Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2020 i Hi-Fi Choice

There’s an embarrassment of riches when it comes to next-level integrated amplifiers, as this month’s collection of mid-priced models in our Group Test clearly demonstrates. Once regarded as the poor relation by serious audio fans who proclaimed that pre-power amplification was the only way to go if ultimate sonics are the goal, today’s integrated amplifiers have become smart, high-functioning and flexible solutions catering for modern hi-fi sensibilities. Our six contenders offer everything from purist minimalism to feature-rich connectivity and future-proofing, but the core appeal remains: a powerhouse system hub that doesn’t take up too much space on the equipment rack. It’s a talented bunch. Some offer analogue inputs only, while others boast digital and numerous extra facilities. Each has enough power and hi-fi cred to make it a worthwhile upgrade…

● Developed thanks to online crowdfunding, Estonian company Degritter has been fine tuning its record cleaning machine since 2017 and is now finally ready for a March launch. Offering fully automatic operation, its Ultrasonic Record Cleaner adopts techniques utilised in the semi-conductor industry where surfaces need to be clean on a molecular level. Using high-frequency pressure to create tiny bubbles that release energy as heat and minuscule strong water jets, it’s claimed to clean vinyl down to a microscopic level. Compatible with both 12in and 7in records, it has a removable 1.4-litre water reservoir and boasts 20 different fan power settings to dry the clean vinyl. Specialist cleaning fluid is also included. It costs £2,300. DEGRITTER.COM…

● US loudspeaker maker GoldenEar Technology has announced that it has become part of The Quest Group – a Californian corporation that owns brands including AudioQuest, WireLogic and CleanScreen. Building a reputation with UK audiophiles for its tower loudspeakers, GoldenEar’s president Sandy Gross (pictured right) says of the merger: “I think that TQG’s capabilities will help us to create and structure an even more effective market presence,” and Bill Low (left), TQG’s CEO/founder adds: “The opportunity to work with Sandy and share in the growth of GoldenEar is simply irresistible.” The company says it will continue to pursue its own unique distribution and is already working on new projects. GOLDENEAR.COM…

● Seen for the first time at the UK Hi-Fi Show Live held at Ascot in October last year, Surrey-based specialist distributor Audiophile Digital Music Masters has introduced a range of PLiXiR power conditioners along with a number of standalone DC power supplies, targeted at upgrading performance of fellow brand Melco Audio’s digital music servers and accessories. Claiming a complete balanced power delivery system, including balanced AC power conditioners and balanced DC power supplies, PLiXiR says its mission is to promote balanced power for home hi-fi. Prices start at £500 and all products come with a five-year warranty. PLIXIRPOWER.COM…

John Bagby’s involvement in the AV and hi-fi industry goes back a long way, right back to childhood. He explains: “I grew up surrounded by high-performance audio and cool gadgets, so I have always had an interest in this area. After university, I worked as a custom AV installer for a Toronto-based custom integrator. I spent four years there learning everything I could about audio, home automation control and networking and system design. I remember seeing customers just so blown away by the performance of their new systems, what they were experiencing in their new home theatres or their kitchen or backyard, all around their house. I realised the experiences people have with our products can be something special.” Despite having family connections with the firm (father Scott was one…

highresaudio.com has the Sebastián Castro Trio’s Far Away, Perspective by Frederik Flach, Dave Camwell’s Second Wind, and Gary Numan & The Skaparis Orchestra’s When The Sky Came Down (Live At The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester). hdtracks.co.uk unveils Pink Floyd’s The Later Years, Two Ambients Ago by Moby, Fly From Here: Return Trip by Yes and Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto In F Minor, Winter by Arabella Steinbacher.…

1991 LEISURE – BLUR Blur’s debut was full of promise with influences from baggy to Syd Barrett and The Velvet Underground. Highlights include the singles She’s So High and There’s No Other Way. 1993 MODERN LIFE IS RUBBISH – BLUR With grunge dominating the musical landscape, Albarn forged a new direction with classic pop influences from The Kinks to Bowie on a set full of mordant wit and satire. 1994 PARKLIFE – BLUR Albarn’s first masterpiece as he painted a portrait of nineties Britain that came to define the era across 16 inventive songs, led by the jaunty title track and the explosive Girls And Boys. 1995 THE GREAT ESCAPE – BLUR Sharp, imaginative and audacious, Blur was already streets ahead of its rivals, juxtaposing catchy Britpop melodies with a…

