Tag: music streaming
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PS Audio Stellar Strata Integrated Amplifier Review: An Astounding Powerhouse!
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Summary The PS Audio Stellar Strata Integrated Amplifier ($2999) is the “all-in-one” incarnation of their value-priced Stellar line, long known as an affordable entry point to high-end hi-fi separates. It’s their first one-box solution that leverages their well-received DAC, Preamp, and Hybrid Class A/Class D amp technology (with sweet-sounding MOSFET input stage), then layers a…
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Meet Evo: Cambridge Audio’s New Premium All-In-One Music System Has It All!
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in Bluetooth, DACs, Deals, First Impressions, Headphone Amps, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, MQA, Music, News, Power Amps, Preamps, Reviews, Shows, Software, Speakers, Streaming, Videos, WirelessToday Cambridge Audio unveiled its new Premium All-In-On music system named Evo. The system is based on two streaming integrated amps, the $3000 EVO 150 with 150 amps per channel and the $2250 EVO 75 with 75 watts per channel. The EVO 150 also has more connections, along with an option for hooking up two sets of…
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New BluOS Update Brings Spotify Free and Sirius XM
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in Bluetooth, DACs, Downloads, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Integrated Amps, MQA, Music, News, Power Amps, Preamps, Software, Streaming, Videos, WirelessUsers of BluOS Enabled devices from NAD Electronics, Bluesound, DALI Loudspeakers, and Monitor Audio now have access to Spotify Free version along with Sirus XM. The BluOS 3.14 update once installed will enable playback from these streaming services as well as Radio Paradise MQA-encoded audio streams. There are also several performance improvements/upgrades: NAD M33 and T 778…
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Cyrus One Cast Review: A Remarkably Capable Integrated Amp With Chromecast And Apple Airplay Built-In!
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Cyrus Audio + Google Home App & Apple Airplay = Spellbinding Sound! It’s been about two years since Google discontinued their Chromecast Audio music streaming device, and I still don’t understand why. It was a handy little device that allowed you to stream or “Cast” music from your Android smartphone or tablet with just a…
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Best Buys: The Best Music Streaming Devices Under $1000! (2021)
While CDs and Vinyl still hold a special place in many an audiophile’s heart, wireless music streaming devices have become commonplace on the racks of hi-fi enthusiasts. That’s because they offer flexibility and a range of music discovery not possible in the olden days. With a good streamer, combined with a music service like Tidal…
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Roon 1.8 Review: Is This Music Player App The Best Ever?
I’ve been following Roon almost since the beginning. My first full experience with the software came at Axpona (2016?) when the CEO/Founder hosted a seminar/demo, and I was amazed at its ability to catalog huge music collections. It especially appealed to me because I had thousands of albums floating around on a hard drive, and…
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Watch: Roon Labs Previews Dazzling New ROON 1.8 Release
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in Downloads, First Impressions, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, MQA, Music, News, Software, Streaming, Uncategorized, VideosThe new ROON software is here, and it’s eye-popping! ROON fans rejoice. The new ROON 1.8 release is on the way, and it’s stunning. Multitudes of audiophiles depend on Roon’s music discovery engine and interface to make sense of their music collections and refuse to live without it. They will be happy to know that the…
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Andover Audio Songbird Music Streamer Review: The Best Music Streamer For The Money! (TIDAL, Spotify, Etc.)
This simple music streamer gives you a whole lotta music for just a little bit of dough… I’ll say it. I’m crazy about Andover Audio. They’ve put out some sensational gear over the last couple of years. I really liked their SpinBase Turntable Speaker System ($299) so much I made it our Product of The…
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HI-FI Trends Product Of The Year Awards 2020: Best Amplifiers, Music Streamers
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in Bluetooth, Budget, DACs, Deals, Downloads, Headphone Amps, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Integrated Amps, MQA, Music, News, Power Amps, Preamps, Reviews, Streaming, Uncategorized, Videos, WirelessIt’s that time again! This is when we look back at some of the best gear we’ve come across this year. The mission of HI-FI Trends is “Helping audiophiles to build affordable high-end audio systems,” and to that end, we’ve picked some of the best affordable high-end gear available right now. You can use these…
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Cambridge Audio Unleashes Impressive Power With Edge M Monoblock Power Amps
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in Best Buys, Budget, DACs, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Music, News, Power Amps, Preamps, Streaming, VideosCambridge Audio ups the ante with powerful new Monoblocks! Today, Cambridge Audio announced a potent new addition to their Flagship Edge components, the Edge M monoblock power amplifier ($4000). The 200W RMS (into 8 Ohms) amp is based on the same circuitry as the existing Edge W stereo power amp (dual toroidal transformers, Class XA…
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First Look: The Sensational PS Audio Stellar Strata Integrated Amplifier/Music Player!
