Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2017 i What Hi-Fi?

System matching is a strange thing. Sometimes it feels as though it ought to be the easiest thing in the world: take that five-star source, pair it with the five-star amp over there, and chuck in a pair of five-star speakers from that selection of five-star speakers in the corner. Only, inevitably, it’s never that simple. Care needs to be taken to match up one product with another. Mistakes can easily be made, leading to disappointment (and even anger, sometimes, towards the reviewer…) when the expected sonic synergy just isn’t there. Which is why we’ve taken it upon ourselves to do the hard work for you. Our Systems special (p36) puts forward four stereo and two home cinema systems that will provide you with many years of pleasure – no…

Cowon Plenue 2 | Portable music player/DAC | £1100 | whf.cm/CowonPlenue2 FOR Incredible levels of insight; sturdy build AGAINST Awkward to use; lacks punch; no streaming ★★★★ We shouldn’t begrudge Cowon describing the Plenue 2 as the “world’s finest DAC”, but these things must always be taken with a pinch of salt: after all, for every ABBA Gold there is a Best Of Vanilla Ice. Let’s also not forget that the Plenue 2’s primary function is as a hi-res personal music player, with its alternative use as a portable DAC more a welcome bonus. It’s a weighty unit, so tighten your belt before putting it in your pocket, but that's befitting of the amount of technology Cowon has managed to fit inside. Weighty issues Beginning with that DAC: it’s a…

Monitor Audio Silver 200 | Stereo speakers | £1000 | whf.cm/MonitorAudio200 FOR Balanced presentation; agility; flexible positioning AGAINST Nothing of note ★★★★★ So here we are in the presence of the sixth generation of Monitor Audio’s Silver Series speakers. Granted, it’s not quite as distant as the relationship between Danny Dyer and King Edward III discovered on reality TV show Who Do You Think You Are?, but still an impressively lengthy lineage, especially when you consider how much we’ve enjoyed each previous incarnation. This time, the focus has been on creating a family bond – a sonic character running like a bloodline through each of the nine speaker models in the series. Monitor Audio suggests its new Silver speakers become simply more powerful and dynamic the further you go up…

Samsung Galaxy S8+ “The Galaxy S8 is like an S7 Edge that went away for the summer holidays and hit puberty. It’s taller, slimmer, and has head-turning good looks” £645 ★★★★★ Chord Mojo £400 ★★★★★ AKG K550 £150 ★★★★★ Though we’d love simply to be sat in our listening room all day, thumbing through our record collection with a glass of whatever’s on hand to make our heads go fuzzy, its more likely that most of our listening nowadays is done through our phones. But does that mean we must shirk exceptional sound, or that the acquisition of such sound must send us to the dark web in order to sell one of our kidneys? Not at all. Now, chances are you already have your source in this set-up…

Cambridge Azur 851N “There’s punch and depth down low and sparkling bite up top, with all-you-can-eat solidity fleshing out a clear and articulate midrange” £1400 ★★★★★ Rega Elex-R £900 ★★★★★ Neat Iota Alpha £1385 ★★★★★ We doubt for many people reading this that nearly four grand going missing from their bank account is likely to go unnoticed, so performance gains at this price need to be matched by versatility. Luckily, the Cambridge Azur 851N streamer has us covered on both counts. As well as its full-bodied, spacious sonic performance, the Azur 851N doubles as a preamplifier and can plug straight into a power amp thanks to a volume output controlled by a 32-bit Blackfin digital signal processor. Music signals pass through two 24-bit Analog Devices DACs in dual differential…

1 Peter Vosper Instagram @vosper79 System Cyrus One, Myryad Z210, Sonus Faber Chameleon B, Roth Audio sub, Philips 4K TV, Playstation 4, Soundstyle Z1, Fisual speaker cable, Audioquest interconnects “This system cost nearly £3000. The Cyrus has ample power to get the speakers singing, and they sound fast and full of energy. The addition of the stands opened up the sound a little and took away a bit of the boom. When I want some more low end I switch on the Roth subwoofer. Obviously it's down to personal preference, but for now I'm very happy with my set-up.” 2 Shaun Cupp Instagram @bikingshaun System Marantz 2252b, Klipsch Heresy III, JL Audio E112, Sony XBR49X800D TV, Oppo UDP 203, Apple TV, U-turn Audio Orbit, iMac, Schiit Audio Modi DAC, Ideon…

Bryston BCD-3 | CD player | £3700 FOR Neat, detailed, evenhanded presentation; build AGAINST Remote costs extra; bass lacks a bit of bite and scale ★★★★ Why buy a dedicated CD player such as the Bryston BCD-3? It’s a fair question in this age of streaming and file downloads. The answer is surprisingly simple: it’s good. If you have a large collection of discs and don’t have the inclination to move to computer-based audio, this Bryston could be just what you need. It will come as no surprise to anyone who follows this Canadian brand that the BCD-3 is a purist affair. It’s a plain, understated box that, at a glance, could pass for a budget machine. That impression fades when you see the unit in the metal and notice…

