Hifi Pig

CA Electronics, the Dutch manufacturer of the renowned AP-10 loudspeakers and an innovative range of ceramic isolation products has announced the release of the HE-10 loudspeaker system.

The HE-10 is a small and sleek looking loudspeaker ideally suited to smaller rooms, audio visual duties or as a state of the art desktop system when connected to a computer.

For use in audiovisual systems CA Electronics have added a matching centre speaker, allowing for great sound when watching movies.

The HE-10 has been designed in such a way as to negate the need for filtering resulting in zero errors from crossover components and giving the listener outstanding imaging and a purity of sound rare at any price point.

Made in the Netherlands the HE-10 is fabricated from eco-friendly materials.

Computers Unlimited is bringing Focal’s Bird range to Britain for the first time. The “stylish, flexible” systems from the French audio manufacturer have already won praise for their design and performance from reviewers and customers in France, the US and beyond.

Bird is three 2.1 systems based around Power Bird, a central unit featuring 2x35W amplification, wired and wireless connectivity, and the hidden bass boost of a six-inch, 80W subwoofer.

The Power Bird can be used in flat, vertical or horizontal positions. It can be hung on the wall – aided by its integrated Polyfix mounting system – or even slipped under a sofa. It’s paired with three sizes of speaker: Little Bird, Bird and Super Bird; these too are highly flexible about where they sit.

“Focal has designed the Bird 2.1 Systems to offer style and simplicity. For example, every Bird system supports wireless audio, with Focal giving users the choice of Kleer  – built into Power Bird – or aptX Bluetooth connectivity via an optional receiver module. Apple AirPlay can also be used, by connecting an AirPort Express to the Power Bird’s optical input. ”

Both Kleer and Bluetooth solutions need no wi-fi network. Kleer supports uncompressed audio: users just add a tiny Focal USB or iTransmitter dongle to their computer or Apple iPad/iPhone. Focal’s Universal aptX Bluetooth receiver opens up wireless audio to users of any Bluetooth-compatible smartphone, tablet or computer, including the latest aptX-equipped Android devices.

The Clarity Alliance has launched as the new trade association for the UK’s hi-fi and home cinema industry, with the primary purpose of promoting the benefits of quality home entertainment to new consumers.

The launch of Clarity came about as a result of the Project Grass initiative, which was set up by retail association, BADA, in the wake of discussions held with its members and industry wide surveys. The project’s objective was to gain a thorough understanding of what the industry as a whole wants from a trade association and to devise a new structure that fulfills the objective and is relevant for the hi-fi and home cinema industry of today and tomorrow. As of 11^th July BADA, the British Audio-Visual Dealers Association, will cease to exist.

Krell Industries have announced the Phantom III, the first Krell preamplifier to include either an optional digital input module or a headphone output. The digital module features AES/EBU, coaxial, and optical digital inputs for use with streaming devices or other digital sources.

The Phantom preamplifier is a dual monaural design with the left and right channels given their own power supply regulation and individual circuit boards. All signal gain is executed with surface mount technology using proprietary multiple-output current mirrors. Featuring 700 kHz bandwidth in a zero feedback, balanced, Krell Current Mode design, the Phantom III shares the same design philosophy as the Phantom preamplifier. Negative feedback is not used anywhere in the preamp. The volume control is a balanced resistor ladder and the headphone circuitry is identical to the main circuitry, “offering private listening with the same performance as speaker playback”.

The digital module supports up to 24 bit/192kHz LPCM. All digital signals are fed to an ESS Sabre DAC and then sent to Krell’s Current Mode, discrete, balanced analogue circuitry. Being a modular design, the optional digital converter module can be added in the future.

The Phantom III preamplifier is available in silver or black finish.

Naim have added the NAC-N 172 XS network connected streaming preamplifier to its range. Naim claim the unit is the “ideal proposition for those wanting to take their fist steps into the world of high-end streaming” and all you need to add is a power amplifier and loudspeakers to complete the package.

The NAC-N 172 XS offers streaming of music on your network at resolutions of upto 32bit/192kHz as well as the ability to tune into the myriad internet radio stations. On the from of the unit is a USB port allowing for the easy connection of iPods and other MP3 players. Audio from other sources is taken care of by five S/PDIF inputs.

The NAC-N 172 XS works as a conventional preamplifier too and is perfectly happy handling other sources such as CD players.

Fidelity Art, the Yorkshire based hi-fi retailer has recently announced that they will be carrying the Bodnar Audio range of loudspeakers.

Designed around a full-range driver, Sandglass speakers are said to combine “breath-taking dynamic range, enormous three-dimensional soundstage, natural timbre and deep bass extension to deliver an exceptional sense of authenticity.”

Sandglass speaker systems use a cabinet design that is designed to strengthen and improve wave dispersion while boosting bass response, whilst the single speaker with no crossover reproduces the full sound spectrum.

The speakers are available in two versions, with either a 7-inch (17 cm) or an 8 inch (20 cm) Sonido driver. Both versions are the same height but the 7-inch version features a narrower cabinet that is better suited for smaller listening rooms. A wide range of finish options are available, including piano finish and custom leather front panel in a range of colours to match any interior.

Prices range from £3,299 to £3,499 for the standard finish and from £4,890 to £4,990 for the piano finish.

Unity Audio have started to ship the new Rock MKII active 2 way near field monitor -not strictly Hifi but I know a lot of people have desk top systems where this kind of loudspeaker can be useful.

The Mark 1 Unity Audio Rock was introduced just over two years ago and this version aims to improve on the Mk1. Significant development has come from the “shared low frequency amplifier” design that Unity Audio use in their 3 way mid-field Boulder monitor.

The Rock II has better bass extension which Unity Audio claim gives the loudspeaker a more dynamic sound – bass response is now 40Hz (-3dB) instead of the previous 50Hz