Network Audio Players/Servers

A stereo integrated amplifier offering network streaming, automated 'room calibration', modular upgrades and touchscreen/app control, Lyngdorf's TDAI-2210 is a well-featured entrant into the crowded 'just add speakers' market. But how does it stand out? The amplification technology itself is a good place to start.

Considering the last Aurender model reviewed in HFN was the three-box flagship N50 network server, with an asking price of £38,900 and – as reviewer Andrew Everard put it – 'not a DAC in sight' [HFN Jun '26], the South Korean marque's A1000 appears both positively affordable and brimming with features. Selling for £4600, this single-chassis unit combines network streaming and app control with a DAC stage offering fixed and variable output, plus the option of adding onboard storage.

The latest in a long-running line of premium-priced all-in-one models, the £19,000 Ovation CS 8.3 S from AVM offers so many features that it almost defies categorisation. Its German manufacturer describes it as a ‘streaming CD receiver’, but even that doesn’t quite seem to cover a unit also carrying an MM/MC phono stage and headphone amplifier, while offering playback from CD and USB drives, and over Bluetooth.

Three boxes, and not a DAC in sight… Aurender’s flagship music server, the N50, is a £38,900 combination of Server box with display – able to play from online services, local storage on USB or NAS devices, or optional onboard storage – and a separate ‘Audio’ unit that offers numerous digital outputs. The third box is a screened PSU, offering separately regulated supplies to power both the Server and Audio enclosures.

Here’s one in the eye for anyone still convinced that hi-fi is being taken over by unknown brands bringing in cut-priced equipment. Not only is Lumin very well-established, having launched its range back in 2012, it’s been expanding that lineup ever since to cover a wide range of market sectors. Lumin now has a half-dozen network players, three music transports, two dedicated music servers and an all-in-one player/amp system – while continually developing its in-house technologies.

There’s an easy way to understand the hierarchy of amps in the Hegel catalogue, be they pre, power or integrated. The higher the number, the ‘better’ the specification (you might think this would be the only way to go about it, but some rival companies – I’m looking at you, HiFi Rose – beg to differ). And so it is that the Norwegian manufacturer’s new H150 integrated, priced £2750, takes up a middle-of-the-range position, above the entry-level H95 [HFN Oct ’20], and below the H190v, H400 [HFN Oct ’24] and H600 [HFN Oct ’23].

The miniature hi-fi trend continues – those short of space or simply seeking an inconspicuous yet high-performance set-up can rejoice. The new arrivals here come in the form of the £4200 DSS 2 network transport and £4300 DSC mini DAC from French company Métronome, as part of its ‘Digital Sharing’ range that also includes the £4400 DST CD transport.