Click here to view offers on CD players Up to £500 Cambridge Audio CXC £350 Awards 2015 ★★★★★ If you already have a DAC – the CXC is useless without one – we wouldn’t hesitate in recommending this transport over a standalone CD player. Type CD transport Outputs Coaxial, optical Marantz CD6006 £279 Best CD player under £500, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ The price may have gone up, but several upgrades have contributed to a CD player that, overall, is an improvement on its predecessor. Type CD player Outputs Coaxial, optical, RCA, headphone Onkyo C-N7050 £400 April 2015 ★★★★★ A CD player or a hi-res music streamer? Whatever it is, the C-N7050 is a hugely appealing system that combines the best of both worlds. Type CD player/streamer Outputs Optical, coaxial, line…

Click here to view offers on internet radios Click here to view offers on DAB radios Up to £200 Pure Evoke H2 £100 May 2017 ★★★★★ Pure’s latest is similar to its previous incarnation, but it is more refined and sees the H2 improve on the D2’s already-sophisticated sound. Battery No Size (hwd) 18 x 12 x 12cm Inputs Mini-USB, 3.5mm Revo SuperSignal £180 August 2016 ★★★★★ A stylish radio with plenty of features, it’s even more impressive on the audio front thanks to a large-scale sound that belies its appearance. Battery No Size (hwd) 21 x 14 x 14cm Inputs 3.5mm, AUX in, B’tooth Roberts Stream 93i £150 Best radio £100-£200, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ This Roberts delivers deep bass that doesn’t overpower the midrange. Spotify Connect, wi-fi and USB…

Click here to view offers on stereo systems Multi-room Sonos System From £175 Best multi-room system under £500, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ If you don’t need hi-res, Sonos is an obvious choice for multi-room. A great user experience alongside a full-bodied, insightful sound. Res 16-bit/44.1kHz App Mac, Android Formats MP3, iTunes Plus, WMA Bluesound Generation 2 From £540 OF Best multi-room system £500+, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ Bluesound’s Generation 2 has a more streamlined design and sounds as good as ever, offering hi-res support and good connectivity. Res 24-bit/192kHz App iOS, Android Formats MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG Stereo systems up to £400 Denon D-M41DAB £380 August 2017 ★★★★★ Denon’s not rested on its laurels here. It’s managed to better the M40, delivering improved sound and functionality. The best just got better. Inputs…

Up to £100 Panasonic DMP-BDT180EB £80 May 2017 ★★★★★ A budget player that delivers a high-quality picture. Whether it’s Blu-ray, DVD or streaming this spinner handles them all with skill and flair. Compatibility Blu-ray, DVD, CD Sony BDP-S3700 £85 May 2017 ★★★★★ A combination of impressive picture, smart functions and decent sound makes this a welcome, low-cost addition for any home cinema set-up. Compatibility Blu-ray, DVD, CD £100 to £300 Sony BDP-S6700 £150 Best Blu-ray player under £200, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ Another fantastic budget Blu-ray player that boasts excellent picture quality and good features, but the 4K upscaling is a little unconvincing. Compatibility Blu-ray, DVD, CD Sony BDP-S7200 £180 Awards 2015 ★★★★★ The pictures here are impressive, but the sound quality on this model shines brightest – it’s entertaining, exciting…

Up to £1000 Epson EH-TW5350 £600 Best projector under £1000, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ A talented budget effort that handles motion, contrast and colour balance with great skill. It’s a mature and enjoyable projector. Throw ratio 1.22-1.47:1 Inputs 2 x HDMI, RCA, composite Spks Yes £ 1000 to £3000 BenQ W3000 £1200 August 2016 ★★★★★ A fine alternative to a TV. 4K is off the menu but you do get a big picture, accurate colours and useful features for a relatively modest price. Throw ratio 1.15-1.86 Inputs 2 x HDMI, PC, component Speakers Yes Sony VPL-HW45ES £2000 Best projector £1000 to £2000, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ Delivers a riveting picture that strikes the perfect balance between performance and price. Great for a first projector or an upgrade. Throw ratio n/a Inputs 2…

