PSB Alpha IQ

Note: for the full suite of measurements from the SoundStage! Audio-Electronics Lab, click this link.

Last fall, the UK hi-fi brand Roksan updated their premium Caspian integrated amplifier. The first Caspian amplifier appeared in 1998; replacement models followed in 2004 and 2010. Roksan’s new fourth-generation Caspian lineup includes two integrated amplifiers—the Caspian 4G Integrated Amplifier ($3750, all prices in USD) and the subject of this review, the Caspian 4G Streaming Amplifier ($5000). Both models incorporate a host of Roksan’s premium analog and digital circuit designs, but the Caspian 4G Streaming Amplifier adds a network streamer based on the highly respected BluOS streaming platform from Canada’s Lenbrook Industries. Other than BluOS streaming, the two amplifiers are almost identical.

Read more: Roksan Caspian 4G Streaming Integrated Amplifier

“This sure looks interesting,” I thought to myself when I saw the announcement of the Victrola Stream Sapphire turntable during the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show last January. It might strike some readers as weird to see a Victrola turntable reviewed on an audiophile website. The legendary brand, now owned by Innovative Technology Electronics LLC in Denver, CO, is better known for novelty audio products like suitcase record players and countertop jukeboxes than it is for serious hi-fi components.

Read more: Victrola Stream Sapphire Streaming Turntable and Ortofon 2M Blue Cartridge

As regular visitors to this website likely know, I embraced Simplifi’d hi-fi out of necessity rather than choice. In the small 1920s rowhouse my missus and I have called home since early 2018, our hi-fi system lives in the living room. There’s no other space that can serve as a listening room. For that reason, a conventional component system with passive speakers, amplifier, and source components won’t work for us, because such a system would clutter up a multipurpose space that we use for entertaining and hanging out.

Read more: Technics SC-CX700 Streaming Active Speaker System

Note: for the full suite of measurements from the SoundStage! Audio-Electronics Lab, click this link.

Reviewers' ChoiceI hadn’t heard much about Eversolo before receiving the DMP-A8 for review. I saw some online chatter around the time this product was released and some early reviews, but I knew very little about Eversolo except that it was the relatively new audio brand of Zidoo, which has been producing high-quality video media streamers for several years.

Read more: Eversolo Audio DMP-A8 Streaming Preamplifier

Close your eyes for a second and envision the Platonic ideal of a streaming amplifier. Then open them again and keep reading. You probably pictured something along the lines of the NAD C 700, right? Or maybe the Cambridge Audio CXN100? Or the SVS Prime Wireless Pro SoundBase? In other words, a black box with either a touchscreen or at least a digital display.

Read more: Marantz Model M1 Streaming Integrated Amplifier

Reviewers' ChoiceCanada’s Bluesound has made a name for itself with its highly regarded music-streaming products. In July 2023, I reviewed Bluesound’s Powernode Edge streaming integrated amplifier for Simplifi and was impressed by its sound and design. Bluesound has recently introduced three new music streaming devices: the Node Icon reference music streamer ($999, all prices USD), the Node performance music streamer ($549), and the Node Nano wireless music streamer ($299), the subject of this review. As the names suggest, each model offers different levels of functionality and performance, with the Nano being the most basic.

Read more: Bluesound Node Nano Streamer

Note: for the full suite of measurements from the SoundStage! Audio-Electronics Lab, click this link.

Few audio brands are as steeped in tradition as Naim Audio. In my mind, companies like McIntosh, Bryston, and Naim, along with a few others, conjure up memories from my early years as an audiophile of coveted but unattainable audio products. In February last year, fellow SoundStage! Network reviewer Jonathan Gorse wrote about his experience with the original Nait integrated amplifier and his introduction to the Naim brand almost 40 years ago. I was reintroduced to the brand ten years ago when the Naim Statement NAC S1 preamplifier and NAP S1 mono power amplifier made their debut at the annual CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas.

