Mini test All rounders Four-way headphone The Elipson Planet speakers amp/DAC face off that are out of this world

PASSION FOR SOUND Issue NoNo.. 387387 AuAugustgust 22014 A HARD DAY’S NIGHT 50th anniversary soundtrack Solid tribute Silver Monitor Audio’s S8 speakers deliver sterling performance

Primare NP30 StylishStylish networknetwork musicmusic player and DAC makes streaming simple

Arcam, Eltax, Korg, Linn, Morel 38PRODUCTSODUCTS OONN TETEST:ESTS : & Origin Live PRINTED IN THE UK US$10.99 AUGUST 2014 £4.50 GROUP TEST System upgrade Pocket rocket SixS cable looms IntroducingIntro the ultimate get blind tested 24/192 portable player MF-100 SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE HEAD PHONES

When music matters most VERY HIGH QUALITY • MUSICAL FIDELITY DESIGNED NEODYMIUM DRIVE UNITS

www.musicalfidelity.com +44 (0)20 8900 2866 INTRODUCTION

PASSION FOR SOUND Welcome www.hifichoice.co.uk Issue No. 387 August 2014

Are you happy with your hi-fi system’s sound, or could it sing a little better? If you think that you have the right blend of components but feel it’s not quite giving its very best then this month’s cable looms 42 Group Test is just for you. Let’s face Origin Live it most of us probably have a Astute mishmash of interconnects from different brands hooking up the ins and outs of our hi-fi components, partnered with a set of speaker cables that more than likely come from another manufacturer altogether. In terms of getting a system to perform at 116 its very best we all seem to understand the importance Guide to... of synergy between electronic components and Subwoofers loudspeakers, but many of us don’t pay nearly as much attention to the cables connecting the components to one another carrying the all important audio signals. The merits of cables having an influence on the sound of a hi-fi system is a controversial topic, and one that is regularly debated among hi-fi enthusiasts with eager amounts of scepticism and a degree of mistrust regarding the claimed benefits from cable manufacturers. After all it’s just a bit or wire, right? Well, after a day spent blind listening to the cable looms in our Group Test, I can safely say that the six sets of interconnect and speaker wires carefully chosen to work together have a far bigger influence on the sound of a system than you might imagine. Turn to page 24 to 99 see how they performed. Pink Floyd The Division Bell

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 ENTERPRISE HOUSE, ENTERPRISE WAY, performance says it all! EDENBRIDGE, KENT, TN8 6HF

AUGUST 2014 3 Contentshifichoice.co.uk Issue No. 387 August 2014 FREE NEWS & OPINION GROUP TEST speaker worth £79 when you 6 Audiofile Six cable looms The latest news on the hottest products 24 are given the subscribe from the world of hi-fi coming your way blind listening p20 14 Webwatch test treatment 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

62 FEATURES 62 Beatles At The Movies Grab your popcorn as we celebrate the 6 50th anniversary of A Hard Day’s Night 90 Dealer Systems We’re off to Poole in Dorset to check out the treats that Stone Audio has to offer 94 Labelled With Love Creation, home to some of the eighties and nineties most exhilarating bands 116 Guide To... Subwoofers. Add some low-end grunt to 100 your system and make your music rumble Audiofile: Dynaudio’s Xeo tech speakers Music reviews: Emerson, Lake and Palmer

4 AUGUST 2014 CONTENTS AUGUST 2014 “The benefits of integrating a subwoofer into your two-channel 105 systems will be truly sublime” Eltax Monitor III BT speakers Guide to... Subwoofers p116

TESTED THIS MONTH REVIEWS Kit testing 16 Primare NP30 streamer/DAC 42 Origin Live Astute suspended loudspeaker (Exotica) 46 Cambridge Audio Azur 851D DAC/preamplifier 50 REL Acoustics Serie S2 active sub-bass system 16 53 Morel Primare NP30 streamer/DAC SoundSpot Primo 2.1 speaker system 54 Astell & Kern AK240 digital audio player 56 Monitor Audio Silver 8 floorstanding loudspeaker 60 Elipson Planet LW and Audio Bridge two-way wireless loudpseaker system 88 BBC LS3/5A standmount loudspeaker (retro) GROUP TEST 46 Cable looms £128-£406 Cambridge Audio Azur 851D preamp 27 Black Rhodium Symphony Chrome/Twirl 56 2927 Black Ecosse Rhodium Monitor Audio NuDiva2.0 DCT/CS2.3 IV Symphony Chrome/Twirl Silver 8 floorstanding 3129 Ecosse In-akustik NuDiva2.0 DCT/CS2.3 loudspeaker Reference31 In-akustik NF-102/LS-502 NF-102/LS-502 33 QED QED Reference Audio 40/Signature CHOICE EXTRAS ReferenceRevelation Audio 40/Signature Revelation 35 Van Van Damme Damme LC-OFC Twin/2x6.00mm 105 Eltax LC-OFC37 van den Twin/2x6.00mm Hul The River/Clearwater Monitor III BT wireless speakers 37 Van den Hul 106 Arcam The River/Clearwater miniBlink Bluetooth DAC 50 109 Audio-Technica REL Serie S2 active sub-bass system AT-95E phono cartridge MINI TEST 110 Analogue Studio Headphone amp/DAC Cork and rubber turntable mat £167-£395 110 B.M.C. Audio PureUSB 1 cable 84 ADL X1 113 Lindy NCX-100 active noise 84 Fostex HP-A4 cancelling headphones 85 Korg 114 Mackenzie Hi Fi DS-DAC-100m VooDoo Audio Avatar powercord 85 Epiphany Acoustics 114 Maxell 60 EHP-O2D MXH-DBA700 earphones Elipson Planet LW and Audio Bridge

Never miss an issue – turn to p20 for our latest subs offer

AUGUST 2014 5 THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS…

DANISH SPEAKER BRAND Dynaudio isn’t afraid to take its considerable experience to different Without markets, and has successfully managed to spread itself across domestic, pro and car audio businesses. We fi rst saw Dynaudio’s proprietary wireless tech in its Xeo 5 fl oorstanding models back in HFC wires 376, but a year on and the range has been updated with the two new Xeo models pictured here. Dynaudio introduces two new Unveiled at the Munich High End Xeo tech loudspeakers Show in May, the Xeo 4 standmount and Xeo 6 fl oorstanders are the PRICE: £1,550-£2,700 AVAILABLE: NOW company’s next-generation wireless CONTACT: 01353 721089 WEB: DYNAUDIO.COM audio speaker with high-resolution 24-bit/96kHz playback capability. Many of the elements that were successful on the original Xeo models have been carried over to the new models, plus additional refi nements to amplifi cation and DSP performance and a new interface control system on top of the cabinets to provide direct control without the need for the remote. Next-generation wireless speaker with high-resolution playback capability

Styling has also been updated to refl ect the company’s Excite range of models, with low-profi le screws, smooth satin lacquer fi nishes in both black and white and magnetically attached speaker grilles. The fl oorstanders come with Dynaudio’s trademark plinth and extends the footprint to aid stability. With the new Xeo Hub (£225), the speaker can accommodate virtually any source component via its optical, coaxial and USB digital inputs – all claiming 24/96 support – as well as one pair of stereo RCAs and a mini- jack for analogue sources. It can transmit the audio signal wirelessly to the Xeo speakers up to a suggested maximum distance of 50m away without using any form of signal compression. An Ethernet connection is included for updates. Xeo Link (£135) allows for the addition of a subwoofer to the speaker system for example, and Xeo Extender (also priced at £135) increases the wireless transmission range between the Hub and the Xeo loudspeakers. Look out for our exclusive Xeo 6 review next issue.

6 AUGUST 2014 COMMENT APPLE BUYS BEATS

Ever since the day when Steve Jobs shifted off this mortal coil, it’s been suggested that Apple has lost some of its magic. Though the US company may not have a charismatic figure at the helm like Jobs any more it’s still the same bunch of boff ins coming up with the goods behind the scenes, isn’t it? Whatever your opinion of what lies ahead for Apple, it’s diff icult not to find the decision to splash out the not insignificant sum of $3 billion for hip hop mogul Dr Dre’s Beats Music and Beats Electronics companies strange. While the headphones that seem to adorn everyone from teenagers waiting for the bus to celebrity sportsmen, musicians and the achingly hip are undoubtedly popular, are they really worth such a terrifyingly large sum of cash? While Dr Dre can’t quite believe his luck, the rest of the world are left wondering what the Cupertino company’s plan is. Commentators have suggested that the headphones are not what interest Apple, that it’s the music streaming service Beats Music. As ceo Tim Cook puts it: “Music is such an important part of all of our lives and holds a special place within our hearts at Apple. That’s why we have kept investing in music and are bringing together these extraordinary teams so we can continue to create the most innovative music products and services in the world.” Interestingly, Jobs was always against music streaming services, believing that people would always want to own music for themselves – something that many HFC readers would agree with – so what’s the big idea? Is it really likely that Apple will start giving music away with its phones, will it loosen rights making it easier for friends to share their music with one another, will it use Beats Music’s brains trust to come up with the next big streaming service or will it reveal a way of sharing music that up until now hasn’t even been imagined? Much as we’d like to, we don’t have the answers, but considering that Apple could have given away full Spotify subscriptions to a whopping 27 million customers for just Dynaudio’s plinth extends short of a year for the same amount of its footprint for stability and uses four circular feet in money, you have to hope there is place of carpet spikes something exciting in the pipeline...

AUGUST 2014 7 AUDIOFILE

Pioneer’s FreeMe speaker Portable Bluetooth speaker promises to bring style and substance to music everywhere

PRICE: £130-£170 AVAILABLE: NOW CONTACT: 0330 1231240 WEB: PIONEER.CO.UK

TWO NEW SPEAKERS called FreeMe have been unveiled by Pioneer aimed at music fans looking for a neat wireless portable speaker solution to unleash their tunes from a smartphone or tablet device. The XW-LF3 has a classy, genuine leather fi nish, and the XW-LF1 is encased in a natural rubber material. Not much bigger than a wallet and easily transportable, the Wide Circle Sound 360° design allows audio to radiate from all sides of the unit, while two 40mm full-range drivers with neodymium magnets aided by a passive radiator make sure the sound quality is up to Pioneer standards, it says. NFC (Near Field Communication) allows compatible devices to be recognised instantly with a simple touch and remember a device for future instant playback, and the built-in, rechargeable lithium-ion battery claims to give approximately seven hours of use. The XW-LF3 is available in black or brown leather, and the XW-LF1 has a choice of black, white or aqua blue rubber-coating fi nishes. IN BRIEF KEF’s new Reference Series ATLAS CABLES EXTENDS HYPER PRICE: £4,000-£10,500 AVAILABLE: NOW CONTACT: 01622 672261 WEB: KEF.COM

Naming a speaker range Reference perfectly compliment Uni-Q array Satin American Walnut finishes. would suggest that it off ers the and the cabinets incorporate Plus there are two bespoke editions highest quality engineering, design flexible port tuning technology. of the 3 and 5 Reference models and performance, and so it proves All models come in either Piano available in Blue Ice White and with KEF’s speaker range. The Black, Luxury Gloss Rosewood and Copper Black Aluminium. Reference series has been part of the KEF lineup for some 40 years, ● Building on the success of its and has recently been given an Element and Equator ranges, overhaul to bring it bang up to date Scottish-based Atlas Cables has for 2014 with the introduction of added a new mid-priced analogue five new models to cater for hi-fi interconnect to its Hyper range. Hand and home cinema enthusiasts alike. made at the factory in Scotland, the First up are the two imposing new Hyper Integra cable introduces three-way Reference 3 and 5 Atlas’ inhouse Integra RCA plugs to floorstanders, followed by the the Hyper range for the first time. three-way Reference 1 standmount, Available in 0.5m to 3m lengths and plus a three-way centre channel priced from £105 to £205, the maker speaker and subwoofer. At the says it consists of a central conductor heart of each new Reference of 90 individual stands of OCC (Ohno speaker is the latest iteration of Continuous Casting) copper wire KEF’s Uni-Q ‘point source’ driver with 99.9997% purity. It’s insulated array featuring a state-of-the-art by a low-loss foamed polyethylene 25mm vented aluminium dome dielectric, and the return conductor tweeter placed at the exact is a two-layer braid made from a acoustic centre of a highly total of 252 strands of Ultra-Pure sophisticated 125mm midrange OFC (Oxygen Free Copper) wrapped driver. Both act as a single source over a PVC foil to provide 100 to flood the listening space evenly percent RFI rejection. with a natural soundfield, no matter ATLASCABLES.COM where you sit, KEF says. The new 165mm bass driver is designed to

8 AUGUST 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

Yamaha’s new soundbar 25 years of soundbar experience in the making

PRICE: £800 AVAILABLE: LATE SUMMER WEB: UK.YAMAHA.COM

AS THE PIONEER of the soundbar concept, Yamaha should know a thing or two about producing speakers to sit under your television, and the latest builds on the success of Yammy’s YSP-2200. The YSP-2500 features Yamaha’s ‘Intellibeam’ technology to bounce beams off of your walls to measure your room and confi gure the soundbar appropriately. It boasts 10 DSP (digital signal processing) modes, which according to Yamaha are based on “real places and real sound fi elds” and there are RCA line inputs alongside an optical and HDMI inputs, and three HDMI outputs. A subwoofer output is included for extra low-end grunt and Bluetooth connectivity means that you can stream music to the soundbar. Yamaha has also produced a free HT Controller app enabling Android and Apple devices to operate as a remote control. IN BRIEF Teac’s headphone amp TIVOLI AUDIO MODEL THREE BT PRICE: £299 AVAILABLE: NOW CONTACT: 08142 4208141 WEB: TEAC-AUDIO.EU/EN For those occasions when you are It’s equipped with a Burr-Brown headphones at full power. The away from your home hi-fi setup PCM5102 digital-to-analogue HA-P50 boasts a stylish, yet and still want to listen to music, converter capable of processing sturdy aluminium body with a Teac has unveiled its first ever digital audio signals up to a 21.7mm-thick flat-profile design portable headphone amplifier with maximum 24-bit/96kHz resolution. and comes equipped with a built-in USB DAC. The HA-P50 A high/low gain selector enables lithium-ion battery that’s claimed accepts a digital input via USB from the output gain to be precisely to provide up to eight hours of both Apple and Android devices, matched to the impedance of uninterrupted listening, while an while optical digital/analogue the headphone being used, and auto power save function makes inputs and an optical digital output Teac claims that the high-output the most of any remaining power ● With its unapologetically retro enable direct connection to other 2x 160mW power amplifier when you’re not using the amplifier design, Tivoli Audio’s Model Three BT audio components. successfully drives 600ohm and it’s in standby mode. is anything but a relic from the past. As the name suggests, it’s equipped with Bluetooth connectivity so that you can stream music wirelessly using a smartphone, MP3 player or PC. There’s a 3.5mm input located around the back, enabling you to plug in any audio device that doesn’t have Bluetooth, plus an AM/FM tuner. Tivoli claims to have eschewed a DAB tuner in an eff ort to keep the price down and instead suggests that users utilise apps (such as its own Radio App) on a smart device instead. Sound is delivered from the top-located, full-range 8cm speaker and a bass port. The clock radio is available to buy now for £249. TIVOLIAUDIO.CO.UK

10 AUGUST 2014

“I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore...”

A voyage of musical discovery: Nuance. Emotion. Artistry. Over the decades, MartinLogan has produced loudspeakers with the sole purpose of getting you back to the music.

Having mastered electrostatic technology with the CLS, a skill now embodied in the hybrid Summit X and the full-range CLX Art, MartinLogan has re-imagined speaker technology. MartinLogan speakers address systems from purist two-channel to multi-channel home theatre, with a range including BalancedForce™ Dynamo™ subwoofers, surround-sound and centre channel speakers,

It is no exaggeration to say that MartinLogan speakers are as beautiful as speakers can be and bear aesthetics worthy of the sound they reproduce. They enhance your musical pleasure and your living space.

Because, as Dorothy learned, there’s no place like home.

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] AUDIOFILE

IN BRIEF

AKG Y Series New range of lifestyle headphones unveiled

PRICE: £80-£110 AVAILABLE: NOW WEB: EU.AKG.COM/ PURE EVOKE D2 ● Pure Audio has teamed up with AKG HAS RELEASED a series of new storage when not in use. They’re available in a internationally renowned artist Rob headphones aimed at a younger, hipper choice of red, teal, yellow or black fi nishes. Ryan to create this distinctive digital audience that combine the company’s audio The Y40 range are on-ear models with 40mm and FM portable radio. The Evoke D2 knowhow with a focus on design and styling. drivers and a claimed frequency range of 16Hz boasts Class D amplification, The Y50 is the fl agship model in the Y Series, to 22kHz and 120dB sensitivity. They also have Bluetooth connectivity for wireless with an on-ear, closed-cup design to reduce a detachable cable with a three-button remote streaming and an input for iPods or ambient noise for the listener, while ensuring and the same folding mechanism and pouch for MP3 players. It features 10 digital that those around you are not disturbed by your storage when not in use. They come in a choice and 10 FM presets and an alarm with music. A pair of 40mm drivers are claimed to of teal, yellow or black fi nishes. snooze function. It’s exclusively deliver an enhanced, punched up bass response The Y45BT series offers Bluetooth and NFC available from John Lewis and the with a frequency range of 16Hz to 24kHz and connectivity and claim 8 hours of wire-free artist’s Ryantown store for around sensitivity of 115dB. There’s a 1.2m detachable listening with a frequency range of 17Hz to £120 and a rechargeable battery cable with inline remote/mic and 3.5mm hard 20kHz and 120dB sensitivity. Charging comes pack claiming around 30 hours gold-plated jack, while a 6.3mm adaptor is via a USB cable and they boast a white and playback time can be added as an provided. Thanks to AKG’s ‘3D axis folding beige or black and grey fi nish. Prices are optional extra for £28. mechanism’, the headphones can be folded up expected to be £80 for the Y50, £70 for the Y40 PURE.COM for portability and a pouch is provided for and £110 for the Bluetooth Y45BT. Electrocompaniet ECG-1

PRICE: £2,890 AVAILABLE: SEPTEMBER WEB: ELECTROCOMPANIET.COM

Norwegian high-end audio 4g and 12g and the moving micro harmonic sine wave controller. The specialist Electrocompaniet has cross (MMC) type cartridge ECP 2 phono stage has also been unveiled details of its first ever bundled has been produced by US released to partner the turntable turntable, the ECG-1. Boasting a specialist Soundsmith. Under the and is claimed to off er the highest sandwich construction consisting hood, the ECG-1 is fitted with a 24V quality discrete components DENON ENVAYA of three layers of acrylic and AC asynchronous motor, which the throughout the entire signal path. It ● Denon has become the latest aluminium, the ECG-1 claims to manufacturer claims is perfectly will cost £1,490 and is also available manufacturer to jump onto the have no resonance problems, controlled by a two-phase low to buy from September. wireless speaker bandwagon. Billed due to the vibration dampening as being “as easy to carry as a wallet”, characteristics of these materials. the Envaya Bluetooth speaker The platter is constructed from a incorporates two proprietary 57mm form of acrylic that’s said to be full-range drivers combined with a similar to that used for producing 100mm passive radiator for a deep records to ensure a ‘strong’ bass response. Connectivity comes coupling between it and whatever in the shape of aptX Bluetooth, NFC LP is placed upon it, removing the and analogue audio inputs and need for a record mat and – claims Denon claims up to 10 hours of Electrocompaniet – providing playback from the batteries. additional dampening so it won’t Available in black or white with a ‘ring’ like a metal platter will. choice of interchangeable grille There’s a Jelco SA-750EB tone clothes, it’s expected to cost £169. arm, designed to handle phono DENON.CO.UK cartridges weighing between

AUGUST 2014 13 AUDIOFILE

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

FOLLOW US: @HIFICHOICEMAG CHOICE TWEETS ANALOGUE SEDUCTION (@ANALOGSEDUCTION) Buy 2 pieces from the award winning Roksan K2 range with up to £500 off with Roksans new Package Deals!... http://fb.me/3hMo8TmJ8

THE VINYL FACTORY (@THEVINYLFACTORY) The 10 best vinyl releases this week ft. Vote for SAM Rega refreshed @royalblooduk @Soundway @WOLFMusic Following last month’s HFC exclusive review, Rega’s new website is dripping with stunning @KeepersFinders: http://t.co/HTF5PEjHAU Devialet’s vote for SAM site lets you chose images and details of its latest kit. Particularly the speakers it will develop its SAM tech for. impressive is the Rega timeline that charts STONEAUDIO.CO.UK (@STONEAUDIO) The list of nominations is huge and every every milestone in the company’s product line Unboxing ELAC’s BS 403 stand mounters, in model that gets 100 votes gets the SAM since 1973, illustrating why Rega remains a this rather beautiful gloss walnut finish... treatment. voteforsam.devialet.com jewel in British hi-fi ’s crown. rega.co.uk http://t.co/6tIVDdXfMg #ELAC GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL (@GLASTOFEST) We’re very pleased to reveal our full 2014 line-up poster… pic.twitter.com/Gc0QphI677

CYPHER LABS LLC (@CYPHERLABS) Submit your #video review and you could be featured on our #blog and #SocialMedia. http://on.fb.me/1lYSO2t

MOORGATE ACOUSTICS (@KIPPER248) This week we had a listen to the new Xeo 4 compact speakers from Dynaudio. http://t.co/WFkIWj51hq

VPI website Classical underdogs O2 ACADEMY BRIXTON US turntable specialist VPI has also revamped Last month Linn launched a series (@O2ACADEMYBRIX) its website recently, which is packed full of of video blogs led by Linn Records pianist, Tix for @Johnny_Marr aka “Guitar Legend” product reviews, video links, awards and Alisdair Hogarth, looking at classical or “Guitar God” (we could go on...) On sale NOW company history. You can also connect to underdogs – lesser known piano pieces by here: http://bit.ly/JMbrix VPI’s social media channels or use the live famous composers. In this fi rst post Al chat feature, which will be opened out soon. explores Mozart’s Piano Sonata in A Minor. LARRY OGDEN (@THEAUDIOWORKS) There we go, lovely Rega half width kit vpiindustries.com Highly recommended. bit.ly/SA2vJi suspended in thin air by a 4 tier ReVo mini by MusicWorks http://bit.ly/1lo8mN2

CLASSICALBUMSUNDAYS (@CLASSICALBUMSUN) AIR to release ambient and experimental soundscapes on #vinyl-only limited edition http://t.co/wKol1CnaJY

GLOSSOP RECORD CLUB (@GLOSSOPRECORD) Just a few days left to vote in THE SOUNDS OF ‘66 polls. There are two polls - UK and USA - and you can vote for two albums in each poll...

PONOMUSIC (@PONO) Damson Headbones Arguing for iTunes We wanted to thank all of our Kickstarter As revolutionary as the iPod or sliced Simple Audio Director Martin backers. Without you Pono Music would not bread according to its video, Headbones differ Dalgleish recently took to Twitter and the be possible. from standard cans by using the wearer’s company blog for some iTunes mythbusting. temporal bone to amplify audio to the inner With 17 reasons why iTunes makes a good VDC TRADING (@VDCTRADING) ear. And with over half of the £50k Kickstarter audio engine, it’s worth a read if you’ve yet We are here @RoyalAlbertHall and @jeffbeckmusic sounds amazing with Van target pledged, word is spreading fast to realise its audiophile capabilities. See the Damme Silver Series pic.twitter.com/3fhp56HIpN bit.ly/headbones #HearEverything light at bitly.com/1mqfZk8

14 AUGUST 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. PRIMARE NP30 IN-DEPTH STREAMER/DAC £2,000

DETAILS PRODUCT Primare NP30 ORIGIN Sweden TYPE Streamer/DAC WEIGHT 8.5kg DIMENSIONS (WxHxD) 430 x 95 x 370mm FEATURES ● Burr-Brown 24-bit/192kHz upsampling DAC ● Wi-fi and Ethernet streaming ● USB and S/PDIF inputs ● XLR, RCA and S/PDIF outputs ● WAV/AIFF/FLAC/ ALAC/MP3/AAC/ WMA/OGG file support DISTRIBUTOR Karma-AV TELEPHONE 01423 358846 WEBSITE primare.net Primal stream Music streaming Swedish style, Andrew Simpson hits the download button on Primare’s premier league network player

ith a reputation for elegant I32 integrated and PRE32 preamp, sockets for another coaxial or USB, Scandinavian design, turning them into fully fl edged but you still have plenty to chose W Primare’s products are network players. As well as placing from. Wi-fi is also catered for via a instantly recognisable this module into its own isolated rear-panel stubby antennae, but as for their minimalist approach to case, what the extra cash buys you this is limited to 16-bit/48kHz, the high-end separates. At £6,500 each, in the standalone NP30 streamer is Ethernet port is my preferred solution the recently launched fl agship 60 a dedicated power supply and output to get the best of the NP30. Output- pre/power amps ooze class from stage with an extra buffer, alongside wise alongside a pair of line-level their two-tone titanium and black a wealth of connectivity. Digital RCAs and an S/PDIF (RCA), you’re cases housing the company’s latest inputs include USB type A and B offered a pair of XLRs, which are fully UFPD (Ultra Fast Power Device) (asynchronous) for hardwiring balanced right from the DAC. Class D technology. Below these laptops or iPods directly, alongside Like its £2,000 standalone DAC30 amps sits a selection of more S/PDIF inputs shared over three cousin, the NP30 uses a Burr-Brown modestly priced amps, CD players, optical (Toslink) and only one coaxial SRC4392 24-bit/192kHz upsampling a DAC and a MM/MC phono stage. (RCA) socket. Because the latter converter, but instead of the DAC30’s The NP30 is based on the MM30 will accept up to 192kHz compared Crystal CS4398 Delta-Sigma DAC, ‘media board’, a £1,300 add on that with the optical sockets’ 96kHz limit, the NP30 employs a Burr-Brown slots into dedicated ports in Primare’s I’d happily trade a couple of optical PCM1792 chip. Inside the NP30’s

16 AUGUST 2014 PRIMARE NP30 STREAMER/DAC £2,000 IN-DEPTH

CONNECTIONS

1 2 1 RCA digital output

2 USB A and B ports

3 Ethernet port

4 S/PDIF digital inputs

5 RCA outputs

6 XLR outputs

6 5 4 3

AUGUST 2014 17 PRIMARE NP30 IN-DEPTH STREAMER/DAC £2,000

chunky case the high-spec continues, (in the digital domain) allowing the percussion and slide guitar have with six analogue and three digital it to act as a preamp, feeding a plenty of space to express themselves. power supplies, a four-layer PCB power amplifi er directly or a pair Moving on to more zesty musical and discrete FET output amps. of active speakers. HOW IT matter via a 16/44 ALAC rip of At a glance you’re hard pressed to Primare has also thoughtfully COMPARES Dennis Wilson’s Pacifi c Ocean Blue tell this streamer apart from its DAC included the vTuner internet radio Two contenders come highlights the NP30’s ability to sibling, because unlike your average platform within its app and Spotify from Linn’s streaming stay on its toes, anticipating grand streamer, the NP30 intentionally users additionally can stream stable via the £1,750 dynamic swings, which it delivers eschews a front panel screen in favour directly from their PC/Mac or Sneaky DSM (HFC 375) with ease while ensuring the music of a row of LEDs denoting power, an iOS smartphone via the and £1,880 Majik DS. maintains consistent levels of chosen source and signal lock (these MusicFlow and Remoteless apps. The Sneaky uses a energy and momentum without Wolfson DAC for lights can also be switched off using synchronous any overhang. The funky and more the supplied remote). What’s more, Sound quality upsampling to 176 or complex grooves of this track really there’s no dedicated desktop software From the opening bars of Devon 192kHz and includes lets the Primare show just how for Windows or Apple computers. Sproule’s Don’t Hurry For Heaven a 33W Class D amp to effortlessly natural sounding it is. Instead, the NP30’s internal Audivo album streamed via a 16-bit/44kHz drive a pair of speakers. The soundstage is again notably SeDMP3 ‘EMAS’ (Embedded Module FLAC rip over Ethernet and with the You also get Ethernet expansive and accessible and as and HDMI, but no wi-fi. for Audio Streaming) is either NP30 driving my preamp from its The Majik adds a front you’d expect of a streamer in this controlled via Primare’s latest C24 balanced outputs, I know I’m in the panel screen, but remote or the excellent Primare App company of an experienced beast. doesn’t offer S/PDIF It’s happy to sit back (for Android and iOS devices). In The Primare isn’t like many a inputs or speaker practice the app is all you need, not streamer or digital front end, which outputs, but it can and let the music be used as a preamp. because the remote control is in all too often sonically leap straight Neither offer USB or flow with natural anyway poor, but because the app out of the speakers like an eager balanced outputs, but is so slick and intuitive to use. By puppy, with dazzling zing that may Linn’s Kinsky app is first rhythm and pace deliberately engineering the NP30 in be initially impressive, but quickly rate. Both products are this way, Primare has played a clever becomes tiresome. Instead it is blessed with a highly price bracket, instruments are well hand, as an app is far easier to refresh quite the opposite, being more engaging sonic flavour, separated with each one sounding that’s full of emotion. than a product’s digital hardware, relaxed in character with a refi ned Naim’s £2,060 ND5 XS convincingly three-dimensional. But and the NP30 won’t aesthetically date tone that’s a joy to listen to for (HFC 352) packs a what’s more telling of the Primare’s as quickly as many streamers released hours on end. In this respect it screen, wi-fi streaming quality is how I can hear each in the last half-decade. reminds me of a top-fl ight vinyl rig and USB port, but no instrument’s unique characteristics when a given arm, cartridge and XLR outs. Expect it to when pinpointing them within the Appy and you know it turntable are working in perfect be equally rhythmical soundstage. The track’s bass guitar with plenty of Once downloaded, the app harmony to give a sound that’s midrange presence. sounds tight with slightly rolled-off automatically fi nds and connects effortlessly balanced. EQ, while the rhythm guitar rings to Primare devices on your home This sonic trait seems to with more echo and the cymbals network. You can then chose your particularly stem from the NP30’s sound crisply defi ned, which when all playback source, ranging from the midrange, which remains smooth combined has me reaching for the NP30’s digital inputs and music and lucid without being in any app’s repeat icon so I can continue to stored on your network, which way forward or overly attention explore all the sonic detail that lies the Primare identifi es as ‘Audio grabbing, helping to bring out the just under the song’s surface. Server’, correlating to its front best in Sproule’s unforced singing. As with the Sproule album, the panel ‘Media’ input. The way the Primare stays true to Dennis Wilson material again Viewing the app via my iPhone 4s Devon’s relaxed vocal style tells highlights that the Primare is blessed and iPad 2 neatly displays album me that it’s quite happy to sit back with an analogue richness that’s as artwork thumbnails, and once and let the music fl ow with natural reminiscent of a top-notch phono an album or track is selected for rhythm and pace. With the stage as it is a DAC. Wilson’s gravelly playback, a quick tap on the info icon slow-rolling melody of Sproule’s vocals fl ow with a languid ease that reveals the music’s format, bitrate The Easier Way track, the streamer No screen, but tells me that what I’m hearing is and sample rate. There’s also a gives the melody just the right the 7mm alloy about as close to the album’s studio front panel and random feature, repeat settings amount of bluesy ambience, solid chunky feet sessions as I’m going to get within and most importantly, a volume presented in a convincingly make this one my listening room. The music is full slider to control the Primare’s output proportioned soundstage so that cool contender of atmosphere that seems to bring to

18 AUGUST 2014 PRIMARE NP30 STREAMER/DAC £2,000 IN-DEPTH

INSIGHT Q&A 1 2 1 7mm extruded Lars Pedersen front panel Primare MD 2 Multiple PSUs

3 Mains input

4 DAC chip

5 Audivo streamer module

AS: Why haven’t you fitted a screen or included desktop software? LP: We feel that neither is necessary as the NP30 is carefully designed for 5 the way music lovers use and interact with online and stored media today. The Primare App is far superior in functionality than anything a traditional integrated screen can provide. To meet consumer 4 3 expectations, we’ve developed our app as a portable hi-res interface ON TEST that works with widely used software Unrelated to Primare’s DAC30 its dynamic range from 0.0005% connection, thanks to the proven like JRiver, Asset and Twonky and outboard converter, the NP30 uses a to 0.005% at 1kHz and 0.0008% performance of the Audivo SeDMP3 looks just as good on iPads as it does Burr-Brown PCM1792 DAC to feed a to 0.0028% at 20kHz. embedded network solution (<20psec on smartphones. phase-positive balanced output of Because this is determined by the at all sample rates). The frequency just 2.07V (the DAC30 offers 4.3V). DAC/analogue stage, there is precious responses are more obviously tailored Why have you used an Audivo The NP30’s 137ohm output little difference in THD between any by sample rate than through the EMAS streaming module? impedance and 108dB A-wtd S/N of the S/PDIF, USB or network audio DAC30, reaching –0.39dB/20kHz We have a long working relationship are perfectly acceptable although inputs. The same is true of digital (44.1/48kHz), –2.7dB/45kHz (96kHz) with Audivo and greatly admire its distortion climbs over the top 30dB of jitter, even via the wired Ethernet and –13.7dB/90kHz (192kHz). PM streaming solutions. This arrangement has allowed us to collaborate on the NP30 project life the energy of the recording, which appreciates and understands how to to fine-tune the technology really gets my pulse racing. present such a quality recording to do specifically to meet our own Piping internet radio via a Radio it justice. requirements and expectations 3 live performance of Christian for a Primare 30 series product. Blackshaw playing Schubert’s Sonata Conclusion in C Minor at the 2014 Aldeburgh With its top-quality minimalist How does the NP30 improve on Festival, I’m immediately transported aesthetic, the NP30 exudes class the MM30 media board? into the audience, a stone’s throw without visually showing off. But While the MM30 is a great streaming from the stage. The elegant piano behind its understated casework upgrade option for I32 and PRE32 work is edge of the seat stuff as the lies a deceptively smart product. Its owners, the NP30 is a more capable Primare lets the notes climb and fall dedicated app is one of easiest and audio solution because it has a with deliberate softness or palpable most intuitive, making the Primare a dedicated bespoke output stage punch as Blackshaw dictates. The breeze to get to grips with. Its internal with its own power supply. It’s a piano keys ring with convincing DAC is also seriously good, giving the complete streaming solution, which realism, while its bass notes carry music a sophisticated mellow tone includes great internet radio options impressive weight that’s of a quality that both digital and analogue fans and because it has an integrated volume control, the NP30 is a very well beyond your average internet will enjoy in equal measure ● discreet standalone audiophile radio experience. system when hooked up to active Equally impressive is how the NP30 speakers, especially when using gives little if anything away when the balanced connections. streaming via Ethernet, compared to OUR VERDICT feeding it directly from my laptop via SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Articulate and Are there other updates planned? USB cable. Back to back comparisons effortlessly musical; Yes, we’re constantly evolving the using a 24/192 FLAC of Claire Martin Great app; XLR outputs firmware for our streaming product and John Martyn’s Man In The Station VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Just one line, which includes the MM30 and coaxial S/PDIF input reveals that both inputs sound (but three optical) NP30 as well as our new 60 series BUILD QUALITY exceptionally smooth and layered WE SAY: Combines a PRE60 model. Recently we’ve with detail. Bass is well rounded with well executed streamer introduced auto upgrade with a superb sounding plenty of texture across both inputs, FEATURES functionality to the app, which DAC and with preamp and enough power to give my functionality to boot notifies users of new firmware and Dynaudio fl oorstanders’ bass drivers provides the option to install, so the OVERALL a thorough workout. The guitar work user is always assured that they’re is blessed with exceptional delicacy, using the latest firmware, without illustrating how the Primare fully having to search for it.

