New Meridian DSP9 Loudspeaker Revealed at High End Munich

"Undeniably Meridian" but also "a new dawn for the company", the presentation of the new Meridian DSP9 Digital Active Loudspeaker was most likely one of the most significant engineering efforts that debuted at the 2023 High End show in Munich. A more compact, single-cabinet evolution of the extraordinary DSP8000 XE speakers, this new active, digital, DSP-smart design is simply close to perfection for those willing to spend over $80,000 USD.

Polish audio manufacturer HEM continues to introduce new high-end audio products under its brand Ferrum. First it launched the HYPSOS hybrid power system, followed by the OOR headphone amplifier, and the ERCO USB-C DAC with headphone preamp, establishing a new reference in quality and price for a desktop high end design. Now, the company introduced the new WANDLA, a flagship DA converter that can also be powered by the HYPSOS.

At CES 2018, companies will be looking for ways to improve existing designs in every front, and the critical stages of audio AD/DA conversion will continue to be a focus. Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM) has developed the AK4493EQ, a 32-bit stereo premium D/A converter, which will be available on the market in Jan. 2018. As AKM explains, this is an upgrade from its best-selling AK4490EQ, used in many high-end audio products since it was launched in 2014.

The new series of 2/4/6/8ch D/A converters from Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) is powering a new generation of high-quality consumer electronic devices, measurement equipment and control systems, now reaching the market. The AK4452VN, AK4454VN, AK4456VN and AK4458VN chips are 768kHz 32bit premium D/A converters, based on AKM’s Velvet Sound chip architecture.