High-End Audio / Audiophile & Music Industry News

  We invite you to join our social media pages and meet music lovers and audiophiles from all around the world. Like and follow our social media pages to chat with our reviewers, industry luminaries, and our loyal followers. As always, in the end what really matters is that you... enjoy the music!

04 / 10 / 26

This Weekend: AXPONA 2026 Show Coverage Begins — New Reports Publishing Now
Our extensive AXPONA 2026 coverage is now live, bringing you the latest highlights, breakthrough product debuts, and in-room listening impressions from this premier high-end audio event. From flagship audiophile sound system showcases to exclusive evening live concert features, we're rolling out fresh reports throughout the show. Dive into today’s updates — and check back often as we continue adding new rooms, gear spotlights, and insider commentary.

Over three days, the AXPONA 2026 show combines a sprawling Expo Hall with many listening rooms, a trade pavilion, live musical performances, and specialty areas such as the Ear Gear Experience, and IASCA car audio showcase. Education and community programming remains central to the event's appeal as AXPONA's schedule includes many activities. With thousands expected to attend, the event continues to grow as a cornerstone of the North American audio community. Whether you're a seasoned audiophile or someone curious about high-end sound, AXPONA 2026 promises an engaging, hands-on journey through the best that modern audio has to offer. See our Audio Expo North America 2026 show report updates.

Part 4 — Lower Level, Left (St. Laurent & Outremont Rooms) At The Montreal Audiofest 2026 Show
A deep dive into the Montreal Audiofest 2026, featuring early-morning impressions, high-end audio's latest innovations, audiophile solutions, and standout demonstrations.
Montreal Audiofest Show Report By Rick Becker
The weather at Montreal Audiofest is nowhere near as bad as the early years when it was held earlier in the year at the Delta Hotel. Still, it was not surprising to find a coating of snow on the city on Sunday morning. The snow surrounding the pool and the fog above the heated pool make for an enchanting early morning dip. I was hoping this would be the year I'd risk going for a swim, but the need to stay on schedule and get my work done prevailed. Arriving at the hotel restaurant early, finding empty tables, and being seated immediately put me at ease. Charles Kirmuss, the Doctor of Groove, joined me for a glass of orange juice. I had studied his website before coming to the show, and we had an interesting conversation about his record rejuvenating technology. When I see him at his booth, I rarely have time to engage with him, so this was a treat. Montreal is his hometown, so he always makes this show. He's a big fan of Anne Bisson, who is also from Montreal.
---> Part 4 — Lower Level, Left (St. Laurent & Outremont Rooms) At The Montreal Audiofest 2026 Show.

04 / 09 / 26

U.S. Recorded Music Revenue Hits Record $11.5 Billion In 2025 Driven By Streaming And Vinyl LPs
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) reported that U.S. recorded music wholesale revenue reached a record $11.5 billion in 2025, marking continued industry growth driven largely by digital formats. Streaming remained dominant, with streaming revenues rising to $9.5 billion and accounting for 82% of total U.S. revenue for the fifth consecutive year. The RIAA highlighted that this expansion reflects labels' investments in technology and new fan experiences. Paid subscription services continued to power the market: the U.S. is the world's largest paid subscription market with 106.5 million paid accounts generating $6.4 billion, and premium paid subscription revenue grew 6.8% to $5.88 billion. At the same time, physical formats saw notable gains—vinyl sales surpassed $1 billion for the 19th straight year, representing nearly half of global vinyl value and outselling CDs in revenue and units. 

RIAA leaders framed the results as evidence of a resilient, evolving music economy, noting that label strategies around streaming, vinyl, and responsible AI licensing are expanding creative and commercial opportunities for artists. The association also emphasized music's broader economic footprint, reporting that the recorded music sector contributes $212 billion to U.S. GDP and supports more than 2.5 million American jobs. The RIAA's 2025 Year-End Recorded Music Revenue Report presents figures on revenue categories, format performance, and evolving licensing models, and the organization has refreshed its interactive database with historical data. Industry stakeholders pointed to the report as a roadmap for balancing technological innovation with protections for creators as new tools and formats reshape how fans discover and purchase music.