Up to £500 Cambridge Audio TV5 v2 £250 February 2017 ★★★★★ A sonically superb soundbase from the bass all the way up to the treble. The lack of a display is a bugbear but forgivable. Just. Size (hwd) 10 x 73 x 34cm Inputs Optical, HDMI, 3.5mm Canton DM55 £330 Best soundbase, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ Replacing the DM50, the £70 cheaper DM55 is even more appealing – its meaty yet subtle sound is a huge audio upgrade for your TV. Size (hwd) 7 x 55 x 30cm Inputs Optical, coaxial £500 and above Geneva Model Cinema £550 June 2015 ★★★★★ This premium soundbase has a big, balanced and authoritative sound, with detail and dynamic insight in spades. It’s worth the extra spend. Size (hwd) 10 x 70 x 35cm Inputs…

MAKE THE FOCUS OF YOUR ENTERTAINMENT HUB A GOOD ONE Up to 40in Philips 24PFS5231 £200 March 2017 ★★★★★ If your current needs call for an affordable TV with great picture and sound, then there’s no reason why this Philips shouldn’t be on your list. Type LCD/LED HDMI 2 Resolution 1920 x 1080 Tuner Freeview HD Sony KDL-32WD603 £300 Best 32-39in TV, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ A HD-ready TV might seem behind the times, but when the picture performance is this good, we can’t complain. Type LCD/LED HDMI 2 Resolution 1366 x 768 Tuner Freeview HD 40in to 50in Panasonic TX-40DX600B £500 Best 40-46in TV, Awards 2016 ★★★★ Ideal for those with limited space, this affordable 40in TV offers an appealing experience, but doesn’t feature HDR. Type LCD/LED HDMI 3 Resolution…

Under 5in Apple iPhone 7 Awards 2016 ★★★★★ The lack of a headphone jack distracts from what is a sterling upgrade; an improved screen, camera and sound, plus faster performance. OS iOS Size (hwd) 138 x 67 x 7mm Storage 28/128/256GB Over 5in LG G5 (with Hi-Fi Plus DAC) Best smartphone, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ LG combines innovation and performance to produce a phone that’s up there with the best. The modular components are a brilliant idea. OS Android Size (hwd) 149 x 74 x 8mm Storage 32GB & microSD HTC U11 August 2017 ★★★★★ HTC’s latest is not the most innovative of efforts, but decent sound and terrific video mean it’s up there with the best 2017 has to offer. OS Android 7.1 Size (hwd) 154 x 76 x 8mm…

Up to £50 Atlas Element Integra £45 November 2013 ★★★★★ An Award-winner three years on the trot, this cable digs up detail and isn’t fussy about the kit it’s used with. A great first upgrade. Balanced/Single Single Chord Company C-Line £45 Best analogue interconnect, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ Few entry-level interconnects at the price come close to offering the sonic enjoyment that Chord has produced with this cable. Balanced/Single Single QED Performance Audio 40 £45 Reviewed online ★★★★★ If you covet space and detail along with sure but nimble footwork and heaps of insight, all for less than £50, look no further. Balanced/Single Single £50 and above QED Reference Audio 40 £85 June 2014 ★★★★★ An engaging interconnect with a reassuring build quality, and one that is capable of expressing the…

Up to £200 Olson Sound Fantastic HF6 £135 September 2015 ★★★★★ Grants a system far greater freedom of expression without sacrificing control or authority. If you can afford to, buy it without reservations. Type Block Mains filter Yes No. of plugs 6 Tacima CS947 £45 September 2015 ★★★★★ Great value, the highlight being how well it allows for greater detail, attack and dynamics. For the price, it’s a brilliant entry-level purchase. Type Block Mains filter Yes No. of plugs 6 Audioquest JitterBug £40 April 2016 ★★★★★ It might look insubstantial, but when plugged into a USB port it works wonders, filtering signal noise to allow a more solid and precise sound. Type USB Mains filter No No. of plugs n/a £200 and above Isotek EVO Polaris + Premier cable £400…

Speaker stands Atacama Duo 6 £65 February 2013 ★★★★★ Easy to assemble (we suggest you mass-load the stand), these Atacamas help produce a detailed, clear and energetic sound. Top plate size (wd) 130 x 170mm Height 60cm Fillable Yes Atacama Moseco 6 £120 Best speaker stand, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ A speaker stand that impresses with how weighty and dynamic it allows systems to sound. Considering the price, it’s something of a steal. Top plate size (wd) 130 x 170mm Height 60cm Fillable Yes Q Acoustics 20 speaker stands £200 September 2014 ★★★★★ Designed with QAs’ Concept 20 speakers in mind, the clever construction and elegant design ensures other speakers give their best too. Top plate size (hd) n/a Height 66.5cm Fillable No Click here to view offers on speaker stands…

