Becker To be a
successful manufacturer it is imperative to know when to draw the line on
product development and call it ready for production. The problem is most
designers know the creative process can go on indefinitely. Technology rarely
stands still. What is cleverly called "passion" often can be arguably described
as an obsessive-compulsive addiction to perfection. Those who cannot draw the
line and commit to even small-scale production become artisans of serial, unique
products, no two of which are alike. A clever way to avoid this trap is modular
construction. Alberto Guerra was thinking several chess moves in advance
when he came out with his stunning Vivace monoblock Class D amplifiers with GaN
MOSFET transistors. ---> AGD The Audion MKII
monoblock amplifier review.
Audience adeptResponse aR6-T4 Passive Power Conditioner
With Audience's frontRow powerChord Review Reacquaint yourself with the art of deep listening. Review By Dr. Michael
Bump I recently
came across an article written in early March 2020 by LA Times Staff Writer,
Randall Roberts. The write-up, entitled, The Lost Art of Deep Listening:
Choose an album. Lose the phone. Close your eyes, is offered as a challenge
(to those who are otherwise not of an audiophile persuasion) to listen with all
manner of intent as if binge-watching all seven seasons of Sons of Anarchy
(which I admittedly have done now on three occasions). The assignment: Clear
your schedule for the next three hours of all distractions. Choose three full
recordings from your collection and put them in an ordered queue (as if you were
programming a triple feature binge-watch). Then, close your eyes, and just
listen... Roberts reflects, "There was a time when listeners treated the mere
existence of recorded sound like a miracle – a wonder, a kind of time travel.
Vintage images from the space age, recalling couples seated around their
high-fidelity systems as if being warmed by a fireplace." --->
Audience adeptResponse aR6-T4 passive power conditioner with Audience's frontRow powerChord.
FiiO FD5 Flagship Dynamic In-Ear Monitors
(IEM) Review You can teach an old dog new tricks! Review By Paul Schumann As I
approach the big 6-0, I have become more mindful of the choices I make and how I
spend my time. I am constantly asking myself, "How can I get the most out of
this day?" Sure, I still waste too much time on Facebook and YouTube, but I
still try to block out some time each day for something that will challenge me
in some way. It might be trying a new recipe, coming up with a new teaching
strategy, working on a new audio equipment project, listening to a new
challenging piece of music, attempting a new yoga pose, or watching a new show.
Included in this endeavor is reviewing new and different pieces of equipment.
Thanks to Steven's benevolent leadership, I have been able to listen to, and
write about a wide variety of high-end pieces of equipment from all over the
world. --->
FiiO FD5 flagship dynamic in-ear monitors (IEM) review.
Audio Research's Making The Music Glow
Book By Ken Kessler
Audio Research
is honored to partner with author Ken Kessler in releasing a book timed to the
company's 50th anniversary. Audio Research: Making the Music Glow ($150) describes the people behind the company, designing, manufacturing, fine-tuning, and marketing the audio amplification and source components that have been regarded perpetually as among the best in the industry. Celebrating their first half-century, Audio Research's book tells the story of a manufacturer that helped define high-end audio, with the sole purpose of elevating the sound quality of music in the home.
William Zane "Bill" Johnson established Audio Research in 1970, basing its products on what was then considered by many to be obsolete technology: vacuum tubes. Guided by his passion for music and quality listening with a refusal to fall victim to fashion and design trends of the times, Johnson was revolutionary in sound reproduction. With open access to the
company's archives, the participation of employees, and the support and insights of
Bill's wife, Nancy, Audio Research: Making the Music Glow is filled with rare images, curated reprints of period interviews, the definitive product listing, and a study of what the experts have determined to be the
company's 25 greatest achievements, augmented by fresh photography of each model. Within the pages are the stories of the
company's roots, its development, its evolution, and its tenacious hold on delivering industry standard in music
playback. You can buy
Making The Music Glow book by Ken Kessler from Audio Research's website.
Hi-Fi World's May 2021 Reviews & Think Pieces Hi-Fi
World's May 2021 issue features your chance to win Esprit Beta loudspeaker cables worth £580.. Reviews within this
issue include the Hart Vinyl Brush / Russ Andrews Stasis Super Clean Brush, ED A270 integrated amplifier, Ortofon Per Windfeld Ti MC cartridge, Soundeck Platter Mat, Focal Chora 806 loudspeakers, B&W 607 S2 Anniversary Edition bookshelf speakers, Topping e30 DAC, Moonriver Audio Model 404 integrated amplifier, Black Rhodium Quickstep S loudspeaker cables, L'Acoustics Creations Contour XO earbuds, and Focal Clear MG headphones.