04 / 08 / 26

Global Music Revenues Surge 6.4% As Streaming And Innovation Reshape The Music Business Industry
Global recorded music revenues climbed 6.4% to $31.7 billion in 2025, marking the eleventh consecutive year of growth, according to IFPI's Global Music Report 2026. The organization credits this rise to strong partnerships between record companies and artists, as well as expanding engagement with paid streaming platforms. With 837 million paid streaming subscribers, streaming now accounts for more than half of all global recorded music revenue. Record companies are also positioning themselves at the forefront of AI innovation. The report highlights their work in developing licensing models that ensure artists are compensated when their music is used in AI-driven tools. IFPI emphasizes that the goal is an ecosystem where human creativity and AI can coexist, with technology enhancing rather than replacing artistic expression.

Alongside growth, the industry faces mounting challenges from streaming fraud, where artificially generated plays divert revenue away from legitimate artists. IFPI calls for stronger action across the entire streaming value chain—including platforms, aggregators, and distributors—to detect and prevent fraudulent activity. The organization stresses that combating fraud is essential to protecting the integrity and sustainability of the music economy. Every global region experienced revenue growth in 2025, with Latin America leading at 17.1%, followed by strong gains in Asia and the Middle East & North Africa. Physical formats also saw renewed momentum, driven by an 8% rise in sales and vinyl's continued resurgence. As the industry adapts to rapid technological and cultural shifts, IFPI's report underscores music's enduring global influence and the sector's ability to innovate through change.

04 / 07 / 26

Part 3 — Industry Gala Banquet: Celebrating Innovation And The People In High-End Audio
A premier gathering of luxury audio professionals, brands, and creators shaping the future of sound.
Montreal Audiofest Show Report By Rick Becker
In recent years, the industry has gathered on Saturday nights at the Canadian Audiofests for a celebration of camaraderie and to acknowledge the lifetime achievements of prominent people in the industry. On my way to the event at the hotel, I wandered past the rooftop homage to wilderness and found the ducks feasting on fresh strewn corn. The fish were not jumping this early in the season. People were encouraged to dress up in hip attire from the 1990s. Those wearing eye-catching ensembles were asked to pose for photos in front of a decorative marquee. I grabbed a glass of champagne that was offered and slid past this ritual in my suit from that same era. People were eager to sit down this year, as Saturday had been especially busy. There had been a lot of younger people at the show this year, and a noticeable number of women visitors. The same can be said of the crowd at the banquet. Some of the banquet attendees, like this whippersnapper, were considerably younger.
---> Part 3 — Industry Gala Banquet: Celebrating Innovation And The People In High-End Audio.  

04 / 06 / 26

$1B Verdict: Supreme Court Shields ISPs From Piracy Liability
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 9–0 decision in Cox Communications versus Sony Music Entertainment, reversing a lower-court ruling that had held the internet service provider liable for subscribers' music piracy and overturning a jury award that exceeded $1 billion. The Court held that an ISP cannot be treated as a copyright infringer solely for providing internet access to the public, rejecting the theory that mere knowledge of user infringement is enough to impose contributory liability. The dispute began after music companies used third-party monitoring software to trace alleged illegal uploads and downloads to IP addresses assigned to Cox subscribers and sent the ISP more than 163,000 infringement notices over the period at issue. Sony and other rights holders sued, and a jury awarded statutory damages that together topped $1 billion; the Fourth Circuit later affirmed a finding of contributory infringement, prompting Cox to seek Supreme Court review.

In an opinion explaining the unanimous 9-0 ruling, the Court emphasized established principles of secondary liability, saying contributory liability requires proof that a provider intended to foster infringement—either by affirmatively inducing it or by tailoring a service to facilitate it—not merely by failing to terminate accounts after receiving notices. The decision clarifies that ISPs' limited ability to monitor or control individual users and their contractual prohibitions on infringing activity weigh against imposing broad liability for subscribers' actions. Legal and industry observers say the ruling is a landmark win for internet providers and will reshape litigation strategies for copyright owners, who may now focus on targeting direct infringers or services that actively promote piracy rather than access providers. Rights holders have signaled they will evaluate next steps as the case returns to lower courts for further proceedings consistent with the Supreme Court's guidance. Analysts also warn the decision could prompt policy debates over notice-and-takedown practices and the balance between copyright enforcement and universal internet access.