Experience. Heritage. We’ve been helping the world discover the best in hi-fi and home entertainment for more than 40 years, and have more than 100 years of reviewing experience under our collective belts – so you can count on our expert opinion. Dedicated test facilities We test every product against its peers in our brand-new, bespoke reviewing facility at our Twickenham HQ. We conduct all our tests as a team – our opinions and conclusions are always the result of collaboration. Reference kit Naim CDS3/NDS/UnitiServe/555 PS; Clearaudio Innovation Wood; Cyrus Phono Signature/PSX-R2; GamuT D3i/D200i; ATC SCM50; Oppo UDP-203; Panasonic DMP-UB900; Yamaha RX-A3060; Epson EH-TW7200; PMC Twenty23 5.1; KEF R50; Sky Q…

 Sony KD-55XE8596 | 4K HDR television | £1200 | whf.cm/SonyKD55XE8596 “The Sony XE8596 ticks all the boxes but lacks the punch and contrast to make the most of HDR content” FOR Natural pictures; handles motion well; good black detail AGAINST Muted HDR picture; upscaler isn’t very impressive ★★★★ Just a short while ago, 4K and HDR was the pinnacle of the spec list, available on a select few top-of-the-range televisions. Now, with more reasonably priced TVs getting the same feature list as the blow-your-bank-account sets, the midrange has seen a huge improvement in quality. With that in mind, enter Sony’s latest KD-55XE8596. At a midrange price mark, this TV gives you a natural, enjoyable picture and an impressive spec list, including 4K Ultra HD resolution at 3840 x 2160, HDR…

Arcam rPlay “Download the app and you’ll be able to stream services on up to eight rPlay devices connected to the same network. Did someone say multi-room?” £400 ★★★★★ Onkyo A-9010 £230 ★★★★★ Q Acoustics 3020 £190 ★★★★★ Meet Arcam’s rPlay. It’s a compact, wireless-router-resembling streamer that can turn even the most traditional system into a plug-and-play-almost-anything network streaming set-up. That’s thanks to the DTS PlayFi streaming platform, built into the rPlay. It unlocks the ability to stream music wirelessly from smartphones, tablets or laptops to speakers throughout the home, and from a range of music sources. Full-flowing streams With PlayFi’s impressive music streaming inventory comprising Amazon Music, Tidal, Spotify, Qobuz, Napster and Deezer, as well as expanding to internet radio, Apple Airplay and compatibility with NAS drives on…

Sony KD-49XE9005 “Add good timing and agility and you have yourself a punchy, dynamic soundbar that wipes the floor with its rivals. It seizes your attention” £1300 ★★★★★ Sony UBP-X800 £330 ★★★★★ Dali Kubik One £700 ★★★★★ While there’s a strong case for full home cinema systems being standard government issue – for example, who could plot a war while watching Where The Wild Things Are? – the sad fact is that very few people have the space required or the means to buy one. But does that mean the rest of us need to relinquish our right to watch our favourite films in all their glory? While there are 4K telly set-ups like this about, absolutely not. Worth the effort It all begins with the picture emitted by…

Every year, the battle of the £500 AV receivers is one of the most nail-biting categories we test. We haven’t even seen all of this year’s AV receivers yet, but it’s already shaping up to be the usual tense fight to the finish line. With the three amplifiers on test here all sporting similar features (from 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos to multi-room and hi-res streaming), it looks as though the audio performance will be the deciding factor. There can be only one winner, so let’s find out which AV amplifier grabs our attention. “Music streaming is high on the priority list, with all three amps capable of playing hi-res 24-bit/192kHz music files in all popular formats, as well as double DSD” Features These days, your average £500 AV receiver…

Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them Apart from being a fun way to spend two hours, the 4K Blu-ray disc of Fantastic Beasts is a serious test for your home cinema system. The captivating surround-sound score is even more atmospheric if you’re listening to the Dolby Atmos soundtrack, making it currently one of our favourite test discs. Kraftwerk 3-D: The Catalogue This is a great workout for the virtues of an Dolby Atmos system. Going against the grain for most concert films, there's no crowd noise on the film. With the performance cleaned up in this way, there's a cohesive and unobtrusive integration of Dolby Atmos to otherwise squeaky-clean renditions of the hits. John Wick To handle the precise choreography of Keanu Reeves’ ‘gun-fu’ action flick, your surround system…

Kobina Monney, Buyer’s Guide Editor This is the definitive guide to the best home-entertainment kit you can buy. From 75in TVs to smartphones, from portable Bluetooth speakers to Dolby Atmos surround-sound packages, here’s where you’ll find the perfect product, fast. NEW ENTRIES This month there’s Chord’s Hugo 2 DAC, which manages to surpass the original Hugo, Sony’s return the AV amp arena with the compelling STR-DN1080, and Apple’s iPad Pro 10.5in – the best tablet you can buy right now. Chord Hugo 2 “There’s crispness and clarity to the Hugo 2’s sound” Sony STR-DN1080 “After a gap year Sony has come back fighting, with all the specs boxes duly ticked this time” Apple iPad Pro 10.5in “Last year’s iPad Pro 9.7 was an excellent tablet, but its replacement is truly…

