The development was foreseeable: First WiiM launched the “Amp”, a great little integrated amplifier (with DAC) at a sensational price(test report), followed later by the Ultra, an impressive streamer in a similar housing format. Now WiiM has created an amalgam of the two with the Amp Ultra. A streaming integrated …
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The glorious seven: a comparison of 7 tonearms from Clearaudio
This has not been seen in German hi-fi journalism for a long time: a comparison of 7 tonearms. LowBeats dares the mega ride and tests seven booms from the rich program of the German analog specialist Clearaudio. Some of them have been surrounded by fame for decades, one of them …
Read more »Clearaudio TT3 test: passive tangential tonearm with “two-point” scanning
The Clearaudio TT3 is part of the biggest tonearm comparison that LowBeats has ever done. It makes exclusive use of Clearaudio tonearms; in addition to their eleven turntables, 17 cartridges, record cleaners and phono stages – all “Made in Erlangen”, by the way – the Erlangen-based company also has 12 …
Read more »Test Clearaudio Profiler: 9-inch radial tonearm with combined sapphire and ball bearing
The Clearaudio Profiler is part of the biggest tonearm comparison that LowBeats has ever done. It exclusively uses Clearaudio tonearms; in addition to their eleven turntables, 17 cartridges, record cleaners and phono stages – all “Made in Erlangen”, by the way – the Erlangen-based company also has 12 (!) tonearms …
Read more »Test Clearaudio Unify 14 inch: Tonearm with extra length
The Clearaudio Profiler is part of the biggest tonearm comparison that LowBeats has ever done. It exclusively uses Clearaudio tonearms; in addition to their eleven turntables, 17 cartridges, record cleaners and phono stages – all “Made in Erlangen”, by the way – the Erlangen-based company also has 12 (!) tonearms …
Read more »Test Clearaudio Unity: new 10-inch radial tonearm with single-point bearing and magnetic stabilization
The Clearaudio Unity is part of the biggest tonearm comparison that LowBeats has ever done. The test makes exclusive use of Clearaudio tonearms; in addition to their eleven turntables, 17 cartridges, record cleaners and phono stages – all “Made in Erlangen”, by the way – the Erlangen-based company also has …
Read more »Test Clearaudio Universal: Radial tonearm with 9 or 12 inch long carbon tube
The Clearaudio Universal is part of the biggest tonearm comparison that LowBeats has ever done. The test makes exclusive use of Clearaudio tonearms; in addition to their eleven turntables, 17 cartridges, record cleaners and phono stages – all “Made in Erlangen”, by the way – the Erlangen-based company also has …
Read more »Clearaudio TT5 test: passive tangential tonearm with V4 stainless steel ball bearings
The Clearaudio TT5 is part of the biggest tonearm comparison that LowBeats has ever done. It exclusively uses Clearaudio tonearms; in addition to their eleven turntables, 17 cartridges, record cleaners and phono stages – all “Made in Erlangen”, by the way – the Erlangen-based company also has 12 (!) tonearms …
Read more »RME DPS-2 and RME LNI-2 DC – power sources according to the purity principle
Even with digital audio components, there is potential for sound tuning, especially in the analog working areas. The power supply is of central importance here. The German digital audio specialist RME knows this only too well. It is therefore not surprising that RME has recently launched two upgrade options for …
Read more »Test over-ear headphones Cambridge Audio Melomania P100: old school meets lifeblood
Serve, set, but also win? With the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100, the Brits present their first over-ear headphones. They hit the audiophile heart: fine, smart, correct – and with the best noise canceling I know. At this very moment, I am entrusting my life and my time to Deutsche Bahn. …
Read more »Test tube amp Westend Audio Monaco Mk2: delicate pleasure with plenty of power
Tube amplifiers are no longer what they used to be. And that’s a good thing. Tube amplifiers in the past: built like something out of a hobby store, operational reliability as good as hell, performance subterranean. Tube amplifiers today: built like a fortress, highly reliable and durable thanks to microprocessor …
Read more »Lyngdorf TDAI-3400 update test: How good is the RoomPerfect room correction?
It’s not often that we test a device twice at LowBeats. Back in December 2019, I tested the then new Lyngdorf TDAI-3400. But like an AV processor, such a completely digital streaming amplifier consists of at least 50 percent software in terms of function and quality. And over the years, …
Read more »Test cylindrical wave loudspeaker Backes & Müller Jubilé
The Backes & Müller Jubilé follows a long tradition of flagship loudspeakers that were technologically far ahead. As a companion in the industry for over 40 years, I was subconsciously aware of this, but it only really became clear to me when I was researching the LowBeats History story for …
Read more »Test mass drive Acoustic Signature Verona NEO: Force & elegance
The Acoustic Signature Verona NEO is a top-quality turntable in the guise of a normal record player. In the test, it impressed with its well thought-out practical features, high flexibility and powerful, generous sound. The Verona NEO is a little out of line with the Acoustic Signature drives. The Swabian …
Read more »Test Marantz Cinema 30: elegant AV receiver with audiophile sound
At the end of 2022, Marantz presented an entire series of new AV receivers, “Cinema”, which were completely redeveloped and for the first time also adopted the current housing design of the stereo devices. After the previously tested Marantz Cinema 70s, we ordered the top model Marantz Cinema 30, which …
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