Hi-Fi Choice Is Proud to Be the First Hi-Fi Magazine in the World to Get Its Hands on This Perfectly Balanced and Sophisticated System

Chord on the go Instant replay PortablePortab Hugo DAC/headphone How to digitise all your old LP, amp strikes st all the right notes cassette and tape recordings

PASSION FOR SOUND Issue No. 386 July 2014 Superstar

WORLD EXCLUSIVE 1ST FULL system TEST Revolutionary Devialet ampmp andand speakers set new sonic standarddd

30PRODUCTS ON TEST: Arcam, Cyrus, KEF, Marantz, NAD, Sonus faber and Yamaha PRINTED IN THE UK US$9.99 JULY 2014 £4.50

GROUP TEST Rhythm Turn master it up! B&W’sB&W’s’ 683683 S2S2 floorstanderfloofl rstanded r Six of the best integrated will get your toes tapping amplifiers under £400

INTRODUCTION

PASSION FOR SOUND Welcome www.hifichoice.co.uk Issue No. 386 July 2014

Paris-based audio specialist Devialet caused quite a stir in hi-fi circles when it launched its D-Premier amplifier in 2010 – appearing with an inaugural review in our sister title Hi-Fi News & Record Review. More recently the technology has evolved into a range of beautiful and slender amplifiers that quickly earned 42 admiring glances for their stylish looks and versatility, Sonus faber as well as audiophile acknowledgments for their Olympica II spectacular performance. 55 Regular readers will no doubt recognise our cover star Arcam as the Devialet Ensemble hi-fi system that was the lead airDAC Audiofile news story last month. Hi-Fi Choice is proud to be the first hi-fi magazine in the world to get its hands on this perfectly balanced and sophisticated system. As any reader will know, combining hi-fi components is a considerable art form, but Devialet has done all the hard work for you with its Ensemble system, matching its entry-level Devialet integrated amplifier, now upgraded to 120 following the new software announced at the High 100 End Hi-Fi Show in Munich last month – see our Show Report, on page 84 – with Atohm GT1 SE speakers. One of the main new innovations in the Devialet amp is SAM (Speaker Active Matching), which has been developed as a form of audio tailoring that ensures amplifier and speaker fit together perfectly. The Ensemble is the first complete system to utilise the new technology, but this is only part of the story. To find Beth Orton Central Reservation out more read our In-Depth review, starting on page 16.

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 products that are high standard of tests can only judged to deliver performance have one winner, outstanding and this badge HADLOW HOUSE, 9 HIGH STREET, GREEN STREET performance says it all! GREEN, ORPINGTON, KENT BR6 6BG

JULY 2014 3 Contentshifichoice.co.uk Issue No. 386 July 2014 NEWS & OPINION GROUP TEST 6 Audiofile Six of the best integrated The latest news on the hottest products 24 amplifiers under £400 from the world of hi-fi coming your way put to the test 12 Webwatch 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 77 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 130 Back Chat A look back in time, news snippets and an industry insider picks their top albums READER SERVICES 102 Reader Classifieds Sell your unwanted hi-fi for FREE here 124 Next Issue The sonic treats to look out for next month FEATURES 62

62 Record Store Day Our indepth report of how the biggest day of the year for vinyl lovers unfolded 84 High End Show 6 We pack our bags and head off to Munich to take a look at all the hi-fi treats on show 90 Beautiful Systems Play music loud and stay friends with the neighbours with this headphone setup 94 Labelled With Love Feed your head with some of Germany’s mind-blowing music, courtesy of Brain 118 Guide To... 99 Digitise your LPs and cassettes. How to turn your analogue music into MP3s Audiofile: Heed Audio’s new Thesis range Music reviews: Led Zeppelin remastered

4 JULY 2014 CONTENTS JULY 2014 “Making a digital copy of your music serves as a useful backup 113 to safeguard your investment” Musical Fidelity V90-AMP micro amplifier Guide to... Digitising LPs and cassettes p118

TESTED THIS MONTH REVIEWS Kit testing 16 Devialet Ensemble 120/GT1 SE amplifier/loudspeaker 42 Sonus faber Olympica II floorstanding loudspeaker (Exotica) 16 46 Chord Electronics Devialet Ensemble 120 and GT1 SE Hugo DAC/headphone amplifier 50 Cyrus CD XT Signature CD transport 52 Morel SoundSpot 2.1 Ultra 2.1 speaker system 55 Arcam airDAC digital-to-analogue converter 56 B&W 683 S2 floorstanding loudspeaker 60 Simple Audio 46 Roomplayer with amp network streamer Chord Electronics Hugo 56 88 Arcam B&W Delta Black Box DAC (retro) 683 S2 floorstanding loudspeaker 106 Russ Andrews GROUP TEST GQ-24 iPod interconnect Integrated amplifiers 109 MCRU £200-£400 EU/USA Adaptor Mains Plug 27 Cambridge Audio 109 Servisol Azur 651 Aero Duster cleaner 29 Marantz PM6005 110 Opera-Consonance 50 Record Cleaning Machine 31 NAD D 3020 Cyrus CD XT Signature CD transport 113 Musical Fidelity 33 Pioneer A-50 V90-AMP micro amplifier 35 Vieta VH-HA100 114 Orb 37 Yamaha A-S201 DF-01i Vinyl LP Record Flattener 114 Chord Company CHOICE EXTRAS C-stream Ethernet cable 105 KEF 116 Custom Design X300A wireless speaker Milan Compact equipment rack 60 106 High End Cable 116 Lindy Simple Audio Roomplayer with amp Panda Feet HF-110 headphones

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JULY 2014 5 THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS… Connect four Heed Audio launches four-strong Thesis amplifier range at Munich’s High End Show

PRICE: £1,600–£2,850 AVAILABLE: NOW CONTACT: 01242 511133 WEB: HEEDAUDIO.CO.UK

A SUNNY MORNING in mid-May power supply unit that drives the Driven by the Thesis Pi PSU, the at the High End Show in Munich was analogue circuitry stage of the Alpha third model in the range is the Phi the location for the announcement of preamplifi er as well as the matching phono stage (£2,300), and claims to a new amplifi er range to come from add-on Phi phono stage. be a ‘no compromise’ phono preamp Budapest-based Heed Audio. The The digital circuitry inside the Alpha aimed at vinyl connoisseurs and four-strong range is housed in what preamplifi er claims to be built around offers very low noise characteristics, the company describes as ‘retro- the company’s Obelisk Da digital-to- huge dynamic range, plenty of futuristic’ casework, and centres analogue convertor (reviewed issue headroom and an extremely smooth around the Thesis Alpha preamplifi er 373) and supports two analogue and frequency response. (£2,850). The minimalist designed four digital inputs including S/PDIF, Its twin circuit design means that it preamp has six source inputs and is Toslink, BNC and USB. A matching can cater independently for moving partnered with the Thesis Pi power remote control handset with source magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) supply unit (£1,600). It’s a twin selection is also provided. cartridges. It can accommodate two

6 JULY 2014 COMMENT RECORD BREAKER

You’ve got to love Jack White. Quite aside from being one hell of a musician, he’s also fighting the good fight to keep music interesting. While other musicians released limited edition vinyl for Record Store Day, Jack went one better by producing the world’s fastest record. To explain, White recorded and cut directly to acetate the single Lazaretto, before rushing it to United Records Pressing, where the vinyl was cut and stuff ed into sleeves featuring photos from the event before being delivered to stores. The entire process smashed the previous record of a day, taking just 3 hours, 55 minutes and 21 seconds after recording began. But Jack didn’t stop there. The album that the single comes from (also called Lazaretto) is taking what can be done with the black stuff to a whole new level. Jack’s humorously dubbed the release an ‘Ultra LP’ and in truth, Ultra doesn’t even come close to how exciting this record will be. For starters, the grooves on side one run from the centre out and there’s a lock groove on the outer rim of the disc. Underneath the label on both sides is a hidden track – simply place the needle on the label and you’ll get to hear a couple of crackly hidden tunes. White has already experimented with this ‘underlabel groove’ on a previous release he did with his band The Dead Weather, but what makes this one diff erent is that on side A the track is at 78rpm, while on side B it’s at 45rpm – making this an LP that has three playing speeds. The first track of side two has been recorded with two diff erent intros – acoustic and electric – and depending on where you put the needle you’ll end up listening to one of the two. They cleverly blend into one halfway through the track (this is a world first, no less). Perhaps most amazing of all is the ’hologram’ of an angel that appears to float The four-strong range is housed in what is above the 1in ‘dead wax’ run out area on side one. Produced by artist Tristan Duke it described as ‘retro-futuristic’ casework, really has to be seen to be believed and no words that we write here can do justice to and centres around the Alpha preamp it. Jack, we salute you and wish that there were more vinyl pioneers doing what you’re turntables simultaneously and claims maker prefers to let the sound do the doing. The special release of Lazaretto easy user-customisation for cartridge talking. On launching the Thesis, goes on sale on 10 June and you can see gain and impedance matching via Heed’s marketing and sales director the magic for yourself here: bit.ly/SzlTqZ. easily accessible rear panel jumpers. Alpar Huszti said: “The new Thesis The fourth and ﬁ nal model in the range, with its characteristic visual new range is a monobloc power appearance and unique life-like sonic ampliﬁ er called Omega (£1,750). The presentation, pulls clear of the solid-state design claims to deliver up familiar pack of audio products to to 160W continuous power, but in stir emotions in the Heed tradition”. keeping with the Heed Audio See our full High End Show report tradition it doesn’t mention under on the other highlights from Munich what load conditions this is that grabbed our attention starting measured. The Hungarian audio on page 84.

JULY 2014 7 AUDIOFILE

Trend setting on the go Ted Baker adds audio range for fashion-conscious music fans

PRICE: £180–£200 AVAILABLE: NOW CONTACT: 0845 1304278 WEB: TEDBAKERAUDIO.COM

DESIGNER CLOTHING BRAND Ted Baker has unveiled two audio products in a new lineup. Ted tells us that it hasn’t simply slapped its name on someone else’s product, but built its own models with the help of acoustic experts to create genuine hi-ﬁ sound. Rockall is a double-folding over-ear headphone composed of brushed stainless steel, soft padding and supple materials, the maker says. Specs are yet to be announced but they come in brushed silver with black or tan headband and ear cushions, or brushed Champagne gold with white headband and ear cushions. Price is £180. Fastnet is a folding speaker with integrated microphone housed in brushed aluminium and leather casing. It is equipped with Bluetooth aptX version 3.0 for wireless, and a 3.5mm stereo line-in socket for wired connections. The built-in rechargeable battery offers around six hours between charges, the maker says. It’s priced at £200 and is available in four colour ﬁ nishes. IN BRIEF Naim Audio adds Muso PRO-JECT 32-BIT USB BOX wireless speaker system

PRICE: £895 AVAILABLE: SEPTEMBER CONTACT: 01722 426600 WEB: NAIMAUDIO.COM

Following one of the biggest hi-fi month. Scheduled to go on sale in speaker drivers, and can be linked news stories from a British-based September, we’re told the Muso with other Naim systems to create audio brand in January with the will stream high-resolution music a multi-room system. announcement of its £125,000 from both Apple and Android Hi-res 24-bit/192kHz audio is Statement NAC S1 preamplifier and smartphones and tablets as well as catered for, and a new control app ● Distributor Henley Designs has NAP S1 mono power amplifiers set laptops and other storage devices. for iPad, iPhone and iPod as well as announced a new addition to the Box to arrive later this year, comes news Its advanced connectivity includes Android devices will allow you to Design lineup from Pro-Ject. The new of another new model to join the AirPlay, UPnP, Bluetooth (aptX), make playlists as well as giving USB Box S+ matches the size and Naim Audio lineup. 2014 looks internet radio and plans to off er access to thousands of internet aesthetic of others in the ‘S’ range, set to be a busy period for the support for popular streaming radio stations. The new control app and claims to use a PCM5102A chip Salisbury hi-fi manufacturer, as services – this is to be confirmed. will also be available in September from Burr-Brown, which handles it also unveiled its first wireless Muso claims 450W of power and will be compatible with asynchronous USB streaming up speaker/soundbar system called from six 75W digital amplifiers existing Naim streaming products to 32-bit/384kHz. Sample rates are Muso at The Vinyl Factory last driving six custom-made Naim as well as the new Muso. displayed on the front panel with 44.1, 88.2 and 176.4 files up-sampled to 352.8kHz, and 48, 96 and 192kHz files up-sampled to 384kHz. Two settings tailor the sound between Finite Impulse Response and Infinite Impulse Response filters. It’s compatible with Windows, Apple and Linux systems, and gold-plated RCA output and USB type-B input sockets are fitted at the rear. Available now costing £169. HENLEYDESIGNS.CO.UK

8 JULY 2014 “The Truth, nothing more, nothing less...”

“This level of performance, convenience and style makes for an award winning product.” Jeff Dorgay, Tone Audio Magazine, January 2013

“Oozes quality in both construction and sound” Paul Rigby, Hi Fi World, March 2013

Ingenium offers the same obsessive design philosophy of Analogue Seduction, 6 Manor View, Whittlesey, our more expensive designs, a ground-up construction Peterborough Tel: 01733 350 878 engineered for pure audiophile performance. Fanthorpes, Hepworth Arcade, SilverSt, Hull, East The unique skeletal design offers unparalleled versatility Riding of Yorkshire HU1 1JU Tel: 01482 223096 with a huge choice of single or double arm options. Our prized sapphire bearing and platter system has 2·%ULHQ+LÀ, 60 Durham Road, West Wimbledon, been retained from the DIVA II, as has the option of London Tel: 020 8946 1528 XVLQJ RXU XQLTXH FODPSLQJ V\VWHP ZKLFK HIÀFLHQWO\ channels unwanted vibrations away from both the The Audioworks, 14 Stockport Road, Cheadle, record and platter. Cheshire, SK8 2AA Tel: 0161 428 7887

Call today to arrange your private audition. ZZZDYLGKLÀFRXN AVID HIFI LIMITED, Bicton Industrial Park, Kimbolton, Huntingdon, Cambs, PE28 0LW 7HO )D[ (PDLOLQIR#DYLGKLÀFRXN AUDIOFILE

Meridian milestone DSP loudspeakers celebrate 25 years

PRICE: £10,000-£43,000 AVAILABLE: NOW CONTACT: 01480 445678 WEB: MERIDIAN-AUDIO.COM

IT’S HARD TO believe that Meridian’s EBA (Enhanced Bass Meridian Audio ﬁ rst launched its Alignment) technology and driver digital loudspeaker some 25 years clamp rings for enhanced stability, the ago in 1989. To celebrate this quarter maker says. century milestone, the Huntingdon- Meridian hasn’t forgotten existing based high-end audio maker has owners of DSP speaker models either, announced a Special Edition series and DSP5200, DSP7200 and of DSP active loudspeakers available DSP8000 – including the Anniversary to order. The three SE models will Edition – can be upgraded with the feature a new Meridian-designed new Beryllium-dome tweeter and a semi-horn-loaded tweeter with completely new electronics and DSP Beryllium-dome, as well as new package. Upgrades come with a full electronics and DSP including warranty for the entire loudspeaker. IN BRIEF Beyerdynamic AT-LP60 USB TURNTABLE on the go ● Respected record deck maker Audio-Technica has introduced the PRICE: €99-€279 AVAILABLE: NOW AT-LP60USB turntable aimed at CONTACT: 01444 258258 WEB: BEYERDYNAMIC.COM anyone looking to easily digitise their record collection. The sleek new Following the launch of the channels and is fitted with soft design includes a turntable fitted audiophile A 2 headphone amplifier ear-cushions. It addresses the with a phono cartridge, PC and Mac announced by Beyerdynamic last T 51 p’s lack of in-line remote compatible software, a USB cable month, comes further new models providing the ability to control that connects the turntable directly to join the German headphone smartphone music playback. to a computer, a built-in phono brand’s line-up, including the The new version is Apple- preamp and a host of other introduction of several new certified, has a built-in accessories. The bundled Audacity portable ear and headphones. microphone to enable users to take models: the DTX 72 iE, DTX 102 iE software has plenty of audio editing First up is the T 51 i over-ear, calls, and comes with a specially and the MMX 102 iE multimedia features and converts the audio on a closed-back hi-fi headphone. The reinforced cable for life on the go. headset, equipped with a softer, record to MP3 and WAV digital audio new T 51 model joins the acclaimed Fans of Beyerdynamic earphones more flexible connection cable. files, as well as other formats, for and ongoing T 51 p headphone will be pleased to learn that the Models are now available in up playback on portable audio players, model, but adds a new cable. The company’s long-standing DTX/ to three diff erent colour finishes. computers, and home and car audio headphone looks identical to its MMX range of in-ear models has There’s no word on UK pricing, systems. The AT-LP60USB costs sibling and also employs Tesla undergone a makeover. The new but all are available to order from £140, and is available to buy direct transducers, optimised bass reflex generation is based around three the company website. from the Audio-Technica website. AUDIOTECHNICASHOP.COM

10 JULY 2014

AUDIOFILE

Andrew Simpson casts his expert eye over his Webwatch pick of the best hi-fi websites and online content

ANALOGUE SEDUCTION (@ANALOGSEDUCTION) Have you heard yet about the Road to Rio trade in scheme from Arcam? Save up to 20% on a new Arcam receiver bit.ly/1hxKHVr

SEVENOAKS (@SEVENOAKS_SSAV) Inspiring vinyl Bespoke Audio Company @NADElectronics launches @Spotify Vinyl fans enjoyed Bowers & Wilkins’ If you’re in the market for a premium preamp Connect in award-winning D 7050 Direct Digital Network Amplifier Instagram comp last month, when lucky head to The Bespoke Audio Company’s new winners bagged some 685 speakers by site: thebespokeaudiocompany.com. THE DOORS (@THEDOORS) posting an inspiring pic of their favourite The Hastings-based brand has also launched The entire catalog by #TheDoors is on sale LP with the #LoveVinyl hashtag. See the on Facebook (/Thebespokeaudiocompany) today @iTunesMusic! Check out the music, the snaps at instagram.com/bowerswilkins. and Twitter (@thebespokeaudio). DVDs, #TheDoorsApp & more. https://t.co/soyIrJK350

THE CHORD COMPANY (@CHORDCABLES) Do you own one of the fabulous @ChordAudio Hugo DAC’s? We have a special range of cables designed specially for it. http://bit.ly/1fq50Jc

WILSON AUDIO (@WILSONAUDIO) Want to see a 360 degree view of Wilson Audio’s current products? You can on our FREE app for iOS and Android! Go http://fb.me/6QPiHr67N

VINYLHUNT.COM (@VINYLHUNT) Sales of #vinyl records on #RSD14 rise 2,000%. Two. Thousand. http://bit. ly/1pv0oWx KEF Connects Lucky winners Described as the ‘creative website for music Hot on the heels of Record Store Day, PUREAUDIO (@PUREAUDIO) Here is an internal photo of our Vinyl lovers’ the newly launched KEF Connects site High Wycombe’s The Sound Gallery recently preamplifier. This is a true dual mono design. provides behind the scenes perspectives from gave away a new Rega RP1 deck. Tweeters What you see is the top... http://fb.me/25OZuwoNW musicians, producers, engineers, scientists had to re-tweet @TheSoundGallery’s and designers with a shared passion for music. comp tweet, which pulled a whopping 2,795 THE VINYL FACTORY Explore what’s on offer and take a look at RTs, with this lucky family winning the star (@THEVINYLFACTORY) kef.com/kefconnects. prize pic.twitter.com/BNKb0BN7ni. Did you know that 26% of young people don’t listen to the music they buy on vinyl? #crazy #vinyl instagram.com/p/nqdCy0inGh/

PINK FLOYD (@PINKFLOYD) Today (18 Apr) we remember Storm Thorgerson, who (with his colleagues) was responsible for most of Pink Floyd’s iconic album covers and other images.

CYRUS AUDIO LTD (@CYRUS_AUDIO) Discover Music – Try Infected Mushroom, Vicious Delicious. A favourite test track of ours, great for assessing the separation of a system

BEYERDYNAMIC (@BEYERDYNAMICHQ) Tone deaf test Naim goes wireless We are celebrating our 90th Anniversary with a limited edition of the T 90 Jubilee! We couldn’t resist taking part in the Naim has been tantalising us with the launch t.co/WQvtlMiJvo Tone Deaf Test that was tweeted last month by of its fi rst wireless system recently. Muso is @MartinLoganLtd. Do you reckon you can due for release in September, and you can RECORD STORE DAY UK (@RSDUK) tell your falling notes from your ascending stay up to date with all of the latest https://t.co/61cKOvsDyt… ones? Why not spend fi ve minutes fi nding out developments by subscribing to the new Check the video @billybragg made for us on just how well your audiophile ears fare at: Muso news service. Check out the microsite #RSD13 great bloke who knows #SupportYourLocalRecordShop #RSD14 tonedeaftest.com. for yourself: naimaudio.com/muso

12 JULY 2014 For more than a quarter-century, Sonus faber has represented the pinnacle of loudspeaker aesthetics. From its earliest models, incorporating real wood, furniture-grade ﬁnishing, seductive curves and even grilles that reveal style and inventiveness, this repository of Italian artisan skills and artistry has achieved what was once deemed impossible: creating speakers that sound as beautiful as they look.

Along with a series of models paying homage to the great luthiers of Cremona, the company has since been inspired by the Teatro Olimpica in Vicenza. It is appropriate that this new family of speakers considered the standards of a famed venue as the ne plus ultra of the reproduction of music with vivacity and power… exactly what deﬁnes music from opera to orchestral to rock music to soul to jazz. To achieve this, Sonus faber has exploited all that it has learned since its inception.

Like all Sonus faber loudspeakers, Olympica represents what is possible, while respecting what has mattered.

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] DON’T FORGET DAD!

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DEVIALET ENSEMBLE IN-DEPTH 120 AMPLIFIER & GT1 SE LOUDSPEAKERS £6,290

DETAILS PRODUCT Devialet Ensemble ORIGIN France TYPE Amplifier and speaker package WEIGHT Amp: 5.65kg Speaker: 8kg DIMENSIONS (WxHxD) Amp: 383 x 40 x 383mm Speaker: 200 x 330 x 250mm FEATURES ● Amp: Class A/D hybrid analogue/ digital ● Speakers: Atohm GT1 SE with matching Zef cable ● AIR streaming module ● Fully configurable inputs for Ethernet, USB, RCA (line-level and S/PDIF) Toslink ● Firmware updates via SD card/website ● 24-bit/192kHz upsampling DAC ● Phono stage DISTRIBUTOR ● Absolute Sounds TELEPHONE 0208 9713909 WEBSITE absolutesounds.com en.devialet.com

Forward thinking From one of the most advanced hi-fi designers of our age comes an amp and speaker package to set the standard. Andrew Simpson investigates

16 JULY 2014 IN-DEPTH

hallenging hi-fi ’s conventions has been at C Devialet’s core since the French high-end maker launched its groundbreaking D-Premier amp back in 2010. Concepts including customising settings via an onboard SD card and online confi gurator, along with fi rmware releases ensuring your amp stayed up to date brought fresh thinking to long-term ownership. Devialet’s range has since expanded into four models, and with each comes increased connectivity, power and confi guration options. At the heart of all Devialet amps beats the same ADH (Analogue Digital Hybrid) amplifi cation, which is a modern take on Quad’s Current Dumpers of yesteryear that uses analogue Class A voltage amplifi cation working in parallel with digital Class D dumpers. All Devialet amplifi ers also employ 24-bit/192kHz upsampling Texas Instruments PCM1792 DAC chips, developed into its proprietary Magic Wire circuit. Sitting at the centre of our package is Devialet’s new entry-level 120 amp (£4,490 on its own), which morphed Even at low levels this system opens the music up with stirring dynamism from the 110 model via new fi rmware, increasing its 110W output to 120W. Joining the 120 in our Ensemble is a pair of Devialet branded Atohm GT1 ‘Special Edition’ loudspeakers with matching white Atohm cables. What sets this pairing apart from other bundles is the clever use of Devialet’s SAM tech, which tailors the amp’s supplied signal to match the spec and real-world behaviour of the speakers’ bass drivers. The Atohm’s cabinets are formed via layers of 3mm MDF bonded together to achieve their curved sides. Each speaker houses a metal grille-covered soft-dome tweeter with copper-clad aluminium wire voice coils and neodymium magnets, alongside an alloy coned mid/bass driver using Atohm’s LDS peripheral suspension and a Kapton/Nomex coil former. The bass driver also sports a snug-fi tting removable circular fabric cover. In the fl esh this is one cool combo to behold (providing you can keep fi ngerprints at bay). The amp shares the same dark chrome chassis as its 200 stablemate, that’s milled from a

JULY 2014 17 DEVIALET ENSEMBLE IN-DEPTH 120 AMPLIFIER & GT1 SE LOUDSPEAKERS £6,290

CONNECTIONS stirring dynamism. Likewise there’s plenty of power at the other end of 1 2 3 1 SD card slot the scale, and with the Atohms sat atop a pair of (ﬁ lled) 600mm 2 S/PDIF optical in Atacama Nexus stands, the music that 3 Configurable RCA ﬂ ows forth has a sense of scale and inputs grip that a speaker of this size has no 4 Binding posts right to possess. Bass in particular is 5 USB port (Type B) blessed with enough power and slam

6 Ethernet port to challenge my preconceptions of 6 5 4 just how much air a pair or 150mm drivers in such a modest cabinet can move, which is testament to single block of aluminium with a method via AIR or Ethernet (if SAM TECH what the Devialet amp is able to sliding cable-hiding cover at its rear. you’re hardwiring the amp to your SAM is a pre- get out of them without heading You can even wall mount it vertically! router) to pipe a bit-perfect signal programmed into boom territory. Its physical controls extend to just into the amp’s master clock. There’s DSP model of a Piping a 16/44 rip of Four Tet’s a logo-shaped power button, which also a downloadable USB driver loudspeaker’s low Plastic People into the Devialet’s USB joins a porthole-like digital screen and control app for Android and frequency behaviour port gets the party into full swing providing a window into the amp’s iOS devices, the latter of which lets that “matches the air in the bass regions, but what’s even pressure received working world, displaying volume you select input and volume level. by the recording more impressive is how this pairing and selected input. The minimalist microphone with ensures the lower frequencies remain theme continues with the classy Sound quality the output of the controlled, detailed and natural matching remote that hosts just four Across the board, this package is loudspeaker” says sounding. Despite remaining deep buttons for power, source, mute and one of the most musically cohesive Pierre-Emmanuel within the soundstage, the double Calmel, Devialet’s tone (bass/treble/balance), while combinations I’ve heard. From the co-founder. bass for example within Emily a large rotary dial governs volume opening drums of Tori Amos’ SAM is not a Barker’s Tuesday (streamed at 24/96) level. A longer press on the control’s A Sorta Fairytale via a 16-bit/ feedback-controlled is clearly articulated and brought to source button reveals the incoming 44.1kHz rip streamed over correction, a room life without being forced to the fore. sample rate on the amp’s screen, compensation Instead, because the soundstage is useful for checking that what you’re regime or a form of so open, I’m able to hear deep into Lower frequencies ‘bass boost’. Instead, getting from the speakers is what you correction is applied its recesses and uncover layers of ordered at the source. remain controlled, dynamically, sample- detail at will. Making the most of Devialet’s suite detailed and very by-sample in the time of user controls requires paying a visit domain according to Conclusion to devialet.com’s confi gurator area natural sounding the loudspeaker’s Getting a system to sing isn’t just and customising the amp’s settings, cabinet dimensions, about buying the most expensive kit volume, compliance before downloading them onto the Ethernet, the sheer uncoloured of the air, mass of air you can afford, it’s about choosing amp’s pre-installed SD card. The site’s clarity and holographic window in the vent and reflex components that work together, and intuitive interface allows for tailoring this package opens into the music losses. All bass driver only then does the magic happen. The inputs and settings via simple is utterly captivating. parameters are Ensemble takes the trial and error diagrams of each amp’s rear panel, Devialet’s SAM tech may only accommodated out of this process, and by accurately including resonance making tweaking easy. Options be weaving its spell on the bass frequency, Q and driving its speakers as they’re include switching a set of the 120’s drivers, but the knock-on effect in force factor, moving designed to be driven you get to hear RCAs between line-level, S/PDIF, the treble is tangible. Amos’ voice mass, suspension both products at their best. This or phono inputs for connecting a sweeps through the midrange and compliance, package provides an exceptionally turntable. At the click of a mouse you treble seemlessly, with no sense of diaphragm area, etc. smooth and balanced insight into the can also limit the amp’s power output the tweeter and mid-bass driver By fully controlling music, and while it ain’t cheap, that the amplitude and and change the remote’s commands. competing at the critical crossover phase response of you get the same Devialet tech fi tted To keep costs down the 120 eschews point. With Amos’ vocals placed the speaker’s output, to its amps costing four times as much the sub-out option and AES/EBU slightly forward in the soundstage, SAM promises to with quality speakers thrown in, (XLR) socket that are fi tted to the I sense that the amp and partnering maximise the bass makes this a high-end bargain ● more expensive Devialets higher up speakers are working together in extension of any the range. Nor do you get the internal perfect synergy, to deliver her ‘mapped’ speaker without ever forcing phono daughter board that caters for singing with a breathtaking realism its drivers outside custom matching cartridge loading that’s full of both genuine depth of their safe OUR VERDICT and sensitivity settings. and drama. excursion limits. SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Superb sound; Likewise, the Devialet combo With Devialet’s setup options aplenty; Easy streaming times the percussion with effortless SAM at the helm, the top-notch build quality speaker has every To stream networked music pop your accuracy, and each note’s opening VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Only one chance of fulfilling analogue input network details into the online transients are rendered with just the designer’s BUILD QUALITY WE SAY: Cutting-edge Confi gurator and download Devialet’s the right amount of attack to pack dreams for deep, tech partnered with AIR software to your computer’s enough punch without becoming clean and powerful- great-sounding speakers in a stunning taskbar. Because AIR runs in the hard edged in any way. sounding bass – FEATURES user-friendly package background of other programmes, Befi tting of an amp at this price, reducing boominess and distortions that you simply commence playback via the Devialet’s volume control allows might otherwise OVERALL your usual method (Spotify, JRiver for fi nite levels of incremental colour the critical and iTunes in my case), right click the adjustment, and even at low levels midrange. PM AIR icon and choose your streaming this system opens the music up with

18 JULY 2014 DEVIALET ENSEMBLE 120 AMPLIFIER & GT1 SE LOUDSPEAKERS £6,290 IN-DEPTH

DEVIALET 120 Q&A 1 2 1 Switchmode PSU Pierre-Emmanuel Calmel CTO and president, Devialet 3 2 Analogue/digital hybrid amplifier

3 Smoothing capacitors 4 4 Wi-fi module

5 Network and USB inputs

AS: Why have you chosen to pair this Devialet amp with Atohm’s GT1 speaker? PC: We love the GT1’s qualities in terms of detailing, imaging, natural sound and bass. Despite its compact 5 size, it’s still able to rock our 400m3 showroom and consequently, many customers are buying GT1s to partner their Devialet amps – in fact, around half of the Devialet components currently being sold through our Paris ON TEST showroom are part of a Devialet Tested with the latest v7.1 firmware at this output is still a fabulously low 0.018% at 20kHz/1W/8ohm. The Ensemble package with GT1 speakers installed, this 120 ADH amplifier met 0.0005% through bass and midrange, harmonics at this level are inaudible, and Atohm cables. The GT1s embody its 120W/6ohm specification with a a performance largely maintained of course. The response is flat out the elements we believe are full 2x75W/8ohm, doubling to 2x over the top 40dB of its dynamic to +0.08dB/20kHz with 44.1/48kHz necessary to make the most desirable 150W/4ohm – this power achieved range (from 75W down to just 7.7mW). media, –0.1dB/40kHz with 96kHz files audio systems: beauty, compactness with a peak level (0dBFs) digital input The A-wtd S/N ratio is also a huge and –4dB/90kHz with 192kHz files. As and, of course, performance. and the volume control set at +0.5dB 116.8dB at this level. Distortion does with earlier Devialet amps, jitter is (not 0dB). The output impedance is increase with frequency, however, incredibly low – just 24psec at 10W Will SAM’s database be expanded vanishingly low at <2mohm. Distortion particularly above 10kHz, reaching output with 24-bit/48kHz media. PM to tailor match more speaker brands and models? Although we have no plans to offer ATOHM GT1 SE other amp/speaker packages under the Devialet brand, SAM is potentially 1 2 compatible with any passive 1 28mm silk dome tweeter electrodynamic speaker. We are launching the technology with 2 Rear bass port support for around 12 models from 3 Speaker cable different brands, and the number is binding posts increasing every week. We aim to 4 150mm alloy bass have more than 200 models driver supported in the near future – we have several engineers working on this in our acoustics and signal processing laboratory in Paris. Our engineers can perform a combination of measurements to build an accurate real-time model of any pair of speakers. This is used as the basis for developing a specific SAM profile for the speakers before releasing the profile on our updated SAM configurator. We can do this on our own, but we’d much prefer to work with loudspeaker manufacturers who can provide us 4 3 with technical data and we’re open ON TEST to any collaboration.

The GT1 claims 89dB sensitivity, but dip to 2.2ohms at 20kHz and a third to 10kHz the error was an excellent Will customers be able to our 86.8dB pink noise figure suggests 2.4ohms at 44Hz. On-axis response ±0.6dB. Bass extension was 60Hz for that 87dB is more realistic. Sensitivity errors, 200Hz-20kHz, were very well -6dB ref 200Hz; with SAM enabled it recommend which speakers could have been higher had lower controlled at ±2.9dB for each speaker, fell to below 20Hz. Engaging SAM you develop SAM profiles for? impedance been used – we measured with a gentle rise as frequency made no difference to the 1.0% THD Yes! We’re actually asking consumers a minimum modulus of 4.1ohms at increases. Pair matching was poorer level at 100Hz for 90dB SPL at 1m. The to vote for the speakers they want to 204Hz. With modest LF phase angles at ±1.9dB over the same frequency CSD waterfall shows fast initial energy see supported first, and you can take this results in a minimum EPDR of range due to some narrow-band decay; low-level breakup modes were part at voteforsam.devialet.com. 2.2ohms at 134Hz, but there is another disparities in the high treble; below visible in the lower treble. KH

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REFERENCE SYSTEM CD TRANSPORT Unique group tests Cyrus CD Xt Signature DAC Chord Electronics Hugo This month’s group test is supported by rigorous LOUDSPEAKERS Q Acoustics 2050i listening tests, backed up with objective lab testing EQUIPMENT SUPPORTS Quadraspire

INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER GROUP TEST

BEFORE ANY LISTENING took place, all six via van den Hul The River interconnects. This CD TEST MUSIC amplifi ers were run in for three days to ensure gave high quality sound via a Cyrus CD Xt KRAFTWERK that they all had settled down to optimum Signature CD transport for playing CDs, or a Computer World operating capability, and during the main MacBook Pro computer running Audirvana Computer World listening session they were all kept powered up when listening to hi-res programme material. to eliminate any sonic differences during the Each unit was placed independently on a warm-up cycle. At the start of the test session, Quadraspire Sunoko Vent equipment support, the six integrateds were carefully level matched to give it the greatest possible chance of with a pink noise test tone that was output delivering its best sound. All amplifi ers were while the voltage on the speaker terminals was initially auditioned with Q Acoustics 2050i measured. This provided highly accurate loudspeakers, a highly regarded fl oorstander volume parity, ensuring that sonic differences that is representative of the type and price couldn’t be swayed by level inconsistencies. (£500) of speakers they will be used with. The reference system was centred around High-end speakers were also tried, including Chord Electronics’ new Hugo DAC, connected the Sonus faber Olympica II – reviewed p42. SQUEEZE 45s And Under Pulling Mussels From A Shell DYNAMIC POWER RESULTS AT A GLANCE In addition to measuring the amplifier’s continuous power output, we also check on its delivery under dynamic, music- Dynamic power like conditions up to 1% distortion. +40 SPEAKER LOAD TOLERANCE Speaker load toleranceerance Not simply a measure of how much power is available into a standard 8ohm load, but how the amplifier’s output +30 behaves into progressively lower and more difficult loads. Distortion vs. levelel and frequencyfrequ DISTORTION VS LEVEL AND FREQUENCY +20 This bar value represents a measure of distortion and its Signal-to-noise ratioatio consistency across both the whole audio band and the amplifier’s entire dynamic range. RANDY CRAWFORD -20 SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO Secret Combination Rio De Janeiro Blue Frequency responsense This is a direct representation of the amplifier’s A-weighted +30 Signal-to-Noise (S/N) ratio at 1W output into an idealised 8ohm load. KEY: Group averagerage % below average %b% above average FREQUENCY RESPONSE We measure the ‘flatness’ of the response from a subsonic 5Hz to an ultrasonic 100kHz, but we also determine how well it handles different speaker loads.

OUR GROUP TESTS and In-depth Reviews are subject to exhaustive lab testing by Paul Miller using the QC FUN LOVIN’ CRIMINALS Suite Functional 100% Columbian Testing Station (left). Up On The Hill Paul has tested more hi-fi equipment than any reviewer in the world, so you know you’re in safe hands. We don’t publish pages of graphs, but we do understand the importance of transparency. So, readers may view full QC Suite test reports for our key reviews by clicking on the red download button on our website. www.hifichoice.co.uk

22 JULY 2014 Xpression Carbon

Xpress your sound, Xpress your look...

March 2014 February 2014

A Classic Made New...

The Xpression Carbon is the latest version of Pro-Ject Audio Systems’ original turntable, the Pro-Ject 1. This new model employs a brand new carbon fi bre tonearm with an Evolution-inspired support structure. The superior motor, with isolation blobs designed by Ortofon, drives a high-quality platter that can be fi tted with either a Cork or Felt mat. The plinth is available in three stunning fi nishes*, and the arm is rounded off with an Ortofon 2M Silver cartridge to create a comprehensive package that would suit any system.

