Stereo_Electronics

Audio-Technica’s first pair of professional open-back reference headphones

 

Robust yet lightweight, equipped with a unique, dual-sided detachable cable, built for lasting comfort and audio purity. ATH-R70X might just be the one your ears are looking for.

 

 

We are thrilled to bits to read this in-depth review of the latest iFi Audio product line, Retro (Stereo 50 & LS3.5).

“It’s hard to take eyes off new iFi products….British company named its new line iFi Retro, and the design is simply great, eye-catching…Stereo 50 delivers a very good performance….The system under review was like a meteor that entered Earth’s atmosphere with a loud boom and filled the sky with light. You should really give it a listen….This system does a good job in everything it does. Both, together with LS3.5, and as a separate amplifier/DAC iFi provides its user with a lot of fun and joy. Whatever you think you need from your system – iFi’s got it.

 

 

Special thanks to High Fidelity, Marek, Wojciech, Bt/Piksel Studio and Moje Audio (iFi:Poland)!

http://highfidelity.pl/@main-530&lang=en

 

 

Thank you Audio Blast!

http://dagogo.com/audio-blast-ifi-micro-idsd-usb-dac

If you have been looking for a reason to treat yourself for a pair of earphones, this might be it. The award-winning in-ear headphones RHA T10 (non-mic version) is now available at @StereoElectronics!

 

Old-School Looks, Modern Features, Timeless Sound: Groundbreaking iFi Retro Stereo 50 System Driven By EL84 Tube-Based Integrated Amp and Speakers which is the LS3.5 is iFi’s 21st century take on the legendary BBC LS3/5a.

 

Irresistible Match of Classic Design and Cutting-Edge Technology: Burr-Brown DAC, Bluetooth aptX, High-Resolution Digital, Vinyl All Sound Breathtaking on iFi Retro Stereo 50 System.

 

 

 

The ifi Retro Stereo 50 “all in one” sound system is not only a speaker system but also a vacuum tube headphone and speaker amplifier, digital to analog converter and phono pre-amplifier. All in one neat and sweet-looking solid Bamboo-constructed console. Retro 50 sound system will connect to virtually any music source from computer, smartphone, CD player or even a turntable.

 

 

iFi Retro Stereo 50 Vacuum-Tube Integrated Amplifier an Audiophile Dream Classic design and cutting-edge technology form an irresistible match on par with a lavish Hollywood romance both inside and outside the seductive Retro Stereo 50 vacuum-tube integrated amplifier. Loaded with four EL84X and two ECF82 tubes as well as advanced digital circuitry and a Burr-Brown DAC, the all-in-one Retro Stereo 50 looks like it comes out of hi-fi's golden age but sounds both timeless and modern thanks to cutting-edge features that make it thoroughly contemporary. Compatible with Bluetooth aptX streaming, high-resolution digital, vinyl, and basically every source in between, Stereo 50 primarily runs in Class A mode – meaning savory tonality and natural realism are always at hand no matter what music you play. And you can pick practically anything as your source. Stereo 50 is also equipped with iFi's 3D Holographic and XBass technologies, turning its built-in headphone amplifier into the equivalent of a private retreat.

 

 

LS3.5 Bookshelf Speakers Modeled on Legendary LS3/5A Monitors

 

Inspired by the legendary Rogers LS3/5A monitors, and accompanied by both cream and black grilles, the iFi Retro LS3.5 loudspeaker simultaneously honors and improves upon the timeless hi-fi speaker. Featuring in-house-designed 115mm paper-cone wideband drivers, a proprietary 28mm silk-dome tweeter, open-cell acoustic foam, maximum surface-contact gold-plated binding posts, and perfect tweeter-driver time alignment, Retro LS3.5 produces music with phenomenal accuracy, coherency, detail, dynamics, and naturalism. Longtime fans of the LS3/5A will be amazed. Listeners that have only heard about the acclaimed British speaker will immediately know they are in the presence of a truly special musical instrument. A solid bamboo cabinet and multi-chamber Voigt design chamber with tuned enclosure complement the proprietary tweeter and driver in reproducing music with breathtaking midrange, silky smooth treble, and taut bass all the while contributing no coloration of their own. Beautiful-looking and gorgeous-sounding, Retro LS3.5 triumphantly brings hi-fi's golden era into the present.

