Star turn WIN! Arcam irDAC-II EXCLUSIVE: Elipson’s KEF speakers SuperS converterrter debut vinyl spinner & headphones addsa Bluetoothth worth £1,600

PASSION FOR SOUND Issue No. 412 July 2016 Mini marvels Six multi-room speakers for wireless music streaming around the home BEAUTIFUL SYSTEM Top turntables Spendor and Fivei best-buy decks and Devialet delight how to make your LPs sing

30PRODUCTS ON TEST: Audio-Technica, Chord, Rega, Sonos & Yamaha MUSIC LEGENDS AAce celebrationllebbratiion off PPrinceriince and his purple reign PRINTED IN THE UK US$15.00 JULY 2016 £4.75

Viva Reva Sweet music Wharfedale’s latest gem Belles Aria integrated amp builds on Diamond series hits all the right notes Criterion Audio is a premium hi-fi dealer in Cambridge. Whether you are an established turntable enthusiast or a new convert to the vinyl revival, there has never been a better time to listen to records. We have complete turntables to suit every budget as well as a wide range of tonearms, cartridges and phono preamps. We also offer leading turntable service expertise to help you get the most out of your existing system. Come visit us, relax and enjoy some vinyl magic. www.criterionaudio.com [email protected] 01223 233730

clearaudio AND MANY, MANY MORE INTRODUCTION

PASSION FOR SOUND Welcome www.hifichoice.co.uk Issue No. 412 July 2016

It’s always good to know that 58 people are paying attention to Audio-Opus Opus 1 what goes into the magazine, so we’ve been pleased to receive several letters in our postbag concerning the rise of vinyl and what some readers have described as our favouritism for the format over any other media. It’s true, Hi-Fi Choice has long supported vinyl even in the slump years, and the last six months have been an interesting time for the format as record sales continue to grow beyond all expectations and the number of turntable models coming to market is also steadily on the rise. As editor, I am proud of our ‘passion for sound’ tag line and strive to reflect real-world hi-fi market 55 trends and the most interesting new audio products to Audio-Technica share with fellow hi-fi fans. Vinyl is no longer a revival ATH-A2000Z format, it’s back, and as demonstrated by the variety of different turntables on show at the Munich High End Show – see our Show Report on page 10 – is appealing to audio fans on all kinds of budgets looking to reconnect with music in a tangible way that can seemingly only fully be achieved with the vinyl format. Of course it really isn’t all about vinyl, and reviews of digital sources are on their way as soon as the products arrive. Like you, we simply enjoy listening to music in the best quality available. With this in mind, it would 100 be interesting to know the music sources you favour. Kris Kristofferson The Complete Monument & Write to us at: [email protected] or look out for Columbia Album Collection our online poll and tell us what formats you enjoy.

BADGES EXPLAINED Lee Dunkley Editor OUR AWARDS Follow us:

EDITOR’S RECOMMENDED: GROUP TEST twitter.com@HiFiChoiceMag facebook.com/hifichoice.co.uk CHOICE: Products that WINNER: Awarded to those we feel meet a Comparative tests products that are high standard of can only have one judged to deliver performance winner, and this outstanding badge says it all! ENTERPRISE HOUSE, ENTERPRISE WAY, performance EDENBRIDGE, KENT TN8 6HF

JULY 2016 3 Contentshifichoice.co.uk Issue No. 412 July 2016 WIN! NEWS & OPINION GROUP TEST KEF speakers 6 Audiofile & headphones The latest news on the hottest products worth £1,600 from the world of hi-fi coming your way 14 Webwatch see p120 Essential websites to direct your browser towards for all your hi-fi requirements 69 Letters Put your points of view and queries on audio matters to our team of experts 79 Opinion The Hi-Fi Choice team say it as they see it as they discuss the issues of the day 99 Music Reviews The month’s essential new CD, vinyl and hi-res releases given a work out READER SERVICES 122 Reader Classifieds Sell your unwanted hi-fi for FREE here 124 Back Issues Get your hands on old copies you missed 130 Next Issue The sonic treats to look out for next month FEATURES 10 High End Show The highlights of Munich’s fantastic show with the cream of the hi-fi world attending 60

Six multi-room 24 loudspeakers are given a work out to see which has the finesse to impress 60 Cassette Revival The humble audio tape appears to be growing in popularity, find out why 90 Beautiful System Devialet and Spendor combine like beauty and the beast to make sweet music 94 Labelled With Love From Art Of Noise to Frankie Goes To Hollywood, ZTT had plenty going for it 102 Music Legends A celebration of the astonishing body of work of the legend that is Prince 118 Martyn Ware 6 99 The human League and Heaven 17 co-founder talks about his love of vinyl Audiofile: PMC launches twenty5 series Music Reviews: Anohni’s Hopelessness

4 JULY 2016 CONTENTS JULY 2016 “Cassettes represented both a great way of 56 buying music, and of Zemi Aria wireless stereo storing your own” loudspeaker

Cassette revival p60 TESTED THIS MONTH

42 Belles Aria integrated amplifier (Exotica) REVIEWS THE KNOWLEDGE 16 Kit testing Essential turntables 16 Wharfedale Wharfedale Reva-2 loudspeaker Reva-2 standmount loudspeaker 106 AnalogueWorks Zero+ 42 Belles Aria integrated amplifier (Exotica) 106 Audio-Technica 46 Elipson AT-LP5 Omega 100 belt-drive turntable 107 Inspire Hi-fi Elevation 51 Tangent Audio Ampster X4 micro music system 107 Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon 52 Arcam 107 Rega Planar 3 irDAC-II DAC/preamplifier/headphone amp 108 Turntable accessories 55 Audio-Technica ATH-A2000Z closed-back headphone 110 Setting up your 46 56 Zemi turntable Elipson Omega 100 belt-drive turntable Aria wireless stereo loudspeaker 58 Audio-Opus Opus 1 hi-res Digital Audio Player CHOICE EXTRAS 88 Hitachi 113 The Chord DA-1000 CD player (Retro) Company Shawline analogue interconnects GROUP TEST 113 iFi Audio Multi-room speakers £350-£500 iPurifier2 USB purifier 27 Bluesound Pulse Mini 115 Black Rhodium 29 Cabasse Stream 1 Foxtrot speaker cables 31 Musaic MP10 116 Atlas 33 Sonos Play:5 Element Integra interconnects 52 35 Sony SRS-X88 116 MCRU Arcam irDAC-II DAC/preamplifier 37 Yamaha Restio ISX-80 Mains Filtration Plug Never miss an issue – turn to p64 for our latest subs offer

JULY 2016 5 THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS…

Air supply Celebrating 25 years of domestic and studio loudspeaker design, British brand PMC introduces twenty5 series at Munich's High End Show

PRICE: £1,870-£6,995 AVAILABLE: NOW CONTACT: 01767 686300 WEB: PMC-SPEAKERS.CO.UK

FORMULA ONE MOTOR racing aerodynamic Advanced Transmission says PMC. As with previous speakers and loudspeaker design might seem Line (ATL) bass loading Laminair vent from the company, the new series has worlds apart, but a clear understanding that's employed in the fi ve-strong slopping front and rear baffl es. of aerodynamics and the effects of air loudspeaker series to reduce turbulence and drag is one of the key resistance and increase effi ciency. Room service considerations in the design of PMC's Additional innovations incorporated Launched at the High End Show in Advanced Transmission Line bass throughout the new series include a Munich last month (see our full Show loading, found in its new twenty5 new long-throw mid/bass driver with Report on page 10) to mark the series of loudspeakers. PMC's head woven glass fi bre cones, as well as company's 25th anniversary, the of design, Oliver Thomas, has some refi nements to its established Sonolex series includes models designed for experience in the motor sport, and fabric dome tweeter to improve different-sized listening rooms and has used his knowledge to develop an dispersion for a wider soundstage, comprises two standmount and three

6 JULY 2016 COMMENT IS HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF? Cast your mind back to the early days of CD and you'll no doubt be able to remember that the key stumbling block for the format wasn't related to the high price of the players, the fact that early adopters were slow in coming forward or that people were determined to stick with vinyl, but it was down to the scarcity of software. The take-up of CD was surprisingly swift and people across the UK were keen to try out the new indestructible (ahem) music technology that they'd seen being demonstrated on Tomorrow's World. But the diff iculty came in finding anything decent to play on it. Many labels regarded CD as an audiophile format and so wrongly assumed that it was only suitable for classical recordings. Incredibly, even after Dire Straits became the first album on CD to outsell vinyl, the music industry was surprisingly sluggish in jumping onto the bandwagon. Skip forward some 30-odd years and the landscape has changed significantly (ironically vinyl is back on the rise), but the story remains the same, only this time you can substitute CD for MQA. For those that haven't been paying attention, Meridian's MQA performs the magic trick of squeezing a quart into a pint pot, using Meridian Lossless Packaging (MLP) to produce hi-res-quality files that don't take up as much space as rivals. The technology is deeply impressive, but as compact disc proved (almost to its detriment), if the software isn't available it doesn't matter how good the technology is. The good news is that despite a slow start to its life since its launch in December 2014, MQA finally appears to be on the up. In the last month hi-res music download site HighResAudio (highresaudio.com) has joined the list of MQA music providers (with 30 albums made available initially and more to come), while Nordic Label 2L has added to its MQA catalogue with a series of classical music fl oorstanding loudspeakers. The All models are available in a choice of releases. But without doubt the big news for two-way twenty5.21 (£1,870) and oak, walnut and amarone real-wood the format is that Warner Music Group has twenty5.22 (£2,450) models veneer fi nishes plus a high gloss black become the first major to throw its hat into incorporate a 27mm tweeter option. The cloth speaker grilles have Aerodynamic the ring. With artists as diverse as Prince, ATL Laminair Madonna, The Rolling Stones, Frank Sinatra partnered with a 140mm and magnetic fi xings, and a matching vent developed 170mm long-throw mid/bass driver twenty5 series speaker stand is from Formula and Kylie Minogue to name but a few, MQA respectively. The twenty5.23 (£2,970) available, costing an additional £295. One know-how may finally have received the shot in the and twenty5.24 (£4,250) arm it so richly deserves. fl oorstanders are also two-way designs and share the same tweeter and mid/bass divers found on the 21 and 22 standmounts. The fl agship of the series is the three-way twenty5.26 fl oorstander (£6,995), which has the same 27mm tweeter partnered with a 50mm midrange driver and 177mm bass driver.

JULY 2016 7 AUDIOFILE

Smart multi-room start Norwegian brand Ixion announces new wireless streaming audio system

PRICE: £1,099 AVAILABLE: NOW WEB: IXIONAUDIO.COM

JOINING THE WORLD of multi-room music systems, Ixion is a new company from Norway. The Maestro is the fi rst model to come from the luxury audio brand, and is touted as an all-encompassing music centre with Tidal, Spotify and Apple Music streaming services supported. It’s hand built in Oslo and is 220 x 220 x 220mm (WxHxD), with two 2.75in front speakers and a 5.5in subwoofer. Users can connect via wi-fi , LAN, Bluetooth, USB, digital Toslink, analogue stereo RCAs or 3.5mm jack inputs, while internet, DAB/DAB+ and FM radio options are also on board. It claims support for up to 24-bit/192kHz music fi le playback, and MQA format support is apparently on the horizon. The Maestro is sold exclusively through Harrods and is available in grey, blue, white and red fi nishes. Ixion’s multi-room capabilities come into play when the Solo:2 speaker (£299) launches this summer. Up to eight speakers can be linked to the Maestro, all uniquely networked via a power line rather than over wi-fi . IN BRIEF Cyrus ONE reimagined ENTRY-LEVEL PRICE: £699 AVAILABLE: NOW TANGENTIAL CONTACT: 01480 410900 WEB: CYRUSAUDIO.COM

Getting its first off icial showing at level control. Internally it off ers a AB headphone amplifier. Additional the High End Show in Munich last claimed 2x 100W maximum features include LED dimming to month (see Show Report starting power output and utilises the third match the brightness of the front on page 10), Cyrus unveils its new generation of the company’s hybrid panel indicators to the environment ONE integrated amplifier. It’s not Class D technology with automatic and any firmware updates are the first time that the Huntingdon Speaker Impedance Detection catered for via the micro USB port firm has given the ‘1’ model name (SID) circuit to instantly measure on the rear of the chassis. to an integrated amplifier, and the the speaker impedance connected Cyrus tells us that the new ONE is original Cyrus 1 some 30 years ago to its bi-wire-compatible speaker aimed at what it calls: “a group of provided the footprint for its binding posts and to adjust the enlightened consumers that are compact range of components amplifier to suit. design lead, feature and interface German hi-fi brand Clearaudio brings that continue today. There are four line-level inputs driven, interested in brand linear tracking to more vinyl fans The reimagined ONE has a including AV bypass and a built-in reputation and listen to music in with its new TT5 Tangential tonearm distinctly contemporary aesthetic moving-magnet phono stage a personal manner”. technology, priced at £1,750. Many with two large front panel controls input. Bluetooth connectivity with It’s available now in a textured vinyl fans will be familiar with the for source selection and volume aptX is also on board as is a Class and high-gloss black finish. benefits of this kind of tonearm, but for anyone that needs a refresher the arm is designed specifically to mimic the vinyl cutting lathe as closely as possible, maintaining a constant 90° angle to keep the cartridge parallel to the groove from the beginning to the end of a record. Tracking force and azimuth are finely adjustable, but if you want the ability to swing the arm out when loading an LP you’ll need to add the optional swing base at an extra £250. soundfowndations.co.uk

8 JULY 2016 M6 ENCORE 225

Intuitive Operation, Huge Connectivity, Internal 1TB Upgradeable Hard Disc Drive

The Encore 225 is a complete audio solution allowing you to keep all your music in one place. It accepts almost any conceivable analog or digital audio source. Experience it for yourself at your local Musical Fidelity dealer.

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High End 2016 4 HFC visits the show that’s considered by many to be the highlight of the hi-fi calendar, and where audio meets art

The High End Show is a true valves and huge horn loudspeakers 1 Celebrating its celebration of state-of-the-art hi-fi , tower over the most rarefi ed of 90th birthday, held this year from 5 to 8 May in electronics and appreciative listeners. ELAC launches the heart of Munich. Mighty global Shows are usually challenging its Concentro brands and small hi-fi specialists places to hear quality sounds, but flagship speaker. come together from far and wide to Munich High End 2016 has rooms At 1.7m tall and showcase exactly what they can do. that leave you spellbound for the high 140kg each, it Running over four busy days, the level of sound quality exhibitors makes quite a show is a Mecca for those wanting to manage to achieve. Sound of the statement and is be the fi rst to see and hear the cutting show? Truly exceptional sounds come set to cost c.€50k. edge of hi-fi as well as enjoying weird from less well-known brands like elac.com and wonderful ways to recreate Leedh and Volya Audio, but Audio- music. With true German effi ciency, Technica’s AT-ART1000 cartridge with 2 Showcasing the doors open exactly on time and moving coils located at the very tip of a step up for the excited visitors pour through the four the cantilever, is also remarkable. Q Acoustics enormous, airy and light exhibition Dealers and distributors come from Concept range, halls and atrium rooms to check all over the world, as well as hi-fi the flagship 500 out over 500 exhibitors. Vinyl is in fanatics and music lovers and even floorstander has abundance with many ‘uber’ high-end local families out for a weekend to new drivers and turntables needing a crane to move experience the spectacle and enjoy cabinet design them and a very understanding bank local beer, music and Bavarian and will cost manager to afford them. Ultra delicacies in sunny courtyards. Here £2,500. It launches modern high-resolution audio are a few show highlights that caught in September.

Picture credits: Chris Ward credits: Picture abounds alongside ancient glowing our eyes and ears. qacoustics.co.uk

10 JULY 2016 SHOWREPORT

5 6 3 The Cyrus ONE (a name last used in 1984) is a 2x 100W (claimed) integrated amp with speaker impedance sensing, moving-magnet phono stage, Bluetooth aptX plus headphone amp for £699. cyrusaudio.com

4 German engineering at its most beautiful. The Transrotor Tourbillon FMD is 60kg of precision engineering and serious eye candy for vinyl lovers. €28k for the turntable and €8.5k for the stand. Hydrangeas extra. transrotor.de

5 One of the busy rooms at the show, Divine Audio owner Tim Chorlton keeps visitors entertained with demonstrations 7 8 of AnalogueWorks turntables, Rogue Audio electronics and EgglestonWorks loudspeakers. divineaudio.co.uk

6 Audio-Technica’s landmark AT-ART1000 cartridge has moving coils located at the very tip of the cantilever and promises a revealing and very dynamic sound. It costs around £4,100. eu.audio-technica.com

7 More anniversary treats from ELAC. The Miracord 90 Anniversary turntable has a decoupled motor, silicone feet and a carbon fibre tonearm. It’s priced at £1,600 and broadens the brand’s appeal as a one-stop solution. elac.com

8 9 10 Arresting looks and 18 drivers firing in all directions with 8,200W of claimed power, the radical Beolab 90 comes with Active Room Compensation and Beam Width Control and costs around £27k per speaker. bang-olufsen.com

9 The extraordinary Universum three-way Mk II from hORNS has a downward-firing active 15in bass woofer (at the base of the banana) integrated with a Beryllium midrange driver and tweeter mounted in their own horns. horns.pl

10 Audiolab shows the 8300N network player (top) due for release this summer. Based around a class-leading ESS Sabre 11 12 chipset, it promises high performance alongside wireless convenience. Price is still to be confirmed. audiolab.co.uk

11 Unveiling its Mohican CD player, Hegel is poetically suggesting this may be the last and ultimate silver disc spinner you’ll own, and implements the Norwegian’s patented SoundEngine technology. hegel.com

12 Wharfedale’s Diamond Active A1 speaker has a small separate hub that takes coaxial, optical and RCA inputs along with Bluetooth, and communicates with both speakers via an uncompressed wireless signal. wharfedale.co.uk

JULY 2016 11 14 SHOWREPORT

13 Popular with recording studios, 13 Harbeth’s Monitor 40.2 three-way speaker seems to define the term ‘reference’ and delights visitors with its communicative performance. It’s available in four high-quality wood finishes from £10,595. harbeth.co.uk

14 Volya Audio Systems from Ukraine shows off its hand-painted speakers. The masterly lacquering combines with ceramic, diamond and ceramic/Kevlar sandwich drivers to create unique design and impressive sonics and brings new meaning to flower power! volya.audio

15 Also celebrating its 90th anniversary, Luxman shows off a sumptuous array 15 16 of components. On show here is the MQ-300 single-ended triode stereo amplifier (top), D-05 Super Audio CD player (below) and L-550AX Mark II integrated amplifier. luxman.com

16 Marantz showcases its Premium 10 Series products. The SA-10 SACD player also has a USB port to handle hi-res audio and the PM-10 integrated amp is actually dual mono with separate power supplies for preamp and power sections. Prices are to be confirmed. marantz.co.uk Rooms leave you spellbound for the high sound quality 17 18 exhibitors achieve

17 Celebrating is 80th birthday, Quad joined in with a one-box solution, displaying the Artera One. An all-in-one CD player, amplifier and network streamer with digital and analogue inputs alongside Bluetooth and UPnP wireless connections. quad.co.uk

18 A true heavyweight, the Sprocket turntable from Tone Tool is fitted with a 19 20 Dereneville DTT 02 tangential tracking tonearm that constantly measures its exact position with a laser. It’s like no other turntable we’ve seen before and can be yours for €230k. tonetool.de

19 With Italian styling that wouldn’t look out of place on a Ferrari, the Extreme Audio Sigma Acoustics MAAT reference speaker seems to redefine a full-range loudspeaker. Taller than onlookers, it claims 100dB sensitivity and an ability to cover 16Hz to 30kHz. extremeaudio.it

20 Each Trafomatic Elysium mono tube amplifier looks like a precious exhibit housed in a museum case. The Tune Audio Anima horn speakers weigh in at 75kg and boast 109dB eff iciency. extremeaudio.it; tuneaudio.com

12 JULY 2016 Emit. Enter the World of High-End Performance.

The new Dynaudio Emit series is the latest model range from Dynaudio and was conceived as an entry level high end loudspeaker series incorporating extraordinary levels of performance and technical innovation in an attractive WHJRHNLZ\P[HISLMVYHSTVZ[HU`SL]LSVMHTWSPÄJH[PVU Visit www.dynaudio.com[VÄUK`V\YULHYLZ[H\[OVYPZLK+`UH\KPVYL[HPSLY

Listen to the new Emit Series. AUDIOFILE

Andrew Simpson checks out the best hi-fi Webwatch websites, social media and online content

FOLLOW US: @HIFICHOICEMAG CHOICE TWEETSTS

SOUND FOWNDATIONS (@SOUNDFOWNDATION) Some nice photos of our event at The Audiobarn just over a week ago! Big thanks to Jack Satchfield & Toby fb.me/4pDqXaoJI

SUGDEN AUDIO @SUGDENAUDIO The #Sugden A21 & #BBC licensed LS3/5a’s, in continuous production for over 40 years Bargain hunt New move for Moorgate bit.ly/25m8eXf In its latest Record Sweep challenge, Sheffi eld’s Moorgate Acoustics has which gives contestants 10 minutes to spend been exciting its social media followers with KEF AUDIO UK (@KEFAUDIO) For @AudioTPreston @AudioTgroup £100 on vinyl, The Vinyl Factory gets its new store opening, and this picture of Saturday 14th May was no ordinary day – Scottish post-rockers Mogwai hunting high retired company founder Keith Hobson, who it was KEF REFERENCE 3 unboxing day for 12in treasures at Vinyl Pimp. See the launched the retailer back in 1981, warmed LOUD & CLEAR GLASGOW band’s basket at: youtu.be/-vPatV5oc0s our hearts: bit.ly/1Xxo6QG (@LOUDCLEARHIFI) We have the stunning YG Acoustics Carmel 2 speaker on dem. The high-end in a small footprint yg-acoustics.com/category/carmel-2

OXFORD AUDIO (@OXFORDAUDIO) @KogAudio has just delivered our brand new Stillpoints range. Amazing what they can wring out of a system! bit.ly/20CcjA1

B&O PLAY (@BEOPLAY) Read how #BeoPlay creates aesthetic Active Noise Cancellation for music lovers beoplay. com/musicloversANC

THE SOUND GALLERY (@THESOUNDGALLERY) Rare 40 year old @RegaResearch Facebook freebie Crafting cables #turntable serviced and ready to rock. Headphone expert Sennheiser teamed Maine’s Transparent Cables lived up #madeforvinyl bit.ly/247NNYh up with intimate, invite-only gig specialist to its name last month by sharing this short Sofar Sounds last month to give music lovers Twitter video, which provides a behind-the- MUSIC MATTERS (@MUSICMATTERSLTD) Forty years ago. Friday flashback. A&R the chance to win free gig tickets in London, scenes glimpse of the modules for its Cambridge A60 amplifier. Arcam Of plus a pair of Momentum cans via Facebook. Transparent Reference cables being Cambridge musicmatters.co.uk fb.me/75NxyHfiE You can fi nd out more here: sofarsounds. machined before assembly, ready for com/comp/sennheiser-1 high-end audio action: bit.ly/1Z0atbv HENLEY DESIGNS LTD. (@HENLEYDESIGNS1) NEW: The Classic by @ProJectAudioSys Retro style meets modern technology. henleydesigns.co.uk/The-Classic-p1513

BOWERS & WILKINS (@BOWERSWILKINS) New to Society of Sound this month is the remarkable debut album from @thebreathmusic b-w.social/3SH1

GRADO HEADPHONES (@GRADO) Mahogany + maple = our first hybrid wooden Grado, the GS2000e: t.co/rvFHMnCzoS

MUSICAL FIDELITY (@MF_HIFI) @AudioTgroup Cardiff listening to the MF Encore #streaming #hifi #tidal system with Martin’s musings Lifting the lid @BowersWilkins & @HiFiRacksLtd Norwich-based Martin’s Hi-Fi certainly has New Zealand’s high-end amp STONEAUDIO.CO.UK (@STONEAUDIO) got plenty to talk about and its regular blogs specialists PureAudio is so proud of its Sonus faber introduce a brand new family of entry level stereo & AV loudspeakers. Meet are always a good place to point your Duo 2 Class A power house that it’s released Principia! #highend2016 browser for latest news, opinion and thought this insightful video, which takes an indepth pieces ranging from the challenges of look under the hood to talk through its O’BRIEN HI-FI (@OBRIENHIFI) @Simaudio Moon ACE has finally arrived and acoustics to preamp and CD player carefully confi gured internals. See for it’s worth the wait. A fantastic integrated amp! shootouts: martinshifi.co.uk/blog/ yourself at: youtu.be/jN5LGYACe0A

14 JULY 2016

WHARFEDALE IN-DEPTH REVA-2 £600

16 JULY 2016 WHARFEDALE REVA-2 £600 IN-DEPTH

DETAILS integrating the mechanical and acoustic elements of the speaker. PRODUCT Wharfedale It’s claimed that a signifi cant Diamond Reva-2 element of the Diamond 200 series’ ORIGIN sonic success is down to the sandwich UK/China construction of its cabinet panels. TYPE Wharfedale’s engineers spent a lot of 2-way standmount loudspeaker time getting this right, fi nally settling heist WEIGHT on layered particleboard and MDF of 7.8kg differing densities as the best defence DIMENSIONS against panel resonance ‘hot spots’ (WxHxD) and the resulting ‘hear-through’ What happens when you take a budget 204 x 357 x 275mm colouration caused by the cabinet FEATURES gem and reimagine it as a glossy premium ● 25mm soft dome singing along. Reva literally builds on tweeter this technique by adding more layers standmount? David Vivian finds out… ● 125mm glass-fibre to the sandwich, which is then bonded weave mid/bass driver together in a heated press to form the rickle down. An expensive, The newcomers sit in the upper ● Quoted sensitivity: tapering curves of the side panels, so cutting-edge product lends echelon of Wharfedale’s these days 86dB/1W/1m fashioned to banish internal standing key aspects of its design quite extensive speaker portfolio, DISTRIBUTOR waves. So fashionable, too. T IAG Group and tech to a much more below the Airedale, Denton and Jade, TELEPHONE Some like it slot modest, affordably constructed and but above everything else. There’s 01480 447700 priced item, raising its performance/ also an intriguing inhouse rival. At A direct lift from the Diamond 200 WEBSITE price ratio and gifting the brochure £600, the Reva-2 – the larger of the wharfedale.co.uk series is the so-called ‘Slot-Loaded copywriter some useful ammo to two standmounts in a range that Distributed Port’. Instead of a hole in spin-up a nice little cachet halo. It’s additionally includes two fl oorstanders the back or the front of the cabinet, certainly an effi cient and logical way and a centre for home cinema systems the Reva, like the Diamond, has a of doing business and routine practice – is exactly the same price as Quad’s narrow, full-width slot delineated by for many loudspeaker manufacturers. S-2 (HFC 408), which also resides the base of the actual cabinet and its But with its new premium Reva under the corporate IAG umbrella plinth. According to Wharfedale’s range, Wharfedale seems to have and has a common design boss in engineers, this type of refl ex loading turned the whole idea on its head. Peter Comeau. But where the Quad allows a smoother transition between The aspirational datum point isn’t the has an advanced ribbon tweeter, all the pressure variation in the cabinet the Revas use the same 25mm textile and the low-frequency output into the The Reva-2 delivers soft dome tweeter, accompanied room. The claimed upshot is greater by one or more woven glass fi bre effi ciency and less distortion than a ‘being there’ mid-bass drivers – in the case of the would be the case with more typical ambience, which Reva-2, a single 125mm unit. A fourth ported bass refl ex arrangements order Linkwitz-Riley precision leading to a deep, articulate and is truly immersive crossover handles the handover well-integrated bass response, between the drivers. Both types are Woven glass qualities that are retained even if the fibre mid-bass company’s reassuringly pricey designed and built at Wharfedale’s driver with speakers are placed close to a wall. heritage-based designs, nor the factory in Huntingdon with the aluminium As you’d hope, the Reva-2 rocks avowedly A-game ‘audiophile’ Jade obvious advantages that brings to surround more of an uptown look than any lineup. Wrong direction. Try the Diamond 200 series, Wharfedale’s long-evolved entry-level best seller. You might feel tempted to insert a big ‘huh?’ here. Let me explain. Instead of ‘trickle down’, say hello to the ‘what if?’ school of speaker design. As in, what if we took all the great ideas that went into making the Diamond 200 range such a price- point star and executed them with a relaxed budget and up-market brief? And that’s what Reva is – arguably the world’s fi rst gravity-defying ‘trickle up’ speaker. It’s not quite that neatly contrary, of course. Part of what makes the Diamond 200 range so capable is the woven mid-bass driver tech handed down from the Jade series models. But there is a number of features previously unique to the Diamond that inform Reva’s design: the sandwich cabinet construction and ‘Slot-Loaded Distributed’ bass refl ex port to name but two.

JULY 2016 17 WHARFEDALE IN-DEPTH REVA-2 £600

standmount in the Diamond 200 Alley CD – there isn’t the slightest I have to hand (HFC 408 also £600), range. It also feels solid, weighty and trace of superfi cial hype, and you’ll there’s a solid, three-dimensional meticulously crafted. The cabinets are notice that if you put socks on when believability to the imaging the HOW IT hand fi nished with multiple layers you got out of bed, you’re still COMPARES smaller KEF simply can’t match. of piano lacquer, each layer polished wearing them. I doubt you’ll be These are not, by any stretch, before the next is applied. Aluminium dazzled. This isn’t meant as a Were we to re-run our lean-sounding speakers stripped out driver surrounds – anodised and negative criticism, just a fi rst recent Group Test for speed and rhythmic impact. abrasively blasted for a matt fi nish impression. But, here’s the thing. As of £600-£800 Timing is good without drawing standmounts (HFC – also promote the premium message. auditioning progresses, what had 408), I don’t think attention to itself. Foot-tappingly By any standards, the Reva-2 is a initially seemed a little lacklustre there’s much doubt good for sure, but there’s no need to well-made and turned out transducer becomes good. Then better still. the Reva-2 would be leap behind the sofa to avoid a volley and, predictably, appearances are Rather than attempt to snare your vying for top honours. of well-aimed rim-shots. The Reva-2 kept up round the back with chunky, interest with a bit of sonic Looking back at that doesn’t exaggerate for effect, doesn’t knowingly OTT bi-wire terminals. showboating, the Reva-2 plays test, it strikes me that trip over itself trying to sound the Wharfedale’s major the long game with a much more strength would have impressive. But instruments and Sound quality measured and careful interpretation been to combine the performers do sound almost tangibly I think we’re all familiar with what of what it is being fed. With each best qualities of some believable. There’s a fi ne sense of could be termed the ‘modern passing track, its slower-burning of the other models – in cohesion top-to-bottom, too. If it standmount signature sound’. style summons greater musical particular marrying the doesn’t quite manage to reproduce effortless, room-filling Designed for immediate showroom traction and emotional pull than scale and power of the the subtlest of micro-dynamic appeal, it’s the kind of presentation speakers that set out to be more £650 Monitor Audio nuances like my reference standmount where openness, clarity and detail are overtly ‘transparent’ but can end Silver 2 with the (Elac’s ribbon-equipped BS263 – HFC pushed to the fore and, with some up sounding rather bright and smooth, unfatiguing 401 – admittedly twice as expensive), nifty port tuning on board, bass pernickety. Rather, it feels presentation of the it doesn’t miss by much. Just as can seem quite fulsome and punchy, comfortable in its own skin. Mr £600 KEF R100 important, detail is conveyed with a and much of the all- too. All told, not a bad compromise Porter’s alluring vocal fusion of embracing musicality degree of naturalness and harmonic for most types of music, albeit a warmth and grit comes across as of the test-winning, richness that really brings out timbre little ‘contrived’. rich and full-blooded, with the Reva but £795, Quadral and texture. Well, you’ll be either delighted or conveying just the right amount of Chromium Style 2. The Reva-2 also has plenty of disappointed to hear that the Reva-2 edge with a convincing sense of The closest call, maybe presence and authority, in part thanks isn’t like that at all. It doesn’t really dynamic ease on the few occasions predictably, would have to its excellent bass performance. been between the matter what you kick off with – I’ve he squares his shoulders and opens Reva-2 and the Some ported standmount boxes give chosen a little up-tempo Gregory up. And although not quite as identically priced Quad you plenty of bang for your buck Porter from his new Take Me To The spacious-sounding as the KEF R100 S-2, the latter’s ribbon tweeter giving it the edge in clarity and Reva is arguably resolution but the the world’s first Wharfedale possessing the more satisfying gravity-defying overall balance. ‘trickle up’ speaker

while largely glossing over shape, timing and texture, making all- important lower frequencies sound amorphous and undifferentiated. Not so here. Smooth extension, well- defi ned pitch and realistic dynamics are all in evidence and, once more, swat any lingering notion that the Reva-2 is merely a pair of souped-up budget boxes. It aims much higher than that and, accordingly, is voiced more in the manner of a high-ender. The days of boom and tizz are thankfully over, but the absence of manipulative emphasis here is in itself striking. Without sounding in any way forward or forced, the midband has focus, dimensionality and transient accuracy, while treble is extended and silky and does very nicely without the help of spray on sparkle. Also very grown up is a talent for proportion and scale – a feeling of spatial coherence that can bring a sense of venue alive as much as the Substantial performers themselves. My favourite bi-wire speaker benchmark test in this regard is Al cable terminals Jarreau’s superbly realised Tenderness

18 JULY 2016 WHARFEDALE REVA-2 £600 IN-DEPTH

IN SIGHT Q&A Peter Comeau 1 1 25mm textile dome tweeter Director of acoustic design, IAG

2 Bi-wire speaker terminals

3 Slot-Load Distributed reflex port

4 125mm glass- fibre weave mid/ bass driver

DV: It’s unusual to mine design features from a budget speaker to 2 incorporate in a premium range rather than the usual ‘trickle down’ process from costlier products. Why have you done it this way? PC: The fundamental principles 3 of loudspeaker design remain consistent across different price bands; higher price points allow more sophisticated materials and 4 engineering techniques to build better enclosures, drive units and so on, thus improving both sonic and DREAM WEAVER aesthetic qualities. Trickling down Although the principle of woven mid/bass smooth, unbroken cone surfaces, the Reva-2 technologies from more expensive driver cones is carried over from the Diamond continues with a traditional phase plug to ranges makes a good marketing 200 series, the materials used are different. control the output from the centre of the story, but often leads to compromise For Diamond it was Kevlar, for Reva it’s a diaphragm, a method that claims to avoid when costly technologies are proprietary glass-fibre weave specifically frequency cancellation and enables a implemented more cheaply. In engineered to match the acoustic properties smoother crossover to the tweeter. A cast some respects it’s more practical to of the multi-layered ‘sandwich’ cabinets with alloy chassis has been chosen to provide develop core elements at lower price their curved side panels. The finely knit cross- dynamic rigidity. The Reva’s 25mm tweeter points, then improve on them further weave pattern is said to produce an ultra-rigid sports a new, fine-weave textile dome, critically yet lightweight diaphragm, which is able to damped with a special coating and powered by raising the budget. react to the smallest musical transients with by a neodymium magnet fitted with a finned In the case of the Diamond 200 great accuracy. Eschewing the trend for heat sink to reduce dynamic compression. Series, we incorporated a number of highly effective design elements that we knew could be further enhanced CD, a ‘live studio’ recording with an £600 isn’t a tidy sum, but the Reva-2 with less rigid cost constraints. For invited audience. Admittedly, it makes looks and feels like a signifi cantly example, the Slot-Loaded Distributed most speakers sound good but the pricier item, weighing over 7kg apiece Port design was originally developed Reva-2 delivers a ‘being there’ and the piano lacquer fi nish is for the Diamond range in order to ambience, which is truly immersive. especially impressive. Alongside IAG’s prove its efficacy in a popular model So – grace, balance and resolution. identically priced, Comeau-designed and to ascertain acceptance of Not a bad skill set. And, yet again, Quad S-2, the Quad isn’t quite so this new technology. We have now there’s a lesson here most of us have big or nicely fi nished and, from worked with this technique over a probably learned over time. Real memory, I think it tends to sound a number of years and are able to rewards are seldom those that gratify little more transparent and open. refine its performance using various immediately. The Reva-2 is woefully But I don’t think it would match the techniques. As a result, it makes short of razzle-dazzle. But if you Reva’s scale, authority or ease of sense to also incorporate it in more advanced products where we can appreciate genuine insight and delivery. Warmly recommended ● use higher quality materials to effortless musicality, it most defi nitely enhance this technology. makes the cut. Quad’s S-2 is also an IAG design Conclusion OUR VERDICT that sells for the same price as the The IAG Group’s vast experience, SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Great musical Reva-2. How do the goals differ? expertise and resources have clearly insight; fabulous build; We have a number of different brands paid huge dividends with the Reva-2. superb finish under the IAG ‘umbrella’ and are well Having the nerve to take the already VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Some lack of aware of the ‘character’ of each soundstage width audaciously talented but nonetheless brand and the specific customer BUILD QUALITY WE SAY: Much more unequivocally ‘budget’ Diamond 200 than a Diamond in a requirements based on the brand and turn it into a sophisticated, fancy box, the Reva-2 heritage. As a result, you’ll find a consistently delivers high-class standmount is quite EASE OF DRIVE significant differentiation between on all fronts something. It certainly makes a the sonic signature of these refreshing change from the usual loudspeakers, and the specific OVERALL trickle-down conventions. Praise also technologies used to achieve it, has to go to the sheer physical quality which allows the customer to choose of the speaker. I wouldn’t pretend that based on their preferences.

