Hi-Fi World UK - March 2011

HI-FI WORLD
10 PAGE VINYL SECTION SEE PAGE 98

HI-FI WORLD MARCH 2011
MARCH 2011 UK £4.10 www.hi-fiworld.co.uk

FREE READER CLASSIFIED ADS IN THIS ISSUE!
MERIDIAN G08.2, CANTON REFERENCE 9.2 DC, CREEK DESTINY 2, SPENDOR A9, SPIRAL GROOVE SG2
COMPETITION
MERIDIAN
WIN A BENZ MICRO WOOD
SL MC CARTRIDGE
CANTON REFERENCE 9.2 DC WORTH £950!
G08.2
loudspeakers EXCLUSIV
E!
CD player
CREEK DESTINY 2
amplifier EXCLUSIVE!
MARCH 2011
SPENDOR A9 EXCLU
SIVE!
SIVE!
loudspeakers EXCLU > KISEKI BLUE NOS MOVING COIL CARTRIDGE
> SPIRAL GROOVE SG2 TURNTABLE
VOL. 21 No. 1
> PREAMPLIFIER SUPERTEST

> CAYIN CD-50T CD PLAYER
10 PAGES OF LETTERS - THE BEST WINS A PAIR OF

KEF iQ30 LOUDSPEAKERS! (UK ONLY)
WorldMags
WorldMags
WE A WorldMags
R
G R O W E THE U K
I N G A 'S FAS
UDIO T
T I T L E EST
welcome !!!
EDITOR Any hobbyist who’s experimented with making their own
David Price
tel/fax +44 (0) 1672 811882
loudspeakers will tell you that getting the basics right is vital for
e-mail: editorial@hi-fiworld.co.uk superior sound. Keeping it simple with a couple of high quality
DESIGN EDITOR
drive units, rather than making a big box full of transducers with
Faiza Chunara complex crossovers often yields the best results. In this sense, it's
tel: +44 (0) 20 7625 3129 fair to say that 'less is more'...
e-mail: adproduction@hi-fiworld.co.uk
That’s why a small coaxial speaker with one drive
PRODUCTION EDITOR unit close to the another for ‘point source’ imaging,
David Noble
tel: +44 (0) 20 7625 3134 set into a tiny, resonance-free cabinet, can work so well. Our review
e-mail: classifieds@hi-fiworld.co.uk of Tannoy’s Revolution DC4 [p69] shows how...
ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE The same principle explains why valve amplifiers can sound
Debi Silver more musical than solid-state. Using simple circuits with relatively
tel: + 44 (0) 1723 500 435
mob: + 44 (0) 7966 84 35 36 few active electronic devices, they rely on quality transformers and
e-mail: debisilver@hi-fiworld.co.uk wiring to give great sound. In contrast, transistor amps are more
ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE complex, with many more components and longer signal paths
Brad Francis to sully the sound. Our classic Dynatron LS15 power amp review
tel: 01923 677 256
mob: 07715 421 569
[p86] shows how keeping it simple is a timeless virtue.
email: brad.francis@sky.com One exception to this rule is Creek’s new Destiny 2. This solid-
skype: brad.francis.media
state integrated amplifier sports a passive preamplifier stage that
ACCOUNTS removes the need for extra circuitry in the signal path. This, plus
tel: +44 (0) 20 8841 8892 other clever tricks, makes it one of the best solid-state integrateds
fax: +44 (0) 20 8841 9144
e-mail: accounts@hi-fiworld.co.uk we’ve heard. Read all about it on p50.
This issue’s preamplifier supertest clearly shows how basic
PUBLISHER
Noel Keywood engineering directly affects performance. The MF Audio and Creek
e-mail: publisher@hi-fiworld.co.uk passive preamps tested are so good because they’re so simple; the
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Icon Audio and PrimaLuna valve units add some valve warmth to the proceedings
Sharon Mehlhorn which some will love, while others will prefer the Cyrus and Electrocompaniet
e-mail: sharonmehlhorn@hi-fiworld.co.uk
transistor designs that sound cleaner but less engaging. The action starts on p17.
FREE READERS CLASSIFIEDS In my view, the best maxim for hi-fi buyers is ‘each to their own’; take a careful
tel: +44 (0) 20 7625 3134
e-mail: classifieds@hi-fiworld.co.uk
look at what you want from a product and buy accordingly. The great thing about
hi-fi in 2011 is that there's so much to choose from; I hope Hi-Fi World helps you
SUBSCRIPTIONS make sense of it all. Enjoy!
tel: + 44 (0) 1442 879097
fax: + 44 (0) 1442 872279
e-mail: hifiworld@webscribe.co.uk David Price, editor
PHOTOGRAPHY
David Noble
tel: +44 (0) 20 7625 3134
WRITERS
Haden Boardman, Tony Bolton, Steven Green,
testing
Paul Rigby, Neville Roberts, Adam Smith, To ensure the upmost accuracy in our product reviews, analyser, using pulsed and gated sinewaves, in a large
Rafael Todes. Hi-Fi World has extremely comprehensive in-house test room to eliminate the room’s influence. Pickup arm
facilities, and our test equipment - from big names like vibration is measured with a Bruel & Kjaer accelerometer.
hi-fi world Rohde & Schwarz and Hewlett Packard - is amongst the No other UK hi-fi magazine has in-house testing, and
SUITE G4, ARGO HOUSE most advanced in the world. none has access to such advanced tests across all types
KILBURN PARK ROAD Loudspeakers are measured using a calibrated Bruel of equipment. That's why you can depend on Hi-Fi World
LONDON NW6 5LF & Kjaer microphone feeding a Clio-based computer reviews.
www.hi-fiworld.co.uk
verdicts
OUTSTANDING simply the best
EXCELLENT extremely capable
GOOD worth auditioning
MEDIOCRE unremarkable
POOR seriously flawed
£ VALUE keenly priced
ELECTRONIC MAGAZINE
Go to our website www.hi-fiworld.co.uk to buy an electronic
version of this magazine, individual issues, back issues or a
subscription.
Distributed by Seymour Distribution Ltd 86 Newman Street London, W1T 3EX Tel: +44 (0) 20 7396 8000 Printed by St.Ives, Plymouth Tel: +44 (0) 1752 345 411
Our Agents in Malaysia Millennium Hi-Fi & AV Simon Chang Showroom & office, 500-1-3 First Floor Wisma Indah (Shen Court), Jalan Tun Razak 50400 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: 603 9283 8171 Fax: 603 9281 3762 e-mail: info@millennium-audio.com
All unsolicited submissions and goods are at the owner’s risk. We accept no responsibility for such submissions, nor do we undertake to return them.
No material may be reproduced from this magazine without the publisher’s written permission. © Audio Publishing Ltd
WorldMags www.hi-fiworld.co.uk MARCH 2011 HI-FI WORLD 3

WorldMags
17 MF Audio Classic Preamp:

still great after all these years!
46
Cayin CD-50T: a fine affordable
CD player from Germany.
12 Meridian G08.2: a beautiful

new high end CD spinner.
50 Creek's Destiny 2 amplifier:

a highly capable new integrated.
54
Canton's Reference 9.2DC: a pleasant surprise
from Germany.
WorldMags 4 HI-FI WORLD MARCH 2011 www.hi-fiworld.co.uk

100 Spiral Groove SG2: a superb
turntable from across the pond.
WorldMags
hi-fi world
MARCH 2011 VOLUME 21 : NO. 1
contents
AMPLIFICATION
PREAMPLIFIER SUPERTEST 17
Tony Bolton tries two passive, two valve and two transistor preamplifiers,
ranging from highly affordable to extremely expensive...
CREEK OBH-22 18
ICON AUDIO LA4 19
PRIMA LUNA PROLOGUE 3 21
CYRUS PRE-XP/PSX-R 23
106
ELECTROCOMPANIET EC4.7 24
MF AUDIO CLASSIC V2 SILVER 25
CREEK DESTINY 2 50
Noel Keywood is beguiled by this new solid-state integrated amplifier.
TEAC A-R650 32 7 NEWS

words from the front...
Paul Rigby finds much to like in this affordable integrated.
36 MAIL
MUSICAL FIDELITY M6 PRX 64 Ten pages of your views; no small amount of controversy here...
Rafael Todes takes a shine to this affordable high end power amplifier.
58 WORLD STANDARDS
Brand new, updated guide to the latest and greatest hi-fi hardware on sale.
LOUDSPEAKERS 73 COMPETITION
SPENDOR A9 28 Your chance to win a Benz Micro Wood SL moving coil cartridge worth £950!
Noel Keywood enjoys these sophisticated big floorstanders.
74 WORLD CLASSICS
CANTON REFERENCE 9.2DC 54 Brilliant designs that have stood the test of time...
A great new German standmounter, thinks Noel Keywood...
81, 105, 117 SOUNDBITES
Adam Smith samples the Russ Andrews Focus Rings and Paul Rigby reports
TANNOY REVOLUTION DC4 69 on the Isotek Synchro mains cable, then Haden Boardman reviews Martin
This tiny speaker makes a big impression on Paul Rigby. Bastin’s Garrard idler wheel upgrade and Paul Rigby samples the Record
Revirginizer, then David Price reviews the Pure Oasis Flow DAB radio and the
Philips Fidelio DS8550 iPod speaker system.
DIGITAL 82 SUBSCRIPTIONS
MERIDIAN G08.2 12 Ensure your copy every month and save money too!
David Price thinks this svelte new silver disc spinner is one of
Meridian’s best products in a long time. 84 AUDIOPHILE VINYL
Paul Rigby rounds up the latest audiophile vinyl releases.
CAYIN CD-50T 46 89, 91, 93, 95, 97 OPINION
Superb value for money is the verdict on this reasonably priced German
designed, Chinese made CD player. The team get to grips with matters music, hi-fi and life!
120 DIAL-A-DEALER
A comprehensive guide to UK hi-fi retailers.
OLDE WORLDE
DYNATRON LS15/LS16 86 123 CLASSIFIEDS
Two pages of second-hand bargains.
Haden Boardman remembers these rare classic tube power amplifiers.
128 NEXT MONTH
What we hope to bring you in the next issue.
VINYL
129 ADVERTISERS’ INDEX
VINYL NEWS 98
Paul Rigby reports on all the latest LP releases... 130 CLASSIC CUTS
Paul Rigby on Fela Kuti’s ‘The Complete Works Of Fela Anikulapo Kuti’.
SPIRAL GROOVE SG2 100
Adam Smith is beguiled by this high end American vinyl spinner.
KISEKI BLUE NOS 106

Neville Roberts tells the story of this enigmatic classic moving coil cartridge.
PRO-JECT ESSENTIAL 109

Tony Bolton takes a fine new budget turntable for a spin.

WorldMags
��
��
� ��

��
��
��

��
��
��

��
��
��

��
��

��
��
WorldMags
See us at Sound & Vision The Bristol Show in the Copenhagen Suite. Friday 25th – Sunday 27th February 2011
NEWS WorldMags
news
email:news@hi-fiworld.co.uk
Meridian AC200/DSP3200
ABOUT TIME
Meridian Audio has two new
products out, the DSP3200
Compact Digital Active
Loudspeaker and the Audio
Core 200 Stereo Audio
Controller. The speakers
are said to echo the lines
of Meridian’s flagship DSP8000,
and are the most compact Meridian
loudspeakers designed to date. They
feature Meridian’s Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
technologies, said to deliver powerful, room-filling sound
with the performance of a conventional system many times the size.
Meridian SpeakerLink connectivity makes connecting the DSP3200 to the Audio Core 200 easy, too. They feature a wide-range driver
that allows the DSP crossover frequency to be outside the speech band, for “quality sound at high
Meridian MC200 levels and for prolonged periods”, the company says. It comes in high-gloss white and high-gloss black.
The Audio Core 200 Stereo Audio Controller is said to be perfect for bringing together all
audio sources; it’s a digital preamplifier with upsampling DAC. The Audio Core 200 connects easily to
almost any audio source, including PC audio replay via USB. There is a Meridian SpeakerLink input for
single-wire connection to a Meridian Sooloos Digital Media System. Fully compatible with Meridian’s
i80 Dock for iPod, the Audio Core 200 will play iPod/iPhone via Meridian DSP Loudspeakers while it
charges, and control what you hear via the front panel or remote handset. Audio Core 200 is housed
in a newly designed compact case and is finished as standard in high-gloss black or high-gloss white.
The Meridian Sooloos Media Core 200 is said to make the Meridian Sooloos experience even
more accessible. It’s said to be “an elegant, compact and virtually silent system that requires only
the user’s choice of controller to perform”. It can be operated by any of the network-based control
systems available, including the iPad or iPhone App, a computer running the Control PC or Control
Mac application, or a Meridian Sooloos controller such as the Control 15 or Control 10. At the heart
of the Media Source 200 is a 500GB hard drive, storing around 1,000 CD albums in lossless quality
for graphical and touch-screen access. Prices are £3,750 for the DSP3200 loudspeakers, £1,500 for
the Audio Core 200 Stereo Audio Controller and £2,000 for the Media Core 200.
For more details, click on www.meridian-audio.com.
TUNING IN
Sony has launched a new streaming music subscription service which
offers a different approach to digital music sales. ‘Qriocity’ is a cloud-
based digital music service which uses streaming, rather than digital
downloads. As such, the service is not available on portable devices,
so users are limited to home computers currently. The service has
launched in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and will launch in the United
States, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and New
Zealand later in 2011. Music Unlimited lets users play music from a
variety of Internet-connected Sony devices such as Bravia TVs, Blu-ray
disc players, and the PlayStation 3 gaming console via a single ID log-in
and wallet solution. For details, click on www.sony.co.uk/Qriocity.

NEWS WorldMags
NEW CONVERSION
The new (£1,250) PD 1 DAC
from Electrocompaniet sports a
PC/Mac USB input and remote
control, making it ideal for the
latest generation of computer
sources, plus coaxial and
TOSLink inputs for CD player,
Blu-ray and satellite compatibility. The remote control has the facility to select the source and adjust volume up and down, and start/
stop your media player and jump to the next/previous song in your playlist. If you want to avoid cables or want to put your computer
away from your stereo system you can add the optional Music Streamer. This box connects to the USB port of your computer and
steams music to you PD 1 via radio link – no wireless network is needed, says Electrocompaniet. See www.electrocompaniet.no.
NEW IMAGE
Klipsch’s new entry-level S3
headphone is said to “bring
Klipsch’s signature sonic
performance to an entirely
new audience”. The £39.99
phones come in a choice
of graphite grey, red, pink
and green finishes, have a
standard 3.5mm headphone
jack and a durable, tangle-
resistant cable. The cable
is also moulded into the
plug for improved strain
relief. These headphones
have undergone extensive
resistance and strength
TWO PLUS TWO testing to ensure they stack
The new Audience Clair up to virtually every real-
Audient 2+2 is a new £3,950 world scenario, the company
standmounting loudspeaker says. The package comes
that comes in a choice of Black with three pairs of different-
Ash, Natural Teak and Wenge. sized patented oval ear tips (med, large, small/med dual flange) and a carrying case. Unlike
It measures just 368mm high by circular-shaped ear tips that put stress on the pressure points inside the ear, Klipsch’s
200mm wide by 260mm deep, patented oval ear tips naturally fit the contours of your ear canals, providing comfortable
and incorporates four proprietary long-term wear. These lightweight ear tips also offer superior noise isolation, blocking out
Audience full-range A3-S drivers. almost all ambient noise and providing strong bass. For information, see www.klipsch.co.uk.
Unique SSIT SweetSpace
Imaging Technology means the
drivers deliver exceptionally
flat frequency response and
eliminate the need for a separate
woofer, tweeter, midrange driver TENT-ATIVE APPROACH
and crossover network, the HiFi Wigwam’s Pie-Fi Show takes place on the 6th March, 2011, and is described as “quite simply an
company says. The A3-S driver opportunity for visitors to listen to some of the best audio equipment ever assembled in the same
further features a large patented place”. From vintage valve classics to solid-state power-house setups, from vinyl to computer source,
neodymium-magnet motor and from low-budget to no expense spared horns, bookshelf speakers and homemade electrostatics
structure, voice coil and utilises - just about every name from the world of hi-fi can be found in one of the sixty or so rooms. The
a rigid lightweight anodised event will be held at the spacious and luxurious Scalford Hall Hotel, Melton Rd, Scalford, Melton
aluminium-magnesium alloy cone Mowbray, Leicestershire LE14 4UB. Full details can be found at www.thehifishow.com.
material. It is built using the
company’s custom-made mono
crystal Auric internal wiring and ON THE MOVE
highest-quality components. For Avid HiFi Ltd has moved to new premises; their new address is
more details, call +44 (0)1775 Avid HiFi Ltd., Bicton Industrial Park, Kimbolton, Huntingdon,
761880 or click on Cambs. PE28 0LW. Their telephone number is +44(0)1480 869
www.highendcable.co.uk. 900, email is www.avidhifi.co.uk.

NEWS WorldMags
ACTIVE LIFE
The new £4,487 A215-M
floorstanding active loudspeakers
from Swiss-based PSI Audio are said
to be the pro audio company’s “first
foray into the hi-fi market”. They
boast built-in Class G bi-amplifi-
cation and are said to be “capable of
providing a truly outstanding listening
experience including a stunning
bass response”. They’re available
in a choice of Studio Red or black.
This floorstanding monitor has been
optimised for listening in a sitting
THOUSANDS or standing position and reproduces
Paradigm announce the MilleniaOne. Imported via Anthem AV Solutions, they can be used the sonic space with a remarkable
as left, right or centre speakers, and are said to “provide versatility in a compact form precision. Claimed output power
factor whilst maintaining a superb level of quality and performance”, the company says. The is 120W RMS, frequency response
MilleniaOne is designed in a compact (195x115x145mm) oval cabinet and ships with a small 36-23,000Hz (@ -6dB) and vital
bookshelf stand, minimising its footprint; it comes in white or black gloss finishes. Paradigm’s statistics are 1,660x1,110x250mm
diecast aluminium enclosures provide superior rigidity while maintaining a thinner wall and and 15.8kg. For more details, call
acting as a heatsink for drivers and crossover components, it is claimed. The speaker uses an +44 (0) 208 941 6547 or click on
S-PAL tweeter dome with silver finish to match the cone and the tweeter motor employs www.emerginguk.com.
neodymium magnets and extruded aluminium heatsinks. The speakers are sold either as a 2.0
left/right pair at £499, or as a MilleniaOne 5.0 system (including a horizontal centre speaker)
for £1,249. Add-on the MilleniaSub subwoofer and you have a compact 5.1 home cinema
system for less than £2,500. For more details, click on www.anthemavs.co.uk.
THE CONCEPT
Clearaudio have just introduced their new Concept MC cartridge, said
to “provide the high level of performance for which Clearaudio moving
coil cartridges are renowned, for the lowest ever cost”. The £550
cartridge sports an aluminium magnesium alloy with ceramic surface
layer, boron cantilever, OFC wound coils and a Micro Line Contact
stylus. For details call Audio Reference UK Ltd. on +44(0) 1252 702705
or click on www.audioreference.co.uk.
ON AIR
Denon and Marantz have announced that,
following the release of Apple iOS4.2, the
AirPlay feature on some of their products
is now active. This enables streaming
of iTunes music libraries direct from a JEZ’LL FIX IT
computer, as well as directly from an Jez Arkless, designer of the Alchemist Axiom and
iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch, to multiple Maxim amplifiers, and co-conspirator on the ‘The
Marantz or Denon AirPlay-compatible Alchemist’ with Tim de Paravicini, now runs a
products. These currently comprise the comprehensive classic hi-fi service centre under the
Melody Media (M-CR603) network mini guise of Arkless Electronics. He does repairs, modifi-
system, the NA7004 network audio cations and rebuilds “to classic hi-fi and some high
player/tuner, and the SR7005 A/V receiver end modern stuff”, and can build one-off equipment
and AV7005 A/V pre-amplifier. Denon are too. He can be contacted on +44(0) 1670 530674,
offering this as an optional upgrade to or click on www.arklesselectronics.com for details.
three existing Denon AV receivers – the
AVR-4311, AVR-3311 and the company’s
100th Anniversary Product Collection
model AVR-A100 – through www.denon-
upgrade.eu for €49. The new CEOL
Network Music System will be supported
henceforth. For more details, click on
http://airplay.marantz.eu/ or http://airplay.
denon-upgrade.eu/en/.

WorldMags
WorldMags
NEWS WorldMags
TAKE OFF
Bowers & Wilkins has announced a significant upgrade to its highly
successful Zeppelin; the new Air is described as “the ultimate AirPlay
wireless audio system”, and sports updated drive units, improved amplifi-
cation and advanced Digital Signal Processing plus fully integrated AirPlay
technology so users can easily stream music wirelessly from iTunes, iPhone,
iPad or iPod touch. And “while Zeppelin’s iconic shape has been retained,
subtly updated styling helps modernise this design classic”, says B&W.
A fully active 2.1 design, the improved 4x25W plus 1x50W amplifiers
power revised drive units, and the DACs have also been upgraded with
24bit/96kHz capability. AirPlay requires iTunes 10.1 or later and iPhone, iPad,
or iPod touch with iOS 4.2 or later. Zeppelin Air is available from March
2011, and costs £499.99. For more details, click on www.bowers-wilkins.com.
SPEAK EASY
Launching at next month’s Bristol hi-fi show, the new XTZ MH800 DSP is described as “an entirely new hi-fi concept”, no less! A
compact active digital speaker system, it uses patented Dirac HD Sound from Dirac Research which is in turn said to allow, “a totally
new construction methodology”. The digital signal processing is claimed to produce a frequency response of 40Hz to 20kHz within
+/- 1dB. The speaker is a two way construction, equipped with advanced design drivers from Danish/American Tymphany. The 3 inch
aluminium driver is from Peerless, while there’s a 5.25 inch is a long-throw down firing polypropylene woofer, vented through a slit
port on the front of the speaker. The cabinet is a painted contemporary MDF design. The amplifier is enclosed in an aluminium cabinet
and offers 2x40 Watts of Class D power. The Dirac Sound Processor software is specifically designed to run Dirac technology in real-
time from a Windows or Mac computer, and does not require any additional hardware. It is said to work just like a sound card and
is claimed to correct the sound image, increase vocal clarity and bass tightness, flatten the frequency response, optimise the impulse
response and extend the frequency range. For more details, click on www.audiosanctum.co.uk.
FOUR ON THE FLOOR

Quadral's new Vulkan VIII is described as a three-way compression
chamber, bass reflex, floorstanding loudspeaker which comprises a ribbon
tweeter, plus Quadral’s own patented ‘ALTIMA’ membrane midrange and
woofer speakers of 170mm and 320mm respectively. These are housed in
a pressure chamber for the delivery of contoured deep, clear and punchy
bass, the company says. Inside, premium components are used, with ‘Real
Cable’ for the inner wiring. Each speaker stands 1,260x290x500mm and
comes in a choice of three natural wood finishes plus any one of 190
lacquered special colour finishes! For more details, call +44 (0)1785 748
446, or click on www.quadralgb-ie.co.uk.

REVIEW WorldMags
Arc Light
Meridian's new G08.2 CD player brings serious style, sound and sonics for substantially less
money than their acclaimed high end players, says David Price...
T
he MCD was Meridian’s design director of Meridian and largely from aluminium, smoothly but
first ever Compact Disc MD of Cambridge Product Design. unfussily surfaced, with the company’s
player, audaciously launched He’d had a good few years, with trademark glass top. It’s a solid piece
as the world’s first such everything from the bold Lecson of equipment, and weighs 8.5kg to
specialist hi-fi machine back range to the striking yet tiny 100 prove it. The fascia is interesting, with
in 1984. I’m not sure if series of Meridian separates to the a large multi-character dot-matrix
Philips and/or Marantz would agree, BBC Microcomputer, as arrows in vacuum fluorescent display. By today’s
given that it was a lightly tuned his design bow. It was this striking standards – beautiful fine pitch OLED
CD100/CD63 (which was certainly industrial design, plus simple and all that – the Meridian’s display
no bad thing), but it nevertheless set ergonomics and serious attention to looks a tad dated, but still it blends in
the blueprint for CD player design sonics, that defined Meridian. And lo nicely with the overall fascia design
during the eighties, and showed how and behold, here we see it again, over so it’s not distractingly old hat; tech
careful attention to detail over a sil- a quarter of a century later with the obsessed sixteen year old boys
ver disc spinner’s various subsystems G08.2... would doubtless call it ‘old school’
(power supply, passive componentry, By any standards, I think this and believe it to be deliberately
vibration damping, etc.) could yield is a beautiful product. Whereas I retro...
real sonic rewards. Oh, and it looked think Meridian rather lost their I like the way the control keys
great too... way for some of the last decade, get their legends from the display
It was, along with the subsequent with too much reliance on black a la F80, and also the soft blue
MCD Pro, a compact and swish piece plastic as a case material, here the backlighting behind the keys. I’m
of kit with gently ‘breathed on’ styling company is back to its brilliant best. also a big fan of the slot loading
from Meridian’s Allen Boothroyd, The 440x350x90mm 8.2 is hewn drive, which is becoming increasingly

REVIEW WorldMags
"with top-notch sonics, build and

ergonomics, plus superlative styling, this
machine seems a veritable bargain..."
popular of late; it’s much nicer qualities; this first appeared in the soundstage that doesn’t get much
than having an (inevitably cheap) 808.2, the company says, and there’s bigger via 16bit digital disc, and a
CD-ROM disc tray wobbling and also a triple buffering system said to busy upper mid and treble, bristling
grinding its way out to greet you. In minimise jitter, plus a new design of with detail. Happily, the Meridian
use, the player as a whole feels slick high-stability clock. Multiple power managed to set all the various items
and svelte, far more so than many supplies ensure that digital and in the mix neatly together with one
similarly priced machines. As far as analogue circuitry are kept apart and another, all in their right places, in
I’m concerned, the company is back properly aspirated, and multi-layer an utterly unforced way. It was this
at the front of the ‘feel good’ queue boards are said to reduce system particular aspect of its sound – along
with the G08.2. Round the back it’s noise. with that vast bass – that really sets
also pretty slick, the Meridian is a it apart from other similarly priced
veritable festival of socketry; optical SOUND QUALITY machines I’ve heard.
and TOSLINK digital output, RCA Every inch a modern, high quality CD Staying with techno and moving
phono and balanced XLR analogue player, the Meridian delivered a grand, to 4hero’s ‘Planetaria (Hefner
outputs, an RS232 port (remember spacious and poised performance Remix)’, and it was again a chance
them, microcomputer fans?), Meridian with every disc it span. Central to to sample some beautiful bass, this
Comms socketry and an IEC mains its character is a very powerful bass, time courtesy of real double bass,
input. which doesn’t sound overblown yet is counterpointed by some deft snare
Inside, the CD mechanism itself not that far from it; there’s absolutely drum work and cascading strings.
is securely mounted, and as per all no sensation that the Meridian The Meridian again showed itself
ROM drives, is capable of spinning up is a thin, lightweight, weak-kneed as a major player, sounding suitably
to many times ‘real time’ speed to contraption. Instead, it announces
perform multiple high speed re-reads the GO8.2’s presence in the room
to ensure the best data capture; and in the system in no uncertain
it's said to provide ten times the terms. Fragile State’s ‘Every Day a
error correction of a conventional Different Story’ was a case in point,
CD player. Then the onboard digital the washes and swirls of analogue
signal processor (said to work at synthesisers fluttering behind an
up to 150 million instructions per extremely voluminous acoustic (as
second) upsamples the signal to opposed to electronic) bass guitar
24bit, 176.4kHz for the onboard which might as well have been a real
DACs and 88.2kHz for the digital instrument plugged into the auxiliary
outputs. The digital filter is a custom input of my amplifier, so strong was
Meridian design with ‘apodising-like’ it! This underpinned a wide, capacious

WorldMags
Aquarius replaced the companies GII Mini “The whole auditioning process took about 30
Sub and is the latest product in IsoTek’s
unique range of multi-award winning power
seconds. Play a piece of music on GII Mini
conditioners that are designed and hand Sub. Play it again on Aquarius and wonder
made in England using the finest materials why you were so attached to the GII Mini
and built to the highest of standards. Sub.” “Very highly recommended”
Formed in July 2001 IsoTek’s vision has been to Hi-Fi Plus. Issue 68,
create high-quality mains power conditioners that
stretch beyond current conventions. Through careful
market analysis and extensive research, IsoTek has
been able to launch products that dramatically
improve the performance of all components used
within an audio or visual environment, a fact that has
been proved by countless international reviews and
over 25 audio awards.
“IsoTek is the leader in mains SIRIUS ACCESSORIES

conditioning products”
Hi-Fi News
“IsoTek is the UK’s biggest name in

mains filtration”
Hi-Fi Choice
“Not all mains conditioners are

ORION VISION
created equal… IsoTek has built itself a
reputation as a purveyor of mains
conditioners that actually improve
(as opposed to just alter) the sound”
Hi-Fi World
For more information and to obtain your free
IsoTek brochure please call:
01276 501 392 SIGMAS TITAN
info@soundfowndations.co.uk
www.soundfowndations.co.uk www.isoteksystems.com
WorldMags
REVIEW WorldMags
fulsome and confident, utterly in
control and unfazed by the sinewy
rhythm part. This, rather better
recorded and less electronically
processed track (with largely
acoustic instruments, recorded back
in 1997 on analogue tape) gave me
a chance to get a handle on the
GO8.2’s tonality. I have to say I’ve
found some Meridian electronics seventies Stateside FM radio) and it; it rejoices in pretty much every
a little dry sounding at times, and yet the 8.2 wasn’t falling over its feet. genre from techno to classical. It’s
it’s certainly true that this machine Rather, it remained smooth and clear, very powerful and commanding by
doesn’t give an overly rosy rendition with vivid detailing to, and a pleasing nature, yet incisive too, so listeners
of the recording, but if anything I’d atmosphere around, the soaring soon find how high it can fly with
say the 8.2 is slightly on the smooth hi hat and harmonica work. I also especially well recorded discs. Tonally
side; without doubt it’s not as clinical enjoyed the richly resonant piano it’s excellent, with real finesse and
and thin as some Meridians we’ve sound, dripping with harmonics (well, delicacy, but it won’t smother harsh
heard in the previous decade. The as much as it possible with 16bit) and recordings in a comfort blanket and
superb detail rendition across the coming over with real finesse. isn’t the machine you buy to calm a
board means it’s actually very good at Highly accomplished with hard sounding system. Put it on the
capturing the unique tonal ‘texture’ electronic dance, jazz fusion and end of a well balanced set of mid
VERDICT
of different instruments, going way rock, I was intrigued to see how well or high price hi-fi separates though, Everyman’s modern high end CD
beyond a perfunctory reading of the Meridian would perform with and it’s an unalloyed pleasure. So, player; this stylish, well made
what’s on the disc. Again, this is the classical and it was here I got my with top-notch sonics, lovely build, Meridian has an extremely enjoyable
yet refined and incisive sound.
sort of thing that marks it out as a biggest surprised. The superb Linn fine ergonomics and superlative
serious machine. recording of Mozart’s ‘Symphony styling, this machine seems a veritable MERIDIAN GO8.2 £2,400
Stanley Clarke’s ‘1,2, to the Bass’ 29 in A major (Scottish Chamber bargain even at its not inconsiderable Meridian Audio Limited
)
was a visceral delight; I heard this Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras) price. +44(0)1480 445678
2003 masterpiece in all its glory, showed how this player www.meridian-audio.co.uk
the Meridian supplying a wonderful can really lock into what’s
groove inside which the great man’s going on deep down in the REFERENCE SYSTEM: FOR
low frequency histrionics were recording, and as such it Marantz CD72 CD player - commanding sound
delivered with real authority. At the responds brilliantly to this dCS Debussy DAC - midband clarity and ease
same time, Q-Tip’s great vocal work flawless production. The Musical Fidelity AMS35i integrated amplifier - expansive soundstaging
was carried with excellent timing; 8.2 was breathtaking here, Yamaha NS1000M loudspeakers - design, ergonomics, build
all the things that people used to providing an incredibly
say about CD (and indeed still do) lifelike string tone, devoid AGAINST
seemed to recede into irrelevance of screech yet getting - nothing at the price
as this player let the music sing. deep into the grain of
Importantly, this isn’t a player that
itself sings; it doesn’t euphonise,
the massed violins; you
could hear the bows on
MEASURED PERFORMANCE
Frequency response of this player was
embellish or augment the original the wires as easily as
perfectly flat to 20.2kHz our convolved Separation (1kHz) 110dB
recording; rather I got the feeling of the players themselves, impulse response shows. This will
it very carefully, systematically and yet there was a give the Meridian absolutely accurate Noise (IEC A) -114dB
purposefully unlocking it; letting out massive, cavernous subjective tonal balance, but it will not Dynamic range 98dB
for the wider world to hear. Thus the recorded acoustic soften out the sound of older CDs as Output 5V / 2.5V
GO8.2 displays excellent timing, deep inside which the vast some players do.
and brooding inter-transient silences physical presence of The balanced outputs give a high FREQUENCY RESPONSE
and wonderful attack when the next the orchestra was set. 5V output and the unbalanced phono
snare hit is delivered. Dynamically Superb in transcription sockets 2.5V, also quite high against the
too it was a complete success; unlike terms, the Meridian Philips standard of 2V. Distortion from
both outputs was the same, measuring
some higher end machines it doesn’t didn’t just stop there;
a low 0.018% at -60dB, a very low
assault you and try to take your head it made the music flow value. This resulted in a good EIAJ
off, by emphasising rhythmic accents with gusto, holding Dynamic Range value of 98dB.
as if to make a point. Rather it just the listener a captive Jitter was extremely low all round,
lets the proceedings flow, according to the musical event with signal related jitter induced by a
things an appropriate volume in a before them. Again, this -60dB 1kHz tone measuring a miniscule
calm and unforced yet musically combination of being 12pS, the random jitter noise floor just
expressive way. terribly assured and 5pS and low rate clock drift 25pS. DISTORTION
Moving to some classic, slickly calm yet passionate These are all class leading figures.
recorded late seventies rock music with it, proved a The Meridian GO8.2 measured very
well in every area and should give fine
from Supertramp, and ‘Take the Long winning one, making
sound quality. NK
Way Home’ assuaged any doubts I well recorded classical
had about the Meridian’s top end. music a pleasure. Frequency response (-1dB)
Earlier in the audition period I’d felt CD 2Hz - 20.2kHz
it just a tiny bit lively, shining slightly CONCLUSION
too bright a light on the proceedings. An excellent all round Distortion
It turned out that running in and performer, the Meridian 0dB 0.001
warming up was all it needed to G08.2 is largely -6dB 0.0007
smooth out; the mix on this album agnostic about the -60dB 0.18
is quite toppy (presumably mixed for type of music you feed -80dB 2.8

WorldMags
AMPLIFICATION
Mark Levinson 380S pre-amp. Original packing,
manual, remote, white gloves, unmarked. (£6795)
Bargain at only £2795.
Raysonic C200 all valve pre-amp.
Boxed, unmarled, stunning performance.
(£2595) so a complete bargain at £1195.
Unison Research Unico Primo.
Months old, mint boxed. (£1167) £695.
Eastern Electric M520 mkII Integrated Amp.
Music is our Passion
One owner, 8mths old, perfect. Original packing,
manual, remote. Just won Hi-Fi News group test,
and awarded Editors Choice. (£1995) only £995
t 01333 425 999
Restek MPRE+ with MAMP monos. Ex-demo.
Mint, boxed, 5yr warranty. Scored 85% in a very
recent HiFi Choice review. (£3000) £1995
ASTINtrew AT2000 plus integrated. Black,
QUALITY
stunning performance, originally supplied by us.
Mint condition. (£1739) £1195
Audio Analogue Puccini Settanta Rev 2.0.
PRE-OWNED.
Ex-display, mint, boxed with manual & metal
remote. 5yr warranty. (£1449) bargain at £795
ATC SCA2 pre-amp. One owner, supplied by us,
only 8 mths old. Boxed, mint. (£4860) £3495
Bryston B4SST power amp. Excellent condition,
in silver, one owner. (£3450) only £1650
Chord CPA 2200 Pre-amp. Boxed in silver,
excellent condition. (£2917) £1150
McIntosh MA6500 Integrated amp. Boxed,
excellent condition & reviews. (£4795) £2195
Boulder 865 integrated. Regarded as the best
integrated amp you can buy. Costs new around ART Stiletto Monitor speakers. One owner, cherry, Linn LP12 Arm Board. Original, as new. £35.
£10000. Mint, one owner, original boxing. £POA excellent condition, original packing. (£1199) £495 Eastern Electric Minimax Phono Stage.
Chord SPM-1200B Power Amp. 250 wpc. Black Verity Rienzi speakers. Dark Makore, mint, Boxed, unmarked, one owner, only months old.
with wood side accents. Excellent condition, very ex-demo. (£8495) £POA Simply sensational (£1495) £980.
recent service. Single ended, balanced inputs. Usher S-520 speakers. Birch, original packing,
Original packing. Rarely available used. MAINS CONDITIONING
only 18mths old, as new. (£360) only £195. Isotek Optimum 1.5m power lead.
(£3950) an opportunity at only £1395.
Linn Klimax 320A speakers. Cherry, v. rare, cost 2 available, excellent condition. (£275) £139
ECA Technologies Vista Pre & Lectern Power new £17000! One owner, excellent condition, matching
Amps. Black with gold logos, immaculate. Very Isotek Substation. Excellent condition,
Linn stands, original packing. Huge saving. £7495 6 outlets, stunning performance. (£1100) £395
musical combination. (£1700) only £650.
ATC C4 Subwoofer. Active, one owner, months old, Nordost Vishnu 1m mains cable. Excellent
Deltec DPA50S power amp. With Deltech 500S mint, boxed, (£2988) £1595.
Slink speaker cable. Boxed, manual. (£990) £495. condition. (£404) £249
Amphion Helium 520 speakers. Black, one owner, Vertex AQ Taga. 6-way distribution mains filter.
Eastern Electric MiniMax Pre/power combo. supplied by us. Excellent condition, few months old.
One owner, supplied new by us, unmarked, as Great reviews, one owner, unmarked. (£868) £595
(£1499) £795 be quick as these are virtually new.
new, only 2mths old, 5yr warranty. Stunning CABLES
performance and reviews. (£2195) £1295. Spendor S6e. Mint, cherry, one owner and only a few
Vertex Moncayo 4.1m speaker cable. Stunning,
months old. (£1900rrp) £795
DIGITAL ex-demo, excellent condition. (£1560) £POA
Klipsch Heresy III speakers. Walnut, one owner,
Audionet ART G2 CD player. One owner, Chord Optichord Optical Cable. Toslink to Toslink
supplied by us, mint, boxed, 99db efficient and a
24mths old. Mint, boxed. (£3395) £1295 - 3m. 50 MHz bandwidth specification. Only £54.
5-globe HiFi World review! (£1798) £1195
TEAC VRDS 10 SE. One owner, almost new. Vertex Silver Solfon. 1m, one owner, excellent
Klipsch RB-81 Reference speakers. Ash black,
Original packing, full 12mth warranty. Rarer than condition. (£1092) £499
unused, only removed from boxes and re-packed.
a rare steak at the rare steakhouse £595 Shunyata Research ‘Altair’ Cryo Interconnect
Incredible opportunity (£540) Only £295.
DCS Verdi Encore transport. DSD upsampling, RCA-RCA, 1m. (£650) only £255
MBL 121 speakers. Satin black, one owner, supplied
excellent condition, warranty for new owner. Vertex Hi-Resolution Solfonn (rca-rca)
by us, months old, customer upgraded, mint, original
Original packing and remote. (£10000) £2895 Interconnect. 1m, ex-demo, simply sensational
factory crates. (£10600 with stands) £POA
Benchmark DAC 1 HDR. One owner, supplied by (£2047) only £1120.
Quad 11L2. High gloss cherry, ex-demo, mint
us, mint, boxed. (£1821) a bargain at £1095. Vertex Silver Solfonn (rca-rca) Interconnect,
condition. Boxed. (£376) £279.
Naim CDS with matching CDSPS. One owner, 1m, ex-demo. (£1092) only £660.
ATC SCM 50 ASL Classic Actives.
excellent condition, original boxes and packing. Vertex AQ Mini Moncayo Speaker Links.
Walnut, ex-demo, mint condition. (£9870) £POA
Stunning analogue performance. (£4500) £895 Set of 4, 80x65x30mm accoustic absorption
Klipsch P-39f Palladium series. Ex-demo, one of module. Simply sensational. (£540) £395
Bel Canto CD2. Mint, boxed, one owner.
best speakers you’ll ever hear. (£14750) £POA
(£2700) £1495. Chord Signature speaker cable. One owner,
ADAM Audio A.R.T. Pencil speakers. Cherry/dark boxed, as new. 2.5m great reviews. (£775) £445
ASTINtrew AT3500 Plus CD player. Mint,
silver, astonishing articulation, excellent condition, all
black, supplied by us new. (£1525) £995
original box and packing. (£3600) only £1795. ACCESSORIES
Densen B-410 CD player. Mint, Gizom remote Sennheiser HD650 headphones. One owner,
Audio Physic Virgo V. One owner, supplied by us,
(costs £175) one owner, black, great reviews. low hours, mint, has Russ Andrews Upgrade Jack
mint, original packing, maple, (£5500) £3395
(£1295) £695 cable. (£400 + £75 for cable) £195.
Audio Physic Scorpio II. Latest model, cherry,
MBL 1621 CD Transport and 1611F D/A Grado GS1000i Statement Series
ex-demo, unmarked. (£3773) £2750
Converter. SOriginal flight cases, manuals and Headphones. 13mths old, original packing &
SFGB remote. Arguably the best combo available in Quad ESL 2905 speakers. One owner, mint, boxed, warranty card. As new. (£1100) be quick at £695.
the world today. Piano black & gold, some brassing very low hours. Amazing reviews (£7000) only
and minor marks. (£35560) be quick at £12995. £4990 with a 5yr warranty MISC
Audio Physic Tempo VI speakers. Mission m7ds Surround speakers. Black,
Benchmark DAC1 USB. One owner, unmarked
Maple, one owner, 6mhs old, unmarked, original original packing and manual. Perfect condition,
condition, huge saving on new price only £795.
packing etc. (£2612) bargain at £1895. and absolutely fabulous bi-pole rear speakers
Accustic Arts DAC 1 mkIV - 66 BIT 1536kHz with incredible dispersion. only £60
d/a converter balanced output, stunning spec, mint, ANALOGUE
boxed, one owner. Great value. (£4500) £1795. Michell Iso MC Phono Stage. With Hera PSU,
original packing, excellent. (£900) now only £295
LOUDSPEAKERS
Penn Audio Charisma / Chara 2 box speakers. LFD MCT Phonostage. Mint, one owner. Sensational
One owner, excellent condition. Stereophile most performance only 18mths old, very low hours.
wanted award. (£7000) bargain at only £2495. £3400) so £2300 looks very tasty indeed!
WorldMags
GROUP TEST WorldMags
Pre Ordination
Tony Bolton tries a brace of the latest and greatest preamplifiers...
A
modern preamplifier’s task is simple; it should be a piece of wire,
possibly with gain and hopefully with switching! In days gone by, pre-
amps were often button festooned knob fests, with lots of circuitry
between the input and the output, and usually a phono stage for
good measure. How times have changed...
The sheer variety of approaches to designing preamps surveyed
here is impressive, with four mains powered units, two of which being valve
driven from PrimaLuna and Icon Audio, the other two being solid state,
manufactured by Cyrus Audio and Electrocompaniet. There are two passive
units. Of these, the Creek uses a potentiometer and the Music First, a stepped
transformer to control the gain.
As well as a range of differing methodologies, these preamps also span
vastly differing price points, with the cheapest being the Creek OBH-22 at
£338, through to the Music First Audio Classic V2 Silver at £4,500 (including
VAT at 20%). If a range such as this can’t put the relative value for money of
different designs into perspective, nothing can!
For the purposes of this test, each preamp was run in for fifty hours,
then spent an evening being listened to on its own, before all of them were
compared back to back using the same tracks. These included a 200 gram
Classic Records re-pressing of ‘Belafonte at Carnegie Hall’, a 1958 Decca
stereo recording of ‘The Grand March’ from Verdi’s opera ‘Aida’, and the
pulsating dance beats of Fats Waller and his Rhythm playing a cover of the
track ‘Dinah’ in the mid thirties on an LP called ‘The Vocal; Fats Waller’. Digital
was represented by a CD called 'Arabesque' by Zouge 2. This is a fusion of
Arabic influenced beats fused with laid back Western electronica.
Listening took place using a Clearaudio Master Solution/ Benz Micro
Wood SL/ Leema Acoustics Agena phono stage combination, and the Leema
Antilla CD player. Power amps included a pair of Icon Audio 845 valve
monoblocks and a Leema Hydra ll solid-stater, powering my Chario Ursa Major
loudspeakers. Needless to say I also tried them all through my pair of Quad
303 solid-state power amps bi-amping my Kelly KT3s as well. Cabling for the
latter was by Atlas Cables, and for the former system using my Philosophy
Cables loom. Mains was fed through either an Isotek Titan or Isotek Sigmas.
THE CONTENDERS:
MODEL PRICE PAGE
CREEK OBH-22 £338 18
ICON AUDIO LA4 £799 19
PRIMA LUNA PROLOGUE 3 £1,550 21
CYRUS PRE-XP/PSX-R £1,925 23
ELECTROCOMPANIET EC4.7 £1,930 24
MF AUDIO CLASSIC V2 SILVER £4,500 25

CREEK OBH-22 £338
T
he passive OBH-22 is rela- was a reasonable size, although it expected impact of the orchestra and
tively tiny, measuring a mere didn’t extend beyond the speaker chorus striking up again afterwards
150x100x66mm and weigh- boundaries. Neither did it extend was a little muted.
ing 610 grams. This polished forward very much, seeming to go I liked the Creek OBH-22. It
alloy fronted, extruded backwards instead into a large and offers practical facilities and remote
aluminium box contains a cavernous space. control, allied to a detailed and easy
27mm Alps Blue Velvet motorised This became more obvious flowing sound. Ultimately I felt that it
potentiometer alongside two gold when playing the ‘Aida’ piece. The erred on the side of good manners
plated relays for source switching and stereo spread of the chorus seemed in its nature, sometimes leaving me
a muting relay that shorts the signal to extend away from me, with the wanting a little extra slam in the
to ground when active. None of the orchestra in front but again I was dynamic of the music. However,
relays are in the signal path. A micro aware of an open space between me it offers great performance at the
controller decodes the infra-red and the front edge of the soundstage. price in a practical package, and has
signals from the SRC2 handset, and The scale of the piece was portrayed, set a high standard for the rest to
turns itself off after each operation veering from the grandiloquence match. There’s very little that even
to avoid any sonic degradation. of the massed orchestra and choir, comes close for the money, so if only
Power for this switchgear down to just the strings during the minimal inputs are needed then many
is provided by a plug in wall- ballet sequence, but I felt that the will surely choose this.
transformer. Without it, volume
can still be adjusted manually,
but only the Line 1 input can be MEASURED PERFORMANCE
utilised. When power is present
Testing revealed why we argue about sound, but the effect is volume control
a green LED lights up over the this device and why opinions differ: it position dependent in degree. Our
appropriate input button. To rolls off upper treble, heard as a slightly analysis shows the worst case result.
the right of the volume control warm sound. At 2o’clock of the volume NK
is the mute button. The back control frequency response reaches
is packed with RCA phono just 15kHz (-1dB), quite a surprise. The Frequency response 0Hz-15kHz
sockets for the two line level reason is a high value potentiometer of Separation 80dB
100k is used inside, allowing parallel Noise (e.i.n.) 2.5µV
VERDICT £ inputs, the tape loop and the
output, alongside the power capacitance to load the output at half Distortion 0.00007%
Brilliant value entry level passive; a
little flat and dry in absolute terms but input.
volume, when output impedance is Gain x1 (9dB)
amazingly capable at the price. highest – a classic problem. At lower Overload none
and higher volume settings the effect
CREEK OBH-22 £338 SOUND QUALITY lessens.
Creek Audio Ltd. I started off with Zouge 2 Although high value resistors
) and spent a pleasant seventy FREQUENCY RESPONSE
+44(0) 1442 260146 are noisy (Johnson noise) the OBH-22
www.creekaudio.com minutes immersed in an produced a maximum of just 2.5uV (IEC
interesting mixture of sampled A weighted) at half volume.
FOR sounds and Middle Eastern wind Separation was 80dB, distortion
- detailed, incisive sound and percussion instruments. negligible (0.00007% but this is our
- fine rhythms The OBH-22 tackled the Rohde & Schwarz analyser measuring
- size rhythms with zest and I found itself) and overload does not exist. Gain
was exactly x1, meaning no gain is
myself focusing on the complex
AGAINST available as is to be expected.
patter of tabla and hand drum The OBH-22 has rolled down
- dynamically flat as they panned between the treble and this will give it a warm
- tonally dry two speakers. The sonic image

ICON AUDIO LA4 MKII £799
L
eicester based Icon Audio drive. The sound of the drums had a period seemed to carry through,
have established a reputa- sensation of physical impact that was with the sound seeming to be very
tion for making affordable very convincing and that seemed to immediate and accessible.
valve amplifiers for the propel the music along with more Staying live, but in a different
past decade. The first LA4 energy than I'd heard previously... sense, I next played the Belafonte LP.
introduced some five years Staying rhythmical I next played This is an example of just how good
ago was a solidly made all triode the Fats Waller LP. Waller was in all vinyl can actually be, with this preamp
circuit design that includes valve senses a larger than life character, and describing a spacious auditorium, pin-
rectification, using a Western Electric it shows through in the track 'Dinah', pointing the singer centre stage, with
designed 274B, and the 6SN7 double where he takes a fairly standard the orchestra spread lower down
triode for the amplification. This is 1920s Foxtrot, swings it, and adds to the sides and front. The audience
the latest incarnation; housed in a a rolling bass line on the piano to response flowed across the room,
robust 250x370x230mm alloy and the already driving brass and drums. adding to the feeling of involvement.
steel chassis, it boasts an Alps Blue Through the LA4, the music romped Overall, the Icon Audio LA4 sounded
Pot motorised volume control, dual along, capturing the effervescence of excellent through all three of my
choke power supply, DC heater sup- a performer who would party for power amps. It majored on musical
ply, what are described as ‘audiophile’ three days, and then turn up at the flow, and attention to detail, creating
polypropylene audio capacitors RCA studios in New York, complete a very convincing musical panorama.
(Jensens are available for another with retinue, and carry on the party It’s not the world’s most detailed
£200 over the £799 list price) and whilst he cut records! The direct- or transparent, but is great value
high quality 2W metal film and wire to-disc nature of recordings of this considering what it can do.
wound resistors.
The internal wiring is with
silver Teflon coated cable, and MEASURED PERFORMANCE
the valve holders are ceramic. The LA4 MkII has two gain settings: It measures well and copes with most
An optional acrylic valve cover High gives x8 (18dB) gain and Low situations. NK
is available for an extra £50. gives x4 (9dB). The latter is a common
At the back, from left to right gain value for preamps, High being Frequency response 2Hz-200kHz
there are the gold plated RCA needed when a low output source like Separation 77dB
an external phono stage (there is no Noise -98dB
phono sockets for the line in
onboard phono stage) with low gain is Distortion 0.004%
puts, another pair for the tape
used. With either gain setting distortion Gain x8(18dB) VERDICT
loop and two pairs of outputs, (2V in/1V out) was very low, measuring Overload 38V out
Well made, lucid sounding tube
preamplifier offering great value for
to allow for bi-amping. The 0.0003% on Low and 0.004% on High, money.
mains IEC input is on the far all second harmonic. DISTORTION
right. Like any good valve preamp the ICON AUDIO LA4 £799
output swing was vast at 38V, making Icon Audio
SOUND QUALITY overload headroom enormous all round.
)
+44(0) 1162 440593
I started again with the Bandwidth was very wide too, the -1dB www.iconaudio.co.uk
‘Arabesque’ CD which, this frequency response stretching from 2Hz
- 200kHz, unaffected by volume control FOR
time, felt a bit more lively and
position. Input noise (A weighted) was - open, musical sound.
was driven along by some very
2.8µV at High and Low gain settings, - spacious soundstage
deep and solid bass. It was not or -91dB below a 100mV input signal - deep bass
that the Creek was lacking in – very low.
this department, but the LA4 The LA4 MkII is nicely propor-
AGAINST
delivered the same sound with tioned all round as a valve preamplifier.
- nothing at the price
considerably greater weight and

WorldMags
WorldMags
PRIMA LUNA PROLOGUE 3 £1,550
E
stablished in 2003, Prima hue, being very richly textured and that this preamp likes to show off
Luna are based in Holland detailed. The performers seemed recordings, and is prepared to flatter
and are the brain child more rooted to the ground than them a little. The energy in ‘Dinah’
of high-end distributor they did with the LA4, accompanied was beautifully portrayed, but I felt
Herman van den Dungen. by the powerful rumble and roar of that there was a little too much
Along with designer the timpani which extended very richness and perhaps a touch of
Marcel Croese (previously with low indeed. Whether there really voluptuousness in the sound, which,
Goldmund) and Dominique Chenet was more bass output from this in a full bodied sounding system
(ex-Jadis), he has built up a range preamp than the LA4 I don’t know, might prove too much.
of amplifiers across two levels, of but the sensation, caused, I think by Overall then the Prima Luna
which the Prologue series are the the darker and richer flavour of the Prologue delivers a very good
less expensive. Despite this I could sound, gave that impression. performance at its price, but
find no signs of poor quality in the Moving over to CD and will require a degree of careful
finish or fit of components. The the Prologue 3 disentangled the auditioning and/or partnering; it’s a
heavy gauge steel chassis was hand complex rhythms of 'Arabesque' and warm sounding device for those who
finished with five coats of a charcoal presented them for analysis. I felt want precisely this. It’s less neutral
colour with odd metallic flecks in that there was more colour in this than the far cheaper Creek and Icon
it. The front panel can be had in sound than from the LA4, but less Audio preamps but doesn’t compre-
either this charcoal colour or in a in the way of filigree detailing and hensively better them; rather it offers
silver finish. The casework measures shape. Turning to the Fats Waller a different take on the music which
395x280x190mm and the complete LP and I came to the conclusion some may prefer.
unit weighs in at 12.7kg.
The circuit is a dual mono, MEASURED PERFORMANCE
non inverting design with no
The Prima Luna Prologue 3 measured enough in all areas and should give a
global feedback, fitted with
flat across the audio band, an upper good sound. NK
2x 12AX7s, 2x 12AU7s and limit of 67kHz ensuring RF is not
2x 5AR4 valves, the latter amplified. Gain was useful at x4 (12dB) Frequency response 2.5Hz-67kHz
being the rectifiers. Volume maximum, but there is no phono stage Separation 68dB
is controlled by an Alps Blue and external stages will need to have Noise -98dB
Velvet Potentiometer. As with quite high gain to work with this low- Distortion 1.3% VERDICT
the LA4, ceramic valve sockets ish maximum value, at least double the Gain x4/12dB Dark and rich sounding valve
are specified, this time along usual x100/x1000 values. Overload 7V out preamplifier that’s ideal for brighter
with Nichicon, Solen and There was both input distortion power amplifiers and/or speakers.
(i.e. in the stages before the volume PRIMA LUNA
Swellong capacitors. The preamp DISTORTION
control) and output distortion (i.e. in
is shipped ready to accept PROLOGUE 3 £1,550
the stages after the volume control),
the optional onboard moving which leads to a complex distortion Pistol Music
magnet, solid state, phono stage, scenario, but with 2V in (e.g. from a CD
)
+44(0) 20 8971 3909
which can be retrofitted at any player) and 1V out to a power amplifier, www.pistolmusic.co.uk
time. distortion measured a high 1.3% but
comprised mainly second harmonic FOR
SOUND QUALITY our analysis shows. This will not be - smooth, solid sound
From the moment the needle obviously audible, as it takes a good - large soundstage
hit the groove of ‘Aida’, I was 5% or more before timbre is lightened - deep bass
slightly, something that is very difficult
aware that this was a very
to detect. AGAINST
different beast to the Icon
The Prologue 3 measured well - over full for some systems
Audio. The sound had a darker