 

 

Bamboo Cabinet, Soft-Dome Tweeter, and Paper-Cone Driver Put Speakers Over the Top LS3.5's non-resonant bamboo cabinet is both environmentally friendly and sonically uncompromising. The cabinet is three times stronger than wood (yet only half its weight), perfectly time-aligned, has internal acoustic technology. The internal structure is finely tuned (sound bar/braces) via musical instrument manufacturing methods. All this, coupled with the Stereo 50's XBass and 3D Holographic for speakers' technologies, creates sonic synergy that is simply out of this world. The 28mm tweeter is horn-loaded and uses a neodymium magnet. The silk dome combines a lack of resonances at the top of the operating range (as found on metal domes) with excellent dynamics in band. The small neodymium magnet structure shifts cavity resonances outside the audible range. iFi's paper-cone 115mm wideband driver performs more akin to a full-range driver. Stamped steel baskets can dissipate energy much faster than cast types. Modern finite element modelling and modern materials have improved the driver in many areas (especially efficiency and bandwidth). The wideband driver rolls off after 8kHz. And it reaches down to 59Hz (with correct placement). LS3.5 has a coherency that is based upon the simple fact from the outset, the tweeter and driver are perfectly time-aligned. This means sound waves from both units arrive at ear of the listener at the same time (as opposed to at different times).

iFi Audio just gave us a teaser to their upcoming iCan Pro around SGD$2,099 estimated, which is part of their new Pro series now in Beta product specifications.

 

 

As you know, there is the nano, the micro and the mini series which has now be renamed the “Pro series” which is the flagship (or helicarrier?) of the iFi range.

 

It is serious for not only the professional audio market, but home audio too.

 

The Pro series – planned are the iDSD, iCAN and the iUSB Power and others.

 

In terms of sonic results, the iCAN will be all out assault at the state of the art and drive every headphone out there. Even electrotatic Headphones like Stax can be driven (but requires a special external energiser module - separate item).

 

As is often the case, we got carried away and instead of making the iCAN+iTUBE, we combined the two. And just for kicks, we added a Pre-Amplifier.

 

So the iCAN is now the iCAN + iTUBE + iPre all rolled into one.

 

And then just to really things really interesting, we have put in TWO amplfication sections for the customer to choose. Read on.

 

The most salient features are:

Selectable Tube or Solid State Input , fully discrete Class A design

Balanced Output options on 3-Pin & 4-Pin XLR plus 6.3mm Jack on front panel.

Unbalanced outputs on 6.3mm Jack (direct) and two 3.5mm Jacks with built-in fixed iEMatch attenuation on front panel to drive IEMs etc.

1 pair of XLR Inputs and three pairs of RCA Inputs.

1 pair XLR & RCA outputs on back

> 20V maximum output, > 600mW into 600 Ohm headphones, appx 16,000mW maximum into 16 Ohm and appx. 6,000 mW continuous output into 16Ohm.

 

Three levels of gain selectable from Front Panel.

Balanced ALPS Volume control with remote control.

3D Holographic® for Headphones and XBass® (each adjustable in 3-Levels + Off).

Class A operation for all stages up to 500mW/16 Ohm, pure Class A at all levels for Headphones > 120 Ohm.

 

Circuitry derived from professional tube-based studio equipment, implemented in a hybrid design mixing Tubes or J-Fet Inputs (selectable) with Bipolar Transistors and Mosfets.

Full Dual-Mono design including internal power supplies, supplied with 15V/4A Ultra Low Noise PSU (Generation 2 same as iPOWER).

 

Optional Electrostatic Headphone Energiser in separate Box will be introduced, 1,700V Peak-Peak maximum output, Bias selectable for Stax HiFi/Pro, Sennheiser and others, Output Levels selectable, 3 * Stax Pro & HiFi Sockets fitted.