JULY 2016 19

Hi-Fi Choice employs the most rigorous test and measurement regime in the business. Here’s how we do it...

REFERENCE SYSTEM SOURCE Unique group tests Melco N1A NAS SUPPORT RACK Quadraspire QAVX CONTROL DEVICES Our Group Tests are supported by rigorous and Google LG Nexus 5 Apple iPad 3 exhaustive listening tests carried out by experts

MULTI-ROOM SPEAKERS GROUP TEST TEST MUSIC TESTING OF THE six speakers takes place The lack of fi ne adjustment on the app-based YELLO in two distinct phases. Before any listening is volume controls makes achieving the listening Baby undertaken, all models are checked for the level a bit crude, but all models are within 1dB Rubberbandman 16/44.1kHz FLAC latest software versions – three models require of each other. updates. Then for an absolute test of sound With the absolute sound quality testing out of quality, each model is connected via an Ethernet the way, each speaker is connected to a wireless connection to a closed network that has a Melco network to test its setup procedure as well as N1A NAS drive (HFC 397) attached as the music the numerous extensive features and facilities source. This allows all speakers to bypass much that it has to offer. The main control device used of their setup procedure and to avoid being with each of the apps is a Google/LG Nexus 5 subject to any limitations of the wireless Android smartphone running the latest version network. Each speaker is placed on a of Android. This also acts as the aptX-capable Quadraspire QAVX equipment rack (HFC 395) Bluetooth source where applicable. An iPad 3 is and listening levels are set using a 44.1kHz additionally on hand as backup, but all devices JOSEFIN ÖHRN AND THE LIBERATION FLAC pink noise test tone and SPL meter. run successfully on Android. Horse Dance Take Me Beyond 16/44.1kHz FLAC

THE ROY HARGROVE QUINTET Earfood Starmaker 16/44.1kHz FLAC

BLIND LISTENING TESTS high enough to make diff erences consensus, or otherwise then This crucial process is very easily discernible. Then the forms the basis of our sound DAFT PUNK carefully controlled so that we choice of music is agreed – it quality section. Tron: Legacy get reliable and consistent needs to be familiar, but also well At the end of the session, Outlands 16/44.1kHz FLAC results in a relaxed and friendly recorded and of suff icient variety there’s a final debrief when atmosphere. Our listeners must to give meaningful listening panellists discuss their findings. not feel that they’re being tested, comparisons. The chosen It’s an exhaustive process, but despite being unaware of the selection of music is played, and carried out in this way is free brand or price of the products the panellists are encouraged to from prejudices based on brand, they are auditioning. discuss their impressions of the price or appearance, while the The session begins by setting sound of the product. This is then diff erent sensitivities of the the volume level to an agreed repeated, and periodically the listeners help to round out the point, one that all three panellists panel listens to earlier products analysis in order to make it more feel comfortable with, yet that is for reference purposes. The widely applicable.

22 JULY 2016

MULTI-ROOM SPEAKERS £350-£500 Music everywhere Want your music to follow you around the house? Ed Selley has the answers

AS A HI-FI magazine it’s diffi cult to fully endorse the sonic virtues of a single-box speaker over full-range stereo speakers driven by powerful amplifi cation and dedicated source components. But let’s face it, most of us enjoy hearing music in other areas around the home. OK, there are plenty of mini systems to choose from, but if you’re looking for a smart setup that can link wirelessly to other speakers in other rooms and play the same track or even different music from the same source, then a multi-room speaker system is the ideal solution. Stream of consciousness Gone are the days when installing a multi-room system meant trailing wires all over the house. Multi-room speakers are now essentially plug ‘n’ play, allowing you to stream music seamlessly from one room to another controlled by a smartphone or tablet. Some speakers can be partnered to form a stereo pair, and all are equipped with sophisticated amplifi cation and DSP technology to achieve attention-grabbing performance levels that defy the laws of physics. These six models use various wireless connection systems – some hook into your wi-fi , others create their own network, and many also use Bluetooth.

ON TEST

Bluesound Cabasse Musaic Sonos Sony Yamaha Pulse Mini £420 p27 Stream 1 £500 p29 MP10 £370 p31 Play:5 £429 p33 SRS-X88 £350 p35 Restio ISX-80 £400 p37 One of the smaller The largest and most The larger of only two The largest of the Sonos It may be the smallest The most striking-looking Bluesound speakers, the expensive speaker here, Musaic speakers currently standalone speakers, and the most affordable multi-room speaker here, Pulse Mini is a three-way the versatile Cabasse can in the range, the MP10 is the Play:5 is limited to multi-room speaker here, the Yamaha has full hi-res active speaker with be placed flat or upright able to stream files up 16-bit/48kHz resolution but the Sony offers 24-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/192kHz music file and supports playback to 24-bit/192kHz, but but counters this with an high-resolution audio support and is part of the support and a strong of resolutions up to additionally has the ability extraordinary number of capability as well as company’s extensive selection of streaming 24-bit/96kHz. Streaming to interface with lighting supported streaming access to Spotify. It also MusicCast product services including service support includes and home control services, effective has dedicated software range. It offers streaming Qobuz, Tidal, HDTracks Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, systems for extensive Trueplay room tuning and to improve the sound of support for Spotify, and HighResAudio. Deezer and vTuner radio. smart home integration. stereo-pairing capability. compressed files. Deezer and Juke.

24 JULY 2016 JULY 2016 25   





 
   
 with music in mind since 1974

Exposure Electronics Limited Unit 18, Winston Business Centre, 43 Chartwell Road Lancing, West Sussex BN15 8TU, United Kindom. www.exposurehifi.com MULTI-ROOM SPEAKERS £350-£500 GROUPTEST

KIND OF BLUE

The Pulse Mini is part of a much more extensive system of components than simple all-in-one speakers. While there are four standalone speakers to choose from (see HFC 402), there is also a 2.1 speaker system in the form of the Duo as well as streaming front ends with and without their own amplification. Where Bluesound really diff ers from the rest of the systems here is in the provision of ripping and server facilities. As CD drives slowly disappear from computers, this could Bluesound become very handy for many users. In terms of multi-room, the Bluesound loudspeakers can support Pulse Mini £420 eight components wirelessly and up to 34 on a wired installation. The app is well thought out and each speaker Canadian brand Bluesound cleverly adds flexibility to can be named and configured to make its use in a wider system multi-room, but how does this small speaker stack up? straightforward and easy to control.

DETAILS he Pulse Mini is one of Bluesound products (see box out), it punchy and fast, but lacking the PRODUCT four all-in-one speakers currently has support for 12 different clarity and space to sound truly Bluesound T that Bluesound makes as streaming services and control app convincing. This slightly thick Pulse Mini well as standalone server, support for iOS and Android devices. presentation is also readily apparent ORIGIN streamer and amplifi er options. The The app proves totally stable and is with the Roy Hargrove Quintet track Canada/China unit itself comprises a pair of 50mm clear and easy to use. Starmaker that makes the trumpet TYPE speakers placed in separate chambers Setup is fairly straightforward with lack the presence that some of the Wireless multi-room speaker system that fl ank a single 89mm bass driver the loudspeaker generating a other models here manage. It is a WEIGHT that has its own bass port at the rear temporary wireless network that can shame because once again, the tonal 3.6kg of the cabinet. Power output is quoted then be used to place the Pulse Mini consistency is very good and manages DIMENSIONS at 60W of Class D amplifi cation. on the main household network. Like to sound larger than you’d ever give (WxHxD) As well as network and streaming the Sonos, the Bluesound app wants the small chassis credit for. No 335 x 172 x 155mm options, the Bluesound is fi tted with to create its own database of your adjustment of the EQ settings FEATURES ● Quoted power aptX Bluetooth and a solitary line library rather than depend on the eliminates this characteristic, leaving output: 60W Class D input on the rear panel. Bluesound NAS drive to generate it. This is fi ne it needing a little more sonic oomph ● Supports up to also fi ts the Pulse Mini with a USB-A as far as it goes, but does mean that to match its excellent fl exibility and 24-bit/192kHz ● AptX Bluetooth connection for reading memory sticks the Pulse Mini is slower to get started supporting hardware. ● Streaming service and charging mobile devices. The than some of the other models here The Bluesound’s good sonic support: Spotify; casework is nothing to get terribly and your library must be rescanned qualities are more readily apparent Tidal; Qobuz; Deezer ● Internet radio: excited about, but it is well built and every time you add to it. on the Tron track Outlands. Whether TuneIn; iHeartRadio the touch panel controls on the top it is a quirk of the recording or the DISTRIBUTOR of the unit are well thought out and Sound quality frequencies it makes use of, the Sevenoaks Sound extremely easy to use. The Bluesound does not have to work thickness is much less apparent and & Vision The Bluesound eco-system is an especially hard to hit the test volume this allows the Pulse Mini to show its TELEPHONE ● 01732 740944 extensive one and second only to the level and doesn’t sound in any way speed and punch to good effect WEBSITE Sonos in this test. As well as the stretched. With Rubberbandman by bluesound.com ability to create a whole house of Yello it does a fi ne job of sounding bigger than its external dimensions suggest. There is plenty of bass OUR VERDICT extension and furthermore it manages SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Excellent to fi nd plenty of incidental details selection of features; in the mix as well. Vocals are well powerful and lively handled too, the muddled lyrics are VALUE FOR MONEY sound; good app DISLIKE: Slight almost intelligible and integrate well thickness to the upper with the supporting instruments. BUILD QUALITY midrange; slow to Upping the speed a touch with the create album database WE SAY: A talented Josefi n Öhrn track doesn’t upset the FEATURES and well thought-out Bluesound, but it does reveal that multi-room speaker there is a thickness and congestion OVERALL to the upper midrange that muddies the detail and clarity of the higher registers. This leaves it sounding

JULY 2016 27 Quality-Performance-Value-Service

Limited Offer!

FREE UPGRADES

WORTH 10% 2QDOORUGHUVRYHU   Take this opportunity to add premium valves, Jensen

,FRQ$XGLRKDYHDYDOYHDPSOLILHUWRVXLWDOOSXUSRVHV)URPZDWWVSHUFKDQQHOWRZLQWHJUDWHGRUZWR capacitors etc to add extra ZPRQREORFNV,PPHUVH\RXUVHOILQRXUZDUPHDV\OLVWHQLQJGHWDLOHGVRXQG'DYLG6KDZKDVEHHQPDNLQJ sonic value to our great range LQQRYDWLYHKLJKO\UHJDUGHGDPSOLILHUVIRU\HDUVZKLFKDUHDOOOHDGHUVLQWKHLUFODVVVRPHOLNHWKHXQLTXH 67RU+3KDYHQRHTXDODQGRWKHUVOLNHWKH67DQG67DUH³RXWVWDQGLQJ´LQSHUIRUPDQFHDQGYDOXH of amplification! IRUPRQH\$OORXUDPSOLILHUVDUHKDQGPDGH³SRLQWWRSRLQW´ZLWKRXURZQKDQGZRXQGWUDQVIRUPHUVLQRXU  RZQIDFWRU\DQGILQLVKHGLQ/HLFHVWHU%XLOWWRODVWDQGEHHDVLO\VHUYLFHG /LPLWHGRIIHUZKLVWVWRFNVODVW 9DULRXVXSJUDGHVDUHDYDLODEOHLQFOXGLQJFDSDFLWRUVDQGYDOYHV $SSOLHVRQO\WRVDOHVIURP,FRQ$XGLR/WG $VD8.FRPSDQ\ZHRIIHUUDSLGHFRQRPLFDOVHUYLFHRQDOORXUSURGXFWVERWKROGDQGQHZ /HLFHVWHU$SSOLHVWR8.2QO\ &RPHIRUDOLVWHQDWRXU/HLFHVWHUVKRZURRPRURUGHUIURPRQHRIRXUDSSRLQWHGGHDOHUV )RUPRUHLQIRUPDWLRQVHHRXUZHEVLWHULQJRUHPDLOXVRUDVNIRURXUODWHVWEURFKXUHSULQWHGRQrealSDSHU %X\GLUHFWIURPXVRUWKURXJKRQHRIGHDOHUVRUZRUOGZLGHGLVWULEXWRUV UK only prices including 20% VAT and mainland delivery. Some models show upgraded valves. www.iconaudio.com [email protected] (+44) 0116 2440593 Leicester UK MULTI-ROOM SPEAKERS £350-£500 GROUPTEST

STREAM ON

The Cabasse multi-room options are limited to a maximum of four speakers, but the product range is flexible with a 2.1 system, standalone streamer, amplifier and TV sound plinth models all featuring. The app allows for control of each room individually, or they can be slaved together in party mode. While it might not be as expansive as some other systems, the Cabasse has some clever features. The first is that the USB input on the Stream 1 and other members of the family can Cabasse read files, which can be played on the main unit and also made available to any Cabasse streamer on the Stream 1 £500 network. The second is that the Stream Amp (HFC 403) uses an on-board DSP to take into account For the largest speaker here, the Cabasse is a fairly the speakers being used and their position in the room in order to basic model that does many things extremely well produce the best overall results.

DETAILS etter known for its range In functionality terms, the Stream 1 richness that really helps the track PRODUCT of more conventional is one of the more limited devices in to come alive. Cabasse B loudspeakers, Cabasse has the group when it comes to features. Used in the upright position in Stream 1 been dabbling in wireless What it does have, however, are particular, it does a fi ne job of ORIGIN multi-room for some years now and 24-bit/96kHz support over UPnP and producing a wide image that goes France/China has an extensive range of different aptX Bluetooth with NFC as well as some way to sounding like stereo. TYPE components. The Stream 1 is the only internet radio and support for four This lends it an authority and Wireless multi-room speaker system all-in-one speaker system in the popular streaming services. scale with the Tron track that is WEIGHT range, which is intended to make use The control app is something that comfortably in advance of what the 5kg of the company’s existing speaker Cabasse has been working on and the other speakers here can achieve. The DIMENSIONS line-up (see box out). result is smooth and stable if not as strings sound potent and free of any (WxHxD) It is built around a four-channel fl exible as some others here. Setup feeling of compression and individual 325 x 460 x 137mm Class A/B amplifi er, which supplies is a breeze, especially if you have a instruments are distinct rather than FEATURES ● Quoted power a claimed 10W to a pair of coaxial WPS-enabled router, but even without sounding like a single orchestral output: 10/20W drivers that feature a 29mm tweeter it’s still logical and the Stream 1 has mass. The low-end extension is Class A/B and 80mm mid/bass driver. Around no trouble fi nding the relevant music equally useful, serving to fi ll out the ● Supports up to 24-bit /96kHz the back (or underside dependent on libraries in my setup. midrange and produce a sound that is ● AptX Bluetooth placement) is a single 170mm driver sizeable and powerful. Increasing the with NFC that’s powered by a claimed 20W Sound quality volume beyond the test level also ● Streaming services: Spotify; amplifi er. It may have one of the Lowest power output or not, the presents no problems and it has to be Tidal; Qobuz; Deezer lowest power outputs in the group, Cabasse has no issues hitting the test pushed very hard indeed before it ● Internet radio but it doesn’t seem to place the level and has plenty in reserve. As sounds strained. Compared with DISTRIBUTOR Cabasse at any great disadvantage. both the largest and most expensive some models here it’s a little basic, The Multi-room Company The design of the Stream 1 is unit here, it has something to prove but there is no arguing with the levels ● TELEPHONE interesting in that it is the only model and its additional bulk clearly helps of performance that it offers 01242 511133 here that can be placed ‘fl at and deep’ its sonic performance. With the Yello WEBSITE or ‘tall and shallow’, and it can even track, it has bass impact that no other cabasse.com be wall mounted – although this does speaker in the group can match. As place the larger driver very close to well as useful levels of extension, it OUR VERDICT the wall. Available in black or white, manages to be detailed and tonally SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Big, powerful this is a handsome piece of design well balanced, too. sound; solid build that’s fi nished to a high standard. This means that with the Josefi n DISLIKE: Limited Öhrn track, the Stream 1 is genuinely VALUE FOR MONEY multi-room and entertaining. It sounds big and streaming support BUILD QUALITY WE SAY: Lacks some engaging with the bassline starting of the software and stopping quickly and Öhrn’s sophistication of rivals, but it looks good and vocals sounding clear and extremely FEATURES sounds excellent, even believable. The top end is clear and considering the price uncongested, but even when pushed OVERALL hard doesn’t tip over into sounding harsh or bright. This gives the trumpet in Starmaker a realism and

JULY 2016 29 
 

    





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8KUKVYYYHQECNEQOVQFKUEQXGTOQTG MULTI-ROOM SPEAKERS £350-£500 GROUPTEST

LIGHT FANTASTIC

With only two products on the market (although more are planned), Musaic doesn’t off er the breadth of system possibilities that some rivals do, but counters with functionality beyond home audio. The MP10 and smaller MP5 are compatible with third-party lighting systems that integrate with the control of the speakers, giving the Musaic ‘smart home’ potential. Perhaps even more interesting still is that the company is the first of its type to off er integration with IFTTT (If This Then That). This is open-source Musaic software that allows it to perform a given action if another compatible piece of equipment performs a MP10 £370 specific function. This can include adding tracks to a Spotify playlist if you like them on the MP10 or being If your interests in multi-room go further than audio, able to sound an alarm in the room if a compatible smoke alarm is the MP10 has some unique talents triggered in the house, for example.

DETAILS he MP10 is the larger of Musaic has developed Android and appears to be more to do with the PRODUCT two speakers from the iOS apps for the platform and these tonal balance of the MP10 than the Musaic T Musaic range, although in prove to be completely stable and fast volume level as even when used a MP10 Music Player the context of the group it to respond to inputs over the test little more quietly, it can still be on ORIGIN is one of the smaller speakers here. period. The app does not compile its the bright side. UK/China As a relatively new arrival to the own database like the Bluesound or With better recordings, though – TYPE market, Musaic has chosen to include Sonos models do, but does manage to like the Hargrove piece – this ceases Wireless multi-room speaker system functionality not replicated anywhere do a better job of showing the album to be an issue and instead allows it WEIGHT else in the test to differentiate itself list rather than the other apps that to sound genuinely impressive for 2.6kg (see box out), but it hasn’t ignored rely on the server. The setup such a small speaker. The piano in the DIMENSIONS the basics while doing so. This is procedure is also fast and effective. opening bars is handled with weight, (WxHxD) a 24-bit/192kHz-capable UPnP The number of streaming services texture and a tonal accuracy that 412 x 146 x 115mm streaming device with aptX Bluetooth supported is lower than some rivals, leaves some of the other speakers FEATURES ● Quoted power and a selection of streaming services. but Tidal support is on the cards and here sounding a little artifi cial in output: 60W Class D Internally, the MP10 is built around Musaic is committed to adding more comparison. It can’t work miracles ● Supports up to a pair of 45mm drivers that sit on services in the future. – with both this and Outlands, it never 24-bit/192kHz ● AptX Bluetooth either side of a single 90mm bass really sounds like anything other than ● Streaming service driver. Power is supplied by a Class D Sound quality a single source rather than a stereo support: Spotify; amplifi er with a claimed output of The MP10 has to use a greater one – but the Musaic consistently Napster; Rhapsody ● Internet radio: 60W. The speaker uses a tweaked proportion of its output than some of delivers a sound that balances SomaFM; AllPlay version of HDSX processing to give the speakers here to hit the test level, accuracy and detail with a willingness Radio; DAR.fm as wide and immersive a soundstage but still has a fair amount in reserve to have fun. When you consider the DISTRIBUTOR as possible. Externally, it is a pleasing and doesn’t show any signs of being low price and the potential offered by Musaic piece of industrial design with silver under any strain. Instead, its its additional functionality, this is a TELEPHONE ● 0207 5588984 accents helping it to look less performance of Rubberbandman is very strong offering indeed WEBSITE anonymous. The touch-panel buttons punchy and rhythmically engaging in musaic.com on top are usefully responsive and a way that gives it an advantage over allow for a reasonable degree of many of the speakers in the group. control without the app. The styling is The impressively deep bassline is OUR VERDICT rather pedestrian, but the overall fi t delivered with a speed and assurance SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Punchy and and fi nish is of a good standard and that pulls you into the performance. engaging sound; well very respectable at the asking price. This same speed and sense of timing thought out app; price is present with the Josefi n Öhrn piece, VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Won’t flatter poor recordings; but the more rough and ready nature limited model range of this recording does show that the BUILD QUALITY and streaming service upper registers are not quite as support WE SAY: Strong sonics forgiving as the lower frequencies. FEATURES and unique There is plenty of detail and the functionality Musaic handles Öhrn’s vocals well, OVERALL but the high guitar notes have a slightly hard edge to them, which isn’t necessarily present elsewhere. This

JULY 2016 31

MULTI-ROOM SPEAKERS £350-£500 GROUPTEST

PAIRING UP

Sonos is synonymous with multi- room and the Play:5 is part of a very comprehensive line of products. It off ers three standalone speakers, all of which can be paired with a wireless subwoofer and additionally paired with a second speaker to form a wireless stereo setup. If you need more power than this, it also off ers the Connect series of products that are designed to get your existing electronics and speakers working as part of a Sonos system. Home cinema components are available, too. Sonos No review of Sonos’ ecosystem would be complete without mentioning the variety of services Play:5 £429 that the company supports. More than twice as many third-party services are available compared with Does the biggest name in multi-room have what it its closest competitor and it has a strong track record of being first to takes to stay on top with this sophisticated model? support any new arrivals.

DETAILS hen Sonos entered the Here the news is a little mixed. As The issue is never serious, but PRODUCT market it didn’t so much one of the longer-running brands in compared with the equally punchy Sonos Play:5 W have the multi-room the multi-room game, Sonos has Cabasse Stream 1 (page 29), the ORIGIN category to itself, but an plenty of experience and both the Sonos never sounds quite so assured. USA/China entire market segment to create. The Android and iOS versions of the app The treble, however, remains TYPE system has grown into an impressive are extremely stable and slick. But in extremely clear and impressively Wireless multi-room range of extremely fl exible and well some regards, it is overshadowed by refi ned throughout. It does a fi ne job speaker system supported components of which the other control apps here. It is the only with Starmaker. The slower pace of WEIGHT 6.4g Play:5 is the largest standalone one that fails to connect to the the track sees it on happier ground DIMENSIONS speaker that it currently produces. wireless network at the fi rst time of and the instruments have a rich and (WxHxD) Internally, it features six drivers – asking and the requirement to type appealing tonality to them. 364 x 203 x 154mm three mid/bass drivers in a row with a the physical address of the NAS drive Possibly as a result of the design FEATURES trio of tweeters mounted above. The in to fi nd it is rather archaic. being something you can use as a ● Power output not quoted, Class D amp power output is undisclosed. Like the Bluesound, the Sonos stereo pair (see box out), the Play:5 ● Supports up to The Play:5 is a more conventional builds its own database for stability, is one of the more focussed-sounding 16-bit/48kHz looking design than previous models which makes it slower to get up and speakers in the test. It never tips so ● Extensive streaming service and is available in black or white. It running. The database can’t identify far over into sounding narrow, but support isn’t exactly striking, but the use of hi-res fi les either, which isn’t a it doesn’t really seek to produce a DISTRIBUTOR soft-touch plastics and the excellent problem as it can’t play anything believable stereo image from a single Sonos fi t and fi nish of the casework do help more than 16-bit/48kHz resolution. speaker. This means that Outlands TELEPHONE it stand out from the crowd. The build sounds beefy and tonally good, but 0808 2346596 is extremely good and details like Sound quality never really gives the sense of a full WEBSITE sonos.com the capacitive controls on the top are Thankfully for the main name in the orchestra. But its impressively refi ned a very nice design feature and category, the Play:5 manages to claw top end works wonders and it sounds convenient, but only provide volume back a fair few points on the strength far bigger than it has any right to ● level and play/pause controls so is of its audio performance. It has no still very dependent on the app. problem reaching the test level and has plenty left in reserve. Once up and running, it gives a punchy OUR VERDICT and authoritative rendition of SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Powerful and Rubberbandman with plenty of detailed sound; great surprisingly deep and well-defi ned build; extremely bass that doesn’t overshadow the VALUE FOR MONEY flexible DISLIKE: Some quirks upper registers. Vocals have a to the app; no hi-res pleasing weight and texture to them BUILD QUALITY support and are well defi ned against the WE SAY: An extremely capable speaker that’s supporting instruments. FEATURES up against increasingly This separation is also useful for stiff competition Take Me Beyond, although the quicker OVERALL tempo of this track does highlight a very slight tendency to sound a bit confused with faster-paced material.

JULY 2016 33 ‘I’ve made my decision, I’ve chosen my religion, it’s music...’ MULTI-ROOM SPEAKERS £350-£500 GROUPTEST

YOUR NEW BEST PAL

The Sony is able to communicate with other products from the same family via the company’s SongPal app. This is similar to the other apps here in that it will bring up the available devices on the network and these can be selected individually or grouped together in party mode. One clever touch is that the app will show the selected input and status of the devices on its ‘front’ page. Sadly, paired stereo operation is not available here. There are some interesting Sony additions to SongPal. It supports distributed Bluetooth, where a product connected to a Sony device SRS-X88 £350 on the network is made available to all of the other speakers. SongPal also has a setting for all the music to It might be the smallest model in the group, but follow you around from room to room rather than having to have multiple this Sony punches well above its weight speakers working at once.

DETAILS ulti-room audio has not The news isn’t exclusively positive, impressive sense of scale and space to PRODUCT been a huge priority for though. This speaker supports the it. Adjusting the EQ settings in the Sony SRS-X88 M Sony until comparatively lowest number of third-party control app helps to smooth off the ORIGIN recently, but now the streaming services of any of the upper registers, but at the expense of Japan/China company has a small range of models in the test, although it has some of this airiness. TYPE self-contained wireless speakers of masked this quite cleverly by allowing The high-quality recording of Wireless multi-room which the SRS-X88 is the middle you to set up services to connect via Starmaker ensures that it sounds a speaker system model. In the context of this test, this Bluetooth from your controlling little more refi ned and relaxed, but WEIGHT 2.7kg is the smallest and most affordable device within the app. The app itself even here there is an edginess to high DIMENSIONS speaker here, narrowly edging the is stable and quick to load, but doesn’t notes from the trumpet that can leave (WxHxD) Musaic out on both counts. Small it feature a quick scroll function while you reaching for the volume control 359 x 111 x 103mm may be, but the Sony still manages to some of the more useful features like at times. Once again, though, the FEATURES cram a pair of 20mm tweeters, two the EQ settings are buried away in low-end impact and sense of scale the ● Quoted power output: 90W Class D 40mm midrange drivers and a 69mm sub menus. Setup is commendably Sony manages from that small chassis ● Supports up to bass driver into that compact chassis. simple, however, with the speaker is deeply impressive with the piano 24-bit/192kHz Power is quoted at 90W, although it using its Bluetooth system initially to and bass having real scale and ● AirPlay, LDAC Bluetooth with NFC isn’t explained how this is shared get up and running. presence. This is mirrored with the ● Streaming service among the drivers. way it handles Outlands. The string support: Google In specifi cation terms, this is an Sound quality section is big and convincing and Play Music; Spotify interesting product. It is the only It might be the smallest model here, there is plenty of bass weight too. It DISTRIBUTOR Sony UK model here that can be used as a USB but the SRS-X88 has no trouble even manages to create a slight sense TELEPHONE DAC and as well as 24-bit/192kHz hitting the test level and has lots left of stereo while doing so. The SRS-X88 0207 3652810 support, the SRS-X88 is also able to in reserve. Not only is there plenty of has a number of very likeable traits, WEBSITE handle DSD fi les. Bluetooth with grunt, but the small size doesn’t seem but it sounds a little aggressive to be sony.co.uk aptX support is fi tted as well as an to be an impediment to the amount of considered a true star ● especially effective implementation of bass it produces. Rubberbandman is the NFC touch-to-pair system. While powerful, well defi ned and manages the looks of the SRS-X88 are nothing to sound consistently lively and to get excited about given that it is exciting. Detail retrieval is also OUR VERDICT almost completely devoid of styling, extremely good with the vocalised SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Excellent bass the build and fi nish are good and it effects behind the main vocals being response; good build; comes with a remote control. especially well captured. some useful features The caveat to this detail retrieval is VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Can sound a little bright; limited that the tonal balance is the brightest third-party streaming here. At the relatively high test level, BUILD QUALITY services support it is undoubtedly exciting, but also WE SAY: Interesting features and strong a little fatiguing to listen to and FEATURES performance, but it winding the volume level back lacks all-round ability doesn’t ever completely correct this. OVERALL As a result, Take Me Beyond can sound a little aggressive in parts although once again, the performance has an

JULY 2016 35 TKHÀQHVWVRXQGPRQH\FDQEX\ 8QLVRQ5HVHDUFK·VKLJKHQGYDOYHRQO\HOHFWURQLFVFDQEHIRXQGRQGHPRQVWUDWLRQDWWKHIROORZLQJ SUHPLXPKLÀVSHFLDOLVWVFind out more at www.unisonresearch.co.uk

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CAST OF THOUSANDS

As well as a number of dedicated all-in-one products like the ISX-80, significant numbers of Yamaha’s stereo amplifiers, sources, sound projectors, AV receivers and lifestyle systems have also been fitted to work in a MusicCast system. This means that a home full of MusicCast components could include a serious collection of electronics. In addition to this, some products in the range are fitted to act as MusicCast Hubs. These can work in exactly the same way as other MusicCast components, but can Yamaha additionally share sources connected to them to other MusicCast products. While there is no ripping option in Restio ISX-80 £400 the range like the Bluesound, these capabilities and the sheer number of products available means that The Yamaha majors on a compact and refined MusicCast is a seriously flexible and solution to multi-room audio capable option for multi-room use.

DETAILS aving been an early Specifi cation wise, the ISX-80 is a degree of urgency and speed to it, but adopter of wireless 24-bit/192kHz-capable UPnP player manages to smooth off some of the PRODUCT Yamaha H multi-room (perhaps a with AirPlay, Bluetooth and internet rough edges in the upper registers. Restio ISX-80 little too early), Yamaha radio. A limited number of third-party OK, it’s not the most exciting ORIGIN has been content to let other streaming services is also supported sounding speaker, but it’s never slow Japan/Malaysia companies forge ahead and has – Yamaha matches the Sony in the or languid. Once again, doing a fi ne TYPE recently returned with its extremely number of options made available. job of handling Öhrn’s vocals as well. Wireless multi-room speaker system ambitious MusicCast system. The The control app comes in iOS and With the sumptuously recorded Ray WEIGHT ISX-80 is one of the smaller Android fl avours and is stable and Hargrove piece, the ISX-80 is in 3.3kg standalone members of the range and logical enough to use, even if it its element. It sounds full and rich DIMENSIONS is also part of the ‘Restio’ lifestyle doesn’t feel as slick as some of the with enough bass extension to be (WxHxD) series. It can talk to other identical rival offerings in the group. The convincing and Hargrove’s trumpet 302 x 302 x 65mm speakers as well as other components multi-room aspect is well worked out, is impressively convincing. It also FEATURES in the MusicCast family (see box out). though, and the means of assigning manages to sound wider and more ● Quoted power output: 15W Class D It is built around a pair of 30mm and naming products is extremely expansive than some of its rivals, ● Supports up to tweeters and 80mm mid/bass drivers good. Provided you have location which results in a more convincing 24-bit/192kHz placed in a square chassis when services on, setup is also painless. soundstage. While the absolute limits ● AirPlay; Bluetooth ● Streaming service viewed from the front, but it only of the power output do catch up a support: Spotify; measures 65mm deep. It is clearly Sound quality little when it is asked to play Juke designed to be wall mounted Of all the products here, this is the Outlands, it retains a level of ● Internet and FM radio although a stabilising screw-in metal one that has to work the hardest to refi nement and tonal richness that DISTRIBUTOR foot is supplied for desktop hit the test level and it doesn’t have a ensure that it remains entertaining to Yamaha Music UK placement. This is the most overtly huge amount left on the volume dial listen to. Ideally suited to smaller TELEPHONE ‘styled’ of the multi-room speakers having done so. Given that it only has rooms, there is much to like about the 01908 366700 here, and if the purple fi nish of our 15W to play with, a small internal way that the ISX-80 makes music ● WEBSITE review sample isn’t your thing, silver volume and no form of bass port, this uk.yamaha.com and black versions are also available. is perhaps to be expected. What is perhaps more surprising, however, is that even though it’s being driven OUR VERDICT quite hard, the ISX-80 remains SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Refined and impressively refi ned and free from detailed sound; strain or harshness. elegant design; flexible This means that Rubberbandman VALUE FOR MONEY multi-room options DISLIKE: Limited lacks a little low-end impact, but volume and bass the midrange and treble are smooth BUILD QUALITY extension; number of and completely free of harshness or supported services WE SAY: A listenable aggression. The Yamaha still manages FEATURES speaker with good to fi nd plenty of fi ne detail and multi-room options handles vocals particularly well. This OVERALL refi nement is especially useful with the more rough and ready recording of Take Me Beyond, which still keeps a

JULY 2016 37 MULTI-ROOM SPEAKERS GROUPTEST £350-£500

Group test verdict Having spent days moving from room to room in search of the perfect multi-room music solution, Ed Selley is ready to reveal the final results

THE QUALITY OF products in this shakes that thick top end, which of hi-res support means that it has test is a clear indicator of just how affects its overall sonic satisfaction. to be content with third place. important this category is becoming The Yamaha belongs to another At the moment, the Musaic for manufacturers. The ranking is excellent family of products with a system is the most limited in WINNER judged on the thinnest of margins, huge range of options for building a hardware terms and if you need to but it is the Sony and Bluesound network of music components around listen to every streaming service The Cabasse Stream 1 that have the most signifi cant the home. There is no hiding from the there is, it will have some gaps. At may lack some of the impediments. The SRS-X88, is a fact that the Restio ISX-80 is a little its core, though, the MP10 is a very support of rivals and punchy performer that delivers more underpowered in this company and it good product to listen to in its own cost the most here, but it consistently produces scale and impact than you would ever lacks some of the streaming options right and one that consistently the best sound. It’s part give its compact dimensions credit for, that rival models offer. Service sounds big and exciting. The of a well thought-out but the partnering options are limited integration, on the other hand, is additional smart options that family of multi-room and it can sound bright. The Pulse something that Sonos excels at and Musaic is offering also put it on products that can grow Mini – conversely – has exceptional the Play:5 has a very strong sonic another level of smart home into a very capable multi-room options, great service performance, but the quirks in setting integration to its rivals, making sound system to fill the rooms in your home. integration and good build, but never up NAS drives and the ongoing lack this the one to watch.

