On Christmas Eve, the audio world sees several notable product announcements. Italian company Volumio unveils the “Primo Plus” network player featuring dual ESS DACs. DELA and Melco music libraries have obtained JPLAY certification, combining enhanced operability with sound quality. US-based Genesis Advanced Technologies enters new market territory with a battery-powered entry-class phono stage.
1. New Product Releases (Official Announcements)
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Primo Plus — Volumio (Network Player)
- Main Specifications: Features dual ESS “ES9039Q2M” DACs in complete mirror-image “hyper-symmetrical circuit” layout. Supports PCM 768kHz/32bit and DSD512 via USB-C. Equipped with Femto clock, nine selectable digital filters including NOS mode, XLR/RCA analog outputs, and S/PDIF (coaxial/optical) inputs with digital volume control.
- Price: TBD (international pricing)
- Release/Pre-order: Late January 2026
- Highlight: All Volumio Premium features included at no additional cost. Roon Ready certified with AI playlist “Supersearch” functionality. Expandable with USB optical drive for CD playback and ripping capability.
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Simplicity Phono — Genesis Advanced Technologies (Phono Stage)
- Main Specifications: Battery-powered entry-class phono stage incorporating trickle-down technology from flagship models. Complete isolation from AC power noise through battery-only operation without AC adapter.
- Price: $7,500 (US)
- Release/Pre-order: Now available
- Highlight: Genesis Advanced Technologies is a US high-end brand renowned for ultra-high-end speaker systems. Following the Series 7 speakers, this represents their second entry-level product, bringing accessible pricing to analog enthusiasts.
2. Manufacturer/Distributor Announcements
- DELA/Melco Music Libraries Obtain JPLAY Certification (DELA/Melco)
- Content: All DELA and Melco products have obtained JPLAY Certified status. Full JPLAY platform functionality is now available on all models, including the earliest Melco N1A and N1Z.
- Effective: Immediately
- Highlight: The combination of JPLAY and MinimServer enables optimized metadata display through genre-specific profiles (Classical/Rock/Jazz). For classical music, multi-work albums can be displayed as individual compositions, significantly enhancing the browsing experience.
3. References / Sources
- StereoNET: https://stereonet.com/news/dela-and-melco-music-libraries-embrace-jplay
- The Absolute Sound: https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/genesis-launches-battery-powered-simplicity-phono/
- Volumio Official: https://volumio.com/