Lenbrook Media Group Partners with HDtracks to Create Scalable Audio Streaming Service for Music Enthusiasts

Lenbrook Media Group has announced that it is supporting the launch of the new HDtracks streaming service, which will leverage scalable audio technology while offering consumer choice in hi-res audio formats. Recognized as the original pioneering service for high quality music downloads, HDtracks will now be able to offer also a streaming solution that is able to support new higher quality levels, thanks to the latest AIRIA by MQA Labs scalable codec.

Originating in Beijing, China, AURALiC is the company that managed to make innovative digital and analog components for the home networking aficionados - and not for cheap. The company builds products that make listening to digital streaming and high-resolution music a fun hobby, particularly for those who want all the options. AURALiC now announced updated ARIES G1.1 and ALTAIR G1.1 music streamers, improving on existing models by adding Apple AirPlay 2.

This year, I was really looking forward to meeting with the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), the support organization for the advancement and adoption of USB technology, and discuss their projects for the USB4 Specification, the really big, gigantic update story on that front (at least in consumer electronics) since CES last year. The USB-IF announced the publication of the latest and greatest USB4 specification in September 2019, offering a major update to the USB architecture that complements and builds upon the existing USB 3.2 and USB 2.0 architectures. This article was published originally in The Audio Voice 264 newsletter, February 6.

Originally introduced during a special event in London, in early December 2014, Meridian Audio’s MQA technology created a big impact at the 2015 International CES Show in Las Vegas and promises to change the way people enjoy music all over the world. The music industry, digital music distribution companies and audio manufacturers agree MQA encoding is the missing piece of the high-resolution audio puzzle.

At the RMAF 2014 show in Denver, Sony introduced an expanded range of portable audio options to enjoy Hi-Res sound anywhere. This includes three new headphones – the MDR-Z7 headband type Hi-Res Headphones, MDR-1ADAC Hi-Res Headphones with Integrated DAC/Amplifier, and XBA-Z5 Hi-Res In-Ear Headphones – as well as the PHA-3 Portable Headphone DAC/ Amplifier, and several headphone cables including models engineered with Kimber Kable.

Roland launched a new generation USB audio interface with DSD high-resolution audio support. The new Roland Mobile UA interface features new proprietary S1LKi technology in a minimalistic design with four channels of DSD and PCM audio in a small, bus-powered device.