Make/model Bluesound Cabasse Musaic Sonos Sony Yamaha Pulse Mini Stream 1 MP10 Play:5 SRS-X88 Restio ISX-80

Price £420 £500 £370 £429 £350 £400 Sound Value Build Features Overall , A talented and well Lacks multi-room and Engaging sound A very capable Strong performance Enjoyable sound, thought-out multi- streaming support with well thought- speaker that’s up and interesting but lacks bass and room speaker with of rivals, but sound out app and some against increasingly features, but lacks volume; flexible plenty of flexibility quality is excellent unique functionality stiff competition all-round ability multi-room options

Key features

Streaming 24/192 24/96 24/192 16/48 24/192 24/192

Control app iOS/Android iOS/Android iOS/Android iOS/Android iOS/Android iOS/Android

Radio Internet Internet Internet Internet Internet Internet/FM

AirPlay No No No No Yes Yes

Bluetooth Yes (aptX support) Yes (aptX support) Yes (aptX support) No Yes (LDAC support) Yes (aptX support)

TRY WITH THESE

MUSIC DOWNLOAD SERVICE: HI-RES PORTABLE DIGITAL MUSIC HUB: Tidal £20 per month HFC 396 PLAYER: Cabasse Stream Source There are numerous online music stores providing Sony NW-ZX2 £950 £400 HFC 388 hi-res streaming. HFC 405 The Source is a capable UPnP streaming front Each has its own The Sony’s Android end that can tie your main system into a Cabasse focus and you interface isn’t cutting edge, multi-room setup offering Spotify and Tidal may need to but it can run the Cabasse integration, and it sounds good while it does it. hunt around app perfectly well, offers for a particular NFC Bluetooth to work with album, but our the Stream 1 and sounds favourite to great as a source when explore is Tidal. you’re away from home.

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click & collect NOW AVAILABLE www.SSAV.com BOWERS & WILKINS • 685 S2 PMC • TWENTY5.23 Q ACOUSTICS • 3050 At home on a stand, wall or book- Arguably the most elegant model The fl agship 3050 is the perfect shelf, the versatile 685 S2 is ideal in the range, the twenty5.23 takes speaker for larger rooms, for stereo and home theatre uses the speed, transparency and boasting ultra-low levels of in most rooms. And performance sophistication of the twenty5.21 and distortion, typically found of is enhanced with the addition of a adds greater bass extension and speakers costing three or four Decoupled Double Dome tweeter. power. And yet its slim-line form times its price. doesn’t mean it can’t move you. £499 £499 OR LESS £2970 OR LESS NEW OR LESS Price excludes stands 3050 Standard fi nishes • Premium fi nishes £649

BOWERS & WILKINS MONITOR AUDIO PSB CM10 S2 GOLD 200 IMAGINE X1T The fl agship fl oorstanding Amazing scale and impressive A deceptively slim and discreet speaker of the CM Series sets a dynamic control are available from fl oorstanding design, the Imagine new standard for performance. this slender three-way design, X1T has wide bandwidth and high It combines technologies comprising ribbon tweeters, twin SPL output capabilities that defy taken from across B&W’s 5.5” bass drivers and a 4” mid- its modest size. Features identical ranges. The result simply range driver, which is housed in a 5 1/4” woofers plus a one-inch sounds and looks beautiful. dedicated enclosure. pure titanium dome tweeter. £2999 £2299 £749 5 YEAR OR LESS OR LESS OR LESS WARRANTY

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ADVERT VALID UNTIL 03/08/2016. E&OE BELLES EXOTICA ARIA £2,200

DETAILS equalisers. I suspect many owners are unlikely to use this feature, but it does PRODUCT Belles Aria seem to underline an old-school Belles of ORIGIN approach to doing things properly. USA There is no display to show volume TYPE level and small LEDs are the only Integrated amplifier indication of source input or muting, WEIGHT but the inclusion of a simple remote 12kg control means that everything can be the ball DIMENSIONS (WxHxD) operated easily enough at a distance. 420 x 79 x 356mm The plastic handset seems slightly out Chris Ward takes a look at the US brand’s FEATURES of kilter with the amplifi er’s price tag, ● Quoted power but this isn’t uncommon. most aff ordable integrated amplifier and output: 75W per channel into 8ohm Connections around the back (125W into 4ohm) include a dedicated moving-magnet enjoys its old-school design approach ● Inputs: 3x line- phono input with earthing post, three level; 1 MM phono ● Outputs: preamp; regular line-level inputs as well as a merican brand, Belles that could double up as Chevy engine headphone monitor in, monitor out and bypass (Power Modules Inc.) is blocks. So the creation of this brand DISTRIBUTOR connections, plus a ‘preamplifi er A not one we come across new, smaller and more affordable NuNu Distribution out’ for use with external power often in these pages integrated is highly anticipated. TELEPHONE amplifi ers. All input connections are despite it being around for some 36 Unboxing the new Aria reveals a 0203 5442338 via substantial, quality RCAs and years – in fact the last time we saw rather understated amplifi er that at WEBSITE speaker connection is via sturdy nunudistribution. anything from it was back in issue fi rst glance could appear a little plain, co.uk binding posts that will accept spades, 325. David Belles has been behind a but I already sense this is an amp that wire or banana plugs. host of sensibly priced, high-quality is all about substance over style. Build A purely analogue integrated amp amplifi ers since 1978, both under the is very robust with a purposeful, is a rare breed these days. Many Belles brand and as a talented hired folded aluminium case protecting manufacturers now see an integrated gun for other leading hi-fi companies. internals and securely hosting rear as needing to be a veritable Swiss His prowess with electronics even connections. A more substantial army knife of hi-fi connectivity played a part in the space race at aluminium fascia is home to the convenience, commonly able to mission control a little while ago, so soft touch power button, motorised accept a host of digital sources he knows all about important signals volume control, mute button, remote including everything from USB to getting through correctly. Previous sensor and headphone jack. The optical and coaxial digital inputs. amps have included refi ned fascia also houses a button to operate But I congratulate Belles for setting preamplifi ers and highly regarded a ‘monitor circuit’, historically popular its stall out for those that want a and powerful Class A power amps for recording purposes or feeding purely analogue solution. Technically

42 JULY 2016 BELLES ARIA £2,200 EXOTICA

speakers for listening duties. the already strong musicality goes Powering the Aria triggers a number up a gear. The piano is a notoriously of internal relay switches and the diffi cult instrument for hi-fi to portray, amp automatically starts off muted and doubly so when playing with an for extra safety. Nice touch. orchestra. Yet the quality of the Aria’s highly communicative midband and Sound quality bass does a superb job of conveying Playing Ben Harper’s Gold To Me on the solidity and presence of the vinyl is a sumptuous start. The bass instrument and its relationship to line is deeply satisfying, potent and similar tones from other instruments. very weighty. Some amps do fast bass, This is an amp that isn’t shy of work but lack punch. Some do deep bass, and positively relishes speakers that while lacking control. Some do fast, might enjoy extra current and a little controlled and punchy bass, but can’t more oomph to perform. The force groove. Here, the Aria is a master of the piano hammers striking in the of all bass qualities and my feet are most dynamic sections is rousing and tapping even before it’s fully warmed distinct from the rising power of the through. Hand chimes ring high and orchestra. As before, the Aria may not sweet across a wide soundstage. be the last word in clinical micro Treble is especially sweet for a detail, but no important musical solid-state design, having an almost information is missing and the valve-like smoothness and lack of presentation is highly cohesive, grain. Some competitors at this price three dimensional and lyrical. point can dredge up slightly more Playing Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone by forensic detail, creating a more fi nely The Temptations on CD seems the etched soundstage, but this can sometimes fl atten the performance This amp invites you and hinder this level of musicality and depth. Harper’s voice has a rich, to listen and later rounded and believable quality and you realise a whole his vocals are superbly layered in front of the other instruments, giving afternoon has gone speaking this can make for a far Don’t let the a substantial 3D quality. The Aria quieter electronic environment, which uninspiring doesn’t do warts and all detail in perfect track to summarise the Aria’s can be especially important with design put you the name of hi-fi – it does musical qualities. The opening bass line is off, the Belles sensitive phono signals. Analogue- sure can sing coherence in the name of music. especially fat and the lazy high-hats only customers might well be Spinning the Moderato movement shimmer without ever sounding heartened by this purist approach and from Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto splashy. The wah-wah guitar those that already own dedicated In C Minor on CD shows the Aria positively drips with seventies ‘chocha DACs will be pleased that budget is beautifully suited to classical chocka’ and lush, transparent strings hasn’t been spent needlessly. dynamics and portraying the timbre effortlessly rise and fl oat between the I connect the Belles Aria to my of a solo performer against the speakers. Sonorous horns have a clear reference Shanling CD-T100 HDCD backdrop of a rich orchestra. Out of but ethereal quality and a cascading player via Black Rhodium Sonata curiosity, I swap in some recently reverb that seems infi nite, while VS-1 interconnects (HFC 398) and refurbished Rega R5 speakers to in contrast the bass drum punches a Townshend Rock turntable to present a slightly different load, my solar plexus like I’m being the phono input, and initially use and already good qualities just get resuscitated. Handclaps have real Cadence Arca hybrid electrostatic better. Bass notes are supple yet more snap yet voices are rich, deep and defi ned, the soundstage deepens and emotive. Vocals feel intimate and CONNECTIONS

1 2 1 Moving-magnet phono input

2 3x analogue line-level inputs

3 Loudspeaker binding posts

4 Preamplifier output

5 Earth grounding post

5 4 3

JULY 2016 43 BELLES EXOTICA ARIA £2,200

Q&A IN SIGHT Anthony Sallis 1 2 1 Bespoke toroidal Technical director, NuNu Distribution transformer

2 Moving-magnet phono stage

3 Power amplifier stage

4 Motorised ALPS potentiometer

5 Power supply for logic circuits CW: How has this integrated design come about? AS: Dave Belles has created many 3 highly regarded separate preamps and power amplifiers, but the acceptance, convenience and quality of integrated amplifiers has increased greatly in recent years. Belles has spent two years to get the Aria performance where it wanted it to be.

Who do you see as the main customer for the Aria? 5 4 The Aria offers discerning customers the opportunity to purchase a high level of performance at a price that especially convincing, pressing this sort of budget a vinyl lover may they can afford. Given there are now forward and out from the plane of the well have migrated from MM to many excellent speakers around speakers. But each of these superb MC cartridges, for their superior the price of the Aria, customers can performances isn’t separate. They refi nement. This means you’ll have now create a truly great system for are beautifully woven together, to invest in a step-up transformer or sensible money that will deliver seamlessly communicating this potentially purchase a standalone MC exceptional musicality coupled infectious track. The Temptations phono stage. Real estate is precious with long-term listenability. I think that encompasses a lot had talent, and so too does this amp. inside this amp, but if I were greedy, of potential customers. Plenty of amps will play this track I’d love Belles to include a dedicated well, but few will capture the musical MC input alongside the MM phono Can you describe some of the essence of the song as well as I’m input, or a switchable input. This technical highlights that are hearing it now. The Aria has soul. If would create a truly comprehensive inside the Aria? you love music, you’ll love it. analogue integrated amp. The Aria has many trickle down HOW IT Most importantly, sound quality is features from its higher-end COMPARES Conclusion luscious and sweet and the claimed products, such as the dual mono The highly focused design of this 75W per channel power output has SA100 power amplifier. The Aria uses The Sugden A21SE analogue-only amp is its strength, but rarely sounded more involving and signature integrated advanced circuitry that employs (£2,439) offers a potentially also a factor that may limit muscular. This isn’t an amp that bi-polar transistors and power similarly sumptuous its widest appeal. By side-stepping demands to be listened to (as some MOSFETs as well as a quality, filtered, sound, but requires digital inputs, Belles has excelled at can). It simply invites you to listen ultra-stiff power supply. Lower level further budget for a analogue amplifi cation, but those and a few hours later you realise a signals are carried by linear crystal separate phono stage. with digital sources or anyone whole afternoon has sailed by. If you OFC cryogenically treated copper The Luxman 550A-II (£3,500) has a refined thinking of sampling a streaming love the smooth, liquid delivery of wire that delivers stunning dynamics. service or dabbling with hi-res tube amps but wish they had more A professional Burr-Brown chipset musical delivery with strong bass and an downloads may unfortunately reject grunt, listen to the Aria ● achieves ultra-low distortion and excellent phono stage, this fi ne machine out of hand. Belles high-output current to drive but may struggle to headphones effortlessly. The has clearly decided to spend the drive tougher speaker budget on the things that an analogue phono stage uses tight tolerance loads. Naim’s Supernait polypropylene capacitors and 1 2 (c£3,000) focuses on fan will hear as sound quality, OUR VERDICT favouring high-grade components percent metal film resistors and analogue inputs, but SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Effortless achieves distortion levels of just lacks a phono stage and and a short, elegant signal path over musicality; fulsome 0.0001 percent. may not satisfy quite sexy screens, a fl ashy remote or svelte bass; MM phono stage like the Belles. If you bodywork. If you are buying an amp VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Absence of think you may consider for its display or casework then I digital inputs; rather How would you sum up the Belles digital inputs in the plain looks BUILD QUALITY philosophy and sound? future, then Hegel’s suspect David Belles would probably WE SAY: Well-built, Belles products have always offered H160 (£2,350) prefer that you look elsewhere. highly involving and muscular integrated exceptional sound performance for reviewed HFC 394 The inclusion of a fi ne moving- FEATURES amp that will delight their value. Music flows unhindered in has a wealth of digital magnet phono stage here creates many music lovers a completely natural, fluid way. This connectivity and a a beautifully coherent, analogue refined sound, but the OVERALL gives the listener greater enjoyment integrated amp that might well and the ability to experience their Belles Aria could suit analogue fans better. shame many separate phono stages. music collection afresh. However, it is quite possible that at

44 JULY 2016

ELIPSON REVIEWS OMEGA 100 £300

DETAILS little bit different to the norm. Chief among these is the tonearm. Named PRODUCT Elipson Omega 100 the OTT (Orbital Torsion Tonearm), Smart start ORIGIN it uses a patented system of a rubber France torsion bar to act as the anti-skate. TYPE This is adjusted via a small knurled French brand Elipson is moving into the Belt-drive turntable knob on the top of the circular WEIGHT housing. This acts on the horizontal 5.8kg turntable market. Ed Selley checks out its action of the arm at the point where it DIMENSIONS (WxHxD) intersects with the vertical one. The first Omega deck to see what it delivers 450 x 120 x 380mm result is an extremely elegant-looking FEATURES solution that, although fi tted with an ● Electronically Ortofon OM10 cartridge, looks to be controlled motor inyl’s popularity shows no designing and manufacturing with switchable 33 able to accommodate other cartridges sign of abating. You can everything itself from scratch – it’s & 45rpm speeds without issue. Part of the visual now even buy records in even built in France, rather than the ● ‘OTT’ Orbital simplicity of the tonearm stems from V Torsion Tonearm supermarkets, and the Far East like the rest of its products. fitted with Ortofon the lack of arm lift, which means number of turntable models available The Omega 100 is the fi rst of three OM10 MM cartridge that cueing can only be performed is even greater than it was in the models in the range and will form ● Isolated motor manually. This may put some people format’s original heyday, with decks part of a lineup that includes an assembly off, but it’s extremely easy to use. DISTRIBUTOR to cater for enthusiasts, newbies and option with a built-in phono stage AV Industry The motor and power supply everyone else in between, but this and one that adds the ability to TELEPHONE arrangements are also unusual. fi rst model from Elipson is unusual. transmit its audio output via 01628 484968 Elipson suspends the motor to Turntables are built from components Bluetooth to compatible speakers. WEBSITE minimise any interference. The power that have no use outside of vinyl The Omega range will be mirrored elipson.com supply arrangement uses a system replay, and it is fairly unusual for any by the Alpha range, which boasts a called DDS (Direct Digital Synthesis), new arrival to make use of bespoke simplifi ed tonearm and a matt fi nish which is partnered with a speed components due to the cost and in black to reach a lower price point control system to ensure that the complexity of doing so. The Omega instead of the high-gloss black, white turntable is impressively pitch stable 100 defi es convention for a completely and red options available here. at 33 and 45rpm speeds – selected new deck, and with the exception At fi rst glance, the Omega 100 is via a convenient toggle switch. This of the pre-installed Ortofon OM10 a fairly conventional unsuspended generally passes unnoticed, but if you cartridge, it has nothing in common belt-driven, two-speed design, which slow the platter with a hand once the with any other turntable on the appears similar to many price rivals. motor is switched off, you can see market. Elipson has researched the In practise, however, Elipson has the drive belt vibrate as the motor category and decided that it has taken a number of design decisions is slowing under its own terms and enough potential to go to the effort of that mean that it looks and feels a presumably under the control of the

46 JULY 2016 ELIPSON OMEGA 100 £300 REVIEWS

Viewed as a complete package, the speakers. It also manages to constrain Omega 100 feels well worth the itself for smaller and more intimate asking price. As a piece of industrial recordings when called upon. design, it looks and feels extremely Tonality is admirable. Voices are elegant. The tonearm in particular is consistently well handled and have a beautiful object with the circular a weight and texture to them which, bearing housing making most other combined with the Elipson’s ability to affordable rivals look crude by open up recordings, means that they comparison. The build quality is are intelligible and easy to follow in extremely good too. Thanks to that the overall mix. Tricky instruments steel platter and the electronics living like piano and double bass are also in the plinth, the Elipson weighs in dealt with in a thoroughly competent at a whisker under 6kg. The fi tment fashion and the Omega 100 puts in a of electronic speed control and the performance with the Neil Cowley advantage that it is packaged with a Trio’s Touch And Flee that shows this dust cover means that this turntable wonderfully mastered record off to feels like a well-specifi ed package fi ne effect. even with the manual tonearm lift. Setup is a breeze with only the belt There is a pleasing needing to be fi tted and the counterweight located correctly. flow to the way that Sound quality complex pieces of Connected initially to a Cyrus Phono music are handled Signature (HFC 408), Naim Supernait 2 and Spendor SP100R2 loudspeakers Some of this ability stems from the from this month’s Beautiful System quality of its top end. The Ortofon (see page 90), the Elipson throws out OM10 is generally a fairly refi ned a few surprises from the outset. With cartridge in its own right and here it Black Mountain’s marvellously seems to have found a very happy visceral IV album, the Omega 100 is partner indeed. Even recordings that unfazed by the crunching guitar riffs can generally sound a little thin and speed system. Another useful benefi t Strikingly simple and heavyweight drumming of toppy like a veteran pressing of Men of this arrangement is that the deck with manual Mothers Of The Sun. It does a fi ne job At Work’s Business As Usual manages record cueing can operate on any mains voltage. of opening out this dense and heavy to take on a refi nement and slight The pressed steel platter is perhaps recording and making some sense sense of warmth that helps it to sound more conventional and comes with a of it. With the extremely revealing impressively civilised. This refi nement partnering felt mat. Unusually, it ships Cyrus phono stage and Spendor hasn’t been bought at the expense of with the platter positioned in place loudspeakers in the replay chain, detail, though, which means that the and physically screwed onto the there is nowhere for any mistakes to Omega 100 avoids sounding overly spindle. The 45rpm adapter can be hide and the Elipson makes few. smooth and muffl ed at any stage. placed onto the spindle to act as The sheer competence and ability Swapping the Cyrus phono stage for weighted puck, and rewards with a to unpick even very dense and a Cambridge Audio 651P (HFC 397) small but worthwhile boost in sound congested recordings stands out time doesn’t fundamentally alter the quality. A fi nal break from the norm and again. It manages to create space positive aspects of the Elipson’s worthy of note is that there are and a sense of soundstage and this performance. The higher noise fl oor dedicated terminations for cabling lends the deck an authority that some of the affordable phono stage robs the (which comes supplied) rather than budget rivals often struggle with. turntable of some of the startlingly the more commonly encountered There’s an impression of width and open presentation it showed with the captive lead arrangement. depth without there being a sense of Cyrus in place, but there is still the any space in the middle between the sense that this is a product that wants CONNECTIONS

1 2 1 Counterweight

2 Suspended motor with speed control

3 Mains input

4 Phono output and earthing point

4 3

JULY 2016 47 ELIPSON REVIEWS OMEGA 100 £300

Q&A IN SIGHT Philippe Carre 1 2 1 Pressed steel CEO, AV Industry platter with felt mat

2 ‘OTT’ Orbital Torsion Tonearm

3 Ortofon OM10 MM cartridge

4 33 & 45rpm speed selector

ES: Did Elipson initially consider using off-the-shelf parts for the Omega or was the decision to make it from bespoke components made from the outset? PC: We decided to design everything inhouse for two reasons. Firstly, cost effectiveness as we wanted to reach our target of less than €300 a piece. Secondly, we wanted to be able to 4 3 run the production in Europe and in France. to show you everything that’s in the after an hour or so. While it will be What are the advantages of the groove of a record in a balanced and interesting to see what the version Direct Digital Synthesis system? enjoyable way. At times, it can sound with integrated phono stage does to Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) means a little relaxed compared with some the overall tonal balance – after all, that we don’t have to rely on the more propulsive rivals (see How It this should notionally be closer to mains frequency to adjust the speed Compares), but this never becomes Elipson’s ideal – this is a turntable control, thus the speed is perfectly so severe as to make it sound dull or that should work well in a variety of maintained and you can use your sluggish. There is also a pleasing fl ow setups, bringing only positive aspects turntable with either 50 or 60Hz to the way that more complex pieces of its performance with it. mains power supply. And, of course, of music are handled like the Portico you can switch from 33 to 45rpm and even 78rpm on the 100 series. Quartet’s Knee-Deep In The North Sea Conclusion album, which comes across as a As a fi rst attempt at producing a Was the Orbital Torsion Tonearm tremendously enjoyable listen. turntable, this is a deeply impressive designed with its anti-skate system With the mighty Spendors put to effort. The Omega 100 manages to from the beginning or was it a one side for a moment, and replaced look, feel and – to a largely benefi cial response to other design with an altogether more petite pair of extent – sound subtly different to its requirements of the Omega? HOW IT Neat Iotas (HFC 374), the Elipson rivals at this price point. As a piece The Orbital Torsion Tonearm (OTT) COMPARES reveals that its bass response has to of design, it manages to echo the was part of the global design for the contend itself with being merely good lovely fi nish and striking lines of the turntable and was the first aspect we Placed next to Audio- rather than great. There isn’t quite company’s other products without Technica’s £330 direct- worked on. The tonearm was a key drive AT-LP5 (HFC 405), the same heft here that is available compromising on its ability to part for sound quality and ease of the Elipson feels more from a rival turntable like Audio- function as a very capable turntable production of the turntable itself. dainty, although both Technica’s AT-LP5 (HFC 405) and with indeed. Elipson has entered the decks are very well music that really depends on some market with a record player that As Elipson has now gone to the finished. The Omega prodigious slam – like The Prodigy’s looks set to hold its own in a effort of building a turntable, are 100 has the lesser specification, but The Day Is My Enemy – the Omega competitive market and it offers a more models planned in the future? 100 doesn’t manage to deliver the very tempting all-round package at There will be new turntable models supplying it with a dust cover goes some way same level of boisterous satisfaction a very attractive asking price ● introduced in the coming years that towards redressing this. that is on show elsewhere. are a bit more high end. Also we plan The Omega 100 can’t to introduce more turntables very Once again, though, its virtues are match the sheer drive not hard to fi nd. The level of detail soon that include some new features and energy of the to build on the Alpha and Omega AT-LP5, but it hits back that it extracts from the low end is OUR VERDICT in keeping with the upper registers series of models. with a more refined SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Engaging sound; top end and impressive and the same unforced and open handsome looks; detail retrieval. While presentation is maintained all the excellent build there is something to way to the bottom end of the VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Slightly be said for the AT-LP5’s frequency response. limited bass; no arm lift square-jawed styling, BUILD QUALITY WE SAY: Delivers a the Elipson is rather More than anything else, this makes deeply impressive easier on the eye and the Elipson a genuinely easy turntable performance at a bargain price likely to be more living to listen to for longer sessions. Like FEATURES room friendly. Having the company’s striking spherical two very different deck speakers, the Omega 100 strives designs at this entry OVERALL price is something to to make everything you play on it celebrate, however. informative and entertaining without you needing to turn down the volume

48 JULY 2016

TANGENT AUDIO AMPSTER X4 £300 REVIEWS

DETAILS tuneful and powerful. Elton’s vocals PRODUCT are rich and clear and positioned Tangent Audio slightly to the left of centre with the Space saver Ampster X4 drums slightly to the right and the ORIGIN rest of the instruments fi lling the Denmark remaining soundstage evenly. TYPE A superb digital recording of Neville Roberts takes a look at a micro Micro music system Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.3 WEIGHT system that will appeal to music fans that 7.8kg played by the English Chamber DIMENSIONS Orchestra shows off the system with don’t have a lot of room to play with (WxHxD) a full orchestra. The sound is full and Speakers: open with a great soundstage. When 146 x 275 x 198mm Ampster: the piano kicks in – a notoriously ot on the heels of its of threaded inserts in the back panel 190 x 52 x 139mm diffi cult instrument for an audio Ampster BT mini stereo and comes supplied with matching FEATURES system to get right – it is beautifully amplifi er comes Tangent’s screws for wall mounting, using ● 25mm soft fabric clear and very believable in my H dome tweeter Ampster X4 Micro System. special brackets that you’ll have to ● 110mm paper- listening room. The strings are bright I was impressed by the Ampster BT in purchase separately (£40). cone mid-bass without being at all edgy, which my Choice Extra review (HFC 409) driver highlights the ability of the soft- ● Quoted sensitivity: and its versatile connectivity options Sound quality 88dB/1W/1m domed tweeter used in the X4. including Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity I pair the amplifi er to my Samsung ● Quoted power To fi nish off, I up the ante and (the BT bit of the model name), and Galaxy S3 smartphone via Bluetooth output: 2x 50W switch the Ampster BT over from (4ohm) am keen to see how it performs when and start by playing a recording of the Bluetooth source to a phono DISTRIBUTOR partnered with Tangent’s new Vivaldi’s Concerto for Violin, Oboe, Avoke stage feeding its line input. I play Spectrum X4 loudspeaker to form a Strings & Continuo in F major played TELEPHONE a half-speed mastered LP of Pink system for those with limited space. by La Serenissima. The allegro is 07971 634239 Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon. The The Spectrum X4 comes in black or bright, sprightly and energetic with WEBSITE somewhat menacing heart beat that white satin fi nishes with integrated an incredibly full sound for such a tangent-audio.com precedes Speak To Me ramps in from walnut base plinths, and is supplied compact setup. Instrument imaging nowhere and builds to a climax with a pair of satin gloves to keep is great too, with a wide soundstage heralding the start of the music – and fi ngerprints off the enclosures while that is not confi ned to the space is very well conveyed by the system. installation takes place. It’s a two-way between the speakers. There is also This fi rst track then leads to the bass-refl ex design and the compact some front-to-back depth evident, but vocals of Breathe, which are correctly dimensions make it ideal for use in it is fairly constrained and follows my positioned slightly back in the small spaces. The 25mm soft fabric earlier experience of the Ampster BT soundstage with this recording and dome tweeter and 110mm paper- when reviewing it in isolation. It is, the complexities of the music are cone mid/bass drivers claim a wide nevertheless, extremely commendable handled with aplomb. dispersion and are best matched to to be able to experience such three amplifi ers rated between 20W and dimensionality from a system of this Conclusion 100W, making it an ideal partner for physical size and at this price point. I have heard numerous ‘starter’ music the 50W (quoted) Ampster BT mini. The X4 is certainly full of surprises systems over the years and very few Each drive unit is protected by a mesh and is blessed with a very respectable come close to being referred to as grille, which is colour matched to the bass response that is well controlled ‘hi-fi ’. The Tangent Ampster X4 speaker cabinet’s enclosure. with Elton John’s A Good Heart from system performs way above its price As a compact standmount speaker, the album Wonderful Crazy Night. All point and is comfortably at home the X4 is best placed on a dedicated too often small enclosure speaker with a wide range of music. Add in stand positioned close to head height designs suffer from a woolly and the remote control and the Bluetooth (when seated) for optimum unnaturally extended bass response, streaming capability of the Ampster performance. Each speaker has a pair but not so here – it’s wonderfully BT amplifi er, and this neat little package reveals itself to be a good choice for any starter or second-room setup around the home ●

OUR VERDICT SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Large-scale sound from diminutive components; flexible VALUE FOR MONEY connectivity; Bluetooth streaming DISLIKE: Nothing at BUILD QUALITY the price WE SAY: A genuine miniature hi-fi system FEATURES with impressive flexibility at the price OVERALL

JULY 2016 51 ARCAM REVIEWS IRDAC-II £495

DETAILS Indeed, if we’re being honest, it’s more like fl avour of the middle of the PRODUCT Arcam irDAC-II decade, proving highly popular in a Air time ORIGIN wide range of applications, alongside UK/China its 9018 bigger brother. TYPE One clever thing the ESS Sabre DAC DAC/preamplifier/ does is to play out DSD, and this Boasting a welter of functions including headphone amp functionality is duly present on the WEIGHT aptX Bluetooth, the new Arcam irDAC-II 1.1kg irDAC-II. As well as 24-bit/192kHz DIMENSIONS PCM, it handles DSD128. Indeed, the is a hard act to follow, says David Price (WxHxD) USB input itself runs up to 384kHz, 194 x 44 x 124mm with coaxial topping off at 192kHz est we forget, Arcam has part of a Group Test (HFC 357) FEATURES and optical at 96kHz. This is plenty ● 1x asynchronous past form on DACs. It around that time and couldn’t believe USB; 2x coaxial; 2x versatile enough for most people L wasn’t playing catch up how good it was at the price. The optical; 1x Bluetooth (DSD isn’t exactly omnipresent yet), when legions of other little aluminium silver case sported aptX inputs and the irDAC-II is bolstered by its ● 24-bit/192kHz digital-to-analogue converters were the Wolfson WM8741 DAC chip – PCM and DSD128 myriad inputs – two each of coaxial saturating the market a few years then one of the best of its day – and support and optical, plus USB. The headphone back. It didn’t need to because it had a major ‘fi rst’ inasmuch as it ● ESS ES9016 output stage is said to come from the Sabre DAC produced Britain’s fi rst standalone was the fi rst ‘affordable’ DAC to offer ● Fixed and variable company’s fl agship A49 integrated model. Back in the late eighties, it asynchronous USB connectivity. This analogue outputs amplifi er. Inside, the engineers have launched the Delta Black Box. It cost meant that the master clock of the DISTRIBUTOR apparently left no passive component £299, had one input and ran up to a Arcam clocked the computer’s USB Arcam unturned in their quest to keep 16-bit/48kHz resolution – all possible output, reducing jitter and conferring WEBSITE electrical noise down, reduce jitter from the best DAC chip of the day, the audiophile respectability on an arcam.co.uk and shorten the signal path. 16-bit, four-times oversampling Philips interface that was once regarded with The irDAC-II itself isn’t, if we’re TDA1541. It sold like hot cakes, and great contempt. being honest, quite as lovely a thing brought the concept of an ‘offboard The headline news is a new as the original rDAC. Rather like the digital converter’ to the hi-fi masses. headphone amplifi er stage, new new Mini has got better as a car, but Warp forward to four years ago, and Bluetooth aptX input and the also bigger, fatter and uglier, so the the DAC revival began in earnest, so it adoption of the ESS ES9016K2M new Arcam looks like it’s developed was no surprise to see Arcam launch Sabre DAC chip. This is interesting a taste for the good life and comfi er another. This time, it wasn’t a black because like the Philips and Wolfson clothes. That’s perhaps a little unfair, box, but rather a small, silver oblong before it, this little slice of silicon because it’s still a perfectly handsome – called the rDAC. I reviewed it as is currently fl avour of the month. thing – but it just isn’t the small,

52 JULY 2016 ARCAM IRDAC-II £495 REVIEWS

minimalist piece of aesthetic Staying with this era, but moving De Grassi’s The Water Garden via DSD perfection that the original rDAC was. to some more considered rock music, is glass-clear and breathtakingly The volume control is interesting, Elvis Costello’s Shipbuilding comes open. The current dearth of Direct because the irDAC-II has effectively HOW IT over with crystalline clarity. This Stream Digital music won’t last grown up into a digital preamplifi er. COMPARES poignant song recorded back in 1983 forever, so this is a worthwhile feature It’s very versatile with a choice of still sounds ‘box fresh’ today through to have. fi xed and variable line outs, and also Audiolab’s £600 the new irDAC. Costello’s voice isn’t Although aptX is the hi-fi variant of M-DAC (HFC 368) is that headphone socket. It also comes probably the best at an easy one to reproduce at the best Bluetooth, it’s no match for CD, let supplied with a small remote, making or near the Arcam’s of times, but this little box of tricks alone hi-res. But still the irDAC’s its transition from source component price. By getting is not defeated by the challenge. implementation is excellent, proving to preamp all the more smooth. Those progressively bigger Tonality isn’t quite as warm as the stable and glitch-free. It sounds lovely front lip-mounted input LEDs and more rDAC of fi ve or so years ago, but surprisingly good too, making it a sophisticated, the are retained, and change colour to irDAC-II now finds there’s so much more information very usable and convenient feature. denote the presence of a signal. All in itself having to slog it coming through; the oldie may be Sonically there’s a small penalty to all, this is now a fully featured heart out with the big boys! golden, but it’s also opaque compared pay in terms of focus and depth of an audio system – just add a power The M-DAC uses the with the forensic precision of this perspective, but it remains decently amp and loudspeakers, plus a digital more expensive latest incarnation. It has far more smooth and certainly keeps its innate source of course… version of the ESS focus, and is livelier too with a really musicality – that fundamental sense Sabre chip, the 9018, and is very well propulsive gait. There’s defi nitely an of fun is retained. Overall, an Sound quality engineered. It’s impressive performance across all Hooked up via its coaxial input to a packed with features It does a good job inputs then. decent mid-price CD spinner, and it’s too, including an hard to get your head around the fact excellent display, but of reproducing a Conclusion that you’re listening to a relatively doesn’t offer wireless With a wide range of inputs, preamp aptX Bluetooth or myriad of sources inexpensive front end. Via the DSD – which perhaps functionality, fi ne sound, distinctive fi xed-line outputs, I wasn’t expecting rather shows its age. and file formats yet pleasing styling, plus excellent quite as a good a sound as I get The Audiolab has a build and fi nish, there is much to like – open, detailed and expressive, there fractionally wider, ESS Sabre sound, but it’s less about Arcam’s irDAC-II. It’s a fully is a lot to like. One of my favourite punchier and more mechanical than in some other rounded product that works in a powerful sound, but eighties pop albums, Scritti Politti’s the Arcam is subtly implementations, and smoother too. fuss-free way and makes a good job of Cupid And Psyche fi nds itself on, and warmer and doesn’t This new DAC catches the power reproducing a myriad of sources and Word Girl proves a delight. This is seem quite so of the song well and frames it with fi le formats. Highly recommended a big, punchy-sounding production processed. The almost architectural precision, then, with the only caveat being that with a powerful bassline, and the irDAC-II wins on showing off this excellent recording competition is strong. As ever, try style, but the M-DAC irDAC-II really rather relishes it. I in a most favourable light. before you buy if you can ● is more practical. wouldn’t say it has quite the strongest Moving on to USB, and my bottom end around, but it is still MacBook Pro and copy of Audirvana tight and animated. The whole song are duly summoned. I plug in my revolves around this and so is given trusty USB lead and begin running OUR VERDICT a real boost by the expressive nature the gamut of my hi-res fi les. Overall it SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Super build of the low frequencies. Things are is a noticeable step up, bringing and finish; features; propelled along further still by the appreciable benefi ts over Compact connectivity; sound crisp, well-defi ned midband which Disc in terms of the scale and depth. VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Faces some stiff competition at this has plenty of fi ne detail and catches Bass is fractionally stronger and price point BUILD QUALITY the attack transients of those classic certainly more dynamically WE SAY: Excellent eighties early digital synthesisers in expressive, while the midband seems value do-it-all DAC preamp all their glory. Instruments are located to fall back rather further behind the FEATURES positively in the mix, and up top the plane of the loudspeakers than it has Arcam proves well able to capture the previously. Kate Bush’s superb sparkle of those vintage hi-hat sounds Snowfl ake (24/96) is wonderfully OVERALL without ever striking a harsh note. immersive and her voice smooth if a little lacking in warmth, while Alex CONNECTIONS

1 2 3 1 Analogue fixed inputs

2 192kHz-capable coaxial inputs

3 384kHz-capable USB input

4 96kHz-capable optical inputs

5 Analogue variable inputs

5 4

JULY 2016 53 STYLE. PERFORMANCE. FUNCTION.