Within his editorial, Noel Keywood says "Everyone, it seems, has the sound of an ideal loudspeaker in their head. That's why there are so many loudspeaker manufacturers on this planet, each founded to deliver that elusive perfect sound. Ah – what simple
romance! It's easy enough to achieve. Buy some drive units, put them in a box of specified volume, knock up a crossover and get twiddling!
I've done it all in the past, with circular saw, sheets of MDF and a lot of necessary enthusiasm.
There's no end of design software available to match bass unit to cabinet and design a suitable crossover."
See what's within this issue of Hi-Fi World
at this link.
Hi-Fi+ April 2021 High-End
Audio Magazine Hi-Fi+'s April 2021 issue
features reviews of the CH Precision L10/M10 line-level preamplifier & stereo power amplifier, Copland CSA-150 hybrid integrated amplifier, Monitor Audio Bronze 200 floorstanding loudspeaker, Melco S100 audiophile network switch, Accuphase DP-570 CD/SACD player, Leben CS 300F integrated amplifier, Innuos Phoenixnet audiophile network switch, Norma Audio Revo IPA-140 integrated amplifier, Audel Milika MK2 floorstanding loudspeaker, Network Acoustics Eno Ag / Streaming Cable Ag audiophile network filter and Ethernet cable, CrystalConnect By Crystal Cable MonetT audio cable system, RSX Technologies Prime
power cord, Shunyata Research Omega QR-S/DF-SS power cord & cable isolation system, and Espirit Audio GAIA interconnects and loudspeaker cables.
Within this month's editorial, Alan Sircom says,
"It was 30 years ago today that I walked into the Bristol Sound and Vision show, wearing for the first time a badge proclaiming that I was a reviewer. I had recently moved from working for a London audio retailer to writing for a then-new magazine. I've only missed two Bristol Shows since that day in 1991; one a few years ago due to illness, and this one that 'The Illness' cancelled. Hopefully, by the time we go back to the Bristol Show once again in 2022, the Marriott team will have cleaned the damn building and fixed the damn elevators!"
See
what's within this issue of Hi-Fi+
magazine at this
link.
03 / 30 / 21
Deezer Follows Spotify With 1980's CD Quality Music Streaming
Deezer announced that 1980's compact disc (CD) quality is a bigger part of their Family package for just $19.99. According to Deezer, "Your whole family deserves the supreme music experience. Today
Deezer's new dedicated Family HiFi tier launches worldwide. If you're one of
Deezer's HiFi users, you can instantly upgrade to 'Family HiFi' and get up to six profiles for just $19.99. The new offering costs just $5 more than a regular HiFi subscription, which means that you pay only $1 for each additional profile. Deezer will also open Family
HiFi to new subscribers for the same price later this year."
While music streaming services Qobuz and others have
embraced modern 2000s technology with 24-bit/88.1kHz or higher true lossless music streaming, Spotify and Deezer and still stuck maxing out at 1980's
technology with lower quality CD 16-bit/44.1kHz music. The good news with Deezer is there are no
annoying ads and you get access to access to 70 million tracks plus a way to filer
kids' access with parental controls. Another plus is unlimited skips and offline listening / downloads in CD quality using the widely-accepted, and playable on virtually all devices sold today worldwide, FLAC
file format. There's also curated recommendations, smart mixes and editorial playlists, including your own Family Mix. Of note is you'll also get access to '360 by Deezer' app with tracks in Sony's
new 360 Reality Audio format.
03 / 29 / 21
Tacet Real Surround Sound Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Symphonies
Recording label Tacet, with their innovative 'Real Surround Sound', has released their
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Symphonies KV 551 and 543 by the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra (0259-4 SACD, €21.47 plus VAT). Featuring Gordan Nikolić on violin, this album has two devilishly good performances, which "centuries after their creation they still knock people who have an antenna for it off their feet," says Tacet. "The way he quasi throws down the last movement of the Jupiter symphony like a gauntlet at the feet of his contemporaries is inimitable. Unfortunately, you can't see it on this SACD when the bassoons and cellos laugh up their sleeves, but you can hear it all the better. What contrasts!"
Tacet continues by saying, "After the bright beginning with timpani and trumpets, the second movement comes from a completely different world. "Con sordino", seductively and gently Gordan Nikolic and the girls and guys of the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra caress the ears. And so it goes on and on. Same with the E flat major symphony. Yes, but aren't there already many wonderful recordings of these works? Yes there are. But as is the case with Mozart, the most famous interpreters can fail and the least known can hit the mark. Decide yourself. Also with sound there is always headroom upwards just as on the Richter scale, upwardly open. Speaking of sound, during the recording the orchestra sat in a circle around Mozart, similar to the other symphonies in this series. Native TACET Real Surround Sound. Sit down with him, right in the middle!"
