It is all just a rumour right now, but it would seem that there’s a lot of truth to it, and we could expect an announcement from Loewe as early as Friday, May 18. The original report comes from Apple Insider, which claims that Loewe has been advised by its financial adviser to accept the US $112 million offer.

So what does this mean for Loewe as we know it? Will the company continue as Loewe or become 100% Apple? It’s too early to say, although Loewe as a brand has been around since 1929 and has an enviable reputation as an innovator and design leader – so it may well be the case that a serious injection of funds could elevate them beyond the domain of the afficionados and into the lounge rooms of a much broader global market.

Stay tuned…!

Loewe's Invisio transparent television concept

The Yamaha MCR-040 is a compact and stylish micro hi fi with the lot. Its audio features include:

• iPhone / iPod dock
• CD player
• DAB+ Digital Radio and FM tuner
• USB port for direct input of music on USB devices
• Front panel mini jack for other sources

Sound quality is fantastic as is to be expected with Yamaha systems. Its 15W x 2 amplifier paired with twin 100mm drivers, anti-vibration control and YST bass enhancement deliver solid sound from a very small package.

Best of all, there’s a choice of 10 colours so you can choose one to suit your decor!

We have limited stock available right now at just $339 – normal RRP is $499 – so grab one now at this great price!

Some of these are very limited, so be quick, or call first to make sure we’ve got the model or colour you’re after in stock.

Yamaha PDX-11 – $99 (save $30 )

This funky little  system from Yamaha delivers impressive sound…with mains or battery power and rugged build it’s designed to provide great music anywhere. Is Mum a gardener? This could be perfect!

The PDX-11 has a 10cm woofer and a separate tweeter for crisp, punchy sound, and has a remote control too. The iPod/iPhone dock is certified ‘Made for iPod & iPhone’ by Apple, and there’s a 3.5mm aux jack too to connect up any other devices or phones.

Normally $129, now just $99.

Yamaha PDX-13 – $119 (save $30 )

The PDX-13 is a great sounding unit with a dedicated iPod / iPhone dock and aux input for other devices. There’s an alarm that fades in your favourite music to wake you in the morning.

Available in three funky colours, it has a metal chassis for vibration-free sound, which is delivered by an 8cm full-range driver. It also comes with a handy remote control.

Normally $149, now just $119.

Yamaha MCR-040 Micro Hi Fi – $349 (save $150)

The MCR-040 normally retails for $499. We have a limited quantity in selected colours that we can offer for just $349 – a bargain for a great looking and awesome sounding system!

It features iPod / iPhone dock, DAB+ Digital Radio, CD player and Aux input and is perfect for the kitchen, bedroom, study or a small apartment.

Niles OS 5.3 Outdoor Speakers – $289/pair (save $210)

If your mum loves gardening, how about a pair of outdoor speakers linked up to the stereo (and if she has a Sonos system, they can be linked up to a Zone Player for a discrete outdoor zone for under $1200).

These Niles outdoor speakers are built tough, exceeding US military anti-corrosion specifications. More importantly, they sound fantastic, with a 5″ carbon fibre woofer and a 1″ silk dome tweeter.

Finished in White. Normally $499 / pair, now just $289 / pair.

Sonos Wireless Hi Fi (save $79)

Sonos have done it again with their very cool and awesome sounding Play:3 and Play:5 wireless music systems.

At just $419 RRP, the Play:3 gives you great sound wherever you want it. Put two together and it’s a seriously good stereo setup.

The Play:5 ups the ante with a 5-driver setup (2 tweeters, 2 midrange and 1 subwoofer) and RRPs for $599.

Mother’s Day Special: Buy 2 xPlay:3 or Play:5 Wireless Audio Systems and get a free Sonos Zone Bridge worth $79.

Vita Audio (save 10%)

Vita Audio make stylish and fabulous sounding compact hi fis with full DAB+ digital radio capability.

The popular R1 DAB+ digital radio has recently been joined by two new models: R2i and R4i.

The R2i comes with an iPod dock & remote control and the top of the range R4i with subwoofer, iPod dock, remote control & CD player, offering premium sound quality and design at great prices.

Available in a range of colours and timber finishes. RRP is $399 (R1) $650 ( R2i) and $1,299 ( R4i), but we are offering 10% off each model for Mothers’ Day.

Denon Noise Cancelling Headphones (save $248)

These Denon NC-800 noise-cancelling headphones are a real treat for the regular traveller (or parent with noisy kids!). They’re extremely comfortable for long periods of use, and eliminate up to 99% of ambient noise. Best of all, they sound great, and even have a ‘Restorer’ mode that helps MP3 files sound more like their CD originals.

Normally $499, our Mothers’ Day special lets you buy 2 pairs for just $750 – the second pair is half price! Buy one for Mum and get a bargain for yourself.

NAD C375 Amp + Free PP375 Phono Pre-amp (save $149)

If Mum is into serious hi fi – and has a good LP collection – how about this package? A NAD C375BEE integrated amplifier with a free NAD PP375 Phono Pre-amp.

The C375 is a beast of an amplifier, with 2 x 150W output and a range of technologies from NAD’s high-end M3 Masters Series amplifier.