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Distributed by Henley Designs Ltd. T: +44 (0)1235 511 166 | E: [email protected] | W: www.henleydesigns.co.uk AUDIO-TECHNICA ATH-A2000Z £529 REVIEWS

DETAILS at very high levels. This means that PRODUCT the amount of detail and realism that Audio-Technica the ATH-A2000Z can bring to vocals Art attack ATH-A2000Z is deeply impressive. There is a real ORIGIN weight and texture and considering Japan the design is notionally closed back, TYPE there is also a genuine sense of space As flagship of the Art Monitor series, the Over-ear, closed- back headphone and soundstage to proceedings. Even ATH-A2000Z looks striking, Ed Selley gives WEIGHT listening to something truly vast in 294g scope like Underworld’s And I Will it a listen to see if it matches expectations FEATURES Kiss, the headphone does an ● 53mm hand- impressive job of making sense of wound dynamic drivers the material and reproducing it in he growth in popularity of AT’s ‘3D Wing Support’ system. This ● Magnesium a suitably convincing fashion. headphones has mainly uses a pair of independently sprung baffles in titanium Where the ATH-A2000Z improves enclosure focussed on models that pads to provide the connection on previous designs is in the bass T DISTRIBUTOR can be used on the move between headphone and head while Audio-Technica UK response. The low end is powerful with smartphones and tablets – the mounting the earpads on a skeletal TELEPHONE and shows an impressive level of ‘hybrid’ type design being particularly hoop system. I fi nd it to be extremely 0113 2771441 control and defi nition. Combined popular. Meanwhile those for home comfortable, but others who have WEBSITE with the lively but well judged top use have seen less attention. But for tried it on have been less convinced eu.audio-technica. end, the result is a headphone that is manufacturers that made headphones – as always, you’ll need to try this for com consistently entertaining to listen to. before the boom, it remains an yourself to decide. The build quality Compared with rivals like Shure’s important category. Audio-Technica is good with everything feeling solid SRH1840 (HFC 388), the Audio- is particularly active here and has and well thought out. There is little Technica lacks the same drive and recently updated its Art Monitor in the way of supplied accessories, immediacy but it is much more series. Let’s meet the range topper. but it represents good value. forgiving of poorer recordings. The ATH-A2000Z is built around a The other aspect of the performance pair of 53mm dynamic drivers that Sound quality that may prove to be either a positive use bobbin-wound voice coils and In use, the ATH-A2000Z reveals some or a negative depending on your Permendur (a man-made cobalt/iron traditional Audio-Technica calling perspective is that the ATH-A2000Z magnetic alloy) magnets. The drivers cards, but also shows some new – isn’t especially affected or infl uenced themselves use a magnesium baffl e to and for the most part welcome – by the connected equipment. Testing ensure they are as stiff and light as characteristics. Listening to IV by it with a Naim Supernait 2 integrated possible and claim an impressive Black Mountain, there is a slight lift amp, Moon Neo 230HAD DAC/ frequency response of 5Hz to 45kHz. in the midrange which emphasises preamp (HFC 411) and Chord Mojo Unusually for a home model, each vocals and instruments like guitars. portable DAC/headphone amp (HFC housing is closed back, making use of This feeds into a top end that is well 405) – all of which are rather lit, but manages to avoid sounding different beasts – doesn’t signifi cantly There is a genuine bright or brittle even when you run it alter the way it sounds. sense of space Conclusion and soundstage If you like the way that the ATH- A2000Z goes about its business, this to proceedings is good news, but it is perhaps not the most transparent model available at Audio-Technica’s ‘DADS’ (Double Air the price. What it is, however, is a Damping System), which consists of very capable and consistent sounding two chambers. One contains the headphone that’s well built and driver, which is in turn connected to comfortable for long-term listening the other to allow the air moved via sessions. All of which makes it a very the driver to be controlled and used capable new arrival at the price ● to augment the low-end response. In practise, the ATH-A2000Z is barely any quieter than an open-back design and sound spills out. OUR VERDICT The speaker housings themselves SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Detailed and are made out of titanium, which helps refined presentation; keep the weight down to a reasonably comfortable; well built low 294g. To denote its position over VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Slightly relaxed sound; not other models in the range, Audio- entirely transparent BUILD QUALITY Technica has fi nished the outer WE SAY: A capable casings in a brushed titanium fi nish and comfortable home headphone that is which looks fairly smart although it is EASE OF DRIVE extremely easy to something of a fi ngerprint trap. The listen to at length housings are well padded although OVERALL the pads are not removable. Where the ATH-A2000Z differs most signifi cantly from rivals is in its use of

JULY 2016 55 ZEMI REVIEWS ARIA £500

DETAILS bowling ball in appearance and weight (5.1kg), but it can be PRODUCT Zemi Aria suspended from a ceiling (cables and Bowled ORIGIN brackets not supplied) or placed on its China own rubberised holder. It has a marble TYPE coating on the inside and uses what Wireless stereo Pellisari calls refl ex technology, with a loudspeaker variable section pipe running through WEIGHT the middle to help generate Bessel over 5.1kg DIMENSIONS (or non-diffracting) sound beams. With an eye-catching design, the Zemi Aria (WxHxD) The brushed stainless steel concentric 270 x 270 x 240mm circular metal grille has been designed is Francesco Pellisari’s first mass-market FEATURES by industrial designer Ron Arad with ● 28mm fibreglass holes that are big enough not to cause dome neodymium speaker. Adrian Justins checks it out tweeter interference. Pellisari claims that higher ● 157mm fibreglass frequencies are 92 percent free of fter meeting Francesco distinctive line of omnidirectional cone woofer interference, but the optimum sound ● Quoted power Pellisari I think I have to active speakers, which are handmade output: 125W RMS comes by removing the metal grille concede that I probably in porcelain, some of them having ● AirPlay & Bluetooth and the acoustically transparent A streaming; 24-bit/ don’t have pitch perfect been designed in collaboration with cloth-covered one beneath it. Doing 96kHz DAC via hearing, as he does. I suspect he is in Marantz’s Ken Ishiwata. Priced in optical input so reveals a central 157mm fi breglass a tiny minority because it took years multiples of £10,000 they are as DISTRIBUTOR woofer cone with dual 28mm to diagnose – as a child he cried in much works or art and most are Apple Store fi breglass dome neodymium Scanspeak museums in his native Rimini, as hard intended to be hung from the ceiling. WEBSITE tweeters on the circumference. refl ective surfaces caused him to The Zemi Aria is his fi rst mass-market zemiaria.com Pellisari told me Apple didn’t want suffer from headaches. Francesco has product and has been designed genuine stereo speakers, so to since used it to become an audio principally for sale through Apple produce as effective a stereo image designer (he studied speaker design stores. As such it boasts AirPlay, but as possible from a single source the and psychoacoustics under Roy also supports aptX Bluetooth and has directional tweeters are angled Alison, founder of Acoustic Research), a 3.5mm analogue line in and optical slightly. Power output is a more than launching his own company, New jack. Fashioned from ABS plastic reasonable 125W (75W woofer, Audio Concept or NAC Sound in (known for its rigidity), it is an active 2x 25W tweeters) and frequency 1997. Over time he has developed a speaker that resembles a 10-pin response is quoted as 45Hz to 20kHz.

56 JULY 2016 ZEMI ARIA £500 REVIEWS

Various colour options are in the tweeters throw out a well imaged and the effortless underpinning of the pipeline, but for now the Zemi only enjoyable sonic footprint. bongos and the subtle verve of comes in a high gloss black fi nish. Daft Punk’s Get Lucky can sound the lead guitar, the vocals have a The unit is supplied with a Yorkie HOW IT quite muddy in the midrange on gorgeous and incredibly well refi ned bar-sized remote made from solid COMPARES inferior speakers, but here it has a veneer and the speaker again proves brushed metal with just three large keen, well-timed bass, distinctive itself adept at dealing with layers, buttons (power, volume up and The Zemi Aria has guitar twang and smooth but refi ned with the trumpet coming in and some pretty stiff down). There’s no display, but LED competition in the vocals, particularly when Pharrell’s blending assuredly rather than lights behind the grille indicate the wireless speaker voice hits the higher registers. obscuring Haewon’s voice. In terms power status and volume. stakes, coming up for Radiohead’s Karma Police as of sonic placement and tonal balance, Although the Zemi can be used with example against the interpreted by the Noordpool each instrument feels right, with the non-Apple devices, its raison d’être is £595 Naim Mu-so Orchestra highlights the speaker’s vocals just pushed slightly to the fore. QB (HFC 409) and as an AirPlay speaker. I fi nd it simple Sonos’ £429 Play:5 aptitude with multi-layered Back on the heavy duty stuff, enough to hook the speaker on to my (HFC 405), both of recordings. The trumpet and Dvorák’s New World Symphony in all wi-fi network by tethering my iPhone which are similarly percussion are able to deliver a big its DSD goodness shows how adept to the Zemi’s mini USB socket and sized. The Sonos sound that’s not cramped, but has the Zemi is with meatier, classical accepting the automatically generated Play:5 has the ability room to breathe. The low murmur of fodder. It’s a robust sound, coherent, onscreen request to allow the speaker to mesh seamlessly strings, the deftness of the piano and at times energetic and powerful, at into a multi-room access to the network. The Zemi then system – see page 33 the grip it holds as the piece builds to others subtle and feather light. The appears as an AirPlay option in my – and can be stereo defi nition of a good system is one that iTunes on my MacBook Air. Selecting paired for greater It’s a robust sound, doesn’t need any fi ddling with the AirPlay in iTunes is obvious, less so sonic imaging, but volume as the symphony fl uctuates when using the desktop Audivarna+ the Aria’s sound coherent and wildly from its pianissimo moments audio player (it’s located in the quality is fuller and – a single French horn and piccolo – more satisfying. The powerful yet subtle preferences) and when using Spotify Mu-so QB is AirPlay to the fortissimo, embracing almost or any other streaming service you compatible and and feather light an entire orchestra at full pelt. This have to delve around in the OS’ Audio offers comparable speaker easily passes the test and Midi utility to fi nd the instruction to performance levels a crescendo combining to result in a draws you in to the extent that you ‘use this device’. to the Zemi Aria, powerful, distinguished big band can happily listen to it for several but is a tad more powerful and less sound. The Zemi almost comes a hours without feeling sonically weary. Sound quality particular when cropper with the bass, not in terms I crank up the volume as the piece It has a 24-bit/96kHz DAC (when it comes to the of extension but with reverberation, hits its crescendo just to see how far I used with the optical input), but over handling of bass. which does happen if it is positioned can push it and the bottom end gets a AirPlay using Audivarna+ hi-res too close to a refl ecting surface and if bit shaky, but this is a complex piece signals are transmitted as PCM with the metal grille is in place. that can derail a pair of fl oorstanders, decoding at 16-bit/44kHz. The results This is a shame as aesthetically the never mind a single bowling are mighty good with just one or two grille makes an impact. But removing ball-sized speaker. New World is also a caveats. Firstly, the soundfi eld is not it gives more punch to the midrange good test for the speaker’s Bluetooth as omnidirectional as Pellisari claims. and more vitality at higher frequencies. capability: AirPlay has a bit more Close your eyes and it’s easy enough Over on Spotify, another cover version texture and sounds more dynamic, to pin point the source. Not that the – Billie Jean by Winterplay – reveals especially at the lower end where you sound feels cramped or constrained. how classy the tweeters are. Helped can feel more vibration in the strings. It’s light and airy and the twin in no small measure by the excellent timing and texture of the double bass, Conclusion CONNECTIONS The Zemi is not the perfect AirPlay speaker, but it’s not far off. It’s a bit

1 Mini USB port too fussy about placement and it needs to be stripped of its metal grille 2 Analogue/optical to get the most out of it. That said, it’s line input distinctive looking, easy to use and is 3 Rubberised stand versatile enough to cope with a wide range of sources ●

OUR VERDICT SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Design; build quality; powerful, refined sound VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Over-eager bass at times; can’t pair up for true stereo use BUILD QUALITY WE SAY: AirPlay speakers don’t get much better than this. FEATURES 1 2 It’s got achingly cool design to boot OVERALL 3

JULY 2016 57 AUDIO-OPUS REVIEWS OPUS 1 £449

DETAILS a convincing case for a simplifi ed alternative to the overly complex, PRODUCT Audio-Opus Opus 1 app-stuffed genus of the breed. Magnum ORIGIN Audio-Opus? Track back and you’ll South Korea fi nd Korean company The Bit – digital TYPE technology specialists hitherto known 24-bit/192kHz & as a component supplier to the likes DSD-capable Digital Audio Player of Samsung and SanDisk – as the force behind the brand and the Opus Opus WEIGHT 185g 1, its fi rst DAP. A higher-end Opus 2 is DIMENSIONS in the pipeline and the Opus 11, a Another month, another new hi-res hopeful (WxHxD) Sabre-chipped USB headphone DAC/ with a killer spec. Are we any closer to the 72 x 112 x 18mm amp, is available now. FEATURES Again, there’s more than a hint of ● Quoted battery ideal DAP? David Vivian finds out life: 8-10 hours A&K-cloning under the skin. ● 32GB internal Impressive for the money is the DAC storage plus micro complement of two Cirrus Logic SD x2 (SDXC) up here’s a whiff of the wild Up to now I’ve gravitated towards to 200GB each CS4398 chips (one per channel) with west about the fast- devices with iPod Classic-aping ● Supports WAV; single-ended and balanced outputs, expanding market for scroll-wheel user interfaces rather FLAC; ALAC; AIFF; like A&K’s £2k AK240 (HFC 387). T WMA; DSD; MP3; personal hi-res players. than heavily featured Android-based OGG; APE The player supports MP3, FLAC, It’s a largely lawless territory with designs. Of the former, the Questyle ● Outputs: 3.5mm ALAC, WAV, WMA, OGG, AIFF, APE up competing platforms and formats QP1R (HFC 409) offers the right headphone/optical to 24-bit/192kHz, and it can also play jack; 2.5mm snagging the interest of tech-savvy blend of aesthetic and tactile balanced DSD. The 32GB of on-board memory trigger fi ngers far and wide but desirability, operational clarity and DISTRIBUTOR (8GB taken up by the OS) can be confusing and frustrating those that sonic excellence, albeit at a fairly K&S Technology Ltd expanded to a maximum of 432GB if merely want a post-Walkman pocket hefty £699. But I must admit that the TELEPHONE you feel fl ush enough to furnish the buddy capable of better-than-CD new Audio-Opus Opus 1 you see here 01903 768910 twin microSD slots concealed beneath sound quality. That’s what most – with its angular Astell&Kern WEBSITE a casework fl ap with two 200GB hifiheadphones. Digital Audio Players (DAPs) claim fl avoured styling, generously sized co.uk cards. Benefi tting from the power to be, of course, but it would need a touchscreen, stripped-down Android of a 32-bit ARM Cortex-A9 quadcore government white paper to untangle OS powered by a brawny processor, processor running at 1.4GHz and the myriad approaches manufacturers dual-DAC internal architecture and with 1GB DDR3 memory, the have adopted to realise the dream. more affordable asking price – makes seriously pared-down Android OS has

58 JULY 2016 AUDIO-OPUS OPUS 1 £449 REVIEWS

The finish may no apps, no wi-fi and no Bluetooth, DAP I’ve encountered so far. And All God’s Children, from a CD rip of not be the best, just basic functions and navigation. although it lacks a playlist function Joe Sample’s Spellbound, is laid so but the sound makes it worthy It’s one thing to be mistaken for a at this stage – slated for a future bare a drum student could write an of an audition big fi gure A&K at a distance, but up fi rmware update – it does come with exact chart from it. The Opus 1 pulls close and personal the Opus 1 doesn’t three user-defi nable EQ settings. all the intricate fi ligree patterns really cut it. When even budget deeper into the mix so that you have designs like the FiiO X3 II sport a full Sound quality to listen more intently if you want to metal jacket, it’s a little disappointing With such a potent component set hear precisely what’s going on. It’s all to discover that the gunmetal-grey under the bonnet, it wouldn’t be slightly softer edged yet, at the same casework (metallic gold is the unreasonable to cast the Opus 1 as time, harmonically richer and warmer optional fi nish) is made from ABS the obvious go-to DAP for those who – a far from subtle tonal shift. plastic. Light yet tough and perfectly can’t quite stretch to one of Imagine stepping from a crisp, bright serviceable, it just doesn’t feel as Astell&Kern’s expensive dual DAC winter’s morning into a sultry good. There’s an optional lightweight players. Unfortunately, I don’t have summer’s evening where the air leather case in a slightly paler grey one to hand for direct comparison. seems heavier and thicker and the that slips on snugly and improves What I do have, however, is talented scene acquires a seductive glow. A general tactility but hides one of competition in the shape of FiiO’s shock, maybe, but not unpleasant. the casework’s better aspects – a £159 X3 II (in my opinion, the tempered glass back plate. The 4in best-value DAP on the market) and Conclusion TFT touchscreen display has a Questyle’s delectable £699 QP1R The Opus 1 has a style of music resolution of 480 x 800 pixels and is making that may not appeal to those bright and crisp viewed straight on, Brings a magic of its that bought a FiiO for its precise, though much less so at an angle. It incisive, detail-digging chops. And the responds briskly to commands and, in own with a balance more expensive Questyle is an order this respect, moves ahead of the pack. that’s relaxed, of magnitude more resolute still. But The Opus 1 is more likeable still in there’s no denying the Opus brings a action. Finding your way around smooth and lucid magic of its own with a balance that’s really is almost ridiculously relaxed, smooth, rhythmically lucid straightforward. All external controls (with little doubt in my mind, the and unobtrusively informative. The are easy to reach with small but best-sounding so far). After trying longer I listen, the more I appreciate precise-acting buttons for volume up out a number of headphones to it. Try to grab an audition with a and down on the upper left side, the shoulder the bulk of the auditioning decent headphone. If you like what on/off button on the top along with from AKG, Oppo and Sennheiser, I you hear, and I think you will, you’ll the 3.5mm headphone/optical jack eventually settle on Hifi man’s fi nd it a dream to use and live with ● and 2.5mm balanced out, and the fabulously revealing planar magnetic track advance, pause and back HE400S (HFC 410). Very comfy, too. buttons on the upper right side. As All these DAPs use the same basic, with virtually every other DAP, the highly rated Cirrus Logic DAC, except OUR VERDICT micro USB-B charging/data transfer the Opus 1 has two of them. On SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Fast, uncluttered socket is located on the bottom. The paper, you’d expect it to be the interface; warm, lithium-polymer battery takes around resolution and separation monster sophisticated sound four hours to charge and is claimed of this select little group. Yet its VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Plastic body to allow 8-10 hours of continuous presentation is quite different to the WE SAY: A likeable, BUILD QUALITY easy-to-use DAP with playback or around a week of normal clarity-led focus of the others: laid impressive spec and usage in ‘ultra power-saving mode’. back, almost self-effacing and yet smooth sonics Using the touchscreen is just lovely. supremely easy to listen to. To begin FEATURES Smooth scrolling, zero lag, snappy with, this is a little disconcerting. The responses, clear graphics and logically much cheaper FiiO X3 II seems to OVERALL ordered pages and lists make the have at least 30 percent more detail, Opus 1 the slickest, least cluttered especially in the treble. Omar and easiest to navigate and operate Hakim’s fancy, funky cymbal work on CONNECTIONS

1 USB charging/ 1 data transfer

2 Micro SD memory card slots 3 Power on/off

4 Headphone and balanced outputs

5 Volume up/down buttons

2 3 4 5

JULY 2016 59 FEATURE CASSETTE REVIVAL

Time to rewind Is the compact audio cassette really undergoing a revival? David Price examines the rise and fall and rise again of this once-mighty music format

opular culture, just in case you dictation medium, is gaining some traction, cassette decks in existence, and 90 percent hadn’t noticed, is something of after decades in the wilderness. of all European households had one. No P a cyclical thing. As advertising First, lest we forget, the format was once surprise then that the craze for mixtapes professionals and market mighty. In 1988, fi ve years into the supposed took off, with large numbers of double researchers will tell you, things normally digital audio revolution with Compact Disc cassette ‘dubbing’ decks on sale by the end of come into fashion, then go out, then come being advertised on billboards in all the the eighties, as people strove to personalise back in again, roughly every generation – or major cities across the world, in Britain the their music collections. While digital disc 25 years. This means that popular culture best-selling format in history was compact offered the promise of easy individual track ends up being a never-ending series of fads, cassette. That was the year that it reached its selection, it was this little tape that give us almost all of which vanish into the ether as high watermark as a music medium, far the fi rst modern playlist. fast as they fi rst appeared. Brown is the new exceeding LP (which had its fi nest year in black, double-breasted suits are the new Something for everyone single-breasted suits, and now – it seems – It took over 10 years The great thing about cassette was that it audio cassette tape is the new vinyl. was both a way of buying music, and of Some people have been saying that for cassette to achieve storing your own. Pre-recorded ‘Music cassette is due for a comeback, and a few are any kind of audiophile cassettes’ (known to the retail trade as MCs) even now claiming that moment has fi nally came out as early as 1967 in the United arrived. Others have began to refute it, respectability States, with Nina Simone, Johnny Mathis telling anyone who will listen that, “there is and Eartha Kitt being the fi rst. By the mid no cassette revival”, prompting most of us 1975). By 1990, worldwide sales of CD seventies, MCs were widely available in to profess that we didn’t even know there players were 35 million per year, compared record shops, selling at the same price as LPs was one in the fi rst place! Move beyond all with 180 million cassette machines (source: – and by the late eighties it was the world’s this media froth, however, and there are GFK). In that same year, vinyl sold 339 favourite new music medium. Yet at the some anecdotal – but actually quite telling million units, CD 770 million and cassette same time, cassette was also recordable and – signs that the venerable Philips format 1,446 million, making it 56.6 percent of all most people used it as such; music could be that was invented way back in 1963 as a formats sold. Indeed, there were 1.2 billion recorded in one place (at home, or outside at

60 JULY 2016 CASSETTE REVIVAL FEATURE

on the same amount of tape, and this fi nally and soon you could buy a mid-price deck put paid to cassette’s slightly soft, undynamic such as Aiwa’s 1985 AD-R550, which offered sound. A new generation of decks, from the ‘punch in’ track selection and sophisticated likes of Nakamichi (ZX-9), JVC (DD-9) and logic control. By 1988 when the format hit Sony (TCK-81) offered lower noise, greater its peak, it was easy to use, convenient, dynamic range and a frequency response affordable and capable of superb sound if that extended up to 20kHz – putting them you could afford a decent deck. Nakamichi’s far closer to domestic open-reel tape CR-7E was pretty much the last word on the machines, which suddenly seemed to be a subject. The format was now capable of rather unsophisticated breed. By the time breathtakingly good sound, with recordings 1980 came around, the format was perfectly almost indistinguishable from the source. respectable in hi-fi circles and this created a space for the cassette boom of the eighties. And then, the decline... Popular wisdom has it that MiniDisc, and – 1973’s Nakamichi 700 was a revelation, and Music and movement to a far lesser extent – Digital Compact showed what was possible from the format It could never have taken off like it did Cassette killed cassette. Both formats were without the Walkman, though. Sony released introduced within a few months of each the TPS-L2 on 1 July 1979 to a rather muted other in 1992, and both offered pre-recorded a live gig) and then played somewhere else. reception, but dropped its price and music and also recordability. MD was the From the early eighties, most new cars had a renamed it a year or so later, and suddenly it better of the two formats, giving true stereo cassette player fi tted as standard, and caught the world’s collective imagination. random access, although its early sound at the same time, Sony changed everything Capable of surprisingly fi ne sound, it quality was a good way behind DCC. Both when it brought the format into people’s ushered in a whole new way of enjoying used compressed digital audio, effectively a pockets with the Walkman portable. your favourite tunes and the genre of variant of MP3, where the bits of the music ‘personal hi-fi ’. Debates rage among hi-fi that you (allegedly) couldn’t hear were Quality street geeks about whether the Walkman was the removed to minimise fi le space, and Cassette’s low price and easy portability fi rst true portable (Philips can claim this maximise the amount of music that could be made it a cinch for enjoying music out and with the EL3300 from 1966, or Nakamichi squeezed onto the media. Sony pushed MD about, but its acceptance at home was by no with its 500 from 1974 – while the concept hard, and partially succeeded, while Digital means a fait accompli. Back in the sixties, itself was created by Brazilian-German Compact Cassette – introduced by Philips – home tape recording was the province of was practically stillborn. often rather worthy and snobbish hobbyists. Cassettes represented The last hurrah of physical media formats, Without the apparent complexity of they still didn’t quite manage to outlive open-reel tape recording, cassettes ushered both a great way of cassette, and people were still buying new in a new generation of enthusiasts more buying music, and machines well into the mid-nineties. For interested in the convenience and less example, Sony’s TC-K611S from 1993 was concerned with technology. It was no of storing your own a very popular hi-fi recorder; surprisingly surprise then that the little tape wasn’t taken fi ne sounding, inexpensive and full of at all seriously at fi rst, as a hi-fi recording inventor Andreas Pavel), but this misses the functionality (Dolby S, full logic control, format. This was not without some point. The little Sony perfected the package three head off-tape monitoring and variable justifi cation; cassette tape was half as wide and made music truly personal for the fi rst bias), yet just £200. These were the sort of as domestic reel-to-reel, and ran at time, ushering in the format’s association features you’d have paid three times as much 4.75cm/s, whereas most open-reel music with lifestyle and personal freedom. for a decade earlier. recordings were made at 19.5cm/s (or The record companies began to raise By the late nineties, computer audio was more). That didn’t bode well for cassette, their game too, making better-sounding the new kid in town – and in those early and it took over 10 years for it to achieve pre-recorded tapes available using superior days of the internet, Napster gave people the any kind of audiophile respectability. tape formulations and Dolby noise chance to download virtually any song for At the beginning of the seventies, one reduction. It was a perfect circle; rising free. It was totally illegal, of course, but it excellent Japanese original equipment demand fuelled improvements which fuelled wasn’t until Apple’s iTunes Music store fi ve manufacturer that had been making large ever more demand. Mid-eighties decks years later that the concept of paying for numbers of decks for various companies began to offer sophisticated track search too, music downloads was introduced, and around the world, decided to go it alone and release its own brand of machine. 1973’s Akai’s GX-310D Nakamichi 700 was a revelation, and underlined the showed what was possible from the format’s potential erstwhile ‘dictation medium’. Other Japanese manufacturers hit back and by the mid- seventies there was a full blown cassette war in progress. Machines from the likes of Akai (GXC-310D), B&O (Beocord 2200), Aiwa (AD-1250) and Yamaha (TC-800GL) conferred audiophile respectability on the young format. Sony’s 1974 TC-177SD – with its dual capstans, three heads and variable bias – was arguably the fi nest of that fi rst wave of hi-fi cassette decks. Five years later, things had moved on apace. Metal tape formulations had appeared, able to store more magnetism

JULYJULY 22016016 61 FEATURE CASSETTE REVIVAL

NATIONAL AUDIO COMPANY David Price talks to Steve Stepp, a key player in the ongoing cassette revival

The National Audio Company now has “I was still a college student when my father and I 65 machines for began this business in 1969. One day a gentleman making cassettes from Ampex Corporation, one of the major manufacturers of tape came by and showed us the audio cassette. And I laughingly look back on that during that window the fi nal nails were with all your favourite tracks carefully time as I didn’t show much foresight because I said: punched into cassette’s coffi n. Why carry hand-written in the inlay card… ‘That looks like a toy, I don’t think that will ever win any acceptance because it looks like something you around a battery-hungry Walkman and a bag Until recently, the end of Compact Cassette put in a doll so it can have a voice’. I was proved full of (paid-for) tapes when you could had pretty much been taken as a given, but wrong because the audio cassette became the download everything for free and stick it on Steve Stepp of National Audio Company says dominant format for the music industry, not long your Diamond Multimedia Rio MP3 player? that was also true about vinyl until a decade after that. The venerable tape format had no answer or so ago. Several years after vinyl sales “We began selling cassettes for Ampex and, as the industry developed, they couldn’t make them for this, and 40 years after its birth, called it started climbing, so too did cassette, he fast enough, so had to start building and buying a day. The gradual disappearance of cassette observes. Now his company is our own equipment. After a few years we had 16 players from car dashboards was a telling manufacturing music cassettes for Universal machines manufacturing cassettes; we now have 65. About six years ago the music industry sign – the very last one appeared in the 2010 Music Group, at a rate of up to 350 titles at bottomed out on the audio cassette, and many of Lexus SC430 convertible. Sony’s last any given time – over 2,125,915 miles of our competitors decided they wanted to get out of dubbing deck (the TC-WE475) quietly tape per year, no less. the duplication business, they wanted to clear the floor and free up their personnel to make CDs. So disappeared from hi-fi dealers’ shelves at we bought their audio cassette manufacturing around the same time. equipment, duplicating lines and other equipment. In 1990 1,446 million We restored it to brand-new condition because we believed that the analogue sound would make a Back for more cassette players were comeback. And that’s exactly what we’ve seen. Strangely though, the disappearance of sold, making it 56.6% “Cassette followed the vinyl resurgence by about cassette has left a gap in people’s lives three to four years and has been running in parallel that newer technologies have never quite since. It takes a while to get vinyl on the market, of all formats available there’s a certain amount of upfront expense. Most managed to fi ll. A generation had grown up of the people in the early days going back to audio used to recording their favourite LPs, CDs, “What is happening right now is the under cassettes were independent record labels and live gigs and radio shows at the press of a 35 age group has discovered they prefer bands, so there was an advantage to them to get their product on the market quicker, and that made button, and suddenly couldn’t quite do it as analogue sound to digital, and cassette is audio cassette very attractive. As you know, the easily. Mixtapes had become such a huge the less expensive, quicker-to-produce frequency response to the dynamic range on audio part of many people’s daily lives too – we alternative to LP. The analogue audio tape cassette and vinyl are almost identical. They both have full harmonics as opposed to being were used to lovingly recording them for is reinvading the industry!” compressed, as they are on digital, so the sound ourselves, our partners and friends. These Suddenly Compact Cassette is cool again. on one sounded very much like the sound on the days, emailing someone a personalised In the US, the Urban Outfi tters fashion chain other product. It was a lot easier, less expensive and much quicker to get the audio cassette on the Spotify playlist doesn’t quite have the same has started selling them, and they’re going market as a release. romantic appeal as a box-fresh TDK SA90 back on the racks in specialist music “That’s what really began to pick it up because retailers. Cassette Store Day has grown from immediately we realised that there’s only so much nothing to a celebration of the format from vinyl production capacity left in the world. And once that was saturated, people were waiting six the UK and USA to Australia, New Zealand months to a year to get a new release on the market. and Germany. Second-hand prices of classic So people are now using cassette to release music, cassette decks – especially early top-loaders not only the independents but also the major record labels, alongside their CD, LP and download – are climbing, and people are collecting releases. It is fortunate for us, and kind of amazing!” Walkmans rather than throwing them away. Equally telling is the cost of the tapes themselves; ‘new old stock’ high-end metal cassettes still sealed in their polythene wrappers are nearly 10 times more expensive than a decade ago. Artists including Kanye West, Justin Bieber and Slayer recently had cassette releases, while Chrome and an ICM survey showed that fi ve percent of metal tapes fixed the soft, music fans had bought a cassette tape, up undynamic from two the previous year. Something, as sound they say, is in the air… ●

62 JULY 2016

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ED SELLEY NEVILLE ROBERTS JASON KENNEDY DAVID VIVIAN CHRIS WARD EXPERTISE: REVIEWER EXPERTISE: ENGINEER EXPERTISE: REVIEWER EXPERTISE: REVIEWER EXPERTISE: REVIEWER Active in the industry since Neville has an eclectic taste Editor of HFC from 1998 to David’s love of hi-fi started at Like his first kiss, Chris will 1999, Ed’s first record was for classical baroque and jazz. 2001, Jason’s first turntable an early age after a near-deaf never forget the sound of his Boss Drum by The Shamen. His wife was forced to marry was Rega’s Planar 3 and Elvis’ experience with a rubbish first amp – an Aura Evolution He splits his time between his transmission line speakers 40 Greatest Hits was his first Pye music centre and his VA-100. War Of The Worlds reviewing and protecting hi-fi in the eighties and he collects vinyl, so don’t go stepping on favourite prog-rock LPs. He and Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours kit from toddler son Will. BBC test card music . his blue suede shoes. hasn’t been the same since. were his first records.