Available in the UK through Henley Designs Ltd. T: 01235 511 166 /HenleyDesignsLtd E: [email protected] /HenleyDesigns1 W: www.henleydesigns.co.uk

* Bordeaux ﬁ nish shown INTEGRATED AMPLIFIERS £200-£400 Power points As the hi-fi market reinvents itself, small aff ordable amplifiers are changing too. David Price tries six of the latest and greatest

IN 2014, ANYONE going into a things like built-in DACs and should the need arise. It’s one step high street hi-fi store will be assaulted Bluetooth. Standing up like a Sony ahead of the rest in this respect, as by wireless loudspeakers – they’re PlayStation, it’s designed not just to Cambridge Audio’s 651A, Pioneer’s the big new thing. After all, we’ve fi t into a separates system, but also A-50, Vieta’s VH-HA100 and all got Bluetooth and wi-fi -equipped sits comfortably next to a computer. Yamaha’s A-S201 don’t have digital smartphones now, so why not cut It’s an interesting design, and all of inputs at all, and instead follow the out the middle man and render a sudden makes the other fi ve conventional integrated amplifi er traditional separates obsolete? Well, amplifi ers here seem rather dated. rulebook by including that quaint old one reason is that these ‘smart thing, a phono stage. Although it solutions’ simply don’t sound as good If you want the best doesn’t sound so cutting edge, the as ye olde separates hi-fi . If you want venerable vinyl disc is currently the best sound per pound, you will sound per pound, experiencing a major revival. still need to go the conventional route you will need an So, here we see a range of different with an integrated amplifi er at the answers to producing an affordable heart of your system. integrated amplifier integrated amplifi er, and the onward Still, you can sense something of march of technology means they’re a sea change among traditional being designed for subtly different amplifi er manufacturers. The latest Back to basics demographics. We’re certainly in a crop is just that little bit more Marantz’s PM6005 may look totally transitional phase, and I suspect it versatile than the last generation, conventional, but it does have digital won’t be too long before the next and in products like NAD’s D 3020 converter functionality, which means generation all get Bluetooth we’re beginning to see more you can plug in everything from your connectivity and DACs built in. innovative ways of packaging them Sky Box to your Blu-ray, as well as Meanwhile sonic differences remain, too – not to mention the inclusion of one of those old-fangled CD players as this group shows.

ON TEST

Cambridge Audio Marantz NAD Pioneer Vieta Audio Yamaha Azur 651A £350 p27 PM6005 £380 p29 D 3020 £399 p31 A-50 £350 p33 VH-HA100 £280 p35 A-S201 £200 p37 If you want a model that Until recently Marantz This put the cat among This big Japanese name As a new name Another company that personifies the purist had been following a the pigeons. The original has returned to specialist branching out into the has returned to the two- approach to integrated ’no frills’ approach, but 3020 integrated pretty two-channel separates two-channel audio channel fold, Yamaha has amplifiers, look no suddenly we see the much defined the budget of late, having taken a market in the UK, we redoubtable design and further. The brand fitment of a DAC to the breed back in 1978, and detour with multi-channel. welcome this new engineering resources specialises in excellent company’s entry-level the new D did the same Its return has been Spanish hopeful. Its hi-fi and is, of course, a highly sounding hi-fi at integrated. Still, it retains last year. Far smaller, impressive, with some credentials are unproven respected musical affordable prices, and the lovely build and finish vertical standing and fine-sounding products here, but this attractive, instrument manufacturer the 651A doesn’t deviate along with its pleasingly sporting a built-in DAC, offering great value, and affordable integrated too, as well as making from this philosophy. handsome style. it’s radically different. the A-50 looks just this. looks set to challenge. some tasty motorbikes!

24 JULY 2014

INTEGRATED AMPLIFIERS £200-£400 GROUPTEST

ON TEST Under the plain bonnet of this affordable amplifier lurks the performance of a far costlier product. Its 2x75W rating is bested to the tune of 2x90W and 2x140W into 8/4ohm loads with a dynamic capability of 116W/203W, respectively. Distortion is exceptionally low, falling below 0.001% (to 0.0004%) from 1W to 80W into 8ohm loads. Inevitably, THD increases at higher frequencies and into lower impedance loads, but a figure of 0.0065% for 20kHz/10W is still very low indeed. The 651A is also a very low-noise, wide bandwith Cambridge Audio design that offers a huge 96dB A-wtd S/N ratio (re. 0dBW) and a response flat to within –0.3dB from 20Hz-20kHz, rolling-off by just –1.8dB at 100kHz. This is a ‘wide open Azur 651A £350 window’, so avoid digital sources with excessive ultrasonic output (noise or otherwise) to avoid a potentially grainy This well-built product seemingly accepts almost every sound. Otherwise, it’s a belter! PM source around and packs a serious sonic punch too RESULTS AT A GLANCE Dynamic power +10 Speaker load tolerance DETAILS his fi ne-looking integrated able to play out high-resolution music presses all the right from a computer. –20 PRODUCT Distortion vs. level & frequency Cambridge Audio audiophile buttons, so to T –10 Azur 651A speak. The company has Sound quality ORIGIN form as a purveyor of no-frills hi-fi Off to a good start, fundamentally, Signal-to-noise ratio UK/China equipment for a small amount of this amplifi er sounds right. It simply +70 TYPE money. The 651A is a relatively has no weak areas, and has various Frequency response Integrated +30 amplifier/DAC substantial product by the standards strong ones that frankly you wouldn’t of this group – although it isn’t alone expect at this end of the market. Bass KEY: Group average WEIGHT % below average % above average 8.4kg in having a slightly fl imsy pressed is a little lighter than you’d get from DIMENSIONS steel top plate. The front fascia is a an integrated at twice the price, but (WxHxD) lovely chunk of brushed aluminium, is par for the course here, and what misty, foggy, opaque or processed. 430 x 120 x 350mm way nicer than the company was there is, is nicely fl uid and bouncy. This is obvious whatever music is FEATURES ● Quoted power: offering just a few years ago. It’s It powers the song along in an used via the analogue inputs – the 75W RMS per crowded with bass, treble, balance enjoyable and unselfconscious way, Fun Lovin’ Criminals and Squeeze channel and volume controls, plus input and blends well into an open and tracks are radically different ● 5x line input, 1x MM phono input selection and a front 3.5mm ‘MP3’ textured midband by the admittedly recordings and it tells you so, whereas ● 16-bit /48kHz USB socket. It offers six inputs including undistinguished standards of the others like the Pioneer don’t. The 1.0 digital input USB (digital) and MM phono. group. This then pushes up to a 651A also goes surprisingly loud very ● 6.3mm and 3.5mm headphone socket Inside there’s a largish toroidal decently airy and smooth treble, the confi dently too, keeping its spacious DISTRIBUTOR mains transformer, which makes for result being a budget amplifi er that soundstage, decent depth perspective Richer Sounds a strong power supply to underpin sounds anything but. and positive stereo imaging right up TELEPHONE its claimed 75W RMS output power. For example, the Kraftwerk track to high levels. The USB input is 0333 9000093 Separate transformer taps for left and has one of the most impressive surprisingly decent, but is still aimed WEBSITE right channels are provided, as are rhythmic sounds here, with at upgrading the terrible DACs inside cambridgeaudio. twin rectifi ers and separate rails for wonderful insight into what the computers rather than standing in for com the left and right power amplifi er band’s two drummers (or ‘electronic serious hi-fi designs. Overall then, the sections – these feature proven percussionists’ as they prefer to call Azur 651A can count itself as Sanken output transistors running themselves) were doing together. something of a star ● in Class AB mode. A ‘high-grade fi lm Compared to the Vieta for example, type’ volume potentiometer is fi tted, there is a whole extra layer of detail and Cambridge Audio’s CAP5 to the song’s rhythms. protection system saves your speakers At the same time, texturally the OUR VERDICT should overloads, faults and/or Cambridge Audio is excellent. Again, SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Clean, powerful, clipping occur. The built-in DAC it sounds far more tonally natural detailed, natural runs USB 1.0 up to 16-bit/48kHz than the others reviewed here. It sound; finish resolution, meaning that it won’t be makes every other amp sound rather VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Slightly flimsy casework

BUILD QUALITY WE SAY: Excellent budget amp with the accent on sonics FEATURES

OVERALL

JULY 2014 27

INTEGRATED AMPLIFIERS £200-£400 GROUPTEST

ON TEST Rated at 2x45W/8ohm, Marantz’s PM6005 delivers closer to 2x56W/8ohm in practice, with 2x79W/4ohm increasing to 81W, 135W, 160W and 125W into 8, 4, 2 and 1ohm loads under dynamic conditions. The maximum 11.2A current will be sufficient for most speakers likely to partner this amplifier while the 0.056ohm output impedance will not result in any response variations. Interestingly, its native response is not wholly ‘flat’ but shows a shelf at very low frequencies (max –0.15dB from 20-200Hz) and through presence and treble (max Marantz –0.3dB from 5kHz-20kHz). The 86dB A-wtd S/N ratio (re. 0dBW) is perfectly ‘average’ while distortion is largely unaffected by output power at ~0.007% through the PM6005 £380 midrange at 1-50W/8ohm. Not unexpectedly, distortion increases at the frequency extremes, up to 0.035% at 20Hz (low bass) Coming from a respected brand, this amp has a vast and 20kHz (high treble) at 10W/8ohm. PM range of features and a superlative finish at the price RESULTS AT A GLANCE Dynamic power –30 Speaker load tolerance DETAILS ere we have an illustrious Semiconductors CS4398 DAC is used company that started in – which is also seen in Marantz’s +20 PRODUCT Distortion vs. level & frequency Marantz PM6005 the US as a purveyor of higher-end products – and this is H +30 ORIGIN some of the best-sounding carefully shielded. Japan/China valve amplifi ers ever made. Then Signal-to-noise ratio TYPE Marantz’s ownership ended up with Sound quality 0 Integrated Philips for several decades, where it The Cambridge Audio is a hard act Frequency response amplifier/DAC became famous for excellent to follow, but then again Marantz is –20 WEIGHT Japanese-built affordable hi-fi pretty good at doing affordable amps KEY: Group average 7.6kg % below average % above average DIMENSIONS separates. Now it’s partnered with that sound great – and so it proves (WxHxD) Denon and is offering an ever with the PM6005. Overall, it ranks 440 x 105 x 370mm broader and more interesting range very close to the 651A, with almost all other amplifi ers here it is a revelation FEATURES of products, with the PM6005 being the good points of the Cambridge in its transparency and naturalness. ● Quoted power: 45W RMS per the company’s entry-level integrated Audio offering, but a few key It certainly gives a neutral yet highly channel (8 ohms) amplifi er. This is a smart-looking distinguishing features. First, if enjoyable sound. However, as the ● 5x line inputs, device that offers fi ve line-level audio anything the Marantz sounds a little Squeeze song proves, it’s just a little 1x MM phono input ● 24-bit/192kHz inputs plus a built-in DAC with a tidier and better polished; its tonality bit less emotive than the 651A. This digital input choice of optical or coaxial in. Unlike is slightly warmer, slicker and more aside, it beats all the others here, and ● Loudness control the Cambridge Audio, it’s a full-fat expensive sounding. By contrast, some into a cocked hat, but just can’t DISTRIBUTOR 24/192-capable chip, although it the Cambridge is ever so slightly quite convey the drama of a song like Marantz UK doesn’t have USB connectivity, which rougher and more raucous. Second, the Brit. Rather like your suave, posh TELEPHONE 02890 279830 is rather puzzling. Most other things the Marantz has a slightly wider cousin, the Marantz is a real charmer are fi tted to the Marantz, however, soundstage, with better depth that lacks a certain edge! I fi nd that WEBSITE marantz.co.uk including an MM phono input, tone perspective too. Vocals hang back across all its sources, this amp simply controls and two pairs of (rather slightly rather than being thrown at sounds better than it should at the fl imsy) speaker terminals. the listener, for example. Third, it price, and delivers a hefty punch It’s not quite as heavy as the Azur seems to be fractionally better on with one of the strongest bass 651A, but is still very sturdily built global dynamics; loud bits sound performances of the group, too. considering the modest retail price. louder, quiet bits quieter. And this What’s not to like? ● Inside, Marantz says the preamp and works with the amp’s fi ne timing to power amp sections are kept separate give a very open and fl uid sound for and feature discrete components such an inexpensive design. rather than integrated circuits, which The result is that whatever music OUR VERDICT can sully the sound. Specially selected you play, the Marantz seems able to SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Clean, smooth, components – including custom main get to grips with it, and let it fl ourish. powerful and polished capacitors – are fi tted, as is a shielded It doesn’t editorialise quite as much as sound; build toroidal transformer. A Crystal the Cambridge, and compared to the VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Slightly flimsy speaker binding posts BUILD QUALITY WE SAY: Excellent performer that belies its budget price FEATURES

OVERALL

JULY 2014 29 THE NEW CONCEPT 40 LOUDSPEAKER

Q Acoustics introduces ‘Concept 40’, an elegant new ﬂoorstanding loudspeaker which sets new standards of sonic performance at its price.

Award-winning pedigree

In common with the Concept 20, its award-winning little brother, the new Concept 40’s unparalleled soundstage and sheer musicality is achieved by incorporating outstanding drive units into a lacquered, State-of-the-Art, ‘GelcoreTM Construction’, ultra-low resonance cabinet.

‘GelcoreTM Construction, specially developed for acoustic enclosures, is in effect a ‘cabinet within a cabinet’, separated by a resonance absorbing compound. This enables the drive units to simply reproduce music, unencumbered by the level of cabinet induced distortions found in conventional designs.

“ Superlative...brilliantly balanced package... excellent value...wonderfully clean and open... bass is surprisingly strong...the midband is a joy”

HiFi Choice, June 2014

www.Qacoustics.com June 2014 May 2014 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIERS £200-£400 GROUPTEST

ON TEST NAD’s specifications for the D 3020’s power output are slightly wayward, but the ‘real world’ 60W/8ohm and 65W/4ohm (increasing to 140W/4ohm under dynamic conditions) still mark the amp out as more capable than its ‘30W’ rating might suggest. Distortion is tightly managed via digital or analogue inputs with a consistent 0.014- 0.017% from 20Hz-20kHz (re. 10W/8ohm) and 0.006-0.027% over its rated 30W range. Like all quality Class D amps, its (analogue) response is unaffected by speaker load impedance, the ‘gentle’ treble reaching NAD –0.7dB/20kHz and –8.7dB/100kHz from 8ohm down to 1ohm. Response via its digital inputs mirrors this within the limits of the incoming sample rate. The A-wtd S/N is also D 3020 £399 fine at 89.1dB (analogue) and very good at 96.6dB (digital), both re. 0dBW. Jitter is not in the Devialet class [see p16-19] at 960psec With its vertical operation and wide range of digital (re. 10W), but is acceptable at the price! PM inputs, this could be the shape of integrateds to come RESULTS AT A GLANCE Dynamic power +50 Speaker load tolerance DETAILS hen the D 3020 came out headphone aside, facilities are last year, I thought it a minimal on this attractively styled, –20 PRODUCT Distortion vs. level & frequency NAD D 3020 little odd. I didn’t quite modernist machine. W +30 ORIGIN ‘get it’, and failed to see Canada/China why NAD would change the form Sound quality Signal-to-noise ratio TYPE factor so dramatically. Now, though, What’s so interesting about this +30 Integrated the idea has sunk in. Just as the amplifi er is that it uses radically Frequency response amplifier/DAC original late seventies 3020 was a different technology to NAD’s classic +30 WEIGHT genre-defi ning product – a small, 3020 amp (and derivatives) to get a KEY: Group average 1.38kg % below average % above average DIMENSIONS compact, black integrated that was superfi cially similar sound. That rich, (WxHxD) full of useful features yet cost very fruity bass is there, as is a lively 58 x 186 x 219mm little – so the D 3020 begins to look midband that’s bristling with detail spotlit midband you begin to relax FEATURES like the shape of integrated amplifi ers and a wide, expansive soundstage. into the music and enjoy its strengths. ● Quoted power: 30W RMS per of the future. Its ‘stand-up’ design is Treble is crisp and clear, but decently The trouble is, turn the volume up channel striking, and looks and feels lovely smooth too – just like classic NADs with speakers of average or below ● Built-in DAC with its rubberised side panels, backlit used to be. But in other respects the sensitivity, and suddenly on the fi rst (24/96 max via USB) ● 1x line, 2x optical fascia and top panel. It can be used D 3020 is quite different; it sounds big bass transient on Computer World, digital inputs, 1x on its side too, and NAD supplies a little more ‘etched’ than its the NAD goes AWOL, momentarily coaxial, 1x aptX sticky feet for this if needed. There’s a predecessors, or indeed most of the muting to pull itself back from Bluetooth, 1x asynchronous USB big, rubberised volume knob with other amplifi ers here. There’s a sense clipping. Effectively then its output ● 6.3mm clever display behind a tinted perspex that it pushes right into the guts of power is quite limited, which means headphone socket fascia, and the source indication is the recording and throws out masses you need to match it to sensitive DISTRIBUTOR backlit. The amp is a joy to use, and of detail, but there’s also a slightly loudspeakers, and/or not listen at Sevenoaks Sound & Vision great fun, too. electronic, processed sound, which high levels. Still, when properly TELEPHONE Inside are NAD’s latest Class D leaves you wanting the more natural partnered, the D 3020 sounds 01732 459555 power modules, specially developed strains of the Cambridge Audio or propulsive and detailed, and this WEBSITE and bang up to date. The amp is Marantz with acoustic music like holds for its analogue or digital nadelectronics.com claimed to put out 30W RMS per side Randy Crawford. inputs. All of which makes it an into 8ohms, with up to 150W on Actually, it does vary according to interesting little box for sure ● 2ohm peak transients no less. The the type of music you listen to. The circuitry uses the latest version of Kraftwerk track is a joy, the NAD NAD’s PowerDrive circuit, and has appearing to be massively detailed Soft Clipping to protect speakers from and it manages to slot it all together OUR VERDICT the amp being overdriven. It offers in a surprisingly enjoyable way. Bass SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Styling and two optical and one coaxial digital is a good deal more sumptuous than packaging; rich sound; inputs, plus asynchronous USB most others here except the Vieta, but USB/Bluetooth (working up to 24/96) and wireless the NAD has loads more detail and VALUE FOR MONEY connectivity DISLIKE: Limited aptX Bluetooth. This and a 6.3mm insight. Once you get used to that power, so it needs BUILD QUALITY sensitive speakers WE SAY: Superbly packaged modern FEATURES integrated, but not for parties! OVERALL

JULY 2014 31 0) 683(5,25 3(5)250$1&( +($' 3+21(6

When music matters most 9(5< +,*+ 48$/,7< 086,&$/ ),'(/,7< '(6,*1(' 1(2'<0,80 '5,9( 81,76

ZZZmusicaOÀGeOit\com INTEGRATED AMPLIFIERS £200-£400 GROUPTEST

ON TEST As the other Class D amplifier in our test, Pioneer’s A-50 is slightly more conventional in execution than NAD’s D 3020. Power output is higher at 2x85W/8ohm and 2x130W/4ohm, with a dynamic capability of 100W, 180W, 310W and 190W into 8, 4, 2 and 1ohm loads, but the A-wtd S/N ratio is rather weaker at 76.7dB (re. 0dBW). Also, in common with bridged Class D networks, the A-50’s response is very dependent on the impedance trend of the attached loudspeaker. Into a ‘flat’ 8ohm load there’s a treble rise, peaking at +1.4dB/38kHz, while Pioneer into 4ohm it droops to –1.1dB/20kHz and –3.3dB/38kHz. There is a noticeable treble loss into even lower impedance loads. Distortion is low at bass and midrange A-50 £350 frequencies (0.0007%-0.0015% from 20Hz- 1kHz), but increases steeply at HF, reaching 0.06% at 20kHz. This is not ‘high’, of course, Packed with facilities allied to a fine finish and a serious but reflects the Class D filter network. PM power output, this would seem to have got the lot RESULTS AT A GLANCE Dynamic power –10 Speaker load tolerance DETAILS aving spent a good few manufacturer says, and the power years making fi ne plasma supply is isolated. 0 PRODUCT Distortion vs. level & frequency Pioneer A-50 TVs and multi-channel H –50 ORIGIN music systems, Pioneer has Sound quality Japan/China come back to two-channel, applying The Pioneer is a fair performer at the Signal-to-noise ratio TYPE its usual high standards along the price, giving a little away in its ability –40 Integrated amplifier way. The A-50 boasts excellent fi nish to make music fun compared with Frequency response WEIGHT allied to a wide range of features, plus the others here. Much like its more –40 11.1kg an awful lot of power – on paper at expensive A-70 brother – reviewed KEY: Group average DIMENSIONS % below average % above average (WxHxD) least. 90W RMS is claimed, making it issue 368 – it has a pleasingly smooth 435 x 139 x 357mm one of the most powerful here. This is and even tonal balance with no FEATURES possible at the price due to the use of nasties. To get this sort of grown up pulling the listener in to a surprising ● Quoted power: Class D, which is a less expensive way sound from an amplifi er of this price degree. There is a fair amount of scale 90W per channel ● 5x line, 1x MM of getting power, not least because it’s would have been amazing 10 years to the sound, and it doesn’t appear phono input more effi cient and doesn’t require ago. All its sins are those of omission; to shrink as the volume is turned up. ● 2 pairs of speaker costly heatsinks. Baffl ingly though, rather than having areas of howling Indeed, under duress the Pioneer outputs ● 6.3mm the A-50 is still a big, heavy beast. To incompetence, such as a horribly remains cool as cucumber, with little headphone socket unearth its sonic potential, you’ll need fi erce treble or vague, pendulous sense of strain until things get very DISTRIBUTOR a decent deck. Thankfully there are bass, that transforms the loud. If you’re really going to criticise Pioneer GB plenty of new top-quality spinners to fundamentals of the music, the the A-50, it’s the lack of micro TELEPHONE chose from. Pioneer simply doesn’t do some things dynamics that lets the side down; on 0330 1231240 Featurewise, it’s very similar to the as well as most of the rivals in this Randy Crawford it seems to sit on the WEBSITE Yamaha – it’s almost as if those two roundup. Taken in isolation, it’s a stronger rhythmic accents of the song pioneer.co.uk Japanese manufacturers were perfectly pleasant performer and more than the Cambridge or Marantz. following one another! This means you’d be happy to live with it on a This gives a slightly fl atter and less tone controls, a wide range of inputs daily basis. intense sound than you can get from including moving magnet phono and For example, the Kraftwerk track the best of the rest, but it still makes source direct mode, which bypasses shows how it can set up a decently a nice enough noise. A big value the bass, treble and balance adjusters. involving groove and keep the song amplifi er, but not the best sounding ● There’s also a Power Amp Direct moving along. It has a fair amount of Mode, useful for multi-channel detail too, but ultimately its midband systems. Internally, short signal paths sounds both a little nasal and are used together with selected congested, and rather two OUR VERDICT passive components such as Schottky dimensional spatially. Still, nothing it SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Impressive build barrier diodes. Special attention does here is unpleasant; Computer and finish; smooth has been paid to grounding the World rattles along at a decent pace, tonality; pleasing VALUE FOR MONEY musically DISLIKE: Muddled midband; flattened BUILD QUALITY depth perspective WE SAY: Powerful, pleasant-sounding FEATURES integrated that’s nicely presented OVERALL

JULY 2014 33 Sometimes you just can’t see the wood for the trees when you’re buying hi-fi.

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EAST Grahams Hi-Fi NORTH WEST Soundcraft Hi-Fi Phase 3 Basically Sound City of London Acoustica Ashford Worthing Norwich www.grahams.co.uk Chester www.soundcrafthifi.com www.phase3.co www.basicallysound.co.uk 020 7226 5500 www.acoustica.co.uk 01233 624441 01903 245577 01362 820800 01244 344227 Oranges & Lemons The Sound Gallery SCOTLAND Martins Hi-Fi Clapham Chris Brooks Audio High Wycombe Glasgow Audio Norwich www.oandlhifi.co.uk Warrington www.soundgallery.co.uk Glasgow www.martinshifi.co.uk 020 7924 2040 www.chrisbrooksaudio.com 01494 531682 www.glasgowaudio.com 01603 627010 01925 261212 Unilet Sound & Vision 0141 332 4707 SOUTH WEST New Malden LONDON SOUTH EAST Holburn Hi-Fi Gulliford Audio www.unilet.net Adair Acoustic Design Home Media Aberdeen Exeter 020 8942 9567 Clerkenwell Maidstone www.holburnhifi.co.uk www.gullifordhifi.co.uk www.adairacousticdesign.co.uk 01224 585713 01392 491194 MIDLANDS www.thehomeofhifi.com 0207 253 2326 01622 676703 Nottingham Hi Fi Centre SOUTH CENTRAL Bartletts Hi Fi Nottingham Infidelity Islington www.nottinghamhificentre.co.uk Kingston-on-Thames Overture www.bartlettshifi.com 0115 9786919 www.infidelity.co.uk Banbury 020 7607 2148 020 8943 3530 www.overture.co.uk NORTH EAST 01295 272158 Billy Vee Sound Systems P J Hi-Fi Sound Organisation Lewisham Guildford Oxford Audio Consultants York www.billyvee.co.uk www.pjhifi.co.uk Oxford www.soundorg.co.uk 020 8318 5755 01483 504801 www.oxfordaudio.co.uk 01904 627108 01865 790879

/ClarityAlliance @clarityalliance www.clarityalliance.co.uk INTEGRATED AMPLIFIERS £200-£400 GROUPTEST

ON TEST One of three Vieta amplifiers available, the VH-HA100 is the most powerful and (in the manual) is rated at 2x75W/4ohm. In practice this would probably equate to a 2x50W/ 8ohm specification, but the amp actually achieves 2x65W/8ohm and 2x86W/4ohm with sufficient headroom to accommodate 90W, 145W, 165W and 115W into 8, 4, 2 and 1ohm loads under dynamic conditions. So this is a reasonably capable little amp, albeit one that can run very hot so adequate ventilation is a must! Distortion increases gently with output level, from 0.015% at 1W Vieta to 0.04% at 50W/8ohm through bass and midrange frequencies, our sample reaching 0.2% at 20kHz on the right channel only. The ‘smooth and sweet’ treble is a product of a VH-HA100 £280 very obvious HF roll-off that starts through the presence band and falls to –0.8dB/10kHz and –2dB/20kHz while the A-wtd S/N is a Though new to the UK, this Spanish manufacturer little below average at 80dB (re. 0dBW). PM off ers a variety of aff ordable audio products RESULTS AT A GLANCE Dynamic power –20 Speaker load tolerance DETAILS ome say that separates When operating it runs surprisingly hi-fi as we know it has hot, certainly more so than all the –30 PRODUCT Distortion vs. level & frequency Vieta VH-HA100 reached the end of the other integrateds here. S +20 ORIGIN line. The argument goes Spain/China that the world is going wireless, and Sound quality Signal-to-noise ratio TYPE we’ll all be wanting ultra niche Given that Vieta is something of an –30 Integrated amplifier products to refl ect our diverse unknown quantity for yours truly, Frequency response WEIGHT lifestyles. Interesting then to see yet the company having no audiophile –40 4.8kg another new hi-fi brand appear – new pedigree in the UK at least, I am KEY: Group average DIMENSIONS % below average % above average (WxHxD) at least to these shores as Vieta has pleasantly surprised by the warm and 430 x 70 x 285mm existed for nearly 60 years in its sumptuous sound that greets me from FEATURES native Spain. You wouldn’t call it a the VH-HA100. It’s certainly quite rather emotionally expressive. The ● Quoted power: specialist audiophile company in the different to some here, and strikes a Squeeze song is good fun, bouncing 100W per channel ● 4x line input, 1x Cambridge Audio sense though, as slightly different balance with a fairly along nicely inside a reasonably MM phono input it does produce car kit, audio and fulsome bottom end. I wouldn’t say spacious recorded acoustic. The Vieta ● 3.5mm minijack headphones too, and has had no bass is exceptional, but it has more does sit on the music’s real dynamic line in ● 6.3mm small degree of success with the weight than most in this test, and accenting a touch, but it doesn’t headphone socket latter. Despite costing under £300, moving up the scale the midband hinder it too much; this aside it has DISTRIBUTOR the HA100 is the top product in the is enjoyably expansive. It gives a an agreeable nature that likes to let Aqord Distribution amplifi er range, and offers a claimed powerful, epic feel to the Kraftwerk the music get on with things. Again, TELEPHONE 100W (on the website) although it’s track, for example, and proves well its warmish tonality works wonders 0161 6117174 unclear how this is actually measured. able to eke out a lot of detail. It on the Fun Lovin’ Criminals track, WEBSITE The Vieta clearly lacks the lavish sounds a good deal sweeter than the giving a wide and powerful sound. aqsound.com vieta.es build and fi nish of the Japanese Pioneer, and clearer and less opaque Sadly though, this amp doesn’t run up integrated amplifi er designs on test than the Yamaha, although it can’t to high levels quite as gracefully as here, looking a little less expensive, quite match the Marantz and some here, so it won’t be a fi rst choice and nor does it offer the precision feel Cambridge Audio. Treble isn’t for student parties. This is certainly of the far heavier Cambridge Audio particularly spacious, but it’s nicely an impressive amplifi er in its way, either. Still, its top plate is a good deal smooth and sweet, and together the unassuming but enjoyable ● stronger than some of the models Vieta presents a very listenable sound on test, and it’s fairly competitive at the price; I particularly like its in terms of its specifi cation. There’s a vocal quality. choice of four line inputs and an MM It even impresses with its timing, OUR VERDICT phono stage, although no DAC is too. It’s a little indistinct compared SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Pleasingly offered. There’s is a front panel to the Cambridge Audio or Marantz, musical sound; mounted 3.5mm input socket and and seems to soften attack transients unassuming styling 6.35mm headphone socket. Inside, it which slows things down slightly, but VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Lacks transparency boasts a toroidal power transformer. still this little amplifi er proves really compared to some BUILD QUALITY WE SAY: Affable and endearing integrated that should win friends FEATURES

OVERALL

JULY 2014 35

INTEGRATED AMPLIFIERS £200-£400 GROUPTEST

ON TEST This is the most powerful amplifier in our Group Test, and the most tolerant of difficult speaker loads, but it only meets its basic 100W/8ohm specification by a whisker at 2x105W. More importantly this increases to 2x185W/4ohm and a very substantial 215W and 415W into 4 and 2ohm, representing a maximum current of 14.4A at <1% THD. Interestingly, and unlike previous/costlier Yamaha amps, the A-S201 has a slightly below-average 80dB A-wtd S/N ratio (re. 0dBW) while distortion is optimised for a ~10W delivery, increasing from 0.002% here Yamaha to 0.015% at 1W and 80W. Distortion also increases at both low and high frequencies from 0.002% at 1kHz to 0.03% at 20Hz and 0.045% at 20kHz. The response shows an A-S201 £200 insignificant treble roll off of –0.1dB/20kHz while stereo separation holds up very well at 90dB through bass and midrange, falling to Can this Japanese giant get the balance right with a respectable 72dB/20kHz (re. 10W). PM its entry-level integrated and impress here? RESULTS AT A GLANCE Dynamic power 0 Speaker load tolerance DETAILS here’s no doubting it off at a preset time (2, 4, 8 or 12 Yamaha’s pedigree in hi-fi . hours) if desired. Low standby power +50 PRODUCT Distortion vs. level & frequency Yamaha A-S201 It has been a major player use is also claimed. T –20 ORIGIN since the early sixties, and Japan/Malaysia has always invested heavily in new Sound quality Signal-to-noise ratio TYPE technology to give its products the Interesting, this. It’s abundantly clear –30 Integrated amplifier edge. The new A-S201 is an evolution that the Yamaha isn’t an expensive Frequency response WEIGHT of its S200 entry-level integrated amplifi er in some respects; it’s not +40 6.7kg amplifi er, and has been designed over burdened with bass, for KEY: Group average DIMENSIONS % below average % above average (WxHxD) with convenience in mind as it moves example, and the treble isn’t the most 435 x 141 x 333mm away from the more retro-styled gear spacious ever heard on an integrated FEATURES of the past few years. At the price, amplifi er. But its musical performance on the Squeeze song are the same; ● Quoted power: it’s well fi nished and has beautifully has a coherence to it that some others the amp holds things together and 100W per channel ● 4x line, 1x MM clean styling – you simply wouldn’t here lack. It’s interesting to contrast the result is musically convincing phono input believe it to be a cheap unit until you it with the Pioneer, which is more unlike some others here. True, tonally ● 2 pairs of speaker touch the fl imsy pressed steel top powerful and punchy, but sounds the Yamaha lacks variety and much in outputs ● 6.3mm plate, which is about as thin as rather opaque by comparison. The the way of colour, but its basic default headphone socket Yamaha can get away with. The fascia Yamaha doesn’t over reach itself, position is slightly warm and woolly DISTRIBUTOR uses a combination of a fl uorescent trying to bite off more than it can and that makes everything sound Yamaha UK display and buttons to vary bass, chew and the result is that what you agreeable. The Fun Lovin’ Criminals TELEPHONE treble and source, and there’s a do get is very well digested. Computer track again shows limited power, but 0844 8111116 Pure Direct mode to bypass these. World just breezes along, the amp the A-S201 is more interested in WEBSITE The company claims 100W per throwing out a good deal of detail having a stab at the complex uk.yamaha.com channel for the A-S201, and this into a narrower soundstage than interactions between the drum comes courtesy of carefully laid out some here, but it is better delineated machine snare and hi-hats circuitry. Yamaha says the power and images are located more securely. than some here. It proves a friendly, transformer sits near the power amp Although not powerful by the enjoyable and rather pleasing little circuit to reduce power loss. Signal standards of the group – only the integrated that represents great ground and power supply ground NAD seems less potent – again within value for money ● share one common point to give its performance envelope it is what’s claimed to be a better convincing. The powerful Kraftwerk signal-to-noise ratio. A moving bass transients don’t upset it one jot, magnet phono stage is included, and it holds everything together OUR VERDICT and the amp features a power better despite throwing out less SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Agreeable, management function that can switch prodigious bass levels. The crescendos enjoyable tonality; good rhythms; styling VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Casework is too flimsy; captive mains lead BUILD QUALITY WE SAY: Fine design with great style and decent sonics FEATURES

OVERALL

JULY 2014 37 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIERS GROUPTEST £200-£400

Group test verdict The verdicts are all in and checked and it’s over to David Price to reveal the final results of this month’s impressive integrated amplifiers test...

IT’S A CLOSE run thing, but the The Vieta was the surprise of the very good fun to listen to for a Pioneer takes last place. It’s not a bad group. It doesn’t win any prizes for Class D design, but if you’re after a amplifi er at all, it’s just outperformed styling or bulk, but it proved nice to warmer and more romantic sound here. The A-50 looks great, is decently listen to and seemed to enjoy making – or if you want more power – you WINNER put together, has plenty of features music a lot more than the sixth and can do better still. and oodles of power. It’s just that it fi fth-placed rivals. It’s unassuming yet The Marantz is runner up. In a By a whisker, the doesn’t string the music together in a proves a most enjoyable listen, with a way, or indeed on another day, it Cambridge Audio Azur particularly incisive way, and sounds warm and musical sound. Only a lack might have been the winner. It is an 651A takes the top spot. a bit processed compared with the of clarity and insight pulls it down. excellent amplifi er that goes pretty It’s a cracking-sounding amp at the price thanks best of the rest here. In third place comes the NAD. much head to head with the superb to its clarity, grip, The Yamaha ranks fi fth. Again it’s In some ways it’s less charming to winner of this Group Test, but it just dynamic articulation a very nice amplifi er for the money. listen to than the Vieta, and it sounds doesn’t quite have the same levels and overall musical It’s a little less sturdily built than the slightly more artifi cial in its tonality. of emotional commitment to the cohesive. Whatever Pioneer, but it’s beautifully styled and But it’s a brilliantly versatile and music. Still, if you prefer your you play, it takes a back has a more organic sound, one that’s innovative product, and shows the sounds smooth and sophisticated, seat and lets it flood out of your speakers. a little less opaque. way the world is going. Sonically it’s this is the one to buy.

Make/model Cambridge Audio Marantz NAD Pioneer Vieta Yamaha Azur 651A PM6005 D 3020 A-50 VH-HA100 A-S201

Price £350 £380 £399 £350 £280 £200 Sound Value Build Features Overall , It’s a close-run thing, Superb, polished An innovatively It looks great and is The unassuming Fine value budget but this is the best performer with fine packaged product powerful with plenty Spanish newcomer amplifier with sounding of the finish comes in a very that’s highly versatile of features, but it is surprisingly nice smooth sonics that’s group; great value close second place with good sound lacks a natural sound to listen to lacking in power

Key features

Line inputs 5 RCA 5 RCA/optical/coax 1 RCA/2 optical/coax 5 RCA 4 RCA 4 RCA

Headphone out 3.5mm & 6.35mm 6.35mm 6.35mm 6.35mm 6.35mm 6.35mm

2 speakers out Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes

Digital USB 16-bit/48kHz No 24-bit/96kHz No No No

Phono stage MM MM No MM MM MM

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AUDIOLAB • M-DAC • DAC / PREAMP Award-winning DAC featuring a USB input with asynchronous data processing along with two coaxial and £749 £1499 optical digital inputs. High-res 24-bit/192kHz music fi les can OR LESS OR LESS be played via its coaxial input. AUDIOLAB • 8200CD / 8200A • CD / AMPLIFIER CYRUS • CD i / 8 DAC • CD PLAYER / AMPLIFIER / DAC The award-winning 8200CD features a wealth of digital With its 2 x 70 w power output and extended range of digital AUDIOQUEST • DRAGONFLY v1.2 inputs that will keep it playing all your music regardless of inputs, the 8 DAC amplifi er is a great partner for the DAC / HEADPHONE AMP how it may be stored. new CD i CD player. An affordable and easy-to-use device that delivers far superior sound by bypassing the poor quality sound card that is built into your computer. DragonFly is a sleek, fl ash drive sized £SSAV £499 Digital-Audio Converter that connects to .COM OR LESS a USB jack on a Mac or Windows PC, £129 turning any computer into a true NEW OR LESS high-fi delity music source.