Read more: Naim Audio Uniti Nova PE Streaming Integrated Amplifier

The French speaker brand Triangle isn’t especially well known here on the left side of the pond, but its products have had a good run on the SoundStage! Network. Back in May 2020, Diego Estan reviewed the Triangle Borea BR03 on SoundStage! Access, a passive two-way standmount speaker. This $559/pair speaker (all prices in USD except where noted) received a Reviewers’ Choice award and was later named a 2020 SoundStage! Network Product of the Year. Exactly three years after Diego’s review was published, I reviewed the Triangle Borea BR03 BT powered loudspeaker system ($799) for SoundStage! Simplifi. The two models have the same driver complement and virtually identical cabinet designs, but the BR03 BT also has a built-in 60Wpc class-D amp with a phono stage, optical and digital inputs, and a Bluetooth receiver. Just wire the system to a source (or pair it with your smartphone) and start listening. Like the Borea BR03 before it, the Borea BR03 BT won a Reviewers’ Choice award.

Read more: Triangle Capella Active Loudspeaker System

When is a speaker more than a speaker? When it’s a system. That is precisely what UK-based Q Acoustics is offering with its M40 HD: an all-in-one music system—just add a source and start playing. Priced at $999 (all prices in USD), the M40 HD is a follow-up to the bookshelf-size M20 HD system ($499), which Kurt Wetzel reviewed for Simplifi in June 2022. But the M40 HD speakers are floorstanders that each have two mid/bass drivers; the M20 HD speakers have one. That, and their greater output power, enable them to play louder and deeper than the M20 HD speakers. For floorstanding speakers, the M40s have a relatively small footprint, which listeners with limited space or a preference for unobtrusive designs are sure to appreciate.

Read more: Q Acoustics M40 HD Powered Loudspeaker System

As I mentioned in my unboxing of Arcam’s new A25 integrated amplifier ($1499, all prices in USD) on SoundStage! Access, I have an incredible hardwired affection for the brand that I feel compelled to mention right up front—not to bias you, dear reader, but simply to lay bare my own biases. Because I can’t help but think that those biases affect the way I view and interact with a product like the A25’s companion piece, the ST5 streamer ($799).

Read more: Arcam Radia ST5 Streamer

Reviewers' ChoiceEver since I got into file-based playback in 2011, I’ve consistently used an Apple Mac Mini as a music server—but lately, I’ve changed things up a bit. For the past few months, I’ve been using a Roon Nucleus One to stream music throughout my home and play music through headphones. Priced at $499.99 (all prices in USD), the Nucleus One has one purpose and one purpose only: to run Roon Server software.