Atlas Cables Equator Integra Employing the same OCC copper conductors used in Atlas’ higher end interconnects, the Equator Integra transmits consistently sophisticated music and represents excellent value for money. Subtle nuances become elevated, while elegance, refinement and fine details adroitly come to the fore. Gekko Cables Red Dusk A directional unshielded RCA interconnect, the Red Dusk is made of two twisted solid core OFHC copper conductors clad in silver. Once run-in, the soundstage takes on a more three-dimensional presentation, subtle details come to the fore and the orchestra fills the entire width of the room. Black Rhodium Minuet Replacing the Prelude, this RCA interconnect is screened and employs silver-plated copper wire to improve clarity and high-frequency performance. The result is remarkably sophisticated for the money with detail, positioning of instruments,…

Audiolab 8300CDQ Taking the winning recipe of the 8200CDQ and adding an upgraded DAC with DSD playback, the accurate and uncoloured sound of the Audiolab is unmistakable. Vast amounts of detail are extracted from the mix, soundstaging is incredible and music flows naturally. Leema Acoustics Stream IV The latest update to this long-established player feels a considerable step forward. CD playback is highly refined, assured and transparent, bass is rock solid with visceral depth that positively grips your solar plexus and streaming shares all these qualities for the best of both worlds. Marantz ND8006 A CD player with DAC and streaming capabilities, the ND8006 effortlessly conveys the true spatial contrast between all the different strands of the mix while sounding precise with loads of midband detail. Tonally smooth, it has a…

AKG Y500 AKG’s wireless headphone delivers a balanced and detailed sound that combined with well designed ergonomics and good comfort levels will keep you listening for hours. Ambient Aware (letting in more noise from around you so you can hear what’s going on) and the choice of wired and wireless connectivity are a real boon. Focal Stellia A welcome addition to the hall of high-end headphone fame, the closed-back Stellia rivals the best open-back competition, bringing new meaning to the word forensic. Imparting a benign character on everything it plays, this vice-free design has rhythmic engagement, endless vitality and depth charge-like bass. Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT Taking its M50x and turning it into a very capable wireless design (thanks to Bluetooth v5.0) without altering its sonic character, Audio-Technica has come up trumps…

Chord Company Epic XL Combining elements of Chord’s Signature Reference/XL with its Epic speaker cable, the XL bristles with energy and brings fantastic detail to the fore. Subtle elements are captivatingly clear, soundstage depth is enormous and clarity is supremely enhanced. Chord Company Odyssey X Made from the same materials as the Rumour X (HFC 447), the Odyssey X is designed to bring more control to dynamics and definition, and boy does it deliver. Front-to-back imaging is superb, instruments are well focused and clearly positioned while piano is full and rich. QED XT25 Claimed to achieve a lowering of impedance compared with a traditional large cross-sectional area twin-core cable, the XT25 offers up great refinement and engaging musicality. Vocals are clear and full bodied, silence between phrases is eerily quiet…

Audiolab 6000N Play Employing the DTS Play-Fi platform (which is not without its foibles), the Audiolab beautifully balances refinement and engagement with an impressive bass response and tonality. Given an operating system update, this has the potential to be class leading. Even so, it still remains the best-sounding streamer available under £500. Cambridge Audio Edge NQ Something of a departure from CA’s usual fare, this network music player also combines the additional versatility of a DAC and preamp to serve up a sumptuously wide recorded acoustic, with a hugely expansive sound that partners massive punch with great precision for a clean, direct and enjoyable sound. Auralic Aries G2 A front-end transport that requires the user to bring their own DAC to the streaming party, the performance of the Aries G2…

NAD M10 With its super flexibility, powerful amplifier design, big front panel touchscreen and impressive BluOS platform, this is a supremely stylish offering. Sonically it’s a very powerful and refined system while its definition and precision is in ample supply. Naim Uniti Star Fast, powerful and grippy with oodles of emotion and a pleasingly expressive tonality, the Uniti Star might not have the forensic detail resolution of some similarly priced rivals, but it isn’t far off. Otherwise it’s practically impossible to find fault at the price. Novafidelity X14 Deserving of praise for the functionality it manages to squeeze into such a compact and elegant chassis, the X14’s well thought out and practical approach will attract those looking to take their first steps into network audio and it makes a greater…