£SSAV £699 £399 .COM OR LESS NAD • D 1050 OR LESS DAC / HEADPHONE AMP MARANTZ • CD6005 / PM6005 • CD / AMPLIFIER NAD • C 546BEE / C 356BEE DAC • CD / AMP / DAC The best way to add Computer Replacing the 6004 models, the 6005 amp gains digital inputs Enjoy music from your computer without musical Audio and HD Digital to your using the same 24-bit/192kHz DAC as the CD player which now compromise via the DAC or listen to music from CD with hi-ﬁ system. In fact, all digital features enchanced USB playback and improved performance. the MP3 / WMA compatible CD player. sources will get a boost when the D 1050 takes over for the inferior digital circuitry found in everything from Blu-ray, DVD and CD players, to music £1899 £599 streamers and set-top boxes. OR LESS OR LESS £1499 NEW OR LESS BLACK FINISH £1899 £499 OR LESS OR LESS

ROKSAN • CASPIAN M2 • CD / AMPLIFIER ROTEL • RA-12 / RCD-12 • AMPLIFIER / DAC / CD NAD • M51 • DAC The M2 amp boasts 85wpc and fi ve line inputs while the Amplifi er with DAC that supports iPod USB and Bluetooth This award-winning DAC / pre-amp features optical, coaxial, matching CD features a 24-bit DAC plus dedicated power audio streaming. Includes four analogue line-level inputs and USB and HDMI inputs, all of which can handle fi les up to 24- supplies for the outputs. a phono input. The RCD-12 CD player is an ideal partner. bit/192kHz. The M51 will truly transform any system.

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DENON • D-M39DAB • CD / DAB SYSTEM MARANTZ • M-CR610 • CD / DAB / NETWORK SYSTEM YAMAHA • CRX-N560D • CD / DAB / NETWORK SYSTEM This micro component system gives you clean dramatic Enjoy great sounding music from diverse sources, including This Hi-Fi system, with a CD player, DAB/DAB+ tuner for sound, and more life to iPod and iPhone music libraries via Internet radio, music-streaming services, mobile devices, TV and digital broadcasts and Network compatibility with AirPlay, its digital USB input. Includes DAB/DAB+/FM tuner. other digital audio sources. combines elegant design with high quality sound. www.SSAV.com BOWERS & WILKINS • CM10 TANNOY • REVOLUTION DC6T SE Q ACOUSTICS • CONCEPT 40 Introducing the CM10, a new Award-winning compact, fl oorstanding The Q Acoustic Concept 40 fl agship for the CM series that speakers featuring Tannoy’s unique fl oorstanding speakers are combines technologies from the Dual Concentric™ drive unit along the latest addition to the Reference ranges with innovative with trapezoidal cabinets. Exclusively award-winning Concept range new construction techniques. fi nished in luxury Espresso colour real and deliver unparalleled sonic The result is simply spectacular. wood veneer. performance at its price. £2999 £999 £999.95 OR LESS OR LESS NEW OR LESS

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6 MONTHS OF BOWERS & WILKINS £329 SONOS P7 GOOGLE MUSIC FREE OR LESS THE WIRELESS Hi-Fi SYSTEM WHEN YOU BUY A SONOS HEADPHONES PLAY:1, PLAY:3 OR PLAY:5 With P7, everything is designed to The Sonos Wireless HiFi System VALID UNTIL 05/07/14 allow you to lose yourself in music. delivers all the music on earth, Bass is tight, vocals are precisely in every room, with deep, richly deﬁ ned, and there’s a wonderful textured sound. Sonos is the only sense of space, balance and system that combines Hi-Fi sound clarity across the whole frequency with high-performance wireless. range. P7’s cable comes with a Plus it’s simple to set-up, control £SSAV remote/microphone attachment, and expand so you can easily ﬁ ll .COM so it works seamlessly with your your home with music. iPhone.

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• THESE STORES ARE FRANCHISED AND OPERATE UNDER A LICENCE AGREEMENT TO SEVENOAKS SOUND & VISION. ADVERT VALID UNTIL 02/07/2014. E&OE SONUS FABER OLYMPICA II EXOTICA FLOORSTANDING LOUDSPEAKER £6,998

42 JULY 2014 SONUS FABER OLYMPICA II FLOORSTANDING LOUDSPEAKER £6,998 EXOTICA

DETAILS Put on the amazing eponymous track from electro stylists LFO and PRODUCT Sonus faber you’ll soon realise that it is Chosen one Olympica II commendably well extended, if not ORIGIN exceptionally so. Italy One satisfying thing is how well the TYPE bass melds into the midband; it’s very Three-way Any new Sonus faber speaker is special floorstanding seamless and all of a piece. There’s no loudspeaker sense of two drive units competing – says David Price , but can the Olympica II WEIGHT as happens on lesser three-ways – 68kg instead you’re lead to a wonderfully floorstander live up to the promise? DIMENSIONS fragrant midband with space and (WxHxD) 370 x 1,055 x 472mm colour. The Sonus faber isn’t one of FEATURES those ultra clean speakers that sounds he past few years have combines a heart of hi-tech rigid ● 29mm ‘Arrow like it’s trying to be a monitor; instead been a prolifi c time for syntactic foam with external layers in Point’ dome tweeter it goes for a slightly warmish Sonus faber. The company treated cellulose pulp. There’s a 1.5in ● 150mm pulp fibre midband that casts a gentle amber T composite now has a burgeoning voice coil and powerful long stroke midrange driver light across everything. This isn’t a range of products; no sooner was the magnetic motor. ● 230mm sandwich criticism, because it takes a fraction membrane bass ‘affordable’ Venere range launched The units cross over at 250Hz and driver of the edge off some really steely than the Olympica popped up at last 2.5kHz; this isn’t particularly unusual, ● Quoted sensitivity: recordings like The Castaways’ Liar year’s High End Show in Munich. The although Sonus faber says the 88dB/1W/1m Liar, making it just that little bit more II you see here is in the middle of a progressive slope crossover design DISTRIBUTOR palatable. What I like about the three-strong range; the I is a has its amplitude/phase response Absolute Sounds midband is that it manages to be standmount, whereas the III is a optimised for best space/time domain TELEPHONE detailed and high in resolution 0208 9713909 larger fl oorstander with an additional performance. Claimed frequency without veering into hardness and WEBSITE bass driver to the II’s existing three. response is 40Hz to 30kHz, and absolutesounds. shrillness; some high-end speakers The woodwork is lovely, the sensitivity is quoted at 88dB/1W/1m. com don’t and can have you running for detailing exquisite, the fi nish Suggested amplifi er power is 50W to the door when you play less than immaculate – and yet the speaker 250W with a nominal impedance of perfect recordings. feels even nicer still. It’s funny how 4ohms; a good, strong solid-state The high frequency performance is when other speaker companies go to amplifi er is needed. Listening tests good, and pretty much up to par with town on build and fi nish, they never show the speakers work surprisingly the rest of the speaker. At this price Build quality seem to get it quite so spot on. The well close to a rear wall, although is impeccable you might crave the smoothness and review samples come in gorgeous ideally you’d want them out at least a and those curves delicacy of an Apogee ribbon or a walnut wood with maple joints, the metre into free air, and slightly toed are to die for good electrostatic panel like a top, front and rear baffl es get natural into the line of sight of the listener. Generally, the Sonus fabers prove It goes for a warmish pretty easy to get along with by the midband that casts standards of their price class. a gentle amber light Sound quality The II is a nice size. In a largish (but across everything not huge) British listening room, it sits perfectly. By the time you get to leather (not vinyl) surfacing and the spend £7,000 on a pair of speakers, side-fi ring vertical refl ex ports are you’re getting into tricky territory; covered by a perforated metal sheet. electrostatics, ribbons, hybrids, etc, If any other company were to do this, all often prove hard to partner and it would look gaudy and vulgar, but position. Yet there’s no such drama here it’s divine. here – it delivers an expansive and There’s an interesting drive unit three-dimensional sound with no complement, starting with a 29mm tonal anomalies. silk dome tweeter based on that of Bass is fi rm and insistent, but never the high-end Aida. It has an ‘Arrow overpowers the room or the music; Point’ damped apex dome, which is instead you feel it’s an important said to be a synthesis of the classic constituent part of the whole, rather dome and ring transducer, and a new than something that stands out on Neodymium magnet-powered motor its own. As Black Uhuru’s Great Train system. The 150mm midrange driver Robbery shows, it can start and stop uses a composite former eddy with alacrity, being fl eet of foot current-free voice coil, and the cone enough to really get into the musical sports a blend of traditional cellulose groove. Yet you never get the feeling pulp, kapok, kenaf and other natural that the speaker is trying to embellish fi bres, and is said to give the most the music; down in the bass natural sound. This gets a transparent especially, it’s clean and taut and viscous surface damping coating. matter of fact in the best of ways. If The woofer is a 230mm affair with you want a huge, booming cacophony a sandwich cone membrane that don’t buy this.

JULY 2014 43 SONUS FABER OLYMPICA II EXOTICA FLOORSTANDING LOUDSPEAKER £6,998

IN SIGHT Q&A electrostatic, but there’s not much in Livio Cucuzza it and the Olympica II comes over as 1 29mm silk Industrial Design Dept chief, 1 dome tweeter fast and controlled. So much so that Fine Sounds Group it lets you focus right in on differing 2 150mm midrange driver strands of the music, and follow them with ease. This ability to separate out 3 Bi-wiring binding posts the different elements in the mix is the mark of a fi ne loudspeaker. 4 230mm sandwich cone Another aspect of a speaker’s phase membrane performance is its imaging and depth woofer perspective, and again it scores highly. Spatially it’s a wide and expansive performer, which – although lacking DP: What type of customer is the the sheer vastness of a large panel Olympica series aimed at? loudspeaker – manages to sound far LC: These loudspeakers are built for anyone who loves music, and the less shut in than some conventional rivals. Cue up a classical Deutsche sound signature typical of Sonus 2 faber loudspeakers. They’re for Grammophon recording of people who love details and natural Beethoven’s Pastorale Symphony materials like wood and leather and and you’re left in no doubt that the who are sensitive to the Italian Olympica can place instruments in craftsmanship. The Olympica the orchestra accurately and resolve collection fits in the middle of the right back to the rear of the hall. Only overall Sonus faber range, an area on full-blown dynamic crescendos do that has always been very important 4 you ever get a sense that it isn’t quite for us – once with the Cremona 3 as powerful and expressive as larger, collection and now with the cost-no-object designs. It’s a delicate Olympica line. but detailed sound then, one that’s sophisticated, dynamically engaging Who designed it? and musically satisfying – and never As chief of the Industrial Design less than lovely to listen to. Department, I did! But every project is a result of the entire design team, Conclusion now in charge for all the brands of the Pretty much all £7,000 loudspeakers Fine Sounds Group. This special shape is used to control every inner are accomplished in one way or resonance of the cabinet, which itself another, so the choice of purchase is a combination of aluminium, solid MartinLogan. But those speakers can comes down to the performance wood and HDF. From the ergonomic have their own issues and fall behind characteristics you value most. The point of view a vertical slot reflex port the Olympica II in the bass, for Olympica II appeals to those seeking on the side aims to give the client the HOW IT example. The important thing is that a great all rounder, something that possibility to optimise the bass COMPARES the Sonus faber’s treble doesn’t pull gives a powerful, spacious and response in his own listening room. the otherwise very high standards of detailed sound with an even tonal Costing £3 less than the This done, the speaker should sound performance down. It’s a fi ne balance, strong bass and smooth, Sonus faber, Spendor’s great with every kind of good music. ST is beautifully built. example of a well-designed dome extended treble – whatever type of Sonically it’s very even tweeter, and gives a lovely sparkle to music you care to play. It is brilliant in What source components and and balanced; it’s not the hi-hat work on the earthy rock of no single area, rather its strength lies amplifiers would you recommend? what you’d call a REM’s Near Wild Heaven. Feed it the in its high general competence. It’s an I suggest that Sonus fabers should be ‘character speaker’. opening cymbal of Isaac Hayes’ Theme important new player in the high-end used with components that enhance Bass is strong, nicely propulsive and yet From Shaft and it serves up a sweet fl oorstander market and well worth the qualities of naturalness and and tactile sound, the tweeter proving an audition if you’re looking for a acoustic transparency. Every audio not overblown. The Olympica is very similar sensitive enough to get up close with consummate multi-tasker ● system’s sound is a very personal here, but stretches up the sticks on the cymbals. It integrates choice, tightly connected with to a midband that is a beautifully, giving the impression individual taste, of course. During little warmer and less you’re listening to one loudspeaker our tests, we observed very good ‘clean’ than the ST. performances with powerful However, the Italian per channel and not two or three. OUR VERDICT This is a very well voiced speaker McIntosh amplifiers, as well as with speaker sounds more SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Balanced velvety Audio Research vacuum engaging, and has a then, one that’s tonally coherent with tonality; satisfying tubes and versatile Wadia products. lovely tone on classical no diffi cult spots that draw attention musicality; build music where the British to mismatched drivers or poorly VALUE FOR MONEY and finish one is a little more executed crossovers, but how does it DISLIKE: Slight lack matter of fact. Treble is of dimensionality, but BUILD QUALITY fractionally cleaner on fare in the time domain? This is otherwise nothing the Spendor, but there’s always a leading question for big WE SAY: Gorgeous, beautiful sounding very little in it and three-ways, as there’s a lot to EASE OF DRIVE premium floorstanders overall the Sonus faber integrate. Happily, the Sonus faber comes over as having works very well, with a decently taut a little more brio in its OVERALL sound, to go with its and grippy sound that never smudges superb styling. or blurs leading edges. It lacks the razor-sharp transients of a good

44 JULY 2014 Great things happen on Sundays GRAHAM SLEE ROAD SHOW Cranage Hall, Cheshire Sunday 15th June 2014 We’ll be demonstrating our phono preamps, headphone amps, DACs, power amp and cables

To avoid disappointment, book your ticket online now at www.audioshow.co.uk

Graham Slee Projects Limited, 6 Buttercross Drive, Little Houghton, Barnsley, S72 0HS Tel: 01909-568739 Superior Performance Hi-Fi Products CHORD ELECTRONICS HUGO REVIEWS DAC/HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER £1,400

DETAILS per second, it can’t completely PRODUCT accurately resolve the ‘inter-aural’ Chord Electronics timing of the music. Watts thinks Setting the Hugo this is a serious fl aw, and the lower ORIGIN resolution the digital signal is (ie CD UK compared to hi-res), the more acute TYPE the problem becomes. DAC/headphone amplifier Rob isn’t a digital audio engineer standard WEIGHT by training, this discipline was in its 0.4kg infancy when he studied electronics DIMENSIONS engineering at Cardiff, back in the (WxHxD) eighties before co-founding DPA. He 100 x 20 x 132mm Sounding like no other digital converter also researched pyschoacoustics, and FEATURES this has stood him in great stead for that David Price has heard, Chord’s DAC/ ● 32-bit/384kHz, DXD, DSD64, what he is doing now. All his designs DSD128 – from the early DPA Enlightenment headphone amp is a landmark product ● aptX Bluetooth, optical, coaxial, 2x DACs of the nineties to the ground- USB inputs breaking Chord DAC64 – have shown or this writer, one of the doesn’t have the natural ebb and fl ow ● 6.3mm and 3.5mm an understanding for the problems of headphone, RCA most disappointing things of the live concert. phono outputs digital audio that go beyond simple F about digital audio – and In this respect, vinyl LPs do better. ● Rechargeable considerations of frequency domain especially CD’s 16/44.1 Sure, they have a multitude of other battery operation distortion. Rob says that – in simple ● Volume/output specifi cation where the problem problems, but always seem to time level control terms – the brain samples sound seems most acute – is its timing. It more convincingly when played on DISTRIBUTOR in real time every 4 microseconds, just doesn’t quite seem to accurately a decent turntable. The reason for Chord Electronics whereas CD refreshes its ‘frames’ reproduce all the nuances you hear in this, according to Chord Electronics Ltd every 22 microseconds. It’s CD’s music when listening in real time. The designer Rob Watts, is that digital TELEPHONE inability to work as fast as the brain major issue to my ears is that if you audio is fundamentally constrained 01622 721444 that causes its problems in the time WEBSITE go to a jazz club to hear Randy by (what, if it were a television you’d chordelectronics. domain, why it doesn’t sound natural. Crawford sing, then come back home call) its frame rate. Because it has a co.uk And the unique design of the Hugo and play the CD the digital disc just limited number of samples (‘frames’) DAC addresses precisely this failing.

46 JULY 2014 CHORD ELECTRONICS HUGO DAC/HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER £1,400 REVIEWS

He contends that conventional Sound quality digital fi lters don’t have the ability to I review a lot of fi ne hi-fi , but it’s very properly resolve musical transients. rare to come across something quite Their poor ‘frame rate’ effectively as special as this. The Hugo has an chops off the leading edges of some ease, a fl uidity and a naturalness notes, meaning the brain can’t that’s unique; as far as its ability to recognise them as music in the way it make music fl ow in an organically does when hearing it live. His Watts enjoyable way, I’ve heard nothing Transient Aligned digital fi lter is quite like it. designed to address this, by sampling Anyone that has owned a Chord the ‘frames’ faster than usual and DAC64, QBD76 or Qute will know interpolating the values for the lost what I’m talking about, as there’s ‘frames’ in-between the captured something about these (other Rob ones. This is done using a huge Xilinx Watts) designs that seems to go Field Programmable Gate Array, beyond what’s normally expected of rather than off-the-shelf chips from digital. The Hugo goes further still, existing manufacturers. Using an and the difference is centred around FPGA lets Rob write his own code for the way the music fl ows. It simply the WTA digital fi lter, and those in the doesn’t time like others, it presents Hugo are more sophisticated than any the music in an organic way that that have come before because of the Those ‘windows’ brilliant thing about the Hugo is that you don’t equate with digital. The vast number of gates the new FPGA indicate the the same FPGA that gives it its special improvement is most obvious on Hugo’s status has. He’s worked in a digital fi lter using a variety sound, also makes it the most handy 16/44 (ie CD), where the fi ltering with a far higher tap-length than that of colours DAC you could ever own. papers over the cracks that aren’t as seen in stock DAC chips – 26,000 Chord hasn’t stopped there. The obvious with higher-resolution music, in the Hugo compared with the DAC supports PCM formats up to but you’ll hear it everywhere. approximately 150 in standard DACs. 384kHz including DXD and will Put on simple female vocals such For this reason, the Hugo should natively play DSD64 and DSD128 as Kate Bush on Oh England, My sound different to every other DAC in DoP format. It also has a very Lionheart through a good around. The Xilinx FPGA also has high-quality digital volume control conventional DAC and you’ll get a another trick up its sleeve. It and the choice to run the Hugo as a consumes just 0.7V of power, which is line-level device like a normal DAC. The Hugo has an dramatically lower than older such It has headphone and RCA phono devices. This has made the idea of an outputs, plus USB, optical and coaxial ease, a fluidity and ultra high-quality portable, battery digital inputs, and aptX Bluetooth. All a naturalness that’s powered DAC possible – and Chord of these functions are controlled by ran with it. Indeed it’s a double win, small unlabelled buttons on the body, truly unique because you get the sound quality while inside the unit’s large lens, benefi ts conferred by not having an LEDs light up in different colours to decently warm, fulsome performance AC mains transformer throwing noise indicate source selected, battery that sounds impressive in hi-fi terms. into the DAC, and also the portability charge status and Crossfeed setting. But through the Hugo you’re pulled benefi ts too. The Hugo can be used There’s also another separate lens into the music as it mesmerises you. everywhere. I’ve even plugged it into that shows – by different colours – You become far less interested in the the auxiliary inputs of my Nakamichi the sampling frequency. It’s all quite hi-fi aspects of the performance, and car system and used my Sony Xperia confusing at fi rst, but perseverance drawn like a moth to a fl ame, right Z phone as a Bluetooth source! The pays off and you’ll begin to fi nd it a into the song. It’s only when it’s very intuitive little gizmo. fi nished that you realise the soundstaging was superb, the detail CONNECTIONS resolution amazing and the tonal balance silky smooth. It pulls this 1 2 1 SD USB input, trick off again and again. 44/48kHz only Play REM’s Welcome To The

2 HD USB input, Occupation, for example, and 44-384kHz suddenly you’re drawn into the

3 Optical Toslink music’s natural groove. The band’s digital input playing is so beautifully syncopated

4 Coaxial digital with one another and the Hugo shows input this to you like no other DAC I’ve yet

5 Stereo RCA heard. It’s like it has a sixth sense. outputs It is impressive in hi-ﬁ terms too;

6 6.35mm bass is powerful yet wonderfully headphone socket supple, bouncing up and down like a giant rubber ball. The midband is startlingly open and detailed, and soundstaging is sublime. Able to lock individual elements in the mix in space like they’d been etched into 6 5 4 3 granite by a laser, it reminds me of studio-quality analogue open-reel

JULY 2014 47 CHORD ELECTRONICS HUGO REVIEWS DAC/HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER £1,400

Q&A Rob Watts Designer, Chord Electronics Ltd.

DP: Why do you think your WTA filter times so well? RW: I started developing my own Pulse Array DAC technology using Field Programmable Gate Arrays, and then the capabilities of FPGAs started to get very serious. I realised that I could do the interpolation filter function as well as the DAC with them. Ever since the early eighties, I realised that the interpolation filters in use then and today were fundamentally limited, and had The Hugo’s tape in this respect. Even on older hi-res, and this too is a joy. I’ve never severe timing problems. This was portability low-fi recordings – like ELO’s Turn To heard Wings’ Band On The Run sound based on studying sampling theory, means you can enjoy its superb Stone – you can hear Geoff Lynne’s quite so lifelike before. The really which clearly states that to perfectly performance vocals bouncing off the four walls fascinating thing, though, is what it reproduce a sampled bandwidth anywhere of the studio vocal booth, and this does to decidedly lo-fi music fi les, like limited signal you need an infinite tap is completely independent of the a 192kbps MP3 of Daft Punk’s Get length filter. Using conventional filters umpteen channels of guitars, drums, Lucky. I’ve played this fi le across a (about 100 taps max.) would have strings, etc also going on in the mix. multitude of DACs over the past year severe timing problems. I talked to At the same time his voice drips with or so and never heard it sound so Chord’s John Franks about the idea harmonics that you normally don’t musically satisfying before; indeed it and he liked it, so we went ahead. A lot of time and effort later, I hear with CD, these coming to the seems better than most other DACs demonstrated the prototype DAC64 fore because it feels like a layer of playing the CD! which had the first WTA filter – where distortion has been washed away – the missing timing is reconstructed it’s like someone’s wiped the CD lens Conclusion by the interpolation filter – and it clean. Treble is on another level too. In the Hugo, Chord Electronics knocked our socks off! The Hugo doesn’t sound bright, has made one of the fi nest digital but when there’s a hi-hat crash it converters in the world – and it just How would you say Hugo differs resounds around, sparkling pristinely happens to be portable. It works to the DAC64? HOW IT and then seemingly taking twice as brilliantly as a fi xed-level output DAC, The DAC64’s 64-bit core was as COMPARES long to decay as you’d expect. This is but has an excellent digital volume a result of being worried about the sort of trick I’ve only heard from control that can drive a power coefficient truncation issues, signal Being a no-compromise DAC with a volume high-end vinyl tracking super- amplifi er with ease, and is also great truncation, and other problems. So control, headphone expensive moving coil cartridges, or powering a good set of headphones. the best solution was to use a amp and rechargeable the best dCS digital converters costing This is a landmark product because it sledgehammer and run with 64-bits batteries, there’s not 10 times the price of the Hugo. makes all fl avours of digital sound so as I had plenty of gate capacity. I a lot that compares Cue up Beethoven’s Pastoral nice to listen to. And as many of my directly to the Hugo. In have solved the truncation issues by Symphony on CD and you can hear so fellow vinyl afi cionados will agree, employing dither and noise shaping more conventional much air and space to the music that that takes some doing ● techniques in the Hugo and the separates terms, Naim’s you think you’re listening to a 24/192 multiple DSP cores are now 48-bit. DAC-V1 (£1,250) is its closest rival. It has a But today I am working with much hi-res fi le. It’s all so smooth, open and powerful, open and more parallel cores at much higher airy, yet this high-resolution sound even sound with lots of is so brilliantly integrated. Unlike a speeds. The benefits are much better drive and punch, plus a OUR VERDICT number of multi-thousand pound soundstaging precision, as the inter- spacious treble too. But SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Supremely aural timing is used for location of the Hugo simply sounds DACs I’ve heard, it doesn’t just do natural, open sound; sound. The big surprise was the bass, more natural and detail, rather it strings everything portability; flexibility it sounds like there’s another octave ‘analogue’, music flows together in a most convincing way. VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Halts the vinyl revival in its tracks of bass there. This I later realised, is better and seems less It’s so expressive and emotive you contrived. Dynamics because the starting transients of a wonder why you ever doubted CD. BUILD QUALITY WE SAY: Nothing less are more explicit and than a landmark digital bass note are used by the brain to the soundstaging is And running the gamut of hi-res product detect the presence of bass, so better, going massively options the Hugo offers, things get FEATURES reproducing the timing of bass allows wide stage left and right better. DSD via the USB input is you to better perceive it. I believe the when called upon. The breathtaking, giving an icily clean OVERALL Hugo is more groundbreaking than Naim is excellent, but it and pristine sound yet it simply isn’t the DAC64 was, because it has still struggles against the brilliant Chord. recognisable as digital. 24/96 PCM changed my appetite for music. via FLAC is most people’s idea of

48 JULY 2014 - aptX Bluetooth streaming input - Increased output for greater power and clarity ,PSURYHGFLUFXLWU\IRUJUHDWHUHIðFLHQF\ - Even better sound performance

The award-winning Roksan K2 series has now been expanded to include a new integrated DPSOLðHU7KH.%7LPSURYHVRQWKHRULJLQDO.,QWHJUDWHGZLWKEUDQGQHZFLUFXLWU\DQGD higher output than ever before. The inclusion of aptX® technology also adds a whole new VRXUFHLQSXWWRWKHDPSOLðHU1RZ\RXFDQVWUHDP your favourite music from a Bluetooth-enabled device in original 16-bit CD quality.* Available Nationwide Now

Distributed by Henley Designs Ltd. T: +44 (0)1235 511 166 | E: [email protected] | W: www.henleydesigns.co.uk * On compliant devices. CYRUS CD XT SIGNATURE REVIEWS CD TRANSPORT £1,750

DETAILS didn’t appear to make commercial sense – especially when the curtain PRODUCT Cyrus CD Xt was coming down for Compact Disc CD plays on Signature as hi-res began its inevitable ascent. ORIGIN Perhaps it was a canny move after UK all, though, because as supplies of TYPE OEM optical disc transports either For those looking for their best – and likely CD transport dry up or get ever further away from WEIGHT last – ever CD transport, Cyrus gives you its 3.6kg audiophile applications, there’s more DIMENSIONS of a need for such a thing. The CD Xt Signature. David Price listens in (WxHxD) company’s decision to bet the farm on 215 x 73 x 360mm a superlative CD mechanism not only FEATURES gave its own silver disc players a new ● Servo Evolution istory appears to be range of CD players is getting ever mechanism lease of life, but has made them repeating itself. The sound smaller for the aforementioned ● Backlit LCD sustainable into the future – as well of vinyl never really came reason. But it has consolidated its ● 1x optical, 1x as permitting the release of products H coaxial digital out good until the format range and the new CD Xt Signature is ● Cyrus MC-BUS such as this. Despite the continuing looked distinctly over the hill, and said to be the very best the company connections demand for CD players, there are now we see the same thing happening has ever made, no less. Well I DISTRIBUTOR very few people selling bespoke, with Compact Disc. As DAC certainly hope so, because it is Cyrus Audio Ltd high-quality CD transports any more. technology gets ever better, suddenly without doubt the most expensive! TELEPHONE The CD Xt Signature is Cyrus we’re fi nding that the little silver disc Five years ago, I remember Cyrus’ 01480 410900 throwing the kitchen sink at the is actually capable of really rather fi ne Peter Bartlett sitting down, looking WEBSITE problem. It has all the best bits of cyrusaudio.com sound. Digital-to-analogue converters me square in the eye and telling me everything the company knows about are at last able to properly do the job his company was investing hundreds silver disc spinning. This starts with they were designed for, and CD is of thousands of pounds in its very the improvements made to Cyrus’ fi nally beginning to sound right. own optical disc mechanism. Many recent Anniversary System CD player, Of course, the forward march of in the audio business would have which includes the latest version of technology means that physical media thought this to be about as sound the Servo Evolution fi rmware that aren’t going to be the favoured format business sense as fl ying halfway controls the way the laser tracks the of the future – expect the world to around the world with a huge bag of disc, to optimise the accuracy with migrate to hi-res fi les stored on money and then throwing it into the which it does it. It uses a special front computer devices and away from North Atlantic. Let’s just say, when slot-loading assembly and a specifi c optical discs stored on shelves. But you could buy any old DVD-ROM laser is fi tted along with bespoke still CD has an enormous worldwide drive, tweak it lightly and chuck it in motors too. Altogether, the following for whom it makes an awful your CD player for pennies, Cyrus’ mechanism is able to track the pits in lot of sense. Refl ecting this, Cyrus’ new Servo Evolution mechanism the disc as accurately as possible says

50 JULY 2014 CYRUS CD XT SIGNATURE CD TRANSPORT £1,750 REVIEWS

Cyrus. This gives over 20 percent plays them perfectly. Meanwhile if organic event before your very ears. fewer read errors than the Philips you have got a few dodgy discs, I fi nd Indeed, this really defi nes the Cyrus; CDM12 mechanisms used in the that a clean with Russ Andrews’ it has a sense of ease that simply previous generation of Cyrus (and excellent ReVeel works wonders. doesn’t sound like digital. The music many other) CD players. The idea is fl ows organically, rather than coming that by not having to come back to Sound quality over as forced or artifi cially enhanced retry the read, there’s less power The essential sound of the Cyrus is in some way. supply drain from the servo; it’s smooth, stable and rhythmically Treble is excellent too, being crisp better to get it right fi rst time. coherent. It has a mastertape-like and smooth and well extended. Then there are the tweaked power ease and fl ow to the music, and Again, it’s amazing how a transport supplies. Normally Cyrus puts a good, instruments are rendered realistically can change the ‘feel’ – if not the actual small toroidal transformer inside its in the recorded acoustic like few tonal balance – of the high half-width box and offers the option other transports I’ve heard. Despite its frequencies. The shimmering cymbal of a larger, stiffer power supply in a diminutive physical dimensions, the work on Rain Tree Crow’s Pocketful separate box – which sells as the scale and general confi dence of the Of Change is something to behold, PSX-R for £500. But in the CD Xt sound is immense. The only thing sounding so spacious and three Signature, the lack of any DAC that marks it down from seriously dimensional set in front of David circuitry makes space for more high-end designs is its bass, which Sylvian’s moody vocals. This open sizeable power providers. Two isn’t quite as prodigious as you’d top end helps enormously in the separate power supplies are said to get from a fi ve-fi gure Esoteric, for transport’s excellent rendition of provide huge reserves of juice, which spatial clues; rarely do you hear a effectively removes any need for an It brings a sense of three dimensional soundstage so offboard PSX-R power supply. These convincingly recreated from a 16-bit power feeds are heavily fi ltered so openness, depth and digital disc. Percussive instruments, they’re as pure as possible on dimensionality to CD which play a big part on this track, reaching the mechanism. So while seem like they’re being reproduced in the Xt Signature might be expensive, that you rarely hear Cinemascope, such is the immersive it effectively has the equivalent of a sound that stretches wide left and £500 PSX-R inside. The company says example. It’s solid and confi dent, fi rm right of the loudspeakers. Only the the unit also features an advanced and articulate – and certainly a good very best CD players (transport and loader with LED disc detection deal stronger than the transports in DAC combinations) can pull this trick technology for better detection similarly priced CD players. off, in my experience. and loading control. The taut bottom end feeds up to a A quick word about the Servo most excellent mid-band which seems Conclusion Evolution mechanism. Being so fi nely very good at digging down into the It’s an awful lot to spend on ‘just’ tuned, anyone who knocks the unit spaces between the notes on music a transport, but I have never heard while playing will fi nd that it may with repetitive beats, be it the jazzy anything that comes close at this pause or jump, as the laser strains of Herbie Hancock’s I Have A price. The Cyrus CD Xt Signature momentarily loses track. That’s Dream or the thumping drum and doesn’t quite have the measure of the because it’s been set up to read from bass of Goldie’s Inner City Life. Rather ultra high-end designs still on sale, good discs in optimum conditions. than a perfunctory reading of the but it’s a lot cheaper, and indeed is This also means that the mech is a bit rhythms on these tracks, it pushes way better than Cyrus’ basic CD t fussier than some about playing poor right into the music to retrieve the transport. It brings a sense of discs, and slightly slower accessing entirety of the note. Compared to the openness, depth and dimensionality tracks too. My experience with SE excellent but cheaper Audiolab to Compact Disc that you rarely hear, mechs tells me that if your CD 8200CD for example (which is the along with a wonderfully smooth, collection is about as refl ective as a sort of CD player prospective CD Xt even and stable sound that’s rare in black hole, you’d be better off with a purchasers will be upgrading from), its solidity and sophistication. Good less specialised machine. To those of there’s a more relaxed and supple feel news then, CD is still alive and us who treat our discs reasonably to the music as a whole. It sounds less kicking – don’t throw away your little well, however, the CD Xt Signature stressed, less brittle and more like an silver beer mats just yet! ● CONNECTIONS

1 2 3 1 MC-Bus input and output OUR VERDICT 2 Optical digital SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Stable, spacious, input musical sound; slot-loading design 3 Coaxial digital input VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Disc mechanism struggles 4 Mains power inlet with poor discs BUILD QUALITY WE SAY: Superb ‘affordable high-end’ silver disc spinner FEATURES

OVERALL 4

JULY 2014 51 MOREL SOUNDSPOT 2.1 ULTRA REVIEWS 2.1 SPEAKER SYSTEM £699

DETAILS it on a fl at surface and, by sliding it along a runner on the underside, you PRODUCT Morel can also attach it to a wall. This is Sweet spot SoundSpot 2.1 Ultra useful and a neat touch, but actually ORIGIN getting the SP-2s to point at the same Israel angle is an art rather than a science TYPE and there is no indent for speaker Is your space for full-range speakers a little 2.1 satellite/ subwoofer speakers cable to leave the foot. Worse by some on the tight side? Ed Selley wonders if WEIGHT margin are the speaker terminals that 1.5kg/15kg utilise tiny holes only accessible at a Morel has the answer DIMENSIONS given mount angle with an aperture 140mm satellite adjusted by an allen bolt that has the enclosure Sub: (WxHxD) bite of a toothless pensioner! ith the exception of REL with a 19mm soft dome tweeter 443 x 370 x 254mm The partnering PSW10 subwoofer is and other longstanding placed concentrically. As well as being FEATURES a more pleasing proposition. As the subwoofer manufacturers, aesthetically pleasing, the use of a ● Satellite: 19mm numbering suggests it makes use of a W tweeter, 100mm the concept of the 2.1 spherical enclosure is sound acoustic mid driver 10in (254mm) driver powered by a system is something that has really practice too. The enclosure is the ● Sub: 245mm bass 200W built-in amp. The design is only come into its own since the smallest it can be for a given internal driver unusual but attractive with the bulk ● Quoted arrival of the sub/sat package in the volume and it also eliminates the impedance: 6ohms of the cabinet volume being around home cinema boom at the start of points of resonance and standing ● Quoted sensitivity: the driver instead of behind it. Unlike the millennium. The concept of small waves that affect conventional square 86dB the steel satellites, the cabinet is speakers that take up little space and loudspeaker cabinets. DISTRIBUTOR made of fi breglass resin, but like the are underpinned by a subwoofer that The SoundSpot sphere is a compact LEARS International rest of the Morel lineup also does TELEPHONE can be tucked away out of sight had little thing about the size of a shot 0208 420 4333 without any internal bracing. The advantages for getting a home cinema put, but not nearly as heavy. To controls and connections are all WEBSITE system into a space that otherwise maximise the spherical cabinet’s morelspeakers. logical enough, but for reasons couldn’t accept one. It didn’t take a internal volume, the SoundSpot SP-2 co.uk unknown the PSW10 does without genius to see this could be applied to is made from 1mm steel that is any numbering on the crossover a hi-fi setup too. otherwise unbraced giving as much making setting a specifi c crossover a Israeli speaker company Morel space inside the enclosure as possible. bit of a guessing game. This and the already makes some fairly compact The 100mm driver is a bespoke satellite speaker terminals are really speakers, but the smallest offerings in design that’s built inhouse by Morel the only detractors to the SoundSpot the range are the SoundSpot SP-1 with a 32mm voice coil covered by a 2.1 Ultra system, though. The build and SP-2 loudspeakers specifi cally magnetic grille. quality is excellent and the white designed as satellite speakers. The As spheres have a habit of rolling gloss fi nish is immaculately applied. larger SP-2 tested here is a sphere that around, the SP-2 uses a rubber foot Black and champagne options are mounts a 100mm mid bass driver that acts as both the means of placing also available.