03 / 26 / 21
Celebrate The Wonderful ~17 Years
Of The RMAF Enjoy the Music.com invites you to celebrate the
truly wonderful ~17 years of reporting on the RMAF (Rocky Mountain International
Audio Fest) event in Denver. Their upcoming 17th annual show is the most innovative consumer audio and home entertainment
industry-operated show within the United States of America. Attendees are encouraged to go from room-to-room, interact with salespeople and engineers, have a seat and casually listen. Many bring their own iPods, discs or vinyl records, as most exhibitors are happy to play one or two favorite songs as a demonstration of sound quality. A variety of equipment is demonstrated, ranging from affordable audio systems to ultra-expensive high-end gear. RMAF also features live entertainment, informative seminars, equipment show specials, and prize drawings throughout the weekend.
RMAF also records their seminars filled with valuable info not to be missed,
which you can watch right now within our show reports. We look forward to seeing you at RMAF 2021 at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center from
October 8th through 10th.
You Can Meet Grammy Winner Niles Rogers
Online
Imagine music lovers being able to meet their idols, or ask them questions and interact freely when you have time. The Forever Project creates one-to-one digital encounters between A-List people and the people who love them. These are in-depth question and answer sessions, using digital projections of real public figures. The Forever Project integrates a range of new technologies, enabling major public figures to answer questions put directly to them by their fans, in real time, from a rich set of pre-filmed
replies. Here In The Room is offering multi-Grammy winning musician Niles Rogers for a one-on-one
experience.
This is a voice driven experience, designed to enable you to ask questions directly to music legend Nile Rodgers. Once you have entered the experience, you can press the speak button and ask Nile a question. If the answer was recorded from the five hours of content we filmed with him, the system will play that answer or will get as close as it can. If an answer wasn't recorded, Nile will let you know and suggest you ask a different question. If you can't think of what to ask, just open up the suggestion questions option and you'll have a selection of three to choose from - invaluable for those harder to find
gems! You can access the experience on your computer or mobile devices as they
have also developed a virtual reality 3D experience too!
03 / 25 / 21
Schiit Hel 2 PC/Console/Gaming DAC And Headamp
Schiit's new Hel 2 ($199) is an excellent value-oriented Hi-Res DAC and headphone amplifier for your PC, gaming console, etc. Simply plug the Hel 2 in to any PC, Mac, PS4, PS5, or Switch, and
you'll get excellent sound quality that Schiit is known for. The high-quality headphone audio amplifier is combined with a podcast-quality microphone input, which means you're listeners can hear every detail
plus you sound great too! Hel 2 ups the sound quality of your typical office computer system with the aid of 24-bit AKM analog-to-digital conversion, and
you'll enjoy headphone audio with much higher power and lower distortion than virtually any PC.
Hel 2 is also an amazing DAC/amplifier, with incredible flexibility. The high-end AK4490 digital-to-analog converter delivers exceptional sound. Connect to your computer via USB, your TV via optical, and create an entire system with powerful headphone output and versatile preamp output for powered monitors or external speaker amplifiers. The AKM AK4490 D/A converter is coupled with an Alps RK09 potentiometer, high-quality filter and amplification stages from Texas Instruments, a sophisticated bipolar +/-12V supply, and precision thin-film resistors and film capacitors. This unit is designed and built in California and includes a two-year warranty.
Qobuz Lossless 24-bit Streaming Available On Sonos
One of the most long-awaited features for Sonos has become a reality as Qobuz, the music lovers' true lossless Hi-Res Music streaming and download provider, is the first provider to deliver lossless 24-bit/48kHz
higher-res music streaming on Sonos. Qobuz customers will be able to listen to
slightly better than the 19080's 'lossless' CD music on their newer Sonos
speakers. We agree it is better than lossy mp3 as you'll enjoy more details and color of original recordings
with the ease of simply pressing play within the Sonos app. Available with the Sonos S2 app, this new integration is one of Qobuz's broadest expansions of Hi-Res streaming support to date.
In 2013, Qobuz became the first music service to offer 16-bit FLAC streaming on Sonos.
They are continuing to expand access to higher-resolution streaming on Sonos by introducing 24-bit
music via the longstanding industry standard lossless FLAC file type, so there's
no need to deal with any lossy proprietary codec(s). Qobuz' 24-bit files are compatible with most products
within Sonos' S2 platform. This new integration builds on Qobuz's continued expansion of hardware partnerships, including the addition of Hi-Res compatible hardware on the Android platform several years ago. Qobuz 24-bit Hi-Res
FLAC streaming is available on Sonos in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United
States of America.
