the latest hi-fi
The Q Acoustics M40 is a compact powered floorstanding speaker system priced at $999. It features a two-way design with twin 12.5cm mid-bass drivers and a 22mm tweeter in each speaker, powered by 2 x 100W Class D amplification. The system offers Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity with support for aptX HD, as well as various wired inputs including USB, optical and RCA. Standing at just 71cm tall, the M40 is designed to deliver full-range sound in a relatively small footprint. The speakers provide a composed, controlled and warm sound signature with robust bass response, though some reviewers note they could be more dynamic. With its built-in amplification and multiple connectivity options, the M40 aims to offer a flexible and space-efficient audio solution for those seeking high-quality sound without the need for separate components.
The Wilson Audio LōKē is a compact yet powerful subwoofer designed to complement smaller Wilson speakers. Priced at £9,500 (standard finish), it features a 10-inch paper-pulp cone woofer powered by a 500W Class D amplifier. The LōKē's enclosure is constructed from Wilson's proprietary X-Material for superior vibration control, measuring 530x352x552mm (hwd) and weighing 50kg. It offers extensive fine-tuning options, including adjustable high-pass and low-pass filters, a subsonic filter and two-band parametric EQ, all accessible through a single-line LCD display. The front-ported design and handsome aesthetics, available in various WilsonGloss finishes, allow for flexible placement in home audio systems. With its robust construction, powerful amplification and sophisticated control options, the LōKē aims to deliver deep, precise bass in a relatively compact package.
The Wilson Audio Mezzo CSC is a high-end center channel speaker designed for multi-channel audio systems. It features a fully adjustable tweeter module for precise alignment, a 7" Alnico QuadraMag midrange driver and two horizontally mounted woofers. The speaker incorporates Wilson Audio's proprietary X-Material and S-Material enclosures for superior vibration control, along with custom-built binding posts compatible with banana plugs and spade connections. Weighing 200 pounds, the Mezzo CSC showcases Wilson Audio's commitment to excellence in sound reproduction and craftsmanship. It can be installed directly on the floor or mounted on a purpose-built Wilson Audio stand, offering flexibility in placement while complementing living spaces with its elegant design.
The Wilson Audio Special Applications Engineering (WASAE) Center Channel is a high-end compact loudspeaker designed for home theater systems with limited space. Priced between $9,500 and $11,500 depending on finish, this center speaker incorporates advanced materials and technologies from Wilson Audio's more expensive models. It features a 1-inch Convergent Synergy MK5 tweeter, also found in the flagship WAMM Master Chronosonic and two 5.75-inch mid-woofers used in the Alexx V floor-stander. The cabinet is constructed from proprietary X-Material and S-Material composites for superior vibration control. With dimensions of 7 3/4 inches high, 26 3/4 inches wide and 13 3/16 inches deep and weighing 57 pounds, the WASAE Center offers high-end performance in a relatively compact package, boasting 88 dB sensitivity and a 4-ohm impedance for compatibility with various amplifiers.
The Wilson Audio WATT/Puppy is a legendary high-end loudspeaker system that has undergone multiple iterations over nearly 40 years. Originally introduced in 1985 as a two-piece design with the WATT (Wilson Audio Tiny Tot) mini-monitor atop the Puppy bass module, it has become one of the most iconic and influential speakers in audio history. The latest version, unveiled in 2024 to commemorate Wilson Audio's 50th anniversary, features advanced materials like X-Material and V-Material in its construction, along with the latest Wilson Audio drivers and crossover technology. It delivers lifelike dynamics, deep bass extension and precise imaging from a relatively compact floorstanding design. The WATT/Puppy is renowned for its ability to produce an enormous, three-dimensional soundstage with pinpoint image focus and exceptional transparency. While smaller than the flagship Sasha V model, it incorporates much of the same technology at a lower price point, continuing the WATT/Puppy's legacy as a reference-level speaker in a more room-friendly size.
