Being January, it's time for Las Vegas to get busy with CES and T.H.E. Show. This year we're super excited to be unveiling a brand new digital and analogue preamplifier in our Audiant range of audio components.

The new Audiant DAC Preamp features the latest Sabre³² Reference 32-bit DAC from ESS Technology and utilises fully balanced preamplifier circuitry from input to output.

Featuring 24-bit/192kHz asynchronous USB, an AES/EBU digital input and balanced XLR analogue inputs; the Audiant DAC Preamp is equipped to deliver a transparent and engaging sonic performance.

With dynamic range exceeding 140dB the Audiant DAC Preamplifier is a leader in its class, but more importantly, it allows the full potential of high definition 24-bit recordings to be realised.

Ultra-low total harmonic distortion ensures fine details are accurately resolved, providing new levels of clarity and precision afforded by 24-bit/192kHz recordings.

Add other aspects – including I²S re-clocking, discrete shunt regulators, direct coupled signal path and an estimated retail price of US$2995; and it's clear the Audiant DAC Preamp offers unsurpassed performance in this category.

Check out the Audiant DAC Preamplifier datasheet for a full run-down of features and specifications.

Come along to T.H.E. Show, room 4060 of the Flamingo Hotel, and audition the Audiant DAC Preamp yourself and witness firsthand why we are so excited by our new digital and analogue preamplifier.

The Prisma SM6 MkII preamplifier and 350 power amplifier have been reviewed by Laurent Thorin in French audio magazine Haute Fidélité.

The SM6 MkII and 350 inspired these words from Laurent:

“Le préamplificateur est assez complet, et facilement pilotable. Quant à l’amplificateur, il propose une puissance colossale, qui permettra d’alimenter sans aucun problème les enceintes les plus gourmandes. Voilà donc des réalisations recommandables, à considérer avec attention.”

Which, thanks again to Google Translate, translates to:

“The preamplifier is quite comprehensive, and easily controllable. As for the amplifier, it provides colossal power, which will supply without any problem the most demanding speakers. These are commendable achievements, worthy of attention.”

Sorry, we don't have an English version of this review, but for those who can read French, the review of the SM6 MkII and 350 is available in it's entirety.

German specialist analogue hi fi magazine 'lp' recently reviewed the Silhouette SXV2 Phono Preamplifier in their 2/2009 issue.

Duck out to your local German magazine shop to pick up a copy in the flesh, or take the easy route and stump up €4,30 to download the 2/2009 issue from their website...  Although, you'll need to scrub up on your German.

The SXV2 inspired these words from reviewer Holger Barske:

“Perhaps one of the musical chip phono preamps ever. The Perreaux plays in detail, light, charming, almost with a little tube charm. The easy handling and extensive customization to speak also for the New Zealand import.”

Translation courtesy of Google Translate.

Go back 20 years and all high-quality stereo systems would invariably comprise of separate preamplifier and power amplifier components. In today’s marketplace by comparison, the top-of-the-range products are still separates, however it’s now commonplace to use a high-quality integrated amplifier.

From my experience there are no hard and fast rules to denote that one topology is necessarily better than the other... so let’s take a brief look at both.

More

I had the pleasure of listening to a friend’s hi fi system the other day. I’ve heard a few over the years, including some pretty fancy ones, but I was genuinely impressed to witness what can be achieved on a relatively tight budget when careful selection of components and enough passion is applied. Most times when I sit down and listen, what I hear is so often over baked and disappointing. It’s not hard to get the basics right... but all too often they can be over looked.

More

Now that the Silhouette series is complete, it's a good time to look at what it can offer. From the inception of the series, our focus has always been on extracting every last grain of detail and to provide the highest level of performance available.

More

Our Danish distributor Soren Vittrup from AUDIOcompagniet arranged an excellent review, by reputable Danish hi fi magazine High Fidelity, of the Prisma series SM6 MkII Balanced Preamplifier and 350 Stereo Power Amplifier.

If you can read Danish check out the SM6 MkII Preamplifier & 350 Power Amplifier review (1.38MB) in it's entirety.

Recently, long-time audio enthusiast, Philip G made the sound decision to invest in an all New Zealand hi fi audio system. Consisting of Image loudspeakers, Slinkylinks cables and Perreaux electronics.

Philip writes:

“I have four modes of listening to music. The first is sadly, when it is in the back ground – filling in the spaces around what else I am doing. Lets not talk about that mode, we all do it but there is no heart in it.

More

Wolfgang Vogel recently reviewed the Silhouette SXP2 Passive Preamplifier and SX60m 60W Mono-Aural Power Amplifier in issue 59 of German hi fi magazine 'Höererlebnis'.

The Silhouette pre/power combo inspired these words from Monsieur Vogel:

“...you really enjoy simply to listen to it and to be submerged in the creator’s cosmos of thoughts who wrote this musical event.”

“That infernal trio has as much impact as the legendary one Asterix after having taken the magical drink.”

Read the SXP2 & SX60m review in it's entirety.

The latest, Issue 75, from German magazine 'Image HiFi' featured a review by Michael Vrzal of the Prisma SM6 MkII Balanced Stereo Preamplifier and 350 Stereo Power Amplifier.

Michael had this to say about the Prisma combo:

“Kann es sein, dass Perreaux gerade mächtig durchstartet? ...und sich dort etabliert hat, wo es hingehört: unter den Besten der Transistorzunft.”

&idquo;Perreaux is established, where it belongs: as one of the best solid-state products.”

Read the SM6 MkII & 350 Review in english.