Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2020 i Hi-Fi Choice

A month ago I kicked off my first Welcome column as HFC’s new editor with some words about the clocks springing forward and an urge to get out and about. How quickly things have changed! Right now, at the time of writing this, most of us are hunkered down at home with no clear idea of when we might start to resume living our normal lives. In such an unprecedented situation, it strikes me that the role of HFC is to try and make the best of these tough times by cracking on and finding our readers ways to fill the many hours with as much fun as possible. It may sound glib to say: “Hey, being stuck in our homes gives us more time to enjoy our hi-fi,” but…

VPI WEISLINE TONEARM CABLE • US turntable manufacturer VPI has partnered with Nordost to create the new VPI Weisline tonearm cable, designed to maximise vinyl performance. The cable has four x28 AWG, solid-core OFC conductors, Nordost’s FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene) extrusion and twisted pair cable construction to eliminate inter-channel crosstalk. It boasts individual shielding for left and right channels for maximum defence against EMI/RFI, separately shielded, silver-plated bond wire running parallel to the signal channels for optimum grounding capabilities and is terminated with high-quality, low-mass, gold-plated connectors. The Weisline is available in a choice of 1m, 1.5m and 2m lengths, costing £600, £700 and £800 respectively. VPIINDUSTRIES.COM…

Luxman has just released details of its latest compact disc player, the D-03X, which inherits the essential configuration of the highly acclaimed D-05u CD/SACD player and incorporates decoding of MQA (MQA-CD/MQA) files. The CD playback system boasts a new steel top-plate and dedicated transport mechanism, consisting of an 8mm-thick solid aluminium mechanical base and shielded box chassis, with a loopless structure which the Japanese company claims will improve accuracy and reduce noise when reading discs. The asymmetrical mechanical layout places the CD drive to the left which, Luxman claims, makes it ideal for signal flow, resonance control and weight balance. The digital-to-analogue converter circuitry features dual Texas Instruments PCM1795 chips to handle high-resolution files and strives to maintain accuracy when converting digital signals to high-quality analogue signals, using independent left…

Back in March (HFC 460), Beautiful System paid homage to two giants from the US as Krell and Magico combined to provide a mouth watering insight into the sort of sonics wealthier hi-fi enthusiasts across the pond get to enjoy. One of the stars of the show, the A1–Magico’s entrylevel loudspeaker–was so impressive that we felt it would be remiss of us not to get it into the test lab to put it through its paces. A pricetag of £10,000 swiftly underlines the A1’s Exotica credentials, and the fact that it draws inspiration from the Q1 standmount further up Magico’s range–a snip at just £35k–highlights the level of high performance under examination here. Bass is delivered with effortless drive and no sign of artificial bloom Typical of the sort of…

What’s in a name? In the case of some hi-fi manufacturers it’s clear from the off precisely what their speciality is: Chord Company and Hi-Fi Racks perhaps being the most obvious examples. But when your chosen monicker is MrSpeakers and you only make headphones, perhaps it’s time for a re-think. Consequently, the San-Diego-based company has opted for the name of its founder–Dan Clark–to avoid confusion. The Aeon 2 is a timely update to the Aeon Flow, which proved to be so impressive back in HFC 435, with a new plannar driver structure that flips the original design 180° in an effort to remove flow disturbance from the magnets between the diaphragm and the ear. Additional tinkering has been done to the damping to deal with the inherent planar magnetic issue…

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…

Massive understatement, incoming. We are collectively living through rapidly accelerating, uncertain times and there’s only one news story that matters. And throughout the UK–throughout the world–it’s hard to imagine a more stressful situation for just about everybody, and that includes independent record stores. To piggyback on the current predilection for quoting famous wartime phrases, as Lord Kitchener almost said: Your Local Record Shop Needs YOU. In fact, a high-profile, worldwide initiative was launched by music industry trade body the BPI on 26 March to that very end; to help indie record stores during the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Prompted by a potentially catastrophic drop-off in footfall and enforced closures, it’s a praiseworthy attempt to urgently stimulate sales. In a show of unity, many music companies have pledged support for a…

