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Top stories and articles from the last days.

* Acoustune's 'HSX One' wireless earbuds feature active noise cancellation (ANC), a first for the brand, enhancing immersive listening experiences.

* The Telegrapher Raccoon is a compact near-field two-way monitor featuring a 6-inch woofer, 1-inch tweeter, and passive radiator.

* The Toneoptic CAN is a modular vinyl record storage solution featuring stackable crates with embedded handles for easy access.

* Diesel introduces a wired headphone model, blending bold design with functionality, showcasing the brand's signature style.

Audio Research D-80 is a fully balanced, two-channel tube power amplifier from the Reference series, delivering 70 W per channel in pentode operation.
The signal path remains fully balanced from XLR-only inputs to speaker terminals, minimizing noise and targeting modern high-end balanced preamplifiers.
Each channel uses matched KT150 output tubes with 6H30 drivers, covering 7 Hz–68 kHz at −3 dB and handling complex speaker loads confidently.

Canon celebrates 30 years of PowerShot, launched in 1996 with 0.57MP PowerShot 600, expanding to over 200 compact camera models worldwide.
PowerShot G7 X Mark III Anniversary Edition retains 2019 hardware: 20MP CMOS sensor, Digic 8 processor, and 4K video recording up to 30fps.
The unchanged 24–100mm f/1.8–f/2.8 lens remains a key differentiator, previously helping the G7 X Mark III lead its competitive compact segment.

Audio‑Technica unveils limited‑edition ATH‑WP900SE headphones featuring solid ash wood earcups, finely tuned specifically for string instruments, especially guitars.
Preorders open in Japan at ¥110,000 (~$750), with official release scheduled for February 20, 2026, emphasizing exclusivity and premium positioning.
Equipped with 53 mm dynamic drivers in ported earcups, delivering warm, precise guitar sound across a wide 5–50 kHz frequency range.

Luxman enters its second century with D-100 SACD/CD Player and L-100 Centennial Integrated Amplifier, defining a long-term, high-end engineering direction rather than anniversary editions.
L-100 is a pure Class A integrated amplifier rated 20W/8Ω and 40W/4Ω, using triple-parallel bipolar push-pull outputs and 80,000µF power supply.
Luxman’s LIFES 1.1 feedback architecture and LECUA1000 88-step attenuator deliver 0.005% THD, 300 damping factor, balanced inputs, MM/MC phono, and dual headphone outputs.

Astell&Kern introduced the A&ultima SP4000 Copper, a limited-edition flagship portable digital audio player featuring a luxurious 99.98% pure copper chassis.
Technically identical to the standard SP4000, it retains the Quad-DAC design and Octa-circuit architecture with full firmware, format, and UI compatibility.
The copper enclosure was chosen for superior electrical conductivity and shielding, requiring multi-stage stabilization and precision machining to prevent oxidation.

Smashing Pumpkins will celebrate the 35th anniversary of their 1991 debut album *Gish* with a single-LP vinyl reissue released on 29 May 2026 via UMR.
Originally produced by Butch Vig, *Gish* showcased Billy Corgan’s distinctive vocals and songwriting, with Jimmy Chamberlin’s drumming adding heft that set it apart from early grunge peers.
The 35th anniversary edition is a straightforward reissue using original 1991 non-gatefold packaging, without bonus tracks, demos, or live material included.

TEAC’s $629.99 TN-400BT X/TB is a belt-drive Bluetooth turntable launching Spring 2026, targeting wireless-first listeners with modern vinyl playback flexibility.
Limited-edition turquoise blue lacquer finish distinguishes this model, while high-density MDF plinth, aluminum platter, and machined controls emphasize durability beyond entry-level turntables.
Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC, aptX, and aptX Adaptive codecs enables high-quality wireless vinyl streaming, storing up to eight paired headphones or speakers.

Hisense launches the compact C3 mini projector in Germany for €1,699, positioned below C2 Pro and C2 Ultra in brightness and placement flexibility.
C3 delivers 2,500 ANSI lumens brightness, surpassing the C2’s 2,000 but trailing C2 Pro (2,600) and C2 Ultra (3,000) models.
Supports comprehensive HDR formats including HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, and Dolby Vision, though projector HDR lacks local dimming compared to premium TVs.

Sony opened Digital Media Production Center Japan (DMPC Japan) at its Tokyo headquarters, the third global site after the US and UK, enabling end-to-end workflow verification.
DMPC Japan supports full production pipelines, including virtual production, XR spatial content creation, post-production, and test screenings, all within a single integrated facility.
The center features CineAlta VENICE 2, Cinema Line cameras, Crystal LED VERONA, OCELLUS markerless camera tracking, and Virtual Production Tool Set systems.