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THIS MONTH’S Unique group tests LISTENING PANEL Hi-Fi Choice is the only mag to off er Blind-Listening Group Tests backed up with objective lab testing

CABLE LOOMS GROUP TEST

THIS CRUCIAL PROCESS is very carefully to discuss their impressions of the sound of the controlled so that we get reliable and consistent product. This is then repeated, and periodically results in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. the panel goes back to audition earlier products, Our listeners must not feel that they’re being for reference purposes. Regular breaks keep ISABEL WHITLEY (LEFT) tested, despite being unaware of the brand or the listeners refreshed. The consensus, or COMPUTER AUDIO DESIGN has a price of the products they are auditioning. otherwise then forms the basis of our reported talented designer in Scott Berry, but his The session begins by setting the volume level sound quality section. wife is the real brains of the operation, at least that's what she says! to an agreed point, one that all three panellists At the end of the session, there’s a fi nal debrief

feel comfortable with, yet that is high enough when panellists discuss their fi ndings. CHRIS WARD (MIDDLE) to make differences easily discernible. Then It’s an exhaustive process, but done this way WHEN NOT ADVISING businesses the choice of music is agreed – it needs to evaluation that is free from prejudices based on on policy matters, dyed-in-the-grain audiophile Chris contributes reviews be familiar, but also well recorded and of brand, price or appearance is made, while the to Hi-Fi Choice. suffi cient variety to give meaningful listening different sensitivities of the listeners help to comparisons. The chosen selection of music is round out the analysis in order to make it more LEE DUNKLEY (RIGHT) played, and then the panellists are encouraged widely applicable. HI-FI CHOICE HEAD honcho Lee loves a chance to get out of the editor’s chair and on to the official listening panel sofa. RESULTS AT A GLANCE RESISTANCE/POWER LOSS (1M LOOP) Specified in mohm (thousandths of an ohm) this is a Resistance measure of how a cable 'resists' the flow of direct current. High resistance in a speaker cable may impair loudspeaker CD TEST MUSIC +40 damping and contributes to a (typically small) power loss. DUKE ELLINGTON Capacitance PARALLEL CAPACITANCE (1M LENGTH) Measured in pF (UK billionths of a Farad), parallel Back To Back, +30 capacitance is a measure of the impedance between Wabash Blues signal and return conductors at very high frequencies. Inductance Higher capacitance cables often exhibit poorer leakage. +20 SERIES INDUCTANCE (1M LOOP) Series inductance is measured in μH (thousandths of Power loss a Henry). This contributes to a cable’s high frequency impedance and, with high capacitance, can make it -20 more sensitive to any circulating RF noise. JULIAN LLOYD WEBBER POWER LOSS/LEAKAGE Evening Songs, KEY: Group average Leakage is measured as the DC resistance between Frederick Delius, unterminated signal and return conductors. Expressed in Sunset % below average % above average Mohm (millions of ohms), a low leakage figure either means a tight signal/return geometry or poor insulation.

OUR GROUP TESTS and In-depth Reviews LORDE are subject to exhaustive Pure Heroine, lab testing by Paul Royals Miller using the QC Suite Functional Testing Station (left). 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 REM pages of graphs, but Document, we do understand Welcome To the importance of The Occupation 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 AUGUST 2014 6 The Musical Miracle Cube

The new 6sounds even better than its predecessor, looks And if that isn’t enough for you, simply connect your television to even better, and boasts the very latest technology. obtain improved sound and BluRay playback. The combination of active overall design, with three 50 Watts high- Alternatively the 6can be expanded to form a fully-featured performance output stages, new, specially designed speaker drive units 3.1 home cinema system with the KW 650 sub-woofer and CM Active and the digital signal processor, delivers an incredible sound experi- loudspeakers. ence.

The 6is capable of reproducing music from all modern sources: BluRay, CD and DVD, Internet radio, Network music servers, USB storage media, Bluetooth music transfer from mobile devices DAB+ and VHF radio, analogue sources such as turntable with phono pre-ampli¿ er, digital sources such as TV sets and set-top boxes.

Hand built in Germany, the 6from T+A is available in the UK now.

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+ T+A | Planckstraße 9-11 |D-32052 Herford | Tel. (+49) 05221/76760 5221/76760 Germany | e-mail: [email protected] | Internet: www.ta-hifi.com + 24 AUGUST 2014 CABLE LOOMS £128-£406 Cable ties Six interconnect and loudspeaker cable combinations go before Hi-Fi Choice’s Blind Listening panel; David Price is your host

THERE’S STILL A sizeable body of across the system. Following this opinion that says ‘wires are wires’, logic, the speaker cable, interconnect they all sound the same, and that’s and mains cable should all come from the end of it. If you’re one of those the same brand. It’s a nice idea who believe this, then the following commercially if you’re in the cable Group Test may help to change your making business, but it does make mind because we have the fi ndings some sense too. Different companies of three Blind Listening Test panellists voice their cables to have particular who all heard quite pronounced sounds (although all would claim differences across six combinations complete transparency, of course), of loudspeaker cable and partnering and this ‘house sound’ is more interconnect, with each set being apparent when you’re listening to a from the same manufacturer. cable ‘loom’, as we have done here. Last year we aimed towards the Wild claims £500 price point for two 3m runs of While it’s not too wild an assertion to mono-wire speaker cable and a 1m claim differences in sound between interconnect, whereas this year the cables of one brand and another, cable looms come in closer to £300. something that’s perhaps more Despite the drop in price, there was controversial is that made by no real sign of the looms sounding manufacturers, that repeatedly any more similar – as our panel restate that for best results people found. To fi nd out the results of should use a single make of cable these six looms, read on…

ON TEST

Black Rhodium Ecosse In-akustik QED Reference Van Damme Van den Hul Symphony Chrome/ NuDiva2.0 DCT/ Reference NF-102/ Audio 40/Signature LC-OFC Twin/ The River/ Twirl £341 p27 CS2.3 IV £294 p29 LS-502 £406 p31 Revelation £242 p33 6.00mm £128 p35 Clearwater £255 p37 This well-established Ecosse makes fine, It’s a brave move for a In the UK at least, it all This company has Founded by Dutch British brand makes fun-sounding cables foreign cable maker to started with QED’s been around two audiophile AJ van den no-nonsense products across a range of set foot in the UK’s hi-fi 79-strand speaker decades and supplies Hul in 1980, it has since giving high value for prices. It’s famous for market. This German cable around 40 to a range of markets. established a fine money, especially at its peppy, propulsive loom is the most years ago. Since then It’s one of the lesser reputation for middle the budget end. This sound and has an avid expensive here, but it has built a name known hi-fi brands, but to high-end cables. So loom is one of its fan base, so how do is it good enough to for fine products at that could all change if what of this budget cheaper combinations they perform? beat its British rivals? affordable prices this loom impresses cable loom?

AUGUST 2014 25

BLIND-LISTENING CABLE LOOMS £128-£406 GROUPTEST

ON TEST Graham Nalty’s cables were popularised by their use of ferromagnetic materials (hence the name ‘Rhodium’), but this Symphony is more conventional. It’s a symmetrical design with matching signal/return cores employing silver-plated strands and a superior PTFE dielectric, although the 215pF capacitance is a little above the norm. The braided screen is terminated at the destination-end of the cable only, the Symphony’s ‘directionality’ indicated by a pair of red heatshrink bands Black Rhodium that also retain the gentle twist of the left and right hands. Rhodium does rear its head, however, in the 4mm banana plugs fitted to our sample of the Twirl speaker cable. This Symphony ferromagnetic metal may contribute to the higher-than-average 0.8μH/m inductance but capacitance is usefully low at 30pF/m while the thick cross-section of the multi- Chrome/Twirl £341 stranded conductors helps push overall resistance down to 14mohm/m. PM

A well-established interconnect/speaker cable combo, RESULTS AT A GLANCE how does it stand up to the latest and greatest? Resistance +20 Capacitance (interconnect) –50 DETAILS his British brand has been Sound quality around for many years This loom is well received by the Inductance PRODUCT –10 Black Rhodium now, and has proved panel. It presents a generally T Capacitance (speaker cable) Symphony popular for its fi ne, honest powerful sound that is large in scale. Chrome/Twirl sound quality and strong value for It proves quite distinctive tonally, with 0 ORIGIN money. The Symphony is a well the bass being a major facet of what Power loss UK known mid-price cable that uses a makes its sound so good – its power, 0 TYPE double core, screened design. As roundness and timbre is remarked KEY: Group average Interconnect/ % below average % above average speaker cable with many cables at its price point, upon by the panellists. With the Lorde FEATURES silver-plated copper conductors are track the Black Rhodium loom is very ● Interconnect: used, and they’re set inside low-loss well balanced – whereas some other The treble smoothness and the lack of silver-plated copper conductors, PTFE insulation and a silver-plated cables here manage to deliver either stridency across the midband, allied PTFE dielectric copper braided screen. The a light bass, or an overblown one that to a generally lyrical feel and an open ● Speaker cable: Symphony is then terminated with is plodding and/or semi-detached nature appear to really fl atter more copper conductor with silicon good quality chrome RCA plugs. from the rest of the frequency range. mellow music. On more densely rubber dielectric Twirl loudspeaker cable completes “Unlike many others, the bass is three recorded rock tracks such as REM, ● Prices: the Black Rhodium loom in this dimensional,” one panellist puts it, the Black Rhodium sounds nicely interconnect £160/1m, speaker month’s Group Test. It’s a fairly recent by which they mean it has a good rhythmic and detailed, but the slightly cable £13.50/1m design, again a twin core affair but timbre and integrates well with the ‘grey’ midband seems to make the unterminated with a total outer diameter of 6.4mm music. Across the midband, the song’s track sound slightly opaque. And, DISTRIBUTOR (3.2mm per core). Silicone rubber female vocals are clean, although “while it digs deeper into the Black Rhodium insulation is used, and the wire is a little less warm and inviting than recording,” notes one panellist, TELEPHONE 01332 342233 carefully checked for directionality, some other cables in the roundup. “it can’t hold on to it”. then twisted along the length of the This is picked up on in the Julian Overall then, this is a very fi ne WEBSITE blackrhodium.co.uk cable – the manufacturer says this Lloyd Weber piece by one panellist, performer by the standards of the prevents any loop aerial effect. who notes that there isn’t quite group, and in value for money terms. Double thickness insulation is fi tted, enough tonal colour in the midband It gives a very fi ne, enjoyable sound and our Twirl has rhodium-plated Z – it’s described as “a bit samey”. This considering its modest price ● plugs (£100) – gold-plated Z plugs contrasts with the Ecosse, for are an option at £50. example, which proves richer and more sumptuous in the midband, if not the bass. Still, the Black Rhodium OUR VERDICT has a good deal of detail, as you can SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Clear, powerful really hear the bow work, which is and musical sound yet described as “really convincing”. smooth too Indeed, this panellist considers its VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Midband is not as sweet as some bass warmth, midband detail and others here BUILD QUALITY clean treble to be “the best WE SAY: Highly combination of everything”; this loom convincing performer at the price is certainly a very good all rounder. FEATURES One thing the panel does agree on is that while this loom has a nice, OVERALL snappy sound to it with good rhythmic pace, it seems to work better on the jazz and classical tracks.

AUGUST 2014 27

BLIND-LISTENING CABLE LOOMS £128-£406 GROUPTEST

ON TEST Like the original NuDiva interconnect this ‘cryogenically-cooled’ version still employs a coaxial geometry with a multi-stranded silver-plated copper signal core surrounded by a dense braid acting as both screen and return. This is reflected in its capacitance (68pF/m), inductance (0.3μH/m) and loop resistance (58mohm) which are all perfectly ‘average’ for this familiar geometry. The latter is now reduced by about 10% over the mkI – a function of the treated copper perhaps? Ecosse Now in mkIV guise, Ecosse’s CS2.3 speaker cable achieves its low 12mohm/m resistance by bundling no fewer than 260 fine 5N-copper strands into each signal and NuDiva2.0 return conductor, amounting to a 3mm2 cross-section for each. Capacitance is not high but still a little higher than expected at 67pF/m, some mild dielectric stress also DCT/CS2.3 IV £294 indicated by the weakest leakage of our group at 4.9Mohm. PM

Does this Scottish brand’s latest mid-price interconnect RESULTS AT A GLANCE gel with one of its aff ordable speaker cables? Resistance +20 Capacitance (interconnect) +10 DETAILS lthough Ecosse hasn’t quite Sound quality taken the world by storm A distinctive cable loom, the Ecosse Inductance PRODUCT +20 Ecosse NuDiva2.0 yet, it’s fair to say that it is is very well liked by the panel, and A Capacitance (speaker cable) DCT/CS2.3 IV gathering respect as every indeed is one panellist’s favourite ORIGIN year passes. It makes classy-sounding overall. It has its own special sound –50 UK cables that seem a little more fun – which in some ways is one of the Power loss TYPE than its rivals, and so it proves here. best here, but in others it falls rather +20 Interconnect/ The latest NuDiva is based on the behind. The headline feature of this KEY: Group average speaker cable % below average % above average FEATURES company’s higher-end interconnects, loom is its midband, which is very ● Interconnect: and uses silver-plated copper for its expansive in soundstaging terms, silver-plated copper send and return conductors. It’s put highly detailed and musically up the Lorde and suddenly it doesn’t conductors with polyethylene together in a special twisted pair engaging. Whatever music is played, really manage to convince quite as dielectric topology, and uses an air-foamed it is like the Ecosse is shining a big, much as we’d expect. ● Speaker cable: polyethylene dielectric. The dual bright light onto it. And this isn’t a The Ecosse images very well, pulling copper conductors with polypropylene screen is a conductive polymer tube harsh, bluey-white light, it’s quite the REM track out of its shell. dielectric surrounded by dense silver braid, and yellowy – giving a relatively warm Sometimes, on some equipment, it ● Prices: there’s cotton fi bre fi ller to damp the sound that is nevertheless very well can sound like the track was recorded interconnect £199/1m, speaker cable and the soft PVC outer jacket. defi ned. “Voices come out of the in a bathroom, but suddenly it begins cable £6/1m As per a number of more expensive murk,” notes one panellist when to expand wide stage left and right, unterminated cables, it is then deep-cryogenically talking about the REM track. It gives and acquire some depth, too. Treble DISTRIBUTOR treated, hence the ‘DCT’ appellation. life to recordings that are otherwise a is smoother than many cables here, Ecosse Cables The CS2.3 speaker cable is a bit fl at, yet doesn’t do this through and there is a better sense of layering TELEPHONE 01563 551758 popular design that has been around tonal brightness. Rather, the Ecosse’s too. “Smoother treble, amazing WEBSITE for many years and has a strong midband has a good grip on musical midband, but no bass,” says one ecossecables.co.uk reputation. It uses twisted copper timing, one that really animates listener. Overall though, this loom conductors, low dielectric loss whatever it plays. does an awful lot considering its polypropylene insulation, cotton So, it’s warmish yet musical – what’s lowish price, so it’s a fi ne result damping and soft PVC sheathing. not to like? Well the bass isn’t quite when put into context ● There’s a choice of terminations and as animated or as tight as many of you can choose from either Ecosse’s the cables on test here. On the Lorde hollow beryllium copper banana track – which has heavy tracts of plugs or its OFC spades. electronic bass – the Ecosse sounds OUR VERDICT a little light, leaden and rather SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Lovely open and plodding. The low frequencies just expressive midband don’t seem able to replicate the DISLIKE: A little rhythmic ‘snap’ of the midband and VALUE FOR MONEY detached at the treble. This makes the cable loom a frequency extremes BUILD QUALITY WE SAY: Charismatic little more sensitive to the type of cable that many users music you play; it wafts along very will love nicely to the Delius and the Duke FEATURES Ellington, for example. On the former, the piano sounds very poignant and OVERALL expressive, remarks one listener. It has delicacy and real subtlety, giving a very nuanced presentation, but fi re

AUGUST 2014 29 www.chord.co.uk

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Now listen... BLIND-LISTENING CABLE LOOMS £128-£406 GROUPTEST

ON TEST With a range that puts all but the very largest cable companies to shame with its sheer scope, In-akustik is one of Germany’s best- kept ‘hi-fi secrets’. Many of its cables are ‘solid-core’ designs and this includes the coaxial NF-102 which offers a very low 38pF/m parallel capacitance. Despite the low resistance of the foil and drain wire screen/ return, the limited cross-section of the centre signal conductor increases the overall loop resistance to a high 340mohm/m. The In-akustik van den Hul River interconnect has higher resistance still, of course. In-akustik’s LS-502 speaker cable has a far thicker 3mm2 conductor cross-section and Reference offers a suitably low 12mohm/m resistance, making it much more suitable for long runs in partnership with low output impedance (solid state) amplifiers. Capacitance (33pF/m) NF-102/LS-502 £406 and inductance (0.63μH/m) are also well balanced here. PM

A relatively new name to the British hi-fi world, how will RESULTS AT A GLANCE this well-presented German cable fare against its rivals? Resistance 0 Capacitance (interconnect) +20 DETAILS t’s a brave company that Sound quality Inductance PRODUCT attempts to join the This is one of several looms that –30 In-akustik I already over crowded doesn’t show any remarkable qualities Reference and competitive UK cable on audition, but proves pleasant and Capacitance (speaker cable) NF-102/LS-502 market, and In-akustik is just such never really upsets anyone. Its basic –10 ORIGIN Power loss Germany a thing. The Reference NF-102 tonal balance is quite light and bright, interconnect uses a high-quality but never especially so. What it +20 TYPE KEY: Group average Interconnect/ coaxial OFC solid copper conductor doesn’t do is sugar bad recordings or % below average % above average speaker cable that is covered in ‘duo polyethylene’ make already good ones sound great. FEATURES insulation, fi lled with air to damp the Rather, the In-akustik has a matter-of- ● Interconnect: natural resonances of the material fact sort of sound, one that doesn’t particularly good in this respect. The copper conductor with DUO-PE II and cut down vibration transmission. meddle with the music. It has lots of REM track sounds decently spacious dielectric Like the interconnect the Reference detail and a fi ne sense of rhythm that too, and with plenty of fi ne detail, but ● Speaker cable: LS-502 loudspeaker cable is an makes listening enjoyable, whatever tonally this slightly forward recording copper conductor with DUO-PE II unusually styled design, and this the source. does begin to grate a little according dielectric provokes comment from our panel One panellist goes as far as to one listener. This means the ● Prices: after the listening session is over. congratulating the loom for making In-akustik is best used with slightly interconnect £128/1.2m, speaker Its sheath is distinctly retro and the Duke Ellington track “spring to smoother sounding sources, cable £278/3m reminiscent of woven kettle leads life”; another adds that, “it clips amplifi ers and speakers; tonally unterminated from the sixties! It’s certainly highly along”. This jazz track certainly it’s less sumptuous than either the DISTRIBUTOR robust, but it’s not discreet. Almost bounces along in a pleasing way, and Black Rhodium or Ecosse offerings, Hi-Fi Network every other cable is white and of far it throws out a lot of detail too. “This for example. TELEPHONE 01285 643088 smaller diameter, for a good reason. is the fi rst time I’ve heard the piano Overall, this cable kit is a good WEBSITE Still, inside the cable features two pedals on the Delius,” says the third general performer that many will like. hifi-network.com symmetrically arranged strands panellist. Indeed, it seems to work With the speaker cables’ unusual and in-akustik.com with 37 concentrically stranded wires better with slightly lighter, sparser rather quaint woven outer sheath, each. ‘Duo polyethylene’ insulation music, where its intrinsic neutrality it looks distinctive and sounds more is used around each conductor. and cleanliness is most apparent. On than decent enough ● the Lorde track, however, the panel fi nds it “a bit wearing”; it has plenty of bass, but it doesn’t seem to connect especially well with everything OUR VERDICT else further up the frequency band. SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Clean, tidy The female singers sound great in sound; robust build isolation, it’s just that they don’t seem DISLIKE: Lacks to quite gel with the bass track going VALUE FOR MONEY passion and power on underneath – unlike some of the WE SAY: Decent, well BUILD QUALITY made and pleasant other cable looms. sounding cable loom The soundstage is applauded for being very wide, and this is most FEATURES apparent on the Duke Ellington track, although it is thought that OVERALL depth perspective isn’t as good as the van den Hul, which is

AUGUST 2014 31 Sometimes you just can’t see the wood for the trees when you’re buying hi-fi.

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/ClarityAlliance @clarityalliance www.clarityalliance.co.uk BLIND-LISTENING CABLE LOOMS £128-£406 GROUPTEST

ON TEST Superbly finished, QED’s Reference Audio 40 interconnect is essentially a coaxial design albeit with two independently insulated multistranded signal conductors with one core thicker than the other. There’s also a two-layer screen and return path comprising an outer braid and zinc/manganese jacket, affording a combination of low-ish 75mohm/ m resistance and 79pF/m capacitance with a very low 0.18μH inductance. The partnering Signature Revelation QED speaker cable, itself inspired by QED’s ‘Silver Spiral’, has a standard figure-of-eight geometry but its inductance is lower than expected at 0.48μH/m thanks to the Reference Audio 40/ construction of the signal and return legs. These comprise 10 PTFE-insulated bundles of 19x0.1mm silver-plated copper strands, also pushing its loop resistance down to a Signature Revelation £242 respectable 20mohm/m with a low 27pF capacitance. It’s the best of all worlds! PM

An aff ordable cable loom from one of the UK’s longest RESULTS AT A GLANCE established cable companies. How does it compare? Resistance +10 Capacitance (interconnect) DETAILS ike most interconnects Sound quality +10 Inductance PRODUCT here, the Reference Audio Before the QED loom, the panellists +30 QED Reference L 40 is a silver-plated copper have taken a mixed view of the Audio 40/Signature affair, arranged in a special various wires played to them. They’ve Capacitance (speaker cable) Revelation complementary way – the two found positives and negatives, liked +10 ORIGIN Power loss UK conductors have different diameters, some and been lukewarm about and this is said to give an alternative others. But two out of the three –50 TYPE KEY: Group average Interconnect/ path for high-frequency audio signals listeners express a strong preference % below average % above average speaker cable to avoid time smear. The foamed for this set of cables, applauding it FEATURES polyethylene dielectric is claimed to for its clean, open, even sound that ● Interconnect: reduce the amount of signal lost to doesn’t try to do anything too clever. much. This means that it’s likely to silver-plated copper with foamed cable capacitance. QED’s Analoc plugs Instead it is very accomplished at work well with a wide range of polyethylene are fi tted, said to be a low eddy almost every facet of the music, and systems. Moving to the Duke dielectric current design with copper instead makes things look rather easy. Ellington piece and the pattern ● Speaker cable: silver-plated copper of brass used. They feature an outer “Everything is joined up,” says continues. One adoring panellist conductor with locking cylinder that needs to be one panellist, and so it proves. The describes it as, “good bass rhythm Teflon dielectric screwed forward before the plug’s Lorde track plays better than it has and control, nice, cohesive, great ● Prices: interconnect ‘blades’ can be locked onto the RCA through most others here. Although sound, head and shoulders better”. £100/1m, speaker phono socket, then the locking not necessarily the warmest or most Another of the panellists isn’t quite cable £17/1m cylinder needs to tightened back expansive, it just seems to gel the bass so enamoured; they appear to yearn unterminated up for a (very) secure fi t. with the rest of the music – which is for the expansive yet sumptuous DISTRIBUTOR Armour Home The Signature Revelation speaker something several others fail to do. midband of the Ecosse, and fi nd the Electronics cable uses 10 silver-plated oxygen- It doesn’t sound too steely in the QED a little too anodyne and bland TELEPHONE free copper central conductors, which midband, giving a nice smooth when playing Julian Lloyd Webber’s 01279 501111 are claimed to provide very low sound to female vocals, and treble cello work. All of which just goes to WEBSITE resistance alongside high levels of is crisp and fi nessed. Musically the show how much taste plays a part, qed.co.uk detail. These cores are separately loom works very well, the beat but still this remains a superb result insulated and arranged around a bouncing along in an enjoyable considering its low price ● hollow core of polyethylene; QED way. The result is a surprisingly calls this its Aircore technology and easy listen, when previously the it’s claimed to reduce inductance. track hasn’t quite made sense. The REM tune is described as OUR VERDICT sounding, “head and shoulders SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Wonderfully better” by one panellist. There is easy yet open and a fi ne sense of depth to what engaging sound can sound a pretty close and VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Nothing at claustrophobic mix. One can hear the price BUILD QUALITY WE SAY: A superb lots of detail too, with the keyboard cable loom; nothing backing track coming through from to criticise at the price the second verse, where previously FEATURES it had been submerged. Tonally the QED isn’t the warmest or most OVERALL sumptuous here, but it is very even and transparent and doesn’t seem to be trying to add or subtract anything

AUGUST 2014 33 Xpression Carbon

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* Bordeaux fi nish shown BLIND-LISTENING CABLE LOOMS £128-£406 GROUPTEST

ON TEST Fancily-painted RCAs notwithstanding, Van Damme’s LC-OFC Twin looks to be a fairly conventional coaxial cable with sufficient copper in its central signal core and peripheral return braid to keep its loop resistance down to 60mohm/m while both inductance (0.22μH) and capacitance (87pF) are also kept impressively in check. Judged by the numbers alone, it looks to be a consistent performer over long lengths. Much the same could be said for the Van Damme partnering speaker cable which, courtesy of its massive 6mm2 multi-stranded copper conductors, offers the lowest resistance of the group at just 8mohm/m. This is a power LC-OFC Twin/ loss of just 0.0087dB/m. Capacitance is low too at 22pF/m but the spaced, figure-of-eight geometry raises inductance. Inter-strand conduction (across potentially less pure 2x6.00mm £128 surfaces) is high because of the numbers of fine, woven threads of copper. PM

Little-known in the UK, this company supplies a range RESULTS AT A GLANCE of cables for many other applications beyond hi-fi Resistance +20 Capacitance (interconnect) 0 DETAILS n the British hi-fi market at clear PVC insulation. Basic gold- least, Van Damme appears plated banana plugs are fi tted. Inductance PRODUCT +20 Van Damme LC-OFC more like an OEM supplier I Capacitance (speaker cable) Twin/2x6.00mm rather than something Sound quality ORIGIN with a very powerful and well-known One eagle-eared panellist announces, +20 EU brand. That’s not to say the company “this is a copper cable”, and is right. Power loss TYPE is a new kid on the block, however – Different metals have different sounds +40 Interconnect/ it has a vast range of products and and pure copper (as opposed to KEY: Group average speaker cable % below average % above average FEATURES can be seen in custom install, plated or hybrid) has a warmish, ● Interconnect: broadcast studio and even marine fulsome and quite fruity sound that copper conductor applications. This is refl ected in the is immediately apparent on audition, So although the Van Damme is with polyethylene dielectric lack of chintzy packaging and names; compared to the more pristine, initially very impressive and pleasing, ● Speaker cable: it comes over as a no-nonsense brand. crystalline sound of the silver-plated it seems to be a bit more music- copper conductor The LC-OFC Twin, catalogue copper looms on test. The REM track dependent than some of the others with polyethylene dielectric number 268-500-000, is what the shows it to have a rich sound to the here. Some types of music seem to ● Prices: company calls a “shotgun-style” Rickenbacker guitars, and a fi ne sense benefi t from it – especially the big, interconnect interconnect, which it says “can of musical fl ow; you’d never call it crunching, Lorde song – whereas £32/1m, speaker cable £9/1m be found in many professional cerebral. One panellist remarks on more subtle and gentle programme unterminated environments”. It is said to be “ultra the Delius piece having a “lovely material tends to come over as DISTRIBUTOR pure” LC-OFC copper with a foam expressive, passionate cello” and the more bland and homogenous. “It’s VDC Trading Ltd skin polyethylene outer. It seems a Lorde track manages to stay together certainly a copper sound,” concludes TELEPHONE very sturdy product, although wins surprisingly well compared with some another panellist. 020 7700 2777 no prizes for looks! The speaker cable of the others here, which can sound a It’s a great loom for the asking price, WEBSITE supplied comes in 4mm and 6mm tad disjointed. The “low noise fl oor” is but it simply doesn’t do well enough vdctrading.com varieties, with the thicker one being applauded on this track, too. Another across the range of music that is used reviewed here. Van Damme says that listener notes that “the piano has two to justify being praised universally. this is used for “critical near-fi eld hands, and fi lls out”. Some will love it, and you can’t fault monitoring in many world-class Bass is nicely joined up on the Duke the value for money ● recording and mastering studios”. It Ellington, the loom managing to sports 0.1mm conductors with 7-way string things together well. However, plaits to minimise skin effect, and has this track also shows the other side to the cable, which is its rather “rolled OUR VERDICT off” treble. The panellists enjoy the SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Musical and bass, which one says “has edges to it”, smooth sound; but the treble doesn’t sparkle in the strong imaging way it should do. This gives a slightly VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Slightly veiled treble; cloudy muffl ed sense to the music, and this midband; lacks detail BUILD QUALITY rolls down into the midband where WE SAY: Well made the music is a little opaque. Although no-nonsense cable, but it’s just too it is big, bold and well defi ned, it FEATURES music-dependent seems to be slightly fuzzy and indistinct – in direct contrast to OVERALL cable looms like the QED and Black Rhodium, which really throw a lot of information out at the listener.

AUGUST 2014 35

BLIND-LISTENING CABLE LOOMS £128-£406 GROUPTEST

ON TEST The entry-level member of AJ van den Hul’s 3T range (True Transmission Technology) ‘The River’ is also an evolution of the brand’s hybrid cable philosophy. Here the conductors are a mix of silver-plated copper and LSC (Linear Structured Carbon), the latter all individually-insulated 5.5 micron carbon fibres. At their launch 20 years ago, vdH’s initial ‘hybrid’ cables employed carbon conductors but incurred a high ~40ohm loop resistance. The River, by contrast, has this Van den Hul down to 2.8ohm which is about 50x higher than typical but still usable in relatively short lengths. Good system earthing is essential if hum loops are to be avoided, a problem not The River/Clearwater £255 shared by vdH’s Clearwater speaker cable with its thick conductors offering a low 17mohm/m resistance and mere 0.018dB/m power loss. The figure-of-eight geometry An illustrious cable brand alright, but can it do as well offers a low 11pF capacitance but moderate in the aff ordable arena as it does in the high end? 1.05μH/m inductance. PM RESULTS AT A GLANCE Resistance DETAILS here’s something a little in opposite directions. Again, it looks different about van den and feels like a very classy product, –70 PRODUCT Capacitance (interconnect) Van den Hul Hul. Whether its the despite the relatively modest retail T +10 3T The River/ eccentricity of AJ van den price, for van den Hul, at least. Clearwater Hul or the company’s amazingly wide Inductance ORIGIN range of cables, one cannot say. Then Sound quality –30 Netherlands there’s the fact that it makes some This loom is thought to give an Capacitance (speaker cable) TYPE +30 Interconnect/ stunning high-end moving coil phono impressively detailed, open sound speaker cable cartridges, too. that is never unpleasant to listen to. Power loss FEATURES The River is vdH’s entry-level Conversely though, it isn’t the most –30 ● Interconnect: interconnect, but it’s still built and riveting cable loom here in terms of KEY: Group average silver-plated copper % below average % above average and carbon hybrid presented to very high standards its ability – or not – to convey the with Hulliflex jacket indeed – you’d never know by emotional intensity of the musical ● Speaker cable: looking. It’s a coaxial cable with both performance. In short, the panel isn’t detail doesn’t fi t in so well with the silver-plated copper with Hulliflex jacket centre core and shielding made of 3T as enthusiastic as it has been with big picture. This makes for a sound ● Prices: conductors, van den Hul’s special the QED loom. Proceedings kick off that is more ‘hi-fi ’ than music. interconnect hybrid of linear structured carbon. badly with a rather perfunctory and Spatially this loom seems a little £195/1m, speaker cable £10/1m This is then triple screened with superfi cial reading of the REM track. compressed. The Julian Lloyd Weber unterminated silver-plated copper, and is claimed Whereas the Black Rhodium and track shows it to be a tad too DISTRIBUTOR to give a higher resolution than any Ecosse all really get into the groove, ‘in-between the speakers’ for some Flamingo Audio conventional metal cable. The jacket the vdH loom seems rather detached of the panellists tastes. Certainly it TELEPHONE comes in a very pleasant hue of and dispassionate. It doesn’t sound doesn’t have that big, expansive 0121 212 9288 powder blue, unlike some more as bright as some here, but nor is it sound of the Black Rhodium, Ecosse WEBSITE vandenhul.com garish rivals, and is made from vdH’s especially warm and sumptuous or QED. Everything is well placed in halogen-free Hullifl ex material, which either. Instead, the tonality sounds the recorded acoustic, but the stage feels like a silky rubber and isn’t as neutral enough – a bit like the itself seems a little smaller and fl atter microphonic as many. Plugs are fi nely In-akustik – but the loom just doesn’t than we’d have liked. Overall then, fi nished and rhodium coated. seem to get into the rhythm of things this is a decent loom, but it doesn’t The Clearwater speaker cable shares especially well. “Thin with no size, it shine in this system, and despite its this halogen-free design, and is a sounds like it was recorded in a lift,” low price it is outperformed silver-plated copper cable with two says one of the panellists, perhaps a elsewhere in this test ● lots of 98-strand conductors, twisted little harshly. The Lorde track works a bit better, as the vdH is able to demonstrate its good control over proceedings. OUR VERDICT Although it may not be the greatest SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Clean, controlled communicator, it’s still very together sound; coherent and and you never once get the sense of detailed an overblown bass coming detached VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Lacks some involvement on a from the rest of the mix. In this musical level BUILD QUALITY respect, it does rather better than the WE SAY: Beautifully Ecosse, for example. Like all modern made and presented, but missing charm van den Hul wires, this combo is FEATURES detailed and revealing, seemingly able to scavenge good amounts of low OVERALL level information out and push it all around. But unlike more expensive products from this company, this

AUGUST 2014 37 BLIND-LISTENING GROUPTEST CABLE LOOMS £128-£406

Group test verdict Opinions have been discussed and the final verdicts are in from our listening panel, and now it’s down to David Price to unravel the final results

THE IN-AKUSTIK COMES sixth. curtailed treble and a general lack isn’t able to repeat this feat across It’s a decent sounding loom, but of delicacy that stops it from doing the board – there are others that doesn’t strongly appeal to the much better. are better all rounders. panellists. Generally it is felt to be a In fourth place is the van den Hul. This month’s runner up is the WINNER little matter of fact sounding and not Its products normally put in a very Black Rhodium loom, which particularly engaging, although it is strong showing, but the panel feels has an excellent sound that is The QED is the best tidy and has a pleasant light and that this loom is a little too clinical particularly strong at the frequency sounding loom here, bright sort of nature. It is really its sounding, which isn’t ideal extremes. Bass is solid and tuneful, thanks to its very even cost that pushes it down the overall considering it is designed to be used treble crisp and clear and and all-of-a-piece sound. It’s an extremely rankings rather than sonics alone. with more budget products. atmospheric. Its midband is very well balanced The Van Damme comes fi fth. This is Next up is the Ecosse loom; this is strong too, but it losses out to the performer with a a good performance considering the when the sound really starts to get winner for not being quite warm natural musical gait very low price, and its generally very good – and this loom impresses with and sweet in this region, but it and yet there’s loads decent sound. It is never unpleasant a wonderfully lucid and engaging will still make a great match of detail and dynamics to listen to, has a good bit of energy midband. Indeed, in this respect it is for softer sounding amplifi ers too, meaning it comes highly recommended. and life to it, and it’s only a slightly among the best here, it’s just that it or speakers as a result.

Make/model Black Rhodium Ecosse In-akustik QED Van Damme Van den Hul Symphony NuDiva 2.0 Reference NF-102/ Reference Audio 40/ LC-OFC Twin/ The River/ Chrome/Twirl DCT/CS2.3 IV LS-502 Signature Revelation 2x6.00mm Clearwater

Price £341 £294 £406 £242 £128 £255 Sound Value Build Features Overall , Powerful bass and Wonderful Smooth, even, The best all rounder Rich, warm, Clean, open, treble combine midband that’s measured sound, here, with good sumptuous sound, delicate and with bundles of highly expressive albeit with an balance, power although slightly detailed sound that , pace and dynamics and detailed expensive price tag and musicality dull treble ultimately lacks pace

Key features

Copper No No Yes No Yes No Silver/copper Yes Yes No Yes No No Silver No No No No No No Cop/sil/carbon No No No No No Yes Multi core No No No No No No

TRY WITH THESE

CD PLAYER: AMPLIFIER: LOUDSPEAKER: Audiolab 8200CD £800 Creek Evolution 50A £700 Q Acoustics 2050i £460 Still our fave mid-price silver disc spinner, it gives An open and even-sounding amplifier with bags We’re recommending these ad nauseum – nothing away in performance terms to any rival and of detail and a confident demeanour, you’ll never sorry if it’s boring, but they’re great provides a powerful, detailed source for them to know you’re listening to what in relative terms is a budget boxes! They have a big, powerful work with. Match to a smooth, insightful cable such budget integrated. Its natural clarity makes it well sound and are nicely tuneful, but can as the Black Rhodium or Ecosse. HFC 370 suited to the QED cable loom. HFC 377 seem a little too warm for some tastes – which is why a clean and open cable loom will suit best, such as the van den Hul, Ecosse or Black Rhodium. HFC 365

38 AUGUST 2014 A sound experience like no other. Because it’s engineered like no other. NEW

BLUESOUND IS STREAMING, WIRELESS, MULTI-ROOM, 24-BIT TRUE HIGH-DEFINITION SOUND.