CD Blue Note IT’S SIX YEARS since the jazz fusions of the Manchester trio earned a Mercury Music Prize nomination for second album v2.0. Since then they’ve released two further fine albums, but this feels like a major advance and is by far their most sophisticated and experimental set to date. On first hearing Chris Illingworth’s piano dominates the sound, whether essaying Michael Nyman/Philip Glass minimalism, channeling classical influences derived from Debussy and Satie or busting out with euphoric arpeggios of glorious virtuosity. A closer listen reveals the vital contributions of Rob Turner (drums) and Nick Blacka (bass). Whether underpinning the sound or driving it forward, they have to be the most exciting rhythm section operating today. Mixing house beats, elegant classicism, funk, free-form jazz, trip-hop and ambience, they provide the…

Crosby & Nash Lay Me Down The vocal harmonies and acoustic guitar in this beautifully recorded track from two of the great singer-songwriters of our time provide a stern test for any setup. Clipping Work Work A blend of technical rap with hip-hop and a superb bassline to boot. Great vocals and mix of electronic sounds make a very interesting track to test a system. Sister Sledge Lost in Music If this Dimitri From Paris remix doesn’t get you moving or your feet tapping, then you need to change your system or check for a pulse. Rhythm, pace and timing abound here. Primal Scream Free (The Original Memphis Recordings) Fabulous piano, vocals and saxophone on an excellent recording that will highlight the true capabilities of any setup.…

HOT PICK CD Heavenly A COMPANION PIECE to Lanegan’s warts-and-all memoirs, Straight Songs Of Sorrow is full of melancholic laments (one song is called Ketamine, for instance). To tell the story of his life, Lanegan has roped in some stellar help–Greg Dulli, John Paul Jones, Ed Harcourt and wife, Shelley Brien, who he duets with on the sublime This Game Is Love. Throughout the album–although the tone is generally dark and low–there are surges of strings, mellotron and organ, which lighten the palette and make it glow like a night-time lantern.…

1962 TAKIN’ OFF A precocious debut featuring the first recording of Watermelon Man and five other Hancock originals, with Freddie Hubbard and Dexter Gordon among the supporting cast. 1964 EMPRYREAN ISLES Backed by Miles Davis’ rhythm section of Ron Carter, Tony Williams and Freddie Hubbard, the four long, jazz piano workouts include Cantaloupe Island, the second standard of Hancock’s youthful career. 1965 MAIDEN VOYAGE Lyrical piano jazz and hard bob combine on Hancock’s early eco-concept album about the ocean with Freddie Hubbard, Ron Carter and Tony Williams joined by George Coleman on sax. 1965 E.S.P. The first album recorded by Miles Davis’ great sixties quintet with Hancock on acoustic piano. A hard bop classic that includes Hancock’s original composition, Little One. 1967 BLOW UP The first of Hancock’s many movie…

Cambridge Audio Edge W £2,500 HFC 447 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 £400/£530 HFC 429 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 £1,240/£1,390 HFC 429 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…

Bluesound Vault 2i £1,100 HFC 452 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 From £3,000 HFC 451 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 £1,800 HFC 444 Supporting up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD512, this 2TB music server and CD ripper delivers Melco’s well-honed…

NAD M10 £2,200 HFC 451 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 £3,500 HFC 433 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 £690 HFC 446 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…

Chord Electronics Huei PRICE: £900 REVIEWED: HFC 459 The Huei’s appeal extends from its rocksolid build and playful, sphere-based control system to its impressive knack of extracting the best from a turntable/cartridge combo without being too painfully honest about the ropier aspects of less-than-pristine recordings. Musical Fidelity M6 Vinyl PRICE: £1,400 REVIEWED: HFC 451 An impressively quiet phono stage, the M6 Vinyl treads an interesting line between accuracy and imparting a little character all of its own. Tonally accurate it has a heady combination of richness and weight that draws you into a performance, while bass response is startlingly good. Cyrus Phono Signature PRICE: £1,200 REVIEWED: HFC 408 A welcome addition to the ranks of high-end phono stages, the Phono Signature is something of a bargain. It delivers on the…

These pages are a must-read if you’re thinking about buying used kit, or if you have hi-fi you want to sell. It’s free–simply submit your ad with no more than 50 words (we reserve the right to edit it if not), remembering to include your email, phone number and county. Simply email your ad to: letters@hifichoice.co.uk. This service is open to private advertisers only. Just one ad per household and please note that images are for illustration only and do not represent what is for sale. FOR SALE MICHELL GyroDec Bronze turntable, DC motor, HR PSU, Origin Live RB250 tonearm, Dynavector DV-20XL cartridge, £1,000. Naim Stageline S MC phono stage, £100. Buyer collects: 07900 320318 (SE London/Kent). RECORDS for sale, eg: opera (14); James Last (6); million sellers (8). Little…

