The SoundStage! Network began publishing in 1995 with just one site. Today, the SoundStage! Network is comprised of eight sites, making it the world’s largest group of consumer-based online publications and resources serving the audiophile market.
On December 26, the SoundStage! Network launched its redesigned main portal, SoundStageNetwork.com (also available at SoundStage.com), a resource site that acts as a central hub. SoundStageNetwork.com features Audio/Video News, a popular news service that dispenses stories to all the Network's publications, as well as to Facebook and Twitter, and it contains the SoundStage! Network Equipment Buying Guides, which began in 2009 and contain links to the SoundStage! Network equipment reviews. SoundStageNetwork.com also acts as a main portal to the Network’s five publications (SoundStage! Hi-Fi, SoundStage! Xperience, SoundStage! Xtreme (aka Ultra Audio), SoundStage! GoodSound, and SoundStage! Global) and two other resource sites (SoundStage! Daily and SoundStage! Recordings). The new SoundStageNetwork.com portal site is online and available for access now.
Visit SoundStageNetwork.com or SoundStage.com
Bowers & Wilkins has confirmed that it will design and supply a high-performance audio system for the 2013 Maserati Quattroporte.
B&W’s high-performance audio system is an integrated feature of the new Maserati Quattroporte that utilizes 15 speaker units built into the cabin’s internal architecture, each strategically placed. The speakers have been tuned by B&W engineers and are placed so that surround sound may be heard from any seat in the car. The B&W audio system is compatible with most disc formats and features a built-in USB connector for the iPhone and other digital devices.
The Quattroporte system's speakers will contain many of the materials used by B&W for home audio systems. The midrange speakers feature Kevlar while the tweeters are aluminum, and the bass drivers use Rohacell for "rock-solid bass throughout the car."
Bryston has announced the introduction of the BP17, an analog/digital stereo preamplifier that was derived from the preamp portion of the B135 integrated amplifier. According to the company, the BP17 employs its most advanced analog circuitry, power-supply design, and isolation techniques, providing audiophiles with an “ultimate-performance” preamplifier that delivers outstanding sonic performance. According to Bryston’s December 11 press release: “Much of the technology in the BP17 required over two years in engineering and development resulting in major advances to the analog circuitry derived from the company’s SP-3 processor platform. . . . We have reduced total harmonic distortion (THD) levels in the BP17 by utilizing buffer amplifiers optimized for wide open-loop bandwidth and low open-loop THD. These carefully selected components essentially eliminate the increase in THD with rise in frequency exhibited by almost all op-amps, giving the BP17 phenomenal detail and complete lack of grain in the soundfield. The BP17 also features a brand new balanced-action volume control, eliminating another source of distortion while maintaining channel-to-channel tracking within 1/10dB over the full range of control.”
The Bryston BP17 can be ordered in four configurations: in its standard form; with an optional moving-magnet phono stage; with a high-resolution internal DAC; or fully loaded with both the DAC and phono stage. The BP17 includes provisions for six stereo RCA inputs (four with DAC option), one stereo RCA output, one stereo tape loop and a headphone output. The Bryston BR2 remote, made from a machined-aluminum block, is available as an option.
Like all Bryston amplifiers and preamplifiers, a 20-year warranty for the BP17 is standard. The BP17 will be available in December 2012, with a base price of $3550 USD.
Jabra has announced a price reduction for its popular Solemate speaker. For the month of December the Jabra Solemate will be available at Best Buy stores and at BestBuy.com for $149.99 USD.
The Jabra Solemate is wireless and connects to Bluetooth-enabled devices. It is one of a growing number of speakers that are replacing the boomboxes so popular ten years ago. Add a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone, MP3 player, tablet, or laptop to the Solemate and you have a highly portable music machine.
The Solemate is available in black or white. A durable storage bag is included with each purchase.
Linn Records is offering a free Studio Master download every day until December 25, 2012. A different track from one of Linn’s highly regarded digital recordings will be available each day.
The tracks will cover a gamut of tastes ranging from Handel’s Messiah by the Dunedin Consort to indie-rock from Admiral Fallow. There will also be tracks from Emma Pollock, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and others.
All downloads will be available in Linn’s Studio Master download series, either at 24-bit/96kHz or 24/192 resolution in both the FLAC and ALAC file formats. Also available are CD-quality ALAC and FLAC versions, and even MP3s if you are not yet into downloading HD files.
Great Britain’s Wilson Benesch has introduced the Cardinal, the new flagship model in their loudspeaker line. According to the company’s recent press release: “The Cardinal Loudspeaker is the most advanced loudspeaker ever developed by Wilson Benesch. Carbon fibre based, advanced composite systems deliver the ultimate performance and enable a shell structure with a massive air volume. These curved elements give the cabinet a complex internal geometry to counter standing waves and ensure a class leading signal to noise ratio that is second to none. The use of Advanced Materials Technology is a unique symbol of excellence that has defined the brand, setting it apart from every other company in the world.”
The Cardinal is a unique 2.5-way design that uses nine proprietary Wilson Benesch drivers to cover the frequency range from 25Hz to 35kHz: one Semisphere tweeter, two Tactic II drive units for the midrange, four Tactic II drive units for the bass, and an additional two Tactic drive units operating as passive radiators. Each Cardinal weighs 265 pounds and is 68.3” tall. A pair of Cardinals retail for £54,950 in the UK (approx. $71,478 USD).
Thiel Audio of Lexington, KY, USA, has been acquired by a Nashville-based private-equity firm. Thiel Audio was founded in 1978 by Jim Thiel, who died of cancer in 2009. Thiel’s main design focus from the beginning was on the creation of time-and-phase-accurate loudspeakers, culminating with the CS3.7 loudspeaker, which was released shortly before his death. Bill Thomas, the company’s new CEO, said this through a statement issued in a November 28 press release: “We identified Thiel as a brand with an unmatched heritage in performance audio and it is our intent to invest in the company’s infrastructure, strengthening the engineering department first and foremost. We can improve efficiencies here at Thiel in the product development and manufacturing stages, shortening the time to delivery for new products with zero compromise in product quality.” The press release also states that the CS2.7 loudspeaker, which was first shown at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest in October, has been officially released, and the new CS1.7 is said to be in the final stages of development and will be released shortly. It also states that Thiel’s manufacturing and R&D will remain in Lexington in the same facility, and their distribution and dealer network will remain the same.
Canada’s Bryston Ltd. has announced the release of the BDA-2 digital-to-analog converter, the successor to their popular BDA-1 digital-to-analog converter, which, for the time being, will remain in their line. According to Bryston’s November 14 press release: “The Bryston BDA-2 is a state-of-the-art stereo DAC using fully discrete class-A proprietary Bryston analog circuits, two independent (analog and digital) linear power supplies and dual 32-bit AKM DAC chips. The BDA-2 also utilizes a new asynchronous USB input capable of 192kHz/24-bit resolution. . . . The BDA-2 delivers inherent flexibility with an impressive array of inputs for high-resolution USB, coax, optical, AES/EBU and BNC-equipped digital devices. For audio outputs, the BDA-2 offers both balanced XLR as well as unbalanced RCA stereo connectors on the rear panel. The BDA-2 is RS-232 software upgradeable, making it the most user-friendly high-performance USB DAC on the market.” The BDA-2 has a suggested retail price of $2395 USD and is available now.