Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2022 i What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

ONE GOOD TURN AFTER ANOTHER

Here we are, comfortably into the third decade of the 21st century, and the good old turntable – there right near the start of recorded sound – is positively blooming. Vinyl went through a decidedly tricky patch in the ‘80s and ‘90s with the introduction of digital formats, in the form of the compact disc, but not even the clear benefits of streaming our tunes over a mobile phone (my 12-year-old, Star Trek-obsessed mind would have been frazzled at the very thought of such sorcery) can’t stop our increasing enthusiasm for the old analogue warhorse. In this issue then, we bring you a superb selection of some of our favourite turntables (p32) from just over £200 to a touch north of three grand, so we have got plenty of budgets…

2 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

Cleer Audio Alpha

View offers Noise-cancelling headphones | £249 | whf.cm/CleerAudioAlpha Cleer Audio Alpha aren’t just any wireless over-ears. These headphones promise to cause a stir thanks to their support for Dirac Virtuo – immersive ‘theatre-like’ sound processing – adaptive active noise cancellation, patented 40mm Ironless drivers, and a whopping 35 hours of playback. Sony make believe Cleer might just as well have written ‘Sony WH-1000XM4 challengers’ across the front of the box. If imitation truly is the sincerest form of flattery, Sony would blush upon unboxing the Cleer Audio Alpha. Put them on, glance at your reflection and you might think you were wearing Sony’s XM4 over-ears. The travel case is virtually identical to the Sony’s too, as is the way they are folded up inside it. Even the stone colourway of…

4 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

Apple iPad (2021)

View offers Tablet | £319 | whf.cm/iPad2021 Once upon a time, handheld devices were much like Matryoshka dolls, shrinking and becoming more refined and sleek with each generation. But for the past few years, time and evolution have stood still for the classic iPad, each new model seemingly a slightly modified replica of the last. The latest iPad, its ninth generation, is now the only model in Apple’s line-up to retain the style of the company’s original tablets, courtesy of its aluminium frame, physical Home button and sturdy, thick bezels. Compared with Apple’s other iPad models, it’s a design that looks almost retro now. However, despite being nearly identical in both build and specification to its predecessor, the few changes that have been made for the iPad 9 are timely…

7 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

SUBSCRIBE TO WHAT HI-FI? TODAY!

AWARD-WINNING HEADPHONES INCLUDED WITH EVERY PRINT AND BUNDLE SUBSCRIPTION! Low impedance, so they sound great even when connected to low-power outputs such as mobile devices Soft memory-foam earpads to keep you comfortable during the longest listening sessions Foldable construction for easy storage – uncommon in this price range Exceptionally high quality-to-price ratio TO SUBSCRIBE GO TO: www.magazinesdirect.com/whi/A33X or call 0330 333 1113 and Quote A33X SUBSCRIBE TO Our subscription offers deliver 13 issues of What Hi-Fi? a year to you, giving you big savings on the cover price! Get our digital-only offer and save up to 44 per cent on the normal price ANNUAL PRINT EDITION 13 issues of What Hi-Fi? print over 12 months and save 27% £48.99 a year ANNUAL PRINT + DIGITAL EDITION 13 issues of What Hi-Fi?…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

Set the record straight

It’s testament to the enduring appeal of vinyl recordings, not to mention the tactility and fun of spinning records, that the past few years have seen something of a groove renaissance. Indeed, vinyl sales are still growing, while the popular annual Record Store Day celebration of the beloved black disc is now in its 18th year. While digital audio files have improved to proper hi-fi quality, and streaming services such as Spotify and Tidal make music listening super-easy and available to anyone with a smartphone – and there are some seriously good hi-fi streamers on the market for the more discerning music listener too – thankfully there is clearly and rightly still a place for good old analogue alongside digital convenience. Of course, if you really want to get the…

2 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

Sony PS-HX500

£299 View online review whf.cm/PS-HX500 Fet’s face it: the good ol’ record wasn’t brought back from the dead through discovery of a newfound convenience. An afternoon vinyl session still requires you to get up from your seat more than a 10-year-old in the final round of musical chairs. And, of course, you have to be in the same room as your turntable to enjoy it – there’s no way round that. Or is there? What if vinyl could be pocketable? No, we aren’t talking about a portable turntable – even the physical burden of a personal CD player would be sneered at nowadays – but how about one that can rip your records to digital files so you can carry them around in your pocket? Internal DAC Record-ripping turntables have…

4 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo

£499 View online review whf.cm/DebutCarbonEvo It’s time for Evolution, according to Pro-Ject. Taking its most popular turntable design and altering almost every aspect, while at the same time increasing the price, is a dangerous game, but the Debut Carbon Evo is a triumph of calculated risk-taking that takes all the jeopardy out of buying your first deck. Pro-Ject has worked hard at making its latest Debut a class leader, making a number of improvements in build, finish and sound quality to justify the higher price tag. As you can see from the five-star verdict on this review, the company has succeeded impressively. Rocker switch Among the upgrades are an improved motor mounting, new height-adjustable damped feet and a heavy steel platter that weighs 1.7kg and features a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)…

3 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

Rega Planar 6/Ania

£1615 View online review whf.cm/Planar6 Unbox the Rega Planar 6 and you would be forgiven for expecting a turntable experience not dissimilar to the company’s long line of Award-winning turntables. And so it is. Yet, when this model first appeared, it marked a huge step up in performance from the previous generation – and that former Award-winner was hardly shabby. The previous RP6 came fitted with an Exact moving-magnet cartridge – and that option is still available on this current model (for £1385), but the company currently offers a variant with its Ania moving-coil cartridge. That’s what we have on test here. Set-up is easy, and the Ania tracks best at 1.75g. We would recommend at least a day or two running-in to get the Rega singing. It’s worth the…

