SoundStage! Simplifi | SoundStageSimplifi.com

: Written by: Dennis Burger; Created: 15 March 2026

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

Let’s talk about wants versus needs for a minute, by way of introducing Arcam’s flagship streaming integrated amplifier, the Radia-series SA45 (US$5499.95, CA$7999, £4499, €4998). Do you need the 180Wpc of class-G amplification it delivers? I don’t know your life, but I’m pretty sure you don’t, unless your speakers are brutal loads or your room is downright palatial. Do you need the massive 8.8″ high-resolution display, which stretches to fill the space between the halo-accented volume-control and input-carousel knobs? Probably not. Do you need the sexy Radia industrial design, the hooded back panel, the balanced XLR inputs and outputs? Nope, nope, and nope.

: Written by: Al Griffin; Created: 01 March 2026

A few years ago, I made the switch from a traditional component-based home-theater audio system to a soundbar-based one for my TV viewing room. The reason? I got sick of being surrounded by so much stuff: Blu‑ray player, streamer, preamp-processor, amps, stacks of speakers—all of it connected with a tangle of cables.

: Written by: AJ Wykes; Created: 15 January 2026

Reviewers' Choice For all the attention devoted to loudspeaker design and amplifier specifications, many discussions about hi-fi overlook the elephant in the room, or rather the elephant that is the room. Our listening spaces profoundly shape what we hear, in ways that can make differences between electronic components comparatively meaningless.

: Written by: Roger Kanno; Created: 01 January 2026

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

Linn Products may be best known for its Sondek LP12 turntable, originally introduced in 1972, but the Scottish brand has been manufacturing its DS streaming components since 2007. Linn ceased production of optical disc players back in 2009. Its three Network Music Players (Linn’s terminology for streaming components) are currently the only digital source components that the company offers. The least-expensive model is the Majik DSM, the subject of this review. It includes amplification, so it can be thought of as a streaming integrated amplifier. The two other models, the Klimax DSM and Selekt DSM, require separate power amplification.

: Written by: AJ Wykes; Created: 01 December 2025

Reviewers' Choice I’ve been curious about Devialet’s Phantom line of all-in-one wireless active loudspeakers ever since they first launched in 2015. The French company made bold claims about their technology, their engineering, and their willingness to reimagine what a speaker could be. So when the opportunity arose to review the latest iteration of the Phantom, the Phantom Ultimate, I jumped at it.

: Written by: AJ Wykes; Created: 01 November 2025

FiiO has made quite a name for itself in headphone-audio circles thanks to the quality of its well-priced portable electronics, which include DACs, DAPs, headphone amplifiers, and Bluetooth transmitters and receivers. Recently, the Chinese brand has been expanding its product offerings into other areas, such as headphones, turntables, and active loudspeakers.

: Written by: AJ Wykes; Created: 01 October 2025

German loudspeaker manufacturer Elac has made a number of appearances on this site, with products like the all-analog active Navis ARB‑51 bookshelf and Navis ARF‑51 floorstanding loudspeakers having been featured in reviews here. More recently we featured the Debut ConneX DCB41, the company’s entry-level powered bookshelf speaker system (US$699), designed at Elac Research in Ontario, Canada, and reviewed by Gordon Brockhouse in March 2023.

: Written by: AJ Wykes; Created: 01 September 2025

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

Eversolo is a relatively new name in hi-fi, though it may be familiar to followers of this site thanks to Roger Kanno’s recent review of the DMP‑A8 streaming preamplifier. During its short time on the market, the company has quickly garnered acclaim for products that are well built, feature customizable interfaces, and offer exceptional value.

: Written by: AJ Wykes; Created: 15 July 2025

I must admit that, prior to this review, I had no experience with Fluance’s products. This is surprising, given that Fluance has been in business for over 25 years and is a Canadian company based in Ontario—where I lived for over a decade. Despite my ignorance, Fluance has become a recognized hi-fi brand, thanks to its well-regarded loudspeaker and turntable products.

: Written by: Dennis Burger; Created: 15 June 2025

As much as I love the quality and convenience of modern connected audio—not to mention the incredible value provided by music services such as Qobuz—I must admit I understand why some audiophiles prefer to stick with their traditional media and more boutique-y gear.

: Written by: Roger Kanno; Created: 01 June 2025

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

Reviewers' Choice In the past four years, SoundStage! Simplifi has featured reviews of four releases of the Bluesound Node streamer: the 2021 Node streaming DAC-preamplifier (reviewed by Gordon Brockhouse, October 2021), the 2023 Node X streaming DAC-preamplifier (reviewed by me in October 2023), the 2024 Node Nano streamer (reviewed by Todd Whitesel, September 2024), and the 2024 Node streaming preamplifier (reviewed by Gordon Brockhouse, February 2025). In December 2024, Bluesound added another model to its Node line that is a little different from the others: the Node Icon. In this version, the streamer is intended to be a reference component for a high-quality audio system; yet, by high-end standards, it is still priced reasonably at $1199 (all prices USD).