Hifi Pig

TAGA Harmony, a European manufacturer of speakers and audio electronics, today announced the launch of HTR-1000CD, midi sized stereo hybrid DAB+ / FM receiver with a built-in CD player.

Key features:

• Compact size and sleek aluminium design suitable for any interior style.
• Hybrid design utilizing two 12AX7B tubes in the preamp section which TAGA say ensures a very warm, linear and lifelike sound with high dynamic presentation at the same time.
• High power 75W per channel to drive different types of speakers.

• DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcasting) tuner – listen to your favorite radio stations in the best digital quality.

• USB input – quickly and easily play your music from USB flash drivers (MP3 and WMA audio files).
• Bluetooth® wireless audio streaming with aptX® audio codec – stream your music in CD-like quality from any smartphone, tablet, computer or other digital device.
• Equalizer and treble-bass control to perfectly adjust the music to your preferences.
• Sleep timer.
• RCA and 3.5mm (front) stereo inputs to quickly connect external audio devices (smartphones, MP3 players etc.).
• High-end banana speaker terminals accept raw speaker cables up to 10AWG and the most popular types of connectors.
• Fully functional remote controller.
  

Leicester-based Icon Audio have launched their second CD player, the CDX2. Replacing Icon’s earlier, more expensive CDX1, the CDX2 has been specifically designed to deliver comparable sonics but at a lower, mid-range price.

The aim, says Icon’s founder and chief designer David Shaw, was “to craft a CD player with real warmth and dexterity. With that magical ‘vinyl sound’, in other words.”

The CDX2 features 192kHz 24bit upsampling technology but more than this, Shaw has focused a keen eye on the product’s all-important output stage in order to avoid what he refers to as the “mechanical and soulless presentation” that some CD players have.

“I wanted a more musical presentation, with more warmth and colour. Something incredible easy to listen to,” he adds.

To that end, the CDX2 uses an all triode valve class A output stage using T J Full Music or original Mullard valves. The digital and analogue circuitry is hand-wired using full sized high quality components.

Externally, the CDX2 features a top-loading mechanism, avoiding the usual slide-out drawer. A heavier alloy clamp also acts as a flywheel to increase rotational stability during playback.
In keeping with Icon’s ‘built to last’ philosophy, everything in the CDX2 is serviceable and replaceable and, as with all Icon products, the company is keeps an extensive bank of spare parts, ensuring a reliable product with a long life.

As each CD player is finished in the UK, Icon can offer a range of ‘David Shaw Signature’ upgrades including Jensen copper foil oil-in-paper capacitors and ‘new old stock’ valves.

Icon Audio CDX2 key features

No ‘surface mount’ parts used.
Sanyo CD transport mechanism.
CD-R compatible.
Class A, all triode valve output stage.
Latest 192kHz 24bit upsampling technology.
Coaxial digital output.
Gold-plated RCA sockets.
‘David Shaw Signature’ upgrade options including Jensen copper foil oil-in-paper capacitors and premium ‘new old stock’ valves.
Parts easily maintained and upgraded (valves, capacitors, resistors, etc).

The Icon Audio CDX2 is available now, priced at £995

Cyrus Audio, whose X200 Signature Mono amps and X DAC Signature received Hifi Pig recommended awards has announced the latest CD player the CD i.

The CD i is built around a specially updated version of the company’s proprietary Servo Evolution disc reading system and replaces their two existing integrated CD players – the CD 6 SE₂ and CD 8 SE₂. The new CD player is positioned between the two previous models in terms of price but although positioned below the CD 8 SE₂ in terms of price, Cyrus claims that the performance of the CD i is superior to any integrated CD player they have ever made, putting this is in part to it using the most advanced version of the company’s Servo Evolution disc reading technology so far.

The CD i shares a new LED disc loader and acoustically led circuit design with the company’s flagship CD transport, the CD Xt Signature. A PSX-R port allows users to further upgrade by connecting one of the company’s external power supplies.

Price is £975

Presented for the first time at CES in Las Vegas the digital source “Origine” from French based Neodio will make its European debut at the Salon Hifi Home Cinema in Paris this coming weekend.

Origine is the culmination of 12 years of work for the company and they say that the CD/Converter offers a “natural listening experience where all the micro information is accurately reproduced”.

The Origine’s multi layer 28kg chassis is assembled from 5 different materials, including copper, HI-MACS  and  aluminium in an effort to provide an environment without resonance.

ORIGINE    is   mounted  on  3   solid  feet  machined  in stainless steel, floating on ball  bearings.

The   player   mechanism is based on a DVD-ROM modified by Neodio and the 24bit/192kHz  converteruses adiscreteanalog clock.

ORIGINE has two digital inputs, SPDIF and USB.

Price is €35 000.