52 JULY 2014 MOREL SOUNDSPOT 2.1 ULTRA 2.1 SPEAKER SYSTEM £699 REVIEWS

These mini balls Sound quality The presentation is generally satellites, but the enclosure is still of fun are ideal Connected to a Cambridge Audio detailed and consistently believable. impressively controlled and inert for those that are short on space 851A integrated amplifi er and Naim Ray LaMontagne’s Till The Sun Turns and that large rear port is silent and ND5 XS streamer, the Morels don’t Black is warm and expansive with pleasingly unobtrusive. prove too challenging to install. Best real depth and presence to the vocals The system can’t completely escape results are obtained with the SP-2s on and impressive decay to supporting the presence of that third speaker Soundstyle Z60 speaker stands and instruments. The SP-2s are able to required to give effective stereo, the sub placed centrally between deliver the required scale to sound though. After a little playing about, them. Provided that the PSW10 stays convincing and should allow for use the crossover between the SP-2 between the satellites, the perception in a reasonably sized room. Larger satellites and the PSW10 subwoofer of a stereo performance is generally scale pieces like the TRON Legacy can be made impressively smooth and convincing. After a little trial and soundtrack are still handled well and imperceptible – indeed, this is one error, I manage to set a decent of the smoothest crossovers I’ve crossover too, which doesn’t put the One of the smoothest encountered in a 2.1 speaker system SP-2s under any strain but allows the of this type. The problem is that the sub to be effectively omnidirectional crossovers I’ve PSW10 is not as agile as its partnering and underpin the two satellites as encountered in a 2.1 satellites. With smoother acoustic unobtrusively as possible. pieces of music it is able to effectively The performance that results speaker system fi ll in the lower registers, albeit manages to clear the biggest hurdle without the level of fi ne detail that that any 2.1 system faces in that it even with levels bordering on the the SP-2s excel at, but as the tempo almost always sounds like two antisocial, the Morels don’t harden increases the PSW10 never quite speakers instead of three. The up or sound strained. manages to keep up with the speed integration is smooth and well The spherical body of the SP-2s does of the piece. If you reduce the volume controlled and the SP-2 in particular genuinely make itself felt in that there level the problem is alleviated, but possesses many of the abilities that is precious little sense of an enclosure you will then need to raise it again the larger Morel Octave 6 speakers when you listen to them. Combined for less potent pieces – and this is impressed us with. The concentric with the concentric drivers the effect done on the back panel rather than drivers play to the strengths of the is wonderfully cohesive with two via a remote. Placing the PSW10 on type with an impressively cohesive evenly dispersed points of sound an isolation platform does improve and well integrated performance that that combine to give a genuinely matters a little, but this of course has a comparatively large sweet spot believable soundstage that also represents an additional outlay. and means that the SP-2s don’t need manages a little sense of front-to-back to be up close to work convincingly. depth too. The PSW10 doesn’t Conclusion disappear quite so effectively as the In fairness to Morel, this is an issue that affects almost every 2.1 speaker CONNECTIONS system, and if you don’t exist on a diet of pounding electronica the

1 Large rear-firing PSW10 is a more subtle and nuanced bass port performer than many competitors.

2 RCA line input The performance usually manages to be a convincing stereo presentation 1 2 3 Crossover and and that this also comes from a trio volume controls of components that are well built,

4 Mains power input handsome and – speaker terminals aside – easy to install. If you need to

5 Adjustable rubber wall mount speakers for your system foot for positioning this Morel represents a very ﬁ ne 3 implementation of the sub/sat principle and one that delivers considerable musical satisfaction as well as impressive convenience ●

4 OUR VERDICT SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Impressively full and controlled sound; excellent build VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Slight lack of bass detail and control; fiddly speaker setup 5 BUILD QUALITY WE SAY: A frequently impressive system that is just a bass tweak and EASE OF DRIVE some binding posts away from excellence OVERALL

JULY 2014 53 Discover the IsoTek Effect

Mains electricity is distorted by numerous factors as it travels from power stations to our homes, eroding your systems performance. The New Discovery Range from IsoTek delivers highly effective yet eminently affordable solutions to enhance sound and picture quality, whilst also protecting your valuable equipment from power surges and voltage spikes.*

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IsoTek EVO3 Premier, Hi-Fi Choice, March 2013

EVO3 Premier IsoTek’s most affordable power able range. range. able cable has at its core three 2sqmm conductors made from 99.9999% OFC (oxygen-free copper) and coated in silver to aid conductivity, with a Teflon FEP dielectric extruded over each conductor. A cotton filler is used to give the cable internal strength and reduce microphony whilst maintaining dielectric performance. The cable is terminated with high-quality 24ct gold connectors, designed and manufactured by IsoTek rather than bought off the shelf. No similarly priced power cable is constructed to such a high specification, with correspondingly impressive benefits to sound and picture quality.

• 24ct gold connectors • Silver plated OFC conductors • Teflon FEP dielectric • 16A current capability • C15, C19 and C7 IEC options • 1.5m standard length “More space, lower noise and greater EVO3 Polaris resolution... An increase in timing Cost effective high-performance power precision, depth of bass and a much distribution strip that cleans Common and Differential Mode noise from the greater sense of musical flow” mains as well as offering surge and spike protection. IsoTek EVO3 Polaris, Hi-Fi Choice, March 2013 Protection against power surges and voltage spikes relates specifically to IsoTek power conditioners and not the IsoTek power c and not the IsoTek power conditioners IsoTek to specifically relates spikes and voltage power surges against Protection *

For your free brochure: IsoTek products are distributed by Sound Fowndations. +44 (0)1276 501 392 [email protected] www. soundfowndations.co.uk www.isoteksystems.com | www.shop.isoteksystems.com Discover IsoTek www.facebook.com/isoteksystems ARCAM AIRDAC WIRELESS DAC £400 REVIEWS

DETAILS an expansive yet smooth midband. PRODUCT Wired is always better than wireless, Arcam airDAC so the airDAC gives its best via coaxial ORIGIN or Ethernet. You get a bright, spry, Air apparent China sound with loads of energy and drive, TYPE Wireless DAC and a surprisingly powerful bass too. Aphrodite’s Child’s The Four Arcam’s versatile little DAC proves to be WEIGHT 1.1kg Horsemen is an energetic, expansive mighty impressive, but asks David Price DIMENSIONS affair that’s great fun to listen to. I am (WxHxD) struck by how fast and involving the has it got what’s required to take the crown? 190 x 42 x 120mm sound is, without the Arcam adding FEATURES any undue harshness or edge. I’m also ● Burr-Brown/TI PCM5102 DAC bowled over by the wonderfully wide f you’re fed up with all playing. The caveat is that the system ● Wireless AirPlay soundstage – although just when I those pesky wires, this is only runs up to 16-bit, 44.1kHz, so my (up to 16-bit/48kHz) begin questioning the sanity of Arcam’s ● UPnP (up to I for you. Essentially it’s a 24/96 Kate Bush 50 Words For Snow 24-bit/96kHz) pricing policy I start to notice a high-quality digital-to- has its digits forcibly rearranged down ● S/PDIF, optical tendency for the music to cluster analogue converter that also works as to CD-quality. inputs around the plane of the speakers; a UPnP music streamer and an AirPlay Those wanting hi-res playback will DISTRIBUTOR its depth perspective is no match Arcam receiver. As such, it’s an amazingly need to turn to the airDAC’s UPnP for more expensive DACs. PRICE versatile device – playing music from functionality, and this is a little fi ddlier £400 Via AirPlay from Audirvana, there your Network Attached Storage drive to set up. The process is best started by CONTACT is a slight thinning out of stage depth, or computer, or any AirPlay-compatible connecting the airDAC to your router 01223 203200 although it still sounds very good iDevice, wirelessly. It even syncs with via an Ethernet cable, after which you WEBSITE indeed. Herbie Hancock’s Rock It is Android mobile phones, which can can get into the settings via a web arcam.co.uk extremely fast and animated, with a ‘throw’ music at it to play out. browser page and reconfi gure to your pile-driving bass allied to powerful Most buyers won’t be interested heart’s content. The Arcam streams up snare drum and hi-hat work delivered in the intricacies of its chipsets and to 24/96 when working via UPnP. with rifl ebolt precision. The swirling networking protocols. Rather, they will Arcam supplies a free SongBook app, ambient sounds of Fragile State’s Every enjoy the fact it’s a universal music which on my iPad is slightly glitchy. Day A Different Story are lovely to medium that plays anywhere. We It also has coaxial and optical digital behold; there’s something innately all have smartphones, tablets and inputs, that you can hook up your CD musical about this DAC that makes computers with music on them, and or Blu-ray player to, and the source is whatever you play sound fast and the airDAC lets you play it out through displayed on the front panel. There’s a fun. It doesn’t lack refi nement either; your hi-fi . Marvellous! pair of RCA analogue line outputs that admittedly you’d do better from Switch it on and it sets itself up as its you connect to your amplifi er, or you the Audiolab M-DAC, but it’s more very own local network, which you can can port the digital datastream out to expensive and lacks the airDAC’s select on your computer. Then, you can a better DAC via the coaxial digital wireless functionality. select AirPlay as your music output output. Design-wise, it’s not a million device and everything that would go to miles away from the irDAC (HFC 380), Conclusion your computer goes to the airDAC. You which means a gorgeous alloy casing Overall then, Arcam’s new baby can load up iTunes, press the button with non-slip rubber base, a four-layer digital converter is an excellent that pops up when it senses an AirPlay PCB inside and multiple low-noise product. Its feature count is network and suddenly you’re playing separately regulated power supplies – superlative at the price, as is its your favourite songs through your hi-fi . a Burr-Brown/Texas Instruments build, yet it still takes the sound It’s that easy – I have my Sony Xperia PCM5102 DAC chip (running up to quality side of things dead seriously phone playing tunes in under a minute. 24/96) is fi tted rather than its brother’s – and is styled as nicely as many DACs AirPlay is free and easy, and even Burr-Brown PCM1796. costing fi ve times as much. Oh, and works for computer audiophiles it’s by far the most accessible hi-fi running specialist music player apps Sound quality implementation of AirPlay so like Audirvana. By changing the output What you get is a typically Arcam far, making this fi ne convenience setting in the Preferences menu section sound – a little on the warm side of format all the more appealing ● for example, I have my hi-res music neutral, with a nice sweet treble and

OUR VERDICT SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Superbly styled wireless DAC with great sound and flexibility VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Limited to 24-bit/96kHz playback; no Bluetooth or USB BUILD QUALITY WE SAY: AirPlay streaming fans are well catered for, but FEATURES Arcam’s irDAC offers a more solid spec OVERALL

JULY 2014 55 B&W 683 S2 REVIEWS FLOORSTANDING LOUDSPEAKER £1,149

56 JULY 2014 B&W 683 S2 FLOORSTANDING LOUDSPEAKER £1,149 REVIEWS

DETAILS from about 20cm should your room demand this. PRODUCT B&W 683 S2 Sound quality Second ORIGIN UK/China The 683 S2 is no shrinking violet. It’s TYPE not about soft, sumptuous sound with Floorstanding a relaxed gait. Rather, it plays music loudspeaker like it’s got ants in its pants; it’s very WEIGHT coming 27.2kg fast and almost restless in the way it DIMENSIONS manages to eke out every rhythmic (WxHxD) nuance. There are few speakers I’ve In its new Series 2 guise, B&W’s popular 190 x 985 x 364mm heard near the price that match its FEATURES infectious rhythmic gait and intensity. ● Three-way bass and aff ordable 683 floorstander has just reflex design Tonally, it’s a little on the bright side. ● 1x 25mm Not excessively so, but that Kevlar got better, says David Price aluminium dome and aluminium combo was never tweeter ● 1x 150mm Kevlar going to be dull. The different drivers midrange cone integrate very well. There’s a slight uyers have come to know increase sensitivity. New Anti- ● 2x 165mm sense of splash from the tweeters aluminium cone what to expect from the Resonance Plugs are fi tted and are bass units compared with some of the best at B £1,000 price point. claimed to reduce higher-frequency ● Quoted power this price, but it’s not excessive and in Lavishing this sort of sum break-up. The Fixed Suspension handling 25-200W their defence the B&W metal domes buys you a physically largish box that Transducer’ design sees the edge of DISTRIBUTOR are fast and expressive. The 683 S2 is nicely if not luxuriously fi nished. It the cone mounted in a narrow ring B&W Group Ltd weaves its tweeter in with the very gets you a decent set of drive units, of foam designed to radiate as little TELEPHONE different Kevlar midband driver very 0800 2321513 and you’d expect to be looking at sound as possible – giving a virtual well, which in turn delivers that WEBSITE three per speaker at least – and that’s ‘surroundless’ suspension design. bowers-wilkins. distinctive B&W ‘etched’ midband precisely what you get here. At 400Hz, the midrange drive hands co.uk sound. The difference between this Here’s a three-way, four driver over to a pair of 165mm aluminium and the new Focal fl ax driver, for fl oorstander that’s just over a metre coned bass drivers made using a new example, is marked. The B&W drive tall when sitting on its plinths (not method similar to bracing the tweeter unit is very fast, quite intense and shown). The vinyl wrap fi nish isn’t with twin layers of aluminium. The sounds like a searchlight is being bad, but it’s far from perfect. I am 683 S3 is a thoroughly modern music directed on the mix, a sort of sonic maker then, having strong metal super trooper. This makes for an They pull you into the domes and cones at the top and intimate, upfront presentation bottom of the frequency band, with a with oodles of detail and dramatic syncopated playing taut, dry-sounding Kevlar midrange. dynamics. Yet the speaker doesn’t and keep you there Its choice of drive units should give it descend into harshness; it’s not hard a distinctive sound, and a modern one and indeed sounds less nasal than till the music stops at that. The manufacturer claims its earlier B&W boxes. sensitivity to be 89dB/1W/1m, Then, almost as if by magic, the disappointed to see our white review making it a fairly effi cient design that speaker crosses down into the bass, samples have three different shades should be good for higher-powered and this is even more seamless of white across the speaker; the box, valve amps and normal solid-state than the switch from treble to mid. front baffl e and driver trim rings all alike. The cabinet is a refl ex-loaded The twin 165mm bass units are Though build come in fractionally different hues. design that I fi nd works best at about quality is superb, impressively discrete, and they mate The upside is that the cabinetry is 1m from the rear wall, but foam the finish isn’t well to the refl ex-loaded cabinet; really solid. The fi nish may be bungs are supplied to make it usable quite top-notch there’s no sense of huffi ng and mediocre, but the build is excellent. It’s very well damped; compared to Focal’s 926, for example, they feel as dead as an anechoic chamber. The drive unit complement is a mixture of old and new. The 25mm tweeter is B&W’s Decoupled Dome design, using an aluminium structure which is said to be “extremely thin” for lightness, and this is surrounded by a thicker aluminium ring for rigidity. The whole assembly is physically separated in its own gel-fi lled cavity, to prevent the lower frequencies muddying its sound. At 4kHz, this crosses over to the Kevlar fi bre cone FSTTM midrange driver. In the 600 series B&W says its 150mm midrange drivers have been tweaked to deliver lower distortion levels, while smaller voice coils further

JULY 2014 57 B&W 683 S2 REVIEWS FLOORSTANDING LOUDSPEAKER £1,149

IN SIGHT Q&A comes down to good old-fashioned Mike Gough grip and control rather than tonal 1 1 25mm aluminium Senior product manager, B&W dome tweeter hardness and edge. This means they work whatever music you play; 2 150mm Kevlar midrange cone Herbie Hancock’s The Prisoner is just as much fun and the B&Ws remain 3 Binding posts completely on message. I’ve heard other speakers seem more natural 4 165mm aluminium bass cone tonally, and possessed of a more believable piano sound, for example. But somehow it doesn’t matter, because they pull you into the DP: What would you say the Series 2 2 syncopated playing and keep you brings to the party? there till the music stops. The ride MG: It has been improved in multiple ways, but the headline story is its cymbals could be sweeter and more adoption of the Decoupled Double spacious and the piano more fruity, Dome tweeter, first revealed in the but you’re not left wishing they were. £3,000 CM10 model in 2013. In the Instead, you get a cohesive yet new 683, this lighter, stronger dual- propulsive presentation that makes diaphragm tweeter assembly delivers you want to listen more. 3 superior first break-up performance You can force the 683 S2s out of (improved to 38kHz from the 30kHz 4 their comfort zone, because of the outgoing model) combined sometimes the tweeter can draw with baffle-mounted decoupling, attention to itself; the bashing, a breakthrough technology in our crashing hi hat on Corduroy’s 9:28 conventional loudspeakers. Both From Shibuya pushes the treble units improvements are instantly towards coarseness, they just can’t discernible; the new 683 has a purer, resolve the silky, downy sheen as well cleaner treble than ever, plus a as some price rivals. But there’s so beautifully resolved and substantial much being done right that it doesn’t soundstage that will fill even large spoil the fun. You just take in that rooms easily. Improved bass drivers puffi ng, nor do you feel like you’re lovely, detailed midband and the are also fitted, again using a dual- listening to the bass several seamless way it feeds into the bass. layer construction that helps push away the first break-up mode and milliseconds after the treble. Those You bask in the excellent stereo keep the drivers perfectly pistonic rather utilitarian-looking cabinets imaging and surprisingly good stage for longer. prove immaculately well behaved, depth, the sense of intimacy to the never letting the bass slow things vocals and the general dynamic Why use aluminium in the treble down. True, it’s not the tightest ever expressiveness of the music. dome and Kevlar in the mid driver? speaker down below; even with the Never a dull moment, as they say. We adopt diamond in our premium HOW IT foam bungs in place you’d don’t quite models, but the parts cost of a COMPARES get a sense of bass notes switching Conclusion diamond-dome tweeter assembly are on and off like an LED. In fairness This is a fi ne pair of fl oorstanders considerable, as you’d expect! When Monitor Audio’s Silver 6 though, no other £1,150 fl oorstanders with an enjoyable, detailed and (£1,250) rather puts the used correctly – and when combined B&W’s finish to shame; do this either, and the key point is insightful sound of its very own. with new technology, as outlined it’s a beautifully turned the innate musicality; the low notes There’s a wide choice in this part of above – aluminium is a perfectly out design in a range of bounce along in a most pleasing way. the market, and personal taste, music sensible diaphragm material at this lavish, high-end gloss They certainly capture the power taste and system synergy will all play price point. Kevlar may be getting on, lacquers and real wood and menace of The Human League’s key parts in your purchasing decision, but it still works well, too. We like to finishes. Sonically it’s a better all rounder, but Darkness brilliantly. Whereas other but you really must audition B&W’s think we know how to use the speakers concentrate more on the 683 S2 if you seek a serious speaker material to its best effect and as less accomplished in the musicality stakes. textural elements of the sound, the at this price ● we manufacture all our drive units Tonally a little richer 683 S2s lock onto the percussive ourselves we have exceptional and more delicate, it control over our quality standards. elements of the song, weaving fails to boogie like the everything together to give a gripping That’s not to say we aren’t aware of B&W. Q Acoustics the virtues of other materials, but if Concept 40 comes over performance. But you don’t get the OUR VERDICT sense that these are speakers that fall ever we do decide to move away as a smaller and less SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Engaging, from Kevlar, the replacement solution powerful performer, over themselves to do the ‘pace, detailed and spacious will need to be pretty special. but its sound is rhythm and timing’ thing. They’re sound; solid build startlingly clear and accomplished at this, but never sound VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Poor finish at it makes music in a like they’re trying; instead the music the price; treble less Why does the 683 have a vinyl wonderfully engaging smooth than some BUILD QUALITY finish when rivals use fancier ones? way. Again its finish is fl ows in a natural way. It’s dramatic WE SAY: Punchy, A good cabinet ensures better drive extremely good and and often enthralling to listen to, musical sounding mid-price floorstander unit performance. Even in our makes the 683 S2 look but everything is melded together EASE OF DRIVE affordable models we work hard to sub par in this regard. so skillfully that you relax into the ensure structural strength. In this Having said that, you music and get into the groove. can’t deny the B&W’s OVERALL price class, we’d rather put the It’s not like they’re using their bright emphasis on that than on ‘surface’ consummate music- making skills. and spry sound to make them sound factors such as a glossy paint finish. artifi cially fast either. Their speed

58 JULY 2014

SIMPLE AUDIO ROOMPLAYER WITH AMP REVIEWS DIGITAL MUSIC SYSTEM £699

DETAILS options. Controlling the Roomplayer is done entirely though Simple PRODUCT Roomplayer with Audio’s desktop software (for Easy peasy amp Windows and Mac) or dedicated ORIGIN iPads/iPhones (an Android app is in UK the pipeline). TYPE The software lets you create Music streaming without the wi-fi woes? Digital music system individual profi les and tailor each Andrew Simpson plugs in to Simple WEIGHT user’s music library, so your brood’s 1.2kg One Direction tracks need not rub Audio’s network player DIMENSIONS shoulders with your Ozzy Osbourne (WxHxD) classics. You can also create individual 200 x 50 x 200mm playlists and add radio stations to a FEATURES ounded in 2008, Simple Simple Audio’s Powerline tech, which ● 50W Class D favourites list for quick access. Audio may seem like a sends digital audio through your amplifier Using multiple Roomplayers across relatively new kid on the home’s mains electricity network. The ● Ethernet and your home network allows for a F optional Powerline hi-fi block, but this British company says that this method allows mains streaming variety of multi-room streaming company’s knowhow stems from for much faster data rates compared ● Wolfson options. You can pipe the same music some impressive lineage, with its to wi-fi , while avoiding signal drop 24-bit/192kHz DAC to every player, pair a group of ● Playback support senior designers and engineers being outs and excessive buffering with for MP3/WAV/AIFF/ players together or play different former Linn Products employees. high-resolution content. To stream FLAC/ALAC music through each unit. The Roomplayer with Amp is the via Powerline, you’ll need to budget DISTRIBUTOR Despite offering such a wealth of dearer of Simple Audio’s two for Simple Audio’s £60 Bridge Simple Audio confi guration options, getting the Roomplayer models, with the wall-wart connector, which plugs TELEPHONE Roomplayer up and singing is identical-looking £599 DAC/streamer 0141 3310845 painless. There’s no on/off switch, only version sacrifi cing a set of WEBSITE so hook up your speakers before The Roomplayer’s simpleaudio.com speaker outputs to get its price down. connecting the mains lead. You then Paying an extra £100 for the fully control in the upper need to hold down a small ‘pairing’ fl edged 50W IcePower Class D amped bass makes a very button on the unit’s lower right edge, version is certainly money well spent, until a short green fl ash on its front as this makes it a much more versatile engaging sound panel LED tells you the player has one-box solution – just add speakers. found your network. Next, download Alongside an eight-layer PCB, the into any nearby mains socket and Simple Audio’s software and open Roomplayer houses a Wolfson DAC connects to the Roomplayer through its desktop icon, select the that caters for fi les up to 24-bit/ an Ethernet cable. Roomplayer(s) on your network to 192kHz from the usual list of lossy With its rigid aluminium chassis and name (by room for example), before and lossless formats including MP3/ tempered glass top, the Roomplayer importing your playlists and creating WAV/AIFF/FLAC/ALAC. This, of feels solid and compact to the touch. user profi les should you chose to. course, is all standard fare for any Aside from a tiny ‘pairing’ button Simple Audio’s software also boasts modern music streamer jostling for there are no manual controls on the integrated apps from third-party position in today’s market, as is the unit, nor is there a remote control, in streaming services TuneIn, WiMp, Ethernet connection for hard wiring fact you’ll be hard pressed to tell this Rhapsody and Deezer, and while it to your router to access music on is a hi-fi product at all at fi rst glance. handily shows the incoming bitrate devices across your home network. Inside the Roomplayer’s deceptively for internet radio, it’s a shame I can’t What sets the Roomplayer apart unadorned case, however, hides a see this type of info for music stored from most other streamers is that it clever brain that’s geared up for an in my music library through Simple eschews wi-fi streaming in place of array of multi-room streaming Audio’s interface.

60 JULY 2014 SIMPLE AUDIO ROOMPLAYER WITH AMP DIGITAL MUSIC SYSTEM £699 REVIEWS

The fuss-free Sound quality front panel hosts From the fi st swipe of the app’s virtual 3.5mm jacks for headphones and play button, I’m aware of how much MP3 players clarity the Simple Audio strives to pull from the music. Whether it’s MP3s delivered via my iPhone or hi-res FLACs sent over Ethernet, all formats get the same levels of attention and you’ll never catch it sounding complacent or lacklustre. Partnering the Roomplayer with a pair of Q Acoustics 2020i bookshelf authority to convince me that an same levels of grip to really drive speakers makes for a tidy and extra power amp could secretly be their bass like the monstrous Class articulate sounding package. lurking in the background, giving the AB amp that they’re typically fed Streaming an MP3 fi le of Duran Roomplayer a helping hand. It’s not, by, the Roomplayer does bring a Duran’s Ordinary World from my of course, and what I’m hearing is the sense of sweetness across the iPhone 4s gets the Simple Audio unit’s Class D innards driving the Qs midrange and control in the upper sounding clean and clear across the with ease. With the speakers atop a bass that makes for a very engaging board. Cymbal and acoustic guitar pair of Atacama stands placed 20cm sound nonetheless. in particular are rendered with from a rear wall, upper bass across impressive lucidity, highlighting how the Morrissey track has more Conclusion polished and dynamic sounding this presence than I’ve heard from other This is a neat and discreet streaming one-box streamers in this price range, solution that’s easy to use, with a Despite off ering although it can sound a little too neutral, detailed sound. It’s also forced with more complex material. a top-quality DAC, and thanks to such a wealth of Despite its Class D DNA, the its sensible connectivity options options, getting it Roomplayer isn’t a dry or cold including a preamp output and performer by any means and it can multi-room networking, growing a singing is painless turn its hand to bringing out the rich bigger system around it is made easy. analogue nature of many an acoustic Partner with a pair of good-quality recording is. The hi-hat drum shots performance when asked. Playing a standmounts to let the Simple Audio’s in the upper midrange are crisply 24/96 ALAC fi le of Mark Knopfl er’s sonic energy shine through and you’ll formed with enough echo to give the Miss You Blues, the Simple Audio’s have a system that really lets the soundstage real depth. Despite their sound has the atmosphere of an music do the talking ● size, the Simple Audio lets the little intimate live performance, with Q Acoustics fi ll the room with a dense Knopfl er’s gravelly tones sounding soundstage that lifts the Roomplayer suitably relaxed and well worn above many a budget streamer. as they fl ow seamlessly within OUR VERDICT Channel separation is admirable for the soundstage. With some less SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Rich and such a modest package. With a 16/44 sophisticated streamers, this engaging sound; FLAC fi le of Morrissey’s Hold On To recording can sound bereft of tonal unassuming styling; Your Friends streamed over Ethernet, character and somewhat bland. But VALUE FOR MONEY intuitive interface DISLIKE: S/PDIF digital my eyes and ears dart from speaker to the Simple Audio gives the track just inputs would be handy BUILD QUALITY speaker as the Roomplayer extricates the right amount of warmth and poise WE SAY: Those who the opening guitar strums and to bring it to life. like their hi-fi to be heard and not seen looping riffs, as they leap across the Using the Roomplayer to drive FEATURES are in for a real treat soundstage, pushing the speakers the more demanding load that my wide and building the anticipation for Audiovector fl oorstanders present, the track to begin proper. And when shows that this little box doesn’t OVERALL the song’s bass and percussion kicks fl inch under pressure. While in in, the music has enough weight and absolute terms it may not have the CONNECTIONS

1 S/PDIF outputs (coaxial & optical) 1 2 2 Speaker binding posts

3 RCA analogue inputs

4 Preamp outputs

5 Ethernet and USB ports

5 4 3

JULY 2014 61 RECORD STORE DAY

The annual celebration of all things vinyl goes from strength to strength as Simon Berkovitch discovers when he takes a trip to Oxford

here’s a hundred-strong queue of on the Friday evening, beating the shop’s because he had a stack of hot blues records punters snaking down Oxford’s previous record by two-and-a-half hours. in his arms after leaving a shop. You should T Cowley Road, all itching to get It all began in 2007 in the US, when over have an idea of what I’m saying here.” into Truck Store, the city’s 700 independent stores came together to This was the UK’s seventh such celebration, “independent music hub”. The postman’s celebrate vinyl culture. Fast forward to 2014 with over 200 stores taking part in 2014. barely got his trousers on: it’s just gone 8am and it’s such a high profi le event that it Special vinyl, CD and cassette releases and and Truck doesn’t throw open its doors for boasts no less than Chuck D – co-founder promotional items from major and indie another hour. These dedicated vinyl junkies of hip-hop legends Public Enemy – as its labels alike were made exclusively for the are hoping they stand a decent chance of ambassador. Vinyl “webbed the sounds of day, ranging from picture discs from David bagging the most desirable offerings of the world across the planet long before the Bowie and One Direction and 7in singles the limited edition wax that’s available www,” he enthuses, before waxing lyrical from Blur and Paul Weller, to super-limited, exclusively through bricks and mortar shops beautifully packaged obscurities from today. Yet the majority of these early birds RSD 2014 releases the global underground and reissues of look like latecomers compared with the classic albums across a wide range of super-eager customer leading the charge range from luminous musical genres. into the racks. “Our fi rst guy was there Ghostbusters vinyl to Hundreds of artists across the country also before 5am,” says Truck Store’s manager, performed at independently owned shops. Carl Smithson. “That’s dedication. We gave classical CD boxsets Artists as diverse as Adam Ant and him one of our T-shirts for the effort.” Spiritualized took to the stage at London’s Welcome to Record Store Day… about the symbiotic relationship between Rough Trade stores, while indie favourite The third Saturday in April means just great shops and great music. “Motown’s Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly played to a packed one thing for music fans: Record Store Day Berry Gordy had a record store. Elektra house at Oxford’s Truck Store. Other special (RSD). Each year, this global event inspires founder Jac Holzman had a record store. events included artist meet-and-greets and scenes of hardcore devotion that even make The Stax label had their Satellite Record in-store DJs, as seen at Music and Video Truck’s earliest of risers look like a Johnny- Shop right next to their studio. Keith Exchange on bustling Berwick Street, Soho come-lately – Huddersfi eld’s Vinyl Tap saw Richards opens a conversation with Mick – the epicentre of London RSD action and its fi rst punter starting to queue at 9:30pm Jagger as teenagers on a train platform home to numerous independent stores.

62 JULY 2014 RECORD STORE DAY

“DON’T PAY OVER THE ODDS!” Heed Huddersfield’s Vinyl Tap’s advice to beat the touts selling RSD vinyl at inflated prices online... Vinyl Tap in Huddersfield specialises in both new and used vinyl, but this is just one part of its empire: it has been in the business for over 20 years, operating a vast mail order enterprise for rare and collectible vinyl on the outskirts of the town. This is the third year that Vinyl Tap has participated in RSD and, like Truck, buyer John-Paul Craven says it’s all in the planning… “It started in February, when we attended a meeting of ERA (Entertainment Retailers Association). The effort that goes into the day beforehand – ordering and sorting – made the day run smoothly,” he says. “Then there’s getting it on to The first punter was the website in preparation for the following week.” Vinyl enthusiasts form an orderly rewarded with a queue down Oxford’s Cowley Road Big sellers on the day included the limited edition Truck Store T-shirt ahead of Truck’s opening time on RSD records from Pet Shop Boys and Nirvana, as well as the notorious One Direction picture disc, “which was good as it went to people who might not have This year’s RSD is Truck Store’s fourth, and have a marathon session putting ever been to a record shop before”. having held one each year since opening together our orders. Once that’s all on order, With regards to the rest of the releases, “some you in early 2011. Its parent company, Rapture the following weeks are spent organising the couldn’t have seen selling in a million years, but look at how in demand the Ghostbusters picture disc Entertainment, celebrating its tenth live music aspect of the event – booking was – who can say what will do well or whether a anniversary in 2014, numbers three stores: bands, designing posters, doing any press release should come out?” the aforementioned Oxford shop, a branch we can and usually fi elding a hundred phone John-Paul believes that RSD has a positive impact in nearby Witney and one in Evesham, calls, tweets and emails asking if we’re on business throughout the year, as “it reminds people that real-life record shops are there and Worcestershire. Truck’s appearance – getting certain titles, how many copies and have great stuff in them”. as a pop-up shop as part of 2010’s OX4, a so on. You get used to saying the same thing Vinyl Tap’s most enthusiastic punter was queuing multi-venue festival inspired by Texas’ South over and over again!” outside the store from the previous evening to get by Southwest – addressed Oxford’s lack of his hands on the wax booty available on 19 April – a real dedicated music fan. But what about those who independent record stores. Launching as a Let’s get ready to rumble are just out to make a buck, hoovering up the more guerrilla record store, the pop-up quickly The real fun starts about a week before the desirable releases to sell online at inflated prices? took root in the empty shop it had occupied, event as the stock begins come in. “First “They are only a small percentage,” record collector John-Paul believes. “Personally, I think they taint the with Carl taking on the role of manager. a couple of titles will arrive alongside other day, but it’s important not to focus on this too much. Knowledgeable Carl and his team of orders, then the fl oodgates open,” says Carl. The way to do most damage to them is not to pay passionate music fans may make RSD “There were a couple of days I think we over the odds on ebay! Shops quite often still have stuff at normal prices that is going for money on look easy but, like every record shop almost broke Barry, our TNT driver. Then it’s online. If you are prepared to queue early and then participating, the winning formula is the a case of getting it all priced up, labelled and visit shops elsewhere either on the day or later in the evening before is spent rearranging the the week then you stand a strong chance of getting what you are after.” shop to make room for it all.” Vinyl, CD and cassette Vinyl Tap plans to expand on its best-ever RSD One thing Truck doesn’t have to make event by installing a stage for instores throughout releases and promotional room for is a stage, as its retro-chic café the year, starting with an appearance from punk items alike were made doubles as an elevated performance area. legend Wreckless Eric on 22 May. “Live music was something we wanted to www.vinyltap.co.uk exclusively for the day make integral to the store here, so we have a stage and PA built into the shop,” explains result of some serious behind-the-scenes Carl. “We’ve hosted over 150 acts – from graft. “The work starts quite far in advance great local bands to really big names – such for us,” he explains. “Once the offi cial list as indie legends The Wedding Present. of the UK releases has been published, and Record Store Day is a fantastic opportunity the pre-sale info starts coming in, we try to to put together a lineup that refl ects this, so get an idea of what to order by getting we had a great mix of local and national customers to send us their wants lists. This talent. From the thriving Oxford music scene has proved particularly useful with some we had We Aeronauts – who are something of the more obscure titles. This year, the of a pocket-sized Arcade Fire – and Robin deadlines were much earlier than the Bennett from The Dreaming Spires, previous one’s – partly due to the bank representing the strong Americana scene holidays, I think, but also as a result of here in Oxford. Luke Sital-Singh was a feedback that the record companies needed particular highlight for me – he’s going to more time to process orders… although that be a big star. Then our old friend Get Cape, didn’t stop some titles running late…” Wear Cape, Fly put in his usual enthusiasm- The day crossed the generations, with Carl continues: “We then look back over fi lled performance. He goes way back with all ages eager to snap up some vinyl the previous year’s sales and the wants lists both Rapture and Truck Festival, so we

JULY 2014 63 RECORD STORE DAY

“OUR BEST DAY FOR OVER 10 YEARS”

London’s Music and Video Exchange let the music do the talking with DJ sets and on-roof musicians Across its London branches in Soho, Greenwich and Notting Hill Gate, Music and Video Exchange (MVE, part of the Music and Goods chain) busted out the Technics 210s for a heavyweight battle of the DJs – all of whom are members of staff. The event, commemorated by an eclectic CD from Sean ‘The Knowledge’ P and Richard Sen that was available free on the day, saw sets from RUFUS & Bambi, Jonny Goodfella, Tommy Koi and Dr Kruger – as well as from Sean and Richard – taking shoppers on an incredible musical journey through Truck favourite Get Cape, Wear

Picture: Martin Tyler Martin Picture: jazz, soul, funk, house, techno and beyond. Cape, Fly entertains the crowd Spires represents Robin from The Dreaming The Soul and Dance Exchange, located in the attic Oxford’s Americana scene of the Notting Hill Gate record store made like an old-school pirate station during the afternoon, as it was also home to misoul.com for three hours, broadcasting its A to Z of misoul from there. And, channelling the spirit of the Fab Four’s legendary Apple concert, retro rockers Black Cat blasted through a raw set from the shop’s rooftop. “It was a fantastic day all round,” enthuses senior buyer Richard Scott. “Black Cat’s rooftop gig was spectacular, but a bit too loud for the neighbours, so we had to cancel the second set in the afternoon.” MVE had “over 30 of the RSD titles, multiples of most of them” and only had a handful of copies left in the racks at the time of writing. The most requested record of the day was the Pet Shop Boys 12in, which sold out within 30 minutes. RSD 2014 was another success story for MVE with tills more overworked than 2013’s event. “We did better than last year on the day,” says Richard. “Our Luke Sital-Singh is destined for big Berwick Street branch did about 35 percent better things according to Truck’s Carl than last Record Store Day, which was previously We Aeronauts: like a pocket-sized our best day for more than 10 years – if not ever.” Arcade Fire, apparently www.mgeshops.com

were pleased he could take part. The day too. The publicity around RSD is a chance to ended with local reggae band Dubwiser, who draw attention to music and that people still had people dancing in the aisles.” making it are crafting beautiful physical products to go with it – whether that’s the Ultra vivid scene Clubhouse label’s excellent sleeves or Get The Dreaming Spires’ Robin Bennett also Cape, Wear Cape, Fly’s release consisting goes way back with Oxford’s independent of a download and a wrestling mask.” music scene. As a teenager, Robin set up the Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly’s RSD release is aforementioned Truck Festival in 1998, now a good example of the eclectic nature of this an Oxfordshire institution, drawing big year’s list of offi cial RSD releases – a list that names such as White Lies and The Cribs to ranges from luminous Ghostbusters vinyl to this year’s tribal gathering at Hill Farm. classical CD boxsets. RSD has also grown to Today, as a duo with local legend Tony include much more commercial artists, such Poole, he plays to a full, appreciative house as One Direction and Katy Perry. To some, in Truck, bagging the early afternoon slot. It’s the fi rst of a few sets Robin performs in RSD 2014 saw a surge record shops today, also cutting loose at the One Direction on a list between (veteran RSD after-party in the Amersham store, “part in vinyl sales, with an punk band) OFF! and (electronic artist) of the ever-larger wave of fringe activity increase of 133 percent Oneohtrix Point Never broadens the appeal which is stimulated by RSD,” as he puts it. of the day and gets a completely different The Dreaming Spires’ contribution to a on the previous week group of people through the door of the four-way split EP on UK Americana imprint store – which is surely the point of the day?” Clubhouse is part of this wave. Although not this reeks of bandwagon jumping, does And it’s a valid one: everyone from pre-teens an offi cial RSD release, the EP is released on damage to independent labels as majors take to pensioners are packing out Truck. All are the day and is in four or fi ve indie stores – priority over indies in vinyl pressing plants united by a common cause, despite their including Truck and the Amersham store. and dilutes the credibility of the annual differing tastes and ages. And it’s a cause “All the shops I went to seemed to be in event. To others, including Truck’s manger, that readers of these pages know well: great health and demonstrating the way for the inclusion of artists that appeal to a much passion for sound. record shops to survive – by diversifying younger audience is in the spirit of RSD – But despite the mixed crowd of music fans appropriately, whether it’s selling guitars, and important for the survival of bricks and of all ages ringing the tills and enjoying the cowboy boots or coffee; acting as a hub for mortar record shops in the longer term. live music, is Record Store Day an anomaly the music community; and being passionate “The big talking point was One Direction when compared with the rest of the year? Is about the music they sell,” Robin reports. bringing out a picture disc. Many have the vinyl bubble set to burst? Not according “It’s vital to have outlets where music is criticised this, but to me this was a to Carl: the format is “absolutely here to valued so there can be some economy built masterstroke,” Carl reckons, going on to stay” and he refutes the assertion that the around it to support the creators and labels, explain his case with succinct logic. “Having surge in popularity is just a passing fad.

