Based on an AMD Artix 7 FPGA, Audiobyte presents a new converter capable of decoding signals up to DSD256 (11.28/12.28MHz).
Housed in a CNC-machined aluminum chassis of average dimensions (31 x 29 x 6.4 cm), the new Super VOX DAC incorporates a digital decoding system made with a proprietary architecture, based on a 33-level delta-sigma modulator.
Rather than using one of the DAC chips available on the market, Audiobyte chose to create its own algorithms based on an FPGA with very high computing power, combined with a Femto clock (Femtovox) and a double-loop attenuator, which uses a network of digital elements to maintain extremely low noise levels, without using filters that could degrade the signal. The analog signal is then processed entirely by discrete components.
Highly innovative in terms of its positioning, the Super VOX is fully symmetrical after the very low-noise power transformer. On the first board, the current is filtered by large capacitors before being transferred to a second circuit, which handles the conversion as well as the digital input and analog output stages.
For the outputs, a pair of RCA connectors and—as required by the symmetrical circuit—a pair of XLR connectors are available, the latter being the preferred option. For the inputs, an I2S connector indicates the category targeted by this DAC, as this input is considered by many professionals to be the most reliable and least disruptive. A USB audio port and a coaxial SPDIF port also ensure good ergonomics and allow the Super VOX to be connected to all types of sources.
Available in matte black or matte silver, with a small screen on the front panel, this new Audiobyte DAC is priced at 3 990 €. We’ll tell you more very soon!
After 15 years of research into its high-end models, German company Clearaudio has updated its famous Concept turntable. Named Clearaudio Concept Signature, this newcomer incorporates significant improvements, starting with an optimized speed controller. Priced significantly higher than the last generation, this greatly improved version remains true to the brand’s DNA, while promising to deliver a more stable and musical sound reproduction.
Introduced in 2009, the Clearaudio Concept turntable quickly became a benchmark in the audiophile world. With its understated, finely crafted design, this entry-level model, priced at less than €2,000, has sold over 20,000 units and won numerous awards.
Taking after its predecessor with its rounded corners and compact dimensions, the Concept Signature retains the elegance that made its predecessor so famous. The main visible change is the new push-button control wheel, which now lights up in blue, revealing the rotation speeds on a small screen. It should be noted that Clearaudio has abandoned the 78 rpm speed on this model, which was considered too marginal among music lovers to warrant its inclusion on this Signature version.
The turntable’s resonance-optimized body is made of medium-density fiberboard or, optionally, layers of solid wood bonded under high pressure, on which rests a specially satin-finished plastic platter. The latter fits onto an aluminum sub-platter driven by a belt, connected to a completely decoupled DC motor, with the aim of minimizing the transmission of noise and resonance, thus ensuring high sound inertia.
TSC CONTROLLER AND IMS SUSPENSION
The heart of the Concept Signature shines with the inclusion of Clearaudio’s new speed control technology, designed to achieve significantly improved consistency and pulse stability. Connected to a new belt-driven pulley, the
“Tacho-Speed-Control” (TSC) continuously monitors the turntable’s rotational speed and provides real-time feedback to the control electronics. This allows the system to react immediately to changing influences such as belt tension reduction, platter bearing friction, or temperature fluctuations. At the same time, the controller performs an automatic calibration at each restart, with manual recalibration also possible at the touch of a button on the rear of the turntable next to the power switch.
Another new feature is the use of an improved motor suspension, consisting of several O-rings (IMS) that effectively decouple motor vibrations and chassis resonances, taken from a modified version of the Jubilee Reference turntable. These new features provide greater precision in the reproduction of timbres, taking the Concept Signature to a higher level of sound quality than the original Concept.
TONEBAR AND CARTRIDGE
Still available in several packs, the Concept Signature can be adapted to many of the brand’s tonebars and cartridges. For our test model, we chose the excellent Satisfy Kardan tonearm, made of black anodized aluminum, which features a unique direct wiring system that allows the audio signal to travel unimpeded to the phono preamp.
The vertical bearing consists of a polished tungsten spindle embedded in a meticulously balanced sapphire bearing. The two horizontal bearings are made from an extremely strong and durable ceramic material. This tonearm has also been designed for flexibility, in that it can be combined with a wide range of turntables and cartridges, and can be easily incorporated into many systems.