The PP375 phono stage module is installed into the rear of the amplifier and provides gorgeous sound from phono inputs.

Only two sets of this package are available.

All specials are available up until Mothers’ Day, Sunday May 13, or while stocks last.

In our industry, there are no shortage of ‘snake oil salesmen’ and miracle products that revolutionise something or other. But this record cleaner really works a treat. If you’re a vinyl fan, you’ll be all to familiar with the pops and crackles that sit in the background of many of your favourite albums. The Record Revirginizer does an amazing job of removing them.

How does it work?

The liquid is poured on to the record, spread around, and left to dry for several hours. Then, it peels right off and takes with it all the microscopic junk that was in the record grooves. It can’t get rid of scratches, but all your pops and crackles will just disappear.

One 500ml bottle can treat around 16 LPs.

Find out more at the Record Revirginizer website, including audio comparisons of ‘before and after’.

Record Revirginizer has an RRP of $59.95, but right now you can buy it at Living Sound for just $50 per 500ml bottle.

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Rega describe the DAC as follows:

The Rega DAC is a 16/20/24-bit at 32kHz to 192kHz digital to analogue converter incorporating an enhanced version of the Rega-designed circuit first developed for the reference Isis CD Player. Housed in a custom aluminium and steel case, the DAC boasts a pair of Wolfson DAC ICs, five user selectable digital filters, two isolated co-axial inputs, two Toslink SPDIF inputs and an isolated USB input.

Translation: It’s the business.

Rega DAC Price Rise: Save $100

The RRP for the Rega DAC has recently gone up to $999 but we have 5 only at the old price of $899. Come in with your favourite digital source for a listen, or call us on (07) 3552 7000 to grab yours before the price rise.

The standard headphones that come with most portable devices leave a lot to be desired (yes, even the nice white ones!). They often lack in bass and can be shrill and even a little tinny. They also don’t always fit well.

AKG, the revered German headphone specialists, have a great range of in-ear headphones that will make a huge difference to the sound of your iPod, iPhone, MP3 player or other smartphone. The range includes many with in-line microphones and volume controls for use with an iPhone or other smartphone.

During April, we’re offering 35% off all AKG in-ear headphones! This is the cheapest and best way to upgrade your sound – so come in to check out the range. Don’t forget to bring your music!

Each component is matched perfectly – and with the amazing Rega DAC it’s ideal if you listen to a lot of music from digital sources – iPod / iPhone, PC, streaming audio… it will all sound better than you’ve ever heard it before.

The system consists of:

Sonique Diamond 550SE

Sonique Audio’s clear and single minded objective to continue its quest to adapt and refine the best and most advanced technologies inherent in the many audiophile loudspeakers, has reached new levels with the development of the Diamond 550. Delivering astonishing results in the frequency, phase and time domains, with truly involving and realistic sound reproduction.

Rega Brio R Amp

The Brio–R embodies all the necessary ingredients. Substantial toroidal transformer, generous power supply components, rugged output stage, the use of film capacitors in the signal path and at all critical positions within the phono amplifier.

Rega DAC

Maximise the potential of your digital audio. The Rega DAC is a digital to analogue converter incorporating an enhanced version of the Rega designed DAC circuit. Developed to be simple to set up and use, the Rega DAC optimises performance from any two channel PCM digital audio source such as a CD player, PC, portable audio or streaming device.

Rega Apollo R CD

The Apollo-R is the result of many years of innovation, advanced software development and elegant engineering solutions researched by Rega’s highly skilled team of engineers and designers. It took the completion of two of their multi award winning products, the flagship Isis CD player and the Rega DAC to pave the way for a unique product we feel encapsulates everything the new Apollo-R should be.

Also included:

2 x 2.5 meters cs-122 Van Den Hul speaker cable

1 x The Well Van Den Hul Interconnect

8 x Premium Banana Plugs

Thor E145 4-Way Power Filter / Surge Protector

The normal RRP for this system is $6,850 – but we’re offering the whole shebang for just $4,990. We think it’s far and away the best complete system under $5,000! Come in for a listen or give us a call on 3552 7000.

We’ve got a great special on a package of the Yamaha A-S2000 Amplifier and CD-S2000 CD Player in Black. Normally retailing for $6,198, we have one pack only at just $4,290.

In Yamaha’s own words:

CD-S2000

RRP: $2,899

Yamaha creates an ultra high quality CD player for true music enthusiasts. Full-stage balanced signal transmission achieves the ultimate in CD reproduction.

A-S2000

RRP: $3,299

Yamaha introduces a new, superior approach to analogue amplifier design. Its full floating and balanced circuit design ensure, for the first time, that the full potential of analogue amplification may be realised.

Normal retail is $3,899. Special package deal is just $3,299!

Denon AVR-4311 at a glance:

• 9.2 channels with 9 x 140w power output
• Multi source / multi zone
• HDMI 1.4 3D support
• Anchor Bay video scaling to 1080p
• Apple Airplay capability
• Internet radio and network audio streaming
• iPhone app for control

Denon BDP-2012 at a glance:

• Universal player – Blu-ray, DVD, CD, Super Audio CD, DVD-audio
• Supports Blu-ray 3D
• DLNA network music, photo & video
• Burr-Brown DACs for sublime audio