WorldMags
WorldMags
CYRUS PRE-XP/PSX-R £1,925
T
he Pre-XP and PSX-R Mac. I also tried the Antilla CD displayed with superb levels of detail,
power supply are both player’s DAC against the Cyrus's but without some of the richness
housed in compact magne- own, using the Antilla as a transport. of emotion that the previous three
sium casework, diecast by The results were creditable but not preamps had managed. The sound
Husquevana of Norway and up to the standard as the Leema was cooler, and less involving
measuring 73x215x360mm. – hardly surprising considering the because of it; some may prefer
The preamp weighs 4kg and the PSX- price differential. However, if you are this more dispassionate take on
R is 6kg. This power supply contains running an older or cheaper CD or things, especially with over coloured
a 300VA toroidal transformer with DVD player this is a very sensible way ancillaries.
30,000 microfarad slotted foil res- of improving the sound without have So here’s a very well conceived,
ervoir capacitors. Plugged in via the to replace the player. specified and made preamp, one
attached chord, the PSX-R takes over Moving to the analogue inputs that’s designed for those with a
supplying power to the audio circuits and I settled down with a Harry multiplicity of sources, and quite
of the component that it's connected Belafonte on LP. I particularly enjoy complex systems. The Cyrus gives
to. In this case, the twin transformers both the ‘Jamaica Farewell’ and his a very clean, straightforward sound
in the Pre then take on only switch- version of ‘Danny Boy’. Both are that’s polished and detailed but not
gear and display duties. The effect on slow, quiet numbers that focus on the most romantic. If this blend of
the sound is very noticeable, with the vocals with minimal backing. attributes is what you seek, this is an
bass extending deeper and seeming Here they were taken apart and essential audition.
faster, as well as the general
levels of detail and separation
improving.
The front panel of the The Cyrus is ultra wideband, its upper Frequency response 1Hz-200kHz
Pre-XP features two buttons response limit extending past 200kHz. Separation 89dB
There is no band limiting, allowing RF Noise (e.i.n.) 4µV
for scrolling up or down the
breakthrough into the power amplifier. Distortion 0.005%
input selection. There is also a Gain was low at x2 (6dB). but each Gain x2/6dB (x6 max)
button labelled Zone 2, and one channel can be gain trimmed by Overload 2.5V out
marked Setup which accesses +/–10dB (x3) giving a maximum gain of Frequency response (-1dB) CD
the menu to allow for equalising x6 (16dB). 2Hz-21.2kHz
input levels, assigning names to Output overload was very low at Distortion, 16bit (%) 0dB 0.001
inputs and adjusting the display. 2.5V, just above the 1-2V needed by -60dB 0.2 VERDICT
Sleek and clean sounding compact
This covers information about power amps for full output - barely Noise (IEC A) -99dB preamp that’s exceptionally versatile.
source choice and volume satisfactory. Input noise was low at Dynamic range 97dB
setting. The Zone 2 setting 4µV or -88dB below 100mV. DISTORTION CYRUS PRE-XP/PSX-R £1,925
The preamp gave 2V output from
operates a remote amplifier Cyrus Audio Ltd
its S/PDIF digital input, at full gain and )
based in another room, but from a full level input signal, enough +44 (0) 1480 435577
sharing the same source to drive all power amps. Frequency www.cyrus.co.uk
components. response extended flat to 21.2kHz with
FOR
a 44.1kHz (CD) input and distortion
SOUND QUALITY at -60dB was low at 0.2%, sinking to - detailed, pacey sound
Via the preamp's built-in DAC, 0.08% with a 24bit input, so the digital - design, build, finish
with direct digital feeds from convertor is very linear. - multiple inputs
my MacBook, the results were The Cyrus measured well via - highly versatile
very good and served to analogue and digital inputs, so should
give very good sound quality. NK AGAINST
demonstrate the limitations
of the DACs supplied in the - too cerebral for some

ELECTROCOMPANIET EC4.7 £1,930
E
stablished in Norway in melody and flow of the sound, rather it moved over the drum skin, were
1973, Electrocompaniet than the high drama that the Prima very clearly displayed. Such attention
make a wide range of Luna displayed. I would describe the to detail meant that the stereo image
premium electronics, and sound as less impactful. There didn’t was very well handled, with lots of
the EC4.7 preamp sits seem to be quite as much bite on shape displayed, yet still I'd have liked
in the middle. It's a line the crescendoes of music as the two a little more solidity behind the sound,
level-only device offering six inputs, valve amps managed, yet there was a rather than the preamp seeming to
one of which can be in balanced XLR sweetness to the sound that never let focus just on delicate detailing. At
form. This is a big unit, measuring it be less than beguiling. It was never times the performers felt a little too
483x410x115mm and weighing 8kg. less than very nice to listen to. ethereal; not quite as substantial as I
The fascia is thick acrylic, into which Playing the Fats Waller track and I would have liked.
are sunk four gold buttons control- found myself noticing the detail of his Overall this is a very capable
ling volume and source selection, the fingering of the keys more than I had, conventionally sized preamplifier with
latter being displayed in a alphanu- but at the expense of a little of the a good range of inputs, and (for some)
meric screen on the left. The volume perceived energy and power of the the all-important balanced operation;
position is noted by a blue light that playing. Going over to CD and again if the rest of your system can run
travels in a circle around the gold E I found it was the little bits of shape balanced this is a real sonic benefit
logo in the centre of the panel. These and detailing around the sounds that to have a balanced preamp. The
controls are also duplicated on the caught my ear, taking precedence again Electrocompaniet is by nature a sweet
supplied remote control. over the dynamic of the music. Little sounding smoothie, just a little too
The back houses the array of details such as the sound of hand soft, delicate and romantic for some
phono sockets, plus a pair of balanced bells being jingled, or the alteration perhaps, but a great many will love it
XLR inputs and outputs. Above the of the shape of a drummers hand as all the same.
socketry there is a sliding switch
to choose the required level
of gain from the two settings.
The pressed steel casework
The EC 4.7 has two gain settings, 0dB
is finished in a crackle black
or no gain, and +9dB or x2.8 gain. The Frequency response 1.5Hz-90kHz
paint that reminded me of the latter is a fairly standard figure and Separation 107dB
dashboard of an MGB sports will cope with most sources, being Noise (e.i.n.) 6µV
VERDICT car. It's neat enough but not equivalent to a 357mV input sensitivity Distortion 0.0005%
Versatile, fully balanced design with a as svelte as the Cyrus, for when feeding a 1V sensitive power Gain x2.8 (9dB)
very sophisticated and musical sound. example. Internally there is a amplifier. External phono stages will Overload 21V out
ELECTROCOMPANIET EC4.7 toroidal transformer and what need healthy gain to match, around
is described as “a reservoir x200 for MM and ten times more for
£1,930 DISTORTION
of capacitance far beyond MC.
Electrocompaniet Input overload was higher than
)
+44(0) 20 8893 5835 necessary”.
10V and output swing 21V before
www.electrocompaniet.com overload, so there are no limitations
SOUND QUALITY here.
FOR After the tonal richness of Frequency response was wide,
- highly detailed sound the Prima Luna and the rather stretching from 1.5Hz up to 90kHz
- polished presentation cooler take on things from within 1dB limits and distortion very
- musically involving the Cyrus, I found yet another low at 0.0005%. Input noise was 6µV
- fine imaging presentation of the music (A weighted), or -84dB below a 100mV
- balanced operation with the Electrocompaniet input signal.
EC4.7, which I'd call lyrical and The EC 4.7 measured well in
AGAINST polished. Playing ‘Aida’ I found every area and is likely to have fine
- prosaic finish sound quality. NK
myself more occupied with the

MF AUDIO CLASSIC v2 SILVER £4,500
F
irst launched in 2003, the impressive, although not quite the rightness of the sound. Bells tinkled,
Classic preamplifier can be biggest that I have heard, that honour drums thudded and pipes whistled
had in two forms. Either goes to the Modwright LS36.5 (with and droned, each seemingly correct
the copper wound vari- PS 36.5 power supply) that I reviewed in its relationship with the sounds
ant for £2,200 plus VAT or in the May 2010 edition of this surrounding it. My listening notes
the silver would version magazine. got a little sketchy here, because I
here. The silver in question is in the Moving to ‘Aida’ and the level of must confess that I got so involved
windings of the transformer which is detail that fell out of the speakers was in the music that I forgot the reason
99.99% pure; the V2 means this model impressive, as was the unforced way that I was listening in the first place.
is fitted with the newer, larger trans- in which it was presented. Easy and This is the biggest compliment that
formers. The casework is a handsome effortless, the MF Audio just delivered I could pay this machine; it is simply
brushed aluminium case measuring music in a comprehensive manner superb. Although very expensive,
88x216x200mm. that seemed just right; the sound was the Music First preamp takes sound
On the front are two large rotary spacious, multilayered, with pinpoint reproduction to such a level of
knobs, the left controls the volume precision in the placing of sounds in realism that the very high cost seems
via twenty four steps, and the right front of me, and had a tonal balance completely justified. Very expensive
one, the source selection. At the back that was completely natural. yes, but this preamplifier was added
are four RCA unbalanced inputs and With ‘Arabesque’ via CD, I again to the group to see what’s possible
two XLR balanced ones; there is also found myself focusing on the inherent when serious sums are invested.
a switch to change from 0 to
+6dB of gain should you partner
this with an insensitive power MEASURED PERFORMANCE
amplifier. The knobs use Swiss The Music First Audio preamp measures very well in all areas. NK
made Elma silver contact rotary has a slight lift up in treble at high
switches, and more 99.99% pure frequencies, peaking by a small +1dB Frequency response 0.15Hz-35kHz
silver cable with PTFE insulation at 35kHz, before rolling away to -3dB Separation 60dB
is used for the internal wiring. at 100kHz, when set to high gain. This Noise (e.i.n.) 22µV VERDICT
flattened somewhat at half gain, but Distortion 0.0002% Superb preamplifier that lets the rest
SOUND QUALITY at all gains (or attenuations) response Gain x2/6dB of your system make hay. Clever
transformer design gives balanced
This time I started listening with from 0.15Hz-20kHz was flat, except Overload >10V out operation with gain. Expensive, but
when feeding a load of less than 5k
the Belafonte LPs and the Music not over-priced for its performance.
ohms, when treble started to roll down.
First seemed to live up to its As most inputs are 10k or more, this MF AUDIO CLASSIC V2
DISTORTION
name with the most gorgeously should be acceptable. Input impedances SILVER £4,500
open and detailed soundstage of 1kohms will be too low though. Music First Audio
of any of the units here. I Distortion was vanishingly low at )
+44(0) 1424 858260
felt that I was closer to the all frequencies, right up to 10V output;
www.mfaudio.co.uk
actual performance than I had the transformer is very linear, the
been before, with singers and worst case result being 10V in / 20V FOR
musicians firmly placed on the out at 40Hz, measuring 0.02%, second - superbly clean and detailed
stage at the Carnegie Hall. The harmonic. But this is not a realistic - excellent soundstaging
situation. - shimmering treble
background was the quietest yet,
Gain was exactly zero when set to - balanced operation & gain
with an inky blackness that still 0dB and +6dB, x2, when set to +6dB.
managed to create a perception Noise was low enough at 22uV.
of the size of the space lost in AGAINST
The Music First Audio preamp
the darkness. Stage width was - price, sadly...

WorldMags
WorldMags
H
appily, this group didn’t
have any nasty surprises;
essentially we had a
mixture of passive, active
tube and active solid-
state preamplifiers and
they all justified their position in life.
What they did to is to cater to quite
different audiences, which I’ll try to
demonstrate as I run through each
machine individually.
Given the wide variety of
prices here, any order of merit has
to be based both on sonics first
and foremost, but with value a key
consideration too. However, others
might conclude differently if they
place the emphasis more on size,
MF Audio Silver Classic v2; capable of breathtaking sonics, and versatile too.
build, upgradeability and flexibility;
as ever it’s ultimately down to each Justifies its lofty price tag!
customer’s individual requirements. overpowering, the sound was deeply This leaves the number one slot
So, at number six in overall hued and very full bodied, but with a to go to the Music First Classic V2
quality was the Creek OBH-22. This dark and slightly mysterious edge to Silver. In his review of this in the
is not damning with faint praise, it. If you imagine the voluptuousness November 2010 issue of Hi-Fi World,
but rather a testament to the of Nigella Lawson crossed with the David Price felt that a purchaser
capabilities of this unassuming little gothic intensity of Morticia Adams would have to spend over £7,000 to
box that it can stand comparison and I think you have the sound of the better its performance, and I would
with preamps costing between twice Prologue 3! It was very enjoyable, totally agree with this. The sound of
and well over ten times as much. In with textures that you could run this passive transformer preamplifier
terms of the sound per pound you
get, this is the winner, as it gives an
open, detailed and accessible sound "huge sonic gains are possible
without the muddle of so many
cheap preamplifiers. For the price by upgrading your preamp – think
it is peerless, but in outright terms
it is beaten by the other (more greater space, scale, depth, power
expensive) competitors...
Next up was the
Electrocompaniet EC4.7. I enjoyed
and detail, plus more exuberant
its delicacy and detailing; it's svelte,
couth, subtle and musical in a way
rhythms and dynamics..."
that few price rivals are and it has
the benefit of balanced operation your fingers through, and sounds was unerringly open, expansive,
which brings a more solid and punchy that had enough substance that you beautifully detailed and tight in its
sound. However, via RCA phonos I almost felt that you could eat them. timing and imaging. Without going
still wasn’t entirely convinced about However, I sensed that there was a into the ‘silly-money’ price tags I
the substance of what I was listening slight tendency to over play things can think of nothing around that
to. If you generally play mellow a little, and it seemed that a little can better it in overall performance.
melodic music then this will serve honesty got lost in the process. This It’s very expensive but in no way
you well, but if you like a bit more seemed a forgiving and somewhat exorbitant, I feel.
passion and intensity in your sound flattering unit, which will make many There’s a vast gulf between the
you might do better to look to the friends, but proved just a little to full- high end MF Audio and the budget
fuller sounds of others here. bodied for my taste buds. Creek (excellent as the former is
Coming from almost the The second place winner is the at the price), showing that huge
opposite direction is the next runner Icon Audio LA4. Here I felt that the sonic gains are possible by upgrading
up, the Cyrus Pre-XP and PSX-R tonal balance was better maintained. your preamp if you’re fortunate
combination. This is unbeatable Where there was colour on the enough to have the funds. Think
in terms of facilities on offer and sound, it was shown, but it wasn’t as greater space, scale, depth, power,
upgrades. I found the sound quite ‘full-fat’ as the Prima Luna had been, bass, midband and treble detail and
cool and even handed, but for my striking a more defined line between atmosphere – plus more believable
taste, a little too controlled. I like a pace, shape and detail. Add in the fact rhythms and dynamics. So each of
bit of colour and fire in my sound, that it is roughly half the price of the these is very good in its own right
and whilst the Cyrus combination Prima Luna and it is something of an and any potential purchaser should
gave a very detailed and incisive audiophile bargain. The substantial be pleased with their acquisition,
rendition of whatever was played remote control is effective and the but spending more money does buy
through it, I found that it didn’t whole package is seemingly well put better performance. It’s down to
engage me emotionally as much as together and finished. Especially as you to decide how much better, and
the next contender, which is.... it is the second cheapest unit under where this ties in with your desired
The Prima Luna Prologue 3, review here, it offers great sound, tonal balance and the other things
which was all fire and intensity. solid build and well thought out you’re going to hook up to your
Enjoyable but occasionally facilities. preamplifier. TB

REVIEW WorldMags
Ninth
Wave
The brand new A9 is Spendor's latest high end speaker;
Noel Keywood listens in...
A
h Spendor – Spencer and the intrinsic sound of Spendor's
Dorothy! Long ago and ep38 polymer cone that is clean
far away from today's and well damped, adding not one
brutally commercial real- jot to the sense of upper midband
ity an ex-BBC engineer hardness that so many transistor
set out to produce a amplifiers display. This is quite unlike
'proper' loudspeaker, one that was metal cones, that can be unfortunate
pure and accurate. Spencer Hughes partners for some less svelte
and his wife Dorothy put onto transistor amplifiers.
the market the BC1 and it got a The A9 also uses the ep38 cone
great reception around the world. material, in the critical midrange
Today we choose to use Spendor unit, affecting vocals and string
S8e loudspeakers as our in-house instruments in particular. The
'benchmarks' against which other smaller A6 is in fact the successor
loudspeakers are judged – and they to our S8es, similarly being a
remain effective in this role after two way loudspeaker. The A9 is
several long, hard years. So when designed for better bass handling,
Spendor's new A9s reached our having two 180mm Kevlar cone
offices recently I was eager to hear bass units compared to the single
them. ep38 polymer 150mm cone of the
Hailing from the BBC I don't bass/midrange unit in the A6. That's
think Spencer or Dorothy spent too quite a lot of cone area and Philip
much time listening to the Rolling Swift, MD of Spendor, explained
Stones at that time; Spendors were to me that he had tried for a
voiced for classical music and have more controlled bass than that of
had an easy demeanor ever since. earlier models (note: Philip founded
Forget speedy bass, or that slight Audiolab and designed the 8000A
crack in the upper midband, Epos amplifier; read more in Wikipedia).
style, that gives an impression of Cabinet size always helps when
speed. Searing treble? Not here we're talking bass and the A9s are
please! quite big, just nudging past the 1
For these reasons people are metre height norm; they stand
commonly underwhelmed, even 1030mm high without spikes and
disappointed, by the sound of our 1050 with them. In keeping with
S8es (we use them as 'benchmarks' their pedigree a range of elegant real
not 'references'). And over the years wood cabinet veneers are offered
it has become obvious that the S8es and our samples came in a well
suit solid-state amplifiers with a high patterned Light Oak. Construction
damping factor; they sound distinctly quality and finish are good, if conven-
tubby with valves or Naims. tional.
Conversely, they have proven to Weighing 27kgs the A9s are
be a magic match for our in-house movable without difficulty, although
Musical Fidelity AMS50 amplifier; it as usual spikes complicate the issue
holds their otherwise fulsome bass a bit and alternative rubber or PVC
in an iron like grip whilst they act as feet are not an option.
a foil to the amplifiers dry, concise This is basically a reflex
delivery, the final result being loudspeaker; a long slot port sits
nothing other than impressive. at the bottom of the cabinet's
What I am identifying here is rear face, to load the bass units.

REVIEW WorldMags
smoothed nicely and needed little on the 'Supernature' CD.
more. I gave them more all the same, Spendor talk about the A9s
another three nights in our listening sounding “fast” – not a phrase
room being pummeled with Monitor Spencer or Dorothy would have
Audio’s surreal sounding De-Tox used methinks! – and this they
disc (gentle background noise with do. The easy clarity of the ep38
lots of plinks and plonks that vary in polymer midrange unit gives vocals
intensity over a long period – yes, I a naturalness that I love and strong
have listened to it all!). treble seemingly lifts speed and
The A9s remained stable in incision. Exactly where to draw the
presentation over this second period balance in this sort of trade off is
and sounded right to me, unlike for an artistic decision made by the
example the B&W 804Ds I reviewed designer and Spendor’s is heading
recently that sounded unhappy until into modernity, shall I say. Even
run in for more than one hundred within a gentle song like Eleanor
and twenty hours, whereupon they McEvoy’s ‘Just for the Tourists’ from
suddenly shone – the degree of ‘I’d Rather Go Blonde’ there was
difference being a shock! some obvious sibilance and in the
This sort of experience opening of ‘I’d Rather Go Blonde’ the
complicates the review issue badly; violin Eleanor plays so vigorously, as
when is a loudspeaker in a state that we saw and heard when she played
represents its final performance? I live at the UK’s 2010 Whittlebury
suspect modern synthetic materials Audio Show, had a shriek that was
need be worked long and hard to challenging – and unlike the real
"the A9 has a wonderful midband and

some of the best bass you’ll hear from
a loudspeaker of this type..."
settle. Luckily, I know what Spendors instrument. So treble quality wasn't
sound like, including the STs (April this loudspeaker's particular area of
2010 issue) and the A9s were excellence; I'd advise owners to use a
working properly in the end I feel. nice, smooth, silky front end with the
As always, the review was started A9 for best results.
with our Musical Fidelity AMS50 At this point it is time to talk
Class A transistor amplifier, one of about that rare property in modern
the few transistor amplifiers that loudspeakers – reproduction of
sounds as if it is working properly. timbre. It's here you have reason to
All the same, where the AMS50 'think Spendor'. The midrange unit
was perfect with our S8es, offering resolves timbre with a magnificence
redemption for their fulsome bass that did justice to the instrument
by holding it in a grip of steel, I in Nigel Kennedy’s hands, giving it a
did in the end drift away from the lovely, full bodied character. When
AMS50 to our Icon Audio MB845 Nigel was not bowing the higher
MkIIs for good reason. Treble from strings of his violin, the Spendors
the A9s could be a little astringent sounded like few others, falling back
at times and the AMS50 did nothing to their roots with satisfying honesty.
to hide the fact. The MB845s, that All in all, I found myself slowly drawn
with other loudspeakers I have into Mr Kennedy’s moving interpre-
described as “almost soft”, helped tation of Massenet’s ‘Meditation’. It
lessen this effect. But even with the would be churlish to say the A9s
MB845 MkIIs driving the A9s, damped were anything other than excellent
ride cymbal hissed at me on Alison in the end, even if imperfect.
Goldfrapp’s 'Fly Me Away'. This is But then, every loudspeaker is a
an effect I remember from the ST whole host of compromises and
and is Spendor’s view of how treble whilst treble might be 'obvious',
should be balanced relative to all Spendor’s midrange unit is nothing
Connection is through sturdy WBT else – which for me is too obvious other than superb. Instruments
terminals that accept 4mm plugs, to result in total happiness. But in The Royal Philharmonic were
bare wires and spades connectors, Alison Goldfrapp’s voice was clear convincingly differentiated by timbre
but bi-wiring is not an option. as a bell, and even if a little sibilant in Tchaikovsky's 'Pathetique' for
at times, intensely detailed all the example, horns having a rich brassy,
SOUND QUALITY same. Raised treble sent forth waves sound and a fruity rasp, violins having
Listening to the A9s quickly as of information and this gave the A9s a nice, rich sound from the bodies,
delivered, and then after forty a deeply insightful nature, synths whilst timpany had weight and a good
eight hours of running in with pink rasping viciously in 'Koko' as Ms sense of dynamic contrast, placing a
noise, showed they had settled and Goldfrapp went about her business large and convincingly real orchestra

WorldMags
EXCELLENCE VALUE DESIRABILITY
Inspire Hi-Fi
Presents
TURNTABLE
F O R T W E LV E I N C H A R M S
IMPROVED TRACKING . AMAZING SOUNDS . STUNNING LOOKS

STRICTLY NO RETAIL MARK UP - SAVING YOU THOUSANDS OF £££’s
QUITE SIMPLY - CHEAPER AND BETTER THAN THE REST!
“Ignore the price tag - the Eclipse sev2 12” is designed and manufactured to perform
(like our other turntables) BETTER than turntables at SEVERAL TIMES THE PRICE.
Book your Demo now (home apointments available). It brings a whole new meaning to
analogue reproduction - nothing added - nothing taken away... quite refreshing really!”
Robert Isherwood - Managing Director - Inspire Hi-Fi Ltd.
S
RE HI-F PEC
AD I W IA
£2,799 Part Exchange
ER OR L
OF LD
TURNTABLE with SME M2-12 Arm FE
R
We can take you old
Also available with other 12 inch arms such as Audio turntable as part
Origam PU7 12 and SME V12 - Ask for very special price payment!
Unit 11 / Markham Vale Environment Centre / Markham Vale / Chesterfield S44 5HY
Tel: 01246 827272 Mobile: 07932 367555 Email: robert@inspirehifi.co.uk www.inspirehifi.co.uk
HI-FI WORLD HI-FI WORLD
TURNTABLE TURNTABLE for Linn LP12 Turntables
WorldMags
REVIEW WorldMags
big hit with the A9 is bass quality. that you could say had detail, rather
From a slightly smaller cabinet than being a mellifluous outline
the A9s manage the same sort of description of what was being played.
expressiveness as Triangle’s Antals Also, bass was tight enough and in
I reviewed last month. They have suitable proportion to all else to
obvious bass power and are as tight allow near-wall positioning in a room.
and controlled as anything on the
market today. Interestingly, bass CONCLUSION
quality was identical with the high Spendor's new A9 is one impressive
damping factor AMS50 transistor loudspeaker. It offers a more modern
amplifier and the low damping factor take on sound quality than Spencer
MB845 valve amplifiers, suggesting or Dorothy would recognise, yet it
they rely more on acoustic and still has a wonderful midband and
magnetic damping within the some of the best bass you'll hear VERDICT
loudspeaker itself than electrical from a loudspeaker of the type. Highly accomplished large floorstander
damping presented by the amplifier. Spendor remain attuned to good with a powerful, bracing sound. Use
smooth sources for best results.
And that's good. engineering principles. Only the
The A9s run low but keep the tweeter warrants remarking on, its SPENDOR A9 £3,995
lows under good control so there’s lively nature meaning that buyers Spendor
) Audio Systems Ltd
no waffle. This helped stabs of heavy should make sure they've got a +44 (0)1323 843474
synthesiser bass from ‘Monster’ push smooth front end and/or amplifier www.spendoraudio.com
out firmly into our listening room, for best results. So the A9 is a very
FOR
whilst Lady GaGa chimed out clearly well developed loudspeaker with
- even sound balance
centre stage. Always grippy, they beat impressive ability, and proves well
- tight, tuneful bass
out Led Zeppelin's 'Heartbreaker’ worth auditioning, whether you
- broad amplifier matching
with an insight I am unused to. It like Classical music like Spencer
was breathtaking to hear those and Dorothy, or prefer Lady GaGa
AGAINST
classic guitar riffs thrust out so instead!
- needs smooth front end
clearly. Cymbal crashes
were a little lively, but
Bonham's drumming MEASURED PERFORMANCE
was perfectly captured.
Our stepped sine frequency response and this is a true 8 Ohm loudspeaker,
in front of me. It was with my
analysis shows a smooth characteristic where most nowadays are 6 Ohms at
The A9s have an almost dry usual bass test, the down to 300Hz, albeit with a lift around most. Amplifiers of 40 Watts or more
quality, again much like the STs and emphasised walking 10kHz sufficient to add brightness to are needed.
unlike the S8es, and this worked bass lines in Angelique the sound, when measuring between Bass distortion below 80Hz was
well with classical. It also worked Kidjo CDs, that the A9s mid and tweeter. Measuring on the higher than usual from the drivers,
well elsewhere; they delivered vocals were superb. They have mdrange axis, phase matching was rising to 7% at 40Hz, but unusually
with a convincing sense of body and no resonant lift, just an insufficient to avoid a deep phase low from the port, around 1%, down
Jackie Leven’s rich baritone delivery even delivery of bass suckout appearing between mid and to 25Hz; as the port does most work
was nicely captured on ‘Fairy Tales notes across the scale treble units. at low frequencies these results bode
A pink noise analysis carried well. From 100Hz to 6kHz distortion
of Hard Men’. Every little vocal from high right down
out at various distances and heights hovered around 0.3%, a normal enough
nuance was laid out in front of me to the lowest, with
showed the A9’s bass extends down to result.
on ‘Desolation Blues’, sudden vocal near perfect grip and subsonic frequencies, the port exciting The A9 has an even tonal balance.
pushes from his tightly modulated power. The A9's bass is a room mode at 24Hz for example. This It is likely to have an obvious subsonic
delivery made obvious, bringing out both powerful and fast. is attributable to a peak in port output kick, dry, well controlled and clean
the song’s melancholia. Lone strikes against a at 28Hz (see the red trace), the port lower bass and an easy sounding
'Extremely Violent Man' entered bass drum were strong, providing bass below 70Hz, our red port midband, but some treble emphasis. NK
with real bite to crashing guitar but not overly large, trace shows. A pink noise analysis also
chords and whilst hand drums beat and the repeated low suggested quite a light bass balance;
this is not a bass heavy loudspeaker. FREQUENCY RESPONSE
out a regular rhythmic pattern in the bass notes in 'Wombo
But the subsonic peak will add 'heft'. +20
background Jackie’s voice was clear Lombo' were handled
The impedance trace is impres- +10
and hard etched in the foreground, with perfect control.
sively flat in basic trend, especially dB
explaining “even my mother had to Spendor move up at low frequencies, meaning low
0
look away”. to the top of the league reactance and even current draw from -10
The sound stage was just a here; the A9s deliver amplifiers, and this indicates good
little in front of the loudspeakers bass that defines what acoustic/magnetic damping and quite -20
and its boundaries just beyond is possible from a box a tight or well controlled bass quality. -30
20 100 1k 20k
them at either side, although this of the size. I strongly There is no sign of under-damped Hz
boominess, or the lively bass quality Green - driver output

is to some extent a room function, suspect their bass
this produces, and near wall placement Red - port output
affected by side wall reflections (ours drivers are very well
may suit the A9. The 200mS decay
are acoustically damped). With a proportioned for the IMPEDANCE
spectrum was fairly clean, with some
gentle arc up and across between task, because the lack 50
overhang at 280Hz and 80Hz.
the loudspeakers the sound stage of change in perceived Sensitivity was reasonable at Ohms
was seemingly open and expansive, bass quality between 87dB, if not as high as many modern 30
locking Jackie’s voice firmly at centre our amplifiers is unique floorstanders that reach 90dB. One
and quite high in front of me, always to date and suggests reason is use of a 7 Ohm DCR bass unit,
a nice effect since the singer hovers better drive units where most are 4 Ohms and draw more
10
high, at what is a believable stage than is common. Like amplifier power. Overall impedance
position. the Antals, they had measured a high 8.6 Ohms as a result 0
10 Hz 1k 20k
Where Spendor have scored a expressive bass, bass

REVIEW WorldMags
On The
Button Teac’s feature-festooned A-R650
amplifier promises a big bang for just a
few bucks. Paul Rigby tries it for size.
F
ans of true comedy will be at this new budget amp from the of the eco-friendly and convenience.
familiar with one Anthony company and tell me what is the Especially, when many modern
Aloysius St John Hancock, difference between it and one of appliances only offer a standby
resident of 23 Railway Hancock’s toys? This is so retro button and most hi-fi equipment only
Cuttings, East Cheam and that when I connected it up to my provides a power button. Underneath
the TV version of his highly reference system to allow it to run in that is a headphone socket.
successful radio series. Called simply, over several days, I almost expected To the right of the source
‘Hancock’, it featured one of his best to hear Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky Mick selector is a Tape 2 button. Again,
loved episodes called the ‘Radio Ham’ & Tich warbling from my speakers... a nice addition that recognises us
in which the lad was surrounded Knob festooned it may be but Luddite types who still use the little
by boxes of complex amateur radio it’s also very well made, considering analogue treasures. What might
equipment, through which he would the low price. It has a fascia quality cause a sprinkling of consternation
chat to fellow enthusiasts from and finish that is typical of Japanese among audiophiles is the inclusion
around the world. The kit itself was gear. As for that fascia, it comes of bass, treble, balance and loudness
full of switches and knobs, glowing with a gamut of facilities including controls. Most are placed centrally,
dials and bits and bobs. If you look a rotary source selector that, when in full view, standing proudly. It’s as if
carefully, in scene two, when Hancock turned, cycles though six sources Teac has put them in that place as
is in the middle of talking to a chap in including – despite what one popular a dare to anyone to kick up a fuss
Tokyo, just to the left of him on the hi-fi magazine declared during their about it. Okay, I’ll bite; why are they
desk, is a black box packed with dials. review – a phono stage. Below the there? They degrade the overall
A busy, busy thing it is too; well, that’s source selector is a brace of buttons sound rather than add to it. As soon
the Teac A-R650, that is... to select one or two sets of attached as you use the things they warp and
Alright, it isn’t. I was being speakers while, to the left, is a power malform the sound that staggers its
facetious. But I ask you, take a look and a standby button: a nice blend way to your ears and... yada, yada,

REVIEW WorldMags
"a feisty, dynamic, forceful and spirited

performer that’s musical and fun
to be around..."
yada. Well, I suppose the point is SOUND QUALITY the mood and adding ‘swing’, making
that it’s a budget device and in the The best way of assessing any piece you want to move and dance with
real world people whose lives aren’t of hardware – high-end or budget the rhythm.
governed by audiophile consider- – is first to feed it with the very The decision was made,
ations, will still find them useful. Fair best source possible, so it can show therefore, to ‘downgrade’ to a Pro-
enough, but I still don’t like ‘em! I’d its true colours, untrammeled by Ject Essential turntable, priced at
advise future owners of this amplifier boundaries. Hence, the jazz-infused around £150. The Pro-Ject’s less
to ignore them. Then they might go ‘It Could Happen To You’ from detailed approach gave the Teac a
away of their own accord. Diana Krall’s LP, ‘From This Moment way around those problem areas
Below the Four Knobs Of The On’ (Classic) was spun up on my accentuated by the Avid deck. Vocal
Apocalypse is the punch line, Teac’s reference Avid vinyl source. I initially detail was reduced which eased the
elbow in the ribs, their way of tested the effectiveness of the Source pressure on the wee amp to perform,
shouting, “gotcha!” Because there, in Direct button. With it engaged, the while upper midrange information
a swathe of subtle irony, is a Source Teac displayed more focus and detail was less demanding, meaning that the
Direct button that, when depressed, around the vocal delivery while detail Teac sounded less strained as it was
ignores all of the fancy knobs and was more insightful and relaxed. asked to decrease its workload. So
switches, including the bass/ treble/ The soundstage also magically I’d recommend a competent budget
balance and loudness, cutting through transformed from two to three turntable with the Teac, one which
to the core of the amplifier itself dimensions. will still produce plenty of pleasure
and concentrating on sound only. So, Generally however, the Teac for analogue fans but not push this
that’s all right then. Needless to say, did struggle to cope with the sheer amp too hard. I’d also suggest running
during the listening tests, this button amount of information that was it into the amp’s onboard phono
was depressed so that I wouldn’t be. being thrust upon it. My top end stage.
Switching to the rear and we can Avid turntable highlighted the Teac’s As it transpired, my Icon Audio
see two banks of speaker connectors slightly bright tonality, even via my PS3 reference phono amp rather
(popular in Europe, apparently) plus valve-based phono preamplifier. overwhelmed the Teac, causing it
outputs for a turntable, tuner, CD Krall’s vocal suffered from sibilance to sound strained. However, the
player, a tape or a CD recorder bank and, while bass was powerful and Teac’s own phono stage is quite
plus a second tape loop. Remote punchy, and upper mid frequencies perky and light on its feet for
control sockets are included if you were quite exciting via the extra bite the price, keeping all areas of
wish to buy the matching Teac CD applied to plucked strings, cymbals the soundstage in check and
player and tuner. Weighing in at 9.2kg, suffered from being too well lit. performing to an admirable
the Teac spans a fairly compact (for a Despite these initial problems, standard. It’s more than an
Japanese box) 435x142x355mm. the Teac proved to be musical, lifting afterthought, and suits the rest

WorldMags
WorldMags
REVIEW WorldMags
of the amp, and
similarly priced
ancillaries, well.
In keeping
with the notion
of the Teac
cutting its cloth
to suit its style
I then dropped
my Quad ESL-
57s and, instead,
hooked up a pair
of Mordaunt-Short
Aviano 1 speakers sounding just as lively and
REFERENCE SYSTEM
(£200). With these budget speakers happy as the Teac phono stage.
Avid Acutus turntable
installed, the Teac made more sense. Tested via a pair of Sennheiser
Pro-Ject Essential turntable
Being better matched and more HD650s, the headphone amp
SME IV tonearm
confident, the Teac seemed to relax. is well matched to the rest of
Benz Glider cartridge
Yes, vinyl still had that Alka-Seltzer the amp. Vinyl playback was
Icon PS3 phono stage
treble (‘plink, plink, fizz’) but the bass relaxed and at ease with life
Mordaunt Short Aviano 1 loudspeakers
seemed more integrated with the while CD replay was lively,
Quad ESL-57 loudspeakers
mid frequencies, making their output punchy and full of vigour.
Cyrus CD8SE CD player
more cohesive and coherent. Also,
Krall’s vocals benefitted from not CONCLUSION
being examined under such a strong The Teac A-R650 should not
Quad spotlight. be viewed as a long term purchase company has obviously voiced it to
Moving to the digital domain, for those looking to build a hi-fi with work well within its comfort zone,
I played Jo Stafford’s early fifties an ambitious upgrade path, as it’s not so when matched with good similarly
cut, ‘Easy Come, Easy Go’, via the happy when matched with higher- priced ancillaries, it really impresses.
JSP box set, ‘Beyond the Stars’. The end equipment. In fact, it performs It’s only if you’re looking for a budget
introduction of a lower resolution better with like minded elements in priced high end wonder that you’ll be
CD format helped the Teac the same hi-fi price bracket. Given disappointed. So I recommend careful
immeasurably. The treble problems compatible equipment to work with auditioning to get the best out of it.
experienced in the vinyl chain however, the Teac is a feisty, dynamic, When you do find those other boxes
were reduced. Yes, the upper mids forceful and spirited performer that that ‘click’ with the Teac then break
were still well lit but the overall is musical and fun to be around. out the champers because you’ll have
arrangement was far more civilised You can’t say fairer than that; the a hell of a party.
with no sibilance present. In
fact, the lifted midrange actually
helped to emphasise details in MEASURED PERFORMANCE
the mix, moving a finger here to
The modestly sized A-R650 is massively 15dB of boost and cut, making its
point to that textured sax and
powerful, producing 136 Watts into 8 action very coarse. The treble control
there to the vocal grain on that Ohms and 210 Watts into 4 Ohms. Its offered a more normal 10dB boost /
vibrato. heatsinks are fan cooled should this cut at 10kHz. A bypass button removes
Switching to rock and power be drawn, to prevent overheating these circuits from the signal path.
Kasabian’s ‘Shot The Runner’ because of their limited surface area. The A-R650 is powerful and
from the album, ‘Empire’ With a damping factor of 32, and a well measured well. Only the tone controls
(Columbia) improved the extended low frequency response, bass were a bit below par. NK
response even more. Rock should be strong.
blended well with the Teac’s Distortion levels were low after the Power 136watts
penchant for revelry. In fact, heatsinks warmed up; thermal compen-
sation seemed a little unsettled at CD/tuner/aux.
with rock infused within its guts,
times when cool. However, the circuits Frequency response 5Hz-45kHz
the Teac was a very different
machine indeed. Gone was
are well developed, as there was no Separation 76dB VERDICT £
high-order crossover distortion; from Noise -98dB Inexpensive, versatile and well made
the rather nervous, hesitant low to high power output at 10kHz the Distortion 0.04% budget amplifier that sports a punchy,
analogue transcriber, to be distortion pattern comprised second Sensitivity 290mV engaging sound. Needs intelligent
matching for smoothness, however.
replaced by this confident, harmonic and a little third at high Damping factor 32
swaggering macho hulk. In levels. As a result, the Teac should have TEAC A-R650 £245
the digital domain, rock freed a smooth, inoffensive treble quality. A DISTORTION Teac UK Ltd.
the Teac, encouraging bass to maximum level of 0.08% (1W, 4 Ohms, )
+44(0)845 1302511
bounce like a manic squash 10kHz) is low.
The phono stage was accurately www.teac.co.uk
court player while midrange and
equalised and has mild subsonic FOR
treble – while hardly incisive filtering to suppress cone flap from disc
– offered enough information to warps. It introduced -10dB cut at 5Hz, - build, facilities
genuinely excite the ear. Treble - feisty musicality
but did not affect response above 20Hz
sounded more comfortable, - power
- a nice compromise. With adequate
no tizzy fizzies were heard and sensitivity and overload, plus low noise - price
the lifted mids sounded more results with MM cartridges will be
natural. good. AGAINST
Finally, the included The tone controls were odd, the - dubious tone controls
headphone stage was tested, bass control possessing a massive - needs careful matching

MAIL WorldMags
mail
LETTER OF THE MONTH PRIZE
Visit our website at www.hi-fiworld.co.uk or

send your emails to letters@hi-fiworld.co.uk.
Letter of the month wins a pair of KEF iQ30
loudspeakers.
KEF iQ30 LOUDSPEAKERS
A pair of KEF iQ30 loudspeakers is on their way to JEREMY VILLANUEVA,

Letter of the Month winner in our FEBRUARY 2011 issue.
Letter of the Month

CABLE SOUND
I’ve been an occasional reader of hi-fi
mags over the years and witnessed the
ongoing wrangles regarding the effects
of cables on sound quality. I may have
missed some of the arguments on both
sides, but having recently read The
Super Cables Cookbook, by Allen Wright
of Vacuum State Electronics, I was
prompted to revise my understanding
of how electrical energy moves from
source to load. I have discovered that
the electrical theory I learnt at school
and college (City and Guilds) had left
me with a misunderstanding of what
electricity is or is not.
Rather than try to explain here Professor Richard Feynman had problems with electricity, so
myself, I include some links that provide perhaps we can be forgiven for not knowing too!
some basic electrical theory which I (PICTURE COURTESY OF APPLE COMPUTER)
believe demonstrates that, indeed cables
will inevitably affect sound quality in http://amasci.com/miscon/eleca. light bulb."
some way. html#electron Don't we tend to forget that
The notion that the electrical the power in our homes, all the
energy conveyed to the load is http://amasci.com/miscon/ener1.html light and heat, reaches us through
carried not in the conductor, but in its nothing, or what the Victorians
surrounding dielectric was a revelation Hi Matt. Thanks for the references. called "the ether". That's because it
to me. I thought all this was in the As they are publicly available I will has been through numerous power
realms of r.f. theory not relevant to take the liberty of quoting one part, transformers where the current
audio frequency or d.c. with acknowledgements and thanks flowed through space, not wire.
I suspect my misunderstanding is to William Beatty, Research Engineer, How wire directs current without
not uncommon given the explanations University of Washington, and the carrying energy seems contradictory
of electrical theory at sub-degree level Science Hobbyist website. – for it gets hot doesn't it? Where
and would perhaps explain why many "During an electric current, and how the energy is transmitted
people have difficulty accepting the the wires become surrounded is beyond my knowledge; I am not a
notion of cable sound. I wonder if an with magnetic field. This field IS the physicist, and nor is my name James
article produced by yourselves revising electrical energy. Also, whenever Clerk Maxwell I regret to say! We
this electrical theory, in the context of a pair of wires is connected to a are taught it exists in the electric
hi-fi, would help shed light on this murky battery or generator, the two wires and magnetic field that weakens with
area for those of us not so well versed? become oppositely charged, and distance from the conductor, but
Regards, they become surrounded with an just how do you conceive of power,
Matt Rowland invisible electrostatic field. This field hundreds or thousands of amps,
IS the electrical energy. Magnetic being transmitted through a vacuum?
and electric fields exist in the Sceptics will still ask: "where is the
www.vacuumstate.com empty space surrounding your lamp evidence of influence upon the
www.physics.princeton.edu/~mcdonald/ cord, and these fields contain the signal, irrespective of transmission
examples/EM/galili_ajp_73_141_ “wattage”, they contain the flow of mechanism?" of course. But realising
05.pdf electrical energy that powers the that energy exists in the fields, and

MAIL WorldMags
the fields are the electricity, makes happening in a cable. A400 and Sansui 555A, but I don’t
cable influence seem all the more The history of the twisted pair is think they do justice to the 'phones.
likely. In effect the power travels an interesting way of looking at the On browsing the internet they seem
through the insulation and space problem and seems to have become to have really good reviews, but one
surrounding the cable. the way to deal with modern high thing that bothers me is that they
I would love to "shed light on speed data transmission in digital seem hard to drive. I had Sennheisers,
this murky area" but, to be frank, I data links, including HDMI cable £30, in the seventies which I played
haven't a clue! The references you that relies of three high data rate/ through the speaker outputs of a
so usefully provide underline that bandwidth twisted pairs, carrying cheap amp and they sounded great.
this subject is for physicists, not hi-fi Red, Green and Blue digital video, Could I do this with the AKGs?
journos. Something metaphysically with audio interleaved. Thanks for James Gillen
deep lies in the notion of transmitting your reference. Bishopton
energy (i.e. doing work) via an On the flow of electrical current
invisible force though the nothingness Feynman wrote: ‘‘this theory is Hi James. Yes, you can drive
of a vacuum, if you ask me. I'll stick to obviously nuts, somehow energy headphones from an amplifier's
Tiddlywinks. NK flows from the battery to infinity loudspeaker outputs, without
and then back into the load, is really destroying them, and this is what
All this underlines to me that strange.’’ Feynman, however, did usually happens inside an amplifier;
existing measurement practices are not persist and left the problem the headphone socket is connected
inadequate to describe the sonic for others to find a reasonable to the loudspeaker outputs, often
performance of cables, and that just explanation, says Galilia and Goihbarg with a muting mechanism that cuts
because we can't 'measure' cables in a paper quoted by Matt. They out the loudspeakers. Headphone
in a particularly useful way, doesn't go on to explain what is happening impedance varies from 40 Ohms up
mean cables don't have their own when current flows in a wire, to 500 Ohms or so, we have found in
sonic characteristics. My ears tell something I hope you find interesting. tests. Alternatively, buy a headphone
me that cables can sound quite They say this knowledge has only amplifier; they usually have a simple,
obviously different, and yet I can't been available since the 1960s and low power silicon chip amp inside.
claim to understand why. I suppose a Professor Richard Feynman didn't NK
degree of humility is needed here; we attempt to tackle the problem of
don't need to understand something deriving a plausible explanation, so Hi James – we've reviewed a range
completely to use it and enjoy it; perhaps we can all be forgiven for of headphone amps over the years;
my cat doesn't understand how my 'not knowing'. NK the most recent being the Fidelity
house's central heating works but Audio HPA100 in the February
he's still chosen the room where the HEADPHONE AMPS 2011 issue, which we really liked at
boiler is as his bedroom! DP As a regular reader of your illustrious £350; it has a strong, punchy sound
magazine, which I enjoy greatly, I that makes the best of phones such
INFORMED OPINION cannot recall any recent reviews as the Sennheiser HD650. Musical
I am writing to express my of headphone amps. I am sure Fidelity's V-CANS at less than half the
disappointment at your choice of headphones play an integral part of price offers a more crisp and clean
Letter of the Month in the February many systems and I believe are as rendition, but there's less inner detail
issue. In his letter on cables Mr important as phono amps, being the and finesse; it's really great value
Villanueva refers to the vast amount last line in the audio chain. though. DP
of pseudo-science on the topic. My query is about matching
In fact there is a vast amount of ‘phones and amps. I don’t have a SOME OLD SOME NEW
proper science on the subject which particularly good hi-fi set up but as I have always admired your enthusiasm
he clearly has not bothered to I have been fortunate enough to for vintage hi-fi. I have changed many
investigate, unforgiveable when so acquire AKG 702 headphones your parts of my system over the years and
much information is only a mouse advice would be appreciated. have now found a system I love to listen
click away. I would suggest that he My current amps are Pioneer to for hours on end. I have a Garrard
logs on to Wikipedia and types
‘twisted pair’ in the search box.
The links in the article will lead
to a wealth of information on the
subject. Such an approach might also
benefit Mr Howgego, whose letter
on mains leads and interconnects
you published in the January issue.
Although in his case it was fairly
obvious that he had never actually
listened to any of the products that
he was denouncing. And I thought
inductive reasoning had gone out of
fashion after The Enlightenment!
Euan Grant
Hi Euan. I think you are being a little

unkind to Jezza. He is right that
there is a lot of pseudo-science on
all this and the standard lumped
parameter electrical model hardly Musical Fidelity's V-CANS headphone amplifier "offers a crisp and
provides enlightenment about what is clean rendition" says David Price.

MAIL WorldMags
– likewise, the KEFs – and has caused
me much soul searching, as to my future
system requirements.
Currently, I am planning on having
the Quads completely rebuilt by One
Thing Audio, having read various reviews
in Hi-Fi World and other mags.
The reasoning behind this decision
is that I live in a block of 50 year old
Council Flats, with the resulting problems
of lack of sound-proofing, due to the
building regs in force post-WW2, so
don’t need the problems of excessive
bass and the disturbance it causes my
TEAC VRDS-10, a lovely, big sounding, 18bit behemoth. neighbours, especially if I am having a
late-night session, i.e. Late Junction and
401 in a very solid heavy plinth. This IMPEDANCE MATCHING World on 3, on Radio 3.
has a Jelco 250ST arm with a Grado Today, I received the February 2011 In addition, as a man of 62 years, I
cartridge. I also have a Trichord phono edition of Hi-Fi World and as per usual, have become aware this past year, that
stage. The amplifier is Icon Audio Stereo perused the Readers Classifieds, before I am loosing the top end of my hearing.
40 and 'speakers are Tannoy 15in proceeding to the Letters pages, which This has been forcibly brought home
Monitor Golds in Lancaster cabinets. – as usual – were a mine of information to me by the use of the KEFs, as the
I also use a Leak Troughline 3 tuner. and ideas, but which – again as usual bass frequencies somewhat dominate
I have about 1500 LPs. – left me with more questions than the music and I find myself having to
I have thought about changing answers as to my own system. turn up the volume, just to be able
my very cheap CD player and will buy The first query regards impedance hear the treble frequencies, especially
secondhand. What would fit in with my matching of my Quad 57 'speakers and when listening to the Bach Brandenburg
system? I could pay up to £500 if it was WAD K5881 Mk2 power amp. Concertos. Those Recorders just
worth it. I am not familiar with current Since I acquired these items disappear into the mix. I’m considering
CD players but I need one as I own some years ago, the Quads have been bi-wiring them, just to see if it will
about 300 CDs. connected to the WAD via the 8 Ohm improve matters.
Please keep up the excellent articles connections, as that is how the amp was As regards the front end of my
on vintage hi-fi and I like to hear about configured when I bought it. At various system, my current turntable is a
other people's systems. regards times since then I have read that the Thorens TD150, with a Rega RB300
David Oxtoby Quads needed to be connected to the arm and a new Goldring 1042 pickup.
16 Ohm terminals; whereas, others say From what my ears tell me and from
Hi David – well as ever you've so to the 8 Ohm terminals. Just recently, I what I have read in Hi-Fi World, the
much choice if it's 'up to' £500! If have read that they should be connected Rega isn’t a suitable arm for the
it's 'very cheap', then look out for to 4 Ohm terminals. Thorens, as it is clearly too heavy for the
a good used Marantz CD52SE for Naturally, this becomes confusing suspension. I haven’t been able to get it
around £70, which is a surprisingly to those of us who don’t have to bounce properly, despite fitting – and
smooth and open performer, albeit the electronic background, to fully removing again – Linn LP12 springs.
a little light in the bass. Moving up understand these things. I also have a Denon DP 2000
by £100 and the CD63 KI Signature Today, on Page 51 of Letters, under Direct Drive turntable, which I was
is a great machine; still lovely after the item “Violins Etc. Part 3”, Noel given two years ago, but which is still
all these years. A big, smooth, open advises Peter Inghels of The Hague that waiting to be used. In addition, I also
and unerringly musical sound. At he should connect his 6 Ohm Tannoys to have a Goldring GL75 – minus its
this £150 pricepoint the Cambridge the 4 Ohm terminals of a Quad valve arm – but the chassis has previously
Audio CD4SE also appears; it's a John amp, as they will cope with even the 1 been butchered, by someone trying to
Westlake design and he tells me he's Ohm of an electrostatic speaker. fit another arm. Apart from a flat on
still surprised by how good it sounds. Given that the 57s are regarded as the idler wheel, which induces wow, it
I bought one for my brother fifteen a very difficult load to drive – apparently appears to be in very good condition.
plus years ago and he still loves it. It's drawing anywhere between 2 and 32 My problem is trying to decide
big hearted, bouncy and slick in the Ohms – would it be appropriate for whether to buy another arm for the
treble, considering it cost just £200 me to reconfigure my K5881 Mk2, Thorens – possibly a Jelco SA 750D,
in the late nineties. Add another £100 connecting the output terminals to the or Jelco 250ST, with a view to using a
or so and we're into TEAC VRDS-10 4 Ohm taps of the output transformers? better cartridge – or building a chassis
territory; lovely big sounding 18bit If so, would this improve – or worsen for the Denon DP2000 and sticking
behemoths with the added bonus of – the upper or lower frequencies of the the Rega on that. I do know that the
still having user serviceable parts, at system? And how would it affect the Denon runs absolutely spot-on, even with
least the last time I checked! There's volume, if at all? Getting the volume 180gm vinyl and the Rega/1042 in the
also the likes of Marantz's CD-72 level right is a pain already, with about a groove.
at this price, which is another really 10 degree rotation from quiet – spoken Because my RB300 is now 16 years
well made machine with a wide, word at same level as someone in the old, I have been trying to decide whether
sweet sound. By the time you're room – to too loud for my ancient ears. to have it overhauled and upgraded by
getting up to £500-600 then look for Recently, I have been obliged – due Audio Origami, or to buy a Rega clone.
modern machines now surplus to to a fault in one of the 57s – to replace Duo-Phonic are currently pushing the
requirements; we'd suggest a three them with the KEF iQ30 speakers I won ISOkinetic ISO 700 and Rega ISOweight
year old Astin Trew AT3500 is a really from Hi-Fi World in July 2009, for Letter for 390 smackers. Obviously, I wouldn’t
nice way to unload this sort of dosh. of the Month. This has shown up the consider putting it on the Thorens.
Hope this helps! DP strengths and weaknesses of the Quads Alternatively, the Michell Tecnoarm.

