L’Or du Son • March 2026

Aiwa’s AP-D50 turntable revisits the late 1970s micro system trend, tackling the challenge of miniaturizing turntables without sacrificing functionality or sound quality, reflecting Japanese engineering ingenuity in compact hi-fi design.

Date: 2026-02-01 | Tim Jarman

Quad’s ESL 2912X offers a substantial electrostatic speaker experience that respects founder Peter Walker’s philosophy of adequacy, delivering impressive sound depth and clarity without pursuing extreme size or cost.

Date: 2026-02-04 | Ken Kessler

Marking AVID HiFi’s 30th year, the Relveo turntable and Altus V2 tonearm combine new design with classic AVID traits, aiming for high-end performance with manageable size and setup complexity.

Date: 2026-02-02 | Adam Smith

Halcro’s Equinox preamplifier exemplifies boutique hi-fi craftsmanship with a high price point reflecting its refined design and sonic transparency, continuing the brand’s legacy of technical excellence.

Date: 2026-02-02 | Mark Craven

Luxman’s MM/MC phono amplifier combines design excellence with sonic clarity, delivering performance that exceeds expectations for its price point.

Date: 2026-02-11 | Tracking Angle

The TT9, a high-end Serbian turntable priced at £3,990, includes the KiVi M3 tonearm and features acrylic dust cover and clamp, combining design and sonic ambition.

Date: 2026-03-02 | Paul Rigby

A world premiere review of Audio Research’s I/70 integrated vacuum tube amplifier, reflecting on the brand’s legacy and the enduring appeal of tube audio.

Date: 2026-02-10 | Ron Nagle

Japan’s Open Reel Ensemble blends experimental music with reel-to-reel tape performance, collaborating with notable artists and renewing interest in analog tape artistry.

Date: 2026-03-02 | CDM

Artist and audio engineer Devon Turnbull has created Japanese tearoom-inspired ‘listening furniture’ for Karimoku

Date: 2026-03-03 | Wallpaper.com

An editorial examining the challenges of maintaining independent, rigorous criticism in high-end audio journalism amid commercial pressures and influencer marketing.

Date: 2026-03-01 | Steven R. Rochlin

Technics enhances the SL-1500CS direct-drive turntable, integrating a phono preamp and technical improvements to refine its analog playback capabilities for vinyl enthusiasts.

Date: 2026-03-06 | Joao Martins

Rega’s new AOS MC phono stage offers a pure analog, two-stage design inspired by the Aura MC, emphasizing low noise and no digital control for moving coil cartridge enthusiasts.

Date: 2026-02-25 | John Darko

The MC6 is a one-box phono amplifier supporting MM and MC cartridges, featuring a bespoke low-noise PSU and configurable gain and loading, crafted in the UK.

Date: 2026-02-23 | Paul Rigby

MoFi’s UltraPhono Pro phono preamplifier features a fully balanced, zero feedback, DC-coupled design aimed at purist analog playback at a $2495 MSRP.

Date: 2026-02-06 | Tracking Angle

The Ground Anchor grounding box connects tonearm ground to phono amp, reducing noise and microphony, enhancing analog playback clarity and system stability.

Date: 2026-03-05 | Paul Rigby

Technics releases the SL-1200GME Master Edition, combining advanced Delta Sigma Drive motor control with the SL-1200 G chassis for a refined analog playback experience.

Date: 2026-03-04 | pt.audio

A forum thread dedicated to sharing knowledge, experiences, and appreciation of vintage Sony turntables among analog audio enthusiasts.

Date: 2026-03-06 | Audiokarma

A forum discussion on Deutsche Grammophon’s new audiophile vinyl series, The Original Source, offering AAA-quality pressings for collectors and enthusiasts.

Date: 2026-03-05 | What’s best forum

Rhino Records enters the niche market of prerecorded reel-to-reel tapes with limited editions of classic albums, appealing to analog enthusiasts seeking rare, high-fidelity open-reel experiences.

Date: 2026-03-05 | John Atkinson