Rotel Launches DX-3 Headphone Amplifier, Preamp and DAC

In hifi circles, Rotel is renowned for its stereo amplifiers. But the Japanese company recognized growing demand for high-quality headphone listening experiences and the fact that more people are spending time at home or by their computers. The Rotel DX-3 Headphone Amplifier introduces a new product category with a new, modern, fully balanced design. The built-in ESS Sabre ES9028PRO DAC renders music via USB input (32-bit/384kHz), coaxial/optical (24-bit/192kHz), aptX HD Bluetooth, and legacy audio equipment via an AUX RCA input.

iFi, the UK-based brand specializing in lifestyle audio products and high-end hifi components, announced a new reference headphone amplifier. The brand is already recognized for the diverse range of headphone amplifiers, from small and affordable portable devices to high-performance designs to use at home. The new iCAN Phantom is the ultimate effort to create the last headphone amplifier anyone will need, able to drive hypersensitive in-ear monitors, all the way to the most power-hungry electrostatic headphones.

Chord Electronics has announced an all-new ground-up-design analog preamplifier, the Ultima Pre 3. The new design harnesses more than 30 years of the company's amplifier-building expertise and takes advantage of the very latest developments in advanced low-distortion, switched-mode power supplies. According to the British company, coupled with the company’s latest circuit design, the Ultima Pre 3 offers exceptionally low noise and new levels of performance.

audioXpress May 2020 Glass Audio/Tube Focus edition is now available. Highlighted on the cover is a review of the RødeTest FuzzMeasure Audio and Acoustic Measurement Software and Ethan Winer's experiments to measure capacitor distortion. For tube enthusiasts, Bill Reeve repurposes an old Shure preamp for line-level duty, and Bruce Heran details how he built his two Mini Blocks tube amplifiers. Mike Rothacher shares an inexpensive MOSFET Follower (MoFo) Class A amplifier project, Richard Honeycutt provides valuable lessons about repairing guitar amplifiers, and there's plenty more audio electronics focused articles. Download now!