PRIMARE R15 This affordable phono stage aims to satisfy even the most fastidious vinyl lover. We put it to the test… ALSO: REVIEWS Vertere DG-1 Dynamic Groove turntable, Sumiko Rainier moving-magnet phono cartridge, 432 Evo Aeon music server, T+A mini system and an in-ear headphone Group Test. REGULARS Hunting out treasures in your vinyl collection, Music Legends Simon & Garfunkel, Music Reviews, Audiophile News and all your hi-fi questions answered by our team of experts. JUNE ISSUE ON SALE 21 MAY…

Billy Yeager Demo, 1991 Given to Bruce Hornsby when he discovered Yeager. Sold for £12,110.78 in January 2017 U2 Demo, March 1979 Features Bono’s artwork and address on card. Sold for £6,500 in January 2019 AC/DC. 12 Of The Best, 1978 Australian limited-edition compilation that was never released and immediately destroyed by the record company. Sold for £6,235.03 in October 2013. Prince Black Album Promo, 1987 Only copy of the promo cassette known to be in existence. The album was also withdrawn. Sold for £5,476.88 in June 2017 Eminem Infinite, 1996 The rapper’s debut album. Sold for £3,936.58 in December 2018 Seahags Riffs Rocks Rags Riches, 1987 Produced by Metallica’s Kirk Hammett. Sold for £3,867.20 in November 2019 Insane Clown Posse Dog Beats, 1991 Credited to Inner City Posse and…

AAC Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) is a lossy audio codec designed as the successor to MP3, claiming better sound quality at similar bit-rates. AIFF Audio Interchange File Format (AIFF) was developed by Apple in 1988 and uses uncompressed pulse-code modulation (PCM). There’s also a compressed variant of AIFF known as AIFF-C or AIFC, which can sometimes be recognised by an .aifc file extension, although these can also appear with the standard .aiffor aif extension, so check for higher bit-rates to know you’re playing uncompressed files. Being uncompressed means AIFF files will demand more space than lossy and lossless equivalents. ALAC Apple Lossless Audio Codec data is stored within an MP4 container, but it employs different encoding in a lossless (not lossy) format that uses a linear prediction method, similar to…

As the latest addition to the DragonFly family, the Cobalt is designed to augment the existing Black and Red versions (HFC 414). And it must be said, it is a bit of a head scratcher at first as there appears to be no difference between it and the Black, which is £180 cheaper. Plus the maximum sample rate supported is a relatively low 24-bit/96kHz, although native MQA decoding is supported. Where the Cobalt differs, however, is internally. It is still built around an ESS Sabre DAC, but the higher spec ES9038Q2M is used with an ESS 9601 volume controller. There’s also a new filter arrangement that uses a minimum phase, slow roll off filter claimed to make it more satisfying to listen to long term. These refinements are partnered with…

The UK music industry presents a united front in the fight for independent shops to stay afloat during the Coronavirus crisis, launching the #loverecordstores campaign. The BPI launched its #loverecordstores campaign in late March to help independent record stores during the Coronavirus pandemic. Record companies are coordinating ideas, resources and mobilising the artists they represent to record messages of support for record stores that can be used across all forms of social media. “I started life in a record store,” said Beggars Group founder and chair, Martin Mills. “Record stores are incubators for great music–and for musicians. In these incredible times, they can still serve up what you need, so please ‘visit’ them online, patronise them, support them and help them survive. We’ll need them on the other side.” Musicians,…