FOR THE LATEST PRICES AND OFFERS VISIT WWW.SSAV.COM OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL STORE

£119 £179 NEW OR LESS OR LESS

£169 SAVE SAVE OR LESS £150 £320 BLACK OR BLACK OR BLACK OR Includes Four Interchangeable WHITE WHITE WHITE Grille Cloth Covers DENON • ENVAYA DSB-200 • BLUETOOTH SPEAKER PIONEER • XW-SMA3 • WIRELESS MUSIC SYSTEM NAD • VISO 1 • WIRELESS MUSIC SYSTEM WITH DOCK For sensational sound on-the-go, Denon’s DSB-200 features the Delivers stunning sound streamed to wherever you are, from your Ideal for wirelessly playing music from your iPod, iPhone, iPad latest performance advances for listening to music, watching mobile device, PC or Mac. The built-in, rechargeable battery and or any Bluetooth device enabled smartphone, tablet or laptop movies, TV or gaming on Bluetooth mobile devices. splash-resistant exterior make it ideal for indoor or outdoor play. with renowned NAD performance, simplicity and value.

£799 £2895 £1195 OR LESS

NAIM • UNITIQUTE 2 NAIM • UNITI 2 ALL-IN-ONE STREAMING SYSTEM NAD • D 7050 • NETWORK AMPLIFIER / DAC ALL-IN-ONE NETWORK SYSTEM All-in-one system featuring a 30W amplifi er, FM/DAB/Internet Combines NAD’s most advanced digital platform, Direct Combines an integrated amplifi er, CD player, DAB/FM tuner, radio and wired and wireless connections to play network Digital technology with Apple AirPlay® Wi-Fi streaming to internet radio, iPod dock, digital-to-analogue converter and high- digital audio. UnitiQute 2 can play USB-stored music fi les of create the ultimate plug ‘n play solution for wireless music. resolution 24bit/192kHz capable network stream player. up to 32bit/192kHz resolution.

£SSAV .COM NEW NEW

£90 £799 OR LESS OR LESS

PIONEER • N-50 • MUSIC STREAMER Award-winning audiophile Network player supporting AirPlay® ARCAM • miniBlink • BLUETOOTH DAC SONY • HAP-S1 and DLNA wireless technologies, allowing you to stream Arcam miniBlink: Hi-Resolution Bluetooth Streaming DAC in HI-RES AUDIO PLAYER SYSTEM music wirelessly from your iTunes libraries or iOS devices. new micro-format. Incredible value and peerless sound quality Take your music enjoyment to new heights with Sony’s new When connected to your home network, you can also enjoy a from Bluetooth. The full suite of Arcam Analogue and Digital Hi-Fi HAP-S1 500GB Hi-Res audio system with 2x40W analogue wide variety of online music services remotely. technologies in one tiny new wave product. amplifi er, easy music fi le transfer and smartphone browsing.

PLEASE NOTE: SOME BRANDS/PRODUCTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT ALL STORES. SPECIAL/ADDED VALUE OFFERS ARE NOT IN CONJUNCTION WITH ANY OTHER OFFER (NICWAOO). ADVERT VALID UNTIL 30/07/2014. E&OE www.SSAV.com £299 OR LESS

NEW

£209 £575 OR LESS NAD • C 556 • TURNTABLE OR LESS Time to enjoy vinyl collections with extraordinary quality! PRO-JECT • ESSENTIAL II • TURNTABLE With a minimalist design, the C 556 turntable offers accurate PRO-JECT • 1 XPRESSION CARBON • TURNTABLE Entry-level “plug’n’play” two speed turntable with single piece reproduction by using performance-focused parts and With its Carbon armtube and supplied Ortofon 2m Silver cartridge, aluminium tonearm and pre-fi tted Ortofon OM5e cartridge. components that put music fi rst. the 1 Xpression Carbon sets new standards in its price range.

£649 £399 £399 OR LESS OR LESS OR LESS

NAD • D 3020 AMPLIFIER / DAC ARCAM • irDAC • DAC ARCAM • FMJ A19 • AMPLIFIER Features digital and analogue Designed to be the heart of a digital system. Includes Arcam’s award-winning A19 integrated amplifi er delivers inputs plus the convenience asynchronous USB and a direct iPod input to optimise sound 50W per channel and includes seven analogue inputs of wireless streaming with its quality. All inputs can be controlled through an IR remote along with a MM phono input. Bluetooth capability. that will also control iPods, iPhones, PC and Mac computers. £599 OR LESS £799 £975 OR LESS NEW OR LESS

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.

£499 £SSAV £349 OR LESS .COM OR LESS SAVE £266

ARCAM • SOLO MINI • CD / DAB SYSTEM MARANTZ • M-CR610 • CD / DAB / NETWORK SYSTEM YAMAHA • CRX-N560D • CD / DAB / NETWORK SYSTEM This award-winning system provides the perfect answer for Enjoy great sounding music from diverse sources, including This Hi-Fi system, with a CD player, DAB/DAB+ tuner for those craving high quality music reproduction but without the Internet radio, music-streaming services, mobile devices, TV and digital broadcasts and Network compatibility with AirPlay, traditional ‘pile of boxes’ high performance Hi-Fi system. 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

BOWERS & WILKINS • 685 S2 MONITOR AUDIO KEF • R500 At home on a stand, wall or book- SILVER 6 The smallest of the fl oorstanders shelf, the versatile 685 S2 is ideal 2.5 way speaker system in the R Series. Uses the latest for stereo and home theatre uses combining excellent dynamics generation Uni-Q driver array in most rooms. And performance with a naturally rhythmic and two 5.25-inch aluminium is enhanced with the addition of a sonic character and tight, bass drivers. Its slim proportions Decoupled Double Dome tweeter. controlled bass. The Silver 6 is and sleek contemporary looks an outstanding communicator make it perfectly suited for £499 of music and film audio. any interior. NEW OR LESS £999 £1499 PRICE EXCLUDES STANDS OR LESS OR LESS

PMC PSB KEF • LS50 TWENTY.22 IMAGINE MINI An innovative concept derived An astonishingly natural Meet the newest and smallest from the legendary LS3/5a. balance and high dynamic member of the ultra-stylish Rarely the case in such a capability are the hallmarks Imagine Series. The deceptively compact design, the LS50 of this speaker. It creates small Imagine Mini makes monitor delivers a rich, multi- a precise sound stage and a big impact on an already dimensional ’soundstage profound bass performance experience’ that is out of all from its compact cabinet. impressive range of award- winning speakers. proportion to its size. £1970 £599 £799 OR LESS OR LESS OR LESS

SONOS £SSAV BOWERS & WILKINS £329 .COM P7 THE WIRELESS Hi-Fi SYSTEM HEADPHONES OR LESS With P7, everything is designed to The Sonos Wireless HiFi System 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 remote/microphone attachment, and expand so you can easily fi ll your so it works seamlessly with your home with music. iPhone.

£299 Q ACOUSTICS NAD £249 OR LESS BT3 WIRELESS VISO HP50 OR LESS SPEAKERS HEADPHONES The Q Media BT3 consists of Designed for long-wearing just two bookshelf speakers, comfort and listening with no separate amplifi er is ultra-soft noise-isolating required. You stream your earpads. The convenient music wirelessly to the three-button Apple remote RUARK AUDIO • MR1 • BLUETOOTH SPEAKER SYSTEM BT3 via Bluetooth and high offers full control of all Apple Standing just 17cm tall, the MR1 speakers feature 20W of Class quality aptX. music and call functionality A-B amplifi cation, a 75mm mid/bass unit and 20mm tweeter £349 right at your fi ngertips, in each enclosure. The handcrafted cabinets are fi nished in a OR LESS plus voice control with Siri- choice of rich walnut veneer, soft white or soft black lacquer. compatible devices.

FOR THE LATEST PRICES AND OFFERS VISIT WWW.SSAV.COM OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL STORE • • The Aberdeen 01224 252797 • Epsom 01372 720720 • Oxford 01865 241773 • Stores Nationwide • • • innovative We have a national network of Bishop’s Stortford 01279 506576 • Exeter 01392 218895 • Reading 0118 959 7768 • electrical stores and a hard-won reputation Bristol• 0117 974 3727 Guildford 01483 536666 • Sevenoaks 01732 459555 • retailing for outstanding customer service. Brighton NEW OPENING JULY Holborn• 020 7837 7540 • Sheffield• 0114 255 5861 • awards 2014 Website Bromley 020 8290 1988 • Kingston• 020 8547 0717 • Southampton• 023 8033 7770 • WINNER Visit our website for a stream- Cambridge• 01223 304770 • Leeds (Wetherby) 01937 586886 • Tunbridge Wells 01892 531543 • Best Independent Retailer (Large) lined on-line experience with an Consumer Electronics Chelsea• 020 7352 9466 • Loughton• 020 8532 0770 • Weybridge 01932 840859 • outstanding product selection • Best Independent Retailer (Large) plus the latest product news Cheltenham 01242 241171 • Maidstone 01622 686366 • Witham (Essex) 01376 501733 • Consumer Electronics • • • Award Winner 2014 and store infomation. Chorleywood 0845 5046364 • Norwich 01603 767605 • Yeovil 01935 700078 •

Please Note: Some brands/products are not available at all stores. Special/added value offers are not in conjunction with any other offer (NICWAOO).

• THESE STORES ARE FRANCHISED AND OPERATE UNDER A LICENCE AGREEMENT TO SEVENOAKS SOUND & VISION. ADVERT VALID UNTIL 30/07/2014. E&OE ORIGIN LIVE ASTUTE EXOTICA SUSPENDED LOUDSPEAKER £4,995

42 AUGUST 2014 ORIGIN LIVE ASTUTE SUSPENDED LOUDSPEAKER £4,995 EXOTICA

DETAILS will be able to angle the Astute speakers downwards. PRODUCT Origin Live Astute Sound quality Hang loose ORIGIN UK Spinning More Money from Barry TYPE Reynolds’ I Scare Myself LP on vinyl, Two-way suspended my immediate impression of the loudspeaker Astute’s is somewhat startling. Treble, Spending some time with these radical WEIGHT 12.9kg mid and bass energy just seem more loudspeakers, Chris Ward finds they DIMENSIONS dynamic. It’s as though I’m hearing (WxHxD) my favourite music, source and sound as revolutionary as they look 340 x 340 x 350mm amplifi cation with a secret veil lifted. FEATURES Frequency response, however, feels ● Dual concentric drivers extremely even and without over very once in a while 20kHz with a pronounced roll off ● 1x 1in compression emphasis, but it’s the cleanliness of someone does something from 100Hz. Deeper bass duties are tweeter the sound and the sheer dynamism of remarkable that seems then picked up by your subwoofer of ● 1x 8in paper the frequencies arriving at your ears E midrange driver bizarre and contradictory choice. Origin Live believes that many ● Quoted sensitivity: that is so very refreshing to me. It’s to the received wisdom, yet traditional speakers with bass drivers 91dB hard to put sound dynamics into ● Quoted sometimes they stick to their guns, a few metres apart are compromised impedance: 8ohms words, but the quality and timbre resist ridicule and peer pressure and as the wavelength of twin bass created by the Astutes delivers an DISTRIBUTOR eventually turn out to be right. When frequencies must surely be interfering Origin Live energy that is very potent, yet Dick Fosbury jumped backwards over with each other, disrupting that bass TELEPHONE unfatiguing and convincingly a high jump bar at the 1968 Olympics, message and smearing vital midband 02380 578877 accurate. And rather than merely many in the crowd thought he was and treble detail above. By adding a WEBSITE reproducing laboratory standards of mad. But this madness won him a single quality subwoofer, it suggests originlive.com frequency and amplitude, the gold medal as well as setting a new there is no interference. speakers dive straight into Olympic record. The Astute’s custom-made drivers communicating your music. Given Origin Live may be better known for are shrouded in some secrecy, but Origin Live has clearly paid so much its highly engineered tonearms and Origin Live claims their ultra high attention to engineering and physics I turntables, but with the launch of its effi ciency promises an extremely fast was ready for a slightly clinical or Astute speakers it’s bending over and dynamic sound that should constructed presentation of music, backwards to declare that there may project well in to any sized listening but the opposite is true. Drums really be alternative ways to reproduce high room. Taking any one of these kick, fretted basslines start and stop fi delity music. In the new Astute departures from the well-beaten with different fi nger pressures and I’m Powerful binding loudspeaker Origin Live has created a audio path would be challenging posts ensure able to appreciate a rapport between relatively dead barrel from a enough, but taking them all at once highly effective backing singers and musicians that I is radical and a statement of connections hadn’t felt before. Their combination self-confi dence that the end will justify the means. I for one applaud of eff iciency and this level of disruptive innovation, but kind load yield how do they perform? Setting up the Astutes is easier than equally good results they may appear. I place the Heron stands roughly in place and lift the multi-laminated tube capped with speakers into position. The near solid bamboo ply front and back. invisible ‘Dyneema’ suspension cord is Nothing wants to resonate, and said to be 15 times stronger than steel asymmetrically offset dual concentric and will support up to 480kg, so no drivers set within the front baffl e need for concern. The single set of ensure that standing waves have little screw binding posts are cleverly chance of forming. engineered, creating an extremely Okay, there are curved speakers, but effective connection between cable how many are designed to hover in and speaker. Carefully programming space? It’s claimed that Origin Live the MJ Acoustic Reference 400 Mk1 conducted a blind listening test for subwoofer I’m using here, I can speaker stands and the unsighted seamlessly join the bass register with listeners signalled delight each time the Astute’s frequency range. a roadie lifted the speakers between Furthermore, I can perfectly balance the competing stand designs. These the bass energy in my listening room, speakers are hanging from elegant saturating the space, but stopping Heron stands (£770), but Origin Live well short of overdriving the room. offers a number of engineered wall I am then able to twist the stands for and ceiling fi xings if you want to lift a slight toe-in that seems to maximise your speakers aesthetically or above the width of the soundstage. I also prying hands, starting at £350. gently angle the Astutes up until the Designed to be used with a quality balance of treble energy seems right active subwoofer, the Astutes cover for my listening position. If you chose the frequency range from 85Hz to wall or ceiling hanging fi xings you

AUGUST 2014 43 ORIGIN LIVE ASTUTE EXOTICA SUSPENDED LOUDSPEAKER £4,995

Q&A IN SIGHT Mark Baker 1 2 1 Dual concentric Origin Live, managing director drivers

2 2mm Dyneema wire support

3 Binding posts

4 Heron stands

3 5 Bamboo 5 ply baffle CW: What insights have you brought from your turntables and tonearms to your speaker designs? MB: Turntable and tonearm design 4 focuses on creating efficient energy paths to dump vibrations and resonances whilst maintaining a rock-steady platform to function fully. Loudspeakers are not that different, as massive vibrations created by speaker drivers need to be dumped whilst maintaining a rock-steady grip on the drive unit. Years of experimentation with different materials and structures have yielded Turning to James Taylor’s Machine speakers at any height you wish gives a wealth of ideas that we have Gun Kelly on vinyl and the informal, sonic rewards and protection from applied to the Astute speakers live acoustic soundstage fl oods the prying hands in equal measure. They and their supports. room. Suspending these quality look stunning to my eye and if I were drivers projects a compelling a music lover with great ears, interior What makes the crossover design holographic image that is tall, wide design fl air, disposable income and so different? and utterly stable. I believe hanging discerning friends, I’m not sure I’d Using very steep roll offs enables these highly dynamic drivers also need to look elsewhere. They are the drivers to cross over close to ideal frequencies without break up. unlocks an extra presence and realism remarkably unphased being Unusually, the mid driver has a very to voices, releasing them from other positioned near rear walls, but steep low-end roll off, which enables midband detail and deepening the appreciate a little air around them. it to blend cleanly with subwoofers. stereo image front to back. I’ve driven them with both solid state The Astute also avoids joining mid Playing Donna Summer’s I Feel Love and valve amplifi ers, and their and treble information within the on CD, I start to wind the volume up. combination of effi ciency and easy critical 2kHz-5kHz band where so HOW IT This is a classic side effect of high load yields equally good results. much musical information is COMPARES quality and an intuitive response to A fi ver short of £5,000 is a conveyed and human hearing is a lack of distortion. These speakers considerable sum, especially when most sensitive to phase issues. Unique is an over-used are happy to reproduce convincing you need to budget extra for the word, but these speakers have few dynamics at very low volume levels or dedicated stands and a subwoofer, What can you share about why your direct competitors. At party hard, and the disco anthem is but you are investing in precision custom drivers are so dynamic? this price (including a soon projected into every corner of engineering, handcrafted assembly Having been involved in driver design subwoofer and stands) my room… and then my ground and a design without apparent over the years it was natural to build some would consider fl oor! The powerful dynamics within compromise. Every visitor to your a custom design. A large magnet Audio Note speakers, which offer great Giorgio Moroder’s mesmerising synth home is likely to marvel at the Astutes assembly for the woofer and a horn- lines loop around Donna’s sultry when they are silent, and even more loaded compression driver on the sensitivity and good dynamics, but they vocals, tempting others in the house so when they make dynamic music ● tweeter yield fantastic dynamics. prefer wall to come and enjoy the music with me. Other factors include a stiff cone and reinforcement, and large diameter voice coil for minimal It is at this moment that I realise that while handsome to me, the Astutes are probably tapping into thermal compression. are probably less of a treat on the eye. Sonus some tried and trusted ‘public OUR VERDICT address’ philosophies where highly What type of person would you say faber produces some SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Impressive the Astutes are designed for? beautifully finished dynamic hanging speakers regularly dynamics; innovative Initially audiophiles, but these floorstanders that bring live stage concerts to life. design; elegant styling; high build quality speakers are really designed for often grace designer VALUE FOR MONEY listening rooms, but Conclusion DISLIKE: Styling may anyone who loves style and music. sonically the Astutes not appeal to all BUILD QUALITY Commonly in speaker design, poor would win me over. For The Astutes are a beguiling WE SAY: Eye-catching styling and visual space consumption design, build and sound combination of engineering decisions speakers with design flair that manage to are often issues that turn off many quality I’m thinking of and unique technical features that EASE OF DRIVE convey musicality at women in particular, before any £10k+ speakers from add up to a highly coherent and very any volume sound is made. We have worked long the likes of Tannoy, musical whole. The separation of Magneplanar or Gamut, OVERALL and hard on aesthetics, build and single-minded bass duties from highly sound quality to come up with the which feels like strong endorsement indeed. dynamic mid/treble energy allows Astutes. Anyone should love them. each driver to excel and fl oating the

44 AUGUST 2014

CAMBRIDGE AUDIO AZUR 851D REVIEWS DAC/PREAMPLIFIER £1,000

DETAILS reverse-video LC display. The latter has eight inputs – including a PRODUCT Cambridge Audio plethora of conventional digital ins, DAC magic Azur 851D plus asynchronous USB and aptX ORIGIN Bluetooth via a bundled dongle. The UK/China volume control can be bypassed, and TYPE the unit confi gured to work as a DAC, For digital devotees who need every base DAC/preamplifier or it can be enabled and used to drive WEIGHT covered, Cambridge Audio has its new 851D 7.5kg a stereo power amplifi er such as DIMENSIONS Cambridge Audio’s 851W. DAC/preamplifier. David Price listens in… (WxHxD) The unit offers twin Analog Devices 430 x 115 x 360mm AD1955 24-bit DAC chips, working in FEATURES dual differential mode, and comes ● 32-bit/192kHz omewhere around the turn of people who want to know they’re ● aptX Bluetooth, fi tted with ATF2 audio upsampling of the millennium, hi-fi fundamentally hearing an optical, coaxial, to 24-bit/384kHz. It uses a special started getting interesting uncoloured, unhindered reproduction AES/EBU, USB adaptive time fi ltering algorithm that S inputs again – with DVD-Audio of their source material.” Fair enough, ● 6.3mm de-jitters all digital sources and can and SACD arriving, MP3 going but the fl agship Azur 851D is an headphone, XLR also upsample them to 24-bit/384kHz. gangbusters and computer audio expensive box of tricks, and and RCA phono Upsampling itself is not new, but the outputs taking hold. Then asynchronous USB Cambridge Audio has traditionally ● Analog Devices 851D’s implementation is unique to conferred hi-res capability on Macs been associated with more affordable AD1955 dual Cambridge Audio. It is claimed that it and PCs, and now easy wireless has kit. Which begs the question, is it differential makes for a substantially smoother, DAC chips come of age thanks to aptX Bluetooth. good enough to get people who’d ● ATF2 upsampling more phase-coherent sound, as all the Cambridge Audio’s new fl agship DAC normally buy more upmarket brand DISTRIBUTOR digital number crunching is taken so is a product of all this. Packed with names interested? The company Richer Sounds far away from the audio band that it most of the functionality that has thinks so, calling it “the last word in TELEPHONE can’t interfere with the resulting popped up over the past decade, it high-end digital-analogue conversion.” 0845 9001230 analogue signal. Although not a purports to be a ‘greatest hits of Well it’s certainly big and heavy for WEBSITE completely unanimous view, many digital’ in one convenient package. a DAC, and is very well fi nished at cambridgeaudio. feel it’s a worthwhile feature. User com Product manager Sam Ellenby says the price. What dominates the fascia selectable digital fi lters – linear phase, it’s for, “a reasonably sizeable market is a large volume control and backlit, minimum phase, steep – are provided.

46 AUGUST 2014 CAMBRIDGE AUDIO AZUR 851D DAC/PREAMPLIFIER £1,000 REVIEWS

masses of it, fl ooding out like fl avour vengeance. No shrinking violet, this! from a teabag! The 851D brims with The switchable fi lters can help here, information about the recording, with the Linear setting coming over from the precise location of all the as the most forward sounding in my instruments across the stereo review system, and Steep being the soundstage, to their relative front-to- smoothest. The others have a subtle back spatiality. It locks instruments in effect, to varying degrees making the the mix very boldly to precise points music marginally more effusive, but within the recorded acoustic, and at the expense of a subtle amount of never lets go. It seems very good on air and space. leading edges too, giving a very In all fairness, a well chosen ‘etched’ sound that you can’t fail to interconnect cable would help better ignore. here – and you’d be thinking more Steely Dan’s Aja comes over with along Tellurium Q lines than Nordost. tremendous clarity and impact. This Give this DAC a good, well balanced is a fairly smooth and soft sounding recording, though, and it’s in its track by the ultra compressed, computerised standards of modern There’s masses of recordings, but the Cambridge Audio really brings the music out of its shell. detail, flooding It gives a particularly upfront sound out like flavour to the proceedings, although you’d never call it harsh. Singer Donald from a teabag Fagen appears closer and more intimate than is often the case, on this element. Yellow Magic Orchestra’s track he usually sounds – to borrow Technopolis is a track I’ve listened to one of his own phrases, “languid and thousands of times, and I’m surprised bittersweet”. Percussion is very tight to be honing in on small nuances I’d and punchy; hi-hats thump hard and not quite heard before – little details cymbals shimmer with metallic energy. like the subtly textured sound of the This is a real seat of the pants sound. lead synthesiser, for example. Make Tonally, I fi nd the Cambridge Audio no mistake, this is a very high to be a little on the ‘well lit’ side. It’s resolution device. not bright or hard, but it lacks the What better then than feeding it deep, dark, velvety tonality of Chord with some hi-res music? Via USB 2.0 Electronics’ Chordette Qute EX DAC, the 851D hooks up to my Mac which can be found for only a few without the need for a driver, giving pounds more. Whereas the latter sparkling 24-bit/192kHz sound. There’s a choice of unbalanced RCA A sleekly sounds quite sumptuous and silky, the REM’s Texarkana is rendered with or balanced XLR outputs; a full-size, finished product Azur 851D is a good deal more dizzying amounts of detail – you have that feels very 6.3mm headphone socket on the front sturdy indeed upfront and in your face – think The to get into dCS Debussy territory at panel and a bespoke “high-end, low Ramones to the Chord’s Barry White. nearly 10 times the price to really distortion” headphone amplifi er. This isn’t a criticism necessarily, but improve on what the Cambridge you’ll not want to drop it into an Audio gets out of the computer Sound quality already forward-sounding system. equivalent of the record groove. At This is a very crisp and explicit Feed the 851D a brightish recording the same time, feed it the beautiful, sounding digital converter. Even like Ride’s Twisterella and you’ll feel brooding Snowfl ake (24/96 WAV) compared to a current HFC favourite, every strum of the boys’ guitar strings by Kate Bush and it’s once again Audiolab’s M-DAC, it gives the sense resound around the room, as well as impressing you with its spaciousness, of being the font of all detail. There’s the heavily EQ’d and compressed and the rock-solid imaging within the vocal tracks pushing out at you with a recorded acoustic. That slight sense CONNECTIONS

1 2 1 USB digital input

2 BNC coaxial digital in

3 AES/EBU digital in

4 Toslink optical digital in

5 Coaxial digital output

6 Control Bus input

6 5 4 3

AUGUST 2014 47 CAMBRIDGE AUDIO AZUR 851D REVIEWS DAC/PREAMPLIFIER £1,000

Q&A IN SIGHT Sam Ellenby, 1 2 1 Dual AD1955 Product Manager, Audio Partnership DACs

2 1,000mips dual-core XMOS processor

3 Shielded toroidal transformer

4 Class A headphone amplifier

DP: What’s the benefit of upsampling, in your view? SE: We get to circumvent much of the processing that would normally take place within the DAC IC, their rather crude digital filtering algorithms and internal upsampling. This has a surprisingly detrimental effect on the maximum performance 4 3 the DAC ICs are capable of reproducing. By implementing it inside an external DSP, we have far greater control and processing of being ‘brightly lit’ subsides slightly getting over a cold. It’s a more power available to reach a with higher resolution digital fi les, the technical, cerebral presentation; it’s fundamentally superior alternative. DAC seeming to fi ll out tonally and no less capable, but some will think it gain a bit more body. Bass isn’t bad less satisfying. Tonally too, there are How does ATF2 differ from other at 16-bit, but with hi-res it does get others that sound warmer and more upsampling processes? a touch more generous and better sumptuous in the bass – something to The DSP guys at Anagram do some rounded, just as it should. keep in mind when system matching. very clever stuff with noise shaping, Bluetooth works well; the 851D pseudo random noise is injected into gives a punchy rendition of Grace Conclusion the data stream then cancelled in the Jones’ Slave To The Rhythm from an An excellent digital converter, it’s analogue domain, this results in a linearity of 0.001dB from 0 to iPad. But just as the hi-res takes this one of the most detailed, insightful -130dBFS, the linearity graph of the DAC to warmer, fuller climes, so the performers this side of the multi- 851D is straighter than my ruler! Bluetooth takes it in the opposite thousand pound super-DACs, and direction. The lower resolution fi le many prospective purchasers will Why did you choose the Analog quality makes for a slightly plasticky be dazzled by its fi ne sound, wide Devices AD1955 DAC? feel to the music and lighter low variety of connections and sturdy We have done quite a bit of listening HOW IT frequencies – although it certainly build. Moreover, if you’ve already to the various DACs from every make COMPARES retains its rhythmic snap. Although got a power amplifi er, it makes great you can imagine, and quite simply not quite as ‘hi-fi ’ as its proponents sense to use it as a preamplifi er, the AD1955s have the sweetest and The closest rival in would have you believe, I’m a big fan saving you money and giving better functionality and cleanest sound. A lot of the very high design is Naim’s DAC-V1 of this connection method and regard sound along the way. However, it’s performance ICs can have a brittle DAC/preamplifier it as really useful extra functionality well worth auditioning it in your sound and some others have a warm, (£1,295). Being a half- for this DAC. There are some times system before you buy, because it but unnatural sound. The AD1955s size unit it’s a good deal when you just want to play a track or won’t be to all tastes – musical and achieve our goals of accurate, more compact, but two while you’re doing something otherwise. I fi nd it excels with packs a similar number uncoloured reproduction of the else, and Bluetooth is brilliant for this. electronic and classical material, and incoming signal. of digital inputs, Bluetooth aside. It feels This is an extremely good DAC then, works best with sweeter, warmer a lot nicer to use and to giving a powerful, fi nely etched sound sounding amplifi ers and speakers ● Why doesn’t your new DAC look at, but it lacks the with excellent spatiality. But still not handle DSD? excellent operational With hi-res audio being in its infancy, everyone will like it, because it’s a flexibility of the 851D. little more of a ‘Marmite’ product we are quite concerned by Sonically, the Naim competing formats undermining the is a little darker and than some. Its explicit and upfront OUR VERDICT sound may put some people off significance of high-resolution audio. smoother sounding, SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Powerful, clean, The sonic difference is largely with a slightly more that look for a more mellifl uous crisp, detailed sound; imperceptible and we are yet to find dynamic feel and presentation. For example, the Chord aptX Bluetooth a recording not available in the generally more musical Qute DAC seems better able to get VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Not as gait. It doesn’t quite into the rhythmic subtleties of a romantic sounding technically superior PCM format. have the bite and as some; no DSD BUILD QUALITY incision of its larger song, it swings along with a more WE SAY: Excellent rival, which is brimming instinctive feel for the groove on value do-it-all DAC/ preamp package with low-level detail. Sister Sledge’s We Are Family, for FEATURES The Cambridge has example. By contrast, the Cambridge more ultimate resolving Audio goes out of its way to tell you power, but can’t string OVERALL everything altogether all about the recording, whether the quite so cohesively. bass guitar had a slight buzz on a fret or if the second backing singer was

48 AUGUST 2014 Two Head[amp]s Are Better Than One!

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High output MM cartridges and low output moving “The optional bigger coils are as different as power supplies chalk and cheese. Each managed to lift the needs a different type of performance, circuit to perform at its particularly the best, so why compromise sense of scale and by using a ‘one box does openness.” all’ phono stage? TNT Audio

Check us out at www.gspaudio.co.uk or phone +44 (0) 1909 568739 REL ACOUSTICS SERIE S2 REVIEWS ACTIVE SUB-BASS SYSTEM £1,000

DETAILS constructed from marine ply for better rigidity and superior bracing, PRODUCT REL Acoustics and even the solid billeted piece of Deeper love Serie S2 aluminium on the top face is said ORIGIN to aid the dispersion of unwanted UK energy from the cabinet. TYPE Available in gloss piano black and Adding bass extension to a hi-fi system Active sub-bass system white lacquer fi nishes, removing the via a subwoofer is all about subtlety. Lee WEIGHT front panel grilles reveals the 18.1kg front-fi ring 250mm long-throw paper Dunkley is blown away by REL’s latest DIMENSIONS mâché driver that is reinforced with (WxHxD) a super alloy plate for greater rigidity. 349 x 368 x 426mm It’s driven by a claimed 250W FEATURES nyone who thinks of company fi rst appeared on the scene ● 250mm long- amplifi er built by REL, which it says is themselves as an with models back in the nineties. It throw active drive designed to perfectly match and give audiophile may be more perfectly positioned itself for the ● 250mm passive the correct power for the relative size A radiator than a little dismayed to home theatre boom, and the growth ● Class D amplifier of the S2’s cabinet and drivers. see a subwoofer review in these of the surround sound speaker ● Claimed power: Underneath is a 250mm carbon fi bre pages, but as this month’s Guide to market, with a range of dedicated 250W passive driver, and even the shape explains (see p116-121), there’s a subwoofer models that enabled movie DISTRIBUTOR and height of the feet are designed to lot to be gained from integrating a fans to unleash multichannel REL Acoustics Ltd optimise performance. TELEPHONE subwoofer into a two-channel hi-fi soundtracks in their home. 01656 768777 The controls and connections on the system that stretches beyond the The newly designed Serie S2 is part rear panel have been simplifi ed for WEBSITE reach of the majority of traditional of a new range of models that REL rel.net ease of set up, and if you’re not keen loudspeakers. Subwoofers have come calls Sub-Bass Systems, and has been on trailing a cable from your amplifi er a long way in recent times, and with three years in the making. The S2 is to the sub there’s a wireless receiver careful integration including a sub in the baby of the new range at £1,000. already built in. It uses the company’s your setup can have benefi ts on other Looking over the neat styling and own Longbow uncompressed audio elements of the sound aside from just fl exible design it is easy to appreciate system to receive signals up to 15m extending its low-range performance. where your money is being spent, and away from the sending unit – REL has been at the top of the it comes with a three-year warranty available separately for £200. The subwoofer game since the Welsh on parts and labour. The cabinet is sender utilises both high-level and

50 AUGUST 2014 REL ACOUSTICS SERIE S2 ACTIVE SUB-BASS SYSTEM £1,000 REVIEWS

LFE (where applicable), and is a The height and simple pairing device with no need curvature of the S2’s feet are for the use of your home network designed to aid hub, so although I don’t use the S2 in performance this way it should be straightforward to connect to an amplifi er and set up. Sound quality Positioning the S2 correctly in the room is without doubt the most important thing to get right. For optimum performance in my listening room I fi nd it works at its best positioned in the corner of the room, placed in fairly close proximity to a pair of Dynaudio X38 fl oorstanding loudspeakers, and angled so that it fi res diagonally down the length of Nowhere is the inclusion of the REL more eff ective than with hi-res material

the room. After some fi ne tuning satisfying smile to my face when appreciate just how extended the using the controls on the back with listening to Jennifer Warnes’ Ballad bass line is, showing off the track’s a broad range of musical styles of The Runaway Horse, giving the impressive range and highlighting containing natural low bass, I’m ready impression of a signifi cantly fuller and the quality of the recording. to rumble. larger soundstage, while the double Nowhere is the inclusion of the REL explains that because of the bass that underpins the track sounds REL more effective than with nature of the driver material it uses, even more achingly sad than ever, high-resolution material. A 24-bit/ it is necessary to spend some time showing the extent of low bass 48kHz version of Jean Michel Jarre’s running the unit in before it reaches information I’ve been missing out on. Oxygene demonstrates just how rich optimum performance levels. Each The inclusion of the REL with the and three-dimensional this track can model has already spent several hours Dynaudio fl oorstanders doesn’t sound, as the REL opens up its being run-in before it is sent out, but impact on their performance in any impressive scale and soundstage, REL recommends a few additional negative way whatsoever – it only breathing new life into the recording hours in situ and some reduction of appears to enhance their capabilities made in 1976. the gain setting once it has had time further and draw attention to the to fully warm up. perception of the amount of midband Conclusion The addition of the S2 into my detail. Lorde’s Royals is very well The REL S2 merges beautifully into system is a revelation, and instantly extended and will show off the bass my system, adding a greater sense of results in more drive and energy capabilities of any loudspeakers, scale and depth to tracks I thought I to the lowest register. It brings a but by adding in the S2 it’s easy to already knew. With some fi ne tuning, the S2 is effortlessly unobtrusive and impresses anyone that listens with its CONNECTIONS pace and insightfulness on recordings old and new. It shows off high-res

1 High and low level audio to tremendous effect and will 1 2 gain control compliment any hi-fi system ●

2 Crossover level

3 Phase control 3 OUR VERDICT 4 High level input SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Impressive musicality; smooth integration; flexibility 5 Low level stereo inputs VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Slightly high 4 price; the wireless transmitter is a £200 5 BUILD QUALITY add-on WE SAY: Adds speed and dynamic energy FEATURES to any system, and is musically engaging OVERALL

