A leader for years in the entry-level audiophile network player segment, the Canadian brand Bluesound has been facing increasing competition in recent years. It was therefore time to react forcefully, and the manufacturer has just done so by completely revamping its range of streamers, which now includes the little Node Nano.
Priced at €349, the Node Nano features Sabre’s latest DAC chip, the ESS9039 in its low-power Q2M version. It features the 1.8 GHz quad-core ARM® Cortex™ A53 architecture and already enables playback of DSD256 or PCM files sampled up to 192 kHz, in addition to all the usual playback formats. Bluetooth is also available, thanks to a 5.2 aptX Adaptive connection, as well as playback of external hard drives, which can be integrated via a USB 2.0 socket.
Based on the same converter chip and processor, the new Node offers more inputs/outputs (including HDMI eARC) and Dolby Digital decoding. On the front is a 6.33mm headphone output amplified by THX AAA™ technology. Long reserved for the brand’s proprietary application alone, the Node is now open to AirPlay, Spotify Connect or Tidal Connect, in addition to also boasting a Bluetooth aptX connection. It retails for €599.
The manufacturer’s top-of-the-range player, the new Node Icon is also based on the Sabre ESS9039Q2M chip, which it integrates in pairs, configured in dual-mono. The front of its aluminum chassis features a 5-inch color display, much appreciated by users. Connectivity is even more extensive than on the Node, with two USB 2.0, one USB-C and two headphone outputs. An Optic In link is also available for direct integration of the DAC, in addition to Optic Out for output via the streamer only. In addition to a pair of RCA terminals, also present on the Node Nano and Node to connect to amplifiers, the Node Icon adds a balanced XLR analog output. This reference version is priced at €1,099.
VUmètre will be testing all three devices very soon!
Musical Fidelity is excited to announce a new series of balanced power conditioners. Catering to all possible needs – from digital or analogue source devices, low powered amplifiers, small & big hi-fi systems, home theatre to big multi-channel amps and big stereo amplifiers to huge mono blocks – we have a BPC for everything.
Musical Fidelity has always emphasized the importance of clean power for an optimal audio experience. Consequently, almost all of our products are equipped with superior, massive power supplies, setting them apart from most offerings in the market. Historically Musical Fidelity products have always been heavier due to our commitment to clean power. Leveraging our extensive expertise in crafting the finest power supplies, we now introduce the BPC power conditioning products. These will marginally enhance even the current MF products, which already boast substantial power supplies. However, they will significantly benefit products with limited quality power supplies and regulation, particularly digital devices
Power conditioners must be carefully matched to the power consumption o f y our h i-fi equipment. All of our BPCs are carefully engineered for surge protection with DC blocking of up to 2V. We have over and under voltage protection safeguarding you from connecting it to wrong AC voltage. Overload protection makes sure your connected devices are safe any time. All our BPCs are equipped with multiple output zones. These zones allow you to isolate different types of devices. Separate switch mode PSUs from linear PSUs. Separate digital devices from analogue preamps. Or separate your power amp from the rest of your system to improve its performance by another fine margin. A big difference in the BPCs lies in the size of transformer that is used. All of them use carefully manufactured super-silent, low noise, balanced isolating power transformers. The transformer in the „smallest“ – BPC3 – is tailored towards a multitude of analogue and digital source devices and low power amps. While all BPCs handle a high number of digital and analogue sources very well, in addition the BPC16 is made for extremely power-hungry stereo or mono-block amplifiers or the biggest of home theatre systems with huge multi-channel amps. In between sit the BPC5 and BPC10. The BPC5 happily supplies one high-end amp with clean power, and the BPC10 starts venturing into home theater territory, having enough over-head for multi-amp setups.
Available at Musical Fidelity dealers from July 2024 as US, EU, UK and AUS versions. BPC3 – MSRP 1.999€ (incl. VAT.) BPC5 – MSRP 3.499€ (incl. VAT.) BPC10 – MSRP 4.999€ (incl. VAT.) BPC16 – MSRP 5.999€ (incl. VAT.)