04 / 03 / 26

Part 2 — 2300 And 2400 Hallways: Montreal Audiofest 2026 Show Report
High-end audio gear reviews, in-depth hi-fi technical details, and exhibit room listening notes.
Montreal Audiofest Show Report By Rick Becker
I've almost missed Room 2326 before, and I did this time, too. As you come up the stairs from the hallway with the duck pond, it is tucked down the hallway immediately to the right. It's the only Audiofest room in that hallway. Sarah needs to hire a School Crossing Guard to direct people to it, as it is often one of the most interesting rooms at the show. Fortunately, I recognized my oversight and dropped in on my sweep of the show late on Sunday. The speaker company is O/ Audio. Sorry, I don't have a Greek keyboard on my computer. I found a couple of Phi Audio companies on the internet, but not this one.  After searching the Harmonia Distribution website, I found them in Norway, so I guess the company is O Audio, as in "Oh, what an unusual name." I saw a nail-driving competition at Capital Audiofest that suggested something Norse about them. And there was buzz about them at the show, which was pretty good.
---> Part 2 — 2300 And 2400 Hallways: Montreal Audiofest 2026 Show Report.

04 / 02 / 26

Hi-Fi+ April 2026 High-End Audio Magazine
Editorial: Streaming Versus Local: When A Music Server Still Wins
CH Precision 10 Series Digital Replay System
Franco Serblin Accordo Unica Floorstanding Loudspeaker 
Holborne Analog 3 Silver Turntable And Tonearm
Innuos STREAM3 Music Server
LUMIN P1 Min Streaming Amplifier
Kuzma SAFIR 12 Turntable Tonearm
Synergistic Research Voodoo Music Server
SV-Audio Gro Floorstanding Loudspeaker
Stack Audio AUVA SW Subwoofer Feet
...And Much More!

Within this month's editorial, Alan Sircom says "On the face of it, the continued rise of streamed music and the general shift away from physical or locally-stored music would tend to suggest there's no need for a music server anymore. With two new server products in this month's line-up, I'd argue that reports of the server's demise are greatly exaggerated. Until recently, almost every self-respecting enthusiast with a networked audio system used a server no matter what. This started because local NAS boxes (network-attached storage) were used to hold your collection of ripped CD files and downloaded high-resolution tracks. A server was needed to coordinate all this, and at a time when storage was cheap and bandwidth was still relatively narrow, this was a great idea. Now, however, broadband is rarely the bottleneck it once was. You can effortlessly stream even the largest file from a service provider, the likes of Qobuz, Spotify, and Tidal have 'Connect software that lets your streamer bypass the server, and that drive full of CD rips is now full of the tracks you loved to play a decade ago. We've moved on."
---> hi-fi+ April 2026 High-End Audio Magazine.

04 / 01 / 26

April 2026 Review Magazine: World Premiere Gear And Show Reports
Flagship reviews, Montreal and Florida show coverage, plus an insightful buying guide.
The issue opens with high-end audio's diverse equipment offerings with A Buyer's Guide For 2026. It emphasizes how the market has evolved into specialized ecosystems that include hi-fi separates, music streamers, portable high-res players, and explains why manufacturers may optimize products for listening context rather than one-size-fits-all solutions. Our equipment section leads with world premiere reviews, including the impressive Børresen T1 Silver Supreme Edition (SSE) stand-mounted loudspeaker with Dr. Bump's detailed listening and technical analysis, the Heartsound Audio Holostage review by Rick Becker showcases a hands-on evaluation of an affordable sonic enhancer. The fun and fantastic MooVu DIY loudspeaker kit showcases how doing it all by yourself can be lots of fun! As always, our April issue also means a couple of humorous articles for your reading pleasure.

