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Thursday, February 26, 2026
This week in hi‑fi brings a rare mix of heritage and progress: classic albums return on better vinyl, streaming finally goes properly lossless, and several iconic brands unveil statement gear. From affordable audiophile turntables to anniversary loudspeakers, there’s plenty to get excited about.
Queen’s early masterpiece gets an exhaustive archival treatment, led by a brand‑new remix and backed by sessions, BBC recordings, and live shows that deepen the album’s mystique. It’s a dream release for collectors and a fascinating listen for anyone curious how classic rock recordings evolve with modern mixing.
Technics is trickling its advanced ΔΣ‑Drive motor control into a more accessible direct‑drive turntable, promising lower vibration and smoother rotation than most rivals at the price. With a built‑in phono stage and supplied cartridge, it’s shaping up as a plug‑and‑play vinyl winner.
In a move many audiophiles have been waiting for, Eversolo streamers now support Spotify Connect in lossless quality. It keeps Spotify’s familiar interface while finally letting capable DACs stretch their legs.
JBL marks its anniversary with a beautifully finished, strictly limited take on the L100 Classic, complete with real oak veneer and bundled stands. It’s a nostalgia‑driven design backed by thoroughly modern engineering.
DALI’s largest subwoofer proves it can deliver reference‑level bass for truly big rooms, passing THX’s toughest certification. This is serious low‑frequency firepower aimed at uncompromising home cinema systems.
A new direct‑drive deck bringing Technics’ digital motor control, built‑in phono stage, and classic S‑arm design into a more affordable audiophile package.
A Discman‑inspired portable that mixes retro charm with modern dual‑DAC architecture, balanced output, Wi‑Fi streaming, and LDAC Bluetooth.
A compact yet serious tube integrated from Audio Research, offering classic valve sound with optional DAC and phono modules for modern systems.
Best Value Pick
A free firmware update that unlocks lossless Spotify streaming on existing hardware is hard to beat—no new boxes, no extra cost, just better sound overnight.
Community Question
With Spotify now offering lossless playback on hi‑fi streamers, does it change how often you reach for vinyl or CDs—or does physical media still win in your system?