Cyrus Phono Signature A welcome addition to the ranks of highend phono stages, the Phono Signature is something of a bargain. It delivers on the promise of vinyl as a high-resolution format and the fact it does so while offering class-leading functionality and flexibility makes it very special indeed. Lindemann Limetree Phono Offering outstanding levels of performance with moving-magnet cartridges alongside a more than respectable moving-coil showing, the Limetree Phono boasts wonderful tonal richness underpinned by an engaging propulsive energy and sense or urgency. Musical Fidelity M6 Vinyl An impressively quiet phono stage, the M6 Vinyl treads an interesting line between accuracy and imparting a little character of its own. Tonally accurate it has a heady combination of richness and weight that draws you into a performance, while bass response…

Since the introduction of the smallest model to Magico’s entry-level A-Series last year with the A1 standmount, the Californian-based high-end maker – known for its ‘no holds barred’ take on loudspeaker design – has been busy working on its £25,000 flagship A5 floorstander. Weighing more that 81kg each and standing 1,370mm tall, the five-driver three-way configuration incorporates the company’s first 127mm dedicated midrange partnered to three 229mm bass drivers all made from enhanced technology that uses graphene Nano-Tec carbon fibre sandwiched cones to achieve what Magico claims is an unprecedented stiffness-to-weight ratio. Shared with the other models in the A-Series, the tweeter is a 28mm pure beryllium dome with a damped back chamber that helps to lower distortion and improve power and dynamic handling. Sensitivity is rated at 88dB into…

THIS MONTH ED SELLEY EXPERTISE: REVIEWER Active in the industry since 1999, Ed’s first record was Boss Drum by The Shamen. He splits his time between reviewing and protecting hi-fi kit from his son Will. NEVILLE ROBERTS EXPERTISE: ENGINEER Neville has an eclectic taste for classical baroque and jazz. His wife was forced to marry his transmission line speakers in the eighties and he collects BBC test card music. JASON KENNEDY EXPERTISE: REVIEWER Editor of HFC from 1998 to 2001, Jason’s first turntable was Rega’s Planar 3 and Elvis’ 40 Greatest Hits was his first vinyl, so don’t go stepping on his blue suede shoes. DAVID PRICE EXPERTISE: REVIEWER DP two-finger typed his first hi-fi review 25 years ago. Since then he’s edited Hi-Fi World and HFC. He describes himself…

CD Domino WHEN SINGER/GUITARIST JAMES Yorkston, double bassist Jon Thorne and Suhail Yusuf Khan, master of the Indian violin-like sarangi, got together for the 2016 album Everything Sacred, you imagined that the collaboration was a one-off before they returned to their successful solo careers. Yet their debut worked so well that Navarasa is their third and most ambitious offering. Each piece takes as its theme one of the nine (nava) emotions (rasa) in Hindu culture, ranging from love, laughter and tranquillity to sorrow, courage and wonder. With their combined magic creating an exquisite soundbed of drones, pulses and melodies that draws on jazz, traditional Scottish song and Indian classical forms, the high point is the 10-minute epic Now Westlin Winds. Yet each of the nine pieces offers something fresh and…

2x SACD Pentatone WHAT A TREAT! A studio-session recording of Weber’s richly scored opera heard in splendid surround sound. Despite moments of untidy ensemble and technical insecurity from orchestra and chorus, this is a thoroughly convincing performance. Lise Davidsen as Agathe and Andreas Schager as Max head up a well-chosen cast of soloists. The bedrock of Pentatone’s orchestral sound is, as ever, its full-blooded string tone — deep and rich without any over brightness. The chorus sounds full toned and blended. The winds and brass have good clarity and tone. Solo voices are clear, but never heard at an unnatural perspective. Most impressive, however, is how the production makes excellent use of the soundstage for dramatic purposes. Take for example the eerie ‘Wolf’s Glen’ scene from Act II, the texture…

Audiolab 6000A A cracking budget integrated amplifier with just the right mix of features and high-quality performance. The 6000A boasts a snappy and engaging sound with sufficient power and fine build quality. It’s a great buy for the more discerning music enthusiast that demands plenty of flexibility at the heart of their system. Naim Nait XS 3 A clear improvement over its already impressive predecessor, the Nait XS 3 is an emotionally articulate and highly engaging performer that’s hard not to love. It turns in a well-defined, detailed and carefully ordered sound that ticks all the right ‘hi-fi’ boxes, but more than that, it really sings when required. Copland CTA408 Though this valve-based integrated isn’t a lush or cuddly performer and there are times it sounds more solid state than…

