This week saw rumours surface of a possible Apple bid for Tidal, sales of Ultra HD Blu-rays were revealed (spoiler: they were very good), McIntosh Labs unveiled three new products and Devialet announced the powerful Devialet Gold Phantom speaker.
It was a good week for reviews as Beyerdynamic's Gen 2 T1 headphones, Chord's DAVE DAC and Revo's SuperSignal radio all received good notices.
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News
4K Blu-ray gets off to a better start than Blu-ray
Since the format's launch in March of this year, 228,000 UHD discs have been sold - comparing favourably to Blu-ray which had only reached 57,000 in a similar timeframe back in 2006.
It's a promising start and with more 4K UHD players and discs on the way it's likely to get better.
READ MORE: 4K Blu-ray gets off to a better start than Blu-ray
McIntosh Labs has a new Blu-ray player, preamp and phono stage on the way
The MVP901 is described as 'bridge player' that can upscale Blu-rays to Ultra HD (though it won't be able to play 4K discs).
The C2600 preamp builds on the C2300 and C2500 and has an "advanced digital audio section". The MP100 is the company's first dedicated phono preamp and comes with selectable moving coil and moving magnet inputs.
READ MORE: McIntosh Labs has a new Blu-ray player, preamp and phono stage on the way
Devialet's new Gold Phantom speaker packs serious power
The Gold Phantom is a significant upgrade on the Phantom Silver, with Devialet cramming in 4500W of power and an SPL of 108dB. In layman's terms, that means it can go very loud.
It also has Bluetooth connectivity and a speaker cabinet with a 22-carat pink gold-plated finish.
READ MORE: Devialet's new Gold Phantom speaker packs serious power
More news
Apple reportedly in talks to buy Tidal
People can hear the difference with hi-res audio, study finds
Amazon Video begins streaming Dolby Vision content
Bose Speaker Cube is a Bluetooth speaker you build yourself
Sonus Faber goes hi-res wireless with its SF16 all-in-one system
Now TV Smart Box combines TV tuner with streaming apps
B&O Play H5 are the company’s first wireless in-ear headphones
Reviews
Six years after the original T1 headphones, Beyerdynamic has resurrected them for round number two.
Little has changed, but the T1s remain an impressive performer, combining plenty of insight, fluid dynamics and rhythmic precision.
Read the full Beyerdynamic T1 Generation 2 review
The SuperSignal is a classy-looking radio for the price, but at the end of the day it comes down to performance, not looks. But in that respect too, it's a force to be reckoned with.
It has a generous, full-bodied sound that belies its appearance, and is a radio that's well worth an audition.
Read the full Revo SuperSignal review
Chord is developing a reputation for giving its DACs odd names, but it may have trumped itself by calling its latest DAVE.
Despite this eccentricity, we haven't heard a DAC that sounds so natural or insightful as this. If you're looking for the best DAC money can buy, start here.
Read the full Chord DAVE review