Stay on the Edge of Audio Technology with audioXpress April 2017

The April 2017 edition of audioXpress is now available and features the first story in the new Amplifier Series, with a visit to ICEPower in Denmark to learn about the new ICEedge Class-D platform. This month, audioXpress also goes hands-on with some new products from Hafler (Radial) and CEntrance. We feature an excellent DIY project from famed German tube-expert Gerhard Haas, explore how good streaming music is on Spotify, discuss the use of Bass Traps, and much more. Now available.

Following several show previews, including NAMM 2017 and ISE 2017, Hafler (a division of Radial Engineering) confirmed it will be launching the Hafler CI series in spring 2017. The CI series range of multi-channel amplifiers was designed for the custom installation market, featuring true class-AB circuitry, with individual level controls on each channel, Fault-Safe protection, energy saving auto shut-off and turn on, and OmniPort expansion modules, including a Dante digital network card.

Following the resurgence of 33 RPM records and turntables, Hafler has launched a series of devices aimed squarely at this market that include two active phono stages and two step-up transformers (SUTs). The series includes the Hafler PH50 high-performance phono stage for moving magnet (dynamic) cartridges, and the Hafler PH60 phono stage for moving coil cartridges with a class-A transformerless head-amp design. The Hafler PH34 and PH44 SUTs employ ultra high performance Jensen Transformers.

Following earlier presentations at trade-shows, Hafler (a division of Radial Engineering Ltd.) announced the new P3100 2-channel amplifier will start shipping in July 2016. Designed for both studio recording and home listening, the P3100 follows David Hafler’s philosophy of offering the very highest quality at an affordable price point, and signals the return of a legendary brand following Radial’s acquisition of the Hafler brand from Rockford in 2014.

We have a policy not to publish news items just for the fact that products have been nominated for the NAMM TEC Awards or other awards. Not that they have merit or deserve the recognition, but because it doesn’t add anything to the information already published. We make an exception for Hafler’s HA75 Tube Head, because it’s good to know it’s getting some attention.

After over a decade of being dormant, Radial Engineering Ltd. purchased the Hafler brand in 2014 and announced it is re-launching a new series of high-fidelity audio products, already previewed at the 137th AES Convention in Los Angeles. One of the most interesting is the HA75 ‘Tube Head’ - a 12AX7 driven tube headphone amplifier with sufficient gain to power any type of headphone.