4 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

Vertere DG-1/Magneto

£3100 View online review whf.cm/DG-1 The Vertere DG-1 Dynamic Groove is a deck/arm package that offers a fair dose of the performance of Vertere’s top-end turntables but at a far more approachable outlay. It’s designed to be easy to use, and even has the option of a fitted cartridge for those who want a complete package. That cartridge is the Vertere Magneto moving magnet, which bought separately costs £230. As part of the Vertere DG-1 package, it’s more than capable of justifying the extra £150 it adds to the base DG-1 price of £2950. But, think of it as something to get you going, rather than the final destination. Ultimately, the DG-1’s abilities demand something better. Attention grabbing Get past the DG’s rather extrovert appearance and you will find plenty…

4 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

Fyne Audio F500SP £1499

Fyne Audio’s F500SP is a revamped version of its F500 bookshelf speaker, a model that gained a solid four-star rating when it entered our test rooms back in July 2019. We say revamped, but we actually mean heavily revised. SP stands for ‘Special Production’ and indicates the speaker in question has been adorned with not only a revised cabinet construction but also components taken from the company’s more premium F700 speakers. This supercharging of the speaker has resulted in quite a significant difference in price between the original (£599) and the new model (from £1499), so we’re really interested to hear how much extra bang you’re getting for your buck. Eye-catching design Unboxed and positioned on a suitably sturdy pair of stands, the Fyne Audio F500SP certainly look the part.…

4 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

Naim Mu-so 2 vs Sonus Faber Omnia: which is the best wireless speaker system?

We wouldn’t say anyone after serious ‘hi-fi’ sound from a does-it-all, one-box package is particularly spoiled for choice, but in recent years a handful of established brands have made a concerted effort to create a compact, practical solution that delivers on the style and sonic-substance fronts above the calibre of your Sonos Fives and Apple HomePods. The Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin and Naim Mu-so Qb 2 streaming wireless speakers are two such examples, as is the higher-end beloved Naim Mu-so 2. And now, here to beautify the party, is a similarly ambitious Italian: the Sonus Faber Omnia. Sonus Faber’s latest all-in-one system follows in the footsteps of its 2016-launched SF16 (which itself was based on the company’s inaugural product in 1980, the Snail) but takes on a more practical guise…

6 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

Goldmund Telos 590 Nextgen II

Integrated amplifier £25,000 “If the recording is done properly, then this amp is capable of thumping out large-scale dynamic swings with venom” While the product’s name is certainly a mouthful, the Telos 590 Nextgen II promises high-end enthusiasts all the sonic benefits of a traditional purist separates approach, while packing preamplifier, power, digital module and a carefully honed power supply all in a single, chunky but reasonably compact case. We can’t ignore the reduced cable count either. Many have tried this condensed approach in high-end hi-fi, but few have succeeded in convincing us that it hasn’t resulted in a compromised performance. This Goldmund integrated is one of those few exceptions. The headline specifications aren’t anything special for this level. This Class A/B amplifier produces a useful 215 watts per channel…

5 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

CD PLAYERS & TRANSPORTS

View offers whf.cm/BBCDPlayers Up to £1000 Cambridge CXC £299 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 CD6007 £399 Best CD player under £500, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No one can accuse Marantz of pushing the boundaries on the CD6007, but it has taken an already excellent CD player and made it a bit better. Type CD transport Outputs Coaxial, optical Musical Fidelity M2sCD £699 June 2020 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Musical Fidelity’s CD player sounds expansive, detailed and delicately layered - a resoundingly listenable proposition. Type CD player Outputs Coaxial, optical £1000 to £6000 Naim…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

MUSIC STREAMERS

View offers whf.cm/BBMusicStreamers Up to £500 Audiolab 6000N Play £449 Best music streamer under £500, Awards 2020 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A great, affordable way to implement streaming into your system without compromising sonic quality. The best budget solution we’ve seen… Outputs Line-in, coaxial, optical, subwoofer Chord 2yu £449 November 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Partnered with a suitably capable digital-to-analogue converter, this could be all the digital source you’ll ever need. Outputs USB, coaxial, optical, BNC £500 to £1000 Bluesound Node (2021) £549 Best music streamer under £750, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ For this outlay the Node 2021 represents one of the most entertaining and comprehensive ways of adding music streaming to your hi-fi system. Outputs RCA, coaxial, optical, subwoofer, 3.5mm Cambridge CXN V2…

2 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

Positioning your speakers

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/features It’s no good spending hundreds of pounds on your new speakers if you then don’t allow them to perform properly. Take care with positioning to get them to sing. Wall or in the open? Where’s the best place to position a speaker? Some speakers might sound better against a wall, while others prefer to be out in the open. Whatever your specific requirements, your speaker choice should primarily take into account how much space you have to house them. Use a stand Speaker stands keep the speaker cabinet rigid. This allows for more of the drivers’ movement to be translated into sound and not wasted through vibrations. If your stands are on a carpet, make sure you have spikes to ensure stability. Tweeter height The higher-frequency…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

WIRELESS SPEAKERS

View offers whf.cm/BBWirelessSpeakers Up to £100 Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 £90 Best portable wireless speaker under £100, Awards 2019 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ If you want a travelling companion you can rely on, this portable, rugged and durable speaker is a great-sounding option. Size (hw) 10.5 x 9.5cm Battery 13 hours Apple HomePod Mini £99 Best home wireless speaker under £100, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It’s much smaller and more affordable than expected, but the most surprising thing about the HomePod Mini is its superb sound. Size (hw) 4 x 14cm Battery No £100 to £250 JBL Flip 5 £120 Best portable wireless speaker under £150, Awards 2020 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A simple, portable Bluetooth speaker that sounds as good as £120 can buy.…

4 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

PROJECTORS

View offers whf.cm/BBProjectors Up to £2000 Optoma UHD40 £1199 Best projector under £1500, Awards 2019 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A ‘4K’ projector that brings top-tier technology to a budget price point, this device boasts punchy colours and insightful detail. Throw ratio 1.21:1-1.59:1 Inputs HDMI x2, VGA, 3.5mm Speakers Yes Epson EH-TW7100 £1599 Best projector under £2000, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The Epson EH-TW7100 stretches the limit of what can be considered a budget big screen device, but it more than justifies its price. Throw ratio 1.32-2.15:1 Inputs HDMI x2, USB 2.0 x2 Speakers Yes LG CineBeam HU80KSW £1967 December 2019 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ An all-in-one, do-it-all 4K portable projector that does its thing with aplomb. You can have the CineBeam up and running in…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