The Arcam SA45 is a high-end all-in-one streaming integrated amplifier, expertly crafted in Cambridge, UK. It features a powerful 5th generation Class G amplifier delivering 180W per channel into 8 ohms and 300W into 4 ohms, with ultra-low distortion. The SA45 boasts a new 6-layer digital audio and streaming platform with a ground plane to minimize noise, the latest ESS Hyperstream iV DAC in a balanced configuration and a linear toroidal transformer power supply for improved sound quality. It supports high-resolution audio up to 32-bit/768 kHz and includes MM/MC phono inputs, HDMI eARC and dual subwoofer outputs. The SA45 features an 8.8" high-resolution display for album artwork and metadata and supports popular streaming services like Apple Airplay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect. With Dirac Live Room Correction and the Arcam Radia App for setup, the SA45 offers audiophile-grade performance in a versatile, modern package.
The Arcam SA35 is a high-end all-in-one streaming integrated amplifier expertly crafted in Cambridge, UK. It features a new 6-layer digital audio and streaming platform with a ground plane to minimize noise, the latest ESS Hyperstream iV DAC in a balanced configuration and a linear toroidal transformer power supply for improved sound quality. The SA35 delivers 2x120W of power using Arcam's 5th generation Class G amplification, supports high-resolution audio up to 32-bit/768 kHz and includes MM/MC phono inputs, HDMI eARC and dual subwoofer outputs. It boasts a 6.5" high-resolution display for album artwork and metadata and supports popular streaming services like Apple Airplay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect. With Dirac Live Room Correction and the Arcam Radia App for setup, the SA35 offers audiophile-grade performance in a versatile, modern package.
The Arcam ST25 is a high-end digital audio player and streamer expertly crafted in Cambridge, UK. It features a new 6-layer digital audio and streaming platform with a ground plane to minimize noise and interference, along with the latest ESS Hyperstream iV DAC in a balanced configuration. The ST25 boasts a linear toroidal transformer power supply for improved sound quality, a 6.5" high-resolution display for album artwork and metadata and support for popular streaming services like Apple Airplay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect. It can handle high-resolution audio up to 32-bit/768 kHz and is designed to be the perfect companion to the Arcam Radia A25 integrated amplifier, offering audiophile-grade performance in a sleek, modern package.
The Rega Couple 3 Interconnect is a high-quality audio cable designed to enhance the performance of hi-fi systems. It features oxygen-free copper (OFC) conductors with a low capacitance of 80pF, making it suitable for various applications, including turntable use. The cable boasts 100% shielding and an ultra-flexible outer jacket, ensuring optimal signal transfer and durability. Hand-assembled in the UK with gold-plated Neutrik RCA plugs, the Couple 3 was originally developed for use in Rega's Aura Reference phono stage and RB330 to RB3000 tonearms. Its design prioritizes detailed and precise sound quality, making it compatible with a wide range of high-end audio equipment.
The Rega AYA loudspeakers are a new offering from the British audio company, designed over a decade by founder Roy Gandy and his team. These speakers feature a unique cabinet made from glass-reinforced cement (GRC), which enhances structural integrity while reducing weight. The AYA employs a 2.5-way band pass design, utilizing Rega's handmade drivers and a high-frequency tweeter to deliver a balanced sound across various music genres. Reviews highlight their impressive bass response, musical detail and ability to create large soundstages, making them a strong value proposition in the loudspeaker market, often described as one of the best audio bargains currently available.
The Rega RB Titanium is recognized as the most advanced and precise tonearm produced by Rega, originally designed for their high-performance Naiad turntable and now available for separate purchase. It features a one-piece titanium vertical bearing housing and spindle assembly, which contributes to its lightweight and rigid structure. The design minimizes mechanical joints, allowing for nearly frictionless movement in both horizontal and vertical planes, with no measurable free play in the bearings. The RB Titanium is meticulously hand-built, utilizing high-quality bearings and a hand-polished aluminum tube, complemented by a tungsten balance weight shaft and counterweight. This tonearm aims to maximize detail retrieval from vinyl records, enhancing overall audio performance.
The Rega Nd7 is a high-performance moving magnet cartridge introduced in 2024 after 10 years of development. It features a unique design utilizing powerful neodymium magnets, a fine line nude diamond stylus profile and an aluminum cantilever. The Nd7 offers exceptional detail retrieval, dynamics and refined sound quality comparable to more expensive moving coil cartridges. With its lightweight PPS body, 3-point mounting system and optimized pole spacing, it promises superior channel balance, linearity and crosstalk characteristics. Priced at around €589, the Nd7 is positioned as Rega's top moving magnet cartridge, designed to extract the best performance from vinyl records when paired with turntables like the Rega P6 or P8.
