Tagged: amplifiers

Speakers or amplifier — it's the oldest argument in hi-fi. Hannah Reid breaks down where each dollar genuinely moves the needle, and when the room is the real answer.

Sensitivity specs look simple until your new standmounts clip the amp at moderate volume. Marcus Vale explains what the numbers really mean and how to use them.

The power supply is the foundation of every amplifier, yet it's rarely discussed. Sofia Laurent explains what the topology choices actually mean for sound quality.

Electrostatic and planar magnetic headphones sound unlike anything dynamic drivers produce — but they impose real system requirements. Sofia Laurent explains what you actually need to drive them properly.

Bi-wiring and bi-amping promise better sound from speakers with dual binding posts. Theo Mensah cuts through the folklore and explains what the measurements say.

Discrete Class A, op-amp, tube hybrid or pure valve — Jonno Fraser breaks down what headphone amp topologies actually do and how to choose the right one.

Spending more doesn't always get you more. Sofia Laurent maps exactly where the law of diminishing returns bites hardest — and where it still doesn't apply.

Damping factor and output impedance appear on every amp spec sheet, but few buyers know what they're really measuring. Here's what the numbers mean for your speakers.

Output impedance shapes how your headphones actually sound. Theo Mensah explains the engineering behind the number and what it means for IEMs, planars and dynamic cans.

Sensitivity ratings, impedance curves and amplifier power interact in ways most buyers never check. Here's how to read the numbers before you buy.

AV receivers and dedicated processors both decode Atmos — but the engineering tradeoffs are real. Marcus Vale breaks down what the measurements actually tell you.

Dan D'Agostino unveils the Momentum Z monoblock — 500W into 8 ohms, Kinetic Drive Regulator technology, and a network port for real-time monitoring.

Audio Note (UK) debuts the Oto SE 35 at £5,950/$5,950 — the first major technical refresh of its beloved EL84 integrated in decades.

McIntosh's MA2375 is its first all-valve integrated in over a decade — 75 watts per channel, pure analogue, with phono and headphone stages built in.

Rega unveiled the Solis power amp and Mercury preamp at Bristol 2026 — the British brand's first genuine reference amplification in years. Here's what it means.

FiiO teased a fully discrete, pure Class A desktop headphone amp ahead of Vienna High End 2026. Marcus Vale breaks down what it means for serious headphone listeners.

British pro-audio specialist Ultrafide debuts its first home integrated at Bristol 2026 — the 125W Enso INT-125, priced at £3,500.

Arcam debuted the dual-mono A50 Signature integrated amp and the CD25 CD player at HIGH END Vienna 2026, marking 50 years with genuine engineering intent.

Chord Electronics previewed the Ultima 7 and Blade stereo power amplifiers at HIGH END Vienna 2026, with a full launch due September 2026.

Samsung's HARMAN completed its $350M acquisition of Sound United in late 2025, reshaping premium audio and raising hard questions for serious listeners.

Purifi's flagship Eigentakt module claims distortion below 0.00017%. But a Stereophile follow-up revealed even reference-grade Class-D can ship defective. What does 'state of the art' actually mean no

The $15,000 Marantz Model 10 wins EISA's top integrated amplifier award — and it runs on Class-D. Here's why that matters.

Orchard Audio's Starkrimson 25 monoblock launch confirms that gallium nitride amplification's real advances still come from dedicated specialists, not the mainstream brands.

Chord Electronics previewed its Class G GaN Blade amp at High End Vienna 2026. Marcus Vale explains why GaN matters and what it means for serious audio.

The Hegel H150 'Prodigy' arrives with Class-AB SoundEngine 2, a new USB-A input and MM phono — a deliberate statement against the Class-D tide.

CES 2026 saw no new passive speaker debut — a genuine first. Hannah Reid asks whether giving up your separate amplifier is finally the smart move.