The Crossover EC Zero T, a portable CD player, is a collaboration between SHANLING and MOONDROP, limited to 2000 units globally.
Featuring dual Raytheon JAN6418 vacuum tubes and Kunlun R2R DAC architecture, it offers enhanced analog sound conversion and warmth.
Equipped with AD8397 dual op-amps and audio-grade capacitors, it ensures stable power supply and high-resolution mid-high frequency output.

The M3 Plus ASANO TANCH Edition DAP, a collaboration between SHANLING and TANCHJIM, launches globally on February 20, limited to 2,000 units.
Features Cirrus Logic CS43198 Quad DAC configuration, delivering high-resolution sound with unique retuning for enhanced audio fidelity.
Offers versatile audio output options: 3.5mm single-end (200mW@32Ω) and 4.4mm balanced (800mW@32Ω), suitable for varied headphones.

Cambridge Audio introduces the L/R active stereo series, integrating StreamMagic streaming, Class D amplification, and cabling-free design in six bold color options.
Flagship L/R X delivers a massive 800 watts, using dual 5-inch woofers and dual 6-inch passive radiators to rival large floorstanding speakers.
L/R X and midrange L/R M include dedicated MM phono inputs, enabling direct turntable connection without external preamps, plus HDMI ARC for TV integration.

KEF will exhibit at “AUDIO FESTA in NAGOYA 2026” on February 14–15 at Nagoya Convention Hall, showcasing flagship and wireless speaker innovations.
Demonstration products include the flagship BLADE One Meta, high-end The REFERENCE Series, active Coda W, subwoofers KC92/KC62, and LS Wireless Collection.
KEF hosts scheduled seminars with precise time slots, including in-house presentations on Reference 5 Meta and Coda W, plus expert-led listening sessions.

km5 launches the limited-edition Instant Disk Audio-CP1 WICKED model on February 20, priced at ¥24,200, following earlier crowdfunding-based pre-sales success.
The wireless CD player emphasizes “music and jacket art enjoyment,” allowing CD cases to be displayed on the front for integrated visual and audio experiences.
Modern specifications include Bluetooth 5.1 wireless playback, a 3.5mm headphone jack, USB Type-C charging, and approximately 7–8 hours of continuous playback.

Sony introduces a new 'Sand Pink' color variant for its high-end wireless WH-1000XM6 headphones, releasing on February 27.
With this addition, WH-1000XM6 now offers four color choices: Black, Platinum Silver, Midnight Blue, and Sand Pink.
The 'Sand Pink' variant features a brighter pink hue compared to the previous WH-1000XM5's 'Smoky Pink.'

Ultrafide Audio will debut the ENSO INT-125 integrated amplifier at the 2026 Bristol Hi‑Fi Show, emphasizing traditional amplification over built‑in streaming or app ecosystems.
Designed and built in East Devon, England, the £3,500 ENSO INT-125 reflects Ultrafide’s pro‑audio heritage from MC² Audio and XTA Electronics.
Power output is rated at 125W per channel into 8Ω and 250W into 4Ω, using Ultrafide’s proprietary UltraSigma output topology.

Sony WF-1000XM6 true wireless earbuds launch in black and platinum silver, open for preorders at €299, undercutting WF-1000XM5’s €319 debut price.
Active noise cancellation is powered by a new QN3e processor, claimed three times faster, coordinating eight microphones per earbud for dramatically stronger isolation.
Updated dynamic drivers, improved DAC and amplifier deliver cleaner, more detailed sound, with reviewers saying WF-1000XM6 rivals WH-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM6 over-ears.

Samsung Display introduces the Penta-Tandem technology for its QD-OLED panels, enhancing performance and durability significantly.
The new design features a five-layer tandem blue OLED light source, improving luminous efficiency by 1.3 times and doubling panel lifespan.
Brightness levels reach up to 4500 nits for TVs and 1300 nits for monitors under a 3% pixel fill ratio.

TC Entertainment announced the cancellation of three planned Blu-ray titles, including the highly anticipated "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence" 4K restored UHD Blu-ray release.
The cancelled releases include "Nagisa Oshima Blu-ray BOX I" (5 discs) scheduled for April 10, and "Blu-ray BOX II" (5 discs) scheduled for June 10.
"Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence 4K Restoration" was also cancelled ahead of its June 10 launch, despite expectations for UHD-quality remastered visuals.

HIGH END 2026 audio exhibition will relocate to Austria Center Vienna (ACV) on June 4–7, 2026, marking the first move outside Germany in its 44-year history.
ACV is Austria’s largest conference center, offering 21 large halls, 134 smaller rooms, five levels, and modular spaces with movable walls providing up to -50 dB sound isolation.
The entire venue is sold out, with major brands like Audio-Technica, ELAC (100th anniversary), Yamaha, Bowers & Wilkins, and Marantz planning their largest or most ambitious displays ever.