AUGUST 2014 51

MOREL SOUNDSPOT PRIMO 2.1 SPEAKER SYSTEM £299 REVIEWS

DETAILS keep the sub on axis with the front PRODUCT speakers, but if you do the result is Morel SoundSpot convincing enough to not be at the Primo 2.1 forefront of your mind. Prime spot ORIGIN Israel With material that is not overly fast TYPE like Oli Brown’s Heads I Win, Tails The smallest member of the Morel 2.1 satellite/ You Lose, the Morel is well integrated, subwoofer speakers capable of impressive scale for SoundSpot family is a 2.1 package that WEIGHT speakers so small and has a sense of Satellite: 1kg Sub: 7kg fun that can sometimes be missing has Ed Selley sitting comfortably when a large powered sub is part of DIMENSIONS 100mm diameter the picture. In fact, a partial weakness satellite enclosure of the Primo sub is something of a ast issue I tested the Morel than simply grinding up and down Sub: 300 x 300 x blessing in disguise for it. As it never 300mm (WxHxD) SoundSpot 2.1 Ultra a fi xed mount on the chassis, feels feels hugely powerful it tends to FEATURES L system and was impressed rather slicker in use than the SP-2. ● Satellite: 12mm produce pleasantly refi ned bass rather by the way this trio of The SP-1 also boasts a proper pair tweeter, 85mm than the slightly overboosted output speakers made music. While £699 of speaker terminals as opposed to mid driver that can plague so many more ● Sub: 203mm is far from unreasonable in light of the near useless holes on the SP-2. bass driver powerful designs. It lacks the last the excellent build and impressive They won’t accept banana plugs ● Quoted power: helping of pace, though, and more performance, there is no getting away and neither can you use hosepipe 60W RMS uptempo material can lead to it ● Available in gloss from the competition in the form of thicknesses of cable with it, but black, white and sounding fractionally behind the conventional stereo loudspeakers at they are easy enough to use. champagne finishes satellites. It is worth pointing out that the price. The Primo subwoofer partners the DISTRIBUTOR at the £299 price point, there are In the case of the Primo system SP-1 and is a simpler affair than the LEARS International few stereo pairs of speakers that seen here – Morel’s smallest and swoopy-shaped PSW subs. The square TELEPHONE can match the bass extension 0208 4204333 most affordable 2.1 setup and most cabinet is MDF and mounts a 203mm provided by the Primo. WEBSITE affordable speakers full stop – the doped paper driver that is powered by morelspeakers. The small size of the SP-1 satellites competition this faces is still plentiful, a 100W (claimed) internal amplifi er. co.uk is less of an impediment to convincing but this is perhaps a happier stomping Like the relationship of the SP-1 to the stereo than might be expected ground for such a system. There’s SP-2, the Primo sub is equipped with providing you aren’t asking them little arguing that you get a fair bit more input choices than the larger to fi ll a hanger. They are fairly for your cash too. The SoundSpot subs, but equally it doesn’t feel directional and that high crossover SP-1 is smaller than the SP-2 and only anything like as solid as the fi breglass means they never sound especially mounts an 85mm driver, which raises models. The eagle eyed will notice full bodied, but they demonstrate the low-frequency cut off to a not when they look over the specs that good detail retrieval and a relaxed desperately low 180Hz, but like the the 150Hz upper register of the Primo but reasonably faithful tonal balance. larger speaker it mounts its tweeter sub doesn’t gel particularly well with Pushed to high volume levels they (12mm soft dome) concentrically the 180Hz cut off of the SP-1. can start to harden up a little, but to aid the focus and time alignment the Primo is more than capable of a of the two drivers. The casework is Sound quality room-fi lling sound. metal like the SP-1 and in keeping Connected to a Cambridge Audio with other speakers from the brand 851A and Naim ND5 XS, and with the Conclusion is effectively undamped except for crossover of the Primo sub wound up The great strength of the Primo is that the casework itself. as far as it will go, the good news is it manages to rival similarly priced Slightly awkwardly for Morel, that there is no immediately obvious conventional stereo designs, but takes in some ways the SP-1 is a more hole in the frequency response. Like up an impressively small amount of convincing small speaker than its the larger SP-2 system, the Primo Build is decent space while it does so. The effective big brother. The foot can be used to manages to spend most of the time and comes in mounting options mean that anyone gloss black, mount the speaker both horizontally sounding like two speakers rather white and looking for a compact desktop system and vertically and as it is placed on than three. With the higher crossover champagne would be wise to audition this well the end of a hinged metal leg rather used in the Primo, it is important to finishes thought out little system ●

OUR VERDICT SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Smooth, well integrated sound; flexible placement VALUE FOR MONEY and solid build DISLIKE: Small soundstage; notional BUILD QUALITY hole in the frequency response WE SAY: A keenly FEATURES priced and capable 2.1 system OVERALL

AUGUST 2014 53 ASTELL & KERN AK240 REVIEWS DIGITAL AUDIO PLAYER £2,200

DETAILS feel. A premium leather case is PRODUCT supplied, although this is arguably to Astell & Kern AK240 protect other items from the AK240 Hi-res hero ORIGIN rather than the other way round, South Korea given the player’s hardness and the TYPE sharpness of its edges. Using the case Hi-res digital audio leaves the screen and external buttons portable player Built like a battleship, the AK240 is Astell & and sockets accessible (aside from WEIGHT Kern’s most sensational portable hi-res 185g the SD card slot), and at least means DIMENSIONS you’re less likely to cut a hole in your player yet. Adrian Justins is impressed (WxHxD) jacket pocket. 66 x 107 x 17.5mm FEATURES Take control ● 3.31in WVGA (480 o sooner had A&K started It won’t take long to fi ll the AK240’s x 800) AMOLED The standout external feature is selling its fl agship AK240 256GB of internal memory with DSD touchscreen the volume adjustment dial, a fi nely portable hi-res audio tracks (12.5min per GB), but there’s ● Cirrus Logic milled cylinder that clicks as it N CS4398 x2 (Dual player than it announced enough space to accommodate 350 DAC) rotates. If the screen is on, you see a it had also upgraded its two original hours of music at 24/96 resolution. ● 256GB memory, lovely radar-style sweep overlay that portables, the AK100 and AK120 Plus the microSD card slot can expandable to changes position as the volume 386GB via Micro SD – reviewed issues 370 and 375 provide a further 128GB of storage. ● 16-24-bit playback changes. There are tiny transport respectively. While the junior The AK120 II’s internal memory is at 44.1, 48, 88.2, buttons on the opposite edge, a members of the AK club have been 128GB, while the AK100 II’s is 64GB. 176.4 and 192kHz power switch on top and a home given new fi nishes and received a raft At £2,200 the AK240 is nearly three DISTRIBUTOR screen button built in to the screen. Computers of performance enhancing measures times more expensive than the AK100 Unlimited Annoyingly, you can’t lock the player (including Cirrus Logic CS4398 II and £700 more than the AK120 II. TELEPHONE so it’s possible to unintentionally DACs) the AK240 remains the out To untrained eyes the AK240’s 0208 2008282 change tracks, etc by accidentally and out leader of the gang. The off-beat and asymmetrical design WEBSITE activating the controls in your pocket. defi ning feature of the fl agship model arguably looks less appealing than unlimited.com Connections comprise a USB is the presence of an extra XMOS one of the latest smartphones, but it’s astellnkern.com Micro-B input for charging and data processor, which provides native DSD made from premium-quality materials transfer plus a dual-purpose 3.5mm support at both 2.8MHz and 5.6MHz. including duralumin, which is an headphone socket/digital optical The cheaper models can playback aircraft-grade alloy of aluminium, audio output (note that DSD is not 2.8MHz and 5.6MHz DSD fi les, but copper, magnesium and manganese. output optically) and a 2.5mm output only by converting and downsampling The shape and hard edges give it for using balanced headphones with a to 176kHz PCM. something of an industrial look and special mini-XLR adapter cable.

54 AUGUST 2014 ASTELL & KERN AK240 DIGITAL AUDIO PLAYER £2,200 REVIEWS

Getting your tracks onto the player create your own settings by drawing you can happily crank up the volume is a doddle, but the fi le transfer your fi nger in a curve across the and listen to the track without fear of process is not iTunes compatible screen, which is slick and useful. aural fatigue setting in. (so no automatic playlist copying), Neither slick nor useful as far as Mac The 24-bit/48kHz studio master but dragging and dropping albums users are concerned is the AK240’s download from Linn of Peter Gabriel’s or tracks is simple. While the player ability to operate as an external USB So is equally divine. The nuanced is compatible with both ALAC and DAC, which is limited to Windows XP, duet Don’t Give Up with Kate Bush FLAC and can display metadata Windows 7 and Windows 8 only. has a cleanliness and polish about it including resolution details, it that transports you to the recording automatically renames tracks Sound quality studio. It’s not as fi nely detailed as according to their original ID3 Even using unbalanced Audio- top-fl ight DSD, but makes the original download or rip name. I copy two Technica headphones the AK240’s CD version seem muddy and strained versions of several tracks from Peter DSD playback is simply music to my by comparison. The punch in Gabriel’s So, but my name alterations ears. Vivaldi’s La Stravaganza Sledgehammer meanwhile makes are deleted so only by selecting and Concerto in D Minor Opus 4 no 8 is Vitali Klitschko’s upper cut seem more playing each track can I tell my ALACs an incredibly decisive and utterly like a slap from Charles Hawtrey. from my FLACs. I guess most people unblemished sound. The cellos are so Since hearing the AK240 with will only have one version of each clean and dynamic it feels as if they balanced headphones at a hi-fi show I track, but it’s annoying if you’ve are playing inside your head and their have been eager to compare balanced changed the names of any tracks. with unbalanced in more controlled The other option for transferring Don’t Give Up has conditions. But while A&K’s website tracks is by streaming over wi-fi . With espouses the virtues of using balanced the MQS streaming server installed a cleanliness that cans, you need a replacement cable, on your computer you can browse transports you to which is terminated with an XLR jack, and select tracks of any resolution plus an XLR-to-2.5mm adapter. I have for download. I fi nd dragging and the recording studio not been able to fi nd the necessary dropping via USB a lot more effi cient parts for any of my headphones as and a lot faster. Anyway, my computer terrifi c verve and energy almost lifts even A&K doesn’t routinely supply isn’t necessarily on when I want you off the fl oor, while the violins them. Still, even Sennheiser’s senior access to my music via the player. sound sweeter than a summer acoustic engineer, Alex Grell uses his The 3.31in WVGA (480 x 800) pudding served with clotted cream. AK240 with unbalanced IE80s, AMOLED screen is a decent size, has Dropping (in terms of resolution) to because, as he told me at a recent good clarity and is nicely responsive a 16-bit/44.1kHz FLAC download of press event: “It’s too much hassle, and to touchscreen operation. It doesn’t Vaughn Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme not needed.” take too long to fi gure out how to by Thomas Tallis the marginal drop navigate the player, with options to off in overall clarity (no doubt also Conclusion select music by track, artist, album, affected by the fuller orchestration) Is the AK240 the ultimate hi-res etc readily available. With the is more than compensated for by a portable? Not quite – operationally emphasis being on hi-res, within in profoundly elegant and beautifully it’s not perfect, but the build quality each genre you have the option to timed performance. The player takes is insanely good and the AK240’s view all types of tracks, DSD only or the variation in loudness within the ability to take medium-resolution fi les MQS only. piece in its stride, with no danger of and squeeze every lost drop of sonic A row of tiny icons along the top distortion during the crescendo. goodness out of them, in combination screen shows the player’s status for Changing pace somewhat with an with its native DSD playback, makes such matters as the EQ, gapless AAC download from iTunes of the it a truly wonderful player. It’s madly playback, DAC use (internal or Martin Garrix electro dance classic expensive compared with most other external), wi-fi , Bluetooth, battery, Animals, the AK240 again serves up players and the AK120 II should offer etc. You drag the bar down to access the audiophile goods. The bass is a comparable sub-DSD performance and adjust the settings. The EQ meaty and powerful and the mids for a lot less dough. Still, if money (which is not available during DSD and highers of the synth are belted is no object, the AK240 certainly playback) has a Pro setting or you can out with such gusto and tightness that warrants consideration ● CONNECTIONS

1 Headphone/digital 1 2 optical output OUR VERDICT 2 Balanced SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Superb sound headphones jack across all file formats 3 Power button DISLIKE: Clunky VALUE FOR MONEY operation; inelegant design; expensive

BUILD QUALITY WE SAY: Redefines what’s possible from a portable audio player FEATURES

3 OVERALL

AUGUST 2014 55 MONITOR AUDIO SILVER 8 REVIEWS FLOORSTANDING LOUDSPEAKER £1,250

56 AUGUST 2014 MONITOR AUDIO SILVER 8 FLOORSTANDING LOUDSPEAKER £1,250 REVIEWS

DETAILS including polypropylene fi lm capacitors, air core and laminated PRODUCT Monitor Audio steel core inductors. Figure Silver 8 ORIGIN Sound quality UK/China The Silver 8 is surprisingly unfussy. TYPE I stand it about 30cm from the rear Three-way floorstanding wall, gently toed-in and it sings. It has of eight loudspeaker a surprisingly clean and neutral sound WEIGHT – unlike some rivals that also use 23.3kg metal coned drivers. Indeed, if DIMENSIONS anything it is ever so slightly on the Monitor Audio’s new Silver 8 floorstander (WxHxD) 185 x 1,000 x warm side, and certainly able to live is packed with go-faster goodies, and the 323mm with a lively sounding source or FEATURES amplifi er. I’d judge it to have a perfect result is a super sound, says David Price ● 1x 25mm C-CAM tonal balance considering the kit it’s dome tweeter ● 1x 100mm C-CAM likely to be used with. midrange unit The Silver 8 sounds wonderfully riven a new car lately? engine but ultimately there’s no ● 2x 165mm C-CAM integrated and all-of-a-piece. Thomas RST bass units They’re very good, aren’t substitute for cubic capacity in the ● Quoted sensitivity Dolby’s One Of Our Submarines Is D they? Even a relatively power stakes. A separate tweeter, 90dB/1W/1m Missing comes over with a anonymous, middle priced midrange and bass unit will give an DISTRIBUTOR combination of detail and decorum Eurobox like a Ford Focus is now ease to a speaker that’s easy to hear, Monitor Audio Ltd that I simply hadn’t expected at this capable of safe, comfortable long and also it takes the crossing over TELEPHONE price. This is an early eighties distance travel, and is no slouch work out of the critical midband 01268 740580 analogue recording, and I am able to around country lanes. It’s economical, region where it’s all too easy to hear. WEBSITE discern the very subtle tape hiss in the monitoraudio.co.uk nippy and practical, so what’s not to That’s why Monitor Audio has made background, which isn’t something all like? Loudspeakers are getting this the S8 a three-way with the addition similarly priced designs do, yet above way too. Having started reviewing of a 100mm midrange unit, and also this the various instruments separate them in the mid-nineties, I come why it has fi tted two 165mm bass out beautifully. Bass is strong and well across fewer downright bad ones units. Running them in parallel lets The Silver 8s are articulated, midband crisp yet smooth now. Perhaps it’s because we’re a bit the speaker shift a decent amount of available in a and the treble beautifully detailed. choice of fine further down the road, or up the air and retain its narrow dimensions. quality wood The Silvers image superbly; they Importantly, though, the midband veneers or high provide a broad spread of sound and This is an excellent driver is the same – albeit slightly gloss finishes you don’t need to sit exactly on-axis smaller – unit as the bass drivers. This all-round will provide not only a good tonal loudspeaker that match, but it should keep good phase too, and have similar dispersion most will really enjoy characteristics. All are C-CAM RST types, a catchy acronym for Ceramic learning curve, to know how best to Coated Aluminium Magnesium with design a loudspeaker. Technology has Rigid Surface Technology. Roughly helped massively here too, from translated, this means a thin hybrid cheaper and more powerful speaker metal cone that has been dimpled to measurement systems to a profusion resist bending. Metal cones are stiff of synthetic materials, which are so and light, but can come a cropper in much better at the job for which the distortion department because they’re intended. metal isn’t the least resonant material Loudspeakers are getting a whole yet invented – hence the need for the lot more sophisticated too – as the RST. The tweeter uses a 25mm Monitor Audio Silver 8 attests. Not C-CAM dome, so again you get a just in terms of its excellent cabinet tonal consistency that you’d lose if fi nish but the different, complex cone Monitor Audio had opted for, say, a and dome materials used in the silk dome. It vents internally around drivers, and the choice of crossover the outside of the magnet system into components and wiring. In other a large rear-loading chamber above words, things have only got better. the separate midband chamber. The Silver series benefi ts from a range The main part of the cabinet is the of nice goodies handed down to it twin rear refl ex-ported bass unit from the company’s impressive section. The box is 20mm MDF Platinum and Gold series. It’s notable throughout, and sports bolt-through for being the cheapest real three-way driver bracing, plus additional radial design, as well as running two and cross-bracing, to stop it smallish bass drivers in parallel. competing with the drive units as a A good three-way speaker has an sound source. It certainly feels a good ease that no two-way, however great, deal more rigid than many at the can quite muster. To extend the car price. Finally, the crossover uses analogy, you can tune up a small carefully selected components,

AUGUST 2014 57 MONITOR AUDIO SILVER 8 REVIEWS FLOORSTANDING LOUDSPEAKER £1,250

IN SIGHT Q&A Indeed, one great talent of the 8 is Dean Hartley its ability with vocals; there’s a sense 1 25mm C-CAM Technical director, Monitor Audio 1 dome tweeter of natural ease that makes even the most challenging female voices a 2 Bass reflex port pleasure. The harsh, nasal tones of The Cookie Crew from Beatmasters’ 3 100mm C-CAM midrange cone Who’s In The House are surprisingly 4 palatable with a wonderful 4 165mm C-CAM RST bass unit sledgehammer bass set behind some frantic keyboard work and staccato drum machine beats. That dome tweeter really is very good, and DP: How does the new Silver range marries so well with the midrange improve on its predecessor? driver that you’d be forgiven for DH: As a whole, it has become more sonically refined. Even though some thinking you were hearing a far of the models look quite similar to more expensive speaker. their predecessors, the new drivers Interestingly, the Silver 8 has no real and tweeters have been developed weaknesses. Like the aforementioned from the ground up. The motor/ modern Ford car, it doesn’t hurt, magnetics have been refined to 2 offend, frighten or intimidate – it provide better damping and we have just gets on the job, does it well, raised the overall impedances of and doesn’t make a fuss. The only most models to provide an easier criticisms you can make is that it’s not drive, while maintaining good quite as open, three dimensional or sensitivity. In the case of the Silver 8’s 3 powerful as other, more expensive predecessor (Silver RX8); it was a and larger designs. At its price 2.5-way three driver model. Although though, to criticise would be churlish, it had great bass output, the LF because it’s just so darned competent extension was limited by the large at everything you can throw at it. combined piston area in a relatively Perhaps some would say it lacks a small cabinet volume. It was little character, that it doesn’t equivalent to three 6.5in drivers editorialise as much as some price working in the same air load. The new rivals. It certainly gives a less stylised Silver 8 has only two 6.5in drivers working in a similar air volume. So or contrived sound, but I defi nitely each driver has more volume and is don’t fi nd it dull. able to reach down lower and hence the overall system tuning is lower. to get everything in all its glory. Conclusion The midrange chamber is a small Rather than fi ring the sound out like As any good football manager knows, damped enclosure taking up a very a sniper rifl e, they’re closer to a bank the easiest way to win is not to lose – small space. HOW IT job-spec sawn-off shotgun, dispersing and the Monitor Audio Silver 8 is COMPARES all over. This gives a seamless, almost an arch exponent of this. It simply What benefits does a three-way electrostatic-like sound in some doesn’t give goals away gladly; there’s design confer? B&W’s 683 S2 (HFC respects; it spreads out easily into the little weakness on show in any 386) is the Monitor It gives better clarity in the midrange, Audio’s closest rival, room and the bass, mid and treble respect. This is an excellent all-round because the driver is only allowed costing just £50 less. driver integrate better than most. loudspeaker that most will really to work a smaller bandwidth and It feels an awful lot Not only is the sound clean, it is fast enjoy. Those seeking a characterful so can be made more efficient and cheaper though, not too – yet it gets its speed from its sound might have less time for it, optimised for mid-frequencies only. least because of a excellent tracking of transients rather but people wanting a really capable In the case of the Silver 8, we use rather unlovely vinyl wrap to the cabinet. than any sort of artifi cial tonal edge design that gets on with the job of a special midrange driver with or ‘zing’. It gives the very pleasant playing music in a subtle yet underhung voice coil winding. This Despite the finish, the B&W’s box is pretty combination of openness and sophisticated way will love it ● ensures the voice coil always has sturdy and is a proper musicality, which proves infectious on consistent magnetic force applied to three-way just like the it, within the power handling of the Black Uhuru’s Party Next Door. The 8s S8. Its sound isn’t that serve up large tracts of bass, which is system. The result is significantly dissimilar, but the B&W reduced modulation and extremely uses its own Kevlar tight and well articulated, with no OUR VERDICT sense of the speakers falling over their low distortion. The other main benefit drivers, which have a SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Clean, open, is with a smaller mid-range driver, distinctively dry and own feet, so to speak. Further up, that detailed and musical the off-axis performance can be crisp sound whereas midband driver kicks in at 500Hz to sound; finish improved to provide a more the Monitor Audio is give an even and spacious sound until VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Nothing at lighter, warmer and the tweeter joins the party at 2.7kHz. the price consistent directivity pattern more subtle. It gives BUILD QUALITY WE SAY: Superbly and transition between drivers. a more precise and You don’t hear the transition and the competent all-round transparent sound, impression the speaker gives is that performer but the B&W has just a you’re listening to a large point- EASE OF DRIVE touch more bounce to source. It’s not quite as holographic the proceedings. Still, as, say, a Tannoy Dual Concentric feed the S8 some OVERALL smooth classical, jazz but it’s not far off, and far better or soul and it is sublime. than most price rivals in its ability to conjure up a cavernous soundstage.

58 AUGUST 2014

ELIPSON PLANET LW AND AUDIO BRIDGE REVIEWS WIRELESS LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM £1,399

DETAILS Centre all-in-one system. The most interesting technical decision taken PRODUCT Elipson Planet LW by Elipson was to fi t a stereo amp to and Audio Bridge both speakers. This means that each Heavenly ORIGIN driver has its own amplifi er channel, France/China which is placed behind the crossover TYPE and makes the LW a truly self- Two-way wireless loudspeaker system contained active. bodies WEIGHT The reason that Hi-Fi Choice held Speaker: 7.5kg off from reviewing the LW at launch Audiobridge: 0.4kg stemmed from the other decision that DIMENSIONS Elipson took in the design of its Elipson’s Planet LW speaker now has an Speaker: 290mm diameter speaker. The LW has no physical all new interface and Ed Selley wonders Audiobridge: connection on the chassis. Instead the 160 x 36 x 160mm LWs use a closed wireless network to (WxHxD) if their potential has been fully realised communicate fi rstly with one another FEATURES ● Coaxial driver and then with a transmitter. This took arrangement – the form of a pair of dongles, one USB t is easy to take one look at most recent version, the Planet L, 165mm mid with and one 30-pin Apple connector. 25mm tweeter a product and jump to appeared in 2011 (HFC 350) and ● Built-in Class D These were both capable of conclusions about what it quickly revealed itself to be a amplifier transmitting a lossless signal, but left I ● was designed to do and supremely capable speaker. The Quoted power the Planet LW feeling more like a output: 100W the intentions and thinking behind it. spherical cabinet was certainly eye ● aptX Bluetooth lifestyle product than a true hi-fi one. One look at the science-fi ction prop catching, but also allows for the receiver To try and make good on correcting styling and lustrously shiny fi nish of greatest internal volume with the DISTRIBUTOR this perception, Elipson has now the Elipson Planet and you would be smallest external one while helping BBG Distribution Ltd released the Audio Bridge. This is a forgiven for writing it off as some sort to keep resonance at bay. TELEPHONE small input box that allows for the of fancy lifestyle bauble. Two spheres, With the passive Planet L proving 01923 205600 connection of sources via either an the size and shape of a steampunk very able indeed, it stands to reason WEBSITE analogue RCA or optical input. A nod elipson.com/en astronaut helmet can only have that an active version sounds to convenience is also present via the resulted from a serious need for promising too. The Planet LW here fi tment of an aptX Bluetooth module attention surely? was actually launched in 2012 and as well. The Bridge is paired to two The reality is that, the Elipson combines the 6.5in doped paper mid LWs (meaning that existing units can Planet is to French broadcasting what bass driver and the soft dome tweeter have one added), but if you turn it the Rogers LS3/5 is in the UK. The used in the Planet L with the off, you can still use the supplied Planet has appeared in various IcePower Class D amps that were dongles too. This gives you a versions over the last 50 years. The originally specifi ed in the Music reasonable if not outstanding

60 AUGUST 2014 ELIPSON PLANET LW AND AUDIO BRIDGE WIRELESS LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM £1,399 REVIEWS

The Elipsons selection of inputs to choose from. depth and control that gives the processing on all the inputs, even the sound nearly as The only catch is that the Bridge Elipson tremendous punch and drive analogue one, in order to transmit good as they look and they look doesn’t increase the sampling rate on for a speaker of this size. This is partly wirelessly to the speakers, this is a mighty fine offer, which remains locked at 16/48 down to the bass port, which little surprising, but it does seem meaning that however hi-res your manages to move a signifi cant that the Audio Bridge does this with source material, the Elipson will only amount of air without becoming suffi cient transparency to retain ever work up to this rate. audible itself. The authority this lends some of the character of the source The rest of the news is almost to music that needs a little low-end equipment. This means that as well as entirely good, however. The Planet shove is considerable. Elipson quotes offering a bit more fl exibility in terms LW is every bit as immaculately the same frequency response for the of input choice, the Bridge does eke fi nished as its passive brother. This passive L as it does the active LW, but out a little more performance than means it feels very substantial and the in use, the LW reaches its lower the dongles can – although, of course, attention to detail is impressive. The numbers with a greater effortlessness you can still turn the Bridge off and paint in particular is exceptional with than the bald numbers suggest. pair with the dongles if you want. a depth and shine that considerably The bass might be notable, but it more expensive equipment can fail serves to fi nish an extremely clean Conclusion to match. Each speaker is hefty and There is a great deal to like about the almost entirely inert further aiding A beautifully way that the Planet LWs go about the benefi ts of the spherical form. making music and this is given Only the small and plastic remote implemented and considerable extra fl exibility thanks to and the slow volume ramp spoil the impressively flexible the Audio Bridge. In a perfect world, genuinely high end feel to them. there would be a slightly wider choice The Audio Bridge is small and active speaker of inputs and the wireless connection relatively light, but the construction would not preclude using hi-def is perfectly satisfactory. and consistent frequency response. audio, but the fi rst issue can be The matching accessories are The Elipson has seemingly been set alleviated depending on your source impressive too. Each LW is supplied up to be comparatively smooth and equipment while you will have to with a mounting ring to place it on a civilised, but this doesn’t prevent the decide for yourself if you feel that the fl at surface but Elipson also offers detail retrieval and tonal accuracy lack of hi-res will be a problem. For dedicated fl oorstands, wallmounts being notably good too. The Planet me at least, these issues don’t detract and an amazing-looking ceiling LW manages to make excellent use of signifi cantly from a beautifully mount as options too. These various the concentric driver principle in that implemented and impressively fi ttings mean that a pair of Planet LWs there is a very wide sweet spot that fl exible active speaker. ● and an Audio Bridge should be easy results from placing them roughly 2m enough to accommodate although it apart with slight toe-in. This never will require three mains connections becomes overly diffuse, however, and to make it work. there is always a very defi nite sense OUR VERDICT of the positioning of musicians and SOUND QUALITY LIKE: Powerful and Sound quality instruments as well as a sense of refined sound; good You should be prepared to rustle front-to-back depth. Some rivals can looks; beautiful build up enough plugs, though. After sound a little more exciting, but few VALUE FOR MONEY DISLIKE: Limited inputs; no hi-res; fiddly performing the simple pairing setup are as satisfying to listen to long term. remote control BUILD QUALITY and with a Naim ND5 XS connected Most of these attributes are WE SAY: An innovative to the analogue input of the Bridge, available via the dongles, but what is and entertaining product that is slightly the LWs demonstrate real ability. The interesting is that some comparative FEATURES specialised, but most interesting part of this is that tests with lossless FLAC played via capable of great results the LW is subtly different to its passive laptop and dongle and then via brethren. This is most apparent in the the Naim into the Audio Bridge do OVERALL bass response, which is exceptional marginally favour the latter. As the for a speaker of this size. There is Audio Bridge will be carrying out

CONNECTIONS

1 1 Bass port

2 Figure of 8 mains lead connection

3 USB input for Bluetooth updates

2 4 Analogue RCA inputs

5 Optical input

6 Pairing button

6 5 4 3

AUGUST 2014 61 THE BEATLES AT THE MOVIES

THE BEATLES AT THE MOVIES As A Hard Day’s Night celebrates its 50th anniversary, Simon Berkovitch and JT Rathbone break out the popcorn to celebrate the Fab Four’s flicks

udging by the number of candles Beatles’ fi rst fi lm raised the bar for pop producer Giles (son of George) Martin at on the cake in 2014, the fi re movies so high that few, if any, subsequent Abbey Road Studios. These are presented J brigade are going to be on celluloid outings have matched it. The Rolling in uncompressed monaural, uncompressed standby. Former Beatle Ringo Stones’ Gimme Shelter, Slade’s powerful and stereo and DTS-HD Master Audio on the Starr celebrates his 74th birthday on 7 July underrated Flame, and Python Eric Idle and Blu-ray release. in the 50th anniversary year of the UK (and Bonzo Dog Neil Innes’ Beatles pastiche The In addition, the soundtrack LP as it world) premiere of a musical feature fi lm so Rutles: All You Need Is Cash are perhaps three originally appeared in the US has recently infl uential that it is still imitated, mimicked of the few that followed that even come close. made its offi cial debut on CD in both mono and parodied half a century later. The Criterion Collection is marking the and stereo, as part of Capitol’s The US We are, of course, talking about the anniversary with a special, three-disc dual Albums mammoth 13-disc box set – a long godfather of all modern pop movies: A Hard DVD and Blu-ray edition – due out on 24 overdue addition to the group’s digital Day’s Night, a motion picture without which June in the US – promising a new digital catalogue (with the UK version of the there would have been no Monkees TV restoration and a plethora of extras and album having appeared in remastered series (defi nitely), no This is Spinal Tap options, including the digital debut of the form a few years back). (probably) and no Spice World (if only). fi lm with its original mono soundtrack. The In the fi rst instalment of our two-part In fact, apart from occasional multi-artist director Richard Lester-approved restoration feature, we trace the black and white gems such as The Girl Can’t Help It and comes with three audio options: the masterpiece from its initial inception to its Rock, Rock, Rock! and King Creole, Elvis aforementioned monaural soundtrack, subsequent global impact, and look at the Presley’s one convincing foray into serious as well as newly created stereo and 5.1 attempt to follow it, in glorious Technicolor: fi lm-making, from the previous decade, The surround mixes supervised by sound 1965’s Help!. Happy birthday, Ringo.

62 AUGUST 2014 THE BEATLES AT THE MOVIES

Goons – Lester not only assembled a fi ne WHAT’S HAPPENING! and varied cast of character actors, such as The fifth – and first – Wilfrid ‘Albert Steptoe’ Bramble as Paul’s Beatles movie... grandfather – around the four leads, but There are long- also gave the picture a look all of its own. running debates His innovative style set a template for music among Beatles fans as to who was the fifth fi lms to this day, particularly in his use of Beatle. Stu Sutcliffe? multiple camera angles for the live Brian Epstein? Derek A Hard performance sequences. The director even Taylor? In truth, all three men lay claim later had the epithet ‘Father of the music to the title. But when Day’s Night video’ bestowed on him by MTV. “I demand it comes to the fifth a blood test!” he wryly retorted. Beatles movie, there Tagline: “The greatest rock is only one true United Artists recouped its modest outlay contender – and ‘n’ roll comedy adventure” many times over from the fi lm revenue chronologically it alone, but it also showed foresight by was their very first. acquiring the US marketing rights to the Let’s clarify things: Shea Stadium and Magical Mystery Tour were both made for TV, but the hen United Artists approached Brian accompanying LP, rush-released weeks Maysles brothers’ fascinating documentary, What’s WEpstein in 1963 proposing they before the fi lm’s US premiere, shifting a Happening! The Beatles in the USA, about the Fab produce a feature fi lm starring the Fab Four, staggering million-plus copies in four days. Four’s first Stateside trip (still unavailable on DVD in it’s original form) was shot on 16mm black and they were essentially after one thing; a So what did UA get for its money? white stock and intended for US movie theatres. soundtrack LP featuring exclusive material. Although still fi rmly grounded in a pop The film views like a blueprint for A Hard Day’s In a canny move, the fi lm company took mode, both musically and lyrically, the new Night, filming of which began a few weeks later, advantage of the various muddled licensing recordings showed a growing maturity in and much has been made of the many similarities, agreements then in place for the band’s US both composition and arrangement. Acoustic though in truth the close proximity of the two productions must allow for some coincidence. releases, and although they had yet to sell guitars, buried in the mix on their fi rst two The main difference is that in Albert and David records in any great quantity Stateside (this LPs, now often come to the fore, and the fi rst Maysles’ film, the train journeys, press conferences, being a couple of months before Capitol nightclub scenes and live performances are all quite real. belatedly took up its option and helped One scribe from Village Around an hour of the footage was incorporated make I Want To Hold Your Hand number one into the 1991 release The First US Visit (pictured on the Billboard singles chart), its record Voice declared it above). The brothers went on to shoot the division saw great sales potential in a acclaimed Gimme Shelter film, documenting “the Citizen Kane of The Rolling Stones’ infamous free concert at spin-off soundtrack. They fi gured they would Altamont, five years later. recoup the money lost on a cheaply made jukebox musicals” exploitation movie through LP sales. It was with this in mind that United Artists use was made of George Harrison’s new to the delight of producer George Martin offered Epstein what eventually became a Rickenbacker 360 12-string electric – its who had requested “a particularly strong three-picture contract and quickly set in trademark sound soon becoming ubiquitous and effective beginning”, knowing it would motion plans for the production of The on contemporary records. open both the fi lm and the accompanying LP. Beatles’ fi rst – and for many, best – feature The Rickenbacker was also the instrument A Hard Day’s Night was also the fi rst time fi lm. A meagre budget of £180,000 was that contributed the title track’s infamous the group had recorded a whole album using assigned and Liverpudlian playwright Alun opening guitar chord, provoking nearly EMI’s recently installed four-track machines, Owen found himself fashioning a script 40 years of debate among guitarists until allowing for more easily double-tracked that would capture the band’s unique wit, Harrison revealed it to be “Fadd9 with a G vocals and extra overdubs where needed. creating exaggerated versions of their four on top” in 2001. But personalities for the big screen. whatever it is, this powerful intro A hard day’s hit became instantly Against this somewhat cynical background, recognisable – much it’s a minor miracle that the fi lm – which hit the silver screen in 1964 – turned out to be a minor gem. Just as music critics had been The original UK stunned into writing respectful reviews mono album (right) and its US when confronted by the brash freshness of counterpart (below) The Beatles’ fi rst LP, many of their fi lm- reviewing colleagues now found themselves having to admit that A Hard Day’s Night was actually quite good, one enthusiastic scribe from Village Voice declaring it “the Citizen Kane of jukebox musicals”. Much of the credit for this must go to the fi lm’s innovative (and at the time virtually unknown) director, Richard ‘Dick’ Lester. A UK-based American – who, like George Martin, had previously worked with Beatles’ favourites The

AUGUST 2014 63 THE BEATLES AT THE MOVIES

Can’t buy me love During post-production, however, Dick Lester substituted their recent transatlantic number one hit, the more upbeat Can’t Buy Me Love, considering it more appropriate. I’ll Cry Instead eventually played behind the end credits when the fi lm was released on home video in the eighties. I’ll Cry Instead also featured in its original form on the UK version of the A Hard Day’s Night LP, which was even better than its American counterpart. For the home release, The boys wave to their many fans, and out went their producer’s instrumentals, the movie’s tie-in paperback (left) with the seven movie songs now constituting side one. The second side featured six non-fi lm tracks, mostly recorded a month or This added a depth, absent from some of instrumentals.trumentals. One ooff thesthese,e, Ringo’s ThemThemee so later. The B-side of the LP displayed The their more brittle-sounding early recordings, – a vversionersion ooff the ppreviousrevious yyear’sear’s Beatles Beatles’ most accomplished work to date in which perfectly suited the more adventurous track This Boy – became a minor hit single the shape of ballads Things We Said Today arrangements. Despite still largely basic in its own right. The LP also featured one and I’ll Be Back, and Lennon’s searing, subject matter – the ups and downs of young song not featured in the movie at all. I’ll sneering You Can’t Do That – arguably the love – it was clear that Lennon and Cry Instead was originally intended to best of the group’s early rockers. McCartney were honing their songwriting accompany the celebrated sequence when And the classic UK LP sleeve? A neat bit skills and, compositionally, had travelled a the group break out of the TV studio and of design, it utilised multiple images of the signifi cant distance since From Me To You horse around on a playing fi eld in double band members as if from a reel of celluloid had sped up the charts barely a year earlier. time. To this end, the track was artifi cially fi lm, though it was in fact shot in the much The US soundtrack featured eight new extended by a minute to fi t the already less glamorous setting of a railway station Beatles songs, plus four George Martin fi lmed segment. photo booth.

