Meze Audio is pleased to introduce LIRIC 2nd Generation, a major evolution of its acclaimed LIRIC closed-back headphones featuring performance enhancements, a superb new striped ebony finish, increased ease of hardware upgrade and a long life of listening pleasure.
LIRIC 2nd Generation’s sonic signature has been reworked to offer a subtle and compelling blend of clear and precise audio performance, with a touch of warmth to deepen the soundstage. The new Quarter Wave Resonator Mask (QWRM – a precision-machined metal plate that strategically covers certain openings in the driver frame). It effectively attenuates high-frequency peaks above 7 kHz, for a less fatiguing listening experience.
The design of LIRIC 2nd Generation has also been warmed up with the replacement of LIRIC’s leather earpieces with beautifully dressed striped ebony earpieces. These combine a beautiful wood grain and luxurious feel with the durability that hardwood offers. “Developing great headphones means listening to lots of music, but also listening carefully to our community! LIRIC was already an impressive headphone, but based on feedback from our customers and critics, we’ve taken its performance to new heights with the new LIRIC 2nd Generation,” explains Antonio Meze, founder and principal designer of Meze Audio.
LIRIC 2nd Generation incorporates state-of-the-art planar magnetic technology developed by Rinaro, reworked with everyday headphone use in mind. The Isodynamic Hybrid Array driver has been scaled down and fine-tuned to deliver an audio experience in line with its larger counterparts found in Empyrean, Empyrean II and Elite, and combined with the closed structure, it helps preserve the original clarity and emotion of your favourite music thanks to its reworked sound reproduction and passive isolation. Each driver is entirely hand-assembled and tested in Rinaro’s specialist workshops in Ukraine.The LIRIC 2nd Generation headphones also continue Meze Audio’s guiding principle of increased durability and choice, with detachable magnetic ear pads that can be easily repaired and replaced.Further benefits in terms of performance and flexibility are offered by the choice of cables.
LIRIC 2nd Generation now comes with a premium hand-braided copper cable from Meze Audio as standard – with a 4.4mm balanced connector, ideal for portable players and headphone amplifiers, as well as a 3m TPE cable for home listening. LIRIC 2nd Generation’s choice of customisation allows for easy upgrades and cable replacements as required.Price, availability and further informationLIRIC 2nd Generation will be available from 7 March from mezeaudio.com, mezeaudio.eu and selected retailers worldwide, with a recommended retail price of €2,000.
The Reference turntable is an analog product governed by immutable laws of physics and mechanics, very much like Nagra legendary reel to reel recorders. As such, it is not subject to the rapidly progressing and ever-changing developments of the digital domain. This means that the Reference turntable will remain technologically relevant for generations. For many it will be a last turntable purchase and a product which is proudly passed down from generation to generation, just like many Nagra III recorders from the 50’s, which are still in active use today, the Nagra Reference turntable is a product for life.
Nagra Reference turntable highlights are:
Massive 25lb. Swiss made CNC machined, dual decoupled, super-cap motor drive system
Spheroidal graphite iron shaft/bearing housing
Maintenance free sintered bronze, high temp/pressure oil impregnated shaft bearing
Bearing comprised of ultra-high polished, stacked carbide balls
HD size chassis linear power supply featuring oversized medical grade silent transformer and ultra-low noise regulators
The Reference turntable was designed as a system. This means that the turntable and its tonearm were designed to work from the “ground up” as a unified playback system. Careful consideration was given to the development of a tonearm with performance capabilities commensurate with the turntable itself. For those who prefer to supply their own tonearm, Nagra offers an armless version of the Reference turntable with arm board options to accommodate most tonearms.
Founded by Michael Børresen, formerly with Raidho, the eponymous Danish brand first applied its most advanced technologies to the M and 0 ultra-high-fidelity series, untouchable for many audiophiles, before creating the more affordable Z series (still €10,000/$11,000 for its compact), followed by the X series.
The latter – whose X3 floorstanding loudspeaker was recently tested in VUmètre #50 FR ; #8 ENG ; Remarkable)- now includes the compact X1, priced at €5,000/$5,000, which allows listeners willing to pay this price to enter a musical universe of reference. With two layers of carbon fiber spread around an aramid honeycomb spacer, the X1 takes over the 4.5″ (11.4 cm) bass-midrange driver placed at the top of the X3, as well as its planar ribbon tweeter and ferrite-free magnet motors from the Z series. With a height of 42 cm (16.5”) and a weight of 12.9kg (28.4 lbs), this already very high-end compact develops a frequency response of 50Hz to 50kHz at 6 ohms.
Like all X models, the X1 is built in a highly rigid wood composite cabinet with carbon inserts, from which three rear vents emerge to expel internal waves as far as possible. Of course, the X1 also comes with a dedicated stand, available as an option at a price of €1,000/$1,100. It’s available now for listening, as well as for ordering!
