News

Cambridge-based dCS introduces its £3,250 Network Bridge that enables high-resolution music file streaming from NAS and connected USB drives, online streaming services as well as AirPlay-connected devices, outputting bit-perfect audio direct to your DAC with support for 24-bit/ 384kHz files plus DSD64 or 128 in native or DoP formats. Streaming service support includes Tidal and Spotify Connect and the Network Bridge is Roon-ready. It also supports the company’s acclaimed auto-clocking system to minimise jitterfor superior sound quality. The control app uses the same interface technology as dCS’ flagship Vivaldi series to manage your entire digital music library.

Danish loudspeaker brand Dynaudio chose The Indulgence Show held in London in October to unveil its new series of Contour models to UK enthusiasts. The four-strong lineup includes the standmount Contour 20 (£3,750) – a two-way configuration with a 28mm soft dome tweeter and 180mm mid/bass driver, whichclaims 86dB sensitivity into 4ohm. The medium-sized floorstanding Contour 30 (£5,750) has the same drivers as its sibling but in a 2. 5-way configuration and claims 87dB sensitivity, while the three-way Contour 60 floorstander (£7,500) has a 150mm midrange and two 240mm bass drivers and quotes 89dB sensitivity.

Loudspeakers come in all shapes and sizes, and flicking through the pages of this month’s issue with its numerous models is a testament to this burgeoning sector of the audio market. From traditional floorstanders that range from models so large they block out the sun – step forward DALI’s Opticon 8 – to more elegant and less visually demanding designs, the Group Test starting on page 24 looks at six speakers priced £2,000 and under that tread a more conventional path in philosophy and construction that reaches right back to the dawn of domestic hi-fi itself. Compare these bulky, angular, passive floorstanders to Devialet’s extraordinary Gold Phantom reviewed on page 16, and the suggestion of the possible direction for the evolution of the loudspeaker and, indeed, high-performance hi-fi is small, self-powered, wireless, well-connected, insanely loud and more or less ball-shaped. Whether it turns out to be a trailblazer or a tangent too far, it surely demonstrates the pinnacle of today’s modular music system, one that can grow into a multi-room setup for music around the home.

Six new models join Rotel’s stereo separates lineup from this month with three integrated amplifiers – A14, A12 and A10, plus the CD14 CD player and two tuners – T14 (£699) and T11 (£329) – offering FM/DAB reception as well as streaming radio playback via DTS Play-Fi. The flagship A14 amplifier (£999) offers 2x 80W into 8ohm and has Bluetooth aptX connectivity along with USB, coaxial and optical digital inputs handled via a 32-bit/768kHz DAC. The A12 (£799) and A10 (£389) models are rated at 60W and 40W respectively. The CD14 CD player (£549) is equipped with a Wolfson 24-bit/192kHz DAC and has coaxial digital and analogue outputs.

The annual IFA show in Berlin, held in early September, is the autumn showcase event for big-name brand launches. This year was no exception, as Sony introducedthe flagship Signature series to celebrate its 70th year. The new high-end audio range comprises the MDR-Z1R over-ear closed-back headphone (£1,700) fitted with 70mm HD drivers, which claims to achieve a wide frequency range that extends from 4Hz to 120kHz. A high-class luxury design, it’s made using premium materials and is supplied with a selectionof connectivity options (including a 4.

Autumn is well and truly here, and in the UK the next few months are little more than a protracted run up in preparation for the festive season at the end of the year. If you haven’t had your first Christmas flyer or email yet inviting you to make great seasonal savings by getting in early, then rest assured it’s surely on its way. “But it’s only October!” I hear you cry. Yet, the Hi-Fi Choice office received several such ‘early bird’ invitations back in September, just as we were selecting our favourite Halloween soundtracks for this month’s record collectors’ feature.

Onkyo has unveiled its new R-N855 network stereo receiver, which shoehorns custom audio circuit boards festooned with high-quality electrical components, a massive customised EI transformer and two huge capacitors into a half-width metal chassis. Bolstered by an aluminum faceplate, this full-flat rigid chassis aims to prevent interference caused by mechanical vibration, maintaining clarity of sound. The space-saving design is made possible by Onkyo-original switching amplification with discrete modulation stage, which develops a claimed 70W x 70W of power with low distortion levels. Combined with a flagship AK4490 32-bit/768kHz DAC and original VLSC filtering, audio performance is described as being clear and energetic with power to handle difficult-to-drive or highly sensitive bookshelf speakers.