MAIL WorldMags
CD, Vinyl-turntable burn direct-CD,
Vinyl-memory stick-computer-CD
I do not expect LP12 quality
as my budget would only be £250
maximum but I would appreciate
your guidance on my best course of
action. Thanks for a great mag.
Yours sincerely,
Peter Smith
Sheffield
You have two easy options open to

you. One is to buy something like
an M-Audio Mobile Pre USB (£110
approx), which will record a line
level source into your computer,
which you can then edit to your
heart's content with the supplied
Send your ESL-57s to One Thing Audio to have them software, or something like Audacity
renovated/improved. (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/)
which is freely downloadable from
In your opinion, given the above coil. This done you'll have a lovely the internet. You can then burn this
decks, which would you choose – and if front end with a lively balance that to CD on your computer's DVD-RW
the Thorens, which of the Jelco arms, or will suit your ears, and your speakers. drive.
can you think of a better arm for it? DP The other way of course is to
Please note, that I am prepared to buy a secondhand CD recorder. All
consider upgrading to a better turntable As maximum power transfer is not of those late nineties models from
and arm, but not until I have had the an issue for you, technically at least Philips, Marantz and Pioneer gave
Quads rebuilt, and as that isn’t likely to using the 4 Ohm tap of the output very good sound quality (surprisingly
be before Easter, the turntable upgrade transformer is best for a Quad, so) in recording mode, but they're
will have to wait until much later in whose impedance drops to a few not ideal for playback; basically you'd
the year, due to my limited income – ohms at 20kHz. However, subjectively, need to record on them in 'real time'
possibly even 2012. I retired seven years you will not notice much of a change then play back the CD-R on a decent
ago – on medical grounds – to care for as this will only restore very high hi-fi CD player. This done, you'd get
my late father and am just about to treble by a small amount. As a matter at least as good sonic results as if
start caring for my aged mother, so my of course, when reviewing valve amps you'd gone by computer (probably
finances are somewhat limited at this I listen to both 8 Ohm and 4 Ohm better), but of course the editing/
time. outputs and find there is surprisingly scratch removal possibilities are very
Any thoughts you may have on the little difference between the two. limited compared to doing it on
above will be very much appreciated. NK computer. DP
Many thanks, once again, for your
excellent magazine. Long may you VINYL TO CD OPTIONS
prosper. I have recently sold my beloved I’m after some advice on upgrading my
Cheers, Linn LP12 turntable as I am shortly cartridge. I have, over the years, built
Russ Betts downsizing my property and wish to up what I consider to be a very nice
Havant save on space taken up by my vinyl system. To me it sounds just the right
Hants. collection. I will be saying goodbye to combination of detail and tone and I
the vinyl, but before I do so I would enjoy listening to all formats.
Hi Russ – firstly, I'm sure Noel will like to burn copies of the ones I have My question is regarding cartridges.
advise you on which taps are best not bought on CD. My problem is I have tried the Audio Technica OC9/II
to use for your ESL-57s. Let me that I am unsure of which way to go and this is just too bright for my tastes
say I think you're doing the right about this task as I would like decent and I have also tried a Dynavector 10x4
thing getting them 'One Thing'd'; the sound but also ease of use, without which gives me a nice sound but is
One Thing ESL-57s I lived with for breaking the bank. I have looked in lacking in the detail I want to hear.
several months were one of the best a few shops and also seen ads for I am at present using a Goldring
speakers I'd heard in a long time. either Vinyl-usb, turntable-computer- Eroica L cartridge which, to my ears,
Second, I'd be tempted to get the
RB300 rebuilt; there's no point in
buying another if you already have
one. As you know I think Audio The M-Audio
Origami do this superbly and so I'd Mobile Pre
send mine straight off. I'd also suggest USB will record
the Denon as the better deck to use a line level
of your two, providing you're sure source into
the Denon is perfectly healthy; some your computer.
parts are no longer easily available,
I am told. So, get the Denon re-
plinthed and serviced (including a
change of bearing oil, etc.), fit the AO
RB300 and use a 'toppy' cartridge like
an Audio Technica AT-OC9 moving

MAIL WorldMags
early part of next year. As he seems to that's a cut above the usual dire PC
be genuinely developing an interest in speakers. DP
music of various sorts, I am reluctant
to just hand this over with the built in BRENNAN
speakers – and that’s it. I know Spotify I came upon this web site http://www.
is useful and even an old codger like me brennan.co.uk/ and saw this device that
can appreciate it (I guess) but having seems to be a good storage and easy
a competent sound is important. He functionality. I own a Quad 34 that
knows about Spotify, and he also uses seems to be compatible with this device.
his father's old turntable a little to play I would like to know your opinion about
his dad's old records, and he also has it and if it's really compatible with my
Audio Technica AT-33EV is some CDs etc, etc, but he is also young Quad.
an interesting mix of the and computers are really where he is Thanks for your time,
AT-OC9's detail and incision, going for sure. Jos Carlos Elias
with a more benign tonality. I don’t want to complicate this, but
also I don’t want to end up offering him I've reviewed the Brennan for the
gives me the best sound from my VPI a below par sound either. Sunday Times, whilst Patrick Cleasby
Scout and Trichord Diablo vinyl front end. I know nothing of computer music did it for this magazine, and we both
The problem with this cartridge is that really, at the moment anyway, and agree that it's a decent bit of kit, but
it makes my – shall we say – better while I don’t want to spend a fortune, those used to specialist audio might
quality vinyl sound good but makes my I am happy to spend what will make find it wanting. It's certainly easy to
“getting on a bit” vinyl sound not it’s a serious difference, as I believe he use, and this is its real strength, but
best! will appreciate that. If he loses musical it's hampered by middling storage
I do realise the old adage of interest and takes up Quantum (by modern standards) and a limited
garbage in/garbage out but I was Mechanics instead, maybe his younger number of playback formats; you're
wondering if you could suggest an sister will inherit your words of wisdom. only really talking MP3 and WAV,
alternative cartridge which would play Finally, simplicity must be the key. so you can forget about FLAC and
my good vinyl well but not be too critical Over complication will probably not work AAC, which I think are the two
of my older vintage? for either of us. most important (and useful) formats
I have read your reviews of the Thanks guys, around right now. Whilst fine in
Ortofon Rondo Bronze and the Benz Neil Porter consumer audio terms, the Brennan
Wood SL and both of these seem to fit isn't really hi-fi, and Quad owners will
the bill, but could you recommend any Hi Neil, well I'm not sure if you want perhaps find it a little thin and two
others? I would be quite happy with me to recommend a computer as dimensional sounding, and a touch
either MC or MM designs if they give well as a computer sound system? I strident too. It's a decent little thing,
me what I want. use an Apple MacBook Pro and find but you'd probably outgrow it fast! DP
Thanks for any help you can give
me with this.
Andrew Burtchaell
I recommend the Ortofon Rondo

Bronze for this, as it is mild
mannered yet detailed. As you rightly
observe, you need to steer clear of
cartridges with a treble lift and this
alone reduces your options. A Denon
DL103 will also smooth things over
and give a full bodied, easy sound that
seems popular. Or there is even the
new Ortofon Cadenza Mono, for an
even smoother presentation, should
your oldies be mono. NK
Hi Andrew – I think the Audio

Technica AT-33EV (£450) is ideal for Brennan isn't quite up to Quad 34 standards of fidelity and
your purposes. It's an interesting does not handle AAC or FLAC, says David.
mix of the AT-OC9's detail and
incision, with a more benign and it brilliant for just about everything, CAN YOU HELP?
beguiling tonality and less upper including audio purposes, incidentally. I am pretty sure all of my kit has
treble lift. Whilst not exactly dull, Anyway, whatever computer you end received enthusiastic recommendations
it's certainly quite sweet, and suffers up with, I take it you want a small from you or your reviewers over the
poor recordings far better than the compact active speaker system with years, so I am hoping you can advise
forensic, unforgiving OC9. I believe serious sonics? If so, the B&W MM1 on where to go next. I have Spendor
there's been some positive discussion (£400) would be my recommen- SP 9 speakers (with upgraded wiring),
of them on the Timestep forum dation. They're USB designs and have Tannoy Super Tweeters, Esoteric 01 D2
(www.time-step.net). DP their own built in DAC, which means CD Player, Musical Fidelity KW 500,
you're not at the mercy of the nasty Nordost Red Dawn cabling throughout
BETTER SPOTIFY one (that's likely to be) built into the and IsoteK mains filter. Having built up
I’m looking to give my nephew a computer. They have high quality two the system carefully, I like all the kit and
laptop, his first computer just for his way drivers, and a decent amp, to it all works very well on a Quadrespire
own use, for a birthday present, in the give a fast, clean and delicate sound stand in a solid room. However, while

MAIL WorldMags
clear and powerful it can all lack a bit the entry level setup. I told David about spot, as now the soundstage is all
of emotion and warmth. Any thoughts my vast collection of CDs and what over the place. This is when listening
welcome on which component I might budget player should I look for, good to hi-fi gets most frustrating, and
change to get more warmth and feeling advice again in the form of Cambridge tiring. Eventually I re-clean the
into the sound. Audio 650C. speaker connections and wipe the
I was wondering whether changing So there you go folks, my new perspiration from my worried brow.
the KW 500 to something else might do system is Rega P 3-24 turntable, Audio I know that the speaker cables are
the job or maybe I am just finding the Technica AT 95 cartridge, Icon Audio terminated with very inexpensive
limits of the CD format? Any suggestions PS 1 Mk11 phono stage MM/MC plugs, care of Maplins, but they can
that you have in a price range with separate PSU, Icon Audio Stereo sound fabulous...until they don’t!
appropriate to the rest of the kit would 25 Mk11 KT88 integrated amplifier, What would be a good
be greatly appreciated. Cambridge Audio 650C CD player, Royd compromise plug for the speaker
Simon Hodgson Audio/ Royd Eden loudspeakers. terminations, and would these need
Bath Have you any advice on cables
England please?
Many thanks,
Whilst I like a lot of what Musical John Smee,
Fidelity does, I find the brand can be Pembrokeshire
quite variable in its output. This is
partly because Anthony Michaelson Gosh John, I was expecting to hear
has a wide ranging, and somewhat that you didn't follow my advice
eclectic set of proclivities; one minute and that in the end you bought an
he's trying to do sweet sounding Amstrad music centre, and could I
things with tubes, the next it's please suggest how to improve it! So
massive transistor monoliths with many folk I advise seem to go off on
more power than a JCB. With this in a tangent but amazingly you haven't,
mind I never really warmed to the so well done that man! Add a pair of Black Rhodium Tango loudspeaker
kW500. I was always impressed by I do hope you upgrade your cables and you'll be cooking on gas, says David.
it, sometimes even slightly scared turntable fairly soon, but in the
by it (you don't want to play fast meantime you've got a fine front end to be soldered professionally? After
and loose with the volume control, and it's doubtless already making nice so many years would it be wise to
lest your loudspeaker voice coils music. Add a pair of Black Rhodium replace the 'speaker posts on the
end up in your lap!), but I was never Tango loudspeaker cables (£15/m), Missions in case these are worn. If so,
charmed by it. That's not something which will see you right for many any thoughts with what?
I can say about the Musical Fidelity future upgrades, and a pair of Rhythm I also read with great interest
AMS35i – which has a lot less power interconnects (£50) which are a great the replacement Tube review (Jan’10)
but a lot more life, and delicacy. The match for your current good quality and am considering the TJ Full Music
'35 won't turn your listening room mid-price kit, and you'll be cooking 12AX7 as a suitable upgrade for the
into a live venue with sound pressure on gas. DP Primaluna. Would it also be a good
levels to match a PA, but it will still investment to upgrade the 12AU7s
go plenty loud with your Spendors LOUDSPEAKER CONNECTORS from the same source, or other?
and offer so much more detail, Please help my constant fiddling. I want some stability in my hi-fi
atmosphere and general musicality. As Over the years I have gathered what life, and just get back to the music,
such this would be my choice. DP I regard as some nice equipment and to complete reading Hi-Fi World!
which should be satisfying my ears, Many thanks,
MY NEW SYSTEM so I can just concentrate on listening Martin Trevers
I’ve been dreaming for the past 25 to the music instead of amusing (I Croxley Green
years, dreaming about valves and think!) my wife and my dog with
something like a Linn LP12, so I decided my constant speaker
it must be time now to have a really placement and checking
nice entry level system with the valve connections.
equipment coming from Icon Audio. My system consists
I’m no expert in system building so I of LP12/Cirkus, latest
decided to speak to the editor from Akito/Adikt, Lingo 1,
Hi-Fi world magazine where all my Primaluna Prologue
dreams began 25 years ago. David 2 (upgraded KT88s),
Price was on hand to help me but he Project Tubebox,
did have concerns with the fact I was Missions 752F (bi-wired),
spending fifteen hundred on valves and all connections are Van
only three-four hundred for something den Hul First Ultimate
like a Pro-Ject turntable. His advice and 'speaker cable is
was to spend around a thousand on a VdH The Wind
turntable and the three-four hundred I think my problem
for an amplifier, but David understood is with my speaker A top quality source of connectors is WBT of
I really wanted my dream valves and connections. When all Germany.
that I would probably upgrade to high connections are cleaned
end turntable some years down the line, with Kontak the sound is beautiful, Hi Martin. That is a fascinating
therefore the advice was go for a Rega transparent and a joy to listen. But problem, one I have never heard
P 3-24 because it surpasses everything within a few days the sound goes before. However, I well remember
else in it’s class, and fit an Audio off, so I start fiddling with speaker one reviewer who insisted on using
Technica AT 95 cartridge to stay with placement to re-gain that sweet old 30A round pin plugs that he

MAIL WorldMags
polished with Kontak regularly, plus from Diverse Vinyl
all other connectors and swore by with plenty of vinyl
the process. A top quality source to sell. On Saturday
of connectors is WBT of Germany the 6th after 12
and you can buy them from www. noon, Eleanor
hificables.co.uk, to name but one McEvoy popped in
source. You will have to resort to to sign copies of
a bit of DIY butchery if you wish her new album 'I'd
to replace the Mission's terminals. Rather Go Blonde'.
An alternative is to hard wire this David, didn't
connection, by either soldering direct you interview her
to the terminal posts or to the for the December
crossover inside the cabinet. issue of Hi Fi World?
Better yet again is to remove I found her to be
the crossover from the cabinet very charming, a
altogether and lead drive unit wires real nice lady. I got
straight out to it. We tend to put the my copy signed of
crossover in a plastic case, as there course.
are strong magnetic fields around the Anyway, back
bass inductors. You can then either to the show. There Benz Micro Wood "sounds fantastic", so
solder cables to it direct or use high was plenty of hi-end thanks to Tony Bolton.
quality WBT connectors. gear to drool over, missing something?
TJ Full Music valves have a good some of which had never been shown in Anyway your magazine stands out
reputation, as do NOS of various the UK before. from crowd. Please keep going.
manufacturers, especially Mullard and I was disappointed that you could Best regards
Philips. Also, cryogenically treated not come over to give your backing to a Goran Obrad
valves are interestingly purer in great weekend. I came away £200 plus
sound. NK lighter but a very happy vinyl person. Hi Goran – if you've read us over the
Anyway, I hope this event was a success years you'll know we've done a lot of
MB845 MK2S AND BENZ WOOD and that it will not be another 10 years classic reviews, and even sometimes
CARTRIDGE until the next one. It really was a great slipped classic kit into modern group
With reference to the MB845 Mk2s. I weekend. tests! You'll also know that we all use
found that triple shielded interconnects All the best, a combination new and classic kit
like the Cambridge Audio 70 efforts Andy in our reference systems; Noel the
are almost totally silent. I think it’s Garrard 401 turntable and me the
the big expensive transformers. Like Hi Andy, yes I did interview Eleanor Yamaha NS1000M loudspeakers, for
anything expensive (and big), they and found her as charming as you did. example. As for Tony Bolton's system,
tend to be noisy, and these monsters Thanks for an upbeat report of the well I struggle to find anything
are no exception. I tried all kinds of Northern Ireland show; we'll try and modern in it at all sometimes! Of
interconnects, mainly expensive, and make it over to the next one! DP course, some classic hi-fi is superb,
came down to these Cambridge Audios. and absolutely up to par (or indeed
Will you thank Tony Bolton for his OLDE WORLDE V NEW ORDER better) than the best of what is
review of the Benz Wood cartridge. As a lover of hi-fi for many years I available now. But it depends on what
I ordered one straight away on the finally stopped changing gears due to it is; for example, turntables have
review and it sounds fantastic: I don’t fact that I completed a system which moved on apace in the past twenty
like glopping around the countryside suits my musical tastes, sound and five years but CD players have only
auditioning hi-fi when I don’t know environment. It consists of Yamaha NS- improved significantly relatively
about the ancillary equipment such as 690 II loudspeakers, Aragon 24k+ips AV recently, and still the difference is less
noise limiting devices. I’d much rather preamp/2004 II power amp, Sony CDP- pronounced.
stay home and let you geniuses figure it XA50es CD player
out. moded, Thorens
Anyway, the cartridge turned up 145 turntable VdH
the following day, without payment, the moded, various
cheque having crossed in the post. That hi-end cables and
man is really trusting. He rang me up accessories.
the same day and asked me if I liked My question
it. I was deeply touched – thanks for to you is can retro
recommending them. hi-fi be in real
have a great time terms comparable
Best wishes, with new one? So
James & Cath Gould if I may suggest
that you in your
NORTHERN IRELAND HI-FI SHOW Olde Worlde
Hello to all at Hi-Fi World. Just thought column test
I would drop you an e-mail to say that similarly priced
the above event was great. It has been systems from £70
over ten years since the last hi-fi show or £80 and some
in Northern Ireland and I think this one newer ones, so we
was better. There was 35 stalls over will see are only
three rooms, including Krons, Lyric, Living design has been Eleanor McEvoy – charming and talented, says
Space and of course Paul and Matt changed or we are David.

MAIL WorldMags
Cartridges are generally far
better than of yore but most top
modern loudspeakers aren't substan-
tially better if at all; in fact they're just
different. One thing's for sure, though.
Budget hi-fi is far superior than the
entry level stuff of yesteryear; there's
never been a better time to buy your
first system, I'd wager. DP
PRO AUDIO & HI-FI

The review of the Weiss DAC in your
December issue prompted me to write
to you. For many years I have enjoyed
music using a whole range of hi-fi
equipment. As I became better paid I
took pleasure in assembling systems
with loops of ever thicker cable in an
effort to hear music as I thought I
wanted to hear it.
Naturally, I have had some good
pieces and some less convincing ones
but I think my recent experience of pro-
audio has made me question some of
the apparent barriers in the two worlds.
I carried out research online about pro-
audio before becoming involved and
Adam Audio make quality studio monitors and domestic hi-fi
in particular I was interested in studio
monitors. I have always used stand loudspeakers.
mounted speakers, as to me they offer wouldn’t you explore that? theory have certain strong benefits
the best compromise of accuracy, size What I bought were Adam Audio (dispersion), also break up badly,
and clarity and avoid monoliths in the S1Xs, a small monitor, £1500 a pair giving a sharp piercing sound at high
lounge. which, when teamed with the AA are just levels – and studios seem to like
Studio monitors come in all sizes stunning and 2x7.5m Vovox matched this. But then they listen at very high
but most are the same size as lounge pro XLR cables, at £340 a fraction of levels from giant loudspeakers just
friendly stand mounts. Some forums what similar high end hi-fi cables would 2m or so away; it's quite frightening.
were describing studio monitors as cost but these are reference quality Domestic hi-fi is, generally, better
rather cold, clinically detailed and cables that are stunning. Less than 2k honed. NK
fatiguing to listen to. I felt I needed to let for top quality active studio monitors
my ears decide. and pro cables. PURRING HUMMING AND
I am lucky to own two of Audio Since I am unlikely to buy another BUZZING
Aero’s fabulous Capitole CD players; CD player I see no reason to return to As a long-term subscriber to Hi-Fi World
an earlier Mk I 24/192 and a current a stack of pre and power amps and who has been the happy recipient of
Capitole Reference. Both have an esoteric cables to get high end sound. useful advice in the past, I thought I
excellent valve pre output although to The worlds of pro and home audio need would submit my most extreme problem
use studio monitors all anyone would not be so far apart. Studio monitors to you for possible suggestions. The
need is a pre-amp with XLR out. offer a different active path to quality, problem is basically the Mains and all
I demonstrated the older Audio high fidelity sound without the artifice of the nasty noises it is transmitting to my
Aero with a number of studio monitors marketing, matched veneers and hype hi-fi.
including Focal, PMC and Adam. The that sometimes afflicts the industry with The context – France, major
pro-audio centre was not used to seeing another wonder product. It is refreshing city centre, 230V nominal, the hi-fi is
a hi-fi person arrive but they were to get back to the music and depart on a dedicated spur I had installed
interested, welcoming and served coffee from the convention that exists in the when we bought the 1980s flat. The
just like in a hi-fi shop. What they did different worlds. Manufacturers like kit LV-modded Canary Audio 601
know about was music. They were in Adam, Focal and Weiss seem to be Mk2, Avondale stereo power amp.,
the business of creating, recording and prepared to straddle both and I think it Chord DAC64 Mk2, CEC TL51 drive,
mastering music and they know how it is worth a listen. It is working for me. SME20 turntable with SMEV arm
is meant to sound. With regards, and Dynavector DV20XL cartridge,
What I heard was a sound which Karl Podmore Aesthetix Rhea phono stage, Proac
was without the niceties of hi-fi. The North Yorkshire Future .5 (cables are a bit of a mix, but
monitors were open, detailed but not I am slowly going Kondo).
fatiguing (maybe the valve stage on There is no magic in Pro kit Karl. Although the mains voltage is
the AA helps) with proper bass despite Often, the same components and generally acceptable at a low 229 to
diminutive size. Prices are incredible. design techniques apply, it's just there a high 231, I have a huge amount of
Focal do a monitor with beryllium is a difference of outlook. Costs, transformer buzz even in the kit which
tweeter for less than £1400 a pair however, where they vary, are due to is already connected to a Moth 1kVA
and with magnesium tweeter for less various factors. Mass market pro gear isolation transformer. Before spending
than a grand. With built in matched is often cheaply made and just not up more money on mains conditioning, I
power amps., that is incredible value to scratch. followed the advice of a dealer and used
and a tweaker’s delight if they want to Pro loudspeakers commonly a Fluke-branded instrument to conduct a
tune the monitors to their rooms. Why have midrange domes that, whilst in 24 hour measurement.

MAIL WorldMags
a resonance damping device - Black
Ravioli. I borrowed three pieces and
initially wondered if they would be better
served with Arabiatta or Putanesca
sauce as opposed to their suggested
placement under my phono stage. Once
employed I was pleasantly surprised, nay
shocked, to find that Rickie Lee had a
more palpable presence, had taken a
step forwards into the room and that
the sound stage had become more three
If your mains supply is as bad as Nigel's, try regeneration dimensional with better separation and
with a Pure Power supply. added weight.
At this stage I began to wonder if
Initial results indicated that there the midnight rain, sleet, snow, explosion. Kronos’ David Campbells predilection for
are “significant” amounts of 150Hz, We have however just had our first Greek myths would be better changed
250Hz and 350Hz on the waveform; audio show in 10 years which has to Arthurian legend as these products
there seems to be a 45s-47s cyclical prompted me to write and explain were more likely to be the unnatural
voltage variation of about one volt; my ‘sudden illumination’, my Satori, in offspring of Merlin than Zeus’ father.
there seems to be some voltage on contradiction of the generally accepted I consequently used 6 more pieces of
neutral and some DC. There is also industry philosophy which suggests that this black magic, employing 3 each
15kHz-16kHz created by the frequency upgrades are only achieved by buying under my CD transport and dac, yielding
generator associated with the lift-braking something better. As an enthusiast who equally astonishing and beneficial
system (this creates tones at that for over 30years has regularly swapped improvements. CD now sounds more
frequency in the video and computer boxes in pursuit of hi-fi nirvana, much musical with a reduction in hardness
equipment). DC seems to be present, to my wife’s chagrin and the groans of without artificial warmth, Black Ravioli
but in quite “normal” amounts (and my bank account, I have arrived at my just allows the equipment to work to its
given the humming of transformers present system: full potential. An inexpensive upgrade.
isolated by 1kVA 1:1 devices is perhaps Vinyl – Gyro SE, SME IV with I borrowed and subsequently bought
not so obviously the root of my Furutech AG-12L arm cable, Ortofon high end power leads from Furutech,
problems, if I have understood anything). 2m Black, HR Power Supply, Pure those previously referred to, these
In concrete terms, the 1:1 isolation Sound phono stage connected via Chord had similarly positive and dramatic
transformers hum, buzz and sometimes Company Indigo Plus cables. effects resulting in increased openness,
create a lot of noise, as do the CD – Chord Electronics Blu spatiality, detail and weight. Okay I know
transformers in the hi-fi downstream Transport, DAC 64 with 2x Indigo Plus they are expensive but they are also
of them (the level does vary during the digital cables running balanced via a long term investment as getting the
day but never seems to completely go Furutech Reference III XLR leads. infrastructure correct can be of greater
away). Inversing the input-output of one Amplification – DK Design (now benefit than changing equipment.
of the transformers in order to have LAS) VS.1 Signature Mk III hybrid My last tweak was to replace the
a moderate voltage reduction did not integrated. valves in my Pure Sound phono stage
change the situation. Speakers - Wilson Benesch Curves and came about at the suggestion
What is there to be done to bi-wired using Furutech Reference III of Kronos and through meeting Guy
improve the situation and eliminate the cables. Sargent at the N.I Audio Show. Guy
above problems? The system has a dedicated kindly recommended gold pinned
All the best, mains spur in a dedicated listening E88cc and ECC803S to replace the
Nigel Briggs room 15ftx14ft and is connected with stock valves. Once installed the Pure
France Furutech Reference and Evolution power Sound which punches above its weight
leads (more about these later). was metamorphosed into an entirely
Bonjour Nigel. Since your current My sudden illumination came about different animal, bass arriving in my
mains conditioners have been when I was introduced to products, listening room coupled with a sweeter
overwhelmed by what sounds like a loosely termed accessories, which have and more open top end that one would
chaotic supply, the only solution left had a dramatic and beneficial effect normally associate with extremely high
is mains regeneration. In this process on my system and thus my enjoyment. end esoterica – and all for the princely
the mains is converted to d.c. where Firstly my friendly neighbourhood sum of £45.
battery storage can be introduced, dealers and kindred spirits, those nice As each product employed gave
then back into clean a.c. through people David and Gary Campbell at vast and audible improvements to what
what are effectively high current, high Kronos Audio Visual (great coffee and was already an open and musically
efficiency power amplifiers fed from conversation) suggested I try an Acoustic resolving system I can only conclude
a sine wave source. This not only Solutions Resonator, a device which that finding a good dealer, trusting
blocks all rubbish, it also provides apparently improves bass response. their suggestions and wringing the best
immunity to short term power As the eternal sceptic I was naturally from what you have, thus resisting the
loss. Go to the Pure Power site at doubtful that a block of wood with a temptation to swap boxes for the latest
www.purepoweraps.com for more bronze cup attached could have any all conquering panacea can not only be
information where you will find 230V audible effect, let alone improve the a more cost effective but a rewarding
models. I presume you will be able to low end. Having installed said product I experience. Whilst some may consider
buy in France or the UK. NK was astounded to discover that the bass that blocks of wood/bronze cups, black
had firmed up, become more tuneful pasta and wires are more audiophool
SATORI IN NORTHERN IRELAND and that paradoxically the top end was than audiophile my ears tell me to
Northern Ireland could hardly be more focused with more air and space. adopt the diametrically opposed view
described as the land of the midnight A mere snip at the asking price. point and I would recommend exploring
sun, more appropriately the land of Next I became acquainted with such products without reservation.

MAIL WorldMags
Sometimes you just have to accept that at its time as it used a Wein Bridge I have seen a Roksan Radius
what appears to be alchemy and black transistor sine wave oscillator and turntable available 2nd hand for
magic may lead to illumination. power amplifier to drive the motor, around the £550. Would this provide a
Gary Gardiner very advanced technology in those significant upgrade over the Project ?
days! Let us know how you get on. I have also fallen in love with the
On matters like this readers must DAVE CAWLEY looks of the Michell Tecnodec, though a
judge for themselves. I have not been SOUND HI FI new one (including a Rega RB250 arm)
convinced by various balls, triangles would be at the top end of my budget. If
and other mystic devices demonstrated Hi Barry – another person to I was to go with a new Tecnodec would
to me at Shows, but then a Show talk to is Haden Boardman it be worth using my existing 2M Blue
atmosphere isn't the best to discern fine (audioclassics@hotmail.com); I'm until further funds are available? If not,
differences. Perhaps dealers can provide sure he'll have a solution for you. DP what cartridge should I be looking at?
home trials. NK Also, what other turntables would you
ADVISE PLEASE recommend looking at either new or
THORENS TD125 I wonder if you could provide some 2nd hand?
I hope you may be able to help me in advice and guidance on the next step Finally can you comment on the
locating parts for the above turntable. I of my hi-fi journey please. My current phono stage in the Kandy? Would it be
have owned a Thorens TD125 turntable system is as follows; Roksan Kandy worth upgrading this to a stand alone
since the 1970s and ran it alongside a LIII amp, Monitor Audio RS8 speakers, box before the turntable upgrade ? If so
Sony amplifier. Initially I had a pair of Cambridge Audio DacMagic connected what should I go for?
B&W P2h speakers and subsequently to PC via USB. Panasonic Blu-ray player Finally I guess an idea of my
changed for a pair of B&W DM 16s. I also connected through the DacMagic listening trends might help? I like
had to put the equipment into storage but only really used for movies. Project everything from heavy hard rock through
and because of the suspension unit on Xpression III record deck and Ortofon to electronic dance music, pop and the
the deck put the Inner platter, outer 2m Blue used as main source of music. occasional folk and jazz disks.
platter, mat and what I would term I have recently moved into a smaller Thanks in advance,
the central pole (for the record to go flat and the system is now in a room Ben Sexton
on – sorry for the lack of technical approx 4 meters by 4 meters with a
jargon), with the amplifier in our loft. ceiling height of approx 2.4 meters filled Here is my two’pennyworth Ben. I
Unfortunately, as a result of some work with the usual sofas and coffee tables am no fan of the lesser 2M cartridges
being done to our plumbing in the loft etc. from Ortofon, but the 2M Black
it was not until some months later that I am very happy with both the amp transcends their limitations, quite
I found that the above items had been (bought 2nd hand only about 6 months dramatically so in my view; it is
stolen. ago) and ‘speakers (though I do think head and shoulders above the other
If you are unable to help directly that perhaps the speakers are too big models. It has the sparkle that you
with regards to the above parts, are you for the room). However, since getting the are looking for too. So either get an
able to put me in touch with someone DacMagic approximately 2 months ago Ortofon 2M Black, or head toward
who may be able to help in order that I find that the PC side of things sounds the Goldring 1000 Series, like the
I may know whether they are available a lot better than the turntable. More 1024 GX or 1042. These are an easy
and affordable? detail is apparent and it seems to have listen, without being dull, and they
Thank you, a bit more sparkle about it. Bass is also have plenty of dynamic life to them
Barry Gibbons firmer and overall I just find it a more as well, with good quality bass. Add in
a very reasonable price and you are
boogeying. I can’t help feel that you
may be well advised to improve your
record deck also, but David will say
more on this. NK
The Kandy phono stage is

surprisingly good, actually, Ben. What's
really wrong in your system is your
turntable, which is a fine machine at
its price point but is a little out of
its depth in the context of the rest
of your components. If you're buying
new, then stretching the budget to a
Michell TecnoDec would really bring
big rewards; far more focus, grip and
insight, plus a wider soundstage and a
Thorens TD125 had its bits stolen and needs repair, says Barry. deeper bass than your Pro-ject. I also
feel it would be better, if well set up,
than the Roksan Radius but it's likely
If you are indeed looking for the exciting listen. a close run thing. This said, you would
inner platter, main platter and With that in mind, could you advise have to mount the Michell carefully,
bearing/platter spindle for a Thorens on my next step in improving the preferably on a wall shelf, to get the
TD125, then the first person to call turntable side of things. Vinyl is really the best from it. Just sticking it on a chest
is the owner of www.theanalogdept. only form of music I actually buy and of drawers will drop its performance
com. If they can’t help then the only it’s the medium I love the most. I do not down to Rega P3 levels. Use your 2M
alternative in my view would be to have massive funds available but could Blue until you can afford a 2M Black
buy a faulty turntable from eBay for make £500 to £750 available for this or, ideally, an Audio Technica AT33EV.
the parts. The TD125 was unusual upgrade. DP

REVIEW WorldMags
Eastern Promise Sporting ‘the latest filter technology’, HDCD playback and a vacuum tube in the
analogue output stage, plus chunky build and fine finish, the Cayin CD-50T offers a
lot for a mid-price CD player, says David Price...
T
he small but energetic equipment manufacturers (OEMs) rather good. Lots of tricks have
Chinese hi-fi manufacturing then, as they will make anything it emerged to coax the goodness from
industry has had a surpris- seems, from mega selling computer it, such as high quality digital filters
ing degree of success here hardware products to specialist CD (and HDCD is usually synonymous
in the limited time it’s been players which are hardly flavour of with this), tube output stages, careful
around, which is not very the month anymore... mechanical isolation and decent
long at all. Being (almost) old enough Still, I am not complaining; I think power supplies. And there you go, the
to remember big Japanese brands it's good that now Compact Disc is Cayin has all this for under £900.
attempting (and succeeding) to take being banished to the fringes of the The Cayin eschews the stock
over the UK audio market some mass market, people are still investing Japanese 430mm width, coming
forty years ago, I have to report that time and money in the technology, in a compact case measuring
China has done things a little differ- which by absolute standards is of 350x325x95mm and weighing in
ently. Instead of doing it all them- course antique now. Lest we forget, at 7.8kg. The front panel is a thick,
selves, Chinese mass market con- we're approaching CD's thirtieth extravagant even, slab of brushed
sumer electronics manufacturing is birthday! Do you know any other aluminium, and sports a nice variation
often conducted in cooperation with thirty year-old-computer-based on this tried and tested theme
western multinationals such as Apple consumer electronics products because it’s sculpted in the lower
Computer for example, or small still on sale? But now, as a new centre. It’s certainly a little less
niche specialists such as the German generation of music buyers emerges generic looking and shows someone
company which is responsible for the who simply don’t equate albums has actually bothered to think about
design of this Cayin machine. with anything physical you can hold its appearance, instead of doing just
You've got to applaud the in your hand or place on your table, another ‘me too’ machine. The case
versatility of Chinese original the venerable format has finally got is your usual pressed steel, but again

REVIEW WorldMags
they’ve really tried hard with an dramatically outshines any downsides. causing the autofocus to snap things
excellent metallic graphite grey paint The result is quite an interesting and into view. It gave a dramatically
job and a serious bit of lacquering, quirky mix, and one that’s a lot of different window on the world,
plus satin finish screws. fun, but it simply can’t beat the cool setting up a wider soundstage,
The front transport controls are neutrality of rival British designs. making a slightly less strong centre
a bit fussy, with small fiddly buttons; The question then becomes, do you image, giving a far better sense of
the easiest to use one is the least buy this knowing it is flawed in some front-to-back depth and tightening up
used, namely the power switch. The ways, or do you go for the likes of everything in the mix, from the bass
display is standard issue Chinese a Cyrus CD8 SE knowing it’s a far guitar to the hi-hat cymbals. Instead
blue fluorescent, dimmable, but has a more accomplished all rounder, but in of being subsumed in a morass of
tiny ‘music calendar’ reminiscent of some respects less satisfying to listen sound, the song’s guitar overdubs
late eighties Japanese machines, and to? The answer, dear reader, rests became more pronounced and
– shock horror – some red detailing! with you; let me elucidate... explicit, whereas cymbals suddenly
It’s quirky, and again they’ve made Having done all the running in started timing better, sounding less
an effort, but it’s not great. Round and warming up, the first track I sweet but ultimately more sonorous.
the back there are standard RCA kicked off with was Simple Minds’ Switching back to the Cayin,
outputs, an IEC mains in, and one ‘Somebody Up There Likes You’, the I was struck by the fuller, bigger,
optical TOSLINK and one coaxial CD layer of the brilliant sounding fatter sound, and intrigued to hear
digital out. Oh, and then there’s a SACD. At highish volume, at first an obviously looser (albeit fuller)
tiny 12AU7 tube poking its top out listen I was bowled over. I had to bass line, with the player sitting on
of a deep rear recess, just to remind remind myself that this is eight dynamic accents from both the bass
you you’re all valved up... The remote hundred and something pounds. drum and snares. It failed to eke out
control is your usual Chinese fare; It was wonderfully warm and the counterplay between bass drum,
a metal faced job that’s decent but sumptuous, with a delightfully solid bass guitar, snare and hi hat (which is
nothing special; at least it’s not nasty weight to bass drums, and a lovely what the track is all about), whereas
plastic. timbre to analogue synths, letting the Cyrus completely nailed it. Bass
Overall I was impressed with the them wash all around. ‘Wow’, I was now sounding ever so slightly
Cayin’s build at the price, it’s certainly thought to myself, this is giving a overblown; it was as if the bass
swish considering its lowly market thoroughly satisfying rendition of the guitarist was fractionally overdriving
position, and effort has clearly been song with an epic sense of scale and his amp, giving a bigger sound but
made. That’s not to say it doesn’t power. If anything, it rather reminded with a slight compression effect.
face a hard fight with the likes of me of the Astin Trew AT3500 in this A fascinating comparison then; the
the Cyrus CD8 SE though, which is respect; it was a big, bold bruiser that Cayin was doing a lot wrong, with
an even more lovely thing to behold was nevertheless soft around the the Cyrus proving a model of clarity
in design, build and finish, and costs edges; nothing here hurt my ears. and grip, yet I still rather liked the
almost the same... I then switched to a Cyrus CD8 fuller more visceral sound of the
SE, and was struck by the difference. CD-50T, for all its failings.
SOUND QUALITY Where the Cayin gives a cascade Moving to Steely Dan’s ‘Babylon
It’s a fascinating conundrum, this of sound – swirling, haunting and Sisters’ and the Cayin supplied a
CD player. Plugging it in, I could ethereal when playing the Simple beautifully sumptuous signal to
instantly hear a lot wrong with it, and Minds track – moving to the Cyrus my amplifier and loudspeakers. It
yet there’s also a lot right, and it's was like touching the shutter button gave the sense of everything being
this good side of its character that on a good camera at first pressure, turned up to eleven, the soundstage

WorldMags
HI-FI WORLD
✹ F RE E ! THE PERFECT NEW
YEAR GIFT!
Subscribe to Hi-Fi World and choose either
a Chord SuperScreen mains cable
(1m), or a Chord CobraPlus
interconnect (1m) FREE - for yourself or
those nearest and dearest to you.
Chord SuperScreen
mains cable
Dual foil high frequency effective shielding -
Vibration damping external casing -
High purity multi-strand copper conductors -
Performance optimised internal wiring geometry -
Chord CobraPlus
interconnect cable
- Multi strand, oxygen-free copper signal/return conductors
- Twisted pair configuration
- Low density polyethylene dielectric
- High quality gold-plated RCA plugs
THE CHORD COMPANY in association with HI-FI WORLD
TERMS & CONDITIONS FOR THIS OFFER: You will receive twelve issues per annum. Minimum subscription term is one year. This offer is only
available to new subscribers. Your subscription will start with the next available issue, at the annual subscription rate of £46.80. Offer ends 11th
February 2011. Quote REF: HFW - NEW YEAR2011 . To avail of this fantastic offer, go to pages 82 & 83 and complete the subscriptions form
and tick the RED BOX i.e. NEW YEAR OFFER BOX and send to the address shown. Due to high demand on promotiional offers, gifts are
WorldMags subject to availability. We reserve the right to send you an alternative gift if the above-mentioned gift(s) run out.
REVIEW WorldMags
in absolute terms,
but still there’s an
awful lot to like.
It’s obviously well
made and intelligently
designed, and the sonic
results are always fun.
It’s an ideal match for
bristling with detail, sparkling with ‘points win’ to the Cyrus, I still came lean and slightly mean
hi hats and punching with a big fat out rather liking the Cayin’s own sounding budget or mid-
Fender Rhodes electric piano sound. particular rendition of this track; it price systems, and would
The brass stabs were clean and may have been less accomplished in really flatter the clinical
rich, Fagen’s vocals crisp and clear. absolute hi-fi terms but it certainly sound of many modern
Moving to the Cyrus, I noticed a made up for it in the way it played loudspeakers. Put it in a
tighter framework to the music, with music. super revealing system
more rigid front to back imaging, a The situation reversed slightly however, and you’re into
less fulsome centre image and wider with Fragile State’s ‘Every Day a Story choppier waters; you can
left/right detailing from trumpet and (4hero remix)’. I heard a deliciously hear it ‘editorialising’ a little
hi hat. There was also more of a sumptuous acoustic bassline, with to much, presenting its larger than VERDICT
Strong sounding, larger than life
sense of being immersed in the organ lean but clean sequenced analogue life character up ahead of the music, silver disc spinner, but needs careful
playing, and greater definition and synth pads, and sweet but slightly whereas some rivals simply fade into matching and still won’t be to all
dynamics to the percussion work. generic sounding hi hats. Again the distance and let the music flood tastes.
The CD8 SE sounded great, but came the Cayin pushed out its big wall out. As such, in the right system, CAYIN CD-50T £859.99
a little closer to the rendition of this of sound, with upfront imaging with the right music, the Cayin CD- Audio Sanctum
track I’m used to, via my high end forward of loudspeakers. It loped 50T could be the answer to all your
)
+ 44 (0)7517 889 738
direct drive turntable, which shows along merrily, showing a pleasant troubles, but in the wrong one it www.audiosanctum.co.uk
this recording to be just a little too rhythmic gait, rather in the manner certainly won’t be. So I’d suggest
bright and dry. The CD-50T however, of a unipivot tonearm. Bass drums try before you buy; you may well be FOR
was able to round off the recording’s came over a little soft and overblown beguiled. - big, bold sound
faults and give a more euphonic sounding, without an explicit attack- - lilting rhythmic gait
rendition, which actually sounded delay-sustain envelope. The CD-50T REFERENCE SYSTEM: - sumptuous tone
better. has a slightly generic tonality; this Cyrus CD8 SE CD player - build and finish
I found the same phenomenon player seems to sprinkle its valve MF Audio Silver Passive preamp
with Microdisney’s ‘Town to Town’, magic dust on everything, leaving NuForce Ref 9SE power amplifiers AGAINST
namely a wide, powerful soundstage, everything sounding as if it’s had Yamaha NS1000M loudspeakers - soft lower bass
strong bass and a very appealing magic dust sprinkled on it; so there’s - slightly compressed
overall balance. Here though the no dramatic difference
player couldn’t conceal one of the between the sonic
less appetising aspects of CD, a slight fingerprint of, say a Stax
grain on strings. Even via the original recording studio from Frequency response has an unusual Distortion
vinyl pressing, the backing strings are the early seventies steady rise up toward high frequencies, 0dB 0.26
our impulse analysis shows. We -6dB 0.13
a bit lively, and they don’t transfer to and REM in the mid-
confirmed this with a sine wave tone -60dB 1
CD terribly well; the CD-50T grated eighties.
test, it is so unusual, and the player -80dB 6.5
a little here, with that tube buffer Whereas the does indeed have a rise of 1dB overall
doing nothing to aid proceedings. Still, CD-50T produced a toward high frequencies, as shown. Separation (1kHz) 90dB
vocals proved full and commanding, Phil Spector-like wall This will give it a bright balance, Noise (IEC A) -88dB
underlining this player’s strong central of sound, again the brighter than is common. Dynamic range 84dB
image placement; it rather reminds Cyrus was more open, Distortion at peak level measured Output 2.2V
me of vinyl in this respect. Whilst ordered and accurate. a high 0.26% but this was second
it’s not especially wide left-to-right, Here, bass guitar harmonic only, so is inaudible. FREQUENCY RESPONSE
it sets up a very big sound in the sounded a tad lighter Distortion also rose at low levels, or
so it seemed, the player measuring 1%
middle, if you’ll pardon my rather but far tighter, bass
against a common result of 0.22%, but
simplistic turn of phrase! Instruments drums were beautifully
this in fact was caused by noise, not
in the mix inside this aren’t that well taut, keyboard pads distortion. Valve players need not be
defined but the whole recorded shimmered through so noisy. The noise, measuring -88dB,
acoustic comes over as solid and the mix and treble was also degraded our EIAJ Dynamic Range
imposing, making it ideal for stadium brighter and sharper, figure, which measured 84dB against a
rock, I suspect! Happily I have no U2 yet not painfully so. usual 98dB.
recordings to prove this theory, but The sound didn’t The internal clock measured
DISTORTION
I’ll bet my Microdisney retrospective quite have the louche, 44.106Hz, instead of 44.100Hz and the
that I’m right! clubbable feel of the error prevented phase lock against our
analysers reference internal clock, so
Once again, shifting to the Cayin, though; it was
jitter was measured using a Variable
Cyrus saw instruments coming a touch more like hi-fi
clock mode, a high 300pS being
over with superior definition, plus (albeit very good hi-fi); recorded.
tighter image location, a silkier and the CD-50T just played The Cayin CD-50T has an unusual
more atmospheric hi hat sound, music instead. performance, out of line with the norm.
more explicitly timed rhythm guitar so it will have a distinctive sound. NK
work. I heard snare drums tighter, CONCLUSION
and with a touch more bounce. This isn’t the world’s Frequency response (-1dB)
Depth perspective was better too. best CD player, or even 4Hz-21.3kHz
Interestingly, whilst it would appear a the best under £1,000

REVIEW WorldMags
Future There's no denying that

when Creek do a good
Perfect
transistor amplifier, they
do a really good one
– says Noel Keywood,
having listened to the
new Destiny 2...
U
nprepossessing is the you do need to brush up on your more than enough to go very, very
word I’d pull out of my cascode devices and the number loud in just about any room. As I
bag of adjectives for this of poles in your feedback network, always point out in my loudspeaker
one, the new Destiny 2 not to mention servo behaviour and reviews, I rarely manage to get more
amplifier from Creek. It output device failure modes. For than 10V or so into a loudspeaker,
was always so, yet Creek Mike has been at it for a long time which amounts to 25 Watts at most,
have a reputation like few others and is a man of deep experience, not so the Destiny 2 has huge reserves.
– and rightly so. A Creek amplifier a Johnny-come-lately with a freshly The Destiny 2 uses control logic
isn’t just a piece of natty electronic minted degree in electronics and and small signal relays for signal
design; it is a quality audio amplify- dangerously little experience. switching. Press an input selector
ing device, the two being subtly but Grasp the Destiny 2 and lift and you are aware of this by the
importantly different. Designer Mike it and you’ll start to understand clicking sounds that issue forth.
Creek long ago put circuits together what this means. It is impressively However, the amplifier does not
that delivered the right figures, in solid, weighing a substantial 10kgs, use a digital volume control, like so
the late 1970s to be precise. At the beautifully built and slickly finished, many nowadays, but a high quality
start of the 1980s he formed Creek yet there’s no unnecessary visual Alps potentiometer, motor driven to
the company, the first product being embellishment. It is easy on the eye allow remote control. Mike likes to
an amplifier – the 4040. The new and lovely to use, with its powered keep the signal path as simple and
Destiny 2 reviewed here is a distant Alps volume control and short pure as possible, so avoids putting
successor, 40 Watts having grown throw push button selectors. Creek the signal through a volume control
to 120 Watts, for that is what the products have always been compact chip.
Destiny 2 produces. and the Destiny 2 will fit most racks, And unlike so many modern
Reviewing a Creek, just about as it is a fraction under 17in (430 amplifiers the Destiny intentionally
any Creek in truth, is easy for me mm) wide. Although depth is 355mm, places no silicon chips in the signal
because I have been doing it since or 14in, it will just sit on a 12in deep path, when not used in optional
they started and know the house shelf if bare wires are used to avoid Active mode, explaining why its
sound, as well as Mike Creek. Before projecting banana plugs. Height is just topology may seem a little odd,
talking to Mike, as you can at hi-fi 80mm. From this compact package but is in fact typical Creek style
shows where he is usually to be you get no less than 200 Watts into common sense. As I said earlier
found in the Creek/Epos room, a 4 Ohm loudspeaker and this is this is a proper hi-fi amplifier, not

REVIEW WorldMags
a general purpose industrial design All of which explains why, if fitted (our review sample lacked this
that thoughtlessly relies on all the you want more gain, then you must option) the input becomes another
clever doo-dahs companies like Texas switch in a preamplifier, by pressing line level input to which can be
Instruments churn out nowadays, an Active button on the front panel. connected an external phono stage;
such as voltage controlled gain There are three gain options; 3dB, Creek suggest one of theirs. Including
chips, balanced line drivers, voltage 6dB and 9dB, selected by a slide this input, there are four line level
regulators, etc. The Destiny has its switch on the underside of the inputs, plus Tape In/Out sockets.
own unique N-channel MOSFET amplifier. The idea is that if you have There is also a fixed gain AV/ power
output stage, driven by P-channel a low output source like an old tuner amp input and a Preamp output.
drivers, a circuit devised some time connected to the Tuner input, you Two sets of loudspeaker outputs
ago by Russian physicist Alex Nikitin press Active, after selecting Tuner, to are fitted, A and B, with relay
(who now produces the ANT Audio increase gain. When switching back switching to control them. Both can
phono stage and can be found at to CD, with its higher output, Active be switched off when headphones
most audio shows, manning the is then switched off, eliminating the are used, plugged into a quarter-inch
Sound Hi-Fi stand). preamplifier and its amplifying devices jack socket on the front panel. Also
The Destiny 2 uses a from the circuit, optimising sound on the rear panel is a main power
development of the original circuit quality. It’s purist, but then this is a switch; the front panel carries a
found in the Destiny 1, Mike told proper hi-fi amplifier and I totally Standby ‘off’ switch.
me, where they managed to improve
performance by using parallel
cascode devices in line with the
"If valve amplifiers did not exist and
MOSFETs to share voltage swing,
so obtaining very high power from I had to choose an amplifier I could
a fundamentally linear output
stage. It was quite obvious under carry, it would be this one..."
measurement that the Destiny 2’s
output stage was deeply linear, as agree with the philosophy; as few The Destiny 2 comes with a solid
distortion at 10kHz continued to active devices as possible should be feeling remote control that switches
decrease below 1 Watt, where in used and all of those (and passive all functions and can control other
so many transistor amplifiers it components) need to be audio grade Creek products.
increases. quality, not the cheapest items in the
Also, Mike explained, the Destiny component catalogue. SOUND QUALITY
2 has no preamplifier, unless it is The downside is the amplifier I mentioned earlier that Creek
switched to Active mode on the looks a little less logical than many have a ‘house sound’ and it is easy
front panel. It simply places a high designs, especially those loaded up enough to describe. Much of the
quality Alps volume control in front with digital volume controls and hard, mechanical quality of transistor
of the all-discrete power amplifier armfuls of control logic to provide amplifiers is missing from Creeks, as
section, and in so doing minimises an ‘intelligent’ user experience, or well as what I identify as ‘spitch’, that
the number of active devices in the programmable input gain, but it is upper midband glare that so many
circuit (a man after my own heart!). sensible if you want the best sound confuse with the projection of detail.
The drawback is low sensitivity of possible. It isn’t – it’s glare! Valve amplifiers
600mV, but this is enough for all The Destiny 2 has room onboard do not have it, and nor do Creeks.
silver disc players, CD, DVD and Blu- for a phono stage plug-in circuit But then, by using discrete electronic
ray, as they all deliver 2V out. board, available as an extra. If not amplifying devices of suitable quality,

WorldMags
WorldMags
REVIEW WorldMags
and as few components – active and Musical Fidelity AMS50 run from a business, it's just that you need to
passive – as possible, Creek amplifiers Music First Audio preamp that I used spend time with an amplifier like
follow valve amplifier design as a comparative benchmark during this and drop preconceptions based
principles and guess what – there are listening tests. This latter combination on previous experience. Like any
similarities in their sound. Not only had finer treble, brimming with really good hi-fi product it is silent in
did the Destiny 2 have not one jot gentle filigree detail, where the Creek itself, adding little if anything to the
of glare or upper midband hardness, sounded a little darker and simpler music. However, as most transistor
it also did not bleach the character in its rendition, yet the Destiny 2 amplifiers add far too much for my
out of orchestral wind and string had much of the easy clarity, lack of liking – which is why I choose to
instruments, as so many amplifiers glare and general grip of the AMS50. use valve amplifiers – the Destiny
still do. It sounded a little more fluid, but is a bit different and may be a little VERDICT
Pull these colourations out of less threatening. Orchestral strings challenging to anyone expecting even Big, powerful, full bodied but as
smooth as silk. A deeply expressive
a transistor amplifier and all of a were so utterly smooth through our sharper crashes, bangs and wallops. amplifier that is as good as it gets.
sudden it starts to sound ‘warm’. It Spendor S8es loudspeakers that the It has vast power, a generously
isn’t of course, it is just that there Destiny 2 was a near ideal choice for large demeanour and thunderous CREEK DESTINY 2 £1,600
is no upper midrange shout to anyone wanting to steer clear of hot subsonics, but delivered in a velvet Creek
) Audio Ltd.
artificially emphasise detail. That bottles. glove. It is a lovely piece of work, +44 (0) 1442 260146
makes the Destiny 2 a remarkably With so much power in the crafted with skill and experience www.creekaudio.com
relaxing listen; it is one of the closet, the Destiny 2 could let rip to give a fantastic sound. If valve FOR
easiest sounds you’ll come across when asked to. Cranking volume right amplifiers did not exist and I had to - powerful sound
in a modern amplifier – the very up with Lady Gaga singing 'Monster' choose an amplifier I could carry, it - silky smooth midband
epitome of silkiness and smoothness. the amplifier showed another face: would be this one! Creek rightly have - totally free of colour
A gentle but clear rendition of Toni steamroller drive that propelled deep a reputation like few others, because
Braxton singing 'Spanish Guitar', synth stabs across the room with their products are better than most AGAINST
was embellished with deep insight deceptive ease. They rolled over me others, and the Destiny 2 shows this. - few facilities
into the studio behind her. There like a tropical storm, and inside this I A top amplifier. - phono stage an option
was nothing forced here, just an could hear how much
easy, liquid transparency, especially insight the amplifier has.
convincing with human voice; it had It laid out Lady Gaga’s MEASURED PERFORMANCE
Toni Braxton singing powerfully, yet lyrics with an unforced Compact in size, but weighty, the switch slide switch fives 3dB, 6dB and
with an unforced ease. The bass line insight, sudden changes Destiny 2 has a power supply able 9dB gain increases and set at 9dB (x3)
was strong and full, relaxed in its of tempo captured to allow 200 Watts into 4 Ohms, no gives 200mV input sensitivity, barely
progress, but with plenty of strength perfectly, Gaga's less, so the Destiny 2 is rather bigger enough for a low gain (x100) phono
to the delivery. Backing singers interjections ringing in ability than it looks. Power into 8 stage. However, an internal phono stage
spread out across the sound stage in out clearly. This is Ohms was 120 Watts, so there’s plenty can be fitted to the amplifier.
a wide arc, forming a backdrop that an amplifier that of heft even for higher impedance The Destiny 2 is a well worked out
loudspeakers, like the Spendors A9s in design right up to today’s standards.
was as smooth as silk. impresses with silent
this issue. However, most loudspeakers It provides an excellent measured
With Nigel Kennedy playing Max ability as it were. It is
use 4 Ohm bass units nowadays so the performance. NK
Bruch’s enchanting Violin Concerto temporally tight and Creek can deliver almost any volume
No.1, I heard an amplifier that I grippy, whilst setting level feasible. A damping factor of 26 Power 120 Watts
would say was deeply sympathetic to out a rich canvas of is sufficient to keep bass well under CD/tuner/aux.
the both the music and instrument. sound. Creek amplifiers control. Frequency response 1.5Hz-32kHz
His strings had a convincingly rich always have bass power Creek amplifiers have traditionally Separation 69dB
texture, made apparent by the and the Destiny 2 at been thermally stable and low distortion Noise -107dB
absence of transistor edginess and times really let rip, and the Destiny 2 was better than Distortion 0.2%
glare that invariably blights violin. putting more heft into ever in both areas. It produces second Sensitivity 600mV
harmonic distortion, even up at 10kHz, Damping factor 26
Small inflections and gentle emphases the pounding beat of
with no sign of crossover. It did this
in Kennedy's playing were clearly 'Dance In The Dark' DISTORTION
from cold to hot and at all signal levels
described by the Creek; it’s a deeply than most rivals. It from fractions of a Watt up to full
expressive amplifier, meaning of has thunderous lower output, with no sign of a change in
course it lets the artist's expression bass I found, and does transition from Class A to B working.
shine through. In this sense, and in a subsonics with alacrity. It has a very benign distortion pattern
very real sense, the Destiny is hugely and will sound smooth as a result,
communicative – but it manages this CONCLUSION especially at low volumes where
with a gentle fluency that is almost To my ears this is a transistor amplifiers can distort quite
unsettling. At least I found it so. top quality transistor significantly.
As standard input sensitivity is a
It was unsettlingly good for me amplifier, one able
low 600mV for full output, appropriate
because it approaches what valves to run the best in
for CD and any other silver disc player,
do, albeit with a more even, less the business. In fact I but inadequate for some tuners and low
characterful stance. It also was at feel it is better than gain external phono stages. A three
times frighteningly close to our most amplifiers in the

REVIEW WorldMags
White Lightning Fast, forthright, accurate and powerful, the Reference 9.2 DC is the smallest in this
long established German company's premium range, says Noel Keywood...
L
oudspeakers are funny share my own views on what a loud- Artificially boosting treble or
things; their design says as speaker should do, and how it should midrange to try and enhance sound
much about the designer as do it. I really took to Canton's £2,300 quality hasn't been done here; in
it does about anything else. standmount Reference 9.2 DC loud- their Reference range Canton have
Having tested a loudspeaker speaker. It isn't cheap, but it is a real had the confidence and common
I either do, but too often do cracker, being both accurate and fun sense not to resort to such tricks.
not, want to meet the designer; he's to listen to. How I wish many of today's British
either a man after my own heart, or So yes you can have both. Just manufacturers could appreciate such
a bounder! The person that designed because a loudspeaker is accurate, an approach, one that ironically was
this loudspeaker (or perhaps I should a property I consider important, once strong in the UK, growing out
say the organisation) I would like to it does not mean it is necessarily of a BBC monitoring tradition, as well
meet, because he (they) very much academically correct and boring. as Quad's electrostatics. Canton hail

REVIEW WorldMags
from Germany and bring to the UK With a firm push behind the 'Spanish Harlem' was lovely. A little
the notion of accuracy as part of high upper midrange that highlighted vocal added edge lifted his enunciation,
fidelity, an idea some UK designers enunciation, the raw edge to Jackie throwing his voice out at me. This
have long abandoned, it seems to me. Leven’s menacing ‘Extremely Violent made for a forward soundstage,
I absolutely refused to use treble Man’ was made obvious; I found the behind which lay a background with
lift when designing World Audio Cantons made their point strongly. a geography it seemed, the Canton’s
Design loudspeakers, but then our Having a balance that was smooth, teased out so much detail.
loudspeakers did not have to fight it full bodied and easy on the ear With Steve Earle’s ‘The Other
out in the showroom. I did quickly across high frequencies the Reference Kind’, a piece of Classic Rock of a
learn that designing a loudspeaker 9.2DC was at the same time pushily type unknown today (am I showing
with a flat frequency response forward, yet full bodied and almost my age here?), mandolin was picked
(easy to do) does not mean it will rich in balance. out with shiny clarity. Earle didn’t
sound good. However, not having a Nice? Very much so; I liked this have quite the fullness and body I
flat frequency response guarantees loudspeaker from the off. Making have heard with some loudspeakers,
a loudspeaker cannot provide an Jackie Leven sound like the big man but those were mostly full blooded
accurate rendition of a recording, he is, with firm rolling bass and floorstanders like big Tannoys. The
offering its own interpretation, for lovely stage depth I found myself 9.2s were lightning-fast and set up
better or worse according to taste. immersed straight away. This is a hard illuminated images across a
A Reference loudspeaker loudspeaker that is as smooth as wide, if forward sound stage. Bucky
should, if it is to justify this much velvet yet attention grabbing at the Baxter’s jangling pedal steel guitar
abused description, at least be able same time, a unusual but beguiling lit up the room from 'Promise You
to provide a reasonable degree of
tonal accuracy – and this the modest
looking Canton does, much to my
"a loudspeaker that is as smooth
surprise when measuring it. It's sad
I should be surprised, but there you as velvet yet attention grabbing
at the same time, it's an unusual
are. Most designers feel unable or
are just plain unwilling to try and
attempt accuracy, although I'm told in
confidence that how a loudspeaker is
finally balanced is commonly decided
but beguiling combination..."
by what best sells in the showroom, combination. It has great insight too; Anything'.
as reported back by the sales force; I could hear right around Jackie at That the Reference 9.2 is a
it isn't an executive decision made by the microphone, the studio and its ‘modern’ loudspeaker was obvious
the designer who, in this scenario, is acoustic falling away behind him. listening to the hiss from tambourine
paid to do what he is told! With a nice, evenly balanced in 'Esmeralda’s Hollywood'; it jumped
I admit to knowing little about recording like Skunk Anansie’s across the room at me! The 9.2s are
Canton, but it seems that they are ‘Hedonism’ the Cantons showed very forthright, they really throw the
one of Germany's larger and longer themselves off. Drum work had sound out, but as “evil struggled with
established loudspeaker manufac- weight and plenty of slam, leading the good” I couldn’t help but keep
turers and the Reference range edges were clean as a whistle and the Reference 9.2s cranked right up
represents their best efforts. The time domain progress as exuberant to enjoy 'Esmeralda's Hollywood'.
Reference 9.2 DC is a standmounting as a Duracell powered bunny rabbit. As always the Cantons had to
two-way loudspeaker with an The Cantons fairly raced along, endure the huge bass lines from an
180mm aluminium cone bass unit keeping a wonderful grip on the Angelique Kidjo CD, this time ‘Aye’.
that works up to 3kHz mated to music, whilst painting Skin large The opening track 'Agolo' showed
a 25mm aluminium oxide ceramic centre stage, shouting out the lyrics they played the bass line with heart,
dome tweeter the website says, or with her own peculiar guttural but they did sound a little large and
a aluminium-manganese tweeter delivery. bloated. It was obvious that bass
according to the handbook! Great imaging, pin-sharp, with damping was uneven, some notes
Each loudspeaker weighs a solid more body than Arnie after a session having more power than others,
11.3kgs and stands 40cms high, is at the gym, made the Cantons an but bass lines had strength to them,
23.5cms wide and 34.5cms deep. unusually easy, engaging yet totally giving the Reference 9.2s a nice sense
Ours came in a lustrous white convincing listen. I couldn’t help of heft. What you have to bear in
lacquer finish and had removable but be impressed by their sense mind here is that these CDs, under
black grill cloths. The rear carries a of silky smoothness, and a timbral analysis at Hi-Fi World Towers, have
pair of well made, gold plated bi-wire cohesiveness that comes from enormous energy right down to
terminals with removable links, and at sympathetically matched cone/ dome 30Hz and present a little too much
top a port that loads the bass unit. materials (this was always a big issue of a load for small loudspeakers; only
for me when choosing drive units for big floorstanders can handle such
SOUND QUALITY World Audio Design loudspeakers), material convincingly. The Reference
As always the Cantons were run in plus lovely dynamics, of the sort 9.2s sounded big and attempted the
for twenty four hours continuously, that makes music sound lively and impossible, if not quite achieving it!
initially using pink noise, and then a exciting. There was a little colour to Tracks like 'Adouma' rolled along
Monitor Audio De-Tox disc. Most percussion at times, a brightening weightily though, and all seemed fine.
listening was conducted with our perhaps, a little bit of extra light as Canton have opted for more bass
Musical Fidelity AMS50 Class A it were, yet this served to illuminate and less control, rather than less bass
transistor amplifier, but as usual the instruments on the sound stage and more control which, if you have
loudspeakers were also run with rather than lessen contrasts. limited cabinet volume to play with, is
our Icon Audio MB845 MkII power The way the Cantons picked out a valid choice I feel, having faced this
amplifiers. Willy DeVille's gravelly delivery of design choice myself.

