Plasma, a New Tweeter Technology: Lansche Audio No.8
	It finally looks like the new and intriguing plasma technology is becoming closer to a useful reality than ever: the No. 8 loudspeakers from Lansche Audio are one of the first commercial, consumer-intended floorstanders to use this particular HF technology, much to the amazement and awe of the traditional audiophile. [admark=1]The Lansche Audio No.8 is the first loudspeaker to sport the plasma tweeter made for popular sale; yet, despite ... [read more >>]
	09 April 2008, 10:42GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

The Thodio iBox, A Royal Treat, Retro All the Way
	The fact that more and more people are turning a very keen eye on audio gear which looks like your grandmother's radio is old news. The big news is that manufacturers have decided to play the game and are releasing amazing stuff, like the Dutch-based Thodio iBox. The iBox is indeed a striking piece of Hi-Fi technology which aims to blend in the vintage looks of audio gear made some 50 or more years ago with the newest gadgets such as ... [read more >>]
	13 March 2008, 11:03GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

New Thesis Audio Turntables. Don't Wanna Know Their Price
	Thesis Audio haven't been wasting time at all and the best way to prove that was the release of not one, not two, but three completely new versions for their acclaimed series of audiophile turntables comprising the entry-level Himalia, the mid-range Lysithea and the flagship Amalthea. [admark=1]The new turntables sport the same classy and elegant design anyone could ever expect from such high-end gear manufacturers, with clean and ... [read more >>]
	22 January 2008, 03:10GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

CES2008: Burmester, $50,000 Worth Of CD Player
	Among many things showcased at the CES 2008, from the ridiculous ones to the professional-use gear, there is another category, the "you can't afford it" one. Of course, there are a lot of people who ear the really big bucks and they could actually buy the whole category itself, but we're talking about a way to measure the height of that "high-end" end, if you get my meaning.[admark=1] From the simplest an ... [read more >>]
	09 January 2008, 05:49GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

Three New Amplifiers From Raysonic: SE20MKII, the SP100MkII and SP120MkII
	Even if Raysonic has been incorporated only in the year 2000, we can already speak about a name with a spectacular evolution in the field of high-end/audiophile equipment.[admark=1] Raysonic have become widely accepted after the great success of their CD-128 player, running with a CNC machined aluminum chassis sporting an intriguing look and loaded with exceptional, incredible-quality award-winning technology. After the fantastic revie ... [read more >>]
	08 January 2008, 05:11GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

Hyper-tech & Vintage: the Vintage Tube iPod Amp/Charger
	Well, I've said this before and I guess I'll keep saying it: I am not a fan of the iPods (even though the Touch version really rocks) but I really enjoy seeing great audio technology put to good use in gear that sounds awesome and looks absolutely precious. As many editors around the world (including me) have somehow predicted, the tubes have had a glorious comeback and even more, high-end audio equipment manufacturers have l ... [read more >>]
	05 January 2008, 04:39GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

The New 600 Series from Bowers & Wilkins –Do You Think You Deserve It?
	It seems that joining forces with one of the world's leading luxury cars, namely Jaguar, was not by far enough for one of the world's and Britain's leading loudspeaker manufacturers, Bowers & Wilkins. Finding no rest, not only have Bowers & Wilkins kept on developing their art sound but have just proudly announced the re-issue of one of their most loved and successful loudspeaker series, the 600. For mor ... [read more >>]
	02 August 2007, 02:44GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

New SACD Players from Pioneer: SWEET!
	As for the end of the day one hot and neat piece of news from the guys you thought they ceased producing great gear many years ago... Pioneer. It's time to announce you that Pioneer weren't at all wasting time but have actually worked quite a lot and these days they're preparing to release not one but two completely new CD players, the X-Z7 and X-Z9. I know, their names sound like in old James Bond [admark=1]movies but th ... [read more >>]
	13 July 2007, 10:43GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