SPEAKER PACKAGES

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerPackages Up to £1000 Wharfedale DX-2 £399 Best speaker package under £500, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Wharfedale delivers movie magic on a small scale with this enjoyable, well integrated package that’s perfect for smaller rooms and budgets. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 12 x 31 x 12cm Finishes 2 Q Acoustics 3010i 5.1 Cinema Pack £895 Best speaker package £500-£1000, Awards 2020 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The subwoofer needs a bit more kick, but this fantastic sub-£1000 5.1 package delivers a clear, well-balanced and expressive performance. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 15 x 43 x 22 cm Finishes 4 Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 HCP £999 Best speaker package £500-£1000, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Large enough to provide cinematic scale with a wide soundfield, but…

3 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

HEADPHONES

View offers whf.cm/BBHeadphones In-ears up to £250 SoundMagic E11C £40 Best wired in-ear headphones under £50, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The latest version of Soundmagic’s budget in-ears continues to impress with a full-bodied, energetic and informative sound. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m Beyerdynamic Soul Byrd £69 April 2019 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ You’ll struggle to find a better pair of in-ear headphones costing less than £70 than these Beyerdynamics. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m Sennheiser Momentum M2 IEi £70 Best in-ears £50-£100, Awards 2017 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ You wouldn’t think anything so small could sound quite so good – not for just £70. But they are wonderfully smooth, expressive and balanced. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.3m Klipsch T5M Wired £70 Best…

6 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

SMARTPHONES

View offers whf.cm/BBMobilePhones iOS Apple iPhone 13 Best smartphone under £1000, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A sprinkling of improvements combined with excellent picture and sound quality make the standard iPhone 13 a top smartphone at the money. OS iOS Size (hwd) 147 x 72 x 8mm Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB Android Samsung Galaxy S9 Reviewed online, 2018 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A polished successor to the S8 that, due to a number of carefully considered tweaks, is one of the best Android phones available. OS Android Size (hwd) 148 x 69 x 9mm Storage 64GB/microSD Sony Xperia 1 III Best smartphone over £1000, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Sony’s latest flagship phone is well worth considering if audio and video performance are key factors…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

TABLETS

View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £200 Amazon Fire HD 10 £150 Best tablet under £250, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A cheap and cheerful tablet that’s good for the money and has a lot of the functionality you’d find in more expensive efforts. OS Android Size (hwd) 114 x 190 x 10mm Storage 8GB £200 and above Apple iPad Air (2020) £579 Best tablet £250-£750, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ All the iPad most people will ever need. It’s such a solid and capable all-rounder, that very few will feel the need to spend the extra for the iPad Pro. OS iOS Size (hwd) 248 x 179 x 6mm Storage 64GB, 256GB Apple iPad Pro 12.9 £999 Best tablet over £750, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

CARTRIDGES

View offers whf.cm/BBCartridges Cartridges Goldring E3 £90 Best cartridge under £150, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This is a wonderfully balanced and entertaining moving magnet cartridge that will work well with a wide range of record players. Type MM Tracking weight 2.0g Ortofon Quintet Blue £359 Best cartridge over £150, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Given a suitably capable system we have no doubt the Ortofon Quintet Blue will impress. It’s a well-balanced design with no obvious weaknesses. Type MC Tracking weight 2.3g…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

PHONO STAGES

View offers whf.cm/BBPhonoAmps Up to £200 Edwards Audio Apprentice MM £90 Awards 2017 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A fine entry-level phono stage that will deliver a crisp and exciting sound from any good price-compatible moving magnet cartridge. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 5 x 16 x 11cm Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Communicator £180 July 2018 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A gem of a phono amplifier that has stood the test of time. It offers class-leading levels of detail, brilliant timing and a sweet sound. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 5 x 12 x 19cm Rega Fono MM MK3 £199 Best phono stage under £100-£300, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Rega has managed to take a near-perfect product and squeeze more improvements from it. It’s a class-leading performer.…

2 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

SPEAKER STANDS

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerStands Speaker stands Atacama Moseco 6 £120 Best speaker stand, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A speaker stand that impresses with how weighty and dynamic it allows systems to sound. Considering the price, it’s something of a steal. Height 60cm Fillable Yes Finishes 4 (pole), 3 (base panel) 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. WHF-HalfAdvert_FEB2022_PRINT.pdf Height 66.5cm Fillable No Finishes 2…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

THE 4 BEST NEW NETFLIX FILMS YOU MAY NEVER HAVE HEARD OF

Netflix excels when it comes to compelling documentaries you will devour in one sitting, but it’s also got an extensive roster of off-beat and subversive scripted films. We have picked out a small selection of our favourites in both fact and fiction to inspire you. Whether you’re in the mood for comedy, reality or drama, we think there’s a new film on Netflix that will delight and surprise. SOME KIND OF HEAVEN The US’s largest retirement community is the subject of this striking, funny and touching documentary. Vast in its size and range of leisure activities, Florida’s The Villages caters to its residents’ hobbies, desires and whims with over 50 golf courses and clubs for everything from belly dancing to being called Elaine. Four residents, whose fantasy retirement hasn’t turned…

4 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

Philips 65OLED986

View offers Television | £3999 | whf.cm/65OLED986 The Philips 65OLED986 has a single, very bold aim – simply to be the ultimate TV. To that end, it takes last year’s Award-winning OLED806 and adds an extra picture processor, a brighter OLED panel, and a B&W speaker system consisting of Continuum-cone drivers and a Nautilus-tube tweeter. It goes without saying that this is a real statement piece, with a price tag to match, but if you want and can afford the best, this is (currently) it. The 65OLED986’s price at launch is a hefty £3999. That makes it more than £2000 more expensive than the 65in version of the excellent OLED806 – but that’s not a huge surprise as this flagship set is really in a whole other league in terms…