Beyond gear, April's coverage includes major show reports and industry commentary that map current trends. Detailed reports from Montreal Audiofest 2026 and the Florida International Audio Expo 2026 capture the scale of recent shows and the resurgence of immersive, luxury-level demos. There's more show excitement as later this month, we'll be adding AXPONA coverage to the mix as well. The issue also spotlights community and inclusion efforts, such as the Women In Hi-Fi seminar coverage, reflecting the magazine's broader engagement with the industry. Enjoy the Music.com's April Review Magazine balances technical depth with accessible narratives—reviews include setup tips and real-world listening notes, while show reports and features provide market context for buyers and hobbyists. Whether you're researching a flagship loudspeaker, exploring DIY speaker kits, or tracking show trends, the issue offers actionable insights and curated recommendations that serve both seasoned audiophiles and newcomers.
---> April 2026 Review Magazine: World Premiere Gear And Show Reports.

How High-End Audio Broke Into Ecosystems: A Buyer's Guide For 2026
Why purists, streamers, and convenience seekers buy different kinds of high-fidelity.
Editorial By Steven R. Rochlin
High-end audio's market structure in 2025 and 2026 shows concentrated growth in premium segments, even as the mass-market hi-fi segment also expands. Am humbled to find that our global consumer audio market was valued at about $58.9 billion in 2025, with hi-fi sound systems and premium headphones growing faster than commodity categories. What may look to some like fragmentation is actually a move towards specialization: manufacturers and boutique builders optimize for listening context rather than a single universal product. That may yield better-fitting systems for critical listening, living-room convenience, and portable use. Like Enjoy the Music.com, our part of the overall consumer electronics sector is doing better than ever! For purists, the separates ecosystem—standalone loudspeakers, amplifiers, preamps, phono stage, and DACs—remains the gold standard.
---> How High-End Audio Broke Into Ecosystems: A Buyer's Guide For 2026.

Montreal Audiofest 2026 Luxury Hi-Fi Audio Show Report
The ultimate audiophile and music lover experience.
Montreal Audiofest 2026 (Salon Audio Montreal) returned March 20th through 22nd, bringing Canada's premier high-end audiophile event to the city. Organizers enjoyed welcoming thousands of music lovers and audiophiles eager to listen, see, and handle cutting-edge audio gear, with over luxury 300 brands showcased under one roof. The three-day festival was designed for audiophiles, videophiles, immersivephiles, and curious music lovers seeking modern immersive, hands-on experiences. As the largest audio event in Canada, the event gathered top distributors, manufacturers, and retailers from the high-end consumer electronics industry. Attendees joyously explore dedicated demo listening rooms, vendor booths, and curated exhibits that highlight the latest in luxurious loudspeakers, top-rated amplifiers, precision Hi-Res Audio DACs, turntables, immersive headphones & portable audio, plus home A/V systems. The show's scale and industry presence made it a must-visit for anyone tracking trends in premium sound and home cinema.
---> Montreal Audiofest 2026 Luxury Hi-Fi Audio Show Report.

World Premiere Review!
Restoring Music To Its Reality: Børresen T1 Silver Supreme Edition Stand-Mounted Loudspeaker Review
In-depth listening test, technical analysis, and real-world setup tips for audiophiles and music lovers.
Review By Dr. Michael Bump
Giddy. (adj) The emotional response I have developed to the musical instruments that are Børresen loudspeakers. In my crossover life as both a professional musician and high-end audio writer and reviewer, I have grown acquainted with a handful of select audio designs that, from my perspective, serve as true musical instruments  – creations that express sonic art in ways that reach into the human heart, corporeally moving both body and soul in ways that defy words. Before we get to my Børresen T1 SSE (Silver Supreme Edition) monitor loudspeaker review, here's some background. It was six years ago from my first encounter with Børresen loudspeakers, when, upon first listen, they revealed those same visceral qualities I am all too familiar with when on stage creating live music. In the Spring of 2019, I was privileged to pen the U.S. Premiere review of the Børresen 01 Series stand monitor, the cornerstone of what was then the newly established Børresen Acoustics loudspeaker company of Michael Børresen and co-founding business partner, Lars Kristensen.
---> Børresen T1 Silver Supreme Edition Stand-Mounted Loudspeaker Review.