Paired with the Jubilee MM cartridge with elliptical stylus, renowned for its channel separation and balance, this combination forms a coherent, quiet, and precise duo, seeking great neutrality in reproduction. In addition, its high output and 47 kΩ load make the cartridge compatible with the vast majority of phono preamps on the market, almost all of which are capable of reading moving magnet cartridges.
EXTERNAL POWER SUPPLY: CLEARAUDIO PROFESSIONAL POWER 12 V
Although the Signature turntable comes with a switching power supply, we also tested it with the Clearaudio Professional Power 12 V. New to the Smart Power 12 V range, this stabilized 12 V DC external power supply is based on a high-quality transformer, designed to offer improved filtering compared to the standard power supply.
The unit’s construction includes professional-grade electronic components and a resonance-optimized transformer to ensure that no mechanical interference is transferred through the case, in addition to enhancing the turntable’s performance by protecting it from short circuits and power surges, even during charging. These improvements provide a much purer power source, with sound quality significantly enhanced by improved dynamic response and greatly increased precision.
THE SETUP OF THE CLEARAUDIO CONCEPT SIGNATURE TURNTABLE
Like all turntables from the German brand, all key technical settings on the Concept Signature are pre-set to optimal levels with meticulous care in the manufacturer’s workshops. It should be noted that azimuth alignment is made easier thanks to a pre-mounted aluminum shell, while anti-skating is adjusted magnetically with precision, then secured by an easily accessible locking screw located next to the tonearm bearing.
For our test, we placed the Clearaudio Concept fitted with the Hana EL cartridge on the Concept tonearm side by side with the new Concept Signature with Satisfy Kardan tonearm and Jubilee cartridge. Vertere and Lehmann Black Cube SE II preamps were used. The addition of the Professional Power 12 V power supply allowed us to verify the contribution of the small box to our listening experience.
Finally, we also placed a Clearaudio leather platter cover on each of the turntables. Offering optimal coupling with the platter and significantly dampening resonance by limiting the harmful effects of static electricity, this €159 accessory proved to be far from superfluous, further optimizing the quality and clarity of the playback.
THE SOUND OF THE CLEARAUDIO CONCEPT SIGNATURE TURNTABLE
As soon as the record is placed on the turntable, the Concept Signature impresses with its clarity and emphasis, its overall presentation endowed with a sophisticated warmth. Whatever record you choose, the pleasure is undeniable. In this respect, its effective blend of assertive dynamics and refined timbres places it well above the previous Concept, which was already very impressive in this area. Thanks to its stable and natural playback, with no detectable wobble, the Signature seems to want to push control even further, with the turntable always enveloped in deep silence.
With the addition of the new controller, the rendering is more analytical, which is not to our displeasure, as the Signature delivers energetic transients without sacrificing purity. The reproduction quality of the different registers is also beyond reproach, with respect for amplitudes and nuances even at frenetic tempos, in addition to a refined airiness around the instruments.
This is where the Signature and its tonearm-cartridge combination differ from the previous Concept. Although the latter proudly asserts its effortless reproduction, Clearaudio’s latest addition gains extra expressiveness and definition, with the soundstage unfolding in an immersive and holographic way, and the clarity of complex musical passages finding a superior environment in which to fully blossom. The midrange and treble benefit from a refined and polished presentation, with the bass lacking just a hint of firmness on occasion, without detracting from the overall listening pleasure.
Added to the two turntables, the external power supply has further enhanced expressiveness and provided a level of silence, significantly accentuating the separation of vocals and instrumental accompaniment.
OUR CONCLUSION
We had high expectations for this new version of the Clearaudio Concept, and we were not disappointed. While its design remains virtually unchanged, it has been improved in terms of finish and choice of materials, and the integration of the new speed controller allows this Concept Signature to shine with faithful sound reproduction, coupled with particularly deep silence, especially when paired with the Professional Power 12 V external power supply.
The higher price tag is justified by the cost of research and the quality of the materials used, with the musical result now superior to that of a Performance DC. In this new version, we hope that the Concept Signature will quickly find its place on the market and establish itself as the German brand’s new entry-level flagship.