64 JULY 2014 high fidelity engineering

unleash the passion with real hi-f i sound

Exposure Electronics Ltd: Unit 18, Winston Business Centre 43 Chartwell Road Lancing Business Park Lancing BN15 8TU Tel: +44 1273 423877 Fax: +44 1273 806648

Please visit www.exposurehifi.com RECORD STORE DAY

SHOPPING LIST This year’s RSD has 600+ exclusive titles to choose from on the day. Blink and you may well have missed these eight platters that mattered

David Bowie Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide (UK); 1984 (US) Two 40th anniversary 7in picture discs from the Laughing Gnome. Prices have already shot through the roof on ebay.

Luke Haines Lou Reed Lou Reed The Black Box Recorder head honcho’s love song to the Velvet Underground’s frontman. Limited to just 500 copies.

Joy Division Truck’s Carl Smithson serves up An Ideal For Living some of the black stuff for another Joy Division’s mega- satisfied customer rare debut given the reissue treatment for RSD 2014. Expect these faithful “The range of people buying vinyl is “The vinyl format, while still popular with recreations to be testament to its staying power,” he says. baby boomers that grew up with it and super scarce. “We have customers who always buy new nurtured by events such as Record Store Day, release albums on vinyl; others who are increasingly also appeals to an engaged Nirvana replacing worn out Pink Floyd or Bob Dylan audience of younger artists and consumers Pennyroyal Tea The original plans LPs with 180g represses; and then there are alike, who appreciate its iconic heritage as for the single were those who are re-buying more recent albums part of rock and pop culture,” says Gennaro shelved due to Kurt’s they’ve probably had as downloads or even Castaldo, spokesman for the British suicide. Bagging one of these singles made CDs, but really feel a connection to. We call Phonographic Industry (BPI). “LP sales Vinyl Tap’s John-Paul these latter titles ‘modern classics’… we sell doubled in volume last year to 780,000 units a very happy man. lots of copies of albums by artists such as – the highest annual total in over 15 years, Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, Jeff Buckley, Neutral and with sales up again this year, we’re close Ray Parker Jnr Milk Hotel and – of course, with it being to seeing the greatest demand for vinyl Ghostbusters No need to be ‘fraid recordings in nearly two decades.” of no ghost with this The winning formula And, of course, it fi gures that this demand glow-in-the-dark for vinyl should run in parallel with a picture disc to light your way. Can the to RSD is the result of demand for equipment to play these platters bank holiday classic some serious behind- on, bringing new blood into our wonderful really be 30 years old? world of hi-fi … the-scenes graft Pet Shop Boys A day to remember Fluorescent One of RSD’s most Oxford – Radiohead. On top of these, you This seemingly unstoppable demand for wanted: two exclusive have the stalwart crate-diggers, those who vinyl has ensured that Truck Store, and mixes of the track take a punt on random pre-owned albums other fi ne independent musical outposts from 2013’s Electric album. MVE sold out and the NME-reading kids who can only around the UK, has defi nitely had a day to of its copies within afford the odd 7in single but truly treasure remember – both fi nancially and artistically. 30 minutes. it. The fact that this ‘vinyl revival’ has spread But there’s no rest for Carl and the staff after in so many directions and can’t be pinned Dubwiser shook Truck to its foundations and Songs: Ohia to one single trend suggests to me it’ll the last happy punters left the shop: there’s Journey On: Collected Singles defi nitely survive.” RSD 2015 to think about. Nine 7in singles and Happily, industry statistics appear to back “We always have a post-RSD meeting to CD box set with up Carl’s enthusiasm. BBC news reported assess what we did right and wrong; what 24 page booklet. Truck Store’s manager that this year’s RSD saw a “surge in vinyl we can learn and how we can adapt… Carl’s most wanted sales, with an increase of 133 percent on the There’s a dialogue going on already.” And it’s RSD booty. previous week”. This increase was led by yet because the best record shops, like Truck another vinyl outing for The Stone Roses’ Store, are encouraging dialogue between Paul Weller debut album (the biggest selling album that punters, local and national labels and Brand New Toy At just 500 copies for week, although not actually an exclusive musicians, thinking to the future, and the UK, this was one Record Store Day release), in which sales adapting to the changing face of retail that of the most limited grew by 62 percent when compared with the we can be hopeful that Record Store Day releases from a major artist this year – and previous year. Perhaps most pleasing of all is 2015 will be an increasingly community- one of the most the fact that it’s a younger generation that’s minded, independent-focused event, uniting controversial, too. increasingly pushing this demand. the generations with passion for sound ●

66 JULY 2014

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YOUR LETTERS & QUESTIONS ANSWERED

THIS MONTH

NIGEL WILLIAMSON NEVILLE ROBERTS ANDREW SIMPSON DAVID PRICE EXPERTISE: REVIEWER EXPERTISE: ENGINEER EXPERTISE: REVIEWER EXPERTISE: REVIEWER As one of HFC’s chief music Retired NHS director, Andrew’s been passionate DP has spent much longer More ways to get in touch: reviewers Nigel certainly knows electronics engineer and about hi-fi since he was a wee than he’d care to admit buying a decent tune when he hears physicist Neville is very much nipper. When not obsessing and upgrading his own hi-fi You can also send your one. He recently put the cat into valve technology. He’s a over his next upgrade, he can system, not to mention questions to us via social media: among the pigeons by classical music lover and serious be usually found under the reviewing thousands of suggesting rock is stagnating. vinyl junkie. bonnet of his 1973 MG Midget. separates over the years. twitter.com@HiFiChoiceMag facebook.com/hifichoice.co.uk

Email us at [email protected] or write to: Hi-Fi Choice Letters, AVTech Media Ltd, Hadlow House, 9 High Street, Green Street Green, Orpington, Kent, BR6 6BG Your letters may be edited before publication and we cannot enter into personal correspondence

Life begins NR: Hi Mick, by far the simplest AS: It would be good to know amount of music your phone can LETTER at 50 way of getting the best sound what kind of phone and music hold, but what you transfer will OF THE I am approaching from your MP3 fi les is to use a library you use, as recent sound better. To change the sync MONTH 50 and never having Bluetooth speaker. I’m assuming technologies have led so some settings in iTunes, connect your bothered before with you have a smartphone that has improvements in what you can phone, select the summary page anything hi-fi I fi nd Bluetooth? If not, you can do with your phone’s audio and check the ‘convert higher bit myself wanting a classier connect it using a lead plugged (although it’s still some way off rate songs’ is un-ticked or set to sound without having to think into the headphone socket. a decent CD or turntable-based as high a level as possible. about spending silly amounts There is a huge number of system). Here’s a few pointers Now you have two options to of money. speakers on the market spanning on how to get the best out of get audio from your phone, I simply have a large a wide range of price points and your phone, but you will still be number of songs on my sound qualities. Take a look at restricted by the device’s audio How do I make phone, Queen being my the Bose SoundLink Mini, limits. I’m presuming you’re favourite, and I’m fed up with Cambridge Audio Minx Go or using iTunes, so fi rstly make the music from it sounding tinny all the time. Damson Oyster to name but sure your import settings are my mobile phone I’m not clued up about what three. The nice thing with set to ‘rip’ CDs with little or no to do here. I know I don’t Bluetooth speakers is that no compression. Apple Lossless sound less tinny? want cables and wires and I wires are required, apart from a Encoder is the setting to chose must be able to move around mains power supply. Some come for CD-level sound quality. depending on if you have a with it. I am thinking about with a rechargeable battery Likewise when buying phone running Android or Apple Spotify, but not through my making them portable, if that is downloads, go for fi les with the software. For Android phones phone speakers, no way. an important requirement for highest ‘bit rate’ (kbps) available. check if it has the superior aptX Hopefully I don’t sound like you. You will be pleasantly Next, ensure the music that’s Bluetooth codec installed instead a thicky compared to all you surprised by the room-fi lling synced to your phone is being of the standard SBC type (there’s clued-up people and I hope quality you can get by simply transferred with as little a handy phone list here: that you can help me out. using the playback software on compression as possible. Less aptx.com/category/phones) and Mick Broadbent your mobile phone. compression will reduce the if so, look to buy a product that accepts aptX wireless streaming. I’d recommend Cambridge Audio’s Minx Xi, which at £600 The Cambridge Audio Minx Go is just one offers an all-in amp, streaming, of many affordable radio and headphone package wireless speakers with audiophile credentials. For Apple phones, check to see if you’re phone runs AirPlay, which will allow you to send a bit-perfect signal from your phone via Apple’s proprietary wi-fi tech. NAD’s £799 D 7050 one-box system accepts both aptX and AirPlay, guaranteeing you a more future-proof solution. The Minx is quite warm sounding with great bass for the money, while the NAD is far cleaner sounding. Beyond this

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realise the limitations further Use your head down the line and like you, are I’ve been interested in hi-fi and the pursuit loathed to start ripping their CDs for aural magic for over 20 years, enjoying again in a superior format or the mysticism around technology and the learning new software. The good aspects of music and human emotion that news is iTunes is far more simply cannot be measured. DP reckons Stax’s versatile for audiophliles than My system comprises of a Naim ND5SX SRS-3170 holds the it used to be. As our guide says, it streamer, Heed Obelisk Si MkII amplifi er, answer for Dean doesn’t support FLAC fi les, which Neat Motive 2 loudspeakers, Lehmann is the preferred format of most Rhinelander headphone amplifi er NR: Well Dean, your Lehmann Rhinelander is a audiophiles, but Apple has been and Denon D-7100 headphones, Cyrus great unit, but fi nding a great pair of headphones offering its own software solid core interconnects and DNM Reson is very much infl uenced by personal choice, so I equivalent, ALAC (Apple Lossless speaker cable. would agree with you and would look at your Encoder), for some time. So if While the sound produced through the headphones fi rst. You may fi nd that, for example, you want to stick with iTunes loudspeakers is what I can only describe a modestly-priced pair of Sennheiser closed-back make sure you change your as magical – I can’t imagine needing to circumaural headphones, like the Momentum, import settings to rip CDs in upgrade for the foreseeable future – the suits your ears better. It is defi nitely something to this format going forward. experience through the headphones is less try before you buy. The other alternatives, while Audiophile labels like Naim impressive, appearing veiled, although having a defi nite effect on the sound quality, are Music and Linn Records also having impressive bass, lacking the realism not, in my opinion, likely to result in the offer hi-res ALAC fi les up to I know the ND5SX is capable of producing. signifi cant change that will convert you back to 24-bit/192kHz alongside FLAC Although my initial demonstration of the headphone listening with your current setup. alternatives, which iTunes can headphones was quite good, it’s only after store and playback, providing longer term listening that I realised that the DP: Given your budget is up to £1,000, I’d your computer and DAC can headphone experience isn’t to my taste. implore you to live on lentils for a month and output/accept this level. Apple’s Since the Rhinelander seems generally stretch to £1,195 for a Stax SRS-3170 electrostatic AirPlay in iTunes will also allow well regarded I was wondering if swapping system. This includes the electrostatic ear to stream up to 24-bit/96kHz the headphones would help. I require a speakers and the driver amplifi er, so is all wirelessly from your library. The closed-back design (AKA wife friendly!) and inclusive. You’ll fi nd that this has a dramatically bigger issue with iTunes is piping have a budget of £500-£1,000. more open and even sound, with loads more the music from your computer Alternatively, would changing the detail, defi nition and musicality than a similarly into an external DAC while headphone amplifi er help, interconnects or priced dynamic headphone or headphone stopping your computer’s even adding a power supply for the ND5SX? amplifi er combination. It’s well worth the soundcard interfering with it Dean Stevens money, in my view. en route, which is one of the big advantages of software like foobar2000 and JRiver as they you’d be better off storing music Ok computer am reluctant to copy all my cleverly bypass the soundcard on a computer or NAS drive I’ve been enjoying CDs again into different ensuring an unfettered signal. hooked up to your system, your helpful guides software like JRiver or As for hi-res being offered perhaps running an app from recently, especially last Audirvana Plus which I’m not through the iTunes stores, there your phone as a remote control month’s one covering familiar with, and I’d really may be changes afoot if internet for playback. Computer Music, which has appreciate some advice on speculation is to be believed! given me the impetus to my options! Do I need to DP: Paradoxically I am in the fi nally get to grips with this start again? Mr music lover opposite situation to you – area of my own system a bit Stanley Owens I am a music lover and am approaching the big fi ve-o and trying to put together a never having bothered before iTunes doesn’t AS: Hi Stanley, I imagine lots of two-channel music playback with anything not hi-fi ! But I music fans have gone down a system for my room (sized digress. Given you don’t want support FLAC but similar route with iTunes, only to 19 x 13 feet). I listen to music wires and complexity, why not I want to use it – start with an aptX widget like Arcam’s rBlink (£160) that lets what can I do? you stream your music from your tablet or phone into a hi-fi more. My system is largely JRiver cleverly system? You don’t specify a analogue based (Musical bypasses your budget, so let’s assume you want Fidelity amp, Cambridge PC’s soundcard a good basic amplifi er – I’d Audio CD4SE CD player, Rega suggest a Rega Brio-R (£500) RP3 turntable and R3 which is a superb sounding yet speakers). Having copied my compact integrated. As for CDs into iTunes mostly for speakers, best go and listen my iPod, I was disappointed for yourself, but Q Acoustics’ to read that iTunes won’t Concept 20 (£350) are great support FLAC or offer any little boxes that pack a big hi-res downloads. punch. Together this system will I now want to build a sound cracking, you’ll be amazed decent-sounding digital how good it is considering its library to stream into a new dinky size and simplicity. DAC I’m planning to buy, but

JULY 2014 71 LETTERS

The Spendor A6R me into a reverie. I have would be DP’s choice been interested in music and Rock’s not dead! of speaker for Anurag audio since I was a child in Hello Nigel, Calgary. I remember one day Your article ‘Is this RIP for I heard a pair of Quad ESL rock ’n’ roll’ was so sad. electrostatic loudspeakers You are looking for new (they call them ESL-57s now, music, and can’t fi nd it! but at the time they were It’s out there, if you look. just the ESL) in a shop called The new music world the Boutique of Sound at the is incredibly alive and Westbrook mall. I said to vibrant. Live music is alive Bob, the excellent salesman and kicking. In the last (who in later years went month I’ve seen Flower on to become my friend): Corsano Duo, Shapeshifter, “Where is the man playing Stephen O’Malley, Fear of the guitar – is he behind Men, 65 Days of Static, the curtain?” He threw the Cold Pumas, Led Bib, curtains back and, of course, Crookes, Umberto, Dum there was nothing there but Dum Girls and Bo Ningen. cardboard boxes! The things And these were just the I took for screens were headliners. Will any of actually speakers and so these become as huge as I was hooked for life. Led Zeppelin or the He had a Quad 33 and 303 Stones? No idea, but all of power amp driving the ESLs them were superb and all with a Linn Turntable as of them were exciting. source. Somehow I got the You say: “The last time idea that the UK was the rock music really mattered centre of the audio universe. to a generation was It took years to fi nd out that arguably during the there were other things out Britpop wars between there, but the impression Oasis and Blur”. Arguably stayed with me. Anyone who indeed. You should join me has heard about British hi-fi at some of the gigs and will have heard about the see how passionate the Quad ESLs. audience is about the bands playing for them. at moderate volume levels. sound – meaning they’re pretty Are the Quad One thing’s for sure, rock Though I listen to all genres, well balanced, not shouty, have a ’n’ roll will never die, it my favourite is country, light decently accurate tone and get ESL-2905 will always be re-invented. classical, classical vocal and into the music nicely without loudspeakers Just in case you need a instrumental, reggae, pop, showing off. The Neat is the most reference point, the fi rst fl amenco and world fusion. fun to listen to, doing rhythms any good? album I bought was Led I am trying to identify the especially well, although it’s Zeppelin I, and the Velvet right speaker for my room perhaps not the most neutral or This brings me to my fi rst Underground and Ten and my music tastes. I am transparent. The Harbeth has a question, have you ever Years After were around looking for an easy on the good stab at this, but is still fun reviewed the newer Quad when I fi rst got into music. ear speaker that provides a to listen to. The Spendor tries to ESL loudspeakers? I notice Guy Pettigrew good sound stage, doesn’t be all things to all people, and you have covered the Martin lose rhythm and is tonally largely succeeds. It has a big Logans from the US, but NW: I agree there is plenty of neutral. After listening to sound with a good soundstage, apparently not the Quads. new music out there, Guy – I some speakers I have a nice musical gait and a very After reading your article I still get around 50 new CDs in shortlisted a few: Harbeth refi ned tone. For me, this would did a little research on the my postbag every week! But Compact 7ES-3, Neat Classic be the safest bet, especially as web and Quad still makes a the point is not really whether Elite SX, ProAc Response D18 you haven’t told me what amp version of the ESL-63, but you or I fi nd this new music and Spendor A6R. you’re using. Personally, I’d drive with much better bass and ‘exciting’ or if Bo Ningen are as Have you reviewed any of the Spendor direct from a Quad power handling called the good as Ten Years After; the these? What would be a good Elite QSP power amp, which has ESL-2905. discussion was about whether choice? Can you also suggest a very clean sound and plenty of Is there any chance you pop music in a digital age, an amp that will match with watts. Use a good passive pre or could review these speakers which offers so many other your suggested speaker? drive direct from the source if it and let me know how they sources of entertainment to Anurag Moghe, India has a variable output. sound? I don’t think they are divert us can ever have the sold here, but I would still same broader social, cultural DP: Hi Anurag, I haven’t heard Ultra vivid screen love to know what they are and even political impact it the ProAc and so can’t comment, I live in Australia and I read like regardless. once exerted. Sadly, I’d say the but I have reviewed/heard the HFC every month. I was Thanks for the great answer is almost certainly no, Harbeth, Neat and Spendor. reading your review of the magazine. I just love however many good new They’re all very good speakers, Cambridge Audio Aero 6 spinning a record or two and bands are out there. with a quintessentially ‘British’ speakers and something sent reading through the pages

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Quad’s ESL-2905s efforts. The others are all very are a little sedate well made, with perhaps the for DP’s taste Avid having the edge in terms of build, but you should try to give them all a listen if you can as they offer quite different musical presentations. You should also consider Michell’s non-suspended TecnoDec. In terms of arms, Rega and Pro-Ject do indeed make some cracking arms for the money, which usually come as part of the deck’s package. These will also work well on the Avid and Michell models (but check the available armboards). If your budget can stretch and if its these two decks you’re looking at consider investing in something like Michell’s Tecno Arm (a top-class reworking of Rega’s design) or Audio Note’s latest Arm 1 Version II, which offers exceptional levels of on a Saturday afternoon Needle work the MM edition or the MC 1. insight that won’t hold either when it’s too damned hot I really want to I have heard the MM 1 just deck back. to go outside! upgrade my budget screws into the tonearm, On cartridge types: MM Jack Davis Project Elemental Deck to is this correct ? The MC (moving magnet) and MC something a bit more cartridges need to be (moving coil) use the same DP: London calling the great specialised and better screwed in using a mounting systems of two small dominions! You’re right to say sounding. I will be pairing screwdriver as this is really bolts though the arm’s head into that the UK is in fact the centre it with an Arcam FMJ A19, the problem point for me I’d the cartridge’s mounting lugs. of the audio universe Jack, and which I bought because it be hoping to get the best Some cartridges come with everyone is just pretending! As has it’s own phono stage and cartridge, but one that won’t pre-threaded holes making them for the Quads, I have heard the Bowers & Wilkins 685 S2s. involve a lot of tinkering easier to fi t, as this does away ESL-2905 at length and can around to get the perfect with the tiny nuts that hold the vouch for them as excellent I want to upgrade setup. Since everything here bolts in place. You’ll also have to high-end loudspeakers. They’ve is over £1,000 I would like to connect the arm’s tiny push-fi t got that distinct electrostatic my turntable can get the best turntable that wires to the cartridge’s pins and sound that feels like the music you advise me should do me for years to align it all properly, so if all this is coming out of a vast expanse come. I hope that this all sounds a bit daunting, perhaps of inky blackness. Some love it, where to start? makes sense. I am leaning get your dealer to fi t your but I am confl icted. The 2905s towards the Ingenium or the cartridge of choice when you are highly effective at telling My choices for turntable are Project Perspex. buy the deck. you what is wrong with the Avid Ingenium, Rega RP6, Shane Dorrian The difference between MM conventional box loudspeakers, Project 6 Perspex and the and MC types is in their internal but to my tastes they’re a little Mitchell Gyrodec SE. I’m not AS: Hi Shane, fi rstly the basic designs, MMs have magnets sedate and don’t move enough sure about tonearms, I have turntable that you buy will be attached to their moving air to get my beloved reggae heard that the Pro-Ject the foundation to getting the cantilever, which opposes fi xed and techno going properly. In tonearms sound good and I best sound from your vinyl, so I’d coils, and for MC types it’s the their defence, while the bigger really wouldn’t be able to put as much of your budget into other way around. This means MartinLogans move more air, afford the SME tonearms. I this as you can, as you can that MC types don’t usually have the Quads – while sounding less could probably stretch to the always upgrade the arm and replaceable styli like MM types. fun – still come over as a little Rega and Jelco arms, but if cartridge later on. Of the ones This means replacing it when its more integrated and ‘all-of-a- these are no better than the you’ve suggested the Gyro SE is worn will be more costly. Also piece’. As they say, you pays Pro-Ject I would stick with it. probably the best performer. It’s bear in mind you’ll need a yer money and takes your Lastly the cartridge, I have also a suspended design and, high-output MC cartridge to feed choice. As for it being too hot been reading reviews and the therefore, will require a little your Arcam’s ‘MM only’ phono to go outside, I’m afraid we Ortofons seem to get good more time and care setting it up stage. I’d start with an Ortofon wouldn’t really know what reviews whether it’s the 2M and keeping it in tune. You will, 2M as you suggest, but also you’re talking about back here Blue or 2M Black, but I don’t however, certainly be rewarded consider Nagaoka’s offerings for in the motherland… know if I should maybe get in the sound stakes for your a sound that’s more full bodied.

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The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the attitudes or opinions of HI-Fi Choice or AVTech Media Ltd. Spaghetti Junction cables don’tcables touch sothat dressing with patience of All it takes isabit performance almost as much as investing in new components explains explains components new investing in as much as almost performance Getting behind your hi-fi and sorting out the tangled messof cables can improve the twists and tight bends if you can. The next stage was to twists andtightbendsifyoucan.Thenextstagewasto than usual.Butit’sworthavoidinginanycable,avoid which withastiffcableliketheBurndyismoreofanissue dressing themsothatthereisaslittletensionpossible, between NDSandpowersupply, essentiallythismeans cables andpowerwerearrayedbehindthesystem. needed whenhesawhowmanyinterconnects,Ethernet a lookandlisten,intruthitwasonlytheformerthathe Naim’s manonthegroundSteveHarriscameovertohave combined witha555PS(atotalintheregionof£13k).So outlay thispieceofhardwarerequires,especiallywhenit’s excellent results,butnotsuchgreatonesastowarrantthe using aNaimNDSstreamerforfewmonthsandgetting frequently touchhaveanybearingonthesonicresults? really matter, doesthefacttheycrosseachotherand a jungleofcablesgoingeverywhichway. Butdoesthis things quicklygetjumbledandbeforeyouknowitthere’s be mixedup,butareviewer’ssystemrarelysitsstillso tended topaylipservicethenotionthatcablesshouldn’t was the sort of upgrade it sounded like. It’s also not was thesortofupgradeitsounded like.It’salsonot quite dearlyforifitinvolvedacable upgrade.Andthat was thesortofimprovementthat youcouldeasilypay had afastandstrongleadingedge. that morereverbwasbeingresolvedandeachnote shots soundlikeStuartCopelandofthePolice, indicating element ofthemusic.Italsomadedrummer’srim bass, drumsandbrass)–wastobringoutthefunk Threadgill’s The effectithadonthepiecewewereusing–Henry consider tobethekeyaccuratemusicalreproduction. quality thatNaimandmanyothers,includingtheauthor components insomeinstances. eliminated orminimised,whichinvolvedmoving others werepositionedsuchthatcontactwascompletely smaller cableswentroundtothesideofrackand This took no money and not much time to achieve, yet it This tooknomoneyandnotmuch timetoachieve,yetit This primarilyhadtheeffectofimprovingtiming,a We startedoutby‘de-stressing’thepowerumbilicals A recentexperiencewouldsuggestitdoes.Ihavebeen S the hi- paghetti, it’swonderfulstuffunlessbehind undermines soundquality. InthepastI’ve tastes buttherearethosethatthinkit Bermuda Blues fi , then it’s not only unsightly to many , thenit’snotonlyunsightlytomany (a raw jazz piece with double (arawjazzpiecewithdouble proximity. Some to avoidclose route theminorder to the systemandtry that werebehind look atallthecables fi nd ways to nd waysto the lessertanglebetter sound Ethernet cables.Throughoutthe system therationalis: it’s differentstrokesfor devices. most detail,airandCopelandesquerim-shots.Asever and foundthatAudioQuest’sCinnamondeliveredthe comparisons usingaResolution AudioCantatastreamer bass weightwiththeNDS.LateronImadesomemore produced the bestcombinationoftimingand C-Stream to degreesofshielding.IntheendChordCo’sentry-level a wellde you expectwithcablesofasimilartopology–Ethernethas always blackandwhite,buttheeffectswerebroadlywhat CAT7 andhearddifferenceswitheverychange.Itwasnot AudioQuest andChordCoaswellnon-audiooriented they naturallyhaveabearing.We triedavarietyfrom between Ethernetcables;inasystemthat’stransparent This alsoopensthecanofwormsthatisdifferences CAT’s theway todoit dif pounds. several hundred would usuallycost system atleast upgrade thatinmy and youhavean touch oneanother that cablesdon’t with dressingso a bitofpatience time, allittakesis components allthe don’t swap maintain ifyou networking devicesissocrucial,Imayhaveto disconcerting onethatthepowerfeedingmainstream truth thateverythingmattersinrevealingsystems,buta into seriousconditionerstobefrank.It’saninconvenient sort ofresultyougetwhenpluggingsourcecomponents the soundstagesothatquietersoundscouldbeheard, and switch.Thishadtheeffectofremovinggrungefrom it betweenthewallandextensionfeedingrouter but possiblyaTrichord) thathadbeenlyingfallowandput found anoldsingleoutletmainsconditioner(unmarked, NDS wasderivingitssignalfrom,atSteve’ssuggestionI network thatthe looking atthe linear PSUfortheswitchnow. Of course, the spaghetti factor is equally applicable to Of course,thespaghettifactoris equally applicableto Later we started Later westarted fi cult to fi ned specandthevarious CAT levelsarerelated ● fi nd a Jason KennedyJason JULY 2014 sound quality difference in a noticeable tidy provides cables neatand Keeping your Hi-Fi Choice Choice Hi-Fi JASON KENNEDY OPINION writer writer 77 Apprentice MM Phono stage

SP2 floor standing Speakers - gloss

MC3 reference Phono stage

Apprentice TT

TALK Electronics Ltd Farm Road Henley on Thames Oxfordshire RG9 1EJ 01491 572523 www.talkelectronics.com HA1 headphone amplifier [email protected] The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the attitudes or opinions of HI-Fi Choice or AVTech Media Ltd Viva resolution! la to haveto listen a kind. Iimplore you forgiant leap digital The Hugoisanother audio world, reckons Chord’s new Hugo digital-to-audio converter is sogood that it’s going to rock the digital Paganini four-boxsystemsoundsastounding, butissadly own technology. springstomindhere–itstop dCS other manufacturers,sotheleading DAC makersusetheir hand buildsitsowncarsandborrows preciouslittlefrom need togoyourownway. JustasthelikesofAstonMartin However, in ordertodoatrulyexceptionalDAC, youstill you onlyneedlookatAudiolab’s£600M-DAC toseethis. digital-to-analogue converternowatarelativelylowcost; ever, andit reallyispossibletodoahighlycapable Burr-Brown, ESSTechnology, etcare.They’rebetterthan latest generationofDAC chips fromthelikesofWolfson, beginning toquestionallthatpastantagonism. makes yeoldeCompactDiscsoundsogoodthatIam happening here,butwhatitisain’texactlyclear. TheHugo almost notimeatall.Asthesongsays,there’ssomething of also-rans,ithascarvedoutasizeableleadforitselfin the latestAdrianNeweyFormula Oneracingcarin a slumbers. HearingChordElectronics’newHugoDAC has me aLudditeI’dhavelotofpounds! had apoundforeveryletterI’vegotfromreaderscalling above theparapetandgotshotatfromalldirections.IfI needed tostandupforstereo.Bothtimes,Istuckmyhead world seemedtobemovingmulti-channelandsomeone better thanvinyl.Anotherwas10yearslaterwhenthe looked likeeveryonewasbelievingthehypethatCD moment formewasbackintheearlynineties,whenit you’ve justgottostandupandbecounted.Onemajor all thesenewadventuresinhi- indeed offthem.Oftenit’sbesttositbackandwatchhow to getyourselflockedin‘transmit’modeallthetime. the respectivemeritsofthisorthat.Butit’simportantnot knowledge oftheirsubjectwillhavestrongopinionson cricket bycomparison.Anyonewithanintricate Boycott looklikehedoesn’thavemuchtosayabout it’s notgoodtobesooutspokenthatyoumakeGeoff good writershouldworryaboutdriftingintoself-parody; It’s important to remind ourselves just how good the It’s importanttoremindourselvesjusthowgoodthe Now eventshaveonceagainforcedmefrommygolden Because ofthis,I’mreluctanttojumponbandwagons,or S readers may not share your proclivities. Any readers maynotshareyourproclivities.Any subject, butyouhavetorememberthatyour on one.It’sgreattohaveapassionforyour ometimes magazinejournalistscangooff fi play out. But sometimes, playout.Butsometimes, David Price is so good that, like is sogoodthat,like my soul.TheHugo shifted, certainlyin tectonic platehas slightly, Ifeelatiny on me.Everso made amajormark fi eld eld , who appears to bemore than just abit smitten Watts. Rob isaman large brainofRob not inconsiderably basically allfromthe McHarg, atChordit’s lead byAndy team ofengineers the productofa DACs are While dCS Chord Electronics. apart fromtherestis I’ve heardthatstands The otherDAC brand expensive too! commensurately in theworldbackthen.Rob’s latterly ofAudiolabM-DAC fame,takeabow)wasthebest along withthePinkTriangle DaCapo(JohnWestlake, DPA EnlightenmentDAC backinthemidnineties,which in aweofhisdigitalaudiodesigns.Irememberhearingthe the otherendofatelephoneadmittedly, butI’velongbeen years, mostlyfrom I’ve knownfor21 another hearing. Insteadofsayingit’sverygoodfortheprice,or folk willmulloverforproofofmysanityand/oracuity haven’t heardCDsoundquitelikethisbefore. detail, de absolutely uniqueabouttheHugoinwayitstrings exuberant more expensiveandtellinglystilldoesn’tquitehavethe cleaner, moreopenanddetailed,butit’smanytimes stuffisevenbetter,I’ve heard.InsomerespectsthedCS delivers asoundthatisquiteunlikealmostanythingelse fi and theconcomitantincreaseinresolutionofdigital view, thankstothemassiveincreaseinprocessingpower The Hugoisitsspiritualsuccessor, butitisfarbetterinmy Striking therightChord never heard anything else like it. never heardanythingelselikeit. the DAC64 overadecadeagoandatthetimeI’dsimply more interesting unloved CDcollectioninparticular –hasjustgotalot a listen.For thiswriter, digital audio–andmyrelatively giant leapfordigitalkind.Iwould imploreyoutohave the mostrecentChordQutes–IthinkHugoisanother previous Rob Watts creations–fromtheDPAs rightupto I havetofrontupmythoughts.Beingfamiliarwith lter. IntheHugoit’sanamazingly powerfulthingand There, I’ve said it – a controversial statement that some There, I’vesaidit–acontroversialstatementthatsome fi ne design from Chord, my heart tells me that ne designfromChord, myhearttellsmethat fi nition, rhythm and dynamics together; I simply nition, rhythmanddynamics together;Isimply joie devivre ● of the Chord. There’s something oftheChord.There’ssomething fi rst product at Chord was rst productatChordwas JULY 2014 pages 46-48 Hugo review on Read my Chord Hi-Fi Choice Choice Hi-Fi DAVID PRICE OPINION writer writer 79 The perfect high-end system, in two simple steps:

1. 2.