DDay’s Night, that United Artists was keen to exercise its option and get the group’s ssecond feature into production as soon as ppossible. So, less than nine months after ththeir debut premiered, the clapperboard ssnapped on the follow-up movie: Help! This time there would be no lucrative ssoundtrack for the fi lm company – EMI’s AAmerican division having fi nally gained Help! eexclusive rights to The Beatles’ releases – bbut having done such good business with Tagline: “Stop Worrying! ththe fi rst fi lm in cinemas worldwide, and wwith the world-conquering foursome HELP! Is On The Way” sseemingly in a position where they could do nno wrong, the budget was virtually doubled he sheer volume of live and personal Members of the band Tappearances expected of The Beatles at the height of their popularity, not to have spoken of long mention the demands of their record label and tedious delays EMI for ever more fresh product, cannot be overstated. No slouches, in 1964 the group and endless retakes had toured England, Scotland, France, Scandinavia, North America, Canada and this time out. Filming took place in far more the UK again – this time extensively – exotic locations than Newton Abbott and recorded 34 new tracks (24 of which were Notting Hill Gate: the fi rst scenes of their original compositions), made more than sophomore effort began shooting in the 15 live television appearances (including more glamorous surroundings of the a dedicated special, Around The Beatles), Bahamas. And it was even shot in glorious eight BBC radio shows and charmed their colour. Sixties, start swinging! way through countless interviews. Resting Essentially ‘a good guys on the run from on their laurels they most certainly weren’t. the bad guys’ romp, Lester blended plenty And then there was the little matter of of Marx Brothers-inspired tomfoolery, some A rare French lobby making their fi rst fi lm. Such was the very English Goons-like humour, and a card (top) and the unprecedented – for a pop group, at least heavy nod to another of United Artists’ next paperback – critical and commercial success of A Hard contemporary successes: the James Bond instalment

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movies. With this expanded palette, Help! Despite this inevitable fatigue, their music THE BEATLES AT SHEA STADIUM inevitably lacked the claustrophobic was progressing at more than a steady pace. intimacy of its monochrome predecessor, Within the year they would record and but – although somewhat forced in places release the fi rst of their true LP masterpieces and the plot particularly supermodel svelte – Rubber Soul – but the best of the songs – was nevertheless enjoyable fare, from the Help! sessions nevertheless showed containing some well-fi lmed set pieces for both a fresh approach and eagerness to the group’s new original songs. And that, explore the recording process further. essentially, was Help!’s main purpose. Indeed, the band’s fi rst release of 1965 – The director, retained at The Beatles’ Ticket To Ride – immediately signalled bold request, did his best with the script’s fl imsy new sonic sensibilities with its chiming premise and again gathered another stellar guitar riff, laconic pace and a hypnotic supporting cast, including Roy Kinnear, rhythm. John Lennon, the song’s principal Eleanor Bron (playing the only true author, was also pushing the Beatles’ musical heroine of any Fabs’ fi lm) and Victor envelope with the gorgeous You’ve Got To Spinetti, who’d impressed the group Hide Your Love Away – a sparsely recorded suffi ciently in A Hard Days Night to claim acoustic ballad with just tambourine and a a second prominent role in the new fi lm. fl ute cameo joining the singer and Documenting the prehistoric days of stadium rock accompanying guitars – and the deceptively The Beatles’ first concert at the William A Shea A hard day’s slog Municipal Stadium in New York on 15 August 1965 was groundbreaking for a number of reasons – The more elaborate sets and scenarios, The best songs from the including being the first ever pop concert to be however, demanded harder work and more performed and filmed in a large arena, ushering in concentration. Members of the band have Help! sessions showed a new era of enormous crowds and sound systems. spoken in interviews of long and tedious an eagerness to explore The PA they and their fellow acts had to contend delays and endless retakes due in many with that day, however, was a far cry from those later giant Marshall stacks. The venue was home to instances to their own mischief and often the recording process the New York Mets baseball team and the sound mildly inebriated state: apparently, was relayed through the decidedly lo-fi Tannoys marijuana had replaced scotch and Cokes sophisticated You’re Gonna Lose That Girl, used for match announcements. as their tipple of choice. George Harrison gloriously highlighting the group’s This – combined with their weedy amplifiers and the relentless screaming of a large percentage of confessed that they often pushed the immaculate harmonies. Both songs heralded the 55,600 fans, a record audience at the time – talented and amiable Lester to the limits the tone of some of his sterling compositions rendered any music virtually inaudible. That the of his patience. on Rubber Soul. group managed to actually keep in time with each other was a minor miracle, but the resulting In truth, the group were tired. They Lennon also provided Help’s memorable recording was poor, and necessitated extensive should have had a break at the beginning title track. The fi lm had originally gone re-dubbing back in London before the documentary of 1965. Instead, they were given just under the awkward working title of ‘Eight could be completed. four weeks before recording a new LP, Arms To Hold You’, that name even It eventually premiered on BBC TV in May the next year, though US fans had to wait another eight shooting another movie and performing appearing on the label of the US Ticket To months to see it – by which time The Beatles had live concerts began again – as well, of Ride 45. Late in production, however, the already returned to Shea just a few days before course, as the seemingly endless round of more snappy Help! was substituted – and he their final concert in August 1966. interviews and promotional appearances. was quickest off the mark to write a song of The soundtrack remains officially unreleased, but the sleeve of this eighties’ vinyl bootleg of the They would eventually slow the pace of that name. A breezy, but mildly melancholy concert (above) is a neat tribute to the US Help! this treadmill, but for now the great ditty, it featured unusually soul-searching soundtrack LP (despite the poor sound quality). juggernaut of fame coasted on. lyrics for a 1965 pop song, but nevertheless topped record charts around the world when LP releases differed greatly in appearance issued as a tie-in single. and content. Once more, the American As before, the album featured the new movie songs American and British alongside some incidental selections, courtesy of fi lm composer Ken Thorne, and included a snippet of John Barry’s James The US LP (left) Bond theme, as well as the fi rst appearance and a scarce of sitar on a Beatles record. It was apparently Spanish EP (below) while fooling around with the latter instrument on set – a prop in a restaurant scene – that George Harrison’s passion for sitars and Indian music in general was fi rst ignited. Side two of the domestic version again contained non-soundtrack songs, including their last cover versions, and Paul McCartney’s deathless Yesterday, the fi rst Beatle recording to feature only one Beatle. There would be more in the future… Help! very much marked the end of an era. There would be no new fi lm in 1966: instead the group would fi nally get to concentrate their creative energies solely on the recording studio ● 66 AUGUST 2014 Promotions, Upgrades, Offers

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YOUR LETTERS & QUESTIONS ANSWERED

THIS MONTH

ED SELLEY NEVILLE ROBERTS PATRICK CLEASBY TIM JARMAN JASON KENNEDY EXPERTISE: REVIEWER EXPERTISE: ENGINEER EXPERTISE: TECH GEEK EXPERTISE: ENGINEER EXPERTISE: REVIEWER For the best part of 10 years, Ed Retired NHS director, Patrick works in a high-level Electronics boffin Tim drives a Former HFC editor Jason loves was developing and supporting electronics engineer and technical support role in the 1959 Beetle and maintains the music so much that he has products from some of the physicist Neville is very much broadcast industry, when not best B&O resource on the dedicated his life to finding biggest names in audio. He into valve technology. He’s fiddling with his networked internet. When he’s not the ultimate system. A long enjoys blogging about his a classical music lover and music collection and a rapidly rebuilding faulty review kit, he time vinyl nut he also enjoys favourite tunes, too. a serious vinyl junkie. expanding shelf of vinyl LPs. enjoys scouring audiojumbles. a well-streamed file.

Email us at [email protected] or write to: Hi-Fi Choice Letters, AVTech Media Ltd, Enterprise House, Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 6HF Your letters may be edited before publication and we cannot enter into personal correspondence

New but there is a certain truth would not have worked well fraught. Oddly, you may fi nd for old that they have become a little with sixties gear! On to the yourself having to explore the LETTER First, I love your brighter over time. Partnering eighties and it was all about higher price bands to fi nd OF THE magazine and try older components with more sheen and sparkle to make the something that is reasonably MONTH to get my hands on modern speakers for a neutral most of CD; at last there was even handed, galling as it is it whenever I am in presentation will be a matter a source that could produce to have to spend serious money England. I love the of trial and error, but speakers endless accurate treble and so to buy a pair of loudspeakers online offerings too. with a bolder presentation like the loudspeakers were tuned to that will work well with an older I imagine many of your Monitor Audio or Triangle will make the best of this with big amplifi er like yours. readers own vintage (ie give you a pairing that should basslines being generally out of I wouldn’t regard your Marantz pre-1980) stereo equipment, hopefully be fairly neutral while favour. We are currently living in kit as excessively warm sounding yet it is diffi cult to be sure at the same time not presenting an era dominated by low-quality in the great scheme of things how one should pair this too challenging a load to the compressed music (not that HFC and it is certainly punchy equipment with modern older electronics. readers would ever get involved enough to drive a typical speakers. My question is: in this, of course!) and so to liven modern quality loudspeaker. For What should one look for What’s the best this up ported loudspeakers are the sound you are looking for I when buying new speakers back in favour, as are high think that something from the for an old system, say a way to pair older sensitivity designs with lumpy PMC range may please you, you Marantz or Mcintosh kit with modern responses to suit the low output don’t mention the size of your preamp/amp? These setups power of valve amplifi ers. listening room or budgets so it are generally praised for loudspeakers? All this makes matching would be diffi cult to be any their warm sound. Is it, between the generations a bit more specifi c. therefore, better to look TJ: This is a frequent problem for warm or lush sounding that I believe comes about JK reckons Tannoy’s Prestige speakers to compliment a as the result of the changing range hold the answer for John vintage setup? Or would ‘fashions’ in sound. For example, this pairing make the sixties loudspeakers tend to presentation sound too sound a bit tight and dry with syrupy? Alternatively, should little in the way of extension at one look for speakers with either frequency extreme, but a more forward or assertive this didn’t matter because the sound that counteracts the amplifi ers of the period tended warmth of a vintage setup? to lack bass ‘control’ and the I want to use my vintage sources of the day weren’t strong equipment (Marantz 140/ in the treble area. By contrast, Marantz 3200/Marantz 112), the seventies were characterised but I also want the most by powerful, accurate truthful presentation as amplifi cation and the beginning possible and to enjoy the of the widespread availability music as it was meant to be of really decent sources and heard. Hope you can help. broadcasts, so quality seventies John Eicher loudspeakers traded sensitivity Department of History for fl atness of response. DC The University of Iowa coupled amplifi cation made ported enclosures with little ES: Hi John, the warmth of some in the way of natural damping older components is overstated, a practical proposition; these

AUGUST 2014 69 LETTERS

JK: : It’s an interesting question and one that a lot of vintage gear Cambridge confusion enthusiasts must have to tangle I must say I was surprised by the information LD: Thanks for your comments, Olof. Due to the with. My view is that the older in the latest Group Test that Cambridge huge volume of information that we have to amplifi ers are, the softer they Audio’s Azur 651A amplifi er has a built-in squeeze into the magazine, occasionally errors tend to sound. If you want to RIAA stage for MM pickups. To my knowledge creep in, and, of course, we apologise for this. The hear them as their original it has not and the importer here in Sweden Group Test review format is designed to highlight makers did you can either even makes a point of this – those who own a the fundamental sonic character of six products, replace key internal components vinyl player must add a separate RIAA stage. and compare and contrast them to the others in such as capacitors and resistors And why, considering the fact that four of the group to give a good sense of perspective. to liven up the sound, but this is the six amplifi ers in the test have phono Sadly this doesn’t leave much page space for a palaver if nothing else and risks stages, did your reviewer not have anything further exposition of particular features like diminishing the component’s to say about the quality of these stages? built-in phono stages or DACs, unless the group charms. Alternatively, you can Following the rising popularity of vinyl in is specifi cally themed around them. It’s hard to fi nd a speaker that has, as you recent years, built-in phono stages have make meaningful comparisons of something as say, a more assertive sound. become a selling point, particularly in the variable as phono stages across several products in One brand that seems to be very budget segment, and my own guess is that a sentence or two. That’s why we recommend that popular with vintage audio users many readers would have appreciated if the you look out for our three-page ‘standalone’ is Tannoy. Its speakers are a little test had included a few sentences on the reviews on particular products, for a wider and more forward than average if performance of the amplifi ers playing LPs. deeper understanding of their various capabilities. you listen to them on axis and Olof Kåhrström, Sweden Sadly, the Azur 651A doesn’t have a built-in RIAA stage Tannoy’s speakers are a bit more forward than average...

this combined with generally high sensitivity in the larger models makes them well suited to use with low-powered valve amplifi cation. I would recommend one of its Prestige range models, the largest you can afford, both domestically and fi scally, of course. of our dealer (Analogue than in our own lounge! This with plenty of grip and Cable conundrum Seduction). The object was could have been due to the punch; the D7s, although Having read DP’s response to to try out some of DP’s different rooms, different very good did seem a bit my letter in the March issue recommendations with speaker cables (the audio more anonymous. of HFC, we took our existing a view to replacing our room had expensive Van den By this time it was time equipment (Creek Destiny 2 speakers and improving the Hul’s) or the fact that my to eat and relax, but we amplifi er, Cambridge Audio sound output of our CD units are positioned between returned in the afternoon to 840C CD player and KEF iQ5 player with a DAC. Having set the speakers at home, but test two DACs, the Audiolab fl oorstanders), along with up our basic system we had in the demo room they were M-DAC and the Naim DAC-V1, several very familiar CDs, a bit of a shock because the well to the side and forward in combination with the to the demonstration room system sounded better there of the speakers. Food for twenty.24s. Sound quality of thought there, but my hosts our CDs saw an improvement thought the different audio with both DACs, but we could qualities of the rooms were not detect a signifi cant the most likely cause. difference in sound between We tried three different them in the time available. fl oorstanders: Spendor We were mentally fl agging A6R, Spendor D7 and PMC by this stage anyway so we twenty.24s. All three were opted for the M-DAC as it was clearly better than our KEF half the price of the other. iQ5s, and the Spendor A6R Now, after over a month was quickly placed in third of listening to our new place. Ranking the other two acquisitions, we are really NR recommends was more diffi cult, but after pleased with the outcome ISOkinetik Melody 2 trying choral music, quartets, and we are very grateful for interconnects for Peter large orchestras, quiet music your advice. To complete the and loud music we chose setup you asked me to get the twenty.24s as the clear back to you for interconnects winner, precisely for the and speaker cables to buy. To reasons explained by DP – get started we had to buy two they had their own character coaxial cables to connect the

70 AUGUST 2014

LETTERS

CD player and our Cambridge location so that I can access of these items are working Audio 751BD Player to the it through numerous entirely in the digital domain, DAC so we bought fairly network-connected devices your requirements are essentially cheaply, but please suggest around the home. the same as for any high-quality replacements if you feel they For quality reasons I would computer network, namely, Feet first are not up to scratch. prefer not to use wi-fi and resilience, low jitter, etc. The In the last issue DP referred Listening to my system now instead plan to use wired exception to this is that the to Veda Foculpods and I we sometimes get a hint of connections from the central NAS should also support media thought I would try them too much brightness and so storage device connected to handling. However, starting with out. I have checked online would want interconnects a streamer via my broadband your query about hubs, most and they seem no longer to and speaker cables that hub. I am currently using the domestic hubs that include an exist (one online reseller are on the smooth side to basic hub supplied by my ADSL modem and wireless are has them, but the pictures counteract this. Currently the broadband provider PlusNet, only fi tted with four wired suggest that they are CD player is connected to the but wonder if there are any Ethernet ports. Some or all of another make). I have DAC with an Atlas Compass audiophile hubs out there those ports may support Gigabit found similar Foculpods digital coaxial, the BD player with possibly more than four speeds and this is something you from Defl ex and Milty. Is to the DAC with a QED Ethernet inputs that might be may consider when choosing a that the same or should I better suited to my needs. NAS. If you want more ports try to get Veda ones? If the I’m looking for I have heard that you can than available on you hub, I latter can you please advise improve connection speeds suggest purchasing an eight-port some retailers that may cables that sound and signal quality by ditching Ethernet switch to extend your have them? smooth, what the supplied broadband hub hub, such as made by Cisco, and Also if you have any other and purchasing one for these are widely available. A very suggestions on good feet do you suggest? around £100, but which ones good hub about which I have for speakers (PMC FB1i) are best suited to my needs heard good reports is the AVM that work to reduce Reference digital coaxial, and will sound decent? Also Fritz!Box 3390, which also has vibrations going to my the DAC to the amplifi er with what NAS drive would you one of the best user interfaces I suspended fl oor that would Chord Cobra and fi nally we recommend for my music have come across! As for the be great (I currently have are using Chord Carnival storage that has decent NAS, have a look at the Thecus the Missing Link 4x Silver Screen speaker cables. sound quality? N2520 as this is a great quality Sorbothane 50mm on top of Which of these are Alfi e Parker ‘home and offi ce’ NAS. This has Granite plinths under each acceptable (if any) and what an auto-switching LAN port that speaker). This made a great do you think the rest should NR: Hi Alfi e, I must confess that supports 10/100/1000 BASE-T improvement, but maybe be replaced with? I haven’t come across any hubs (therefore Gigabit compatible), other Foculpods would be Peter Payne that are specifi cally designed for an iTunes server and even an even better. audiophiles – nor any NAS drives HDMI output to allow you to I have seen the NR: Hello Peter, you have some for that matter. Given that both connect your NAS directly to Townshend feet, but think great equipment in your setup that they are too expensive and I can’t really fault the choice Paul Bjernklo, London of your digital and analogue interconnect cables. However, if NR: Well Paul, Foculpods are you are looking to tone down a all the same, but supplied by slightly exuberant top-end, may different companies. Foculpods, I suggest you try some ISOkinetik Polipods and Superpods are all Melody 2 or Mark Grant manufactured by Defl ex Audio G1500HD interconnects in place and can be supplied by of the Chord Cobras connecting ISOkinetik, amongst many your DAC to your amplifi er. others. The different names These are in a similar price range relate to three different sizes of and having all-copper signal plastic feet that can be placed conductors, they may just help under equipment of different you achieve your goal of subtly weights. They are all made rounding off the edges of the from sorbothane, which is high frequencies. extremely good at absorbing vibrations and, feeling slightly Driving ambition tacky to the touch, has great I am a music fan looking to anti-slip properties. For your have all my CD and new speakers (a great choice by hi-res downloads stored in JK suggests Alfie the way – I love transmission one network-enabled central checks out Synology’s lines!) – since the Townshends DS214 NAS drive location. Up until now I have are out of your price range, you simply been downloading could try the Superpods if you music on iTunes and ripping want vibration absorption. my CDs to my MacBook’s Each of your FB1i’s weighs just hard drive. I have recently under 20kg and four of the begun to download hi-res chunky Superpods will support music through various sites up to 100kg and are low cost, and I would like to store all so well worth a try. of my music in a central

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other than budget products. My system is a Naim CDX2, Magnum Dynalab MD102, Naim 200 and 202 amplifi cation feeding PMCFB1s all sat on a Quadraspire rack. While I started out with budget products, my system has evolved over 30 years – budget products are fi ne, but it seems to me as if each and every Group Test revolves around products that cost less than a grand. Your individual reviews are fi ne and your comments are intelligent and well informed, but please let’s have some ambition on the your TV for device management Ian would like to see how Group Test, how about a and watching HD video playback Clearaudio’s Emotion round up of turntables and should you need it. compares to Rega’s RP8 arms at over a grand? How does a Rega P8 cope against JK: Wired connections are VPI Traveller against a always the way to go if you want Clearaudio Emotion? to stream hi-res music fi les Alfi e, Ian Hall in fact they are the only way if you are interested in sound LD: Hi Ian, thank you for your quality to be frank. Rather than letter and Group Test suggestions. replacing your hub/router I I’m sure you will have noticed would recommend getting a that the hi-fi market is changing gigabyte switch, which can have at quite a pace these days, and as many outlets as you like (8, nowhere is more buoyant in 16, 32 etc) and will provide a bit terms of numbers of new models of isolation between the network enclosure and a pair of hard needs and taste and go SSOTS or than at the more affordable end drives to suit your requirements. SSODS as appropriate. I still feel of the market, which is great What NAS drive This approach is initially more more comfortable with QNAP for news for hi-fi enthusiasts looking expensive than buying an both ease of customisation and at the possibilities for the fi rst would you off-the-shelf NAS, but is sound quality, but the margins time and those looking to return recommend for considered better sounding and are tight. to hi-fi and rekindle their passion is much more fl exible to use. As Ed says, for routers try after some time away. We try music storage? Netgear – don’t go fancy white to ensure our Group Tests focus ES: I’m afraid I don’t believe that and silver consumer grade, go on those price points that are and your system. There are no there is such a thing as an boring blue box corporate, experiencing the greatest audiophile versions available to Audiophile router, but you can generally the same innards in a number of new products and my knowledge, but I use a do a damn site better than the nice utilitarian (and cheap) box. developments in technology, Netgear that was recommended routers supplied free with your with a range of models jostling by Naim Audio and gives fi ne contract. Products like Netgear’s The price is wrong for position and the interests of results. What you can do to R7000 can handle pretty much I’m a regular subscriber to Hi-Fi Choice readers. We try to improve matters is use a linear any demand an audio streamer your magazine and have ensure that there’s something rather than switching power can make of it without breaking been for many years. I have for everyone in each issue of the supply with the switch and, more sweat over wired or wireless got this month’s copy and magazine with a broad spread importantly, get decent quality connection and it looks like it there is a Group Test for of prices throughout all our Ethernet cable – it really does was made from bits of Stealth amplifi ers under £400, last standalone reviews as well as make a difference. bomber too, which may or may month we had a Group Test regular Exotica reviews, Beautiful NAS drive choice seems to not appeal (it does to me!). of beer budget turntables System and Dealer Visit features come down to QNAP or and next month we will to satisfy the hunger for those Synology, with Windows users PC: My preference is for Logitech probably have a Group Test looking towards more costly preferring the former and Media Server running in UPnP of beer budget speakers. hi-fi components. Look out for Maccies the latter. As you are and my recommendation is to My point being I can’t components costing more than a Mac user I recommend a buy a two or four-drive QNAP or remember the last time you £1,000 in our Group Tests in the Synology DS214 two-bay Synology according to capacity did a Group Test on anything near future.

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House music It took a recent house move for Lee Dunkley to realise just how many CDs he’s got. But as downloads become ever more popular, is he the exception to the rule?

ow many CDs do you own? 200? 500? 1,000? a hi-res format available. But I bet that it is a lot more than you think. A poll I digress. H of 1,000 UK households in 2005 estimated I’ve always believed that that the average music collection contained an album is a journey to be just 178 albums and had an estimated value of around enjoyed from beginning to £1,500 – although when asked many people seriously end, as the artist intended. undervalued their album collection at only £600 according Not just listen to the hit track to the survey carried out by Barclays insurance at the time. snapshots. Of course, I do Of course, music collections will have continued to grow skip through tracks during the intervening years and the latest fi gures suggest occasionally to get to my that the average music collection of physical media is favourites, but I’ve never been likely to have increased signifi cantly in value to around into buying ‘greatest hits’. I £4,000. That’s more than double the number of CDs (and prefer to own the original LPs) in just nine years, despite the increased growth in album the hits were taken download music sales! from. Admittedly, some are Having moved house recently I can vouch for the more more easily enjoyed in their recent fi gures being a good estimate of the value of my entirety than others, and I fi rmly believe that there once Bombay Bicycle own music collection. I hadn’t counted the number of CDs was a time when creating an album as an entire work was Club sold just 19,646 UK copies I actually own in recent years until my own household taken a lot more seriously than it is today. It seems that of its new album contents insurance policy came up for renewal, forcing with our short attention spans caused by the frenetic way in the first week, but still reached me to switch my cover. There’s nothing quite like the we live our lives today and our thirst for non-stop hits over the No 1 spot upheaval of relocation of your possessions to spotlight just the art of listening to the album fi llers between the hit how many CDs you have managed to collect over the tracks, anaemic album sales are jeopardising the future of years, and the enormity of the task of boxing them up. the format altogether. Despite my years spent steadily expanding my CD collection album by album, and a recent vigour for Attack of the stats purchasing several discs at a time – seemingly single- The health of the British music industry is measured by handedly propping how smoothly album sales glide past the 1 million mark, I believe the album up the music and in 2014 music sales are looking in need of some is a journey to be business in the resuscitation mid way through the year thanks to a lack of process – it seems I serious big hitters. It could be a bit of blip as the popular enjoyed from am one of only a artists that the music sales are measured on suffer from a beginning to end relatively small lack of distinction and begin to sound very much the same. number of We’ve still got the music festival season to come and the purchasers continuing to buy albums. I am sure that the biggest music sales period in the run up to Christmas when majority of HFC readers still buy mostly physical albums the majority of albums are purchased, but the trend is like me, but if recent fi gures are to be taken seriously then clear to see when you consider that album sales were at it would seem that we are in a minority, and one of the 94 million last year compared with 159 million 10 years few groups that feels passionately enough about buying an earlier in 2003. artist’s LP to add to our music collection rather than just I have no doubt that streaming and hi-res services will downloading the one or two tracks taken as singles from change the music industry, and that my own CD the album to promote it. Although I do download single purchasing habits look set to slow down as soon as there’s tracks to create playlists for my iPod, I usually also end up a hi-res site with a decent back catalogue providing duplicating them with the purchase of the physical long legitimate purchases within the UK. Although it won’t player on CD. I have, of course, also moved to purchasing replace the physical medium, it does have its attractions. It some albums as hi-res downloads, but legitimate will certainly make it easier to transport when it comes to purchasing from within the UK is so restricted that the the next house move, but I am not sure how home insurers number I have managed to make is extremely small, and will factor the value of music purchased and stored on a the majority of the albums I already own on CD anyway computer drive somewhere into their policy cover. But LEE DUNKLEY Hi-Fi Choice editor as there doesn’t appear to be that many new releases in that looks set to be another story for another day ●

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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 Never hadit so good just plainnasty just the seventies was in sale on was what of much So you’d literally stick to your vinyl seat in summer – this is you’d literallysticktoyourvinyl seat insummer–thisis every 60,000milesandventilationsystemssouselessthat sealed beamheadlights,enginesthatneededreboring things toeitherdriveorbedrivenin.Liverearaxles, Cortinas weseeinperiodTVdramaswereprettyhorrid plain nasty. We forgetthoselovelySignalYellow Ford So muchofwhatwasonsaleintheseventiesjust Reality check temptation the resist should we But for audio nostalgia, goggles. says rose-tinted with back look to easy too all It’s what we forget. what weforget. Through theGrapevine jeans advertssettothestrainsofMarvinGaye’s things ‘classic’startedintheeighties.Remember thoseLevi golden age,whichalltoooftenneveractuallyhappened. objects becomeiconisedandaresuddenlyredolentofa almost none of it was in the league of a modern starter almost noneofitwasintheleague ofamodernstarter haircuts andthesuddenreinventionofthoseawful and madeacareeroutofsoundinglikethe Shaguar, OasiscrashedRolls Royces intoswimmingpools when wewereallswinging.AustinPowers drovehis sixties revival,with‘CoolBritannia’channellingthetime American carsasobjectsofcool,ratherthanderision. of TheBeatles’ had it so good. had itsogood. epochs, butinothersIactuallybelievethatwe’venever cases Ithinkthere’salottolearnfromearlieraudio looks atthepastwithrose-tintedglasses?Well, insome revivalist wave,butdoesthatmakemesomeonewho millennium, itwastimetogoallgooeyovertheseventies. such things–half-expecting togetatiradeofabusefrom decade thatfashionforgot.WhenIstartedwritingabout childhood byproxy, vialovelybitsofkitspawnedinthe spreading it,becauseIwas–andstillamrelivingmy appeared. AndI’mafraidIplayedmyveryownpartin Hi- I may be wrong, but I think our fascination with all I maybewrong,butthinkourfascinationwithall Just afewyearslater, andwewereallundergoinga Round aboutthistime,thenotionof‘classichi- It’s true to say then, that I’ve surfed the crest of the It’s truetosaythen,thatI’vesurfedthecrestof F fi ’s the same too – our primary source was vinyl and ’s thesametoo–ourprimarysourcewasvinyland things from our past. Even fairly mundane things fromourpast.Evenfairlymundane our massculturehastriedtosellusback around again.For aslongIcanremember, ashion iscyclical,andwhatgoesaroundcomes I AmTheWalrus ? Thentherewerethe . Then, by the new . Then,bythenew who wantedmore! praise fromfolk many wordsof throwback –Igot and aseventies that IwasaLuddite readers totheeffect David Price fi rst four bars rst fourbars fi fties I Heard it I Heardit fi ’ fl fi at-top at-top nned nned , things are nowhere near asbadthey used to be ranged from the weird and ranged fromtheweirdand power, andloudspeakers 30W ofmushy, harshsounding transistor ampsputout20Wor records. Thosenew-fangled high frequenciesoffyourdisco cassette deckthatloppedthe to ‘tape’themonamiddling before you’dhadthechance 3g wouldn’trecutyourrecords cartridge aroundthegrooveat stylus ofaGoldringG850 mk IVdraggingthespherical were lucky, yourGarrardSP25 deck likeaRega P3.Ifyou nostalgia conveniently better, but mostofithas.Andthebrain’spenchantfor a Ford Focus STistothatrattlyold Cortina. crop of£1,000 and a response asstandard,nottomentionawfulstereoimaging sensitivity, lowpowerhandlingandalimitedfrequency brand mid-pricedloudspeakerwouldcomewithpoorish Celestion Ditton33orsuchlikebackthen.Thispremium years ago.You’d belookingataWharfedaleDovedaleSP compared toaspeakercostingthesameinrealterms40 wiring tothecrossover, itisdevastatinglywelldesigned the board,fromcabinetrytodriveunits,internal reviewed onpage56istheperfectexemplar–rightacross today? TheMonitorAudioSilver8loudspeakerIhavejust else Icanremember. more incommonwithacheapwardrobethananything wiring usedforyourdoorbell.Asthecabinets,theyhad packed withso-sosoundingcomponentsandthesame going viacomplexcrossovers used primitiveconematerials, mismatched driveunitsthat the latter, withlotsof weird. Mostwereinvariably wonderful tothejustplain copy ofELO’s thankful forsmallmercies,doesn’t it?Now, where’smy loops, blowntweeters,wornstyli andrumble.Makesyou healed ones,thatis–wouldbeliving inaworldofearth so audiophilesoftheday–apartfromreallywell Hunter withone-speedheaterandrubber Average wouldhavetodependonhis 1.7litreHillman having toputupwithseveraldecadesago.JustasMr I’m not saying that everything has automatically got I’m notsayingthateverythinghasautomaticallygot All ofwhichgotmethinking,isn’thi- fl atulent, opaque sound. By comparison the latest atulent, opaquesound.Bycomparisonthelatest Out oftheBlue? fl oorstanders are as far away from this as oorstanders areasfarawayfromthis fi lters out all the rubbish we’d be lters outalltherubbish we’dbe

● fi so much better somuchbetter fl oor covering, , AUGUST 2014 AUGUST £1,000 speakers well withtoday’s doesn’t compare Dovedale SP Wharfedale’s Hi-Fi Choice Choice Hi-Fi DAVID PRICE OPINION writer writer 79 TRANSFORM A GOOD SYSTEM INTO A GREAT ONE!

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Blocks feedback & footfall Breaks Speaker/floor link Blocks vibration induced distortion Dramatically reduces jitter Stops cabinet/floor resonance Blocks floor speaker noise Blocks floor speaker noise Eliminates signal pollution

WHAT IT DOES WHAT from ground-borne vibration

Bass distortion down by 40% Wider deeper stereo stage No more floor radiated boom Greater clarity and separation Clearer more defined bass Neighbour friendly BENEFITS Far more enjoyable listening experience

Eliminate ground borne vibration with TOWNSHEND SEISMIC ISOLATION and hear the difference!

WATCH THE VIDEO “THE EFFECT OF GROUND BORNE VIBRATION ON AUDIO SYSTEMS” ON TOWNSHENDAUDIO.COM

For more information and best advice on ALL TOWNSHEND PRODUCTS visit www.townshendaudio.com email or phone us on +44 (0) 20 8979 2155. 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 Teenage clicks Teenage yesteryear bargains yesteryear back to findgreat turning theclock I amabigfan of music you love. The resulting discussion and any demo music youlove.Theresultingdiscussion andanydemo and makesuretheyknowyourroomsizethekindof juicy stuffaboutimpedancematchinganddampingfactors prove thepoint,gotoyourlocaldealerandaskthemsome custom back,wewillallbeinthedarkagesverysoon.To product combinations.Without givingthesedealerssome wisdom andletmelistentomanyoftheirexcellent is becausesomanyqualitydealershavepassedontheir The onlyreasonIcouldbuyonebaywithsuchcon Wheeler dealer saw the perfect opportunity to go onthe hunt for somevintage hi-fi bargains When hi-fi forager you’ve notheardbefore. paying for, andyoushouldhearsystemsynergy that should leaveyoucon emotions ofgettingmy setup. Thispromptedmetorememberthepowerful opportunity toupgradehisnewroomwithastarterhi- RB300 arm/Shure cartridge (£120) and Cambridge Audio RB300 arm/Shurecartridge(£120)andCambridgeAudio a systemthatreallysings.ARega Planar3turntablewith ads. Two weekslaterandthelargerbedroomissetupwith starter systemformysonusingebayand then andmydaughterstilllovestoday. different CDplayer, ampandspeakersthatwereamarvel the word“synergy”.Icameoutofhisdealershipwitha He lookedatmelikeabenevolentpriestandsimplysaid another hi- they soundedharsh,thin,stiltedandsoulless.Iwentto actually listeningtothedreamteammyheartsank,as the systemI’dyearnedforonpaperallsummer. Buton only Ihadmoremoneytobi-ampthespeakers. would create.Andhowperfectionbecreated,if Hi-Fi Choice endlessly thumbingthroughRicherSoundslea that would’vecostover£5,000initsheyday. For just£232Ihavecreatedabeautifullybalancedsystem speakers (£41)viaSonicLinkcables(freewithspeakers). M With thiswisdominmindIsetoutrecentlytosourcea After somecarefulsavingIsetoutintentonbuying I canstillrecallthesweaty-palmedexcitementfrom fi dealer and told him about my heartbreak. dealerandtoldhimaboutmyheartbreak. imagining the perfect sonic combinations I imaginingtheperfectsoniccombinationsI change was essential. I saw this as a perfect change wasessential.Isawthisasaperfect his originalbox-roomlikeabatteryhen,so recent growthspurtcausedhimtowedgein y teenagesonhasjustmovedbedrooms.A fi dent that experience is well worth dent thatexperienceiswellworth fi rst hi- Chris Ward fi system. 111a (£16) intoOpera RA-820BX amp feeding aRotel isolation stand(£5) (£50) onasturdy 640C CDplayer HFC fl oorstanding oorstanding ’s classi fl ets and realised that his son needed abigger bedroom, he fi dence dence fi ed ed fi

non-essential! of course,meactuallylikingmyson’s musicisabsolutely of passagethatheadphoneusers maybemissing.And, and wantingotherstohearitisan essentialteenagerite knowing yourself, whoyoureallyareandwhatlove, sense oftheword.Sharingmusicoutloudisamark my son’snewbedroomshowsmehe’sgrowninevery but hearingallthemusicplayedthroughloudspeakersin headphone budsontheschoolbus.Igetitandis‘social’, there’s oneother, lessobviousinsightthatstruckme. digital-busting qualities.Nowisthebesttimeforhi- valves andhornshavebouncedbackwithsomeincredible DACs havemoreprocessingpower thanNASAandvinyl, iPad or smartphone, wiresarevanishingfromsideboards, now streamthehighestlevelsofaudiofromaswipean seemed unimaginableevenafewyearsago.Systemscan delivering sometrulyamazingmodernkitthatwouldhave previous decades.Manyofthosesamebrandsarenow engineered byqualitybrandstolavishpricepointsfrom great yesteryearbargainsthatwerebeautifullyover bargains, butarrivedinbitsorwellpasttheirsellbydate. an audiophile,Ihaveboughtitemsonlinethatseemedlike things gowrongweonlyhaveourselvestoblame.Evenas speakers from for hi- and sofullyunderstandswhysomepeopledothesame a meanstoanend,andthatendistheloveofmusic. interested infrequencyresponsesandspecsheets.Hi- music effortlessly, thenchancesareyou’vebecometoo connect withyouemotionallyandcan’tfollowthe components tounlockthejoyofmusic.Ifasystemdoesn’t products, buthi- Five star reviews will always exist for individual Five starreviewswillalwaysexistforindividual It grates me to see children share left and right It gratesmetoseechildrenshareleftandright I amanunashamedfanofturningtheclockbackto A localdealertoldmehebuyshiscarssecondhand fi . And when I brought home the bargain Opera . AndwhenIbroughthomethebargainOpera ● fi ve miles away even he was agog, but when ve milesawayevenhewasagog, butwhen fi isaboutthenatural fl ow between fi , but fi fi nd nd is AUGUST 2014 AUGUST certainly jealous certainly around? We’re teenagers of theluckiest Is Chris’ sonone Hi-Fi Choice Choice Hi-Fi CHRIS WARD OPINION writer writer 81 Hear your music like never before

137 YEARS OF STUDY

In 1877 the fi rst loudspeaker was patented. Our web site reveals the full story and also: Since then constant evolution has ensued. • How to avoid common & costly mistakes in With attention to this long and inspired choosing loudspeakers. history, Origin Live developed speakers that • A 75% saving on loudspeaker costs. won Hi Fi World’s group comparison test. • Why non Hi-Fi enthusiasts love the Astute. However this experience also revealed the • The huge issues in speaker design that every limitations of traditional speaker design. loudspeaker owner must be aware of. Breakthroughs demanded radical innovation. • Why leading Hi Fi designers and reviewers choose our products to include in their personal systems. Th e new Astute Loudspeakers have many new attributes that set them apart from Find out more now on website below. conventional high end designs - the most obvious being that they hang freely - However this is just the tip of the iceburg.

