TYPES - VUMETRE (ENGLISH)

B.Audio Alpha One

DAC, B.AUDIO, MANUFACTURER, TESTS, TYPES

Founded in 2016, B.Audio is still run from Saint-Hippolyte by Sébastien and Cédric Bermann. After making a name for itself with its very first DAC, the Haut-Rhin-based manufacturer expanded its product line by creating a more affordable series called One, which included a DAC that could be paired with a preamp section and a network card, followed by a power amplifier. Today, the combination of these devices makes it possible to introduce a groundbreaking all-in-one unit—a combination of a DAC, preamplifier, and network player with an amplification section—to create the B.Audio Alpha One. Self-contained, this device simply needs to be connected to a pair of speakers to enjoy its full finesse and purity of sound.

WATTSON AUDIO EMERSON DIGITAL

WATTSON AUDIO, MANUFACTURER, TESTS, TYPES

Recently acquired by CH Precision, Wattson Audio had not yet been tested by us. But rather than starting with the new Madison LE Amplifier power amplifier, unveiled last May in Munich, we decided to go back to the company’s basics: its streamers. The smaller of the two ranges and available in analog or digital versions, the Wattson Audio Emerson Digital, despite its compact case, demonstrates all the finesse and purity of reproduction that have made the Swiss brand’s reputation.

MEZE Alba

HEADPHONES, MANUFACTURER, TESTS

A regular on our test benches, Meze returns this year not with headphones but with in-ear headphones: the Meze Alba. A model presented as more accessible than its big brother, the Advar, aimed at both novice music lovers and demanding audiophiles looking for affordable, stylish, and high-performance headphones. No small feat. A new gem from the Romanian manufacturer?

STAX SR-L500 mk2 & SRM-D10 II

HEADPHONES, AMPLIFIER, Hot, MANUFACTURER, STAX, TESTS, TYPES

While the reputation of headphones designed around electrostatic transducers is based on the finesse of their sound reproduction and the sharpness of the sound image they deliver, this technology remains particularly difficult to implement. Very few manufacturers venture into this field, even among the most expert in the world of headphones. Japanese headphone designer Stax has over 70 years of expertise and mastery of this technology. Today, it presents a unique combination of electrostatic headphones and a dedicated portable headphone amplifier. A first in this field!

YG Acoustics Peak Ascent

LOUDSPEAKERS, MANUFACTURER, TESTS, TYPES, YG ACOUSTICS

At the start of this year, it is taking advantage of a new distribution network to regain the upper hand, especially as it now offers a new range that is more affordable than the Reference. Named YG Acoustics Peak Ascent in homage to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, this new series of six models starts with two compact speakers, a subwoofer, and three floorstanding speakers, of which we are testing the mid-range, a magnificent three-way model called Ascent.

TECHNICS SL-1200 GR2

VINYL TURNTABLE, MANUFACTURER, TECHNICS, TESTS, TYPES

A democratic version of the SL-1200 G, retaining its iconic visual style, the new Technics SL-1200 GR2 turntable maintains the same audiophile approach by continuing the Japanese company’s pursuit of innovation and continuous improvement in technology, starting with the all-new speed controller, combined with the famous direct drive for which the brand remains one of the global benchmarks.

Naim NAIT 50

AMPLIFIER, MANUFACTURER, NAIM, TESTS, TYPES

Created as a commemorative symbol for the 50th anniversary of the Naim brand, the NAIM NAIT 50 is produced in a limited edition of 1,973 units, the date on which the brand was created by Julian Vereker. That was all it took to pique our curiosity, as long-time fans of the British manufacturer!

GRAPHITE AUDIO CLASSIC 100

GRAPHITE AUDIO, ACCESSORIES, MANUFACTURER, TESTS, TYPES

Founded in Poland in 2020, Graphite Audio is not the result of a brilliant DIY project, but rather of nearly three years of fundamental research into the vibrational behavior of devices. The creator’s credo is to help develop the most natural sound possible. An experienced audiophile himself, he has tested a wide range of solutions. He quickly realized that hyper-rigid materials were not at all suited to his specifications. He therefore banned all metal, steel, ceramic, and glass parts due to their tendency to color certain frequencies. On the contrary, he realized that it was important to use materials capable of providing natural damping in this type of device.

KORA CD140

KORA, DAC, MANUFACTURER, TESTS, TYPES

Is a beautiful, brand-new CD player in 2024 a reasonable purchase? Absolutely. Because although streaming has made enormous progress since its inception, it’s good to vary your pleasures, and using different sources (LP, CD, SACD, streaming, etc.) allows you to alternate between complementary sound experiences. So let’s give a warm welcome to this new player, the Kora CD140, with its truly original pedigree.