WorldMags
Enjoy the musical detail, speed and airiness of Black

Rhodium’s first ever DCT++ interconnect cable
By applying our more advanced DCT++ process to the cable before

assembly instead of our standard DCT process after, we have further
improved the sound quality of our award winning ‘Polar Illusion’ cable. At
the same time we have added a very effective double braided screen and
given the cable a new high end appearance.
Phantom is made from two tightly twisted silver plated copper solid cores
insulated in low loss PTFE, responsible for its fast detailed sound quality.
DCT++ processing adds depth to the sound and enhances the timing of
the music’s rhythms. Termination using the highly acclaimed Eichamnn
Bullet plugs ensures the ultimate in musical detail shines through.
The Phantom is a very special intercnnect for Black Rhodium and we

have written a short account of its progressive development from cables
that have won 5 stars in What HiFi? and ‘Best Buy’ in HiFi Choice to our
new Phantom that we offer today. Hear this cable at you nearest Black
Rhodium dealer and you will want to buy it!
www.blackrhodium.co.uk
01332 342233 sales@blackrhodium.co.uk

REVIEW WorldMags
coned loudspeakers, but for the most they are unusual for having what at
part I enjoyed a nice, simple sense of times could be described as a warm
clarity, one I found really enjoyable. balance, with – most of the time
One caveat I have to make is – easy sounding treble that never
this; such a forward and revealing offended me. I took to this presen-
loudspeaker better handles modern, tation and enjoyed it, even if at times
high quality recordings than the it could be a little challenging. What
many older digital ones I possess sounded good when Steve Earle
that are a little iffy in themselves, recorded 'The Hard Way' in 1990
meaning digitally distorted – all those doesn't compare to modern 24/96
old DDDs. This includes swathes from John Mayer or Carlos Santana,
of classical recordings where wide or 24/192 resolution digital from
digital dynamic range was confused the 2L label of Norway, with Percy
with good sound quality. Another Grainger's playing of Grieg's Piano
peculiar example is Duffy's fairly Concerto for example, that redefines
recent 'Rockferry', from the album digital. Early digital deficiencies are
of the same name. Wondering why it thrown at you by the Cantons, but
sounded rough, one day perchance later quality made apparent.
I spotted an interview with the So Canton's Reference 9.2 DC
recording engineer who admitted loudspeakers are forthright, but
adding digital distortion for extra truthful, and accurately balanced.
"graunch". This is very difficult to play I enjoyed their pace and vivacity:
and the Reference 9.2s did not flatter theirs is a sound full of life, accurately
Violins of The Chicago Symphony it, although the track was listenable. presented – and it was exciting.
Orchestra jumped out at me from Loudspeakers are funny things but
a well lit orchestral space, playing CONCLUSION Canton have obviously tried to craft
Rimsky-Korsakov’s ‘Scheherazade’. So Canton's Reference 9.2 DC a product that provides accuracy
The Reference 9.2s are not backward loudspeakers are thoroughly modern with excitement and this is worth
in coming forward as they say, and revealing, brutally so at times. Yet hearing.
but then that is the sort of
presentation modern metal
cones provide, when treated MEASURED PERFORMANCE
with exotic materials, frozen
This loudspeaker is distinguished by warped LPs.
to absolute zero or covered its unusually flat frequency response The 200mS decay spectrum was
in pixie dust, as whim dictates. characteristic. Not only is it flat in fairly clean, except for hot areas
But you get a surgically clean terms of trend away from the 0dB at 180Hz and 80Hz. Bass distortion
and wonderfully clear rendition datum line, but it is fairly smooth too, was very low, measuring 1% at 40Hz
and this is how orchestra was suggesting well suppressed minor from the drive unit and 6% from the
delivered by Canton's 9.2s. resonances and a colour-free sound. port, with no steep rise at subsonic
Oboe had sparkling presence, Only the tweeter breaks away from frequencies. Midband distortion
violins jumped into the fray with flatness – and then only above 8kHz hovered around 0.2%, a normal enough
vigour and horns called out with where the effect will not be very result.
apparent. This will add a hiss to high The Canton Reference 9.2DC is an
a rich, brassy rasp. Vivacious
treble, at least when there is strong interesting design, offering a unusually
is a term that describes their treble content in a recording. even and accurate tonal balance, and
handling of an orchestra, Bass rolls away smoothly good engineering all-round. It should
instruments being lifted right up below 150Hz, indicating strong bass sound very smooth and natural. NK
and out of the mix it seemed, damping and this is borne out in the
dancing vigorously on the sound impedance curve; it is almost flat at
stage just in front of me. low frequencies. Although there is little FREQUENCY RESPONSE
The Cantons offer a front low bass from the main driver, the port +20
row listening perspective, and peaks strongly at 50Hz, measurement +10
with stable, well wrought images showing it was +4dB above the driver dB
at 80Hz. Low bass is provided by the 0
the whole came over with
port and it is a little peaky.
a drama many loudspeakers With a high-ish sensitivity of 88dB
-10
lack. And all this without – good for a loudspeaker of its size
shrieking treble or any sense of
-20
VERDICT
– and with an unreactive 4 Ohm load -30 Brilliantly revealing yet accurate
sharpness. characteristic at low frequencies (7 20 100 Hz 1k 20k loudspeaker that's a scintilating listen.
Unsurprisingly, the Cantons Ohms overall) where current is drawn Green - driver output Match with a smooth source.
toned down a bit when by the bass driver, the Canton is an Red - port output CANTON REF. 9.2 DC £2,300
connected to our Icon Audio easy load, for both valve and transistor
amplifiers. Peculiarly, the loudspeaker Computers Unlimited
MB845 MkII valve amplifiers, a )
certain degree of relentlessness has a 35 Ohm DC resistance, suggesting IMPEDANCE +44 (0)20 8358 9593
a large value series input capacitor 50 www.unlimited.com
leaving them, replaced by a
bypassed by a 35 Ohm resistor and Ohms FOR
mellower, more considered indeed impedance rises below 20Hz,
presentation that allowed solo - tonally accurate
where it usually falls because the bass 30
violin to dance in front of me, - ultra fast transients
voice coil is becoming purely resistive.
with nary a hint of sheen or KEF used to modify bass behaviour - dynamically lively
artifice. Even with the MB845s with such an arrangement but Canton’s 10
though, the Cantons hardened is set very low; it may well be used AGAINST
up on orchestral crescendos to suppress subsonic cone flap from 0 - some midband emphasis
10 Hz 1k 20k
and were obviously not plastic - fulsome bass

STANDARDS
WorldMags
WORLD
STANDARDS
These are the best products we’ve heard that are currently on sale in the UK, complete
with the date they were originally launched and their current retail prices.
TURNTABLES ACOUSTIC SOLID CLASSIC WOOD EAT FORTE 2009 £12,500

PRO-JECT GENIE 2 2008 £175 2008 £1,350 Lavishly finished two box, two motor turn-
A masterpiece of minimalism, this is well Majoring on impact, punch and drive, this is an table with gorgeous Ikeda 407 tonearm
made for the money and includes a decent impactful mid-price turntable in sonic terms as bundled. Exceptionally stable and unfussy
Ortofon OM3 moving magnet cartridge. well as physical size. performer with a relaxed but highly enjoy-
Great sound per pound. able gait.
REVOLVER REPLAY 2007 £1,500
REGA P2 2008 £220 Revolver spring back into the vinyl market
Some say the cheapest real hi-fi turntable
TONEARMS
like they've never been away, with a stylish REGA RB251 2009 £136
money can buy - excellent value for money and solidly built LP spinner. Welcome back! Capable way past its price point, the new
engineering, easy set up and fine sound.
3-point mount version of the classic RB250
AVID DIVA II SP 2010 £2,000 serves up a taut and detailed sound. A little
TECHNICS SL1200/II 1973 £495 New twin belt drive and power supply make lean for some tastes, but responds very well
Slick build makes it a respectable performer, this an even more commanding performer, to rewiring and counterweight modification.
although the cheapo arm limits it - fit a Rega although there's a substantial price hike. Its
RB250 and it's suddenly a brilliant mid-price speed, dynamics and detail are hard to beat MICHELL TECNOARM A2003 £442
machine. anywhere near the price. The late John Michell’s clever reworking of
the Rega theme, using blasting, drilling and
MICHELL ORBE 1995 £2,500 rewiring! Surely the best overall performer
The top Michell disc spinner remains a under £500.
superbly capable all rounder with powerful,
spacious sound that's delicate and beguiling.
REGA P3-24 2008 £400

Seminal affordable audiophile deck with fine
bundled tonearm. Tweakable, and really sings
with optional £150 outboard power supply.
ORIGIN LIVE SILVER 2006 £599
Expertly fettled Rega is still the 'affordable
MICHELL TECNODEC 2003 £579
audiophile' choice, with an even, transparent
Superb introduction to Michell turntables
and tuneful sound.
- on a budget. Top quality build and elegant LINN LP12SE 1973 £3,510
design make it the class of the mid-price field. Surely hi-fi's most iconic turntable, the SME 309 1989 £767
legendary Sondek goes from strength to Mid-range SME comes complete with cost-
ROKSAN RADIUS 5.2 2010 £1,399 strength. New Keel subchassis and Radikal cut aluminium armtube and detachable head-
Effective, if expensive, update on the original DC motor add precision and grip to one of shell. Tight, neutral sound with good tonality,
formula. Highly musical, yet detailed and the world's most musical disc spinners. but lacks the IV's pace and precision.
dimensional mid price turntable with a natu-
rally open and easy sound. SME MODEL 10A 1995 £4,556 SME SERIES IV 1988 £1,127
Exquisitely engineered deck and SME V tone- Offers nine tenths of the SME V's magic at
FUNK FIRM VECTOR II 2009 £860 arm combo that's an extremely accomplished just over half price. Exquisitely built and fin-
Innovative engineering gives a nimble, pacey and performer with classical music. ished, and a design classic. Faces stiff compe-
musical sound that's one of the best at the price.
tition these days, but lovely nevertheless.
ACOUSTIC SOLID ONE 2007 £4,000
Huge turntable, both in terms of sheer mass AUDIO ORIGAMI PU7 2007 £1,300
and sonic dynamics. Fit up to three arms and The classic Syrinx PU3 updated to spectacu-
enjoy, just don't damage your back moving it... lar effect. Hand made to order, with any mass,
length and colour you care for. Fit, finish and
BRINKMANN BARDO 2010 £4,495 sound truly impressive.
Quartz locked Direct Drive makes for mas-
tertape-like speed stability, plus wonderful NAIM ARO 1987 £1,425
clarity and pace. Upgradeability and excellent Charismatic unipivot is poor at frequency
build complete a formidable package. extremes but sublime in the midband; truly
emotive and insightful.
MARANTZ TT-15S1 2005 £999 AVID VOLVERE SEQUEL 2007£4,600
Cracking deck/arm/cartridge combination, Stylish high end vinyl spinner with industrial HELIUS OMEGA 2008 £1,595
this must surely be the best sounding 'plug strength build quality and a sound to match. Stylish and solid lump of arm with fabulous
and play package at this price point. Exceedingly neutral yet powerful sound is build quality., that turns in a dynamic and
edge-of-the-seat stuff. weighty performance.
MICHELL GYRODEC SE 2005 £1,005
Design icon with superlative build and finish. McINTOSH MT10 2008 £8,995 SME SERIES V 1987 £1,614
Sound is beautifully smooth, effortless and Big, expensive, controversially styled and Vice-like bass with incredible weight, ultra
exceptionally expansive. No longer peerless glows more than some might consider neces- clear midband and treble astound, although
at the price, but still a brilliant platform. sary, but an astonishingly good performer. some don't like its matter of factness!

STANDARDS
WorldMags
LINN EKOS 1987 £1,700 LYRA DORIAN 2007 £595 ROKSAN KANDY
Subtle mods over the years, including revised Incisive and musical, this baby Lyra is one of K2 CD 2010 £900
bearings and the recent new wiring has the most powerful and revealing MCs at its A charmingly musical performer at the price,
kept it a serious contender in the superarm price point. Beware the sharp treble, though! this is a surprisingly sophisticated CD player
stakes. Lacks the SME's slam, the OL's clarity for the money.
or the ARO's emotion, but has a feisty musi- ORTOFON RONDO
cality all of its own. BRONZE 2005 £500 BENCHMARK DAC-1S 2009 £930
Excellent mid-price moving coil with real Power, precision and poise - allied to real
SME 312S 2010 £1,750 rhythmic alacrity and a decent deal of finesse. seat-of-the-pants musicality, this DAC justifies
Twelve inch magnesium alloy armtube plus its premium price.
SME V bearings makes an impressive tran- ZYX R-100H 2005 £625
scription tool with a highly insightful yet Exceptionally tight sounding and detailed car- CYRUS CD8 SE 2008 £1,200
composed sound. Superlative build completes tridge with the musical skills to match, this Bespoke Servo Evolution mech makes this
the package. is up with the very best at the price, with a the most musically engaging machine at the
presentation all of its own. price, with super smooth tonality to boot.
GRAHAM PHANTOM 2006 £2,495 Optional PSX-R adds bass and dimensionality.
Sonically stunning arm with magnificent bass BENZ MICRO GLIDER L2 2008 £650
dexterity and soudstaging. Build quality up to Crisp, clean and detailed MC; particualrly SIMAUDIO MOON 300D
SME standards, which is saying something... impressive at both ends of the frequency 2010 £1,290
spectrum Lovely fluid sounding DAC with a deep, dark,
TRI-PLANAR PRECISION2006 £3,600 velvety tonality.
Stunning build, exquisite design and surely TRANSFIGURATION AXIA
the most naturally musical and lucid sound 2007 £890
around makes this a remarkable pickup arm. Musically adept and highly resolute cartridge
with impressive tracking abilities. Top end lift
OL ENTERPRISE 3C 2010 £4,500 means careful matching required, however..
Few if any pivoted arms come close to this
arm's combination of liquid musicality and ORTOFON CADENZA BLUE
forensic grip. 2009 £1,000
Musical, out of the box sound, allied to real
finesse, makes this a great do-it-all high end
CARTRIDGES moving coil.
AUDIO TECHNICA AT-95E
1984 £25
ORTOFON MC
Great starter cartridge that's detailed and NAIM DAC £1,995
WINDFELD 2008 £1,799
musical beyond its price. Superglue the stylus Painstaking design has yielded a brilliant
Ortofon's new flagship MC is a sophisticated
in for better sound. ‘affordable high end’ performer that throws
and alluring performer that takes the vinyl
bright sunlight on the recording, yet remains
experience to a new level.
ORTOFON 2M RED/BLUE unremittingly smooth and musically engaging.
2007 £60/£120
Modern, high resolution budget moving mag- KOETSU RED K SIGNATURE CHORD QBD64 2008 £3,000
nets that are always an engaging listen. 2007 £2,399 Bespoke architecture gives a truly uniquely
The new K Signature adds a hefty dose of musical sound that’s beguilingly musical in
insight and finesse to the already impressive nature, with dizzying incision and grip.
Red and the results are fabulous.
ELECTROCOMPANIET EMC-1UP
2003 £3,450
DIGITAL SOURCES Quirky yet extremely capable high end
MUSICAL FIDELITY V-DAC £170
upsampling CD spinner, with a musical flu-
Clear, concise, low distortion sound belies
ency that beguiles more than it impresses.
giveaway price. Supelative value for money.
GOLDRING G1042 1994 £135 CAMBRIDGE AUDIO

One of the best MMs going, with sweet and DACMAGIC £229
extended treble and punchy, muscular bass. An innovative and flexible new DAC, this is a
svelte, rhythmic and impressive performer.
DENON DL103R 2006 £200
Awkward to get working properly with a
poor mounting arrangement, yet it rewards
with a musical performance that makes simi-
lar priced cartridges sound cold.
DYNAVECTOR DV10X52003 £250 ACCUSTIC ARTS CDP1MK2

Distant descendent of the classic Ultimo 2007 £3,985
10X, this has warmth and sweetness in Styling not to everyone's taste but build
spades, allied to a punchy bass. Beats G1042 quality is impeccable and the performance is
comfortably. stunningly musical.
ORTOFON 2M BLACK 2007 £350 STELLO DA100 ESOTERIC X-05 2010 £4,495
Staggeringly good high-end MM that uses a SIGNATURE £675 Superlative 'affordable high end' CD/SACD
stylus from the MC Jubilee and easily rivals Superbly finessed sounding DAC at the price, spinner with excellent build, massive detail
similarly-priced MCs with strong driving bass and plenty of air and great poise.
and space.
DYNAVECTOR DV20X-H2003 £395 NAIM CDX2-XPS2 2003 £4,950
Deliciously sweet sound with fantastic get- A fine high end machine, but add an XPS2
up-and-go makes this a great value budget and it becomes one of the most charis-
MC. High output version works a treat with matically engaging 16bit machines we've ever
heard. Plays music with such passion!
valve phono stages too.
NAIM CDS3 2003 £7,050
The most polished Naim CD to date; tre-
mendously capable and musical, but lacks the
Rottweiler quality of the cheaper CDX2-
XPS2.
CAMBRIDGE
AZUR 840C 2006 £800
Well built CD player with a silky, yet detailed ACCUSTIC ARTS DRIVE 1 MK2/
sound and a whole host of useful facilities. TUBE DAC 2 2007 £7,980
Excellent value for money. Superbly built high end CD transport and
DAC combo that shows just what the for-
AUDIO TECHNICA AT-OC9MLIII NAIM CD5i 2008 £895 mat can be capable of. Very tangible, musical
2010 £399 Naim's new italic 'i' variant improves even sound with wonderful dynamics and glisten-
New stylus and cantilever breathe life into further on the original mid-price classic, ing harmonics. Only curious styling and
this feisty, punchy and detailed performer. offering super tight, grippy and musical sound. clunky build detract from its brilliance!

STANDARDS
WorldMags
DCS PAGANINI DAC £9,599 ANATEK MC1 2007 £850 AUDIOLAB 8000S 2006 £400
Digital rarely sounds better; dCS’s bespoke Excellent MC phono stage that offers serious In other life, this sold for three times the
Ring DAC makes for power, punch and insight underpinned by powerful and tuneful price, making it a stand-out bargain now. Very
insight on an epic scale. Add clock and bass. clean, powerful and tidy sound but not the
upsampler for an even more profound expe- world's most beguiling.
rience. Justifiably expensive. QUAD QC24P 2007 £995
Dynamic performer that can be used on its SUGDEN A21A S2 2007 £1,299
own as a complete phono-level preamp. More power and greater transparency
improve even further on the already impres-
TRICHORD sive A21a to give truly impressive results
DIABLO + NCPSU 2006 £1,198
Highly musical performer, this is one of the
best phonostages at or near the price, but NAIM NAIT XS 2009 £1,250
lacks the polish of the rival Whest. With much of the sound of the Supernait at
half the price, this is powerful, articulate and
ICON AUDIO PS3 2008 £1,500 smooth beyond class expectations.
Super sounding valve phono preamplifier,
with an expansive, engaging and organic ELECTROCOMPANIET
nature that makes vinyl sheer joy! PI-2 2008 £1,430
LINN KLIMAX DS 2007 £9,600 Powerful integrated with seriously solid bass
Landmark network music player, offering bril- EMILLE ALLURE 2010 £2,495 and impressive dynamic abilities. Superbly
liant sonics at up to 24/96 resolution from Just as the name suggests, this is a lovely way musical.
hard disk/NAS. Expensive, but you can hear to play LP with an exceptionally open and
why... lucid sound. SUGDEN A21A S2 2008 £1,469
Crystalline clarity, dizzying speed and forensic
NAIM CD555/555PS 2006 £14,000 detailing makes this seminal design the most
Very probably the best CD player yet made musical at the price, but power limited so
- certainly the most expensive; a digital tour needs sensitive speakers.
de force.
ANATEK A50R 2007 £1,600
Simple integrated amplifier with super bass
grip and effortless dynamics.
VINCENT SA-236MK 2010 £1,749

Big, powerful and expansive sounding hybid
transistor amplifer, with bright, spry and
musical nature.
A.N.T. AUDIO KORA 3T LTD
2010 £995 MOON i-3RS 2008 £1,890
Exceptionally musical and natural sounding all Grippy and clean performer with fine sound-
discrete transistor phono stage, with highly staging and build quality.
lucid, valve-like presentation.
COPLAND CSA29 2006 £1,998
RECORDERS AMPLIFIERS
Unfailingly svelte, sophisticated and smooth -
NAIM HDX 2009 £4,405 both to listen to and look at – this is a truly
SUGDEN MYSTRO 2010 £1,225 desirable high end integrated.
Interesting one-box network enabled hard
Sugden’s first Class AB integrated in a long
disk music system gives superb sonics
time surprises; rollickingly good fun to listen NAIM SUPERNAIT 2007 £2,475
together with impressive ease of use.
to, it looses surprisingly little in smoothness Integrated tour de force from Naim that com-
to its Class AB siblings. bines impressive functionality and connectiv-
SONY TC-WE475 2010 £130 ity with super sound.
Essential tackle for committed cassette users,
this well calibrated double deck sounds way LUXMAN L-550A 2007 £2,800
better than expected! Monster Class A integrated with powerful
and revealing sound and a whole host of
SONY RCD-W3 2002 £250 useful features, including a highly competent
Usual superb Sony ergonomics make for no- MM/MC phono stage
nonsense budget buy. Fine direct digital cop-
ies, but analogue input poor. Middling sonics, AUDIO RESEARCH VSI60
but there's a digital output! ICON AUDIO STEREO 25 2008 £500 2009 £3,298
Cracking entry-level valve integrated, with a Load of tube power allied to a strong bass
warm and engaging sound. Limited power so
PHONO STAGES needs careful partnering, though.
and smooth open midband makes this a grin-
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO 640P £99 inducing listen.
Excellent entry level design that raises the
bar for budget phono stages. Crisp, smooth ROTEL RA-06 2008 £550 LEEMA TUCANA II 2010 £3,495
yet brightly lit sound on both MM and MC Vivacious sounding device that, whilst lacking Polished high end integrated amp that com-
that's a vast improvement on most budget the finer musical points, wears its heart on bines power, detail and genuine musicality
inboard designs. its sleeve and has plenty of power to match. with a good range of facilities.
GRAHAM SLEE ERA GOLD V NAIM NAIT 5i 2007 £725
2004 £460 The italic 'i' version remains one of the most
Wonderfully warm, open and musical nature musically competent and dynamically engag-
makes this an essential audition for those ing integrateds at the price.
wanting a top value mid-price phono stage.
CAMBRIDGE 840A V2 2007 £750
ICON AUDIO PS1.2 2007 £599 Version 2 addresses version 1's weaknesses
Excellent value valve phono stage with good to turn in a mightily accomplished perfor-
range of facilities and fine imaging abilities. mance, offering power, finesse and detail. SUGDEN IA4 2007 £3,650
Goodly amount of Class A power, icy clarity
JUNGSON JA-88D 2006 £899 and a breathtakingly fast, musical sound make
Stunning value for money Class A monster this one of the very best super-integrateds.
integrated; extreme power and clarity at a
puzzlingly low price. QUAD II CLASSIC 2010 £4,500
Beautiful retro styled integrated amplifier
with a subtle, supple sound - although needs
matching to speakers that are easy loads.
MUSICAL FIDELITY AMS35I

2010 £6,000
ASTIN TREW AT8000 £880 Gorgeous, liquid sounding solid-state full
Expansive, detailed, powerful and musical Class A integrated with a supernatually
sound makes this a surprise entrant to the sumptuous bass; surely one of the very best
first class sub-£1,000 phono stage club. integrateds ever made?

STANDARDS
WorldMags
AV AMPLIFIERS MELODY PURE Aston Martin and it’s very hard to say no…
ARCAM AVR350 2006 £1,500 BLACK 101D 2007 £3,295 ELECTROCOMPANIET NEMO
Superbly accomplished do-it-all AV receiver One of the best preamplifiers we have ever 2009 £4,450 (EACH)
package, with an uncommonly, warm, natu- heard. Takes the clarity and openness we The Norwegian power station is as cool as
ral and musical sound. A winner goes from expect from valves and adds a staggering a glacier tonally, yet impresses with its sheer
strength to strength. level of grip and detail. physicality and fleetness of foot. 600W per
channel makes for a massive bang per buck.
MODWRIGHT 36.5 PRE/PSU
HEADPHONE 2010 £5,995
Exceptionally open and expansive, yet musi-
AMPLIFIERS cally expressive sounding high end preampli-
CHANNEL ISLANDS VHP-
fier.
1/ VAC-1 £390
A truly exceptional headphone output stage;
MUSICAL FIDELITY PRIMO
the best at the price and an essential audi-
2009 £7,900
tion.
Staggeringly expensive, but one listen explains
why. Wonderfully exuberant sound that can
MUSICAL FIDELITY
only come from a top quality tube design.
X-CAN V8 2008 £350
Open and explicitly detailed sound plus
serious bass wallop and the ability to drive POWER AMPLIFIERS
anything to very high levels makes this a ROKSAN KANDY LIII 2008 £600 DPA SA-1 2010 £2,850
great partner for most mid-to-high end Fine budget power amp that punches well Pacey, engaging and rhymic almost to a fault,
headphones. above its weight. this solid-state power amplifier isn't the
world's most powerful but is none the worse
SUGDEN HEADMASTER QUAD 909 2001 £900 for it.
2003 £600 The latest current-dumper has a smooth and
Unusual combined preamplifier and head- expansive character with enough wallop to SILK GLOWMASTER KT88
phone amplifier, this boasts a surprisingly drive most loads. Not the most musical, but 2007 £1,699
smooth and open sound. super value all the same. Lovely build, finish KT88 based power amplifier offers dramatic
and Quad's legendary service are nice. clarity and excellent bass heft.
PREAMPLIFIERS NAIM NAP150 2002 £795

CREEK OBH-12 2000 £220 Driven by a decent source and a NAC112,
Brilliant value budget passive, giving little this gives highly enjoyable results - providing
away in sonics to far more expensive designs. you like the Naim sound! Taut, fast and feisty
Connectivity and build aren't great, but what despite its relative lack of power.
do you expect at this price?
SUGDEN MUSIC MASTER
2003 £1,300
Quintessential Class A Sugden sound is not
warm as many expect, but extremely neutral QUAD II-40 2005 £3,230
and open with real tonal colour. Superb Modern tube monoblock power amplifiers
when partnered with efficient loudspeak- with plenty of power, liquid and open mid-
ers like Revolver R45s, but many will find it band and spacious, airy treble. Explicit, engag-
underpowered. ing sound, but not as euphonic as some.
QUAD II-80 2005 £6,000

Quad's best ever power amplifier, this is a
dramatic performer with a silky but dark
MF AUDIO PASSIVE PRE2003 £1,500 tonality, blistering dynamics, serious power
Effective pre with switchable gain via a trans- and a compellingly musical sound. They don't
former, and balanced operation. Open and come much better than these...
incisive sound, yet makes most active rivals
sound edgy by comparison. Silver version at MUSICAL FIDELITY AMS50
the twice the price adds transparency. 2010 £7,000
Wonderfully assured high end full Class A
integrated proffering icy clarity allied to real
musicality. Lacks the lucidity of the best tube
NUFORCE REFERENCE 9SE V2
amps but redeems with power and punch.
2006 £1,750
Brilliant value for money monoblocks with
massive power and super-clean, three dimen- LOUDSPEAKERS
sional sound. Q ACOUSTICS 2020 2010 £140
Great little standmounters with a friendly, fun
yet surprisingly refined gait. Excellent value
starter speakers.
ACOUSTIC ENERGY NEO 1

2007 £199
MODWRIGHT SWL9.0SE £2,000 Tidy and well balanced standmounters with
Captivating sound quality that will transform pleasing clarity and detail.
your system. Build quality is equally impres-
sive and value top-notch. Highly recom- ROTEL RB1092 2007 £1,595 B&W 686 2007 £279
mended Hugely powerful digital amp with neutral B&W's new baby standmounters offer a
midrange and a wonderfully spacious treble sophisticated and mature performance that
NUFORCE P-9 2007 £2,200 belies both their dimensions and price tag.
Impressive two box preamp with superb CHANNEL ISLANDS
resolution and an engaging sound. AUDIO D100 2005 £1,595 KEF iQ30 2009 £330
Clean and musical Class D monoblock power Beautifully built, classily styled standmounters
amplifiers in a neat, small package. with exceptional image projection and a very
clean, detailed sound.
ICON AUDIO MB845 2009 £2,499
Creamy and seductive yet blisteringly fast and
musically lucid, this pair of 845 tube monob-
locks is staggering value for money.
GRAAF GM20 OTL 2003 £3,300

Awesome output transformer-less valve
power amp gives dazzling speed and incision,
DPA CA-1 2010 £2,650 with an ethereal soundstaging and delicious
Excellent solid-state preamp with a meticu- filigree detail. Tremendous punch belies its
lously detailed and propulsive sound, but a humble 20W power rating. Factor in one of
deep velvety tonality. the most exquisite finishes this side of an

STANDARDS
WorldMags
USHER S-520 2006 £350 MARTIN LOGAN SOURCE ARS AURES MI 2006 £5,995
Astonishingly capable budget standmounters 2008 £1,599 Sublime build and finish allied to an insightful,
that offer detail and dynamics well beyond Brilliant entry level electrostatics, giving a assured and even-handed musical perfor-
their price and dimensions taste of loudspeaker esoterica for the price mance makes these an essential high end
of most moving coil boxes. Tremendous clar- audition.
WHARFEDALE DIAMOND 10.3 ity, eveness and delicacy, although not the
2010 £299 world's most powerful sound. QUAD ESL-2905 2006 £5,995
Great small standmounters for audiophiles The old 989 with all the bugs taken out, this
on a budget; dry punchy sound with impres- MONITOR AUDIO GS60 gives a brilliantly neutral and open sound like
sive soundstaging at the price. 2008 £2,000 only a top electrostatic can; still not a natural
Still a great rock loudspeaker after all these rock loudspeaker, though.
XTZ 99.25 2010 £640 years, with a vivd, lithe and engaging sound.
Disarmingly open and refined at the price, SPENDOR ST 2010 £5,995
these standmounters bring unexpected civil- SPENDOR S8E £1,895 This classy sounding, superbly presented big
ity, refinement and insight to the price point. Generously large, silky smooth delivery, this floorstander will appeal to those seeking high
Exceptional value for money. dynamic sounding floorstander is an excellent end sonics with subtle looks.
all rounder.
REVOLVER CYGNIS 2006 £5,999
Revolver pull out all the stops and show
what they can do with this magnificent flag-
ship loudspeaker. A superb monitor that is
like a mini B&W 801D in many ways.
USHER BE-10 2009 £10,500

Clever high end moving coil design with
immense speed and dizzying clarity allied to
epic punch. Needs the best ancillaries to fly,
though...
B&W 801D 2006 £10,500

ACOUSTIC In many respects, the ultimate studio moni-
ENERGY AE1 CLASSIC £845 tor; dazzling clarity and speed with com-
Brilliantly successful remake of an iconic manding scale and dynamics.
design; not flawless, but surely one of the
most musical loudspeakers ever made.
SPENDOR S3/5E 2004 £950

A natural successor to the BBC LS3/5a,
whose impressive neutrality, imaging and
evenhandedness makes this a superior, if less ISOPHON GALILEO 2007 £2,100
charismatic, loudspeaker. Big standmounters that really grip the music
and offer quite startling dynamics and grip.
RRR FS100 2007 £1,055
Mind-boggling amount of loudspeaker for YAMAHA SOAVO 1.1 2009 £3,000
the money. Big and sturdily built with serious Musical, transparent large floorstanders with
bass and awesome soundstage scale. A real impressive dynamics and cohesion. Excellent
bargain. build and finish.
MAD MY CLAPTON GRAND MM

2010 £3,400
Distinctive coaxial standmounters with
wonderful soundstaging, bright lucid midband
excellent musical insight.
ISOPHON
CASSIANO 2007 £12,900
Drive units featuring exotic materials allied
to superlative build quality result in an
immensely capable loudspeaker. Not an easy
load to drive, however.
REVOLVER CYGNIS GOLD

2010 £14,995
Big banger with enormous scale and vast
power, although requires the right room and
doesn't cohere as well as a panel.
REVOLVER RW45I 2006 £1,199
Very musical floorstander that’s clear, concise MONITOR AUDIO PL100 2008 £2,300 ACCESSORIES
The MA boys pull out all the stops for their MONITOR
and truthful, whilst being exceptionally ampli-
fier friendly - a dreamboat for valves. flagship 'Platinum' series standmounter with AUDIO IDECK 2006 £200
stunning results. Fine design, impressive flexibility and a lucidly
ONE THING AUDIO ESL57 musical sound make the iDeck the current
2007 £1,450 PMC OB1i 2008 £2,950 iPod dock champion.
One Thing Audio's modifications keep the Cleverly updated floorstanders give scale and
good old ESL57 at the very top of the game. solidity in slim and well finished package. ISOTEK AQUARIUS 2010 £795
Highly accomplished premium priced mains
KIBRI NAIMA 2007 £1,550 EMMINENT TECHNOLOGY LFT8B conditioner that delivers the sonic goods,
Unusual-looking omnidirectional loudspeak- 2010 £2,300 unlike so many others.
ers with an absolutely captivating perfor- Brilliant ribbon/moving coil hybrid with seam-
mance. Huge soundstage and bags of clarity less, delicate and expansive yet tremendously TOWNSHEND MAXIMUM
- brilliant! musical nature. 2003 £800
Classy ribbon supertweeter with flexible
GURU QM-10P 2007 £1,595 MOWGAN AUDIO MABON level settings and cool styling - you'll be
Quirky but adorable standmounters that 2007 £3,995 amazed at the difference it makes, especially
are way off the pace in respect of detail and Massively capable loudspeakers that offer
with Quad electrostatics.
power, but amazingly capable at playing a tune dynamics, scale and clarity in an elegantly
and pulling you in to the music. simple package. Wide range of finishes, too.
HEADPHONES
USHER BE-718 2007 £1,600 B&O BEOLAB 9 2007 £5000 SENNHEISER MX-550 2005 £19
Beryllium tweeters work superbly, allied to Technically impressive and visually striking Our unqualified recommendation for those
a fast and punchy bass driver. The result is loudspeakers with sound quality that more seeking a serious sounding pair of in-ear
subtle, smooth and emotive. than matches their looks. phones. Smooth, detailed and musical.

STANDARDS
WorldMags
SENNHEISER PX-100 2002 £29 DNM RESON 2002 £40/M ARCAM SOLO MINI 2008 £650
Cracking pair of lightweight open back cans Neutral and transparent - a steal! Half the size and two-thirds the price of a
ideal for personals, but good enough for real full-sized Solo, the Mini gives very little away
hi-fi use. Superb build allied to a smooth and VDH ULTIMATE THE FIRST in terms of performance to it bigger brother.
engaging performance make them the spiri- 2004 £260/0.6M
tual successor to the HD400s. Carbon interconnects that help you forget ARCAM SOLO 2005 £1,249
the electronics and concentrate on the music. Excellent all-in-one system, with a warm,
Miraculous transparency. Tight and tuneful smooth and balanced sound to match the
bass mixed with air and space results in a features and style.
cracking cable for the money.
LINN CLASSIK MUSIC 2008 £1,250
Neat update of the original and best one-box
stereo system; superbly musical sound beats
equivalently priced separates.
MERIDIAN F80 2007 £1,500

Fantastically built and versatile DVD/CD/
DAB/FM/AM unit, designed in conjunction
with Ferrari. Ignore nay-sayers who sneer
TCI CONSTRICTOR 13A-6 BLOCK that it isn't a 'proper' hi-fi product; most see
2003 £120 sense when they listen to it...
Top quality ‘affordable’ mains outlet block,
GOLDRING DR150 2006 £70 with fine build and good sonics. Well worth
Excellent build and fine sound makes these the extra over standard high street specials,
budget cans superlative value for money. which sound coarse and two-dimensional by
comparison.
SENNHEISER HD-590 1998 £199
MISSING LINK CRYO REFERENCE
The company's best real-world cans to date.
2008 £375
Open and smooth with plenty of detail.
Currently our favourite 'affordable high end'
Brightly lit midband makes them an ideal
interconnects, with a deliciously smooth,
partner for a valve headphone amp.
open and subtle sound without a hint of edge
or grain. Superb value, inasuch as it's as good
SENNHEISER HD-650 2004 £250 as some designs at three times the price. AURA NOTE MUSIC CENTRE
A super all round reference design with crisp, 2007 £1,500
detailed and even sound allied to superlative Lovely shiny CD/tuner/amplifier with fine
build and comfort. Cable upgrade yields great TUNERS sound quality and dynamic abilities.
results. DENON TU-1500AE 2006 £120
Excellent entry level analogue tuner; slick SHANLING MC-30 2007 £650
sonics and fine feature count makes it a Quite possibly the cutest all-in-one around
SENNEISER HD800 2010 £1,000
bargain. with fine performance from the CD player,
The ultimate expression of the Sennheiser
philosophy offers massive speed, clarity and tuner and MP3 player input. Very low power,
insight, although lacks some of the charm of though.
the softer, more beguiling rival Staxes.
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO 640T2005 £250

Sweet sounding digital/analogue hybrid with
fine build and finish at the price.
ARCAM FMJ T32 2009 £550

Excellent hybrid FM/DAB+ tuner with a
smooth, engaging sound. Factor in its fine
build and it’s a super value package.
CREEK CLASSIC TUNER2006 £550

No tuner offers better sound per pound;
wonderfully three dimensional and smooth NAIM UNITI 2009 £1,995
from bottom to top. Uniquely versatile one box music system with
excellent ergonomics and sonics to match. A
MYRYAD MXT-2000 2005 £800 landmark product for Naim.
STAX SR-007T OMEGA Truly sumptuous sound and excellent build is
II/SRM-007T 2006 £2,890 all most will ever need in a tuner; superb. LINN CLASSIK
Simply the best headphones we've ever heard MOVIE 2007 £2,250
at any price, these sweetly translucent elec- MAGNUM DYNALAB
Superbly built all-in-one that offers excellent
trostatic earspeakers are like no other head- MD-100T 2006 £1,895
sound across all formats and is surprisingly
phone, or loudspeaker for that matter... One of the best ways to hear FM that we
easy to use.
know; superbly open and musical sound in a
quirky but characterful package.
MERIDIAN SOOLOOS 2.1
INTERCONNECTS 2010 £6,990
TECHLINK WIRES XS 2007 £20 Thanks to its crisp styling and bright, colour-
Highly accomplished interconnects at an ful touchscreen, plus excellent search facilities
absurdly low price. Stunning value for money. this is one hard disk music system with a
difference. Best partnered to Meridian active
WIREWORLD OASIS 5 2003 £99/M loudspeakers.
Excellent mid-price design with a very neu-
tral, silky and self-effacing sound. Superb value MARANTZ 'LEGEND' 2007 £22,000
for money. The combination of SA-7S1 disc player, SC-
SYSTEMS 7S2 preamp and MA-9S2 monoblocks deliv-
CHORD COMPANY YAMAHA CRX-M170 2007 £200 ers a truly jaw-dropping performance. Start
CHAMELEON 2 £90/M One heck of a lot of quality performance on saving now....
One of our favourites, these are musical per- DAB, CD and FM for £200! Optional match-
formers with a smooth yet open sound. ing £120 NX-E300 loudspeakers aren't too
shabby either.
TEAC DR-H300DAB 2008 £329

Nicely built and styled mini with fine perfor-
mance on all sources that even plays DVDs!
NAD C-715DAB 2008 £429

Small, neat looks cover a truly capable system
that shows just what a compact design can
achieve.

REVIEW WorldMags
Power Ranger
Rafael Todes fires up Musical Fidelity’s punchy mid-priced transistor
integrated power amplifier, the M6 PRX...
I
n recent months Musical Personally speaking, I am a transistor amplifier. These days, this
Fidelity have come up with worshipper at the thermionic temple. downside can be partially alleviated
some interesting products. I I love the sound that valves bring by the use of a beefy, well made
recently had the company of to acoustic instruments, particularly transformer, and high quality valves.
an AMS100, a one hundred strings and voice. Typically, you can Is this beauty of tone genuine or
Watt power amplifier for a expect a liquid midrange that is not? Anti-valvistas would claim that
month, it took two burly men a good sweeter than a transistor amplifier, the beauty of sound comes from
five minutes to haul this 150kg crate and a sound stage that is deeper, second-order harmonic distortion,
up a single flight of stairs. This is a and more holographic. There can be which is not present in well-
£14,000 monster, pure Class A, and an airiness to the sound which is engineered transistor amplifiers. This
100W of vice-like control. Musically incredibly lifelike, or perhaps even age-old debate will run and run, and
however it is a cool customer and I Über-real! After all when was the last ultimately people tend to chose the
never saw it break sweat in the time time you heard that airiness in a real family of sound they want, and stick
I had it. Its smaller sibling, the AMS50 concert? The downside can come to it!
has been adopted by Hi-Fi World as a with valve amplifiers’ control of bass The maintenance costs of
reference due to its neutrality, super frequencies. Often you will hear a running valve amplifiers should not
bass qualities, and ability to present soggy or bloated bass which lacks be forgotten. A new set of valves can
detail. the same incision and accuracy of a cost anything from a hundred quid to

REVIEW WorldMags
"a big, no-nonsense, ballsy sound, extremely low

levels of distortion, with plenty of grip..."
over a thousand for new old stock. valve preamplifier with the AMS100 immediately struck by the amplifier’s
They can last a couple of years with is clever, bringing the best of both command of this huge, brass-laden
moderate to heavy usage, but when worlds. orchestra. When the big orchestral
they go, they can take parts of the climaxes arrived, with forces blazing,
circuitboard with them, and this can SOUND QUALITY I was impressed at the amplifier’s
be expensive to repair, thus valves are It struck me listening to Mozart’s ability to keep a cool head. It
not for the faint-hearted. Transistor charming A major Symphony no 29 reminded me of the control I heard
amplifiers are much more reliable (Neville Marriner and the Academy from its £14,000 cousin.
and maintenance-free. It is not of St Martin-in-the-Fields on Argo) When the orchestra breaks into
uncommon for a well-built transistor comparing the M6PRX with my cross-rhythms against the piano, the
amplifier to last over twenty years VAC Auricle Musicbloc valve power boogie factor zoomed up and the
without seeing a soldering iron. amplifiers, that the two were not a amplifier really danced. The transients
Musical Fidelity’s founder million miles apart. Sure, strings and caused by the solo piano sounded
Anthony Michaelson started life as a woodwind were slightly more mellow really clean, no hint of any distortion,
Clarinetist, and a rather accomplished with the valve amplifiers, but the as did the big brass moments. Visceral
one at that, recording the Mozart differences weren’t as large as I had power oozing from the speakers.
Clarinet Concerto as well as the expected, there is a smoothness to In Coleman Hawkins and Red
Mozart Clarinet Quintet. He starting the M6PRX that is almost valve-like, Allen’s 'High Standards' album,
building valve preamps as a hobby it didn’t ever shriek, and there was remarkably recorded in 1958, the
whilst still a student, and this cottage none of the hash or graininess from track 'All of Me', shows a thunderous
industry grew into what is now which lesser transistor amplifiers double bass line, tight and musical,
Musical Fidelity. It is interesting suffer. The soundstage was wide and while Coleman Hawkins jams on
that Musical Fidelity operate on multi-layered, and the wit and beauty top. It is not the most flattering of
both sides of the great thermionic of this magnificent symphony shone sax sounds, it doesn’t have the warm
divide, with the Primo, the flagship through like a ray of sunshine. mellow sound of valve, it’s cool and
preamplifier designed to accompany Listening to Bernstein’s earlier detached, but quite life-like.
the Titan, being pure Class A triode. (1959) CBS recording of Gershwin’s On to Mahler’s Sixth Symphony,
He is no stranger to the benefits of 'Rhapsody in Blue' with the Columbia and the last movement, which has
valves, and his use of this excellent Symphony Orchestra, I was a huge range of orchestral colours,

WorldMags
Stereo Sound Image Hi-Fi

Award 2010
Grand Prix Best Loudspeaker
Award 2009
Definition DC10T Definition DC10T Definition DC8 Definition DC8T
Definition is an outstanding new range of audiophile loudspeakers

from Tannoy. Designed to get the very best from stereo music in
the home, Definition distils and refines Tannoy’s eight decades
of loudspeaker expertise into a design of unrivalled performance
value and stunning aesthetics.
Defining the art of sound

The three strong range features the very latest Tannoy Dual
Concentric™ drivers with WideBand™ tweeter technology,
innovative ply-wood cabinets and revolutionary Deep
Cryogenically Treated crossovers. Capturing the fundamental
dynamics of music yet majoring on the finest instrumental
detail, Definition defines the art of sound.
tannoy.com
WorldMags
REVIEW WorldMags
flourishes, and textures. I had been M6PRX UNPLUGGED

so impressed at AMS100’s ability to The M6PRX uses the same basic circuit topology as the AMS
spotlight the individual instruments’ family. It has twin amplifier sections, in mono configuration, with twin
miking, as well as making me feel that choke-regulated power supplies for optimum supply noise
I was standing in the midst of the filtering, is rated at 260W and has the ability to drive a wide range of
string or woodwind section during loudspeakers, due to the stability of the voltage source. Usefully, there are
the relevant passages. I feel this two sets of RCA inputs, balanced XLR inputs, as well as a loop which can
quality much less with its cheaper feed line level to another amplifier, which could be useful in the case of
cousin, the sound feels like you are in bi-amping or home cinema use. The unit weighs a substantial 20kg and has
the fifth row of a concert hall. But at dimensions of 44cm wide, 12.5cm high and 39cm deep. It has a custom
£11,500 less than its smarter relative, made front panel extrusion and heat sink extrusions, which are in the form
this criticism is totally unreasonable! of slats on the sides of the amplifier. The badge is made of medical grade
There is some controversy about stainless steel. The amplifier is manufactured in Taiwan, whereas the AMS
the attribution of Bach’s famous range is built in Europe. There is a M6PRE preamplifier which makes a good
Toccata and Fugue in D minor, bedfellow for the M6PRX, in the same series which shares common values
there is recently scholarship that with the latter.
suggests it was written after 1850,
due to a number of kitsch musical
touches that did not exist in Bach’s heard before. There seemed to be CD playing
time. In this excellent recording by real synergy between the Naim and studio- REFERENCE SYSTEM
Peter Hurford on the organ of the the M6PRX for this type of recording. recorded Nottingham Analogue Hyperspace turntable
Ratzeburger Dom (Argo ZRG943) jazz. It Cartridgeman Conductor tonearm
the huge range of the organ is a good CONCLUSION images well, Ortofon Kontrapunkt A cartridge
indicator of the tonal evenness of an Anyone looking for a well-built and has Icon Audio PS3 Signature phono stage
amplifier across different registers. power amplifier around the £3,000 many of the VAC Auricle power amplifier
The M6PRX passes this test with mark shouldn’t miss auditioning one qualities of B&W802D loudspeakers
flying colours. Its neutrality can be of these. It has a big, no-nonsense, its more
heard across the different registers ballsy sound, extremely low levels expensive
of the German organ, and both the of distortion, with plenty of grip relatives, at a price that represents
earth-shattering bass and the clarity down below. It really excelled on fine value for money.
with which it portrays the
massive hell-raising diminished
chord, is extremely impressive. MEASURED PERFORMANCE
You can distinguish every note
This M6 delivers 220 Watts into 8 but clean amplifier that delivers current
of the chord, a feat that is not Ohms and 380 Watts into 4 Ohms so it with considerable ease. NK
always possible amongst lesser is massively powerful. It is also quite
amplifiers, in fact I heard a efficient, barely getting warm on the Power 220 Watts
passing note that I have never test bench even when delivering full
heard before! The amplifier here power for one minute or so. CD/tuner/aux.
has both muscle combined with Like most Musical Fidelity Frequency response 4Hz-150kHz
clarity. amplifiers distortion was very low Separation 96dB VERDICT
Ray Gelato’s ‘The Full even at high frequencies, measuring Noise -123dB Clean, detailed, precise and well
just 0.024% at 10kHz, 1W into 4 Ohms. Distortion 0.024% ordered sound, but with lots of life and
Flavour’ is Linn Records’ tribute visceral punch to match. An excellent
Our analysis shows this was second Sensitivity 1.35V
to Louis Prima, brilliantly mid-price transistor power amplifer,
harmonic too, with no sign of crossover Damping factor 36 well worth audition.
recorded by Callum Malcolm. distortion visible on the analysers. The
On this CD through a Naim amplifier will have very clean treble as DISTORTION MUSICAL FIDELITY
CD5X and Flatcap 2X, the a result. M6PRX £2,995
amplifier seemed in its element. Bandwidth extended way past Musical Fidelity
It made a stunning rendition 100kHz, up to 150kHz -1dB. At the low )
+44(0)20 8900 2866
of the vocals by Ray Gelato frequency end, gain extended down
www.musicalfidelity.com
and guest star Claire Martin, to 4Hz before rolling away, so there is
silky smooth, natural, and plenty of low end power, kept in control FOR
by a high damping factor of 36, so bass - precise, focused sound
highly realistic. The band was
will be tight. - airy, spacious treble
beautifully portrayed in space,
Both unbalanced RCA and balanced - articulate bass
punchy bass, real zing on the XLR inputs had a sensitivity of 1.35V for
drums, and the amplifier had no full output.
problems deconstructing the AGAINST
The M6 is a massively powerful
playing to reveal layers I hadn’t - lacks a sense of romance!

