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Elac Navis ARF-51 Active Loudspeakers

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 September 2019

Reviewers' ChoiceIn her song “Big Yellow Taxi,” Joni Mitchell famously observed “That you don’t know what you’ve got / Till it’s gone.” There’s a lot of truth in that. The converse is equally true -- you don’t know what you’ve been missing till you experience it. Both thoughts occurred to me as I reviewed Elac’s Navis ARF-51 active floorstanding speakers.

Read more: Elac Navis ARF-51 Active Loudspeakers

Streaming the Classics

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 September 2019

Is classical music in danger of dying “a digital death”? That prospect worries Thomas Steffens, CEO of Amsterdam-based Primephonic, a streaming service that specializes in classical music. “The world is moving toward streaming, where there are no CD stores anymore, and download stores are disappearing,” Steffens told me in an interview. “At the same time, classical music is massively underrepresented on streaming services. Classical music accounts for 5% of all global music consumption, but only 1% of streaming music, and 0.5% of streaming royalties.”

Read more: Streaming the Classics

Devialet Phantom Reactor 900 Active Loudspeakers

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 15 August 2019

Cute, adorable, funky -- you rarely read those adjectives in reviews of serious audio products, but they do describe the appearance of Devialet’s Phantom Reactor active loudspeakers. Perched on their matching tripod stands, the Reactors evoke memories of R2D2 from Star Wars (though each Reactor is much smaller), or characters from the game Angry Birds (the Reactors look way friendlier).

Read more: Devialet Phantom Reactor 900 Active Loudspeakers

Play Nice Together -- An Interview with Rob Darling of Roon Labs

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 August 2019

Is a music-management application that costs $499 USD expensive? That’s what you’ll pay for a lifetime subscription to Roon, and I’ve occasionally called it “an expensive option.” If you don’t want to plunk down half a thou, you can pay $119 for a one-year subscription.

Read more: Play Nice Together -- An Interview with Rob Darling of Roon Labs

PMC result6 Active Loudspeakers

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 August 2019

As regular visitors to this site surely know by now, I’m a big proponent of active loudspeakers. My reference system is built around a pair of Dynaudio Focus 200 XDs, which have dedicated 150W class-D amps for their 1” tweeters and 6.5” woofers. This choice was driven by domestic considerations -- it would be almost impossible to fit a system of audio separates into the living room of the century-old row house I share with my much better half.

Read more: PMC result6 Active Loudspeakers

Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo Active Loudspeakers

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 15 July 2019

Reviewers' ChoiceIt was a deal that left many audiophiles scratching their heads. In May 2016, the venerable British loudspeaker manufacturer Bowers & Wilkins was sold to California-based EVA Automation Inc. If few people had ever heard of EVA Automation, that’s not surprising -- the Silicon Valley startup had been founded only two years before, and had never released a product.

Read more: Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo Active Loudspeakers

Active Voices, Part Three: KEF's Jack Oclee-Brown

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 July 2019

If anyone made a list of the 21st century’s most successful hi-fi speakers, that list would surely include the KEF LS50, introduced in 2012 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the BBC LS3/5a minimonitor. Since then the LS50 has received countless honors, including Reviewers’ Choice and Product of the Year awards from SoundStage!.

Read more: Active Voices, Part Three: KEF's Jack Oclee-Brown

Naim Audio Mu-so 2nd Generation Wireless Music System

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 July 2019

Reviewers' ChoiceFive years ago, if someone had asked me if there was a market for a tabletop all-in-one music system that cost $1499 (all prices USD), I’d have replied, “You’re kidding, right?” For that kind of dough, you could get a nice integrated amp and speakers, or a really good set of powered speakers. I had nothing against all-in-one music systems -- not then, not now. But for serious listening, I want the immersive experience you get from a stereo pair of speakers spaced several feet apart.

Read more: Naim Audio Mu-so 2nd Generation Wireless Music System

McIntosh Laboratory MTI100 Integrated Turntable

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 15 June 2019

When most people think of audio components from McIntosh Laboratory, they think of serious high-end separates: preamps and big, powerful amplifiers. But there’s another side to this iconic brand, which this year celebrates its 70th anniversary. McIntosh now offers several lifestyle audio products, including integrated music systems, streamers, headphone amplifiers, and the subject of this review: what they call an integrated turntable.