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DAC’s the way to do it A nice dealer in Swiss Cottage CW: You’ve triggered many thoughts For six months now, I’ve been has offered a Hugo TT on home Cosmo. I’m struck by your closing living happily with my digital demo sale/return with the idea comment about whether any wonder PC-based J River system using that this will give me a good DAC will actually scratch that itch PCM and DSD downloads plus indication of the ‘Chord sound’. you’re feeling. Taking a step back, it’s my trusty CDs ripped and stored I hope you think this is a good possible that the PC you’re using to away, through a breathed-on idea, as I do. But is it reasonable store some of your music could be Oppo 105D Signature edition to think that if I like the Hugo TT having a signifi cant infl uence on the by Audiocom and my amazing as a DAC suffi ciently more than sound of your system, yet you could active JansZen zA2.1A-HP the Oppo then the DAVE will be expecting ever superior DACs to speakers. I use the TV Freeview blow my socks off? Can you extract more from it? tuner as my digital radio source quantify in any way what sort of It’d be a good idea to consider a most of the time. It all works difference I might hear? Should I superior NAS and/or a Melco system really well and the sound is just wait until a DAVE is less in to ensure your digital storage and pretty good. The JansZens are demand and insist on a home access arrangement starts off by very clean, clear and detailed demo before I decide? making the most of your fi les. Also and are really rather wonderful. What about the DAVE versus do you ever use your Oppo player as These are defi nitely keepers. the DirectStream? a live transport, not just a ripping Of course, the £8k addition on device or effectively a DAC with Is it worth me top of what is a capable DAC is digital inputs? Some still swear by also debatable and perhaps I disc spinning over stored fi les. investing in a should just buy more music and I’d be tempted to start at the Chord DAVE DAC stop being a twit. source/storage end of your system to Is there anything else benefi cial try and hear fundamental differences for my system? that you’d recommend, like and then fi ne tune this with existing spending the money on room and alternative DAC arrangements The ESS-based chipset in the treatment, or a nice holiday further down the line. In my Chord’s DAVE Oppo is good, and I have no is one hell of a instead of yet another piece of experience Chord has a strong ability complaints. But I can’t help DAC, but it’s far hi-fi hardware? to make CD fi les sound more natural, wondering how a Chord DAVE from cheap Cosmo Wisniewski, Woldingham so if this is the majority of your would sound in the system. Getting one on demo is nigh-on impossible and I can’t even fi nd a dealer who has one to audition and that’s in London! Before I bought the Oppo I had a PS Audio DirectStream on demo at home for a couple of hours and from memory it sounded fantastic. I thought the Oppo would be a more effi cient and cost-effective solution – and maybe it is. But I’m not sure the magic is the same.

JULY 2016 69

JITTERBUG USB Filter

music, maybe you should sample one listen to it. However, there is of its more modest solutions and see also very much a visual element, if this works for you/your room. as witnessed by rock stars and Finally, your speakers are very their fashion trends, and the revealing, and very directional, so desire to see the ELO or the RPO small adjustments in positioning, on stage, in their respective cabling, interconnects, power glory. Wanting to have a visual supplies and software could all have connection with what we hear is a large bearing on the sound you a natural phenomenon; Skype hear, as will the liveliness or and face-to-face conversations absorption qualities of your furniture offer more than the humble Can a £39 insect make all and wall and fl oor coverings. I’d landline telephone. your CD fi les sound better than encourage you to experiment with As for artwork, I was reminded Hi-Res? as many free or cheap things as you of its importance when a mate Yes and no: Using the same can before you look to an expensive equipment and a quality DAC, a 24/96 purchase to make a subtle or CD covers just fi le (for example) will always sound fundamental change. An uber DAC better than a CD 16/44.1 fi le … but, could make all the difference, but aren’t as visually even a single JitterBug will often what if a new speaker position, interesting as vinyl allow a CD fi le to be more musical and system rack, rug or wall hanging more emotionally stimulating than achieved comparable qualities? a Hi-Res fi le without the benefi t of a equivalents are JitterBug. DV: I’m pretty sure the Hugo TT will plugged his iPod into my car’s Noise is the problem. Real noise— blow your socks off compared with USB port to discover that the the kind you can’t hear directly. Most often, the word “noise” is used to the Oppo, Cosmo, as would the basic album covers were recreated on describe tape hiss or a scratch on a Hugo. DAVE is more wondrous still, the Beemer’s info screen in record, but these sounds aren’t noise; of course, but the question I always glorious technicolour. So much they are properly reproduced sounds ask myself is how little can I spend to better than when listening to the that we wish weren’t there. get the sound I want, on the basis same CDs directly, when just the Problem noise is essentially random, that the most expensive DAC in the band and title were available. A resonant or parasitic energy, which world will inevitably be bettered by similar experience occurs with has no meaning. It can’t be turned something much cheaper over time? home hi-fi . into discrete sounds, but it does I recently took the plunge and compromise signal integrity and the Visual vinyl ditched my aged and rather performance of everything it touches. As a long-time music devotee insipid turntable, after many JitterBug’s dual-function line- and rather amateur bass player, years of ignoring it because my conditioning circuitry greatly reduces I enjoy my monthly indulgence CDs sounded so much better, the noise and ringing that plague both of adding Hi-Fi Choice to the and bought a new Rega deck to the data and power lines of USB ports, supermarket shopping trolley. add to my Cyrus system. What a whether on a computer, streamer, home stereo or car audio front-panel Lunchtimes and bathtimes are revelation! I can now listen to USB input. often enhanced by opening the CDs and LPs with equivalent mag... But I digress, this letter is enjoyment! I have many albums A single JitterBug is used in between devices (i.e., in series) as shown meant to be in response to Rob on both formats, but with LPs below. For an additional “wow” Lane’s ‘Art of noise’ Opinion there is the 12in sleeve to open, experience, try a second JitterBug piece in issue 410. read the liner notes and lyrics, into another USB port on the same Music is most obviously an or just to admire. With ageing device (such as a computer). Whether audio experience; just think how eyesight the same can not be the second port is vacant, or is many people close their eyes to said for CDs, as they are feeding a printer or charging a phone, oftenofte merely a much JitterBug’s noise-reduction ability is rreduceded version of the likely to surprise you. No, the printer ororiginalig LP cover. I have won’t be aff ected—only the audio! sseveralev favourites, of While a JitterBug helps MP3s sound a cocourse,u and Roger Dean’s lot more like music, high-sample-rate ffantasyan world to admire fi les have the most noise vulnerability. Try a JitterBug or two on all your wwithi Budgie, Yes and equipment, but never more than two UrUriah Heep’s offerings. per USB bus. There is such a thing as I just need to fi nd space too much of a good thing. on the wall to display sosome of those covers. Jim, Edinburgh

CW:C Really thought- pprovoking stuff, Jim. There isi certainly a tradition of musicians being highly conscious of how their

You wouldn’t get artistic touches like this on CD...

LETTERS

reading the Dealer Visit piece in the same issue. This focused on the Naim Unitilite. My current sources are CD and FM radio. Streaming is of no interest now, but who knows in the future? My taste is fl exible, but I don’t like heavy rock or dance music. My questions are: are the Naim’s sonics really better than separates at the same prices? What benefi ts would I hear? If not, what would you suggest for the same cost? I think that my speakers are still capable, if you DV reckons that Monitor disagree what Audio’s Bronze 5 is a steal do you think of either the visual image is inextricably linked to Monitor Audio Bronze 2 and the perception of their music. Of Bronze 5 or B&W 685 S2 course, during the sixties to eighties matched with the Naim? Many there was an era of many musicians thanks in advance. coming from art school, where they Simon Richards, Lincoln may well have been just as conversant with visual media as musical pursuits. CW: Good questions Simon. Separates People listening to music on vinyl were vs integrated solutions is a really also arguably more ‘committed’ to the interesting argument. In engineering process and looking at a luxuriant terms, an integrated product is usually gatefold piece of artwork with legible, able to have short, internal, optimised useful and meaningful copy was all connections between digital or part of the enjoyment. Also during the analogue amplifi cation stages without heyday of LPs, artists and record labels the need for extra interconnects. felt they had to work harder to grab your attention visually in the Are the Naim environment of a busy record shop. And you’re right, simply scaling down Unitilite’s sonics the 12in square of LP graphic joy does better than a not necessarily work at the size of a jewel case. It’s great you’ve got yourself separates setup? set up with a new multi-source system, but please ensure you are properly dry However, short internal connections before you operate it, after your can give rise to a lack of isolation or bathtime HFC reading sessions! screening from electrical, magnetic or mechanical interference, which can in LETTER Naim that tune turn reduce signal integrity compared OF THE Dave Robson’s letter (HFC with separates. Separates are often MONTH 407) has prompted me to built to higher price points enabling write in as I have the same notionally higher specs to be achieved, system as him driving early but conversely integrated components nineties Mission 780 speakers can take the extra budget necessary for through Ixos 603 cable. I too external casework, quality connections, want superior sonics and have packaging and distribution required for always preferred separates, until multiple separates and invest this Apprentice MM Phono stage HFC Recommended

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Using a FiiO like the X5 format to use. (HFC 399) should solve FLAC would Robert’s problem seem to be a sensible choice, but sadly the player is not compatible with FLAC fi les, only with WMA, m4a, m4b, MP3, WAV, AAC, AA and AAX. I guess WAV would give best results, but I budget in higher-quality components understand that this does not in a single unit. As always, we’d urge support tagging of track details. you to listen and decide if separates Is this right? If so, do any of earn their premium. Re your Mission these other formats provide 780s: they were fi ne in their day, but lossless codecs and tagging? And may be showing some signs of age which portable players would now. I recently heard the latest Mission support your recommended LX-2 standmount speakers for £200 format(s)? Thanks! and ELAC’s Debut B6 (£299, HFC 407) Robert Tuson, by email and F5 (£599, HFC 411) speakers and was hugely impressed with them all. NR: Hi Robert, actually WAV can support tags and media player DV: I’d certainly add the Monitor programs such as Foobar will use Audio Bronze 5 (HFC 402) to that list, them. However, the problem is that Simon. It’s a little pricier than the they do not show up in all music standmounts mentioned, but even at players as the tags are not standard. £550 is something of a steal, looking As far as I know, the FiiO does support and sounding like a £1k product. FLAC, but I think from your letter that Transparency and bass performance you intend to bypass the FiiO’s DAC are exceptionally good. and use the digital output to feed your car’s player/DAC, so I don’t know if Digital dilemma that will read tagged WAV fi les. I think I have bought a car with an you’ll need to check the documentation audio system that does not for the car player to see if it will. include a CD player nor an Regarding the other formats, there is a analogue input, just a digital lossless version of WMA cryptically input, so I need to fi nd the called ‘WMA Lossless’ from Microsoft, best way of feeding it with but again you will need to check that it reasonable-quality music fi les. I will play on the car’s player. will probably go for a portable player (possibly a FiiO or ES: If you use dBPoweramp as your similar), but am unsure what ripping and tagging software, you

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LETTERS

should be able to tag Bowers & Wilkins 685 Jason WAV fi les in such a way S2 you mention is very thinks the all-Rega as to make the good, but if you can route is the metadata stick. This stretch to the Rega RX3 best way being said, for use in a (small) fl oorstander for Bill to go car system, I’d be you will attain musical inclined to use AAC nirvana in double and be done with it. quick time. While there are some cogent arguments for ES: You could do a lot the use of lossless fi les worse than the Rega in domestic situations, Brio/Apollo pairing I’d be hard pressed to and you could really go tell the difference. all in and partner them with the company’s System RX1 standmount, setup which is designed to I am on the hunt work with those for a new system, electronics and has but am unable to prompted some very test new equipment positive comments so read your from dealers. reviews instead. I’ve narrowed my search to Arcam’s CDS27 and CW: You’ve shortlisted some excellent A19, Creek’s Evo 50CD and Evo components, but there really is no 50 amp, Rega’s Apollo-R and substitute for listening to your Brio-R and Naim’s CD5si and contenders as a system. You aren’t Nait 5si. I expect the costlier specifi c about the size of your room combos to outperform the and I believe working backwards from cheaper ones, so would Arcam’s ideally placed speakers that drive the A29 and Rega’s Elex-R balance room correctly is vital. Equally, asking the situation? I have chosen for “warm, detailed” yet “tonally one-make systems for synergy and one less remote, but would I’m not able to appreciate your suggestions. For speakers I am thinking Q audition new kit so Acoustics Concept 20, Monitor need your help in Audio Bronze 2, B&W 685 S2, DALI Zensor 3 and Quad S-1 or making a decision even a small fl oorstander that works well in both small and balanced with good body” suggests to large rooms. Are my speaker me you really do need to hear what choices compatible with the you like. I don’t think you’ll go wrong above components? per se with any of your choices, but My musical tastes include sense the Rega house sound may work acoustic, folk, Celtic and best for you. But I’d urge you to take Americana, and I’m looking for even a lengthy trip by car, train, plane, a sound that is warm, detailed, coach or ferry to a quality dealer that refi ned and tonally balanced can demonstrate some excellent with good body. system combinations. When you hear Bill Stokes, Perthshire what you like, you’ll be so much more satisfi ed with spending the money and JK: Hi Bill, as the magazine’s resident all items can be dispatched to your Rega nut I would urge you to go for a home by insured courier, or you may Saturn-R CD player with the Brio-R fi nd a kindly dealer will set you up for (HFC 352) amplifi er, it’s slightly source success if they can visit your part of the heavy but will give you the best sound world and you treat them to a spot of for your money until funds allow an lunch. Do let us know what you go for amplifi er upgrade. Speaker wise the and what you think of it.

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HFC_A4_Ad_blank.inddHFC_A4_Ad_blank.indd 1 07/04/201610/03/2016 12:5211:32 HFC_A4_Ad_blank.indd 1 10/02/2016 13:17 The opinions expressed in the following pages are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the attitudes or opinions of Hi-Fi Choice or AVTech Media Ltd. Some really Austin Allegro? Allegro? Austin the doorsoff blow to take it does How many REL subs a few ideas for Chris Evans and Matt Le Blanc. The revolutions will betelevised after all Unimpressed by the recent re-launch of the flagship show, BBC's TV a muchgentlerandmorecerebral styleofshow. Nomad hedrovewouldbecleansed andseguenicelyinto referencetotheweightofAriel mother’s G-string" and Matt’sstaggeringlyincongruous"lighterthanyour his waythroughtheentirelengthofseasonopener for thaticonicgobbetoftime.MemoriesEvansshouting contemplative) expressionsandtheirmouths looking straightatthecamerawithimpassive(possibly silence. ChisandMattwouldsitcross-leggedonthe familiar withtheworkwillknow, that’s4:33ofcomplete movement piececalled composer JohnCagewho,in1952,wroteathree- revamped can affordtobepickyrightnow?To kickoffthenew, – butitcouldbethekindofmashupthat,atvery subject onitsown–wedon’twantanother it, hi- good stuff, acekit,topgear. Nottoputtoo meaning. No,notwhatKateMosswasreferringto,but show's titlecouldadoptitslooser, moregenericslang reached theendofroad. up afuturedirectionforshowthat,in2015,hadalready But, lookingback,IthinkKate’s to sellmedrugs?"sheasked.Very amusingforonlookers. did? Clarksonnaturallyreplied" admittedly lessfamousthanheistoday–askedwhat being introducedtoJeremyClarkson–whowas years ago,apparentlytrue,wheremodelKateMosson Gear to bepreciselytheproblemwithnew, notimproved, if youthinkthoseremarksareforcedandlame,thatseems already becomeamoribundformat,onlynotasgood.And the promises,it’salightlymicrowavedversionofwhathad chamber. Themajorbeefseemstobethat,contraryall showdowns and drag races so, yeah, we’re talking a showdowns anddragracesso,yeah, we’retalkinga Who amIkidding? I’ve gotafewideas.They’renotverygoodbut,hey, who Instead ofbeingareferencetocar’stransmission,the It gotmethinking.Doyourememberthatstorysome I . Itisn’tfunny, justclappedout. fi equipment. Why not? Maybe it wouldn’t work as a equipment.Whynot?Maybeitwouldn’tworkasa Top Gear Blanc, hasn’t ignited the nation's combustion Blanc, hasn’tignitedthenation'scombustion with newpresentersChrisEvansandMattLe re-launch ofeveryone’sfavouritecarshow, t maynothaveescapedyournoticethatthe I’d suggest a tribute to American I’dsuggestatributetoAmerican Top Gear an Four Minutes,33Seconds loves its raw and ragged lovesitsrawandragged faux pas Top Gear" shows, too. antics fromother who knows,include for presentersand, unexplored avenues some so-far least, mightopen may have pointed mayhavepointed . "Are you trying . "Areyoutrying fi ne a point on ne apointon Gadget Show fi rmly shut . As those . Asthose fl Top Top oor oor

fans. Desperatetimes,desperate measures the Technics’ manytorques,intothearmsof the adoring Reliant Robin challenge, thuslaunchingthem,thanksto the presentersstartedtalkingabout doingyetanother 78rpm buttonthatamemberoftheaudiencecouldhitif the yarndoesn’tmeasureup–there’dbebigred story underthethreatofbeingtippedoffitbackwardsif a memberoftheaudienceisinvitedtositandtellfunny show. InsteadofGrahamNorton’sbigredchair–inwhich opportunity topinchandmodifyanideafromanother to writesomequalityoneliners.Two, there’dbean the showatastrokewithoutneedtohireBarryCryer be quitefunnyandthuselevatetheentertainmentvalueof feet whiletalkingtoastationarycamerawould,atleast, One, watchingEvansandLeBlanctryingtostayontheir the presentersdotheirstuffonagiantrotatingturntable. Apart fromitstopicality, Iseeseveraladvantagesinhaving Look who's torque-ing shouting talents of Brian shouting talentsofBrian formidable combined Maybe, justmaybe,the Allegro? Here’sthetwist. blow thedoorsoffanAustin subwoofers doesittaketo it musical,howmanyREL loudspeakers? And,keeping Wilson AudioAlexandriaXLF SL-1200’s legendary adequacy in this department. SL-1200’s legendaryadequacyinthisdepartment. ‘torques’ insteadoftorqueduringdiscussionthe could carryonthechildishtraditionoftalkingabout direct-drive motorsothat,iftheywished,thepresenters towards areplicaTechnics SL-1200,completewithjumbo accommodate thepresentersandtheirguests.I’dincline is agiant,fullyoperationalturntablebigenoughto What’s needednow, torespectthevinylrevivalzeitgeist, car enginetableandtheadaptedseatarmchairs. permanently chortlingliveaudience,butgetridofthatbig the hugehangarand have tochange,too.Keep we needtoknow. trump all.Thisisthestuff Blessed andChrisEvans 8,000rpm orapairof Lamborghini Aventador at meter’s needle,aV12 source trulymeltsthedecibel slap-down. Whichsound studio-based sound-off The studio layout would The studiolayoutwould Top Gear Top fl at-out at-out ●

David Vivian David JULY 2016 can't we? We candream, Driving ambition DAVID VIVIAN OPINION has has 79 Hana in Japanese means...... “brilliant and gorgeous”

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High-end spectacular

David Price heads out to Munich and reflects on the esoteric joys of the world’s greatest high-end hi-fi show – surprisingly it’s not just the searing heat and German beer

f all the world’s great hi-fi shows, there is none system. Basically, it’s something that can compare to the Munich High End of a reckoning – telling anyone O Show. My reasons for claiming this are who’s willing to listen for over two-fold, and the clue is in the name – it’s 30 seconds precisely how well the packed full of audio exotica, and it’s held in one of company in question knows how Germany’s greatest cities. What’s not to love? to set a system up. With passable This pretty city of 1.4 million people, located in the rather acoustics, it’s all to play for – just lovely German region of Bavaria and home to FC Bayern like a Champions League fi nal. Munich football club and Bayerische Motoren Werke AG Navigate your way up to the (BMW to you and I), and is frankly one of the more fi rst fl oor and you’ll fi nd a host appealing venues for any kind of show. Even the weather of major manufacturers (Arcam, seems to be warmer than your average British audio fest... Naim, KEF, Marantz, to name a Held at the MOC exhibition centre, the High End Show few) with their own capacious is an object lesson in hi-fi show ergonomics. The venue is rooms. Here you can see just massive compared with your average UK show, with no what the set-up teams have done, labyrinthine hotel corridors to negotiate. This makes and hear how successfully they’ve moving between rooms rather easier. Compare this with the done it. Fascinatingly, some Bristol Marriott hotel where the Sound and Vision show is companies showed themselves held every February – which I do like, not least because I’m able to take mid-price kit and a former long-time resident of that fi ne city – and it’s a absolutely ram the best sound out veritable cathedral of glorious equipment, with similarly of it, whereas others struggled epic internal dimensions and sense of religious occasion. to get their high-end goodies to There are huge atriums across several fl oors, packed sound in the least bit appetising. with hi-fi goodies the like of which you’ll struggle to see Many were capable of fancy light shows, but those able to Just one of the anywhere else in the world – except perhaps Las Vegas. get a sound to match were a little thinner on the ground. treats that DP enjoyed at the Between these is a High End Show The price of a setup courtyard where Game, set-up and match does not determine beer and snacks are Munich is a lesson in that ‘it’s all in the setup’. It reminds dispensed, and me that the price of a system simply does not determine how it sounds in hardened hi-fi hacks how well it will sound in real-life conditions. Indeed, it real-life conditions fi nd themselves makes the very powerful point that – while many people gravitating to this. obsess about whether to spend a £1,000 on this or that bit Purely for research purposes you understand, I decided to of kit – it’s actually the acoustics of the room that have a stay in this beer garden for an extended period, fi ghting bigger and more profound effect on the fi nal sound. the 27°C heat with the odd Weissbier or three, and spotted Several systems on show were ruined by silly speaker enough audio journalists to staff a national daily newspaper. positioning (near highly refl ective glass panels or mirrors, Some were taking the weight off their feet for a few for example, or too near the boundary wall), poor cabling minutes, others had decided to do their show reports by and mains, or simply plonking the source components on asking their colleagues what they’d seen and hastily making any old table that looked good. On the other hand, there notes. A good number of hi-fi industry types also passed by, were some great-sounding rooms running very inexpensive and seemed in unexpectedly ‘expansive’ moods, nattering systems (Q Acoustics and Cyrus, take a bow), not least about various new products, some of which they hadn’t because they didn’t have clueless people setting them offi cially launched yet. Perhaps the free-fl owing beer had up. The odd sound diffuser, damping panel and/or soft helped them forget? furnishing works wonders if you know where to put it! Munich is a great leveller in hi-fi terms and the wonderful After a strenuous few days of esoteric audio research, thing about this show is that it is actually possible for yours truly embarked on the long drive home with two exhibitors in the larger rooms to get a decent sound. It’s no compadres and a Burger King to while away the late night surprise that the small hotel-based shows often struggle to jaunt to the Eurostar. Sadly, German ‘hits radio’ didn’t do my sound great, but the exhibitors here have more space and hearing much good, but my ears should be back to full DAVID PRICE Show and tell less of an excuse for putting together a mediocre-sounding working order in time for the next hi-fi show! ●

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Making the cut

Are vinyl buyers being short-changed when it comes to quality, or has the format always been compromised? Rob Lane’s head is spinning (like a record baby)

here’s a quiet yet audible debate raging in But what if there are some parts of the UK as to the quality (or genuine problems with the T otherwise) of the glut of new vinyl releases. newly pressed vinyl that’s With as many as seven percent of record selling so well? How can buyers collecting the format even though they don’t own we be sure we’re not a turntable, the allure of 12in discs appears to be getting buying a dud, especially stronger, but there’s a growing sense of unease too. when our ears are This is with regard to quality. Is the recording even an struggling to make sense analogue one? Did it originate from the master tape or of the confusing messages (horrors!) straight off the CD recording? Was the pressing we’ve been sending them a good one? Is vinyl better than CD or download – there’s over the years? an engrained assumption that it is, but have seeds of doubt Bands old and new, and been sowed by inferior pressings? Or, is it simply that vinyl their record companies are was never as good as we all thought (and think) it was? pressing ahead with vinyl I interviewed Martyn Ware of Heaven 17 and (early) versions of their catalogue Human League fame – and a music producer of some (old and new), and the regard – (see page 118). His views on vinyl were very few remaining vinyl interesting, perhaps shining a light on why some people presses are under huge appear to be growing anxious. According to Ware, vinyl has pressure to hit production deadlines – which has a potential My Bloody always fallen short of perfection. He explains that the for compromising quality control. The likes of Sony and Valentine’s MBV was “recorded, process of transferring music from the original master is Warners are block booking the lathes, leading to tailbacks in mixed and a “reductionist process”, but goes on to laud vinyl’s production for the smaller independents and self-publishing mastered in analogue” but “limitations”, which he – like so many of us – “loves”. acts, which are forced to look further afi eld, possibly to less how many other This is an interesting point. As the saying goes, absence highly regarded vinyl producers. records are? makes the heart go fonder, and in the time that people There are stories doing the rounds that the equipment haven’t been these under-pressure presses utilise isn’t fi t for purpose; Vinyl presses listening to the resembling the equivalent of a Frankenstein’s monster, are under a huge format, it’s clear that patched from parts of other old broken presses. vinyl has attained a amount of pressure kind of mystique out Analogue authenticity to hit deadlines of synch with the And it’s certainly true that most albums are recorded reality of the sound digitally these days, leading one to speculate as to the it produces. Certainly this would explain why so many discs analogue authenticity of a collection of digitally recorded are being bought by people who are yet to (re)invest in a songs transferred to vinyl. My Bloody Valentine’s Kevin turntable, or have no intention of ever doing so. Shields worked hard to ensure that the 180g vinyl version Since vinyl was usurped by the compact disc, CD itself has of MBV, his long awaited follow up to Loveless had true been virtually replaced by downloads and streaming. So, analogue provenance (“recorded, mixed and mastered in while on the one hand vinyl must sound great to someone analogue”) – how many more can say the same? who has got used to compressed audio, the old analogue What’s perhaps more disturbing, requiring further format probably sounds inferior to ears that have mostly investigation than I have either time or space for here, known CD. That could explain why it is suddenly so popular are the tales of newly released classics, usually on 180g, again and is also causing anxiety among buyers perceiving remastered (again) vinyl, that don’t hold a candle to their that their purchases are falling short of vinyl perfection. originals. Have they been pressed from a digital remaster To confuse matters further, the download/streaming of a digital master without a thought to analogue? How generation has also embraced convenience over quality close did these discs actually get to the original analogue when it comes to their playback options. And again this masters – and the vast majority of these classic re-releases has two potential outcomes: vinyl playback on a decent would have been mastered in analogue – when they were turntable married to a ‘proper’ hi-fi = step up in sound pressed? One thing’s for sure, as vinyl continues (blissfully) quality; vinyl playback on a super-budget, plastic turntable to engage the imaginations of music lovers everywhere, the ROB LANE Quality control with built-in speakers = dreadful sound. More confusion! debate is set to continue ●

JULY 2016 83 Pro Audio Bono O’Brien Hi-Fi Est.1966

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10/03/2016 11:36 HFC_A4_Ad_blank.indd 1 Picture credit: Shutterstock/Javier Brosch Everybody hertz enjoyment of music frequencies aff that inaudible Evidence suggests can experience them too. It’s not only dogs and cats that can respond to ultrasonic sounds, apparently us humans Gamelan music was used for the tests as it’s rich in audible Gamelan musicwasusedforthetestsasit’srichinaudible perception ofaudiblesounds.Asourcesoundcalled ‘inaudible’ high-frequencycomponentsaffecttheacoustic the humanbraindoesrespondtoultrasonicfrequencies. back thefrequencieswecan’t.Thismayallseemweird,but about boostingthetreblethatwecanhear, it’saboutadding performance at60kHz.Thissuggeststhatit’snotreally conventional loudspeakersupto90kHz,withapeakin at around20kHz,andextendsthefrequencyresponseof said supertweeterstartsworkingat6kHz,reallykicksin it canoffer, particularlyintheoverallsenseofrealism.The the years,andhavebeenamazedatimprovementsthat many demosofawell-knownmakesupertweeterover overall listeningexperience,andthiscanbemeasured. recent research,highfrequenciesreallydoaffectthe that canreproduceultrasonicfrequencies?Accordingto why areweevenbotheredwithrecordingsorequipment Fisher-Price PCtodownload So, giventhatnotmanytoddlersarelikelytousetheir the HFCs have to be related to the audible LFCs. This the HFCshavetoberelated audibleLFCs.This I shouldmentionthatthelatestmeasurements showthat in yourlisteningroomtoimprove yourlisteningexperience, called thisphenomenontheHypersonicEffect. that theHFCscausedwhenplayedwithLFCs.They as theywereabletomeasuretheincreasedelectricalactivity electrical activityofthebrain.Thiscon electroencephalogram (EEG)tomeasureandrecordthe was playedonitsown.Thisledtheresearcherstousean none ofthesubjectsrecognisedHFCassoundwhenit HFCs werepresentthanwhentheyweren’t.Unsurprisingly, subjects foundthemusicmorepleasanttolistenwhen frequencies above22kHz.Initialresearchshowedthattest comprising frequenciesbelow22kHzandHFCs exceeding 100kHz.ThisrecordingwassplitintoLFCs played backonsystemsthathaveafrequencyresponse Kuta Research carriedoutinJapanhasconcludedthat Take theuseofsupertweetersforexample.I’veheard Now, beforeyouallgoout andpurchaseapetbattohouse I played by Gunung Jati – was recorded in DSD and playedbyGunungJati–wasrecordedinDSDand then getting progressively worse as we age. then gettingprogressivelyworseasweage. dropping offtoaround15kHzforadults,and hearing isaround20kHzforchildren, t isgenerallyacceptedthatthelimitofhuman ect ect Postman Pat fi rmed their question – The piecein components (HFCs). high-frequency and inaudible components (LFCs) low-frequency as a hi-res FLAC, asahi-resFLAC, Neville Roberts Gambang Gambang fi ndings ndings downside isthatI’llhaveto a minimumformewhenIinvest in newrecordings.The recordings, whenavailable,it’sgoing tobe24/88formatas breaking the20kHzbarriertosome extent.For digital frequency recordings,eitherdigitaloranalogue. of music.Italso,therefore,supportstheneedforextended that theseinaudiblefrequenciesin respond toinfrasonicandultrasonicfrequencies,itseems respond toinfrasound.Whatevermechanismsinthebody of theeyeballisaround18Hzandoureyeballscanalso suggested, accordingtoNASA,thattheresonantfrequency as athumponourchestfrombassdrum.Ithasalsobeen have allexperiencedverylowinfrasonicfrequencies,such processing alongwiththeaudiblesounds.After all,we and sendsthisinformationbackintothemiddleearfor brain itselfisexcited(physically)bytheultrasonicsound frequencies) andthentransmittedtothebrain.Or conduction (asthemiddleearisnotmuchgoodatthose by theappropriatepartsofinnerearthroughbone of thoughtonthis.Eitherultrasonicsoundispickedup of investigationmyself, Ifoundthattherearetwoschools the brainreceivesHFCsofmusic.Following abit music soundmorereal.However, itdoesn’texplainhow why hi-resformatsandtheuseofsupertweeterscanmake the listeningexperience.Thisgoessomewaytoexplaining frequency response,takenasawhole,isabletoimprove In anutshell,whatcanbeconcludedisthatanextended What doesitallmean? Although these differences Although thesedifferences from HFCsbelow32kHz. affected thebraindifferently of themusicabove32kHz researchers foundthatHFCs ‘yes’ and,furthermore,the subjects. Theanswerwas hypersonic effectsinthetest effectively induced sounds upto48kHz, record andreproduce digital audio,whichcan sampling frequencyofhi-res whether the96kHz research investigated subjects’ listeningexperience. say whichspeci research didnotattemptto EEG measurements,the were explainedintermsof As I’ve said before, even the good old LP is capable of As I’vesaidbefore,eventhegoodoldLPiscapableof looks into the latest research onhypersonics fi c range of HFC frequencies enhanced the c range ofHFCfrequenciesenhancedthe fi ght thedogforremote fl uence our enjoyment uence ourenjoyment ●

JULY 2016 high frequencies enjoy hearing not justdogsthat proved thatit’s Science has Hertz sogoodHertz NEVILLE ROBERTS OPINION 85

In defence of plagiarism of defence In music wasmusic invented one another since borrowed from Composers have eye-watering sums of money involved, it’s no surprise. eye-watering sumsofmoneyinvolved,it’snosurprise. event itallseemsalittleludicrous,althoughgiventhe is goingbeforetheAmericancourts.Solongafter Stairway To Heaven a fairchunkofthatwouldhaveaccruedtohim. a writingcreditalongwithJimmyPage andRobert Plant, not longagoat$562millionandifCaliforniahadreceived earnings includingbothsalesandroyaltieswereestimated it?’” ‘Thank you,’neversaid,‘Canwepayyousomemoneyfor the guysmademillionsofbucksonitandneversaid his deathin1997,hecomplained:“Itwasarip-off. And Randy Californiawasawareofit,too,andshortlybefore which wasrecordedtwoyearslater. sounds uncannilyliketheintroto chord progressionplayedonanacousticguitarthat Randy California,itcontainsa Stairway With Led Zep finally being given agrilling in the courts for ‘borrowing’ of part the tune for standard Lotta Love by AnneBredon,whoforyearswent uncredited. Yardbirds in1967. Page heard JakeHolmesplaywhenheopenedforthe sources. interviewer longbeforethecasecametocourt. what theoriginalsourcecouldbe,”heconfessedtoone used. Infact,Ithinkinmostcases,youwouldneverknow always triedtobringsomethingfreshanythingthatI into new, originalworks.EvenPage admitsasmuch.“I borrowed fromothersourcesandthentransformedthem same Spiritalbum,sotheplotthickens. performed but thenasatributetotheirtouringcolleagues,Zep he neverheardit,eventhoughZepandSpirittoured H Page insistthathecouldnothavecopied Now 19yearsafterCalifornia’sdeathand46 You canseewhyhewasmiffed.Thesong’shistorical Rock cognoscentihaveknownaboutthisforyears. It’s undeniable that Zep should have acknowledged their It’s undeniablethatZepshouldhaveacknowledgedtheir But doesitmatter?LedZeppelin,likeeveryband, Dazed andConfused You NeedLove drawsheavilyonWillie Dixon’sChicagoblues Fresh Garbage debut album?Written by instrumental fromSpirit’sself-titled 1968 Taurus ow many , Nigel Williamson Nigel Williamson , the haunting, string-laden , thehaunting,string-laden Babe I’mGonnaLeaveYou was released, the charge of plagiarism wasreleased,thechargeofplagiarism HFC . All three songs resulted in . Allthreesongsresultedin which had appeared on the whichhadappearedonthe readers are familiar with readersarefamiliarwith was‘in brief descending Stairway To Heaven fl uenced’ by a song uenced’ byasong the band’s wasn’t listening, wasn’t listening, stage. Possibly Page several timeson played thetune American band 1968/69 whenthe together in Taurus was written waswritten considers just how much of this sort of thing goes on goes thing of sort this of much how just considers chromatic chromatic guitarist guitarist Whole Whole because because , Cliff’s Cliff’s Me, Matthew EWhitecontainedasongcalled this emptyroom,toowastedtowritemyown.” borrowed tuneItookfromTheRolling Stones,alonein and Richards’ who recordedasongthatusedthesamemelodyasJagger Give UpTheGhost music wasinvented.DidanyoneworrythatRadiohead’s Composers havebeenborrowingfromoneanothersince The borrowers challenges undercopyrightlaw. ButdoesthatmeanLed partly ‘borrowed’ from an 18th century hymn. partly ‘borrowed’froman18thcenturyhymn. the Chiffons’hit guilty of“unintentionally”plagiarising deploying them.JustaskGeorgeHarrison,whowasfound progressions, andtherearealimitednumberofways into somethingnewandoriginal. source material:whatevertheytook,transformed none ofthesecaseswereZep’sversionsremotelylikethe Zeppelin’s careerwasbuiltonfraud?Ofcoursenot.In Ready My Sails blood ofmusicalcreativityandalways havebeen stealing andtransformingwhatyou’ve nickedarethelife sources (LedZeppleasenote).But borrowing,copying, general principleit’snotabadidea toacknowledgeyour plagiarism, theresimplywouldn’tbeanypopmusic.Asa copy ChuckBerry, buttheycouldn’tgetitright.Without trademark soundcameaboutbecausetheyweretryingto time wasstunninglynewandoriginal. was amagicalsongrichinallusion,butwhichatthesame One ofmyfavouritealbums2012, Rock ‘n’rollisbuiltonalimitednumberofchord Keith Richardsoncetoldmethat TheRolling Stones’ which somehow managed to ‘borrow’ from Jimmy whichsomehowmanagedto‘borrow’fromJimmy andJoeSouth’s Many RiversTo Cross onNeilYoung’s album, Lady Jane She’s SoFine, sharedmuchofitstunewith The GamesPeople Play on which he sang: “I’m singin’ this onwhichhesang:“I’msingin’this , CurtisMay which had in turn been which hadinturnbeen Zuma ? SurelynotYoung, My SweetLord fi Big Inner eld’s Will You Love . The result . Theresult People Get Through Through by by ●

from from JULY 2016 The Stones borrowed from Neil Young, who borrowed from Radiohead Telling it like it is WILLIAMSON NIGEL OPINION 87 RETRO

