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If I had a euro for every comment asking me whether it's time to upgrade from a PM6007, I could almost afford the amp that just replaced it. Almost. Marantz has officially retired the PM6007 integrated amplifier and the CD6007 CD player, two machines that spent nearly six years as the default answer to "what should I buy for my first proper system?" In their place: the Model 70 and CD 70, landing on 15 August in black or silver-gold. The end of an era, and the end of a look T

Primo V3 debuts with a redefined approach to streaming DAC performance- Third generation of Volumio’s Primo offers improved performance, premium components and more- Florence, Italy. 8 July 2026 - Volumio, the leading audio software platform for music streaming and playback, today announced the launch of the third generation of Primo, the company’s beloved first streaming DAC. Primo V3 is a streaming DAC completely reinvented around Volumio’s latest engineering solutions to s

Every show leaves you with one product you keep circling back to. Not always the most expensive, not always the loudest in the room. Just the one your mind returns to on the flight home, the one you find yourself defending in conversations days later. For me, at the first-ever Vienna edition of High End 2026, that product was the For full coverage of High End Vienna 2026: part 1: https://www.hifidaydreaming.com/post/i-was-at-vienna-high-end-2026-and-this-are-my-favorite-devic

FiiO has spent the last few years transforming itself from a “budget portable audio brand” into something much bigger. And with the new K17 R2R Pro, it feels like the company is now aiming directly at the serious desktop audiophile market. This isn’t just another DAC/amp. It’s: DAC streamer headphone amplifier EQ workstation desktop control hub …all packed into one relatively compact chassis. And honestly? This might be one of the most feature-loaded desktop audio products Fi

For decades, “wireless audio” has mostly meant one thing: wireless music… connected to speakers with giant cables running across your floor. Now Pro-Ject is trying something genuinely different. Its new Wireless Box E flips the usual streaming amplifier concept upside down by attaching a compact mono amplifier directly onto the back of a passive speaker—eliminating the need for traditional speaker cable runs almost entirely. And honestly? This might be one of the more interes

Topping DX9 Discrete — deep dive news + analysis Topping isn’t just releasing another DAC here—it’s making a clear statement: we’re done playing inside the usual chip-DAC sandbox. The DX9 Discrete is a full desktop control center built around a proprietary discrete conversion architecture, and it’s aimed straight at users who want maximum control, power, and flexibility in one box. This is less of a “DAC upgrade” and more of a system replacement component. What the DX9 Discre

A dedicated disc spinner built around precision playback, modern digital processing, and classic hi-fi values. With the introduction of the NAD C 589, NAD Electronics is doubling down on something many thought was fading away: the compact disc. And it’s doing so without trying to reinvent the category. A focused return to physical media The NAD C 589 joins NAD’s Classic Series as a dedicated CD player, designed with a clear purpose: Extract the maximum performance from your C

A familiar streamer on the outside—completely different on the inside. With the new Shanling SM1.3R, Shanling is taking an interesting turn: keeping its proven streaming platform intact while swapping in a very different DAC architecture. Same design, new core philosophy At a glance, the Shanling SM1.3R looks identical to the earlier SM1.3: 5.8-inch touchscreen Compact desktop chassis Android-based streaming system Same connectivity and layout But internally, this is not a mi

A feature-packed 7.2-channel receiver that doubles down on usability, gaming, and wireless flexibility—without crossing the $1,000 line. With the introduction of the Denon AVR-S980H , Denon is refining—not reinventing—its popular S-Series formula. And that’s very intentional. This is about making home theater easier, not more complicated. A familiar formula, tightened where it counts The Denon AVR-S980H replaces the AVR-S970H, staying in the same price tier (~$949), but addi

A bigger, sharper, more ambitious take on one of the most popular powered speaker lineups. With the unveiling of the Kanto Tuk Grand , Kanto Audio is doing something it hasn’t really done before: Pushing beyond “great value desktop audio” into something that looks a lot more like serious hi-fi territory . From crowd favorite to flagship statement Kanto has built its reputation on accessible, well-designed speakers like: Yu series Ora Ren Tuk Now, the Kanto Tuk Grand becomes