12 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

Sony WF-L900 LinkBuds

View offers Headphones | £150 whf.cm/LinkBuds Despite wireless earbuds seemingly dominating the headphones market, not everyone likes them. Some find them too intrusive, too isolating, and would rather listen to music played out of a phone’s speaker than have to insert even one bud. Help might be at hand, though, from Sony and its LinkBuds (aka Sony WF-L900), which offer a twist on the traditional wireless earbud design. The LinkBuds come in at £150 which positions them above Sony’s cheaper WF-C500 earbuds and below the premium WF-1000XM4. Rivals such as the Shure Aonic Free are closer in price although, like the Sonys, they don’t offer active noise cancelling (ANC). The five-star JBL Reflect Flow Pro do offer ANC and can be had for similar money, but they too have a…

8 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

JBL Flip 6

View offers Wireless speaker | £130 | whf.cm/Flip6 How might JBL cram an extra ounce of performance into the sixth iteration of its Award-winning Flip speaker? Add a mic for speakerphone duties? A charge-out port for juicing up? Increased battery life? No. But then JBL’s focus here has long been on two things: portability and sound quality. The Flip 6 now supports Bluetooth 5.1 (up from 4.2), an upgraded waterproof rating and a reworked driver configuration to boast even better sonics at the level. The Flip 6 is still ‘just’ a Bluetooth speaker though, and with similarly priced propositions offering voice assistance and other neat extras, is that enough in 2022? JBL has eased off slightly on the ‘ruggedised’ rubber accents on the edges of the tubular speaker, and the…

4 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

PERFORMANCE CAN MAKE OR BREAK A HI-FI OR AV PRODUCT, BUT SO CAN SOFTWARE

The world of hi-fi used to be relatively simple a couple of decades ago. For consumers and manufacturers, it was predominantly hardware driven. You bought an all-in-one system or kitted out a rack full of separates, fed them a CD, tape or record, and hit play. Your biggest problem was a scratched CD, a chewed-up cassette or the cat taking a swipe at your turntable’s tonearm. When it came to hi-fi software, we didn’t really have much to worry about – CD control code and electronic switching on stereo amplifiers was about as demanding as it got, and even then you were unlikely to come face to face with anything that would seriously affect the user experience. It either worked or it didn’t; it either sounded good or it didn’t.…

7 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

Sony PS-LX310BT

£229 View online review whf.cm/PS-LX310BT For many music lovers, the prospect of shelling out for various bits of highly involved and potentially incompatible kit can turn the happy notion of Sundays spent chilling with vinyl into a headache. Cartridge, phono stage, alignment gauge, tracking weight scales, long-nosed pliers, allen keys? It’s a daunting technological assault course. And yet, having done little more than plug in Sony’s PS-LX310BT turntable, we are listening to Bruce Springsteen’s Born To Run through Bluetooth headphones as it spins in front of us. From box to The Boss in under five minutes. User friendly The PS-LX310BT is a no-nonsense design. It feels lightweight, considering all the extras going on under the black plastic casework, and the build is perfectly acceptable for the price. And it feels…

4 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

Rega Planar 1 Plus

£385 View online review whf.cm/Planar1plus When we heard Rega had finally developed a turntable with a built-in phono stage, the reaction of the What Hi-Fi? reviews team was a mixture of relief, anticipation and a fair bit of “about time, too”. The new Planar 1 Plus is essentially a Rega Planar 1 turntable with the Rega Fono Mini A2D built in. Both are Award-winning products, of course, and Rega says it felt only natural to combine them together. We absolutely agree. The Planar 1 Plus uses the same platter, bearing, RB110 tonearm, Carbon MM cartridge, 24v synchronous AC motor and acrylic plinth as the original model. Setting it up is easy and fuss-free, too, with Rega helpfully marking exactly where the counterweight needs to go. And that’s it, there’s no…

4 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

Rega Planar 3/Elys 2

£685 View online review whf.cm/Planar3 We can’t think of another product that has dominated its market sector with the authority of Rega’s Planar 3 turntables. The original was launched in the late-1970s, and since then subsequent iterations have invariably remained the obvious choice in the class. The Rega RP3s haven’t changed much in appearance over the decades. Put the original next to this one and most people would be hard pushed to find any differences beyond the smarter plinth and the updated tonearm. This turntable’s generational changes have mainly been about steady evolution, with the aim of improving performance. But, by the company’s usual standards, the shift made in 2016 – when the deck reclaimed its original Planar 3 name (from that of RP3) – was nothing less than seismic.…

4 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

Rega Planar 8

£1870 View online review whf.cm/Planar8 Rather than being a gentle evolution of the previous (and still rather good) RP8, the Planar 8 takes its inspiration from Rega’s Naiad – the company’s spare-no-expense über-deck. This skeletal player can’t but turn your head with its angular shape and aggressive cutouts. The idea is to minimise plinth mass while increasing rigidity; the plinth is 30 per cent lighter than that used on the previous model, and more rigid with it. Rega believes mass absorbs energy – and that ends up taking the life out of the music. The platter is something of a work of art. It’s made of three pieces, with two different types of laminated glass. While Rega goes to extreme lengths to avoid mass, this is one area where more…

4 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

HOW TO GET THE BEST SOUND FROM YOUR TURNTABLE

Vinyl is the format that just refuses to die. It looked mortally wounded from the mid-’80s CD revolution until the turn of the century – but since then, slowly but surely, sales of vinyl records have been building. And we’re glad. It’s a format we like and it is capable of terrific sound, provided you take a bit of care. And this is where vinyl is different from other formats. Unlike the digital alternatives, a lack of care in installation can cripple the final sound. There are some undeniably great ‘plug and play’ record players on the market and, when it comes to more complex decks, a number of dealers who will help you set them up correctly. But if you are prepared to get your hands a little dirty,…