Read more: McIntosh Laboratory MTI100 Integrated Turntable

High End 2019, Simplifi'd

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 June 2019

There’s no doubt about it: Munich’s High End is the greatest audio show on earth. But don’t let the name scare you. High End isn’t only about big, expensive gear -- not that there’s anything wrong with that. Many affordable components made their debuts at this year’s show.

Read more: High End 2019, Simplifi'd

Yamaha WXA-50 MusicCast Streaming Amplifier

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 June 2019

For people who want to enjoy their music in real-world living spaces, two of the most welcome developments of recent years have been the integration of streaming capability into integrated amplifiers, and the downsizing of these components. With a streaming amplifier and good pair of speakers, you have everything you need to enjoy a vast range of music, in sound quality far beyond that of most all-in-one tabletop speakers. And you can do this without breaking the bank, or cluttering up your living area with audio gear.

Read more: Yamaha WXA-50 MusicCast Streaming Amplifier

NAD Masters M10 BluOS Streaming Integrated Amplifier

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 15 May 2019

Reviewers' ChoiceIn the Toronto home I share with my infinitely better half, the hi-fi lives in the living room. Of course, I want it to sound great -- and it does -- but it also has to look as if it belongs. We’ve put a lot of effort into the design and décor of our home: If the hi-fi is to occupy a public space, it must be suitable for civilized company.

Read more: NAD Masters M10 BluOS Streaming Integrated Amplifier

Active Voices, Part Two: Axiom Audio's Andrew Welker

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 May 2019

Most active speakers are all-in-one components, with built-in amplifiers and often built-in DACs as well, but no law says that active loudspeaker technology must be neat and compact. It’s possible to create an active speaker system with external amplifiers and crossover, like those offered by Bryston. Bryston’s active systems combine crossoverless versions of its Model T, Middle T, and Mini T speakers with the BAX-1 external crossover, plus amplifiers dedicated to each frequency range.

Read more: Active Voices, Part Two: Axiom Audio's Andrew Welker

Primare SC15 Prisma Streaming DAC-Preamp

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 May 2019

One thing that differentiates enthusiast audio from other areas of consumer electronics is the amazing proliferation of brands. Most CE categories are dominated by a few big names -- think TVs (LG, Samsung, Sony, TCL, Vizio), or smartphones (Apple, Huawei, Samsung again). But audiophiles shopping for speakers, amplifiers, source components, or cables can choose from among literally hundreds of brands.

Read more: Primare SC15 Prisma Streaming DAC-Preamp

Montréal Audio Fest Simplifi'd

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 15 April 2019

Like many audiophiles with limited space and limited funds, I often wonder why, at audio shows, so many companies insist on displaying ultra-expensive systems. Why not real-world systems that most people can afford? Systems they can use in day-to-day living spaces, not just man caves?

Read more: Montréal Audio Fest Simplifi'd

Naim Uniti Core CD Ripper/Music Server

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 15 April 2019

Is the Compact Disc on its deathbed? Not yet, but there’s cause for concern. According to the 2019 Global Music Report from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), worldwide sales of physical media declined 10.1% in 2018. Vinyl sales grew 6%, and now account for 3.6% of worldwide music-industry revenues. So based on a little back-of-the-envelope math, it looks like global CD sales declined by around 12% last year.

Read more: Naim Uniti Core CD Ripper/Music Server

Elac Navis ARB-51 Active Loudspeakers

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 April 2019

Reviewers' ChoiceThe German hi-fi brand Elac dates back to the 1920s, but has lately undergone a renaissance. Following a business reorganization in 2014, Elac established an American subsidiary charged with developing affordable, high-performance loudspeakers. That task was assigned to Andrew Jones, who in 2015 joined Elac as vice-president of engineering, following gigs at KEF, Infinity, TAD, and Pioneer.

Read more: Elac Navis ARB-51 Active Loudspeakers

Active Voices, Part One: Elac's Andrew Jones

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 April 2019

Two years ago next month, in a feature for sister site SoundStage! Hi-Fi, Doug Schneider posed a question: “Is it time for active speakers?” As Doug noted, audiophiles have traditionally been cool toward active designs, despite their many advantages. This is partly because active speakers take some of the fun out of hobbyist audio. Audiophiles want to choose their own amps and cables, rather than have someone else make those choices for them.