Furutech Roxy Connecting the Roxy to a source component immediately removes a layer of glare and ‘glint’ from the sound; tonally it’s darkly translucent instead of shiny white gloss, allowing the listener to hear more into the music and appreciate the space between the notes. Atlas Cables Eos dd Referring to ‘dual drain’ technology, the Eos dd is designed to act as a filter against incoming contamination. The result is an inky blackness between musical phrases and a supremely low noise floor, while detail and imaging improve as interference is banished. IsoTek EVO3 Initium IsoTek’s entry-level power cable has a distinctive opalescent green finish that is flexible and stylish. Once employed, there’s a noticeable step up in the quality of instrument focus while clarity improves as the background becomes quieter and…

Alpha Design Labs Stratos Remarkably flexible at the price, the Stratos offers an impressively wide-reaching range of features without compromising sound quality. The soundstage is wide and open with a refined presentation, delicate details are reproduced with breath-taking accuracy and instrument separation and location are absolutely spot on. Copland DAC215 Equally at home operating as a headphone amplifier or preamp as it is a DAC, the tube-driven DAC215 highlights an almost tremulous quality in vocals in a relaxed way that allows the music to flow easily and freely for a rich and evocative performance with a seemingly bottomless bass. Audiolab M-DAC+ While some DACs can dive deeper into a recording, what’s so likeable about the M-DAC+ is its poise, control and command of the bigger musical picture. With its stunning…

Audeze iSINE 10 A must-have for Apple users, the world’s first planar magnetic in-ear is decent with a regular 3.5mm cable but comes into its own when used with iOS devices connected via Lightning, sounding faster and more cohesive than the best dynamic or multiple armature designs. Sennheiser IE 80 S BT An impressive combination of excellent performance, comprehensive Bluetooth aptX HD implementation and Sennheiser’s attention to comfort and build make this an exceptionally talented design that is likely to win over many converts to wireless audio. Oriveti OH500 Combining an airiness with low-end extension that most rivals can only dream of, the OH500’s stylish resin enclosures house four Knowles balanced armatures (two for bass and two for the midrange) with an 8mm dynamic bass driver for an enjoyably vivid…

Amphion Helium510 Amphion’s stated aim of avoiding a clear sweetspot is achieved with ridiculous ease while its delivery is spacious with wholly convincing tonality and rich and smooth vocals. Piano shows excellent decay and though bass extension isn’t the deepest, it is detailed, fast and superbly integrated with the other frequencies. Falcon Acoustics RAM Studio 20 The RAM Studio 20 clearly favours amps with plenty of grip, especially in the bass. It might not offer forensic levels of detail with which to dissect a recording, but as a wide-bandwidth, high-performance standmount that sounds easy, natural and is dripping with musical finesse, it takes some beating. Bowers & Wilkins 606 Feeling far more sensitive than its claimed 88dB at 8ohm, the 606 presents no challenge for even the most anaemic amplifiers…

Bluesound Vault 2i If you see yourself buying into the BluOS ecosystem favoured by the Canadian brand and its cohorts, this 2TB, server, ripper and player compatible with up to 24-bit/192kHz PCM and MQA files, is a great way of starting off in one room and expanding as your system grows. Innuos Zenith Mk3 With one of the best interfaces going and a potently flexible spec, the 4TB, CD ripping Zenith can be used as a Roon Core and delivers an outstanding performance that inspires confidence even for those starting out. It should be right near the top of any shortlist. Melco N100 Supporting up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD512, this 2TB music server and CD ripper delivers Melco’s well-honed virtues – including excellent stability, clean and refined performance, partnered with…

Piega’s Premium Wireless 701 is precisely the kind of speaker glossy magazine lifestyle supplements exist for. A willowy tower of gleaming aluminium, it’s so good looking it isn’t just décor friendly but puts pressure on its surroundings to come up to par. The aluminium outriggers at its base (optionally spiked or pad-footed) aren’t just functional, but fastidiously engineered and exquisitely finished. Even the act of attaching them is a pleasurably tactile experience rather than a tedious necessity. The £5k price tag might be lower foothills high-end, but the quality of execution is as rarefied as it comes. A fully active design, there’s no need for untidy external amplifiers and speaker cables and the mains leads trailing from the back of each speaker are slim enough to be tucked out of…

