Karma-AV is has announced the availability of the Mark Levinson № 519 Audio Player. They say, “The № 519 has the ability to play virtually any digital audio format and provides a full complement of wired and wireless digital audio inputs from USB asynchronous streaming and mass storage, Gigabit Ethernet, Balanced, Optical, Coaxial, Wi-Fi, aptX® Bluetooth, and an integrated slot-loading CD player. In addition, the № 519 includes high-performance headphone connectivity and integrated digital volume control allowing it to serve as a fully integrated digital music source”. More »
Jay Z is reportedly selling a stake in his music streaming service Tidal to telecoms company, Sprint. Sprint, which is owned by Japan’s Softbank, will pay an estimated $200m (£162m) for a 33% stake in the company. More »
Reports on the internet are suggesting that audiophiles will now be able to use Google Chrome to playback music in FLAC format on their macs. More »
Global music and entertainment platform, TIDAL, has announced the availability of ‘Master’ quality recordings. A wide variety of content from labels and artists, including Warner Music Group’s music catalogue, is now available in Master audio across all of TIDAL’s available markets worldwide. More »
SOtM (Sound Of the Music), whose sMS 200 streamer we recently reviewed, have introduced a new Music Server/Player and ultra clock module. More »
Avid today announced it has completed another development for the MediaCentral® Platform by exclusively licensing the rights to develop and commercialise media and entertainment technologies and solutions from Nexidia, a developer of dialogue and audio analysis products. More »
Bryston has announced the introduction of the BDP-π digital music player, joining the BDP-2 in Bryston’s lineup of digital players. The BDP-π is available now through authorised Bryston dealers with an MSRP of $1295.
The compact BDP-π features advanced Bryston hardware and software built upon the Raspberry Pi and HifiBerry platform giving users fast response to commands and superb overall performance all from a chassis 1/3 the width of Bryston’s full-sized player. The BDP-π will playback digital music ranging from MP3 to lossless 24/192 high-resolution files and can be connected to virtually any DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) using the provided S/PDIF, Toslink, USB and HDMI connectors. The BDP-π is a complete digital entertainment hub—users can connect an external drive to access limitless libraries of digital content, gain access to their favorite Internet radio stations and enjoy lossless TIDAL streaming (subscription required).
The BDP-π is also a Roon Ready device. Roon Labs has created a software solution that delivers the ultimate user experience by merging Bryston’s exceptional BDP digital playback hardware with an intuitive, graphically rich music library management and playback software. Users get the superb sound of Bryston digital players with a highly refined user interface.
“Feedback from our sales channel has indicated that there was a market for a compact digital music player at a lower price point as long as performance remained superb,” explained Bryston VP James Tanner. “We have been able to bring together key technologies in order to make the BDP-π a reality and deliver Bryston quality digital entertainment to more music enthusiasts.” All Bryston digital products are covered by a 5-year warranty.
Inputs: 4x USB 2.0, 1x Ethernet (10/100 Mbps)
Outputs: SPDIF (RCA), Optical (TOSLINK), HDMI, USB 2.0
Control: IR, TCP/IP
Playback from USB drives
NAS connectivity supported
Plays all common file types
Raspberry Pi and HifiBerry platform
Multiple control options (iOS, Android, Desktop)
Roon Ready platform
TIDAL, Internet Radio, Custom URLs
Requires external DAC
Physical: 2.75″ H x 5.7″ W x 8.5″ D 2.6 Ibs.
Options:
Available with silver or black faceplate
BR-2 remote control available
BOT-1 for ripping, playing, and burning CD’s
Hydra Z from Audiobyte is a USB audio playback bridge and clock generator whilst the Hydra ZPM is its matching Ultra linear audio power supply. Dan Worth is already a user of the company’s previous model Hydra X+ and most definitely a digital audiophile, so who better to put to put this £1050 combo through their paces. More »