Until now, Audio Group Denmark (AGD), with its brands Børresen (loudspeakers), Aavik (electronics), and Ansuz (cables/accessories), has focused entirely on exploring hi-fidelity frontiers, resulting in products that, in terms of price, only appealed to a particularly solvent target audience or extreme hobbyists. But now the Danes have added the AXXESS …
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The Octave V70 Class A attempts a special balancing act: it wants to be an integrated amplifier that combines the precision of the transistor with the tonal beauty of the tube and the Class A circuit. It has succeeded quite well… The tube specialist Octave has created its own league …
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The loudspeaker specialist German Physiks from Maintal in Hesse was not previously known for its amplifiers. How could you? There were none until recently. But now the manufacturer of extravagant sound transducers has developed equally extravagant amplifier electronics. Normally we at LowBeats stay away from such sinfully expensive stuff. But …
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A test that was long overdue. The SPL Director Mk2 has been in the editorial office for a good six months now and has proven itself in the shadow of the impressive SPL mono power amp blocks called Performer m1000 has quietly earned the position of a preamp reference. Even …
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The studio professional SPL Labs is currently shaking up the hi-fi scene. Its components from the so-called Professional Fidelity (ProFi) line combine high hi-fi ambitions with decades of experience in the studio sector. However, while the Rhinelanders have so far occupied niches with their professional components, they are now challenging …
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Can an integrated amplifier for 20,000 euros excite many HIFi fans? You would think: no. But wrong. The Westend Audio Monaco is currently enjoying an astonishing triumph. Its secret: amazingly precise tube sound plus an individual, perfect surface finish. LowBeats tested the dream amplifier – and probably won’t be giving …
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