Digital dash David Price has a hot date with one of the coolest first-generation CD players produced way back in 1982, Hitachi's wonderful DA-1000

or serious audiophiles, the 1983. At fi rst, all we had to go on were ‘high tech’ back then to open their start of the eighties felt like the early listening tests done by a wallets. The only downside was that, F living on the edge of a number of golden-eared hi-fi for a short while, there seemed to be precipice. Everything that scribblers. The general consensus of more decks on sale than music discs. had come before suddenly seemed to opinion was that compact disc was While the Sony and Philips machines be irrelevant, and rather old hat. a genuinely impressive and capable sold like hot cakes, there was a Vinyl began to look like its days were technology, albeit with the usual number of other models that didn't numbered. After being reported on for provisos of needing more time for receive the marketing support of those a couple of years, compact disc was proper listening tests. two giant companies, which were fi nally with us and the world would The fi rst generation of models were founders of the new format. One of never be the same again. expensive; every one of them was a the most signifi cant of these was The new digital disc – the fi rst good bit more than the top turntable Hitachi's DA-1000 that you see here. consumer digital audio format – was of the day, the Linn Sondek LP12. Hitachi is not a name that immediately launched in Japan in autumn 1982, It was a lot of money to spend, but springs to mind when you mention but didn't reach Europe until spring people were suffi ciently intrigued by hi-fi , but back in the late seventies it The evolution of compact disc 1978 1982 1983 1985 Philips announces the launch Philips and Sony launch the CD Compact disc players become Dire Straits' Brothers In Arms of CD and Saturday Night format in Japan while The Who available in Europe and The Clash becomes the first CD to sell more Fever tops the album charts announce their farewell tour decide to sack Mick Jones than one million copies

88 JULY 2016 RETRO

had serious audio kudos. Rather like disc loader are the transport controls BUYING TIPS Honda in the sixties with motorbike – from bottom to top these comprise a and then car engines, there was a large stop button with an inset pause Compared with many players from the same era – especially the Sony – the sense that Hitachi made consumer control, and above this is the play DA-1000 has survived well. This is due to products simply because it was a way button inset with track search controls. the engineering depth and build quality of selling the clever components that To the immediate left, just to the right and the fact that at the time Hitachi was an electronics giant that designed and made its boffi ns came up with. Probably one of the disc loader, is a row of minor everything down to the DAC chips. The first of the most signifi cant technologies controls which includes track phase of DA-1000 production has the in hi-fi was popularised by the programming functions and the 16-bit Hitachi HA16633P DAC chip and a blue power button; the second got a Burr- Japanese manufacturer – power volume control (there’s a small Brown PCM53P and a silver power button. MOSFETs. Highly technologically motorised potentiometer inside the Sound is similar, the former is fractionally advanced and very reliable, making unit, it isn’t done digitally). Somewhat less musical but there’s not much in it and power a cheaper and easier game to predictably, because it’s Japanese, collectors will want the original. With light use, most will still be on their play. Unsurprisingly, Hitachi’s fi rst immediately under the Hitachi brand first lasers and the loading mechanism may silver disc spinner was never going to name in blazoned on the upper right need attention. Hitachi offered the option be full of Sony or Philips bits – it was of the fascia, is the phrase ‘key in key of a gloss wood sleeve for the DA-1000, with a space for CD storage; few got very largely bespoke. computer control’ referring to the inset beyond Japan. You might say the same for The DA-1000 isn’t just a one-off track search controls, just in case you the DA-1000 itself, because it is and always either, because it appeared in OEM hadn’t noticed! Overall, the machine was pretty rare. That means prices are now quite solid, with the least you can expect to form for a wide range of other brands now looks dated, but rather charming pay for a good, unspoiled working example – a great many manufacturers paid with it – and at the time would have being £400 – with many more ambitious Hitachi to put their name on one of its made the best Sony or Philips offering souls asking twice or even three times that. This machine is unlikely to drop in price, products. Among the clones were the look rather low rent in comparison. because fans of eighties kitsch will love it. Brandt DAD-001, Continental Edison DAD 9370, Denon DCD-2000, Dual Speed of sound CD 120, JVC XL-V1, Nordmende ADS The DA-1000 is fun to use in its own as slightly well lit, and it certainly wins 2000, Pathé Marconi LA-10 and curious way, and surprisingly fast no prizes for fi nesse. Actually the Thomson AD 100. In fact, it's fair to considering the snail-like track access treble’s main offence is to be diffuse say that this formed the basis of more speeds of the rival Philips machines. and unsophisticated – rather like a fi rst-generation machines than any Sadly though, that’s where its moving-magnet cartridge compared other CD player. superiority stops. Much has been with a good moving coil – rather than written about the sound of fi rst- being unpleasant. Between this there’s It has a strong and generation CD players – suffi ce to say a well-structured, detailed and it is variable. The original Phillips surprisingly musical midband, and this positive bass that machines were the sweetest of the makes listening fun – indeed it is more puts many later CD breed, while Sony was bold and of an involving and interesting listen brash but less enjoyable. It was also than perhaps one might expect. What players to shame variable, too, due to production it misses in refi nement it more than changes throughout its life, and the makes up for in spirit – music is Ergonomically the DA-1000 is a bit same can be said for the DA-1000. presented in a fast-paced and energetic of a mess, but no less appealing for it. Indeed, there are actually two way. You never forget that you're The motorised vertical front drawer variants of this machine; halfway listening to something quite special, loading is the star of the show, and an through the production run Hitachi but the downside is the slightly interesting alternative to the Philips switched to a Burr-Brown DAC chip. processed sound that it shares in CD100’s manual top loading or the The two incarnations aren’t that common with all Japanese machines Sony CD-P101’s motorised horizontal different, but we prefer to consider of that era. This is defi nitely not the front drawer. The fascia is as retro as the fi rst one as the defi nitive version. most neutral and self-effacing CD the digital dashboard of the Knight Sonically, it’s a crisp, clean and player ever made. Rider car – if an early eighties David well-defi ned sounding machine. It has Hasselhoff had a CD player, then this a strong and positive bass, one that Oodles of character would surely be it. To the left of the puts many later CD players to shame. No one should buy a fi rst-generation disc loader, which shows the disc Trouble is, at the opposite end of the silver disc spinner to use as an absolute spinning in all its laser high-tech frequency range, it could be described reference, because they simply cannot beauty, there’s a ‘location indicator’ (as compete. In most respects they’re a Hitachi called it) showing the total good way behind modern mid-price percentage of the disc’s playing time machines, and a number of budget that has elapsed in a graphical way. machines do better in many respects Beneath this is the time counter, which too in terms of smoothness and detail gives the usual track time information resolution. Still, early CD does have via blue fl uorescent digits, and small real character, and the Hitachi LEDs to the left of this illuminate for DA-1000 is testament to this. Its programme play and repeat. Beneath charismatic sound makes for an this is a row of 12 small LEDs for engaging listen and it has loads of indicating the output level of the retro visual appeal too. As a retro player – unusually for a fi rst- space-age curio, there’s little that generation machine, the DA-1000 had A 1982 advert can better this rare, and beautifully variable output. To the far right of the for the DA-1000 engineered classic machine ●

JULY 2016 89 BEAUTIFUL SYSTEM DEVIALET/SPENDOR

Time machine What happens when you mix traditional speakers with state- of-the-art amplification and decoding? Ed Selley explains all

90 JULY 2016 BEAUTIFUL SYSTEM DEVIALET/SPENDOR

n the face of it, it seems probable that this system O has been assembled to grant me the opportunity to talk about unlikely partnerships and opposites attracting. The reality, however, is entirely different. This system has a symbiotic relationship that is so effective that many one-make systems will struggle to rival it. The visually attention-grabbing aspect of this partnership is inevitably the Spendor SP100R2. Until it was usurped by the newly launched SP200 earlier this year, it had sat at the top of Spendor’s Classic range for some time. It has proportions that are almost extinct in mainstream speaker design and combines them with dimensions that are, if anything, rarer still. It would be easy to view the SP100R2 as the audio industry’s version of a living fossil – a sort of Coelacanth with a bass driver – but this is to over simplify the case. The design has slowly but steadily evolved from the original BC3 and is built around a cabinet of relatively thin sections that are internally braced to give the required rigidity. This is further helped by the careful

COMPONENTS SPENDOR SP100R2 DEVIALET 200 LOUDSPEAKER £7,495 AMPLIFIER £5,490 The flagship model of the Spendor The largest single-chassis Devialet Classic range, the SP100R2 is an amplifier, the 200 claims 200W of evolution of the original BC3 and power, combined with the company’s features a 12in bass driver with 6.5in unique SAM control software, which it midrange and soft dome tweeter. sets to work optimally with the Spendor.

JULY 2016 91 BEAUTIFUL SYSTEM DEVIALET/SPENDOR

placement of the drivers in the Around the back, the Devialet has Above left: veneering and the care that has gone cabinet. The drivers themselves are all a selection of inputs, which are Exquisite into its assembly. Nothing feels detailing is part Spendor’s own work with a 22mm, confi gured depending on what of the Devialet overdone though – the aesthetic fl uid-cooled soft dome tweeter, you need your unit to do. The most experience touches are there to do justice to the 180mm polymer mid-bass driver versatile is the USB. This is dual Above centre: quality of the engineering and to above it and fi nally that exceedingly directional and allows sampling rates A polymer ensure that the cabinet will be around burly 300mm bextrene bass driver of up to 32-bit/192kHz and DSD to be midrange driver as long as those tremendously stout gives the fi lling almost half of the front panel. sent directly to the unit for decoding. Spendor drivers will. Spendor hasn’t done Two symmetrical bass ports fl ank the While these two units have been exceptional anything so rash as to try and hide the tweeter to allow the cabinet to breathe. carefully selected to work together, cohesion bulk of the SP100R2, it is what it is there is no escaping the visual Above right: and you’ll either fall in love with it SAM I am contrast. The Devialet is sleek and Beauty meets the or look at one of the company’s more Asking the impossibly slender form beast and makes modern offerings. sweet music of the Devialet 200 to power these This system hasn’t hulking brutes might seem crazy, but A great combo Spendor has become a very keen forgotten that it It would be best to spend at least a advocate of these incredibly clever exists to put a little little time listening to the SP100R2 French combined amp and DAC units. before deciding that it might not be One of the main reasons for this is joy into people’s lives for you, however. From the moment Devialet’s SAM (Speaker Active you get this pairing up and running, it Matching) system. Using the powerful elegant and at times more akin to a becomes apparent that these are great DSP, the output can be tuned to the science-fi ction prop than a piece of components that manage to become characteristics of the speaker being audio equipment. The remote with its greater still when combined. The fi rst used. As well as the SP100R2, every gorgeously weighted action and that two minutes of the 24-bit/44.1kHz other Spendor model is now part of small circular display are utterly download of Dead Can Dance’s the SAM program. exquisite things to use and make the Children Of The Sun gives a wonderful Even without this latest piece of amplifi er feel special to use. The build demonstration of this system’s wizardry, the 200 represents a deeply is exceptional and if you have the incredible ability. This is a big piece impressive piece of equipment. It is means to do so, it looks particularly of music and the Spendor does a built around Devialet’s proprietary good wall mounted. fairly convincing job of lending ADH amplifi cation system intended The Spendor by contrast is an object credence to the old adage that there’s to allow the best of both worlds from that achieves beauty through its no replacement for displacement. both Class A and D amplifi cation, absolute lack of compromise. The It is how this power and scale meaning that this sleek little chassis SP100R2 exudes an almost artisanal manifests itself that truly impresses. claims a healthy 200W into 6ohm. feel, thanks to the quality of its As you might expect, this system has

92 JULY 2016 BEAUTIFUL SYSTEM DEVIALET/SPENDOR

truly seismic bass. What you might can be adjusted via the comprehensive There is also no getting away from not expect is the delicacy with which menus on the Devialet, but switching the fact that if you want to behave like it can apply it. The Devialet grips between the off position and the 50 a hooligan, 200W and a pair of 12in CONTACT those big bass drivers with vicelike DETAILS percent setting recommended by drivers is never going to hurt in this control and this allows the lower Spendor is illuminating. As you regard. Selecting the bass fest that is notes to be at once felt rather than DISTRIBUTOR increase the level of SAM correction Roots Manuva’s Witness (One Hope) is Spendor Audio heard, but only for the instant they Systems Ltd nothing leaps out at you – in fact quite grin-inducingly hilarious. Imagine a should be. Neither is this awesome the opposite. That fantastic cohesion dub sound system that has spent sense of controlled power limited to TELEPHONE between the drivers is enhanced and several years at an expensive fi nishing pure bass. Change tack and switch 01323 843474 the system does an increasingly school and you are some way towards to Liszt’s 12 Grandes Études and the WEBSITES getting a handle on what the Spendor piano has the scale and size that it spendoraudio.com; These are great is capable of doing, although the really should to sound convincing. en.devialet.com overall effect really needs to be components that experienced fi rst hand to be believed. Disappearing act become greater Once you’ve fi nished marvelling One for all at the scale, you can start to pay still when combined This, then, is a system where the attention to the integration that this components might look radically partnership possesses. Unless you effective job of getting out of the way different from one another and will wander up to the front of one of the of the music. A spirited rendition of undoubtedly shine when used in SP100R2s, discerning where one ZZ Top’s Heard It On The X is utterly other systems, but when combined driver fi nishes its work and another free of any sense of ‘hi-fi .’ It’s just you offer something truly singular. It is begins is nigh-on impossible. For and three good ole boys having a riot. unfazed by any genre, played at any such an imposing cabinet, the Neither is this simple sense of fun level and manages to deliver a sound Spendor does an exceptional job of a freak occurrence brought on by a that is not only detailed and accurate disappearing and producing a single surfeit of Texas blues rock. It might but also impressively forgiving. Take utterly unforced sound. It is also an be tremendously accurate and into consideration the fl exibility of unfailingly believable sound, too. The staggeringly capable, but this system the Devialet in terms of setup and piano has a richness and sweetness of hasn’t forgotten that it exists to put confi guration and the fact you can tone that suggests that the Devialet’s a little joy into people’s lives. It add another one to run in mono if tremendously powerful processing consistently manages to dig out the 200W just isn’t going to deliver for and decoding is able to produce an emotion in the music, and the control you, and the end result is seriously outstandingly natural presentation. and sheer speed that it possesses special. It has been more than 40 And the SAM software? The amount means that it times with the precision years in the making, but this is a of direct impact it has on the sound of an atomic clock. system that is all things to all people

JULY 2016 93 LABELLED WITH LOVE

ZTT Simon Berkovitch on the label that put the art into pop with a string of records that still inspire hushed devotion from connoisseurs of eighties production techniques

TT… or Zang Tuum few months with the band, but label and he seized his chance, Its enormous success, and that Tumb… or Zang his sonic fi ngerprints are all over bringing in NME scribe Paul of their subsequent releases, Z Tümb Tumm (in a their biggest pop hit, US number Morley in a McLaren-style were beyond the label’s wildest nightmare scenario one Owner Of A Lonely Heart. ideas-man role. The fi rst release, dreams, but Horn’s inevitable for sub editors, you’re supposed His next move was into Art Of Noise’s Into Battle (1983), focus on Frankie led to his other to change the spelling each time production, honing his skills on was classic ZTT – cutting-edge acts, including Propaganda – you write it) briefl y and brightly shiny pop confections Dollar studio technology, beautiful fronted by Morley’s wife, lit up the eighties’ pop fi rmament before producing ABC’s debut artwork, mysterious masked awkwardly – beginning to feel with a series of incredible records LP Lexicon Of Love. band members and, despite its frozen out. Lawsuits and band before dissipating into the usual Offered a choice between wilful artiness, an accessible break-ups inevitably followed. mess of disputed contracts and working with Spandau Ballet pop core that saw it achieve The mid eighties were the diffi cult second albums. and Malcolm McLaren, he chose considerable chart success. label’s banner years, when Super-producer Trevor Horn the latter. The Duck Rock LP Release number two, just a it made its great statement began his career in touring didn’t exactly set the world on month later, was the one to send records. ZTT survived the dance bands before graduating fi re, but he forged closer ties the label supernova. Frankie turbulence that followed and to session work. With fellow with Lexicon studio veterans Goes To Hollywood had been mutated into a much more side-man Bob Downes he Anne Dudley, JJ Jeczalik and around for a while before Horn conventional beast, putting out formed The Buggles and had a Gary Langan, the trio who’d go chanced upon their appearance massive sellers from Seal and hit single with Video Killed The on to become the musical core of on Channel 4’s The Tube. He saw Lisa Stansfi eld, while Horn Radio Star (1980) before the both Art Of Noise and ZTT itself. their potential and completely continued his production work pair were poached by prog rock In 1983, Island offered Horn reworked their song Relax into a with a range of acts from Belle giants Yes. Horn spent only a the opportunity to start his own throbbing, hi-NRG club monster. And Sebastian to Pet Shop Boys.

94 JULY 2016 LABELLED WITH LOVE

Frankie Goes To Hollywood Welcome to their pleasuredome: how Holly Johnson and co took the charts by storm

oming out of the city’s for nine weeks over the summer C post-punk movement, of 1984 – an amazing feat for Frankie were a fi xture on the a record that appeared to be Frankie’s Relax was the stuff of Radio Liverpool scene for years before anticipating nuclear annihilation. One DJ Mike Read’s worst nightmares their breakthrough. Fronted by This time, extra support came two openly gay men, their sleazy from an army of fans buying glam sound was a long way Frankie Says... T-shirts and a from the safe, family-friendly hilarious promo video picturing sexuality of Boy George or wrestling US and Russian leaders. Bronski Beat and proved the A third number one single perfect match for Horn’s followed – the uncharacteristic over-the-top production. Taking their most promising The perfect match track and completely remaking it, Horn and co released Relax in for Horn’s over- the Autumn of 1983, and by the the-top production following January it was number one. Helped by hapless Radio ballad The Power Of Love – and One DJ Mike Read’s airplay ban, the band ended the year with a a blizzard of outrageous quotes million-selling debut album. from Holly Johnson and a Exhausted after a whirlwind multi-format release strategy, it 18 months and tiring of Horn’s sold two million copies in the UK very hands-on production style, alone. This wasn’t just a triumph they took two years to make of hype, though: Relax was an follow-up Liverpool. Unfortunately, amazing record, and fun too. it couldn’t match the success of The second single, the equally their fi rst and opened up a set fantastic Two Tribes, was just as of fault lines with the label that enormous, sitting atop the charts ended up in the High Court. Art Of Noise ZTT’s house band stepped out of the shadows and into the Top 40 with their oddball machine funk

lways fascinated by and even funky. The track Beat A technology, Horn was Box became a club hit in America, Adding to their mystique, the members of one of the earliest musicians to with its mysterious artwork and Art Of Noise never appeared on their sleeves become interested in sampling syncopated rhythms leading as an art form. His Yes bandmate many to assume that it was the Bob Downes was an early work of a black act. adopter of the Fairlight CMI Into Battle With... also contained (Computer Musical Instrument) their greatest moment – the and Horn worked with one on sublime Moments In Love, their ABC’s Lexicon Of Love album with musicians Dudley, Langan Horn defiantly took and Jeczalik. The Fairlight, invented in Australia in 1979, the Fairlight in the was crude and brutally opposite direction expensive by today’s standards, but was right at the cutting edge take on I’m Not In Love, providing at the beginning of the eighties. the soundtrack to Madonna’s Its main use was meant to be wedding to Sean Penn, bizarrely. in replicating strings and other Confl icts between the musical ‘real’ instruments, but Horn and core of the act and Morley, whose his crew took it defi antly in the contributions amounted to sleeve opposite direction. notes and song titles, led to a split The Art of Noise’s debut release, from both their strategist and Into Battle With... used the their label. The band went on to Fairlight to sample coughs, dog greater chart success, helping to barks and starter motors and revive Tom Jones’ career along the reshape the sounds into a playful way, but were perhaps never mix that could be both sensuous again quite so relevant.

JULY 2016 95 LABELLED WITH LOVE

Propaganda SHOPPING LIST Music and Video Exchange Greenwich’s senior dance buyer Do believe the hype: glacial pop mastery from this Germanic quartet Jamie Upton opens the ZTT archive, picking out some personal highlights

üsseldorf-based all. Some 10 minutes long in sticking. But as the song was Andrew Poppy Propaganda were initially its 12in incarnation and worth released in at least 22 different The Amusement D “Poppy released formed by a DJ, a jeweller every second, it’s the sound of versions, we can’t help but feel two albums and and a member of industrial a band throwing everything that might have contributed to two singles of pipe-bangers Die Krupps, and against the wall and all of it its rather poor chart placing. modern classical music before this intriguing mix of the stepping back danceable, sublime and into the shadows.” experimental is refl ected in the music of the group’s short Anne Pigalle but memorable ZTT career. Souvenir D’un Paris “The unheard Debut single Dr Mabuse, sophisto-pop hit another Horn masterpiece, that should have set them out of the traps, but been, especially in its 12in mix, sadly it Frankie’s unprecedented got lost in the wake success led to other acts of Relax’s success.” receiving a little less attention than they’d have liked. Second Roy Orbison single Duel was even better – Wild Hearts “Nic Roeg was a glowing Time Out review to direct a Martin memorably dubbed them Amis-scripted ‘ABBA from Hell’ on the Frankie movie. This one-off single strength of this release – is one of the but both its delay and that few traces.” of its parent album A Secret Wish resulted in a loss of Seal momentum that may well Seal “The big success have cost their career dear. story from the Third single, p:Machinery/ label’s second Frozen Faces, was the best of phase, Seal came out of the rave scene with a string of hits.”

Grace Jones 808 State ex:el “The Manchester A sublime synthetic song cycle from the ageless disco diva electronic act’s 1991 album hit pic single Slave To The remix classic-era Kraftwerk, Rhythm itself. Horn’s greatest number four on the charts, taking E Rhythm was the last of the always tested club sound production, it sounds like ZTT back to its great ZTT projects and the systems with it before DJing. absolutely nothing else. club roots.” absolute high water mark. The The fi rst seven cuts are just Maybe the label should have album of the same name was the warm up for Slave To The called it a day here. Shades Of Grace’s fi rst in three years Rhythm The Album following on from her “The Essex ravers ground-breaking Island trilogy had a string of of Warm Leatherette, underground hits from their debut Nightclubbing and Living My album, and still Life. It’s a bizarre listen; not one regularly play live.” for the faint hearted. Just eight tracks long, based Heights Of around repeating motifs, Abraham Electric Hush cuts are linked by highly “An odd one, it’s a sampleable narration from lovely, melancholic actor Ian McShane. One track trip hop album by members of Fila is essentially her yelling Brazillia and Chakk “Slave!” for two minutes and reissued by ZTT.” another is someone reading out her résumé. There’s a Glam Metal gorgeous David Sylvian-esque Detectives The Original fi ve-minute ambient interlude Soundtrack and then the drums come back “This 1995 BBC in on Don’t Cry, It’s Only The comedy featured a glam band Rhythm, a track so sonically charged with perfect that François Kevorkian, saving the planet.” the only man ever allowed to

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+44 (0)1572 756447 hifiracks.co.uk 100 Free 101 Handel (arranged 101 Sokolov Fire And Water by Mendelssohn) Schubert, Beethoven Israel In Ägypten

Anohni Hopelessness CD Rough Trade

BACK IN 2005, Antony and the Johnsons released I Am a Bird Now. Rich and operatic, the album was full of luminous songs. Over this exquisite, other-worldly chamber-pop soundscape, Antony Hegarty’s swooning, multi-octave vibrato floated majestically, combining the louche decadence of Bryan Ferry, the emotional archness of Rufus Wainwright and the searing soulfulness of Nina Simone. Two further studio albums followed, but since 2010 there has been nothing. Now Antony is back with a new name and an upfront transgender identity in which she would prefer that we no longer use the masculine pronoun. “I am the same person. It’s just a rite of passage for me to have a more appropriate name,” she says. There’s a profound change of musical direction and a new sonic palette, too, as she teams up with avant-electronica producers Hudson Mohawke and Oneohtrix Point Never on a record that sets her fluttering voice against skittering beats and cutting-edge electronic textures and swelling synths. The melodies are incantatory, the grooves snap and crackle while balladry and bombast mingle so seamlessly that you can’t see the join. Like much of the most transcendent pop music – think Bowie, Prince, Björk or Kate Bush – it’s both experimental yet highly accessible, profound and yet with a boundless, universal appeal. The subject matter is equally striking. This is a no-holds-barred protest album, a disturbing manifesto for our times which depicts a world teetering on the edge of the apocalypse. In its 11 songs, she addresses big issues from state- sanctioned killing (Execution and Drone Bomb Me) and the war on terror and the abominations of Guantanamo Bay (Crisis) to climate change (4 Degrees), the environmental (Why Did You Separate Me From The Earth?) and surveillance (Watch Me). On Obama, she chants her broken hopes that the first black president was going to save the world and laments that “like children we believed”. Anohni doesn’t have any answers and the record, she admits, “embodies more conflict than solution”; indeed from the album’s bleak title she clearly fears that the world is sleepwalking to Armageddon. Yet there’s something empowering in the righteousness anger of these songs and enough compassion and generosity of spirit in Anohni’s vision to suggest that if we would only listen, then perhaps there is still a glimmer of hope left, after all. NW

JULY 2016 99 MUSICREVIEWS

Various artists Amber Arcades Songs From Fading Lines Wonder.Land

CD Parlophone CD Heavenly

STAGE MUSICALS ARE something of a blind spot DUTCH CHANTEUSE ANNELOTTE de Graaf for me, but when the composer is Damon Albarn displays great warmth on her debut album, a you can expect the restrictions of the genre to be collection of 10 songs that fit perfectly into the busted wide open – and so it proves with his Heavenly canon. De Graaf oscillates between soundtrack to the National Theatre’s updated floaty, ethereal vocals and more strident, production of Lewis Carroll’s timeless tale. The mid-nineties indie enunciation, all over an often dozen songs are sung by the original cast breezy and slightly Kraut rock-tinged backing members, but the music is provided by Albarn (which includes members of Real Estate and Quilt). and members of his regular crew, including Blur Constant's Dream is, well, dreamy and all drummer Dave Rowntree and Gorillaz collaborator shimmering eff ects-laden guitars, while Turning Simon Tong. There's a dazzling mix of vaudeville Light has real Stereolab-style leanings with its Kris and rock ballads, electronica and show tunes, driving rhythms. All in all, a very competent and Kristofferson power pop and music hall. NW at times beautiful debut. PH The Complete Monument & Columbia Album Collection Swans The Glowing Man

16 CD box-set Sony

CD Mute KRISTOFFERSON DID FOR Nashville what Bob Dylan did for folk music, TO MANY SWANS fans, Michael Gira is a beacon taking its hidebound conventions and of non-conformism that's always looked to push turning them on their head, writing the boundaries during his 13 studio albums. This, evocative songs packed with vivid the 14th, is as astonishing as it is a diff icult listen. detail, heartbreaking poetry and The eight tracks clock in at over two hours long, resonant emotional truths, which with three of them lasting for over 20 minutes each, and they meander, build and snake in and changed the language of country out of your loudspeakers as they do so. There music. To mark his 80th birthday in are drones, piano stabs, and Gira's trademark June, this mammoth box set collects wails, caterwauls and doom-laden lyrics. At times it Do you agree with our reviewers? together the 11 landmark studio albums can be deeply hypnotic, while at others it proves an Decide for yourself and listen to incredibly challenging listen. It certainly won't be Kristoff erson recorded between 1970 to some of this month’s tunes at 1981 and further augments them with a www.hifichoice.co.uk for everyone, but those who can persevere will be rewarded with a rich musical experience. PH generous selection of live recordings, demos and out-takes, most of which are previously unreleased. AUDIOFILE VINYL Free 200 tracks sung in Fire And Water a voice that's been 180g vinyl Island/Universal marinated in whisky ANOTHER IN THE There is very little filler on Fire And Water, but and sandblasted in grit Abbey Road half-speed five tracks stand out as worth hearing on a masters series, Fire release of this quality. You might think you’ve Me And Bobby McGee, For The Good And Water was Free’s heard All Right Now enough, but it doesn’t sound Times, Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down most successful album like this on the radio. Here Miles Showell’s and Help Me Make It Through The Night and spawned their mastering brings out the nuances of tone, the are all here in the writer’s original best-known song in fine detail and the power of the recording All Right Now. It’s a extremely well, and this of course is the extended touchstone versions, sung in a voice succinct seven-track masterpiece that shows off LP version with a good solo on the end. The marinated in whisky and sandblasted in Andy Fraser’s genius in songwriting. He co-wrote heavy hitter is Mr Big, a spare but intense track grit. But the hits are just the tip of the all but one track, as well as his superbly inventive that features some superb interplay and the mountain; in total you get 200 tracks and melodic bass playing. People remember phattest bass solo of its time. The sound is and you'd be hard pushed to describe tragic guitar hero Paul Kossof and classic rock also very 1970, there’s a fair bit of analogue any as filler. Happy birthday, KK. NW barker Paul Rodgers, but forget that Fraser was compression and not much low-level resolution, the reason for Free’s breadth of appeal. but great dynamics. JK

100 JULY 2016 MUSICREVIEWS

HIGH RESOLUTION DOWNLOADS DEMO DISCS Anthony Sallis, Leonard Cohen Coldplay technical director at I'm Your Man A Head Full NuNu Distribution, Of Dreams reveals the music he uses to demo products

FLAC 24-bit/44.1kHz hdtracks.co.uk FLAC 24-bit/192kHz hdtracks.co.uk

THIS WAS COHEN'S eighth studio album back THE TITLE TRACK is pure uplifting, summer in 1988, and it shows – it's full of driving dance pop, which may surprise many. Birds rhythms, funky synth stabs and washes, smoky follows, which has more of a dance feel to it, sax and dramatic drum pads. This remastered and then Hymn For The Weekend, which is as version is still imbued with Cohen's sense of r&b as Coldplay is going to get. This slight Deep Purple Dr. John melancholy. The eponymous title track and dancier feel showcases a modern, upfront Lazy You Swore Take This Waltz showcase what this release is production, but there's always something Ideal for testing a This is perfect for very good at – despite all the synthetic eighties slightly facile and health food advert about system's ability to testing a system's musical accompaniment, it's Cohen's baritone Coldplay, and sure enough a power ballad purvey a genuine sense ability to produce a that always takes centre stage. PH (or two) is never very far away. PH of realism and timing real tight, well-defined set by the legendary sound, with great engine room of Glover channel separation, Handel (arranged and Paice. Plus a dynamic impact and by Mendelssohn) cracking track to boot! delicious timing. Israel in Ägypten Soloists and Choir of the King’s Consort

2 CDs Vivat 111

HERE IS A studio recording of Robert King’s painstaking reconstruction of Mendelssohn’s arrangement of Handel’s mainly choral oratorio, based on the first performance given in Dusseldorf Rimsky- The Kings in 1833. Mendelssohn slightly shortened the work Korsakov Singers by cutting a few numbers, re-orchestrated it, and Dance Of The Oak & The Ash even added his own Trumpet Overture to get The Tumblers This track simply things off to a rousing start. King’s performance Absolutely essential delivers a purity and is certainly lively and full of enthusiasm, and the for understanding a naturalness to the Presumably, early 19th century audiences found soloists and chorus are excellent. The recording how a system deals sound that allows Handel’s original score too sounds open and clean, with voices and orchestra with large-scale, fast, you to understand austere and lacking in colour set back in a warm yet clear acoustic. A fascinating powerful and dynamic tonality, harmonics curiosity, well worth hearing! JH orchestral work. and sound layering.

Sokolov BLU-RAY DVD Fiona Brice Schubert, Beethoven Postcards From... The Jam About The Young Idea

Blu-ray Eagle Vision

With their sharp suits and 2 CDs Deutsche Grammophon even sharper music, the Jam 120g vinyl Bella Union seemed out of tune with the THIS NEW RELEASE brings together two 2013 live punk scene from which they AS MUSICAL CVS go, Brice is up there with the recitals given in Warsaw and Vienna. The Warsaw emerged, but listening to live very best, having done orchestral arrangements disc features music by Schubert – the Four footage of the band in 1980 and played with everyone from Beyoncé and Impromptus D899, and the Three Klavierstucke you realise that Paul Weller Katherine Jenkins to Vashti Bunyan and John Grant. D946. Sokolov’s playing is weighty and deliberate, had punk attitude in spades. The diff erence was And now she makes her solo debut on this with wide dynamic contrasts that bring out all the that not only was he angry and intense, but he haunting collection of what she describes as pathos and drama in the music. Beethoven’s was also articulate and could write a great "musical selfies" – stunningly minimal collages Hammerklavier sonata occupies most of the song. All of which is apparent in this Rockpalast composed in the cities they're named after. With second disc, and receives a measured, probing footage, as is great playing and decent sound just violin, cello and piano, Postcards From... is an interpretation of mesmerising power – one unlike for the era. There isn’t any real bass but it’s incredibly cinematic collection that sometimes anything you'll have heard before. Sokolov’s playing pretty clean, unlike the scenes in the extras. sounds sparse and bleak and at others gloriously is not comfortable, but if you like to be challenged, A raw and real blast from the past. JK rich and uplifting. Sit back and let Brice's brilliant stimulated and surprised, he’s your man. JH inventiveness take you on a magical journey. JDW

JULY 2016 101 MUSIC LEGENDS PRINCE PURPLE REIGN Nigel Williamson looks back at the body of work of Prince Rogers Nelson, which was brought to an abrupt end far too early

t was somehow rather fi tting that at Prince’s fi nal gig in Atlanta on I 14 April, he sang David Bowie’s Heroes as a tribute to the fallen singer. A week later Prince, too, was dead and it was a bitter cruelty that we should lose two of the most inventive, original and outright imaginative artists of the last 50 years within three months of each other. It’s a long and winding road from Bowie’s arts lab in Beckenham where he fi rst honed his genius to Prince’s Paisley Park fun palace in Minneapolis where he plotted his dazzling reinventions of popular music. But the two are united in more than keeping rock obituarists over busy in what has been a tragic 2016. Like Bowie, Prince made highly visionary, transcendent music that was experimental yet highly accessible, profound and yet with a boundless, universal appeal, instant but epic so that their songs worked as high art on canonical albums and thrilled on commercial radio as ephemeral uber-pop perfection. Bowie and Prince both made records that made you want to dance until you dropped. Yet both were also genre-bending pop polymaths, restlessly creative chameleons who seldom repeated themselves and fearlessly

STUDIO ALBUMS For You ()((1978)) Dirty Mind (1980) 1999 (1982) A mainstream and largely His first full-blown masterpiece An audacious double of conventional debut of r&b, funk on which he again plays every synthesised funk, but the and soul – but precociously instrument. Sexually explicit, lengthy workouts mean there accomplished for a 19-year-old he expands the r&b template are only 11 songs, including with fascinating hints of what to take in new wave pop and hits such as 1999, Little Red was to come. rock ‘n’ roll. Corvette and Delirious. 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1984

Prince (1979) Controversy (1981) Purple Rain (1984) Sexy r&b with disco traces New age funk on some of his Most people’s favourite Prince alongside a handful of classic best sex songs (Jack U Off album – his Ziggy Stardust, if songs. Meanwhile the hard- and Sexuality), but protest you like. His songwriting was rocking Bambi gives the first and social commentary, too at its peak here, from When indication that he’s not going (the title track and Ronnie Doves Cry and Let’s Go Crazy to be confined to any genre. Talk to Russia). to the grinding Darling Nikki.