WorldMags
Distributed in the UK by Black Rhodium
The mat for the new turntable generation that not only
improves sound but looks stunning too!
Oyaide MJ-12 Turntable Mat

“gave a sense of ease to the musical proceedings in general and
invested the high treble notes with a pleasing shimmer.” HiFi World.
For more information on this truly exciting new product and many other
high end audio upgrading accessories, including rhodium plated connec-
tors and high purity silver and copper cables, please visit www.oyaide.
com or contact your nearest Oyaide dealer on:
www.blackrhodium.co.uk/oyaideukdealers.htm
01332 342233 sales@blackrhodium.co.uk

REVIEW WorldMags
The Tannoy Revolution DC4s are small and

perfectly formed bookshelf speakers.
Paul Rigby puts a pair to the test...
Size Matters
W
hen editor DP the speaker looks very simple indeed, It looks positively anorexic, but then
announced that my until you look a little closer then interestingly with loudspeakers, less
new mission in life you realise that Tannoy has utilised can often be more. Smaller cabinets
was to review the a Dual Concentric design. In fact, a mean less wood to resonate, and less
Tannoy Revolution compact, wide bandwidth version air inside to chuff around, messing up
DC4 loudspeakers, I of the more recognisable units that timing.
looked around and pondered the lack you may have seen Noel waxing Why do the Revolution DC4
of space in my house, reflected on lyrical about a few issues back. Part at all? Well, partly because he could.
the vast amounts of kit already pres- of the driver mix is a paper cone, a Mills’ self-imposed challenge was to
ent, and wondered where the box titanium domed tweeter with a Tulip get a dual concentric design into
might go when the couriers delivered waveguide backed by a neodymium as small a space as possible and,
them. But when the lorry turned up magnet accompanied by a simplified with speaker materials evolving and
and a wee little package was handed internal construction. The rear of the improving all the time, Mills decided
over, I realised just how dinky these chassis provides enough terminals for to do just that.
mini-monitors really are. They’re so bi-amping, if required. The second reason? Using the
small that when I placed them upon Rather than being honed dual concentric design meant that
my speaker stands, the little Tannoys to perfection in some remote only one driver had to be fitted
were hardly able to span the four Caledonian anechoic chamber, which allowed the speaker to shrink
decoupling supports on the top! the trapezoidal chassis looks like further. Tannoy is looking seriously at
Ranging over a restricted designer Dr Paul Mills arrived at this ‘small’ market. According to its
270x152x162mm and weighing just the shape while whittling a piece of own research, newbuild houses are
3.7kg, my first thoughts were to wood on a porch during a balmy shrinking. Apparently, each year they
wave a tearful hanky at the retreating summer in Alabama, in the company reduce in size by nine square foot!
bass. I couldn’t see much air being of a bunch of ‘good ol’ boys’, while Who can live in a matchbox with a
moved by these cuties. Driver-wise, slurping hooch and chewing straw! pair of B&W 802Ds? Soon, people

WorldMags
WorldMags
REVIEW WorldMags
will live in a pair B&W 802Ds!
So Tannoy sees the tiny speaker "It’s so clean, so crafted and precise
market as growing [yes, very good,
Paul! Ed.]. Of course, those of us that an acoustic guitar solo is almost
living in flats or bedsits will also be
ideal potential customers too. Mills shocking in its presentation..."
also wanted to juggle with materials
and technology and to provide more for the first time and genuinely roam while the music fizzed with
value for money, which is why the enjoying the listening experience. energy.
DC4s have basically the same guts Okay, bass was still absent without
as a pair of Tannoy Autograph Minis, leave, but even here there was CONCLUSION
retailing at around £1,500, with a fun to be had. Imagine sitting at a The Tannoy DC4s are a bit of a
cheaper chassis. dinner, after a good meal and lots of Curate’s Egg. Bass had to be drawn on
Setting up the DC4s is a bit wine and up stands an after-dinner a page and described to my ears, yet
of a trial. The stereo image wavers speaker who tells you the most still when the DC4s became involved
around a bit so you will find yourself splendid stories about Groucho with the music the recording became
moving the speakers an inch to the Marx. Now, of course, you’d rather captivating. I was surprised by these
left here, back a bit there. The best have Groucho there, in front of you, speakers’ apparent dislike of vinyl – or VERDICT
bass balance is not right up against giving you the stories first hand but certainly my particular vinyl front end. Striking midrange performance makes
the wall, somewhat surprisingly, but the second-hand stories make you It felt like the turntable was throwing these brilliant in small spaces, but
a little way from it - half a metre? I laugh, you have a really good time too much bass into the speakers, lack of bass is not for all.
would recommend that you point the nevertheless. That’s what bass is like which they then struggled with, and TANNOY REVOLUTION
tweeters directly at your head too. via digital sources through the DC4s. muddled the upper frequencies. DC4 £349.90
Listening tests were undertaken with It describes what bass should be like In my system, the Tannoys Tannoy UK Ltd.
grilles removed. without actually giving it to you... certainly gave of their best in the )
+44 (0)1236 420199
I’ve saved the best till, last, digital domain. Exhibiting super instru-
www.tannoy.com
SOUND QUALITY though. Playing Carol Kidd’s ‘It’s mental separation, they revelled in the
I began by spinning vinyl and Kate Alright With Me’ from ‘Dreamsville’ sheer joy of the CD-based music. The FOR
Bush’s ‘Bertie’ from the ‘Aerial’ (Linn), the DC4s underwent an musicality of the entire presentation - spacious midband
(EMI) album. Surprisingly, I found the immediate transformation because, just picked me up and carried me - detail resolution
playback lacking in engagement. Not oddly, the authority of this speaker away. The exuberance of the midrange - diminutive size
surprisingly, bass was largely absent lies in the midrange. The mids are frequencies couldn’t fail to put a
but did resemble a hollow sculpture. almost visceral. Power, beautifully smile all over my face. So do carefully AGAINST
That is, the bass was shaped sculptured – but from ice – emanates audition these loudspeakers; they have - light low bass
and framed but without any low from the midrange. It’s so clean, so a distinct and unmissable character of - transistor amps only!
frequency substance while the vocals, crafted and precise that an acoustic their very own. - tricky set-up
normally rich and warm on wax, guitar solo is almost
sounded rather cold and icy which shocking in its presen-
removed much of the emotion of tation. Each string is MEASURED PERFORMANCE
the performance. General midrange plucked with an almost Unlike most Tannoys the DC4 has raised very clean, except for a bass overhang
performance was excellent, though, devastating clarity. output from its concentric horn tweeter, at 70Hz and some small output at
with real organic clarity impressing Each plucked string is giving a lift in frequency response of 180Hz. Otherwise, the DC4 looks
+4dB above 5kHz, a property that remarkably uncoloured.
over all instruments. delivered like a punch
will be clearly audible as prominent The Revolution DC4 will have
Moving to the jazz-infused that, even when it’s
or ‘bright’ treble. A small amount of light bass and accentuated treble;
krautrock of Embryo and various over, your ears dwell droop in the crossover region around wall positioning will help lift bass.
excepts from the album ‘Opal’ (Wah upon what you have 2.5kHz will soften the upper midband Colouration was very low and
Wah), there was less time for the heard. For that reason, a trifle, ensuring there’s no bite there, sensitivity fair, so it should sound clean
music to become introspective you need to take care and below this frequency output is and well balanced tonally. NK
because the presentation was more on system matching. reasonably even all the way down to
uptempo. I found myself carried away A forward front-end bass frequencies. Forward output from FREQUENCY RESPONSE
by the musicality and energy of the will produce brightness the bass unit reached no lower than +20
Tannoys. This music didn’t dwell on from the DC4s, 100Hz, a high value, but the port is
+10
tuned to 85Hz and will provide some
the cool nature of the DC4s, I was stabbing your ears with dB
bouncy sounding upper bass, down 0
able to enjoy the crisp projection of midrange icicles!
to 70Hz but no lower. So this little
the guitar solos and the sax bursts. Attach a warming loudspeaker does not have deep bass. -10
What was going on? It’s partly CD player, like the For such a small loudspeaker -20
a problem of perception – at least Icon, and you have sensitivity was fair, measuring 86dB
-30
from myself. I expected more warmth an almost clinically Sound Pressure Level from one 20 100 Hz 1k 20k
and depth from vinyl playback. Not transparent transducer nominal watt of input (2.8V). With a Green - driver output
getting it, I felt robbed. Perhaps but without a single highish measured overall impedance
Red - port output
the DC4s were getting a little element of harshness of 7.1 Ohms amplifiers of 50 Watts
overwhelmed by my bass-heavy, valve that you might normally or more will be needed to go loud. IMPEDANCE
Our graph of impedance shows the
phono stage enriched turntable, and associate with that
DC4 is very reactive and will induce 50
just ran out of puff? epithet. Spinning
a broader difference in sound quality Ohms
Moving to more balanced CD a reissue of Phil from amplifiers than flatter impedance
30
sources was a pleasurable experience; Manzanera’s debut solo loudspeakers. It isn’t ideal for valve
the Tannoys simply adored the work, ‘Diamond Head’ amps as such large impedance changes
little silver disc. Suddenly the DC4s (Expression), the word produce small frequency response
10
felt thoroughly at ease; this was that springs to mind is undulations.
synchronicity! Listening via the Icon ‘fresh’. Mids and treble The 200mS decay spectrum was 0
10 Hz 1k 20k
CD player, I found myself relaxing had bags of space to

WorldMags

COMPETITION WorldMags
WIN A SUPERB BENZ MICRO

WOOD SL MOVING COIL CARTRIDGE
WORTH £950 IN THIS MONTH’S
GREAT COMPETITION!
H
ere’s what Tony Bolton a crossed-coil design as found
said about this fabu- in other Benz Micro products.
lous cartridge, in the The solid Boron cantilever, with
December 2010 issue of ‘side-bonded’ stylus, grooved rear
Hi-Fi World magazine... pole piece and countersunk O-ring immaculate
“In the audio damper are carried over from the and the presen-
world, the Swiss home of precision previous version of this unit. tation vibrant without
engineering has produced Benz Playing a mid fifties mono LP in being forward or fussy. In case
Micro, manufacturers of hand made average condition, my first reaction you haven’t guessed, I think I’m in
pickup cartridges. Designed by Albert as the run-in groove played was love! I’ve never had a Benz cartridge
Lukascheck, who personally tests disbelief. Most of the background to play with at home before, and I
each unit before it leaves the factory, noise seemed to have disappeared! have been won over by its exemplary
the Micro has been around for a few As the tracks played through, and a manners, virtually unshakable tracking
years, but recently the stylus profile couple of the usual ‘crunches’ failed ability and sheer musicality. It seemed
has been changed from a Geiger S to materialise, I became more and unfussed by aged recordings (or QUESTIONS
to a Micro-ridge design. This shape more impressed with the Benz’s vinyl) and just rolled up its sleeves [1] From which
has several claimed advantages over tracking abilities. It seemed to and got on with the job in hand country does Benz
other designs, including a very small follow the groove wall come?
[a] Sweden
contact area with the groove wall, extremely accurately, [b] Swaziland
promising good detail retrieval, and digging into the groove [c] Surinam
[d] Switzerland
the curvature of the tip (3 micron to produce one of
radius) ensuring that wear to the tip the best renditions [2] Albert
does not alter the profile, giving long that I have heard of Lukascheck does
what?
life and minimal wear to both stylus this record. Musicians [a] makes the tea
and records. This series of cartridges seemed to be working [b] calls the shots
comes clothed in a wooden body. together in a particularly [c] fixes the roof
[d] designs Benz
The official description calls the cohesive manner, and cartridges
material Bruyere, and a little research the whole experience
[3] What type of
found the English name, Briar-root demonstrated the stylus is used?
wood (Erica Arborea), better known reason that Goodman [a] elliptical
for making the bowls of tobacco was known as the ‘King of Swing’ for – that of making highly enjoyable [b] spherical
[c] Gyger
pipes. Encased inside is the generator, over twenty years. The timing was music”. [d] Micro ridge
For your chance to win this great
moving coil cartridge, just answer [4] Tony said he
RULES AND CONDITIONS OF ENTRY thought he was
the following four easy questions. what?
- ONLY ONE ENTRY PER HOUSEHOLD
Send your entries on a postcard only [a] “the egg man”
[b] “all shook up”
- MULTIPLE ENTRIES WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY DISQUALIFIED by 28th February 2011 to: [c] “confused”
- PURCHASE OF THE MAGAZINE IS NOT A PRE-CONDITION OF ENTRY
[d] “in love”
March 2011 Competition,
- NO CORRESPONDENCE WILL BE ENTERED INTO March Competition
Hi-Fi World magazine, Hi-Fi World Magazine
- THE EDITOR'S DECISION IS FINAL Unit G4 Argo House, Unit G4 Argo House
The Park Business Centre, The Park Business Centre
- NO EMPLOYEES OF AUDIO PUBLISHING LIMITED, OR OF ANY COMPANIES Kilburn Park Rd.
ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION OF THE PRIZES, Kilburn Park Road, London NW6 5LF
MAY ENTER London NW6 5LF.
entries will be accepted on a postcard only
DECEMBER 2010 WINNERS: MONITOR AUDIO BX5 LOUDSPEAKERS

Mr. Ian Clemence of Lancashire
Mr. S. Haria of London
Mr. R. Jackman of Berkshire

CLASSICS
WorldMags
WORLD Here is our list of the great and good from audio’s
glorious past, products that have earned their
place in hi-fi history. You’ll also see some oddities
CLASSICS
which aren’t classic as such, but are great used
buys. The year of introduction is given, alongside
the original UK launch price.
We do not sell these products.
It is for your information only.
DIGITAL NAIM CDS 1990 £ N/A ESOTERIC P0 1997 £8,000

CAMBRIDGE AUDIO CD1 1986 £1500 Classic Philips 16x4 chipset with serious The best CD drive bar none; TEAC's Tokyo
Inspired Stan Curtis redesign of Philips attention to power supplies equals grin- boys pushed the boat out in style. Brilliantly
CD104, complete with switchable digital filter. inducing sonics. incisive, ridiculously over engineered.
Lean but tight and musical performer.
KENWOOD 9010 1986 £600
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO The first discrete Jap transport was beauti-
CD4SE 1998 £200 fully done and responds well to re-clocking
A touch soft in the treble and tonally light, even today.
but outstanding in every other respect.
LINN KARIK III 1995 £1775 DACs

The final Karik was a gem. Superb transport CAMBRIDGE AUDIO
gives a brilliantly tight, grippy dynamic sound, DACMAGIC 1995 £99
albeit tonally dry. Good value upgrade for budget CD players
with extensive facilities and detailed sonics.
MARANTZ CD73 1983 £700 SONY CDP-101 1982 £800
A riot of gold brushed aluminium and LEDs, The first Japanese CD spinner was powerful
this distinctive machine squeezed every last and involving. Brilliant transport more than
ounce from its 14x4 DAC -super musical compensated for 16x2 DAC, and you even
got remote control!
SONY CDP-R1/DAS-R11987 £3,000

Sony’s first two boxer was right first time.
Tonally lean, but probably the most detailed
and architectural sounding machine of the
eighties. DCS ELGAR 1997 £8500
Extremely open and natural performer, albeit
extremely pricey - superb.
MARANTZ SA-1 2000 £5,000

The greatest argument for SACD. This sub-
lime Ken Ishiwata design is utterly musically
convincing with both CD and SACD, beating
most audiophile CD spinners hands down.
SONY CDP-701ES 1984 £890

Sony’s first ever bespoke high end audiophile DPA LITTLE BIT 3 1996 £299
machine used a 16x2 DAC to provide a clini- Rich, clean, rhythmic and punchy sound trans-
cally incisive sound; supreme build quality forms budget CD players.
allied to the pure unadulterated luxury of a
paperbook-sized remote control.
TECHNICS SL-P1200 1987 £800

CD version of the Technics SL-1200 turn-
MERIDIAN 207 1988 £995
table. Massively built to withstand the rigours
Beautifully-built two-box with pre-amp stage.
of 'pro' use and laden with facilities - a great
Very musical although not as refined as mod-
eighties icon. Sonically, it's pure fun, with
ern Bitstream gear. No digital output.
hefty bass that can still show weedy modern
players a thing or two!
MUSICAL FIDELITY PINK TRIANGLE
TRIVISTA 2002 £4000 DACAPO 1993 £ N/A
YAMAHA CD-X1 1983 £340
When playing SACDs, the sweetest, most Exquisite; the warmest and most lyrical 16bit
Nicely built 16x2 machine with a very sharp
lucid and lyrical digital disc spinner we've digital audio we have ever heard. Clever plug-
and detailed sound; sometimes too much so.
heard. Old school stereo, pure DSD design. in digital filter modules really worked!
Excellent ergonomics, unlike almost every
CD sound is up in the £1000 class, too!
other rival of the time.
Future classic.
MERIDIAN MCD 1984 £600 COMPACT DISC

The first British 'audiophile' machine was a
sweeter, more detailed Philips CD100. 14x4 TRANSPORTS
never sounded so good, until the MCD Pro TEAC VRDS-T1 1994 £600
arrived a year later. Warm and expansive sound made this a mid
price hit. Well built, with a slick mech.
QED DIGIT 1991 £90

Budget bitstream performer with tweaks
aplenty. Positron PSU upgrade makes it
smooth, but now past it.

CLASSICS
WorldMags
TURNTABLES MICHELL GYRODEC 1981 £599 ALPHASON HR100S 1981 £150
ARISTON RD11S 1972 £94 Thanks to its stunning visuals, this bold First class arm, practically up to present-day
Modern evolution of Thorens’ original belt design wasn’t accorded the respect it standards. Buy carefully, though, as there is
drive paradigm, Scotland’s original super- deserved until recently. Early examples sound no service available now. Totally under priced
deck was warm and musical, albeit soft. Still cold and mechanical, but now right on the when new, exceptional.
capable of fine results today. pace. Clean, solid and architectural sound.
ADC ACCUTRAC 4000 1976 £300 TECHNICS SP10 1973 £400

Bonkers 1970s direct drive that uses an infra Seminal Japanese engineering. Sonics depend
red beam to allow track selection and pro- on plinths, but a well mounted SP10/II will
gramming. More of a visual and operational give any modern a hard time, especially in
delight than a sonic stunner. respect of bass power and midband accuracy.
PIONEER PL12D 1973 £36 REGA PLANAR 3 1978 £79

Brilliantly simple but clean and musical per- SME 3009 1959 £18
The beginning of the end for the British turn-
former, complete with Acos-derived S-shaped Once state of the art, but long since bet-
table industry. When vinyl was the leading
tonearm. 1983 saw the arrival of the RB300, tered. Musical enough, but weak at fre-
source, this bought new standards of noise
which added detail at the expense of warmth. quency extremes and veiled in the midband.
performance and stability to the class, plus a
Superb budget buy. Legendary serviceability and stunning build
low friction S-shaped tonearm. Later PL112D
has made it a cult, used prices unjustifiably
was off the pace compared to rivals
GARRARD 301/401 1953 £19 high.
Heavy metal - tremendously strong and artic-
ulate with only a veiled treble to let it down. GRACE G707 1974 £58
In many respects, better than the seventies This early Japanese example of the tonearm
‘superdecks’ that succeeded it. art has a smooth, lyrical sound. Imported by
Linn, fitted to early LP12s. Sonically way off
the pace now, though.
REGA RB300 1983 £88

Inspired budget esoterica. Detailed, tight,
neutral sound but tonally grey sounding in
absolute terms. Responds well to tweaking,
PIONEER PLC-590 1976 £600 and its cheaper RB250 brother better still.
Sturdy and competent motor unit that per-
forms well with a wide range of tonearms.
Check very thoroughly before buying due to
electronic complexity and use of some now- ROKSAN XERXES 1984 £550
obsolete ICs . Supposedly the first to ‘better’ the LP12.
Super tight and clean sound, with excellent
DUAL CS505 1982 £75 transients. Less musical than the Sondek, but
Simple high quality engineering and a respect- more neutral. Sagging plinth top-plates make
able low mass tonearm made for a brilliant them a dubious used buy.
budget buy. Polished, smooth and slightly
bland sound. SONY PS-B80 1978 £800
First outing for Sony's impressive 'Biotracer'
GOLDRING LENCO SME SERIES III 1979 £113
electronic tonearm. Built like a tank with a
GL75 1970 £15.6S Clever variable mass design complete with
clean and tidy sound, albeit lacking involve-
Simple, well engineered motor unit with soft, Titanium Nitride tube tried to be all things
ment. Scarily complicated and with no spares
sweet sound and reasonable tonearm. Good to all men, and failed. Charming nonetheless,
support - buy with caution!
spares and servicing support even today from with a warm and inoffensive sound.
specialists. Eminently tweakable. Similar 88 THORENS TD124 1959 £ N/A
and 99 motor units are budget 301/TD124 HADCOCK GH228 1976 £46
The template for virtually every 1970s
rivals. Evergreen unipivot with lovely sweet, fluid
‘superdeck’, this iconic design was the only
sound. Excellent service backup.
real competition for Garrard’s 301. It was
LINN AXIS 1987 £253 sweeter and more lyrical, yet lighter and less
Simplified cut-price version of the Sondek impactful in the bass.
complete with LVX arm. Elegant and decently
performing mid-price package. Later version
with Akito tonearm better.
LINN SONDEK LP12 1973 £86

For many, the Brit superdeck; constant mods
meant that early ones sound warmer and
more lyrical than modern versions. Recent
'SE' mods have brought it into the 21st cen-
tury, albeit at a price..
TOWNSHEND ROCK 1979 £ N/A LINN ITTOK LVII 1978 £253

The product of academic research by the Arguably the first 'superarm'; Japanese design
Cranfield Institute, this novel machine has an to Linn specs made for a muscular, rhythmic
extremely clean and fluid sound. Substantially sound with real dynamics. Now off the pace,
modified through the years, and capable of but the final LVIII version worth seeking out.
superb results even today.
NAIM ARO 1986 £875
TRIO LO-7D 1978 £600 Truly endearing and charismatic performer -
The best ‘all-in-one’ turntable package ever wonderfully engaging mid-band makes up for
made, Trio/Kenwood threw their ‘engineering softened frequency extremes.
best practice’ book at this one with startling
MARANTZ TT1000 1978 £ N/A results. Clean, powerful and three-dimension-
Beautiful seventies high end belt drive with al sound, ultimately limited by the tonearm.
sweet and clean sound. Rare in Europe, but
big in Japan.
TONEARMS
ACOS LUSTRE GST-1 1975 £46
The archetypal S-shaped seventies arm; good,
propulsive and involving sound in its day, but
ragged and undynamic now.
AUDIO TECHNICA
AT 1120 1978 £75
Fine finish can't compensate for this ultra low
mass arm's limited sonics - a good starter
arm if you've only got a few quid to spend.

CLASSICS
WorldMags
TECHNICS EPA-501 1979 £ N/A MCINTOSH MA6800 1995 £3735 AUDIO RESEARCH
Popular partner for late seventies Technics Effortlessly sweet, strong and powerful with SP-8 1982 £1,400
motor units. Nice build and Titanium Nitride seminal styling to match. Beautifully designed and built high end tube
tube can't compensate for middling sound. preamplifier with deliciously sweet and
SUGDEN A21 1969 £ N/A smooth sound. Not the last word in incision
Class A transistor integrated with an emi- or grip, but that didn’t matter to those who
INTEGRATED nently likeable smoothness and musicality. aspired to it.
AMPLIFIERS/COMBOS Limited inputs via DIN sockets.
DELTEC 1987 £1900 CONRAD JOHNSON
Fast, dry and with excellent transients, this MISSION CYRUS 2 1984 £299 MOTIV MC-8 1986 £2,500
first DPA integrated is the real deal for eight- Classic eighties minimalism combines arrest- Minimalist FET-based preamplifier from the
ies obsessives. Ridiculously punchy 80W per ing styling with clean, open, lively sound. Yank valve specialists is brilliantly neutral
channel from a tiny, half-size box. Radical, Further upgradeable with PSX power supply. and smooth with a spry, light balance in the
cool and more than a little strange. mould of Sugden high end stuff. Something of
a curio, but worthwhile nonetheless.
ROGERS A75 1978 £220
The prototypical Audiolab 8000a – lots of LEAK POINT ONE STEREO
sensible facilities, a goodly power output and 1958 £ N/A
nice sound in one box. The later A75II and Good for their time, but way off the pace
A100 versions offered improved sonics and these days. Use of EF86 pentode valve for
were seriously sweet and open to listen to. high gain rules out ultra performance. Not
the highest-fi!
EXPOSURE VII/VIII 1985 £625
Seminal mid-eighties Exposure pre-power, MUSICAL FIDELITY A11985 £350 LINN LK-1 1986 £499
offering most of what rival Naim amps did Beguiling Class A integrated with exquisite A brave attempt by the Glasgow boys to
with just that little bit extra smoothness and styling. Questionable reliability. bring remote controlled user-friendliness to
sweetness. Still, it’s by no means ‘sweet’ by hair-shirt audiophile hi-fi. Didn't quite work,
today’s standards, being lean, punchy, musical. but not half bad for under £100.
It’s also possessed of that quintessentially
eighties look – frumpy black steel boxes with LECSON AC-1 1973 £ N/A
rough silk screened logos! Amazing styling courtesy of Allan Boothroyd
can’t disguise its rather cloudy sound, but a
design classic nonetheless.
NAIM NAIT 1984 £350

Superb rhythms and dynamics make it truly
musical, but tonally monochromatic. Fine
phono stage, very low power.
NAD 3020 1979 £69

Brilliantly smooth, sweet and punchy at the
price and even has a better phono stage than
you'd expect. The archetypal budget super-amp.
SUGDEN C51/P51 1976 £130
Soft sounding early Sugden combo with a
plethora of facilities and filters, complete with
seventies-tastic DIN socketry. A sweet and
endearing performer as you’d expect, but
lacking in power and poor load driving ability,
QUAD 22 1958 £25
so partner carefully.
The partner to the much vaunted Quad II
monoblocks - cloudy and vague sound means
VTL MINIMAL/50W
it's for anacrophiles only.
MONOBLOCK 1985 £1,300
Vacuum Tube Logic was one of the Europe’s MYST TMA3 1983 £300
QUAD 33 1968 £43
biggest tube names in the eighties, and it Madcap eighties minimalism, but a strong and
Better than the 22, but Quad's first tranny
shows. Rugged, professional build and finish tight performer all the same.
pre isn't outstanding. Responds well to
allied to a lively and punchy sound (albeit
tweaking/ rebuilding though...
with limited power) make them an excellent ROGERS CADET III 1965 £34
used buy. Sweet sounding valve integrated, uses ECL86
NAIM NAC32.5 1978 £ N/A
output valves, even has a half useable phono
The Salisbury company came of age with this,
A&R A60 1977 £115 stage, sweet, warm a good introduction to
their classic high end pre. Brilliantly fast and
Sweet and musical feature-packed integrated; valves
incisive sound that's a joy with vinyl but a tad
the Audiolab 8000A used its blueprint to
forward for digital.
great effect.
POWER AMPLIFIERS
HH ELECTRONICS TPA-50D
AMPLIFIERS 1973 £110
Simple design with easily available compo-
nents, solid build quality and fine sound make
for a surprisingly overlooked bargain. Not
exactly stylish, however.
ROTEL RA-820BX 1983 £139
Lively and clean budget integrated that argu- LEAK STEREO 20 1958 £31
ably started the move to minimalism. Excellent workaday classic valve amplifier
CREEK CAS4040 1983 £150 with decent power and drive. Surprisingly
More musical than any budget amp before it; modern sounding if rebuilt sympathetically.
CAS4140 loses tone controls, gains grip. CHAPMAN 305 1960 £40
Irrepressibly musical and fluid.
Smooth pre/power combo with a sweet and
AUDIOLAB 8000A 1985 £495 open sound. Not quite up to Leak/Quad
Smooth integrated with clean MM/MC phono standards but considerably cheaper second-
stage and huge feature count. Extremely reli- hand.
able, too. Post '93 versions a top used buy.
PREAMPLIFIERS
AUDIOLAB 8000C 1991 £499
Tonally grey but fine phono input and great
facilities make it an excellent general purpose
tool.
CROFT MICRO 1986 £150

Budget valve pre-amp with exceptionally
transparent performance.

CLASSICS
WorldMags
LEAK STEREO 60 1958 £N/A RADFORD STA25 RENAISSANCE NAIM NAT03 1993 £595
Leak's biggest valve power amp offers 35 1986 £977 The warm, atmospheric sound is further
Watts per channel and more low end welly At the time, very possibly the least cool proof of Naim's proficiency with tuners.
than the smaller Stereo 20. Despite concerns amplifier on the planet – and we’re not talk-
over reliability their rarity means high prices ing heat dissipation here. This reworking PIONEER TX-9500 1976 £295
are the order of the day. of Radford’s original late sixties design was Another of the serious classic solid-staters.
possessed of a wonderfully rich, old school Boasts the usual high end Jap package of fine
LECSON AP1 1973 £ N/A valve sound with enough power (25W) and sound, brilliant sensitivity and superb build.
Madcap cylindrical styling alluded to its ‘tower lots of subtlety.
of power’ pretensions, but it wasn’t. Poor build, LEAK TROUGHLINE 1956 £25
but decently clean sounding when working. Series I an interesting ornament but limited
to 88-100MHz only. II and III are arguably the
MARANTZ MODEL 9 1997 £8000 best-sounding tuners ever. Adaptation for ste-
Authentic reproduction monoblocks still reo easy via phono multiplex socket. Fed by a
more than cut the sonic mustard. Highly modern outboard decoder they're deliciously
lucid with true dimensionality.
expensive and highly sought after.
MICHELL ALECTO 1997 £1989

Crisp, clean and beautifully controlled with
gorgeous styling. Partnered with the £1650
Orca this sounds delicious!
LEAK POINT ONE, TL10,

TL12.1 1949 £28 PIONEER M-73 1988 £1,200
Early classics that are getting expensive. Monster stomp from this seminal Japanese
Overhauling is de rigeur before use, using power amplifier, complete with switchable
original parts if possible. Surprisingly crisp and Class A and Class B operation. Clean, open
musical sound, that's far more modern than and assured sounding, albeit a tad behind the
Quad IIs. Deeply impressive when in fine fettle. pace on high speed dance music. Rosewood YAMAHA CT7000 1977 £444
side cheeks and black brushed aluminium Reputedly the best of the classic Jap ana-
completes the eighties-tastic experience. logues, this combines sleek ergonomics, high
sensitivity and an explicit, detailed sound.
QUAD FM4 1983 £240

Supreme ergonomics and styling allied to a
pleasingly lyrical sound with plenty of sweet-
ness and detail made this one of the best
tuners around upon its launch.
PHONO STAGES
CREEK OBH-8 SE 1996 £180
MUSICAL FIDELITY
Punchy, rhythmic character with oodles of
XA200 1996 £1000PR
detail makes this a great budget audiophile
200W of sweet smooth transistor stomp in a
classic. Partner with a Goldring G1042 for an
grooved tube! Under-rated oddity.
unbeatable budget combination. REVOX B760 1975 £520
More of a semi-pro machine than a domestic
bit of kit, the Revox offers superlative measured
performance although the sound isn’t quite as
staggering as the numbers. Fine nonetheless,
and surely the most durable tuner here?
NAD 4140 1995 £199

Brilliant affordable digital tuner has a smooth,
detailed musical sound plus sensible real-
world facilities.
QUAD II 1952 £22
The all-time classic valve amplifier, with a LINN LINNK 1984 £149 ROGERS T75 1977 £125
deliciously fluid and lyrical voice. In other Naim-designed MC phono stage built to Superb mid-price British audiophile design,
respects though, it sounds hopelessly dated. partner the original Naim NAIT - yes, really! complete with understated black fascia. Fine
Low power and hard to partner properly Fine sound, although off the pace these days. sound in the true Rogers mould – smooth
and sweet with fine dimensionality.
MICHELL ISO 1988 £ N/A
This Tom Evans-designed black box started SANSUI TU-9900 1976 £300
the trend for high performance offboard A flagship Japanese tuner designed to steal
phono stages. Charismatic, musical and sales from the likes of Accuphase and Revox,
punchy - if lacking in finesse. it boasts superlative RF performance and
an extremely smooth and lucid sound, along
with very fine build and finish.
TUNERS
MARANTZ ST-8 1978 £353 SONY ST-5950 1977 £222
Marantz's finest radio moment. Warm, organ- One of the first Dolby FM-equipped tuners,
ic sound plus an oscilloscope for checking a format that came to nought. Still, it was
QUAD 405 1978 £115 the signal strength and multipath. Sony’s most expensive tuner to date, and
The first of the current dumpers is a capable boasted a very good sound quality allied to
design with smooth, effortless power and a brilliant ergonomics.
decently musical sound. 606 and 707 contin-
ue the theme with greater detail and incision. SEQUERRA MODEL 1 1973 £1300
Possibly the ultimate FM tuner. Massive
QUAD 303 1968 £55 in terms of technology, size and features
Bullet proof build, but woolly sound. Off the dedicated to extracting every ounce of per-
pace, but endearing nonetheless. Some pipe CREEK CAS3140 1985 £199 formance from radio, including impressive
smoking slipper wearers swear by them! Excellent detail, separation and dynamics - multi-purpose oscilloscope display.
brilliantly musical at the price. T40 continued
KRELL KMA100 II 1987 £5,750 the theme...
Ludicrous monoblock version of the giant
KSA-100 is one of the seminal eighties NAD 4040 1979 £79
transistor power amplifiers. Massive wallop Tremendously smooth and natural sound
allied to a very clean and open Class A sound allied to low prices and good availability
makes this one of the best amplifiers of its make this budget analogue esoterica. Needs a
type, ever. good antenna to work properly, however.

CLASSICS
WorldMags
TECHNICS ST-8080 1976 £180 SONY WM-D6C 1985 £290 TANNOY
National Panasonic’s specialist hi-fi brand Single capstan transport on a par with a WESTMINSTER 1985 £4500
was a big hitter back then, and this is no Swiss watch, single rec/replay head better Folded horn monsters which certainly sound
exception. Superb FM stage makes for a very than most Naks. Result: sublime. good if you have the space. Not the last word
clean and smooth listen with lots of detail in tautness but can drive large rooms and
and depth. image like few others.
JR 149 1977 £120

Infamous cylindrical speaker that was ignored
for decades but now back in fashion! Based
on classic KEF T27 / B110 combo as seen
in the BBC LS3/5a. Doesn’t play loud, needs
a powerful transistor amplifier, but rewards
with fine clarity and imaging,
ANALOGUE SONY TC-377 1972 £N/A

RECORDERS A competitor to the Akai 4000D open reel
YAMAHA TC-800GL 1977 £179 machine, the Sony offered better sound qual-
Early classic with ski-slope styling courtesy ity and is still no slouch by modern standards
of Mario Bellini. Middling sonics by modern
standards, but cool nonetheless! DIGITAL RECORDERS
SONY MDS-JE555ES 2000 £900
The best sounding MD deck ever, thanks to
awesome build and heroic ATRAC-DSP Type
R coding.
SPENDOR BC1 1976 £240

Celestion HF1300 tweeter meets bespoke
Spendor Bextrene mid-bass unit – and the
result is a beautifully warm yet well focussed
sound. A little bass bloom necessitates careful
low-stand mounting, but these prove that the
seventies did have some fine designs after all!
PIONEER
AIWA XD-009 1989 £600 PDR-555RW 1999 £480
QUAD ESL57 1956 £45
Aiwa's Nak beater didn't, but it wasn't half For a moment, this was the CD recorder to
EACH
bad nonetheless. Massive spec even included have. Clean and detailed.
Wonderfully open and neutral sound puts
a 16x4 DAC! box loudspeakers to shame. Properly ser-
MARANTZ DR-17 1999 £1100
viced they give superb midband performance,
NAKAMICHI CR-7E 1987 £800 Probably the best sounding CD recorder
although frequency extremes less impressive.
The very best sounding Nakamichi ever - but made; built like a brick outhouse with a true
Ideally, use in stacked pairs or with subwoof-
lacks the visual drama of a Dragon. audiophile sound and HDCD compatibility.
ers and supertweeters.
KENWOOD DM-9090 1997 £500

PIONEER CTF-950 1978 £400 Serious and sophisticated sound thanks to
Not up to modern standards sonically, but a well implemented ATRAC 4.5; surprisingly
great symbol of the cassette deck art none- musical MD recorder.
theless.
SONY TCD-8 KEF R105 1977 £785
DATMAN 1996 £599 Three way Bextrene-based floorstander
Super clean sound makes this an amazing (complete with castors!) gave a truly wide-
portable, but fragile. band listen and massive (500W) power
handling. A very neutral, spacious and polite
sounding design, but rhythmically well off the
LOUDSPEAKERS pace. The quintessential nineteen seventies
ACOUSTIC RESEARCH loudspeaker.
AR18S 1978 £125
Yank designed, British built loudspeaker IMF TLS80 1976 £550
became a budget staple for many rock fans, Warm and powerful nineteen seventies
thanks to the great speed from the paper behemoth with transmission loading and a
drivers, although finesse was most definitely mixture of KEF and Celestion drive units.
not their forte… Impressively physical wideband sound but
rhythms aren’t its forte.
REVOX A77 1968 £145 BBC LS3/5A 1972 £88
The first domestic open reel that the pros Extremely low colouration design is amazing MAGNEPLANAR SMGA 198X £800
used at home. Superbly made, but soni- in some respects – articulation, stage depth, Technological loudspeker with genuinely
cally off the pace these days. B77 better, but clarity – and useless in others (both frequen- musical abilities; fast, smooth, open, dry.
couldn't match the Japanese. cy extremes). Came in wide variety of guises
from various manufacturers building it under
licence. Partner with Rogers AB1 subwoofers
for an extra two octaves of bass!
LOWTHER PM6A 1957 £18

EACH
This seminal full-range driver is still manufac-
tured. High sensitivity, as fitted to many clas-
sic horn designs.
HH ELECTRONICS TPA-50D
AMPLIFIERS 1973 £110
Simple design with easily available compo-
nents, solid build quality and fine sound make
for a surprisingly overlooked bargain. Not
exactly stylish, however.

CLASSICS
WorldMags
MISSION 770 1980 £375 LEAK SANDWICH 1961 £39 YAMAHA NS1000 1977 £532
Back in its day, it was an innovative product EACH High tech Beryllium midband and tweeter
and one of the first of the polypropylene Warm sounding infinite baffle that, with a rea- domes and brutish 12" woofers in massive
designs. warm, smooth, clean and powerful sonably powerful amplifier can sound quite sealed mirror image cabs equals stunning
sound, satisfying. transients, speed and wallop allied to superb
transparency and ultra low distortion. Partner
carefully!
MISSION 752 1995 £495

Cracking Henry Azima-designed floorstanders
combined HDA drive units and metal dome
tweeters with surprisingly warm results.
Benign load characteristics makes them great
for valves. MISSION X-SPACE 1999 £499
The first mass production sub and sat system
HEYBROOK HB1 1982 £130 using NXT panels is a sure-fire future clas-
QUAD ESL63 1980 £1200 sic - not flawless, but a tantalisingly unboxy
Peter Comeau-designed standmounters
An update of the ESL57, with stiffer cabinets. sound nevertheless!
with an amazingly lyrical yet decently refined
Until the 989, the best of the Quad electro-
sound. Good enough to partner with very
statics
high end ancillaries, yet great with budget kit
.
too. A classic.
CELESTION SL6 1984 £350

Smallish two way design complete with alu-
minium dome tweeter and plastic mid-bass
unit set the blueprint for nineteen eighties
loudspeakers. Very open and clean sounding,
albeit course at high frequencies and limp in
the bass. Speakers would never be the same
again…
CLASSIC CONTACTS
When a classic goes 'pooof' your troubles have just started, but there may be a good ending. Replacing failing parts can
improve the sound, so here is a short listing of all these companies who specialise in getting a classic up and running again
after its deposited a small ring of soot on your ceiling!
GT AUDIO QUAD ELECTROACOUSTICS EXPERT STYLUS COMPANY CLASSIC NAKAMICHI
(Graham Tricker, Bucks) (Cambs) Quad's service department, (Wyndham Hodgson, Surrey) Stylus (Paul Wilkins, Worthing. West Sussex).
Leak Troughline specialists. Also Quad able to repair almost all Quad replacement service for all types of Restore, Repair & Service Nakamichi
and most classic tuners, radios and products, from the very first. (Also cartridge. Including precise profiling Cassette Decks.
Audiolab, Mission & Wharfedale). for 78s. Tel: 01372 276604
amplifiers restored, repaired. Tel: 01903 695695
Tel: 0845 4580011 Email: w.hodgson@btclick.com
Tel: 01895 833099 www.quad-hifi.co.uk Email: paul@bowersandwilkins.co.uk
Mob: 07960 962579 ONE THING www.bowersandwilkins.co.uk
www.gtaudio.com Dr MARTIN BASTIN (Coventry) Specialist in electrostatic
(Shropshire) Garrard 301/401 panel manufacture and repair. Can OCTAVE AUDIO
TECHNICAL AND GENERAL restoration, renovation and service. refurbish ESL 57s and 63s as well as WOODWORKING
(East Sussex) Special plinths; rumble cures, etc. Leak Troughlines and Quad lls. (Bristol)
Tel: 01584 823446 Email: one.thing@ntlworld.com
Turntable parts - wide range of Unit 2, 16 Midland Street, St Phillips.
www.onethingaudio.com
spares and accessories, plus arms and ARKLESS ELECTRONICS Bristol.
cartridges. (Northumberland) LORICRAFT AUDIO Tel: 0117 925 6015
Tel: 01892 654534 Specialist in repairs, restoration and (Terry O'Sullivan, Bucks) www.octave-aw.co.uk
modifications to all amplifiers, valve or Garrard 301/401 and their own 501
CARTRIDGE MAN solid state, ancient and modern. repair, spares and service.: REVOX
(Len Gregory, London) Tel.: 01670 530674 Tel: 01488 72267 (Brian Reeves, Cheshire)
Specialist cartridge re-tipping service Email: info@arklesselectronics.com www.garrard501.com Revox tape recorder spares, service
www.arklesselectronics.com
and repairs. High quality special and repair. Accessories also available.
HADEN BOARDMAN
cartridges. SOWTER TRANSFORMERS Repair, service & modifications; Tel: 0161 499 2349
Tel: 020 8688 6565 (Brian Sowter, Ipswich) classic & modern. Collection available. Email: brian@revoxservice.co.uk
Email: thecartridgeman@talktalk.net Large range of audio transformers Redundant / faulty equipment www.revox.freeuk.com
www.thecartridgeman.com for valve amps, cartridges, line drive, purchased, selected new equipment
interstage plus all associated services. available. Tel 01942 790600 CLASSIQUE SOUNDS
AUDIO LABORATORIES Tel: 01473 252794 www.sowter.co.uk www.audioclassics.co.uk (Paul Greenfield, Leicester)
(LEEDS) ESL-57s restored, rebuilt, fully
(Phil Pimblott, Leeds) Renovation, WEMBLEY LOUDSPEAKER LOCKWOOD AUDIO renovated or improved. Leak, Quad
(Paul MacCallam, London) (London)
repair and restoration. Specialist in valves amps etc.
Comprehensive loudspeaker servicing. Tannoy loudspeaker parts, restoration
valve hi-fi, radio transmitters, cinema Tel: 020 8 743 4567 Tel: 0845 123 5137/
and repair. Also Epos and TDL
amps, kit building. Email: loudspeakers. Mob: 0116 2835821
Tel: 0113 244 0378 paul@wembleyloudspeaker.co.uk Tel: 020 8 864 8008 Email: classique_sounds@yahoo.co.uk
www.audiolabs.co.uk www.wembleyloudspeaker.com www.lockwoodaudio.co.uk www.flashbacksales.co.uk/classique

WorldMags
WELCOME TO THE NEW FACE
'11
OF OUR SPRING SHOW!
W
WORLD
'11
11
26th - 27th March
The Park Inn - Heathrow
The Park Inn - Heathrow

26 - 27 March
W
WORLD
thauction. View
A separate pre owned audio th Saturday – buy Sunday.
Guest speakers and clinics. Top names, easy entrance.
New media sponsors
Improved parking facilities: guaranteed you’ll be able to park for just £1 per hour.
Free magazines – and no increase in admission.
Special visitor snacks and drinks.
Improved ticketing and registration.
Lots of new names.
Contact Our Other Shows

Justin Bird +44 (0)1244 559033 National Audio Show ‘11
Justin@chestergroup.org
Show organisers. Intellectual rights reserved. Australian Audio & AV Show ’11
WorldMags
SOUNDBITES WorldMags
interference to the sound waves results were quite subtle, but on
that can result. To this end, the my own Ferrograph S1s, which
rings are simply felt items with have replacement tweeters that
a self-adhesive backing that do not perfectly fit the cutout
are stuck in place around for the originals, the effects were
the tweeter dome. They quite ear-opening. Settling with
are not actually circular the rings oriented horizontally, the
in shape, but are oval and speakers’ entire top end seemed to
therefore there is the snap into focus across the central
possibility of experimen- plane of the soundstage, whilst high
tation of orientation, to frequency effects that are tucked
obtain the best results. away in the back of the performance
The fitting guide on the suddenly were able to draw much
Russ Andrews website more attention to themselves. The
suggests vertical orientation soundstage itself seemed better
for loudspeakers with wider locked into place and, even in direct
baffles but the rings can be sonic terms, there was a delicate hint
loosely positioned and removed of extra crispness to everything. So
RUSS ANDREWS without leaving a sticky mess if you these seem something of a bargain at
SPEAKER FOCUS RINGS £10 wish to try all possibilities. their current website price of £10.08.
These are simple creations but ones I actually fitted the rings to For a simple but non-permanent
that work on a very basic principle. several pairs of loudspeakers and change that gave a surprisingly vivid
In essence, they aim to minimise the found that they made a difference effect, I would strongly recommend
interaction of the high frequencies in every case. With some, such as giving them a go. AS
coming from your tweeter domes a pair of Creek CLS10s made by
with the metal faceplate surrounding Goodmans, which have a carefully [Contact: +44(0)845 345 1550,
the tweeter, and the consequent shaped diffuser around the tweeter, www.russandrews.com]
soundbites
ISOTEK SYNCRO MAINS of the performance was a major bass seemed to be almost artificial in
CABLE £875 reduction in hardness and ‘mush’ nature, as if it was being propped up
Arguably one of the strangest looking – an element which was not by scaffolding. With the Syncro, those
(and most expensive) mains cables obviously present with the original same lower frequencies exhibited
ever to appear on the market, the Isotek Extreme mains cable but a shape and structure. A highly
Syncro features a pre-filter device was noticeable by its very absence impressive piece of kit, to match its
situated within an anti-resonant when the cable was replaced equally hefty price! PR
chassis. The point is to synchronise with the Syncro. The result was a
(hence the name) the mains supply beautifully smooth series of vocal [Contact: +44 (0)1276 501392,
to offer the attached component a performances which glided over the www.soundfowndations.co.uk]
symmetrical sine wave, realigning the soundstage, lacking any
waveform. This is claimed to give a sort of harsh delivery
reduction in mains-related noise. To and making subtle vocal
test the new Syncro, I plugged it into inflections and varying
a wall mains socket and hooked the vocal power surges
other end to power up my Isotek wholly more obvious.
Aquarius mains conditioner with All organic instruments
a series of Isotek Elite and Isotek now exhibited sparkle
Optimum mains cables running from and shimmer while the
the Aquarius to my reference hi-fi removal of the excessive
system. For comparative purposes, I distortion allowed all
also tried an Isotek Extreme mains instruments, of whatever
cable (£395 per metre) to power up variety, time to breath.
the same Aquarius. The new Syncro is Bass, meanwhile, was
priced at more than twice the price no longer trying to be
of the Extreme, so is it worth the understood. That is, there
upgrade? was now a complete lack
Sound tests were intriguing of lower frequency strain.
because the most obvious aspect With the Extreme cable,

WorldMags
THE IDEAL ANTIDOTE

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.hi-fiworld.co.uk
UK SUBSCRIPTION
SAVE UP TO
12.5%
12.5
�
�
�
��
�
��
��
�
��
��
��
�
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
!
��
UE
IS S
��
�� IS
�� IN T H
�� S
��
�� D A D
�� IF IE
�� L A S S
��
C
�� DER ��
��
�� E R E A
��
FRE ��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
�
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
SAVE UP TO 12.5% off the cover

��
��
��
�
� ��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
price when you subscribe to Hi-Fi

��
�
��
��
��
��
��
�
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
World. That's an amazing £3.41 per

��
�
��
��
� ��
��
��
�
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
1:45
�� 14:0
�� /11
��
14/1
��
��
��
issue, including postage.

��
��
��
��
��
��
1
2.indd
subbed
�� er Mar
ch11
t Cov
FREE READER CLASSIFIED ADS IN THIS ISSUE! Fron
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
FOR BACK ISSUES ENQUIRIES PLEASE CALL

��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
01442 879097
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
� ��
��
Front Cover DEC10 2.indd 1 18/10/10 13:52:44 ��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
�
��
��
��
��
��
� ��
FREE READER CLASSIFIED
��
��
�� ADS IN THIS ISSUE!
��
� ��
��
��
��
��
��
��
OVERSEAS SUBSCRIPTIONS IF YOU LIVE OUTSIDE THE UK,

��
��
��
��
��
��
��
Front Cover JAN11 subbed J$.indd 1 16/11/10 13:22:26
��
��
PLEASE CALL FOR OUR LATEST PRICES

��
��
��
��
��
��
+44 (0) 1442 879097

��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
Front Cover FEB11 subbed 6.indd 1 16/12/10 11:00:39
SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? CALL NOW!!!

SUBSCRIPTION HOTLINE 01442 879097
Lines open Mon-Fri 9.00-5.00 or (weekend answering service available)
FOR OUR email: Fax No:

ON-LINE MAGAZINE
SEE P119 hifiworld@webscribe.co.uk 01442 872279
WorldMags
WorldMags
TO WINTER BLUES
❑ NEW YEAR OFFER BOX ❑ I would like a years subscription to
Hi-Fi World and receive a discount off the
I would like to avail of the New Year promotional
cover price (I have read and accept the terms
offer see p71 quoting ref HFW - NEW YEAR2011.
and conditions).
At the full subscription rate of £46.80 is applicable.
TICK APPROPRIATE BOX: I would like to pay for my 12 issues by:

❑ Chord SuperScreen main cable.
❑ Chord CobraPlus interconnect cable. ❑ 6 monthly Direct Debit: Pay £20.47 every 6
months saving 12.5% off the yearly subscription
rate of £46.80
WHY SUBSCRIBE TO HI-FI WORLD?
■ 12 issues a year delivered straight to your door. ❑ Annual Direct Debit: Pay £40.95 every 12
■ Be first to grab a bargain in our "Free Reader months saving 12.5% off the yearly subscription
Classified Ads" section. rate of £46.80
■ Run by dedicated hi-fi engineers and enthusiasts.
■ Subscribers receive a minimum 10% Discount
❑ Annual cheque/credit card: Pay £42.12
annually. saving 10% off the yearly subscription rate of
■ Hi-Fi World has become famous for its informative £46.80
reviews and radical kit designs.
■ PLUS! Subscribe by Direct Debit and receive a Cheques made payable to Audio Publishing Ltd.
12.5% discount (UK only).
Your Details
Instruction to your Bank or Building Title ____________ Forename ____________________________
Society to pay by Direct Debit
Please fill in this form and send to: Originator’s Identification Number
Surname ________________________________________
Hi-Fi World, Webscribe Ltd, PO Box
4 2 7 0 4 9
464, Berkhamsted, Herts., HP4 2UR Address ________________________________________
Name and full Postal Address of your Bank/Building Society
To: The Manager Bank/Building Society
________________________________________
Address
Postcode ________________________________________
Name(s) of Account Holder(s)
Post Code ________________________________________
Branch Sort Code
Daytime Tel: ________________________________________
Bank/Building Society Account Number
Email: _______________________________________________
Reference
HF
Instruction to your Bank or Building Society
Please pay Webscribe Ltd Direct Debits from the account in this Instruction subject to
the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this Please debit my ❑ VISA ❑ MASTER ❑ MAESTRO ❑ AMEX
instruction may remain with Webscribe Ltd and, if so, details will be passed (SWITCH)
electronically to my Bank/Building Society.
Signature(s) Security No: (last three digits printed on the signature strip)
Date
Bank and Building Societies may not accept Direct Debits Instructions for some types of accounts
The guarantee should be detached and retained by the Payer
Valid from Date:_______/________ Expiry Date:_______/________
TheThe
Direct Debit
Direct DebitGuarantee
Guarantee
• �ThisThis Guarantee
Guarantee is offeredisby offered by building
all banks and all Banks and
societies that Building
accept
Societiestothat
instructions take Debits
pay Direct part in the Direct Debit scheme. The Switch card issue No:
• efficiency
If there are any changes to the amount, date or
and security of the Scheme is monitoredfrequency of your Direct
and
Debit Webscribe Ltd will notify you 10 working days in advance of your ac-
protected by your own bank or Building Society
count being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request Webscribe Ltd to collect a payment, confirmation
� If the amounts paid or the payments dates change
of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request Webscribe Ltd will notify you Cardholder Signature: ___________________________________
• 10
If anworkings days
error is made in payment
in the advance of your
of your Directaccount
Debit bybeing
Webscribedebited
Ltd oror asbank
your otherwise agreed
or building society
you
� Ifareanentitled
errortoisa made
full and immediate
by Webscriberefund ofLtd
the or
amount
yourpaid fromor
Bank your bank or building
Building Society, society
you are
• guaranteed
If you receive aarefund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when Webscribe
full and immediately refund from your branch of the amount paid Ltd asks
• You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written
you to
Outside UK:-
� You
confi canmay
rmation cancel a Direct
be required. Please Debit at us.
also notify any time by writing to your Bank or Building
Society. Please send a copy of your letter to us. EUROPE Airmail £50.00
TERMS & CONDITIONS: You will receive 12 issues per year. OVERSEAS Airmail £70.00
Minimum subscription term is 12 months. Prices include P&P and are
correct at the time of going to press. All prices are quoted in sterling. Offer
available for UK subscribers, only. For enquiries relating to overseas pricing
call + 44 (0) 1442 879 097.
Send this form to:

Hi-Fi World, Subscriptions Department PO Box 464, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 2UR.
WorldMags
AUDIOPHILE VINYL WorldMags
DAVID BOWIE Now reissued in its obscure that lot is just the edited highlights.
David Bowie glory, Decca has packaged both This, his one and only solo album,
Deram of the original mono and stereo was made in 1969 but never received
This album followed a series of stop- versions in a nicely presented double the general distribution that it
start single releases via Bowie during album gatefold and 180gm vinyl. The deserved and Bunn didn’t live long
the early sixties, a time where the inner sleeves are very interesting. enough to see the LP enjoy a final
man had dabbled with a variety of One LP provides a photocopy of general release in 2006 (he died the
musical collaborators and associated both sides of an included single year before).
record labels to little effect. It was sheet biography, while the second The album itself is a weird
only when he joined Decca that LP provides an original copy of mixture of jazz, freak beat, folk and
a new album, via that company’s the sleeve art and rear sleeve liner psychedelia in which Bunn sings,
imprint, Deram, was mooted. Decca, notes. It might not be the best album sometimes unrecognisably but within
for its part, was eager to make up that Bowie ever produced in his a cockney idiom, in such a cool
for its earlier mistake of rejecting life (the man himself is not exactly mannered way that he always retains
The Beatles. It was now eager to find enamoured of the work) but it’s a your interest. The track ‘Fantasy In
young, new talent and to exploit it to vital element of the Bowie canon and Fiction’, for example, sounds like the
the full. essential for any Bowie fan. man’s had a few too many to drink
The first single off the new but not enough for him to lose his
Bowie album, ‘Rubber Band’ (re- ROGER BUNN grip on the performance. Backed by a
recorded on the album itself) with Piece Of Mind full orchestral band, the track, like so
The London Boys (which was not Wah Wah many others on this album, makes the
featured on the album) was not well There’s cult albums and then there’s listener sound like a fly on the wall
received, largely due to its quirky, this piece from Roger Bunn, a man to a one-man private party. You feel
nostalgic arrangement. The rest of the who never found fame but who that you’re intruding on a great time.
LP was received in the same manner mixed with many stars of his age. ‘Crystal Tunnel’, on the other hand,
as it failed to chart. The album, in fact, During the sixties he worked for offers a cool jazz flow that demands
was a little odd. There were obvious British rockabilly star Joe Brown, small hip movements and subtle
influences from The Kinks’ Ray later he teamed up with jazz greats shoulder swings. As an arrangement,
Davies with Bowie directing his gaze such as Graham Bond and Zoot in fact, Donovan fans should take
at English society as well as English Money, then briefly rubbed shoulders note as the LP’s production reflects
history and its character. Staggering with Jimi Hendrix and Marianne the balladeer.
along with Deram, unsuccessfully, Faithfull, featured in a band called Bunn would have been proud
until Decca dumped him, Bowie left Djinn (which, at one time, included as this new reissue provides the
to join Mercury and relate the story David Bowie) and became the full scope of Bunn’s vision in all its
of Major Tom in 1969... original guitarist for Roxy Music... and eclectic glory.

WorldMags
AUDIOPHILE VINYL
FAUST mental music such as the track, starred in a film about his life in which
The Faust Tapes ‘Chere Chambre’, which lays a male themes of sorrow, redemption and
ReR French speaking voice over a beautiful loss are explored.
This is an infamous album — partly acoustic guitar track. Faust has a habit It was Penn who requested that
for the content, yes, but mostly of doing this sort of thing, however, Pearl Jam front man, Eddie Vedder,
because of the marketing campaign contrasting the controlled, the provide the soundtrack to the
that was laid upon it by the German, melodic and the serene either directly film. In return, Vedder reflected the
avant-garde group’s UK label, Virgin. At over or at least adjacent to the wilderness of the story, giving his
the time of its release, Virgin decided disorganised, chaotic, almost Fractal- album, which was initially released on
to push the album, a collection of like, primeval noise expurgations. The CD in 2007, a selection of roots-based
home recorded bits and pieces contradiction has always appealed to tunes mixed with folk and some rock
assembled by the group’s fans, into UK the band and reflects life itself in its elements. It was a tough assignment
retail for just 50p a pop. It worked. disorganised, multi-faceted manner. for Vedder, who sometimes struggled
Around 50,000 albums were sold, a A LP that demands a bit of time to come to terms with the wrenching,
feat that would make any modern UK to allow it to sink in and for the ear emotional subject matter laid bare by
label or distributor faint! to adjust to the Faust philosophy, this the film. What happens is that Vedder
The krautrock outfit was set album is solid quality. This issue is sometimes drowns himself in a sea of
apart from its contemporaries such limited to just 1,000 copies. passion and sentiment. Some might
as Embryo, Tangerine Dream, Can and say that, faced with the assignment,
Ash Ra Tempel. Formed by ex-music EDDIE VEDDER Vedder should have seen this coming
journalist, Uwe Nettelbeck, along Into The Wild and politely refused Mr Penn.
with Hans Joachim Irmler, Jean Hervé Music On Vinyl That said, this album will still be
Peron, Werner “Zappi” Diermaier, An intriguing album based on an of interest to Pearl Jam fans because
Rudolf Sosna, Gunther Wusthoff, and intriguing film of an intriguing life that it shows Vedder as a maturing
Armulf Meifert, Faust pushed the very focused on the days of Christopher songwriter. On this album, he is way
edges of music form and structure. J. McCandless, a fit, intelligent young out of his comfort zone, pushing his
The album presents a cacophony man who gave up an existence of talent to the utmost and finding new
of avant-garde noise, frantic jazz and potential affluence, savings of $24,000 material which he can develop and
manic rock pieces that are split up and, ultimately, his future. Despairing evolve over time to the benefit of
into, well I wouldn’t call them songs, of society, McCandless turned his forthcoming albums. Fans will view
more like movements or soundtrack back upon it and headed for the wilds this album as an important piece
filaments; hence the twenty-six track of Alaska, dumping all of his ID and in an evolutionary jigsaw, therefore.
listing with most of them entitled paper money. He was destined never An excellent edition from MOV,
‘Unknown’. There are gentle oasis to return, dying of starvation at just it includes a 26-page, full colour
within this hectic flambé of experi- twenty-four years of age. Sean Penn booklet. PR

OLDE WORLDE WorldMags
Elec-tron-ic
Family run Dynatron had an enviable reputation for quality radio and television
products, says Haden Boardman, as he samples their upmarket LS15 and LS16
Stereo Valve Power Amplifiers...
S
tarted back in 1927 by Mayflower (featuring FM performance mains transformer and a whole set of
teenage brothers Ron to rival a Troughline, and a push pull connections to power the matching
and Arthur Hacker, from ECL86 amp with similar guts to a preamplifier and tuner set. Output
its very earliest days, the Cadet III) and the much more famous transformers are identical, as is the
Dynatron company had a transistor portable ‘Sovereign’. audio circuit. The ’16 can plug in to
shrewd eye for high qual- Hacker ceased trading in 1977, and the ’15 for mains power. There were
ity set design and manufacture. Very through the Philips acquisition of Pye, a couple of matching tuners, including
much at the top end of the market, the Dynatron name was passed on a fixed preset model (remember
some incredibly ambitious radio sets to the family run business of Roberts there was only three stations on FM
had been designed and manufac- Radio in 1981. It could be said that back in the ‘Fifties; Home, Third, and
tured, in both cabinets and circuitry. this amplifier set was the last of the Light from the BBC!) and a range of
Because of the age of the two ‘boys’, true Dynatron lineage: In terms of loudspeaker cabinets based around
the company was actually founded in high fidelity amplifiers, these two little Goodmans loudspeaker chassis.
their fathers’ name, H. Hacker. models made up in the EKCO era to Technically the circuit is basic
By 1936, the company was about 1960, were about the last. and honest. And the Hacker Brothers
trading successfully as Dynatron Under ECKO/Pye the company did not follow the late 1950s form
Radio Ltd. from Maidenhead, specialised more in high quality by building a stock Philips/Mullard
Berkshire. Post World War Two cabinets based around the better 5-10 design, although there is
trading could be difficult; a surprising stock models and chassis from the nothing wrong with that circuit! A
amount of consolidation within the ECKO/Pye radio and television compact 7 1⁄2 x 12 x 5 1⁄2” chassis,
Radio trade occurred, and this small range... The first ever Hi-Fi Year book painted in a green Hammerite-type
top end company needed larger lists just one Dynatron amplifier finish, each mono block is fitted
corporate support to survive. In 1955 combo; the TC10 (preamp) and with a single ECC83 dual triode
the company became fully owned by LF10 power amplifier (using 7 pin valve which is arranged as voltage
the Southend on Sea based E.K.Cole OSRAM output valves), selling for gain amplifier and split load phase
(EKCO), Radio & Television manufac- £25 complete. This was slightly less splitter. This drives the two EL84
turing company, famous pre-WWII expensive than a Leak TL10 combo pentode output valves in a classic
for the innovative use of Bakelite (£28-10s) at the time. By 1959 the ultra linear push pull configuration,
cabinets and top industrial designers. line up had expanded to two mono with bias provided by cathode
Both brothers stayed on the preamps; TC15CS, TC20CS and resistors. Overall negative feedback
board until EKCO ended up in TC16CS Stereo pre, and all together was applied across the entire circuit
serious financial difficulties, and a bail four power amplifiers; LF11 (EL84s) (stated as 20 dB) and a very decent
out from Pye of Cambridge. At this LF20 (EL34s) and these two, the set of output transformers fitted.
point the Hacker Brothers went their LF15CS and LF16CS. Although two Output is provided for 3.75 or 15
own way, setting up the fabulous different model numbers, the two are ohms (use the lower setting for 4-8
Hacker Radio Company, famed designed to go together as a stereo- ohm modern speakers), frequency
for table radio models such as the phonic ‘set’. The ’15 has a larger response quoted as 15-30,000Hz and

OLDE WORLDE WorldMags
a full one volt sensitivity available breakup with fellow band member.
for full 10 Watts output. Input The little Dynatrons played this
connections are via a RF coax plug track with passion; although not
(easy to change for a modern phono managing to completely do the track
socket!), and the layout of the whole justice, all the complex layers were
thing is very well thought out and in evidence. Still, the vocals sounded
very well screwed together. The a tad grey and flat, lacking real guts.
power supply on each amp is based A complete change of mood,
around an EZ81 rectifier valve. and Pink Floyd’s ‘Dark Side Of The
Service-wise there are no real Moon’ underlined this very slight
issues or problems with these amps. softening of the sound. Everything
The High Tension is set quite low was present, but could have been
(still lethal remember!) and the amp's more dynamic and more involving.
biassed well under the maximum Staying in the nineteen seventies
seventeen Watts rating of each of the with ‘Jazz At The Pawn Shop’ (I
EL84s, ensuring a pretty long valve have sadly rediscovered this album’s
life. Clearly anything with a damaged delights!) suited the little amplifier
transformer should be avoided, but much better. This really had boogie
all passive parts are pretty easy to factor and had plenty of weight, with
source, with EL84s and ECC83 still in perhaps just a touch off softness
"they’re rare; I’ve had hundreds

of Leak TL12+s and Stereo 20s
through my hands, but only ever
three or four Dynatrons..."
manufacture. to the overall sound. Jimmy Smith
Modifications or improvements and the ‘Organ Grinders Swing’, did
are not really on the cards here. A just that, snappy and fast! Switching
complete front end rebuild swapping to solo piano, and the famous ‘Dick
out the ECC83 for a circuit using Hyman Plays Fats Waller’ (Direct
an ECC88 might make use of a to Disk on Reference Recordings)
little more gain. But that would be showed up some shortcomings in
fairly drastic action on a fairly rare the bass, the poor old Bosendorfer
amplifier, and in my opinion a tad grand sounded a little truncated,
unfair on the little Dynatrons. It may somewhat missing its extra lower
be necessary to change most of the octave...
passive component with time. Vinyl replay suited the amp
The low 1V sensitivity dictates much better. Similar tracks played
the use of a preamp, and so for on the record player revealed a
auditioning purposes, I used a new solid, three dimensional presen-
Croft Micro 25. Our set of power tation missing from the digital replay.
amplifiers had been serviced at some Fun was had trawling through a
point with some of the original bargain charity shop selection of CONCLUSION
coupling capacitors changed, but for immaculate Decca Phase Four and These little Dynatrons are very rare.
an amp pushing fifty years old, this set EMI Studio Two mid Sixties stereo I must have had well over a hundred
was in amazingly original and good recording; these suited the set well. Leak TL12+ power amps through
condition. The turntable used was These ‘panoramic’ recordings (I my hands, and even more Stereo
also a totally original Thorens TD150 am being kind, some may say ‘ping 20s, but I have only ever had three
(Mark I) with a Pickering XV15/625E pong’) were a real hit on the little or four Dynatron models, and this
cartridge; digital replay came via a Dynatron amps. Flipping through a the only set of this unusual little
homemade Burr Brown PCM63K few 1980s seven inch singles was stereo combination I have seen. As
based DAC via computer and CD great fun on this set up. Again, I felt such prices are higher for these than
transport sources. Loudspeakers the amplifiers a little soft, and in that of the much more common
were a set of early Rogers LS3/5a, direct comparison to a set of rebuilt Leak TL12+ or Stereo 20. From a
with all cables from The Chord Leak TL12+ monoblocks, I felt the pure audio point of view, buy the
Company. Leaks won out by quite a reasonable Leaks. In stock and standard form,
margin. Noise wise, in stock form the the Dynatrons are a lovely thing, but
SOUND QUALITY Dynatrons were much quieter than frankly not that amazing, and despite
I began with ABBA’s remastered ‘The the ‘standard’ Leaks, but also much the superb build, and the petite looks
Visitors’ CD, and my favourite track less sensitive (standard Leak TL12+; they are certainly not worth paying
‘The Day Before You Came’. This 0.1V for same output) making a true a heavy premium for. I feel this is
can be quite a challenge for most direct comparison an impossibility. one for Dynatron collectors, unless
systems; the better the system, the Tonally the Leak seemed to have the a set turns up for less than the same
more you get a sense of Agnetha’s better balance; it was an interesting money as a set of Leaks, the latter is
choked up vocals singing about her comparison. a more sound buy in today’s market.