11 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

KEF LS50 Meta £999

KEF launched the original LS50 as an anniversary celebration back in 2012. These standmounters proved a huge success, so much so that they have continued in production pretty much untouched until last year. Nine years is a long run by any standards, but it was made possible by a combination of sound quality, build and aesthetics that remains highly appealing today. That didn’t stop the company’s engineers from having a fresh look, however, and the result is the LS50 Meta which surfaced in 2021. The LS50 Meta don’t look any different from the LS50, and in many ways they aren’t. The company considered revising that beautifully made enclosure but concluded that little could be improved. The cabinet shape and size still works well, and the curved front panel – made…

5 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

10 TIPS FOR BUYING SECOND-HAND VINYL

There are few better afternoons to be had, at least for people like us, than one spent digging through the crates in a record shop. Reissues are abundant now in this so-called second-coming of vinyl, but there is still nothing quite like finding an older press still in sparkling condition, and hopefully at a bargain price. But it is not only in the finding of a record for which you have long been searching; it is as much about the condition in which you find it. That may be a given, but knowing what to look for and how to get your hands on it can be a tricky game. Every collector will have their own routines and insider secrets, but hopefully this list of tips will save you wasting…

7 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

BUYER’S GUIDE

From 65in 4K TVs to turntables, and from portable Bluetooth speakers to Dolby Atmos surround sound packages, here’s where you’ll find the perfect hi-fi and AV product, fast. NEW ENTRIES THIS MONTH It’s the turn of the portable DAC to come under the spotlight this month, first in the curvy shape of the Chord Mojo 2 and then courtesy of the alluring iFi Hip-dac 2. In addition, Beyerdynamic makes the cut once again thanks to the company’s impressive DT700 Pro X closed-back headphones: robust build, fine musicality and great value for money…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

DACs

View offers whf.cm/BBDACs Up to £300 Zorloo Ztella $99 August 2020 (issue 437) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ If you want to improve your smartphone sound, but don’t want a USB stick hanging off the end of it, this is a bit of a no brainer. Online only for now. Size 11cm long Resolution PCM (up to 384kHz), DSD (up to 5.6MHz), MQA Cyrus soundKey £99 Best DAC under £100, Awards 2020 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ An affordable, compact DAC that turns mobile listening into an authentic high-fidelity experience. iOS users may find connectivity a little inelegant. Size 2 x 5 x 1cm Resolution 24-bit/96kHz iFi Zen DAC V2 £159 Best DAC under £200, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A good jump in quality over the Award-winning…

2 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

RADIOS

View offers whf.cm/BBInternetRadios View offers whf.cm/BBDABRadios Up to £200 Roberts Revival Petite £99 March 2022 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Anyone yet to invite the joys of the original wireless into their lives will find this device a compelling gateway product. It’s also a decent Bluetooth speaker. Battery Yes Size (hwd) 8 x 12.5 x 7.5cm Inputs 3.5mm, Bluetooth Roberts Stream 94i £189 Best radio under £200, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Sets the bar even higher than its predecessor, adding Bluetooth without compromising its sound and offering plenty of features. Battery Optional Size (hwd) 26 x 17 x 13cm Inputs 3.5mm, USB, BT, wi-fi £200 and above Tivoli Model One Digital Generation 2 £299 Best radio over £200, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ We really…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

SYSTEMS

View offers whf.cm/BBHifiSystems Up to £500 Pro-Ject Juke Box E £369 Best turntable system, Awards 2019 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ An impressive all-in-one system with a level of functionality that’s difficult to replicate in individual separates for a similar price. Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Inputs Line-in, BT Outputs Line-out Denon D-M41DAB £329 Best microsystem, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Denon hasn’t rested on its laurels. It’s managed to better the M40, delivering improved sound and functionality. The best just got better. Inputs CD, line-in, optical x2, BT, DAB/FM Outputs Subwoofer £500 to £1000 KEF LSX £999 Best all-in-one system under £1000, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ KEF has shrunk its excellent LS50 Wirelesses to create a wonderfully insightful and flexible pair of speakers with a neat,…

2 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

BLU-RAY PLAYERS

View offers whf.cm/BBBlurayPlayers Up to £500 Panasonic DP-UB150EB £129 March 2020 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A highly competent machine at an impressively low price, this 4K Blu-ray player represents a big step up from streaming your UHD content. Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, CD HDMI out 1 Sony UBP-X700 £199 Best 4K Blu-ray player under £250, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This 4K player delivers a stunningly natural picture for an affordable price. It’ll be tough to knock this Sony off its perch. Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, SACD, CD HDMI out 2 Panasonic DP-UB820EB £299 Best 4K Blu-ray player over £250, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Delivers on multiple fronts, supporting all major HDR formats, delivering a hugely immersive and impactful picture, and all…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

SET-TOP BOXES

View offers whf.cm/BBSetTopBoxes PVRs Humax FVP-5000T from £179 Best PVR, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ If you need a Full HD box to give your older TV some more sparkle, Humax’s digital box should absolutely be something to consider. Tuners 3 Storage 500GB Ultra HD No Subscription boxes Sky Q 2TB from £199 Best subscription box, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Sky has overhauled its TV package with Q and made it more enticing and versatile thanks to 4K support, but it comes with a high price tag. Tuners 4 Storage 2TB Ultra HD Yes…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

VIDEO STREAMERS

View offers whf.cm/BBVideoStreamers Up to £100 Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K £50 Best video streamer under £100, Awards 2020 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Despite some caveats, this 4K device supports all HDR formats and delivers excellent picture quality for a very affordable price. Resolution 2160p, 1080p, 720p Storage 8GB 4K Yes Google Chromecast with Google TV £60 Best video streamer under £100, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ With a new remote and super-smart UI, Google’s latest Chromecast video streamer is the complete package. Resolution Up to 4K HDR, 60fps Storage n/a 4K Yes £100 and above Apple TV 4K £169 Best video streamer over £100, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It has a fantastic UI and design, a huge library of 4K HDR content, and…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