Click here to view offers on DACs Up to £200 Arcam miniBlink £100 Awards 2015 ★★★★★ This receiver has serious dynamic clout, with a zingy and fluid rhythm. The 3.5mm analogue output means an adaptor is needed for trad hi-fi. Inputs Bluetooth Size 2.5 x 3 x 4cm Audioquest DragonFly Black £90 Best USB DAC under £100, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ Cheaper, with improved sound and compatibility, this is arguably the best DragonFly yet. The 96kHz playback limit is a disappointment though. Inputs USB Size 6 x 2 x 1cm Resolution Up to 24-bit/96kHz Audioquest DragonFly Red £170 Best USB DAC £100+, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ A more expensive alternative to the DragonFly Black, this is a marked improvement over the original, sounding more sophisticated and subtler. Inputs USB Size 6 x…

Click here to view offers on stereo speakers Desktop speakers Eclipse TD-M1 £800 August 2014 ★★★★ Some might feel the TD-M1s are watching them – but we’re more interested in the great stereo imaging, fine detail and precision. Size (hwd) 24 x 16 x 22cm Powered Yes Finishes 2 KEF Egg £350 Best desktop speaker, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ Our 2015 Best Desktop Speaker Over £200 have a distinctive design and flexible connectivity – and a stunning, consistent performance. Size (hwd) 27 x 13 x 17cm Powered Yes Finishes 3 Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2 £330 July 2017 ★★★★★ Gorgeous retro design and superb sound make the Mk2s an update that manages to be even more appealing than its predecessor. Size (hwd) 17 x 13 x 14cm Powered Yes Finishes 1 Floorstanders…

Click here to view offers on turntables Up to £300 Audio Technica AT-LP3 £200 July 2017 ★★★★★ A fully automatic turntable that doesn’t scrimp on performance, this is the ideal entry-level deck for those looking to get their vinyl ‘feet’ wet. Speed 33.3 & 45rpm Size (hwd) 13 x 44 x 35cm Pro-Ject Primary £190 May 2017 ★★★★★ An entry-level solution that’s more compelling than any alternative under £200, the Primary serves as a fine introduction to vinyl. Speed 33.3 & 45rpm Size (hwd) 11 x 42 x 33cm Rega Planar 1 £250 Best turntable under £500, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ The modifications Rega has made to the Planar 1 haven’t hindered the fantastic sound. It’s an entertaining turntable with no obvious flaws. Speed 33.3 & 45rpm Size (hwd) 12 x…

Thought all you needed was a Netflix subscription and an Ultra HD TV to watch 4K content? Not quite. A 4K TV that supports HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding)/H.265 compression standard is a must. The first generation of 4K tellies didn’t, but the good news is that 2017 TVs do have support for this standard. Your TV (or other necessary kit) needs at least a HDMI 2.0 connection that is HDCP 2.2-compliant, ensuring copy-protection compliance for 4K content from an external source. Alternatively, you can use a separate box, such as Amazon’s Fire TV (2015). This will allow you to stream Netflix (or other supported services) in 4K. For access to 4K content on Netflix, there’s the Ultra HD option, which costs £9 per month. This subscription comes with the…

PVRs Humax HDR-2000T £150 Best PVR, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ We may sound like a broken record, but this fantastic digital box from Humax has plenty of features, great usability and great AV quality. Tuners 2 Storage 500GB Ultra HD No Humax FVP-4000T £200 March 2016 ★★★★★ Catch-up TV is made supremely easy with this Freeview Play box. It’s a comprehensive entertainment hub with minimum fuss. Tuners 3 Storage 500GB, 1TB Ultra HD No PVR Humax HDR-1100S £190 to £270 December 2015 ★★★★★ Now with wi-fi, this impressive Freesat recorder is a genuine wireless entertainment hub. It’s our top subscription-free choice. Tuners 2 Storage 500GB , 1TB, 2TB Ultra HD No Set-top BT Ultra HD YouView min £15/month + fees November 2015 ★★★★ The first 4K box to hit the market,…

Style speaker packages Tannoy HTS-101 XP £600 Awards 2015 ★★★★★ The latest incarnation of a multiple winner has a sonic character that retains its fast, spacious quality, but with extra detail and solidity. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 19 x 10 x 11cm Finishes 1 Style speaker packages B &W MT-50 £1100 Awards 2015 ★★★★★ These speakers sound crisp, clear and insightful, and the sub and satellites integrate so well. Value and versatility combined. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 25 x 11 x 16cm Finishes 2 B&W MT-60D £1950 May 2012 ★★★★★ Compact and stylish (we love that sub), this package presents a dynamic, powerful sound that excels with surround sound and stereo music. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 25 x 11 x 16cm Finishes 2 Traditional packages up to £2000 Dali Zensor…

