Hifi Pig

ITOK Media Limited’s “Trends Audio” has released the Trends BA-10 Lite Bi-amp Audio System. Combining one pair of the Trends TA-10.2P SE Power Amplifier and the special design of AC/DC Dual Power Adaptor, Trends BA-10 Lite Bi-amp Audio System provides “the perfect way of integrating your existing preamp and loudspeakers”.

“The sonic rewards are outstanding in a bi-amp system. There will be many obvious improvements in the sound; everything will be clearer and tighter. Trends BA-10 Lite Bi-amp Audio System can allow users to take advantage of the strengths of each amplifier in its interaction with the speakers; i.e., one amplifier for the low frequencies, and a second one for middle and high frequencies”, says David Ho, the marketing director of Trends Audio.”

The system is US$399.

Trends BA-10 Lite Bi-amp Audio System includes:

• Trends TA-10.2P SE Class-T Power Amplifier(Body) x 2 pcs
• Trends 7A AC/DC Power Adaptor x 1 pcs

Audio Research marks the UK launch of its new G Series components with an exclusive event at KJ West One, the high-end audio retailer based in Central London.

Named in homage to Galileo, the G Series consists of three amplifiers: the GSPre preamplifier, GS150 power amplifier and, arriving a little further down the line, the GSi75 integrated amplifier. The styling is “gorgeously retro, harking back to classic Audio Research components” says the company’s press release and adds that the amps represent “state-of-the-art valve-based audio”.

Interestingly the new G Series introduces the KT150 output tube to the Audio Research range for the very first time.

Hifi Pig got a good look at the latest Audio Research kit at Munich High-End when Fine Sounds Group invited us to their launch and the finish on these amps is really superb, screams high-end and with perceived build quality being absolutely gorgeous. The covers for transformers are all individually finished, look seamless and visually the whole package manages to juxtapose the look of purposeful laboratory equipment with a luxury finish…Mrs Hifi Pig was certainly somewhat taken with the range’s looks as was I.

Brandon Lauer, Director of Marketing at Audio Research Corporation, will be on hand to answer any questions you might have at the launch event, alongside the teams from KJ West One and Absolute Sounds – Audio Research’s exclusive UK distributor.

The event takes place on Friday, 5th December 2014 from 6pm until 10pm and Saturday, 6th December 2014 from 10am until 5pm

Entry is strictly ticket only but you are able to register for free tickets here!

Quad celebrates 78 years in business this year and with the launch of Vena: a compact integrated amplifier sporting a wide range of digital and analogue inputs, plus wireless streaming over Bluetooth with aptX support.

Just 313mm wide, the diminutive Vena updates the familiar Quad aesthetic, yet remains distinctly ‘Quad’. A row of source-selection buttons and a large volume control adorn its fascia.

Vena’s built-in DAC (Digital-to-Analogue Converter) incorporates the same 24-bit/192kHz chipset used in the company’s flagship Platinum CD plus a Class AB power amplifier section and a headphone source too.

Simplicity is key to Vena’s design say Quad and their engineers selected Bluetooth wireless transmission to ensure compatibility with the widest possible range of devices, and pairing the amp with smartphones, tablets, PCs and Macs is easy.

Inputs for digital source components comprise two optical and one coaxial, plus two asynchronous USB sockets: one Type A, the other Type B. The latter is the type most commonly used for connecting PCs/Macs to audio devices like Vena; the former allows Apple iDevices to be docked, charged and played via a cable connection. Digital outputs are also provided, in optical and coaxial flavours. Analogue signals are catered for by two stereo RCA inputs, while pre-out  sockets permit the addition of an external power amp. In terms of Bluetooth, support for the aptX codec ensures the best possible audio quality when streaming from suitably equipped devices.

Vena’s small footprint (compared to many amps in its class) allows flexible positioning and ensures the amp slips neatly into a range of environments. Vena is finished in Quad’s classic ‘Lancaster Grey’ as standard, and for those with more exotic tastes, three premium finishes are now also available – Piano Black, Piano White and Rosewood – ensuring Vena complements any domestic setting.

The standard Lancaster Grey finish has an RRP of £599.95, while the three premium finish options add £100 to the price tag.

Audio4Soul, whose digital amplifier we reviewed some time ago, has announced global distribution of its new Reference 50 True Digital Amplifier. The new amplifier is said to be “A new breed of Reference amplifiers that has been designed on the basis of ultimate performance”.

They also have a new paying scheme called “Pay What You Need” so that end users can build the amplifier, without paying for features you will never use. You can now add or remove inputs or features (like the optional battery PSU) at will, keeping your amplifier up to date with the latest technology available!

