Amplifiers

A little over 10 years ago, a Phoenix-based startup treated acoustic pickers to a bunch of effects directly through the sound hole courtesy of the smartphone-sized ToneWoodAmp. Now the much-improved second generation device has launched.

Fender's original Mustang Micro was an impressive little headphone amplifier for silent practice and recording – but the brand-new Plus version is a remarkable upgrade that puts a ludicrous range of tone options at your fingertips.

Following an international debut at the High End audio show in Munich last year, UK hi-fi brand Chord Electronics has now announced global availability of its "class-leading" 125-watt Ultima Integrated amplifier.

Positive Grid launched one of our favorite modeling practice amps back in 2019, in the shape of the Spark. The family got smaller members in 2022 and 2023, and now the company is going gigging with the Spark Live smart amp and PA system.

Though best known for its iconic electric guitars, Gibson also produced its own amplifiers until the late 1960s. A couple of years ago, company CEO Cesar Gueikian hinted at its return to tube amp manufacture, and now the first two combos have launched.

China's Fiio – which recently announced a mechanical keyboard with a built-in DAC – has launched a new flagship desktop media streamer and headphone amp/DAC combo that's dominated by a slick smartphone-like user interface.

LG's experimental marketing platform is teasing a retro-modern reworking of the jukebox ahead of CES 2024. Dubbed the DukeBox, the concept fronts a stylish speaker unit driven by valve amp technology with a thoroughly modern transparent OLED panel.

Generally speaking, the audio output of your mobile device or laptop probably isn't particularly good, which means that many music lovers will look to external gear to improve the groove. Periodic Audio has launched a tiny DAC designed to do just that.

High-end hi-fi brand Leema Acoustics has unveiled its first new audiophile offerings for more than a decade, with the Quantum range essentially repackaging the company's flagship Constellation series for more affordability – relatively speaking.

Linkplay Technology's audio brand Wiim has followed the "audiophile-grade" Pro Plus streaming box with its first streaming amplifier, allowing music lovers to cable the device direct to passive speakers, a home-theater setup or an old vinyl spinner.

There's a good chance that the headphone jack of your laptop or PC doesn't offer stellar plugged-in audio quality. Chinese hi-fi brand Fiio is aiming to offer a significant quality boost with a mechanical keyboard rocking its own DAC/headphone amp.

IK Multimedia's gorgeous ToneX pedal remains unrivaled at its price point as 2023 comes to a close, replacing your guitar amp with a cornucopia of tone profiles either captured directly from your own rig, or downloaded from thousands online.