A powerful integrated amplifier that updates a proven design with the features people actually use in 2026. With the launch of the Musical Fidelity M6xi , Musical Fidelity is taking a familiar formula—and making it far more practical for modern systems. The pitch is simple: Keep the analog performance people loved… and fix everything that felt outdated. Built on a proven foundation The Musical Fidelity M6xi evolves from the well-regarded M6si platform, but pulls in tech from

A compact subwoofer redesigned from the ground up—with more power, larger drivers, and smarter DSP control. With the announcement of the SVS 3000 Micro R|Evolution , SVS isn’t just refreshing a product line—it’s making a pretty bold claim: That a truly small subwoofer doesn’t have to behave like one anymore. Bigger drivers, more power, same footprint The new SVS 3000 Micro R|Evolution replaces the original 3000 Micro, but keeps roughly the same compact size. What changes is

A $140 CD player with a built-in DAC and headphone amp—landing right as physical media makes a quiet comeback. With the launch of the Fosi Audio Merak CD Player , Fosi Audio is doing something a lot of bigger brands seem reluctant to do: Taking CDs seriously again—but without taking your wallet hostage. Yes, CDs are back (a little)… and this is exactly the kind of product that fits CDs aren’t replacing streaming—but they are resurging among: Collectors Younger listeners disc

A $6,000 DAC that tries to make digital sound more “honest”… even if that honesty isn’t always comfortable. With the release (and early impressions) of the HiFi Rose RD160 , HiFi Rose is clearly aiming at the serious end of the digital market—people who already know what they like, and more importantly, what they don’t . And interestingly, this DAC seems built to challenge expectations rather than simply please. A delta-sigma DAC… for people who don’t like delta-sigma? At its

This isn’t just a new product line—it’s a statement about where “traditional” hi-fi is trying to go next. With the Nova range, Advance Paris is aiming higher than ever, blending: Classic analog aesthetics (yes, tubes and VU meters) Modern streaming and HDMI integration A modular, expandable ecosystem And while the ambition is clear, the execution raises some interesting questions. The core: two serious integrated amps At the heart of Nova are: Advance Paris A-i130 (130W per

Vinyl is booming—but patience isn’t. Sony clearly knows which side it’s betting on. With the launch of the Sony PS-LX3BT and Sony PS-LX5BT , Sony is doubling down on a very specific idea: Vinyl should be as easy as streaming—even if that annoys purists. And honestly, this might be exactly what the market wants right now. Fully automatic + Bluetooth = zero friction Both models share the same core philosophy: One-button fully automatic playback (no manual cueing) Bluetooth wi

A CD player, streamer, DAC, and headphone amp—for $399. Sounds like a compromise, right? Surprisingly… not really. The Shanling CD80II is one of those products that feels almost out of time. In a world obsessed with apps, ecosystems, and endless updates, this thing quietly asks: What if one small box just… did everything you need? And more importantly—what if it did it well enough to make you stop overthinking your system? The appeal: simplicity in a complicated world The wh

Because apparently, sounding incredible isn’t enough—you also need to look like a museum piece. With the latest Atelier Editions of the Bang & Olufsen Beolab 90 , B&O isn’t trying to improve the sound. It’s trying to redefine what a flagship speaker is . And depending on how you look at it, this is either peak high-end audio… or peak high-end excess. Same insane speaker, now dressed like sculpture Let’s get one thing clear:These new editions— Monarch and Zenith —don’t change

A new sub-$1,000 contender wants to be more than a streamer—it wants to sit at the center of your entire system. The network streamer category is getting crowded—and more interesting by the month. Now Shanling is stepping into the fight with the Shanling SM90 , a feature-packed unit that blends traditional hi-fi architecture with a modern, lifestyle-driven twist. At roughly $900–$1,000 , the SM90 isn’t just competing—it’s trying to redefine what a streamer should actually do

A small speaker system with big ambitions—blurring the line between desktop audio, hi-fi, and soundbar alternatives. Edifier has unveiled the Edifier M90 , a compact active speaker system that quietly challenges what we expect from “desktop speakers.” On paper, it’s a small, powered stereo pair. In reality, it’s something more ambitious: a single system designed to handle your PC, TV, streaming, and everyday listening—without compromise. HDMI eARC changes everything Let’s sta