Regular readers know that I’m enthusiastic about the potential of Master Quality Authenticated (MQA), the new digital encoding and decoding system that delivers better-than-hi-res sound quality at approximately CD bit-rates. I first heard this technology ...

The following is a press release issued by MQA. Las Vegas, NV – MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) launches major partnerships at CES 2016, including agreements with music download store 2L and playback partners AURALiC and ...

Master Quality Authenticated (MQA), the new digital audio encoding technology that delivers better-than-high-resolution sound in a file small enough that it can be streamed, took another step toward becoming a reality at the 2016 Consumer ...

Robert Harley: Let’s start with an overview of the concept of MQA—not the technology but the objective. J. Robert Stuart: MQA embodies a philosophy as well as a group of technologies. The philosophy starts with ...

The following is a press release issued by Wyred 4 Sound. ATASCADERO, CA | Dec 28, 2015— Wyred 4 Sound is pleased to announce two new products to crown a productive year for the high-end ...

In the context of discussing computer audio, it takes only the mention of three letters—“U,” “S,” and “B”—to raise John Mingo’s blood pressure. Since the Montana-based Mingo started Baetis Audio in 2011, he’s been expounding, ...

Meridian co-founder J. Robert Stuart was given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) at a ceremony in Dallas in October. I had the honor of attending the dinner ...

The following is a press release issued by Baetis Audio. December 15, 2015 - Many customers asked us why there was such a big price difference between the XR3 model (at $7995) and the Reference ...

Astell&Kern AK Jr $500 The AK Jr is only 4.5" by 2" and 3/8". It will slip easily into almost any pocket you choose, except for the change pocket of your jeans. Unlike many portable ...

Let me begin with one central and perhaps overriding observation: One can debate the features and cost of the Burmester MC151, but not its sound quality. It is a truly outstanding digital player, one of ...

The following is a press release issued by Baetis Audio. November 16, 2015 - Baetis Audio, makers of the highly reviewed Baetis™ Reference media server (see Andrew Quint’s article in TAS, December 2015), has Great ...

Playback Designs is launching a new series of components under the Sonoma name—in reference to the eponymous pro audio DSD workstations—and the first two introductions are the Merlot DAC and the Syrah Music Server. Naturally, ...

The following is a press release issued by Goldmund. October 23, 2015 - It is a first for the Swiss brand usually known for extreme loudspeakers like the gigantic and inaccessible Apologue Anniversary but all ...

Most audio trade shows are held in nondescript hotels—Munich’s MOC being the exception—so any venue that doesn’t smack of immovable headboards, dusty wall-mount 21-inch panel TVs, and carpeting that looks like something out of The ...

Korean firm Astell&Kern began its involvement with high-end audio by manufacturing advanced portable music players, from its $499 AK Jr through the premium AK380. Capable of playing native DSD and carrying a $3495 price, the ...