Xeo Music Player 13:45:26

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www.xeo.dynaudio.com All there is. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the attitudes or opinions of HI-Fi Choice or AVTech Media Ltd Go with the pro? or theaudiophile whether it’s for pros speaker isthesame, A highfidelity a professional in astudio oran audiophile listening at home? A loudspeaker is aloudspeaker, isn’t it? Should it really make adiff between the two in any aspect of performance.” PMC’s between thetwoinanyaspectof performance.”PMC’s professional ortheaudiophile.We donotdifferentiate is ahigh Billy Woodman isemphatic:“A high and PMC–isadangerousbusiness.ATC founderandboss domestic livingrooms–I’mthinking,inparticular, ofATC that producedistinctlinesforrecordingstudiosand part ofwhatmakeshi- system context.Ithinkthisisasitshouldbe.It’salarge sound. Whichtake,ifany, is‘right’amatteroftasteand one componentthatleaveasonic products ontest.Speakersare,andalwayshavebeen,the Test notion of‘hi- musical enjoymentandcommunication? want asystemthathasbeenskillfullytailoredtomaximise ambition istoreplicateasfarpossiblethe‘studiosound’ imagine thattheoxygen-starvedsummitofhigh mixing deskequippedwithregularstudiotransducers. sound anythinglikewhat’sheardstandingbehinda by theenduserthatreallymattersandit’sunlikelyto studio monitors,butit’stheoverallmusicalityexperienced scrutinise everystrandofaproductionviaultraanalytical engineers livestothisday. Itmightbenecessaryto domestic high-endsystem. album thatdidn’tshineallthebrighterwhenplayedona manipulated inanysense,Ican’trecallanearlyKateBush listening theymayhavebeen,butfarfromsounding intended isamootpoint.Optimisedforreal-world listen tohermusicon.Whetherthisworkedasshe real-world systemsthevastmajorityofherfanswould was shewantedtomodelthesoundforkindof by mostrecordingstudiosasyoucanimagine.Herreason removed fromthepro-spec,near- renown initsday, thebudgetbaby To suggestthis lineofthinkingtospeakermanufacturers It’s adivisivequestionandonethatinterrogatesthevery Which bringsustotheheartofmatter. Dowe I suspectshevalidatedanapproachthatforsomesound E andyou’ll fi delity loudspeaker, whetherornotitisforthe pocket money bookshelf design of some pocket moneybookshelfdesignofsome help ofWharfedaleDiamondspeakers.Acute, preferred tomix-downheralbumswiththe arly inhercareer, sothestorygoes,KateBush fi ’. Thumbthroughany fi nd as many sonic ‘personalities’ as you will nd asmanysonic‘personalities’ asyouwill fi asahobbysofascinating. fi fi eld monitors favoured eld monitorsfavoured ngerprint on a system ngerprint onasystem du jour fi HFC delity loudspeaker dynamics? Or do we dynamics? Ordowe heart-stopping volumes and plaster-cracking transparency, honest, warts‘n’all with itsunerringly speaker was about as far wasaboutasfar fi delity delity Group Group there is only one there isonlyone and thehome,as the sameforstudios so theyarevoiced speakers aredesigned he asserts.“Our that istherightway,” domestic market,and the professionalor loudspeaker, beitfor to designa there isonlyoneway concurs. “We believe Peter Thomas founder andboss designs operatingathighSPLs.” reliable andbombproof. Reliability isabigissueforpro protection tobebuiltinmakethespeakerextremely these factors.Theactivedesignalsoallowsdriveunit active orpassive.Eachmarket’sapplicationin speaker, thelookofspeakerandwhethertheyare continues, “buttheseareconcernedwiththeshapeof “Differences doexistbetweenthetwomarkets,”he pro anddomesticmodelsareaestheticfunctional. things separatingits explain thattheonly ‘right sound’.” variety ofdifferentampli speaker designshavetoenablesuccessfulusewitha appreciation ofwhatPeter meansbythis.“However, Anyone who’svisitedarecordingstudiowillhavefuller Keeping itneutral With hi- in thatultra-demandingworld,there isnoabsolutetruth. monitors, otherspreferPMCsand yetothersB&Ws.Even do sounddifferent.Andwhilesome studiosfavourATC reviews. Althoughthey’reaimingforthesamething,they companies’ domesticspeakersconsistentlygetrave and completeloudspeakersystems.” design anddevelopmentofbothloudspeakerdriveunits requires analmostfanaticaldedicationtothedetailin predicated uponthenotionof‘neutral explains: “Ourdesignphilosophyhasalwaysbeen dispersion designsforexcellentimaging.” reproduction ofthemusic.We alsoproducewide same voicingasourstudiomonitorstoensureanaccurate Peter goesonto You can’targue withthat.Orthefactthatboth ATC’s approachisnolesssingleminded.AsWoodman fi thereneveris ● fi ers. And we still provide the ers. Andwestillprovidethe David Vivian Vivian David fi delity’, which erence if it’s for useby fl uences uences investigates JULY 2014 does itmatter? audiophiles and professionals or loudspeakers for twenty.21 Are PMC’s Hi-Fi Choice Choice Hi-Fi DAVID VIVIAN OPINION writer writer 81

OPINION

Jumping the shark

As the Sex Pistols asked, ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated? A rethink is required for Record Store Day to restore its reputation, says Simon Berkovitch

oons queuing outside shops overnight. This year’s Record Store Day Glow-in-the-dark Ghostbusters and pathetic was the busiest ever. Soho’s L picture discs. Skiploads of hardly super- Berwick Street was a mass limited, mega-expensive, “classic” heavy vinyl of music fans. So where are reissue yawnathons. Ebay ghouls. Pressing plants these people the rest of the prioritising the demands of majors at the expense of year, as shops outside of independents. These are a few of my least favourite things London are increasingly in the about this year’s Record Store Day, so can we just say it? crosshairs of giants like Record Store Day has well and truly jumped the shark. Amazon? They can’t all just be There’s an episode of Happy Days in which the Fonz trying to scoop up the most jumps over a shark on water-skis. How tragic. How desirable limited editions on gimmicky. How desperate. According to the bible of RSD, rubbing their hands in Wikipedia, “the usage of ‘jump the shark’ has subsequently anticipation of a pretty penny broadened beyond TV, indicating the moment when a on ebay, can they? brand’s evolution declines.” Can you hear John Williams’ There’s more than one shark

or AVTech Media Ltd or AVTech theme from Jaws playing as a v-shaped wave looms in the infesting these waters, that’s direction of Record Store Day and its undigniﬁ ed scramble now clear. Just ask Paul Weller and Mark E Smith. Is this really what for unessential, unappealing vinyl detritus? Weller’s super-limited RSD release was the most supporting independent

HI-Fi Choice HI-Fi I wish that Bill Hicks were still with us. The legendary controversial. Record Store Day UK investigated the record stores US comedian had a few things to say about a meeting activities of North West-based independent retailer is about? between Vanilla Ice and Satan, so I’m sure that he’d have a Townsend Records following complaints about online sales few restrained, tasteful comments to make on the subject of Brand New Toy – a record that eluded most of Weller’s of One Direction and Katy Perry hawking their wares for a fans. The investigation “discovered irregularities in the so-called celebration of independents. management of an ebay account linked to the store”. So We’ve drifted much for sticking to RSD’s Code of Conduct – and not Your local record apart, Record Store exploiting your customers. shop needs your Day and I. It was At least Townsend Records won’t be doing it again: it has good when it been informed that it will not be permitted to participate support the other started. A vinyl-mad in 2015’s RSD. Disillusioned, Weller himself will not be 364 days of the year friend was living in taking part in subsequent Record Store Day events. the US at the time Similarly, The Fall’s release, White Lightning on Secret and fi red my enthusiasm via reports of great indie stores Records, was “a release that we were not involved with in and even greater limited edition releases. Just a couple of any way, without asking us or telling us about it”, The years later, the money-sniffers are mobilised. As soon as Fall’s statement on the group’s unoffi cial website reads. The Man’s vampires sink their fangs in, it’s commoditised Yes, Record Store Day’s clearly all about the music, man – quicker than you can say Simon Cowell. On seeing 2014’s and not at all about fl eecing groups’ loyal fanbases. releases, my friend was very vocal about how he wouldn’t Despite ebay touts, grim multinationals, duff releases be touching RSD with a bargepole this year. and fraud, I’m still behind the bricks and mortar record Where was the quality control? When the fetishised, shop. Forget RSD: your local record shop needs your conglomerate-endorsed limited edition is more important support the other 364 days of the year. than the music itself, something’s defi nitely up. Do One Direction fans own turntables? The fact that their RSD Reasons to be cheerful offering was a picture disc – not exactly known for its Record Store Day has lost its way. That said, Truck Store’s audiophile chops – speaks volumes. It also irked me that it event got it absolutely spot on and kept the fl ag of grabbed most of the headlines. There’s so much better stuff independence fl ying in Oxford. It was fun, frantic and – out there, kids! It’s like McDonald’s headlining food week most importantly – it plugged back into the community while Ferran Adrià sits at home chopping the onions. Well, from which it had sprung. Whether Record Store Day’s it’s something that Richer Sounds was a partner for Record organisers can pull off a similar trick for 2015 and get SIMON Store Day – a decent port of call for someone buying a fi rst back in touch with what made the event worth backing BERKOVITCH Hi-Fi Choice writer

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the attitudes or opinions of They do not necessarily reflect those of the author. in this article are The opinions expressed turntable, at least. in the ﬁ rst place remains to be seen ●

JULY 2014 83 SHOWREPORT 2

Munich 2014 5 With nearly 500 exhibitors and 1,000 brands, the High End Show at MOC Munich is always a special event

HI-FI ISN’T JUST a stay-at-home Still, Munich isn’t beyond parody. hobby. The industry is an It’s self-consciously high end, and international travelling circus, and when pockets are bottomless, you follows a set schedule of shows all tend to get some really wacky stuff, around the world. From Milan to some of which is of questionable the Rocky Mountains and Bristol to aesthetic taste or sonic merit. This Shanghai, you’ll see many of the same year, there seemed to be a little less faces on tour at different times of the silliness. Previous years have seem year, as manufacturers take their some very OTT turntables and vast wares around the globe. Tongues wag horn loudspeakers, but 2014 seemed in hotel bars, and one favourite topic to be a bit more grounded – with a is the best international venue. Time wider range of more affordable and after time, most people say Munich. less precocious kit. 1 Chord It’s hard to imagine a better place Munich is always great for vinyl fans Electronics for an international high-end hi-ﬁ – with plenty of glamorous vinyl Chord had a festival – which is effectively what the spinners, record cleaning equipment significant High End show has become. Although and LP records on sale – but this year presence at busy, it’s never too crowded unlike there were some nice-sounding hi-res the show. the other annual high-end fest at the digital systems and a diverse range of John Franks Venetian at Las Vegas CES. It’s easy to loudspeakers of all shapes and sizes demonstrated get to, walk around and has a relaxed for your pleasure. As ever, a ﬁ ne time its top system and friendly feel that attracts families was had by everyone who attended with PMC’s and spouses; it has a glamorous feel what is the probably best date in the monster BB5 SE that’s far less geeky than usual. audiophile diary. loudspeakers.

84 JULY 2014 SHOWREPORT

6 7 2 ARSLab Superb 90 All the way from Latvia comes this aff ordable (€2,200) big banger complete with retro orange paint scheme.

3 Amphion Apila L These new Finnish speakers are designed to work in challenging acoustic environments, with a unique dual driver compliment and special DSP.

4 Naim Muso Munich’s couleur de nos jours was orange, and the Muso showed why. This compact one-box wireless hi-fi system wowed with its range of striking hues.

8 9 5 IsoTek EVO3 Mosaic Genesis Keith Martin showed his latest power regenerator and conditioner, based on the flagship EVO3 Genesis, but more compact and aff ordable.

6 Keith Monks Discovery One Jon Monks donned his white coat for some serious grime busting, showing his latest entry-level record cleaner.

7 Marantz NA8005 At last, a new mid-price streamer! The handsome box (top) builds on the NA7004’s success with standard and DSD 5.6 playback via network and USB.

8 dCS Vivaldi

10 11 Reminding the hi-fi world it is one of the great forces in digital, Cambridge-based dCS fielded its stunning flagship four-box CD transport/DAC/clock/upsampler.

9 Blue Horizon record cleaner There were plenty of vinyl accessories, but this raised an eyebrow. It’s an early prototype, but is developed in conjunction with Loricraft so it should be good.

10 PMC twenty.26 Britain’s studio speaker boys were back in Bavaria with a bang! This new big three-way is top of the twenty series, and made a very nice noise in the PMC room.

12 13 11 Scherer Evince One of the stars of the show was this new speaker using classic transmission line topology, but with a horn-loaded forward-facing driver.

12 Sonus faber There’s always one really audacious room, and this year it was Sonus faber and MacIntosh, screening Daft Punk live in glorious multichannel surround sound.

13 Micromega MyAMP Although full of expensive high-end exotica, there’s always an aff ordable surprise. This year, this little £600 Class AB amp stunned with its super sonics.

JULY 2014 85

BLIND-LISTENING TEST £297-£460 GROUP CABLE LOOMS

ON TEST

In common with the Atlas Asymmetric interconnect, vdH’s The Wave is also a 75ohm coaxial type and so lends itself to both ‘analogue’ and ‘digital’ (S/PDIF) duties. This common geometry is reflected in the similarly low inductance and capacitance of the two interconnects although vdH’s greater conductor area lends it a very slightly lower 45mohm/m loop resistance. VdH’s partnering CS-122 speaker cable, now in ‘Hybrid’ guise with mixed metal and carbon conductors is a very different beastHi-Fi Van den Hul from the original CS-122 that I tested for Choice over 21 years ago. The spaced,μm/m figure- series of-eight geometry means the 1.0 roved inductance is unchanged, but the imp The Wave/ dielectric means capacitance is half what £310 it was at just 17pF/m. Resistance has also been cut by a factor of nearly 3x at PM 11.4mohm/m, further improving the CS-122 Hybrid achievable amp/speaker damping factor. From Holland comes this long-established cable RESULTS AT A GLANCE Resistance specialist, with an impressive pairing +20 improve the sound. TheÁ ex cableand is jacket Capacitance (interconnect)+10 rom a company that has is also made of Hulli described as “a very attractive matt DETAILS made itself a great name Inductance +5 for the À ne moving coil cream colour”. During the debrief one PRODUCT F cartridges it makes, comes of our panelists counters: “it looks like Capacitance (speaker cable) Cable loom +40 something you see in a hospital”! ORIGIN a vast range of interconnects and Netherlands Power loss speaker cables. The Wave is towards Sound quality +10 TYPE the more affordable end of this, and Interconnect/ From the opening bars of the Group average is another silver-plated, copper cable KEY: speaker cable Beethoven piece, it is obvious that % below average % above average featuring a “massive” 0.9mm central FEATURES what we are dealing with here is O Interconnect: conductor of oxygen-free copper. A À rst time in the test, special. For the silver-plated copper specially foamed dielectric insulation vdH falls slightly short; it isn’t with Hulliflex jacket the sound hangs back from the material is said to minimise high constrained or shut in, just not quite O Speaker cable: speakers and dissolves into the room, silver-plated copper frequency signal attenuation. The as expansive as – say – the Tellurium rather than appearing to come from and carbon hybrid outer and inner layer are made of Q. That said, depth perspective is speaker cable with two points in space – which is what À rst cable I’m hearing the same material as the central brilliant, “The Hulliflex jacket happens to a greater or lesser extent O Prices: conductor, which is described as a with front-to-back dimensionality,” with the other looms. Indeed, the interconnect “triple shield” that is said to aid says one panelist. Tonally it is pretty £130/1m, speaker transparency of these cables is superb, interference suppression. As with all even – maybe just a touch on the dark cable £20 per metre but it isn’t transparency at the unterminated van den Hul cables, it is covered in and velvety side, but certainly not as Á ex’ cable expense of musicality, as the vdH DISTRIBUTOR the company’s own ‘Hulli sepia-tinged as the Tellurium Q. loom also has a wonderfully Flamingo Audio jacket, which is claimed to be both The overall effect is of an absolutely melliÁ uous quality to it that sees TELEPHONE environmentally friendly and contain Á owing in a stellar cable combination and one the music ebbing and 07833 955014 no halogens. that’s an essential audition for anyone seductive and arresting manner. WEBSITE The CS-122 Hybrid is an updated that’s in the market for such a thing. vandenhul.com The Paul Simon track is proof version of one of vdH’s classic speaker The great thing is that it’s not really positive of the way these cables are cables, and sports two conductors all that characterful, it’s just very able to let the singer’s realÁ intentionsection is made of 147 strands of 0.16mm unobtrusive and lets the music’sO true Á ood out – every vocal in Á ooding out diameter, high-purity, matched-crystal Á avour come carried beautifully, giving a mesmeric oxygen-free copper with a very dense quality to the music. Sure, all the pure-silver coating, alongside a detail is there, but the bigger picture carbon saturated layer that is said to isn’t lost in the process of rendering it. À rst track is startlingly different The OUR VERDICTLIKE: Very musical, to most of the other cable looms, in SOUND QUALITY engaging sound; open the way the decay on the voice seems and detailed DISLIKE: Slightly to hang on, rather than ‘falling off a VALUE FOR MONEY constrained stage cliff’ with most of the others. The width Superb value vocals are expressive and dynamic, BUILD QUALITY WE SAY: and this is set over a backing that cable loom, one that’s an essential audition suddenly takes on an urgent, snappy FEATURES quality to it – when previously the musicians seem to just be going through the motions. It is amazing OVERALL how the same beats sound so different, as if they’ve been set free. Soundstage width isn’t as good as 35 some here though; this is where the AUGUST 2013

19/6/13 17:11:44

d 35 JDWLD indd 35 es_v6_EHPMJDWLD.ind 025-035_374_GT_cabl RETRO

Black magic David Price tells the story of the first aff ordable standalone digital-to-analogue converter, Arcam’s Delta Black Box…

always did have a little S/PDIF (S/Philips Digital InterFace) explains that these were used, “when bit of an instinct for the receiver chips on sale. you’ve got a bunch of silicon on a chip I unusual”, confesses John Dawson, then the company’s made in mass production, and the Arcam’s John Dawson. managing director, asked his end user specifi es the metallisation And that’s precisely what the Arcam engineering team to make it happen. layers – that is the printed circuit Black Box was. Indeed it was so The project started, but when they layout of the IC actually decides the different that no other company realised there were no chips on the functionality of it. It’s a very quick offered a similar product for anything commercial market to do the job, it and cost-effective way of getting a like the price back in 1988. looked like they would have to put it custom IC.” The Delta Black Box – to give it its on the back burner. The boffi ns simply Eight weeks and £10,000 later, full name – was the world’s fi rst couldn’t see a cost-effective way of Arcam had a custom 1000-gate array affordable offboard digital to splitting up the CD drive and the chip that did the job. “At that point, analogue converter. Nowadays, in a we had all the ingredients to put the world that seemingly has more DACs It’s a very special Black Box together economically, and than pieces of music to play on them, that’s what we did”, he explains. such a claim doesn’t sound terribly product in the This unique bespoke Arcam ASIC impressive, but back in the mid great Arcam (Application Specifi c Integrated eighties it really did feel like the stuff Circuit) is what made the Black Box of audiophile science fi ction. scheme of things possible, and by extension what Looked at though today’s eyes it started the craze for offboard DACs, was a relatively simple engineering subsequent digital processing into the very same one that’s now enjoying achievement. Take the signal coming different boxes. But by sheer chance, a second wind nearly 30 years later out of the Philips digital platform of John met up with an old university with the advent of computer-based the day – the CDM4 transport for colleague who’d come into the factory audio. The result was a £250 example – then do some number to get his Arcam Alpha amp repaired. digital-to-analogue converter that crunching with the SAA7220 digital Enquiring into what his old friend shook up the hi-fi industry. fi lter and feed it into the TDA1541 was up to, he replied that he was now So how did the Black Box fi t into the digital converter chip. the business manager for a small Arcam range, and into the wider hi-fi But the technology to interface electronics company up the road world? Back in the mid eighties the CD drive mechanism with the called Newmarket Semiconductors. Arcam was growing into a larger, converter and fi lter chips in a He was launching some custom ICs more professional company with a far separate box simply didn’t exist based on Ferranti’s work on wider product portfolio. It had just back then; there were no commercial uncommitted logic arrays. John launched the Alpha series of budget

88 JULY 2014 RETRO

amplifi ers and was now about to The prototype Black Box was an BIT PLAYING bring out its more upmarket Delta instant success. It was a clear upgrade series. The brave decision was taken to the already very capable Delta 70 Amazingly, the first generation of Philips CD players were only actually 14-bit machines. to include a Compact Disc player – CD player, as well as a wide range of This shows just how close to the edge the still the stuff of high-end dreams back other players, more and more of Compact Disc specification was back at the then. The Delta 70 was the product, which were coming out with digital time of its launch in 1982 – akin to offering a new digital format at 64-bit/768kHz now. and it was a bespoke design with lots outputs – even the cheap ones. John Philips and Sony pushed hard to do the very of Arcam input. Dawson took one home one evening best they could. Sony’s first domestic CD “We decided we wouldn’t just and played Fairport Convention’s player worked at 16-bit, but Philips only managed 14-bit, attaining 16-bit noise badge-engineer something, as our Liege And Lief through it and performance by oversampling the signal colleagues at Mission up the road had remembers that: “I heard more. There four times. It was a clever trick, which made recently done quite successfully with was more stuff on there, you could for a fine-sounding machine, but there was no way the replacement DAC chip was going Philips”, remembers John. “We’d do hear the reverberation tail away and to have just 14 bits. something a bit better if we could, things like that. We thought oh, we’ve When Arcam bought its CD licence from as we wanted to have our stamp of probably got a winner here!” Philips, it opted to wait for a few months for engineering on it. So we bought a CD The productionised Black Box sold the new chip. Given that being early to market was vitally important, it must have manufacturing licence and went to for £250 and was the talk of the town seemed a long delay – not least because its Philips in Belgium. They sold us for a while. With Philips TDA1541 Mission rival down the road was already basically a drive and a bag of chips, DAC chips, it was quite a lively developing a CD player too. But it was a good decision, because the second-generation and the rest of it was up to us. That sounding device – and a bit noisy by Philips CD platform had an S/PDIF out, which means we were able to do our own today’s standards. However, you’d made the Black Box possible. It also had the power supplies and analogue back never say it wasn’t nice to listen to. TDA1541 16-bit, four times oversampling DAC chip. It became immensely popular, end, and do the job better than the Indeed, that particular Philips DAC and was one of the finest-sounding early commercial boys were doing.” has become something of a cult for DACs. By modern standards it’s rather crude some classic digital fans of late. with an upper midband that many find hard, but it’s certainly one of the most musically Risky business Especially compared with the involving digital converters around. At the time, Arcam had a choice to Bitstream machines that followed a buy the existing fi rst-generation couple of years later, it was a very 14-bit, 4 times oversampling CD engaging and entertaining performer. the best,” he says. “But in my opinion, player platform, or wait for the 16-bit Arcam was very proud. “We could in our history we often did and do a version. It may seem a no-brainer do it at a reasonable price and we better job, or a comparable job for now, but back then it was still sold lots of them. Because we’d had much less money, or a better job for regarded as a bit risky; after all, what the good fortune/skill/luck (although comparable money. But it’s very hard if the next generation wasn’t as good? you make your own luck, right?) to to get that recognition and so we’ve In the end, Arcam decided to wait for be the fi rst affordable product in the had to rely on bits of technology and the 16-bit chip, and one of its new consumer space at the time, we made bright work to gain an edge.” and special features was an S/PDIF a real impact”, he recalls. But the output. The Delta 70 was fi nally Black Box was more than just a Shape of things to come launched in 1987, and became “very simple commercial success, it was Arcam’s Delta Black Box was precisely popular very quickly”. John proudly a landmark for Arcam. this – a clever bit of work from a remembers: “It was the sort of player There was always a sense that the company that was hungry to do better Linn dealers were happy to sell”. Cambridge company didn’t quite have and be seen to be so doing. It was Over the next year Arcam sold the prestige of fellow British brands more than this, though, as it around 5,000 Delta 70s at £500 a go. Linn and Naim. This was partly down kickstarted the fashion for standalone “But we thought, was there anything to the more audacious marketing of DACs, one that burned brightly for else we could do with what we’ve Glasgow and Salisbury; John admits several years, but then began to learnt? So we thought, why don’t Arcam wasn’t as effective in this fl icker out. John says: “DACs were we do a plain old outboard digital department. So there was a real need used to make CD players sound converter on its own, but at very low for the company to compete for better, but eventually CD players cost. Because we were seeing all these engineering kudos. “It was diffi cult did sound better, so the advantage 16-bit players coming out all with for a company like Arcam to unseat The unique chip became more marginal.” Fascinatingly digital outputs”, Dawson recalls. – in the UK at least – the Linn-Naim that made the now, though, the breed is coming The Delta 70 was already an axis, which was always regarded as DAC possible back and the work of the original impressive piece of work. “It had Delta Black Box has stood Arcam in the best we knew of how to do the very good stead for this – its current D-to-As, and how to isolate the power range of DACs are excellent. supplies and keep the drive well Although the original project was isolated from the analogue supplies the result of imaginative thinking and and so forth”, he remembers. But, intensive engineering development “the idea was that if we did it in a work, it may never have happened separate box, we’d avoid all the noisy had one man wanting an amplifi er stuff from the CD drive and the fi xed not walked through John’s door decoding of the CD in the box – we back in the mid eighties. In a sense, could keep it simpler in terms of what it’s a very special product in the great digits were around and make it much Arcam scheme of things. As John more predictable and do better Dawson puts it: “It was serendipity, power supplies and make it cleaner.” dear boy!” ●

JULY 2014 89 BEAUTIFUL SYSTEM STAX

All in your head Do you need to keep your music to yourself? With a headphone system as good as this, Ed Selley thinks you might just want to

90 JULY 2014 BEAUTIFUL SYSTEM STAX

The bass response is deeper than you might expect and wonderfully full and textured at the same time

COMPONENTS ast year, I was delighted have a headphone setup that doesn’t to become a father for merely provide an alternative to STAX SR-009 £3,695 L the fi rst time. While I’ve speakers when you can’t make any The ultimate expression of the Stax generally found the whole noise, but actually provides a superior Electrostatic Earspeaker principle, experience to be brilliant, there’s no listening experience? Up until very the SR-009 uses an all new electrostatic escaping the fact I have less time to recently, I would have doubted that driver alongside a completely revised industrial design. listen to music. When I do get the such a thing was possible, but after chance, I’m often pushed towards some time spent with this little STAX SRM-007TII using headphones to keep the noise ensemble I’m not so sure. ENERGISER KIMIK down. I don’t begrudge this – I have What we have here isn’t merely a EDITION £2,295 access to some excellent headphones pair of headphones and a headphone and I know that this isn’t forever. amplifi er, it is instead probably the The SRM - 007tII is the flagship energiser What if it was forever though? I’d ultimate expression of headphones. It that acts as both headphone preamp and the powerplant for the electrostatic never really considered the possibility uses technology that is complex and drivers. The Kimik Edition features of a life beyond speakers up until this diffi cult to perfect and that requires a specific modifications to further improve point, but spending time ‘buttoned unique product to make it function at the overall performance. up’ got me thinking. Is it possible to all. This is not a convenience item for

JULY 2014 91 BEAUTIFUL SYSTEM STAX

use only when you can’t make too is partnered with the SRM-007tII. Above left: The quality of the materials is simply a much noise, it’s something different. Stax describes this as an ‘Energiser’ SRM-007 is a level up from anything I’ve seen in a three-input Stax has been making distinctive – a three input headphone amp that amp able to pair of headphones. The Stax also audio products since 1938, and 2014 also generates the required power to drive two pairs manage to come across as substantial marks the 60th anniversary of its fi rst run the electrostatic drivers. This of earspeakers and yet at the same time avoid feeling electrostatic product – a tweeter that particular energiser has been through at once like a high-end neck workout when saw the light of light of day in 1954. an upgrade process carried out by UK you wear them. In fact, I think that Six years later, the company launched distributor Symmetry Systems. This Above: The build the SR-009 is the most comfortable its fi rst headphones – and from the ensures that the quartet of valves are quality and design that Stax has produced. The attention outset termed them ‘Earspeakers’ – cryogenically treated and partnered to detail is fl oating inner headband combined that made use of the same principle. with a replacement high-quality outstanding with the perfect spring loading of the mains fuse. These detail changes outer section make for a pair of Insane in the membrane Above far right: headphones that you can wear pretty Some 56 years of evolution brings us The quality is a level The SR-009 much indefi nitely. to the SR-009 you see here. The is big, but fl agship of the current range is the up from anything supremely The look of love comfortable culmination of everything Stax knows I’ve ever seen on a The SRM-007tII energiser is similarly about headphones placed in a single elegant and understated. The Stax utterly compromise-free package. The pair of headphones offers one XLR and two RCA inputs electrostatic membranes – that create that are available to two pairs of Stax sound via an electrical current being unlock a considerable performance Earspeakers (allowing for his ‘n’ hers passed across them – are a new boost from what is already an listening if you fancy) as well as ultra-thin polymer type. These are extremely capable device. looping back out to an amplifi er in turn motivated by new ‘MLER’ As a partnership, the two devices should you hang on to conventional Electrodes that provide a more even are understated but the more time speakers after investing in it. drive. These drivers are placed in you spend with them the more you Operation is self-explanatory and an enclosures that are round for the fi rst appreciate the level of care and object lesson in simplicity. It might be time in years instead of the classic attention that has gone into them. I’m easy to describe the SRM-007tII as rectangle that we associate with Stax. not going to pretend that the SR-009 retro, but in this case, I don’t really As with any Stax Earspeaker setup, is anything other than a very large think that’s fair. The Stax look like, the SR-009 is only half of the story. sum of money but hold them in your well, a Stax. The functionality is so The electrostatic drivers need current hands and you start to appreciate that completely self explanatory and the to run that is far beyond the ability of they are wonderful things. There is no design so effective that there is no a conventional headphone amp to ostentation or unnecessary decoration need to change it. Fetishists of deliver, which means that the SR-009 anywhere on the SR-009, but the high-quality controls (of which I

92 JULY 2014 BEAUTIFUL SYSTEM STAX

might be one) will also note that the The Stax deliver all the positives in thing as a quick listening session with volume control is perfectly weighted spades – indeed this might be the the SR-009 – I pretty much had to be and geared – not just well done, but single most revealing transducer I’ve dragged away from them on more CONTACT perfect. There’s no remote, you’d only DETAILS ever used – but the nature of their use than a few occasions to return to the lose it through lack of use. obviates the problems that affect their business of parenting. Lack of use is not an issue that is TELEPHONE: full-size brethren. As they are on likely to befall the Stax duo 01727 865488 either side of your head, the sweet Head of the class themselves, though. Ensure that the WEBSITE: spot is impossible to miss and with a These Stax headphones make a case symmetry-systems. SRM-007tII has a few minutes of co.uk smaller area to drive, the bass for themselves that goes far beyond warming up behind it and supply it stax.co.jp response is deeper than you might being the best way to listen without with some decent sources and you expect and wonderfully full and making excess noise, although they will fi nd yourself understanding the textured at the same time. Sensitivity deliver on that brief effortlessly. More asking price in three minutes and than this, for me at least, the Stax justifying to yourself why you need The volume control is are also the ultimate implementation a pair in fi ve. There are attributes of an electrostatic speaker. Half a this duo possess that are untouchable perfectly weighted century of painstaking evolution in any other listening device be it – not just well done, has produced something truly headphone or conventional speaker. extraordinary and quite magnifi cent but perfect and at the same time ensured that the Driving ambition SR-009 and SRM-007tII are utterly Trying to put my fi nger on why has isn’t an issue either. Anyone seeking practical and quite up to the task of taken a little while, but I think it to boil the fl uid in their inner ear being used day in day out, being no stems from the use of electrostatic might need to look elsewhere, but for more diffi cult to use (and a great deal drivers in a way that enhances their everyone else there should be more more comfortable) than a pair of £50 strengths and virtually eliminates the than enough headroom on offer. cans you could pick up in your local weaknesses. I love electrostatic This means that listening to the Stax Argos store. speakers – their speed, tonal accuracy is almost otherworldly at times. There This everyday greatness is what sets and lack of crossover deliver an is little sense of the performance amazing products out from the pack immediacy that can leave cone coming from a pair of headphones and rarely is it more apparent than it speakers fl oundering – having said and the SR-009 has a soundstage that is here. You can choose this combo that, I’m not blind to their faults. The many conventional speakers would knowing that you could live without a limited bass response, indifferent kill for. There is a complete lack of pair of box loudspeakers and still volume output and defi nite listening constraint to the presentation that appear saintly in the eyes of your sweet spot have ensured that I’ve makes something with a little scale neighbours. Rarely has considerate never taken the plunge. utterly spellbinding. There’s no such behaviour been so much fun

JULY 2014 93 LABELLED WITH LOVE

Brain Feed your head with some of West Germany’s most mind-blowing music with Simon Berkovitch

ome of the greatest German scene. Judging by the proliﬁ c recording relationships Körber left Brain in 1976 to music to come out of roster that they assembled, with the label, furthering the start the Sky label, another S West Germany in the commercial considerations were cause of analogue synthesisers haven for innovative electronic seventies came from low on their list of priorities. and sequencers in the process. musicians. Most of the label’s Brain – a haven to titans of Other Ohr (and sub-label Pilz) As well as nurturing its greatest releases came out Krautrock like Neu!, Klaus acts such as jazzy progressive Krautrockers, Brain also cast during the period of 1972 to Schulze, Cluster and Harmonia. rockers Embryo and electronic its net both internationally 1978 – the timeframe of this Bruno Wendel and Günter ambient masters Popol Vuh were and stylistically. It licenced and primer – although it threw out Körber formed the Hamburg- encouraged to migrate to Brain issued albums from UK artists as some curveballs from Klaus based label Brain in 1971 as an and subsequently recorded wide ranging as Caravan, Alexis Schultze deep into the eighties. offshoot of Metronome Musik. excellent albums for the label. Korner and Spirogyra, often in Thanks to CD bootlegs – and Their credentials for running an Experimental artists Cluster, who radically different sleeves, as the eventual legitimate reissues underground record label were had previously released an well as some recordings from – that began to appear in the impeccable: both had worked as uncompromising album for Sweden’s progressive Love nineties, a new generation of A&R men for Ohr, also parented Philips and were subsequently Records. Homegrown hard rock enthusiasts were able to feast by Metronome and the home to dropped, were also welcomed. was represented by German acts on some prime grey matter, as Ash Ra Tempel, Guru Guru and Brain also became a colony of like Birth Control, Jane and, the many of the Brain releases from Tangerine Dream. the Tangerine Dream empire: most globally successful group this classic period were as scarce Wendel and Körber set about both ex-member Klaus Schulze on the label, Scorpions. (There’s as they were expensive in their signing the cream of the West and leader Edgar Froese enjoyed no accounting for taste.) original vinyl pressings.

94 JULY 2014 LABELLED WITH LOVE

Neu! The new sound of West Germany hits the Autobahn – and it’s still speeding to the horizon

Each side of third he fi rst classic Brain LP new), signed to Brain, and with album Neu! ’75 Tarrived soon after the label’s producer Conny Plank recorded plots out a distinct formation. The eponymous three seminal albums for Brain. solo career for debut from Neu! – the unstable These great works were not Rother and Dinger partnership of guitarist Michael achieved without diffi culty. Rother and drummer Klaus Second album Neu! 2 (1973) Dinger – looked and sounded saw the group out of money and like no other album from 1972, remixing tracks Super and drawing on neither American Neuschnee from a recent single rock and roll clichés nor the at different speeds to make up excesses of British progressive the second side of the LP. Third rock. On album opener and best record Neu! ’75 (1975), Hallogallo, the new sound of the last of the duo’s original West Germany had arrived: insistent wah-wah guitar setting Neu! has its roots in the controls for the horizon, propelled by deceptively simple an early incarnation drum patterns; a direct infl uence of Kraftwerk on all contemporary groups who claim their sound as motorik. studio albums, came after the Neu! has its roots in an early group’s fi rst split, and the incarnation of Kraftwerk, which creative differences between the saw that group as a short-lived two are clear to hear: Rother’s trio of Rother, Dinger and ambient approach, as on the long-term member Florian gorgeous Seeland, dominates the Schneider. Leaving after aborted fi rst side, whereas Dinger’s sessions for Kraftwerk’s third songs, such as the aggressive album, the duo named Hero are proto-punk in their themselves Neu! (German for intensity and structure. Klaus Schulze Prolific composer who recorded some of his greatest work for Brain Timewind was hen it comes to describing Picture Music (1975) featured the first Schulze composer and musician one lengthy composition on album to feature W a sequencer Klaus Schultze, the use of the each side of the LP (a trademark word ‘prolifi c’ is almost an he also shared with his ex- obligation. He released over bandmates Tangerine Dream), 60 albums during his ongoing as did the same year’s slowly recording career – starting with unfurling Timewind, which also an appearance on the debut gleefully upped the synthesiser Tangerine Dream album (1970) ante, as well as being Schultze’s and time spent in the ranks of ferocious acid rock trio Ash Ra Timewind gleefully Tempel in the early seventies. Schultze’s debut for Brain was ups the analogue Blackdance (1974) – a record synthesiser ante that still impresses. Despite liberal use of primitive fi rst album to embrace the synthesiser on the previous potential of a sequencer. year’s double album Cyborg, this Moondawn (1976) is arguably 1974 album was the fi rst release the album on which Schulze on which an ever-increasing truly found his style, now having arsenal of noise-making the kit – expensive gems such as machines appeared. Blackdance Moogs, ARPs, EMS Synthi-A and was the fi rst of a grand run of sequencer – to be able to fully albums for the label throughout realise his vision. Indeed, the the seventies and early eighties, album’s titles – Floating and which saw acoustic instruments Mindphaser – perfectly sum used in a mesmerising coalition up the late-seventies Klaus with electronics. Schultze trip.

JULY 2014 95 LABELLED WITH LOVE

Cluster SHOPPING LIST More Brain food comes in these tasty Germanic flavours – classic Krautrock This duo casts a long shadow over experimental and pop music that blurs the lines between ambient electronics, jazzy prog and free rock

hrough an ever-evolving unique variant of electronic canon – surely down to the Embryo range of musical styles pop. Clattering drum infl uence of producer Michael Rocksession T Embryo’s blend over 15 albums, the constant machines and fi zzing synths Rother, with whom Roedelius of jazz-influenced in Cluster is the partnership dominate the album. It’s like and Moebius had collaborated progressive rock of Hans-Joachim Roedelius nothing else in the Cluster on the Harmonia project. had a harder edge than its UK and Dieter Moebius. contemporaries. Cluster was founded in Released 1973. 1971, an evolution from the even more avant-garde group Edgar Froese Kluster. Conny Plank joined Macula Transfer The Tangerine the duo for the self-titled, Dream main man’s major label debut for Philips, greatest solo which was, unsurprisingly, not recordings found a sympathetic a commercial success, but it home on Brain. led to the group fi nding a Released 1976. home at Brain, where they remained until 1975. Guru Guru The fi rst recording for the Känguru The most label, Cluster II (1972) created accessible outing perfectly formed galaxies of from this Free-rock sound over its six tracks. It trio, featuring Ax Genrich’s acidic, remains a bold, emotive listen, Hendrix-inspired hugely infl uential on many guitar (1972). electronic musicians today. The second album was an Liliental even more radical departure. Liliental Another Krautrock Zuckerzeit (1974) makes supergroup, a detour into melody and with members rhythm, creating its own of Cluster, Kraan and legendary producer Conny Plank (1978).