 

iCAN Pro - Features

Balanced Headphone Amplifier

PowerSource: External DC 15V/4A

Inputs (Back): 1 x XLR True Balanced Stereo, 3 x RCA Stereo

Output Front):

4-Pin XLR Headphone Balanced

Dual 3-Pin XLR Headphone Balanced

6.3mm Headphone x2, single ended or balanced

6.3mm to 3.5mm adapter included

3.5mm iEMatch attenuated x 2

 

Output (back):

1 X XLR True Balanced Stereo (preamp out)

1 X RCA Stereo (preamp out)

Multipin Link connector for Energiser module

 

Volume Control: Motorised ALPS 6-Way potentiometer

Amplification: 2 * GE 5670 Tube or 4 * Ultra Low Noise J-Fet, selected via front panel switch

Analogue Processing:

X-Bass, +3dB at 80Hz, 160Hz, 320Hz

3D Sound. 30/45/60 Degrees virtual Speaker angle

 

Gain:

0dB, 12dB and 24dB user-selectable

Signal to Noise Ratio:

>117dB(A)

 

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD):<0.003%

Frequency Response: 0.5Hz to 500KHz(-3dB)

Output Power (16R cont): > 6,000mW

Output Voltage (600R): >20V (Balanced); > 10V (single ended)

Size: 220mm x 62mm X 190mm (W X H X D including feet and connectors)

 

And you want more? Well, here you go with pictures of the current beta.

We hope you found this interesting!

 

 

 

“At the beginning of the year, it took me a while to get my hands on this little guy (sold out everywhere)…The sound is very natural and balanced, with enough speed and power and also a hint of sweetness in the vocal. It engages people and just keep pumping out emotional content over and over again. This now seems like a house sound of iFi now, both of their products (iDAC and iDSD) sounded very musical. It just made me want to keep on listening….Overall I will rate the nano iDSD 75 out of 100. But consider the difference in price, USD189 vs. USD699 and USD600, the nano iDSD also has DXD/DSD support for iPhones, it is a no-brainer recommendation. In fact, I will name it the first Best-Buy in this ongoing review”

 

Thanks DM and Computeraudiophile.com!

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-dac-digital-analog-conversion/review-portable-universal-serial-bus-industry-standard-cables-connectors-and-communications-protocols-between-computers-and-electronic-devices-dacs-audioquest-dragonfly-meridian-explorer-director-ifi-idac-idsd-geek-out-pulse-19272/index3.html

Marshall Acton - A force to be reckoned with

 

It is the hifi qualities with a compact frame that set the Acton apart from others. Its powerful deep bass with a well-balanced audio boasting a clear midrange and extended highs plus its classic and vintage design are just some of the features that makes it so distinctly Marshall.

 

 

Another fitspiration for you to keep motivated on achieving a healthier body!

 

The new JVC sports earphones, ETX30 and EN10 are now ready to be your workout buddy. From its secure pivot and nozzle fitting, sweat-resistant and washable features, you will keep them always clean and ready for your active lifestyle.

 

 

 

“Perfect!! Dont waste your money on other equipment. This is crowd source designed. It means humans who like other humans, built it for humans to enjoy! I could not order it from amazon, they were out of stock. But either way its awesome! it does DSD 64,128,256,and 512 also does PCM all the way to 768!. It is very advanced and will last for years to come. You can use it with your amplifier or walk around with it connected to your phone lookin like an Alien!! I am glad i discovered iFi Company. I am waiting for the Pro model coming out in may. The sound this device puts out rivals setups of $10k to $50k. Why?? How??? can this be… Simple. Technology evolves and iFi company loves to use cutting edge chips in their engineering. This model uses a Burr Brown Double dac chip design. In my opinion it blows away the ess sabre dac. It is the most advanced device on the market for Hi Resolution music. Unless you want to drop $50k up to you for braggin right on golf course! But for $500 very very smart! Thank you ifi Company, you won a customer for life!”

 

Thank you Amazon customer and iFi fan!

http://ifi-audio.com/…/usa-amazon-customer-says-ifi-micro-…/

Stereo April 2015 Promotions are now up on first page!