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Download denied

Back at the beginning of the year Ed Selley made a vow not to buy any Compact Discs for 12 months. Now that he’s halfway through 2014 it’s time to see how he’s managing...

hen I decided to make 2014 a CD-free year, I quality downloads, but was confi dent that a combination of lossless this would seem to be W and hi-res audio downloads and vinyl a potential market too purchases would allow me to buy all the music involved for the record I wanted without having to resort to a format that I can’t label to envisage. I’ve actually play anywhere other than in my car. Halfway no doubt that label through this 12-month project, this confi dence has not bosses will point to proved completely unfounded but it is fair to say that not low demand while everything is going according to plan. ignoring the reality First up, the realities of life with a baby have meant that that there’s little I’ve been buying less music while I try and keep up with demand for something my son’s prodigious demands for consumables. I try not that you can’t buy. to think of a week’s worth of nappies, horrible fusions of Talking to Lothar fruit and veg in little pouches and adorable but painfully Kerestedjian, director expensive clothes in terms of lost albums, but sometimes of German-based High

or AVTech Media Ltd or AVTech it is hard to avoid the feeling. The demands of my son Res Audio, a site that haven’t precluded buying albums full stop, though, and has made great efforts this is where the surprises have made themselves felt. to make its catalogue

HI-Fi Choice HI-Fi Back in January, I believed that this little experiment was available beyond the going to be a vindication of the availability of downloads. borders of its home country, it becomes clear that fi nding Unable to get Vinyl was going to be used to fi ll in the gaps that the high-quality content full stop is still a massive labour of Kasabian’s album as a hi-res various websites were unable to fulfi l. Six months in and love and there seem to be a plenty of hoops to jump download, Ed things haven’t panned out that way. The fact of the matter through to secure it. Lothar is a better negotiator than has been forced is that there are huge numbers of downloads available to most and his 65 percent international availability is to buy it on vinyl buy, but the number of these that actually bisect with admirable, but still speaks volumes for the restrictions that music I want to buy the download business faces. To be clear, High Res Audio Finding high- is lower – is also solely interested in full hi-res and not ordinary quality content dramatically lower. lossless, which complicates matters further (although it What is most does mean its catalogue is of peerless quality). is still a massive galling is that while labour of love some albums are For the record simply not available This means that far from fi lling in the gaps, vinyl has been as downloads, a frustrating subset of them are available the main format for my purchases in 2014 and a copy of in lossless and hi-res formats, but not in the UK. While 48.13 will be joining them this evening. It is a few quid Qobuz has relaxed the restrictions on its varied and more than the Qobuz download, but it is at least legal for interesting catalogue, many of its most desirable albums me to buy it in the UK. I had hoped that 2014 would show remain frustratingly off limits to UK buyers. At the time that the download had come of age, but so far it has more of writing, the latest Kasabian album, 48.13, has just accurately shown that vinyl has returned from the brink been released in the UK. Qobuz is in possession of a and looks set to bury the format designed to replace it. I’ve 24-bit/44.1kHz version, which would be perfect for been more than happy with the quality of the discs I’ve playback on my multiple streamers, but I can’t buy it purchased so far as well – the pressing errors and quality in the UK without resorting to proxy servers and general issues that bedevilled some releases have been absent for dishonesty, which as a law-abiding type I’m loath to do. me at least. If this restriction was to protect UK websites selling the I should be happy that the experiment is working at all, same hi-res downloads, I could understand it. But at the but I can’t pretend I’m truly satisfi ed with the results so far. time of writing I cannot fi nd a single UK site offering me Vinyl is a wonderful, tactile and exciting format, but it is the same Kasabian album, which makes my inability to emphatically not the answer to the continued relevance buy it from the one place that has it maddening. This is of high-quality audio in the 21st century. Like the great exactly the sort of album that might attract interest from Magnus Magnusson, I’ve started so I’ll fi nish, but I’ll be ED SELLEY 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 purchasers not currently overly concerned about high- doing so with a slight sense of disillusionment ●

AUGUST 2014 83 HEADPHONE AMP/DAC £167-£395 Neville Roberts looks at four DACs that can receive digital audio from your PC’s USB port and drive your headphones directly

ADL X1 PRICE: £395 CONTACT: 01189 814238 WEBSITE: soundfowndations.co.uk

THIS PORTABLE DESIGN supports digital inputs from Apple iOS devices up to 16-bit/48kHz as well as 24-bit/ 192kHz hi-res fi les from your PC via a USB port. In addition to the USB digital input, the X1 has a 4-pin 3.5mm line-level input for use with analogue sources. The 4-pin 3.5mm output will drive any headphones in the 12-600ohm range. 24-bit/192kHz sampling. Internally, the other devices reviewed here, the As well as standard headphones, the the X1 has reference-quality higher sampling rates reveals greater X1 also supports those fi tted with components, including a gold-plated clarity and somehow the quieter with a microphone and a switch on circuit board and connectors. It also sections sound quieter! the front panel enables those fi tted has an internal rechargeable battery with a 4-pin jack. An adapter will be charged via the USB port. VERDICT required if your headphones are fi tted When I connect the X1 to my PC A convincing and exuberant performer in a neat, with a 6.35mm jack. A 3.5mm Toslink and plug in the headphones, I am slim case with an internal rechargeable battery optical digital output delivers the treated to a performance that is digital USB source signal at up to convincing and exuberant. As with

Fostex HP-A4

PRICE: £269 CONTACT: 03301 222500 WEBSITE: scvdistribution.co.uk

THIS COMPACT BUT well-made offering supports DSD 5.6MHz and PCM 16-bit or 24-bit from CD-quality 44.1kHz up to 192kHz sampling frequencies. Apart from the 6.35mm headphone socket, the front panel has a smooth volume control potentiometer and an array of four connected, the unit appears as noticeable improvement in quality push buttons to select the source, a another audio device in Windows. when playing my test fi les at the switchable fi lter, low or high gain and However, to take advantage of the higher resolutions. Beethoven’s Piano audio output selection. There is also a higher resolution replay of the unit Concerto No 3 24/192 resolution line of LEDs to show power and input over standard 16/44 CD-quality, simply sparkles with effortless clarity audio stream data rates. Fostex has developed an audio player and fullness. All in all, this is a superb The rear houses the USB, a pair of that integrates nicely with the HP-A4. performer that renders very RCA phono sockets, a pair of Toslink This player is a standalone application compelling performances from a PC. optical connectors for digital input that doesn’t need to be installed on and output and, uniquely, a microSD the PC – you just run it and load your VERDICT card slot for upgrading the fi rmware. hi-res fi les into it to play them. A versatile device that delivers a compelling Although the unit is ‘plug and play’ When I connect the HP-A4 to my PC, sound and has a great range of facilities when used with a Mac, a driver is I fi nd there is bags of volume for my required for use with a PC. When headphones and there is a very

84 AUGUST 2014 MINITEST

Listening on headphones makes for a very personal musical experience. port and then use its own internal DAC and headphone amplifier to drive However, good quality cans require a decent amplifier to drive them. Digital your quality cans! music is often stored on a PC these days, but the computer’s sound card and Each DACs is connected to Sennheiser HD580 Precision headphones headphone amp are generally not up to the job. This is where a dedicated fitted with a Russ Andrews HC-2 cable. I use a variety of music, including a HELP & ADVICE headphone amplifier/DAC (digital-to-analogue converter) comes in. It will recording of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with Artur Pizarro and The bypass all of the PC’s audio circuitry and take its feed directly from a USB Scottish Chamber Orchestra in a range of formats up to 24-bit/192kHz.

Korg DS-DAC-100m

PRICE: £348 CONTACT: 01908 304699 WEBSITE: korg.com/uk/

A NAME OFTEN associated with musical instruments and DJ gear, Korg has recently moved into the hi-fi arena with a number of innovative products. The DS-DAC-100m is a portable version of the company’s DS-DAC-100, with just a headphone and line-level 3.5mm stereo mini-jacks as outputs and is powered from the USB port. It supports 1-bit DSD native 3.5mm stereo mini-jack socket for the the digital one works well enough. playback on a PC or Mac. An audio headphones (so you will need an Also, I fi nd that there is an adequate driver is free to download to support adapter if your headphones have a amount of volume available to drive this mode of operation and the higher 6.35mm jack) and an additional my headphones. sampling rates of audio. When used 3.5mm mini-jack on the rear as a Musically, the Korg sounds with the AudioGate playback line-out connection to an amplifi er. impressive with my test FLAC fi les software, music is routed directly One LED in the row on the front and the dynamic range of the to the DAC-100m and completely panel lights up to indicate the Beethoven Piano Concerto at bypasses the computer hardware. incoming audio sampling rate, which 24-bit/192kHz is clearly evident. The Korg DAC obtains its power is a nice feature. The DAC-100m directly from the USB port, meaning is fi tted with a two-button digital VERDICT that there is no need for a separate volume control (one to increase and power supply. one to decrease the volume) and A neat and slim design that performs well across a wide range of musical genres The USB type mini B connection although I would have preferred is the only input source and it has a a traditional rotary volume control,

Epiphany Acoustics EHP-O2D

PRICE: £167 WEBSITE: epiphany-acoustics.co.uk

AS WELL AS the digital input via the mini USB socket on the rear, this unit can also be fed from an analogue signal via the 3.5mm input jack on the front. It is powered from the supplied AC power unit and comes complete with 4 self-adhesive rubber feet so that it sits comfortably next to your PC or on your audio rack. The on-board fi ltered power supply The DAC is not clocked by the USB over a wide range of music. I do ensures that any potential noise from port on the computer, but rather it rather miss the 192kHz support, the supply is eliminated. The DAC is uses an on-board crystal-controlled but this does not detract from an based on the TE7022L UAC1 engine oscillator to re-clock the digital signal excellent performance with 88.2kHz ES9023 24-bit DAC chip and supports to improve the overall performance. and 96kHz music and it should be 16-bit and 24-bit at sample rates of The amplifi er section delivers up to noted that this is the lowest price 44.1kHz, 48kHz and 96kHz. The 641mW into 33ohms, which is more of the four reviewed here and is EHP-O2D will work with Windows, than enough for most headphones excellent value for money. Mac or Linux PCs. As the USB is Class and I fi nd there is plenty of volume 1 (hence the 96kHz maximum rate), available. In addition to the great VERDICT it can use the standard Windows analogue volume control, there is a The EHP-O2D is a superb all-rounder that driver meaning that no special driver switch to set the gain to x1 or x5. represents excellent value for money is required for Windows PCs, just plug The sound produced by the it in and it installs itself automatically. EHP-O2D is full and easy to listen to

AUGUST 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

Scale model With its LS3/5A monitor, the BBC attempted to off er a grown-up sound from a small loudspeaker, remembers David Price

here is plenty of fi ne commencement of work in the mid/bass driver, and the speaker was classic hi-fi , and many corporation’s Research Department, carefully reworked. When this was T excellent products that under the stewardship of HD fi nally done, it was renamed LS3/5A have stood the test of time. (Dudley) Harwood at Kingswood and commercial production licences But the BBC ‘monitoring loudspeaker Warren. A team led by TE were fi nally granted to a number of type LS3/5A’ goes beyond this and Sommerville and DE Shorter had British loudspeaker companies. has become the stuff of legend. What been undertaking research into This two-way infi nite baffl e design was revolutionary about it was its acoustic scaling, and came up with a uses a specially selected KEF B110 performance relative to its physical quarter-scale monitor. The legend Bextrene mid/bass driver and T27 dimensions. Before its arrival, all goes that it was thought to have good SP1032 19mm mylar dome tweeter. small speakers were regarded as performance down to 100Hz, despite The latter is fi tted with a perforated sonically inferior to larger ones. There only having been designed to reach metal grille, which BBC engineers was no sense that a diminutive design 400Hz, for speech-related purposes. said, “has a small effect on the could in some ways better a big one. The team found it worked well with frequency response, which is wholly “It’s a loudspeaker that gives the music material, especially when wall benefi cial as it raises the output impression of having a lot more bass mounted. It was dubbed the LS3/5, somewhat at high frequencies”. Thick than it actually has,” says Spendor’s and found its way into mobile TV strips of felt surrounded the tweeter Philip Swift. “Nobody put so much control rooms for producers to to reduce secondary waves refl ected effort into compact, low coloration monitor mixing desk output. by the cabinet edges. loudspeaker than the BBC.” Shortly before the BBC was about The story starts back in the early to issue licences to a number of Box of delights seventies, when our national companies – as well as the BBC’s The box itself is extremely carefully broadcaster decided it required own Equipment Department – to A legend in constructed and damped. The cabinet a compact speaker for its outside manufacture it, the drive unit supplier the making: walls are 12mm birch plywood, broadcast vans. This prompted the changed some characteristics of the the LS3/5A braced on every joint with beech wood battens. Lots of work went into its design, to the point that different types of hardwoods were auditioned for the bracing. For example, one seventies report states that BBC engineers found Pirana Pine to have clearly audible colouration due to it resonating with the bass driver chassis, and so was rejected. The cabinet walls received a layer of Bostik sound deadening panelling, and a layer of 16mm anechoic-grade foam went on the sides, along with two layers of deadening pads and a 25mm layer of foam. The result was a heavy, highly acoustically inert box. The crossover was unusually complex for a small speaker, using 26 elements. One of the reasons for this was that it was designed to work optimally with a wide variety of drive unit samples. In the event of a tweeter blowing, the service engineer would measure the replacement unit and select the appropriate tap position on the autotransformer to give optimal frequency response. The crossover itself is mounted behind the tweeter and damped by a thick felt

88 AUGUST 2014 RETRO

pad to prevent resonance. “It was this LS3/5A VARIANTS and there’s a sense you’re peering elaborate crossover network, done through a compact looking glass. Bass In the late seventies, Jim Rogers produced very carefully and very skillfully, that the JR149, using the same drivers as the is surprisingly enjoyable for a speaker gave a much better sounding speaker” LS3/5A in a cylindrical aluminium housing. that almost has none, being tight and says Philip Swift. Aside from looking radical, the round clearly delineated. The midband is enclosure is more rigid and holds fewer Construction techniques varied from standing waves, making for a better sound. most pleasing in its clarity and manufacturer to manufacturer, with As a key manufacturer of the speaker, neutrality, and the treble is smooth Audiomaster pulling each crossover Spendor has also done several revisions, and delicate, but not very extended. such as the S3/5se. The original seventies component tight onto the board to Spendor SA1 was a direct rival and the The LS3/5A seems happiest with prevent resonance, while Rogers used company’s brand new D1 is its spiritual light acoustic and small scale the long legs of the components to successor, says Philip Swift. In the nineties, classical, where its fi ne tone and Harbeth re-engineered the speaker to keep them away from the board. Even produce the HL-P3ES, which sounds subtlety can shine through. Put some the grille cloth was carefully specifi ed similar, but is again a better all rounder. crunching heavy metal on and you’ll to be in contact with the felt stripes The LS3/5A itself got just two major feel let down by the lack of bass around the tweeter or there would be changes over the course of its long life, the extension, slightly compressed first being when it became 11ohms instead a frequency response anomaly. of 15, and the second when it was made dynamics (especially at higher The BBC’s Equipment Department bi-wirable. Aficionados have strong views volumes) and a rather unatmospheric manufactured small numbers for about the relative merits of both. Rogers’ high treble. Its problem is that it just matching stand/subwoofer – the AB1 – came reference purposes, to maintain along in 1995 and transformed the baby box can’t shift air like big speakers, and quality control with outside suppliers. into a far more usable loudspeaker. More goes to pieces if asked to. Legend has it that each licensee recently, however, the little speaker has been resurrected by Stirling Broadcast would keep a BBC-built pair of which has been granted a licence to make End of an era speakers to use as a production the LS3/5A V2. This uses Stirling’s own Ultimately, the LS3/5A’s problem was reference; an offi cial production drivers, as KEF’s are no longer available, but that it had had its day fairly early into test schedule required these to be is said to retain the authentic BBC sound. its life. Spendor still has original compared to the licensee’s production documents from the company’s run speaker using high-quality tape founder Spencer Hughes – who was specifi ed and highly toleranced, so involved with the original design – After a period of there will be a very high degree of saying that, “the advent of pop music uniformity across the manufacturers, will lead to a requirement for inactivity, it is back with some brands lying slightly above speakers that can take more power”. in production via the average, and others below. So, best think of this as a specialised In 1988 the little box got the fi rst of product that does a few things well Stirling Broadcast two updates, with the mid/bass unit and others not quite so adeptly. getting a more lossy vinyl material in Up to 1988, over 60,000 pairs were recordings of a variety of programme its surround. The crossover was also made, and after a period of inactivity, material. Quality control was tweaked to bring the frequency it is back in production again via rigorous, with lots of companies that response a little closer to the original Stirling Broadcast. Expect to pay applied for licences being rejected. target, and also to make the speaker between £500 and £1,200 depending As it transpired, the fi rst two fractionally easier to drive. The on age, type and condition; £800 manufacturers were Rogers and speaker was no longer specifi ed at An early advert should get you a very nice, usable Chartwell, then Harbeth (the 15ohms – quoted impedance became for the LS3/5A pair which if looked after is unlikely company formed by Dudley Harwood nominally 11. Subsequently bi-wiring from Chartwell to ever depreciate ● on leaving the Beeb) and Spendor was introduced, bringing the LS3/5A (formed by Spencer Hughes, chief into the modern era. engineer of the BBC’s acoustic scaling Some think the LS3/5A to have a speaker project) followed. Then other sublime and unique sound that has licensees including Audiomaster never been bettered, others believe (whose designer Robin Marshall later it to be an outdated anachronism, founded Epos) and RAM, Goodmans limited by its ancient drive units with and KEF. More recently, others such as their low-tech cone materials. What’s Stirling Broadcast have embarked on certainly agreed is that the 83dB LS3/5A production. The fi rst LS3/5A sensitivity of the speaker makes it bore the Rogers brand, was released essential to use a powerful solid-state in 1975 and is now a collector’s item. amplifi er – around 50W RMS per Some believe Rogers made the best channel at the very least. The versions, because the company was LS3/5As also works best on frame fi rst to market. It’s certainly true that stands – such as those made for the there were minor component Linn Kan – very close to a rear wall. variations – Rogers bought in its Properly set up and with good chokes and Chartwell wound its own. partnering equipment, LS3/5As For a good part of the seventies, sound very smooth and well Rogers and Chartwell Electro Acoustic balanced, almost euphonic. There’s a Ltd were both owned by Swisstone dramatic lack of boxiness to them that Electronics, and the speakers were lets you listen right into the sound. reportedly made on the same line. In However, they have a very small scale truth, the LS3/5A was very closely by the standards of most speakers,

AUGUST 2014 89 DEALER SYSTEMS STONE AUDIO

THE EXPERT Turn to Stone Stone Audio Stone Audio has taken its custom-built premises The Axium Centre, Dorchester Road, Lytchett Minster, Poole, Dorset, BH16 6FE and made it a temple of hi-fi for Ed Selley to enjoy 01202 630066 stoneaudio.co.uk

ost UK hi-fi dealers use The resulting building is a truly linn.co.uk buildings that started life impressive space and one designed gamutaudio.com M in another capacity. Be it a from the outset to show audio at clearaudio.de conventional retail store, its very best. Alex is a huge fan of en.devialet.com converted house or even some of the two-channel audio, but Stone Audio’s sonusfaber.com more leftfi eld buildings like chapels extensive brand portfolio also covers and hotels that Dealer Visits has multichannel (with an incredible passed through in the not-too-distant cinema demo room to show it off) past, but it is rare to fi nd a bespoke and custom install as well as some hi-fi building. Just such a building clever accessories like mirror TVs and exists, though, in the form of Stone elegant hi-fi cabinets. This portfolio Audio, a (ahem) stone’s throw outside also covers a very extensive price of Poole, Dorset. Company owner range with Alex just as happy to sell Alex Scott-Simons made the decision compact all-in-one systems as he to have a bespoke building is high-end setups. As such, I was constructed in 2008 after some years extremely interested to see how this as an online retailer and then was refl ected in the three systems operating out of a conventional shop. Alex had set up for my visit.

System test music

ACTIVE CHILD You Are All I See Vinyl

AIR Moon Safari CD

BEATLES Revolver 24/96 FLAC

90 AUGUST 2014 DEALER SYSTEMS STONE AUDIO

System 1 – Majik act

SOME SYSTEMS THAT I’m and layered beautifully over the shown leave me wondering exactly sparse, shimmering electronica. It how representative they are of the might not be the exact studio master, sort of business the store actually but it’s not too diffi cult to imagine the does day to day. This system is a artist raising a smile on hearing their 1 perfect antidote to that as Alex has work played on it. sold this exact confi guration on While this isn’t a showy system it several occasions – indeed, it is does have a sense of life and energy currently exiled from the demo that is wonderfully compelling. I’m rooms to give other setups a chance. sure I’ll be yellow carded by the audio When you look at what these journalist cliché police, but the LP12 sophisticated Scots can deliver, you really presents music in a way that begin to see why it is so popular. is quite unlike anything else. The Linn has been a mainstay of the Cinematic Orchestra’s Ode To The 2 Stone Audio lineup for years and Big Sea is a curious time signature, Alex feels the current Majik is the but the LP12 nails it perfectly. The most impressive range the company performance of the veteran deck is offers. There is certainly no shortage almost good enough to leave the 3 of features. The Majik DSM is an streamer section untested, but that all-in-one offering UPnP streaming, would be a mistake. A quick blast a bewildering variety of digital and 4 analogue inputs and a 90W internal The Linn LP12 amplifi er controlled by a slender remote or the Kinsky app. presents music in The slim Majik components are A kind of Majik a way that is quite fronted by a Linn legend The DSM serves as the core of a unlike anything else Majik system that incorporates two mainstays of the Linn ethos. The (there really is no better term) of fi rst is that by adding the Majik Scratch Massive’s Communion reveals 6100 power amplifi er, you can run that as well as the fl eetness of foot the the Majik 140 loudspeakers in their 140 fl oorstanders have great low-end active mode. A recent development shove and lovely fi ne detail retrieval. from Linn is that the cards modify One of the more notable aspects is the system to allow this are now how consistent it is across all sources. 5 supplied free of charge making the You won’t fi nd yourself favouring one decision to run the system this way because it sounds decisively better a no brainer. than the others. When you throw in The second is that this system also convenience features like the internet plays host to the LP12. The Majik radio, streaming direct from Apple version seen here makes use of a devices and the huge number of Pro-Ject arm and simplifi ed power inputs, you have a system that can supply, but the classic lines and genuinely handle almost any basic spec of the evergreen deck are confi guration of electronics that you immediately recognisable. As the might be trying to connect to it. It is DSM has a phono stage onboard, easy to see why the Linn appeals to there are no additional box quite so many people that walk requirements for the phono stage through the door. and the overall impression of the system is compact and discrete. The 1 LINN MAJIK LP12 TURNTABLE fl exibility is ably demonstrated by £2,700 the demo system also featuring an 2 LINN MAJIK DSM AMPLIFIER/STREAMER/ DAC/PHONO STAGE/ INTERNET RADIO/ Oppo Blu-ray player, which is routed AIRPLAY ETC... £2,965 through the Linn and out to a 3 LINN MAJIK 6100 POWER AMPLIFIER Picture Frame LCD TV as might be £2,720 used in a customer lounge. 4 OPPO 105D BLU-RAY PLAYER £1,099 I start proceedings with a blast of 5 LINN MAJIK 140 LOUDSPEAKERS Active Child’s You Are All I See. It – OAK £1,660 LINN SILVER INTERCONNECT 1.2M PAIR doesn’t take very long to understand £210 why this system has proved so LINN MAJIK 140 UPGRADE STANDS £395 popular. It’s not the sort of setup to In active immediately grab your attention 8M LINN K400 LOUDSPEAKER CABLE configuration, with a vast but slightly artifi cial (£13 PER METER) £104 the Majik 140 is sound. Instead Pat Grossi’s soaring 32X QED AIRLOC PLUGS £158.40 a very talented speaker indeed falsetto is perfectly proportioned TOTAL SYSTEM PRICE: £12,011.40

AUGUST 2014 91 DEALER SYSTEMS STONE AUDIO

System 2 – Run the Gamut The M5 is an advanced and NEXT UP IS something you won’t smooth and almost entirely potent performer currently fi nd on demonstration unconstrained from the speaker anywhere else in the UK. Gamut is cabinets. The 7in drivers of the M5 a Danish company that produces lend this system an impressive complete systems – electronics, low-end shove that once again is 1 cabling and speakers in-house. totally unforced. The vast output Initially Alex trialled the M’inent of the Di150 give this system a M5 fl oorstander on its own. This tremendous sense of effortlessness 2.5-way design uses a pair of 7in that even in the vast open plan area drivers – each slightly different from of the building never shows any real one another to better suit them to signs of strain. their respective roles – and a ring Switching to the Clearaudio and radiator tweeter. The M5 showed giving it The Hidden Orchestra’s promise, but Alex felt it was a little Archipelago – a truly expansive record on the warm side. with some dense instrumentation to And so he was persuaded to go ‘all unpick – and the system delivers a in’ and added the Di150 integrated spectacular pay off. The Clearaudio is amplifi er and CD3 CD player to slightly more matter of fact than the complete the system. The Di150 Linn, but it produces a sound that is one of the most expensive fi lls the room and underpins it with integrated amps I’ve encountered, immense low-end extension and but this 180W, 32kg monster feels pin-sharp positioning of instruments worth the asking price even before and performers. The breaks and beats you turn it on. The build quality is of Spoken are delivered with real immense, with beautifully fi nished accuracy and perfect timing. This is heatsinks and a front panel that not a turnable you would buy for a could stop a bullet. The CD3 is built warm and romantic, stereotypical in the same lavish casework and vinyl sound, but if you have a wide makes use of a Burr-Brown PCM variety of genres on vinyl and you 1792 DAC that allows for 192kHz really want to hear what is on the upsampling from CDs. disc, this is one of the most accurate decks anywhere near the price. Crystal clear What makes this system special is To fi nish the system, Alex has added that the performance is greater than a Clearaudio Performance DC the sum of its already capable parts. turntable and Musical Surroundings They combine to give you a setup battery-powered phono stage. While with nigh on unlimited headroom and he is a huge fan of the LP12, Alex a tonal balance that allows for upbeat 1 GAMUT M’INENT M5 LOUDSPEAKERS – WALNUT £7,700 isn’t blind to the slightly demanding and high impact music to be felt as 2 GAMUT CD3 CD PLAYER £5,250 setup options of the Linn and he much as heard with real power and 3 GAMUT DI150 INTEGRATED feels that the incredibly logical and drive to it, but just as easily replay a AMPLIFIER £7,700

beautifully implemented Clearaudio delicate vocal piece with startling 4 CLEARAUDIO PERFORMANCE offers the perfect solution to this. immediacy and power. When you DC TURNTABLE £2,495 There is no arguing that the consider the immaculate build quality MUSICAL SURROUNDINGS Performance DC is a wonderful and the handsome appearance of the NOVA II PHONO STAGE £1,090 GAMUT XLR AND LOUDSPEAKER looking deck and it must be said, components – not to mention that the CABLING POA very impressive value too. The end result is still usefully compact – TOTAL SYSTEM PRICE: £24,235 overall asking price is actually you have a mighty system. slightly lower than the Majik LP12 in System One and this is helped by The Gamut electronics the inclusion of a £700 cartridge and Clearaudio effectively as a freebie. turntable combine to great effect Starting with CD – allowing me to experience an all Gamut presentation – the way that this trio handles Air’s magnifi cent Moon Safari is an 2 3 elegant demonstration of the benefi ts of going for a one-make system. Any excess warmth that the M5 speakers might have shown with other electronics is absent here. To be clear, the presentation hasn’t gone out the other side – the 4 reproduction of Beth Hirsch’s fabulous vocals in All I Need is liquid

92 AUGUST 2014 DEALER SYSTEMS STONE AUDIO

System 3 – Chrome and class

THE FINAL SYSTEM is incredibly are the perfect foil for the Devialet. sophisticated, powerful and fl exible. There is a natural richness to the It is also gobsmackingly attractive Olympicas that fl eshes out the 250 and beautifully built. The range of and the result of the partnership 1 components from Absolute Sounds is utterly compelling. is a key part of the Stone Audio Kicking off with the 16/44 FLAC lineup and two of its brands of Ali Farke Toure and Ry Cooder’s combine with a little help from Talking Timbuku, the way that this Linn to form this vision of beauty. system builds the piece is utterly Devialet has been an unstoppable spellbinding. The body and weight force in audio since its arrival. that plucked strings have is so Since then, the range has grown to immediately compelling that you fi nd multiple products, all based around yourself calmly suspending disbelief the same unique design principle at the two artists not actually being of confi gurable inputs mated to an present in the room and performing innovative amplifi cation stage that for you. The depth and extent that combines Class A elements with the sound fi eld extends beyond the Class D power output. The 250 has speakers borders on the supernatural. 250W on tap from the single chassis At this point you should be and the option to confi gure it in a impressed, but not too surprised – wildly varied number of ways. this is after all the Sonus faber One of these options is a UPnP comfort zone. Where the Devialet streaming board, but Alex feels that shows its character is when you move it still has a little further evolution out of this historical happy place and to undergo before he would make ask this combination to get to grips use of it all the time. And so, the with Kraftwerk’s Minimum Maximum. Devialet is fronted by a Linn Klimax The fast moving, almost seismic bass DS – one of the most capable of Aerodynamic is chewed up and spat devices of its kind you can buy. It out with disdain by the Olympicas is connected to the 250 via an with their dose of Devialet smelling The Olympica analogue interconnect and means salts. This is a minor work of art that is a very pretty that the same excellent Kinsky app also manages to get the head nodding and seriously talented speaker is available for control. and this delivery on so many levels is the hallmark of something special. Olympic games To wrap up a very satisfying day, a The fi nal component in the system quick blast of the Beatles Tomorrow runs the Devialet close for sheer Never Knows is utterly wonderful. beauty. Sonus faber rarely produces The ability of this system to take you anything other than beautiful straight back to a smokey EMI studio speakers, but the Olympica II ranks and hear what is unapologetically as one of its prettiest. This three- my favourite Beatles track on my way fl oorstander – making use of a favourite Beatles album is a work of dedicated midrange driver as well magic. This ability is so outstanding as a bass unit and the classic Sonus that I’d tolerate the electronics being faber DAD arrowpoint tweeter – is wedged into biscuit tins and needing 2 almost perfectly proportioned. The me to wear sturdy gloves to operate curved cabinet, leant back for time them. That this system is also alignment is almost perfectly set off perfectly built, astonishingly fl exible by the walnut fi nish and leather and possessed of styling that would baffl e that makes almost every other grace any lounge is what makes it 3 speaker look rough and ready. truly outstanding. Rough and ready is not a turn of 1 DEVIALET 250 £11,800 phrase you are likely to apply to 2 SONUS FABER OLYMPICA II The Devialet the way this system sounds either. LOUDSPEAKERS £6,998 is peerless In the same way that the Gamut 3 LINN KLIMAX DS £12,950 supported electronics work to bring out the by the mighty CHORD COMPANY CABLING POA Klimax DS best in the M5s, the Sonus fabers TOTAL SYSTEM PRICE: £31,748

It is fitting that in a building purpose built of the music you play on them. What understands absolutely the demands to demonstrate hi-fi in the best possible sets them apart is that they do this while of custom installation and this makes way, I have experienced three systems making no concessions for flexibility, itself felt in the lack of rough edges SUMMING that deliver sublime performance. All beauty or dimensions. or compromise in the way that these UP three do the most important thing any This is where the wide-ranging systems are assembled. Stone Audio is collection of audio electronics should portfolio of Stone Audio comes into its not simply a magnificent premises, it is do – they deliver the emotional content own. Alex may love two-channel, but he also home to some stunning systems.

AUGUST 2014 93 LABELLED WITH LOVE

Creation Records

The label that genuflected at rock ‘n’ roll’s altar. Simon Berkovitch revisits the home of the UK’s most exhilarating guitar bands of the eighties and nineties

ard to believe, but it risk-taking ethos remained the Pastels, The Loft and Slaughter hybrid Loaded defi antly sticking is 20 years since same – see the signing of former – their sound. the label’s fl ag in the Top of the H Oasis, Creation Dexys Midnight Runner Kevin The Jesus and Mary Chain was Pops studio, paving the way for Records’ chart- Rowland for controversial the fi rst group to transcend its the all-conquering Oasis and dominating fl agship band, comeback album My Beauty own set of infl uences and other hits from Super Furry detonated Defi nitely Maybe, the (1999). The label had travelled translate them into chart Animals and The Boo Radleys album that put the swagger back some distance since coming into success, laying claim to being in the mid-nineties. into indie rock ‘n’ roll and being to release a 45 by obscure the label’s fi rst great group. The road to commercial Creation into the fast lane. indie artist The Legend! with the Their Upside Down (1984) single success was not without its At the time, the rivalry help of a £1,000 bank loan… is one of the most signifi cant problems: My Bloody Valentine between Oasis and Blur was Pop-art punks The Creation releases in Creation’s history – allegedly caused Creation likened to The Beatles and the gave the label its name, and alongside seminal records from fi nancial heartache during the Stones – a wholly appropriate co-founder Alan McGee took My Bloody Valentine and prolonged midwifery of their comparison for a label inspired inspiration from the mods’ near-hits from The House of critically acclaimed Loveless by ambitious, sixties pop on its songbook when christening his Love in the late-eighties. album (1991). Indeed, McGee formation in 1983 until its own outfi t, Biff! Bang! Pow! A Shoegazers Ride were the fi rst sold half the company to Sony dissolution in 1999. fusion of rock ‘n’ roll, Byrdsian Creation act to hit the top 40 in 1992, signed Oasis and The supersonic success of Oasis jangle and seventies punk and with the exhilarating Like A then rode the rocket of their may have catapulted Creation post-punk gave the early Daydream single (1990), with mega-success until the label into a whole other league, but its Creation groups – such as The Primal Scream’s dance-rock fi nally shut up shop in 1999.

94 AUGUST 2014 LABELLED WITH LOVE

Oasis Northern charisma in spades and a songbook that will Live Forever

fter signing to Creation in Post-Defi nitely Maybe, Oasis had Now 20 years old, A 1993 on the back of an 18 crossed over into the mainstream. Definitely Maybe Wheeler support slot (see They may have been Creation’s has been reissued Shopping List), top 10 third fl agship band, but the level of and remastered single Live Forever made it success they were about to apparent that Noel Gallagher achieve meant they were no was working to a masterplan. longer an indie label concern. The Slade-meets-Beatles nursery Follow-up album What’s the rhymes of Supersonic and Story (Morning Glory) (1995) Shakermaker couldn’t hold a saw songwriter Noel stretching candle to his towering anthem out, embracing ballads and that set the scene for debut album Defi nitely Maybe (1994). This was the fastest This was the fastest selling debut album in UK chart history, selling debut album hurtling straight to number one in UK chart history on initial release, but bottling that genie was another matter. strings – most signifi cantly in Recording sessions to capture Wonderwall – alongside the Oasis’s live set were troubled, Stonesy glam of tracks such as until producer Owen Morris had Some Might Say and Roll With It. a crack at the mixes. The end Third album Be Here Now result was the fi nal piece of the (1997) captures the band in the puzzle slotting into place, as the eye of the hurricane, famously calibre of Gallagher’s skyscraping described by Q as “cocaine set songs and charismatic younger to music”. B-side compilation brother Liam’s larynx – part- album The Masterplan (1998), Lennon, part-Lydon – was never Oasis’ last for Creation, is a far in question. more satisfying, diverse listen. Primal Scream Hedonistic rock ‘n’ roll historians who cut a diverse run of great LPs for the label

XTRMNTR was ormed by The Jesus and Primal Scream’s crowning the final Primal F Mary Chain’s sticksman achievement, the Screamadelica Scream album Bobby Gillespie in the early album (1991), swiftly followed on Creation eighties, Primal Scream released – a joyous, eclectic mix of its fi rst 45, the effervescent All Rolling Stones’ rock, spacey dub, Fall Down, for Creation in 1985. electronica, uplifting house This sixties pop-inspired music and comedown ballads. incarnation of the group The follow-up Give Out But released two singles and an Don’t Give Up (1994) channelled album – Sonic Flower Groove (1987) – for short-lived Warner A joyous, eclectic Brothers subsidiary Elevation. Back on Creation, the real mix of rock, house Scream story begins with 1989’s and electronica self-titled album. The group had regrouped as a hard rock trio the spirit of mid-seventies rock that sounded like it was driven ‘n’ roll and soul, while Vanishing by both the high energy rock ‘n’ Point (1997) was a return to the roll of The Stooges and MC5 and group’s more experimental, the downer ballads of Big Star post-punk roots. and Dennis Wilson. It was one of My Bloody Valentine’s Kevin these heartbreakers – I’m Losing Shields swelled the ranks for the More Than I’ll Ever Have – that, politicised, harder-edged, in the hands of house DJ XTRMNTR – the last LP released Andrew Weatherall, became hit by Creation in 2000. The group single Loaded, one of the big shows no signs of winding down records of the indie-dance operations, having released four crossover of the early nineties. LPs since Creation’s demise.