03 / 23 / 21
64 Audio Launches U18s 18-Driver In-Ear Monitor (IEM)
64 Audio is proud to announce the launch of their U18s ($2,999) audiophile-grade universal fit 18-driver in-ear monitor (IEM). The U18s includes 18 precision-balanced armature drivers per earpiece, and is handcrafted in the USA from aerospace-grade aluminum billet. CNC milled, hand blasted, fly cut, and twice anodized... the result is "a striking fractal design that is inspired by nature itself" says the company. Driver configuration is one
TIA high, one high-mid, eight midrange, and eight low-frequency units. Frequency response is from 10Hz to 20kHz with a sensitivity of 106dB/mW @ 1mW. Impedance is 8 Ohms nominal and isolation is a good -10dB with mX module, better -15dB with m15 module, and excellent -20dB with m20 module.
03 / 22 / 21
Zylia Streaming Application For MacOS
Zylia has announced their new streaming application for MacOS that empowers musicians and recordists a solution for easily setting-up live streaming of your music performance in the Ambisonics format. The core of this application is Zylia Ambisonics Converter that converts the ZM-1 multi-channel recordings into Higher Order Ambisonics (HOA). With this tool, you can stream your audio content directly in HOA format (1st, 2nd, and 3rd order) or Binaural format by using an additional binauralization
plug-in. This new plug-in is easily configured with streaming software like OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) that allows combining your audio stream with a video stream and transmitting directly to most of the well-known multimedia platforms (e.g. YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, etc.). In addition to this application, Zylia provides the beta OBS plug-in, which is able to get direct output from Zylia streaming application without using any virtual sound card. With its' software-based adjustment of Zylia ZM-1 microphone position, you can take advantage of multi-channel immersive HOA or two-channel binaural output mode.
03 / 19 / 21
Celebrate Nearly 20 Years Of The
HIGH END Show
We invite you to celebrate Enjoy the Music.com's nearly
20 years of reporting on the High End Society's event in Germany. As perhaps
high-end audio's very first dedicated online web site to report on HIGH END,
which years ago was in Frankfurt at the beautiful Kempinski Hotel, this event
now takes place at the MOC within Munich. Their success shines through as during
HIGH END 2021 the High End Society have
added an International Parts + Supply Event. Furthermore, the High End Society
just announced they're adding a very special ALTI Automotive Audio Conference.
This brings home audio, personal audio, mobile sound, and the parts that make it
all happen within a must-see event! Once again, let's celebrate HIGH END as you
can see their industry-leading events for the past two decades! Come re-live the
immense history of the most important annual audiophile event in the world. Enjoy the Music.com
looks forward to seeing you at HIGH END 2021 in Munich at the MOC.
SVS Announces 3000 Micro Active /
DSP Subwoofer
SVS' just launched their 3000 Micro reference subwoofer ($799.99),
which is said to produce "chest-pounding, musical bass with accuracy and depth from a shockingly compact
10-inch cabinet that fits anywhere." Benefiting from SVS' many years of innovation
in producing award-winning active subwoofers, this compact 10-inch cabinet features dual opposing 8-inch SVS drivers that output in opposite directions. As for the 8-inch drivers, a progressive inverted surround allows for maximum excursion and is critical to moving massive amounts of air and generating sound pressure levels you can feel at the deepest frequencies down to 23Hz.
SVS' Sledge STA-800D2 amplifier with discrete MOSFET output combines the high-current output of MOSFET transistors with Class D efficiency to produce 800 Watts
(2500+ Watts peak power).
Specialized 50 MHz Analog Devices Audio DSP with 56-bit filtering ensures ample processing
power for the many features available via app control. Many convenient controls and custom presets
are easy to use via SVS' Subwoofer DSP smartphone app available for Apple, Android, and Amazon devices. The SVS subwoofer app is the most convenient way to control volume, access multiple DSP functions and program custom presets for one-touch tuning optimized for music, movies, gaming, and more. You can also adjust crossover frequencies, a three-band parametric EQ, polarity, room gain and more. Frequency response
for the SVS 3000 Micro subwoofer is from 23Hz to 240Hz (+/-3dB) and the cabinet's overall
dimensions are 10.9" x 11.7" x 10.7" (HxWxD). Enjoy the Music.com has reviewed
the SB-2000 active subwoofer and we reviewed the SVS SB16-Ultra subwoofer.
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