Music Streaming

Unveiled at CES back in January, NAD Electronics has now made its Master M33 system available for sale, an audiophile-grade streaming hi-fi amplifier that can serve as a multi-room hub for compatible devices all around the home.

Due to launch on Kickstarter next month, the Duolink true wireless earphones come with a charging case with built-in speakers for the option of keeping the music to yourself or sharing with others.

Sony has announced some new wireless over-ear noise cancellation cans with dual noise sensors, all day playback and a mode that lets in the sounds of the outside world when needed. Bass lovers have also been treated to some true wireless earphones.

Sweden's Zound Industries, the company that manufactures headphones and speakers under license from Marshall Amps, has announced the release of a new Bluetooth speaker called the Uxbridge Voice, which has Alexa built in and supports AirPlay 2.

There are a good many options available if you want to talk to your streaming speaker, as well as listen to audio. And now there's another, for the well-heeled living room courtesy of Bang & Olufsen's stylish and powerful Beosound Balance.

What if you want to stream digital music from your smartphone and your hi-fi amplifier lacks a receiver? Provided you have spare analog or digital input ports, you can add one into the mix – such as the Zen Blue from the UK's iFi Audio.

Bryston has announced a new Digital-to-Analog-Converter. And it's much more than just a DAC, it's an entertainment hub.

Naim Audio caused something of a ripple on the home audio scene in 2014 with the release of the mighty Mu-so. This was followed two years later by a more compact flavor called the Qb. Now, following the launch of the Mu-so 2 a few months back, a second generation Qb has been announced.​

Product developer Jono Matusky wanted a way to play his albums while working in his studio, without needing to keep popping into another room to change sides or set up multi-room streaming. The Plynth is the result.

Hong Kong-based Coolgeek has launched a 360-degree Bluetooth speaker that's a little different from the rest. A circular piece of glass has been plonked on top, turning the setup into a music-streaming coffee table.

Boutique audio brand Bowers & Wilkins – which has pretty good form in wireless audio playback – has entered the high-end music streaming arena with the Formation suite, a five product collection that could well challenge the luxury market dominance of Sonos.​

Currently live-streaming on YouTube is a non-stop, algorithmically-generated torrent of technical death metal, and regardless of one’s personal musical taste, it’s undeniably an impressive example of machine-driven creativity.