In-ears up to £50 SoundMagic E10C £40 Best in-ears under £50, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ The C stands for compatibility but could stand for consistency too. Five years in and these in-ears are still as good as they’ve ever been. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m £50 to £100 Beyerdynamic Byron £50 February 2017 ★★★★★ A spectacular return to the budget earphone arena for Beyerdynamic, the Byron sets the standard at this price with a peerless performance. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m Sennheiser Momentum M2 IEi £80 Best in-ears £50-£100, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ You wouldn’t think anything so small could sound quite so good – not for just £80. But they are wonderfully smooth, expressive and balanced. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.3m Sony MDR-EX650AP £60 November 2014 ★★★★★ These…

On demand video BBC iPlayer Free Awards 2015 ★★★★★ Quality content, a great interface and free (for catch-up TV), BBC’s iPlayer is one of, if not the best, video on-demand platforms out there. Resolution up to 1080p Offline playback Yes Google Play Movies & TV Variable June 2014 ★★★★★ Google’s venture into video streaming is a success, offering pretty much everything we could ask for from an on-demand video service. Resolution Up to 1080p Offline playback Yes On demand music Qobuz Sublime £220/pa May 2016 ★★★★★ Qobuz Sublime is, well, sublime. Easy to use, with a diverse catalogue and competitive prices, this is a service that packs in a lot of value. Sound quality Up to 24-bit/192kHz Offline playback Yes Technics Tracks Variable January 2016 ★★★★★ Offering a (very) similar…

Up to £500 Atacama Eris Eco 5.0 £460 April 2012 ★★★★★ Whatever hi-fi you have will sound agile, detailed and dynamic on this. If that’s not all, the Eco is well built, easy to construct and looks smart. Width 590mm Modular Yes Cable management No £500 and above Atacama Elite Eco 12.0 £500 March 2013 ★★★★★ Those looking for a strong support for AV and hi-fi that enables a fluid, authoritative presentation will like the performance this rack can offer. Width 1157mm Modular Yes Cable management Yes Atacama Evoque Eco 60-40 SE £525 Best equipment rack, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ The SE stands for Special Edition, while significant improvements in the Eco 60-40’s design and dampening mean it works better than ever. Width 600mm Modular Yes Cable management No Click here…

Up to £200 Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Communicator £160 June 2013 ★★★★★ Fast, organised and dynamic, this box offers great quality on a budget. The Gram Amp 2 Communicator is low on frills but high on quality. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 7 x 10 x 25cm Rega Fono Mini A2D £85 March 2012 ★★★★★ There’s little fancy about the Fono Mini A2D but that doesn’t matter when the presentation is this good. And it has a useful USB output. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 6 x 18 x 25cm £200 to £1000 Arcam rPhono £400 July 2017 ★★★★★ A hugely accomplished box from Arcam. It sounds great and has a combination of insight and entertainment that few rivals can match. Type MM, MC Dimensions (hwd) 4 x 19 x 12cm…

Bose SoundLink Revolve | Wireless speaker | £200) | whf.cm/BoseRevolve FOR Great 360 º sound; big, punchy sound; portable design AGAINST Rivals more detailed; not very rugged; a bit pricey ★★★★ There’s no shortage of portable Bluetooth speakers on the market, but the £200 Bose SoundLink Revolve stands out from the rest. The speaker’s cylindrical design is key to delivering its 360-degree sound. Under that sturdy aluminium casing, there’s a full-range driver firing downwards into a patented diffuser plate, which aims to spread the sound evenly in all directions. There are also two passive radiators to reinforce the lower frequencies, placed opposite each other to reduce vibrations. The Revolve is a strikingly petite speaker, which should fit into just about any space in your home. It's more substantial than the…

Rega Planar 3 “Changes to this turntable have always been about steady evolution, but the shift from the RP3 to this, 2016’s Planar 3, is seismic” £625 ★★★★★ Rega Brio £600 ★★★★★ KEF Q350 £530 ★★★★★ We can’t think of another physical medium where performance is so wildly variable, depending on what you use to play it. Granted, the return of vinyl’s widespread popularity has likely as much to do with fashion as it does sonic performance, but that can’t be an excuse for boring holes in your records with a shonky supermarket special. And if you were to buy a turntable on name alone, the Rega Planar 3 would be as good a place as any to put your faith. The original was launched in the late 1970s,…