Quentin Collins All Star Quintet A Day in the Life 180g vinyl Chasing the Dragon CHASING THE DRAGON has made a sizable impression on the audiophile scene with stunning recordings of largely classical music, and its impressive selection of direct-todisc cuts are among the best around with its binaural releases a delight for headphone users in particular. This is the first jazz recording that the label has made and it’s managed to assemble an impressive lineup for the project. Lead by British trumpet player Quentin Collins, the Quintet includes pianist Jason Rebello and drummer Gary Husband, both household names in the land of jazz. Collins has played with a wide range of artists including Basement Jaxx, John Surman and Stan Tracey, so he knows his licks. The six tracks on…

highresaudio.com debuts Zachary Carrettin & Mina Gaji?’s Boundless, Queenz Of Piano’s self-titled album, Armel Dupas and Jean-Louis Cousseau’s Jazz & Poetry and Laurence Juber’s The Fab 4th. hdtracks.co.uk has Cocteau Twins’ Victorialand, Gordon Lightfoot’s Solo, Vestard Shimkuss’ Preludes And Fugues (A Concert In Paris), Freddie King’s Blues Journey (Volume One: Live) and the jazz stylings of Wolfgang Muthspiel’s Angular Blues.…

HOT PICK CD Deutsche Grammophon SWEDISH BORN OF Belarusian-Kyrgyz parentage, Daniel Lozakovich had only just reached the age of 18 when this live recording of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto was made, but his reading has the maturity to be judged alongside the very best. At its heart is an exquisitely tender slow movement. In the outer movements Lozakovich displays stunning virtuosity, with only the tiniest of technical imperfections. Six other Tchaikovsky pieces, with either orchestra or piano accompaniment, complete the programme. Of these, only Mélodie is not an arrangement and Glazunov’s orchestration of Méditation from the same Op. 42 is particularly enjoyable. The solo violin is clear, without being too close. With a carefully balanced layer of creamy reverberation, the orchestral sound is sumptuous. The sound for the violin and piano…

Audiolab 6000CDT PRICE: £380 REVIEWED: HFC 447 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 PRICE: £5,100 REVIEWED: HFC 449 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 detail are locked into sharp focus. Cambridge Audio AXC35 PRICE: £300 REVIEWED: HFC 454 Something of a budget marvel, you’ll have to work extra…

Atlas Cables Equator Integra PRICE: £115 for 1m REVIEWED: HFC 438 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 PRICE: £250 for 1m REVIEWED: HFC 456 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 PRICE: £160 for 1m REVIEWED: HFC 453 Replacing the Prelude, this RCA interconnect is screened and employs silver-plated copper…

Alpha Design Labs Stratos PRICE: £1,315 REVIEWED: HFC 455 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 PRICE: £2,000 REVIEWED: HFC 418 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+ PRICE: £800 REVIEWED: HFC 449 While some DACs can dive deeper into a recording, what’s so likeable about the…

AnalogueWorks TT Zero PRICE: £1,500 REVIEWED: HFC 453 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 6 PRICE: £1,400 REVIEWED: HFC 427 Partnered with Rega’s Ania moving-coil cartridge, the Planar 6 delivers a level of performance that is pretty much untouchable for £1,500. The sense of togetherness is classic Rega, the overall presentation is aided in no small part by the tonal realism while the power and alacrity complete a perfect sonic picture. MoFi UltraDeck+M PRICE: £2,500 REVIEWED: HFC 459 Equipped with…

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT PRICE: £180 REVIEWED: HFC 450 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 here. Balance and refinement join crunching bass, impressive three dimensionality and decent noise-cancelling to seal the deal. Focal Stellia PRICE: £2,800 REVIEWED: HFC 452 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. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 PRICE: £350 REVIEWED: HFC 459 Although it’s no match for a high-end wired design, the noise-cancelling abilities of this wireless closed-back model are ideal…

PRICE: £1,300-£1,700 AVAILABLE: NOW CONTACT: 0113 2771441 WEB: EU.AUDIO-TECHNICA.COM AUDIO-TECHNICA HAS A long tradition of producing headphones in a variety of woods, including everything from the alpine cherry of the ATH-W10VTG to the ATH-W1000Z’s (HFC 402) teak. Now it has added the £1,700 Kokutan and £1,300 Asada Zakura to its Flagship wooden range. The closed-back dynamic Asada Zakura (right) is made from a rare Japanese wood said to have excellent acoustic properties. Its 53mm driver has a diamond-like coating called DLC for improved frequency response, a quoted sensitivity of 99dB/mW and claims to produce a rich sound with a gentle low range alongside crisper mid and high frequencies. The darker striped ebony housing of the Kokutan is split into two separate acoustic chambers for smoother bass reproduction in a proprietary…