The Neodio Harmonie stand addresses a problem well known to audiophiles: floor coupling. The influence of floor coupling on sound reproduction is very important for loudspeakers, but also for HiFi furniture. Unsatisfied with conventional solutions (spikes, mobile supports, decouplers), Stéphane Even decided to solve this problem with an effective, universal and easy-to-implement solution: the Harmonie support:
Its design improves sound quality without coloration (better timbre and sound image).
It is effective under any type of floor-standing speaker or bookshelf speaker stand
It is effective under HiFi furniture
It can be used on any type of floor, including tiles, concrete, parquet, carpets, etc.
Its large diameter makes it easy to adjust stability by screwing and unscrewing.
It has no tailpiece and a smooth underside that leaves no marks on parquet floors. This makes it easy to adjust the position of the speaker.
On thick carpets or rugs, its lower surface is small enough to touch the hard structure of the floor, preventing the speaker from “floating”.
Harmonie draws its effectiveness from Neodio’s research into the impact of water molecules in the environment. It is a complementary solution to the Origine B2 acoustic purifier. Like all Neodio Blue Program products, Harmonie is made in France and comes with a 10-year guarantee to the original purchaser. Harmonie is supplied with 2 screws/adapters as standard, enabling it to be screwed onto M6 or M8 inserts. An M10 adapter is also available as an option. Its stainless steel construction makes it robust enough to withstand the heaviest loudspeakers. Available in quantities of 2 to 8. Dimensions: diameter 49mm, height 26mm Retail price: €110 each, available mid-July.
Audio-Technica has unveiled the new AT-ART1000X, one of the brand’s most sophisticated transducers to date and the culmination of more than 60 years of expertise.
Developed and handcrafted in Japan, the AT-ART1000X has been designed to offer an unrivalled analogue listening experience to the most demanding audiophiles.
Building on the philosophy and design of the acclaimed AT-ART1000, this new generation takes sound excellence to new heights. It incorporates a more powerful Power Direct System, for greater efficiency and improved low-frequency reproduction.
Like its predecessor, the AT-ART1000X features the Direct Power System, which places the double voice coil directly above the diamond. This system allows the signal to be transmitted to the source and reduces the negative effects normally induced by the cantilever. This technology enables the cartridge to reproduce the most subtle sonic details and offer unrivalled transient response.
The coils newly developed for this model are rectangular, rather than round, so that more of their surface is placed in the magnetic field. This allows the cartridge to respond more accurately to strong modulations, resulting in improved output voltage and enhanced low-frequency reproduction.
Each non-magnetic core coil is made from 20 μm diameter PCOCC (Pure Copper Ohno Continuous Casting) wire, hand wound eight turns to create a 1.1 mm × 0.6 mm rectangle. The coils are contained in a special ultra-thin 25 μm film and placed in the tiny 0.5 mm gap of a powerful magnetic circuit. Despite a non-magnetic core, this design allows each coil to generate an output voltage of 0.22 mV at an impedance of 3.5 ohms.
The AT-ART1000X retains the Special Line Contact diamond, exclusive to Audio-Technica’s top-of-the-range models, and the solid boron cantilever of the previous model, to ensure extremely accurate groove reading. The primary structure on which the elements of the cell rest is made of titanium. This rigid, inert structure is fundamental to the regularity of the reading. This is dampened by two other structures, one made of polymer and the other of aluminium, to reduce resonance.
Finally, the body of this new model features threaded inserts, making it much easier to install the transducer. The screws supplied are all you need to mount the transducer on a transducer holder or on a bracket integrated into the tone arm.
Designed for durability, a special coating protects the magnetic circuit from corrosion, ensuring consistent performance throughout the life of the cell. To keep the diamond assembly at its best, Audio-Technica offers a chargeable voice coil exchange programme to exchange or have the voice coil cell accurately repaired by experts at its production facility in Japan.
-The innovative Power Direct System offers unrivalled transient response and allows the most subtle sonic details to be reproduced.
