Orazio Pollaci
Member of the Trade: Warwick Acoustics
Warwick Acoustics officially launched their new flagship integrated headphone system - The APERIO, at the recent High-End Munich Show 2019.
The APERIO – which comes from the Latin, meaning to uncover, open, reveal, is a literal match for Warwick’s design goal: to reproduce and reveal all recorded audio content definitively, without alteration.
The APERIO has been designed with the most demanding professional audio creators and audiophiles in mind. It is a reference studio monitor headphone system for High-Resolution Audio recording, mixing mastering and production applications. With an integrated reference-performance DAC, analogue and network connectivity, the APERIO can also be used as a stand-alone full function pre-amp at the centre of ultra-high-end audiophile systems.
This new reference headphone system delivers the highest level of audio performance possible through the utilisation of the next generation of Warwick’s highly-refined, proprietary electrostatic transducer technology, the Balanced-Drive High Precision Electrostatic Laminate (BD-HPEL) transducer. This technology was originally developed by Warwick Acoustics for its first product, the ground-breaking and multi-award-winning Sonoma Model One headphone system.
The APERIO features a wide range of inputs, including balanced and unbalanced analogue, AES (AES/EBU), S/DIF Coaxial, USB and Ethernet (LAN). The APERIO is unique in being a fully networkable product that exceeds typical DLNA limitations and allows digital audio reproduction of native or DoP 256 fs DSD and higher sample rate PCM formats to 384 kHz. Within the APERIO all audio signals are kept in their native domain and format: analogue always remains analogue; DSD stays DSD until its final conversion to analogue; PCM sample rates are never converted. The signal path is pure, as direct as possible and unadulterated.
The APERIO also features an exceptional Line Output section for driving other electronics and sound reproduction components that include outboard amplifiers and loudspeakers.
The APERIO indicates its output level in precise 0.1 dB increments via a front panel full-colour, high-resolution display. This display also alerts the user if any faults such as output clipping, over-heating or disconnected cables are detected.
The reaction from the press, trade and high-end enthusiasts since the Munich show has been incredible, with many stating that it’s by far the best headphone experience they have ever had.
Below are links to some of the initial press / media reactions that have been released following the Munich High-End 2019 show;
AudioXpress - click here
InnerFidelity - click here
Audiophile Style - click here
The APERIO will retail at GB£20,000 (US$24,000) and Pre-orders are now being taken.
If you would like to learn more about the APERIO and its innovative design and build, please visit our website www.warwickacoustics.com/headphones or alternatively click here to download and view the official APERIO brochure.
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i was driving it with a small ray samuels amp.... i am getting old