WorldMags
WorldMags
OPINION WorldMags
"the vinyl LP is an amazing format, long may it run..."
david
price
A
s a child, there wasn’t So, upon my return to Blighty a big improvement on the Linn in
much I liked about Blue one Christmas, I set about an epic some ways, having a vastly wider
Peter. Even before I’d recording session. My Linn LP12 soundstage and a gorgeous tonality;
grown a single rebellious turntable, Ittok LVII tonearm and you can really hear the instruments;
bone in my body, the Supex SD900V moving coil provided recording studios sound dramatically
prospect of John Noakes, the music via the preamp section of different. It has a firm, thumping,
Peter Purvis and Valerie Singleton an NVA AP30 amplifier, which fed insistent bass, and stability that gives
showing the five year old me how the wee Sony DATman. I disappeared a mastertape feel to the proceedings.
to make pottery from garden waste with ten DAT 120s, and didn’t see my Even with a modest arm and middling
or finding yet another application for family for weeks... cartridge, the Orbe was a sublime
wood-effect, sticky-back plastic hardly It worked brilliantly. Back in Japan, vinyl source.
filled me with awe... I listened with relish to my 'digital My current Marantz TT-1000 (a
Yet, forbidden by my mother LP12' as I walked the mean streets recently reconditioned 1979 high end
to retune to the apparently of Shimokitazawa; like Cliff Richard I direct drive) sounds just as different
unwholesome show that was was well and truly wired for sound! again. It’s so much more incisive; it
Magpie, I dutifully sat through Blue I did the same thing at regular feels like you can hear not just right
Peter three times a week for the intervals throughout the nineties. to the back of studio wall but behind.
entirety of the nineteen seventies, By about 2000 I had a Michell Orbe, Transients are absolutely striking, the
comfortably numb. It had its Origin Live RB300 and Ortofon listener feels like they’re being sliced
moments (elephant poop on the MC30 Super as my front end, and and diced by hi hats or guitar strings,
studio floor was a key one), but the DAT tapes faithfully signposted such is their amazing speed. Pianos
mostly it was unalloyed tedium. “And the different sounds of the respective have a glorious solidity, as if they’re
here’s another report from a mudhut sources; I didn’t record over my cemented to the rock beneath the
in Africa”, said Lesley Judd. “Great”, I’d original tapes, so I could make instant studio’s very foundations. It’s an
say sarcastically; a worrying attitude A-B comparisons, as if ten years of intensely visceral experience, showing
for a recent graduate of playschool. upgrading had taken mere seconds. vinyl as the supreme ‘hi res’ source.
Yet there was one thing on Blue On moving house recently, I Of the three, the Marantz is
Peter that set my imagination running found this long-lost stash of DATs ultimately the most capable, but
free; the 'time capsule'. Buried at again. Suddenly my only aim in life that’s not to say I wouldn’t be happy
the back of the Blue Peter garden, became to get them going, through a with either the Linn or the Michell.
I yearned to see it being opened in very high quality dCS Debussy DAC. Indeed, I still think the Linn is a lovely
“the twenty first century”. I made my I also made fresh recordings via the thing to listen to, albeit not terribly
own, with copious lists about what old NVA amp so I could hear how accurate. Later LP12s of course have
should go inside (a Caramac bar, an my current Marantz TT-1000/OL got far less romantic and far more
Action Man, a deflated Spacehopper Enterprise and Ortofon Winfield accurate. The Michell amazes me; it
and Whizzer and Chips comic) and compared against my 1992 LP12 and has much of what’s good about both
even attempted to excavate my 2000 Orbe. the Linn and the Marantz plus special
parents' back garden as part of The differences proved charms of its very own; you’re never
the project, until my father rather fascinating; the old Linn sounds a going to hear a soundstage like that
ungenerously intervened. bit soft and woolly, with a rather again! It remains a brilliant design
Recently though, I’ve discovered narrow left-to-right soundstage, but that deserves all the acclaim that the
my very own ‘hi-fi time capsule’, is very propulsive and seductive to LP12 ever garnered.
unearthing a cache of old DAT listen to. Tonally, it sounds ‘woody’ Unearthing my audiophile
tapes which powered me through and coloured, but it has lovely 'time capsule' and doing careful
my younger life in Japan. Thousands sweet treble and makes some comparisons shows me that top
of miles away from my beloved pretty unlistenable recordings highly turntables through the ages can
record collection, I decided that the enjoyable. I once thought my LP12 be quite different in their core
only way I could survive the Orient was the best turntable I’d heard, then competencies, yet just as lovely to
was to record (most of) it on to I thought it was rather below par; listen to. It also reminds me that vinyl
Digital Audio Tape. Sony's first DAT now I realise it is neither – just a is a brilliant music carrier; it's still an
Walkman had recently launched, and I very, very good deck. amazing format, long may it run. I'm
just had to have one... The Orbe front end proved looking forward to vinyl, 2021-style.

WorldMags
S
RE HI-F PE
AD I W CIA
ER O L
OF RLD
FE
RS
Inspire Hi-Fi
It’s not over til’ the TURNTABLE

HI-FI WORLD £1,999
with Roksan Nima Arm
fat lady sings! TURNTABLE

£2,799
with SME M2-12 Arm
OUR UK MANUFACTURED HIGH CLASS, AWARD WINNING

TURNTABLES WILL LEAVE YOU IN NO DOUBT THAT VINYL HI-FI WORLD from Still an amazing
IS SECOND TO NO OTHER KNOWN REPLAY MEDIUM. £649 for Linn LP12 Turntables £699
WITH DIRECT SALES FROM THE MANUFACTURER THERE’S

NO RETAIL MARKUP - SAVING YOU 40 - 50% ON RETAIL
PRICES OF OTHER MANUFACTURERS / RETAILERS.
INSPIRE HI-FI BRINGING VINYL REPLAY TO THE FOREFRONT

OF THE RECORDED ARTS. FREE rebuild and we collect your LP12
DemoSuite
Listen to our award winning equipment at our
Ask us for an an instant Compare our prices with British Made for better Demo Suite. Situated 1 minute from M1 J29A.
Part Exchange quote other manufacturers sound + better quality Part Exchange available.
Unit 11 / Markham Vale Environment Centre / Markham Vale / Chesterfield S44 5HY
Tel: 01246 827272 Mobile: 07932 367555 Email: robert@inspirehifi.co.uk www.inspirehifi.co.uk

OPINION WorldMags
"when spinning records on your shiny hi-fi, take time to

consider music away from your usual haunts..."
paul
rigby
I
f you look at general music had to be licensed from Japan and disc is, with one exception, entirely
magazines, check out fan web- we were all working in a foreign derived from master tapes which
sites and gaze at music retail language. The Japanese, though, are is impressive. “Only one track is
lists, the majority of music on very meticulous about their masters dubbed direct from record,” Patrick
offer tends to originate from and sources”. Patrick believed confirmed. “Although, because we
either the UK or America. that this was why the sources for have our own, in-house, studio who
Okay, you’ll see some world music, the ‘Nippon Girls’ were so well are expert in modern remastering
now and again, with a smattering of preserved and well catalogued. techniques, you’d be hard pressed to
esoteric releases thrown into the Patrick’s love for French girl tell which of the tracks was taken
mix but, considering we’re supposed singers derived from a wish not to from disc.”
to be attached to the European restrict himself to UK or American Most of the masters were
mainland – by politics and trade if music. “There’s plenty of great music stored in France and only one of
not physically – then it’s surprising coming from other countries. French the tracks on this compilation has
that markets that sit, in geographical music has its own identity. In the ever been released in the UK. Yet,
terms, around the corner, are not same way that you can admire British there were some licensing problems
more fully represented. Which leads music for its Britishness, you can which means that fans expecting to
to you conclude that cultural dif- admire French music for the same find music via their favourite artist
ferences and similarities play more related reason.” may be out of luck and the reason is
of a part in music appreciation than Patrick, like many other French intriguing. “Some artists have clauses
distance. music fans of the sixties in fortunate in their contracts which means that
However, if you made the effort geographical locations around the you can’t use their music on various
to reach out to our European and southern areas of England, used to artists compilations. They tend to be
even Asiatic neighbours and took be able to tune into French radio the larger, more famous artists. Sylvia
the time and trouble to investigate stations to hear and become familiar Vartan was one example.”
just what they are capable of then I with many French pop songs of the One of the great things about
bet you’d be pleasantly surprised, at period. Not many of those records French records, and this holds true
least, with a good chance of being were ever released over here, thus for some other European releases,
completely bowled over. their foreign nature and their rarity is that the format of their released
Anyone looking to dabble in such value adds to their appeal. Patrick music was different to ours. During
esoterica would be advised to check also admitted to their other-worldly the sixties, many singles arrived on
out the Ace record label catalogue strangeness and their contrast to the four-track EPs with beautiful sleeve
because it has a wealth of interesting British norm. “French girl singers have artwork. “They were like mini-
yet obscure material, lovingly sourced their own particular style. Many of albums,” said Patrick, “with stiff, glossy
and remastered. Selected from them don’t really sing that well but it covers. You’ll find many of them
the archives of musical history, the doesn’t matter too much. They don’t pictured in the included CD booklet,
individual CDs cover music from the care either, they’re a bit nonchalant. making them attractive to record
territories of France, Japan, Iceland They’re a bit blank too – and I find collectors. They’re also worth a lot of
and Australia. They provide an ideal that quite appealing.” money.”
entry point into a world that can The Australian CDs definitely Other compilations that may be
be termed as strange, rather lovely, have their own identity too. They are released via Ace in the near future
intriguing, weird and very different. loud and crude – sincere about their which might include a CD themed on
Mick Patrick co-compiler of feelings, honest and raw in nature. Italian music and possibly a general
the, ‘C’est Chic: French Girl Singers “They are not cheesy pop records, European collection.
Of The 1960s’ collection and who they’re beat group, surf and garage When spinning records on
provided assistance to the ‘Nippon songs and it really works in the your shiny, hi-fi system, take time
Girls’ CD compilation (subtitled Australian style.” to consider music away from your
the ‘Japanese Pop, Beat and Bossa Surprisingly for such rare usual haunts. There’s plenty of gems
Nova 1966-70’) commented, “As releases, many of the tracks within out there. These Ace compilations
you can imagine, the 'Nippon Girls' these CDs are sourced via original represent just one time period.
compilation was very difficult to master tapes. Patrick confirmed Check ‘em out, you might just
complete because all of the material that, for example, his ‘C’est Chic’ surprise yourself!

WorldMags
WorldMags
OPINION WorldMags
"overall, it’s fair to say that the progress of

Digital Audio Broadcasting is once again stagnating..."
steven
green
U
p until around a year year. Overall then, it’s fair to say that Almost a decade on from DAB being
ago, DAB+ appeared to the progress of DAB is once again relaunched in the UK, there still isn’t
have built up enough stagnating. a single digital-only station in the
momentum to become This situation is clearly bad UK making a profit, and according
the common European news for the British DAB chipset to UK commercial radio’s trade
digital radio system that manufacturing company Frontier- body, the RadioCentre, 5% of the
so many companies and organisations Silicon; so in order to give DAB+ a entire industry’s revenues are being
crave. Since then however, DAB+’s boost, Frontier-Silicon has agreed to sunk into DAB just to keep it afloat.
progress has faltered, as a number of purchase an unspecified amount of Furthermore, despite the dishonest
countries that had been bullish about advertising airtime from five German claims made by the BBC-funded
launching the technology chose not commercial radio stations for the organisation Digital Radio UK about
to go ahead with their plans. Part of next four years. In exchange for when switchover could take place,
the blame for this can be attributed this investment, the stations must the reality is that it’s still another ten
to the global recession hitting, but I’ve launch on a German national DAB+ to fifteen years away. Why, you might
no doubt that the sheer enormity of multiplex, which is due to launch ask, would any company want to try
the task of switching a country’s pop- in autumn this year, and which will and emulate that?
ulation from analogue to digital radio, also carry stations from the public As Frontier-Silicon has had to
and in particular the time and costs service broadcaster, Deutschlandradio. subsidise the launch of commercial
involved in doing so, would also have In other words, Frontier-Silicon has radio stations in Germany, it is clear
acted as a major deterrent to organi- agreed to subsidise the launch of the that the main drawback is still the
sations considering such a move. five commercial radio stations on high transmission costs involved in
The situations in France and DAB+. launching stations on digital radio
Germany sum up the fortunes of Although the launch of this – unsurprising considering that
DAB+’s progress over the last couple national multiplex is obviously a FM and DAB+ might have to be
of years. In Germany, the broadcasters boost for DAB’s supporters, the broadcast simultaneously for up
had originally announced plans for a future of DAB+ in Germany is still to twenty five years! I suggested in
“big bang” relaunch of digital radio anything but secure, as the vast 2007 that WorldDMB, the organi-
using the DAB+ standard to take majority of commercial radio stations sation in charge of the DAB family
place in 2010, but the commercial in Germany are still opposed to the of standards, should develop a new
broadcasters then backed out, leaving launch of DAB+. The VPRT, which standard that isn’t constrained by the
the relaunch plans in tatters. France is the organisation that represents need to be backwards-compatible
was also set to launch digital radio commercial radio stations in with the original 1980s version of
last year, only using the DMB standard Germany, was responsible for the DAB, as this would allow a far more
rather than DAB+. DMB is the same proposed “big bang” relaunch being efficient system to be designed,
as DAB+ apart from the fact that abandoned last year after the VPRT which would in turn reduce the
DMB can carry video whereas DAB+ condemned the proposals, and the transmission costs for stations. But
cannot – the French broadcasters stations withdrew their support. And WorldDMB has predictably done
wanted to deliver low bit rate video the VPRT has reiterated its stance nothing, whereas the forward thinking
streams alongside the radio stations’ towards digital radio following the DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting)
audio. Once again, however, as the developments with the national organisation has designed and
time to launch digital radio neared, multiplex. “As we know, DAB released the highly efficient DVB-
broadcasters withdrew their support failed in the market. Against this T2 system, which could be used to
for the launch, and the plans were background, plans for the closure deliver digital radio, and it would
cancelled... of FM – originally scheduled for as allow the transmission costs for radio
As things currently stand, the only early as 2015, but now postponed stations to be reduced to just a third
countries with a large population to – are absurd from an economic and of the cost of transmitting on DAB+,
have launched digital radio using the social perspective and are therefore and to a tenth of the cost on DAB!
‘DAB family’ (DAB/DAB+/DMB) of unacceptable.” Whether WorldDMB will ever wake
standards are the UK (population of And you certainly cannot blame up to the requirements of radio
62 million) and Australia (population the German commercial radio stations before the DAB/DAB+/DMB
of 23 million), which commercially stations for being sceptical about standards fail completely remains to
launched digital radio using DAB+ last launching their stations on DAB+. be seen.

WorldMags
UNIVERSAL MOTOR UPGRADE

“ ��” Upgrades & replaces
�� motors & power supplies for ALL
belt drive turntables
“A new benchmark for musical communication” ��
“One of the truly special products I’ve reviewed in the past 18 years” ��
“The best tonearm I’ve heard” ��
“So far ahead of the pack .... looks about to lap them” ��
��
��
��
�� COMMON GROUND MAGAZINE
�� LISTENER MAGAZINE
��
�� HI FI NEWS
Multi-award winning ORIGIN LIVE TONEARMS make an enormous
difference over other arms due to their market leading performance.
Delighted owners report that the level of improvement is many times that
�� - No one would
of a cartridge upgrade - and lasts a lot longer.
blame you for being sceptical of an easy to fit, inexpensive dc motor
upgrade. Especially one that improves on the best of other power
These arms simply give an entirely new level of musical satisfaction supplies costing over 4 times as much or your money back. It is simply
according to many independent sources - Please see Origin Live web site impossible to imagine the level of improvement attained by eliminating
for full reviews and information. the motor vibration that your stylus amplifies over 8,000 times! Our DC
To eliminate any risk on your part, all arms are offered with a full money
motor kit offers massive improvements to all versions of Linn Lingo /
back refund should you not be anything other than delighted. Valhulla, Rega, Systemdeck, Roksan, Rock etc. The kits consist of a drop
in replacement high grade DC motor and off-board 2 speed control box.
�� Why not order now? - see web site or phone.
Enterprise World Awards
Conqueror
��
Illustrious ��
Encounter ��
Silver ��
OL1 �� Upgrade DC 200 motor - £129 with kit ��

OPINION WorldMags
"there is something very strange about transformers; they

harbour, in their lumpy iron cores, magic and mystery..."
noel
keywood
S
lowly, as the years go by, solar cell, not even a hamster in a principle at least, quality improves. So
I find myself becoming wheel. It uses a transformer, one of this infatuation, obsession or belief
almost religious about the word's least sexy objects, to 'step system isn't entirely irrational. Not at
something that's little more up' the signal to double what it was. all, and as the years roll by it's getting
than a block of rusty old I think you could triple the signal, worse, not better!
iron, or so it appears to but then the impedance matching Even though the transformer is
the average unappreciative eye. This problems may intrude in some set a thing of metaphysical magic and
block, this weight, this industrial lump, ups; there is a practical limit, if not a mystery, because it passes current
one that has almost broken my back theoretical one. through nothing and directly you
in the past when forced to unload a Absence of a running hamster look into how it can do this you
couple of tons of them from a lorry, isn't the reason to get excited about bump up against the end stops of
is the transformer. And not only is it this item though. Sad as it may be, our knowledge of the behaviour of
a dirty, heavy object of great under- I get excited because the rightness the light, electromagnetism, wave/
lying beauty, just like those rocks of this preamp seems to be forged particle duality and a postulated
Naomi Campbell was allegedly given elsewhere, in a place where simple mechanism for energy transmission,
by Charles Taylor, but I have been perfection reigns. It is minimalist; it the photon, I admit to never having
listening to one – or another one relies on Zen like perfection – and wound one. Having worked with
should I say – that is so good I swear that always pays off in audio – and an expert in audio transformers
it is surrounded by magic. It is the it uses a magical process: electro- though, Andy Grove, who designed
Music First Audio transformer pre- magnetic induction. all World Audio Design transformers
amp, reviewed in this issue by Tony Our letters pages this month – the ones I sometimes helped
Bolton. carry some intriguing observations unload from lorries – I have never
Our esteemed editor David what lies behind this unattractive quite wanted to step over that
Price, who has a fine ear, has consis- yet magic device and – yes – I think threshold. Easy in principle, good
tently rated this preamp as one of I can justifiably use that great Sixties audio transformers are hideously
the best, yet it has eluded me. These description – it's cosmic! difficult to build in practice; complex
things happen; moving coil cartridges I saw a giant power transformer layering and sectioning are essential.
of high quality elude David and on the back of a low loader some Few transformer manufacturers can
everyone else when I am around months ago and it was hardly a handle this and when they can it is
because a good MC is a little bit of pretty sight. And then there are the usually the work of one dextrous
magic too, magic I like to sequester lumps of iron with tangles of wire individual, invariably a woman, to
before anyone else can even get sticking out that grace my work build the things. If she decides there
close! But in this case a Music First room at home. Transformers are are more exciting things to do in
Audio 'magnetic preamp' has been such ugly, anonymous objects I always life, like start a family (this is a true
floating around eluding me regularly, want to heave them out, but I know tale), then your amplifier business is
until recently. When I finally heard that if I do I will regret it. I don't yet doomed...
it I was almost perplexed by its admit to having transformers under So you can see now, we have
subtle beauty. It has a sound, but my bed, but they're everywhere else moved from lump of old iron, to
barely a sound, that is so utterly and and spreading slowly it seems, like magical preamplifier, to the heart
persuasively correct, and beautiful something from The Quatermass of every valve amplifier, to cosmic
like a sweet spring breeze, that I was Experiment. principle to – er – having a family!
instantly won over. I cannot quite The reason for this is my love The more I consider transformers
imagine how it could get better. of valve amplifiers of course. Each the more I become convinced that
And what is a Music First Audio one needs at least two output there is something very strange
preamp? A transformer. Yep, another transformers and one mains about them and they harbour,
lump of old iron. In case this all transformer, and the one I choose to within their lumpy iron cores,
sounds bafflingly obscure, let me use at home has seven transformers magic and mystery. Is it the case
explain that this preamp, like any on it, if you include the chokes. that a transformer preamp, by its
preamp, makes the music louder. And interestingly, the more of these very nature, had to be better than
However, it needs no power; no things you use, the fewer electronic anything else? Done properly, I
batteries, no mains connection, no components are needed, meaning in believe so.

WorldMags
- THE AUDIO BARN FROM ROCK SOLID SOUNDS -
Vivid Audio AstinTrew

Electrocompaniet Lumley
Audio Physic Audiostone
Cabasse Belles
Ayon Oracle
Coda Aura
Music Tools Stello
Neotech hi fi racks
��
��
��
OctWld:Oct.qxd 07/10/2010 18:27 Page 1
��
��
MULTI SOURCE STREAMING SPECIALIST

CALL SALES:(020) 8318 5755 or 8852 1321 - 248 Lee High Road, London, SE13 5PL
0% APR Credit options are available for purchases of new products exceeding £900, please call for details. E&OE
New Naim - UnitiQute DAC & HDX HD Player A selection of Pre-owned & Ex-Dem available at www.billyvee.co.uk
Linn Unidisk SC Universal CD Player E/D (1Yr G/tee) . . . . .(3145.00) £995.00
UnitiQute Compact streamer
Linn Unidisk 1.1 Universal Player E/D (1Yr G/tee) . . . . . . .(8470.00) £1895.00
now available Linn Majik-I Integrated amplifier E/D (2Yr G/tee) . . . . . . .(1595.00) £945.00
Creek Destiny CD Player E/D (2Yr G/tee) . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1430.00) £695.00
Linn Linto Phono preamp Silver S/H (1Yr G/tee) . . . . . . . .(1180.00) £549.00
Linn Akurate 2200 Power Amp Sil. E/D (2Yr G/tee) . . . . . .(3000.00) £1550.00
Linn C5100 5 Ch Chakra Power Amp S/H (1Yr G/tee) . . . .(2200.00) £995.00
The Naim DAC - NaimUniti series and the HDX marked a turning point in Naim
Linn Artikulat 320 Speakers Dk Cherry E/D (2Yr G/tee) . . .(8250.00) £2950.00
history and delivered a stunning product line-up for the future of quality music. You
Quad 99 Preamplifier E/D (2Yr G/tee) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(799.00) £475.00
now have multi source delivery options of up to 24bit studio quality even with the
new baby UnitiQute. Splendid! Visit billyvee.co.uk for more info or come and listen.
Quad 99 Power Amplifier E/D (2Yr G/tee) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(599.00) £349.00

OPINION WorldMags
"it has never ceased to astound me just how involved

the process of designing a loudspeaker is..."
adam
smith
T
he world of hi-fi and audio this one. of the diffuser removal that a healthy
accessories is a funny old The output of a tweeter is, dollop of glue in the right places
one at times and I must obviously, at a very high frequency had everything back together and
confess that I don’t take – generally around 2kHz or above. sounding sweet again.
it all as seriously as some At these frequencies, the length of The experience never strayed
people do; maybe it’s the the sound wave is becoming progres- far from the back of my mind and
engineer half of my brain shouting sively shorter and shorter. At 5kHz was brought to the fore once again
the other half down and demand- it’s around 7cm but by the time you when I found myself working at
ing scientific proof – sadly this is reach 20kHz, that result is suddenly Goodmans loudspeakers. When it
not always possible, especially when 1.7cm or so and, given that a tweeter came to tweeter construction, I was
the ears are convinced and refuse dome radiates fairly well in all surprised to find that the design of
to even entertain the argument! It directions, suddenly those big screw the dome itself didn’t have the huge
seems to me that accessories and heads holding the tweeter in, to say and all-encompassing effect on the
gadgets fall into three distinct cat- nothing of any steps in the baffle, unit’s final sound that I assumed it
egories; the first are the completely are going to start having an effect. would. Of course, it gives the basic
off-the-wall ideas that have no hope It’s easily measurable and the sonic character and frequency response,
of ever doing anything useful, apart results are not subtle either. and if there’s a dome problem then
from possibly depleting your bank I remember only too well my nothing will mask this, but the shape,
balance. The second are those that first experience of this phenomenon. depth, curvature and even material of
do make a difference but really It was back in my teens when I had the cut-out in the faceplate in which
require a moment or two of thought been given a lovely pair of Rigonda the dome sits all go to have a very
and the application of a modicum of loudspeakers. Of Russian descent, dominant effect on the response of
sense before they are implemented. these were big, had a striking, almost the tweeter, both in the frequency
Yes, spending £1,500 on an intercon- liquid-looking rosewood finish and and time domains. What made things
nect will make a difference to the three drive units – one ten inch even more complicated as a designer
sound of your £500 CD player, but I’ll bass, one five inch midrange and at this time was that this was the
wager that you’ll get an even bigger a one inch cone tweeter with an period when Goodmans were
improvement by spending that £1,500 elegant and solid looking diffuser and solely involved in the manufacture
on a new CD player instead! protector on the front. Now, in my of car loudspeakers. You think your
The third category is where young mind, this big lump of white speakers’ baffles are undulating; try
my interest lies, and that is the plastic surely must be getting in the comparing them to a car dashboard!
area of tweaks, accessories and way of the sound, especially as the All in all, it has never ceased to
gadgets that really are effective and treble from these beasts seemed astound me just how involved the
it seems to me that some of these rather soft to me (I subsequently process of designing a loudspeaker
are the simplest and most basic of realised this effect was as a result of is, and a huge part of that is the
all, because they operate on a basic being used to JPW P1s, which were way in which the drivers, and
scientific level. A perfect example is rather more explicit at the top end). especially the tweeter, interact with
the Russ Andrews loudspeaker Focus Anyway, as part of my restoration the cabinet around them. If you
Rings that I have been playing with and rewiring efforts on these want to maximise the performance
this month. Now, I can easily see why loudspeakers, the tweeters came out of yours, then by all means spend
someone might dismiss them as silly, and I took the hacksaw to them in to your heart’s content on fancy
as sticking bits of felt to the front of order to remove the nasty diffusers. cables, stands, spikes and crossover
your loudspeakers could easily seem So, back together went the components that cost more than
to be right up there with removing Rigondas, I cued up a record and sat many people’s entire system – I know
the finger-lift from your tonearm, down to listen, expecting big changes. I’ve done it and the results can be
or aligning the screw heads in your Well, big changes there were but not very impressive indeed. Just don’t
mains plugs in order to improve the in a good way. The speakers sounded ignore the basic science behind the
sound (and yes, both of these have diffuse, phasey and not at all pleasant. way the units operate – in the case
genuinely been suggested at one time I experimented for a few hours but of high frequency output, it really is
or another!). But hang on a moment the result was plain – I’d ruined ‘em! quite amazing what can be done with
– there really is some science behind Luckily I had made such a neat job two bits of felt!

VINYL NEWS WorldMags
vinyl section
contents SPEAKERS CORNER
A couple of jazz issues
MARCH 2011 www.hi-fiworld.co.uk from German-based
reissue record label
SPIRAL GROOVE SG2 100 (www.speakerscorner.
Adam Smith is beguiled by this high end American vinyl spinner. de) focus on two of the
legends of the genre. ‘Bill
SOUNDBITES 105 Evans At The Town Hall...
Haden Boardman reports on Martin Bastin's Garrard idler wheel
Volume One’ (1966) is
upgrade, while Paul Rigby samples LP Revirginizer.
a quality live recording
KISEKI BLUE NOS 106 with notable highlights
Neville Roberts tells the story of this enigmatic that include ‘Who
classic moving coil cartridge. Can I Turn To’ and the
remarkable ‘Solo - In
PRO-JECT ESSENTIAL 109 Memory of His Father’,
Tony Bolton takes a fine new budget turntable for a spin. a sonic exploration.
Also look out for
Illinois Jacquet’s ‘Swing’s
the Thing’, a collection
of two dates from 1956
and 1958 (originally
issued as ‘The Cool
news
Rage’, both originally
released as a 10” LPs).
A vital and critical study
of the man’s art...
THE FUTURE?
Keep an eye on Music On Vinyl (www.
musiconvinyl.com). This Dutch-based
reissue company, with a very active UK
office, has well over 100 releases under
its belt in its short life and, significantly
for this independent company, has
achieved ‘Preferred Status’ with Sony
Music so that MOV has first pick on
many archival and the vinyl versions of
contemporary releases. Is the Preferred
Status cooperative showing the way forward for the vinyl industry?
While you contemplate that, look out for MOV’s new releases including Fairport Convention’s ‘Who Knows? 1975: The Woodworm Archives
– Vol One’ a rare live recording of largely unknown location but quality performances nevertheless. Next is Cheap Trick’s ‘At Budokan’ (1979),
limited to 500 copies in yellow vinyl plus a 12 page booklet. Leonard Cohen’s ‘Songs From The Road’, is a recently released double album taking
from Cohen’s 2008-2009 world tour
including London and Manchester.
The Jaco Pastorius, self-titled
debut album, a superb release from
1976, showcased Pastorius’s brilliant
bass technique. A jazz tour de force.
Also look out for Golden Earring’s
‘To the Hilt’ (1975), storming hard
rock with a prog feel plus Modest
Mouse’s ‘The Moon & Antarctica’ is
an excellent contemplative indie rock
release from 2000.

VINYL NEWS WorldMags
DIP INTO THE WORLD

The amount of musical discoveries sourced via world music
artists has been brought to the public’s attention by a small
band of dedicated
labels. Soundway is
one of those whose
archival passion has
resulted in a range of
significant finds. ‘The
World Ends: Afro
Rock & Psychedelia
In 1970s Nigeria
Part 1’ is a triple
album compilation.
Featuring plenty of
rare photographs,
record sleeves and
labels, this gatefold
edition includes output
from The Funkees,
The Wings and The
Identicals.
Also look out for
Vampi Soul’s (www.
PUNK [SPIT!] vampisoul.com) double
Three punk reissues from the Italian outfit, Rave Up (www.petrosh.it/raveup) album compilation of
include The Ed Davis Band’s ‘Keith Richards’ Dead’. The band played in the Bola Johnson’s works.
Cincinnati area of USA. This release includes their ‘Keith Richards’ Dead’ Mixing humour with
single plus 4-track demos and live cuts. The ‘Saucers & The Allies ’78-’81’ is a self-deprecating take on life and his relationships with
subtitled ‘East Bay Punks – From the Streets Of Berkeley’ which says it all, women, Johnson provides a high energy Afrobeat, funky,
really apart from the fact that the Saucers were later renamed as The Allies. groovy and roots-like content that keeps the party jumping.
Live cuts and demos are transcribed from both. Also look out for the Diodes’
‘Time/Damage Live 1978’, a punk band who had plenty of European success.
This album features a live Toronto, Canada gig.
...AND FINALLY
From Munster (www.munster-records.com) comes ex-Baracudas man and now
alt.country maestro, Jeremy Gluck with the help of Rowland S Howard, Nikki
Sudden, Epic Soundtracks, Jeffrey Lee Pierce and more. ‘I Knew Buffalo Bill’,
recorded in 1986 and 1988, is a centre of glorious weirdness. Sometime
Caboladies man, Carl Calm, has issued ambient, meditative mini-symphonies
of relaxation with ‘Dayglo Port’ via Dekorder (www.dekorder.com) that’s full of
interesting textures. Rob Mazurek’s Exploding Star Orchestra (Delmark;
www.delmark.com) is a modern, exploratory
jazz outfit whose new album, ‘Stars Have
Shapes’ has always been constructed like a
vinyl A/B-side, even in its CD incarnation,
offering a cinematic jazz flow. Fabienne
Delsol’s ‘On My Mind’ (Damaged Goods;
www.damagedgoods.co.uk) is her third solo
project. Anyone who enjoys a French, sixties
flavoured female vocal to trigger spine tingles
should apply forthwith!
The new album by Stereolab, ‘Not Music’
(Duophonic; www.duophonic.com) is apparently
derived from the same group of 2009 sessions that created ‘Chemical
Chords’. Typically innovative, it provides sixties flourishes and electronic
invention.
Presented on 180gm vinyl with a CD, Caro Emerald’s debut, ‘Deleted
Scenes From The Cutting Room Floor’ (Dramatico; www.dramatico.com),
presents a classic jazz vocal style but adds elements of samba, mambo and
more. Emerald offers undiluted energy and romance in her delivery.
Finally, look out for Twin Sister’s ‘Vampires With Dreaming Kids’/’Colour
Your Life’ (Double Six; www.dominorecordco.com) whose album is basically the
melding of both of the band’s earlier EPs. Mixing an indie pop bounce with a
4AD-like ambience, the band obviously enjoy sonic explorations...

VINYL SECTION WorldMags
Groove
Thing
Adam Smith gets all in
a spin with the mighty
Spiral Groove SG2
turntable...
A
new name to many I the design goal of being
suspect, Immediasound “simple, elegant, reliable, and
are a US-based company, faithful to the source”. for
founded by a gentleman Weighing in at a noticeable 23kg, them
called Allen Perkins, who the SG2 turntable is a belt drive to be mechan-
manufacture and distrib- unit based around a five layer plinth, ically compensated so
ute an impressive range of high end consisting of aluminium top, centre that the arm can offer a stable
audio equipment. The name actually and bottom sections decoupled platform on which the cartridge can
derives from the words ‘media’ and by elastomer sections. The motor, work most effectively. The counter-
‘immediate’ in order to convey Allen’s bearing and tonearm mount are all balance is large and wraps around
attentiveness and desire to fulfil mounted on different layers in order the arm pillar to keep the centre of
customers’ requirements in a timely to aid decoupling and the platter mass close to the pivot point and the
and efficient manner. An ex-designer is belt driven around its periphery carbon-covered aluminium arm tube
of both SOTA and RPM turntables, by an AC motor which is in turn promises low mass but good rigidity.
Allen formed Spiral Groove in 2005 powered by its own offboard sine Build and finish of both deck
in partnership with Lisa Thomas, a wave generator. The platter also and arm are superb, as one would
lady of many talents including film consists of differing layers – above hope from the price tag, and setup
and music producing as well as being the aluminium drive ring is a layer is not a difficult procedure, the clear
CEO of Clif Bar – a company manu- of vinyl, and on top of that a layer of and concise arm instruction manual
facturing a range of all-organic energy graphite which provides the interface helping greatly here.
and nutrition foods! The story goes to the record, helped by the screw- The deck itself is switched on
that the two met when Lisa came down clamp. Interestingly, the spindle and off and has speed selection
into Allen’s shop to buy a hi-fi system; is decoupled from the bearing and performed by two buttons on
the two struck up a rapport, a deal completely separate; moreover the its top surface, with appropriate
was done and Spiral Groove was the aluminium ring that carries the belt illumination. Of the arm, I have only
result. groove is only fixed to the outer one minor criticism; namely that
With manufacturing facilities in part of the main platter – all of this there is no damping at all to the
California, the Spiral Groove range adds up to a requirement for some cueing mechanism – unlike Noel
currently consists of two turntables seriously impressive tolerancing in and David I do not hand cue, and I
and an arm, but there is the promise order to maintain concentricity! greatly appreciate a nicely damped
of a forthcoming DAC/preamp and a The Centroid arm is a unipivot mechanism that drifts the stylus
Class A power amplifier. Whilst the design that, on the SG1, uses a novel gently down to the vinyl, which the
SG1 is the range-topper, the SG2 bayonet style mount to offer speedy Centroid most emphatically does
is most certainly no poor relation, arm changes, but the SG2 makes do not do. Still, at least the manual does
as might be suspected by its not with a simpler system of six bolts. provide a warning to this effect!
inconsiderable £14,000 price tag Incorporating what Spiral Groove
including the Centroid tonearm. It call ‘Balanced Force Design’, the arm SOUND QUALITY
merely has a few subtle differences is designed using CAD to simulate So, with cartridge loaded, deck
that set it apart from its bigger the forces that act upon it as the warmed up and the stylus (carefully!)
brother but without compromising cartridge tracks the record, allowing lowered onto the record, I sat back

"the SG2 simply cast aside my loudspeakers as if they

were a nuisance and left me with this massive swathe of
sheer insight right across my room..."
anxiously awaiting that high end hi-fi used make up the instrument seemed massive, all-encompassing swathe of
moment of fear when I would find to be sat by my right knee, vibrating sheer insight right across my room.
out whether the promises made by in tune as the bow was drawn across Frankly, it was all so superb I played
the SG2’s design and price would the strings. the track through three times in
be delivered. As the music started, Once the lady herself started a row just to make sure I wasn’t
I realised that the phrase ‘Oh yes' to sing, I knew I was going to enjoy kidding myself!
didn’t quite do the result justice! myself, as the scale, depth and sheer Rifling through some more
What was that in my right hand immediacy of her performance was records in my collection made me
speaker as Sara K’s ‘The Painter’ from laid out right before me, to each realise that this was no accident. It
her ‘Water Falls’ LP slipped under the side of me and I’m pretty sure appears that Spiral Groove’s attention
stylus? I’m used to hearing a cello, somewhere behind me too. The SG2 to detail and careful design have
but this was like I have never heard and Centroid arm simply cast aside resulted in a turntable that majors
it before through the Spiral Groove my loudspeakers as if they were on insight, fluidity and a comprehen-
combo – every fibre of the wood a nuisance and left me with this sively vivid ability to pick you up and

WorldMags
“The Truth, nothing more,

nothing less...”
Each Avid product is born of a passion for real Analogue Seduction, 4 Dragonfly Close, Hampton-
music. The visceral dynamic of a live performance Hargate, Peterborough, Tel: 01733 344768
captured in a moment on vinyl is a special
treasure. One which requires a superlative hi-fi Audio Workshop, 31 Prince of Wales Road, Norwich,
system to convey realistically. Tel: 01603 61852
Turntables, amplifiers and accessories from Avid O’Brien Hi-fi, 60 Durham Road, West Wimbledon,
are dedicated to reproducing this realism. London Tel: 020 8946 1528
To experience the truly sublime, please contact Progressive Audio, 2 Maryland Court, Rainham, Kent,
an Avid dealer to arrange your private audition. Tel: 01634 389004
AVID HIFI LIMITED, Bicton Industrial Park, Kimbolton, Huntingdon, Cambs, PE28 0LW
Tel: +44(0)1480 869 900 Fax: +44(0)1480 869 909
Website: www.avidhifi.co.uk, Email: info@avidhifi.co.uk
WorldMags
can offer. A good affordable turntable
is, in some ways like a revvy sports
car which puts a smile on your face
as you thrash it but soon leaves you
with a sore
back and REFERENCE SYSTEM
ringing Ortofon Kontrapunkt b cartridge
ears! The Dynavector XV-1 cartridge
Spiral Anatek MC1 phono stage
Groove Naim Supernait amplifier
SG2 is Ferrograph S1 loudspeakers (modified)
more of a
Mercedes Maybach in which you can
lay back and feel the music wash over
you in the sort of way that leaves
you never wanting to switch it off. VERDICT
Expensive it most certainly is but, I A real high end treat for vinyl lovers,
somehow suspect that if you were to the Spiral Groove SG2 is an effort-
lessly fluid and captivating performer.
find the necessary funds, you would
place you right into the heart of the was not all just sweetness and fluidity, be extremely unlikely to feel short- SPIRAL GROOVE SG2/
performance. With a smooth, almost however, I next kicked things up a changed by this highly capable record CENTROID £14,000
velvety midband that pulls singers to notch with Plan B’s ‘The Defamation player. Purite Audio
the fore with ease, the SG2 has no of Strickland Banks’ album,
)
+44(0)208 815 5878
difficulty in projecting a lifelike 3D and the SG2 proved more www.puriteaudio.co.uk
image into the listening space, aided than equal to the task. Whilst
by a top end that captures every not exactly a recording to FOR
single nuance, no matter whether it challenge exacting audiophile - exceptional finish
is right in the heart of the action, or standards, the deck spruced it - capacious soundstaging
subtly tucked away in the background; up very well indeed to leave - velvety midrange
all topped off with the sort of me enjoying the sheer verve - sophisticated nature
smoothness that would only normally and passion of the performance.
be found atop a proper Irish pint of Other similarly rocking music AGAINST
Guinness. showed the Spiral Groove to - no cue damping
Dylan LeBlanc’s ‘If Time Was For be a more than capable - price
Wasting’ from his ‘Pauper’s Field’ rhythm machine, with
album was next onto the platter and a bass that was tuneful, MEASURED PERFORMANCE
was another cause for settling back very well detailed
The Spiral Groove SG2 turntable ran figure being exceptional and indicative
with a sigh of pleasure. Once again, and surprisingly deep, a slight -0.25% slow as delivered, an of correct Vertical Tracking Angle of
the Spiral Groove seemed to take as evinced by the insignificant error pitch wise, but it 22 degrees. This is a super quality MC
great delight in highlighting something surprising impact of can be adjusted if desired. Unweighted cartridge.
that I had not noticed properly the subsonic rumbles Wow & Flutter was low, hovering The SG2 measured well in every
before, and this time it was the featured in the Eagles around 0.12%. The IEC weighted Wow area and is likely to offer an unusually
pedal steel guitar, with notes starting ‘Long Road out of and Flutter value measured 0.0625% smooth, almost warm sound with
and stopping on a sixpence and Eden’. A little more our Rohde & Schwarz analyser said, as good dynamics and channel imaging/
floating out of the performance in a speed and tightness seen in the analysis here, as low as it separation, due to the good arm
most enticing manner. ‘Floating’ also would have been nice gets. structure and rigid headshell, aided by
The wrapped aluminium unipivot the cartridge fitted in our sample. NK
seemed to be the most appropriate when things really
arm was well damped our vibration
epithet to append to Hope Sandoval’s turned hard and fast, analysis shows, the main bending Speed accuracy -0.25%
stunning performance from Mazzy but I suspect that mode at 150Hz being well damped. Wow & flutter 0.12%
Star’s ‘Into Dust’ on their ‘So Tonight unless you are a regular The common third order bending mode Wow & flutter (IEC weighted) 0.06%
That I Might See’ album – it takes a hardcore drum and at 450Hz has a little more amplitude
truly awful turntable to really mess bass listener, you are but the peak is narrow and does not ARM VIBRATION
this track up, but hearing it on the unlikely to notice. encompass much energy, and in relative Arm vibration behaviour
0.3
SG2 merely served to confirm that terms this performance compared well
it is one immensely capable spatial CONCLUSION with the best arms available. Also Accel.
(g)
organiser. Those silky vocals pouring One of the joys, for encouraging is a total lack of high
0.2
frequency vibration in the headshell and Main arm
into my listening room were a joy to me, of a high end vinyl tube mode
along the tube, quite a rare strength. I
behold. spinner is the sheer All in all, this arm should have a very 0.1
In order to check that the SG2 sophistication that it smooth and character free sound, and
also strong dynamics.
The Dynavector XV-1t moving 0
15Hz frequency (Hz) 6kHz
coil cartridge was flat in frequency
response, exhibiting a small -1dB droop WOW & FLUTTER, weighted
across the midband but almost no
treble peak, a negligible +1dB lift at
15kHz so will sound warm as MCs go.
Tracking was very good, 63µm being
cleared confidently, but there was
slight mistracking at 90µm. Distortion
was very low on both lateral (0.7%) and
vertical modulation (0.6%), the latter

WorldMags
“If you want to make someone feel

emotion, you have to make them
let go. Listening to something is
an act of surrender.”
Brian Eno
Performance
with PASSION
A deep understanding of the critical areas

of a musical performance has helped us to
develop cables that will let you hear your
favourite music at its very best.
If you want to know more , please call us on

+44 (0)1980 625700, or visit:
www.chord.co.uk
WorldMags
BASTIN GARRARD IDLER £120 developed special rubbers, a decent idler is then removed with one
Martin Bastin has long been my casting and much better bearings screw. Put a small amount of grease
source of Garrard parts; he’s spent a than the original Garrard item. There on the idler’s bearings, and replace
lot of time researching the consistent is a special procedure to ensure everything back as normal. It was
parts of 301s and perfect finish to the edge, and clear the new idler fit much tighter in
401s, down to make sure the thing the bearings...
to almost is truly round in Sound wise I was quite staggered
molecular shape. The new to find it did indeed make the deck
levels. He idler wheels quieter. A familiar recording of Jimmy
started are supplied Smith’s ‘Organ Grinder’s Swing’ lost
with the complete noise that I had put down to a faulty
main with a tube pressing, a kind of worn groove
bearing, of suitable ‘shush’ in the back drop disappeared.
developed grease. Similar on a charity shop special
the Maxplank Total cost is Decca Phase Four Stereo Sampler
plinth and in £120, which there was just an extra edge of detail,
more recent times I do not think due to this marginal lowering of
has been seeing what bad considering the the noise floor. The more dynamic
can be done to improve the idler amount of work that has gone in to recordings didn’t seem to benefit
drive wheel. On a Garrard this little development and manufacture. much, but there was no demerit
rubberised wheel is the link between Fitting the idler is of course a either. A win-win situation then.
the inside of the platter rim and the doddle. If on a standard Garrard Strongly recommended, it's a real
motor pulley. Martin has long made 301/401 main bearing, raise the edge improvement on the original Garrard
noises about the original ones being of the platter with your fingers, and item. HB
“okay, but improvable”. So after strike the bearing with the wooden
many years in the shed, Martin has end of a small hammer. The original [Contact: +44 (0)15584 823446]
soundbites
RECORD REVIRGINIZER £29.95 liquid dries, the card can be used as a overall presentation sounded more
Record cleaning machines, gadgets handle or tab to help pull off the rest focused, with a new and unexpected
and fluids sit, cheek by jowl, within of the film. Once dry, you simply peel transparency that revealed a
a crowded accessories arena. the now skin-like material off the welcome clarity. This is an effective
The feeling is that it would take record and discard. What you have cleaning system. PR
something pretty unusual to make a left is a clean record!
splash and get noticed – and that’s I tested the liquid on an old, [Contact:
what the Record Revirginizer, all the original issue, Peggy Lee LP that www.recordrevirginizer.com,
way from Australia, does. had more than its fair share of ‘Rice
A manual method of cleaning Crispy’ noises on playback. Listening
your records, this system is in the to the treated LP, I noticed significant
current market, unique and intriguing. noise reduction, of around eighty
It arrives within a 500ml bottle percent I'd guesstimate. It may seem
containing a viscous liquid; this light obvious, but it’s worth stating that
blue coloured, anti-static polymer the reduction in noise allows more
is simple to use but does require sonic details to be heard, especially
patience. You pour a quantity of the the more subtle, nuanced information
liquid directly onto your vinyl. Judging which was being blanketed by the
the right amount will be down to noise. My LP may have benefitted
time and experience but I would from a second application but I
recommend a little at a time. The believe that a fair amount of the
Revirginizer is viscous but non-toxic remaining noise was basic wear and
and, once you’ve poured a quantity tear.
onto your record (avoiding the As with good quality record
record label), you carefully spread it cleaning machines, LP cleaning like
over the vinyl and then leave to dry this does more than remove the
for a few hours (which is where the more obvious pieces of muck and
patience comes in). The company grime from clogged grooves, it also
recommends that you lay a small removes the release agent. Hence, an
piece of paper or card on the edge unexpected benefit of the treatment
of the record so that, when the was general sonic improvement. The

Small
Wonder Neville Roberts tells the strange story
of the enigmatic Kiseki Blue NOS
moving coil cartridge, and tries a
brand new limited edition...
B
ack in 1979, it is said a Fokadu did not exist at all and was Herman’s cartridge maker at that
certain Japanese gentle- actually invented by a Dutch audio time, but Herman decided to modify
man, Mr Goro Fokadu, entrepreneur who decided to launch his name to preserve Mr Fukada’s
formed a company called his own brand of cartridges to his anonymity and to enable Herman
Audiophile Products in own design that he had custom-made himself to effectively own the name!
the Netherlands. The by Dynavector! The Kiseki cartridge Curiously, Herman’s business partner
story goes that he had been experi- is in truth the brainchild of Herman at the time who knew about Mr
menting with a wide range of audio van den Dungen, the man behind the Fokadu/ Fukada thought that the
products, one of which was the silver Ah!, PrimaLuna and Mystere range of name ‘Kiseki’ (which he pronounced
wired moving-coil transformer MCT- audio products. as ‘qui sait qui') meant ‘who knows
1 for low-impedance moving-coil car- Back in the last century, a who’!
tridges. He used a winding machine company called Audiophile Products Anyway, the good news for
that he invented for this purpose and was formed by Herman in Holland the hi-fi industry is that Herman
then later developed it for winding which, as Durob Audio, was the has now decided to resurrect the
coils for moving-coil cartridges... European distributor for Koetsu brand, starting with the launch of a
Unfortunately for a number of cartridges. Audiophile Products still ‘signature edition’ of the Kiseki Blue
interested manufacturers, Mr Fokadu exists today as the holding company in the form of a limited run of 100
decided not to sell this winding for DÉ HifiWinkel in Beek-Ubbergen Kiseki Blue NOS (New Old Style)
lathe to them as he preferred to and Durob Audio in Vlijmen. cartridges. This new cartridge has
manufacture his own cartridges, However, following supply and been manufactured using a few of the
which had the brand names of quality control problems with the original components that comprised
Kiseki (which means 'Little Miracle') Koetsu cartridges, Herman decided the top of the range Kisekis of the
for the elite range and Milltek for to produce his own high quality nineties (and because no better parts
a more affordable range of high- cartridges to compete with Koetsu. are available now) plus some other
output cartridges. The Kiseki Blue He prepared hand drawings for the components where new technology
was the first moving coil cartridge body of a cartridge and some of his offered significant improvements.
made by Mr Fokadu and was a associates prototyped six aluminium According to Herman, the resultant
SPECIFICATIONS: low output, low-impedance design, bodies. These bodies were then sent cartridge has all the ‘romance’ of
Body: aluminium alloy which soon joined the ranks of the to three cartridge manufacturers the original cartridges, but will be
Cantilever: solid boron rod elite, being considered a reference in Japan to make six prototype the last of its type as many of the
Stylus: nude line contact cartridge by audiophiles worldwide. cartridges for him to assess. Of these, original components are no longer
Tip radius: 5 x 120 µm It subsequently underwent a number one was chosen and the first of his available, hence the limited run of
VTA: 20 degrees of improvements over the years to new cartridges was born. 100 cartridges. One of the original
Coil: pure iron cross coil become the Blue Silverspot and later In choosing a name for the components is the lovely turned
Weight: 11g the Blue Goldspot. In addition to new cartridge, he asked one of his wooden presentation box. However,
Output: 0.4mV, 3.54cm/sec the unique winding lathe, high quality Japanese friends to translate into it has a hand-written serial number
Impedance: 12ohms oxygen-free copper was employed Japanese, “I make a new start”. The on the box, with a matching number
Compliance: 15 µm/mN for the coils and a special fluid was answer was 'Ata ra shii ka do de', on the cartridge – in my case, No.
Tracking force: 1.8gm used on the coils to minimise the which was a bit of a mouthful as a 026.
Load: 100 – 47,000ohms effect of room-temperature changes. brand name, to say the least. He then Once in my hot little hands, out
Tonearm mass: medium The magnets were charged after tried “little miracle” and that came came the tools and the Lyra Clavis
the yokes had been connected, to out as 'ki se ki' and hence a new DC cartridge in my ISO1000 (an
maximise the strength of the field. brand was launched and the rest is OEM Rega RB1000) arm was swiftly
This is the stuff of which history! replaced by the Kiseki Blue. The next
legends are made – quite literally What about Goro Fokadu? Well, job was the not-so-swift calibration
– as it never happened! In truth, Mr he was actually Mr Goro Fukada, and alignment of the cartridge in

its new home! I carefully set up the triangle had no trouble making itself stuff of legend. Certainly,
cartridge in the tonearm using an heard through it all – no mean feat! audiophiles of a certain
alignment protractor and set the Calming things down somewhat, age will know the brand
VTA approximately correct by having I tried the Kiseki out on a solo and feel it has real
the tonearm parallel to the record, instrument – in this case, a kudos; the Lamborghini
then fined tuned it by ear [see harpsichord. ‘J S Bach Partita No 1’ of moving coils to the
MEASURED PERFORMANCE]. by Trevor Pinnock (from an Archiv Ferrari that is Koetsu?
2-LP set 415 493-1) demonstrated a So the chance
SOUND QUALITY lot more detail and clarity than I have to hear a
The first recording I played was Louis experienced with other cartridges, refreshed but
Fremaux and the City of Birmingham but in no way was this at the still genetically
Symphony Orchestra performing expense of smoothness and polish fairly ‘pure’
‘Saint Saens Organ Symphony No. to the performance. A full baroque Kiseki was
3’ on the HMV Greensleeve label orchestra was equally revealing hard to resist.
(ESD 7038 – stereo/quadraphonic). – with an excellent recording of the The result was
A really fabulous sounding disc, in Vivaldi Concerto in D for violin and a characterful cartridge with superb
particular, the second movement has strings (Telefunken Das Alte Werk tracking ability, an extended and well-
some amazing 16Hz organ notes 6.42355 AW), the cartridge gave a controlled bass that packs a punch
which are a great test of the bass fast and lively performance that was when required, and a startlingly
response of a system. So this was the crisp but not in any way harsh. clear treble and upper mid, but
first record to grace my turntable To round off proceedings, I without any tendency to become
with the new cartridge fitted. The finished off with the infamous Telarc harsh, even when pushed during loud VERDICT
Blue NOS certainly had the wow 1979 digital Soundstream recording passages of music. As such, it’s highly An enigmatic classic moving coil
reborn. The result is a powerful,
factor; the sustained organ note was of the Cincinnati Symphony recommended. punchy yet precise performer with
clearly reproduced and was felt more Orchestra playing Tchaikovsky’s The trouble is that prospective character to spare.
than heard. At the same time, the 1812 Overture (Telarc DG-10041) purchasers won’t have the chance to KISEKI BLUE NOS 1,450 Euro
strings of the orchestra were crystal with live cannons that very few buy one for long, due to the limited Durob Audio
clear and there was no sense that cartridges can track. Indeed, this nature of the production run, so the )
+31 73 511 2555
the cartridge was focusing on the record has been gathering dust promise for this coming year is an
www.durob.nl/
bass frequencies at the expense of recently as the only cartridges I have all-new cartridge called the Kiseki
everything else. owned in the past that could track Blue NS (New Style) which will have FOR
Moving onto some jazz, a direct- it successfully were the Shure V15 a smaller body and be constructed - excellent clarity and detail
to-disc live recording from the 1970s MM and a Dynavector Ruby Karat from only fresh components. The - lack of harshness
of ‘Lincoln Mayorga and Distinguished MC. Impressively, the Kiseki had Kiseki Blue NOS will be a hard act to - extended, punchy bass
Colleagues Volume III’ (Sheffield Labs little problem staying in the groove follow and if the NS is as good as the - superb tracking ability
LAB-1 SL5/SL6) the Kiseki gave a during the live cannon cracks. The limited edition NOS, then it will be a
sparkling performance with crisp thud of the cannons did not mask winner. In the meantime, I can whole- AGAINST
percussion and a deep and throaty the cacophony of all the bells in the heartedly recommend snapping up an - difficult to see stylus for
saxophone that was exceptionally conclusion and, as with the Laurent NOS while you can. manual cueing
convincing. One small criticism was Garnier, you felt the
that the image placement was not power of the propellant
as precise as I am used to with this as very much a force to MEASURED PERFORMANCE
recording and the positioning of be reckoned with. It’s a Frequency response of the Blue was Tracking Angle perfectly set at exactly
Lincoln Mayorga’s piano was a little clear, crisp, precise and remarkably flat on outer grooves our 22degrees, measurement showed.
far back. I put this down to a slightly poised performer the analysis shows. The MC generator The Kiseki Blue is a very precise
constrained midrange which was the Kiseki, one which belies has no loss in the upper midband and cartridge and is up with the best, giving
there’s little sign of a peak caused by good results in nearly every areas. NK
result of the cartridge not being fully its real world (for a
stylus tip mass resonance, probably
run in, and can confirm that things moving coil, at least) because of good damping control. The Tracking force 1.6gms-2.2gms
certainly seemed to open up after price. small +1dB lift above 9kHz will be Weight 11gms
just a few hours of playing. Indeed, it’s very enough to ensure treble is well stated, Vertical tracking angle 22degrees
At this point, I just had to try it hard to criticise from but the Kiseki will sound smooth and Frequency response 20Hz - 20kHz
with Side B of the first disc of the a sonic point of view; well balanced tonally, with no treble Channel separation 32dB
three LP set of Laurent Garnier’s the cartridge worked spit. Stylus tracing loss on inner Tracking ability (300Hz)
‘Tales of a Kleptomaniac’ (Pias consummately well in grooves was a little higher than some lateral 60µm
Recordings PIASR 160 TLP). As I my reference system. of the best geometries, but with output vertical 45µm
have mentioned in a previous article, One niggle was that the flat to 14kHz this will be little apparent. lateral (1kHz) 23cms/sec.
At 2.2gms downforce tracking was Distortion (45µm)
this recording has an astounding stylus is a little difficult
very good, if not quite up with the best, lateral 0.6%
techno bass line with some acoustic to see underneath the with 60µm peak amplitude cleared at vertical 1.3%
saxophone, trumpet, trombone and cartridge if you prefer 300Hz and 23cms/sec velocity cleared Output (5cms/sec rms) 0.5mV
guitar, topped off with a triangle for to do all your cueing at 1kHz. The Kiseki didn’t like the top
good measure. This is a real test for manually, and I suppose torture tracks of 90µm and 25cms/sec.
any record deck, arm and cartridge it wins no prizes for Output was low at 0.5mV at 5cms/ FREQUENCY RESPONSE
combination as it has incredible good looks – but that’s sec rms so a preamplifier with plenty dB
power and complexity in the music. being picky. of gain is needed. Channel separation +5
Even though the bass line hit me was high, although generator alignment
0
in the stomach as though I'd been CONCLUSION wasn’t perfect, with a 12dB difference
in crosstalk levels between channels. -5
winded with a bowling ball, it was This Kiseki Blue
Distortion levels were very
incredibly well controlled, tight and NOS is a fascinating low all round just 0.6% on lateral -10
punchy. As with the Saint Saens, postscript to a long modulation and a very low 1.3% on -15
there was no tendency for the bass running story in hi-fi, vertical modulation, due to Vertical 20 Hz 1k 20k
to swamp everything else and the one that’s become the