102 JULY 2016 MUSIC LEGENDS PRINCE

avoided lapsing into anything that in any way and as a magnetic performer he combined resembled a comfort zone. the fl amboyance of James Brown with the Their boldness meant that on occasion they theatricality of Madonna. Like Jimi Hendrix both sometimes failed. But few in popular before him, he liquidated the conventional music have ever balanced artistic and boundaries between white and black music. commercial imperatives more astutely – He was a prolifi c songwriter who sang about which is why their deaths have resonated so sex and seduction and fl irted outrageously profoundly across such a broad swathe of fans with the listener; it was his lyrics on libidinous of different generations and proclivities with songs about oral sex, masturbation and radically different tastes and musical interests. threesomes such as Head, Do It All Night, “I am something that you’ll never Darling Nikki, Jack U Off and Sexuality which understand,” Prince sang on I Would Die 4 U provoked Tipper Gore, wife of politician Al, on his touchstone Purple Rain album. It was to launch the campaign that led to the a prophetic statement, for in the course of introduction of Parental Advisory: Explicit his unconventional career it was sometimes Lyrics stickers on CDs. Get Off on his 1991 diffi cult to comprehend the quixotic choices album Diamonds And Pearls in which he and off-the-wall pronouncements that made boasted about “23 positions in a one-night him one of pop’s most enigmatic superstars. stand” was typical. Yet his songs also dealt with serious social concerns and delved into Slave to the rhythm areas of mysticism and strange sci-fi visions. His eccentricities were legendary, from the The one subject he seldom seemed to sing obsession with the colour purple and his about was himself. “I don’t wanna die, I’d idiosyncratic spelling many years before the advent of textspeak to writing ‘slave’ on his He battled to keep cheek and his bizarre interviews in which he refused to allow interviewers to look him in his music off -line The artist formerly the eye. “Can you keep up?” he often asked and removed it from known as the artist during his concerts. Hard as we tried, Prince formerly known as Prince... moved and morphed at such velocity that it streaming services wasn’t always easy. Yet there was universal recognition of a rather dance my life away”, he sang. At the mother Mattie Della Shaw was a jazz singer. lavish talent that enabled him to sell more time it seemed like an expression of pure He was named Prince Rogers Nelson – after than 100 million albums and gave us enduring hedonism; but was there a serious comment his father who used the stage name Prince hits such as Let’s Go Crazy, 1999, Purple Rain, on mortality in there somewhere? We shall Rogers – but throughout childhood he was When Doves Cry, Little Red Corvette, The Most never know. known to his friends as Skipper. Beautiful Girl In The World and dozens more. The paradox of the self-assured global His early years were not straightforward; he Then there was Nothing Compares 2 U, superstar who was at the same time intensely suffered from epilepsy and his parents split covered by Sinead O’Connor and Manic private was one of the many dualities that up when he was 10. He lived with his mother Monday which he wrote for the Bangles. drove his art and sustained his mystique. His and step-father until his early teens, when he He wasn’t the most natural collaborator interviews were rare and he gave little away. went to live with the family of a school friend, and if he’d been a fi lm-maker we would have He refused to allow journalists to use tape Andre Cymone, with whom he formed his fi rst called him an auteur. At the age of 19 he was recorders and his last encounter with the press band Grand Central at the age of 15. credited with playing 27 different instruments before his death was as strange as ever: sitting By then he had already stopped growing and on his debut album and he seldom worked behind a piano, if he didn’t like a question, he he wore stack heels to augment his diminutive with other musicians unless they were totally refused to answer, shook his head and picked fi ve foot two inches throughout his life. Yet under his direction. Mostly he believed he out the theme from The Twilight Zone on his when you saw him in concert you never could do the job better himself and he keyboard. The message was clear: you entered would have guessed at his elfi n size for his regularly sang, played, composed, arranged ‘Prince world’ on his terms or not at all. presence fi lled a stage like a giant. and produced every note on his records. He was born 7 June, 1958 in Minneapolis, By 1977 he was fronting a group called He worked in a myriad of forms and styles, Minnesota into a musical family. His father 94 East and the word was out in music

Picture credits: Shutterstock/Northfoto (both pages) Shutterstock/Northfoto credits: Picture from rock and funk to jazz and psychedelia John Lewis Nelson was a pianist and his industry circles that the outfi t’s singer,

Around the World In A Day Sign O’ The Times (1987) Batman (1989) (1985) An eclectic album that crossed Prince’s soundtrack to Tim Shimmering psych-pop every genre known to pop. Full Burton’s dark film was a tad textures, full of cryptic of apocalyptic imagery, a scattergun; but Batdance is a fab imagery, mystic messages record that defined the pastiche, Scandalous a great sex and some of his most mind- decade, even as it showed jam and Arms Of Orion almost a boggling guitar playing. there was no defining Prince… conventional pop ballad. 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990

Parade (1986) Lovesexy (1988) Graffiti Bridge (1990) The soundtrack of his second Sequenced as one long The soundtrack to a film, Under The Cherry Moon, track on CD, Prince disastrous movie, Prince the album was better than the delivered a song cycle wrote all the songs but only movie with its shifting musical that sought to square performed half of them. It’s moods and textures, with Kiss the circle between the the tracks he kept for himself serving as the highlight. spiritual and the carnal. that are the real standouts.

JULY 2016 103 MUSIC LEGENDS PRINCE

Diamonds And Pearls (1991) Come (1994) The Gold Experience (1995) After the pop sensibilities of The artwork proclaimed Containing his only British his late-eighties albums, a Prince was dead (1958-1993) number one in The Most return to urban r&b and funk, and the album was a contract- Beautiful Girl In The World, a packed with great songs such filler to get him away from loose concept album that as Money Don’t Matter 2 Nite, Warner. One of his few albums spanned the gamut of rock, Cream and Gett Off. not to attempt anything new. pop, soul, funk and jazz. 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996

Love Symbol Album (1992) The Black Album (1994) Chaos and Disorder (1996) The album that introduced Intended as the follow-up The final album of the ‘Slave the symbol was danceable to Sign O’ The Times, but years’, Prince kissed Warner and funky. The Artist formerly withdrawn at the last minute. Bros goodbye with an album known as... was backed by the Seven years later, it finally that was slight but fun, as if he New Power Generation, the saw the light of day and its couldn’t hide his glee that it best band he ever had. hard, heavy funk hit the mark. was finally over.

Like David Bowie, The album spent six months at number one Prince’s untimely in America and eventually sold more than death was front page 13 million copies. At one point he had the news worldwide number one single, album and box offi ce fi lm in America, a feat which has never been repeated. But with fame and celebrity his behaviour grew ever more eccentric and at the end of his 1985 world tour he announced that he was retiring to go and “look for the ladder”. Always evolving In an obvious parallel with Bowie ‘killing off’ Ziggy Stardust and breaking up the Spiders From Mars, he disbanded his backing group The Revolution. But his resurrection was almost immediate and he continued producing music at a prolifi c rate; 1987’s Sign O’ The Times was arguably the fi nest album of his career and he ended the decade on a high by recording the soundtrack for Tim Burton’s 1989 fi lm Batman and duetting with Madonna on the album Like A Prayer. multi-instrumentalist and writer was destined The Times and Lovesexy put him in a The nineties were less happy, due in large to be the next big thing. The bidding war triumvirate of titans alongside Michael part to the notorious battle with his record which followed was won by Warner Brothers Jackson and Madonna as the defi ning artists company which led to him appearing at the who granted him artistic control over his of the decade. Not even being booed and Brit awards in 1995 with SLAVE written on his recordings, an unprecedented clause in a fi rst pelted off stage by conservative-minded cheek in felt tip pen. “If I can’t do what I want contract for an unproven artist who wasn’t yet Rolling Stones fans when invited to support to do, what am I?” he said. “When you stop a out of his teens. them on their 1981 tour could halt his rise. man from dreaming, he becomes a slave. I What followed can be described as Prince’s His touchstone 1984 album Purple Rain don’t own Prince’s music. If you don’t own ‘imperial phase’ as a string of eighties albums was accompanied by a semi-autobiographical your masters, your master owns you.” that included Dirty Mind, 1999, Purple Rain, fi lm of the same name, in which Prince He renounced his name and insisted that he Around The World In A Day, Parade, Sign O’ played a rock star known simply as The Kid. should be known as an unpronounceable

Xpectation (2003) Musicology (2004) The Slaughterhouse (2004) Nine cool-and-mellow …followed by his best-seller in The same formula as The all-instrumental jazz cuts, a decade as he eschewed the Chocolate Invasion on all beginning with the letter jazz leanings with a funky set another installment of X, released as a download which on its title track paid rescued tracks, including before he decided that the nostalgically homage to half Y Should Eye Do That internet was sinful. a dozen of his biggest hits. When Eye Can Do This? 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

N.E.W.S (2003) The Chocolate Invasion (2004) 3121 (2006) Four long instrumental tracks Another album released His first number one album recorded in a day at Paisley through his NPG Music Club of since 1989, led by the banging Park with plenty of scope for tracks mostly rescued from an Afro-funk of the brilliant fellow musicians. It was abandoned project named High. single Black Sweat. Playful, allegedly the worst-selling Standouts include Supercute likeable and with an intriguing album of his career. and You Make My Sun Shine. Latin tinge added to the mix.

104 JULY 2016 MUSIC LEGENDS PRINCE

Emancipation (1996) The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale The Rainbow Children (2001) Having signed to EMI, this (1999) A concept album about was intended as a rebirth – Most of the songs had spirituality and love built around he got so carried away that previously been heard on a fictitious story about a utopian it ranged across his panoply bootlegs and hardcore fans society, inspired by his of styles from gentle ballads reckon these are not the Jehovah’s Witness faith – and to funky jams. definitive versions. the jazziest album of his career. 1996 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Crystal Ball /The Truth Rave Un2 The Joy One Nite Alone... (2002) (1998) Fantastic (1999) Prince solo at the piano on an A sprawling four-disc box set, Never much of a intimate set that includes a with three CDs of previously collaborator, Prince went cover of Joni Mitchell’s A Case bootlegged material and a overboard with guests Of You and Avalanche, on fourth CD titled The Truth with Gwen Stefani, Eve, Sheryl which he described Abraham a dozen new acoustic songs. Crow and Ani DiFranco. Lincoln as a racist.

emblem which approximated to a give my new music to iTunes or anyone else. combination of the scientifi c symbols for male Anyway, all these computers and digital and female and was often referred to as ‘the gadgets just fi ll your head with numbers and love symbol’. that can’t be good for you.” Like Michael Jackson, he used his wealth The name game and celebrity to create his own fantasy world He claimed he changed his name “because I in which the rules and values of conventional heard a voice telling me to. Was it God’s society did not apply. Just as Jackson built his voice? Who knows.” Indeed; as with most own bizarre private theme park Neverland, of Prince’s pronouncements, who knows the the physical manifestation of ‘Prince world’ Movie Purple Rain real truth? But in reality the gesture was was Paisley Park, the ‘fun factory’ he built at marked Prince’s cinematic debut primarily designed to throw his record Chanhassen, near Minneapolis. company Warner Bros into chaos. It caused confusion in the media, too. Broadcasters At the age of 19 he was of the singers Vanity, Susan Moonsie, Sheila E, were unable to pronounce it and newspapers Carmen Electra and Mayte Garcia, the latter of were stymied because the symbol did not credited with playing whom he married and who was the subject of exist on any keyboard, and so he became 27 diff erent instruments his song The Most Beautiful Girl in the World. known as “The Artist Formerly Known as It was another of the paradoxes that made Prince”, often shortened to “The Artist”. on his debut album Prince an enigma that such a libidinous fi gure His fi rst album after freeing himself from his who wrote and sang some of the raunchiest, ‘slavery’ to his record company was titled Named after a song of the same title – the most carnal songs in pop should become a Emancipation and in 2000 he announced that lyrics of which declared: “Love is the colour Jehovah’s Witness. He denied that he had he was resuming the use of his original name, this place imparts, there aren’t any rules in undergone a conversion and insisted it was although “The Artist Formerly Known as ‘The Paisley Park” – the huge 70,000 square foot more a “realisation” which he likened to Artist Formerly Known as Prince’” still used site included his private living quarters, a “Morpheus and Neo in The Matrix.” Drugs, sex the squiggle in artwork on his albums and recording studio, a hair salon, a concert hall and alcohol were “funky” he said; but they on stage he continued to play a guitar and even his own nightclub. One end of the were “just paths, a diversion, not the answer.” eye-catchingly shaped into the love symbol. building housed a team of tailors, employed to He seemed to imagine that he was Peter Pan No longer a slave but now the master, he make costumes for his concerts, during which and once claimed that he did not age because then picked a fi ght with the internet, battling there might be seven changes a night. “time is a mind construct... It’s not real.” Sadly to keep his music off-line and removing it Like pop’s answer to Andy Warhol, he the years caught up and then overtook him in from streaming services. “The internet’s populated Paisley Park with starlets, pop the fast lane and at 57 he died far too young. completely over,” he prophesised somewhat wannabes, supermodels, girlfriends and But he was surely right that his timeless,

Picture credit: Shutterstock/Lenscap Photography (left-hand page) (left-hand Photography Shutterstock/Lenscap credit: Picture prematurely in 2010. “I don’t see why I should hangers on, shaping and directing the careers majestic music will live forever ●

Planet Earth (2007) 20Ten (2010) Art Official Age (2014) Given away at his ‘21 Nights Given away with the Daily Released simultaneously with In London’ residency and Mirror, which declared it was Plectrumelectrum, a lush, sexy, with the Mail On Sunday, “his best record since Sign O’ seductive electro-funk album tracks such as Guitar and The Times”. It wasn’t, but it has with a sci-fi theme that showed The One U Wanna C were its moments even though it he had lost none of his thrilling worth anyone’s money. lacks memorable songs. ability to surprise. 2008 2009 2010 2013 2014 2015

LOtUSFLOW3R and Plectrumelectrum (2014) HITnRUN Phase One (2015) MPLSºUND (2009) After the longest break HITnRUN Phase Two (2015) A triple-disc set of two albums between albums in his Of the two albums, Phase Two by Prince and the debut career, Prince re-emerged was the better release, full recording by his protege with the all-female rock trio of consistently engaging Bria Valente, featuring 3rdeyegirl, who toughened songs including the social plenty of heavy riffing. up his sound. commentary of Baltimore.

JULY 2016 105 THEKNOWLEDGE

TURNTABLES £330-£3,140 Essential turntables Five of the best decks to consider for spinning vinyl

hen the new shiny compact disc technology fi rst came along W back in the eighties, the death of vinyl was regarded as only a matter of time. Sure enough, musicians switched preference from shiny black discs to smaller silver ones and manufacturers slowly but surely wound down production of turntables. Jump forward to the current day and history has been tipped on its head as it’s now the indestructible shiny disc of yesteryear that is on the wane, AnalogueWorks Audio-Technica while vinyl is enjoying the sort of popularity it hasn’t experienced for many Zero+ AT-LP5 years. Suddenly, record sales are at a PRICE: £1,500 TELEPHONE: 01536 762211 PRICE: £330 TELEPHONE: 0113 2771441 20-year high, the album charts now refl ect WEB: analogueworks.co.uk REVIEWED: HFC 407 WEB: eu.audio-technica.com REVIEWED: HFC 405 vinyl sales and you can even pick up the black stuff while doing your grocery The smaller of three new models from Where most budget turntables tend to be belt shopping in your local supermarket. AnalogueWorks, the Zero+ is an unsuspended driven, the AT-LP5 bucks the trend and instead belt-drive design that claims to combine “best opts to go down the direct-drive path. But that’s In a spin engineering practices, common sense, careful not the only surprise it has up its sleeve. A built-in Regardless of the studio sound quality listening and a marriage of materials” and phono stage and a USB-B digital output ensure of hi-res audio and the ease of use that it who are we to argue? The gorgeous plinth that vinyl newcomers will not have to splash out offers, it seems that the British public can’t is constructed from layers of Finnish birch any extra cash to get the most from their records. get enough of the sound that the needle selected for its relative density and resonance The J-shaped arm has a detachable headshell, manages to extract from an LP groove and control, while the low-torque platter needs which is fitted with the AT95Ex MM cartridge in the tangibility of artwork that you can to be given a helping hand (literally) to get an AT-HS10 lightweight headshell for easy setup. actually touch rather than see on a screen. spinning. The tonearm is a Jelco SA-750DB The main body may be constructed from plastic, Better news still, is the fact that hi-fi and an Audio-Technica AT440MLB MM but it’s remarkably solid and well thought out. manufacturers are jumping onto the vinyl cartridge is also included in the bundle. The only notable absence is a dust cover, bandwagon, releasing turntables at a although you can purchase one separately for range of prices to suit both teenagers Sound quality an additional £24. looking to start their vinyl journey and This is a genuinely quiet turntable, with next more astute listeners willing to spend a to nothing in the way of mechanical noise Sound quality little more. Over the following pages we contributing to an incredibly low noise floor Pleasingly, there is no evidence of the gremlins pick some of the best turntables from a on the deck itself. There is a clear perception that so often bedevil direct-drive designs. The variety of price points to pass through of the position of the artist within the AT-LP5 is entirely free from rumble or any other HFC’s test lab. Overleaf you’ll fi nd our pick soundstage and the space around them, form of noise and music rises out of a silent and of the best accessories and essential advice while the impressive drive and attack gives utterly unobtrusive background. It achieves a on getting the most from your setup. the deck an enthusiastic quality that sounds pleasingly three-dimensional performance neither forced nor relentless. The relatively with the soundstage opening out and creating high mass of the Zero+ seems to make itself a believable relationship between voices and felt in the consistently deep and controlled instruments. It seems happiest when there’s a bass, which has plenty of impact without rhythm to get behind and there is a propulsive sounding sluggish or dominating. force to the way it makes music that is quite different to rivals. The bass response is usefully WE SAY: A well thought out and deep and has a level of detail and definition brilliantly implemented deck that about it that is rare at the price. As a device for delivers a superb performance ripping vinyl to a hard drive, its rapid start/stop characteristics – along with the easy cue arm – make it the ideal partner. WE SAY: A starter deck that delivers a consistently impressive performance at a highly competitive price point

106 JULY 2016 THEKNOWLEDGE

Correctly storing your record collection is vital to ensuring that it plays vertically at a stable temperature of around 7 to 10°C. Humidity is not a perfectly for years to come. Always keep your vinyl stood up vertically, major concern for vinyl, but the sleeves are likely to end up going soggy. side by side and not packed too tightly. Keeping the temperature stable More of a worry with damp conditions is mould growth, as this will result in is an important consideration. Rapid changes in temperature can cause surface dirt on the vinyl itself. Keep your discs in a polyethylene sleeve and HELP & warping. Normal room temperature of between 18 and 21°C is considered insert them into the album cover so that the open edge is uppermost to ADVICE to be ideal. Records that are in long-term storage should also be kept stood stop dust from entering through the opening and getting in the grooves.

Inspire Hi-fi Pro-Ject Rega Elevation RPM 9 Carbon Planar 3 PRICE: £3,140 TELEPHONE: 01246 268887 PRICE: £1,500 TELEPHONE: 01235 511166 PRICE: £625 TELEPHONE: 01702 333071 WEB: inspirehifi.co.uk REVIEWED: HFC 402 WEB: henleydesigns.co.uk REVIEWED: HFC 409 WEB: rega.co.uk REVIEWED: HFC 411

This unsuspended deck combines birch ply The RPM 9 Carbon sits towards the upper end The latest addition to Rega’s 3 family, the and acetyl to be as inert as possible. The birch of Pro-Ject’s impressive range of turntables Planar 3 has a stiffer and much-improved plinth forms the plinth and is built up over multiple and uses modern materials combined with an over the outgoing RP3. The bearing is also layers to produce a thick teardrop-shaped extra-heavy, mass-loaded sub-chassis that is reworked with a new brass central section that base that houses the motor, bearing and arm decoupled from its support surface using improves fit to lower the noise floor and reduce board. There are various options to veneer the magnetic feet. The teardrop-shaped plinth is stress on the bearing itself. This is in turn mated plinth should you wish to. On top of this sits a an advanced sandwich construction of MDF, with a new sub-platter that is stiffer and built 50mm-thick heavyweight acetyl platter, carbon fibre and steel pellets that has been to tighter tolerances than before. The new which doesn’t have a conventional spindle. subjected to a thermo treatment. The polished RB330 tonearm has been even more heavily The means of citing a record is done via a 7.2kg aluminium platter has a vinyl top and is reworked with a new bearing, housing, arm metal insert that drops onto an indentation fitted with an inverted ceramic main bearing tube and counterweight. The platter is still on top of the platter, which has its own designed to deliver stable speeds and very low made from glass, but is now 12mm thick and an spindle. This is then topped off by an rumble. It’s topped with a hard vinyl mat and a Elys 2 moving-magnet cartridge is included. unthreaded puck-type clamp. The deck is heavy (0.8kg) record clamp is also supplied. available without a tonearm for £1,390, but The deck is partnered with Pro-Ject’s 9CC Sound quality our review sample has a X100Mk2 arm and Evolution tonearm, which employs a conical In many ways, the sonic performance echoes Ortofon Cadenza Red MC cartridge fitted. carbon-fibre arm tube fitted with very flexible, the numerous aesthetic improvements that high-quality copper internal wiring. An have been made to the Planar 3. It sounds Sound quality optional Ortofon Quintet Black MC cartridge every bit like we’d expect a Rega deck to, With some high-mass turntables, the can be supplied for an additional £400. and yet simultaneously more capable and presentation can be a little dark with infectiously lively. It opens up traditionally tremendous low-end drive, but little in the Sound quality congested material without making it sound way of top-end sparkle. The Elevation bucks The RPM 9 Carbon is extremely adept at disjointed or confused, instead creating a this trend and sounds extremely open and extracting all of the subtle nuances of any disc sense of space and a soundstage where many airy. The result is a deck that never hides placed upon it. Instruments are well placed similarly priced rivals tend to struggle. The the impressive heft it can demonstrate, but within a soundstage that is both wide and consistency and ability are undoubtedly also ensures that it never becomes the extends a long way back, enabling the listener admirable, but what really impresses is that dominating feature. Music is delivered with to pick out individual instruments in the mix. the Planar 3 manages to impart very little of real impact, while the bass remains well The huge dynamic range is very evident, while itself into the overall performance. defined and impressively fast throughout. the Ortofon Quintet Black digs deep into the groove and mines every ounce of detail that’s WE SAY: It might be similar to what WE SAY: A well considered and very available. Completing the package, bass is has come before, but the Planar 3 potent turntable that will compliment meaty, tight and beautifully controlled. represents a huge leap forwards a range of different systems very well WE SAY: A stunningly modern-looking, high-quality turntable design that produces a very refined sound

JULY 2016 107 THEKNOWLEDGE

Turntable accessories Having treated yourself to the perfect deck on which to spin your vinyl, why not fine-tune it with this selection of invaluable add-ons...

VINYL PASSION DUST BUSTER £21 TELEPHONE: 01733 350878 WEBSITE: analogueseduction.net TESTED: HFC 377 The perfect way to remove dust and dirt from your cartridge. Simply dip the stylus into the polymer to give it a thorough clean.

HANA EH £276 PRO-JECT VC-S RECORD TELEPHONE: 01491 629629 CLEANING MACHINE £299 WEBSITE: airaudio.co.uk TELEPHONE: 01235 511166 TESTED: HFC 410 WEBSITE: henleydesigns.co.uk It might be harder to fit than most, TESTED: HFC 410 but this high-output MC cartridge is An affordable record cleaning worth the effort as it rewards with machine that’s easy to use and an exceptional sonic performance. provides exceptional results.

MILTY ZEROSTAT 3 £55 TELEPHONE: 01279 501111 GRAHAM SLEE GRAM AMP 2 COMMUNICATOR £180 WEBSITE: goldring.co.uk TELEPHONE: 01909 568739 TESTED: HFC 411 WEBSITE: gspaudio.co.uk The perfect solution to the perennial TESTED: HFC 407 problem of static that can be found With fast, detailed and involving sound, this is an extremely accomplished MM phono stage on records. Point at your record, pull that punches well above its weight, making it the perfect partner for your chosen turntable. the trigger and it’s gone. Easy!

108 JULY 2016 2 Xperience SB DC

Th e Ultimate Xperience

Th e 2 Xperience SB DC takes the core design principles Th e new motor is powered by the built-in automatic from one of our most popular turntables of recent years, speed control and fi nished with a precision-engineered and adds a variety of enhancements to achieve a new exposed pulley. performance standard. Th e established 9CC Evolution carbon fi bre tonearm, Th e striking plinth, available in four stylish fi nishes, is with advanced anti-resonance technology and pre- accented by the thick vinyl-topped platter, which spins installed Ortofon 2M Silver cartridge, completes the on a high-quality bearing and accommodates a light package to a true audiophile standard. screw-on record clamp. Available Now for £1,050.00 (UK SRP)

Distributed by Henley Designs Ltd. T: +44 (0)1235 511 166 | E: [email protected] | W: www.henleydesigns.co.uk THEKNOWLEDGE How to set up your turntable Our guide is here to help you ensure that your record player is perfectly aligned to give you the optimum performance from your vinyl

ne of the pleasures of owning a turntable is that care needs to O be taken to ensure that it runs correctly – this is not a plug-and- play device like a CD player. Fortunately, this is not as diffi cult as you might imagine and there are a number of inexpensive tools to assist you in every aspect of the process. Before considering any form of adjustment, it is important to make sure the turntable itself is level. The stylus is held in the groove entirely by gravitational force, and any imbalance means the downward force on it is not exactly perpendicular to the record. Most turntables are fi tted with adjustable feet and levelling is easily done using a spirit level. Place the level on the platter, to allow any variation in manufacturing tolerances to be adjusted out. A better solution is to use a level that fi ts over the central spindle, like Blue Horizon’s Prolevel tool (HFC 373). Toning up the tonearm Assuming your cartridge has been fi tted small paper shim between the cartridge and vinylengine.com/cartridge-alignment- according to the manufacturer’s instructions, the headshell will suffi ce. protractors.shtml). All you have to do is the next step is to set the tracking force. This The overhang and the angle of the cartridge decide which calculation model you wish to is usually done by setting both the tracking in the headshell are set using an alignment use. As long as you follow the instructions, force adjustment and the bias adjustment on protractor, sliding the cartridge forwards or you should achieve satisfactory results. the tonearm to zero and then moving the backwards and twisting it in the headshell so Once the cartridge is exactly where it counterbalance weight so that the arm is it lines up with the calibration marks on the should be in the headshell, it is time to set the perfectly horizontal. Make sure you remove gauge. The overhang is the difference tracking force. The markings on a tonearm any stylus protecting cover as this will affect are notoriously unreliable for making this the weight of the cartridge. Now set the It’s surprising how much adjustment force and the only way to do it tracking force adjustment on the tonearm to properly is to use a stylus balance. the correct value according to the cartridge fluff can accumulate The cartridge manufacturer will usually manufacturer. This is good enough to enable around the stylus specify a range for the tracking force, and the other adjustments to be made before the you should set the force to a value within tracking is set more accurately later. from airborne dust that range – but what value to use? A test Now we can align the cartridge. This record is useful for deciding this, but not involves setting the azimuth or vertical between the distance of the tonearm pivot essential. Usually records have a tracking alignment, the overhang and the angle of the from the centre spindle (which is fi xed for a ability test consisting of a tone recorded at cartridge in the headshell. given tonearm) and the distance of the increasing amplitudes, which can assist in Setting the azimuth simply involves making tonearm pivot to the stylus (which is known setting the tracking weight and bias. Too low sure the stylus is perpendicular to the record as the effective length). a tracking weight will result in poor tracking when the cartridge is viewed from the front. The calculations required to work out the and do more harm to your records than Placing a small mirror on the platter and optimum positioning of the cartridge are not erring on the high side, but don’t overdo it. gently lowering the stylus onto it will particularly straightforward. Fortunately, Tracking ability depends on your tonearm highlight any misalignment. If your headshell alignment protractors are available to help and cartridge combination. At very high does not have an adjustment for this, fi tting a (you can download a free one online from: levels of the test tone, your cartridge will

110 JULY 2016 THEKNOWLEDGE

start to miss-track and this will be indicated Start your by a buzzing sound. adjustments by setting up the The bias adjustment (sometimes referred to tonearm first as the anti-skating) exerts a small outward force to the tonearm to counteract the tendency of the arm to swing towards the centre of a record when playing. Usually, the tonearm’s bias adjuster has markings on it and you set it to the mark corresponding to the tracking force applied. However, if you have a test record, you can set the bias more accurately by the tracking ability test and when the point is reached when the cartridge starts to miss-track, there should be the same level of buzzing on both channels. The last adjustment to make is the tonearm height to set the Vertical Tracking Angle (VTA), which sets the Stylus Rake Angle (SRA) of the cartridge. The VTA is the angle of the cantilever to the record surface (usually around 20°), which in itself is not that critical. However, the SRA, which is the angle of the stylus in the groove, is vital and has a major impact on sound quality. The closer the SRA can be adjusted to match that of the original cutter head, the more Before tackling any unmistakable where the instruments and It’s surprising how quickly fl uff can form of adjustment, it vocals snap into focus and everything sounds accumulate around the stylus from airborne is important to set the clear. A simple gauge can be made using a dust after only playing a couple of sides – piece of card temporarily fi xed to the even with records that you thought were record straight turntable to help adjust the height and note scrupulously clean. With a carbon-fi bre or the position where the VTA is correct. fi ne hair stylus brush, the way to clean a information the stylus will retrieve from the stylus is to gently brush from the rear of groove. The VTA will vary depending on the Keep it clean the cartridge forwards towards the front. tracking weight, so it is important to set this Having taken the time to set everything up Occasionally, the cantilever and cartridge before attempting to adjust the VTA. The VTA correctly, it is important to keep everything underside may also require a gentle brush. is adjusted by altering the height of the arm as clean as possible. Apart from cleaning the Another favourite cleaning method is to use (which may be via an adjuster built into the record playing surface using a wet cleaner or a stylus cleaning putty or cleaning substance tonearm or by adding or removing shims record cleaning machine of some sort, we where the stylus is gently lowered into the from the tonearm mount), and the correct recommend cleaning off any dust before cleaner to remove the dirt. point is best determined by ear. A good every play. There are many cloth and brush The fi nal thing to mention is the turntable starting point is to set the arm height so that accessories available for this purpose, but main bearing. Many bearings require some it is parallel to the record when it is playing we prefer using a carbon fi bre brush. And form of lubrication and they will also require and to choose a well-known record with remember that if you buy second-hand occasional cleaning, the frequency of which some bass and either a solo violin or a female records it’s always a good idea to give them will depend on use. It’s a good idea to clean vocalist. If the arm is too high (VTA too a thorough wet clean before playing. Always these once a year and replace the bearing oil. great), the sound will be harsh and thin replace the inner sleeve with a polyethylene A special high-performance oil of the correct with poor imaging. If set too low, it will be or paper and polyethylene product to avoid viscosity for your bearing needs to be used, dull with ‘boomy’ bass, lacking detail and re-contaminating the cleaned record from and you’ll fi nd oils specifi cally blended for with poor imaging. The correct point is any residual dirt left inside the old sleeve. this purpose available from your turntable manufacturer and audio accessory supplier. As modern bearings are high tolerance, a Pro-Ject’s Test records completely lint-free cloth should be used to Align-IT for setting avoid any risk of leaving debris in the central protractor tracking force (HFC 370) bearing or around the central spindle. It’s important to be aware that some bearings have a small ball bearing inside, so be careful if you plan to turn your deck upside down to clean it. So there you have it, we told you it wouldn’t be too complicated. Setting up your turntable may appear initially daunting, but if you carefully carry out the steps in a methodical fashion, you will be rewarded with superb sound from your record deck for years to come. But don’t take out word for it, go and fi nd out for yourself ●

JULY 2016 111

EXTRAS

The Chord Company Shawline analogue interconnects

NAMED TO HONOUR a late I connect the Shawlines associate of The Chord Company between my preamp and – David Shaw – these interconnects monoblocks. I decide to make use of the Tuned ARAY cable start off listening with conductor geometry that was some rock music and turn originally developed for the to the unmistakable voice company’s premium Sarum range. of the late David Bowie The Shawline is £200 in the singing Love Is Lost. Vocals standard 1m length and fi tted with are splendidly clear and silver-plated Chord VEE 3 RCA expressive and the terminations, but it can be made to Shawlines never allow other lengths at £80 per additional the voice to become metre. It is also available with The submerged in the drums Chord Co.’s new lightweight DIN or guitar accompaniment. connections for an extra £25 or with DETAILS Neutrik XLR plugs for an extra £50. Chariots of fire and commanding the orchestra in the PRICE The conductors are silver-plated Next up is a fantastic Decca recording frenzied activity. The trumpets sound £200 for a 1m pair and the construction of the Tuned on vinyl of Khachaturian’s Spartacus robust and imperious and the TELEPHONE ARAY means that they are hand with the famed composer conducting percussion section is crystal clear. 01980 625700 WEBSITE assembled. The cables are the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The Shawlines are really top-class chord.co.uk directional and this is clearly The performance is superbly full and interconnects whose performance indicated by an arrow that’s been powerful. I am given a real sense of makes them stand out from the OUR VERDICT printed on the heatshrink at one end chariots charging around with the crowd. Give them an audition and of each interconnect. authoritative drums beating away hear for yourself. NR iFi Audio iPurifier2 USB purifier

AS MORE PEOPLE use their computer as a source for playing digital audio fi les, the quality of the USB connection to the DAC is becoming increasingly important. Although DACs have error-correction circuitry built-in, it is wise to minimise any jitter before it gets to it and the iPurifi er2 is an active asynchronous digital audio purifi er that does precisely that. It is fi tted with a USB Type B for connection to as the signal lines – all very important result is that the cello sounds the DAC, and a B-to-A adapter is also as the USB ports in a computer are slightly smoother and the over-all included. At the other end of the shared with a wide variety of performance is more rounded. DETAILS iPurifi er, there is a multifunction USB externally connected components. With a fuller orchestral performance PRICE Type B and Mini socket for connecting of Stephen Hough and the £89 to the USB cable from the computer. Pure gold Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra TELEPHONE It cleans up the USB signal and I connect the iPurifi er2 to an Alpha playing Rachmaninov’s Piano 01900 601954 attempts to eliminate jitter by Design Labs GT40a DAC (HFC 407) Concerto No.1, the iPurifi er2 reveals WEBSITE selectaudio.co.uk re-clocking the digital signal, and plug in a lead from one of the a more open presentation with restoring its integrity using an active USB ports of my PC. I start off with a added energy and refi nement. This OUR VERDICT noise cancellation circuit, and FLAC recording of Yo-Yo Ma playing demonstrates that the device does reducing frame and packet noise. It the Prelude from Suite No.1 for indeed work really well and is great also cleans up the power lines as well Unaccompanied Cello by JS Bach. The value for computer audio fans. NR

JULY 2016 113 HIGH-PERFORMANCE SOUND & VISION IN EVERY ISSUE: Kit reviews, movies and TV, accessories, systems, insight, opinion, competitions & more

Helping you make the most of your home cinema OUT NOW!