Samsung QE55Q7F “Getting overly familiar with the volume dial might mean a visit from the authorities, but at least they’re likely to stay and watch the rest of the movie” £2300 ★★★★★ Oppo UDP-203 £650 ★★★★★ Sony STR-DN1080 £550 ★★★★★ Dali Zensor 1 5.1  £980 ★★★★★ If you see your neighbours peeping out from behind the curtain as you’re carting this lot up your drive, don’t be surprised to find a for-sale sign on their lawn in the near future: a quiet night in will probably never be quite as quiet again. Visuals first, then, and there’s no getting around the fact that the Samsung Q7F appears unspectacular next to the super-slim panels of the OLED crowd, but that isn’t to say it’s not a smart-looking set in its…

 Convert Technologies Plato Class A | Media-streaming system | £4350 “It’s a breeze to record vinyl. We put Alice by Tom Waits on our Clearaudio Innovation Wood record player and marvel at how easy the process is” FOR Impressive versatility; fine build quality; tidy sound AGAINST Sound lacks a little excitement; video performance ★★★★ What is Convert Technologies’ Plato Class A? It’s a wonderfully versatile single-box solution for those who want to play music (and, to a lesser degree, movies) to a high standard without having stacks of electronics littering the listening room. It will stream files from an on-board 2TB drive or from a NAS device on the same network, as well as accept inputs from a range of digital and analogue sources, including a record player. Yes, this…

Click here to view offers on stereo amplifiers Stereo amps up to £500 Marantz PM6006 £279 December 2016 ★★★★★ Another fine amplifier from Marantz, it’s a clear improvement over the PM6005, our only disappointment is the scarcity of digital sources. Power 45W Inputs 5 line-in, MM Outputs headphone Onkyo A-9010 £230 Best stereo amplifier under £300, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ Our favourite budget amplifier, this is arguably the most entertaining affordable amp around. It has agility and a wicked sense of rhythm. Power 44W Inputs 5 line-in, MM Outputs speaker, headphone £500 to £1000 Cambridge Audio CXA60 £580 Best stereo amplifier £300-£700, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ This is a lively performer with expressive dynamics and a surefooted sense of rhythm. Build quality is impressive. Power 60W Inputs 4 line-in Outputs Preamp, 2…

Click here to view offers on music streamers Up to £500 Arcam rPlay £400 June 2017 ★★★★★ Another in a long line of useful and affordable add-ons from Arcam, the rPlay introduces a myriad of streaming solutions to a hi-fi system. DLNA Yes Outputs Coaxial, analogue x2 Storage No Google Chromecast Audio £30 Best music streamer under £100, Awarda 2016 ★★★★★ Google turns its expertise to audio streaming to bring music from any Cast-compatible app to your amps and speakers. And for only £30. DLNA Yes Inputs RCA, 3.5mm, optical Storage No Pioneer N-50A £380 Best music streamer £100-£500, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ The impressive N-50A offers an insightful performance, and can pluck music over DLNA and Internet radio or via a hoard of inputs. DLNA Yes Inputs Optical, coaxial, USB…

Rant. Rave. Opine. Help us make What Hi-Fi? better. We want to know what you think. What you like (or hate) about our magazine, our website, and the tech we write about. Tell us and you’ll help make your favourite gadget magazine and website even favouriter. All you have to do is register and answer a few simple questions. There’s a quick poll every month, as well as discussion threads where you can go into more detail. And we aren’t the only ones listening. So are the big tech companies. This is your chance to let them know your thoughts, too. Why join? Tell tech companies what you think Exclusive offers and competitions Shape our magazine and website Brought to you by Join now!  www.techpanel.co.uk…

Click here to view offers on wireless speakers Up to £150 JBL Flip 3 £100 May 2016 ★★★★★ Correcting the missteps of the Flip 2, the Flip 3 boasts a smooth, warm sound as well as improved battery life and connectivity. Size (hwd) 6 x 17 x 6cm Battery Yes, up to 10 hrs playback Up to £150 UE Roll 2 £80 Best portable wireless speaker under £100, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ The Roll 2 has a sound that’s more open, more dynamic and goes louder than its predecessor. The drop in price makes this a bargain. Size (hw) 4 x 14cm Battery Yes, up to 9 hrs playback UE Wonderboom 2 £90 June 2017 ★★★★★ If you want a travelling companion you can rely on, this portable, rugged and durable…

Up to £400 Denon AVR-X1300W £300 January 2017 ★★★★ This entry-level AV amp features Atmos and good file compatibility. The app is flaky and the competition tough, but it is a talented effort. Power 80W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 6/1 £400 to £1000 Denon AVR-X2300W £400 Best home cinema amplifier under £500, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ Better than the stunning AVR-X2200W; the sound has been refined, it’s easy to use and has plenty of features, all for the same price. Power 7 x 150W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 8/2 Denon AVR-X2400H £500 September 2017 ★★★★★ Not a giant leap forward, but the AVR-X2400H does offer an insightful, exciting sound and an exhaustive list of features. Power 7 x 95W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 8/2 Sony STR-DN1080 £550 September…

