by Jason Kennedy [wpsm_toplist] You might think that because they have no moving parts, solid state drives (SSD) would be inherently superior to their spinning cousins (HDDs or hard disk drives) but there is much debate about which sounds the best. Melco’s new SSD-equipped N50-S38 is placed midway between the company’s N100 server and its … Read more
Reviewer: Hugh Douglas [wpsm_toplist] Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. We know that Leonardo da Vinci (whose words those were) was a visionary, but even we were amazed that he’d already imagined a product such as the Aurender A30. In an age where state-of-the-art high fidelity reproduction requires you to carefully choose and buy multiple components, … Read more
Upgraded with a new DAC and processor, proximity-sensing control panel and HDMI eARC, Bluesound’s affordable hi-res audio streamer is better than ever, says Ed Selley BLUESOUND HAS CARVED itself an enviable niche in the streaming audio market by the simple expedient of fitting its software to an extremely wide selection of products – plus licensing … Read more
BLUESOUND LAUNCHED IN 2013 aiming to steal a chunk of the multiroom audio market, then firmly in the grip of Sonos, by catering to high-resolution audio enthusiasts. Read our Read our Bluesound Vault 2i Review. Its initial product stable comprised the 24-bit/192kHz- capable Node streamer; the Powernode, which added onboard amplification; the Pulse active wireless … Read more
Looking to add some serious network audio smarts to your AV system? Bluesound’s Node 2i streamer has what you need, reckons Ed Selley. Read our BLUESOUND NODE 2i Review. THE FIRST GENERATION of Bluesound audio components won many friends when it launched in 2014, thanks to excellent performance, smart design and the brilliance of the … Read more
The world of audiophile digital music library storage is hotting up, as Ed SeWey checks out this half-width starter server from Melco Adding a music library server to your network to centralise all your digital audio files is becoming increasingly popular. Melco has been one of the leaders in this category with an extensive range … Read more
Despite its compact dimensions, this network audio player is surprisingly flexible and capable, as Ed Selley discovers. Read our LIMETREE NETWORK Review. [wpsm_toplist] Hot on the heels of the Limetree Bridge streaming transport reviewed in HFC 452 comes the almost identical-looking Limetree Network housed in the same casework as other Limetree anniversary components we’ve seen. … Read more
With a comprehensive set of features, this low-cost network audio player looks like a tempting prospect. Ed Selley checks it out. Read our Yamaha NP-S303 Review. [wpsm_toplist] DETAILS PRODUCT Yamaha NP-S303 ORIGIN Japan/China TYPE Network music player WEIGHT 2.7kg DIMENSIONS (WxHxD) 435 x 87 x 289mm FEATURES • Wi-fi and Ethernet streaming up to 24-bit/192kHz and DSD128 • Outputs: 1x stereo … Read more
Joining Lindemann’s compact series, the Bridge is a network player with some useful extra capabilities, says Ed Selley. Read our Limetree Bridge Review. [wpsm_toplist] DETAILS PRODUCT Lindemann Limetree Bridge ORIGIN Germany TYPE Network audio player WEIGHT 300g DIMENSIONS (WxHxD) 107x 40 x 107mm FEATURES • Supports up to 24-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256 • Digital outputs: 1x coaxial; 1x optical • USB-A … Read more
As Audiolab joins the stream age, Ed Selley sees whether its off-the-peg platform and audio prowess are a recipe for success. Read our Audiolab 6000N Play Review. PRODUCT Audiolab 6000N Play ORIGIN UK/China TYPE Network audio player WEIGHT 4.9kg DIMENSIONS (WxHxD) 445 x 66 x 313mm FEATURES • 24-bit/192kHz PCM-capable DAC • Digital outputs: 1x coaxial; 1x optical • Streaming service support: … Read more
This compact networked music player boasts an impressive spec at an attractive price. Ed Selley checks it out ContentsDETAILSSound qualityConclusionOUR VERDICTConnectionsHOW IT COMPARES DETAILS PRODUCT Leema Acoustics Elements Streamer ORIGIN UK TYPE Network music player/DAC WEIGHT 2.5kg DIMENSIONS (WxHxD) 220 x 88 x 340mm FEATURES 24-bit/192kHz and DSD128- capable DAC Digital outputs: 1x optical; 1x coaxial Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer, Spotify Connect … Read more
ContentsDETAILS PRODUCT Cambridge Audio Edge NQCONNECTIONS – EDGE NQSound qualityDETAILSCONNECTIONS-EDGE WCUTTING EDGEConclusionQ&AOUR VERDICT: EDGE NQOUR VERDICT: EDGE W DETAILS PRODUCT Cambridge Audio Edge NQ ORIGIN UK/China Network music player/DAC/preamplifier WEIGHT 10.2kg DIMENSIONS (WxHxD) 460 x120 x 405mm 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256- capable DAC Digital inputs: 2x optical; 1x coaxial; 1xUSB-B; HDMI Analogue inputs: 2x RCAs, 1x balanced XLRs Chromecast; AirPlay; … Read more