The new rectangular coils improve the output level of the cartridge and offer better low-frequency response
-Threaded inserts make it easy to install the cartridge on a cartridge holder or an integrated tonearm mount
-Special Line Contact diamond profile and 0.26mm diameter solid boron cantilever ensure extremely accurate groove reading
The KEF Music Gallery London is the latest site to join a series of experiential spaces opened by KEF around the world where the brand’s motto, ‘Listen and Believe’, comes to life like nowhere else. The KEF Music Gallery London, which opened on 8 June, is an important milestone in the brand’s long history and sixty-year passion for high-fidelity sound. Located in the heart of London, this unique experiential destination will offer the public a centre for sound discovery, exploration and immersion, with stunning music and film, talented new artists and musicians, inspiring events and, of course, all of KEF’s ground-breaking products. Working with a vibrant community of partners and creators, the KEF Music Gallery London promises to deliver visceral sound experiences far beyond the ordinary.
Spanning 465m2 over two floors, the KEF Music Gallery London offers a sound stage unrivalled in the UK capital. The space perfectly embodies KEF’s passion for technology, performance and design, providing the public with an exclusive and inspiring destination to discover the KEF brand. Visitors will have access to a variety of experiential areas and facilities where they will be encouraged to listen carefully, to live their own ‘Listen and Believe’ experience.
A new flagship destination for the brand, KEF Music Gallery London joins a number of equally prestigious experiential spaces: KEF Music Gallery Hong Kong and KEF Music Gallery Tokyo, which opened in December 2023.
“The KEF Music Gallery London is our third flagship destination and our most ambitious project to date, reaffirming our commitment to bringing the magic of high fidelity sound to consumers around the world and providing our partners with a collaborative platform designed to bring immersive sound experiences to an ever-expanding audience,
Grace Lo – President and Global Marketing Director, KEF.
The KEF Music Gallery London offers a new meeting place for all audiophiles, music lovers, film buffs, film makers and music producers – a place to relax, explore and indulge in the magic of unparalleled sound scenes. The KEF Music Gallery London also reflects the importance the brand has always placed on design. The space was designed by the prestigious British interior design and architecture studio Conran and Partners. It celebrates KEF’s unique identity and personality through an incredibly thoughtful design, using the highest quality materials and finishes. Using a refined industrial palette of stainless steel, concrete and light and dark oak, the interior has a raw feel and a warm atmosphere. A contemporary environment with a friendly spirit, the KEF Music Gallery London offers an attractive alternative to traditional audiovisual showrooms.
The discovery areas
The Gallery: located on the ground floor, the Gallery is a true urban oasis. It is home to London’s ultimate high-fidelity café, KEFé, where music and coffee lovers can discover an eclectic mix of classical and contemporary music.
In the evenings, the Gallery will be transformed to host immersive music events. Configurable for multiple applications, visitors will be able to enjoy all KEF products and get a sneak preview of upcoming KEF events and experiences. The Gallery will feature an original programme of collaborative activations, film screenings, live concerts, recorded sessions, conferences and interactive experiences throughout the year.
The Studio: an intimate space adjacent to the Gallery, the Studio is available to musicians, artists and collaborators wishing to take advantage of exceptional sound to explore their creativity. With state-of-the-art acoustics specially designed to minimise background noise, the room is fully equipped for use as a podcast studio, recording space or intimate listening area. A multifunctional space, the Studio is inspired by the anechoic chamber at KEF’s R&D centre in Maidstone.
Immersive spaces
The Hub: in this collaborative space designed to welcome visitors and organise workshops, all eyes converge on the impressive four-metre long table, designed and made by cabinetmaker Sebastian Cox from a single piece of Kent oak. With KEF speakers recessed into the ceiling, the Hub invites the public to discover the brand’s flagship ranges, and also incorporates conference microphones to create an unparalleled acoustic platform.
The Lounge: designed as a contemporary space, the Lounge offers a convivial setting, perfect for exploring different soundscapes. It reveals the immersive power of KEF systems, allowing visitors to experience the magic of exceptional sound in its own living room.
The Ultimate Experience Room: The Ultimate Experience Room is an exceptional space where audiences can experience the epic performance of truly immersive audio systems. Featuring the iconic KEF Muon speakers and KEF Extreme Home Theatre Ci-Reference in-wall speakers and subwoofers with Dolby Atmos for an unforgettable cinematic experience, the acoustics of this unique space are sure to impress. It’s a haven of sound in the heart of the city.
KEF Music Gallery London is located at 42-48 Great Portland Street, London, UK.
For more information about KEF or KEF Music Gallery London, visit www.kef.com.
