Cutting-Edge Audio Technologies and Trends in audioXpress December 2019

audioXpress December 2019 dives into the latest wireless audio and DSP platforms and solutions in a dedicated Market Update, followed by a review of the latest Audio Precision APx555 B Series audio analyzer. David Logvin shares his experience with the xCORE VocalFusion development platform by XMOS, while Michael Steffes re-confirms a theory that cascaded amplifier + ADC harmonic distortion combine as voltage swings. Christopher Paul explores alternative approaches to the design of a linear current regulator for audio tube amplifiers, Menno van der Veen details an 18 W single-ended valve amplifier using Trans technology, and Richard Honeycutt investigates whether or not swapping out comparable tubes makes any audible difference in a guitar amplifier’s sound. Download your own copy now!

The November 2019 edition of audioXpress is now available with a wide range of technical topics in audio electronics and design. We review the Benchmark LA4 Line Amplifier and the new Hooke Verse Bluetooth Binaural Recording Headphones. Jan Didden proposes an updated version of his High-Voltage Delay for Tube Amplifiers, and Thomas Zarbo, Jr. explains how to build his Tenacious Bass-8 Powered Subwoofer. And, learn more about Data-Over-Sound, MU amplification topologies, and Auverdion’s Aurora open-source DSP platform. Now available!

Allen & Heath has revealed a new stunning new mixing console design. Avantis is the third model to be based on the company's XCVI FPGA engine, allowing 96kHz operation and puts this next-generation technology available across all its 64 channels and 42 configurable busses, with twin Full HD touchscreens, extensive I/O options and processing from the company's flagship dLive mixing system. The new console is also designed with a surprisingly robust all-metal structure inspired by tubular exo skeletons of super-bikes!

Yes, it was strange to fly to Denver, CO so early in September while most of the industry was on the way to Berlin, Germany for another edition of the International Funkausstellung (IFA), the gigantic consumer electronics and appliance show, which rivals CES in visitor numbers. But the fact is, I don’t regret it in the least. Since the 2019 edition of the Rocky Mountain International Audio Fest (RMAF) changed dates to September 6-8, and the CEDIA Expo takes place shortly after also in Denver, it was a great incentive to opt for Colorado instead.

Do you like vinyl and have more than one turntable? Maybe you are thinking about investing in a new phono preamp and a way to connect both even if it's probably too late to pretend you can learn to be a DJ (hey but the idea is cool anyway...)? Well, here's an interesting option - a compact tube DJ mixer with high-quality components, great sound and the coolest design. The MasterSounds compact Radius Two Valve is a two channel mixer powered by dual triodes. Read on...

David Logvin had the privilege to use, measure, and put to the test the Dayton Audio HTA20BT Hybrid Stereo Tube Amplifier. As he could confirm, there's something special in this amplifier that combines a tube preamp and Class-D power stage, which can also be used as a headphone amplifier, and features a digital media player and Bluetooth streaming capabilities. All at a very affordable price and with the build quality of a Dayton Audio product. This article was originally published in audioXpress, July 2019.

Warwick Acoustics, the company behind the multi-award-winning Sonoma Model One electrostatic headphones has launched the APERIO, its new flagship integrated headphone system. Launched at the 2019 High End show in Munich, Germany, the APERIO headphone system introduces the unique Balanced-Drive High Precision Electrostatic Laminate (BD-HPEL), which takes Warwick's original HPEL to a whole new level, complemented with a completely new electronics unit where nothing is missing. The whole system costs US $24,000 but sounds like a million dollars.

Our longtime columnist Richard Honeycutt shares his insights on Geoff Hill’s recently released book, Loudspeaker Modelling and Design: A Practical Introduction, which demonstrates modern software and hardware being applied to the processes behind loudspeaker design and modeling. Learn more about this indispensable work, now available from publisher Routledge / Focal Press. This article was originally published in audioxpress, February 2019.

For audioXpress May 2019 -Glass Audio Special - we’ve put together a very strong edition, with some of best tube experts sharing a series of DIY projects for all skill levels, from restoration projects to new amplifiers, preamps, and headphone amps. We review the Nu:Tekt HA-K1 headphone amplifier using the novel Korg Nutube 6P1 device, and interview the founder of Parks Audio. We go deep on measuring voltage regulator ripple rejection and we even look at square-wave testing. All inside audioXpress May 2019!

Transducer company Lavoce Italiana is kicking-off another edition of the NAMM Show with the announcement that iconic guitar amp brand Orange Amplifiers have selected the Lavoce WSF121.70G 12” guitar speaker for their most vintage guitar amplifier ever, the new TremLord 30 combo. Officially launching at NAMM 2019, and pitched by Orange as ‘The Amp We Never Made – Until Today’, the TremLord 30 is a 30W 1x12 all valve guitar combo, with built-in valve driven tremolo and reverb, engineered as a fifties inspired amp for the modern player.