The Rega Nd5 is a new moving magnet cartridge introduced in 2024 as part of Rega's updated cartridge lineup. It features a perfect elliptical nude diamond stylus, aluminum cantilever and uses a powerful neodymium N55 magnet typically found in more expensive moving coil designs. The Nd5 employs miniaturized parallel coils and a lightweight, rigid PPS body for improved high-frequency response and tracking. Handmade in the UK, it offers impressive soundstage depth and width, dynamic bass and refined midrange and treble performance. The Nd5 is designed to extract maximum detail from vinyl records while providing musicality that rivals digital playback, making it a sophisticated cartridge option at its price point.
The Rega Nd3 is a new moving magnet cartridge that represents a significant advancement in Rega's lineup. Developed over 10 years, it utilizes a powerful neodymium magnet - a first for moving magnet designs - housed in a lightweight, rigid PPS body inspired by Rega's MC cartridges. The Nd3 features an aluminum cantilever with a bonded elliptical stylus, promising improved tracking and detail extraction. Sonically, it offers enhanced treble extension, timing and resolution compared to its predecessor, addressing previous criticisms while maintaining Rega's signature musicality. The Nd3 aims to deliver performance closer to more expensive cartridges, making it a compelling option in its price range for both Rega fans and those who may have previously preferred other brands
The Rega Naia turntable, launched in late 2023, is a culmination of years of development inspired by the high-end Naiad test bed turntable, designed to deliver exceptional vinyl playback. Priced at approximately £12,000, the Naia incorporates advanced materials and technologies, including a graphene-impregnated carbon fiber skeletal plinth, a zirconium-toughened alumina bearing and a titanium tonearm, all engineered for optimal performance. It features a resonance-controlled ceramic platter and a triple-belt drive system, enhancing stability and sound quality. Reviewers have praised the Naia for its neutral and transparent audio reproduction, positioning it as one of the finest turntables Rega has ever produced, significantly improving upon its predecessors like the Planar 10
The QED Supremus Zr is a high-end speaker cable that represents the pinnacle of QED's audio technology. It features a large 6.2mm2 cross-sectional area with 32 silver-plated, oxygen-free copper conductors arranged using QED's proprietary AirCore technology to minimize skin effect and deliver ultra-low resistance. The cable utilizes cryogenic treatment, a cold-weld termination system and rhodium-plated locking plugs with zirconia barrels for durability and optimal connection. With its advanced design focused on preserving signal integrity, the Supremus Zr aims to provide exceptional sound quality with neutral balance, excellent detail and dynamics across the full audio spectrum. While expensive, it's positioned to compete with the very best speaker cables on the market.
The Michi X5 Series 2 Integrated Amplifier is a high-performance audio device that combines 600 watts of Class AB output power with an ESS SABRE 8-channel digital-to-analog converter, making it capable of driving even the most demanding speakers with ease. It features a robust design with dual low-noise toroidal power transformers and four high-efficiency storage capacitors, ensuring rapid power delivery and consistent performance. The amplifier provides 350 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 600 watts per channel into 4 ohms, supporting a wide range of speaker configurations. It includes a variety of connectivity options, such as preamp outputs, mono subwoofer outputs and integration capabilities with automation systems via RS232 and Ethernet ports. The X5 Series 2 is designed with user-friendly customization features, allowing input renaming, fixed input level settings and tone control bypassing, along with adjustable display settings for a personalized experience
The Rotel A8 is a compact and powerful integrated amplifier designed for music enthusiasts, delivering 30 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 40 watts into 4 ohms using Class AB amplification. Built around a high-current toroidal transformer manufactured in-house, it offers excellent audio performance with controlled bass, natural midrange and smooth high frequencies. The A8 features three RCA inputs and a Moving Magnet phono stage for vinyl playback, along with tone controls for personalized audio tuning. It includes a headphone jack and an infrared remote for convenient operation, making it a versatile and stylish choice for any audio setup, available in black or silver.