World Premiere Review!
Heartsound Audio Holostage Review: Scientific Voodoo Or Genuine Upgrade?
Hands-on evaluation of sonic impact, transformative sound, and where Holostage fits in your audiophile journey.
Review By Rick Becker
It was pure chance that I stumbled upon Heartsound Audio's Holostage to review here at Enjoy the Music.com. I'm not an avid reader of audio blogs, but occasionally an e-mail with a Weekly Recap of the Audiogon Discussion Forum will slip past my email filters. The subject was actually the Nirvana Chronos, which I had previously heard at AXPONA in 2025 and subsequently reviewed very favorably. People wanted to know if the Heartsound Holostage was similar or as good, since it was considerably less expensive. I fired off an inquiry. Kristine Tetrault, founder of the company in 2021, replied shortly with an offer to send me a review sample. The Holostage is sold in sets of four blocks for $1000. It arrived via Priority Mail from Concord, NH, which is too far inland to catch any scent of saltwater. Inside the Flat Rate USPS box was a black cardboard box of the kind you might expect a gift from Macy's to be wrapped.
---> Heartsound Audio Holostage Review: Scientific Voodoo Or Genuine Upgrade?

MooVu DIY Loudspeaker Review — Big Bass, Easy Build, Great Value
Construct, listen, love — a gateway to DIY audio'phile hobbying fun.
Review By Brett And Dylan Rudolph
Last year at the Capital Audio Fest, I saw Vinh Vu, principal at Ginkgo Audio, sitting at his booth with his MooVu speakers. I was fascinated by these $815-ish Do-It-Yourself (DIY) speakers, which he explained to me were his latest brainchild. So, while I had no real time to do more than look at them, we chatted a little longer and then put a pin on it, thinking we would come back to it later. There is one thing that you need to know about Vinh, and it is absolutely to his credit: he is very organized. Shortly before the end of the year, he called to ask if I was interested in reviewing the MooVu speakers. While I have many strengths in this world, one of them is not the ability to work with my hands, which, coupled with my current vision issues, leaves me unable to review things such as this; however, my son Dylan was absolutely thrilled to help with this review. So, we set up for the second weekend in January for Vinh to come and show us both how to build speakers and put the MooVus together.
---> MooVu DIY Loudspeaker Review — Big Bass, Easy Build, Great Value.

Sozy Wulkmun High-Rez Audio Turntable Review
Freeing your music has never been easier!
Review By Nilhcor R. Nevets
Look, I'll make this preview brief as spy photos and an advanced copy of their upcoming advertisement just hit my desk. While I'm bound to this desktop torture getting this story out fast, your music LPs soon will have a newfound freedom away from their homeward bondage. With vinyl LP sales experiencing double-digit growth, it appears that the LP is once again becoming a major force within the music industry. Furthermore, Rebeat has just announced their new high definition vinyl LPs via lacquers cut with a femto-laser (see March 17th Industry News update). World-renown electronics manufacturer Sozy will soon be selling their Wulkmun battery-powered portable record player. Playing both 33.3 and 45 rpm LPs, the Wulkmun looks to have a specially-developed laser-sensing physics-loading tonearm that ensures the perfect pressure of the needle to the LP surface. Furthermore, we've learned that the Sozy Wulkmun will be the world's first audio component to include the aptX HD 24-bit Bluetooth chipset.
---> Sozy's Wulkmun High-Rez Audio Turntable Review.

Many more reviews & articles are within our Review Magazine.

