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Developments in LINN Exakt Digital Audio Technology

25/9/2014

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Linn Press Event Sept 23 2014, The Hospital Club, London WC2
Demonstrating the benefits of the Exakt system, a low loss path bringing the final digital to analogue conversion to individual amplifiers feeding the loudspeaker drive units, LINN showed their latest digital speaker the Akudorik, where to our surprise it was literally unveiled as a stand mount but where the substantial Exakt electronics was integrated in the elegant alloy stand.    
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Linn’s Keith Robertson explaining the technology to the Press.

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NAS 2014 Audio Show Whittlebury September 20 & 21

24/9/2014

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Smaller than last year but convivial and relaxed, this weekend show somehow continues and was enjoyable. Most rooms were well attended, this partly reflecting the modest number of rooms. HFICRITIC sold many back numbers, saw many friends and subscribers and dished out advice where appropriate. Download the full show report. 
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The early morning queue for NAS 2104
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Apple Lightning Connected 'Phones and 'Pads Do 24bit HD Audio at 48kHz

14/9/2014

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Philips Fidelio M2L, HD active, electronic, Apple Lightning connected headphones, at £200 approx
The Philips release for the Lightning cable connected, active Fidelio M2L headphones explains that they have a direct digital connection to compatible iOS devices, thus supporting 24bit HD audio formats using  inbuilt DACs and amplifiers powered via the cable. Thus the rumours for HD, 24 bit, up to 48kHz audio playback from new generation Lightning equipped Apple devices seem confirmed. Where does this leave other HD music and playback device providers?
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The Beatles’ mono vinyl albums return to Abbey Road

10/9/2014

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By Yasuko Everard 

Released yesterday on vinyl were the remasters of The Beatles’ mono albums, and to celebrate the event a listening session using some of the best High End gear was held last week in Abbey Road Studio 2, where many of their famous recording were made. 
With a replay system comprising a Vertere turntable with Ortofon 2M Mono cartridge, Naim SuperLine phono preamp, Naim Statement preamp and power amps and Focal Grande Utopia EM speakers, tracks from the newly-released discs were played and discussed by a panel including writer and broadcaster Mark Ellen (who also acted as host for the event), Beatles engineer Ken Scott, and Sean Magee, who worked on the remastering.

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Technics is back

9/9/2014

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Panasonic has resuscitated the famous Technics brand in time for IFA Berlin,  2014

First products due in December
Andrew Everard reports
Technics is back, and it’s aiming high: its new ‘Reference Class’ R1 system is expected to have a price of around £32,000, and comprises the SU-R1 network music player/preamplifier, the 150Wpc SE-R1 stereo power amplifier, and the floorstanding SB-R1 speakers. These have a coaxial mid treble driver.
Selling for rather less, but still expected to be in the premium audio sector, is the C700 Series range of components: this will comprise the ST-C700 network audio player, the SL-C700 CD player, the SU-C700 integrated amplifier and bookshelf/standmount SB-C700 speakers. A CD player is available as an £800 option.

The link between the R1 preamplifier and power amplifier is digital, using a 32-bit/192kHz Technics Link interface, also found between the network player and the integrated amplifier in the C700 system, while the amplification in both systems uses a Load Adaptive Phase Calibration system able to measure the output of speakers to which the amplifiers are connected, and adjust the amps’ output characteristics accordingly.
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The Technics SU-R1 network music layer/preamplifier, the 150Wpc SE-R1 stereo power amplifier, and the floorstanding SB-R1 speakers.

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Flexson Produce a Higher Quality USB ‘Analogue’ Turntable

9/9/2014

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UK company Flexson have announced a superior one box record player deck clearly based on  trusted UK Rega components, for what seems a competitive £330. Flexson currently make some decor accessories for the wireless speaker brand leader SONOS.
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Called VinylPlay it has internal electronics, the whole powered by an external 24V supply. With on-board RIAA equalisation serving the pre installed moving magnet cartridge, signal outputs include phono and 3.5mm jack for analogue outputs, eg to a system or to increasingly popular active and powered speakers, while the built in DAC delivers digital audio from USB A > USB B for easy connectivity to SONOS active speakers, and also via the CONNECT system onwards to multiple active speakers.
This could well be the best sounding and best engineered all in one turntable of its type, currently populated by confections of tinny plastic which frequently cannot even be relied upon to rotate. Flexson note that vinyl sales are set to rise 40% in 2014.  
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    Martin Colloms has a passion for audio and music and has written for many of the key hi-fi magazines worldwide.

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