LATEST ADDITIONS

Astell&Kern have just announced an expansion of their A&ultima flagship player line with the launch of the SP4000T digital audio player and Clarus in-ear monitors. Both of these new A&K products are making their global debut at High End Vienna 2026 (June 4–7, 2026) in Booth HX4, M04 in the Austria Center Vienna.

Shanling has announced the launch of EC Play, a compact portable CD player that combines the, quote, “nostalgia” of CDs with modern wireless and high-resolution audio features.

Ken Micallef reports from Japan: Showcased at a recent press event in Kawasaki, Japan, Denon officially debuted two new X-Series AV receivers. Read on to learn more about the next generation of Denon AVRs: namely, the AVR-X2900H and AVR-X3900H. . .

Performance
Build Quality
Ergonomics
Value

AT A GLANCE
Pros:
Wide soundstage with clear separation
Onscreen Menus
Endless Source Options from streaming music (onboard) to Sonos Connect
Cons:
Dirac Live setup is extremely finicky—could require customer support.
Minimal Equalizer in app—must go to onscreen menu
Some menus outdated—not intuitive—looks like old computer command line font

THE VERDICT
The Onkyo TX-RZ30 is a high-performing AV receiver with the power and precision to deliver clean dialogue, detailed sound effects, convincing instrument reproduction, and an immersive Dolby Atmos experience. With features typically reserved for more expensive models, it stands out as an excellent choice for home theater and music enthusiasts alike.

The TX-RZ30 marks Onkyo's entry-level model in its premium RZ-series AV receivers. While it isn't as powerful as the TX-RZ50 or the flagship TX-RZ70, it shares much of their DNA. Notably, it includes a full-bandwidth Dirac Live license at no extra cost—a feature that was originally an optional add-on for the RZ50.