Author(s): Nicolas Chestier
Technical Sheet: CLEARAUDIO CONCEPT SIGNATURE PACK JUBILEE MM
Origin: Germany
Price: €3,950
Dimensions: 420 x 350 x 125 mm
Weight: 7.5 kg (including tonearm and cartridge)
Rated speeds: 33/45 rpm
Drive: 12 V DC motor, decoupled and resonance-damped
As you know and as you can see in VUmètre No. 63 (FR) with the review of the new Dela S50 and the start of a special feature on network processing, we now consider the switch to be almost as important as network transport when it comes to listening to digital music.
Among the lesser-known switches, we highlight this new product from Axxess, a brand of Audio Denmark Group alongside Børresen, Ansuz, and Aavïk. With an affordable price tag of 950 €, this device weighs in at 6.65 kg despite its compact dimensions and aims to provide a real barrier to improve the RJ45 connection.
Like all audiophile switches, the Axxess Switch, as it is simply called, is to place between the Internet box and the transport or network player and consists of an external lacquered steel chassis, reinforced with composite materials on the inside. Supported by four optional Ansuz Dark or Axxess Noir anti-vibration feet, the external part of the chassis is mainly used to resist mechanical vibrations and electromagnetic interference, while the internal treatment is designed to dampen unwanted oscillations in electrical signals.
Currently lacking SFP ports, this switch has an EIC power socket, relayed by two aerospace-grade anti-resonance coil filters from Ansuz (AARC) on its SE version. It offers five RJ45 ports, the first of which is used to feed the signal from the router or box, and the others to various streamers. LED indicators to show when the power is on and when the Ethernet ports are active are the only minor additions to the product, which is otherwise easily identified by the X on the front panel, which is also embossed on the sides.
With the holiday season barely over, many labels are announcing their vinyl releases for 2026. And to start the year off right, ECM revealed four new titles from its Luminessence series a few days ago, to be released in the first half of the year.
The duo of bassist Gary Peacock and guitarist Ralph Towner (who passed away earlier this year ; album reviewed in VU#64 FR) and the album Oracle, released on vinyl for the first time, will kick things off in January. Originally released in 1994, the record immortalizes the meeting between these two legends, in a delicious mix of composed pieces and more daring improvisations.
In May, it will be the turn of Tomasz Stanko’s cult classic Balladyna, which will be reissued on vinyl for the first time since 1976. The album is an addictive blend of lyrical beauty and controlled tension, a veritable open space for gentle melancholy with subtle and haunting melodic lines.
The beginning of summer will see the release in June of Bill Connors’ Of Mist and Melting, originally released in 1978 and now being reissued on vinyl for the first time since 1980, followed in July by Mick Goodrick’s In Pas(s)ing, also being reissued on vinyl for the first time since its release. While the former is a classic in the ECM repertoire, with superb atmospheric jazz masterfully orchestrated by Jack DeJohnette (drums), Gary Peacock (bass), and Jan Garbarek (tenor saxophone), the latter is an affirmation of Goodrick’s talent as a leader, offering a powerful electric jazz fusion ensemble with almost free contours.
In a limited edition of 300 pairs, the ATALANTE Grande Réserve has the same dimensions as the ATALANTE 5, but seeks to surpass the 7.
With its smoked oak finish found in the feet dedicated to this model, the Grande Réserve evokes the world of French fine wines. Numbered and engraved on a gold-plated aluminum plate on the back, this speaker uses two WBT speaker terminals and updates all the components of the ATALANTE 5.
The 28 mm (1.1“) tweeter and 75 mm (3”) midrange driver use RASC™ membranes in the Evo version, combined with the 30 cm (12″) BSC™ woofer, redesigned for this model. They are integrated into a patented StrataBaffle™ multi-layer front baffle that combines solid oak on the front, a UDF core, and MDF reinforcements, with chamfered edges to optimize rigidity. The cabinet has been redesigned internally and houses a completely revised crossover, with Mundorf components and van den Hul Skyline cables, to cross over the drivers at 400 Hz (bass->midrange) and 2,000 Hz (midrange->treble).
With a nominal impedance of 4 ohms and a sensitivity of 89 dB, this new Revival Audio model boasts a frequency response of 26 Hz to 24 kHz. It retails for 9 890 €, including wooden feet. Perfect for enjoying fine wines or cognacs while listening to wonderful music!