AUGUST 2014 95 LABELLED WITH LOVE

The Jesus and Mary Chain SHOPPING LIST Alan Hake, from nineties Creation act 18 Wheeler, picks the lost albums and The blessed union of Phil Spector pop and godlike guitar feedback singles that are definitely, not maybe, worth hunting down

nspired by the Sex Pistols, manager) and released one Chain returned to Creation in Slaughter The Velvet Underground, of the eighties’ greatest the mid-nineties, recording I’ll Follow You Down I “The dark magus The Ramones and sixties’ girl alternative rock records: sixth LP Munki (1998) for the of Creation’s groups, the music that Jim and Psychocandy (1985). label – their last studio album history. This is a William Reid – the core of The Going full circle, the Mary before splitting up in 1999. glorious shambles of feedback, free Jesus and Mary Chain – made jazz, garage and stuck out like a sore thumb in debauchery.” the sea of eighties pop – and none more triumphantly than The Jasmine on their fi rst Creation release. Minks Cold Heart Upside Down (1984) was “C86 anorak indie Creation’s fi rst great 45; a at its best. A lovely record that still sounds like song, but aren’t those chorus it’s hell-bent on escaping the vocals slightly confi nes of its grooves. Proof out of tune?“ positive that the equation of wall of guitar feedback, plus Bill Drummond Velvet Underground drums, The Man “A strangely plus sixties girl groups forgotten LP given songwriting sensibilities equals the KLF’s pop pop perfection, Upside Down is domination. Often dismissed as a a life-affi rming slab of noise joke, I certainly pop; one that’s often imitated, took it seriously.” never bettered. After this fearsome blast, Felt the group signed to Warner Space Blues “Far removed Brothers’ subsidiary Blanco y from jangly, indie Negro (with Creation supremo pop, euro synths Alan McGee retained as back a typically bittersweet Felt lyric on this marvellous track.”

The House of Love Velvet Crush The Post Greatness EP One of the great Creation bands, according to label founder Alan McGee “Home to the power-pop escribed by label boss Love signed to major label while Chadwick continued to double whammy of Window To D Alan McGee as “one of the Fontana – with mixed results. captain The House of Love, The World and great Creation bands”, indie Bickers went on to form cult before reforming the group Atmosphere.” rock outfi t The House of Love neo-progressive rock act with his former guitarist for may have had a clutch of Levitation in the early nineties, a spell back in 2003. Teenage Fanclub classic songs to their name, Thirteen “The follow-up but internal disarray meant to breakthrough that they weren’t destined to Bandwagonesque become the label’s fi rst big was a relative failure critically breakout act. and commercially. At the heart of The House of I’m not sure why.” Love lay vocalist and guitarist Guy Chadwick and lead Arnold guitarist Terry Bickers. Indeed, Hillside Album “Hailed as the it’s the partnership of Bickers’ new Radiohead, melodic, psychedelic style and I thought they Chadwick’s classic songwriting sounded like Pink Floyd. Fleas Don’t chops on which the group’s Fly is pure post- reputation lies. Syd floatiness.” Their fi rst single releases on Creation – Shine On and Real Super Furry Animal were rounded up on an Animals Northern Lites excellent, untitled, German- “The last great only compilation (1987). band Creation Although tipped for success, signed. They had an effortless run this unstable lineup soon of singles and this imploded and a new is my favourite.” incarnation of The House of

96 AUGUST 2014 “Get up and drive your funky soul!” James Brown

The heart and soul of music

Precision; a new luxury loudspeaker range from Tannoy, built to deliver music as it was meant to be heard. With audiophile features such as double-magnet drivers, hand-built crossovers and mass-load cabinet tuning, Precision OHZT\ZPJH[P[ZOLHY[HUKZV\S(JYVZZ[^VZ[\UUPUNÅVVYZ[HUKPUNTVKLSZHJVTWHJ[Z[HUKTV\U[HUKTH[JOPUN centre channel speaker, Precision delivers breath-taking detail and musical dynamics. Built around a brand new 6 inch (150 mm) version of Tannoy’s world renowned Dual Concentric™ driver, the contemporary cabinets boast WYLTP\TÄ[HUKÄUPZOPUHJOVPJLVMJVSV\YZ7V^LYM\SWHZZPVUH[LHUKPUJYLKPIS`WYLJPZL7YLJPZPVUNL[Z[V[OLOLHY[ and soul of music like no other speaker in its class.

tannoy.com Quite Simply

CLINICAL IN ITS USE. PERFECT IN ITS the Best.EXECUTION. “A startlingly musical performer with blistering speed and dynamics allied with smoothness, sophistication and purity of tone.” Hi Fi World

Now part of the Hi Fi World Magazine - World Standards Verdict: For: Against: Startlingly musical performer • Superb transient speed • nothing HI-FI WORLD with blistering speed and • Excellent dynamics dynamics, yet smoothness, • Tonal purity sophistication and purity of • Overall musicality tone too. Superb.

WINNER! WINNER! Home Demo’s of the Award HI-FI NEWS HI-FI WORLD Winning Monarch now Ultimate Hi Fi Finest AWARDS 2012 available. Contact us for Product Award 2012 Best Turntable details.

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 100 Shakti 100 Hollie Cook 101 John Coltrane Natural Elements Twice Blue Train Albert Watson

Pink Floyd The Division Bell

Expanded multi-disc box set Parlophone

HAVING WRITTEN MOST of the material on Dark sax playing had graced Dark Side Of The Moon and keyboards and Gilmour’s guitar on the Side Of The Moon, Wish You Were Here, The Wall Wish You Were Here, returned for the first time in instrumentals Cluster One and Marooned returned and The Final Cut, Roger Waters believed that he almost 20 years, helping Gilmour to recapture the to Floyd’s cosmic glory of the early seventies. was Pink Floyd. He likened Floyd without Waters to group’s eternal essence. The Division Bell went on Lavishly repackaged in a 20th anniversary box The Beatles without John Lennon and after leaving to top charts around the world and gave Floyd its set, there’s a previously unreleased 5:1 surround the group in the mid-eighties resorted to the courts first number one album in America in 15 years. mix for the audiophiles and a two disc 33rpm LP in an attempt to prevent his former colleagues All great Floyd albums require a concept version for the vinyl junkies. Above all, there’s some continuing without him. Guitarist Dave Gilmour, and Gilmour came up with the theme of crackingly potent Floyd music. Gilmour’s U2 keyboardist Rick Wright and drummer Nick Mason communication and the space between us. imitation on Take It Back now sounds like a bad had other ideas and to Waters’ fury won the legal Many of the album’s lyrics were interpreted as a mistake and the sampling of Stephen Hawking’s right to the famous brand name. broadside against Waters, particularly on Lost For voice on Keep Talking doesn’t really convince. The first album in Floyd’s Gilmour-led incarnation, Words, Poles Apart and A Great Day For Freedom, But they’re rare blemishes and the likes of What 1987’s A Momentary Lapse Of Reason, was with the double entendre of its references to “the Do You Want From Me with its Comfortably disappointingly flabby and insubstantial, saved only day the wall came down”. Gilmour diplomatically Numb-style guitar solo, the ethereal Poles Apart by Gilmour’s own burnished guitar playing. But the denied any of it was an attack on his old colleague, with its inventive Michael Kamen orchestration 1994 follow up – which to date remains Floyd’s last but the theme and the frisson of anger, real or and the magisterially doomy ballad High Hopes, studio album – was a far more satisfying aff air. imagined, gave The Division Bell a consistency and which brought the album to a close proved Bob Ezrin, who had helmed The Wall, reassuringly coherence that A Momentary Lapse Of Reason conclusively that there was far more to Pink resumed the producer’s role and Dick Parry, whose had lacked, while the empathy between Wright’s Floyd than Roger Waters. NW

AUGUST 2014 99 MUSICREVIEWS

John Martyn Hollie Cook Well Kept Secret Twice

CD Esoteric CD Pledge Music

STRONGLY INFLUENCED BY Phil Collins, HOLLIE COOK’S SECOND album continues the Martyn’s 1982 album moved away from the laid-back, sunny pop reggae of her debut but this evanescent folk-rock of earlier albums in favour time the songs are more sophisticated. Moving of smooth pop arrangements, polished production away from standard stylings towards establishing and slick sessioners. a signature sound, based on roots reggae, but The outcome was the disco sheen of tracks incorporating Bond-style string flourishes, Brazilian such as You Might Need A Man and Back With A percussion and choral harmonies. Production by Vengeance – and his first top twenty album. But Prince Fatty is consistently fine throughout, his airy sensuality was still to the fore on the likes showcasing Cook’s high, childlike vocals to great of Could’ve Been Me, the sultry Hung Up and a eff ect, and helped by a few very distinguished heartfelt cover of Joe Scott’s beautiful Never Let guest appearances including Dennis Bovell and Me Go, now symapthetically remastered for the Omar. Highlights include Ari Up, a tribute to the first time in more than 30 years. NW Slits’ lead singer and Looking For Real Love. DO Emerson, Lake and Palmer Chrissie Hynde Brain Salad Surgery Stockholm

Three disc deluxe edition Sony CD Will Travel/Caroline Records SINCE ITS RELEASE back in 1973, ELP’s fourth album has been widely derided THE QUEEN OF kohl returns without her trusty as a rather self-indulgent extravagance Pretenders in tow. Not that you’d really notice to be that epitomises everything wrong with honest. They may not be sophisticated, but Hynde prog-rock. This 40th anniversary still has a knack for a catchy chorus, as testified by Don’t Be Such A Baby and You’re The One. Her edition, augmented by a second disc of distinctive alto voice is undiminished too and is alternative mixes and rarities, and a DVD still a sexy pleasure to lose yourself in. Audio version, gives an opportunity to As a paid-up member of rock royalty she now has reassess. In reality it will probably only access to great guests which is how we come to see Neil Young lending his string-bending skills to reinforce existing views of arguably the Do you agree with our reviewers? Down The Wrong Way and John McEnroe (yes, that ultimate ‘Marmite’ band of its era. Decide for yourself and listen to one) laying down some guitar work on A Plan Too With its famous “welcome back my some of this month’s tunes at www.hifichoice.co.uk Far. With or without her regular band, Chrissie friends to the show that never ends” Hynde is still very much a star. DO intro, the sprawling centrepiece, the Big, bold and ambitious AUDIOFILE VINYL or trite, pretentious Shakti and overblown – the Natural Elements 180g vinyl Columbia/Speakers Corner choice is yours... AFTER THE JAZZ rock Ecology to put it up against McLaughlin’s electric three-part suite Karn Evil 9, finds Keith odyssey that was the work. But the acoustic factor brings a lightness to Emerson turning into the Hendrix of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, the fast and furious proceedings on many tracks, keyboards, coaxing an astonishing array speed demon guitarist it’s not combative, however, the two lead players of sounds out of his instruments, John McLaughlin looked manage to work together (and alone) in east for his next project. complete harmony, leaving the percussion including the Moog Apollo, billed as the This coalesced into players to drive the sound with their amazing first polyphonic synthesiser. Elsewhere Shakti, which he formed ability to play in synch at high tempos. If anything the versions of Jerusalem and with tabla supremo Zakir Hussain, violinist L Natural Elements could do with some of the Ginastera’s piano concerto are among Shankar and percussionist TH Vinayakram. They serenity found in earlier Shakti albums, there is rock music’s most formidable settings made three albums of which this, the last, was only one down tempo piece at the end, dubbed of classical themes. Big, bold and recorded in 1977, yet it has enough exuberance suitably enough Peace of Mind. This is a distinctly ambitious or trite, pretentious and to be the first. Shakti in this guise is not unlike an analogue recording in the Columbia style, it’s not acoustic Mahavishnu, there is easily as much fire given much dynamic range, but there is plenty of overblown – the choice is yours. NW and flamboyance on the opening piece Mind natural reverb to add depth. JK

100 AUGUST 2014 HIGH RESOLUTION DOWNLOADS

The Gloaming John Coltrane The Gloaming Blue Train

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

THE GLOAMING ARE an odd hybrid of SAXOPHONE GIANT COLTRANE had broadly traditional Irish folk and New York two sides to his incredible career – the experimentalism. To the fore is Martin Hayes’ mind-expanding later work and his earlier, more plaintive violin, ably accompanied by piano, lyrical interpretations of original and standard voice, guitar and hardanger fiddle on a series songs. This is firmly in the latter camp and of sean-nós (old style) traditional songs. This contains some of the most beautiful and is no exercise in nostalgia, though, and the five expressive music committed to record. master musicians use the old songs as jumping Legendary engineer Rudy Van Gelder’s off points to explore new directions and derive attention to detail is beautifully showcased by new depths of emotion. DO this hi-res digitally remastered version. DO

Respighi Brazilian Impressions; La Boutique Fantasque, Orchestre Philharmonique de Liege, John Neschling

Hybrid SACD Bis

THE SHIMMERING OPENING of Brazilian Impressions perfectly showcases Respighi’s ear for orchestral detail. The mix of lush sonorities and rich sparkling tone colours creates a timeless languid mood. It’s followed by La Boutique Fantasque, based on tunes by Rossini. Conductor John Neschling captures the eff ervescent mood of the piece perfectly, and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Liege responds with witty, spirited playing. The Mixes lush sonorities recording sounds crisp, open, and eff ortlessly and rich sparkling detailed. The sound is naturally balanced, but quite tone colours to brightly lit, and beautifully transparent. The SACD create a timeless languid mood layer sounds slightly more open and tonally sweeter – the CD layer is more forward. JH

Mendelssohn BLU-RAY DVD Ruy Blas overture, A Midsummer Nights’ Patricia Barber Dream, Piano Modern Cool concertos 1 and 2 Blu-ray PREMONITION RECORDS

Modern Cool was originally 0289 481 0778 0 Decca released in 1998 but had not been released beyond CD FOR COLLECTORS, THE main item of interest on and vinyl before this Blu-ray. this disc is the original 1839 version of the overture Unusually it’s a dedicated Ruy Blas. The familiar version is superior, but it’s audio disc with only a format fascinating to hear Mendelssohn’s first thoughts. choice and track menu It’s followed by the Overture and four numbers showing onscreen. The 24/192 PCM mix is from the incidental music to A Midsummer Night’s sumptuous and the playing captivating. The 5.1 Dream. Last but not least, the two piano concertos DTS HD Master 24/96 is a completely complete a well-filled disc. The performances are new mix and opens up an already revealing crisp and lively. Chailly can be a bit hard driven in recording further. Barber and band have a Mendelssohn, but the music is always kept moving. tendency to smoothness, but when they cut The piano concertos are brilliantly played, and loose as on Constantinople things get a lot soloist Ashkar copes well with the fast tempi. The more interesting. JK recording is clean, open, and well balanced. JH Reader Classified ads www.hifichoice.co.uk For saleFor / Wanted

YAMAHA YSP 2200 sound bar and subwoofer, all cables and leads and instructions, only 18 months old (RRP £750) £390: Reader 01294 822562 (North Ayrshire).

Sadly they must go: ATC integrated SIA2 150 01825 722936 or email: mint condition, superb sound, spartridge37@btinternet. just £1,250: 01225 706783 com (Sussex). (Wiltshire). Classified MICHELL Gyro SE with AKG VQ701 Quincy Jones Welcome to Hi-Fi Choice Reader Classified, Origin Live Rega RB600, Signature Line Headphones in Goldring 1642. Mint condition white, one and a half years old, a free private ads service for buying and £875. Audiolab 8000 Q mint condition, boxed (£340 selling second-hand hi-fi components. (British) £280. Audiolab new) £170: 07905 348812 3000P £180. Acoustic Energy (Watford). These pages are a must-read if you’re The simplest way to send your ad is via AE1 Classics £575. All mint AERIAL ACOUSTICS thinking about buying used kit, or if you email to: [email protected] or mail: condition: 01484 427426 10T speakers in Rosewood have hi-fi you want to sell. It’s free to place Reader Classified, Hi-Fi Choice, (West Yorkshire). (£8,000 new), asking £2,200. an advertisement – simply submit your ad AVTech Media Ltd, Enterprise House, ARCAM irDAC £195, mint Lexicon processor DC2 of up to 30 words, remembering to include Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent, condition and boxed: 02392 (£4,000) VGC £950: your email, phone number and county. TN8 6HF. 453382 (Havant). 0152 614055 (Fleet, Hants). This service is open to private advertisers only. WANTED Technics DVD NORDOST Red Dawn RCA Images are for illustration only and do not represent what is for sale stereo system SC-DV-150 or interconnects. Superbly FOR SALE later version. Good condition transparent sound, mint essential. Quadrophonic condition, were £300 will take SPENDOR A3 dark walnut finish, wonderful sound and ORTOFON MCA10 battery- amplifier also desired: Sansui £100: 01484 427426 (West floorstanders, includes boxes in excellent condition with operated preamp, excellent QRX 9000 or 999 or Pioneer Yorkshire). original packaging, grilles etc. condition comes with new equivalent: 01985 213952 and packing material. £550. WANTED four track tape £475 ono: 01925 572936 batteries. 1x Ortofon MC10 (Wiltshire). Collection only: 07930 deck or recorder for up to 7in 397120 or email: or email: whites96@ Super cartridge, boxed, plays ATACAMA Equinox hi-fi spools: 01535 661278 david.blumenstein@ gmail. virginmedia.com well, but may need a re-tip rack in piano black with glass (West Yorks). com (London). (Cheshire). (no way of checking), £50 shelves. Five shelves and not PINK TRIANGLE LPT ART EXPRESSION Q ACOUSTICS 2050i including postage. 1x BTE four in mint condition (RRP Rega £300. Musical Fidelity loudspeakers. Black finish; speakers for sale, white passive preamp, 3inputs, £430) £150: 07905348812 E100 Electa amp, E600 CD, virtually new condition. gloss finish, immaculate American Walnut, excellent (Watford). condition, very little use, £50 E50 tuner £550. Linn Index Superb sound! Complete with condition, £400. Buyer to WANTED Quad 50E mono including postage: 01382 speakers £70. Sony Sports matching stands, boxes and collect: 07940 659384 amplifier, must be in good (Brighton). 644815 (Dundee). Walkman £25: 01708 457691 paperwork. Will demonstrate. working order: (Essex) £950: 07736339194 or NAIM Nait 5i integrated amp 07946 522644 (Sheffield). email: [email protected]. in excellent condition original CHORD Signature links SONUS FABERS uk (Bromley). box, still under warranty x4, brand new, unused (cost Concertino speakers with receipt provided, £499: RUSS ANDREWS Ultra Sonus faber Piano Black fluted 07967122765. Purifier Block with mains stands in excellent condition, zapperator plus 8 clarity VPI Scout 2/JMW 9T/Linn with original boxes £695. mains modules installed. This Klyde. £1,750 ono: Musical Fidelity X-Dac v3 is a special one-off model. 0208 4649044. £250, Pr 3M bespoke Silver Mint condition (RRP £1,850) POWER supply for Class A High Breed Quintessence £1,100 or £1,050 if collected: amplifiers, self contained, speaker cabled, banana 01902 884694 or email: suits John Linsley Hood’s termination, £95: STAX SR-007 reference [email protected] or any low power Class A 02476 679165 or email: system, ie: SR-007 (West Midlands). ATACAM Eris Eco 5.0 amplifier, £279. Pair of used [email protected] electrostatic earspeaker MORROW AUDIO MA rack, brand new, unused. SEAS 10in drivers, £99: (Coventry). Silver with dark oak with matching SRM-00711 1 one metre pair stereo 0207 499 8729. REGA Brio amplifier. Two shelves (bamboo) £300. direct coupled dual triode interconnects, rave internet GALE 401 speakers years old, moderate usage Base 225mm, mid and vacuum tuber energiser. reviews £35: 01243 528010 with chrome ends, fully £300. Monitor Audio BX5 top 175mm. Collection Original owner, absolutely (West Sussex). reconditioned, original Floorstanders, two years only: 079388 35982 new £2,200 ono: 01505 ART Stiletto speakers (pair), (Middlesex). paperwork and boxes, first old, perfect condition £250: 346791 (Renfrewshire). slim floorstanders in maple reasonable offer secures. 07908 945608 (Battersea).

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

£1,200: 07933 109234 power supply at a total finish. Excellent (Leicester). cost of £3,600, asking condition, original MUSICAL FIDELITY £1,575 ( have now boxes and floor spikes. V-Dac MkII £80, X-Cans MkI moved to streaming) £275: 07837 654593 or £40. Headphones: Grado Audiolab 8000T tuner email: kinkyafro@gmail. SR80 £40, Sennheiser £115 (£800) had from com (Lincoln). HD580 (minor cosmetic new, but hardly ever SOMETHING SOLID issues) £35. Townshend used: 01202 515474 or speaker stands. Black, Seismic Sink platform black email: johnlangley17@ 63cm height, mass £95: 07931 571915 or email: talktalk.net filled, spiked feet, photo [email protected] (Bournemouth). available. Ring for other (London). PROAC Studio 140 Mk1 dimensions. Quality CHORD Anthem 2 RCA floorstanding speakers stands. VGC. £40: interconnects, 1 metre, boxed, in maple. Due to 01582 423791 (Beds). 2 pairs (£300 per pair). Chord weight, buyer collects. CLASSICAL LP Epic Twin speaker cable, 3 Unmarked A1 condition. collection for sale. Over SPENDOR S3/5R2 black speakers £400. REL T3 Sub, black metres (£350). All as new, all £750: 07597 499299 2,000. Many highly rated £200. Linn Pekin tuner, black £150. All unmarked and perfect £150 per pair. Linn Ikemi CD (Hampshire). performances. All in working order: 01952 728773 (Shropshire). player, immaculate (£2,200), CUSTOM DESIGN really excellent condition. £550. Buyer collects: wall-mounted turntable Sell as one collection or 07870 159725 or email: £90) £60. Chord cobra Plus talktalk.net. support, black steel smaller quantities: 07804 sub lead, 10m (cost £147) + johnsidebottom@hotmail. MARANTZ Champagne frame, toughened 782950 or email: hope. 3m (cost £70) £100 for both co.uk (Somerset). PM 7200 KI amplifier in glass shelf, complete [email protected] + p&p. Russ Andrews RGB mint fully working order. PROAC Speakers Response with all fixings in (Maidenhead). Scart (cost £200) £60: 01772 C/W KI certificate, manual, D1 for sale. Cherry finish with as-new condition. ACOUSTIC 812992 (Preston Lancs). remote and packing carton, black grilles. As new £850. Offers please: 01293 INSIGHTS Aurousal ARCAM CD37/SACD player £300: 07505 920373 Buyer to collect: 01628 524587 or email: VSx speakers. Excellent (black) £699. Roksan Kandy (Warington). 626085 or email: davedagenham@ condition with boxes K2 integrated amplifier (silver) dandlpotter@indosmail. CHORD Indigo Plus Digital hotmail.co.uk dark cherry £895, sale £550 and K2 CD player (silver) com (Maidenhead). 2M RCA-to-RCA £300 and (West Sussex). reason colour change £550. Both only months old 3M of same £350, excellent KIMBER Select 9033 NAIM Intro 2 wanted: 0208 9513178 with latest remote control condition can demo. number set with super Speakers, beech (Middlesex). RMX-111. Denon TU1800 Upgraded to tuned array: burn in £250. Kimber DAB/FM tuner (silver) £175. 02380470107 or email: Orchid digital XLR 1/2m All items in immaculate [email protected]. £130. Kimber HD19 condition with original boxes: PMC GB1 compact floor- HDMI cable 0.75m £50. 023 80738935 or email: standing loudspeakers, Isotek Sigmas mains [email protected]. immaculate cherry veneer, conditioner £800: EAR 509, Mk 2. Pair of in original boxes, £450: 01772 314151 or email: mono valve amps, 100W 01403 255153 or email: Jamesmckendrick@ per channel. Very good [email protected] (West btinternet.com condition, late eighties, little Sussex). (Lancashire). use. Can demo. Buyer to pay REGA Elicit R amplifier, 6 PRECISION Eikos CD postage or collect, £2,000: months old ,as new condition. player fully upgraded 07527 567829 or email: ROKSAN Kandy K2 integrated amplifier, in black, 17 months Complete with original by Tom Evans just under abaird2011@btinternet. old, perfect and as new and boxed. £595. Would prefer demo packaging and receipts. two years ago to his very and collection to posting: 0113 2188797 (Leeds). com (Berkshire). latest spec. with external MUSICAL FIDELITY A1 integrated amp (2008), A1CD both in excellent condition and boxed. £1,000 for both HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR FREE AD ono. Will split: 07791 529128. YOUR DETAILS To submit your advert to us, please email letters@ QUAD 99 System consisting Name of amp, preamp, CD and hifichoice.co.uk or Address alternatively, use the postal tuner in original boxes, mint form below. Please limit ads to condition, complete with a maximum of 30 words, leads and remote control. ensuring all details, model Prefer buyer collects. £800 Email address names, etc, are correctly stated. Kindly also include Daytime telephone number ono: 0208 8576346 or your email, telephone number email: pp.marden31@ Date and home county. We regret ntlworld.com (Bromley). that we cannot take adverts over the telephone. NACAMICHI DR-3 YOUR ADVERTISEMENT LEAK 2075 speakers, cassette deck (only 6 tapes ever played/rec) including excellent condition, no

10x TDK SA90-2xTDK MA90 scratchers, can demo.

blank tapes unopened and 2x Collection only due to 1m pairs of QED silver spiral size and weight £650: interconnects (for play/rec). 01472 885413 or Includes original box and email: bilton1234@ virginmedia.com manual, £165: 01202 515474 SEND YOUR ADVERT TO or email: johnlangley17@ (Grimsby). Hi-Fi Choice, AVTech Media Ltd, Enterprise House, Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 6HF

AUGUST 2014 103 Mavros Interconnects & Speaker Cables

MAVROS SPEAKER CABLE : One of the truly great cables currently on the market. This is the best set of speaker cables that I’ve ever heard. Truly genre defining.

MAVROS INTERCONNECT : These are not cables that try too hard to impress. They just allow the music to flow naturally.

HiFi World, July 2013

the performance connection atlascables.com EXTRAS

Eltax Monitor III BT wireless speakers

ACTIVE SPEAKERS WERE once seen as pro market products, but are now a rapidly growing area in domestic hi-fi with seemingly every speaker brand introducing at least one wirelessly connected active speaker model to its range. The new Monitor III BT is based on Eltax’s original passive Monitor III standmounted loudspeaker and adds a built-in amplifi er with Bluetooth – there’s no aptX logo – as well as a useful selection of analogue (RCA and 3.5mm jack) and digital (optical and coaxial) connections for wired sources making it a very versatile option indeed. There’s also a subwoofer output, while a USB input is provided for charging of a Bluetooth device, but not audio playback. The cabinets are nicely constructed LED light behind the active speaker’s The bass performance adds a sense made from 18mm thick MDF and grille provides helpful connection of scale and is fairly well controlled each speaker measures 195 x 330 x status info. and extended thanks to the front 230mm (WxHxD). They look rather With 25 years of manufacturing port, helping the Monitor III BT to understated, but remove the behind the brand and a design based sound surprisingly potent. There are speaker grilles and you will fi nd a around an already successful passive some mild cabinet resonances in the bass port slot on the front baffl e speaker version, it’s hardly a surprise mid bass at times, although this is beneath a 25mm tweeter and that the Eltaxs deliver a sonically only triggered by certain tracks, but 130mm mid/bass drivers. Our satisfying listen. With a CD player it’s a good idea to ensure that the review model has a pleasant matt connected via the optical digital input speakers are fi rmly supported by a black textured fi nish, but a white to test their sound quality capabilities solid base and use the supplied foam option is also available. with uncompressed audio, they have pads to assist with isolation from any a well-rounded and surprisingly external vibrations. Which is which? engaging performance – I have heard With music streamed over A built-in amplifi er quoted at 2x more costly models that don’t sound Bluetooth running Qobuz from my 50W max power is in one of the this good. The midrange proves to be tablet the results are still decent, and speakers, and feeds the passive a particular talent and the voicing the speakers follow the same sonic model via a supplied speaker cable gently highlights the vocals on characteristics as with direct source linking the two together. Rather London Grammar’s Hey Now giving connections. There’s a noticeable unhelpfully there is no information them a presence that makes it easy to downwards shift in terms of audio on the back of either speaker unit hear Hannah Reid’s every breath quality, but it’s still very listenable. or clearly detailed in the instruction within the recording. booklet to indicate whether the With the active speaker positioned Hey good looking active speaker model should be on the left for correct stereo, the There are plenty of Bluetooth positioned on the left or the right soundstage performance is also rather speakers for buyers to choose side for accurate stereo. Place the impressive for such affordable between, but few are as well speakers the wrong way round, and models, and it manages to conjure specifi ed or as engaging as the the soundstage will be confused. DETAILS up a larger sense of space than I Monitor III BT. Its wireless Bluetooth Thankfully the hit and miss imagined from the relatively small connectivity may not claim aptX PRICE approach to speaker placement isn’t £200 speaker boxes spaced just 1.5m support, but this doesn’t score evident when it comes to connecting CONTACT apart. Jennifer Warnes’ Ballad of the against it. The inclusion of so many your Bluetooth device – simply 0333 9000 093 Runaway Horse extends across the wired connectivity options suggests select the input using the speakers’ WEBSITE width of my listening room to form that the Eltax’s wireless connectivity remote control, followed by the richersounds.com a solid soundstage – something that isn’t its raison d’etre, but one that pairing button, and the Eltaxs see you’ll only be able to appreciate by adds to its fl exibility as an active OUR VERDICT your Bluetooth device. Select the placing the left and right speakers in speaker package and makes it even speakers, and hey presto! A white their correct positions. more attractive at the price. LD

AUGUST 2014 105 EXTRAS

Arcam miniBlink Bluetooth DAC

NOWHERE ON THE top three sides of the packing box can you see the word Arcam. Instead, it’s described as a ‘miniBlink’, with ‘123’ added on one surface. Now this isn’t because Arcam is a modest company with much to be modest about, it’s because the Cambridge-based operation is selling this little device into a market that neither knows nor cares who or what Arcam is. In other words, the miniBlink is unashamedly a mass market, consumer audio product. And why not? Arcam has been quick to market with a extensive range of wireless and/or network-equipped DACs. This shows that the company has been fast to recognise the potential of a brave new audio world where mobile phones and tablets are now our music sources. Indeed, we’re lovely shade of violet. Oh, and don’t protocol that piggy-backs onto it getting to the stage now that forget to plug the supplied RCA-to- offers really rather good sonics. It’s computer audio is for dads with 3.5mm cable into your hi-fi ; there’s claimed to be as good as CD, but their ripped CD collections, while also a 3.5mm-to-3.5mm lead included I’ve never heard it that good; rather the kids are happy with their mobile too, for those who don’t have hi-fi s. it’s best described as matching devices and downloads! The whole process is done and dusted top-quality AAC, which is certainly in just under a minute. no bad thing. When it’s had a few Blink and you’ll miss it Arcam says “much” of the miniBlink minutes to warm up, the miniBlink So the miniBlink is aimed at a is taken from the company’s £160 shows you that aptX can be great younger demographic, and maybe rBlink. This is the audiophile version, with a lively, musical, detailed and their more hip, groovy and swinging with an S/PDIF output and a swanky just plain fun sound. parents too – but certainly not at alloy case. The miniBlink feels like folk who worry that aptX may not a very light plastic pebble; it’s Power and the glory be a suffi ciently high-fi delity For example, Grace Jones’ Private medium to transmit digital audio Shows that aptX can Life comes over with power and over. All the miniBlink has to be is passion. Driven by my Sony Xperia Z small, cute and ultra easy to use be great with a lively, smartphone, the miniBlink shows – and so it is. It weighs just 40g detailed and just itself to be excellent at capturing the and measures 60 x 30 x 75mm song’s dynamics. There is a lovely (WxHxD), meaning it’s small plain fun sound punch to Sly and Robbie’s percussion enough to be truly portable. Indeed, work, with a lithe, supple bass guitar Arcam intimates that this is how it beautifully surfaced with a gloss and wonderful thwack to the bass sees many miniBlink customers fi nish, but you wonder how long it drum. Tonally it’s not the deepest, using it, fl itting between friends and will last without being scratched. It darkest sounding thing around; family music systems for the few sports a Burr-Brown PCM5102 24-bit instead it has a bright and spry sort years we have before everything on DAC, which is a fi ne design; I think of nature that picks out loads of sale gets Bluetooth connectivity DETAILS the biggest limiting factor won’t be detail with zest and vigour. But built in as standard. PRICE this, but the very cheap USB power you’d never call it hard; it comes It’s claimed to be “as easy as 1-2-3” £90 supply and the very modest over as being a well executed, low to set up, and so it proves. All you CONTACT connecting leads. Although adequate, distortion design. Indeed Arcam’s do is unpack the unit, plug it into 01223 203200 the miniBlink would surely sound new miniBlink is ideal for its the USB power supply that comes WEBSITE signifi cantly better with either or intended market, giving portable arcam.co.uk in the box, switch your device’s both of these upgraded. music fans a taste of quality sound Bluetooth on (if it isn’t already) and OUR VERDICT Audiophiles shouldn’t worry about that they may not be used to, yet it press the miniBlink’s one button to aptX. Standard Bluetooth sounds remains highly enjoyable to more pair it. This done, it will light up a gruesome, but this special wireless tweaky hi-fi types too. DP

106 AUGUST 2014

Pure Valve Phono Pre-Amplifiers Serious about vinyl? Then you should read this

PS 3 MK II PS 1 MK II

Showing PS3 MK II upgraded version with JJ and David Shaw CV181 valves, and fitted with Jensen Copper foil in paper and oil caps. Icon Audio MC transformers

Vinyl reproduction needs simple valve quality. Not Complexity! Our three phono pre-amplifiers have consistently won top awards in Hi Fi World, Hi Fi News, and Hi Fi choice, and other countries whenever they are reviewed.

The brilliantly conceived 1950’s RIAA equalisation for LP reproduction calls for a simple low noise valve stage which attenuates treble according to frequency. This may be done PS 2 improved easily in stereo with three valves preserving the minute musical details recorded in the groove giving a “warmer” satisfying sound without emphasising surface noise and scratches that older vinyl is prone to have. Whilst technically speaking modern solid state designs work well, their complex multi stages “lose” something in comparison to valves and often sound cold, clinical and uninteresting, lacking the passion and emotion in the music whether it be Vivaldi or the Verve. Whilst the Compact Disc is stuck with its dated 1977 software, vinyl technology continues to advance. Improved stylus shapes and tone arms keep pushing the technical boundary on what can be recovered from an LP groove and with an Icon Audio phono stage can reveal simply astonishing results, even from 1950’s recordings. As the definition of equipment improves we have refined our designs to maintain the focus and presentation to be without any “mechanical” or contrived quality.

The PS1 MK II. Our original design updated with improved separate power supply both valve and “choke” regulation. This may also be fitted with our high quality “in house” made moving coil transformers suited to the finest moving coil pick up cartridges.

MK I awarded “5 Globes £” - Hi Fi World 2010.08

The PS2 improved. A simplified “one box” version of the PS1 MK II. Comes with an all important substantial power supply, a carefully tuned circuit all hand wired, with selected valves for optimum performance with moving magnet or high output moving coil designs.

Awarded “RECOMMENDED” - Hi Fi Choice 2013.01

The PS3 Mk II. This design is unique in having a “state of the art” power supply including a valve rectifier, two special “chokes” for ultra smooth power, a unique pure valve referenced and regulated circuit to give DC current of the very highest purity. Our very low noise high definition double cascode pre amplifier then uses the superb 6SN7 output valve. Optional British made moving coil transformers, or our newly developed “premium” type suited to the finest moving coil pick up cartridges. Capable of exceptional performance and very low noise when connected to the best MM or MC pickups.

MK I version awarded 5 Globes “Exceptional Valve phono stage of fantastic ability” - NK HiFi World 2008.11. “OUTSTANDING PRODUCT” - Hi Fi News 2010.07

All our amplifiers are designed and finished in Leicester. Warranty and service is done by the engineers that designed them so you can be sure of long term performance. All of our amplifiers are hand made using “point to point” soldering without using printed circuit boards. This allows the use of bigger audiophile quality components easy servicing, upgrades and modifications. High quality components are used throughout including an “ALPS” volume control, silver plated PTFE audio cable SCR capacitors audiophile resistors. A choke regulated power supply adds richness to the sound quality that silicon devices alone are unable to do. Bespoke upgrades available including silver/copper capacitors, valves and design. All original designs by David Shaw made exclusively in our own factory.