When hearing the name MartinLogan, I imagine many will think of one of the company’s hybrid loudspeaker designs that invariably combines an electrostatic panel with a conventional bass driver (sometimes actively driven), varying in size between large and positively monolithic. Of course, in addition to these hybrid designs, the company also produces a wide selection of loudspeakers for the custom installation market alongside more conventional cabinet designs, too. Priced at £1,595 and now distributed in the UK by PMC Distribution, the Motion 20i is the smallest of three floorstanders in the revised Motion range that also features two standmount models plus two centre speakers and a surround pair for multi-channel configurations. It’s a three-way design with a brace of 140mm drivers partnered to MartinLogan’s Folded Motion tweeter, which aims to…

B &W was early out of the traps with its noise-cancelling Bluetooth wireless headphones. The impressive – if not quite flawless – PX of late 2017 set the standard and since then Sony, Bose, Sennheiser and B&O have hit back with the WH-1000XM3, NC700, Momentum 3 (HFC 455), and BeoPlay H8i wireless respectively. In doing so, the market for premium designs has blossomed, and the PX7 is aimed right at its epicentre. Wireless headphones can only sound as good as the transmission protocol that’s employed, which is why aptX was a big move forward several years ago. More recently, aptX HD arrived promising 24-bit hi-res quality. Now, the new PX7 gets aptX Adaptive, offering aptX HD’s sound but with low latency and high error resilience. Offering data rates of between…

Like the award-winning DragonFly Red, the new Cobalt has the robust 2.1-volt output to drive almost any headphone, uses a bit-perfect digital volume control for outstanding signal-to-noise ratio, enables seamless compatibility with Apple and Android devices, and is an exceptionally competent and affordable MQA Renderer. Cobalt’s precedent-setting performance is made possible by: New ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip with a minimum-phase slow roll-off filter for more natural sound. New Microchip PIC32MX274 microprocessor reduces current draw and increases processing speed by 33%. Improved power-supply filtering, specifically designed to reduce WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular noise. Includes a form-fitting Carbon-level DragonTail USB-A to USB-C adaptor. From MP3 to MQA and Hi-Res, DragonFly Cobalt preserves the body, warmth, and natural color in all your music. Experience more beauty at home and everywhere you listen.…

Keith Martin, managing director IsoTek Systems, reveals the music that he uses to help demo and develop new products Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds The Boatman’s Call Sombre and minimalist, this LP reflects on personal relationships and spiritual yearnings, and in doing so remains my favourite Nick Cave album. Antony & The Johnsons I Am A Bird Now Beautiful, haunting baroque pop that is a little sinister at times. On this distinctive album, the music grabs hold of you and just doesn’t let go. Cat Stevens Tea For The Tillerman This is a well-known release and rightfully regarded as a classic because it includes many of his best tracks. A truly fantastic album. Rimsky-Korsakoff Scheherazade (Reiner & Chicago Symphony) A ravishing and romantic approach that will leave you breathless.…

The mission statement of one of the most influential and pioneering electronic music groups can be found on the rear of 1971’s Alpha Centauri album. Above a photograph of long-haired musicians is the following message: “This album is dedicated to all people who feel obliged to space.” Far out, man. The story of Tangerine Dream, founded in West Berlin in 1967 by artist, sculptor and former beat musician Edgar Froese, is one hell of a trip, taking in acid rock, space rock, ambient, emerging modular synthesis and cutting-edge digital technology – and that’s just in the first decade of the group’s existence. All this and more is celebrated in a new exhibition in London. Open now at the Barbican’s Music Library, Zeitraffer celebrates this ever-evolving German group that laid the…

Cambridge Audio Edge W The Edge W power amplifier quotes 2x 100W RMS output and has oodles of power to drive pretty much any speaker. It has a neutral sound with a hint of sweetness and an upbeat nature underwritten by plenty of insight that’s seriously good for the money. Emotiva BasX PT-100/BasX A-300 A most enticing evocation of ‘affordable high-end’, the sound from this Emotiva pairing delivers a soundstage that extends well beyond the walls with a combination of satisfyingly nailed-on pace, rhythm, timing and dimensionality that seriously impresses. A great buy. Exposure XM7/XM9 Fast, open and three dimensional, the XM9 pairing is capable of driving more awkward speaker loads to high levels without any complaint. Partnered with the XM7 preamp/DAC, Exposure’s house sound means a fulsome bass, midband…

