Important Technology Updates and Great Product Reviews Featured in audioXpress December 2016

audioXpress December 2016 is now ready to download. Our Standards Review article explains the fundamentals of the USB 3.1, USB Type-C, and Thunderbolt 3 specifications. We review four measurement microphones from PCB Piezotronics, the Mytek Digital Brooklyn DAC, the new miniDSP DDRC-24 processor, and we feature a Retro-Style High-Fidelity Preamplifier for DIY enthusiasts. This is an issue no one will want to miss.

Many of today’s receivers and preamplifier processors do not have phonograph inputs, so anyone with a vinyl collection will need an external phono preamplifier. Bill Christie decided to build one using a TI high-performance op-amp, since the data sheet already included the schematic for a phono preamplifier. This article was originally published in audioXpress, July 2013.

We’ve worked hard on this month’s issue of audioXpress and we are certain you will enjoy what we have selected for you! Read about how Brüel & Kjær used COMSOL’s simulation software to improve their industrial and measurement-grade microphones. Read reviews of the Audiomatica CLIO Pocket and IsoAcoustics’ Aperta Speaker Stands and learn about the benefits of 48 volts for autosound.

For our March 2015 edition, we have selected a series of articles dedicated to Test & Measurement, both from a practical and a DIY perspective. First is Ethan Winer’s (re)take on Practical Applications for SPL Meters, followed by an historical recap from Voice Coil magazine editor Vance Dickason, on his reputed Test Bench process used to characterize drivers. We also discuss Headphone Testing issues among other things.