Like clockwork, Accuphase replaces its flagship models every five years, and after modifying the E-480 into the E-4000, the Yokohama-based company now presents the E-700 model in place of the E-650, with strictly identical dimensions, but a weight down 400g (-1.5%) to 25.9kg.
A benchmark for its Class A transistor amplifiers for decades, the Japanese manufacturer had in 2018 gently reviewed the E-600 with the E-650, tinkering mainly with the preamplifier part. A little more than five years later, it now replaces the E-650 by the E-700, this time improving all parameters. Derived from the E-5000 and the latest preamplifiers, the ANCC (Accuphase Noise and distortion Cancelling Circuit) takes pride of place around the AAVA symmetrical volume control. Derived from monaural amplification circuits on MOSFETs downstream of a 56,000μF/50V supply transformer (compared with 50,000 μF in the E-650), power increases from 5W to 20W compared to the previous generation, with linearized maximums at 35W into 8Ω, 70W into 4Ω and 140W into 2Ω. The damping factor, meanwhile, gains 200 to match 1 000 from the E-800.
Little altered apart from the gold inserts around the knobs – the hallmark of the latest Accuphase models – the E-700 still allows you to integrate a plethora of balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs, plus headphones via a 6.35 jack. Its front panel also features the same number of parameters, including balance, treble and bass management, as well as the option of outputting to one or two pairs of speakers, thanks to eight rear-mounted speaker terminals, while the displays are still on digital meters, the hallmark of the manufacturer’s Class A models. Also still available, two slots admit to add phono (AD-60) and digital (DAC-60) cards , the latter offering a digital-to-analog converter and numerous inputs, but still no streaming chip.
With a high-end DAC, exceptional phono stage, first-class headphone output and a range of streaming options, the H190v is designed for those who simply want more music.
From wireless streaming to analogue vinyl playback, the H190v integrates seamlessly with virtually any audio source, so you can enjoy your music the way you want.
More music Hegel has always set the benchmark for excellence in integrated amplifier design. Its latest creation, the H190v, continues this tradition with an evolution of the classic H190 amplifier. Aptly dubbed ‘More Music’, the H190v takes its best-selling product of all time to new heights, offering the perfect blend of power, refinement and versatility. Positioned at the heart of the integrated amplifier range, the H190v is designed to meet the needs of audiophiles looking for a no-compromise all-in-one solution.
Built with precision and minimalist elegance, the H190v is housed in a solid steel chassis with a thick aluminium front panel and aluminium knobs. Available in black and white, the amplifier is designed to blend in with any interior. However, beneath its minimalist appearance, the H190v is packed with advanced features. Under the bonnet, the H190v packs a powerful punch. With 150W of Class AB power into 8 Ohms, a damping factor of 4000 and a large toroidal transformer combined with high-quality output transistors, this amplifier delivers power and precision in equal measure. A dedicated, enhanced power supply for the preamplifier and DAC section creates a pitch-black background that allows you to concentrate on the music, where every nuance is delivered with precision and control. The H190v offers a taste of high-end sophistication at a reasonable price.
Thanks to the integration of a state-of-the-art phono preamplifier in the H190v, users can connect MM cartridge turntables directly to the amplifier. The phono input is a scaled-down version of its acclaimed V10 phono preamplifier, offering a detailed, extended and powerful sound that brings any vinyl collection back to life. For those who appreciate a personal listening experience, the H190v features a 6.3mm headphone output with a dedicated high-quality headphone amplifier. Capable of driving the most demanding headphones, this feature ensures that every nuance of your music is faithfully reproduced. The inclusion of a comprehensive list of streaming options further enhances the amplifier’s versatility. With support for AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready and DLNA/UPnP, the H190v transforms your space into a seamless music playback centre.
The H190v is highly customisable to suit any environment. The volume can be limited to match your preference for maximum volume. Thanks to the remote control function, you can program the amplifier to be controlled by common TV remote controls, eliminating the need for two remotes and allowing everyone in the family to enjoy quality TV sound. Most inputs can also be configured as a high-level fixed home theatre input, making it easy to combine the H190v with surround receivers or multi-room devices. For more experienced users, the H190v also features IP control for smart home integration with brands such as Control4, Crestron and Savant. In addition, it offers a large number of fixed and variable inputs and outputs for connecting external devices, such as subwoofers, to provide a customisable audio experience.
Whether you’re a vinyl aficionado, a streaming enthusiast or someone who simply enjoys the immersive power of high-fidelity audio, the H190v is the perfect companion, offering an unrivalled listening experience that goes beyond expectations. The H190v is more than just an integrated amplifier, it’s a complete audio solution.