Read more: Roon Labs Nucleus One Music Server

  1. Rotel RAS-5000 Streaming Integrated Amplifier
  2. Marantz CD 50n Streaming CD Player
  3. KEF LSX II LT Streaming Active Speaker System
  4. Bluesound Pulse M Streaming Tabletop Music System
  5. Buchardt Audio Anniversary 10 Active Loudspeaker and Platin Stereo Hub WiSA Transmitter
  6. Bang & Olufsen Beosound Balance Active Loudspeaker
  7. Kanto Audio ORA Reference Active Speaker System
  8. Elipson Prestige Facet 6B BT Powered Loudspeaker System
  9. Bluesound Node X Streaming DAC-preamplifier
  10. System Audio Silverback 1 Active On-Wall Speaker System and Stereo Hub
  11. Volumio Integro Streaming Integrated Amplifier
  12. Pro-Ject Audio Systems T2 W Wi-Fi Turntable with Sumiko Rainier Cartridge
  13. Klipsch The Nines Active Loudspeaker System
  14. Bluesound Powernode Edge Streaming Integrated Amplifier
  15. Cambridge Audio Alva TT V2 Turntable
  16. NAD CS1 Network Music Player
  17. Rotel S14 Streaming Integrated Amplifier
  18. Triangle Borea BR03 BT Powered Loudspeaker System
  19. iFi Audio Neo Stream Streaming DAC-Preamplifier
  20. PSB Alpha iQ Streaming Active Loudspeaker System
  21. Elac Debut ConneX DCB41 Powered Loudspeaker System
  22. Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 Soundbar
  23. JBL 4305P Active Loudspeaker System
  24. Dynaudio Focus 30 Active Loudspeaker System
  25. SVS Prime Wireless Pro Active Loudspeaker System
  26. Totem Acoustic Kin Play Tower Powered Loudspeaker System
  27. System Audio Legend 7.2 Silverback Active On-Wall Speaker and Stereo Hub
  28. Roksan Attessa Streaming Integrated Amplifier
  29. JBL L75ms Integrated Music System
  30. KEF LS60 Wireless Active Speaker System
  31. Zidoo Neo S 4K UHD Media Player
  32. Q Acoustics M20 HD Powered Wireless Music System
  33. Sonus Faber Omnia Wireless Music System
  34. Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Wireless Speaker
  35. NAD Masters M10 V2 Streaming Integrated Amplifier
  36. Mission LX Connect Wireless Active Speakers and Hub
  37. Linn Series 3 Active Loudspeakers
  38. Bang & Olufsen Beolab 28 Active Loudspeakers
  39. KEF KC62 Powered Subwoofer
  40. NAD C 700 Streaming Integrated Amplifier
  41. iFi Audio Zen Stream Wi-Fi Streamer
  42. System Audio Legend 40.2 Silverback Active Loudspeakers and Stereo Hub WiSA Transmitter
  43. Bluesound Node Streaming DAC-Preamplifier
  44. Acoustic Energy AE1 Active Loudspeakers
  45. Q Acoustics Q Active 200 Active Loudspeakers
  46. Bluesound Powernode Multiroom Streaming Integrated Amplifier
  47. Edifier Airpulse A300Pro Active Loudspeakers
  48. KEF LS50 Wireless II Active Loudspeakers
  49. Bryston BR-20 Streaming Preamplifier-DAC
  50. HEDD Type 05 MK2 Active Speakers and Bass 08 Subwoofer
  51. SVS 3000 Micro Subwoofer
  52. Sony SA-Z1 Active Nearfield Loudspeakers
  53. Heavenly Soundworks FIVE17 Active Loudspeakers
  54. Marantz SACD 30n SACD/CD Player and Streaming DAC-Preamp
  55. DALI Oberon 1 C Active Loudspeakers and Sound Hub Wireless Transmitter
  56. PSB Alpha AM3 Powered Loudspeakers
  57. iFi Audio Neo iDSD DAC-Preamp-Headphone Amplifier
  58. Bluesound Pulse Sub+ Wireless Subwoofer
  59. PSB Alpha AM5 Powered Loudspeakers
  60. SVS Prime Wireless SoundBase Streaming Integrated Amplifier
  61. Focal Solo6 Be Active Loudspeakers
  62. Buchardt Audio A500 Active Loudspeakers and Stereo Hub WiSA Transmitter
  63. Klipsch The Fives Active Loudspeakers
  64. Triangle Elara LN01A Powered Loudspeakers
  65. Volumio Primo Community Edition and Hi-Fi Edition Streaming DACs
  66. System Audio Legend 5 Silverback Active Loudspeakers and Stereo Hub WiSA Transmitter
  67. Andover Audio Model-One Turntable Music System
  68. Elac Alchemy DDP-2 Streaming DAC-Preamp
  69. Focal Shape 65 Analog Active Loudspeakers
  70. HEDD Type 07 Analog Active Loudspeakers
