Hi-Fi Choice

Astell&Kern has launched a limited edition version of its AK Jr portable music player with a stylish red finish. The AK Jr Red has a red aluminium case, machined gold controls and is on saleexclusively via Amazon. The original AK Jr was tested in HFC back in issue 401 and impressed with its superb sound across all file formats and its build quality and affordable price. The red version offers the same 24-bit/192kHz high-resolution audio playback, a high-quality Wolfson DAC, compatibility with music files including DSD and 3.

Jeff Lynne’s ELO is set to deliver a new album which will be the first new ELO music in 15 years. Alone In The Universe, the album is set for global release 12 November on RCA Records in the UK. The first single When I Was a Boy was released in late September and anyone that preorders the album will get it as an instant download. As with ELO’s previous releases, Lynne continuesto serve as producer, songwriter, arranger, lead singer and guitarist.

As a rule, Aesthetix’s Signature editions are renowned for taking the circuit design of an existing model and then bestowing it with ultra-high-quality components hand picked to deliver the peak of performance, and that’s precisely what’s happened with the Romulus and Pandora DACs. The main headline is that native DSD playback has been added to the feature count, meaning that both DSD64 and DSD128 can be handled over the USB inputs. Those are partnered by Toslink optical, RCA coaxial and AES/EBU digital inputs. As with all Aesthetix Signature updates, critical coupling capacitors have been replaced with Dynamicaps from Peter Moncrief, which are claimed to increase resolution, drive, dynamics, high-frequency extension and bass definition, while at the same time minimising grain.

Marantz has unveiled its new wireless connected music systems under its Melody Series monicker. Described as lifestyle network systems, the two units (the £499 M-CR611 Melody Media and £329 M-CR511 Melody Stream) boast 2x 60W power output, come with Spotify Connect functionality and provide compatibility with hi-res formats including: ALAC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF and (in the case of the Melody Media) DSD. Both units feature ‘one-push’ wi-fi Connect (with a claimed high-speed connectionof 11n), Bluetooth, NFC and a front-facing USB port for hooking up portable devices. The Melody Media comes equipped with a CD player alongside DAB/DAB+ and FM radio tuners and features a brace of digital inputs for connection to a television set.