03 / 29 / 26

Part 1 — 1200 & 1300 Hallways: Montreal Audiofest 2026 Show Tour And Sound Impressions
Exhibitor room and gear reviews, technical observations, and practical notes for serious listeners and music lovers.
Montreal Audiofest Show Report By Rick Becker
It was an uneventful drive up to the border from Rochester, NY, this year, as I started earlier in the afternoon and the weather was merely grey. Crossing the border on Saturday morning was cordial, and the road into Montreal was dry. For the first time that I can recall, I had to wait in line for an elevator to take me up to the Bonaventure Hotel on the 10th floor. The admission line was orderly, and the Canadiens were patient. Staff and many patrons were sporting bright orange Enjoy the Music.com lanyards. A Press Pass was waiting for me at the last kiosk. Following my usual protocol, I started on the upper floor, aiming to complete the four hallways on Saturday and descend to the lower level on Sunday. The buildings beyond the pool that were under construction last year looked habitable. Traces of overnight snowfall were not unusual for this time of year.
---> Part 1 — 1200 & 1300 Hallways: Montreal Audiofest 2026 Show Tour And Sound Impressions.

03 / 26 / 26

Gryphon Audio Essence Preamplifier
And Essence Stereo Power Amplifier Review
Blown away by an amazing musical performance!
Review By Tom Lyle
The Gryphon Essence preamplifier and Gryphon Stereo power amplifier are gorgeous looking and beautiful sounding Danish high-end audio components. Those who can afford either or both of these components will not only enjoy stellar sound quality but most likely will also be able to enjoy the fact that they are the epitome of audio equipment that has a look and "feel" of luxury goods. Gryphon founder Flemming E. Rasmussen was responsible for the stunningly beautiful exterior of the rather large (and heavy!) Gryphon Essence preamplifier and Stereo Essence power amplifier. Good looks and operational refinement are especially true of the Gryphon Essence preamplifier. Its weighty infrared metal remote was only one indication of this Danish audio manufacturer's recognition of many audiophile's appreciation of the intangibles that are available on many preamps.
---> Gryphon Audio Essence Preamplifier & Essence Amplifier Review.

Eminent Technology LFT8c Loudspeaker Review
Dipole done well.
Review By Jules Coleman
If you are not familiar with Bruce Thigpen, it's time you were. Bruce has been among the more creative and innovative designers in the audio industry over the past forty years. He began his career by working on what was to become the Infinity turntable, which he followed with the classic and much-admired ET 2 linear tracking tonearm (parts and updates are still available for the model 1, ET-2 and ET- 2.5), before turning his attention to magnetic planar loudspeakers. Beginning with the full-range planar LFT3, he ultimately shifted focus to hybrid designs featuring planar mid and high-frequency drivers mated with traditional cone drivers to handle the lower frequencies. The shift in focus led to the development of the LFT-8 introduced in 1989 and then widely distributed beginning in 1990, the transformative version of which, LFT-8c, is the subject of this review.
---> Eminent Technology LFT8c Loudspeaker Review.

03 / 24 / 26

Southwest Audio Fest 2026: Flagship Systems, Seminars, And Vinyl Marketplace
Three days of reference listening, product launches, and expert panels.
Southwest Audio Fest (SWAF) 2026 will convene audiophiles, music lovers, reviewers, and industry professionals in Dallas, Texas, from July 23rd through July 25th, shifting to a condensed Thursday through Saturday schedule to concentrate demos and evening programming. The festival's home provides large demo rooms and proximity to the Arts and Historic districts—making it easy for attendees to combine listening sessions with local dining and culture SWAF show organizers emphasize extended, reference-level listening sessions rather than quick trade-show stops: expect curated listening rooms, full-system demos, and in-depth sessions that let visitors audition complete systems at realistic volumes in treated spaces. Educational programming will include technical seminars, moderated panels, and Q&A sessions covering room acoustics, analog versus digital workflows, streaming and DAC technology, plus evening listening parties and manufacturer product launches. Attendees are advised to buy single-day or multi-day tickets in advance to secure access to popular rooms and special sessions. 

SWAF 2026's exhibitor mix spans major manufacturers, boutique builders, dealers, and independent designers, with the show listing many brands within listening rooms that showcase loudspeakers, amplifiers, turntables, digital front ends, and room‑treatment solutions for a range of budgets and tastes. The Southwest Audio Fest 2026 high-end audiophile show also features a vibrant marketplace with a vinyl / CD marketplace, nightly live music for attendees, and special press/dealer preview opportunities. Exhibitors benefit from the condensed schedule designed to increase meaningful interactions and ROI. Enjoy the Music.com looks forward to seeing you there. To learn more about SWAF see, our Southwest Audio fest 2026 show report page.

