Bose’s disappointing Dolby Atmos soundbar, Naim drops a surprise, McIntosh’s glowing new preamplifier and more

McIntosh CS7500 on a shiny foil background — (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)

Happy Monday and welcome to another retrospective on all the big news over the past seven days in the worlds of hi-fi, TV and home cinema, plus our pick of the review headlines from our test team.

We’ve had a bit of everything this week, from Apple’s big annual announcement to a talented tablet from Samsung.

Here’s everything you need to know…

Naim launched Uniti Star Lite

Naim Uniti Star Lite streaming amplifier — (Image credit: Naim Audio)

We’ve been huge fans of Naim’s Uniti Star streaming system since it launched way back in 2016. And Naim took the wraps off a new version last week, but with one major change.

The new Lite model doesn’t have the built-in CD player and ripper of the original. Unfortunately, this is due to supply issues, but Naim does claim to have upped the audio performance from the machine. Even with the lack of CD-spinner, we can’t wait to get it in our test rooms.

“Uniti Star Lite is not simply the original Uniti Star without a CD drive” – Naim says its new streaming amp sounds better, too

Apple confirms September event

A blue image with a shining Apple logo in the centre and the words 'surprise and shine' underneath

(Image credit: Apple)

Yes, it’s that time of year again. Everyone in the world of tech has been waiting for that one email to go around announcing Apple’s intention to unleash its latest generation iPhone on the buying public.

But will it just be iPhones that we see this year? Rumour has it a new pair of AirPods could be on the way together with refreshed tablets and, if we’re lucky, maybe even a new Apple TV 4K. All will hopefully be revealed on the big date…

Apple’s September event has a date, which means the first foldable iPhone looks imminent – but what else is expected?

Xbox’s lifeline for physical media

An Xbox on a black background with a Gears 5 game disc sticking out of the disc drive. — (Image credit: Xbox / Microsoft)

Both cinephiles and gamers were disappointed when Sony announced that its next-generation PlayStation console was going to ditch physical discs, so imagine our surprise (and glee) when Xbox announced a new initiative which looks like it could keep the disc format ticking over for a little while yet.

"It's really a breakthrough in how we think about physical and digital media" – Xbox's latest announcement is a lifeline for physical media and a direct response to Sony's huge Blu-ray disc fumble

Samsung’s talented big-screen tablet

Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra tablet — (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)

Our test team had a great time getting to grips with Samsung’s huge Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra tablet this week.

Okay, so we realise a 14.6in tablet isn’t going to be for everyone, but if you’re a movie fan who can’t live without their fix of the big screen on the move, we think the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra has iPad Pro-rivalling credentials that need to be taken seriously.

Get the full lowdown in our Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra review

Bose’s flagship soundbar falls short

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar soundbar — (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)

Our experts were also excited to get Bose’s new Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar into our test rooms, but we weren’t exactly blown away by what this flagship Dolby Atmos ‘bar has to offer.

We felt it was a good-looking unit boasting premium build quality and an intuitive control app, but it was ultimately an unsatisfying and undynamic listen, and the Sonos Arc Ultra continues to be our recommendation at this premium level.

Read our full Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar review

FiiO reveals more retro-inspired hi-fi

FiiO EA13 valve amplifier in silver on a wooden cabinet — (Image credit: FiiO)

FiiO loves retro-looking hi-fi components, and this week, it announced a product which “takes inspiration from the 'golden era of 1950s tube amplifiers". At £769 / $769 / €665 the EA13 is a relatively affordable full-size vacuum tube amplifier, but with a solid feature set and design.

FiiO's retro-modern amp takes inspiration from the "golden era of 1950s tube amplifiers"

McIntosh revealed a new streaming preamp

McIntosh CS7500 streaming preamp on a shiny foil backdrop — (Image credit: McIntosh)

This week we got a glimpse of the wonderful blue lights of McIntosh’s VU meters, this time sat on the front of the company’s new CS7500 streaming preamplifier.

Dressed in McIntosh’s trademark black, green and blue colours, the CS7500 promises a wide assortment of connectivity options and all the streaming smarts you’d expect from a product costing over $12,000.

McIntosh’s new high-performance preamplifier combines classic looks with streaming smarts and a premium price tag

The rest of the week's news in brief:

Castle launches four new speakers that offer "a new level of performance" while retaining the brand's "natural warmth" and handcrafted cabinets

Yamaha bolsters its streaming arsenal with a feature-laden streaming amplifier and network music player

Apple might be about to launch new AirPods 5, but will they feature substantial improvements?

Eversolo brings streaming, downloads and physical CD playback together in one multitasking product

Porsche and Burmester have a new secret weapon for their car hi-fi systems, and it sounds like sci-fi

Andy is Deputy Editor of What Hi-Fi? and a consumer electronics journalist with nearly 20 years of experience writing news, reviews and features. Over the years he's also contributed to a number of other outlets, including The Sunday Times, the BBC, Stuff, and BA High Life Magazine. Premium wireless earbuds are his passion but he's also keen on car tech and in-car audio systems and can often be found cruising the countryside testing the latest set-ups. In his spare time Andy is a keen golfer and gamer.