Read more: Active Voices, Part One: Elac's Andrew Jones

Bluesound Pulse 2i Wireless Speaker

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 15 March 2019

Last October, Lenbrook International announced a comprehensive upgrade of its Bluesound lineup of whole-house audio products. Bluesound’s 2i series offers such new features as Apple AirPlay 2 support, improved Bluetooth capability, Amazon Alexa voice control, and updated Wi-Fi connectivity.

Read more: Bluesound Pulse 2i Wireless Speaker

SVS Prime Wireless Active Speakers

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 March 2019

Over the past several years, Ohio-based SVS has earned a reputation for making affordable, high-performance loudspeakers and subwoofers. Its subs, of course, are active, but until recently, all of its full-range speakers were passive designs. Last year, SVS introduced the fully active, two-way Prime Wireless speakers ($599.99/pair; all prices USD).

Read more: SVS Prime Wireless Active Speakers

Let's Keep it Simple

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 March 2019

It’s a common fallacy to believe that things that come easily to you come easily to everyone. But as a recent experience confirmed for me, it’s just not so.

Read more: Let's Keep it Simple

Totem Acoustic Kin Play Powered Speakers

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 15 February 2019

I’ve never thought of myself as having sharp elbows. But here I am, the new guy in the SoundStage! neighborhood, and I keep muscling in on my colleagues’ territories. For my first review on Simplifi, I tackled LG’s G7 ThinQ MQA-compatible smartphone, a product that would fit nicely on SoundStage! Solo. More recently, I opined that the Kii Audio Three DSP-controlled active speakers would be right at home on SoundStage! Hi-Fi or Ultra.

Read more: Totem Acoustic Kin Play Powered Speakers

A Roon of One's Own

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 February 2019

One of my pet peeves is technology that thinks it knows more than I do. Sometimes, software developers will release a new version that removes a useful feature, supposedly to enhance ease of use, but usually to advance a corporate agenda. Sometimes, they’ll streamline a key function to make it simpler for inexperienced users, at the cost of restricting flexibility for experienced users.

Read more: A Roon of One's Own

KEF LSX Active Loudspeakers

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 February 2019

KEF’s little LSX active speakers ($1099 USD per pair) would seem to contain everything you need for high-resolution stereo sound. Each enclosure houses a KEF Uni-Q driver array comprising a 0.75” aluminum-dome tweeter mounted at the acoustic center of a 4.5” magnesium-aluminum midrange-woofer, each powered by its own amplifier. The LSXes are small enough to virtually disappear into your room, but if you look their way they’ll grab your eye. They’re available in five colors: white, green, red, blue, and black. Speakers in all colors but white are covered on four sides with a matching industrial textile. The white version, which I reviewed, has a high-gloss finish on all surfaces, and the driver is in complementary silver-gray. It’s gorgeous. The red and blue models have drivers of the same color as the cabinet; the others have drivers of a complementary color.

Read more: KEF LSX Active Loudspeakers

Bluesound Vault 2i CD Ripper-Server-Streamer

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 15 January 2019

Despite what the illuminati say about our brave new world “moving at Internet speed,” sometimes we just have to hurry up and wait. This review is a case in point.

Read more: Bluesound Vault 2i CD Ripper-Server-Streamer

Pro-Ject Audio Systems Stream Box S2 Ultra Music Streamer

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 January 2019

Most audiophiles know Pro-Ject Audio Systems as a maker of turntables. Indeed, more than any manufacturer, Vienna-based Pro-Ject is responsible for the vinyl revival.

Read more: Pro-Ject Audio Systems Stream Box S2 Ultra Music Streamer

How I Simplifi'd My Wi-Fi

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 January 2019

Keen-eyed readers may have noticed that I recently added a new category to the Associated Equipment section at the end of my reviews. In addition to listing the speakers, sources, and cables used for a review, I’ve started listing my network setup. For most of the products I review, every note I listen to is streamed over a network. That makes the network an important part of my home-entertainment system.

Read more: How I Simplifi'd My Wi-Fi

Kii Audio Three DSP-Controlled Active Loudspeakers

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 15 December 2018

Reviewers' ChoiceThis corner of the SoundStage! Network is devoted to “convenient, lifestyle-oriented hi-fi,” to quote the blurb on the Network portal. To some diehards, the word lifestyle conveys a kind of superficiality, a lack of seriousness, but not to yours truly. As I wrote in my kick-off feature for SoundStage! Simplifi, there’s a lot to be said for integrating your hi-fi into your everyday life. Having your main music system in a living area, rather than hiding it away in an inner sanctum, means that everyone can enjoy it, not just the household high priest of audio.