PS2mm from £599.95(MM only) PS1 from £999.95 (£1,199.95MC) PS3 from £1,899 (£2,099 MC) (inc UK VAT). Buy direct from us or you dealer. (Part exchange welcome) www.iconaudio.com [email protected] 351 Aylestone Rd Leicester LE2 8TA UK Stereo or Dual-mono?

DISCOVER YOUR DEVIALET WITH OXFORD AUDIO

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Call Jon Harker on 01865 790 879 to find out more. EXTRAS

Audio-Technica AT-95E phono cartridge

MANY PEOPLE IN the West tend to regard Japanese companies as massive corporations, on a par with Sony. Some are, of course, but not all – and Audio-Technica is one of Japan’s smaller ones. It’s basically a family-run business, started in 1962 in Tokyo’s central Shinjuku district by Hideo Matushita. Japanese cultural, craft and artisan tradition has always placed a premium on precision engineering on a small – or even micro scale – and so it was no surprise that many companies started making pickup cartridges during the vinyl era. Audio-Technica started with the AT-1 and then AT-3 moving magnets, then the AT-1001 tonearm and latterly micro cassette recorders, headphones, microphones and interconnects. By the early eighties when the With its detachable stylus, the joy of Tonally, it’s ever so slightly bright AT-95E was launched, the company the AT-95E is that if you break it you and forward, but then again the had a strong provenance of making can slot a brand new one in for vinyl medium isn’t, so the AT-95E phono cartridges, and began to do around £20. Better still, if you’re has some help here. The result is an well in moving coils as well. A feeling tweaky there are various fancy explicit, well defi ned sound that has precision-made dual magnet design, aftermarket alternatives, such as the a taut, lithe bass and an open and it sports a green plastic detachable LP Gear (www.lpgear.com) ViVid Line engaging midband. In absolute stylus assembly to which a standard for around £60. Or, if you’re feeling terms, it pushes images just a little aluminium cantilever is attached via keen, superglueing a brand new forward and into your face, but it’s a rubber damper. At the end you’ll stylus to your AT-95E body will all relative and by CD standards fi nd a bonded round shank stylus, further improve the sound. This is sounds quite laid back. Treble is with an elliptical profi le. When it precisely what Linn did back in the decently smooth and couth with no was introduced, elliptical styli were mid-eighties to make the Linn Basik obvious nasties, although it’s not the still fairly prestigious things to have cartridge – although it did it to the last word in extension. on budget cartridges, but now it’s 95’s cheaper AT-93 sibling, which had totally routine. The cartridge motor an inferior spherical diamond fi tted. Needle craft assembly is housed in a screened This is no giant killing cartridge Critics of the Audio-Technica will say metal case and glued to a black – £1,000 Lyra moving coils need not it’s slightly sterile and analytical. It’s plastic half-inch mounting block. It’s stir from their slumbers – but what it true to an extent, inasmuch as you’d all solidly made in Japan, and very does do is provide an extremely good never call it a romantic cartridge, well considering the price. basic level of performance in a totally and it doesn’t time as well as really fuss-free way, for a very small amount good moving coils. But at the price Tale of the tape of money (in cartridge terms). Rather there are no complaints. Again, The vital statistics of the AT-95E are like a good cheap hatchback car, you tonally it could do with a slightly pretty routine nowadays, but were keep coming back to it thinking you’re more generous bass, but careful extremely good at the time of its having a little more fun than perhaps setup can help here, as can launch. It tracks between 1.5g and DETAILS you’ve paid for! superglueing the stylus in place – 2.5g (I get best results around 2.2g), PRICE Housed in a good basic turntable – although you’ll void your warranty weighs 5.7g in total so will balance £30 such as a Rega P3, for example – the if you do this, of course. Properly in most tonearms with ease, and CONTACT Audio-Technica sounds fast, fun and aligned in a semi-decent tonearm, has a standard 47,000ohm 0113 2771441 frenetic, making music a pleasure to tracking at the right weight and recommended loading. The WEBSITE listen to and throwing loads of detail given an LP side or two to warm eu.audio-technica. company claims a 3.5mV (mV at com/en out at you. It tracks surprisingly well up, the AT-95E is capable of a 1kHz, 5cm/sec) output, which is for a cheap cartridge, and delivers a surprisingly good sound. Overall, decent but nothing special and a OUR VERDICT spacious and deep soundstage that it’s a cracking little MM phono frequency response of 20Hz to captures the fundamentals of the cartridge for any starter or classic 20kHz, which is fi ne. music brilliantly. deck – pick-up a bargain now! DP

AUGUST 2014 109 EXTRAS

Analogue Studio Cork and rubber turntable mat

TURNTABLE MATS CAN serve a granules. This composite layer mat very important function. Apart from should suit most turntables and has supporting the record on your been specifi cally designed to absorb platter, they also help to reduce resonances and vibrations. It is 3mm unwanted vibrations and minimise thick and it should be noted that this the risk of slipping during playing. may well affect the VTA (Vertical Incidentally, to check for any Tracking Angle) of the stylus on the slippage, put a tiny mark on the record, which should be checked edge of a record, line it up with a and the tonearm height adjusted mark on the platter and then play if required. the record. If there is slippage, it doesn’t take long for the marks to Labelled with love become misaligned. A particularly nice feature of this well controlled. At the top end, Of course, it is very easy for a mat is a recess in the centre to strings sounds more natural with the DETAILS turntable mat to accumulate dust accommodate the label area of the Analogue Studio mat than with the PRICE and dirt from the air and from any record. This ensures that the mat is felt option. In addition, vocals seem £27 records that have not been cleaned supporting the playing surface and to be more involved and well CONTACT for a while, so replacement of an not any thick centre label. integrated with the instrumentals. 01733 350878 old mat is also a very good idea. I compare this mat with a well-used This indicates that the mat is reducing WEBSITE Enter the Analogue Studio cork felt one that I have available and I unwanted refl ections of record analogueseduction. and rubber turntable mat. do indeed notice an improvement vibrations back into the cartridge. net This mat is 295mm in diameter in instrument positioning and focus This mat is a good-value upgrade OUR VERDICT and is made from a unique with the Analogue Studio offering. and provides noticeable audible combination of cork and rubber The bass response is also clean and improvements. NR

B.M.C. Audio PureUSB 1 cable

GERMAN COMPANY B.M.C. Audio GmbH latest selection of products are being distributed here by Colab Audio. They include a range of fi tted with a high-end audio equipment, such gold-plated Type A as belt-drive CD players, DACs, fl at-section USB plug amplifi ers and the PureUSB1 active at one end and a USB digital interconnect cable, which gold-plated Type B square- is available in 2m or 5m lengths. section plug at the other. While many It is important to appreciate that audiophile USB cables attempt to USB power supply. Another digital cables are just as important limit transmission losses and noise by advantage of this approach is the as analogue cables for ensuring material tuning, the PureUSB 1 cable reduction of length sensitivity; the high-quality audio reproduction. provides what B.M.C. considers to be active circuit allows for the cable DETAILS Poorly designed cables and a better solution, which is an active to be longer without causing losses, PRICE connectors can result in unwanted electronic circuit connected in the so a 5m cable sounds virtually the £175 for 2m cable, £250 for 5m cable refl ections and timing issues that give cable itself near the DAC plug end. same as the 2m length. rise to jitter and other errors in the A/B tests against a conventional CONTACT 07702 168000 digital signal. These errors can lead Keeping noise at bay USB cable do indeed demonstrate WEBSITE to degradation of the resultant audio This circuit takes advantage of the 5V noticeable audible improvements, colabaudio.com signal, hence the importance of DC power available in a USB cable to especially in terms of the spatial bmc-audio.de using well-designed and high-quality power the active circuit that restores precision of instrument placement. digital cables. and reshapes the digital USB signal Considering that this is an active OUR VERDICT The B.M.C. (Balanced Music just before entering the DAC. The design, the price is quite reasonable Concept) Audio PureUSB1 cable is circuit also fi lters the noise on the – and it works a treat! NR

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EXTRAS

Lindy NCX-100 Active noise cancelling headphones

WHEN IT COMES to headphones, active noise cancelling models are by necessity more complex than their conventional passive brethren. This design require microphones, power and amplifi cation to knock out extraneous noise. This adds size, weight and complexity and with it, usually a hefty price tag. This makes the Lindy NCX-100 something of a pleasant surprise. The accessories manufacturer has an extensive range of cables, electronics and accessories, and the NCX-100 is the larger and more expensive of the two noise cancelling models in the lineup. ‘Large’ and ‘expensive’ are relative terms in this case. The design is the design. The headphones are When you start to play music, the usefully compact and £100 is far comfortable enough and the build noise cancelling does not seriously from a high price for a pair of noise is very solid. The soft touch plastic affect the performance that the cancelling headphones. attracts fi ngerprints and the pressure Lindy demonstrates in passive mode, First impressions are positive. The on the head via the spring loading of but with a useful jump in sensitivity Lindy is an over-ear, closed-back the band is fairly high, but this should that means that the NCX-100 is design and, as you might expect keep them in place on the move. unlikely to be a challenge for all but from something designed to In use, the most important aspect of the feeblest portable devices – useful alleviate the noise of the outside the performance is that they are more considering the standard locations world, is a folding design to make it than listenable when used as regular you will actually want to use noise easy to stash away when not in use. passive headphones. The closed-back cancelling in. The headphone part of the design means that the NCX-100s are NCX-100 is simple enough. A pair not the most expansive of performers Bass in your face of 40mm dynamic drivers with and there is a certain slightly The third ‘bass boost’ setting over neodymium magnets are set a lead-footed nature to the bass eggs the pudding and then eggs it a reasonable distance into the earpad performance, which means that faster bit more. The general presentation and a detachable cord attaches to tempo music can be robbed of a little is not something that really needs the left-hand earpad. This includes of its drive and excitement, but the more bass and for the most part I’d an inline remote and mic that makes tonal balance further up the suggest leaving the boost setting using them with portable devices frequency spectrum is more assured alone although it may come in entirely painless and you also get and voices are rich and detailed. handy in really very noisy a quarter-inch jack adapter. Compared to the Grado SR80 at the environments. If it was the only same price, the Lindy sounds a little other way of listening to the Lindys It’s oh so quiet leaden and closed in, but this is it might be an issue, but as it is it’s The noise cancelling arrangement judged on a level playing fi eld which effectively just a curio. takes the form of a pair of AAA doesn’t refl ect its other abilities. It should also not detract from a batteries that are fi tted in the Activate the noise cancelling with very capable and reasonably priced left-hand earpad, which provides DETAILS no music playing and the levels of pair of headphones. The Lindys are power for up to a claimed 95dB cancellation are effective without good enough to be used from time PRICE noise reduction. The right-hand £100 being overblown and unnatural. Like to time as a home headphone, but switch moves the NCX-100 between CONTACT many of these systems, the processing offer genuinely effective and well standard passive operation, active 01642 754000 is more effective at lower frequencies balanced noise cancelling when used noise control and a bass boost WEBSITE than higher ones – it will do a better on the move. When you consider the setting. The switch is easy enough to lindy.co.uk job of masking the noise of an engine useful supplied accessories and reach while wearing the Lindys and than it will a drill, but this covers sturdy build, you have a very fi ne OUR VERDICT overall it is clear that a considerable some standard annoying noises like pair of noise cancelling designs at amount of thought has gone into aircraft cabins and commuter trains. a thoroughly sensible price. ES

AUGUST 2014 113 EXTRAS

Mackenzie Hi Fi VooDoo Audio Avatar powercord

SOMETIMES, IT’S WORTH cable! Although it contains just three hunting further afi eld when conductors, the outer diameter of searching for good-quality, yet the powercord is a whopping great affordable audio accessories. This 20mm, which is clearly required to is the approach taken by the accommodate the internal spacing Northamptonshire-based Mackenzie of the conductors. Hi Fi and, as a result, it came across VooDoo Audio which hand-makes Voodoo Child its products in the USA. The Avatar is fi tted with a The VooDoo Audio Avatar cryogenically treated gold-plated Powercord is the entry-level product VooDoo PowerPhase IEC connector my preamplifi er power supply to be in the VooDoo Audio mains cable at the equipment end and a UK precise! Swapping between it and a range and has been designed to be Duraplug (fi tted with a 13A standard ‘kettle lead’ showcases the both a cost-effective and versatile Bussmann fuse) at the other. The improved dynamics and lower noise DETAILS power cord that is suitable for any substantial rubber Duraplug may fl oor offered by the Avatar. The PRICE audio component. The Avatar is cause problems if space is an issue opening crescendo of Beethoven’s £213 for 3ft constructed with #10 AWG around your mains supply. Both the Ninth Symphony with Karajan Powercord high-purity silver-plated copper connectors are hand polished and conducting the Berlin Philharmonic CONTACT conductors insulated by a Tefl on treated with contact enhancer. The (DG 410 987-2) somehow swells to 07905 362545 dielectric. These conductors are powercord is nicely fi nished in a black greater magnifi cence and during the WEBSITE arranged to offer a high line braid and the cable is surprisingly quieter passages you feel you can mackenziehifi.com capacitance to act as a fi lter to fl exible, given its large diameter. hear a pin drop! If size is not an issue OUR VERDICT mains-borne interference. This is I waste no further time in for you, then this is an excellent cable evident by the size of the resultant connecting the Avatar to my system – to consider. NR

Maxell MXH-DBA700 earphones

WHAT’S THE FIRST thing that listening to music on a smartphone goes through your mind when you and control volume levels. think of Maxell? For me, it’s the TV ad The earpieces are shaped into a rather with the guy listening to The Ride Of swish-looking cone and appear a little The Valkyries on a Maxell cassette as large for my tender ears when I fi rst try the sound blows his hair and tie back them, but experimenting with the like he’s got a hurricane blowing choice of four different-sized through his living room. Whether or attachments results in a comfortable fi t. not these earphones will have the They are treated with silver-ion, which same affect remains to be seen, or is used in dentistry to reduce bacterial should that be heard? infections and, I suppose, is designed to The hybrid design of the MXH- stop all the gunk that comes out of your DBA700 combines the benefi ts of lugholes from becoming a breeding two sound transducer technologies, ground for nasty germs. according to Maxell. The balanced deep – if not the lowest. The audio armature is claimed to offer precision Bring the noise spectrum is generally well balanced DETAILS in the mid-to-high frequency range, These earphones certainly go loud and moving to some spoken word PRICE while the 8mm dynamic driver is and though at no time do they blow reveals them to be clean and clear £100 better suited to handling the lower my hair back like the eighties ad, they with dialogue. WEBSITE frequencies. The 3.5mm gold-plated certainly have plenty of grunt. The On Pavement’s Frontwards the uk.maxell.eu/en/ minijack is attached to a more than bass response varies according to how guitars sound harsh and overly OUR VERDICT generous fl at cable that’s 120cm long, well they are sealed in the ear, but bright – as they do with a variety of which includes an in-line microphone with the smooth electronica of Plaid’s guitar-based music – suggesting that to allow you to take calls while Hawkmouth, it’s tight and reasonably these may not suit all tastes. JDW

114 AUGUST 2014

GUIDE TO...

Subwoofers How low can you go? Our invaluable guide shows you how to add some serious bass depth to your rock ‘n’ roll

f you have a well- absolutely perfect world their actual specifi cally for the task of producing developed aversion to response will extend well beyond these prodigious waves of sound are I subwoofers in two-channel these upper and lower boundaries essential. Loudspeakers are designed audio systems, don’t stop to ensure optimum performance to have a fl at response and sound reading just yet. Many audiophiles through the audio band. great over the (almost) full audio have just such an opinion and for SuperTweeters achieve this at the top band, and even very large speakers do justifi ably good reasons too. end by extending the loudspeaker’s not have the ability to shift enough air Integrating separate sub-bass speakers HF response out to over 30kHz. Down to remain fl at deep into the bottom into a stereo confi guration, to at the bottom end, the trouble is that octave. If you want a high-fi delity seamlessly extend the low frequency audio system with an even balance response of the system by an octave or Get the integration between 20Hz and 20kHz, then the so, is actually rather tricky and fraught only way you can practically achieve with problems. Chances are you have of a good subwoofer that is with a loudspeaker and heard music systems with subwoofers right and the results subwoofer confi guration. that are not optimised, clouded through the midrange and over blown can be sublime Why the bad rep? or peaky through the bass region? Why do subwoofers have a bit of a Thought so. Then read on. there are no commercially available ‘bad rep’ for use in two-channel loudspeakers that achieve a fl at systems? Part of it is a historic The benefits response to 20Hz, no matter what the hangover from the subwoofers of Firstly let’s look at what a subwoofer manufacturer’s literature may claim. the seventies, which were really, is actually trying to achieve and what Even larger fl oorstanders will really bad. There simply wasn’t sort of high-fi delity music replay struggle to remain fl at to 40Hz, let the technology at the time to system will benefi t from one. In an alone 20Hz. The reason being that manufacture powerful enough ideal world your loudspeakers will low frequencies require a lot of air amplifi ers, robust enough drivers or have a pretty fl at frequency response movement to generate the long cabinets with the integrity to deliver a across the accepted range of human wavelength wave. So large drivers, clean, even, low frequency response. hearing of 20Hz to 20kHz. In an large amplifi ers and cabinets designed The other part of the prejudice is that

116 AUGUST 2014 GUIDE TO...

HOW TO CONNECT A SUBWOOFER we would suggest dipping no lower There are several ways you can connect a subwoofer into a can compound some issues with subwoofer (see box: The stereo system, each with its own advantages and volume issue), this connection is very high impedance so than about the same cost as one of challenges. Some things are constant, however, and the will not affect the signal going to the speakers. your speakers to get the optimum use of good-quality cables is essential in getting the best performance and integration. from a sub-bass system. Most manufacturers feel the need to include a ‘get you started’ cable in the box, but replace LFE If you are planning to run two this with a good-quality cable at the first opportunity. The Low Frequency Effects (LFE) input is designed subwoofers for discrete left and right primarily for use with AV receivers and movies, however a channels (See Box: How many Subs?) number of stereo integrated amplifiers come with an LFE you should be looking to spend about Line Level output. Using an RCA interconnect cable, LFE inputs Running RCA or XLR cables from a spare pre-amp output bypass the subwoofer’s own HF roll-off settings so the the same as you paid for your main directly to the subwoofer is the simplest and most crossover between the sub and main speakers is handled speakers. Yoinks, getting deep bass common method of connection. The power amplifier within the amplifier itself. This can be very accurate, but isn’t going to be cheap then? Sadly in the subwoofer is getting exactly the same pre-amp rarely has the level of control for fine tuning with different volume controlled line-level feed as your main amplifier. loudspeakers and subwoofer models. not. A sub has a complex and If you are using an integrated amplifier you may not have demanding job to do and will have a a viable pre-amp output and pre-amplifiers with a single profound infl uence on your system’s output may need a splitter cable to afford connection to Loop Through power amp and subwoofer simultaneously. Connecting pre-amp to the subwoofer and then the overall sound, so going cheap here will subwoofer to your power amplifier, via RCA or XLR cables, do you no favours. is the most contentious but, potentially, the best hook-up Positioning a high-quality subwoofer High Level method. The subwoofer itself controls the crossover, Running a second set of loudspeaker cables, in parallel to filtering the signal sent to both its onboard amplifier and is the next big challenge, physically your current cables, from the amplifier terminals to the your main power amp. Using a crossover frequency that and acoustically. Their location in the sub can have real sonic benefits. The subwoofer’s high both sub and speakers can easily achieve, often 60Hz or room is perhaps even more critical level/speaker level input is receiving exactly the same 80Hz, the subwoofer applies steeper roll-off filtering to signal as your main speakers, so will include any LF ensure the subwoofer handles all of the low bass and your than main loudspeakers because of the ‘character’ of the amplifier. While using high level input main speakers do the rest. wavelength of the notes produced. A 40Hz note has a wavelength of 8.6m. 1 2 3 4 If the source producing that note is 1 Gain control for hi/low level inputs exactly 4.3m (half wave) from a refl ective surface, like the room’s rear 2 Gain control for LFE level input wall, the sound will bounce back and the second half of the wave will cancel 3 HF roll-off crossover out the fi rst half. The result being that 40Hz will be several dB down in-room. 4 Speaker level (hi) input If you hit multiples of quarter wavelengths, the opposite happens 5 Phase control

6 .1 LFE input for AV Subs with very good use and sub set up EQ systems can be 7 Line level (low) input placed in a corner if 7 6 5 room space is tight

and the frequencies compound properly integrating an active loudspeaker and a mono power creating a ‘room node’ where those subwoofer and controlling genuine amplifi er combined and needs to be frequencies are several dB up. As 20Hz-40Hz output in a domestic of suffi cient quality and fi delity to subwoofers have a wide dispersion living room is nothing like as simple partner your current amp and speaker pattern the same sort of thing is going as subwoofer makers would have you system. This would suggest the ideal on between side walls too, creating a believe. There are considerable balance of budget for a single sub sound scape that looks like ripples in a challenges involved. Chances are, should be around half the cost of your tank of water. Factor in similar effects if you have heard a quality audio speakers plus half the cost of your going on between the fl oor and ceiling Velodyne’s system with a subwoofer and didn’t amp. Arguably the sub is only DD18+ sub and the room becomes a three- like the result, it was because it wasn’t handling a small section of the audio is built for dimensional soup of waves that are set up properly or it was exciting the spectrum, but it’s an important bit, so large rooms constantly interacting with each other. room in all the wrong ways. Yet, get Chances of actually calculating a ‘best the integration of a good subwoofer spot’ for a subwoofer are nil. So like right and the results can be absolutely many things in hi-fi , we are down to sublime. Not only does the bottom trial and error. end of the sound fi ll out, but it has a There are some obvious black spots profoundly positive perceived effect to avoid and, arguably, room corners much further up the spectrum too. It are probably at the top of that list. adds richness and natural warmth to Placing the subwoofer in a corner vocals and gives instruments a greater gives you around 9dB of artifi cial gain sense of depth and body. in the bass region as the natural radiation pattern of the sound is Challenges steered into the room, rather like a Effectively overcoming the challenges giant horn. However, as wavelengths of integrating a subwoofer starts with across our target frequencies will the choosing the right sub for the job. respond quite differently to this corner A subwoofer, at the very least, is a ‘amplifi cation’ the output becomes

AUGUST 2014 117 GUIDE TO...

much less even, often resulting in a In a perfectly integrated THE VOLUME ISSUE peaky response and clouded or rather loudspeaker and subwoofer system, One of the biggest pains of actually using a boomy bass. Subs with very good EQ the goal is to get the HF roll-off of the stereo loudspeaker/subwoofer system is systems can fl atten a peaky response sub to coincide with the LF roll-off of keeping the relative output levels of each like this, allowing corner placement if the loudspeaker to create a perfectly part of the system matched. The trouble is both subwoofer and main speakers are room space is tight, but you are better fl at response with no audible joins. using amplifiers with different gain, drivers off trying to get a suitable position in Smaller standmount main speakers with different efficiency, in cabinets with the fi rst place. are clearly going to have different different resonant frequencies and in different positions in the room that may To hit the sweet spot you will need a lowest LF response to large offer more or less boundary gain. Say you test CD with some LF test tones or a LF fl oorstanders, so the actual crossover have set up and fine tuned a subwoofer to sweep from 20Hz up and ideally a frequency and fi lter slopes will vary your speakers at a level that will give you 85dB from 20Hz to 20KHz, the perfect flat sound pressure meter with good by speaker, sub and room. There is a response. Move the volume control a click response in the LF range. Failing that a defi nite ‘process’ to getting this or two upwards and the different system smart phone running one of the Sound correct, largely irrespective of how efficiencies may mean that your speakers gain 2dB in volume, while the subwoofer Pressure Level (SPL) or spectrum you have connected the subwoofer might be more efficient overall and will analyser Apps will do fi ne. As a into the system (See box: How to have gained 4dB for the same input. You temporary measure for set up connect connect a subwoofer). now have a system that will be producing 89dB from 20Hz-60Hz, but only 87dB a pre-amp output to the subwoofer’s First off, the subwoofer and speakers from 60Hz upwards, which will sound RCA or XLR input labelled LFE and need to be in phase so that bass notes overblown in the bass. The opposite is true disconnect your main speakers. Make produced by both through the as soon as you turn the volume down and the LF will now sound lighter than it should. sure the gain and fi lters on the crossover region do not cancel out. Depending on system efficiencies that subwoofer are set to maximum, play Again, set all the main subwoofer could be the other way round completely, the CD and gently raise the volume on controls (HF roll-off and gain) to their mild or acute. While you can set up the subwoofer at a marked position on the the pre-amp until the SPL meter is maximum levels. Play the bass test volume control and stick to that level for reading 85-90dB at your listening spot. disc again or, if your head is already listening, differences in source material thrumming, play music with a strong recording levels will have just the same effect. This is often the reason why Music and movement repetitive deep bass beat. Measure the subwoofer systems can sound great with The idea is to move the subwoofer a SPL of the bass notes at the seating some recordings, while sounding rather few inches at a time to obtain a sweep position. Flick the subwoofer’s phase overblown with others. of LF frequencies that are as even as switch to 180° and measure the SPL possible with the fewest big peaks or again. The loudest position, where to gently rotate the phase control troughs through the target range. the bass output from both devices Tannoy’s while you measure the SPL from the Definition There is no point in searching for a combines, is the correct one. On subwoofer seating position. Stop when the bass fl at response, it won’t happen. Just subwoofers with infi nitely variable has opposing is at its loudest. fi nd a position, preferably near a phase commandeer a willing assistant 12in drivers To blend the crossover point main speaker, that gives a relatively manually, turn the gain and HF even balance. If you are using two roll-off controls on the subwoofer to subwoofers don’t assume the correct minimum, effectively switching the spot will be a mirror placement of the subwoofer out of the system. Play a fi rst one. Repeat the whole procedure favourite track through your for sub number two. Assuming you speakers at a volume level that you are not physically spent by this point most regularly listen at. This is many subwoofers, particularly those with multiple drivers may also benefi t A sub has a complex from being rotated away from the obvious forward-facing position. job to do and will Rotate a few degrees and measure, have an influence on repeating until you fi nd the fl attest response, or give up and open wine. your system’s sound So much for hi-fi being pastime with no heavy lifting! important as you can only really seamlessly integrate a subwoofer at one sound pressure level (see box: HOW MANY SUBS? The volume issue). Gently bring up It is very difficult to perceive the direction of deep bass requirement to achieve the same overall in-room volume. the subwoofer’s HF roll-off to about notes. Their very long wavelength means our ears are too We’ve found that two subwoofers improves the presence 10Hz below your loudspeakers’ -6dB close together to garner the critical delay timing info to and imaging of the overall sound, not just the LF, and roll-off point as stated in the manual. pinpoint the location of the source. In a pretty typical many recording studios have the same experience and living room our perception of source location for very low run dedicated left/right subwoofers. Sitting in the seating position with frequencies is further hampered by sound reflected from In Floyd Tool’s definitive publication Sound the SPL meter, gently raise the gain the walls, floor and ceiling. The conclusion then is that a Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of on the subwoofer until it just begins single subwoofer is fine for producing deep bass from Loudspeakers and Rooms he forwards the theory that both left and right channels as we can’t obtain a stereo four is probably the best number of subwoofers for the to have an effect on the SPL of bass image from these frequencies anyway. It is also easier to smoothest LF reproduction in a typical four-sided room. notes. Now continue to raise the integrate a single subwoofer. These would be placed two close to the back wall near HF roll-off until it too just begins Ultimately, however, a single subwoofer in a stereo each main speaker and two mirrored at the opposite end setup is a compromise. If you have the funds and the time/ of the room. The argument being that by producing these to have an upward effect on the inclination to set up a discrete twin left/right subwoofer long waves at both ends of the room there is less chance SPL of bass notes. system, there are definite performance gains to be had. of single note standing wave nodes in the listening At this point the system will be Each sub is fed a dedicated channel signal, so out-of- position. The book is worth a read although it’s rare to phase bass notes won’t cancel each other out before have the space to allow you to try Toole’s ideas on four about as smoothly crossed over as being produced, and each has a reduced power subwoofers for stereo sound. possible without measuring tools. Play some more favourite tracks and

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EQUALISATION MATTERS

Speaker and no sub. (Tannoy DC10A) Very peaky across the LF region, response starts rolling off down from 45Hz with a room node peak boosting 25Hz before tailing off.

B&W 800 Diamond and stylish DB1 sub ascertain the result. If there is simply Subwoofers with EQ systems are a too much bass, gently reduce the gain. long way from traditional purist hi-fi , If there is clouding or boominess, but where subs are concerned gently reduce the HF roll-off. Room-EQ can be of benefi t. Room Experimenting is fun. Well, maybe not nodes, where waves either add up or for your neighbours. If you do have cancel out, tend to be very large with access to a spectrum analyser, and as low frequency/long wavelength noted a smart phone App may suffi ce, sound. Unfortunately putting more the process is easier. Using a sweep energy (gain) into frequencies that are tone you can make adjustments and cancelling out won’t help, making your Speakers and Sub (Tannoy DC10A + Velodyne DD18) view the results on the analysers initial positioning just as important. It The subwoofer massively fills out the bottom octave down to below 15Hz, but response across the LF is still peaky across immediately. The aim is to achieve the is more practical to tame aggressive the LF region. smoothest response across the range of compounding room nodes by reducing around 20Hz-80Hz energy at problem frequencies and a good EQ system can do this over Taking control several points at the same time. More up-market subwoofers are often Some EQ systems are fi ne and forget supplied with electronic controls for and measure the sub as a standalone gain and HF-roll-off, and maybe a device. More comprehensive systems variable slope fi lter. The process is the measure the sub and speaker as a same although you will also have to complete system, then applying fi lters experiment with the fi lter slope as to the subwoofer output to deliver the well. However, the move towards smoothest balance. These subwoofers self-setting subwoofers supplied with have a video output, to screen or PC, their own mic takes all that showing spectrum analysis of the guesswork and a lot of manual speaker-subwoofer system from 20Hz twiddling out of the picture. Ensure to 250Hz. In manual mode you play a the subwoofer’s EQ system is sweep frequency and have up to eight switched off initially and place the fi lters to apply, each with variable mic in the listening position (it’s a phase, gain, slope and Q in an effort to Speakers and Sub with EQ (Tannoy DC10A + Velodyne DD18) good idea to place it on top of your smooth the response across the bass Velodyne’s Auto EQ system applies eight filters from 20Hz head). Run through the specifi ed set region. Assuming you have the room to 100Hz to smooth LF response to near flat across the entire up sequence and use any ‘notch position correct in the fi rst place, the LF region fi lters’ to tame any particularly results can be an outstanding success aggressive room node frequencies. with incredibly smooth and linear LF Even if the electronic set up has response down to 20Hz. Set up like NEXT MONTH: Guide to room tuning – how to declared fait-accompli, don’t be afraid this, the benefi ts of integrating a get the very best sound from your hi-fi in your to make manual adjustments if things subwoofer into your two-channel listening room don’t sound perfect. systems will be truly sublime ●

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AUDIOBOFFSACTON GATE AUDIO GLW SOUND CINERGY WM DOUG BRADY HIFI NW 3384 Ruabon Shenley Rd, Road, Wrexham, Borehamwood, 37 High Street, Aldridge, Walsall, West Kingsway North, Warrington, HertsClwyd WD LL13 1TP 7PB Midlands, WS9 8NL Cheshire, WA1 3NU ✆ 02001978 8177 364500 4095 01922 457 926 01925 828009 (Mon–Sat 9am–5.30pm) T❑ www.audioboffs.co.ukwww.acton-gate-audio.co.uk T www.soundcinergy.co.uk T www.dougbradyhifi.com

SONATA GL VICKERS HIFI NE TAVISTOCK AUDIO SW West Hampstead, London NW6 8 Concorde Park, Amy Johnson Way, 18 Market Street, Devon, PL19 0DE Appointment only Clifton Moor, York YO30 4WT 0330 111 5653 01822 618940 01904 691600 T www.tavistockaudio.co.uk T www.sonatahifi.com T www.vickers-hifi.co.uk

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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WE HEAR... THROUGH THE PAST, SMARTLY... CLEARAUDIO IS JUST ABOUT TO LAUNCH its widely anticipated new phonostage, HI-FI CHOICE ISSUE 109 HI-FI CHOICE ISSUE 217 AUGUST 1992 AUGUST 2001 unassumingly called the Absolute “Sony ferried the cream of Jump forward nine years and Phono. Interestingly, it includes a Europe’s journalists (er and we’ve swapped one format tiny gain stage, which is designed some others) to Salzburg for war for another. Substitute to be installed in the tonearm’s a briefing on the status of Panasonic’s DVD-A and headshell or armtube. If you’re not Mini Disc” reported our news Sony’s SACD for Mini Disc pages back in 1992 before the and DCC, and you begin to get willing to do this, then the company small shiny disc that recently the picture. HFC editor Jason can sell you the conventional Absolute trundled off this mortal coil Kennedy explained it quite Phono Inside, which is as other phono had even been launched. The target, our roving succinctly on his intro page, noting: “As things stages and doesn’t require tonearm reporter informed us, was for the new players stand there is no identical software for both DVD-A to be in shops for December that year, but what and SACD, so it’s not possible to make a definitive tampering. UK retail prices are yet could we expect of this new slice of technology? statement as to which format is best. The sensible to be confi rmed. “Initial prices look like being in the vicinity of thing is to get the machine that makes your CDs £250... Battery life for playback was quoted as sound the best – after all, that’s still what you’ll one and half to two hours and software prices will play the most of – and leave the format war for the MAKE A DATE WITH FATE, IF YOU’RE A be in the same sort of ballpark as CD. But as far as market to fight. Both formats sound superb when tape head that is! Saturday 27 prerecorded titles are concerned, MD is trailing it comes to high-resolution software. It’s not a war, behind DCC with only eight companies having it’s a choice.” Wise words indeed... September, 2014 is the next Cassette signed up to produce software.” Early impressions Though being a rather dire year for music, Store Day. Following on from the were mixed, but our expert felt that Mini Disc August was a particular low point with the unexpected success of last year’s would prove to be a good replacement for cassette, number one spot dominated by dross (So Solid event, it will now be split between but not in the same league as CD. Crew’s 21 Seconds To Go), awful covers (Atomic the US and UK/EU to ensure that Meanwhile in the music world we were treated Kitten’s version of the Bangles’ Eternal Flame) and to The Smiths This Charming Man, Freddie forgettable dirge (Five’s Let’s Dance). Salvation Compact Cassette fans on both sides Mercury’s Barcelona and the start of a horrific came in the shape of Bob The Builder’s stunning of the Atlantic will get to snap up dynasty with Billy Ray Cyrus’ Achy Breaky Heart. version of Mambo No 5. some great releases from musicians, new and old alike. Last year’s Cassette Store Day was a huge success with stores participating in over 80 cities worldwide and releases from the likes of The Flaming Lips, DESERT ISLAND DISCS At The Drive In and Deerhunter. For This month Isabel Whitley from Computer Audio more information point your browser Design picks four of her all-time favourite long players... towards: www.cassettestoreday.com

CHORD ELECTRONICS IS UPGRADING ITS SPM2800 integrated amplifi er. The new MkII version of the company’s prestigious Class D design is expected later in the year and while the basic confi guration and proposition remains the same, Chord will be implementing THE UNDERTONES TALKING HEADS OSCAR PETERSON LEONARD COHEN THE UNDERTONES SPEAKING IN TONGUES THE WAY I REALLY PLAY OLD IDEAS the company’s latest DAC technology I spent so many My dad gave me One of the classic I stopped buying into the unit, bringing it bang up teenage evenings a record player to series recorded in music for almost 20 to date with the latest FPGA Rob listening to John take to university, Germany in 1968, years. My husband Watts’ tech, a little East Farleigh- Peel and I loved and every time that Peterson always Scott Berry made his delight for new I moved rooms This performed best me a DAC and the based bird tells us… music. He was right, Must Be The Place live and this music rest is history. This Teenage Kicks is the would be the first is just breathtaking recording made ultimate single! thing I’d play. to listen to. me stop and listen!

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, James Hughes, Tel: (001) 866 647 9191 Surname Adrian Justins, Jason Kennedy, Paul Miller, Published by MyTimeMedia Ltd Enterprise House, Enterprise Way, Address Dave Oliver, David Price, Neville Roberts, REST OF WORLD – New, Renewals & Enquiries Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 6HF Ed Selley, Richard Stevenson, Andrew Simpson, Tel: +44 (0) 1689 869896 Chris Ward, 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, Enterprise House, Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 6HF, UK. The US annual subscription price is 65GBP (equivalent to approximately 108USD). Airfreight and mailing in the USA by agent for a copy of each issue to be reserved for named Air Business Ltd, c/o Worldnet Shipping Inc., 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA. Periodicals postage paid at Jamaica NY 11431. US Postmaster: Send address changes to Hi-Fi Choice, Worldnet Shipping Inc., 156-15, 146th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11434, USA. Subscription records are you. Some stores may even be able to arrange maintained at 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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