ESS Technology Announces New Flagship SMART High-Resolution Analog-to-Digital Converters

ESS Technology has announced three new flagship Sabre Pro Smart Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs) based on the company’s patented Hyperstream IV ADC architecture. The new devices target both professional and consumer audio applications and include the ES9823MPRO and ES9823PRO 2-channel ADCs and the 4-channel ES9843PRO ADC. The Sabre ES9823MPRO is the first ADC to incorporate the new FOQUS by MQA Labs architecture, eliminating unnatural pre-ringing and post-ringing of impulse responses.

NAD Electronics announced the release of two updates to its Masters Series: the M33 V2 BluOS Streaming Amplifier and the M23 V2 Stereo Power Amplifier. These next-generation models build on the legacy of the original M33 and M23 with cutting-edge digital architecture, refined sonic performance, and enhanced connectivity. An upgrade that expands on the successful models that have proven to be favorites for custom integrators, premium audio dealers, and discerning listeners.

During NAMM 2025, MQA Labs is announcing a suite of studio tools that will enable engineers to employ previously unavailable methods for improved impulse response and noise shaping. Harnessing MQA Labs’ advanced approach to time domain performance, the new Plugins by MQA Labs refine detail and resolution with unique control of time-domain and low-level information, giving studios the confidence that the files they deliver to streaming platforms preserve the richness, depth, and detail desired for digital playback.

The market for music streamers is getting extremely competitive. Bluesound, the wireless hi-res multiroom pioneer that is part of Lenbrook, holds a precious edge in that segment thanks to its BluOS software and unique foothold in residential integration. The new flagship NODE Icon reinforces that advantage with a reference wireless music streamer with superior features and specifications.

MQA Labs, a division of Lenbrook Media Group, a software, IP, and audio content distribution and management company, announced the availability of two innovative technologies within its QRONO product line: QRONO dsd, a DSD-to-PCM converter, and QRONO d2a, designed to get the best audio performance out of every DAC. Both technologies will hit the market in December 2024, with the integration in Bluesound's latest streamer, the NODE Icon.

Bluesound, the original wireless hi-res multiroom music brand, has announced three new wireless music streamers, the NODE NANO, NODE, and the flagship NODE ICON. All new three products have re-designed hardware with updated ESS Sabre DACs, and rich, new audio features, including Apple AirPlay 2 and aptX Adaptive Bluetooth support, plus DSD playback in the NODE and NODE Icon.

The newly formed Lenbrook Media Group (LMG), a business unit created on the aftermath of the MQA acquisition in the autumn of 2023, has announced the creation of MQA Labs with a mission to advance the distribution of high resolution audio with a suite of audio processing enhancement, conversion and encoding products for the music supply chain. Its three core solutions now include AIRIA by MQA Labs, essentially the SCL6 adaptive hi-res audio codec; FOQUS by MQA Labs, addressing analog-to-digital conversion; and QRONO by MQA Labs, audio processing enhancements for playback devices.