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Aurender N50: $38,500
The three-chassis, Roon Ready N50 takes music data streamed from a streaming service or stored in its internal SSDs or USB-connected media and outputs it as a clean digital signal to an external D/A processor. As well as a galvanically isolated USB Audio output, the outputs include electrical S/PDIF, optical S/PDIF (TOSLINK), AES3, and dual-wire AES3 (for use with dCS and Esoteric DACs). A custom module bay can accommodate an I2S-over-HDMI output module (standard), an MSB ProISL output module (optional, for use with MSB DACs…

Audio Points by Live-Vibe Audio: $129.99–$449.99/set of 3
Highly polished point of solid milled brass, claimed to have been developed along the theories of Coulomb Friction, transfer resonant energy through the virtual point away from the component. 28 sizes and thread combinations available. (NR)

AudioQuest Fog Lifters: $149.95/set of 8 ★
It is felt by many audiophiles and some manufacturers that speaker cables, interconnects, and even AC power cords should not be allowed to touch carpeted floors, with their unpredictable dielectric…

DTCD stands for Dynamic Transient Current Analyzer. Too simply stated, its bedrock purpose is to simulate the power grid that supplies electricity to your home, but in a predictable, repeatable way that's not dependent on…

Within each category, products are listed by class; within each class, they're in alphabetical order, followed by price, a review synopsis, and a note indicating the issues in which the review and any subsequent follow-up reports appeared. "Vol.49 No.3" indicates our March 2026 issue, for example…

Audirvāna Studio 3: $79.99 annual subscription
The latest version of this versatile streaming app, available for Windows and MacOS for host computers as well as a free companion Remote app for iOS and Android devices, includes a redesigned interface called Allegro, which streamlines the user experience and adds substantial DSP functionality, including 10-band parametric equalization, a Convolution Engine for room correction, Crossfeed for headphone listening, and Left-Right channel-level adjustment. There are also several upsampling algorithms. Audirvāna operates…

Description: Digital-to-analog converter with analog preamplifier, headphone amplifier, and MM/MC phono stage. Digital inputs: AES/EBU (XLR), 2 S/PDIF (RCA), S/PDIF (TosLink), S/PDIF-DSD (2-channel pair), USB2 Type B (high-resolution audio). Analog/phono inputs: 1 pair single-ended (RCA). Analog outputs: 1 pair balanced (XLR), 1 pair single-ended (RCA). Headphone outputs: ¼" stereo (2), convertible to 1 pair balanced. Formats/sample rates supported: PCM to 32-bit/44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.2, 192, 384kHz; DSD; DSD (via USB only) to 2.8224, 5.6448, 11.2896MHz.…

But I misjudged Brooklyn. It turns out to be big, interesting, diverse, and—yes—idiosyncratic. Sure,…

It's that time of year again! I'm talking about, of course, the annual Toronto Audiofest, which this year ran from October 16–18, 2026. When the show opened its doors on a drizzly Friday morning, the place was already buzzing at a high pitch.

Both the Toronto and Montreal Audiofests—the latter show heralding the arrival of spring each March, usually with a blast of snow—are both run by the same organizers, reminding me with heartwarming reassurance of the enduring appeal of our hobby (and lifestyle).

In fact, demand for the Toronto Audiofest—which, for many years, had…

 ​Like I said in my show intro last week, the three days I spent at Toronto Audiofest (October 16–18, 2026) delivered on the promise of a wonderful mix of collective cheer and musical bliss, with a dollop of very unusual-looking gear. Here' s the first of three T.O. show reports to prove my points.

Note: All provided SRPs are in Canadian dollars.​

Blissed out with Bliss Acoustics
Can you guess the first words out of my mouth as I entered the Bliss Acoustics room and immediately laid eyes on the giant pair of elevated cubic structures, one on either side…