Audiolab 6000CDT The 6000CDT is exceptional at revealing what’s on your discs to deliver a great big soundstage with plenty of detail inside. It can dig down deep into the mix to eke out the different musical strands while dynamically and rhythmically it’s hard to beat at the price. In short, it’s a super, highly affordable audiophile CD transport. Métronome Technologie Le Player 2S As good as the sweet treble and rich bass are, what really impresses here is how when fed weaker CDs and impoverished MP3s the delivery remains unflappable and composed as layers of reverb are locked into sharp focus. Cambridge Audio AXC35 Something of a budget marvel, you’ll have to work extra hard to get the AXC35 to put a foot wrong. Bass is firm, detailed and…

Chord Electronics Mojo It might be small and have no gain setting adjustment, but the Mojo takes some beating. Its scrupulous accuracy presents what is contained in a recording with no embellishment so that fine detail is extracted with ease, treble energy impresses and stridency remains absent. Chord Electronics Hugo 2 An essential audition, the Hugo 2 is not just a portable DAC/headphone amp, but the best hi-fi digital converter available at or near the price. Music ebbs and flows along in an organic and uncontrived way and it images with stunning pinpoint precision. AudioQuest DragonFly Red Compact it may be, but the Red can hold its own in this company. There’s plenty of detail and no sense of bass sluggishness or overhang while the midrange lends an appealing warmth…

Acoustic Energy AE509 Employing a carbon tweeter to shun shrill brightness, the AE509 allows you to listen into instruments on your favourite recordings, sounding dazzlingly fast and frenetic without the slightest hint of grain or sibilance. Meanwhile its curious conjunction of tonal grace and transient pace; handling of lower frequencies; and taut bass from the matching carbon mid/bass drivers make this floorstander a worthy flagship. Monitor Audio Gold 300 The benefits the Gold 300 brings to openness, clarity, fine detail and harmonic structure is very special. Although with vividly produced material it can verge on the ‘hyper real’, this is a consummate crowd pleaser that more than any rival at the price sells an idea of high-end luxury and sonic excellence that’s hard to distinguish from the real thing. Bowers…

Atacama Audio Apollo Cyclone 6 Available in a choice of three sizes so you can get the height of your cabinets correctly positioned to suit your listening position, this stand removes unwanted vibrations from the performance sharpening imaging and instrument focus for a full, refined sound. Hi-Fi Racks X50 Solidly built, these elegant yet classy speaker stands are available in a choice of flexible customisation options, removing all colouration from the performance and giving the impression the cabinet is floating in mid-air. Great value for money and a simple upgrade. IsoAcoustics GAIA II Attaching the GAIA II feet to the underside of your speaker provides a high degree of isolation that gives it the opportunity to breath and display a level of clarity and openness that’s easy to hear. Music…

Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i With no shortage of lower frequencies, the Pulse Flex 2i’s bass extension is controlled, pleasantly quick and has an impressive level of clout to it. Used as a pair, the soundstage is large and effortless underpinned by the aforementioned bass while the connections and range of features provide impressive flexibility. KEF LS50 Wireless Fine clarity and focus, a spacious soundstage with stunning image solidity and unfettered musicality make for immersive and hugely enjoyable listening. Best of all, though, is the sense that every fibre and sinew of this system is pulling in the same direction. Wonderful regardless of music or source. Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo The Formation Duo performs the magic trick of revealing new detail in familiar music while delivering a level of insight…

AnalogueWorks TT Zero Pristine without being bright, the TT Zero has fine tonal discrimination and starts and stops precisely where it should. It is able to unpick all the audio strands with ease, sounding, open and airy with plenty of sparkle and bite, a low noise floor, lucid rhythmic gait and impressively clean, controlled and tuneful bass. Rega Planar 10 A masterpiece that is without doubt one of Rega’s finest achievements, the Planar 10 manages to deliver a performance that is outstanding even at this lofty price point. Utterly unflappable, it offers incredible detail retrieval combined with a naturally low noise floor to dish up captivating vinyl execution. Pro-Ject X1 A highly impressive turntable package for the price, the X1 makes music in a happy, engaging and big-hearted way with…