Accurate Sound with Linn Akurate Music System
	In the audiophile world, Linn do no longer need any introduction nor presentation as their name has been standing as a proud proof of excellence for so many years and has become a synonym to supreme quality and unrivaled devotion to keeping to the strictest standards as far as audio equipment is concerned. The latest offer in the field of complete sound systems comes from Linn these days and it is dedicated to those who aren&# ... [read more >>]
	06 July 2007, 07:29GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

Un-click Your Vinyls – The ELP Declicker
	I guess you know by now that if you're stuck with the passion for the vinyl sound and vinyl collecting, you must be well-prepared as this hobby is a rather costly one if "done the way masters say". From expensive rare vinyls to costly gear and maintenance, the vinyl world is not a cheap, "in-a-box" one. Nevertheless, the passionate collectors say that there can't be any comparison between the sound of vinyls p ... [read more >>]
	21 June 2007, 08:31GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

The KEF Home Theater 3000 Series - KHT3005
	The British manufacturer KEF has not been wasting time after being awarded the "Speakers of the Year 2006"; actually we're dealing with the new home theater series, the 3000. Most of you think that KEF is one [admark=1]brand you'll never get to own and enjoy in your home... those who weep for KEF gear can rejoice as the new 3000 series home theater sells for the affordable sum of $1,500. We just had to mention this, so ... [read more >>]
	13 June 2007, 04:34GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

Amazon Catches The Big Fish: Bang & Olufsen Selling on Amazon
	Bang & Olufsen has for a long time been one of the world's most exclusive and innovative brands and their products have inspired many generations of gear manufacturers and designers alike. From the early 80's down to the last months, Bang & Olufsen have never ceased creating the most astounding pieces of audio gear humanity can be proud of.[admark=1] Now, it was obvious that things were on the move with the world ... [read more >>]
	08 June 2007, 10:44GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

VacuumTubes and Vista: the Shuttle/ESTI XPC
	It's sometimes funny to see the ultra high-tech in the computer world these days being mixed with things that traditionally belong somehow to the past. Namely, we're speaking vacuum tubes getting along with Windows Vista and HDMI connectivity. [admark=1] Now, I know this could sound rather weird (and it is weird, indeed) but not for Shuttle and ESTI: they've worked together and came up with a most eye-catching combinati ... [read more >>]
	08 June 2007, 03:02GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

Monitor Your Luxury With The Artcoustic Spitfire
	When you are looking for serious monitoring quality in the audio field, there are many legendary names that will offer some of the planet's bes solutions for the job. Nevertheless, one must not necessarily be a legend in order to be able to provide extraordinary sound and ultimate reliability for a completely new acoustic monitoring experience.[admark=1] Artcoustic is the perfect example, especially as these days the Danish tea ... [read more >>]
	06 June 2007, 17:06GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

The Purest Audio Signal – Siegmund Diamond: No Resistors, No Capacitors
	Vacuum tube amplifiers have always worn the "exclusive" tag for the last years. Even if they still represent the simple and almost "innocent" dawn of the electronic era and are looked at by many as the pure expression of old and vintage, the tube amplifiers have gained a lot of fans during their history. From the blues masters to the death metal guitarists and from the recording studio engineers to discerning audiophile ... [read more >>]
	05 June 2007, 13:31GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

The Ultimate CD Tool: Bryston BCD-1
	For those who still don't know who Bryston are I'll say that Bryston is one of the leading names in the hi-end electronics industry, one of the most heavy names in Canada, when it comes to the really nifty things. The long awaited moment has come and Bryston have released their state-of-the-art CD-player, the BCD-1. Now, don't go thinking that the Bryston BCD-1 is yet another all-in one player like most similar units on t ... [read more >>]
	05 June 2007, 11:41GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

Speakers You Can't Afford: KEF Muon
	How much are you really willing to pay for sound? Hundreds of dollars, maybe thousands? How about $140,000 for speaker purposes? And don't you think that “speaker-purposes” refer to a stadium-fit PA... I'm speaking about the speakers in your living room! The collaboration between British exquisite manufacturer KEF and the designer Ross Lovegrove (iMac, Walkman) has given birth to one of the most extreme and expensiv ... [read more >>]
	25 April 2007, 04:30GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