Harmonia Popol Vuh Brüder des Schattens – Söhne Unlike many supergroups, this union was more than the sum of its parts Des Lichts Elements were ichael Rother was far dominates, but there’s plenty to his partner for Neu! ’75, but used in the soundtrack of Mfrom idle in his time out of scope for bold adventures Cluster ran with the template Nosferatu the from collaborator Klaus Dinger in electronics, too. on Zuckerzeit, on which the Vampyre (1978). after the fallout from Neu! 2: After these two releases, Neu! guitarist’s presence was he formed Harmonia, a Rother temporarily returned keenly felt. Günter Schickert Krautrock supergroup with Samtvogel A reissue of Cluster’s Hans-Joachim Schickert’s Roedelius and Dieter Moebius. outsider classic. The three musicians set about Echo-heavy excursions for solo building their own studio to electric guitar. realise the project, which Released 1975. eventually spanned two albums for Brain, Musik von Thirsty Moon Harmonia (1974) and Deluxe Thirsty Moon The group’s first (1975). A collaboration with LP is worth the Brian Eno was also recorded in admission for the 1976, but remained unreleased driving, sound effect-heavy during the group’s lifetime monster Big City (emerging on CD in 1997, alone (1972). entitled Tracks and Traces). The ﬁ rst Brain album, Musik Yatha Sidhra von Harmonia, is arguably the A Meditation Mass The original issue sound of Neu! joining Cluster, of this gem was rather than vice versa, forging packaged in an a new direction in the process. amazing gatefold sleeve – and now Follow up, Deluxe, is more commands a high like Cluster joining Neu!. price (1974). Throughout Deluxe, melody

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Call Michell ISO, vgc renowned phono stage ...... 199 EAR 834T Power amplifi er ...... 1499 Linn Karik 3, excellent boxed remote ...... 499 Martin Logan Aerius i, excellent boxed ...... 799 Michell Tecnoarm A in black as new mint boxed ...... 449 Emile Ara integrated, superb condition boxed ...... 1449 Marantz CD63KI, vgc ...... 199 Martin Logan Source, excellent boxed ex demo ...... 899 Michell Orbe, DC motor superb!...... 1749 Esoteric A03, ex demo boxed ...... 3749 Marantz CD94, vgc remote, new belt kit ...... 399 Martin Logan Purity, excellent boxed ex demo ...... 1299 Monitor Audio ET500, c/w PSU, SME3s & Grado Black ....349 Esoteric C03/A03 Pre Power, ex demo ...... 7749 Marantz CD10, excellent boxed new belt kit ...... 449 Martin Logan Vista, excellent boxed ex demo ...... 1799 Exposure 6/7/8 Combo, vgc+ ...... 499 Musical Fidelity VLPS/2, excellent ...... 99 Marantz CD6004, nr mint boxed ...... 199 Magneplanar MG1.6, superb ...... 999 Krell KAV280P Preamplifi er ...... 899 Origin Live Silver 3 ...... 399 Meridian 506/20 with MSR ...... 399 Magneplanar MG1.7, excellent ...... SOLD Magnum MF125 Monoblocks vgc ...... 299 Project Phonobox 2, ex boxed ...... 59 Musical Fidelity A5CD, excellent ...... 549 Meridian M1 Active speakers, boxed ...... 1199 Meridian 501V preamp, excellent ...... 299 Project RPM9 XP, excellent ...... 499 Musical Fidelity M1 DAC, excellent boxed ...... 329 Monitor Audio PL300, mint crated ...... 3999 Micromega IA100, great integrated, ex demo boxed ...... 599 Rega TTPSU, excellent ...... 119 NAIM NDX, ex dem, boxed complete, near mint ...... 2499 Monitor Audio 702PMC, excellent boxed ...... 119 Musical Fidelity M6i, excellent boxed...... 1399 Rega RP8, Apheta Cartridge, excellent boxed ...... 1249 NAIM CDX2, excellent boxed remote, REDUCED ...... 1199 Monitor Audio RX1, various colours sealed new boxes ...... 399 Musical Fidelity A300CR, ok condition ...... 749 Roksan Xerxes, XPS2, Linn Fit ...... 349 NAIM CD5i/2, excellent, boxed, remote ...... 499 Monitor Audio GX50, near mint boxed ...... 599 Musical Fidelity M3i, excellent boxed...... 699 NAIM SBL, excellent boxed ...... 799 Rotel RP3000 Direct Drive TT with matching arm, vgc+ ....249 Musical Fidelity M1PWR, excellent boxed ...... 349 NAIM DVD5, remote ...... 499 NEAT Elite SX, near mint boxed ...... 949 SME 3009, excellent boxed ...... 249 NAIM NAP250, excellent boxed olive ...... 1199 NAIM CDSii just serviced, XPS, Burndy, boxed ...... 1999 Rel Strata, Dougies favourite ...... 49 SME 3009/3, excellent boxed ...... 249 NAIM NAP150, excellent boxed ...... 349 North Star Design USB DAC32, excellent boxed ...... 799 Sonus Faber Elipsa, superb boxed ...... 5999 SME 3012, excellent ...... 799 NAIM NAP90, excellent ...... 299 Quad 99CDP, excellent REDUCED ...... 399 Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor, boxed with stands ...... 1399 Technics 1210/RB300, vgc+...... 499 NAIM NAC202, vgc+ boxed just NAIM serviced ...... 1199 Rega Planet 2000, excellent...... 199 Thiel CS7.2, vgc, just refurbished… ...... 2499 Technics SL120, SME3009 excellent ...... 399 NAIM NAC52S, excellent boxed ...... SOLD Rega Apollo R, excellent ...... 449 Totem Mani Signature, boxed near mint ...... 2999 Thorens TD170, Fully Automatic, excellent...... 249 NAIM Supernait 2, ex demo boxed...... 2199 Resolution Audio Opus 21, nr mint crated ...... 1299 Tom Evans Groove, 0.85mv/100 ohm, excellent ...... 849 Nakamichi 610 Preamplifi er, fair ...... 199 Roksan Kandy KA1, reasonable condition ...... 99 Triangle Titus EX, near mint boxed ...... 229 Townshend Elite Rock, Merlin, Excalibur ...... 999 Primare A31.2 Power amplifi er, excellent boxed ...... 849 Rotel RCD02, vgc ...... 79 Usher S520 s with S525 Subwoofers, excellent...... 899 Wilson Benesch Act 1 Tonearm, nr mint superb ...... 799 Primare A30.1 Integrated ...... 649 Sony XA9000ES, excellent boxed ...... 699 Usher S520 in birch, excellent boxed ...... 279 Quad 44, excellent...... 199 TEAC P700, excellent remote ...... 299 Wilson Sasha, nr mint crated...... SOLD Radios/Recorders Quad 66 Preamp, excellent remote ...... 349 YBA GC-10, ex boxed, £1600 new, BARGAIN ...... 399 Wilson Benesch Square One boxed, matching stands ...... 799 Arcam T51, vgc+ ...... 69 Quad 99/909, vgc/fair ...... 799 Arcam T61, vgc+ ...... 79 Quad 99 Pre/Power, excellent, remote, Quadlink ...... 649 AV/Accessories/Cables Special System Deals Cyrus FM7.5, excellent boxed ...... 149 Quad 405, from ...... 199 Arcam AV9/P7 combo vgc+ ...... 1399 Audiolab 8200 Amp and CD ...... Call Musical Fidelity A5DAB, excellent boxed ...... Due in Rega Brio R, near mint boxed ...... 399 NAIM SNAXO 2/4, excellent boxed ...... Call Roksan Caspian M2 amp/CD ...... Call Nakamichi BX2, excellent ...... 149 Rega Brio 3, silver, excellent boxed ...... 199 NAIM XPS DR, ex demo ...... 2599 TEAC Mini Systems with matching speakers ...... 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VIEW THE FULL REVIEW 07908 056978 ON OUR WEBSITE @Mainscablesrus WWW.MCRU.CO.UK /mcrultd 100 Kellis 100 Taylor McFerrin 101 Prokofiev Food Early Riser Symphonies 3 & 7

Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin; Led Zeppelin II; Led Zeppelin III

All remasted as expanded two-disc sets Swansong

IT’S AN INDICATION of how Zeppelin still was arguably more significant than anything put album was recorded so fast there weren’t any), but bestrides the rock firmament that the expanded out by Blur or Oasis. Zep fans hoping for similar presents a live concert recorded in Paris at the time reissues of their first three albums recorded more fresh insights and clandestine delights will not find with Plant in leonine form and Page in his pomp on than 40 years ago are probably the most keenly quite the same cornucopia of lost gems, for the an epic 15-minute version of Dazed And Confused. anticipated ‘new’ releases of 2014. That these three volumes in the Beatles Anthology delivered The additional disc with Led Zeppelin II (1969) takes shibbolethic landmarks in the rock canon are 155 previously unheard tracks. Here we get a more us deep into the creative processes of the studio regenerating such excitement is down to the fact meagre 26 – but it’s still suff icient to make these with alternative mixes, backing tracks and the that each original album has now been repackaged essential purchases for anyone who has ever previously unreleased La La, a thrilling instrumental with a second disc of “previously unreleased work rocked out to the band once dubbed ‘The Hammer mix of Californian acoustic guitars and one of in progress with rough mixes, backing tracks, of the Gods’. Page’s most melodic solos. It surely only failed to alternate versions, and new material recorded at If Page’s latest remastering of the original albums make the album because Plant never got around to the time”, as guitarist Jimmy Page puts it. Over the is any diff erent from previous eff orts, it is a matter writing any words. Most insightful of all is the years Page has remastered the original albums at of fine degree. Vitally, he continues to refuse to second disc accompanying Led Zeppelin III (1970), least twice before and curated various box sets compress the sound, for no band has ever more off ering seven alternative studio versions and and compilations, but never before have the Zep eff ectively utilised a soft-loud dynamic shift; try, for three unreleased compositions, including the vaults been raided in this fashion for the ‘rare stuff ’ example, the startling juxtaposition of acoustic folk instrumentals Jennings Farm Blues and Bathroom craved by collectors. There’s an analogy to be and heavy rock riff s on Babe I’m Gonna Leave You. Sound plus an atmospheric acoustic duet between made with the Beatles, whose anthology series But to the ‘new’ material. The bonus disc with Led Page and Plant on the blues classic Keys To The released at the zenith of Britpop in the mid-nineties, Zeppelin (1969) contains no studio out-takes (the Highway/Trouble In Mind. NW

JULY 2014 99 MUSICREVIEWS

Kirsty MacColl Kellis All I Ever Wanted: Food The Anthology

Two CD box set Salvo CD Ninja Tune

THE TRAGIC DEATH of Kirsty MacColl back in KELLIS HAS COME a long way since Milkshake in 2000 robbed British pop of a uniquely perceptive 2003. She’s now back with her sixth album, her first singer/ songwriter with a rare and delicious wit. In a since 2010’s Flesh Tone and unsurprisingly given 20 year career she only ever made five albums, but that she has a cooking show in the US, it’s all about these generous 43 tracks remind us just how much grub. But while the themes may be culinary, the we really miss her as an artist who was never music is refreshingly varied. She’s still largely in the prepared to repeat herself. pop R&B vein, but Breakfast’s soaring chorus From the eighties new wave of They Don’t Know elevates it to modern anthem status, while Jerk through the poignancy of A New England and, of Ribs’ low-slung funky backbeat and horn stabs course, her fabulous Pogues collaboration on lean towards a more classic soul direction. She’s Fairytale Of New York (surely the best Christmas developed an earthier rasp to her voice, which record of all time) to her later adventures in Latin gives the pop sheen a bit of edge, and she’s more music, there really was nobody quite like her. NW than capable of belting out a killer chorus. DO Beth Orton Central Reservation Taylor McFerrin Early Riser

Two CD expanded edition 3 Loop Music RELEASED IN 1999, Orton’s second CD BrainFeeder/Flying Lotus album received a Mercury Music Prize JAZZ VOCALIST BOBBY McFerrin’s son has taken nomination, won her a Brit Award as a diff erent tack to his dad, favouring quirky Best British Female Artist and sold half a electronica to create his beats. He does however, million copies. Its success came as part have some great tunes and is clearly adept at of the backlash against the brash creating moods through the subtle application of triumphalism of Britpop and seemed to colours and tones. restate the traditional folk troubadour There’s a strong neo soul influence à la Eryka Badu and a passing nod to the minimalist values of the likes of Sandy Denny, John soundtracks of the likes of Jon Hopkins, but Martyn and Nick Drake, but updated for McFerrin plots his own course, whether it’s gentle Do you agree with our reviewers? the 21st century with the addition of melancholy on Florasia or getting all jungle with the Decide for yourself and listen to subtly looped trip-hop beats. skittering drums of 4AM. Sometimes he does both, some of this month’s tunes at Orton’s down-tempo stylings made www.hifichoice.co.uk with the opening dreamy textures and live cymbal her the queen of the briefly lived ‘quiet brushes of Post Partum. One to watch. DO Her voice is a natural AUDIOFILE VINYL instrument capable of Ahmad Jamal expressing sorrow and The Piano Scene Of Ahmad Jamal joy in equal measure 180g vinyl Epic/Speakers Corner

is the new loud’ movement, but 15 years AHMAD JAMAL WAS omission because it’s 12 numbers are all very fine. a significant influence The recording’s vintage is immediately evident in on her gentle blend of acoustic folk and on the cool blues of a slight hardness to the sound, especially piano, understated electronica hasn’t dated. Miles Davis and is but there’s also a transparency and immediacy Above all, it’s her bitter-sweet voice that considered by many that you only get with live studio recordings, tube makes Central Reservation quite so to be as important as electronics and simple recordings. Jamal has an special. Technically her voice was all Charlie Parker in the eff ortless yet melodic style that avoids schmaltz over the shop; yet it was a wonderfully development of jazz. because of its restraint. There is a tension to the This album, released in 1959, pulls together playing that few manage without resorting to natural instrument capable of material recorded in 1951 and 1956, on some attack and it’s evidence of why he is held in such expressing sorrow and joy in equal tracks Jamal is accompanied by Ray Crawford on high regard. The work with guitar is particularly measure, aff ecting, beguiling and a guitar and Eddie Calhoun on bass and on others good, partly because such pairings are rare, but welcome breath of fresh air in a world Crawford is replaced by Walter Perkins on drums. also because the two musicians have such tight full of artifice. NW It’s a mono recording and not one that garners rapport. Speakers Corner deserves five stars for much comment nowadays, this is a serious bringing this gem to light. JK

100 JULY 2014 HIGH RESOLUTION DOWNLOADS

9Bach Elvis Costello Tincian Wise Up Ghosts

Apple Lossless B&W Society of Sound ALAC 24bit 44.1kHz Linn Records

EVERYBODY’S FAVOURITE WELSH language SOME HAVE CALLED Costello’s collaboration experimentalists are back with their second with The Roots his hip-hop album, but there’s album, though this time one of the songs is much more to this pairing than a clashing of sung in Greek. All the way through, Lisa Jen’s styles. Costello is well versed in the styles from ethereal vocals float delicately across songs which hip hop draws its influences and The that vary from folk rounds to something getting Roots have shown they’re an extremely versatile close to pop tunes. Bass, drums and guitars outfit. Together, there’s a bit of a dub-lite feel are augmented by harmonium, harp and to the dreamy sound of these songs as drums, occasional electronic loops to produce a horns, organ and samples edge in and out of deliciously evocative blend of old and new. DO the spotlight with that distinctive voice. DO

Sviatoslav Richter Solo Recordings

480 8745 33 CDs Decca

THE ORIGINAL 22-CD Richter/Philips Authorised Edition boxed set was a magnificent collection. This reissue adds a further 11 CDs to the original and sells for about £60! Richter’s playing is as magical, and inspirational as ever. His many live performances are here, but the set also includes the legendary 1958 Sofia recital, plus the solo recordings made for DG in the fifties and sixties. The breadth of Richter’s repertoire is astonishing With 33 discs to and the set features works by Bach, Haydn, Mozart, choose from, there’s Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Chopin, something for and Liszt through to Prokofiev and Webern. The everyone here later (digital) recordings have good sound, but the Sofia recital requires a certain indulgence. JH

Prokofiev BLU-RAY DVD Symphonies 3 and 7 Bournemouth Joni Mitchell Symphony orchestra Woman of Heart & Mind/ Kirill Karabits Painting With Words and Music Blu-ray EAGLE VISION Painting With… is a live 4137 CD Onyx performance in front of a small audience from 1998 THIS IS THE first instalment of a cycle of the 7 in which Joni is joined by Prokofiev symphonies by Karabits and the BSO, top-notch musicians and and it augurs well. The neglected third symphony delivers excellent renditions gets the disc off to an impassioned start, and of post Blues era tracks. highlights the conductor’s care over balancing, and Woman… looks at her life and best-loved maintaining clarity, even in quite densely scored albums, revealing a highly intelligent and passages. The enigmatic seventh is sensitively dedicated artist who used emotional turmoil as played and Karabits brings out its mix of buoyant the source for her song writing. From Graham toughness and resigned melancholy. The Nash through Charlie Mingus and beyond, hers recordings sound very open and detailed, with has been a diverse and fruitful career, which excellent clarity and plenty of impact. Tonally, the makes this highly watchable for both fans and sound is a little bright/forward, albeit very clean, newcomers alike. JK though the deep bass could be a bit weightier. JH Reader Classified ads www.hifichoice.co.uk For saleFor / Wanted

ATC integrated SIA2-I50 mint condition, superb sound, just Reader £1,250: 01225 706783 (Wiltshire).

mint fully working order. £550. Buyer collects: C/W KI certificate, manual, 07870 159725 or email: remote and packing carton, johnsidebottom@hotmail. £300: 07505 920373 co.uk (Somerset). Classified (Warington). PROAC Speakers Response Welcome to Hi-Fi Choice Reader Classified, CHORD Indigo Plus Digital D1 for sale. Cherry finish with 2M RCA-to-RCA £300 and black grilles. As new £850. a free private ads service for buying and 3M of same £350, excellent Buyer to collect: 01628 selling second-hand hi-fi components. condition can demo. 626085 or email: Upgraded to tuned array: dandlpotter@indosmail. These pages are a must-read if you’re The simplest way to send your ad is via 02380470107 or email: com (Maidenhead). thinking about buying used kit, or if you email to: [email protected] or mail: [email protected]. Q ACOUSTICS 2050i have hi-fi you want to sell. It’s free to place Reader Classified, Hi-Fi Choice, PMC GB1 compact floor- speakers for sale, white gloss an advertisement – simply submit your ad AVTech Media Ltd, Hadlow House, standing loudspeakers, finish, immaculate condition, of up to 30 words, remembering to include 9 High Street, Green Street Green, immaculate cherry veneer, £400. Buyer to collect: your email, phone number and county. Orpington, Kent BR6 6BG. in original boxes, £450: 07940 659384 (Brighton). This service is open to private advertisers only. 01403 255153 or email: KIMBER Select 9033 Images are for illustration only and do not represent what is for sale [email protected] (West number set with super burn in Sussex). £250. Kimber Orchid digital FOR SALE REGA Elicit R amplifier, 6 XLR 1/2m £130. Kimber HD19 HDMI cable 0.75m £50. Isotek WANTED four track tape with latest remote control condition, late eighties, little months old ,as new condition. Sigmas mains conditioner deck or recorder for up to 7in RMX-111. Denon TU1800 DAB/ use. Can demo. Buyer to pay Complete with original £800: 01772 314151 or spools: 01535 661278 FM tuner (silver) £175. All items postage or collect, £2,000: packaging and receipts. email: Jamesmckendrick@ (West Yorks). in immaculate condition with 07527 567829 or email: £1,200: 07933 109234 original boxes: 023 8073 abaird2011@btinternet. (Leicester). btinternet.com PINK TRIANGLE LPT 8935 or email: golf3385@ com (Berkshire). (Lancashire). Rega £300. Musical Fidelity MUSICAL FIDELITY hotmail.co.uk. E100 Electa amp, E600 CD, MUSICAL FIDELITY A1 V-Dac MkII £80, X-Cans MkI PRECISION Eikos CD E50 tuner £550. Linn Index EAR 509, Mk 2. Pair of integrated amp (2008), A1CD £40. Headphones: Grado player fully upgraded by Tom speakers £70. Sony Sports mono valve amps, 100W both in excellent condition SR80 £40, Sennheiser Evans just under two years Walkman £25: 01708 457691 per channel. Very good and boxed. £1,000 for both HD580 (minor cosmetic ago to his very latest spec. (Essex) ono. Will split: 07791 529128. issues) £35. Townshend with external power supply at Seismic Sink platform black a total cost of £3,600, asking CHORD Signature links QUAD 99 System consisting £95: 07931 571915 or email: £1,575 ( have now moved to x4, brand new, unused (cost of amp, preamp, CD and [email protected] streaming) Audiolab 8000T £90) £60. Chord cobra Plus tuner in original boxes, mint (London). tuner £115 (£800) had from sub lead, 10m (cost £147) + condition, complete with new, but hardly ever used: 3m (cost £70) £100 for both leads and remote control. CHORD Anthem 2 RCA 01202 515474 or email: + p&p. Russ Andrews RGB Prefer buyer collects. £800 interconnects, 1 metre, boxed, johnlangley17@talktalk. Scart (cost £200) £60: 01772 ono: 0208 8576346 or 2 pairs (£300 per pair). Chord net (Bournemouth). 812992 (Preston Lancs). email: pp.marden31@ Epic Twin speaker cable, 3 metres (£350). All as new, all PROAC Studio 140 Mk1 STAX SR-007 Omega SONUS FABER ntlworld.com (Bromley). £150 per pair. Linn Ikemi CD floorstanding speakers Reference system (ie SR-007 Concertino speakers with NAKAMICHI DR-3 player, immaculate (£2,200), in maple. Due to weight, electrostatic earspeaker Sonus faber piano black cassette deck (only 6 tapes with matching SRM-00711 fluted stands in excellent ever played/rec) including direct coupled dual triode condition, with original 10x TDK SA90-2xTDK MA90 vacuum tube energiser), boxes £695. Musical blank tapes unopened and 2x original owner, absolutely Fidelity X-DAC V3 £250, 1m pairs of QED silver spiral new £2,200: 01505 346791 Pr 3M bespoke Silver interconnects(for play/rec). (Renfrewshire). High Breed Quintessence Includes original box and ARCAM CD37/SACD player speaker cabled, banana manual, £165: 01202 515474 termination, £95: or email: johnlangley17@ (black) £699. Roksan Kandy REGA Brio amplifier. Two years old, moderate usage £300. K2 integrated amplifier (silver) 02476 679165 or email: talktalk.net. [email protected] Monitor Audio BX5 Floorstanders, two years old, perfect £550 and K2 CD player (silver) MARANTZ Champagne condition £250: 07908 945608 (Battersea). £550. Both only months old (Coventry). PM 7200 KI amplifier in

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!

102 JULY 2014 www.hifichoice.co.uk Reader Classified ads For sale / Wanted For sale

CYRUS X Power. Light use – £295 each or £575 for LEEMA Antila MKI, hi-end and good condition, but not both. Cheaper if collected: CD player in excellent boxed. Buyer to collect. £500 01902 884694 or email: condition, hardly used. Boxed ono: 01252 430067 or [email protected] and including all accessories, email: kevin.pennycook@ (W. Midlands) buyer collects and demo gmail.com (Farnborough). KRELL KAV 300i 2x 150W £987: 07736 395 424 NAIM Supernait 2 bought in fabulous condition (SE London) November used 2 weeks. As £765 inc remote, Excellent COPLAND CDA266 CD new. Remote, instructions, condition Krell KAV 500 Player, Copland CSA515 amp boxed. Cost £2,750, will 5x 100W power amp (150W), AVI S2000M pre- accept £1,950: 0772 £1,250 can be bridged to amp, MartinLogan Aerius i 9620621 (Worcs). 2x 400W & 1x 100W. Pair loudspeakers. All immaculate, 2m Transparent Ultra XLR ELAC FS207.2 fabulous only used 6 times in last cable 6 yrs old GC. £650 sounding and looking 7 years due to unsuitable ono. Pair 1m Transparent AKG Q701 Quincy Jones Signature Line Headphones in white, speakers with ribbon room. £1,500: email: super XLR cable 2yrs old one and a half years old, mint condition, boxed (£340 new) tweeters, works well with philipburrows@hotmail. VGC. £350 ono. Pair 1m £170: 07905 348812 (Watford). valve and solid-state amps. co.uk Transparent Plus XLR cable £300 spent upgrading POWER supply for Class buyer collects. Unmarked really excellent condition. 2yrs old VGC. £270 ono. crossovers internal wiring. Pair 2m Transparent Ultra A amplifiers, self contained, A1 condition. £750: 07597 Sell as one collection or £500: 07793 749178 or suits John Linsley Hood’s 499299 (Hampshire). smaller quantities: 07804 RCA cable 8yrs old GC. email: kingjuancho@ £500 ono: 07958 319976 or any low power Class A CUSTOM DESIGN wall- 782950 or email: hope. yahoo.com (London). or email: simon_hope@ amplifier, £279. Pair of used mounted turntable support, [email protected] MARANTZ KI Signature btopenworld.com SEAS 10in drivers, £99: black steel frame, toughened (Maidenhead). CD player. CD6000 OSE KI (Oxfordshire). 0207 499 8729. glass shelf, complete ACOUSTIC INSIGHTS sig – immaculate condition, FIRESTONE Audio Fubar with all fixings in as-new Aurousal VSx speakers, to WANTED B&W CDM champagne silver, original II USB DAC and ‘Supplier’ condition. Offers please: me sound same as latest 9NT speakers in cherry box, remote etc. £225 ono: power supply (both boxed) 01293 524587 or email: Focalstage Floorstanders wood. Must be in excellent 01614 459770 or email: £80. No damage, scratches, davedagenham@hotmail. reviewed May HFC. Excellent condition: 0207 2619494, dan.overton1@btinternet. etc: 07875 976 185 or email: co.uk (West Sussex). condition with boxes dark or email: com (Greater Manchester). michaeljohngerrish@ [email protected] NORDOST 4m pair Blue cherry £895, sale reason PROAC Response 3.8in hotmail.com (London) (Glasgow). Heaven Revision 2 speaker colour change wanted: 0208 speakers with yew veneer, REGA Planar 3 turntable with cables. Boxed and in 9513178 (Middlesex). plinths and spikes. Sound RP300 arm, with cartridge, excellent condition. Superb KEF Reference One. Great is perfect. Some marks on plinth and cover. Rega cables for just £300. Sugden example of this classic cabinet so pics on request. instructions and cartridge CD21SE high-end CD player. bi-wirable floorstander in Not noticeable when set up. set up. Buyer collects £150: In excellent condition, black finish. Denon D-F10 £1,400: email: 01483 729543 (Woking, complete with box, mini system. (£2,000 new). [email protected]. Surrey). remote and manual £750. Supplied with all cables etc. Cambridge Audio 640C CD £450 Buyer collects.Will split: TOTEM Model 1 speakers MISSION Stance stands, Player. As new, complete with 07888 853675 (N. London). for sale. One owner from black, 59cms high. In VG box, remote and manual. Buy HEYBROOK TT2 new. £550: 01628 626085 NORDOST Red Dawn condition, but no floor spikes this highly regarded player turntable, Grace G-707 arm (Berkshire) RCA interconnects. or packaging £30 ono: for just £125: 07809 408774 & Dynavector 10X5 cart RUSS Andrews Signature Superbly transparent 07903 578225 or email: (Devon). with Clearaudio Synchro Powerkords, 1m length, sound, mint condition, were [email protected] NAIM Intro 2 Speakers, speed controller, VGC £500, Wattgate 350I IEC plugs. £300 will take £100: 01484 (Manchester). beech finish. Excellent collection only: 07938 Mint condition, RRP £440 427426 (West Yorkshire). condition, original boxes 835982 (Middlesex). and floor spikes. £275: 07837 654593 or email: [email protected] HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR FREE AD (Lincoln). YOUR DETAILS To submit your advert to us, please email letters@ SOMETHING SOLID Name speaker stands. Fully welded hifichoice.co.uk or Address alternatively, use the postal construction. Black, 63cm form below. Please limit ads to height, mass filled, spiked a maximum of 30 words, feet, photo available. Ring for ensuring all details, model other dimensions. Quality Email address names, etc, are correctly stated. Kindly also include Daytime telephone number stands. VGC. £40: your email, telephone number 01582 423791 (Beds). Date and home county. We regret SPENDOR A3 dark walnut that we cannot take adverts over the telephone. floorstanders, includes boxes YOUR ADVERTISEMENT and packing material. £550. Collection only:

07930 397120 or email: AERIAL ACOUSTICS

david.blumenstein@ 10T speakers in Rosewood gmail.com (London). (£8,000 new), asking £2,200. Lexicon processor CLASSICAL LP DC2 (£4,000) VGC £950: collection for sale. Over 0152 614055 2,000. Many highly rated (Fleet, Hants ). SEND YOUR ADVERT TO performances. All in Hi-Fi Choice, AVTech Media Ltd, Hadlow House, 9 High Street, Green Street Green, Orpington, Kent BR6 6BG

JULY 2014 103

EXTRAS

KEF X300A wireless speakers

I REMEMBER SEEING a pair of O’heocha wireless speakers at the Bristol Sound and Vision Show a decade or so ago, and thinking what a good idea they were. Then I looked at the price, and duly changed my mind. All thoughts of home-friendliness and domestic acceptability disappeared when I realised I could buy a family car for the same money. There are plenty of wireless speakers on sale now, but the KEFs are more expensive than most. They’re much more like real hi-fi speakers with wireless and USB functionality added. They’re decently fi nished, although don’t expect them to be as gorgeous as the LS50 standmounter that we saw in last month’s Group Test. The cabinet is rigid and well damped, network – they need to be physically reggae from Black Uhuru, in the and comes fi nished in a choice of connected to one another by a USB shape of The Great Train Robbery. Gunmetal (grey) or Linear (white) lead, which partly negates the benefi t One area where it excels is imaging textured wrap. It contains a of wireless operation. From a and soundstaging; here the KEF two-way Uni-Q driver array, a technical point of view, this makes system proves able to throw stereo 25mm vented aluminium dome sense because you only need one images out well into the room and tweeter and a 130mm magnesium/ wireless interface card, but from focus them far better than rivals. aluminium alloy mid/bass unit. non-technical customers’ point of It has surprisingly good depth too, Bolted to the inside are two Class view, some will wonder why they providing, of course, you set the AB amplifi ers delivering 50W and can’t have truly wireless operation speakers up properly and toe them 20W to the bass and treble drivers from both boxes. This isn’t a criticism in just a touch. respectively via a bespoke crossover, of the KEF package as such, it’s an making the speaker a true active observation about the current breed X marks the spot design. An internal DAC and of wireless loudspeakers. Still, the X300A does sound slightly wireless module is also fi tted. This is an engaging and eminently processed when compared with a listenable pair of multimedia small amplifi er and a conventional The X factor loudspeakers that boasts a crisp and pair of wired, passive bookshelf The X300A has a 24-bit, 96kHz musical sound. The X300A gives a loudspeakers. By these standards the capable USB input, and the speaker clean performance that has a good package isn’t quite as convincing – will play out true 24/96 too – so deal of detail and grip. ABC’s Stranger you’d get noticeably superior sonics there’s no downsampling. There’s Things proves an enjoyable listen, the from a pair of KEF C1s and a NAD also a 3.5mm analogue input and KEF system setting up a nice, fi rm D 3020, for example. wireless capability via AirPlay or groove and getting into the spirit of This is the problem that speaker DLNA. Handily the system can be the song. Vocals are smooth and there systems of these type all face, switched to work in desk or stand are no areas where the speaker gets because their additional complexity (free space) mode via a selector on shrill or unpleasant – which sets it isn’t the most cost-effective when the rear of the master speaker. Foam apart from most computer speaker it comes to sonics. In terms of plugs are supplied for the rear-fi ring DETAILS systems at a stroke. Treble is decently domestic acceptability, it’s a wholly bass ports should you wish to ram extended, although you wouldn’t call different story, of course – only a PRICE them close to a wall. £800 it especially fi nessed. cable manufacturer would deny just For setup, KEF has a free software CONTACT The KEF system is decently how nice it is to live in a world wizard (downloadable from 01622 672261 powerful. Essentially it’s intended for without wires! Designed to upgrade www.kef.com) for Mac OS X and WEBSITE near-fi eld use and the power output the so-so computer sound systems Windows. In convenience terms, kef.com/gb is more than enough for small to used by so many people, the KEF the only real downside is that – medium sized rooms. It’s clean and X300A works very well for what it is OUR VERDICT although the speakers can receive dynamic, and doesn’t get too worried, – the only downside being its sound wirelessly from a local even when asked to play serious relatively high price. DP

JULY 2014 105 EXTRAS

High End Cable Panda Feet

WHAT HAVE PANDAS got to do High End Cable Panda Feet will with hi-fi you may ask. In reality, guide and support most makes of hi-fi the reference to pandas simply cables from ribbon cables, oval cables serves to highlight the fact that and round cross-section cables. the Panda Feet, designed by Dave The bamboo Panda Feet can help Jackson of High End Cable and to improve the sound of your hi-fi by manufactured for him by Atacama lifting your cables off the fl oor, which Audio, are made from a carbon- helps to minimise the effects of treated bamboo resin composite vibration. They can also be used material. Fear not – the under power blocks and power manufacturer isn’t trying to conditioners when there is no room bamboo-zle you (sorry!) into buying left on your rack and the only space something that isn’t eco friendly, available is the fl oor. smaller cables that may need DETAILS since the material used is not a food something more than gravity to hold PRICE source for humans or endangered Take the strain them in place, sets of four Panda tie £30 individually, £100 for a set of four. animal species, such as bamboo- These feet have more than adequate bands are also available. Tie bands are £5 for loving pandas! load-bearing qualities as they can I fi nd these feet to be particularly four As well as being eco friendly and support loads of up to 25kg – more effective when placed under my CONTACT sustainable, bamboo is fast being than enough for your average cable! loudspeaker cables. I certainly notice 01775 761880 acknowledged as one of the fi nest Standard cables are accommodated a cleaning up of the midrange WEBSITE materials for use in hi-fi supports. by having the round groove side when they are installed. Overall, highendcable.co.uk However, this sustainable product uppermost. Ribbon cables are this is a very well-made product OUR VERDICT has never before been used for supported by turning the block over that is capable of delivering subtle audio cable supports. and using the thin slot instead. For sonic improvements. NR

Russ Andrews GQ-24 iPod interconnect

CONNECTING YOUR IPOD iPod end and to an appropriate set of directly to your hi-fi system via the connectors at the system end. These docking connector on the bottom of connectors can be either a pair of the iPod bypasses the iPod’s internal RCA phono plugs, a 3.5mm stereo volume control and other internal mini-jack plug or a 5-pin DIN plug circuitry. This will inevitably mean for use with some Naim equipment an improvement to the overall sound or similar. Note that the cable only quality as the iPod is designed outputs a stereo signal from the iPod primarily for ‘music on the go’ and and does not charge or sync your powering personal earpieces or small player. The GQ-24 is compatible with headphones. Of course, a direct all iPod generations (except the connection to your audio equipment Shuffl e), iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad requires an interconnect cable fi tted fi tted with the old-style docking negative effect on sound quality. with a suitable iPod connector and connector. It is not compatible with As expected, bypassing much of DETAILS this is precisely what the GQ-24 cable newer Lightening connector iDevices. the iPod’s internal circuitry results in PRICE from Russ Andrews offers. a noticeable improvement in sound From £33 The cable is based upon Kimber’s Apple of your eye quality, compared with the more CONTACT GQ range of mini interconnects that The output from the iPod docking traditional approach of feeding the 01539 797300 use a four-wire braid of ultra-pure connector is not only a line-level system from the earphone output WEBSITE copper conductors, known as Kimber output, unlike the standard mini-jack jack. You can expect to hear more russandrews.com GyroQuadratic cable weave, that output that is designed for driving detail and better dynamics than OUR VERDICT has been designed for superior RFI earphones, but it also has the when using the standard output cancellation. The cable connects to advantage of bypassing the digital jack. This really is a great cable and a high-quality dock connector at the volume control, which can have a very much to be recommended. NR

106 JULY 2014

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MCRU EU/USA Adapter Mains Plug

MANY OF THE heavy audiophile that it had received from audiophiles, power cords available today are who wanted to use USA mains plugs fi tted with USA or EU mains plugs in UK sockets without tampering with that cannot be easily removed the cable. This audiophile-grade without risk of damage. Even if the adapter plug will accept Schuko mains plug is removed, fi tting a 13 European plugs or USA Nema plugs amp UK mains plug onto the bulky and convert them to a UK plug. cable can be extremely diffi cult without the correct tools. No touching The end result is often a Ideally, you want as few contact compromise between looking surfaces in the mains circuit as elegant and having all the wires possible, but where these are making a good and safe electrical unavoidable, they need to be of a connection to the UK mains plug quality to ensure a negligible contact pins. The other solution is to use an resistance. To achieve this, MCRU has gold-plated end-caps. The outer DETAILS adapter plug to convert the existing employs a plating company to casing of the adapter has been PRICE fi tting to a 13 amp UK fi tting. gold-plate all the internal contact pins manufactured to be as slim as £29.50 However, the adapter itself needs of the adapter. possible so that it does not add to the CONTACT to be a high-quality unit otherwise This UK-based company, which bulk of the original mains connector. 07908 056978 many of the benefi ts of an has been in business for over 50 This is a very neat alternative to WEBSITE mcru.co.uk audiophile power cord will be lost. years, is able to provide audio-quality cutting off the American or European To address this problem, MCRU plating services to MCRU. The plug and then trying to cram bulky OUR VERDICT developed a EU/USA adapter plug adapter is also fi tted with a top- power leads into a 13 amp plug. in response to a number of requests quality Bussmann 13 amp fuse that An excellent solution! NR