MC: What benefits can SA30 buyers most expect to get from the Dirac room optimisation system? NC: The Dirac Live system employed in the SA30 is the same as in the award-winning Arcam AVRs, so buyers can expect to get all the same benefits–greater intelligibility, tighter bass and the removal of resonances and room modes. This is achieved by taking multiple measurements of the listening environment with the Dirac Live application and supplied mic and through the use of mixed phase filters for excellent performance and time domain control. How would you explain the difference in performance between the Class G SA30 and the entry-level Class AB SA10? While the entry-level SA10 amplifier sets the standard at that price point, the SA30 takes things to another level. The Class G…

What follows, after a little investigation, are a few examples of what the great man, were he still with us, might proffer as recommendations to while away the hours stuck at home. One each of his favourite records, books, films and artworks. Not the obvious ones like The Velvet Underground, Andy Warhol or 2001: A Space Odyssey but some stuff you may not have heard of and can seek out, import to your Kindle, search for on Spotify or research on Wiki. Book John Kennedy Toole: A Confederacy Of Dunces Written in the early sixties, A Confederacy Of Dunces wasn’t published until 1980, by which time its author had committed suicide. Toole’s weird novel about an obese slob named Ignatius J Reilly had been repeatedly rejected by publisher Simon &…

Back in October 2019, it was National Album Day in the UK. If you’ve not heard of it, that is perhaps not surprising as it’s only been going for two years. The idea behind the event is to promote the complete and proper listening of albums from start to finish in the way the artist intended. There is a view that with the advent of digitally recorded music and the availability of listening via streaming services, people are now only listening to one or two of their favourite tracks from an album, before moving on to something else. Deezer, the French streaming music service, did a study in the UK and found that 15 percent of listeners under the age of 25 have never sat through a full album. The…

HOT PICK CD Egg Records WHAT WE ALL need now is music to lose ourselves in and psych-pop veterans The Lovely Eggs provide the perfect escape here. Across 12 bonkers but fantastically enjoyable tracks, the twopiece has enlisted famed producer Dave Fridmann (Flaming Lips, Tame Impala, Mercury Rev) to ramp up the psych and effects. And it′s great. Not only are there driving pop songs and catchy melodies, but also swirling washes that propel this record into the stratosphere. The Eggs′ very British, sixties-fuzzfolk eccentricity is kept fully intact–it might not be audiophile, but it sure as hell is fun.…

1 CD, 1 Blu-ray audio Deutsche Grammophon ORIGINALLY RELEASED IN 1966, this famous performance has definitely grown in stature over the years. It was released the same time as Klemperer’s (EMI), and many felt the latter to be a superior performance. Perhaps. But there’s an inspired fervour about Karajan’s recording. The work has rarely sounded so lofty and sublimely beautiful. Karajan had a near-perfect vocal quartet, and DG’s sound is technically superior to Klemperer’s, which used to distort in the loud passages. This new 24-bit/96kHz remastering on Blu-ray (and CD) sounds rich, spacious and detailed, and wears its 50-plus years lightly.…

Audiolab 6000A PRICE: £600 REVIEWED: HFC 444 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 PRICE: £2,200 REVIEWED: HFC 454/459 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 PRICE: £6,400 REVIEWED: HFC 450 Though this valve-based integrated…

Audiolab 6000N Play PRICE: £450 REVIEWED: HFC 453 Employing the DTS Play-Fiplatform (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 PRICE: £3,500 REVIEWED: HFC 447 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 Altair G1 PRICE: £1,900 REVIEWED: HFC 455 Designed as more of a standalone front end…

Acoustic Energy AE509 PRICE: £2,300 REVIEWED: HFC 456 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 PRICE: £4,000 REVIEWED: HFC 453 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…

Audio-Technica AT-OC9XEN £300 HFC 452 This Group Test-winning moving-coil cart utilises an elliptical nude stylus mated to an assembly using two coils rather than one–which is something of an A-T trademark–and balances excellent performance with a useful boost to user friendliness, thanks to its threaded body. Goldring Ethos £900 HFC 449 Replacing the Legacy as Goldring’s flagship offering, this moving-coil design employs a Vital profile stylus on an aluminium alloy cantilever to stunning effect. Light enough on its feet to engage with high-tempo material, its unforced and believable soundstage is incredible. Hana ML £1,000 HFC 447 With a threaded insert to make fitting easy, the ML is a low-output moving-coil design sat right at the top of Hana’s range. Boasting a performance full of energy, presence and a believable sense…