Naim Audio Launches Limited-Edition Solstice Turntable

Renowned worldwide these days for its cutting-edge integrated digital audio systems, Naim Audio has placed considerable resources to design a very sophisticated vinyl reproduction system. In fact, the new Naim Solstice is the first turntable in the British brand’s almost 50-year history. It comes with a next-generation version of its own Naim Aro tonearm, an Equinox MC cartridge, external Solstice Series Phono Stage, and a dedicated Power Supply unit. Only 500 sets will be built of this Solstice Special Edition package.

Sumiko announced three new phono cartridges and one new stylus, extending the company’s high-end audio collection with enhancements for any turntable system. The brand debuted the Blue Point No. 3 High and Low output phono cartridges that replace the venerable Blue Point No. 2. The new limited-edition Celebration 40 phono cartridge is so named in honor of Sumiko’s fortieth anniversary. The new RS78 RPM stylus answers a long-time request from vintage record enthusiasts.

Technics unveiled the new SL-1200MK7-S Direct Drive turntable model. In keeping with the SL-1200 tradition of past decades and in response to recent inquiries, the brand decided to add a silver version. The new model inherits the same features and operational comfort as the SL-1200MK7 originally introduced in January 2019 in all-black matte finish, which has since been a success among the DJ community worldwide.

Focal Naim America announced it will be the US distributor of Thorens. With the incorporation of Thorens, Focal Naim America will add a lineup of high-end audio made in Germany to its current audio partners. Throughout the company's history, Thorens has developed several devices that have become milestones in the history of consumer electronics and is the oldest consumer electronics manufacturer in the world, founded in 1883 in St. Croix, Switzerland.

In 2020, Thorens introduced the TD 124 DD, an evolution of its TD124 turntable. With the all-new TD 124 DD, Thorens has reimagined the most renowned turntable in consumer electronics history. An homage to the original TD124, the new TD 124 DD combines the beauty of the original design with state-of-the-art technology, bespoke components, cutting-edge materials and unique design flourishes. Massively improved upon this new model intends to surpass all current competitors, just as the original did 63 years ago.

Following the announcement of the Phono Box RS2 reference class preamp, Pro-Ject has confirmed the launch in the North-American market of a series of phono products and accessories, some of which were released previously in Europe. Those included the Phono Box S2 Ultra discrete MM/MC phono preamplifier, the limited edition Phono Box Ultra 500 in polished chrome, and the Sweep It E and Sweep It S2 record brooms to clean vinyl while records are playing.

Following availability in the European market, Pro-Ject has confirmed the launch in the North-American market of a series of new phono products and accessories. Topping the list is the new Phono Box RS2, a fully balanced, fully discrete, reference class phono preamp with an MSRP of $1999. This new MM & MC capable true dual mono design offers a unique continuously variable input impedance loading and channel balance control to match every cartridge to 100% (adjustment even while playing).

In this article, Mike Harkins reviews the versatile Puffin Phono DSP by Parks Audio. For those of you who are not familiar with Parks Audio, this company was founded by Shannon Parks, who has also contributed fantastic articles published by audioXpress. After experimenting with several other products, Parks Audio has achieved notoriety for its phono stage Puffin, which adds a programmable DSP and is able to be updated and improved constantly with simple firmware updates. A new approach that truly takes the concept of a phono stage to a different level. This article was originally published in audioXpress, December 2020.

To celebrate its 20th Anniversary, the audio software wizards at iZotope are offering an updated version of its Vinyl plug-in, the first product ever offered by the Cambridge, MA-based company two decades ago. Vinyl is a fantastic effects plug-in, used in countless successful songs, particularly popular for its lo-fi and realistic spindown turntable effects. This vinyl simulation plug-in received new features and a new look and iZotope is offering it totally free!

4OurEars.com, an authorized seller of Grado products based in Staten Island, New York, launched a new look online store following a surge in demand for key Grado headphones and turntable cartridges in 2020. Following the launch of the brand's first true wireless headphone GT220 in October 2020, and The Hemp Headphone, back in June, this new official Grado online store will make products more easily available to everyone during challenging times.