Up to £500 Philips HTL5140 £270 December 2014 ★★★★★ Insightful, balanced and unobtrusive, this slimline package will suit almost any set-up. Comfortably deserving of its five-star status. Size 5 x 104 x 7cm Inputs Coax, optical, USB, analogue Sub Yes Q Acoustics Media 4 £330 Best soundbar under £500, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ Q Acoustics’ debut soundbar is remarkable value – even more so at its reduced price – and more than worthy of its two-time PoY status. Size (hwd) 9 x 100 x 14cm Inputs Optical, RCA Subwoofer No £500 and above Dali Kubik One £800 Best soundbar £500+, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ A gorgeous and complete package, Dali’s debut soundbar impresses with its hugely engaging sound and smart, well-equipped exterior. Size (hwd) 15 x 98 x 10cm Inputs Optical, RCA…

Up to £50 Amazon Fire TV stick w/Alexa £40 June 2017 ★★★★★ The core design remains similar while the low price and addition of Alexa make the Fire TV stick a cheap way of getting smart apps on your TV. Resolution 1080p, 720p Storage 8GB Ultra HD No Google Chromecast 2 £30 December 2015 ★★★★★ The second-gen Chromecast still ‘casts’ content from a device to a TV over wi-fi, but now with speedier operation and a performance boost. Resolution 1080p, 720p Storage No Ultra HD No Now TV (2015) £15 February 2016 ★★★★★ Now it outputs 1080p and passes through 7.1 surround sound, Now TV is a great way to open your doors to a plethora of Sky content. Resolution 1080p, 720p Storage n/a Ultra HD No £50 to £150…

Up to £400 Apple iPod Touch (6th Gen) 128GB £380 December 2015 ★★★★★ There’s life in the iPod Touch yet. Its price and talent with CD-quality music makes it a worthy challenge to pricier rivals with hi-res audio. Hi-res compatible No Weight 88g Storage128GB Sony NW-A25HN £240 February 2016 ★★★★ Likeable and affordable, the AH25N boasts plenty of features and, although the ergonomics could be better, it produces a good sound. Hi-res compatible Yes Weight 66g Storage 16GB £400 to £700 Astell & Kern AK70 £500 Best portable music player, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ The AK70 is even better than the AK Jr. Improved sound, more features and a better interface make this an easy recommendation Hi-res compatible Yes Weight 132g Storage 64GB Pioneer XDP-100R £500 February 2016 ★★★★ A player…

Under 8in Apple iPad mini 4 from £419 Awards 2015 ★★★★★ Apple’s best small tablet yet? A superb screen, great user experience, punchy audio and fine apps make this the best small-screen tablet. OS iOS Size (hwd) 203 x 135 x 6mm Storage 16/64/128GB Over 8in Apple iPad (2017) from £340 June 2017 ★★★★★ The latest iPad receives a muted update, but it still continues to give you that elegant and intuitive experience we expect from Apple. OS iOS Size (hwd) 240 x 170 x 8mm Storage 32/128GB Apple iPad Pro 10.5in £1020 September 2017 ★★★★★ The 10.5in pro cements Apple’s position in the premium-tablet market, with faster performance, slicker design and fantastic image quality. OS iOS Size (hwd) 250 x 174 x 6mm Storage 64/256/512GB Click here to view…

Up to £5000 Audio Technica AT-HA5050H £4500 July 2016 ★★★★★ A headphone amp whose design harks back to the 1970s, this unit has a spellbinding sound that will leave you captivated. Outputs headphone x2 Inputs coaxial digital, XLR, RCA, USB Pathos Aurium £850 August 2013 ★★★★★ A top-class choice for amplification, but you’ll need a source and a pair of headphones of similar quality if you want the best from it. Outputs 6.3mm, XRL, RCA Inputs XLR, 3 RCA Click here to view offers on headphone amplifiers…

Up to £10/m Audioquest FLX-SLiP 14/4 £5.80/m November 2013 ★★★★★ Not only is the FLX-SLiP 14/4 able to turn a corner no matter how tight, lest we forget, it’s also an incredibly easy cable to listen to as well. Single or Bi-wire Single QED Ruby Anniversary Evolution £6/m March 2014 ★★★★★ Capable of delivering a jolt of excitement to a hi-fi system, but can emphasise any harshness present in bright-sounding electronics. Single or Bi-wire Single Wireworld Luna 7 £6.50/m March 2014 ★★★★★ A fine speaker cable, the Luna’s exciting presentation and all-round ability means it should sit well with a wide range of systems. Single or Bi-wire Single £10/m and above Chord Company Clearway £10/m Best speaker cable, Awards 2016 ★★★★★ Not the flashiest cable, its strength is aiding dynamics…