Modern Op-Amp Distortion Tests: Part 2 — A Few More BJT Types and JFET Devices
Many new op-amp types have appeared in the last decade, and Douglas Self thought it was time to evaluate those for distortion performance. In Part 1 of his article, he measured BJT-input devices using a similar protocol for five different loads and testing for basic op-amp distortion in favorable circumstances. In this second article, the measurement of BJT types is concluded, and he moves the JFET types to the test bench.
Skullcandy Unveils New Method 360 ANC Earbuds Powered by Bose
The result of Bose’s licensing efforts in partnership with Bragi, simplifying the process of building high-quality audio products for brands worldwide is starting to yield results. Already an earlier adopter of Bragi’s platform, Skullcandy now announced the new Method 360 ANC earbuds. Combining industry-leading sound by Bose with Skullcandy’s signature boldness, the affordable true wireless earbuds are a fresh take on the crowded product category with a clear competitive edge.
Nagaoka Unveils MP-700 Moving Permalloy Cartridge
Unveiled ahead of its official launch at High End Munich 2025, the new Nagaoka MP-700 is now the top-of-the-line model in the brand’s MP Series. A renowned audio equipment manufacturer from Japan, with 85 years of history, Nagakoa’s phonograph cartridges are used by many renowned companies as original installed equipment and under private label. The new MP-700 Moving Permalloy (MP) cartridge will be available in the standard MP-700 and a MP-700H premium version.
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Goer Dynamics Acquires Minority Stake in Gryphon Audio Designs
Goerdyna Group, the Danish arm of Goertek, combining Dynaudio, Libratone, and the recently acquired Auro-3D, continues to expand its strategic presence in the audio industry in Europe. Its subsidiary Goer Dynamics has now acquired a minority stake in Gryphon Audio Designs, a Danish ultra-high-end manufacturer. According to the announcement, this strategic partnership will expand the brand’s distribution in Asia and allow Goer Dynamics to explore new automotive opportunities.
Revox Announces B77 MK III Stereo Tape Recorder Alice Cooper Limited Edition
As the Revox Group continues to expand its operations and Revox Klangwerk successfully ramps up manufacturing of the Revox B77 reel-to-reel analog recorder, now manufactured in the company's operations in Villingen, in the south of Germany, the company also anticipated an interesting collaboration during AXPONA 2025. Rock star Alice Cooper and Revox have worked together to develop an exclusive, worldwide limited and signed special edition of the new Revox B77 MK III Stereo Tape Recorder and turntables, which were presented at the Schaumburg, IL audio show.
Écoute Audio Tube-Driven TH1 Wireless Headphones Work Great
Following a presentation at CES and NAMM 2025, écoute audio showcased the final production samples of its premium TH1 headphones at AXPONA 2025. These highly innovative wireless headphones combine a built-in tube-driven preamp stage featuring a Korg Nutube device, and all the features to be expected from a mainstream product, such as Active Hybrid Noise Cancellation, analog and USB connectivity with support for high-resolution up to 32-bit/384kHz, and wireless Bluetooth with LDAC or AAC. The successful design delivers up to 20 hours of playtime in wireless, tube-driven mode.
NTP Technology Joins Ravenna Audio-Over-IP Partner Community
Danish electronics manufacturer, NTP Technology, is the latest partner to join the Ravenna audio-over-IP community. NTP Technology has been developing high-quality, high-reliability, modular audio routing solutions for over three decades. With its brand DAD (Digital Audio Denmark), NTP provides audio interfaces for music recording, post-production, and live music applications. The announcement made at NAB 2025 follows the recent confirmation by Soundnet, a subsidiary of the Soundking Group, also as a member of the Ravenna community.
audioXpress May 2025 Brings the Best in DIY Audio with Tubes
This year’s special Glass Audio issue of audioXpress includes interesting explorations such as the Ultra-Linear Power Amplifier by Rudolf Moers, Micro Details in Push-Pull Output Transformers by Hans Polak, Getting Less Gain From Tubes by Merlin Blencowe, and the Type 3 Mu Stage Breakthrough by Alan Kimmel. This issue also includes two speaker designs from Ben (Wolf) Shaffer and Ken Bird, an article about the intriguing return of 78 rpm records, and Paul Marchese’s Part 2 of his insightful Primer on Class-D Amplifiers. Richard Honeycutt shares how he learned to DIY with Tubes.
Audeze Announces LCD-S20 Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones Featuring SLAM Technology
Audeze announced the new LCD-S20 closed-back headphones, the first planar model from the Californian company featuring their patent-pending SLAM technology for powerful bass response and improved spatial imaging, along with a new magnetic earpad attachment system. At $499, LCD-S20 becomes Audeze’s most affordable LCD headphones, appealing to a whole new group of content producers, musicians, and music enthusiasts that always admired the planar magnetic products from the manufacturer.
ATC Launches SCM20ASL 2-Way Active Stand-Mount Loudspeakers
Scheduled for its premiere at AXPONA 2025, the new SCM20ASL compact active speakers, are the main attraction from Acoustic Transducer Company (ATC), and are based on its 50th anniversary ‘Limited Edition’ design. Described as an ideal choice for modestly sized rooms where outstanding musical reproduction is the goal, the new ATC SCM20ASL are 2-way stand-mounts that expand on ATC’s philosophy of combining the best in-house drivers with matched on-board amplification.