How To: Not Have $160 Any Longer - NHT PVC PC
	I have been working with sound for almost 14 years now and I really did good sound. I have even started to be more and more into the audiophile gear, be it fancy speakers, amps, AVRs or headphones, even simple tech facts which render better listening experience. But no one has to be an audio engineer to think right about money: money is meant to be spent, all right but I guess that most people want to see proper results of the money t ... [read more >>]
	24 April 2007, 12:03GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

Headroom Total BitHead: for the Discerning Listeners Out There
	People like good sound and you need not necessarily be a very exclusive music listener to prefer the good sound over the simple, ordinary one. And maybe more that the quality, people like to listen to their music without hindering others around them or be themselves disturbed by those surrounding them. This is why headphones came up and especially hi-end headphones: to provide people with quality sound and intimacy as well. Now, the lis ... [read more >>]
	24 April 2007, 10:53GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

Gold To Offer Better Sound? Onkyo 7.1 Amplifier, The Gold Version
	[POLL_ANCHOR=1]I told you some things about Onkyo sometime in the past; these Japanese guys are sworn to taking sound beyond the usual frontiers both technically speaking and fashion-wise as well. After releasing the acclaimed HDC 1.0 audiophile grade multimedia-oriented PC (which did not look like one but did its job amazingly), Onkyo decided it was time to move up and pull some new gear from the hat. And since silver/platinum ... [read more >>]
	21 April 2007, 04:59GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

Is Hi-FI Dying?
	So far, the CD music sales in the united Stated are 17% down. Now, it's the first quarter only, but the difference is clearly not to be covered for during the remainder of the year... CD sales are going down and this is a fact. People in the industry music are asking themselves more and more about what's causing this decline for the CD music. The answer is a rather complex one and it contains more than one or two factors. Neve ... [read more >>]
	20 April 2007, 06:10GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

1972 Linn Turntable Gets New Feats
	Making a turntable and releasing it back in 1972 and getting 35 years older just to see that the gear is still working perfectly is the best presentation a manufacturer could ever benefit from. Well, Scottish audiophile gear producer Linn is such a fabricant whose 35 years gear is not only working but does that in perfect conditions and has recently received some upgrades. Actually, upgrading technology once every 35 years is something ... [read more >>]
	20 April 2007, 04:44GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

Decor-Friendly Loudspeakers: Paradigm Millenia Series
	Most of those who like a good sound in the familiar perimeter of their homes think that bigger is better; now, sometimes this assertion is true and in some cases you could really benefit from a larger sound system. But what happens when you just wake up one day and simply notice that your actual living room has diminished from the dimensions of a comfy lounge to those of a closet and what's causing this is exactly the “bigger” you ... [read more >>]
	20 April 2007, 03:48GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

Solarahome Building More Than Audio Furniture: Now – Loudspeakers!
	Solarahome is the type of enterprise which rather shocks at the first encounter with its products. What face would you make if I showed you a large leather 4 seater couch opening up in the most intriguing way just to reveal carefully and wisely hidden beverage holders and refreshment stands in it which would quickly transform it from a perfect longing place to a most comfortable theater-couch (you'll never meet in any theater, by the ... [read more >>]
	18 April 2007, 10:53GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

Monitor Audio Turns to a Gold Signature
	Gaining popularity and fans and jumping 100 or 1000 places in a world hierarchy is a fairly easy thing to do... the really hard stuff only begins when you're already at the top and have to battle with the best in the field or worse, your own previous monumental-success creations. It is more than obvious that quite few manufacturers can gather so many resources of creativity and excellence such as to be able to top the alread ... [read more >>]
	17 April 2007, 02:34GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

