News

Acoustic Energy premiers flagship loudspeaker range at The Bristol Hi-Fi Show with two striking new models

A US brand distributed in the UK by Decent Audio, Aesthetix has announced the introduction of Mimas, the first integrated amplifier from the high-end component manufacturer. A hybrid design combining a valve preamp stage – using a single 6DJ8 valve per channel in a fully differential, balanced configuration – with a solid-state power amp section, it’s power output is rated at 2x 150W into 8ohm and claims to almost double that into 4ohm. Hand assembled in California and priced at £8,725, it offers five line-level inputs as standard, with a variable gain MM/MC phono stage and/or DAC module with two coaxial and two optical inputs and a USB port for an additional £1,500 each. Click here for more info.

Distributed in the UK by Decent Audio, Colorado-based Ayre has introduced the first product from its entry-level 8 series. The EX-8 integrated ‘hub’ is available in five variants with a different array of input modules priced from £5,750 to £7,750. It’s rated at 2x 100W into 8ohm and is built around fully balanced, zero-feedback circuitry. With the Net module installed (from £7,500), it provides six digital inputs (Ethernet, USB, AES/EBU, S/PDIF and two Toslinks) and has embedded support for Spotify, Qobuz and Tidal streaming services as well as being Roon-ready.

Danish loudspeaker company Dynaudio has introduced its five-strong Evoke Series, which includes two standmounts, two floorstanders and a dedicated centre for multi-channel setups. Designed at its purpose-built R&D facility in Skanderborg, the series fits the same new 28mm Cerotar tweeter with Hexis inner dome to all models. All Evoke drivers were developed alongside the company’s more upmarket Contour and Confidence loudspeaker designs and employ strong ferrite+ magnets as well as the company’s proprietary MSP (Magnesium Silicate Polymer) cones to its bass drivers. The Evoke 10 (£1,250) is a two-way standmount with a 140mm mid/bass driver, while the 20 (£1,800) employs a 180mm mid/bass driver.

One event that really caught our eye at last year’s busy Hi-Fi Show Live was the unveiling of Copland’s CTA408 hybrid integrated amplifier that utilises both valve and solid-state circuitry. Unlike many other manufacturers, Copenhagen-based Copland prefers to do things differently and the CTA408 is based around an arrangement usingthe latest KT150 output valves and its own output transformers, offering a power stage rated a 2x 75W into4 and 8ohm that’s equipped with a special startup procedure designed to prolong valve life. Measuring 435 x 220 x 460mm (WxHxD) and weighing 26kg, it offers four line-level inputs and a tape loop, plus a fully shielded phono stage that has dedicated moving-magnet and moving-coil inputs and a solid-state circuitry design said to use 100+ discrete components. A dedicated Class A headphone amplifier is also built in, and the 6.

Releasing a trio of standmounts for the first time on UK shores, Definitive Technologyis part of the Sound United group that also includes hi-fi specialists Denon and Marantz. Designed in California, the baby Demand 7 measures 140 x 248 x 222mm (WxHxD) and claims 85dB sensitivity. It’s priced at £529 and employs a 114mm mid/bass driver partnered to the same offset 25mm aluminium dome tweeter that’s fitted to each Demand model along with the company’s 20/20 Wave Alignment Lensfor improved stereo imaging and dispersion. Priced at £799, the Demand 9 is the mid model measuring 165 x 297 x 300mm (WxHxD) with a 133mm mid/bass driver and 229mm passive bass radiator, and claims 88dB sensitivity.