I performed a full set of measurements on the Bricasti M21 using my Audio Precision SYS2722 system. The coaxial S/PDIF, optical TosLink, and AES3 inputs all accepted data sampled at rates up to 192kHz. Apple's AudioMIDI utility revealed that the USB port accepted 32-bit integer data sampled at all rates from 44.1kHz to 768kHz. The USB Prober app identified the M21 as "MDx" from "Bricasti" and indicated that the USB port operated in the optimal isochronous asynchronous mode. When I connected the Bricasti's Ethernet port to my network, Roon recognized the processor…
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BluOS, the multiroom platform from Lenbrook Media Group, announced upcoming support for Qobuz Connect. The integration will let listeners cast music directly from the Qobuz app to any compatible BluOS player.
For Stereophile readers, the advantage is simple: direct-from-app, high-resolution streaming to BluOS devices (up to 24-bit/192kHz) without workarounds. Users select and control music in the Qobuz app; speaker and volume remain in the BluOS app. The company says the feature will work across BluOS brands including Bluesound, NAD Electronics, PSB Speakers, Cyrus Audio, DALI, and…
Technical Audio Devices Laboratories, Inc. (TADL) has appointed Rutherford Audio Inc. as distributor for its hi-fi consumer products in Canada and the US.
TADL says the partnership is aimed at strengthening its presence in both countries by expanding dealer relationships and brand visibility.Shinji Tarutani, President and CEO of TADL, commented: "For decades, TAD has pursued the ideal of 'reproducing music exactly as it was created.' North America remains one of the most important regions for high-end audio, and we sought a partner who shares our passion for uncompromising quality…
Scott McGowan has left PS Audio to form Sprout HiFi, a new company built around a next-generation Sprout amplifier. The first Sprout HiFi product, a revamped version of the Sprout100, is projected for 2026, with email sign-ups open now.
Sprout is PS Audio’s compact integrated that built a following after its 2014 Kickstarter debut; McGowan says the new model will carry that idea forward for today’s listeners. The forthcoming Sprout is described as “smarter, more interactive and more versatile,” with the same small-footprint, living-room-friendly form factor. The company says the renewed…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Two-channel D/A processor. Digital inputs: AES3, S/PDIF (RCA), TosLink, USB, Ethernet. Analog outputs: One stereo pair balanced (XLR), one stereo pair single-ended (RCA). Sample rates supported: USB to 384kHz, DSD64, 128, 256, Native or DoP. Conversion method: For PCM, choice of sigma-delta with 8× oversampling or R2R ladder; for DSD, choice of native, pure 1-bit DSD, or conversion to PCM. Jitter: 8ps at 48k, 6ps at 96k. Frequency response at 44.1kHz: 10Hz–20kHz, +0dB, –0.2dB. Power consumption: 30W.
Dimensions: 17" W (431mm) × 4.5" (114mm) H ×…
Loudspeaker Systems:
A (FULL RANGE):
Audiovector R8 Arreté: $78,800/pair includes Freedom Grounding Cables
Optional grounding cable adds $3850. (Vol.44 No.9 WWW)
Bang & Olufsen Beolab 90: $211,800/pair ★
(Vol.40 No.1 WWW)
Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 Signature: $60,000/pair
(Vol.47 No.3 WWW)
Dutch & Dutch 8c: $14,950/pair (stands necessary) ★
(Vol.42 No.8, Vol.43 No.4 WWW)
Dynaudio Confidence 30: $24,000/pair
(Vol.44 No.8 WWW)
EgglestonWorks Viginti: $46,998/pair ★
(Vol.41 No.6 WWW)
Estelon Forza: $186,…
Integrated Amplifiers & Receivers:
A:
Ampsandsound Red October SE: $14,000
Ampsandsound Red October XL SE: $18,000
See Headphones and Headphone Accessories. (Vol.47 No.11 WWW)
Anthem STR Integrated: $4999.99 ★ $$$
Anthem's solid state STR integrated amp offers 200Wpc (into 8 ohms) of class-AB power, along with seven analog inputs—one balanced, four single-ended, and two phono (one MM, one MC). It also offers a 32-bit/192kHz D/A processor with six digital inputs—four S/PDIF (two RCA, two TosLink), one AES3 (XLR), and one USB. A subwoofer output is provided,…
Turntables:
A+:
J.Sikora Reference: $48,000 w/o tonearm
This Polish company’s top-of-the-line turntable is a nonsuspended, high-mass design, weighing 253lb. The dynamically and statically balanced platter alone weighs 40lb! Drive is with four square belts spun by four Papst DC motors. MF found that the plinth was immune to knuckle raps and motor start-up noises and wrote that the Reference was very quiet. He decided that this J.Sikora ’table had been superbly tuned to extract deep, well-controlled bass free of overhang or excess. The measured speed accuracy was impressive, as…
Headphones & Headphone Accessories:
A+:
ampsandsound Bigger Ben: $5600
See “Integrated Amplifiers.”
Audeze LCD-5: $4500
The open-back LCD-5 is the successor to Audeze’s well-regarded LCD-4 and, like its predecessor, uses planar-magnetic drive units, which feature proprietary, single-sided Fluxor neodymium N50 magnet arrays and a voice-coil concept called Parallel Uniforce. The idea is to vary the width of the conductor to match, or counter, variations in the magnetic flux to achieve uniform force across the membrane. The 90mm diaphragm is just 0.5 microns…