- Written by: AJ Wykes
Note: for the full suite of measurements from the SoundStage! Audio-Electronics Lab, click this link.
When SoundStage! managing editor Gordon Brockhouse asked me which products I’d be interested in reviewing for the site, one of my first suggestions was the WiiM Ultra streaming preamplifier. I’d already become familiar with the company’s puck-shaped entry-level Mini streamer, and its more advanced sibling not only fit the bill for the Simplifi remit, but was also receiving high praise from other outlets. Time to get on board!
- Written by: Gordon Brockhouse
It was a few minutes past 5 p.m. on the last day of winter in the northern hemisphere, and I was sitting in an Adirondack chair on my second-floor deck enjoying a crisp sauvignon blanc from the southern hemisphere. I’d been aching for some outdoor lounging ever since the temperatures first started plunging last November. With the daytime high reaching 66°F, this was my chance.
- Written by: Roger Kanno
Cambridge Audio has been in the music-streamer business since the early 2010s, developing their StreamMagic software platform and producing many high-quality streaming components. Along the way, they have become one of the go-to brands for affordable, high-value streaming solutions. Sure, they also offer the relatively expensive Edge NQ network player ($4999, all prices in USD) as part of their reference Edge series, but much of their extensive catalog is geared towards cost-conscious audiophiles.
- Written by: Gordon Brockhouse
This is the first time I’ve ever kicked off a product review with an apology, but I believe an apology is in order here—for two reasons.
The first is lateness. On August 20, Bluesound announced a new version of its popular Node streaming preamp. Priced at $549 (all prices in USD), the 2024 Node began shipping in late September. Bluesound also announced two brand-new Nodes: the affordable Node Nano ($299), reviewed by Todd Whitesel last September on Simplifi, and the flagship Node Icon ($999).
- Written by: Roger Kanno
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.
- Written by: Gordon Brockhouse
“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
- Written by: Gordon Brockhouse
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
- Written by: Roger Kanno
Note: for the full suite of measurements from the SoundStage! Audio-Electronics Lab, click this link.
I 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.
- Written by: Dennis Burger
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.
- Written by: Todd Whitesel
Canada’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.
- Written by: Roger Kanno
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
- Triangle Capella Active Loudspeaker System
- Q Acoustics M40 HD Powered Loudspeaker System
- Arcam Radia ST5 Streamer
- Roon Labs Nucleus One Music Server
- Rotel RAS-5000 Streaming Integrated Amplifier
- Marantz CD 50n Streaming CD Player
- KEF LSX II LT Streaming Active Speaker System
- Bluesound Pulse M Streaming Tabletop Music System
- Buchardt Audio Anniversary 10 Active Loudspeaker and Platin Stereo Hub WiSA Transmitter
- Bang & Olufsen Beosound Balance Active Loudspeaker
- Kanto Audio ORA Reference Active Speaker System
- Elipson Prestige Facet 6B BT Powered Loudspeaker System
- Bluesound Node X Streaming DAC-preamplifier
- System Audio Silverback 1 Active On-Wall Speaker System and Stereo Hub
- Volumio Integro Streaming Integrated Amplifier
- Pro-Ject Audio Systems T2 W Wi-Fi Turntable with Sumiko Rainier Cartridge
- Klipsch The Nines Active Loudspeaker System
- Bluesound Powernode Edge Streaming Integrated Amplifier
- Cambridge Audio Alva TT V2 Turntable
- NAD CS1 Network Music Player
- Rotel S14 Streaming Integrated Amplifier
- Triangle Borea BR03 BT Powered Loudspeaker System
- iFi Audio Neo Stream Streaming DAC-Preamplifier
- PSB Alpha iQ Streaming Active Loudspeaker System
- Elac Debut ConneX DCB41 Powered Loudspeaker System
- Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 Soundbar
- JBL 4305P Active Loudspeaker System
- Dynaudio Focus 30 Active Loudspeaker System
- SVS Prime Wireless Pro Active Loudspeaker System
- Totem Acoustic Kin Play Tower Powered Loudspeaker System
- System Audio Legend 7.2 Silverback Active On-Wall Speaker and Stereo Hub
- Roksan Attessa Streaming Integrated Amplifier
- JBL L75ms Integrated Music System
- KEF LS60 Wireless Active Speaker System
- Zidoo Neo S 4K UHD Media Player
- Q Acoustics M20 HD Powered Wireless Music System
- Sonus Faber Omnia Wireless Music System
- Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Wireless Speaker
- NAD Masters M10 V2 Streaming Integrated Amplifier
- Mission LX Connect Wireless Active Speakers and Hub
- Linn Series 3 Active Loudspeakers
- Bang & Olufsen Beolab 28 Active Loudspeakers
- KEF KC62 Powered Subwoofer
- NAD C 700 Streaming Integrated Amplifier
- iFi Audio Zen Stream Wi-Fi Streamer