Read more: Kii Audio Three DSP-Controlled Active Loudspeakers

Aurender S5W Battery-Powered Wireless Active Loudspeakers

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 December 2018

Once in a while, I come across a product that has me scratching my head: What’s this thing really for, and who needs it? Then a light goes on, and I get it: Hey, this product is really cool, and really useful. Why did it take so long for someone to come up with this idea?

Read more: Aurender S5W Battery-Powered Wireless Active Loudspeakers

Are Downloads Dead?

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Written by Gordon Brockhouse
Created: 01 December 2018

This fall marked the 10th anniversary of file-based, high-resolution audio playback. The New York City-based website HDtracks opened its virtual doors in March 2008; in October of that year, it added to its catalog 24-bit/88.2kHz and 24/96 FLAC files.

Read more: Are Downloads Dead?

  1. Cambridge Audio Yoyo (L) Wireless Speaker
  2. Hi-Rez Streaming: Tidal vs. Qobuz
  3. DALI Callisto 2 C Active Speaker System
  4. Toronto Audiofest 2018 Simplifi'd
  5. Kanto SYD Bluetooth Speaker
  6. LG G7 ThinQ Smartphone
  7. How I Simplifi'd My Hi-Fi
  8. Pro-Ject Audio Systems Juke Box E Turntable-Integrated Amplifier
  9. Time to Celebrate: Five Years of Google Chromecast
  10. NAD D 3020 V2 Bluetooth Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  11. How Good Can Voice Recognition Get?
  12. Polk Assist Wi-Fi Smart Speaker
  13. Are Smart Speakers Any Good for Audiophiles?
  14. MartinLogan Unison Wireless Preamplifier
  15. High End 2018, Simplifi'd
  16. Dynaudio Music 7 Wi-Fi Speaker
  17. Musical Fidelity M6 Encore 225 Music System
  18. Cocktail Audio X35 Music System
  19. Is the Smart Speaker a Dumb Idea?
  20. Peachtree Audio decco125 Sky Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  21. Technics Ottava f SC-C70 Music System
  22. What's Up with Apple AirPlay 2?
  23. JBL Link 500 Wi-Fi Speaker
  24. The Spotify Dilemma
  25. Trinnov Amethyst DAC-Preamplifier-Processor
  26. Control4 Triad One Streaming Amplifier
  27. Elac Discovery Z3 Wi-Fi Speaker
  28. CES 2018, Simplifi’d
  29. Klipsch Heritage Wireless Three Wi-Fi Speaker
  30. Farewell, CES
  31. Paradigm PW 300 Wi-Fi Loudspeakers
  32. Thiel Audio Aurora Home Wi-Fi Speaker
  33. Room Tunes
  34. Hegel Music Systems H190 DAC-Integrated Amplifier
  35. Social Streaming
  36. Yamaha R-N803 Network Stereo Receiver
  37. Onkyo TX-8270 Network Stereo Receiver
  38. CEDIA 2017, Simplifi’d
  39. Dynaudio Focus 20 XD Active Loudspeakers
  40. Riva Audio Festival Wi-Fi Speaker
  41. Naim Audio Uniti Atom Wireless Streaming DAC-Integrated Amplifier
  42. Classical Prime Time
  43. NAD Masters Series M50.2 Digital Music Player
  44. Bryston BryFi BW-1 Wi-Fi Speaker
  45. The Röst Reconsidered
  46. Arcam rPlay Music Streamer
  47. Auralic Polaris Wireless Streaming DAC-Integrated Amplifier
  48. High End 2017, Simplifi'd
  49. Simaudio Moon Neo ACE DAC-Streamer-Integrated Amplifier
  50. Vinyl: There's an App for That
  51. Metadata: Life with Roon
  52. NAD C 368 DAC-Integrated Amplifier
  53. The Internet and Audio: The Good, the Bad, and the Impossible
  54. Lumin M1 Integrated Amplifier-Network Music Player
  55. Arcam Solo Music DAC-Integrated Amplifier-Universal Player
  56. McIntosh Laboratory RS100 Wi-Fi Loudspeakers
  57. The State of Streaming
  58. Hegel Music Systems Röst Integrated Amplifier
  59. CES 2017, Simplifi'd
  60. Naim Audio Mu-so Qb Wi-Fi Speaker
  61. Why "Simplifi"
  62. Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 2 Wi-Fi Speaker

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