PORTABLE MUSIC PLAYERS

View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £1000 Sony NW-A55L £160 Best portable music player under £250, Awards 2020 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Sony hasn’t carried out an update for the sake of it; the refresh is justified by squeezing more performance into a budget price than ever before. Hi-res 32-bit/384kHz, DSD Weight 99g Storage 16GB (plus microSD) Cowon Plenue D3 £279 Best portable music player under £500, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This is a talented player that betters its previous generation counterpart for detail, separation and transparency. An impressive, tiny box of tricks… Hi-res 24-bit/192kHz, DSD 128 Weight 103g Storage 64GB Astell & Kern A&norma SR25 £599 Best portable music player £500-£1000, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ More expressive and eloquent than any other portable…

2 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

Amazon Prime Video tips, tricks and eatures

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/advice Whether you’re a Prime professional or just thinking of signing up, you’ll want to get the most out of the service. Here are a few tips and tricks on how to do exactly that. Setting up a ‘Household’ account Amazon Prime Video will recommend content based on your viewing history - but what if you’re really into crime thrillers, your other half loves romantic comedies and the kids love cartoons? The answer is by linking together two Amazon accounts that will both have access to Prime Video. Go to Your Account > Shopping Programmes > Amazon Household. There you can add another adult or profiles for children, and then click ‘Create Household’. Parental Controls You can set up a four-digit PIN on the web by going…

2 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

ANALOGUE INTERCONNECTS

View offers whf.cm/BBAudioCables Up to £50 Chord Company C-Line £40/m Best analogue interconnect under £50, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Few entry-level interconnects at the price come close to offering the sonic enjoyment that Chord has produced with this cable. Balanced/Single-ended Single QED Performance Audio 40 £40/m Best analogue interconnect under £50, Awards 2017 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Few rival interconnects are as good as this QED when it comes to detail resolution and precision. It’s nicely made too. Balanced/Single-ended Single £50 and above Chord Clearway Analogue RCA £90/m Best analogue interconnect over £50, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ If you’re spending cash on hi-fi components and you want cabling that doesn’t inhibit performance, the Clearway may be the ideal pick. Balanced/Single-ended Single…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

Rega System One

View offers Hi-fi system | £1199 | whf.cm/SystemOne Although Aristotle is widely thought to have introduced the concept of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts (an idea adopted in the 20th century by the Gestalt school of psychology), it is perhaps most poignantly explained in the 2010 movie Flipped, based on Wendelin Van Draanen’s 2001 novel of the same name. When Richard Baker utters “A painting is more than the sum of its parts. A cow by itself is just a cow, a meadow by itself is just grass, flowers… and the sun peeking through the trees is just a beam of light, but you put them all together… and it can be magic,” he could easily be talking about music, dance, opera or the human…

7 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

Sonus Faber Omnia

View offers Wireless speaker | £1599 | whf.cm/Omnia Coming from a gene pool as strong as Sonus Faber’s, it’s little wonder the Omnia enters today’s all-in-one streaming wireless speaker market as one of the most beautiful (or should we say bellissimo) out there. The classic Sonus Faber look is honoured in full here, courtesy of the elongated, curvaceous shape and black grille with classy walnut-wood exterior. All of that – and the four light strips – makes the Omnia a real head-turner. At £1599, the Omnia is doing battle with a crop of similar all-in-one systems in terms of size and build. One such is the Naim Mu-so 2, and you can see which of the two comes out on top in our head-to-head test on page 58. Remote vs…

4 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

LG HU810PW

View offers Projector | £3000 | whf.cm/LGHU810PW Household projectors fall into two types. There are those for discerning enthusiasts with dedicated space for entertainment, and those for more casual viewing that offer a portable all-in-one home cinema but without the picture refinement of a more purist design. In recent years, companies such as LG have focused on improving these smaller, more everyday models. The increasing affordability of laser technology means that manufacturers are now starting to produce slimmed-down long-throw projectors such as the LG HU810PW that aim to deliver an excellent picture and functional flexibility. Sparkling spec Boasting a full 4K resolution, HDR support, an impressive 2700 ANSI lumens brightness, and a 97 per cent DCI/P3 colour gamut, the LG HU810PW has some very grown-up picture attributes. But it also…

6 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

TOP FIVE LAUNCHES

1 dCS Rossini Apex DAC £25,000 We called dCS’s original Ring DAC technology one of history’s best British hi-fi innovations, so the fact that it has entered its next generation is kind of a big deal. dCS’s Ring Apex seems to be a thorough overhaul, featuring an improved reference supply, filter and summing stages, an all-new output stage and a circuit board reconfiguration – and it is inspiring new versions of the five-star Rossini DAC and the Vivaldi DAC, and Rossini player too. whf.cm/dCSApex 2 Arcam AVR31 £5799 Arcam’s new four-strong home cinema amp and processor range is seemingly as well-equipped as they come, with HDMI 2.1 connectivity, 8K@60fps and 4K@120fps support, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Auro-3D compatibility, Dirac Live room correction software and a suite of streaming features. The AVR31 is…

2 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

Audio Technica AT-LP3

£240 View online review whf.cm/AT-LP3 The recent popularity of suitcase turntables with fully automatic functionality has reduced the record player to a retro trinket. Such turntables appear to cater for those too busy to put down their craft beer or curtail an anecdote about trekking to Machu Picchu in order to lift the needle, rather than the genuine hi-fi or music enthusiast. But in the AT-LP3, Audio Technica has fashioned a turntable with all the ease of use and affordability of such suitcase record players, but one that also follows the rules of hi-fi. We need those rules: particularly ones that tell us no matter how much technology you use to make things simpler for the listener, it should never steal the spotlight away from the performance. Ready to play…

4 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

Audio-Technica AT-LP5x

£390 View online review whf.cm/AT-LP5x Audio-Technica’s original AT-LP5 turntable was a winner. Launched in 2016, its combination of solid engineering, useful features and fine sound were enough to make it one of our go-to recommendations for anyone wanting a sensibly priced, fuss-free record player. So it’s no surprise to find that Audio-Technica decided not to change its winning formula for this LP5x model. Why would it? At first, it is hard to notice any changes between the models, but look carefully and you will find the addition of a 78rpm speed option alongside the usual 33⅓ and 45rpm. Perhaps of more relevance to most, there is also a different cartridge, the AT-VM95E. This moving-magnet unit builds on the foundations laid by the long-running AT95 design fitted to the original deck.…