 

 

José Victor Henriques is one the most well-established and “longest-serving” reviewers in the audio industry in Portugal and possibly Europe having reviewed high-end gear for over 20 years. To say we are honoured to see the micro iDSD win in such an exalted field would be an understatement!

 

For Mr Henriques to bestow this very prestigious award to the micro iDSD meant it saw off a raft very strong challengers such as: Dan D'Agostino integrated , the McIntosh MC275 50Th Anniversary or ARC GS150， Devialet，Trinity DAC , Audeze LCD3，Oppo PM-1 ,Halcro or Constellation , Marten Supreme II or Wilson XLF，Raidho , Vivid Giya , Estelon Extreme , Sonus Faber Ex3ma，The Zero Avantgarde， Magico Ultimate III

 

We absolutely over the moon!

 

Thanks José, HiFiClube and SmartAudio (iFi:Portugal)!

 

http://ifi-audio.com/reviews/idsd-micro-best-product-2014-for-hificlube-net-by-jose-victor-henriques/

 

 

We would like to thank Mr Lavorgna and the AudioStream team for making the nano iDSD one of the 2014 Greatest Bits dacs. Mr Lavorgna had this to say, “The iFi nano iDSD DAC supports up to 32/384, DXD, as well as single, double, and quad rate DSD. While that’s all well and good on paper, I’d rather have a 24/96 DAC that sounds good and avoid the numbers race. The thing is the iDSD DAC sounds good. Really good, exhibiting a natural smoothness and a lovely dimensional quality that belies its price. About the size of a deck of cards, the iFi also doubles as a headphone amp and throws in an analog volume control. I’d say if you’re looking for a DSD-capable DAC in the $1,000 range, check out the iFi iDSD DAC.”

Thank you AudioStream very much indeed!

 

Nano iDSD

Your newest perfect travel companion, especially now that they’re foldable! Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 Around-Ear and Over-Ear have just arrived in Stereo Electronics! Plug in and feel the momentum.

 

"Travel while you're young and able. Don't worry about the money, just make it work. Experience is far more valuable than money will ever be."

 

Stereo In-Store Jays IT Show Promotion

 

The award-winning in-ear headphones, RHA (Reid Heath Audio) T10i, MA750i and MA600i are the latest addition to our family!

 

Known for its true-to-life audio reproduction and lasting quality, they also aim to deliver the most accurate and comfortable listening experience in every model being made. Every RHA product combines high quality materials, precise engineering and fundamental commitment to design.

 

Fiio X3K, the replacement model of the popular X3 is now available for pre-order at $279 (usual $299) for a limited period of time. Audition unit is only available at Stereo@Plaza Singapura as of the moment.

 

Featuring our very first pre-order for X3K, Mr. Woon, a self-proclaimed FiiO fan.

 

 

Dark Green is the new color of Limited Edition.

 

Enjoy a free Tote Bag with every purchase of Audio-Technica ATH-M50X/ DGR Limited Edition. Promotion is valid while stocks last.

 

 

A stylish headphones that doesn’t compromise the substance? Worry no more! Sporting a chic square design is the latest Audio-Technica ATH-UN1 that offers superb comfort, fatigue-free listening and extreme portability. Available in three stylish colors that is a clear choice for fashion-oriented listeners like you.

 

 

“Everything I like is either illegal, immoral, fattening, addictive, expensive or impossible.”

 

We welcome the new addition to our family - Chord Hugo Portable DAC/ Headphone Amplifier!

 

 

Let your ears be loved with the newest Sennheiser headphones - URBANITE

 

The Urbanite provides massive bass while still ensuring the clarity throughout the entire frequency range. It features premium stainless steel hinges and aluminum sliders that promise to last for years, collapsible sides, and a detachable cable with 3-button mic and volume control.

 

Now Available at Stereo Electronics!

 

P.S. Urbanite XL audition unit is now also available in both stores.

 

 

Do you struggle waking up early for work or school? How about a device that will help you wake up to your choice of sounds? The new JBL Horizon wireless Bluetooth speaker promises to get you out of bed to the music that you love - whether the original alarm tone, radio station or actual songs from your smartphones. Start your day with room-filling JBL stereo sound!

 

 

Check out our March 2015 Promotions!