Gordon Brockhouse

Gordon Brockhouse Editor-at-Large, WiFi HiFi; Freelance Writing and Editing

Hands-on Review: On the Road with CarPlay and Android Auto
People are keeping their cars longer than ever; and the aftermarket offers abundant opportunity to refresh old cars with new technology. Consumers are aware of CarPlay and Android Auto, and they're asking about them when they come into the store.
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Hands-on Review: Yamaha NX-N500 Network Powered Speaker
Yamaha's NX-N500 is a marvelous, innovative product, with engaging sound and cutting-edge connectivity. It could serve as a music system in a small or medium-sized room for serious or background listening, but would also be at home on a desktop for nearfield listening.
Review Update: Moon 340i Integrated Amplifier
During the summer, MOON by Simaudio made an important update to its Nēo 340i integrated amplifier. The Boucherville, QC company began offering the 340i with a built-in DSD-capable DAC. Previously, the built-in DAC available for the 340i supported PCM playback to 24 bits/192kHz, but not DSD.
Hands-on Review: Monitor Audio's AirStream A100 amplifier and Radius 90 speakers
Music is changing, and music systems are changing right along with it. This Monitor Audio system is a case in point. It's a very enjoyable system, equally satisfying when listening up close, or when sitting back and listening out loud in a small to medium-size room.
Hands-on Review: NAD D3020 Amplifier; Totem Kin Mini Speakers and Kin Mini Subwoofer
What really impressed me me is how wonderfully organic this lovely little system can sound. The NAD D3020 amplifier and Kin Minis speakers fare nicely on their own; but the system really blossoms with the Kin Mini Subwoofer thrown into the mix.
Hands-on Review: The Electric Kool-Aid Cable Test
I don't imagine WiFi HiFi Publisher John Thomson realized he was setting off a firestorm earlier this year when he posed the question "Do Cables Matter?" in his weekly newsletter. Over the next few days, John's inbox filled up with messages weighing in on both sides of the debate.
Hands-on Review: Kanto Grandstand Sound Base
Soundbars are a popular option for people who want to improve on their flat-panel TV’s built-in speakers, but don’t want a full-blown surround-sound system. A sound base, like the Kanto Grandstand reviewed here, is a variation on this theme.
INSIDE THE NEW SAMSUNG AUDIO LAB
Not many people think of Samsung as a major player in audio. A Canadian ex-pat working in California plans to change that. "We want to be the number-one audio company in the world," says Allan Devantier, Director of Samsung Research America's U.S. Audio Lab in Santa Clarita, CA.
HANDS-ON REVIEW: Headphones for commuters and travelers
I can't think of a product better suited to on-the-go music-lovers than headphones with Bluetooth connectivity and active noise cancellation (ANC). This is a relatively new category, offered by a handful of brands, including B&O, Definitive Technology, Parrot and Sennheiser.
Hands-on Review: Yamaha A-S801 Integrated Amplifier
Yamaha's A-S801 is a great-sounding DAC/amplifier, and a fantastic value. Match it with a good set of speakers priced between $1,000 and $2,000, and you have a very fine hi-fi system.
Hands-on Review: Sony's Flagship Hi-Res Portables
For 2015, Sony has introdued three new flagship Hi-Res portable music products: the NWZ-ZX2 Hi-Res Audio Walkman. the PHA-3 portable headphone amplifier/DAC and MDR-HZ7 circumaural headphones. For many music lovers, including yours truly, this is a dream portable setup.