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Our PS Audio Stellar Strata Review is up! Check it out here: https://hifitrends.com/2021/05/02/ps-audio-stellar-strata-integrated-amplifier-review-an-astounding-powerhouse/ PS Audio is known for its innovative, and in the case of their Stellar DAC and Power Amps, reasonably priced hi-fi separates. Led by their CEO and Founder Paul McGowan (check out his video below), they’ve spent many years championing the advantages…
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Bluesound Reveals PULSE SUB+, An Impressive Looking Wireless Subwoofer!
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in Bluetooth, Budget, DACs, First Impressions, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Music, News, Software, Speakers, Videos, WirelessToday, Bluesound announced the latest addition to its brilliant group of wireless hi-res multi-room audio components. It’s called PULSE SUB+, a BluOS compatible subwoofer that adds additional bass to any Bluesound system. Like all Bluesound components, it’s controllable from the BluOS app, allowing wireless configuration from a phone or tablet. This allows simple integration into…
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Audiolab 6000A Play Wireless Audio Streaming Amplifier/6000CDT CD Transport Review: Sensational!
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When I first heard about the $1299 6000A Play Wireless Audio Streaming Amp, I was ecstatic. I’ve been a huge fan of Audiolab’s $999 6000A Integrated Amp and their $649 6000N Play Network Streamer (one of our 2019 Products of the Year), so when they announced a combination product, I couldn’t wait to get my…
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Bluesound Powernode 2i Streaming Music Amp/PSB Alpha S10 Sub/Alpha P3 Bookshelf Speaker Review: A Thrilling Combo!
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in Bluetooth, Budget, DACs, Headphone Amps, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Integrated Amps, MQA, Music, Power Amps, Preamps, Reviews, Software, Speakers, Streaming, Videos, WirelessI can’t believe I’m just getting around to reviewing the Bluesound Powernode 2i. Released as an upgrade to the 2nd generation Powernode back in 2018, this all in one audio system picked up some useful features that allow it to stand up to the competition even almost two years after it’s release. About everyone who…
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Audio By Van Alstine Set 120 Control Amplifer Review: Hypnotic High-End Sound Without The High-End Price!
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in Best Buys, Budget, Headphone Amps, Hi-Fi, Home Audio, Integrated Amps, Music, News, Power Amps, Preamps, Reviews, SpeakersFrank Van Alstine’s Hi-Fi designs have graced many an audio show over the years, promoting his affordable yet high-end gear to audiophiles all over the country. All of his stuff is made in the U.S.A., built to order, and sold directly to the consumer, cutting out the middle man so he can keep prices low.…
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Q&A: Should I Buy A Better Amp Or Better Speakers?
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in Best Buys, Bluetooth, Budget, Deals, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Integrated Amps, Music, Power Amps, Preamps, Reviews, Speakers, Streaming, Videos, WirelessA Reader Writes: Q: Hello, I’m looking for some advice about whether to upgrade my speakers first or my amplifier as I don’t think I afford to do both simultaneously. First my current setup: a 1978 Yamaha CR820 Receiver and a Technics turntable from the same era. I stream Spotify into the aux input from…
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Audiolab’s 6000A Play Combines Their Top Notch Integrated Amp And Music Streamer
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in Best Buys, Bluetooth, Budget, DACs, Headphone Amps, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Integrated Amps, MQA, Music, News, Power Amps, Preamps, Streaming, WirelessIf you follow this site, then you know that we’re big fans of both Audiolab’s 6000A Integrated Amp and their 6000N Play Music Streamer (which we made our 2019 Product Of The Year). So you know we were pleased to hear about their new 6000A Play Wireless Audio Streaming Player, which is a combination of…
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Cambridge Audio CXN V2 Audiophile Music Streamer In The House: First Impressions And Unboxing Pics!
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in DACs, First Impressions, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Music, Preamps, Reviews, Software, Streaming, Videos, WirelessThere are a couple of budget (around $500) Audiophile Music Streamers I recommend. The first is the Audiolab 6000N Play, which I consider to be the best sounding streamer in that price range. The second is the Bluesound Node 2i, which I believe to be a notch below the 6000N in sound quality. Still, it…
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Cambridge Audio Adds Spectacular Roon Technology To Their Top Music Streamers
Cambridge Audio’s flagship EDGE NQ and CXN (V2) network audio streamers are now Roon Ready via a new software update. Upon completion of the update, Roon will be able to discover them on your network, optimize audio delivered to the streamer, and allow volume control directly from Roon without a complicated configuration. If you’re not…
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Product Of The Year 2019-DAC/Streamers: The Tremendous Audiolab 6000N Play Wi-Fi Audio Streaming Player!
The Hifitrends.com Product Of The Year is an award given to an exceptional product that has passed across our desk– or through our listening room– this past year. It’s not a “Best Of” award, it’s just us giving recognition to gear we found to have extraordinary value and performance within its category. Also, since we…