■ WWW.HOMECINEMACHOICE.COM ■ FACEBOOK.COM/HOMECINEMACHOICE ■ @HCCMAG EXTRAS

Black Rhodium Foxtrot speaker cables

HAND MADE AT Black Rhodium’s factory in Derby, the Foxtrot has RFI noise reduction technology to limit the effects of interference generated from computer networks, radios, mobile phones and even central heating systems. Each conductor comprises 16 x 0.2mm diameter plated copper wires, resulting in a conductor of 6mm diameter. The conductors are insulated in silicone rubber of 1.2mm thickness. Gold-plated Z plugs have been fi tted to the cables and cable direction is printed on the sleeving at each end. The cable is very fl exible making it easy to fi t around the perimeter of carpets for a tidy installation. After giving the Foxtrots a good running in, I start off by listening to Stravinsky’s The Firebird Suite, performed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. There is an extremely deep and extended drum roll during the opening sequence that tends to be most noticeable when it pauses for a few bars before starting again. During this pause I become aware other guests. Overall, the music is Street. The bass and drums are that the very deep rumbling has both intimate in the quieter sections punchy, clear and well extended. stopped. When it is there, it is and stately with great dynamics than The guitars take a back seat with this almost felt rather than heard, and I I am used to with this recording. recording and the theme is played have a sense that the Foxtrots are The forceful opening of the fi rst on a synthesiser. These instruments perfectly conveying the power and movement of Rimsky-Korsakov’s blend together perfectly to create a fullness of this drum roll. Further Scheherazade has a rapid change of relaxed atmospheric. into the recording, the twittering of mood when the solo violin takes over the strings is so clear and crisp that I the piece to commence the ocean Space is the place can almost identify the individual voyage. It is clear and not at all edgy. I round off proceedings with Ane violins playing in the orchestra. The piece then builds to a climax with Brun singing These Days. The deep the whole orchestra playing, creating a bass and organ that accompany her Love at first sight sound that is full, luscious and refi ned. singing are well positioned behind Prokofi ev’s Romeo and Juliet, played Cooling things down with Scarlatti’s her. When the echo on her voice is by the London Symphony Orchestra Sonata in G major played on the added as the piece progresses, I get a under the baton of André Previn, harpsichord, I am really drawn into real sense of spaciousness, as though demonstrates the excellent full the performance with the intimate I am listening in a large hall, rather sound presentation that is playing of George Malcolm. The than in my sitting room. transported to my speakers. The DETAILS silences between the phrases are inky The very affordable Foxtrots minuet in act one, scene two marks PRICE black indicating that the noise fl oor is certainly deliver a delightfully open the arrival of the guests. The sudden £275 for a 3m pair kept low, while I also sense that the and effortless sound from my changes of mood throughout are TELEPHONE musical edges are well defi ned, and system. Vocals have plenty of detail beautifully rendered, from the loud 01332 342233 the natural decays of each note of the and all the nuances of expression sections heralding the triumphal WEBSITE harpsichord add to the overall realism are very evident. Imaging and timing blackrhodium.co.uk entry of each new visitor to the of the reproduction. are also both excellent. This is a delicate detail of the gentler OUR VERDICT For a complete change of musical very sophisticated-sounding set of passages that paint a musical picture genre, I turn to some Pink Floyd speaker cables and gets a well- of the visitors mingling with the and a recent recording of On Noodle deserved fi ve stars. NR

JULY 2016 115 EXTRAS

Atlas Element Integra interconnects

STARTING FROM THE centre cable without compressing and working out, the Element it, which could alter its Integra uses Ohno Continuous electrical properties. The Casting copper (OCC) for its central outer coaxial connection conductor, which is insulated with is made by means of four a low-loss porous polyethylene asymmetrical sleeves that are dielectric (PEF). The outer sprung and so spread out on conductor employs a braided copper insertion into the socket. This and aluminium foil to screen out assists in cleaning the plug to radio frequency interference (RFI). socket interface every time the The cable is terminated with Atlas’ plug is inserted. Integra non-magnetic RCA plugs, which use solder-free, cold-weld Flexible friend interfaces between the OFC The cable is well made and very stranded conductors and the plug fl exible, which makes it perfect for DETAILS connectors to provide a high- fi tting around the back of equipment. The sound is very well balanced PRICE integrity connection. The plug cover Atlas cables are directional and so with no particular emphasis of any £45 for 1m is a non-magnetic polycarbonate it’s recommend that you run the frequency band. Strings are smooth TELEPHONE sleeve that Atlas considers to be cable in for around 72 hours at and fl owing while bass is taught and 01563 572666 WEBSITE preferable to metal as it eliminates room temperature for best results. well controlled. The plugs are a good atlascables.com the negative issues that can arise After running in, I play a variety fi t in all the equipment I try them when an RCA plug’s metal sheath of recordings and discover that the with. The Element Integra represents OUR VERDICT is in the signal path. The plug also Element Integra works extremely excellent value for money and so incorporates brackets that grip the well across a wide range of genres. comes highly recommended. NR

MCRU Mains Filtration Plug

THIS MAINS FILTRATION plug is in the gigahertz built into a ‘wall-wart’ plug unit and range, as well as effectively provides two functions. in houses that use Firstly, it is a mains interference fi lter ‘Ethernet-over- to keep harmful radio-frequency mains’ computer interference (RFI) away from your networking. The equipment, while secondly it offers RFI generated by 4,000 amps of surge protection to networks can not shield your equipment from mains- only come from borne power spikes. It can be used your own network, either plugged into a spare socket but also from your near your hi-fi or it can be placed neighbours. Of close to a potential source of course, the fi lter does not interfere in interference, such as a refrigerator or any way with the operation of these aware of a perceptible reduction DETAILS microwave oven. networks, it simply absorbs the RFI. in the background noise fl oor, PRICE By repeatedly inserting and making silences blacker, resulting £65 Plug and play removing the Mains Filtration Plug in in a cleaner and purer sound. TELEPHONE When plugged into a socket by your my audio system, its effects are easy Furthermore, there are no tell-tale 07908 056978 audio system, it fi lters out the to hear. When I play some Italian clicks and pops from mains-borne WEBSITE mcru.co.uk mains-borne noise by effectively baroque music with the fi lter fi tted, I interference, making it a worthwhile creating a ‘quiet area’ around your notice some edginess associated with purchase and, at the price (MCRU OUR VERDICT setup. The device can be particularly strings seems to be cleaned up and has knocked 10 percent off at press useful in buildings with wireless the music becomes more musical, time), represents a good value computer networks, as these operate mellow and effortless. I am also add-on for any hi-fi system. NR

116 JULY 2016

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He discusses analogue, streaming and synths with Rob Lane

ne of the pioneers of synth pop and co-founder possible after that initial fl urry of quality, and it “all of both The Human League and Heaven 17, became less and less current fl owing through the system O Martyn Ware is lauded as one of the UK’s most and more and more profi t optimisation – and less quality”, infl uential musicians and producers – with superseded by the perceived convenience of jumping H17’s sound informing many of today’s acts. Currently straight to a track and randomising. touring as part of a fi ve-piece Heaven 17, including Martyn’s fi rst experience with hi-fi was, like so many of original vocalist Glenn Gregory – Martyn is working on us, via his parent’s Dansette auto-changing mono deck, the band’s forthcoming album, available initially as a which gave him his fi rst taste of music, mainly via his double A-side 12in vinyl – something he’s very proud of. sisters’ vinyl purchases. “It’s only happening on vinyl – not in digital format,” he “I’ve got two sisters: 20 years and 10 years older than explains. “We don’t want it freely available. Once you stop me. Growing up in the sixties they had big record believing in the marketing and commercial benefi ts of collections and we had loads of records in the house. We being widely distributed, then it is a very liberating thing. were a poor family, but we loved music. We had fi ve books So, every sale we make will go directly to our website: no and about 500 records! At the time we were a music aggregators, no distributors, nothing! That’s the only place loving family – much more so than TV or anything else. you’ll be able to get it – or at our gigs.” That was our main form of entertainment.” Martyn has always had an interest in the quality of sound, but he’s realistic that today most people don’t listen Musical inspiration to music on a decent hi-fi system, or if they do it’s often Martyn’s early infl uences were The Beatles, Manfred encoded badly into MP3, where “all the subtleties and Mann and Herman’s Hermits, but it was his sisters’ nuances are lost”. However, he believes that there is no Motown collections that had the biggest impact, along with right or wrong with sound and that the emotional soundtrack music from the likes of Rodgers & Hammerstein. engagement is ultimately more important. He also loved pirate radio stations, mainly Luxembourg, “It’s not about seeking the holy grail of reproduction which he could “just about” get in Sheffi eld. – which was perhaps the original intention of hi-fi – for Another early infl uence was Anthony Newley’s me it’s what engages you most emotionally. There are 1959 release, Idle On Parade. “There was lots of things I’ve got on all formats, and you can do something about the weirdness of that track that comparative test of course, but all I’m really interested I really liked and the whole story-telling aspect. in is the emotion. The artefact of vinyl – the very fact Looking back I’ve always been obsessed of it – is just something we grew to love. It is all with story-telling tracks: stuff that preference; there’s no right and wrong. That painted vivid pictures in your said, vinyl mastering is an art. imagination from a spoken narrative “But there again, people forget: it’s a point of view.” reductionist process going onto vinyl too. But Martyn’s infl uences were to It’s just that we love the sound of it, broaden, and he admits to having love the limitations of vinyl – I do unusually eclectic tastes, which have anyway. I always used to think records informed his craft over the years. don’t really sound like records unless “I’ve always loved all sorts of they’re on vinyl, and I still feel that music: experimental music, really. There’s something about the classic, electronic, disco, prog smooth analogue interpolation of rock, hard rock, metal. I’m not the peaks and troughs, and the exaggerating; I probably dynamics and everything.” pre-fi gured the general Martyn was a big fan of CD eclecticism of the current iPod when it was initially launched, generation! I always said to “mainly because the D/A people that I have a sense of when converters in the original Sony stuff is written and created from the machines sounded great, taking soul – and hopefully executed with the information and blasting it that same intention. That goes back out in a beautiful form”. But, he to my preference of emotion over believes, manufacturers started sound quality: when listening to, making CD players as cheaply as as opposed to producing music.”

118 JULY 2016 INTERVIEW MARTYN WARE

BOILING POINT

“Kids today are growing up in a Today’s music is mostly landscape that we can’t possibly retreads but I do like people comprehend, where music who keep pushing the has no monetary value. It’s boundaries. I’m not a lot more difficult for interested in tiny, tiny younger people to define changes on what’s their personalities by the already successful – just notion of collecting music. doesn’t interest me: I’ve You used to be able to go got better things to do around someone’s house with my listening time. and look at their record The very notion of collection and have a pretty owning stuff in terms of good insight into the workings media and music is of their mind; you can’t do that ridiculous now, of course. with peoples’ iTunes collections. The expectation is 100% You can’t discern their personalities from streamability: everything, all the time, that; there’s too much on demand. That means there’s no point in to pick from. owning anything; what’s the point?! Today’s youth don’t see music as having The analogy I use is if you have a corner any value, so why would they traipse out in shop selling newspapers, and the same the rain with their pocket money to buy an papers are outside the shop for free, what LP when they can stream it, probably for are you going to do? You aren’t going to go free? My generation used to tape records in and buy them are you? And that’s where off friends, of course, but it would the whole streaming notion falls down. So, encourage us to buy; to collect. But we if you’re mentioned in the newspaper they are the last generation to do that, to be might go back and buy one next time, yes? that engaged. No they won’t! They’ll just keep picking I don’t generally buy music these days – I more free ones in the future. That’s the listen on Spotify or Youtube, so I guess that essential flaw of logic for artists with makes me a bit of a hypocrite! I’m so busy regard to Spotify. doing stuff I don’t really have time to listen Part of the justification of the whole hi-fi to music – just happy to rest in between! In world is, I believe, this comparison thing any case, my tastes are so enormously and to be honest I find it a little bit specious eclectic it’s difficult to explain. I have no because I think it’s really down to what you functioning turntable at the moment. I still like. That said, there’s no excuse for saying have all my old vinyl collection and still ‘I prefer a cassette’ – that’s going too far! collect vinyl though – like so many other But there’s a certain subjectivity that has to people with no means to play it; vinyl is that be factored into the whole thing. much of an artifact! I’m mates with Vince Clarke. He used to I cannot remember the last time I bought live in Chertsey and when he moved in he a CD. In fact, I did a charity project in bought an insanely expensive hi-fi – £100k Zimbabwe where they had a DVD/CD player – but it sounded so terrible because the for their community centre; I gave them house was made of metal and glass. That’s all my DVDs and CDs. With no internet the lesson – it’s all about the listening connection they couldn’t stream anything, environment; THEN start thinking about of course. the equipment you put in it!“

Martyn’s Desert Island Discs selection would include: appreciates decent sound. “I understand fi ne sound, and Bowie, Zappa, David Bowie’s Young Americans or Diamond Dogs; the fi rst I’ve worked in some of the most expensive and prestigious Donna Summer and Quincy – just Roxy LP; Kraftwork’s Trans-Europe Express; 200 Motels by studios in the world – but I still think it’s all about content. some of Martyn’s Frank Zappa; Donna Summer’s Greatest Hits; A Clockwork What is annoying though is when you go to an enormous early influences Orange soundtrack and Quincy Jones’ Sounds And Stuff amount of trouble making something sound amazing Like That!! But he’s also very fond of Heaven 17’s fi rst and then most people don’t listen to things on a decent three albums, and if he had to pick one it would be How system anyway! I guess I’ve kind of contradicted myself Men Are from 1984 – released a year after the highly a bit there!” successful Luxury Gap. “How Men Are is underrated. We put a lot of effort, into What next? it. It was the fi rst LP I mastered onto digital so there was Ultimately, Martyn sees the future of music – and by only residual noise beneath the music – total silence between defi nition the kit that plays it – as being somewhat niche; the tracks. It was just the most beautiful sonic experience somewhat at odds with today’s audio landscape “where and the thought that I’d had something to do with making music has no monetary value”. it just blew me away. From a sound experience point of “I would really like to get hold of a vinyl lathe, where view I think it’s an extraordinary piece of work.” you can just run it as a cottage industry. That appeals to Martyn’s fi rst hi-fi purchases of note coincided with him me greatly: doing endless limited editions that only exist buying his own pad in London, and although his memory in the vinyl format. That’s the future. I’m serious! If you’re is eroded, he recollects a Quad 404 power amp and KEF not going to have any enormous distribution networks, I’d speakers. He owned some Electrostatic speakers, but “fell rather there was a value in the rarity of what’s available. out of love with them because they didn’t have enough “Artefacts like vinyl offer value – which is why the format bottom end!” He also owned a Rega Planar turntable is doing so well – but the streaming-for-free sonic – although can’t remember which one. experience young people enjoy today has no perceived “I’ve never obsessed over gear. In fact, the only synths value; it’s just like switching the radio on.” I’ve kept are my Roland System 100 and my Korg 700. I’m True fans of Heaven 17 are unlikely to choose streaming not really that much of a technologically obsessed person.” to consume the band’s oeuvre, and the new LP’s vinyl-only He does admit he’s lucky though, sponsored by B&W/ release is in keeping with Martyn’s desire to see music in Rotel, with “fantastic” speakers at home and in the studio, “artefact” form. It remains to be seen if his next LP will be as well as Genelec nearfi eld monitors, and although he’s pressed in his very own short-run plant, perhaps behind “more interested in usability than sound quality”, Martyn his studio next to the kitchen.

JULY 2016 119 COMPETITION

WIN: KEF speakers, a wireless music system and more KEF’s generosity knows no bounds, meaning you can win plenty of goodies

hen it comes to choosing how to forming KEF’s patented Uni-Q array, which tonal balance that really has to be heard to listen to your favourite music makes music appear to come from a be believed. Ever so slightly warm, the W there are a number of different single-point source. Sensitivity is rated at LS50 doesn’t dry out recordings, instead options available. You can go 85dB. The Titanium Grey cabinet is allowing instruments to be heard in their with a traditional loudspeaker hooked up to beautifully detailed and has a fi nish that full glory, and this also extends to vocals. A your system via cables, you can go down the looks far more expensive than you’d expect neutral performer, it throws out plenty of wi-fi route with a digital music system, you for its £800 price tag. The front baffl e is fi ne detail and is really good at conveying can stream your sounds to a Bluetooth curved and made from a special polyester the gaps between the beats in the speaker or you can lose yourself in a world resin combined with glass fi bre and calcium soundstage – giving it real clarity and of your own and put on a pair of carbonate, and the rear is home to a rather making for a rhythmically satisfying feel. headphones. This month, the kind folk at unconventional-looking bass port as well as This month’s runner up will receive KEF’s KEF offer up a prize for each of these single-wire speaker terminals. extraordinary £350 EGG Wireless Digital eventualities, meaning that no matter what Music System (HFC 410), which sees way you choose to listen, you can be sure of Larger-than-life the company’s excellent home cinema great sound quality. When we tested the LS50 back in HFC 384 champion reworked as a superb desktop The fi rst prize in our bumper giveaway is we couldn’t believe just how big it sounded, stereo system. The second runner up the rather gorgeous LS50 standmount throwing instruments wide into the listening pulled from the hat will be able to enjoy loudspeaker. With its 130mm rose gold- room and giving that uncanny feeling of the Bluetooth audio, thanks to the £300 MUO coloured magnesium/aluminium coned sound hovering out in space, completely wireless speaker and the third will receive mid/bass driver it makes a bold statement. detached from the speaker. Soundstaging is a pair of M400 on-ear headphones, worth Set into this is a 25mm aluminium tweeter quite superb, providing an even, uniform £150. Good luck!

120 JULY 2016 COMPETITION

EGG Wireless Digital MUO portable Music System Bluetooth speaker Derived from KEF’s latest 5.1 satellite and subwoofer Taking its design cues from the manufacturer’s system and fitted with the same Uni-Q 115mm mid/ slightly more expensive £140,000 Muon bass driver with 19mm tweeter, this £350 active loudspeaker, this £300 portable Bluetooth speaker stereo setup really impressed us back in HFC 410. features a miniature version of the Uni-Q drivers The desktop system is unfussy about placement, has used in the Muon, Blade and Reference speakers no a good selection of inputs and stunning sonic less, and is a great third prize. performance, making it a fantastic second prize.

TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE OF WINNING, ANSWER THIS SIMPLE QUESTION: What KEF loudspeaker is the MUO’s design based upon? M400 on-ear headphone A) Blade Lastly, the M400 on-ear headphone majors on comfort, thanks to its sumptuous memory foam B) Reference pads. Featuring a 40mm neodymium driver and a foldable design, the £150 model is perfectly C) Muon equipped for listening to your favourite music on the move – something that’s further assisted by its impressive noise isolation and 175g weight.

HOW TO ENTER: Visit our website at www.hifichoice.co.uk/competitions and follow the instructions to enter To submit your entry to the KEF competition, simply register using the online form and provide your answer to the question shown above. Please ensure you complete all required fields, including your email address, telephone number (including area TERMS & CONDITIONS code) and postal address. We regret we cannot take postal entrants. 1. No purchase is necessary to enter a Competition. 2. Entrants must be over 18 years old and resident in Arrangements for the fulfilment of prizes may be made by a third-party sponsor. AVTech Media & the United Kingdom. 3. Employees of AVTech Media My Time Media reserve the right in its sole discretion to substitute any and all prizes with prizes of or My Time Media and companies supplying comparable value. By entering a Competition, if you are a winner, you grant permission to use competition prizes are not eligible to enter. 4. All prizes are non-transferrable and no cash or credit your name and likeness for advertising and future promotional purposes. For full privacy policy and alternatives will be offered. 5. The editor’s decision terms and conditions, visit www.hifichoice.co.uk/terms is final. The closing date is 13 July 2016.

JULY 2016 121 Reader Classified ads www.hifichoice.co.uk

and well looked after with remote controls and manuals. £400: 07860 277177 or email johnflatman@ btinternet.com (Suffolk). QUADRAL Chromium Style For saleFor / Wanted 8 floorstanding loudspeakers (black), 15 hours use £1,200 (£1,750). Buyer collects: 07748 118310 or 0191 KEF VR300 speakers, two 2815482. (Newcastle upon Reader years old. Walnut finish. Tyne) Excellent condition. £999 new £495. Pick up or can TRIANGLE Zephyr XS deliver: 07843496818 floorstanding speakers, 91dB or email: Ian.patten@ sensitivity. Slight paint marks hotmail.com on both. Buyer collects: Classified (Essex/London) . 01132 933478 or email Welcome to Hi-Fi Choice Reader Classified, julianbedford63@icloud. cable 5m pair terminated both com (Leeds). a free private ads service for buying and ends with spade connectors, YAMAHA AMP-501, Monitor including matching jumper Audio BX2 speakers, Denon selling second-hand hi-fi components. leads for bi-wiring £175 plus DCD-F109 mini system, Denon 520 amp. Buyer These pages are a must-read if you’re The simplest way to send your ad is via P&P (£475): 01202 515474 collect, open to offers: 01977 thinking about buying used kit, or if you email to: [email protected] or mail: or email: johnlangley17@ 695385 (West Yorkshire). have hi-fi you want to sell. It’s free – simply Reader Classified, Hi-Fi Choice, talktalk.net (Bournemouth). submit your ad of up to 50 words (we will AVTech Media Ltd, Enterprise House, RUSS ANDREWS Jumbo GARRARD 401, Rega edit them if not), remembering to include Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent, oak cones, four sets of three, RB250 O/L rear stub, Linn your email, phone number and county. TN8 6HF. painted black with locking K9 cartridge spare stylus. bolts. RRP £132, £60 ono inc Assembled on plinth. £650. This service is open to private advertisers only. Just one ad per household. Buyer collects: 01494 Images are for illustration only and do not represent what is for sale postage: 01902 884694 or email: jukey39@yahoo. 451089 (High Wycombe). FOR SALE co.uk (West Midlands). B&W PV1D active 400W DSP subwoofer, B&W CM two-way MUSICAL FIDELITY A3.2 WILSON BENESCH boxed, mint. £6,000 new, ash plinth. £650 ono. centre speaker 120W. Both RDS TUNER £290 British Square Two floorstanders. accept £3,000. Can post KEF Reference model 1.2. white satin finish, unmarked, built, boxed and without New series 2 with flush mount ParcelForce: 07833 894242 Rosewood £400 ono. Both factory boxes and instructions blemish. Covered and kept drivers – brand new, never or email: redeye@talktalk. in good condition. Can demo £850: 01908 376966 clean since unboxing. Very used and still in unopened net (Isle of Wight). speakers. Collection only: (Buckingham). 07743 364076 or email: carefully and lightly used. boxes. Beautiful burr walnut, TRICHORD Diablo MM/MC ART AUDIO Concerto Mk [email protected] Looks good. Sounds good: and lovely detailed sound. List phono stage VGC, £325. Rega 2 valve power amp, 60W (Teeside). 07500 804700 or email: £3,000, asking £2,300. Won’t Ear MK1 headphone amplifier, imeldayates@hotmail. per channel, cost £3K new post – pick up or possible VGC, £65. Atlas Elektra All Cu MONITOR AUDIO Gold com. £1,500. Quad 909 power delivery: 07740 961647. RCA I/c, 1m pair £95, Atlas Reference 20 in cherry. amp, boxed £550: 01225 GARRARD 401 with Rega Ascent Ultra digital I/c, 1m £75 Beautiful sounding speakers 706783 (Wiltshire). AUDIOLAB 8000P RB300 and Goldring 1042. (costs £170). Chord Cadenza owned from new and lovingly Chinese version, very, very Ready to use. £1,200. DIY FOCAL Electra 1027BE RCA I/c, 1m pair, VGC, £80. All cared for. Come with original decent power amplifier, good power supply for Class A speakers (burgundy). boxed in original packaging: packaging, tool kit and condition £170 ono (black amps ie JLH 1969/1996, Excellent condition with 01494 521359 or email: manual. (RRP £1,500) £400 version): 01484 427426 £300: 0207 4998729. original boxes (£4,000) (West Yorkshire). richard.schofield@kcl. ono. Cash on collection only: £1,500 ono. Buyer collects: ac.uk (Bucks). 07500 767281 (Bucks). NAIM Nait XS amplifier, as 07913 236601 or email: RESOLUTION AUDIO new boxed, accept £800. PIONEER A-91 D Reference/ [email protected] Cantata. Superb top-end NEAT Motive 1 floorstander Buyer to collect, can loudspeakers in cherry wood. Elite/Urushi integrated amp, (Essex). digital hub with outstanding deliver if local: 07583 analogue, digital and phono CD player, DAC, preamp, Excellent condition £475 ono: 078744 (Notts/Derby area). HEED Obelisk Si Mk3 inputs £650. Rogers Studio streamer. Mark 2 version with 078167 58688 (London). amplifier plus dedicated 1 speakers in teak £500. CYRUS CD6 black, very latest firmware. Hardly used, TOWNSHEND Elite Sx power supply. Latest Tannoy Chevening 10in HPD good condition with remote with remote, manual, leads, Rock 2, Merlin PSU, black version with increased speakers in teak, plus custom £100: 07730 477564 (West power output. In Something Solid stands Midlands). immaculate condition £550. All items in excellent AUDIO PHYSIC Virgo 5 comes fully boxed .Cost condition: 07857 353606 speakers in maple, complete £2,000 new will accept or email: Deakin04@ with original packaging, £1,000: 01934 521621 or btinternet.com (Surrey). excellent condition £1,950: email: [email protected]. RUSS ANDREWS 01243 582411 (Sussex). NAIM NAP 135 power amp Zapperators two pairs £65 per CYRUS 8VS & PSX-R in pair. Olive. Consecutive AUDIOLAB M-DAC. Black. Boxed. £249: 02392 453382 pair plus P&P (£148 per pair). black. Both in excellent serial number pair. (132xxx). or email: [email protected] (Hants). Cardas Quadlink speaker condition. Owned from new Superb condition. Original

BUYING TIPS BUYING SECOND-HAND can be a great way to pick up a bargain. A formerly expensive second-hand component might well prove a better long-term bet than a brand-new product if the price is right. DO SOME RESEARCH on which brands have a good service back up, so if something does go wrong, you can get it fixed. Unless you purchase from a dealer, you’re unlikely to get any warranty, so it’s up to you to ensure the fitness of any gear that you buy. USUALLY speakers should be less prone to breakdown than amps, and amps should be more reliable than CD players. But any abused component could be trouble – have a proper demo and judge the seller as well as the goods!

122 JULY 2016 Reader Classified ads

boxes, interconnects and use £650 each or £1,800 £200, Thorens TD125-MK2, mains leads. Serviced 2011 for all three: 07917 591327 SME 3009 MK Improved, (cost £550). Naim authorised. (Abbey Wood, London). Grado Prestige Black, Invoices. £1,825 ono: 01315 DENSON Beat 400+ CD great example £495, 380013 (Midlothian). player, Sony Professional Pro-Ject Phono Box SE MM/ ATC SCM12 high- Walkman cassette player MC, mint £50. Buyer to performance passive recorder £120 ono: 01623 collect: 01371 850665 or monitors. Classic two-way 230472 (Ashfield, Notts). email: garyrobinson20@ btinternet.com. sealed units. Capable PROAC Response 2.5 of outstanding levels of speakers in mahogany, as SPENDOR SP2 (oiled reproduction. Recommended new with original boxes £790: walnut) and stands. power 50W to 300W. RRP 07851 190312 (Stafford). Downsizing of home very £1,100 will sell for £800: reluctantly forces the sale 01243 528010 (Sussex). NORDOST Blue Heaven 2m of my much loved SP2s. pair of speaker cables, bargain REGA Planar 2 with Linn £350. Buyer collects: at £100 ono: 01484 427426 07814704344, or email K9 cartridge. New drive belt (Huddersfield). and boxed with all papers. [email protected] £75. Buyer collects. Email: CREEK Evolution 5350 amp (South Yorkshire). andrew.donald.smith@ £425 boxed, Creek Evolution AUDIO PHYSIC Tempo III gmail.com (Hertfordshire). 2 CDP £175. Both silver, both loudspeakers in light oak, no remotes, power leads. Superb visible marks, boxes available KUBALA-SOSNA combination, selling due to Expression speaker cable. and factory cards. £800. upgradeitis: 07903578225 1.5m stereo pair. Locking Buyer to collect: 07930 or email: dibster1@yahoo. banana plugs at amp, spade 397120 or email: david. co.uk (Salford, Manchester). connectors at speaker. Cost [email protected]. new £1,840, asking £1,000. KEF Q100 speakers. Walnut A.N.T. AUDIO Kora 3T Metrum Acoustics Hex DAC finish. Brand new. £300. Special Edition moving-coil with USB module. Cost new Would prefer buyer to collect: phono preamplifier with £2,500, asking £1,500: 01702 520063 or email: upgraded Timestep power 01296 437314 [email protected] supply. Excellent condition (Aylesbury, Bucks). (Essex). and original packaging. NAIM Flat Cap power YAMAHA NS10-M Studio Selling due to recent upgrade. supply. Little used. £150: loudpspeakers, VGC £350, Buyer to collect £295: 01257 07785 724849. (South JBL L88 large monitors VGC 450706 (Chorley, Lancs). Oxfordshire). NORDOST Blue Heaven Rev 2, 4m pair of speaker cables £375. Leema Pulse amp £750. Leema Pulse CD player £700. Sonneteer Campion amp £750: 07443 859527 (Huddersfield). Asimi Ultra MUSICAL FIDELITY A5 cr KRELL S-350a CD Player/DAC, with Esoteric Transport: preamp and 2x A5 cr power £1,195. RRP £2,750: 07748485668 or email pbjernkl@ amps. All boxed, remote and Interconnect yahoo.co.uk (London). manuals, mint condition, little

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REGA PLANAR 2 The second turntable from the UK brand in recent months is a new version of its most famous vinyl deck ever. How does it perform? PLUS: REVIEWS Spendor A5R floorstander, Akai REGULARS Dealer Visit, Music Reviews, Professional BT500 Bluetooth turntable, ATC Destination and all your hi-fi questions and SCM19A active floorstanding loudspeakers concerns answered by our team of experts AUGUST ISSUE ON SALE 14 JULY

If you don’t want to miss an issue PASSION FOR SOUND EDITORIAL TEAM SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGEMENT TEAM Please reserve/deliver my copy of Hi-Fi Choice Editor Lee Dunkley Subscriptions Manager Kate Hall Group Editor Paul Miller Production Editor Jake Day-Williams UK – New, Renewals & Enquiries Group Art Editor John Rook on a regular basis, starting with issue: Art Editor Emily Hammond Tel: 0344 2439023 Group Advertising Manager Rhona Bolger Chief Executive Owen Davies Title First name Email: [email protected] CONTRIBUTORS Chairman Peter Harkness Simon Berkovitch, Paul Hirons, Surname USA & CANADA/REST OF WORLD – Published by AVTech Media Ltd James Hughes, Adrian Justins, Jason Kennedy, New, Renewals & Enquiries Rob Lane, David Price, Neville Roberts, Enterprise House, Enterprise Way, Address Tel: +44 (0) 344 2439023 Ed Selley, Andrew Simpson, David Vivian, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 6HF Chris Ward, Nigel Williamson Phone: 0844 4122262 BACK ISSUES From outside the UK: +44 (0)1689 869840 ADVERTISING www.hifichoice.co.uk Sales Simon Dunn Website: mags-uk.com Postcode Tel: 01689 869853 Contact: mags-uk.com/contacts/ Distributed in the UK by Seymour Email: [email protected] Distribution Ltd. Telephone number

Published by AVTech Media Ltd. All rights reserved, 2015. ISSN 0955-1115. The Publisher’s written consent must be obtained before any part of this publication may be If you can’t always find a copy of this reproduced in any form whatsoever, including photocopiers, and information retrieval systems. All reasonable care is taken in the preparation of the magazine contents, but the publishers cannot be held legally responsible for errors in the contents of this magazine or for any loss however arising from such errors, including loss resulting magazine, help is at hand! Complete this form from negligence of our staff. Reliance placed upon the contents of this magazine is at reader’s own risk. and hand in at your local store, they’ll arrange Hi-Fi Choice, ISSN 0955-1115, is published monthly with an additional issue in July by AVTech Media Ltd, a division of MYTIMEMEDIA Ltd, Enterprise House, Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 6HF, UK. The US annual subscription price is 67GBP (equivalent to approximately 95USD). Airfreight and mailing in the USA by agent for a copy of each issue to be reserved for named Air Business Ltd, c/o Worldnet Shipping Inc., 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA. Periodicals postage paid at Jamaica NY 11431. US Postmaster: Send address changes to Hi-Fi Choice, Worldnet Shipping Inc., 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA. Subscription records are you. Some stores may even be able to arrange maintained at dsb.net Ltd, 3 Queensbridge The Lakes Northampton NN4 7BF. Air Business Ltd is acting as our mailing agent. for it to be delivered to your home. Just ask! NEW

…resampling to DSD 256 …from ALL digital input signals - even bluetooth …DSD converted directly into analog signal audioemotion music is our passion w:audioemotion.co.uk e:[email protected] t:01333 425 999 IT TOOK 400 YEARS TO CREATE THIS CARTRIDGE

Ever since the fi rst Koetsu cartridges appeared in the West, nearly 40 years ago, they have served as emissaries for Japanese creativity. Each model, from the earliest Rosewood, has embodied uniquely Japanese skills and attitudes.

Urushi lacquer techniques were introduced to music lovers outside of Japan through Koetsu, when Urushi adorned the body of the eponymous moving-coil cartridge. Jade, rare woods, stone – Koetsu designers turn to nature, as do those who inspire them.

While analogue playback has been with us for only 100 years, the metiers des arts employed by Koetsu date back centuries. The brand’s namesake, Hon’ami Koetsu (1558-1637), was an artisan whose work inspired the founding of the Rinpa school of painting. In the 1970s, Sugano-san demonstrated how these disciplines enhanced the pleasure of LP playback.

Another artist would say: if it looks right, it is right. Or perhaps that should be…if it looks right, it sounds right.

“ ...like having an open window onto the music” - Jimmy Hughes - HiFi Choice

“...singing with a passion and vitality that both seduces and convinces all at once” - Roy Gregory - HiFi Plus

absolute sounds ltd. International Distributors & Consultants of Specialised Hi-End Audio & Video Systems 58 Durham Road, London, SW20 0TW T: +44 (0)20 89 71 39 09 W: www.absolutesounds.com E: [email protected] For Your Nearest Dealer Please Visit The Absolute Sounds Website