4 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

Technics SL-1500C

£899 View online review whf.cm/SL-1500C The rebirth of the Technics brand has been fascinating. Since 2014, the brand has released a steady stream of products with varying degrees of success, but more recent offerings have indicated that it has truly hit its stride. The high-end SL-1000R turntable, introduced in early 2018, was the first product to confirm that the brand really could deliver. We were so impressed that it has now become our reference record player. That good work continued with the more affordable SL-1500C. This is a less elaborate mini-me of the high-end model, still using a core-less direct-drive motor with sophisticated speed-management circuitry, a hefty, well-damped chassis and a version of the company’s long-running S-shaped arm. It comes supplied with the well respected Ortofon 2M Red (£95 if…

4 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

Clearaudio Concept Active MM

£2000 View online review whf.cm/ConceptActiveMM The ‘convenience is king’ mantra is as prevalent in consumer electronics as anywhere else. It’s why the audio market is increasingly populated by all-in-one-streaming systems, stereo amps with Bluetooth, and voice-controlled wireless speakers. It also explains why a high-end, plug-and-play turntable with a phono preamp, such as the Clearaudio Concept Active MM, exists. Thoroughly sorted The Clearaudio Concept Active MM is essentially the company’s Concept turntable with built-in phono and pre-amplifier stages and a headphone output. Back in 2016, we concluded that the Concept was “a thoroughly sorted, easy to own package with tremendous sound”. So convinced were we by its completeness that we asked: “What more do you want, jam on it?” But those additions make the Concept Active a convenient choice in terms…

4 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

Fyne Audio F500SP VS KEF LS50 Meta Head to head

On the surface of it, this looks like a duel between closely matched contenders with a great deal in common: both are good-looking UK-bred mid-range standmounters; both carry an armoury of up-to-the-minute technology; both take a similar approach to driver design; and both promise superior hi-fi sound without charging an arm and a leg for it. From another angle though, this is something of a David-and-Goliath clash. English brand KEF is a giant in the world of speaker manufacture; a big company with a recognised pedigree and many decades of experience. Glasgow-based Fyne Audio, on the other hand, is a relative new boy that has been on the scene for only a few years and, helped by a number of early successes, is still finding its way in the market.…

2 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

KEF LS50 Meta

So there you have it. It’s been a hard-fought battle and Fyne Audio’s F500SP have put up a valiant fight against the KEFs, but it’s the LS50 Meta that takes the spoils. To put the F500SP’s performance into perspective, however, we need to remember that the LS50 Meta isn’t just any pair of five-star speakers. They are a two-time What Hi-Fi? Product of the Year Award-winner, and in our opinion are currently the ultimate performance-per-pound proposition. It was always going to take something special to really put the KEFs on the ropes. “They deliver music with a fantastic sense of scale – something a lot of standmount speakers struggle with” But it isn’t all one-way traffic. For starters, the F500SP have great room presence thanks to that elegant, eye-catching exterior.…

2 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

PMC Fact Fenestria

Floorstanding speakers £56,995 We like shoot-for-the-stars products. It’s always fascinating to see what a company can do when the sole concern is to maximise sound quality. This is what the range-topping Fact Fenestrias represent for PMC – an opportunity to take a fresh look at every part of loudspeaker design and come up with engineering solutions that are as free from budget constraints as they can be. PMC has long had firm beliefs on all aspects of speaker design, so it was always unlikely to follow a totally different engineering path just because there is more money to be spent. The Fact Fenestrias still use a wooden cabinet, for example, though PMC has been highly imaginative in the way it has gone about reducing cabinet resonances. It is also no surprise…

9 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

AMPLIFIERS

View offers whf.cm/BBStereoAmps Rega io £379 Best stereo amplifier under £400, Awards 2021 Those who are happy with a no-fuss, purely analogue amp and who prioritise entertainment should arguably consider the io their number one choice. Power 30W Inputs Line-in x2, MM Outputs Headphone NAD D 3020 V2 £399 September 2018 A likeable effort that features a full-bodied sonic performance with fine timing and dynamics and lots of useful features. Power 30W Inputs Line-in, MM, optical, coaxial, BT Outputs Headphone Marantz PM6007 £499 Best stereo amplifier £400-£600, Awards 2021 Clearer and punchier than its Award-winning predecessor, Marantz’s latest entry-level amplifier never puts the formidable 6000 Series dynasty in doubt. Power 45W Inputs Line-in x4, MM, coax, optical Outputs 6.3mm h’phone Stereo amps up to £500 £500 to £1000 Rega Brio…

4 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

How to digitize your vinyl collection

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/features Turntables might not be cutting-edge tech, but for their look and feel – not to mention thrillingly articulate analogue sound – you can’t beat them. The only thing your record collection lacks is portability, but there is a way to take those LPs with you wherever you go… What do you need? The basic building blocks are: a turntable, a phono stage, an analogue-to-digital converter with USB output, and a computer with suitable recording software. There are turntables that come with a phono stage, analogue-to-digital converter and USB output built in. However, most are at the budget end and focus on getting the job done rather than doing it particularly well. Your recordings won’t necessarily reflect the quality of sound possible from your records, though Audio…

2 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

STEREO SPEAKERS

View offers whf.cm/BBHifiSpeakers Standmounts up to £200 Dali Spektor 2 £199 Best standmount speaker under £200, Awards 2020 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The 2s combine Dali’s traditional strengths with a generous dose of entertainment that even Mission and Q Acoustics struggle to match. Size (hwd) 17 x 28 x 28cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2 Standmounters from £200 to £500 Elac Debut B5.2 £250 Best standmount speaker under £300, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ELAC’s latest budget standmounter is talented enough to worry the established competition. Size (hwd) 34 x 18 x 23cm Bi-wire No Finishes 1 Dali February 2019 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ About the size of a shoe, these articulate and bold-sounding speakers have a wonderfully unfussy nature and are a joy to listen to.…

