News

If you’re in the market for aluxury all-in-one music player, MarkLevinson’s N°519 digital audio player may just be the ideal media hub for you. It’s a wired and wireless network-ready DAC capable of handling 32/192 PCM music files with DSD support as well as CD playback via the front disc-loading slot. The black with silver trim aluminium housing is designed and built in the USA and the company claims it uses a pure path discrete, direct coupled, fully balanced, dual-monaural signal path for best performance. Around the back there’s a hostof digital connection options, including balanced, coaxial, optical and USB asynchronous inputs.

Looking to redefine audio luxury, French manufacturer Aëdle’s in-ear headphones aim to combine minimalism and refined design with outstanding audio performance. Its latest release, the ODS-1 features a hybrid sound engine with a balanced armature driver and 10mm titanium diaphragm dynamic transducer that’s claimed to deliver powerful and warm lows with highly refined highs to render a fully immersive sound signature. Hand crafted in its Parisian workshop, the ODS-1 has a machined aluminium housing along with ear hooks and MMCX detachable cable sheathed in calf’s leather from Venetia. The removable cable has a remote control and microphone, and is compatible with iOS and Android operating systems.

Described by exposure as being ideal for those that don’t want the cost or size of their system to spiral out of control, the new XM series amplifier and phono stage are designed for users for who space is a premium. The XM5 integrated offers a claimed 60W per channel output (into 8ohm) and includes moving-magnet phono, line-level and fixed gain AV inputs. Digital connections comprise two coaxial and two optical inputs able to accept signals up to 32/192 and a single USB port (up to 24/192 and DSD). It features a linear power supply with a 200VA custom-made toroidal power transformer.

Inside our March Issue: The way we listen to music and the audio equipment we aspire to is continuously evolving. A quick glance through the pages of this month’s issue demonstrates that there are plenty of new products emerging to grab the attention of serious music fans, but many break with what hi-fi aficionados would consider to be traditional components. Take this month’s exclusive review of Acoustic Energy’s AE1 Active standmount loudspeaker, which takes the iconic AE1 design – celebrating 30 years since its introduction – and has evolved it into a truly active loudspeaker for next-gen audio fans. Active speakers have traditionally been the staple of the pro audio sector, with few models making the crossover to the domestic market as home hi-fi fans prefer the potential upgrade flexibility that’s offered by a separate amplifier, rather than opting for a speaker design with dedicated amplification built in.

The inaugural Audio Bazaar is taking place in Nottingham on Sunday 9 April. An ideal place to get your hands on pre-loved vinyl and hi-fi esoterica, it is expected to include a selection of modern and vintage hi-fi quipment and records. Taking place in the Clifton Leisure Centre, which is situated just 13 minutes outside of Nottingham city centre on he NET tram line and within easy reach of the M1, A42 and A50, the evnt is expected to attract enthusiasts from across the Midlands. A number of high-profile dealers are said to have already been confirmed and items expected to be on sale include turntables, loudpseakers, amplifiers, headphones, tuners, valves, cassette decks and reel-to-reel players, plus vinyl from across all genres.

PMC will be using the upcoming Sound & Vision, The Bristol Show, to announce that the high-end electronics brand AVM has been added toits distribution portfolio. Designed and crafted in Germany, AVM has been developing and manufacturing electronic equipment for over 30 years and believes that electronics must relay the purest emotions of recorded music, regardless of genre, dirtectly to the listener. The AVM product lineup spans three ranges: Inspiration, Evolution and Ovation. It consists of pre, power and integrated amplifiers, plus CD players, streamers, CD receivers and all-in-one CD/streamer/amplifiers.

As the vinyl format continues to attract greater audiences, so does the rise in the number of players available to spin LPs on, with many turntable brands covering all sectors of the market with a range of prices to suit. US-firm VPI Industries is no exception, and covers starter turntable packages as well as mid-priced and more specialist decks to appeal to vinyl newbies and junkies alike. The Prime Signature fits into the growing super deck category, and is the latest model to join the New Jersey firm’s expanding lineup. Its plinth is composed of layers of gloss MDF and machined aluminium partnered with a stainless-steel motor housing – claiming improved resonance damping, owing to its heftier weight over the original Prime motor – corner posts, bearing nut bell and arm board.