The amplifier is available in many colors, allowing you to match its aesthetics to your personal décor.

The world debut of the Audio4Soul Reference 50 will be at T.A.V.E.S. held in Toronto, Canada, room no 363 and in HiFiExpo in Helsinki, Finland, room no 305, both held from Oct.31st -Nov.2.

Reference 50 Specifications:

Power: 125w@8 Ohm & 66w@4 Ohm.

S/N:>112dB

Distortion: <0,01%, 20hz-20Khz @ 90% of full power

Consumption: <380w at full power, both channels driven.

Shipping weight: 22kg (approx. 44lbs).

In a World exclusive Roksan has offered us a review of their new Kandy K2 B2 amplifier which is an upgraded version of their previous K2 amplifier but with a higher output and the inclusion of Bluetooth technology. Dan Worth takes a listen to the new integrated amplifier from Roksan.

“There’s no denying that the K2 BT can do large dynamics, speed and attack, convey heavily weighted bass passages with ease and once suitable synergy has been obtained, the top end can sound refined and expressive leading down into the mids with great coherence.”

Read the full review of the Roksan Kandy KT BT integrated amplifier.

There’s a huge problem with HD music today say Benchmark and recent advances in high-resolution digital formats have well outpaced most existing amplifier technologies they say. Whilst recordings are possible that have dynamic ranges that exceed 120 to 125 dB Benchmark claim it’s hard to find a power amplifier that can deliver more than 100 to 105 dB of dynamic range. Benchmark’s AHB2 power amplifier approaches 130 dB, making it “10 to 30 dB quieter than the typical audiophile power amplifier”.

The frequency response of the AHB2 extends beyond 200 kHz, to “deliver the ultrasonic detail and fast transients captured by high-resolution recordings”. At the other end of the audio spectrum, the low-frequency response extends below 0.1 Hz. The AHB2 has a high damping factor that augments its extended low-end to deliver “solid, well-controlled bass”.

THX recently patented two new technologies that address crossover distortion, and Benchmark incorporated these innovations into the AHB2 design. These new innovations claim to virtually eliminate crossover distortion while offering opportunities to improve efficiency, damping, and dynamic range.

Using trickle down technology from Hypex Ncore and Merrill Audio’s VERITAS Monoblocks, the new THOR Monoblock Power Amplifiers  will be introduced at Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, room 582.

The amplifiers are rated at a power of 400 watts into 4ohms. The sleek looking Monoblocks, priced at $4,000 a pair, come in Piano Black Gloss in a billet Aluminium Chassis. Using components from Cardas, Furutech and Triode Wire Labs, the THOR Monoblocks are “excellent for the discerning Audiophile” who wants a stereo amp or people who need to bi-amp and tri-amp their audio system and to use it for home Theatre.

We’d read a good deal about the little Tisbury Mini Preamplifier and it was getting some good comments made about it so we thought it about time that we got hold of one for review.

“Tisbury are a small, UK based outfit that at the moment manufacture just the one product and sell direct. The Mini Passive Preamplifier is available in three flavours: Single Out – 3 inputs and 1 variable output. Parallel Out – 2 inputs and 2 variable outputs (for bi-amping). Tape Out – 2 inputs, 1 variable out and 1 fixed output. I went for the Tape Out option so that I could wire up the headphone amp into the system.

It’s a tiny little thing but it looks very nice indeed and immediately got the thumbs up from Mrs Hifi Pig. It has an American black walnut front panel on which the input selector and the volume control are mounted and round the back are the four RCAs. It looks great and also very well built in its simple anodised aluminium box.”

Read the full review of the Tisbury Audio Mini Passive Preamplifier or the rest of the hifi reviews on Hifi Pig.

The Iridium power amplifier from Tellurium Q arrived a couple of months ago and has been a permanent feature on the Hifi Pig rack since then.

“The Iridium by Tellurium Q is a single ended class A amplifier that gives out a not massive 18 Watts per channel into 8ohms (the same as my 300B PSE amp actually). It’s a heavy beast weighing in at around 21Kg but it also looks quite elegant on the top of the rack. Now, I say the top of the rack because being class A the top of this amp gets very hot indeed (the heatsinks are on the inside of the casing) and I’d be unsure about putting it in a situation with anything directly on top of it.

The Iridium is a dual mono design where each channel is effectively isolated from the other and uses a mixture of power MOS FETs and large power semiconductors. Each channel has its own dedicated torroidal transformer and rectifier bulk capacitors for smoothing.”

Read more about the Iridium power amplifier from Tellurium Q or read all the Hifi Pig reviews.