03 / 19 / 26

First Watt Model SIT-1 Monoblock Power Amplifier Review
The power of the First Watt digs deeply into the fabric of music to communicate soul, drama, and passion.
Review By Dick Olsher
Imagine a single-ended Class A power amplifier comprising a single transistor, that is devoid of any feedback, and which behaves similarly to a power triode? Does this scenario sound too good to be true? Well, that's exactly what the First Watt SIT-1 is all about. It deploys a unique type of device, a variant of the JFET, referred to as a static induction transistor (SIT). It was invented in the early 1970s by Jun-ichi Nishizawa, a true genius who is considered the "father of Japanese microelectronics." The SIT enjoyed a brief audio career in power amplifiers by Yamaha and Sony, but has continued to evolve since then mainly for UHF and S-band applications in radar and communication satellite systems. It is a voltage controlled device whereby the signal modulates the electrostatic potential barrier produced by the gate – the grid like element of the SIT.
---> First Watt Model SIT-1 Monoblock Power Amplifier Review.

Ayon Audio CD-35 II CD Player And USA Labs RS9 Music Server Review
Two very versatile, and impressive, performers.
Review By Bob Grossman
The Ayon Audio CD-35 II as reviewed here, is the latest introduction to a long lineage of CD players that have been well regarded going back to the various models in the 3 and 5 series, along with ideas derived from their special edition CD35HF. But the CD-35 II is more than a CD player – it is also a fully functioning preamplifier and DAC. It is a single-ended triode pure Class A design using a 6H30 and a 5687 tube for each channel, and a GZ30 tube as a rectifier for the power supply. It is also a zero-feedback design. Ayon Audio's CD-35 II built-in DAC can be used to play music files from your computer via the USB connection. The DAC also has a coaxial RCA input for S/PDIF, I²S, BNC, AES/EBU, and three other BNC inputs for DSD. For this review I also evaluated the USA Labs RS9 music server to coordinate streaming of music from Qobuz.
---> Ayon CD-35 II CD Player And USA Labs RS9 Music Server Review.

03 / 18 / 26

Apple Music Mandates Transparency Tags for AI-Generated Content
New metadata requirements ask labels and distributors to disclose AI use in tracks, artwork, compositions, and videos to boost industry transparency.
Apple Music recently announced the rollout of the company's "Transparency Tags" within a newsletter to industry partners, framing the change as a "concrete first step" toward clearer disclosure of AI involvement in music. The company says the tags are a new metadata field that record labels and music distributors can begin applying immediately and will be required to use when delivering new content going forward. The new framework covers four core creative elements: Artwork, Track, Composition, and Music Video, and asks content providers to flag any use of AI across those elements when submitting packages to Apple Music. Apple's guidance treats the tags as similar to other metadata like genres and credits, and the company has delegated the initial determination of what counts as "AI-generated" to labels and distributors, rather than imposing a platform-level detection regime.

Industry reaction has been mixed: some rights holders and advocates welcomed a standardized disclosure field as a step toward accountability and clearer attribution for creators, while others warned that leaving the definition of AI use to content providers could create inconsistent application and loopholes. Legal and rights-management experts note that metadata-based disclosure can help downstream services, rights organizations, and listeners identify AI involvement, but they also stress the need for industry-wide standards and verification mechanisms to prevent mislabeling or underreporting. For artists, labels, and distributors the immediate practical effect will be operational: metadata packages delivered under Apple Music's Specification updates will need new fields populated and internal workflows adjusted to capture AI provenance for audio, lyrics, artwork, and video. Apple frames the tags as a first step toward broader best practices, and the company expects the industry to iterate on definitions and enforcement over time; stakeholders in the U.S. and globally should prepare for further guidance and possible standardization efforts as the market responds.

Previous High-End Audio News
For previous high-end audio and music industry news click here.