Audiophile Gear Close to The Entry-level: TEAC Esoteric SA-10
	TEAC is one name that doesn't quite need many praising words from editors or users alike: it is simply known as one of the world's best makers of hi-quality audio gear, no matter what kind of gear we might think of. Now, TEAC has released a new piece of audiophile equipment - better and selling for a sensibly lower price: the Esoteric SA-10 CD/SACD player. SuperAudioCD is one type of disc (need I say audio CD?) especially love ... [read more >>]
	11 April 2007, 05:10GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

Stereo from One Speaker? Paradigm Say „YES!”
	I must be true to you and admit I never gave too much thought to in-ceiling or in-wall speakers; but the latest months have brought with them a very serious avalanche of such news in both the production/manufacturers field as well as in the way people have actually used such pieces of technology in their homes, offices and so on. I guess that for most of you, in-ceiling speakers are those speakers mounted throughout large office rooms, ... [read more >>]
	10 April 2007, 05:09GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

Improving Perfection: The Cabasse Karissima
	I have written about the France-based excellence-producing company named Cabasse - they're sworn on one thing solely: making the best-sounding loudspeakers available to man, at any cost. And truly, I guess that the price is one of the last things they think of when designing new speakers. Their last release sells for the rather confusing sum of no less than $24,000! Karissma is the name for Cabasse's latest creation. ... [read more >>]
	10 April 2007, 04:20GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

A "Panther" Named Phanther
	Some people deliver quality and some other take quality to the extreme while actually caring not too much about sales, quantity-wise speaking. Brauner is one brand following this philosophy and luckily for them, the last 10 years have been full of successful achievements. They went on less-traveled paths and decided to settle for the highest-quality gear few men can deliver and their choice was a good one. Years after the VM1 tube micro ... [read more >>]
	05 April 2007, 11:16GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

Straub Triode: Triple Absolute Beauty
	There are many classes when word comes to instruments: low-priced entry-level, beginner-class, advanced, pro and the custom-shop, usually hand-made, user-specced “royal-class” gear. Now, you see, I haven't met any of the latter that I didn’t like, whether it was a bass or an amp or extreme-custom drums or whatever you want: even if I wasn't that fond of the design itself sometimes, I just had to admire the beauty of the craftsman ... [read more >>]
	05 April 2007, 10:17GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

The Lexus Surrounds You
	Lexus is a synonym to luxury and quality manufacturing and is by far a very respected name in the automotive industry, as Mark Levinson is in the pro audio industry as well. Now, this teaming is not at its first as it goes from 2001; the most important fact is that this time, associating Lexus LS460 and Mark Levinson has produced a different, more luxurious, more efficient and more pleasing car sound-loading so far. First of all, the L ... [read more >>]
	31 March 2007, 05:25GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

Destination New Audio
	By default, music is nothing without proper gear for both creating it and listening to it and people, having understood such a simple thing, began building serious audio gear. Now, it doesn't necessarily have to cost $25,000... well, if you're a rich audiophile and would rather spend such money on top-of-the-top gear – it's quite fine, I guess. But there are people who also love music and more – love to listen ... [read more >>]
	30 March 2007, 09:13GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

Outlaws Still Exist...
	Again, looks like the world is turning to extremes: either low-end, entry-level audio gear any poor third-world person could finally afford or top-shelf equipment meant to rock the “finest” ears. And since the goal of these articles is to show you the nicest gear around, we'll let the entry-level aside for now and see to the top gear. Outlaw isn't a name much of you are familiar with and that's just because they're q ... [read more >>]
	17 March 2007, 07:40GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

God's Audio Cables Discovered?
	No further than yesterday I was writing about Hovland and their Stratos amplifier selling for the staggering sum of 50,000 USD. As I did yesterday, I still (at least) smile when I remember this thing. But if you think this is all Hovland can sell for absurd amounts of money you're oh so wrong. Truth is that pretending that $50K for a 400W amplifier is OK couldn't possibly go with asking some decent 100 dollars on the cables, a ... [read more >>]
	15 March 2007, 06:03GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

