Monarch Systems Ltd., B.audio’s distributor for the U.S. and Canada, announced an optional phono stage module from the French manufacturer. The add-in board adds a turntable input to select B.audio components.

Devialet has launched Phantom Ultimate, a two-model update to its spherical wireless speaker line introduced in 2015. The collection comprises the flagship Phantom Ultimate 108dB at $3800 and the Phantom Ultimate 98dB at $1900, in Light Pearl and Deep Forest finishes, plus an Opéra de Paris edition with 22-karat gold detailing. Devialet says the 98dB is available now; the 108dB is open for preorders through Devialet stores, premium dealers, and online.

Shostakovich: Complete String Quartets Vol. 2 | Nos. 6–12
Cuarteto Casals
Harmonia Mundi HMU 902733.34. 2 CD (reviewed as 24/96). 2025. Alban Moraud, Alexandra Evrard, prod. and eng.
Performance *****
Sonics ****½

Denon, Marantz, and Classé announced today that the HEOS wireless audio platform will adopt a new identity, transitioning from "HEOS Built-in" to "Powered by HEOS." The rebranding accompanies a redesigned app interface and expanded platform capabilities, marking a decade since the platform's 2014 launch.

After owning a McIntosh MR78 tuner for many years—I bought it on eBay sometime early in this millennium; it was fully functional and in superficially excellent condition—I finally did what I'd long intended to do: I sent it in to Audio Classics for inspection, refurbishment, and the famed Modafferi mod.

Holst: The Planets & Cheetham Fraillon: Earth, Deborah Cheetham Fraillon, soprano; MSO Chorus; Melbourne Symphony Orchestra/Jaime Martín; Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto 3, Yunchan Lim, piano; Fort Worth Symphony/Marin Alsop; Mozart: 6 String Quintets on Historical Instruments, Spunicunifait; L'Extase: Debussy & Messiaen, Magdalena Kožená, mezzo-soprano; Mitsuko Uchida, piano.

Linda May Han Oh: Strange Heavens; Julian Shore Trio: Sub Rosa; Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra: Mixed Bag; Mark Masters Ensemble: Dance, Eternal Spirits, Dance!.

Pulp: More; Lord Huron: The Cosmic Selector, Vol. 1; Craig Finn: Always Been.

Spotify began rolling out lossless audio to Premium subscribers September 10, delivering streams up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz FLAC format. The feature arrives in select markets first, with broader availability expected through October. The streaming service will notify Premium subscribers when lossless becomes available in their region.