Audio Video News

Elac Discovery DS-S101-G Music Server: $1,100

Elac’s Discovery DS-S101 has no internal storage so it’s not a server in the classic sense. It’s an awesome music-management system with a high-performance digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to ensure the best possible sound quality. But what makes it special — and worthy of Top Pick status — is its use of the acclaimed music library and discovery platform from Roon Labs, which, among other things, integrates with Tidal’s high-quality streaming service so your Tidal library shows up as part of your larger collection. As reviewer Al Griffin put it, “Discovery’s compact form and minimalist design allow it to be integrated unobtrusively with an existing hi-fi rig.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Free app from Roon Labs
Wired and wireless multiroom playback options
Impressive sound from built-in DAC
Minus
Track count limited to 30,000 (without Roon subscription)
Requires wired LAN connection

Full Review Here

 

Astell & Kern KANN Music Player, $999

Audiophiles who want to take treasured hi-res music files along for the ride, will appreciate the craftsmanship and luxurious sound quality of Kann, the newest portable music player from Astell & Kern. “The Kann provides truly impressive performance for the just-under-$1,000 price — not much more than the cost of a loaded iPhone from a major carrier,” wrote reviewer Mark Fleischmann. “I found it just as fulfilling to my ears as the far pricier AK240 (reduced to $1,499) and the price-no-object AK380 ($3,499). If our reviews of those latter products whetted your appetite but their four-figure price tags held you back, the Kann might be the high-resolution audio player you’ve been waiting for.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Normal or high-gain output
Full and microSD card slots
Native 384/32 PCM and DSD support
Minus
Bulky
Not as pretty as some other A&K players
USB charger not included

Full Review Here

 

Denon AVR-X3400H A/V Receiver: $999

The AVR-X3400H has a lot to offer for a thousand bucks, starting with full 4K/HDR-readiness, solid ergonomics, and a robust seven-channel amp that will have no trouble powering all but the largest home theater setups. Onboard power limits Dolby Atmos configurations to 5.1.2 channels but that’s par for the course in this price range and a layout that even reviewer/audio guru Daniel Kumin is coming around to “especially with dipole surrounds on the sides.” As he put it, “The front-elevation speakers added a valuable sense of size and height to both ambience and wide-range music.” The receiver is also equipped with the very capable DTS Virtual:X processing for modest soundbar-based and two-channel systems and hosts Denon’s Heos wireless multiroom ecosystem.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Solid two-channel and multichannel power
3.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos/DTS:X virtual height effects
Excellent Audyssey MultEQ XT32 room correction
HEOS wireless multiroom
Minus
Wired multiroom limited to one zone

Full Review Here

 

Teac AI-503 Integrated Amplifier/DAC: $1,000

Teac’s retro-styled AI-503 integrated amplifier sounds as good as it looks — and as you can see it looks great with its backlit analog meters, brushed-aluminum case, and aluminum control knobs. Whether you’re powering a full-size system or playing hi-res music on a desktop rig, you can expect a clean, refined presentation, courtesy of the 503’s high-performance Verita DACs and high-efficiency Class D amp. And that’s not all: The amp boasts an asynchronous USB input, dedicated headphone amp, and supports Sony’s LDAC coding technology, which allows 96-kHz/24-bit files to be streamed wirelessly via Bluetooth.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Clear, crisp sound
Cool, retro design
Can drive efficient speakers to reasonably loud levels
Minus
Hi-res Bluetooth requires LDAC source
Pricey

Full Review Here