From the Vault: The Borbely Preamp

"Designing a preamp is probably the most challenging engineering task in the audio chain, and many designers have invested a lot of time and effort in it," wrote Erno Borbely in this original 1985 article for the Audio Amateur. "My reason for designing this preamp is quite simple: I wanted to have a top-quality preamp without paying megabucks for a Levinson or Accuphase unit. It is up to you to decide whether or not I have succeeded in achieving the same quality." This article was originally published in The Audio Amateur Issue 4, 1985, and is still frequently referenced.

Q Acoustics made a successful presentation of its latest 3000c loudspeaker series at the 2024 High End show. Building on the legacy of its 3000i – Q Acoustics' most popular speaker series – this new affordable range expands the British audio brand track record of delivering sonic performance, high-quality design and build way beyond its class. Certainly, one of the most affordable speaker series displayed at the Munich show, caused a serious impression.

Swiss luxury audio manufacturer Goldmund, a name synonymous with precision and opulence, introduced its latest "entry-level" marvel, the Melos Active Wireless Loudspeakers. These compact wireless speakers offer everything a proud owner would expect from this type of design, plus the exclusive privileges of the "harmonious union of advanced technology and meticulous craftsmanship" that Goldmund offers.

PSB Speakers, Lenbrook's hi-fi loudspeaker brand, announced the launch of a new generation of its "best value, no-compromise performance" Imagine Series speaker line. The latest edition of the Imagine Series consists of the B50 Bookshelf, T54 and T65 Tower speakers, and all models are prime examples of PSB Speakers' engineering and manufacturing expertise, enabling home audio systems of premium quality at affordable prices.

Tone controls? Not enough. The equalizers are back. McIntosh Laboratory announced the launch of the new MQ112 Environmental Equalizer, a sophisticated 8-band stereo equalizer that can help users control their sound and listening experience. After all, anyone who can afford McIntosh high-fidelity, deserves to be able to control the sound profile the way it wants. And McIntosh says that the new MQ112 will be very effective at doing it.

The latest product in the growing SB Acoustics Satori high quality transducer range is the 7.5" Satori MT19CP-8 coaxial driver featuring an Egyptian papyrus fiber cone developed and perfected in its own cone/spider facility in Indonesia, matched with a dedicated 26mm high performance soft dome tweeter. A well-engineered driver for refined home audio designs that leverages on the extensive R&D that already characterizes the Satori speaker driver range.

Bryston has announced the introduction of an ultra-high-performance BP-19 analog preamplifier. According to the Peterborough, Ontario-based manufacturer, the BP-19 leverages years of R&D and many design innovations that were achieved during the development of its best-selling BR-20 preamplifier. The BP-19 is meticulously handcrafted in Canada and comes with Bryston's legendary 20-year warranty. Why would you need another preamplifier, particularly if Bryston already offers great options? The answer is in the performance.

audioXpress visited Grimm Audio in The Netherlands to learn more about the people behind this unique company, its products, and philosophy. There's nothing better to learn about product development than to visit an audio company and learn from its history and business journey. As a relatively young company, Grimm Audio has consistently put its mark on both the pro audio and hi-fi scene and Jan Didden shares what he learned about their unique in-house development philosophy. This article was originally published in audioXpress, July 2023.

Hegel has introduced their reference integrated amplifier. The H600 is rated for 303 watts in 8 ohms, with a damping factor of 4000, and 2 ohms drive capability - core specifications that Hegel considers are key for an amplifier to drive any speaker with confidence and ease. In line with the company's obsession of dual everything, the amplifier is a dual mono design. It also boasts a state-of-the-art preamplifier with the same extremely precise volume attenuator found in the Hegel reference P30A amplifier.

Technical Audio Devices Laboratories (TAD Labs) officially announced the TAD-C1000 preamplifier, the newest addition to its Evolution Series of hi-fi audio components from the iconic Japanese audio brand. Sharing the design language with existing Evolution Series components including the TAD-D1000TX disc player, TAD-DA1000TX DAC, and TAD-M1000 power amplifier, the TAD-C1000 masterfully amplifies signals from stereo sources without compromise. It connects up to four balanced and two unbalanced components, with amplification for two balanced and two unbalanced outputs.