Drop Down and Die
	Cheap gear, fairly-priced gear, affordable gear, expensive gear and high-end-top-shelf-state-of-the-art gear. And above all you can think of, there's Hovland amplifiers. Now, how much do you think you'd spend on a 400W @8 ohm amp to please your audiophile ears? Would you save as much as $10K? How about thinking twice and going for $20K? Or maybe you want something “true” and hope you'll go for a $30K amp? S**t n ... [read more >>]
	14 March 2007, 11:34GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

The $1,000 Deal
	Thiel Audio hasn't wasted any time and hasn't slacked in the race for affordable hi-end audio gear. Even if some time has passed since we last heard of Thiel doing something great apart form the recent Innovations Award, they've been quite busy. Building on the proven nobility of the SCS3 heritage and excellence of the award-winning CS3.7, Thiel are threatening us with yet another exquisite piece of technology i ... [read more >>]
	14 March 2007, 10:26GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

„No Needle, No Wear”
	No better title for this hour's news that ELP's own (trademark) slogan “No needle, no wear”. Yo all bargain amateurs, heed my call as it's possible you get your hands on this cool piece of tech! The Laser Turntable form ELP is under heavy discounts so if you planned on buying one but was never able to save enough money, this could be your lucky day! I don't know how many of you are familiar with the laser technology ... [read more >>]
	14 March 2007, 07:37GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

No, It's Not The Diamonds!
	Now, „hi-end” can be achieved by following many roads and, obviously, having different types of hi-end customers in mind. One can simply make a diamond-studded headphone set and call it „hi-end” because it simply costs $799,000 and some Paris-Hilton-kind-of-person might buy it. Now there is the other end of the high-end which means some people working their a**es out in order to produce real quality. You don't have to be ... [read more >>]
	12 March 2007, 06:05GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

Resurrection of The Masters
	It is the dawn of the new, high-definition MIDI era. And once with it comes a whole new horizon expanding the audio restoration possibilities far beyond anything man has dreamed about some 20 years ago. It's the Zenph Studios and audio research group, under the lead of the former pianist John Walker - they have designed and put to work a new way of understanding and playing music, developed with one fantastic goal in mind: having t ... [read more >>]
	12 March 2007, 04:48GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

Harman/Kardon Home Theater
	Cheap home systems in-a-box are to be found everywhere and there you always get what you pay for. I mean, don't ever expect to get fantastic sound and eternal reliability form a $80 “home theater” system, for you will not. The fact that there are some home cinema systems which are not expensive and yet they are pretty fine and hardworking even after years of heavy duty is nothing but an exception to the rule. More an ... [read more >>]
	08 March 2007, 03:25GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

The Tube iPod?
	Funny how I have gotten to write about iPod so much, since I don't own one and I also avoid owning one. I simply don't dig them at all; maybe for the small iPod shuffle I can find some attraction. Yet it's also funny how popular the iPods are and how much of the world’s audio technology started to revolve around these gadgets. And this time I am not speaking about the crappy pimp-ready stuff designed for iPods ... [read more >>]
	06 March 2007, 05:19GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

The Most Expensive Turntable
	Donald North Audio (aka DNA) are well-known for the staggering quality of their audiophile equipment as well as for the pocket-wrecking, mind-blowing prices their gear sells for. It's now time to briefly showcase you one piece of hardware that will consume a big part of your annual wage... should you dare buying it! The Nordic Concept Reference Turntable from DNA is truly something you haven't seen yet. First of all, it's ... [read more >>]
	05 March 2007, 06:00GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia

$3,500 Ferrari Meridian F80
	Once there was a phone and a laptop. Now it's a Meridian. A sound system, that is. This year, Meridian will celebrate their 30th anniversary and so they decided to team up with Ferrari and pop out a piece of special edition gear, namely the F80. Of course, all in high-end style for Meridian have done nothing different all these years, let alone the friendship with the Scuderia which superimposed an outstanding work by itself. And B ... [read more >>]
	02 March 2007, 10:41GMT | (c) 2008 Softpedia