Servisol Aero Duster cleaner

A SOMEWHAT UNUSUAL product Duster 105 contains 400ml. The to be reviewing is a can that contains technical data available for the compressed, liquefi ed inert gas – and product describes the odour that is nothing else! The Aero Duster, produced by the Aero Duster as being manufactured by Servisol, is designed “slightly ethereal”. This obviously to provide a dry, powerful blast of gas refers to an odour resembling ethyl for the easy removal of dust and other ether, rather than being ‘heavenly’ or loose contaminants from delicate ‘celestial’, and I can indeed detect a parts around tape heads and in other slight alcoholic smell when I use it! audio and video equipment, as well as computers, televisions and even Tape that and party clocks and watches. To clean around the tape heads of my DETAILS This product contains no solvents reel-to-reel tape recorder, I fi t the PRICE and the built-in nozzle and supplied extension nozzle to the can (as this I also fi nd it a very effective dust £6.76 for the Aero extension tube enable the blast of gas enables me to hold it upright when remover inside equipment that has Duster 100 and £12.06 for the Aero to be accurately directed into the in use, as directed to do by the been sitting in my audio racks for Duster 105 most awkward of places. It is also instructions) and give a few little many years. It is surprising just how CONTACT ozone-layer friendly as it contains no squirts of the gas while holding the much dust gathers on circuit boards, 01278 727200 CFCs (chlorofl uorocarbons) or HCFCs nozzle close to the sides of the tape especially those situated underneath WEBSITE (hydrochlorofl uorocarbons). heads. Some tiny pieces of fl uff that ventilation holes. The Aero Duster crcind.com The gas is also completely non- have accumulated and got fi rmly can safely be used around the circuit fl ammable. The product is available wedged into those areas over the boards without any real risk of OUR VERDICT in two sizes – the Aero Duster 100 years are instantly sent airborne damage to the surface-mounted can contains 200ml, while the Aero and easily removed. electronic components. NR

JULY 2014 109 EXTRAS

Opera-Consonance Record Cleaning Machine

RECORD CLEANING MACHINES often adhere to the ‘function over form’ design school with many looking rather purposeful in construction. Not here. Silky metal casting and unfussy solid switches, platter and suction arm all cut a neat profi le. Lifting the machine confi rms it’s a weighty bit of engineering and this gives you a sense of the power that may be on tap. Setting up is simplicity itself. It comes with a separate IEC mains power lead and the sprung-loaded suction arm simply slots into place. The platter comes with a robust clamping disk that fi rmly screws down on the record. This grips the central spindle and has a neat rubber fl ange that ensures that no cleaning liquid gets to your precious record labels. I use my own goat-hair brush that has Some high-end record cleaning There’s a rubber hose exiting the the ideal compliance with fi rm yet machines gently sip off cleaning rear for draining excess liquid and soft bristles. liquid with a precise suction wand I raise the machine 15cm or so and With a suitably grubby LP securely that softly coaxes grime from the dangle this pipe into a jam jar. With clamped in place I fl ick the switch grooves with meticulous accuracy. an LP in place on the cosseting, marked ‘turntable’ and the platter Other machines revolve in both foam-covered platter and the clamp turns slowly, but with great torque. directions on the basis that two screwed down I’m ready to go. I carefully spread a liberal amount of points of attack are better than one. cleaning fl uid around the record, Some manufacturers provide extra Spit and polish gently working more troublesome suction arms to cater for 45s as well. No cleaning fl uids are included and areas with my brush until the whole The Opera-Consonance machine has none are recommended, so you’ll surface is wet. Then swinging the none of these features. This is a need to provide your own. vacuum arm across, I fl ick the single-minded record cleaning Consonance and AA-Acoustics – the vacuum switch. The room is option that goes for force over UK distributor – believe that each immediately fi lled with a sound akin subtlety. With a claimed 1,250W of vinyl fan will have their own to a jumbo jet taking off. The arm rotational and suction energy on tap, preferred cocktail. They’re probably sucks down fi rmly on the record, this irresistible force may not be right, but some liquid to get you leaving a shiny, nearly dry disc in its every audiophile’s preference on going would have been nice. I wake. After only two or three their cherished, ultra-rare pressings, generally use 50/50, IPA/distilled rotations I’m satisfi ed that anything but it does a very thorough job on water, but I’ve learnt that lurking in the bottom of those the LPs the vast majority of us own experimentation is essential, precious grooves is no longer there. or pick up at record fairs. It’s very depending on the age and condition Turning off the vacuum, the arm rises noisy, but I’ve come to see this as a of the records I’m cleaning. off the record when its spring loading necessary price to pay for the good A nylon brush is supplied that defeats the diminishing suction. job that it does. looks like it’s used for spreading Unclamping the record, it passes a cleaning liquid, but don’t be visual test and is dry enough to be Clean up your act tempted to do this. It is only DETAILS slipped straight into a fresh sleeve, If you’re serious about your vinyl intended to clean the vacuum arm PRICE but I give it a spin instead. The LP is and keeping it in tip-top condition should you get a build up of grime £495 transformed. Silences are inky black then you need a record cleaning and dust on the velvety leading CONTACT again and loads of fi ne treble detail machine. At this price point you edge that sucks down on the record 01273 325901 is restored to voices and cymbals. might opt for Okki Nokki (reviewed surface. You’ll also need to provide WEBSITE Sometimes cleaning is best repeated HFC 383) or Moth machines for aa-acoustics.com your own wet cleaning brush to to get to deeper dirt, but one pass some extra features, but this is an spread liquid and work the surface OUR VERDICT seems enough here. Once fi nished, extremely effective and attractive of your records. Again, it would the Opera-Consonance is very easy alternative that does exactly what have been nice if this was bundled. to wipe down. it says it will do. CW

110 JULY 2014 TRANSFORM A GOOD SYSTEM INTO A GREAT ONE!

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The Monarch turntable takes both 9 and 12 inch arms. Available with SME, Audio Origami, Origin Live and other tonearms. Pictured Monarch shows an SME 12 Inch tonearm. Superb Part Exchange Deals given against your current turntable. Call us for an instant quote... Information & Sales Hotline www.inspirehifi .co.uk 01246 472222 Units 2 & 3 / Prospect House / Colliery Close / Staveley / Chesterfi eld S43 3QE T: 01246 472222 M: 07932 367555 E: robert@inspirehifi .co.uk EXTRAS

Musical Fidelity V90-AMP micro amplifier

CONSIDERING HOW JOLLY useful the things are, it’s amazing that we don’t see more products like Musical Fidelity’s dinky new V90-AMP. What’s not to like in a tiny little unit, measuring just 170 x 47 x 117mm (WxHxD) and weighing 710g, that puts out a decent 20W RMS per channel from a box that’s about the same size as a videotape? The Japanese, of course, know the value of small things, so have given the world all number of micro amps. Remember the Sony TA-88 or TA-77? Then there was Aurex whose brand rose to fame by making its fabled Microsystems. Aiwa did a brilliant miniature pre-power, and Hitachi, and the list goes on. Now, Musical Fidelity has taken up the cause of getting more from less. The V90-AMP joins a wide range The amp is easy to use, as you’d sumptuous bass and decently sweet of V90 micro separates, including expect. Source selection is automatic, treble. Switch to the optical digital DACs, headphone amps and aptX so there’s no need for fi ddly front input and it proves to have a good Bluetooth receivers. Pair it up panel switches. Whatever else you’ve DAC built in; the soundstage with the latter and you’ve got the got plugged in, when the USB socket tightens up a little and there’s a makings of a very versatile system, gets a signal, the amp switches to this. better sense of detail and slightly because the V90-AMP already has If there’s no signal via USB it switches improved dynamics. Via USB it’s a DAC built in, with its own USB back to the optical/analogue socket. capable of 24/48 playback and it input and a mini optical socket that This makes it well suited to multi- bounces along nicely with some doubles as an input for a line-level room applications with an Apple high(ish) resolution REM. Tonally analogue source. To complete the AirPlay/AirPort system, for example. the amp proves even, with a picture, there’s a volume control Indeed, it would be ideal for Sonos satisfying bass, although in absolute bypass switch, so you can leave it users. This little unit is fi nished to the terms there’s a slightly grey feel out of the circuit should your digital usual high standards of the rest of the to the music. This isn’t entirely device be able to control volume. V90 range, which means beautifully unexpected at the price, but other surfaced aluminium all round. similarly priced (but much larger) Around the back With a claimed 20W from such a amplifi ers do better here. The rear panel has old-fashioned small box, the only way Musical spring clip speaker terminals. That Fidelity’s engineers were going to Our friends electric means you’ll have to cut off your do it was by using Class D modules. The real test for the V90-AMP is with banana plugs if you’re using These generally have lower power powerful electronic music, and here terminated speaker cable, and you consumption, produce less heat and it falters a little. It’s simply not won’t be able to squeeze in your old claim more music power. Opinions muscular enough to carry the 200-strand Monster Cable either. are still divided about the relative shuffl ing rhythms of The Orb’s Little But if you’re using the V90-AMP as merits of this type of operation, but Fluffy Clouds as I’d expect, unless nature intended, as a good-quality in the V90-AMP it works well. The you’ve got a very effi cient pair of second or third amp, then you’ll sound is smooth, polished and loudspeakers. Trouble is, most small probably be less worried about DETAILS relaxed – which belies what you’d systems have small speakers too and using thinner cable. More baffl ing is normally associate with a small, these are the least sensitive around. PRICE the use of an IEC C6 coupler, or a £249 lowish-power amplifi er. If, however, you play gentler and Mickey Mouse mains socket as it’s CONTACT Feed its analogue input with a good less propulsive music, the Musical known to its friends – another mains 0208 9002866 CD player (using the appropriate Fidelity won’t disappoint. It’s not the lead to lose at the bottom of your WEBSITE adaptor) and you’ll fi nd it an most riveting listen, but is never cable drawer. More intriguingly musicalfidelity.com agreeable listening partner. For unpleasant and can get its mojo there’s also a rear-mounted DC example, Paul Weller’s eponymous working with catholic material. A OUR VERDICT output, said to be “for future MF album is pleasantly smooth and fl ows fi ne little product, just don’t expect it product only”… nicely; Into Tomorrow has a nicely to replace your kWs! DP

JULY 2014 113 EXTRAS

Orb DF-01i Vinyl LP Record Flattener

PICTURE THE SCENE – you warped record is allowed to properly spend ages carefully setting up your relax and return to its original fl at turntable VTA to within a fraction of state. The machine heats only the a millimetre, and then you place a outer edge and centre of the record, prized purchase on the platter, only but not the grooves. The process takes to fi nd it’s warped! All those careful four hours (two to heat up and two to adjustments are rendered useless cool down). Most LPs can be treated, when the warp swoops under your except for fl exi-discs, Sheffi eld Lab, stylus, lifting your cartridge BMG Ufa and Super Analogue discs. skywards. Quite apart from the reduction in audio quality, even a Flat’s the way I like it slightly warped record will result Many of the records I purchase these in a localised increase in stylus days are second hand. One such pressure, causing unnecessary wear purchase is slightly warped, so I place warp passed by – a result! I then DETAILS that could eventually damage the it in the DF-01i and press the start borrow a very badly warped LP and PRICE disc. However, a solution is now button. After about four hours, the this is also rendered perfectly fl at by £1,080 available in the form of the Orb LEDs fl ash to show the process has the DF-01i. CONTACT DF-01i Vinyl LP Record Flattener. fi nished and I remove the record and The price of the Orb DF-01i may be 01733 350878 The DF-01i uses a heating place it on my turntable. The outcome outside many people’s budget, but WEBSITE technique that is applied by means – a perfectly fl at LP! On playing the there is no denying that it works analogueseduction. of two semiconductor heater fi lms, record, I can confi rm that there are no extremely well. It is an ideal net one above and one below the LP. By audible changes resulting from the investment for people with large OUR VERDICT thermally controlling the heating process – except the lack of the faint collections, as well as for record and then the cooling phases, the ‘whoosh’ I used to hear when the dealers and the like. NR

Chord Company C-stream Ethernet cable

AUDIOPHILES REALISE THE cable strain relief. Inside the quality of the audio signal is cable are OFC conductors infl uenced by many factors – not only and low-density polyethylene within the analogue domain, but also insulation. The twin the digital one. It is, therefore, conductors are precisely twisted important not to neglect the quality with each pair featuring an of digital interconnect cables, overwrapped foil shield. The four including those connecting your pairs are additionally overwrapped streamer to your local area network. with a further foil shield. The Following the update of its analogue C-stream is available in 0.75m, 1.5m, cable range, Chord Company has now 3m, 5m and 10m lengths. launched a new range of Ethernet cables, some of which incorporate its Stream lover my Squeezebox Touch and my DETAILS proprietary Tuned Aray cable-tuning This cable is certainly well made and network hub. PRICE technology. All the cables are the connectors are noticeably superior When I play music streamed from £40 for a 0.75m cable, up to £90 designed to bring noticeable sonic in construction to the usual all-plastic my PC, I can clearly detect a subtle for a 10m cable benefi ts and maximise the RJ45 plugs that are often fi tted to improvement in spatial positioning CONTACT performance of DACs, transports and Ethernet cables and which squeeze of instruments, compared with a 01980 625700 high-quality Ethernet-enabled audio the cable for strain relief. The standard computer Ethernet cable. I WEBSITE components. The cable here is the C-stream, on the other hand, has a attribute this to the minimisation of chord.co.uk C-stream entry-level Ethernet cable. fi rm plastic clip and a gold-plated cable-induced jitter, which can so The C-stream has gold-plated signal metal screen around the pins. As easily be introduced through cables OUR VERDICT contacts with an over-moulded plug expected, the plugs are really easy to that have poor or non-existent surround with a non-compression click into the RJ45 sockets on both screening. Nice one Chord! NR

114 JULY 2014 GN-2 Straight Line Contact Banana Plug I have designed the Straight Line Contact Plug because I enjoy listening to great music and I want to experience the musician’s artistry in full. I have listened, compared and evaluated various options and to my ears, the Straight Line Contact Plug gives me the sound I like best.

In the GN-2 plug the connection is made by a thin cylindrical wire, plated in gold to protect the sensitive connection between the cable and the binding post from corrosion which may distort the music.

By reducing the surface area of the contact between plug and binding post this gives a focused contact that delivers a clearer sound quality than conventional designs.

The GN-2 Straight Line Contact Plugs will make a real positive difference to your enjoyment of your music. If they don’t, I will happily refund you your full purchase price.

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Electra Phoenix powercord

Mackenzie Hi Fi TUVBSU!NBDLFO[JFIJöDPNt5PSSJOHUPO$SFTDFOUt8FMMJOHCPSPVHIt /PSUIBOUTt//#9tXXXNBDLFO[JFIJöDPNt EXTRAS

Custom Design Milan Compact equipment rack

THIS IS NO fl y-by-night high likes of Teac, Denon, et al. Custom volume box-shifting operation. Design also makes a full-width Custom Design is an established version, but the Compact range has a Newcastle-based, family run charm all of its own if you’re spatially company that designs and challenged, and/or prefer to use the manufactures a range of hi-fi aforementioned equipment. equipment furniture in the UK. The products are hand made, and Shelf-ish outlook customers can even get bespoke It’s available in a selection of solid items made up specially to order, for hardwoods including oak, walnut and a price premium. With 28 years of ash. The 6mm glass shelves come in a manufacturing experience behind it, choice of clear or black, have polished there’s a quality to the products that edges and are designed to support up well as looking the part. There is a you don’t see in the work of some to 25kg each. The radiused front edge sense of a smoother, more open sound more recent entrants to the market, gives a pleasing, softer look to the that despite being tonally less intense, DETAILS and the Milan Compact 4 tested rack, and there’s a range of shelf is actually more musically satisfying. PRICE here is no exception. spacings from 155mm to 300mm. It’s Music sounds faster and fl ows better, £660 A high-quality rack for half width a modular design that you can add to yet doesn’t grate or tire. Bass is the CONTACT components (it measures 410 x 585 as your system grows. major area of improvement, with a 0191 2624646 x 400mm, WxHxD), is a rare beast. Compared to standard domestic tighter, tauter and more tuneful feel WEBSITE customdesign.co.uk It’s ideal for Cyrus, Musical Fidelity furniture, the Milan Compact is a – it sounds far less leaden and lumpy. M and V90 ranges and, of course, substantial improvement. A Cyrus Instrumental separation improves OUR VERDICT any number of Japanese mini- transport and amplifi er combination slightly, too. All in all, then, this is an systems on the market from the benefi t signifi cantly in sonic terms, as excellent piece of furniture. DP

Lindy HF-110 headphones

NOT A LOT of people know Lindy, included in the pack. Also supplied is but actually it’s a well-established a soft case to protect the headphones German company that started out in when not in use. A 3m-long 1932, no less. It has been family run detachable cable is supplied, with since then, and specialises in smallish a 3.5mm-to-6.3mm jack adapter. consumer audio products. Lindy has Generally the HF-110 is very well a UK offi ce based in the North East made indeed; it’s not quite up to and is now attempting to move into high-end standards, but certainly the British hi-fi market proper. To do doesn’t feel cheap. that, it has a range of affordable headphones available in a variety Hear me now of fl avours – and the HF-110 is a Cueing up a classic slice of The full-size, hi-fi open-back model. Waterboys, in the shape of The circumaural, over-ear design Glastonbury Song, I am greeted with accurately and doesn’t grate. DETAILS uses 42mm drivers with neodymium a powerful, detailed sound that really Tonally, it’s a little on the thin side PRICE magnets and copper clad aluminium keeps my attention. You’d never call with vocals lacking the body you’d £80 wire CCAW voice coils. The ear cup the HF-110 overburdened by bass, expect, but using a good headphone CONTACT frames are a good-quality plastic with but that’s good because unlike some amp helps here. Treble is crisp and 01642 754000 metal grilles fi tted to vent the sound. popular bass-heavy headphone usefully extended, making it a WEBSITE The headband is well padded and brands, you don’t get the sense that surprisingly refi ned design at the lindy.co.uk easily adjustable, and the earpads are the song has been remixed, badly. price. If you’re after good, OUR VERDICT described as a “breathable soft Instead, the lows are crisp, propulsive inexpensive hi-fi headphones, these protein leather material”, but it feels and integrated well into a clean come as a nice surprise and are well more like vinyl to me; a spare set is midband that places instruments worth investigating. DP

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Cables, amplifiers ® and the unexpected! Tellurium Q Audio products designed to combat phase distortion

“In short, I can honestly say the Tellurium Q Black Diamond interconnects and speaker Power amp Product of the Year 2012 Power cable Product of the Year 2012 cable are the very best leads that I have ever had in my system.” Products of the Year 2010

Jan 2010 Hi Fi World Tony Bolton, Hi Fi World 2014 Cable of the Year 2010 Hi Fi Choice 2012 2010 Jan 2011 2011 2012 Jan 2013 2013

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Digitising LPs and cassettes Want to make a digital copy of your precious analogue recordings as a backup or just for convenience? Here’s what you need to know...

Ps and cassette tapes have storage conditions. Magnetic tape that record deck as the output from the a place in our hearts, and has not been played for some time is phono cartridge will require RIAA L are capable of producing also prone to ‘print-through’, which equalisation and some amplifi cation rewarding audio quality occurs when the magnetic pattern on and impedance-matching (the on a home hi-fi . But while removing one layer of the tape copies onto the amount required depends on whether an LP from its sleeve, placing it on a adjacent layers, resulting in pre and the cartridge is of the moving magnet turntable and lowering the stylus onto post echoes that are audible during or moving coil type). The exception to the vinyl is a thrilling experience, it’s quiet passages. Making a digital copy this is if you are using a crystal or not nearly as convenient as selecting of your music before any damage has ceramic cartridge, which requires a track and pressing the ‘Play’ button occurred serves as a useful backup to neither amplifi cation nor equalisation. on a digital media player. safeguard your investment. Most cartridges suitable for 78rpm One of the major issues is the records are likely to be of this type. vulnerability of a record to physical Let’s get digital The next thing you need to do is to damage. One slip of the hand could Whatever your reasons for wanting to convert the analogue signal into a send the stylus skating over the digitise your analogue music, you’re digital one. You can, of course, use the surface, leaving a permanent scratch going to need some suitable hardware line input on your PC’s sound card as that results in the tell-tale repetitive and software. The analogue source this will take the standard line output click each time it is played. Similarly, may also need some sort of pre- from your analogue source, but we audio cassette and reel-to-reel tape processing in the analogue domain, wouldn’t recommend this as a PC recordings are susceptible to damage which is a fancy way of saying it sound card is unlikely to be of from external factors, such as strong might need some amplifi cation and suffi ciently high quality for this magnetic fi elds or the breaking down equalisation! You shouldn’t need purpose. Furthermore, you may well of the binder that bonds the magnetic any of this for open reel or cassette run into earthing problems as both material onto the tape due to poor players, but it will be necessary for a your PC and hi-fi will be earthed, and

118 JULY 2014 GUIDE TO...

you may well end up with a hum loop. Fortunately, there are analogue-to- digital convertors (ADCs) many of which are very reasonably priced, that will do a far better job and also provide some sort of isolation to avoid potential hum loops. For example, a Xitel INport includes opto-isolators and will produce a CD-quality 16-bit/44kHz digital output via your PC’s USB port from any line input. A bit more upmarket is a NAD PP 4 Digital Phono Preamp with phono/line inputs and both line and USB outputs that can be purchased for under £200 hardware you are using. Many of the NAD’s PP4 recording rates, make sure your and produces a 16/48 digital signal devices will produce 16/44 or 16/48 produces a software is fully compatible with your 16-bit/48kHz directly from a MM or MC phono PCM data that can be saved by your digital signal ADC. Some software can only record source, as it has all the necessary RIAA recording software as uncompressed directly from at 16/44 CD quality. equalisation and amps built in. WAV fi les. If you have access to a MM or MC Whether you are recording from Finally, you will need some software high-end analogue-to-digital phono sources cassette or LP, it is very much like to record the digital data and save it convertor (ADC), you can save your recording a ‘live’ session that is on your computer in the format you fi les in higher resolution, such as potentially subject to unwanted require. This may also allow you to 24-bit and higher sampling rates interference. This may be due to the edit your recording, remove noise and of 88kHz or 192kHz. From these, limitations of the analogue media, split the fi le into separate tracks. you can then produce the other such as tape hiss or record surface formats as required. noise. Or it may be a result of external Making a digital Usually, the ADC comes with some factors, such as a click from a recording software for your PC, or you refrigerator switching on or the copy serves as It’s even possible can use your own. A word of warning to digitise your dreaded beeping from a mobile phone a useful backup when using your own software – if reel-to-reel being picked up by your sensitive the hardware can support higher recordings phono stage! The latter issue will of your music probably render the recording useless and you’ll have no alternative but to Depending on how you want to store start the process all over again. Other the digital fi les, you may wish to add things, such as tape hiss and a scratch MP3 tags that contain detailed on a record, you can’t do anything information on the track for display on about, but you may be able to your media player. This isn’t necessary effectively cure it by software – see if you wish to simply burn the digital later. Whatever the issue, it is wise to fi le onto a CD for playing on a CD monitor the recording carefully at this player, but is useful for other formats. stage and we recommend the use of headphones as this tends to be more Starting to record analytical and you have less chance of It is always best to save your initial missing something that you may want recording in the highest resolution to deal with later. Have a pen and possible. This will be dictated by the paper handy to write down the exact time that a noise occurs as this will help you fi nd it again when you come GETTING STARTED to edit your recording later. Don’t try If all you are looking to do is be able to play your old of phono plugs at one end and a 3.5mm jack plug at the and break your recording into separate records, cassettes or reel-to-reel tapes on your computer, other. Again, these are very easily obtained from high tracks at this stage. Just record each iPod or MP3 player, and if high quality reproduction is not street hi-fi and computer outlets or online. an issue, the process is very easy. All you need is a record At the PC end, your sound card or laptop will have side of a record or cassette and you deck fitted with a ceramic or crystal phono cartridge, tape several sockets for connecting inputs and outputs, such can then use your editing software deck or open reel player and a PC fitted with a sound card. as speakers, a microphone and a line input. Fortunately, to break it into tracks later. If you have a turntable with a tonearm that is fitted with they are often colour coded as follows: lime-green for a ceramic or crystal cartridge, this produces a voltage that speakers and headphones, pink for a microphone and is high enough for feeding directly to the input of a PC light-blue as the line input. There may also be other Editing your recordings sound card without any additional amplification. If it has coloured sockets for use in surround-sound setups and There is a vast amount of audio been fitted with a higher-quality magnetic cartridge, you for connecting a joystick for use with games. Anyway, the will need a phono amplifier to boost and shape the signal one you want to connect your analogue source to is the editing software available, ranging to enable it to be plugged into the sound card. Fortunately, light-blue line input socket. Apple MacBooks have a from free downloads to bespoke you can obtain these for a very low cost (battery-powered combination audio port that can also be used for audio products that offer a wide range of units can be found for as little as £12) just search online. If input and instructions on how to do this can be found at you want to digitise your collection of cassettes or open http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3625. facilities. All of them allow for some reel tapes, all you require is a cassette deck or tape player Finally, you will need some software on your PC to record basic functions, such as splitting the with ‘line out’ sockets and they can be plugged directly the sound. If you haven’t already got some simple sound fi le into individual tracks. Some into your PC’s sound card. recorder software, a good place to start is with the freely Of course, you will need a lead with suitable plugs at available Audacity download. The cross-platform software software can do this automatically by each end to connect the record deck or cassette player for recording and editing will record from your soundcard detecting extended quiet passages, to the PC. At the player end, you will probably have two to your computer’s hard disk, save the files in MP3 format but be careful when using this as they phono sockets – one for the left channel and one for the so that they can then be played out from your computer or right. At the PC end, you will almost certainly have a on a variety of portable music devices so that you can hear often set the start of the next track 3.5mm jack socket, so you will need a lead with a pair your records and cassettes again on the move. at the start of the music, rather than leaving a short pause before it

JULY 2014 119 GUIDE TO...

AUDIO FILES FOR AUDIOPHILES

Once you have your recordings safely stored as audio files on your PC, you have the opportunity to tidy them using a sound editing package. The edited results can then be saved in a format suitable for your chosen media player or streamer. For advanced features, there are some excellent professional editors available, such as Sound Forge Pro from Sony. There are also packages of combined video and audio editing software like the Roxio Creator Suite of media software. There is also plenty of freeware available such as Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net), which is perfectly suitable for tasks such as trimming the beginning With a USB and ending of your recording and editing out clicks and pops. turntable you can For basic tasks, all the software works in much the same way. You connect to a highlight the area of the waveform you wish to change and treat it as computer to you would if editing text. You can cut and paste sections, or delete digitise your vinyl them to remove clicks and scratches or to tighten up the start and finish of a tune. You can also select a section and fade it in or out automatically, which is very useful for reducing any surface noise. The software can also automatically attempt to remove clicks and starts. If you use the automatic of the process, you will have a other noise. You can even experiment with special effects, such as facility, make sure you can make recording that can actually sound adding reverberation and echo, should you wish to do so! fi ne adjustments to the position better than the original! before saving the tracks. If your records have a signifi cant Playing tag amount of surface noise or there is You now have a folder containing the excessive tape hiss, some software nicely edited WAV fi les. If all you are will allow you to fi lter this out to some planning to do is produce a CD of extent. Use this with caution, however, these, then stop here as you can as it will inevitably fi lter some higher simply copy these into your audio CD frequencies and reduce the overall burning software. If, however, you quality of the sound to some degree. want to use them with a media player Another issue with records will be or streamer, you will want to convert clicks and pops caused by scratches, them to a more effi cient format that dust or static. Again, the software may will save space and is compatible with your player. Once you have converted It is best to save your them, these formats (unlike WAV and CD) have the ability to store initial recording additional information in the fi le, only needs to be in the highest such as cover art, title, artist, etc, that a fi le of about can be displayed on your player’s 400-800 pixels resolution possible display screen. These are known as square, so it MP3 tags and software is available shouldn’t take up have a facility to attempt this that can add them either manually much space, but automatically, but the results are or automatically. you can use any somewhat variable. If you have the Software exists that accesses online picture you like time and the patience, the best way is databases, matches the waveforms for this purpose. to do this manually. Using the notes of your recordings with libraries of Now that you you took during the recording, you can known recordings and then populates have put in all this quickly fi nd the offending click on the the tag information for you. In my work, make sure waveform as it usually shows up as a experience, this is surprisingly effective that you make a short spike. Using the software, simply and will save a considerable amount Free software copy of all your digital music on a highlight the offending spike and of work. However, this automated like Audacity backup disk. This is preferably an can be used for delete it. Yes, you have effectively process won’t work with more obscure your recordings external USB or NAS (Network shortened the recording by doing this, material, in which case the tags will Attached Storage) drive that you can but given that it is usually a fraction of have to be completed manually. Very store remotely from your computer in a millisecond, you really won’t notice often, the music player will look for a case the unthinkable happens! it – honest! Slowly work your way fi le called ‘cover.jpg’ or similar in the So there you have it – all of your through the entire piece and at the end same folder as the music fi les and use precious vinyl or tape safely stored it as the cover art for the album. This on your computer and media player. DIGITAL RECORD DECKS What you lose from going from the master analogue format to a digital How can you have a digital record deck or cassette player has its own analogue-to-digital convertor that will, as a when records and cassettes are analogue? There are such minimum, generate CD-quality 16/44 digital audio straight format, you will most likely gain from things as USB record decks or vinyl converter turntables. into your USB port. the fact that you have removed many These are the perfect solution if you have a set of old vinyl There are decks to suit most pockets starting from around of the imperfections from the original. records, haven’t got anything to play them on and want to £50 to £250, and some will even play 78s. Generally convert them into a decent-quality digital format for playing speaking, these decks mostly support speeds of 33 and Plus you now have a safe backup of on your PC, digital music player or streamer. 45rpm and have a standard analogue output for connecting your investment in your collection of The real benefit of a USB record deck is that it bypasses to a hi-fi amplifier line input, which enables records to be music. Now go try it yourself ● your PC’s sound card and feeds digital data directly to your played on a hi-fi system that does not have a phono input. computer via a USB port. The data is saved onto your hard Similarly, you can use a low-cost portable USB cassette disk as an audio file using sound recording software. PC player for around £20 – £30 or a stand-alone hi-fi separate NEXT MONTH: Integrating a sound cards do not, generally speaking, have inputs or deck for about £120 for digitising cassettes. Many of the analogue-to-digital convertors designed for hi-fi use and USB record decks and cassette players come bundled with subwoofer into a hi-fi system – you can run into problems with earthing loops between the some recording software for use on your PC or recommend we show you everything you record deck and the PC causing hum. A USB record deck a freely downloadable package, such as Audacity. need to know

120 JULY 2014

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SE - South East, GL - Greater London, SW - South West, E - East, EM - East Midlands, To advertise in the dealer directory, WM - West Midlands, Please contact NE - North East, Tim Lees 01689 869 853 NW - North West, tim.lees@hifi choice.co.uk W - Wales. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER FOR ALL THE LATEST HIFI LOUNGE NEWS A NEW NAME IN QUALITY 01767 448121 HIFI FOR THE HOME www.hifilounge.co.uk Here to listen to your needs, selling only brands we are passionate about. At HiFi Lounge we have created a listening environment for our 4 The Granary discerning customers to relax and Buildings, take their time away from the busy Millow Hall Farm,rm, high street. Millow, Nr Dunton,ton, Set in a beautiful country setting yet Bedfordshire, only minutes from main routes. You will SG18 8RH always be guaranteed a warm welcome.

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PLEASE PHONE TO CONFIRM PRICE & AVAILABILITY PRIOR TO ORDERING. ALL GOODS ARE BRAND NEW & BOXED WITH FULL U.K GUARANTEES. NO EX-DEM OR EX-DISPLAY GOODS. NO GREY IMPORTS. GOODS ARE NOT SUPPLIED ON APPROVAL. SORRY NO GENERAL CATALOGUES. PLEASE PHONE OR WRITE FOR SPECIFIC REVIEWS, BROCHURES OR PRICES. *CALL FOR DETAILS ESTABLISHED 1986. MAIL ORDER ONLY FROM; IAN HARRISON, 7 MILL HILL, REPTON, DERBY, DE65 6GQ TEL: 01283 702875 9am-9pm INCLUDING SUNDAYS.

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WE HEAR... THROUGH THE PAST, SMARTLY... MUNICH SHOW HOTEL BARS ALWAYS THROW UP surprises, and a nice one was news of HI-FI CHOICE ISSUE 96 HI-FI CHOICE ISSUE 168 JULY 1991 JULY 1997 a new Scottish amplifi er manufacturer “While it is always nice In the section that is currently called Oran. Founded in 2012 by to see new technological called Audiofile these days chartered engineer Roger Duerden, developments enter the (and was called Instant it’s only now stepping out into marketplace, the question Systems back in 1997), there the sunlight with a new range of that has to be asked is do we was a bundle from a name really need a new format?” not normally associated interesting-looking products that asked editor Andy Benham as with hi-fi. Looking like a combine valve technology with MiniDisc and Digital Compact system produced by B&O, sophisticated control electronics to Cassette were in the process of being launched. the SD1 was actually made by JVC. It “incorporates keep them in tune. Clever stuff , and “The answer is a qualified yes, but while the separate components, but they’re the width industry undoubtedly does need a new, digital, of a midi system and finished in champagne our spy was also impressed by Roger’s recordable format to sit alongside CD, what it aluminium with cast side panels and discreet sartorial elegance (tweed jacket, doesn’t need is a choice of at least four, which is displays”. A mere £5,000 bought the AX-SD1 Oxford brogues) and passion for what is currently on offer (DAT, CD-R, DCC and Mini amp, XL-SD1 CD player, TD-SD1 cassette deck, classic Triumph Dolomite Sprint motor Disc). I just hope that the DCC/Mini Disc battle is FX-SD1 tuner and SX-SD1 loudspeakers. But how settled fairly quickly. The thought of numerous did it perform? “Its key strength,” wrote Jason cars. Traditional values in a modern bemused consumers sitting at home with Betamax Kennedy “is coherence, implying good timing and setting, as they say… videos and no software springs readily to mind and transparency that combine to create palpable, is a situation we could well do without repeating.” fluent music. Inevitably it’s not the most dynamic We’ll leave you to insert your own joke here... or bone-crunching system, but makes up for this by ONE CURIOUS PRODUCT ON THE ISOTEK Elsewhere, diva Axl Rose from Guns and remaining unflappable up to decent volume levels, stand at Munich was a prototype Blue Roses assaults a member of the audience before producing a clean, even balance.” Horizon record cleaning machine. Based storming off stage in a hissy fit after spotting them Meanwhile the sovereignty of Hong Kong was recording the show using a camera. Just imagine handed back to the People’s Republic of China and on the original Percy Wilson design, how much of a nightmare he’d have today with Woolworths closed leaving children having to find and also the more modern Loricraft camera phones... somewhere else to get their pick ‘n’ mix fix. refi nement of the same name, Backchat was told that it was being produced in conjunction with Loricraft and should have similar functionality and performance, but get to market at £1,295 in the UK. Cosmetically DESERT ISLAND DISCS the Blue Horizon unit wasn’t fi nalised This month Karl Smith Director Colab Audio – it’s been hinted that the production picks four of his all-time favourite long players... machines will look sleeker. Expect it to be a very strong contender, and to go on sale later this year.

MICROMEGA’S MYAMP WAS ANOTHER highlight at the MOC. Company president Didier Hamdi seemed especially proud of his petite new integrated ampliﬁ er, complete with its BIG STAR SPIRITUALISED WILCO RADIOHEAD RADIO CITY LADIES AND THE WHOLE LOVE HAIL TO THE THIEF superb-sounding Class AB circuitry and Surely the most GENTLEMEN… From very humble Surely one of clever cooling technology using an influential power Greatest break-up alt.country the band’s most almost silent, ultra long life fan. pop record! I love record ever! Jason’s beginnings, Wilco cohesive mixtures It sounded stunning through big Focal its textured feel. pain is palpable have honed their of indie rock and September Gurls in his vocals and musical craft, and electronica. My 14 speakers, but also made a very nice could have been the wonderfully this album has year old son Ben noise through a small pair of written for my better arranged gospel some of their finest loves There There, Micromega standmounters, more of half Sarah… choir and orchestra. arrangements ever. so it must be good! which next month perhaps?

If you don’t want to miss an issue PASSION FOR SOUND EDITORIAL TEAM SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGEMENT TEAM Editor Lee Dunkley Subscriptions Sarah Pradhan & Kate Scott Group Editor Paul Miller Please reserve/deliver my copy of Hi-Fi Choice 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: 0844 543 8200 Group Sales Manager Joanna Holmes Email: [email protected] Chief Executive Owen Davies Title First name CONTRIBUTORS USA & CANADA – New, Renewals & Enquiries Chairman Peter Harkness Simon Berkovitch, Keith Howard, Tel: (001) 866 647 9191 Surname James Hughes, Jason Kennedy, Paul Miller, Published by MyTimeMedia Ltd Hadlow House, 9 High Street, Green Street Address Dave Oliver, David Price, Neville Roberts, REST OF WORLD – New, Renewals & Enquiries Green, Orpington, Kent, BR6 6BG Ed Selley, Andrew Simpson, Chris Ward, Tel: +44 (0) 1689 869896 Nigel Williamson Phone: 0844 4122262 BACK ISSUES & BINDERS From outside the UK: +44 (0)1689 869840 Tel: 0844 848 8822 ADVERTISING www.hifichoice.co.uk Senior Advertising Executive Tim Lees From outside the UK: +44 (0) 2476 322234 Postcode Tel: 01689 869853 Email: [email protected] Distributed in the UK by Seymour Telephone number Email: [email protected] Website: www.myhobbystore.co.uk Distribution Ltd.

Published by MyTimeMedia Ltd. All rights reserved, 2011. 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, Hadlow House, 9 High Street, Green Street Green, Orpington, Kent BR6 6BG, UK. The US annual subscription price is 65GBP (equivalent to approximately 108USD). Airfreight and mailing in the USA for a copy of each issue to be reserved for by agent 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 CDS GLOBAL Ltd, Tower House, Sovereign Park, Market Harborough, Leicester, LE16 9EF. Air Business Ltd is acting as our mailing agent. for it to be delivered to your home. Just ask! audioemotion www.audioemotion.co.uk e: [email protected] f: facebook.com/audioemotion t: 01333 425 999

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