What Is a Preamp, and Do I Really Need One?

Every audio system requires amplification. In a traditional hi-fi set-up, the loudspeakers are always “passive”—which is to say, they don’t produce their own power. Instead, they must receive an amplified audio signal from an external source, aptly called an amplifier, in order to do their thing. Even in a more modern, self-contained audio system (like…

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The 29 Best Energy Drinks, Tested and Reviewed (2025)

15. Bawls Guarana Photograph: Amazon Bawls Guarana Original Flavor (12-Pack) Regarded as the first “energy soda” explicitly marketed to gamers, Bawls is a fun throwback to the heady days of StarCraft and LAN parties in the late ’90s. The profile of the unnamed flavor in the iconic blue bottle, which still lines the checkout labyrinth…

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Holiday Foods Face-Off: Which Is Healthier to Eat?

These two starters have a lot in common, starting with the fact that they’re both easy to overeat, as foods that are high in carbohydrates and sodium tend to be. Cheese and dips both pack a lot of sodium, and—unless you’re talking about vegetable- and bean-based dips like salsa, guacamole, or hummus—saturated fat. Calorie-wise, the…

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15 Best Wireless Chargers, All Tested and Reviewed (2026)

Other Wireless Chargers We Tested There are a lot of wireless chargers. Here are a few more we like, but for one reason or another don’t warrant a place above. Photograph: Simon Hill Krafted Couch Wireless Charger for $52: I thought this wireless charger that’s designed to be draped over the arm of your couch…

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Why SpaceX Is Finally Gearing Up to Go Public

SpaceX is planning to raise tens of billions of dollars through an initial public offering next year, multiple outlets have reported, and Ars can confirm. This represents a major change in thinking from the world’s leading space company and its founder, Elon Musk. The Wall Street Journal and The Information first reported about a possible…

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New TV Technology Coming in 2026

One of the biggest TV stories of the year is the arrival of RGB Mini LED TVs from Hisense, LG, and Samsung. These LCD sets use thousands of tiny red, green, and blue LEDs in the backlight to create color directly, rather than relying on a white or blue backlight with color filters. Like other…

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