WorldMags
Special offers to celebrate our new website

Acoustic Solid ‘Solid Machine’ - big savings on ex demo unit
Anatek MCI fantastic award winning MC Phono Stage - £875 (save £100)
Clearaudio Concept Turntable plug n play award winning package - £975 (save £125)
Decent Audio Twin Wallshelf - free upgrade from HDW to ODW spec worth £100
Dynavector DV20xH High output MC huge improvement over comparable MMs - £375 (save £75)
Michell Gyro SEduction new limited edition - with cartridge of your choice value upto £250 included free
Ortofon - Free Van Den Hul alignment protractor with any Moving coil Cartridge
Roksan Xerxes 20+ Turntable in high gloss maple finish with XPS7 Power supply - £2455 (save £613)
Trichord Dino2NC or Diablo NC claim free High Performance interconnect worth £130
www.turntableworld.co.uk - the analogue specialists - 01642 267012
Analogue Amplifiers Digital Loudspeakers

Ariston RD11 Superior, Mission 774, excellent 299 Arcam P75, vgc boxed, due in Call Accustic Arts DAC 1 mk4, excellent boxed 1499 Art Stiletto, 3 months old 599
Cardas Neutral Reference Tonearm Cable, weeks old 299 Arcam Alpha 9 Integrated, excellent boxed 249 Arcam DV78, excellent Call AVI Neutron IV, in cherry excellent 349
Clearaudio Unify tonearm, brand new 999 Audiolab 8000P, UK version 299 Arcam CD37, excellent boxed 799 AVI Neutron 2.1 System, ex demo mint Call
Clearaudio Concept, mint boxed ex demo Call Audio Research SP11mk2, 2009 AS service 2499 Arcam Alpha 7SE, excellent with remote 119 AVI ADM9.1, ex demo nr mint Call
Decent Audio Wallshelf, used 149 Audio Synthesis Desire, excellent 699 Arcam Alpha 9 CD with DCS RingDAC, lovely! 349 ATC SCM35, good, boxed 649
Dynavector DV20xH, brand new, save lots 375 Audio Zone Amp 2 Monoblocks 799 Audio Research CD3Mk2, excellent boxed remote 1799 B&W 601S3, in oak Call
Garrard 301, good cosmetics, full working order 799 AVI Lab Series Integrated, sealed box! Call Chord Blu/DAC64/Choral rack, excellent in black 3249 B&W LCR60 in oak Call
Graham Slee Jazz Club, mint boxed ex demo Call Cairn 4810 Integrated, nr mint with phono, REDUCED! 899 Consonance CD2.2 24bit, excellent boxed 599 Definitive Technology Mythos 2, pair, bargain! 399
Graham Slee Revelation, mint boxed ex demo Call Cairn Nitro/K02 Pre/Power Amps, excellent boxed 1499 Cyrus CD6s, nr mint boxed 329 GRIFFIN LOUDSPEAKERS WANTED Call
Graham Slee Era Gold V, mint boxed full version 299 Chord Prima/Mezzo 140, Pre/Power ex demo mint Call Cyrus PSXR, excellent smooth black boxed 249 Kef Cresta anyone?
Graham Phantom, Gold detail SME base, ex demo 1749 CR Developments Kalypso, vgc boxed 699 EAR Acute, ex demo, mint Call Kudos C1, early pair in Cherry 749
Linn LP12, Ittok LV11, Cirkus, Lingo 1299 Cyrus 3i, with matching monoblocks, vgc 499 Esoteric P03/D03 mint boxed 11999 Kudos C2 in Walnut, owner upgraded 999
Linn LP12, Ekos in black ash 1299 Cyrus Power, vgc 199 Esoteric SA10, excellent boxed 1249 Linn Ninka, excellent boxed 449
Linn LP12 Rosewood, Cirkus, Lingo, Ittok, boxed 1499 EAR 869 Valve Integrated, vgc boxed, due in Call Esoteric X05, silver, boxed 2749 Linn Sara, excellent boxed 499
Linn Basik, with Basik Plus tonearm, excellent boxed 199 EAR 834 Valve Integrated, due in Call Esoteric DV60, mint boxed, SAVE £LOADS Call Magneplanar MG1.6, LAST PAIR SEALED BOX 1499
Linn Linto, excellent condition, boxed 499 EAR 868PL Preamp with phono, ex demo mint boxed 3499 Linn Ikemi, excellent with remote 949 Magneplanar MG2.5r, fair 499
Michell Hydraulic Reference, SME 3009, new lid 749 EAR 890 Power Amplifier ex demo mint boxed 3999 Linn Numerik, fair condition 199 Martin Logan Vantage, excellent 2499
Michell Electronic Reference, SME cut (no arm) 499 Esoteric AI10, built in DAC and phono, excellent! 1199 Martin Logan Purity, ex demo, for details 1999
Marantz CD17KI, excellent boxed 399
Michell Gyro SE, excellent boxed 599 Krell Evolution 600 Monoblocks £31,000 new! Offers!
Marantz CD80, excellent, remote 149 Martin Logan Odyssey, excellent boxed 2999
Michell Tecnoarm, mint boxed ex demo 379 Levinson No27 Power amp, vgc 1499
Marantz CD7300, excellent with remote 99 Monitor Audio GS60 in oak, ex demo vgc 1249
NAIM Stageline S, excellent 199 Linn Intek, vgc 179
Meridian 507, excellent boxed 599 Monitor Audio GS10 in cherry, ex demo nr mint 499
Pink Triangle PT Too, Linn Ekos, offboard p/s excellent 999 Linn Majik I, nr mint boxed 699
Micromega CD10, nr mint boxed new model 599 Monitor Audio GSW12 Gold series Subwoofer, excellent 699
Project RPM10, speedbox, nr mint boxed 999 Linn Majik Kontrol/2100 Pre/Power 1649
Micromega CD30, nr mint boxed new model 1199 Monitor Audio MA1800 Gold, large floorstander, bargain 349
Lyngdorf TDAI2200 with Roomperfect and DAC 2999
Project Debut in Silver, due in Call NAD C515BEE ex demo mint boxed 119 Monitor Audio RS6 Walnut, excellent Call
Melody 300bp Monoblock amps ex demo 2749
Quad 24P phono stage nr mint boxed ex demo Call NAIM CD5, original excellent with remote 499 Monitor Audio RS centre Walnut, excellent Call
Melody 101 Preamplifier, world renowned ex demo 2499
Rega P3/24, mint boxed ex demo Call NAIM CD5i mk2, excellent with remote 599 Monitor Audio RSW12 Subwoofer Walnut, excellent Call
Melody 2A3 Integrated, ex demo Call
Rega P5, mint boxed ex demo Call NAIM CDX2, as new boxed 1599 Monitor Audio PL100 standmount, excellent 1299
Melody 300b Integrated, excellent boxed 799
Roksan TMS1 & DSU superb boxed, recent TM service 1749 NAIM CD2, excellent 499 Proac Studio 130 in Oak, excellent boxed 699
Musical Fidelity A3 Integrated, excellent remote 399
Roksan Radius 5.2, mint boxed ex demo 1099 NAIM CDS/CDPS, nr mint boxed 999 PSB Alpha B1 Stereophile Product of the year BARGAIN!!! 99
Musical Fidelity XA2 Integrated, excellent remote 279
Roksan Xerxes, XPS2, TabrizZi excellent 599 NAIM CD5x, excellent boxed, due in Call Q Acoustics 2020, nr mint boxed ex demo Call
Musical Fidelity XA100r Integrated, excellent remote 399
SME 20/2a turntable and tonearm, mint ex demo 4999 Proceed PDT2 Transport, excellent boxed 599 Q Acoustics 2000 Series cinema pack, ex demo Call
NAIM NAC122X, excellent boxed 399
SME 3009/2, excellent 179 Rega Apollo, ex demo mint boxed 379 Rega R3, in cherry boxed 249
NAIM NAC150X, excellent boxed 499
The Source, vgc, due in... Call Rega Saturn, as new boxed 599 Rega Ela, vgc+ black 179
NAIM NAC112 excellent boxed 249
Technics SL150/SME3009, excellent 299 Roksan Kandy, Mk1, excellent boxed, due in Call Spendor S3/5, excellent boxed, due in Call
NAIM 250, boxed, recased to olive & serviced in 2000 799
Thorens TD125, excellent original box/packing 299 Rotel RCD06, as new boxed 299 Totem Model One Signature, excellent boxed 949
NAIM NAPV145, excellent 999
Thorens TD160/SME Series III, boxed, excellent 299 Shanling CDT300 Omega Drive, vgc boxed 1749 Usher CP6371, vgc boxed, due in Call
NAIM NAP250.2, excellent boxed 1749
Tom Evans The Groove, excellent 1099 NAIM Nait 5i/2 nr mint boxed ex demo Call Sugden CD21SE, ex demo nr mint boxed 999 Usher Mini Dancer 2, ex demo, nr mint Call
Trichord Dino 2NC, nr mint boxed ex demo Call NAIM NAC202 nr mint boxed ex demo Call TEAC PDH2610 Multidisc player, excellent boxed 99 Usher S520 in Piano black, nr mint boxed ex demo Call
Trichord Diablo NC, nr mint boxed ex demo Call NAIM NAP200 nr mint boxed ex demo Call TEAC P700/D700 excellent boxed 1/2 size pair Offers! Wharfedale Diamond Home cinema pack, ex demo Call
VPI Scout, JMW arm, excellent boxed, due in Call NAIM NAC52, excellent boxed 1999 Unison Research Unico CD, nr mint ex demo 1399 Wharfedale 10.1 ex demo, nr mint boxed 149
VPI Super Scoutmaster, SDS, Clamps, Feet etc superb 2749 Prima Luna Prologue one, excellent boxed 799 Vincent CDS6MK, near mint boxed 599 Wharfedale 10.3 ex demo, excellent boxed 199
Wilson Benesch Act 1 Tonearm, nr mint superb 799 PS Audio Trio P200, excellent boxed with remote 399 Wadia 581se, excellent, due in Call Wharfedale Active Diamond 7.1s - rare boxed! 119
Quad 33/34/44/303/405 all vgc Call
Radio/Recorders AV/Accessories/Cables SPECIAL SYSTEM DEALS
Rega Brio3 and Mira 3, BIG SAVINGS BRAND NEW!!! Call
Arcam Alpha DT91 in black, nr mint boxed 229 Rega Cursa 3, Maia 3 and Exon 3 Monos ex demo Call Chord cables, various ex demo Call Audio Analogue Crescendo Amp & CD, ex demo 798
Marantz ST15DAB, excellent boxed, due Call Rogue Audio Perseus/Atlas Pre/Power, mint boxed Call Isotek Minisub, excellent 299 Esoteric SA10 & AI10 combo, as new 2249
Nakamichi ZX1000L, just serviced, vgc Call Rotel RA06 and RA05, both as new boxed Call Musical Fidelity X10v3 boxed 149 Micromega CD10 & IA60, both as new 999
Quad FM4, vgc 179 Sugden A21aL mk 2 Integrated, good order, boxed 699 NAIM Flatcap in Olive, excellent boxed 249 NAIM Uniti, ex demo nr mint boxed 1399
Quad FM66, excellent 299 Tag McLaren 60irv, nr mint boxed 399 NAIM Supercap in Olive, new Burndy 1749 Onkyo TSXR608 and Q Acoustics 2000 Cinema pack Call
Tag McLaren T20, excellent boxed, due Call Unison Research Preludio Valve Integrated ex demo Call Onkyo 507, 607 & 807, as new ex demo boxed Call Rega Saturn, Cursa 3, Exon 3s, excellent Call
WorldMags
TEAC TR610DAB/FM tuner 119 Unison Research Unico Secondo Integrated, ex demo Call PS Audio Quintessence, as new boxed 499 TEAC Reference 380 system, brand new boxed Call
VINYL SECTIONWorldMags
Essential
Listening Tony Bolton samples
Pro-Ject’s latest entry
level turntable, the
Essential.
F
ollowing on the success of This has an eccentrically positioned fitting. Getting the arm correctly
the both the Debut and hole so that the centre of gravity of balanced was the longest job, with
Genie series of turntables, the weight is low, helping the arm only minuscule movements of the
Czech Republic based man- to track warps more easily. The anti- counterweight sending my digital
ufacturers Pro-ject have skate weight is attached to a rod scales a little too far either side of
introduced a new entry sprouting from the centre of the top the recommended 1.75g downforce.
level turntable, the Essential. Costing of the bearing housing and dangles Once the correct setting was
£155 for the black model (the matt from a piece of wire. At the front achieved the counterweight was
red and matt white editions are of the arm is the pre-fitted Ortofon secured using the supplied Allen key.
£170) this new deck sports a new OMB 3E moving magnet cartridge. The one thing that the otherwise
unipivot tonearm. Power is provided from the helpful manual didn’t point out is
This new all undamped motor mounted in the rear left hand that being a unipivot design, the arm
aluminium design is Pro-Ject’s first corner and propels the 300mm MDF can tilt to the left or right so the
non-gimble bearing arm. The unipivot platter via a silicone drive belt resting counterweight needs to be centred
itself is made from a hardened against the rim. A thin felt mat sits to make sure that the arm is level
steel point which rests against a on top of this. The plinth measures and that the Vertical Tracking Angle is
hardened and polished steel pad. 415x112x335mm with the clear correct. The cartridge alignment is set
This is all housed out of sight under acrylic lid closed, and is made of at the factory, although a cardboard,
a big curved housing, which must particle board. The whole unit rests two point alignment gauge is supplied.
be gently lifted when setting up the on three rubber feet which provide
deck to remove the transport lock. only rudimentary isolation. SOUND QUALITY
Care is needed to avoid damage to Setting up was easy, requiring I did most of my listening with the
the delicate signal leads which also three transport clips removing from Essential mounted on a Target wall
share the housing. Behind this, on a the arm, the belt attaching and the shelf. A bit of care in the choice of
low slung stub, is the counterweight. counterweight and anti-skate weight location is a must, I found. This done,

WorldMags
R E P R O D U C T I O N
Q U A L I T Y H I G H F I D E L I T Y & V I N TA G E
AMPLIFIERS TURNTABLES
Audio Research M300 MKII monoblocs boxed £2295 Ariston RD11 turntable with Audio Technica tonearm £195
Audiolab 8000Q british built mint boxed £395 Audio Synthesis moving coil phono stage
AMR 77 integrated ampTitanium finish flightcased x dem £3995 with 2 box PSU £595
Anatek monoblocs £2400 new £995 Clearaudio Victory cartridge £1000 new £445
Ayre K-1 XE pre amplifier £3395 Clearaudio Master Reference with parallel
Ayre K-5 XE Evolution pre amplifier with remote tracking tonearm £POA
control and balanced facilities £1195 Creek OBH 9 moving coil pre amp £95
Conrad Johnson Premier Eleven 6550 valves Cyrus EQ7 phonostage £345
(re-valved with 6550 valves boxed £1395 EAR 834P mm/mc with volume £795
Croft integrated valve amp EL34 with valve phonostage £495 EAR 324 phonostage £2295
Croft micro25 valve pre amplifier with phonostage 6mths old £495 Garrard 301 with custom aluminium and slate plinth £1195
Cyrus 7 integrated amp £345 Graham Slee Fanfare Gram amp 3
Cyrus PSXR boxed £295 moving coil phonostage boxed as new 10mths old £195
Eastern Electric mini max £445 Graham Slee PSU1 power supply upgrade as new £130
Golden Tube SEP2 valve pre amplifer £495 Linn Lingo power supply £495
Hoveland pre amp with phono stage & EL34 power amp £POA Linn LP12 variious from £445
Leak TL12+ rare hammered paint finish 1961 £POA Linn Ittok tonearm mint condition £395
Leak Stereo 20 mint condition £495 Linn Sondek various from £495
Linn Aktive amp module £65 Leema Agena Hi-End phonostage with USB &
Linn Classik all in one CD, radio, amp boxed mint from £395 DAC various cartridge setup option as
new £3000 3mths old £2250
Marantz PM8200 integrated amp, £395 new boxed mint £275 Leak early 60's tonearm £95
Meridian 100 series pre amp £95 Michell Mycro £295
Mission 776/777 pre and power amplifier 100w cast Michell Hydraulic Transcriptor from £495
case work a real classic £795 Michell Focus 1 £295
Musical Fidelity A1001 Class A super integrated Mission 774 tonearm £175
amp seriously powerful amplifier £895 Moon LP3 phonostage £375
Musical Fidelity A1 MKII excellent condition £245 Project Tube Box II £195
Musical Fidelity A100 50watt Class A amp with Rega Planner 2 with original wood surround and
superb phono stage £395 S shaped tonearm timewarp condition boxed £195
NAD model 60 integrated with VU power meters classic £175 Rega turntables various from £245
Naim 90.3 power amp boxed £225 Rega P5 turntable no arm with outboard PSU £245
Naim Flatcap mint boxed £275 Revox B790 direct drive turntable with linear
Naim 62 pre amp £195 tracking tonearm excellent condition various from £195
Naim 250 power various from £445 SME IIII tonearm £895
Naim Snaps PSU £145 SME 10 with tonearm with V £3295
Naim NAC 145 £145 SME 3009 tonearm series II improved with
PS Audio IV pre amp with separate PSU £195 phonoplugs boxed £225
Pioneer A9 heavy weight classic 80's integrated amp SME series 3 tonearms various from £175
superb phonostage with variable cartridge loading £295 System Deck electronic £245
Quad 2 mono blocs mint original valves £795 System Deck II biscuit tin model (SME mount) £245
Quad 303 power amp last version with IEC sockets £225 Technics SL1200 MKII £195
Quad 50E mono bloc excellent condition (pair) £295 Thorens TD166 MKII £95
Radford ST25 MKIII power amp £1195 Thorens 125 MKII Turntable £195
Rega Mira integrated amp remote boxed mint £350 Trichord Dino phonostage 6mths old £295
Rogue Audio Atlas EL34 power amplifer 40w per channel £795
Roksan Kandy 3 integrated amp black boxed as new £395 CD PLAYERS, DACs
Rotel RB850 power amp £175 AKAI 93 Hi-End old school 16bit CD player £395
Rotel RC850 pre amp £95 CEC 3300R CD player £375
Sugden Audition -P power amp £345 Chord DAC 64 boxed mint £895
Sugden Optima 140 integrated amp £245 Cyrus DAC Master £195
Sugden Masterclass remote pre amp with Cyrus 8 CD player £295
balanced facilities mint boxed £995 Cyrus DAC X boxed mint £595
Sonneteer Sedley adjustable MM/MC phonostage £275 Consanance CD120 £295
Technics SU9600 top of the range stereo control DCS upsampler great upgrade for plugging
centre & also SE9600 stereo power amplifier a pair £595 into external dac boxed £695
Yamaha natural sound stereo receiver model Leema Stream CD player £695
Linn Mimik £245
CR420 mint condition £175 Linn Numeric DAC £295
Marantz 63 MKII KI Signature £195
SPEAKERS Marantz CD10 heavy weight player mint boxed £495
Aurum Cantus black orchid speakers piano black £495 MicroMega Drive transport £195
Acoustic Energy original black Aluminium pillar MicroMega Drive DAC 1 balanced outputs AES input £175
style AE1 stands £195 MicroMega CD132 cd player silver finish £395
ATC SCM19 £995 Moon CD player Equinox RS boxed as new £2000 £1195
ATC Active 50 £POA MHZS model 66 top loading valve output cd
ATC SCM Active 10 bookshelf speaker with stands £1195 player Sony mechanism and laser £395
ATC SCM 10 single active speaker was used Nakamichi CD player 2 £175
as a centre speaker £275 Quad 99 CDP CD player £495
AVI Active Pro 9 speakers Rosewood finish x dem £795 Rotel RA965 BX classic old school cd player
Castle Howard 2 Oak finish £495 boxed mint condition £195
Celestion DL4 £95 Roksan Kandy 3 CD player boxed as new £345
Beauhorn Virtuoso reference lowther horn loaded spks £2745 Rega Planet CD player new style £345
Cyrus CLS50 £245 Shanling SCD-T200 SACD player £645
JBL century 100s £195 Shanling CDT 1500 valve award winning cd
JM Lab Electra SR30 walmounted speakers £250 player 18mths old boxed mint condition £2000 new £995
JM Lab Chorus speakers £225 Sony CDP X-B920E £125
Kenwood KL-888X speakers 15" drive unit £195 Sony XE680 SACD player £195
KEF Celest 3 £95 Sony SCD XE680 SACD player £225
Leema Zen speakers ex-dem £795
Martin Logan Aerius Electrostatic speakers £945 MISCELLANEOUS
Martin Logan Vantage latest speck with active bass Aiwa AD6400 old school VU meters and piano keys £95
unit mint boxed rrp £5195 £2895 Abbey Road 1.5mtr power cord £195
Martin Logan Aeon Electrostatic speakers £1295 Abbey Road reference interconnect 1mtr £345
Mission 753 black £245 Audio Technica OC9 original £225
Mission 775s boxed large floorstander with Infinity Black Widow tonearm SME mount great with
Aerogel drive units £295 high compliance cartridges £195
Mono Pulse 32A 8 months old ex dem. £495 Manticore Magician piano black Linn mount £295
Mono Pulse 32S ex dem. £645 PS Audio statement biwire speaker cable
Musical Stones Italian Solid Marble floorstanding boxed as new £695
speaker with Dynaudio drive units £495 PS Audio power plant 300 with multiwave MKII upgrade £595
Musical Fidelity Reference 2 excellent condition £195 Pioneer F9 top of the range analogue tuner £145
Nagoka Swan high efficiency speaker cult item £195 Pioneer SG9 Graphic Equaliser £95
Marantz superscope portable tape recorder superb
Neat Petite SX £POA build quality mint condition £195
ProAc Tablett 2 £295 Nakamichi receiver 2 £195
Quad ESL 988 Electrostatic speakers Nouveau version £1995 Nakamichi cassette deck 2 £195
Quad 10L piano black finish £195 Nordost cable various phone for details
Reference 3A DiCapo i fantastic spks with low pwr valve amps £1795 MAD My sweetie silver interconnect £345
Sentorian early 60s corner speaker pair £295 Sony TCK611S 3 head dolby S cassette deck £145
Snell Type K bookshelf loudspeaker oak finish sealed Sony TCD5M portable professional cassette deck
box great against rear walls £395 superb quality mint condition £295
Spendor S5E maple finish boxed as new
condition new £1500 £795 DUE IN....
SF1 FF1 open baffle speaker with Fuji mid range unit £595 Leak Varislope/point 1 stereo pre amp various
Tannoy Autograph Mini £845 Quad 2 pre valve & radio various
Wharfedale W3 omni directional speakers £195 Leak Troughline with one thing audio decoder
W E N O W H AV E O N D E M O N S T R AT I O N T H E S U P E R B L E E M A P U L S E + S T R E A M
W I T H X E R O S P E A K E R + A G E N A H I - E N D P H O N O S TA G E W I T H U S B
G E N E R O U S PA R T- E X . O N A L L E Q U I P M E N T, N E W O R U S E D . W I L L B U Y G O O D
Q U A L I T Y E Q U I P M E N T A S A B O V E . N E X T D AY M A I L O R D E R & U P L I F T FA C I L I T I E S
O p e n i n g t i m e s : 1 0 . 3 0 - 5 . 3 0 Tu e s . t o S a t .
28a Haddington Place, Edinburgh EH7 4AF
Te l / F a x : 0 1 3 1 5 5 8 9 9 8 9
Email: retro.reproduction@virgin.net
We b s i t e : w w w. r e t r o r e p r o d u c t i o n . c o . u k

I was impressed with the rhythmic
drive of the music. A jazz compilation
based around the various bands
"for the price of a week's shop,
that Coleman Hawkins worked
with through the thirties, called
here’s a well thought out pack-
‘Ridin’ In Rhythm’, went on first. I
was impressed with the way such
age that’s easy to use and
a modest cartridge handled the
potential raucousness of a saxophone which makes the sonic grade...
played in anger, but it stayed on the
right side of good manners whilst turned up very very high, there with the Speedbox, and the cartridge
capturing the raw energy of a hot was an audible hum of motor noise can be upgraded with various stylii
Swing band in action, recorded through the loudspeakers. With the from the OM range. Apart from the
directly to disc. power supply fitted this became coloured options there is also a
Moving later on to somewhat virtually inaudible. In use, a noticeable version which comes fitted with a
calmer waters, and Ernest Ansermet effect of this should be a drop in phonostage with USB connectivity.
conducting L’Orchestre de la Suisse perceived surface noise on a record. It retails at £230, which is the same
Romande playing Debussy’s ‘La Mer’ Having put the belt back on, price as the basic Debut 3. For
and ‘Clair De Lune’ showed how the the following evening was spent shellac heads like myself, there is
Essential again focused on the drive wandering through some old Soul even a 78 option, which requires the
and energy in the music. The rise and and Motown favourites from the fitting of an alternative pulley and the
fall of the full orchestra as the wind sixties, and via a circuitous route appropriate sized needle.
and the sea have their ‘Dialogue’ ending up with Shpongle’s third LP But it is within its sphere of the
in the third movement, was quite ‘Nothing Lasts, But Nothing Is Lost’. market that the Essential excels. £155
persuasive in its presentation. Running back on direct mains via the nowadays buys a shopping trolley full
Imaging was reasonable, with supplied wall wart, I found myself of food and a few gallons of petrol.
VERDICT
Basic but effective entry level
the sonic picture drawn with quite enjoying the simple and unpreten- For the same outlay the Pro-Ject turntable with decent build and real
broad strokes of the brush. There tiously direct presentation of the Essential offers a well thought out attention to detail shown in its design.
A fine first deck, or perfect for born
was certainly more depth and body music. The songs ranged from the package of a simple to set up, and again vinyl fans.
to the soundstage than most equiva- heartbroken wails of Smokey easy to use turntable, that also makes
lently priced CD players, and there is Robinson and the Miracles asking the sonic grade. It demonstrates PRO-JECT ESSENTIAL £155
potential to improve this, along with ‘What’s So Good About Goodbye’, to the benefits of listening to music Henley Designs
)
several other aspects of performance the stereo trickery of the drums in on vinyl – the more natural flow of +44 (0) 1253 511166
with the optional electronic speed Shpongle’s ‘Schmaltz Herring’ at the sound, and the greater emotional www.henleydesigns.co.uk
control, the Pro-Ject Speedbox 2 end of side one. All were replayed depth perceived in the music – whilst
FOR
(£105). Having an earlier model with a bouncy enthusiasm that avoiding most of budget deck failings.
- cheerful, energetic sound
to hand, I plugged it in and found encouraged further listening. As such it is an excellent first
- extended, shapely bass
that the whole presentation took a The Motown LPs were mostly deck for a vinyl newcomer, or for
- upgradeable
substantial step up in detailing and originals, and varied in condition someone who wants to rediscover
- value
smoothness. The bass, which was from mint to average. The deck the joys of their old LPs without
already surprisingly substantial and coped quite well, the better stretching the household finances too AGAINST
quite agile, became tighter and better condition records being shown far. Recommended. - nothing at the price
focused, the midband gained in shape off, and the poorer
and definition, and the treble seemed ones being played
to relax and expand, smoothing with a surprisingly MEASURED PERFORMANCE
away some of the forwardness that low intrusion of the The Project Essential turntable ran
sometimes occurred with violins and inevitable pops and +0.5% fast, an acceptable error. Speed accuracy +0.5%
brass. crackles. The presen- Unweighted Wow & Flutter varies a Wow & flutter 0.207%
I also noticed that the already tation of the sound bit, hovering around 0.22% due to wow Wow & flutter (IEC weighted) 0.092%
minimal motor noise seemed focused on the music from 2Hz-5Hz our analysis shows. As
a result, this fell into the IEC weighted ARM VIBRATION
lowered, so I experimented by first and foremost,
Wow value, but even then at 0.092% Arm vibration behaviour
removing the drive belt and placing and the groove wall as shown in our analysis the Essential 0.3
the needle on a stationary record condition seemed a was reasonably speed stable as budget Accel.
with the motor revolving. With the secondary consid- decks go. This is quite a good result. (g)
direct mains power, and the volume eration. Something that There was little basic speed drift. 0.2
Main arm
a lot of budget decks The simple tubular arm was tube mode
I
seem to get the other inevitably lively, with a 0.45g third order
way round... bending mode at 690Hz obvious in our 0.1
vibration analysis. However, the main

CONCLUSION arm tube mode at 230Hz is well damped
so the arm is stiff, if a little ringy. This 0
This turntable is well 15Hz frequency (Hz) 6kHz
suggests firm bass, good dynamics and
named. It transmits the stable lower midband imaging, if a little
essentials of music in but of liveliness in the sound, often a WOW & FLUTTER
a straightforward and subtle zing. The headshell was lively,
enjoyable manner. It is shown in the peaks at right, but this is
an entry level deck and not uncommon.
although in ultimate The Project Essential measures
terms the performance respectably well considering its price. It
is limited, this can be does not disgrace itself in any area and
improved upon, as the arm, although simple, is better than
it may appear. NK
already mentioned

WorldMags
Specialist Suppliers of Audio Accessories
www.mantra-audio.co.uk
ORDER SECURELY @ https://shop.mantra-audio.co.uk
SEE WEBSITE FOR CURRENT PRICES
& FULL PRODUCT RANGE
CARTRIDGE SELECTION STYLUS HEADPHONE SELECTION
Authorised Dealer for Grado Prestige SR-60i £92
GOLDRING full range including: Prestige SR-80i £110
Elektra £45 £29 Prestige SR-325i £321
1012 GX £POA £106 Goldring DR 50 £41
1042 £POA £144 DR 100 £51
2400 £POA £165 DR 150 £76
2500 £POA £185 HI FI ACCESSORIES
Eroica LX/H £POA £POA EX N/A
ARTcessories USB Phono Plus PreAmp £87
Elite £POA £POA EX N/A analogue-digital computer interface
AUDIO TECHNICA full range including: Milty Pro Super Exstatic Brush £17
AT 95 E £35 £24 Shure SFG2 Stylus Force Gauge £38
AT 440 MLa £POA £112
AT-F3 III £POA N/A
REPLACEMENT STYLI
Leak Stereo 20 full rebuild using Paper in oil caps £299.00 AT-F7 £POA N/A Swiss Quality Diamond Styli
Conversion of Leak valve pre to passive including:Silver wired/soldered/rhodium plugs £299.00 AT OC9/III £POA N/A ADC XLM Mk III £19
wanted classic and modern hifi eqpt. DENON full range including: Akai AN 5, AN 60 £15
FOR SALE.PRE/POWER AMPLIFIERS DL 103 £POA N/A AN2, AN 70 £17
Inca Design Talon integrated amplifier. 80W channel class A/B. One of only 50 in the UK. Boxed/rem/instr.Rare £ 699 DL 103R £POA N/A Aiwa AN11 £15
Icon Audio passive pre amp. Excellent condition. £ 159 Sugden Audition P power amplifier. Titanium front. £ 349
Music Angel monoblock valve amplifiers. As new. £ 499 Naim Nac-12. Boxed. Naims First. £ 99 DL 110 £POA N/A Dual DN 145 E, DN 165 E £19
Shanling MC30 integrated valve amplifier.Award winner with CD/tuner/amplifier/ipod dock.Bxd/rem. As new £ 499 DL 160 £POA N/A JVC DT 55, DT 60 £15
Beautiful pair Quad II amplifiers with Quad 22 and FM1 tuner and manuals. All boxed and super condition. £ 1399
Audion Sterling Stereo + SE amplifier. 2 X 18W £ 749 BEZ-Q4B 68HC valve pre amplifier. £ 229 DL 304 £POA N/A National EPS 24 CS, P 30 D, P 33 D £15
Kora Explorer 90SI hybrid/valve 60W int amplifier. £ 375 Arcam Alpha 10 int amp. Bxd,remote & mint.£799 £ 449 GRADO full range including: Ortofon FF15/VMS20 EII, OM5/10/20 £19
Pair Mullard 520 valve amplifiers. Gorgeous sound. £ 599 Quad 303 power amp. Nice condition. £ 159
Audio Symphonies V2 valve pre amp. Mint/boxed. £ 299 Quad QC22 pre amplifier. Mono. £ 49 Prestige Black 1 £53 £37 Pioneer PN 210/220/240 £15
Quad 34 pre amplifier. Quad serviced 20/11/09.Bxd £ 199 PS Audio 4.6 pre amplifier/offboard psu & mm/mc. £ 299 Prestige Gold 1 £POA £95 Shure N75C,N75-6, SC35C £15
New:Translucent passive pre amp. 3 inputs,2 outputs,2 X stepped volume controls using 1% resistors.Awesome £ 199
Musical Fidelity X-P100 pre amp with PSU.Silver. £ 399 Croft OTL series 3 valve power amplifier. Ex cond. £ 999 LYRA full range including: N75ED/EJ T2 N75-3, N95ED/EJ £19
Krell PAM-1 Pre amplifier.Dual mono design with twin off-board PSU. Silver finish. MM & MC input. G/cond. £ 899 Dorian £POA £POA EX N/A N 97 HE, VN 35 HE £29
Rogers Cadet 2 power amplifier. Good condition. £ 275 Leak Varislope pre amplifier Ex condition. £ 149
Chapman valve power amplifier, valve pre amplifier and FM valve tuner. Very unusual and rare. £ 599 Delos £POA £POA EX N/A Sony ND 142/155 G, CN234 £15
Quad 34 pre amplifier. Early brown model.5 pin din £ 189 Rotel RC-970BX pre amplifier. Good condition. £ 99 SHURE full range including: ND 143/150/200 G £17
Quad II’s. Various condition.. £ POA Leak pre amplifier for Leak TL10.1 Ex condition. £ 99 Stanton D 681 EEE £23
Rogers stereo valve pre amplifier. Very rare. £ 149 Leak Stereo 20. Original box. Beautiful condition. £ 999 M 97 XE £POA £60
Mission Cyrus 2. Nice condition. Grey finish. £ 149 Leak Stereo 20 rebuilt with quality paper in oils. £ 799 SUMIKO full range including: ***Over 500 Styli Types Stocked***
Rotel RA-840 BX int amplifier with MM & MC £ 99 Croft series V1 valve power amplifier.Good cond. £ 699
Pioneer SA-608 integrated amplifier. A classic. £ 99 Rotel RC850 pre amplifier. Good condition. £ 99
Blue Point Special £POA £POA EX N/A EOE prices may vary without notice
Quad 33 pre amplifier. Boxed. Ex condition. £ 129 Musical Fidelity A3.2Cr pre amplifier. Silver finish. £ 499
Pioneer A300X integrated amplifier.Nice condition. £ 129 Pair Musical Fidelity MA65 class A monoblocks. £ 595 EX STOCK DELIVERY BY RETURN OTHERWISE 3 -10 DAYS
Akai AM-U33 int amplifier.Silver.Mint & boxed. £ 69 Quad 33 pre amplifiers. From... £ 75
Musical Fidelity A100 pure class A integrated 50W £ 299 CR Developments Romulus int valve amp. Superb. £ 999 Order direct online or Tel/Fax (01757) 288652
Van der Heem. single ended int valve amp. C1964. £ 199 Leak TL12+. Amplifier.Bronze.Mullard tubes. £ 349
Beautiful condition 100% original Quad 22 pre amp £ 299 Sugden A48 & T48 tuner in wooden sleeve. £ 299 MANTRA AUDIO (HFW), Town End House, Skipwith, Selby, North Yorkshire Y08 5SQ
Nakamichi CA5 pre-amplifier. Ex cond. Cost £750 £ 375 Scott stereomaster 260 American integrated amp. £ 169
Leak Varislope point 1 pre amp.Converted to Passive.Pure silver wire/silver solder/Silver plate phonos/alps pot. £ 425
TURNTABLES/CD PLAYERS
Sony SCD-XB770QS SACD CD player.M/channel £ 79 Audio Technica AT-OC9ML/II MC cartridge. 6 hrs £ 299
A
Sony SACD CD player model SCD-XP770 & rem. £ 79 Linn LP12 armboard for Linn arm.Ex condition.
Michell electronic turntable. Nice condition. £ 299 Loricraft plinth for Garrard 301. SME 3009 cut out £ 299
Creek OBH 15 MC/MM phono pre amp. Boxed/ins £ 149 Cambridge Audio CD5 CD player with remote.
Ortofon MCA-76 pre amplifier. Boxed/mint £ 179 Shure V15/4. Exc condition
£ 20
£ 49
£ 99
IAN HARRISON HI-FI TEL: 01283 702875
HIFI AT DISCOUNT PRICES. FREE NATIONWIDE DELIVERY
Rotel RB-965BX (Discrete) CD player. £ 149 Marantz CD52 CD player. Boxed. £ 59
Thorens TD126 MK2 electronic & Sme series 3 arm £ 449 Ortofon MCA-76 phono pre amplifier. Rare.
Michell Focus 1 & Michell arm. Excellent.
SME series 3 tonearm. Nice condition.
£ 399 Ortofon MCA-10 battery MC phono pre amp
£ 249 SME 3009 series II improved/non improved from... £ 199
£ 149
£ 149 SALE! UPTO 25% OFF ANALOGUE EQUIPMENT
Garrard 4HF headshell. Boxed. £ 39 Cambridge Audio CD5. Black finish.Boxed/remote £ 59 TRADE IN YOUR OLD MOVING COIL CARTRIDGE & SAVE UP TO 60% OFF THE RRP.
Mod squad passive pre amplifier.. £ 199 Mission 774 tone arm. Mint & boxed. £ 199
Marantz CD63 CD player and remote. £ 30 Arcam DV78 DVD player. Manual/remote. Silver. £ 249 DENON DL304 £290 THORENS £POA
Mission 775S turntable.Cut out for 774/SME.Boxed £ 349 Rotel RCD-970BX CD Exc condition/remote £ 99
Sony CDP-911E CD player/remote/book.Cost £300 £ 119 Arcam Diva CD92 CD player. Silver. G/condition. £ 399 TRICHORD DIABLO £650 MOTH GROUP £POA
Denon DCD-620 CD player. Good condition. £ 29 Arcam Alpha 7SE CD player. Award winner. £ 159 TRICHORD DINO MK2 £300 ROBSON ACOUSTICS £POA
STD 305S with SME mount. Black finish. £ 129 Thorens TD150. Teak finish. No lid. Nice condition £ 99
Nad 504 CD player. Ex condition.No display £ 49 SME 3009 Series II arm.Early split weight version. £349 AUDIO TECHNICA AT33EV £425 MICHELL ORBE & ORBE SE £POA
Rotel RCD 965 BX CD player.Tweakers dream. £ 149 Rotel RCD 865 BX CD player, Superb condition. £ 99 AUDIO TECHNICA AT-OC9 ML3 £390 MICHELL GYRO & GYRO SE £POA
SPEAKERS AUDIO TECHNICA ATF7 £240 MICHELL TECHNO ARM A £POA
Rogers Export monitors. Slight cabinet damage.. £ 249 Quad ESL57 mains transformer. New, boxed £ 49
B&W DM4’s in original boxes. A classic speaker. £ 199 Spendor LS2/3E loudspeakers.Mint,Bxd.Black ash £ 649 AUDIO TECHNICA ATF3 III £165 ICON AUDIO £POA
Tangent RS4 loudspeakers using Kef T27. A classic £ 149 Celestion 5000 using ribbon tweeters & stands. £ 249 AUDIO TECHNICA AT2000T £900 PALMER AUDIO £POA
Castle severn. Dark oak. Biwireable. Nice condition £ 199 Klipsch Tangent 300 speakers. Blk.96db efficient. £ 175 SUMIKO BPS EVO III £205 PROJECT £POA
Heco 330S speakers. A classic. New/unused/boxed. £ 199 Target R4 speaker stands. Boxed. £ 175
Keswick Audio Figaro speakers. Solid mahogany. £ 229 Apogee Centaurus. Tall ribbon speakers. Awesome. £ 699 TRANSFIGURATION AXIA £900 LEHMANN AUDIO £POA
Kef Coda 7. Black finish. Boxed & mint. £ 69 Miller & Kreisel M&K VX-4 active subwoofer. Blk £ 229 TRANSFIGURATION PHOENIX £1350 BENZ MICRO £POA
Swallow RM200 loudspeakers.Rare, similar to BC1 £ 199 Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 Ex condition & boxed £ 129
Kef 101/2 Mini Monitors loudspeakers. Walnut. £ 239 Monitor Audio Studio 5’s. Bookshelf. Cost £599. £ 299 TRANSFIGURATION ORPHEUS £2400 TOM EVANS £POA
Celestion DL12 floor standing speakers £ 129 Pioneer 3 piece speaker set. Brand new. Cost £200 £ 99 CLEARAUDIO SYMPHONY £675 ROKSAN CARTRIDGES £POA
Aeon Acoustics Linear speakers.Ribbon tweeters. £ 399 Bose Acoustimass -5 2.1speaker & sub/manual. £ 199
Pair Quad ESL63 loudspeakers.Fully reconditioned with all new panels,socks etc.12 months warranty.Awesome £1699 CLEARAUDIO CONCERTO £1150 DENON HEADPHONES £POA
Pair Quad ESL57 speakers. Fully reconditioned,including 2 new Otec treble panels.Awesome sound &dynamics £1799 CLEAR AUDIO £POA GRADO CARTRIDGES £POA
Quad ESL57 speakers.All fully serviced with full 3 months warranty.Hear what ESL57s should sound like From £1200
Celestion Little one speakers in white.Boxed. £99 £ 49 Kef C20. Black finish. £ 59 WHEST AUDIO £POA SUMIKO CARTRIDGES £POA
OTHER ITEMS EAR/YOSHINO £POA ORTOFON CARTRIDGES £POA
Transparent powerlink/Schuko plug. 1.9M £ 149 Akai 4000DS 3 head reel to reel player.Boxed. £ 99 HARBETH MONITOR 40 £POA GOLDRING CARTRIDGES £POA
Garrard TPA 12 tonearm & spare head/cartridge £ 79 Hitachi FT-5500 FM tuner. A real classic. £ 99 HARBETH SUPER HL5 £POA ROKSAN TONEARMS £POA
Quad FM valve tuner to go with Quad 22/2. From... £ 40 Stunning Quad FM1 valve tuner. Boxed. Rare cond. £ 125 HARBETH COMPACT 7ES3 £POA STAX HEADPHONES £POA
Transcriptors Stylus balance/weights in jewel box. £ 79 Quad FM4 FM tuner. Nice condition. 5 pin din. £ 149
Kef B110 drive units X 2. Excellent condition. £ 99pr 1000Pf paper in oil capacitors. Used in Leak amps. £ 3.99 CREEK/EPOS £POA AUDIO TECHNICA HEADPHONES £POA
PS Audio PSIII MM&MC phono pre amp. Rare £ 199 Quad FM2 valve tuner. Sound amazing. £ 149 I ALSO SUPPLY;
Rotel 850 stereo tuner. £ 29 Rotel RB-950BX tuner. Boxed. £ 49
Russian equivalent 6L6, KT66 valves. Each... £ 9.99 Mission Cyrus AM/FM tuner. Grey finish. £ 79 ACCUSTIC ARTS, ACOUSTIC SOLID, AESTHETIX, AKG, ALPHASON, APOLLO,
HiQ balanced phono pre amplifier. Awesome. £ 249 Trichord Dino phono pre amp. Mk1. Exc condition. £ 189 ASH DESIGN, AUROUSAL, B.C.D, B.D.I., BLACK RHODIUM, C.A.T. CARTRIDGE
Nakamichi 600 cassette deck. Very rare. Nice cond. £ 299 Quad FM1 Valve tuners. Various prices from only £POA MAN, CUSTOM DESIGN, DIAPASON, EAR/YOSHINO, ELEKTRONICS, ERGO,
Akai AT-K33/L FM/AM stereo tuner.Mint & boxed £ 39 Russian EL84 tubes. Superb quality.Price each. £6.50
Yamaha YSP 800 5.1 speakers with digital amps. £ 299 Quad FM3 tuner in excellent condition. From.... £ 99 GAMUT, GRAHAM SLEE, GRAHAM, HADCOCK, HALCRO, HEED, HI DIAMOND,
Pro-tone 0.1uf paper in oil capacitors. 500V. 10% £ 7.99 Pro-tone 0.22uf paper in oil capacitors. 500V. 10% £7.99 IXOS, JUAL, KOETSU, LONDON (DECCA), MONRIO, NAD, NU FORCE, OPERA,
Top quality PIO capacitors 0.1 and 0.22uf £ 5.99 Marshall ECC83/12AX7 specially selected valves. £9.99
Paper in oil capacitors. Metal bodies. I use these on all Quad II rebuilds and they sound amazing. 0.1 and 0.22uf £8.99 OPTIMUM, PATHOS ACOUSTICS, PRO-JECT, PSB, PURE SOUND, QED, REGA,
Rupert stands for Quad ESL57 £ 239 George stands for ELS63 speakers £ 239 SME, SONY, SUGDEN, SUMIKO, SUPRA, TIVOLI AUDIO, TRANSPARENT, UNISON
Meridian remote for 206 series. Rare & good cond £ 99 Rotel RT840 tuner. Missing button £ 39 RESEARCH, USHER AUDIO, VAN DEN HUL, WIREWORLD, KEMP ZYX,
QUAD ESL57 & ELS63 PANELS/SERVICING ETC
PLEASE PHONE TO CONFIRM PRICE & AVAILABILITY PRIOR TO
New.One Thing Audio “Widget”. All round improvement for 57’s & a kinder load for amp £79 pr ORDERING. ALL GOODS ARE BRAND NEW & BOXED WITH FULL U.K.
Full rebuild of 57s including latest Otec treble panels for only £1190.00 GUARANTEES.NO EX. DEM OR EX DISPLAY GOODS. NO GREY IMPORTS.
We sell serviced Quad ESL57 speakers from only £1200.00pr.Why spend £4000+? GOODS ARE NOT SUPPLIED ON APPROVAL. SORRY, NO GENERAL
ESL57 SPEAKERS STANDARD SERVICE £690. PR CATALOGUES. PLEASE PHONE OR WRITE FOR SPECIFIC REVIEWS,
Price includes 2 completely rebuilt treble panels etc. Ring for further info. BROCHURES OR PRICES. SUPPLIER OF HIFI PRODUCTS & ACCESSORIES
"Classique Sounds servicing restores the Quads to a position where they can hold their head SINCE 1986 MAIL ORDER ONLY FROM; IAN HARRISON, 7 MILL HILL,
REPTON, DERBY, DE65 6GQ.
high", Jon Marks. HIFI WORLD. April 1999.Full servicing facilities available. TEL: 01283 702875. 9am - 9pm INCLUDING SUNDAYS.

