The Latest Features
Rabbit Holes and the Rise of SoundStage! Recordings—A New Era for Audiophile Sound
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- Written by Doug Schneider Doug Schneider
- Category: Monthly Column Monthly Column
- Created: 01 February 2026 01 February 2026
Going down rabbit holes can be a colossal waste of time, particularly on the internet, where vast amounts of information are available and minutes can turn into hours. Before you know it, an entire day can disappear, with nothing to show for it. Fortunately, some rabbit holes I recently explored yielded a substantial benefit—and a new opportunity for SoundStage! and its readers.
Dynaudio Contour 20 Black Edition Loudspeaker
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- Written by George de Sa George de Sa
- Category: Full-Length Equipment Reviews Full-Length Equipment Reviews
- Created: 01 February 2026 01 February 2026
Note: measurements taken in the anechoic chamber at Canada’s National Research Council can be found through this link.
Over the years, the Danish manufacturer Dynaudio has released many successful standmount loudspeakers. Recently, I had the pleasure of evaluating their Confidence 20A active speaker system. I absolutely loved these speakers, but I realize that few people are willing to invest US$24,000 in a stereo loudspeaker setup—even an active system with built-in amplification. Meanwhile, the passive design on which the Confidence 20A is based, the Confidence 20, sells for US$13,000 per pair, including matching stands.
Recommended Reference Component: Arendal Sound 1528 Monitor 8 Loudspeaker
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- Written by SoundStage! Hi-Fi Editors SoundStage! Hi-Fi Editors
- Category: Components Components
- Created: 15 January 2026 15 January 2026
Arendal Sound’s 1528 series of loudspeakers arrived in December 2024, marking an interesting moment for the Norwegian manufacturer. The company had already established a reputation for engineering-first designs with highly competitive prices, but the 1528 models represented a clear escalation: even larger cabinets, improved industrial design, higher output capability, and greater sonic refinement. When they arrived, the 1528 speakers were priced higher than any other Arendal Sound products. While that remains true today, the 1528 series is still less expensive than speakers they are intended to compete with.
A New Year’s Wake-Up Call for the Hi-Fi Industry
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- Written by Doug Schneider Doug Schneider
- Category: Monthly Column Monthly Column
- Created: 01 January 2026 01 January 2026
If this article comes across a bit like a rant, that’s because it is. What I’m going to write about has been on my mind for about a year now, and it’s finally hit the boiling point.
Audiolab 9000Q Preamplifier-DAC
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- Written by Roger Kanno Roger Kanno
- Category: Full-Length Equipment Reviews Full-Length Equipment Reviews
- Created: 01 January 2026 01 January 2026
Note: for the full suite of measurements from the SoundStage! Audio-Electronics Lab, click here.
I still recall Audiolab’s first product, the 8000A integrated amplifier, from back in the 1980s and ’90s. It had a sleek, compact design and fine performance for the price of US$999, making it one of a handful of high-quality integrated amps within the reach of cost-conscious audio enthusiasts. I lost track of Audiolab in the years after they were acquired by TAG McLaren, and more recently by International Audio Group (IAG). Nonetheless, IAG has revitalized the brand, which now offers four comprehensive lines of components.
The 2025 SoundStage! Network Awards for Outstanding Achievements and Products of the Year
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- Written by Doug Schneider Doug Schneider
- Category: Monthly Column Monthly Column
- Created: 15 December 2025 15 December 2025
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Each year, the SoundStage! Network highlights audio components that wowed our reviewers and recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the audio industry. That long-standing tradition continues in 2025. As in past years, all product contenders have been drawn exclusively from components that earned a Reviewers’ Choice award on SoundStage! Hi-Fi, SoundStage! Access, SoundStage! Ultra, SoundStage! Simplifi, or SoundStage! Solo during the previous 12 months. This approach ensures that every winner has first passed through our established review process before being considered for year-end recognition. The resulting winners are our 2025 Products of the Year.
Perfect Timing: A Bruce Cockburn Evening and a Digital Upgrade for Treble Clef’s TCA-M Active Loudspeaker
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- Written by Doug Schneider Doug Schneider
- Category: Monthly Column Monthly Column
- Created: 01 December 2025 01 December 2025
Although there are many reasons to like loudspeakers built around purely analog components—whether they’re all-passive or analog-based active designs—one benefit that owners of those loudspeakers can never enjoy is getting a digital upgrade that can improve the speakers’ sound and maybe even add new features. With digital active speakers, such benefits are possible.
Arendal Sound 1528 Monitor 8 Loudspeaker
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- Written by Philip Beaudette Philip Beaudette
- Category: Full-Length Equipment Reviews Full-Length Equipment Reviews
- Created: 01 December 2025 01 December 2025
Note: measurements taken in the anechoic chamber at Canada’s National Research Council can be found through this link.
I’d never heard of Arendal Sound prior to reviewing its 1723 Tower S loudspeaker early in 2024. I liked the pair, but I didn’t love them. They were solidly built and sounded remarkably smooth, even at high volumes. But they weren’t as detailed as some of the competition. Regardless, they performed well, and I concluded my review by remarking that I was eager to see and hear what the company did next.
Rotel Michi Q5 CD Player–DAC
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- Written by George de Sa George de Sa
- Category: Full-Length Equipment Reviews Full-Length Equipment Reviews
- Created: 15 November 2025 15 November 2025
Note: for the full suite of measurements from the SoundStage! Audio-Electronics Lab, click here.
“Perfect sound forever”—that was the promise consumer-electronics and recording companies made back in 1982 when Sony’s CDP‑101 made its debut. The CDP‑101 was the first consumer CD player to hit the market. Although the validity of that initial claim has been hotly debated since the CD’s inception, it’s amazing that 40-plus years later, the format maintains a foothold. Not only do manufacturers continue to introduce new CD players, but some of these components represent continuing attempts to attain that elusive goal of perfect sound.
Recommended Reference Component: Ortofon MC X40 Moving-Coil Phono Cartridge
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- Written by SoundStage! Hi-Fi Editors SoundStage! Hi-Fi Editors
- Category: Components Components
- Created: 15 November 2025 15 November 2025
In August 2025, SoundStage! Ultra editor Jason Thorpe reviewed the Ortofon MC X40 moving-coil phono cartridge and concluded that it “is a fantastic cartridge for any price.” The MC X40 is the top model in Ortofon’s MC X line. At the time of the review, it was priced at US$999, CA$1449, £875, or €999, which Jason describes as “an aggressive price for a midrange moving coil.” Since Jason’s review was published, the US price has increased to $1149, but the Canadian, UK, and European prices have not changed.
