Activo P1 Digital Audio Player is a DAP costing a smidge under £399 and so clearly aimed at the relatively budget end of the portable audio market when compared to sister-brand Astell & Kern. Oscar Stewart takes a listen for HiFi PiG.
Ecosse Redux Symphony RCA interconnects are an update to the Scottish company’s original Symphony RCA interconnects, though they have a lower price. Janie Elliot takes a listen for HiFi PiG.
Solidsteel is a HiFi furniture manufacturer based in Italy that makes a wide range of speaker stands and HiFi supports. They are used at HiFi PiG Towers, but in this review, Oscar Stewart takes a “listen” to their SS-6 loudspeaker stands.
LAB 12 Integre4 MK2 Toroid valve integrated amplifier is a 6799 euros offering that uses the excellent and powerful KT150 valves, though it can use other valves too. It’s an easy-to-set-up and use amplifier that promises to have a very low noisefloor. Stuart takes a listen for HiFi PiG.
Vinius VAS 1 Step Up Transformer is a Step Up Transformer from the same company that makes the excellent TVC-05 preamplifier reviewed here . In one of the first reviews of this product, Stuart plumbs it into the HiFi PiG reference system for a listen.
Scansonic M15.2 standmount speakers are relatively compact two-way loudspeaker with an interesting shape and an equally interesting driver layout. In this latter respect, instead of using a sealed box or bass-ported design, the Danish brand has gone for a 6×9 inch bass radiator. The M15.2 speakers cost around 1500 Euros.
AURALiC ALTAIR G2.2 is an all-in-one streaming transport with onboard DAC that also manages to include a moving magnet phonostage and a headphone amplifier in a box of very modest proportions. It has some interesting tech onboard and costs a little over five grand. Stuart Smith takes a listen for HiFi PiG
Canton Reference 9 Loudspeaker is the entry-level into this German loudspeaker manufacturer’s Reference range of loudspeakers and costs £3850, plus £600 for the stand. Janine Elliot takes a listen.
Meze 105 AER Headphones have an open-back design, 50mm dynamic driver, PC/ABS earcups, velour earpads and a self-adjusting headband – these could well be a strong contender in the sub-£500 price bracket.
Headed up by Tony Crocker, Oklahoma-based Swan Song Audio takes a very different approach to the design of their headphones and headphone amplifier. The headphones use a combination of 3D printing techniques and different woods, and the amplifier uses 3D printed parts too. All this innovation makes the Sawn Song Audio combo a very different proposition to what you might be used to, but how do they sound? Janine Elliot finds out for HiFi PiG.
Remember the Titan Audio Ares mains distribution block we reviewed back at the tail end of 2023? It was good enough to make it onto that year´s Best Of list, and it was (and still is) only 400 quid. This, the second iteration of the Eros mains block, is significantly better, but at a more substantial but still reasonable GBP 875.
Auris Audio is well known for its turntables and headphone DAC/amps, including products from its sister brand, EarMen. Founded in Serbia in 2013, Headonia 300B represents the brand’s 10th-anniversary model. It costs a whopping €11,999. This is a serious headphone amplifier, made for the most discerning of headphone users, so let’s look at what this headphone amp is capable of.
Volumio Rivo + is a digital player that is big on features, has a dedicated app but will integrate with ROON seamlessly, and looks very attractive. Stuart Smith takes a listen to this player costing a pound less than £1100.
Cyrus 40 AMP is, needless to say, an amplifier from British brand Cyrus. It has an onboard DAC, MM phonostage, and costs £3995. Janine Elliot takes a listen for HiFi PiG.
The Manger Z1 is a large standmount loudspeaker that uses the innovative and very interesting Manger Sound Transducer for the mids and tops. In the UK the speakers cost £9720. Hifi PiG’s Stuart takes a listen.
ELAC CARINA BS 243.4 bookshelf speakers are a beer token less than a grand in the UK, but do they cut the sonic mustard? Michael Fairbairn finds out for HiFi PiG.
DMconnect NASA N1 CAT8 ethernet cable is an aftermarket “audiophile” ethernet cable costing around £500. Musician and HiFi PiG reviewer Michael Fairbairn plays some of his own bands’ creations to assess what this cable does – if anything.
Eversolo DMP-A6 Gen 2 streaming DAC is pretty much what it says on the tin – a one-box streaming DAC costing £799. Janine Elliot takes a listen for HiFi PiG.
Over the last few years, iFi Audio have built a name for itself, making excellent head-fi related kit at often reasonable prices. In this review, we will be taking a closer look at their ZEN DAC 3, the latest DAC from their popular ZEN range of products.
The Innuos Next-Gen is the Portuguese brand’s latest high-end streaming offering with a host of innovative new features to maximise sound quality and usability. In this review of the ZEN NEXT-GEN from INNUOS, Alan McIntosh doesn’t seem to want to send it back.
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