10 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

TURNTABLES

View offers whf.cm/BBTurntables £150 to £300 Pro-Ject Primary E £159 Best turntable under £200, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Pro-Ject has revised a budget deck to nail the under £150 market – and has succeeded on every front. Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 11 x 42 x 33cm £150 to £300 Audio Technica AT-LP3 £199 Best turntable under £200, Awards 2017 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A fully automatic turntable that doesn’t scrimp on performance, this is the ideal entry-level deck for those looking to dip their ‘vinyl toes’ in. Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 13 x 44 x 35cm Sony PS-LX310BT £200 August 2019 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A no-nonsense, fully automatic turntable with built-in phono stage and Bluetooth, offering a surprisingly musical sound. Speed 33⅓,…

3 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

HOME CINEMA AMPLIFIERS

View offers whf.cm/BBHomeCinemaAmps £500 to £1000 AVR-X2700H £599 December 2020 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Sonic improvements over its predecessor are marked, even if it’s the 8K passthrough and next-gen gaming tech that steal the headlines. Power 7 x 150W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 6/2 £1000 and above Denon AVC-X3700H £1149 Best home cinema amplifier under £1500, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The best unit we’ve heard with a three-figure price tag. A surprisingly big improvement on its already excellent predecessor; sets a new standard. Power 9 x 180W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 8/3 Denon AVC-X6700H £2299 Best home cinema amplifier £1500-£3000, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Want to future-proof your set-up for the 8K content due to arrive within the five or ten…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

SOUNDBARS & SOUNDBASES

View offers whf.cm/BBSoundbars Up to £500 Yamaha YAS-207 £249 Best soundbar under £300, Awards 2020 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The latest in a series of fine Yamaha soundbars, this is a compelling, class-leading performer in a practical, easy-to-use package. Size (hwd) 6 x 93 x 11cm Inputs Opt, HDMI, 3.5mm, BT Sub Yes Sonos Beam (Gen 2) £449 Best soundbar under £500, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A compact soundbar that pumps out an exceptional sound for its size and price. Now with Dolby Atmos capabilities. Impressive. Size (hwd) 7 x 65 x 10cm Inputs Optical, HDMI ARC, AirPlay Sub No £500 to £1000 Sonos Playbar £699 August 2017 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It’s not perfect, but it still has the sonic heft and all-round quality…

2 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

TELEVISIONS

View offers whf.cm/BBTelevisions Up to 43in Samsung UE43AU7100 £449 Best 40-43in TV, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Samsung’s miniature hero proves you don’t need a bottomless bank account or a cavernous room to enjoy great picture quality. Type LCD/LED HDMI 3 Resolution 4K ARC/eARC eARC 48in to 50in Hisense Roku R50A7200GTU £399 Best 48-50in TV under £1000, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ With an excellent operating system and solid all-round performance, this is a complete package for a decent price. Type LCD/LED HDMI 3 Resolution 4K Tuner Freeview HD Sony KD-49XH9505 £1000 August 2020 (issue 437) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Features a number of upgrades that make it a better TV than the Award-winner it replaces. This is an all-round cracker. Type LCD/LED HDMI 4…

5 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

What is DSD audio?

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/advice What is DSD? How is it different from other music files and how can you listen to it? DSD and SACD DSD (Direct Stream Digital) was conceived as a way of archiving old analogue recordings, it was designed to be a simpler, more space efficient way of storing digital music data. How does DSD work? DSD uses a single bit of information that tells us is whether the current sample of the analogue waveform is higher or lower than before. Compared with over 65,000 different values 16-bit PCM has, the two values (0 if the new sample of the signal is lower, 1 if it’s higher) of DSD appear limiting. That resolution shortfall is made up by the very high sampling rate of over 2.8 million…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

STREAMING APPS & SERVICES

Music apps Spotify from free December 2016 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Its accessibility, ease of use, huge catalogue and more mature music discovery are reasons why Spotify remains at the top of the pile. Sound quality Up to 320kbps Ogg Vorbis Offline playback Yes Tidal from £10/month Best music streaming service, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ One of the few streaming services to offer lossless audio, Tidal’s exclusive content and curated playlists make it stand out. Sound quality Up to 1411kbps lossless Offline playback Yes Video apps Disney Plus from £7.99/month Best video streaming service, Awards 2021 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This is a polished and personal streaming service that fans of Disney’s output, both children and adults, are bound to enjoy. Resolution Up to Ultra…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

AV & HI-FI RACKS

View offers whf.cm/BBAVHifiRacks Up to £500 Atacama Apollo Storm 6 £390 February 2018 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Another class-leading support from Atacama that’s cheaper than its Award-winning sibling. It lets your kit perform at its best. Width 590mm Modular Yes Cable management No Hi-Fi Racks Omnium8 £478 Reviewed online, 2018 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Hi-Fi Racks has made the Ominium8 about as flexible as possible. You can specify everything from finish to shelf spacing and upright shape. Width 57cm Modular Yes Cable management Yes £500 and above Atacama Elite Eco 12.0 £598 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…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

MAINS PRODUCTS

View offers whf.cm/BBMainsProducts Mains products Tacima CS947 £35 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 Mains products Russ Andrews X6 £381 September 2015 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No matter what the source material, the X6 helps unearth a revealing well-integrated listen, allowing your kit to be as explicit as it can be. Type Block Mains filter Yes No. of plugs 6…

1 min

What Hi-Fi?|May 2022

SPEAKER CABLES

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerCables Up to £10/m Chord Company C-Screen £5/m June 2018 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The C-Screen possesses the fantastic ability to mirror a system’s punch and drive. What it does, it does better than anything else at the price. Single or Bi-wire Single QED XT25 £6/m May 2018 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Features the same characteristics as the more expensive XT40, displaying the kind of transparency that’s difficult for its rivals to match. Single or Bi-wire Single Atlas Equator 2.0 (2018) £7.25/m Reviewed online, 2018 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A nicely built speaker cable that promotes a wonderfully clean and detailed delivery – it’s an affordable and easy way to spruce up your system. Single or Bi-wire Single £10/m and above Chord Company Clearway £10/m…

1 min