WorldMags
ON DEMONSTRATION
9 FOOT PROJECTION SCREEN
WITH 3D PROJECTOR
NEW demonstration facilities at

the WITHAM store, which offers
the best Hi-Fi and Home Cinema
products along with professionally
installed multi-room systems,
lighting, seating and furniture.
R E A L S TO R E S • R E A L P E O P L E • R E A L P R O D U C T S • R E A L VA L U E
SEVENOAKS STORES Loughton • 020 8532 0770 AUDIO T STORES Sevenoaks Sound & Vision and Audio T are in the process
Aberdeen • 01224 252797 Maidstone • 01622 686366 Basingstoke • 01256 324311 of merging their respective businesses and will become one of
Brighton (Hove) • 01273 733338 Norwich • 01603 767605 Blackpool • 01253 300599 the largest independent hi-fi and home cinema chains in the UK
Bristol • 0117 974 3727 Nottingham • 0115 911 2121 Bolton • 01204 395789 with over 50 stores nationwide.
Bromley • 020 8290 1988 Oxford • 01865 241773 Brentwood • 01277 264730 Until the merger is complete, which will take a few months, Sevenoaks
Sound & Vision and Audio T will remain separate legal entities.
Cambridge • 01223 304770 Plymouth • 01752 226011 Camberley • 01276 685597
Chelsea • 020 7352 9466 Poole • 01202 671677 Cardiff • 029 2022 8565
Cheltenham • 01242 241171 Reading • 0118 959 7768 Enfield • 020 8367 3132 VISIT OUR
Chorleywood (Watford) • 0845 5046364
Epsom • 01372 720720
Sevenoaks • 01732 459555
Sheffield • 0114 255 5861
Lancaster • 01524 39657
Manchester • 0161 839 8869
WEBSITE
for the latest offers and
Exeter • 01392 218895 Southampton • 023 8033 7770 Portsmouth • 023 9266 3604 news, as well as the
Glasgow • 0141 332 9655 Tunbridge Wells • 01892 531543 Preston • 01772 883958 convenient option to order
Guildford • 01483 536666 Weybridge • 01932 840859 Swansea • 01792 474608 many products on-line
or click to reserve before
Holborn • 020 7837 7540 Witham (Essex) • 01376 501733 Swindon • 01793 538222
you travel.
Kingston • 020 8547 0717 Yeovil • 01935 700078 Warrington • 01925 632179
Leeds (Wetherby) • 01937 586886
Lincoln • 01522 527397
IRELAND
Dublin • 01 275 1100
Worcester • 01905 619059 www.SSAV.com
Please Note: Some brands/products are not available at all stores. Special/added value offers are not in conjunction with any other offer (NICWAOO). Pricing in Ireland may vary from the UK. Advert valid until 10/03/2011. E&OE.
www.SSAV.com
WorldMags
WorldMags
R E A L S TO R E S
Sevenoaks Sound & Vision and Audio T have over 50 Stores
nationwide - Each store carries the very best in Home Cinema
and Hi-Fi equipment on display, ready for you to watch, listen
to and compare in our dedicated demonstration rooms.
REAL PEOPLE
Our staff are friendly, knowledgeable and passionate about music
and film and the equipment needed to get the most out of your
collection.They will be delighted to assist you in making the right
selection to ensure you enjoy your system for years to come.
REAL PRODUCTS
A wide selection of products from the world’s leading manufac-
turers, both traditional and contemporary is in stock and available
for you to take home. We also offer a delivery and installation
service as well as a convenient on-line option to click and reserve
many of our products before you travel. www.SSAV.com
VIENNA ACOUSTICS
CONCERT GRAND REGA RP1 TURNTABLE MARANTZ CD6003 • PM6003 CD / AMPLIFIER
Featuring the Beethoven ‘Concert’ and Excellent build quality, reliability and ease of use combine to make This award-winning CD and amplifier continues the Marantz tradi-
‘Baby’ Grand.The composer name is the RP1 a product that will offer a lifetime of musical enjoyment. tion of building products that represent outstanding value.
selected based on the scale, complexity
and power of performance for which they
BOWERS & WILKINS CYRUS AUDIO
are best known. CM SERIES With three ranges - the
The CM series offers high performance X
MONITOR AUDIO a combination of high series, the prolific 8 series
BRONZE BX SERIES performance and exquisite and entry level 6 series -
Consists of seven models that build on the styling at a very affordable Cyrus’ award-winning hi-fi
strengths of the award-winning BR Series. price. systems are a wonderfully
rewarding way to bring
music into your home.
KEF AUDIO
Q SERIES
Experiencing the Q Series is like
hearing a system costing many
times more. Key features include ROKSAN CASPIAN M2 CD / AMPLIFIER
an all new Uni-Q array with The award-winning M2 amp boasts 85wpc, ultra low noise trans-
advanced bass technologies. formers and five line inputs while the matching CD features a 24-bit
DAC along with dedicated power supplies for the outputs.
S E V E N OA K S S O U N D & V I S I O N | A U D I O T Please Note: Some brands/products are not available at all stores.
www.SSAV.com
Special/added value offers are not in conjunction with any other offer
(NICWAOO). Pricing in Ireland may vary from the UK.
Advert valid until 10/03/2011. E&OE.
WorldMags
WorldMags
KEF KHT 7005
AV SPEAKERS R E A L VA L U E
Stunning 5.1 surround sound from Fantastic value for money is our aim. Although we remain independent, you’ll be pleasantly
only four slim speakers for your flat surprised just how competitive we can be - with the added benefit of seeing, hearing and
screen TV. touching the product before you buy, and someone to help if things go wrong.
£499 SAVE £300
FO R O UR LAT EST P RICE S A ND OF F ERS VI S IT
KHT 8005 WW W.S SAV. C OM
£699 SAVE £300
PIONEER BDP-LX52 BLU-RAY PLAYER LEEMA STREAM III • PULSE III CD / AMPLIFIER
With its advanced features and specification, the ‘LX-52 ensures This CD and amplifier combination features an all-new slot loading
the highest quality playback of Blu-ray discs, DVDs and CDs. transport along with a number of analogue and digital inputs.
£249 OR LESS! LESS THAN HALF PRICE £1295 each SAVE £200
CLAIM
FREE
CABLE
DENON AVR-1911 AV RECEIVER CYRUS CD6 SE • 6 XP CD / AMPLIFIER SPENDOR A5 SPEAKERS

This 3D ready receiver supports Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Award-winning 40wpc integrated amplifier and CD player avail- These compact floorstanders deliver exceptional performance and
Audio, other HD Audio formats along with Dolby Pro Logic IIz. able in black or quartz silver finish. are available in a variety of high quality wood finishes.
£299 OR LESS! SAVE £150 £749 each SAVE £200 £1495 SAVE £100 • CLAIM QED CABLE WORTH £150
YAMAHA CD-S300 • A-S500 CD / AMPLIFIER AUDIOLAB 8200CD • 8200A CD / AMPLIFIER SONOS MULTIROOM PRODUCTS
With its high quality sound and features such as iPod and MP3/ The 8200 range includes the award-winning 8200CD which fea- Play your digital music all over your house without a PC in every
WMA compatibility, the CD-S300 is an ideal partner for the award- tures a wealth of digital inputs that will keep it playing all your music room. Just add a ZonePlayer, speakers in the rooms of your choice
winning A-S500 integrated amplifier. regardless of how it may be stored. and a Sonos Controller in hand to access all your digital music.
YAMAHA 3D / UNIVERSAL DISC PLAYER PEACHTREE AUDIO NOVA DAC / AMPLIFIER MARANTZ NA7004 NETWORK AUDIO PLAYER
This new BD-S1067 3D Blu-ray player has been designed for high Make your computer sound like a high-end CD player with this Connect to your favourite music whether it’s from your PC, exter-
performance and for optimum matching with Yamaha AV receivers USB equipped 80wpc integrated amplifier and 24/96 upsampling nal hard disc or as an FM/DAB radio station broadcast or even on
and is SA-CD and DVD-Audio compatible. D/A converter. the other side of the world via Internet Radio or music service.
DENON 3D / UNIVERSAL DISC PLAYER ARCAM SOLO NEO NETWORK MUSIC SYSTEM OLIVE MUSIC SERVERS
Enjoy Super Audio CD, DVD-Audio and network content in ex- Combines superb music performance and network audio capabili- Access your digitized music from one centralized library. Everything
ceptional sound and picture quality with the Denon DBP-1611UD ties allowing it to play stored music in a multitude of formats, along from 16-bit converted CDs to 24-bit HD files will be at your finger-
3D Blu-ray disc player. with its internal CD player and radio tuner. tips along with the ability to play it all in any room of your home.
WorldMags
WorldMags
Save money by building your own dream loudspeakers - you will

obtain better performance for a fraction of the cost compared to
buying commercial off-the-shelf speakers.
■ Loudspeaker Repair, Upgrade or complete Restoration

■ Loudspeaker Design to fit your requirements
■ Loudspeaker Drivers and Components
■ Loudspeaker Measurement service
■ Crossover design and build
■Scanspeak, Peerless, Vifa,

■SEAS, Morel, Jantzen Audio, Volt,
■Aurum Cantus, B&C, Monacor,
■QED, WBT, HYPEX
HiFi Show Ad | 3 6/1/11 13:52 Page 1
the BAKE
-OF
F
HiFi igwam
Show 2011
The ‘must see’ event of

the hi-fi year - run by
enthusiasts, for enthusiasts
The Hi-Fi Show - Scalford Hall,
Melton Mowbray, 6th March 2011
www.thehifishow.com for more information

played more of part in this than experience.
most companies. But there are few It’s very easy to set up - five
that do ‘ruggedised’ portables, things minutes or less has all the DAB
which Sony used to do under the stations in, plus your Wi-Fi network’s
name of ‘Sports', back in the eighties, particulars. The built-in ChargePAK
for example. Most modern radios battery will take an hour or so to
are either plasticky and flimsy or charge, after which it gives around
luxurious and lavish – but certainly fourteen hours of use on FM, less
not tough, so when Pure came via DAB or Wi-Fi. There’s also a
out with the original Oasis 3.5mm input for your iPod, should
back in 2007, it found an you need it. The display is excellent,
appreciative audience. With navigation easy and the radio has its
a tough aluminium frame, predecessor’s excellent sound quality
rubberised in the right places (considering its mono design); it’s
to protect it, rubber covered loud, punchy and robust sounding,
socketry to prevent the although don’t expect a particularly
ingress of water and special extended treble from its single full-
controls, it proved ideal for range speaker. The Oasis Flow has
bathroom or outside use; you all the frills of the latest generation
couldn’t exactly throw it in of Wi-Fi radios, works well as a
a lake and expect it to work, portable – outside and/or away from
but it didn’t give up the ghost the mains – and is big enough to fill
at the first sign of a drop of your back garden with music, should
rain. The new Oasis Flow is your neighbours tolerate it. It has a
basically this same radio, but premium price, but certainly does the
with internet radio/music streaming job it’s designed to with little fuss.
capability, and a better, fine pitch DP
PURE OASIS FLOW £160 backlit OLED. Sadly though, the direct
There are plenty of DAB radios input preset buttons have gone, [Contact: +44 (0)845 1489001,
on sale these days, and Pure have meaning a slightly less direct user www.pure.com]
soundbites
PHILIPS FIDELIO portable, although it must be noted
DS8550 £250 that it’s not really robust enough for
Hot on the heels of the superb the great outdoors; it’s certainly not
DS9000 iPod speaker system splashproof! As per the DS9000, it
reviewed last autumn comes has a proximity sensor which lights
this, more compact version with up the controls when your hand gets
wireless Bluetooth capability. Its close, which is a nice touch albeit
562x216x214mm cabinet follows its not strictly necessary. There’s also a
bigger brother’s styling, being curved supplied remote control.
to minimise sound diffraction, with The DS8550 sounds surprisingly
the rear curved to stamp on internal good considering its modest price,
standing waves. Two 3” full range with a decently clean and open
drivers are reflex loaded, and fed sound; it certainly doesn’t give the
by a 30W RMS amplifier; this is fed impression of being just another
by an onboard DAC; the DS8550 piece of consumer electronics to
takes a direct digital output from which no attention has been paid in
the docking connector of an iPhone, the performance department. Fed
iPod or iPad, and will recharge via an iPod Classic running Apple
them at the same time. DSP is used Lossless, the Fidelio sounded big,
to optimise the speakers to the confident and musical, with a nice
cabinet. The unit can also connect rhythmic gait and nothing nasty as far is wholly superior as you’d expect.
to iPads via Bluetooth, so it doesn’t as the sound balance was concerned. Overall, a fine, versatile and well built
have to be physically attached to its They haven’t over-egged the bass iPod dock that’s good value even at
source. This feature, plus the built port loading, so there’s no sense of £250. DP
in rechargeable battery (which gives a dirge like boomy bass, and there’s
about five hours) and built in carrying a decent degree of nice open treble [Contact: 0906 1010 016,
handle, makes the Philips truly too, although the pricier DS9000 www.philips.com]

WorldMags
Tel. 01903 261213 or (after hours) 07860 660001
e-mail: heatherdale@hifi-stereo.com Web: www.hifi-stereo.com
SPEAKERS PRE-AMPS CD PLAYERS & TRANSPORTS

Tannoy Stirlings Ex demo AS NEW (£2800) offered for only £2250 Mark Levinson ML 32 Reference pre amp with balanced Audio Note DAC 2 £795.
phono inputs, superb cond’ £9995 Audio Note Zero CDT CD Transport £395
Vienna Acoustics MOZART speakers in rose wood CEC TL-1N CD transport, as new, £5795
Trilogy 909 pre amp, ex demo, mint, full man’
(£2200) offered for £995 warranty, (£4495) only £3495 Esoteric P-05 transport with D-05 DAC, ex demo,
Hansen Elixir speakers finished in Mercedes Audio Note M1 pre amp with phono £495 full man’ warranty, rrp £9590 offered for £7595
Boulder 2020 DAC with PSU superb cond, cost new
black, MINT/CRATED (£14,850) only £7995 Audio Note M1 Line pre amp £350 £30,000 offered for only £14,250
Audio Note Zero R pre amp, new £395 Mark Levinson ML 31.5 Reference CD transport £3495
AMPLIFIERS Audio Note Zero pre amp, new £295 Audio Note Zero DAC, new £399
Audio Note Zero ONE-R pre amp, new £495 Tri CD player new £1895
Esoteric A1-10 integrated amp with phono, BRAND NEW, Boulder MS-11 phono stage with PSU, balance and
FACTORY SEALED, (£2500) OFFERED FOR ONLY £1395. single ended outputs, £995 MISCELLANEOUS
Trilogy 968 power amp, ex demo, full man’ warranty, (£4695) only £3750. Audio Note Zero Tuner £395
TURNTABLES, CARTRIDGES & TONEARMS Arcam DT-26 DAB tuner, ex’ cond. Boxed with remote control £125.
Audionote P1 power amplifier £795 MIT Shotgun S2 15’ speaker cable £795
Lindley Tyson (Quad 11’s) KT88 valve monoblocks £3250 Lyra Erodion step up transformer, as new/boxed/instructions £1495 MIT Shotgun S2, 1 metre pair balanced interconnects £300
Continuum Criterion/Copperhead turntable and arm, ex-demo, Ayre Signature 1.5 metre power cord £350
Audio Note SORO SE integrated amp. 6 weeks old, very in original crate, less than 30 hours use. (£58,000) only £28,000 Various equipment stands from £50 please call
low hours, as NEW, full warranty (£3480) only £2695 Maplenoll turntable, air bearing platter and arm, us voltage. £2995 Selection OYAIDE plugs and power strips POA
Audio Note P-Zero mono blocks, new £495 Simon York “ZARATHUSTRA” turntable and PSU with Winds ALM-01 Stylus Gage new £425
Almarro 318B (new) £2250 Graham arm, Black/Gold on slate base with glass hinged cover £3250
TRI TRV-M300SE amplifier new £4495 Shun Mook record clamp, boxed with papers £495 Main dealer for Esoteric
Callas record clamp (£500) only £225
VISA - SWITCH - MASTER CARD - AMEX - DINERS CLUB WELCOME.
ALL USED CARTRIDGES ARE CHECKED UNDER A MICROSCOPE BEFORE BEING OFFERED FOR SALE. WE TAKE PART EXCHANGE ON NEW & USED STOCK and buy in for cash
��
��
To advertise in this space please call
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
� ��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
E! FR EE ��
�� SU RE AD
�� IS IS
��
IN TH ER CL ��
Debi Silver
�� AD S AS ��
SI FI ED ��
��
�� FI ED
AS SI AD S
��
�� ER CL IN TH
�� IS IS
RE AD SU
FR EE E!
��
��
��
��
01723 500 435/ 07966 843 536

��
��
��
� ��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
email: debisilver@hi-fiworld.co.uk
��
��
��
� ��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
�
��
��
��
��
Brad Francis
�
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
01923 677 256/07715 421 569

��
��
��
��
�
��
��
��
��
��
��

��
��
� ��
��
��
��
��
��
��
email: brad.francis@sky.com
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
5 Front Cover
14:01:4
��
14/1/11 March1
��
1 subbed
2.indd
��

1
��
��
��
1
2.indd
1 subbed 14/1/11
March1 14:01:4
Front Cover 5

WorldMags
SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER!!!!
HI-FI WORLD
ELECTRONIC EDITION
VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.hi-fiworld.co.uk
Queries to - esubs@hi-fiworld.co.uk
Subscribe to our
eco-friendly e-edition of
Hi-Fi World and receive a
50% discount!!!
• Receive your issue a week before on-sale dates.
• Be the first to grab a bargain in our Free Reader
Classified Ads.
• In-house lab. tests to AES and IEC standards
• Run by dedicated hi-fi engineers & enthusiasts.
• No missed issues, or postal delays.
• Access your issues from anywhere in the World.
• PC and Mac friendly.
• Eco-friendly.
Subscribe today and receive 12 issues for

£20 – that’s an amazing £1.90 per issue!
check out our free trial issue

VISIT OUR WEBSITE:
www.hi-fiworld.co.uk and select
"ELECTRONIC EDITION"
To purchase your e-edition click here
Pay in Sterling, US Dollars or Euros. Non-sterling prices vary according to exchange rate.
Cards accepted: Visa, Maestro (Switch), Mastercard, Solo and Delta.
WorldMags
DIAL A DEALER WorldMags
DIAL A DEALER
This is a comprehensive directory of Hi-Fi Dealers throughout the UK and Ireland.
BERKSHIRE CHESHIRE ESSEX
LORICRAFT AUDIO ACOUSTICA ROCOCO SYSTEMS & DESIGN

Loricraft Audio is now open for visitors 17 Hoole Rd, Chester CH2 3NH. Essex/London Linn Specialist
but please call to arrange for a visit. You www.acoustica.co.uk. Tel: 01371856407 – 02074541234
can buy all our products directly from us Tel: 01244 344227. www.rococosystems.com
or through your local dealer. Our internet HiFi & Home Cinema from Amphion, Arcam, We have over 30 years in entertainment
shop site can take direct orders for our ART, Ayre, B&W Nautilus, Classe, Focal.JM solutions, We can give you expert advice
turntables and accessories! Loricraft Audio, Lab, Monitor Audio, Naim Audio, Primare, on your Linn Hi-Fi, Multi-room AV and
The Piggery, Mile End Farm, Wantage Road Rega, REL, Rotel, Spendor, Sugden, Thiel, Home Cinema systems. P/EX, ex-demo
Lambourn, Berkshire, RG17 8UE Office Wadia. We offer full demonstration facilities, and used Linn available, Demos by
Phone/Fax : +44 (0)1488-72267 interest free credit, delivery & install appointment . Home Demos welcome.
systems throughout Cheshire, Merseyside Authorised dealers for Arcam , AMX,
Email: terry@garrard501.com
& North Wales. Tuesday to Saturday 10.00 Artcoustic, Chord, Infocus Linn, Loewe,
website: http://garrard501.com
to 5.30. Lutron, Kaleidescape, Marantz, Nevo,
Opus, Phillips Pronto, Runko, Systemline,
STUDIOAV LTD
ACTON GATE AUDIO Speakercraft Sonos Sim2
44 High Street, Eton, Berkshire SL4 6BL
Tel: 01753 631000 www.acton-gate-audio.co.uk
4 Ruabon Road, Wrexham, LL13 7PB, LANCASHIRE
sales@studioav.co.uk
www.studioav.co.uk Tel: (01978) 364500
Arcam, Atlas, Audiolab, Croft, Denon,
HOUSE OF LINN MANCHESTER
We are Berkshire’s premier Linn dealer Telephone: 0161 766 4837
(complete range) and LP12 specialists. Grado, JM Labs, KEF, Michell, Monitor
Email: Info@houseoflinn.com
Naim, Focal, Totem, The Chord Company, Audio, Musical Fidelity, NAD,Ortofon, Opera,
www.houseoflinn.com
Lyra, Dynavector, Benz Micro, with more Onkyo, Pro-ject, QED, Quad, Rel, Roksan,
The Linn specialists. Independently owned
Sugden, Sennheiser, Unison, van-den-Hul,
to follow. by former Linn staff. Straightforward,
Wharfedale,Yamaha.
professional expertise with demonstration,
Tuesday - Saturday 9.00 - 17.00
BRISTOL & BATH sales, installation and support for the
email: info@acton-gate.com
Linn range of components and systems.
THE RIGHT NOTE The listening experience is so good that
DOUG BRADY HI FI KINGSWAY
Tel: 01225 874728. demonstrations can last for hours. Discover
Studios, Kingsway North, Warrington,
Happy with your system? Wonder why how we make music sound real in your
WA1 3NU
there’s so much for sale secondhand? home! Appointments only.
Tel: 01925828009
Avoid the frustration and expense of
Fax: 01925 825773.
“upgrade-itis”, never quite “there”. With LEICESTERSHIRE
Visa Mastercard, 2 dem rooms, home
infinite patience we’ll help you plan longer
trial, Agencies include: Arcam, AV1, Chord,
term. Brands selection : Accustic Arts, ZOUCH AUDIO
Copland, Exposure, Krell, Lyra, Michell, The Old Coach House, Off South St, Ashby
Audio Physic, Aesthetix, Bel Canto, CAT,
Meridian, Musical Fidelity, Monitor Audio, de la Zouch, Leicestershire, LE65 1BQ.
Chord Co, Clearaudio, Esoteric, Gamut,
Naim, ProAc, Roksan, SME, Stax, Isotek, Tel : 01530 414128
Graham, Halcro, Magnum Dynalab, Sumiko,
Kudos, Sonus Faber, Spendor, Ortofon, Email : mike@zouchaudio.co.uk
VertexAQ, Wadia.
Prima Luna, Quad, Avid, Moon, Nordost, Specialist Audio Equipment from Audia,
Wilson Benesch, and many more. Audica, Apollo, Ayon, Black Rhodium,
V'AUDIO HI FI CONSULTANTS
Boulder, Chord Electronics, DALI, Edgar,
36 Druid Hill, Stoke Bishop, Bristol. CORNWALL Fatman, Graham Slee, Isotek, LSA, Marantz,
BS9 1EJ.
Mission, Monopulse, Musical Fidelity, NAD,
Tel: 0117 968 6005. BIGEARS AUDIO Nordost, Ortofon, Project, Q Acoustics, QED,
ATC, AVI, Nola,ALR Jordan, Audio Analogue, To find a system that will allow you to Quad, Roksan, Spectral, System Fidelity,
Avid, Black Rhodium, Electrocompaniet, hear the music instead of the equipment Tom Evans, Usher, Vitus. Over 30 years
Edge amps/cd, Harman Kardon, phone Bigears Audio, here you will find an experience and 4 demonstration rooms.
Infinity, Jamo, Lyra, Origin Live, Opera, interesting array of new and good quality
Ortofon, PS Audio, Michelle, REL, SME, used equipment! my intention is to have LONDON
Sugden,Townshend. Specialist in Video satisfied customers whatever their audio
Projects by SIM2, Infocus, Sanyo, Power preferences. Naim dealer for the South THE CARTRIDGE MAN LTD
Plan. Screens by Stewart, smx and da-lite. West. 88 Southbridge road, Croydon
Demos by appointment only. Home trial chrisbirchley@btinternet.com. CR0 1AF Telephone: 020 8688 6565
facilities. Tel: 01736-740421 Website: www.thecartridgeman.com

DIAL A DEALERWorldMags
DIAL A DEALER
This is a comprehensive directory of Hi-Fi Dealers throughout the UK and Ireland.
email address:thecartridgeman@talktalk. Loudspeakers. Quality Hi Fi is not plug and AUDIO REPUBLIC

net. UK Distributor: Hiaudio Distribution play. We deliver and install all systems. 78 Otley Road, Leeds
Makers of the prize-winning range of 0% Finance available. Tuesday to Saturday Tel: 0113 2177294
MusicMaker cartridges and other desirable 10.00am to 5.30pm Thursday till 8pm www.audio-republic.co.uk
audio accessories. We also have a cartridge For the best in quality hifi in West Yorkshire,
refurbishing service and rebuild classic representing Naim Audio, Rega, Sugden,
MIDLANDS (WEST) Audio Research,VPI, Krell, Copland, Sonus
valve equipment to the highest standards.
“It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg Faber,Arcam, Nottingham Analogue,
SOUND CINERGY Roksan, Hutter,Martin Logan, Proac, PMC,
- but there is no such thing a free lunch,
37 high street, Aldridge, WS9 8NL M&K, Finite Elements, SME, Cardas, Kudos
either.”
Tel: 01922 457926 Loudspeakers and others. Open Tuesday-
www.soundcinergy.co.uk Saturday 9.30am to 5.30pm
MONMOUTHSHIRE &
clive@soundcinergy.co.uk
GLOUCESTERSHIRE FANTHORPES HI-FI, TV & CUSTOM
Quality hifi and home cinema from black
rhodium, chord co, exposure, focal, linn,
INSTALLATION SPECIALISTS
CERITECH AUDIO HEPWORTH ARCADE, SILVER STREET,
Wyastone Business Park, Wyastone Leys, marantz, michell, monitor audio, mordaunt
HULL, HU1 1JU
Monmonth. Tel: 0844 736 5719. short, nad, okki nokki, ortofon, project, rel, Established over 60 years
Email: info@ceritech.co.uk. roksan, themescene, trichord, vdh. Check Tel: 01482 223096
www-ceritech-audio.com. our website for ex dem and secondhand Web: www.fanthorpes.co.uk
We provide bespoke Hi-Fi and AV services bargains. free car parking. tues - sat 10 Email: shop@fanthorpes.co.uk
to customers throughout Gloucestershire, - 5.30 Part exchange welcome. High-end Second
Monmouthshire, Herefordshire and Hand Equipment. Multi-room installations.
surrounding areas. We offer honest SOMERSET Demonstration by appointment. Home trials
and expert advice, and professional welcome. Interest free credit available.
demonstrations of top brand products. Experienced staff. We stock Arcam, Cyrus,
ALTERNATIVE AUDIO,
BADA Member & Authorised Agents for Dali, Denon, Dynaudio, Exposure, Kef,
Taunton, Somerset,
Arcam, Clearaudio, DALI, Focal, Leema, Loewe, Onkyo, Primare, Roksan, Spendor,
Tel: 01984 624242 Sugden and much more.
Moon, Naim, Neat, Primare, ProAc, Rega, Email:peter@alternativeaudio.co.uk
Vienna Acoustics and others.
www.alternativeaudio.co.uk IRELAND
We specialise in valve amplification and
MY AUDIO DESIGN
vinyl replay with the accent on high quality TONE-PEARLS RECORDS
35 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2BX
musical enjoyment, demonstration by “REVOLUTIONARY OLD”
Tel: 020 7839 8880 / 07782 137 868 Tel: 353-87-942-7618
appointment. Ex-Dem and used equipment
E-mail: sales@madengland.com Email: info@tonepearls.com
Website: www.madengland.com for sale. Analysis Audio, Brinkman, EAR/
www.tonepearls.com
E-Shop: www.shop.madengland.com Yoshino, Graham Engineering, Experience
New audiophile LP/vinyl records using
We offer MAD, Benchmark Media, SONOS, Filtration, Lector, LFD Audio, Lyra, Music
the revolutionary new Tone-Pearls and
WBT, Trichord Research, ATC, FatmanTube, First Audio, NAT Audio, Nottingham pure analogue techniques. Live recording,
Project, Lehmann, Ortofon, Vandenhul, Analogue Studio, Quadraspire, Shun Mook, unedited, unprocessed, pure analogue
QED, NAD, Goldring, Grado, Focal, Musical SME, Transfiguration, Vandersteen Audio, recording and cutting, 180g virgin vinyl
Fidelity, Ex-demo & second hand gears. Wave Mechanic. pressing. New LP released: Piano Music
Custom Installation, Servicing, Custom in a Church of West Ireland, Classicals of
Design. Appointment Only. Short walk from YORKSHIRE Chopin and Debussy and more...
Embankment, Charing-X & Westminster
Tube. THE AUDIO ROOM ARDHOWEN HIFI
10 Menapian Way
2 George Street,Hedon,Hull, HU12 8JH
Enniskillen
MANCHESTER 01482 891375. Fermanagh
www.theaudioroom.co.uk BT74 4GS
AUDIO COUNSEL Authorised agents for Audio Research, Abbingdon Music Research, Acoustic
26 High St Cheadle SK8 1AL Bowers & Wilkins inc 800 series, Bryston, Masterpiece, Airtight, Benz Micro, Croft,
www.audio-counsel.co.uk Acoustics, Custom Design, Deltec Precision
Classe, Denon, Dynavector, Koetsu, Krell,
Tel: 0161-491-6090 Audio, Firestone Audio, Graham Slee,
Linn inc Klimax Range, Micromega, Naim,
e mail: dave@audiocounsel.co.uk Hanns Acoustics, Harmonix, Luxman, My
Prima Luna, PMC, ProAc, Quad, Rega, Rotel,
Hi Fi and Home Cinema from , B&W Audio Design, Opera Audio/Consonance,
Sonus Faber, Stax, Wilson Audio and others.
Densen,Dynavector Cartridges Emm Labs, Origin Live, Project, Reference 3A, Reiymo,
Free & easy car parking, 4 demostration
Hutter, Isoblue, In Focus, Naim, Neat Sugden Audio, True Colours Industries,
Acoustics Pioneer, Piega, Quadraspire, suites, part exchange welcome, quality
Trafomatic, Usher, Verity Audio, WLM
Rega, Revolver, Rotel, Shahinian, & friendly staff, mail order available.The www.Ardhowenhifi.com
Totem, Well Tempered Turntables, Zu North’s most complete hifi dealer! 07800 575070 Tom

WorldMags
MIDLAND AUDIO XCHANGE
The Old Chapel t. 01562 731100
Forge Lane f. 01562 730228
Belbroughton
Worcestershire e-mail. sales@midlandaudiox-change.co.uk
DY9 9TD web . www.midlandaudiox-change.co.uk
Ex-demo and second hand items

Was Now
Digital
Accuphase DP65 CD Player S/H 2800 1199 PenAudio Charisma x-demo 2715 1899
Arcam Alpha 8SE CD player S/H 600 199 PenAudio Charm Sub modules x-demo 2175 1499
Heed Audio DACtilus DAC BNIB 370 269 PenAudio Serenade x-demo 7250 4999
living Control Music Box 3 BNIB 2887 1499 Ruark Swordsman Glenn Croft modified S/H N/A 199
living Control Room Box4 BNIB 1712 999 Sonus faber Cremona Elipsa Maple x-demo 12980 7999
Primare CD30.2 CD player S/H 1500 699
Cables and Accessories
Quad 67 CD player S/H N/A 599
Attacama Equinox 3 tier stand x-demo 375 199
Sony CDP555ESD CD player S/H N/A 299
Apollo 80cm single column Stands S/H 149 99
Analogue Cardas Cables Golden Cross 3m speaker cables 1999 999
Clear Audio Solution /SME Cut 2400 1199 Electrocompaniet ECS1 M6 feet x4 BNIB 189 49
Graham Slee Era V Gold S/H 579 299 JPS Ultra Dual bi wire 2x8 Spades to banana S/H 549 279
Heed Audio Quasar MM/MC 2 box Phono stage x-demo 740 499 Jadis KT90 Valves x 4 BNIB 600 300
Heed Audio Questar MM Phono stage BNIB 300 219 MIT Terminator II Biwire 2x10ft S/H 599 249
Kuzma Stabi S/ Stogi S double arm version Xdemo 2795 1750 Madrigal MDC1 1m AES/EBU 110 ohm Digital Cable S/H 420 179
Kuzma Stogi Tonearm x-demo 1390 799 Siltech HF9 AES/EBU 1m Digital S/H 420 179
Mark Levinson No320s Phono Module x-demo 995 649 Spectral MI-350 20ft interconnect S/H 2100 899
Roksan TMS/Atremiz/DS5 Turntable S/H N/A 2450 Stereovox 2x2.5m HDXV speaker cable S/H 350 169
Stereovox HDVX 0.5M digital S/H 199 75
Preamplifiers Synergistic Research AC master Coupler 5ft IEC-UK S/H 499 149
Audio research LS25MKII S/H 5799 2299 Transparent Balanced Reference 2x30ft x-demo 6345 3299
Audio research LS16 MKII S/H 3189 1599 Transparent Reference SC 2x10ft x-demo 6192 3199
Audolici AP01 preamplifier S/H 2100 999
Conrad Johnson Classic Phono x-demo 2400 1750 Tuners & Tape decks, power supplies
ECS Finestra Preamplifier Phono S/H N/A 379 Cyrus DAB 8.0 Tuner Silver S/H 600 399
Quad 66 Preamplifier S/H N/A 349 Magnum Dynalab FTR remote/Tuner for Etude S/H 395 199
Quad 66 Tuner S/H N/A 249
Amplifiers
47 lab 50 Humpty PSU x-demo 1999 1199 Midland Audio X-change are looking for All high end audio separates best
47 lab 50 w Gain card x-demo 1999 1199 prices paid for good examples.
Audio Technica AT-MA50 Mixing Amplifier S/H 399 149
Chord Electronics SPM1400 B mono Integra S/H 12000 4799
Croft Vitale VC power amplifier S/H 1250 599
Bel Canto eVo4 Poweramplifier S/H 3400 1649
Electrocompaniet AW250R S/H 4999 2499 Suppliers and installers of High
Quality Audio Systems
Electrocompaniet ECI5 Integrated Amplifier x-demo 2699 1999 Audio Research
Cardas
Graaf GM100 Power amplifier re-valved S/H 5999 2299 Conrad Johnson Lecontoure
Copland Lyra
Heed Can Amp Headphone amplifier BNIB 340 249 Crystal Cables Magnum Dynlab
Dartzeel Martin Logan
dCS
Loudspeakers Densen
Mimetism
Neat Acoustics
DNM/Reson
Heybrook Point 5 S/H N/A 49 Dynavector
Primaluna
Primare
Leema acoustics Xero Black Ash S/H 750 499 Electrocompaniet ProAc
Finite Elemente Rega
Living Voice Avatar II Cherry S/H 3000 1499 Heed Audio
Jadis
Shahinian
Siltech
Martin Logan Fresco pair inc stands S/H 1500 699 Koetsu
Krell
SME
Sonus Faber
Martin Logan Quest Light Oak (new panels) S/H N/A 1599 Kuzma Transparent Audio
Lavardin Wadia
Martin Logan Vantage dark cherry x-demo 5149 3499 Well tempered lab
Wilson Audio
Martin Logan Source D Cherry S/H 1799 1199
Midland Audio X-change are looking for Audio Research, Krell , Mark Levinson , Naim Audio, SME, Wadia.
WorldMags
FREE READER CLASSIFIEDS WorldMags
FREE READER
CLASSIFIEDS
TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Only one advert per reader. No Trade adverts. This section is strictly for readers selling secondhand hi-fi
equipment only. Maximum length per advert is 30 words, Adverts over 30 words will not be accepted. Telephone numbers and E-mail addresses
are treated as one word. Model numbers are treated as one word i.e. Quad 303 = two words. Email your advert to; classifieds@hi-fiworld.co.uk
or fill in the form on page 129 and post it to Hi-Fi World Free Readers Ads, Suite G4, Argo House, Kilburn Park Road, London NW6 5LF. Sorry, we
cannot accept adverts over the telephone. The Publisher reserves the right to judge submissions.
MERIDIAN F80 CD/DVD, SYNERGISTIC RESEARCH A/C TOSHIBA 9500 DVD/CD player WANTED: AKAI 4000 reel to
DAB, AM/FM, r/c, black, boxed. Master Coupler mains cable, 5 £250. Marantz DV7001 DVD/CD reel tape deck preferably with
£725. Tel: 01733 706 943 ft. Will improve any component. player £250. Cambridge Audio GX head, silver finish. Deck must
(Peterborough) Have this quality at reasonable DacMagic with new power sup- be in very good condition. Also
price. New £230, sell for £65 ply £100. Tel: 020 8857 5923 any 1960’s tape recorder maga-
PROAC RESPONSE D28 loud- includes postage. Tel: Pete 01639 (South East London) zines.Tel: Roger 0784 757 3031
speakers finished in cherry, 710 113 anytime
boxed, manual, mint £1650. Croft TEAC REFERENCE 500 system
Acoustics Micro 25 pre-amp, REGA P3 TURNTABLE RB300 amp CD tuner cassette deck. SME SERIES III tonearm c/w
mint £385. Chord Signature Rega cartridge. £165. Pioneer Excellent condition. Manuals and Shure V15 III cartridge £100. Also
speaker cable 2.75m pair, mint PDR-609 recorder £95. Both boxes. £325 ono. Tel: Keith 01293 Sony MDS JE440 MiniDisc player
£350. Tel: 01562 887 558 (West excellent condition. Collect from 512 583 £40. Collect or buyer pays post-
Midlands) Southall, Middlesex. Tel: 07913 age. Tel: 07854 003347 (Wirral)
478 149 ARCAM A38 integrated ampli-
WANTED: QUAD 66 or 77 fier 140w/ch extensive facilities, ROKSAN RADIUS 5 turntable in
Compact Disc player. Working KIMBER KCAG CD intercon- fatigue free sound £895 (£1500 clear acrylic version with Origin
order. Tel: 01283 532 616 nect, -14dB 0.5m £210. Kimber new). Tannoy Eyris 2 floorstand- Live Rega RB600 arm. Excellent
D-60 digital interconnect 1m ing speakers £295 (Originally condition, superbly transparent
GOLDRING GL88 turntable £210. Russ Andrews Superclamp £1000). Q-Acoustics 1050i sound. £850 ono. Tel: Andy 01484
£150. Richard Allan Class A Uiltra £25. Yellow mains cables. floorstanding speakers £150. All 427 426
amplifier (Sugden) £120. Leak Other items including filters. Call mint with boxes. Tel: 023 8073
Stereo 30 and Troughline III Mike on 01902 884 694 8935 SALE OR EXCHANGE: Pristine
tuner, £30 each. A&R Cambridge condition Graaf WFB2 valve line
A60 amplifier £40. All good DUEVEL PLANETS speakers, AUDIO INNOVATIONS S500 preamp, MM/MC, 10 pairs RCA
working order Tel: 07515 284 silver, £500. Tivoli networks integrated valve amplifier. 4 line connectors, plus immaculate RDS
997 or Email: internet DAB radio Wenge £300. inputs plus MM valve phone valve tuner, remote (£1275). All
j.king142@btinternet.com All mint, boxed, instructions. Tel: stage. Recent full service includ- original packaging, for Michell
0121 580 9114 (West Midlands) ing new volume control and elec- Orbe or Gyro with arm, car-
WANTED: AKAI 4000 GX ver- trolytic caps. Excellent condition. tridge, working or offers. Free to
sion, reel to reel tape recorder. NAIM CDX2 £1350. Soundstyle £550 ono. Tel: 01639 641 043 callers: Sony belt, Technics Direct
Vgc. Also tape recorder maga- tripod 4 shelf reck £45. Drive TT’s, CDP, all nice condi-
zines 1960’s. Also Sony TC 800B Heybrook S1 speaker stands QUAD ELS 2805 unmarked as tion, good looking. Tel: 07951 553
portable tape recorder or Uher £40. Aiwa ADF700 cassette deck new, simply wonderful. £2950. Tel: 091 (London NW)
4000 4 track, vgc.Tel: 0784 757 (boxed) £35 or last 3 items for 01952 728 773 (Shropshire)
3031 £100. Tel: 01691 610 589 BANG & OLUFSEN Beomaster
LEAK 600 speakers £75. Leak 5500 receiver, Beogram CD6500,
LINN SONDEK LP12 walnut MILLER & KRIESEL V-125 12” 3400 receiver £50. Leak 2001 Beogram 5500 record deck. All
plinth with MV10 motor, £80. sub woofer £190. Rotel 965BX turntable £75. Leak 1800 remote control via master con-
Linn Basic plus arm £110. Linn Discrete CD £60. Trichord receiver. £40. Leak 2030 speakers trol unit. Beovox 3702 speaker.
Basic LVX arm £30. Thorens Genesis CD £150. Ruark Sabres, £25. NAD 30/30 amplifier £45. All immaculate. £520. Might split.
TD165 turntable with arm. Nexus 6 stands £170. Rose Mordaunt Short MS510 speakers Tel: 01708 457 691
All good working order. Tel: RV23s valve pre-amp £400. £50. Tel: 0798 1054 4367
07707 695 846 or Email: Exposure Super 8 £275. Tel: SME IV tonearm as new under
saki130@btinternet.com 01722 334 694 SPENDOR BC1 warrenty. Bought May 2010.
LOUDSPEAKERS in rosewood , Boxed, tools, instructions. £995.
TWO PAIR Wharfedale Dovedale LECTOR CDP 7TL Marvellous complete with trolleys. Matched Tel: Mike 01246 209 578 or
3 speakers, 24”H x 14”W x Italian valved player with separate pair, unmarked condition. - 07780 888 686
12”D. Pioneer SA508 stereo p.s.u. Go to www.docet-lec- £399.00 World audio designs-
amplifier. All above in perfect tor.com and read great review. kt88 integrated valve amplifier; MICROMEGA CD player stage
working order. Lynn Olsen ME2 Latest current spec, mint cond. professionally built with jj tesla 2 , mint condition c/w remote
speakers with external X-Overs, Bargain at £1100 (2400) valves - £499.00 Call derek on control £89.Oo shure v15 type
professionally built. Offers. Tel: Tel: 0208 473 9890 or e-mail mob: 07711 741860 - West 3, with vn35he stylis £ 29.Oo tel
0115 975 4070. johnvarcoe@sky.com Sussex 07711741860 ( West Sussex )

WorldMags

FREE READER CLASSIFIEDS WorldMags
SME 3009ii improved head shell PROJECT RPM5 with Ortofon SONUS FABER Amati Homage MARANTZ PM66-SE. All offers
Plus ADC types £20 inc P&P 2m red.only used 4 hours £300 excellent condition £5250 ono. welcome. Fully functional. Internal
Record clamp clear acrylic £5 + o.n.o. Goldring ns1000 noise Telephone 01293 417785 mob fuse blows intermittently as the
P&P Alignment Gauge Elite £5 + cancelling headphones.new & 07760876265 email relay switches. Includes PM6010
P&P Carbon Fibre brush record unused.£50. Sony ecm-957ms peter.baker5@blueyonder.co.uk schematics manual for repair by
cleaner £5 + P&P 01909 730 681 mic.used twice. £50. 01777 (Crawley West Sussex). technician.
- 07783 327 689 711386. email@spencergoh.com
stafford7gg@btinternet.com. WANTED FOR enthusiast.
RARE EUPHYA Alliance Radford, Rogers, Quad, Luxman GARRARD 401 £1000ono,
Symbiosis Amplifier Seperate CYRUS CDX-T CD Transport hifi equipment. Also any 70’s Turntable power supply £300ono,
power supply 80W per channel (Quartz silver) in mint as new transmission line speakers, espe- Technics Equaliser £150, Class
Remote Silver casing mixture of condition,little use,boxed,(new cially Atkinson SOTAs and/or A Amplifier power supply
non-magnetic metal and perspex £800) accept £325 ono.( N.B. Rogers’ Auditorium.Bristol based £300ono, Arcam 9 Power ampli-
Cost £3450 Sell £1450 Tel 01243 Transport only requires dac/ but will travel. 0117 946 7188 fier £250ono, Maplin 50W amp
528010 West Sussex excellent reviews) 01483 271669 fresh_start_uk@btinternet.com board £25. Tel 0207 499 8729
(Surrey).
MUSIC FIRST Passive Pre-ampli- CARDAS GOLDEN Cross inter- TUBE TECHNOLOGY Unisis
fier (Copper Version) in excel- LFD PA1/PA2 Power Amplifier connect. 1.5 metres, £375 (new Signature valve power ampli-
lent condition, boxed and with In Excellent condition, owned £1250). Cardas Golden Cross fier. 30 watts per channel,
instruction manual. Recently from new, Updated by Richard speaker cable, eight-foot length, superb sound, excellent condi-
serviced and upgraded to MkII Bews. An excellent power amp bi-wired. £775 (£2,450). Vdh The tion, with manual £550. Phone
copper transformers. £1400. very controlled, open,detailed Second interconnect. one metre, 07833 602391 or e-mail
Contact Jeff on 01305 263069 & musical. Can demonstrate. unused. £140 (£240). 01424 mike1304@hotmail.co.uk
(W. Dorset). Excellent example - Offers. 203192 (East Sussex).’’
Stuart Bedfordshire T: 07870 912 2002 B&W Nautilus speakers
SUGDEN A21SE class A inte- 963 e: TOWNSHED SEISMIC 5 tier in exeptional condition, only
grated amplifier mint and boxed. stuartdarshan67@googlemail.com stand, the best £575 [£1500] 150 hours listening. 802 Stereo
Can demo, £1350 ono. Fully wadia 2000 transport power Speakers £2950.00, HTM1
refurbished Celestion Ditton 44 HEED ENVOY floor standing supply serviced £1200 [£7000] Centre £795.00, SCM1 Stereo
Rear Speakers £795.00. Contact
speakers £250 ono. Call Steve omni directional speakers cherry wadia 2000 DAC, sledgehammer,
Stephen on 01483 691482 or
after 6pm 01268 785808 for veneer finish new £3150.00 Sale interface with power supplys
stephen832@hotmail.com
details. £1250.00 0208 658 2490 Mobile £1000 [£8000] tel 07500702061
07956 584363 noddfa@hotmail.Com
CASTLE CONWAY Speakers,
LEGACY AUDIO Home
quality black ash cabinets. Superb
Theatre: Focus HD speak- NAD C315BEE 40 wpc amp, VIBE PULSE Line Stage Lithos
dynamics with a smooth, fulsome
ers. Mains, Rears, Centre and with MP3 input plus matching Version. Mint Condition, ultra
sound. 90db sensitive. A previous
Subwoofer in Rosewood. Perfect (and excellent) C515BEE CD detailed, transparent with tube
World Standard. Unmarked mint
condition. Buyer disconnect player, both mint, boxed and like sound quality, reference
condition, boxed £350.00. Tel
and collects. Cost $15,000. unmarked, titanium finish, £250 performance. Offered Half Price
01306 887554.
£6,000 ono. Warwickshire. the pair including FREE NAD £1995. London 07789396921.
finnegan@email4us.com for 4225 AM/FM tuner. Gale Silver ICON AUDIO p h 3 phono
more information. monitor speakers (black, boxed, LEAK STEREO 20 .Overhauled stage,mc and mm. as new
as new) only £40 if bought with by professional electronics engi- condition,boxed etc £850,
PROJECT RECORD deck + proj- these. Rod - neer. Recently revalved. Excellent 01638668299 (Suffolk)
ect phono amp/ Music Fidelity mail@rodtheobald.force9.co.uk unmodified cosmetic condition,
XA-1 Pre Amp/Arcam Alpha 9 original transformers. Superb MUSICAL FIDELITY x-can v2
CD Player/Arcam P60 Power SHANLING MC30 single-ended sounding amplifier with operat- head phone amplifier, as new
AMP/Rogers Studio 5 Speakers/ valve amp/cd player/tuner/MP3 ing and maintenance instruc- - £79:00 Call derek on mob:
Includes all power cords (Russ ‘dock’. Silver, all alloy, Philips VAM tions £650 ono 01842 812895 07711 741860 - west sussex
Andrews) and cables/speak 1202 transport, Burr Brown 1738 (Suffolk).
stands and equipment stand DAC, AM/FM tuner (20 presets), LEHMANN BLACK Cube SE
Value £ 3700 Sell £1300 ono pre-out, aux input, metal remote. WANTED LINN hifi ! Anything Phono Amplifier with PWX
Must be heard Contact Steven Boxed as new, RRP £800, pay me considered. Happy to pickup and power supply. Highly regarded,
on 00353 87 637 6623 £425 for this one owner, mint pay cash. Please call Richard on superb condition like new,
unmarked example. Rod, 01706 01300 345 827, thanks! very light use, boxed with
TRIANGLE TITUS TZX Speakers 345418, email manuals. £450 ono. Email
Power: 60W Peak power: 120W mail@rodtheobald.force9.co.uk 2 PAIRS OF Lowther Speakers hifiworld@smokingdrum.co.uk
Impedance: 4 ohms Sensitivity: for Sale pictures available or call 01256 895438
90dB/W/m Dimensions (approx) CASTLE CONWAY Speakers, Acousta circa 1970 PM7A driv-
12” H x 8” W x11 D Offers on quality black ash cabinets. Superb ers -outer rim requires replacing MERIDIAN F80 CD/DVD,
£225 Buyer to collect (Somerset) dynamics with a smooth, fulsome Home Made cabinets PM6 driv- DAB, AM/FM, r/c, black, boxed.
Call: Carol on 01373 836695 sound. 90db sensitive. A previous ers – excellent condition £725. Tel: 01733 706 943
Email: World Standard. Unmarked mint Tel. 01438225540 martin. (Peterborough)
cidriver@btopenworld.com condition, boxed £350.00. Tel kingston3@ntlworld.com
01306 887554. PROAC RESPONSE D28 loud-
MISSION 752 Freedom Floor AUDIO RESEARCH valve pre- speakers finished in cherry,
Standing Speakers for sale. Black. ARCAM ALPHA 7 am/fm tuner, amp with phono stage. Eighteen boxed, manual, mint £1650. Croft
Immaculate. £285 ovno. Tel: 0115 complete with all cables and months old. New valves (Electo- Acoustics Micro 25 pre-amp,
9170742 (Nottingham) instructions. Excellent condition. Harmonix) Nov 2010. Perfect mint £385. Chord Signature
Ian 020-8642-7961 (Sutton, condition as new. £1650 ono. speaker cable 2.75m pair, mint
SME IV tonearm cable including NW London. Tel:0207-624-0054. £350. Tel: 01562 887 558 (West
RCA’s VDH 501 interconnects GOLDRING GL75 deck, Shure nmac123@gmail.com. Midlands)
Offers Stuart Bedfordshire T: M95EJ cartridge. Offers. Email
07870 912 963 hughpenfold@yahoo.com Text WANTED A faulty or non work- QUAD ELS 2805 unmarked as
Email: 07866 364770 Mr Penfold ing Quad 44 preamp. Contact new, simply wonderful. £2950. Tel:
stuartdarshan67@googlemail.com Oxford Mike 01758 613790. 01952 728 773 (Shropshire)

WorldMags
www.audio-t.co.uk
BRIGHTON 01273 609431

brighton@audio-t.co.uk 40 years of expertise in sound and vision make Audio T
BRISTOL 0117 926 4975
bristol@audio-t.co.uk
the perfect place to choose the latest technology...
Music streaming devices from Sonos, Naim, Olive, Peachtree and Arcam. The very best
CHELTENHAM 01242 583960
cheltenham@audio-t.co.uk sounding iPod docks from B&W, Arcam and Geneva. Plus the latest in 3D projectors from
JVC and Sony or 3DTVs from Panasonic, Sony, Philips and Samsung.
EPSOM 01372 748888
epsom@audio-t.co.uk We are trained in these technologies and can help you set up the products in your home. From
the affordable to the sublime you can be sure to find what you are looking for at Audio T.
OXFORD 01865 765961
oxford@audio-t.co.uk
READING 0118 958 5463
reading@audio-t.co.uk
SOUTHAMPTON
023 8025 2827
southampton@audio-t.co.uk
TUNBRIDGE WELLS
01892 525666
tunbridge@audio-t.co.uk
The stores below operate in
association with
BASINGSTOKE 01256 324311

basingstoke@audio-t.co.uk
BLACKPOOL 01253 300599
blackpool@audio-t.co.uk
High Quality
BOLTON 01204 395789 Streaming Products
bolton@audio-t.co.uk
BRENTWOOD 01277 264730
brentwood@audio-t.co.uk
GENEVA
CAMBERLEY 01276 685597
camberley@audio-t.co.uk
CARDIFF 029 2022 8565
cardiff@audio-t.co.uk
ENFIELD 020 8367 3132
enfield@audio-t.co.uk
LANCASTER 01524 39657
lancaster@audio-t.co.uk
High Quality iPod Docks & Radios
MANCHESTER 0161 839 8869
manchester@audio-t.co.uk
PORTSMOUTH 023 9266 3604
portsmouth@audio-t.co.uk
PRESTON 01772 883958
preston@audio-t.co.uk
SWANSEA 01792 474608
swansea@audio-t.co.uk
SWINDON 01793 538222
swindon@audio-t.co.uk
WARRINGTON 01925 632179
warrington@audio-t.co.uk
WORCESTER 01905 619059
worcester@audio-t.co.uk
All Shops are closed on Sundays 3D Screens & Projectors
and Mondays
WorldMags
WorldMags
WorldMags
WorldMags
NEXT MONTH
April’s Hi-Fi World ushers spring

in with a smile, showering you
with fresh new products! We’ve a
wonderfully eclectic mix, from the
latest lavish Luxman D-05 CD spin-
ner [pictured below] to the high end
Quadral Vulcan VIII loudspeakers;
from Ortofon’s budget Vivo moving
coils and KEF's Q100 loudspeaker
(left) to Bricasti’s pro audio studio
DAC – and so much more. Here’s
some of what we hope to bring you:
ORTOFON VIVO RED & BLUE MOVING COIL CARTRIDGES

HART EVO1 TRI-MONITOR MODULAR LOUDSPEAKERS
BRICASTI M1 DIGITAL TO ANALOGUE CONVERTOR
UNITY AUDIO THE BLACK ROCK LOUDSPEAKER
ORIGIN LIVE TECHNICS SL1210 TURNTABLE
KINGSOUND PRINCESS II LOUDSPEAKERS
OLDE WORLDE: B&W P1 LOUDSPEAKERS
QUADRAL VULCAN VIII LOUDSPEAKERS
SUTHERLAND HUBBLE PHONO STAGE
PROJECT CD BOX STD CD PLAYER
ONKYO TX-SR608 AV RECEIVER
YAMAHA CD-S300 CD PLAYER
HADCOCK GH-228 TONEARM
LUXMAN D-05 CD PLAYER
INSPIRE VIVID LINN LP12
KEF Q100 LOUDSPEAKER
PICK UP THE APRIL 2011 ISSUE OF HI-FI WORLD ON SALE FEBRUARY 25TH,
OR SUBSCRIBE AND GET IT DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR: p82
WorldMags
ORDER/INDEX WorldMags
ADVERTISERS INDEX FREE READER

2nd Hand HiFi 108
CLASSIFIED ADS E S S
ORDER FORM STOP P R
Absolute Sounds IFC
AR Sounds 72
Audio Components 116
Audio Emotions 16
Audio Sanctum 90 TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Only one advert per reader. Maximum length per advert is 30
Audio T 126 words, Adverts over 30 words will not be accepted. No Trade Adverts. This section is strictly for
readers selling secondhand hi-fi equipment only. Telephone numbers and E-mail addresses are
Avid HiFi 102 treated as one word. Model numbers are treated as one word i.e. Quad 303 = two words. Sorry, we
Basically Sound 116 cannot accept adverts over the telephone. The Publisher reserves the right to judge submissions.
Billy Vee 96
You can email your advert to us at: classifieds@hi-fiworld.co.uk
Black Rhodium 56, 68
or write or type your advertisement copy in block capitals with one word per box
Bristol Show 92
Canton 20
and post it to us at:
Chestergroup 80
Chord Electronics 6 Hi-Fi World Free Readers Ads,
Classic Lps 68 Unit G4, Argo House, Kilburn Park Road,
Classiques Sounds 112 London, NW6 5LF.
Cymbiosis 110
Elac 70 WE WILL ACCEPT PHOTOCOPIES OF THIS FORM
Electrocompaniet OBC 1 2
Emille Labs 56
3 4
EnjoyTheMusic.com 96
Hart Audio 26 5 6
Heathcote Audio 124
7 8
Heatherdale Audio 118
HiFi Wigwam 116 9 10
High End Cable 118
11 12
IAG 127
Ian Harrison 112 13 14
Icon Audio 52
15 16
Inspire HiFi 30,90
Isokinetik 110 17 18
Mantra Audio 112
19 20
Midland Audio Exchange 122
Music First 118 21 22
Naim 88
23 24
Nuforce IBC
Origin Live 94 25 26
Retro Reproduction 110
Rock Solid Sounds 96 27 28
Sevenoaks 113.114,115 29 30
Signals 72
Sound Dead Steel 72
Name: ____________________________________________________________________
Sound Fowndations 14,22
Sound HiFi 68 Address: ____________________________________________________________________
Sound Thinking 10 ____________________________________________________________________
Tannoy 66
TelluriumQ 56 Post Code: ____________________________________________________________________
The Chord Company 104 Daytime Tel: ________________________________
The Missing Link 116
Turntable World 108 FREE READER CLASSIFIED ADVERTS COPY DEADLINES
Unity Audio 34 APRIL 2011 - 2ND FEBRUARY 2011
Whest Audio 94 MAY 2011 - 8TH MARCH 2011

CLASSIC CUTS WorldMags
FELA KUTI
THE COMPLETE WORKS OF FELA
ANIKULAPO KUTI
2010
"the music is superlative, full of
P
ublished by Wrasse
Records (www.wrassere-
cords.com), this significant
energy, pride and confrontation..."
box set tracks the career
of the Nigerian singing In addition to the complete box didn’t sell as quickly or moved
superstar, Fela Kuti, the set, Wrasse has decided to publish through the system were dropped
man who invented Afrobeat, over an additional series of three box sets over time and haven’t been available
twenty-seven discs, including one in which the same albums have been for some time. Hence, this box set
DVD. Kuti, the subject of a new stage divided up into three portions, nine provides a great service for Fela fans.
show, 'Fela!', currently underway in discs in each, for those who find the Why France? World music and
London, was politically active, singing complete box set rather too costly Fela in particular are very popular
inflammatory lyrics and suffering for to buy in a single lump. in France and world music sells well
his cause by taking numerous physical “The discs within the three there. “Germany is also massive on
beatings while his family and property smaller box sets are apportioned in a world music with the Netherlands in
were regularly attacked by govern- completely random manner but there third and then we come in after that.
mental agencies. is a reason for that,” said Ashbridge. This box set is selling well over here,
Jo Ashbridge, co-owner of “A few years ago, we published a Fela however. We created three booklets
Wrasse and creator of the box set, Kuti anthology which was intended for the discs that we spread over the
is in no doubt as to the man’s worth to span three volumes and would do mini-box sets. All three are included
and significance, “Fela Kuti was an so in strict chronological order. The within the complete box with text
absolute genius. No-one else has first anthology was fantastic, it had all written by Chris May, who knew Fela
really replicated his music, mainly the early musical years featured, Fela’s personally.”
because he had a unique edge. Fela core music. The second anthology The only problem with the main
fought for what he believed in, was good but the included music box set is that the booklets and CD
he was passionate. His music was was not quite as vital. Anthology sleeves give you no guide as to the
politically driven and he wanted three, which never appeared, would chronological dates of each album,
to change Africa, how the average have featured that material from the which may trouble some listeners
Nigerian lived, where the country’s end of his career but which lacked who want to listen to each portion
riches in terms of its natural oil a certain edge and, thus, we think, of music in date order. Speaking to
and the money generated from it would not have been as popular in Wrasse about this point, however,
was going and the, unfortunate, terms of sales.” and stating that Hi-Fi World readers
accompanying widespread corruption. To prevent the same quality would appreciate some chronological
In response, he was beaten problem occurring in the new, three- assistance, the label did declare that
regularly, because of his outspoken set, series, Ashbridge decided to mix it would place that information on
words, by the militaristic government. and match albums from all of Fela’s their website.
Fela also objected to the associated eras, equally, among each of the three The music however, is superlative.
behaviour — that corruption box sets. “I thought that there was Full of energy, pride and confron-
becomes so much the norm, passed no point in putting all of the good tation, it brings a party to the ears of
down generations, that it becomes stuff in the first set because that those who care only for the music
accepted. Fela thought that such volume would be the only one which but a sense of purpose, drive and zeal
corruption just made his country was going to sell,” said Ashbridge. to others who see and hear it as a
and the people in it slaves when, in The original batch of 26 albums rallying call. Fela Kuti’s music remains
fact, they should have had control of (covering 46 original vinyl albums) relevant. Check out this little box of
their lives and the oil money that was were once available in France via magic and prepare to be dazzled.
being produced.” Universal but the lesser titles that PR

WorldMags
WorldMags
WorldMags
��
��
��
��
��
��
��
www.electrocompaniet.no
WorldMags

Hi-Fi World UK - March 2011

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Hi-Fi World UK - March 2011

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

HI-FI WORLD

10 PAGE VINYL SECTION SEE PAGE 98

MARCH 2011 UK £4.10 www.hi-ﬁworld.co.uk

> PREAMPLIFIER SUPERTEST

10 PAGES OF LETTERS - THE BEST WINS A PAIR OF

WorldMags www.hi-fiworld.co.uk MARCH 2011 HI-FI WORLD 3

17 MF Audio Classic Preamp:

12 Meridian G08.2: a beautiful

50 Creek's Destiny 2 amplifier:

WorldMags 4 HI-FI WORLD MARCH 2011 www.hi-fiworld.co.uk

TEAC A-R650 32 7 NEWS

KISEKI BLUE NOS 106

PRO-JECT ESSENTIAL 109

WorldMags www.hi-fiworld.co.uk MARCH 2011 HI-FI WORLD 5

��� ��� ��� ��� ������

� ����� ��� ��� ����

��� ������ �����

�������� � ��� ������

�������� �������� ����

����� ��� ����� �����

WorldMags www.hi-fiworld.co.uk MARCH 2011 HI-FI WORLD 7

WorldMags 8 HI-FI WORLD MARCH 2011 www.hi-fiworld.co.uk

WorldMags www.hi-fiworld.co.uk MARCH 2011 HI-FI WORLD 9

FOUR ON THE FLOOR

WorldMags www.hi-fiworld.co.uk MARCH 2011 HI-FI WORLD 11

WorldMags 12 HI-FI WORLD MARCH 2011 www.hi-fiworld.co.uk

"with top-notch sonics, build and

WorldMags www.hi-fiworld.co.uk MARCH 2011 HI-FI WORLD 13

“IsoTek is the leader in mains SIRIUS ACCESSORIES

“IsoTek is the UK’s biggest name in

“Not all mains conditioners are

01276 501 392 SIGMAS TITAN

WorldMags www.hi-fiworld.co.uk MARCH 2011 HI-FI WORLD 15

WorldMags www.hi-fiworld.co.uk MARCH 2011 HI-FI WORLD 17

CREEK OBH-22 £338

WorldMags 18 HI-FI WORLD MARCH 2011 www.hi-fiworld.co.uk

ICON AUDIO LA4 MKII £799

WorldMags www.hi-fiworld.co.uk MARCH 2011 HI-FI WORLD 19

PRIMA LUNA PROLOGUE 3 £1,550

WorldMags www.hi-fiworld.co.uk MARCH 2011 HI-FI WORLD 21

CYRUS PRE-XP/PSX-R £1,925

WorldMags www.hi-fiworld.co.uk MARCH 2011 HI-FI WORLD 23

ELECTROCOMPANIET EC4.7 £1,930

WorldMags 24 HI-FI WORLD MARCH 2011 www.hi-fiworld.co.uk

MF AUDIO CLASSIC v2 SILVER £4,500

WorldMags www.hi-fiworld.co.uk MARCH 2011 HI-FI WORLD 25

WorldMags www.hi-fiworld.co.uk MARCH 2011 HI-FI WORLD 27

WorldMags 28 HI-FI WORLD MARCH 2011 www.hi-fiworld.co.uk

"the A9 has a wonderful midband and

WorldMags www.hi-fiworld.co.uk MARCH 2011 HI-FI WORLD 29

EXCELLENCE VALUE DESIRABILITY

IMPROVED TRACKING . AMAZING SOUNDS . STUNNING LOOKS

boominess, or the lively bass quality Green - driver output

WorldMags www.hi-fiworld.co.uk MARCH 2011 HI-FI WORLD 31

WorldMags 32 HI-FI WORLD MARCH 2011 www.hi-fiworld.co.uk

"a feisty, dynamic, forceful and spirited

WorldMags www.hi-fiworld.co.uk MARCH 2011 HI-FI WORLD 33

WorldMags www.hi-fiworld.co.uk MARCH 2011 HI-FI WORLD 35

Visit our website at www.hi-fiworld.co.uk or

A pair of KEF iQ30 loudspeakers is on their way to JEREMY VILLANUEVA,

Letter of the Month

WorldMags 36 HI-FI WORLD MARCH 2011 www.hi-fiworld.co.uk

Hi Euan. I think you are being a little

��

� ��

��

��

��

��