- System Audio Legend 40.2 Silverback Active Loudspeakers and Stereo Hub WiSA Transmitter
- Bluesound Node Streaming DAC-Preamplifier
- Acoustic Energy AE1 Active Loudspeakers
- Q Acoustics Q Active 200 Active Loudspeakers
- Bluesound Powernode Multiroom Streaming Integrated Amplifier
- Edifier Airpulse A300Pro Active Loudspeakers
- KEF LS50 Wireless II Active Loudspeakers
- Bryston BR-20 Streaming Preamplifier-DAC
- HEDD Type 05 MK2 Active Speakers and Bass 08 Subwoofer
- SVS 3000 Micro Subwoofer
- Sony SA-Z1 Active Nearfield Loudspeakers
- Heavenly Soundworks FIVE17 Active Loudspeakers
- Marantz SACD 30n SACD/CD Player and Streaming DAC-Preamp
- DALI Oberon 1 C Active Loudspeakers and Sound Hub Wireless Transmitter
- PSB Alpha AM3 Powered Loudspeakers
- iFi Audio Neo iDSD DAC-Preamp-Headphone Amplifier
- Bluesound Pulse Sub+ Wireless Subwoofer
- PSB Alpha AM5 Powered Loudspeakers
- SVS Prime Wireless SoundBase Streaming Integrated Amplifier
- Focal Solo6 Be Active Loudspeakers
- Buchardt Audio A500 Active Loudspeakers and Stereo Hub WiSA Transmitter
- Klipsch The Fives Active Loudspeakers
- Triangle Elara LN01A Powered Loudspeakers
- Volumio Primo Community Edition and Hi-Fi Edition Streaming DACs
- System Audio Legend 5 Silverback Active Loudspeakers and Stereo Hub WiSA Transmitter
- Andover Audio Model-One Turntable Music System
- Elac Alchemy DDP-2 Streaming DAC-Preamp
- Focal Shape 65 Analog Active Loudspeakers
- HEDD Type 07 Analog Active Loudspeakers
- exaSound Audio Design Delta Music Server M100
- Bryston BDA-3.14 Streaming DAC-Preamplifier
- iFi Audio Pro iDSD Streaming DAC-Preamp-Headphone Amplifier
- Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar
- DALI Rubicon 6 C Hybrid Active Loudspeakers
- Pro-Ject Audio Systems Pre Box RS2 Digital DAC-Preamp-Headphone Amp
- Klipsch RW-51M Wireless Powered Loudspeakers
- iFi Audio Aurora Wireless Music System
- Naim Audio Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation Wireless Music System
- Cambridge Audio CXA81 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
- Hegel Music Systems H120 Integrated Amplifier-DAC
- DALI Katch One Soundbar
- NAD Classic C 658 BluOS Streaming DAC
- Kanto Audio Tuk Powered Loudspeakers
- Lumin T2 Network Music Player
- Naim Audio ND5 XS 2 Network Music Player
- Elac Navis ARF-51 Active Loudspeakers
- Devialet Phantom Reactor 900 Active Loudspeakers
- PMC result6 Active Loudspeakers
- Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo Active Loudspeakers
- Naim Audio Mu-so 2nd Generation Wireless Music System
- McIntosh Laboratory MTI100 Integrated Turntable
- Yamaha WXA-50 MusicCast Streaming Amplifier
- NAD Masters M10 BluOS Streaming Integrated Amplifier
- Primare SC15 Prisma Streaming DAC-Preamp
- Naim Uniti Core CD Ripper/Music Server
- Elac Navis ARB-51 Active Loudspeakers
- Bluesound Pulse 2i Wireless Speaker
- SVS Prime Wireless Active Speakers
- Totem Acoustic Kin Play Powered Speakers
- KEF LSX Active Loudspeakers
- Bluesound Vault 2i CD Ripper-Server-Streamer
- Pro-Ject Audio Systems Stream Box S2 Ultra Music Streamer
- Kii Audio Three DSP-Controlled Active Loudspeakers
- Aurender S5W Battery-Powered Wireless Active Loudspeakers
- Cambridge Audio Yoyo (L) Wireless Speaker
- DALI Callisto 2 C Active Speaker System
- Kanto SYD Bluetooth Speaker
- LG G7 ThinQ Smartphone
- Pro-Ject Audio Systems Juke Box E Turntable-Integrated Amplifier
- NAD D 3020 V2 Bluetooth Integrated Amplifier-DAC
- Polk Assist Wi-Fi Smart Speaker
- MartinLogan Unison Wireless Preamplifier
- Dynaudio Music 7 Wi-Fi Speaker
- Musical Fidelity M6 Encore 225 Music System
- Cocktail Audio X35 Music System
- Peachtree Audio decco125 Sky Integrated Amplifier-DAC
- Technics Ottava f SC-C70 Music System
- JBL Link 500 Wi-Fi Speaker
- Trinnov Amethyst DAC-Preamplifier-Processor
- Control4 Triad One Streaming Amplifier
- Elac Discovery Z3 Wi-Fi Speaker
- Klipsch Heritage Wireless Three Wi-Fi Speaker
- Paradigm PW 300 Wi-Fi Loudspeakers
- Thiel Audio Aurora Home Wi-Fi Speaker
- Hegel Music Systems H190 DAC-Integrated Amplifier
- Yamaha R-N803 Network Stereo Receiver
- Onkyo TX-8270 Network Stereo Receiver
- Dynaudio Focus 20 XD Active Loudspeakers
- Riva Audio Festival Wi-Fi Speaker
- Naim Audio Uniti Atom Wireless Streaming DAC-Integrated Amplifier
- NAD Masters Series M50.2 Digital Music Player
- Bryston BryFi BW-1 Wi-Fi Speaker
- Arcam rPlay Music Streamer
- Auralic Polaris Wireless Streaming DAC-Integrated Amplifier
- Simaudio Moon Neo ACE DAC-Streamer-Integrated Amplifier
- NAD C 368 DAC-Integrated Amplifier
- Lumin M1 Integrated Amplifier-Network Music Player
- Arcam Solo Music DAC-Integrated Amplifier-Universal Player
- McIntosh Laboratory RS100 Wi-Fi Loudspeakers
- Hegel Music Systems Röst Integrated Amplifier
- Naim Audio Mu-so Qb Wi-Fi Speaker
- Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 2 Wi-Fi Speaker
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