  71. exaSound Audio Design Delta Music Server M100
  72. Bryston BDA-3.14 Streaming DAC-Preamplifier
  73. iFi Audio Pro iDSD Streaming DAC-Preamp-Headphone Amplifier
  74. Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar
  75. DALI Rubicon 6 C Hybrid Active Loudspeakers
  76. Pro-Ject Audio Systems Pre Box RS2 Digital DAC-Preamp-Headphone Amp
  77. Klipsch RW-51M Wireless Powered Loudspeakers
  78. iFi Audio Aurora Wireless Music System
  79. Naim Audio Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation Wireless Music System
  80. Cambridge Audio CXA81 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  81. Hegel Music Systems H120 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  82. DALI Katch One Soundbar
  83. NAD Classic C 658 BluOS Streaming DAC
  84. Kanto Audio Tuk Powered Loudspeakers
  85. Lumin T2 Network Music Player
  86. Naim Audio ND5 XS 2 Network Music Player
  87. Elac Navis ARF-51 Active Loudspeakers
  88. Devialet Phantom Reactor 900 Active Loudspeakers
  89. PMC result6 Active Loudspeakers
  90. Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo Active Loudspeakers
  91. Naim Audio Mu-so 2nd Generation Wireless Music System
  92. McIntosh Laboratory MTI100 Integrated Turntable
  93. Yamaha WXA-50 MusicCast Streaming Amplifier
  94. NAD Masters M10 BluOS Streaming Integrated Amplifier
  95. Primare SC15 Prisma Streaming DAC-Preamp
  96. Naim Uniti Core CD Ripper/Music Server
  97. Elac Navis ARB-51 Active Loudspeakers
  98. Bluesound Pulse 2i Wireless Speaker
  99. SVS Prime Wireless Active Speakers
  100. Totem Acoustic Kin Play Powered Speakers
  101. KEF LSX Active Loudspeakers
  102. Bluesound Vault 2i CD Ripper-Server-Streamer
  103. Pro-Ject Audio Systems Stream Box S2 Ultra Music Streamer
  104. Kii Audio Three DSP-Controlled Active Loudspeakers
  105. Aurender S5W Battery-Powered Wireless Active Loudspeakers
  106. Cambridge Audio Yoyo (L) Wireless Speaker
  107. DALI Callisto 2 C Active Speaker System
  108. Kanto SYD Bluetooth Speaker
  109. LG G7 ThinQ Smartphone
  110. Pro-Ject Audio Systems Juke Box E Turntable-Integrated Amplifier
  111. NAD D 3020 V2 Bluetooth Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  112. Polk Assist Wi-Fi Smart Speaker
  113. MartinLogan Unison Wireless Preamplifier
  114. Dynaudio Music 7 Wi-Fi Speaker
  115. Musical Fidelity M6 Encore 225 Music System
  116. Cocktail Audio X35 Music System
  117. Peachtree Audio decco125 Sky Integrated Amplifier-DAC
  118. Technics Ottava f SC-C70 Music System
  119. JBL Link 500 Wi-Fi Speaker
  120. Trinnov Amethyst DAC-Preamplifier-Processor
  121. Control4 Triad One Streaming Amplifier
  122. Elac Discovery Z3 Wi-Fi Speaker
  123. Klipsch Heritage Wireless Three Wi-Fi Speaker
  124. Paradigm PW 300 Wi-Fi Loudspeakers
  125. Thiel Audio Aurora Home Wi-Fi Speaker
  126. Hegel Music Systems H190 DAC-Integrated Amplifier
  127. Yamaha R-N803 Network Stereo Receiver
  128. Onkyo TX-8270 Network Stereo Receiver
  129. Dynaudio Focus 20 XD Active Loudspeakers
  130. Riva Audio Festival Wi-Fi Speaker
  131. Naim Audio Uniti Atom Wireless Streaming DAC-Integrated Amplifier
  132. NAD Masters Series M50.2 Digital Music Player
  133. Bryston BryFi BW-1 Wi-Fi Speaker
  134. Arcam rPlay Music Streamer
  135. Auralic Polaris Wireless Streaming DAC-Integrated Amplifier
  136. Simaudio Moon Neo ACE DAC-Streamer-Integrated Amplifier
  137. NAD C 368 DAC-Integrated Amplifier
  138. Lumin M1 Integrated Amplifier-Network Music Player
  139. Arcam Solo Music DAC-Integrated Amplifier-Universal Player
  140. McIntosh Laboratory RS100 Wi-Fi Loudspeakers
  141. Hegel Music Systems Röst Integrated Amplifier
  142. Naim Audio Mu-so Qb Wi-Fi Speaker
  143. Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 2 Wi-Fi Speaker

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