Following the wildly successful MA252 hybrid integrated amp, McIntosh has just revealed its newest hybrid integrated amp called the MA352 Integrated Amplifier. The new McIntosh MA352 Integrated Amplifier is a hybrid design that combines the finest of vacuum tube and solid state audio design principles. The result is an eye-catching amplifier that enjoys the best of these two opposing audio philosophies all while reproducing music at the highest quality level. An all analog design, the READ MORE

Based in Plymouth Minnesota, Audio Research Corporation (ARC) was founded by Bill Johnson in 1970. Just shy of 50 years in business, ARC has accumulated a half-century’s worth of expertise in fabricating vacuum tube audio gear. All of their gear is proudly made in the USA. Assessed on reliability, sound quality, and value, Audio Research’s gear consistently ranks amongst the best. When NOVO asked if I’d review ARC’s new LS28 vacuum tube line stage, I almost twisted an ankle trying READ MORE

McIntosh has just revealed the C2700 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier. Using their well-established vacuum tube topology, the C2700 also features McIntosh’s advanced DA2 Digital Audio Module technology to combine cutting edge digital music capabilities with time tested vacuum tube performance. A worthy successor to McIntosh’s popular DA1 Digital Audio Module, the DA2 features an expanded set of capabilities. The DA2 offers 7 digital inputs including all the same connections found on the DA1 ( READ MORE

Southern California based Audience has been a highly respected audiophile cable manufacturer for decades and a maker of some of the best power conditioning products on the market. Interestingly, they also designed and brought to market unique single driver loudspeakers, and supply ultra high quality OEM parts, including transformers and capacitors, to other manufacturers. Please read the full review over at our sister site NOVO Magazine READ MORE

The brand new McIntosh C53 Preamplifier is ready to serve in a home audio system for many years – even decades – all while delivering unmatched audio quality. Following the digital audio precedent set in McIntosh’s current line of solid state integrated amplifiers, the C53 stereo preamplifier features an upgradeable digital audio module. But unlike their integrated amplifiers that use the DA1 Digital Audio Module, the C53 is the first product to use McIntosh’s new, more advanced DA2 READ MORE

High-end: a term that defines home audio systems that pursue the highest fidelity of sound, are insanely unlimited in terms of size, weight, power consumption and obviously, price. Heaven and hell together, in a way. And it is also the excuse for some people with large wallets to speak as if they were musical producers or sound engineers, especially with a classical music record pressed before 1970 in their hands; boring people who listen and talk about sound instead of music. I'm sure you k READ MORE

Clarity Is the Reference Series' Forte! Vermouth Audio is one of Indonesia’s hidden gems when it comes to hand crafted high-end audio cables. Located on the beautiful island of Bali, the company was founded in 2010 by Hendry Ramli. Mr. Ramli, a man with a huge passion for audio, had a dream to help other music lovers achieve the highest standard of audio by developing high quality cables at reasonable price points. Today, Vermouth Audio designs and manufactures an attractive selection of ca READ MORE

Japan… land of the rising HiFi. When one thinks of Japanese cultural symbols, thoughts of drift cars, pachinko machines, portable music players, and Shinkansen bullet trains readily… ehm… drift through the mind. Japan is a detail-oriented country. No other society on earth can so happily obsess on making minor improvements to small items to invoke significant increases in overall performance -- especially with cars and electronics. Founded in April 1988, Japanese specialist parts an READ MORE

If you like your luxury headphone amp/DAC petite, pretty and potent, Swan Song Audio is listening. Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma this specialty company has built an enviable reputation for itself with an extensive catalog of custom solid state and tube audio components and speakers, ranging from their "portable" Cygnet line of headphone gear up to their Black Swan tube pre and amplifier exotics. My last encounter with their White Swan Class A Headphone Amp/DAC/Pre was a thoroughly satisfying soni READ MORE

The Munich HIGH END show is full of interest – live music, fast cars, new products, fine people, you name it. I’m here to introduce you to some of my personal highlights but be aware no one can see everything in such a large show, and I will limit myself to twelve stops. So here goes, in no particular order. NAGRA AUDIO This may be the best sounding room at the show. And this is not your grandfather’s Nagra. In the last few years I’ve heard a great improvement in the sound o READ MORE