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Hi-Fi Choice  |  Apr 03, 2018  |  0 comments
Originally launched exclusively in Germany to celebrate its 30th anniversary, AVM has revealed plans to introduce its AVM30 series into the UK via PMC UK Distribution. The entry-level range includes integrated pre and power amplifiers and a CD and media player and visitors to the Bristol Show got to see for themselves what it has to offer – see Show Report in the current issue. Drawing on the heritage of the AVM A2, the new £2,750 A 30 integrated amplifier takes the direct double-mono setup of its predecessor and adds additional functionality such as digital inputs, the latest version of Bluetooth and adjustment options for input sensitivity and sound control. The PA 30 preamplifier boasts an MM and MC phono module, the same adjustment options and connectivity including digital S/PDIF optical, coaxial and USB inputs plus Bluetooth.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Apr 02, 2018  |  0 comments
Branching out from its portable hi-res players, Astell&Kern has unveiled its new ACRO desktop audio series with the introduction of the ACRO L1000 headphone amplifier/DAC. Featuring two AK4490chips, the ACRO L1000 can playback PCM files up to 32-bit/384kHz with no downsampling and supportsnative DSD up DSD256 without conversion. Crafted in aluminium and designed to sit at a 30° angle for ease of use, it incorporates a balanced XLR jack and speaker binding posts offering a claimed maximum output of up to 15W per channel at 4ohm. Meanwhile 2.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Mar 30, 2018  |  0 comments
On display for the first time at The Bristol Show in February (seeour full report in the latest issue), the Studio is the latest two-way standmount design from Monitor Audio. Without any kind of grille, Studio's designers tell us that the intention was to make the two metallic-silver RDT II speaker cones the focal point and give it an eye-catching contemporary edge. The dual 102mm drivers are modified versions of those found on its Platinum range flagship PL500 II floorstander. Utilising the same design principles and materials, a micro pleated diaphragm (MPD) is used as the cental high-frequency transducer.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Mar 29, 2018  |  0 comments
Monster Mash The half-time ads in the American football Superbowl are among the world’s most expensive to buy, so it came as a surprise to see a hi-fi company’s commercial featured this year. Click here to watch it and look out for the cameo by Monster’s CEO, Noel Lee. Truth in sound Speaker manufacturer MartinLogan has redesigned its website and the results are as uncompromising and unflinching as its speakers. Gorgeous photography, fascinating videos and all the specs you could ask for, it’s well worth a look.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Mar 29, 2018  |  0 comments
One of the things we love about hi-fi is that it’s continuously evolving. As our systems grow with a mix of carefully chosen components based on our format needs and total synergy with the rest of the setup, it feels like audio art in the making – and it doesn’t stop once all the components are in place either. Years of tinkering has taught me that significant improvements in the sound of my system can often be gained by simply rearranging the furniture in my room or by trying out one of the vast numbers of accessories designed to help prevent interference from external forces or maintain audio signal integrity throughout the chain of components. Not all of them have had a positive effect on the sound of my setup, but many have achieved a nuanced influence, bringing greater rewards to the listening experience.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Mar 29, 2018  |  0 comments
Rock Jaw Audio has generously offered us three pairs of its Alfa Genus V2 (non-mic version) in-ear headphone to give away over the Easter holiday. To find out more about these in-ear headphones head over torockjawaudio. com. To be in with a chance of winning answer this simple question: What year was Rock Jaw Audio founded? A) 2001 B) 2010 C) 2012 Clickhereto submit your answer and enter the competition.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Mar 05, 2018  |  0 comments
Built specifically to partner the Class D topology of its half-width ONE amplifier (HFC 417), Cyrus has unveiled the £350 ONElinear; a compact bookshelf loudspeaker that managing director Simon Freethy says: “. . . is designed to showcase the amplifier’s true ability.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Mar 02, 2018  |  0 comments
Monitor Audio has unveiled its new Monitor Series with orange driver cones and the C-CAM dome tweeter that’s derived from its Bronze Series. The range consists of two standmounts, two floorstanders and a sub and centre for home cinema. The compact Monitor 50 bookshelf hasa 25mm C-CAM tweeter, 140mm MMP II driver and costs £160. The larger £200 Monitor 100 (pictured) increases the size of the MMP II driver to 165mm and has two sets of binding posts.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Mar 01, 2018  |  0 comments
For Exposure, 2017 was the year for downsizing, or at least it was as far as its XM series was concerned. A quick recap: back in HFC 424 the XM5 integrated amplifier wowed reviewersby providing an audiophile performance from the sort of sleek half-width dimensions more commonly associated with a lifestyle product. And then it repeated the trick in HFC 429 with the XM7 preamp/DAC and XM9 power amplifier. Now comes the turn of the XM HP headphone amplifier.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Feb 28, 2018  |  0 comments
Swiss manufacturer Piega chose The Bristol Show (look out for a full report next month) to unveil its latest range of loudspeakers – the Premium Series. The three new speakers consist of a brace of floorstanders and a new standmount, and all come with a C-shaped chassis conceived by the renowned Swiss architect and designer Stephan Hürlemann. Manufactured from aluminium, the cabinet is claimed to be 30 percent more rigid while those distinctive curves have been adopted so that no standing waves can occur within the chassis, resulting – so Piega tells us – in a clear and precisedelivery of all medium and low-range frequencies. Meanwhile,bass plates and spikes have been introduced to the floorstanding designs to ensure interference-free sound reproduction.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Feb 28, 2018  |  0 comments
According to recent figures from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), music streaming services like Spotify, Tidal and Qobuz account for more than 50 percent of music consumption in the UK. On the face of it, music file streaming in one form or another appears to be the way many of today’s music fans choose to listen, but despite a statistical decline in physical sales, I wouldn’t mind betting that CD remains the music format of choice for the majority of hi-fi owners. Our own online survey clearly shows that there are plenty of us still listening to music via the 12cm silver disc that prematurely promised “perfect sound forever”. Even if the rate we purchase new albums on the format has declined over recent years, our Twitter poll reveals that almost 50 percent of us own at least 500 albums on CD – that’s a quite considerable number of discs and a lifetime of music collecting for many.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Feb 28, 2018  |  0 comments
Back in our 2017 Yearbook (HFC 432) we gave one very lucky winner the opportunity to own Rega’s stunning Planar 6 turntable fitted with an Exact moving-magnet cartridge and equipped with the Neo PSU. We received loads of entries and can reveal that Jimmy Bishop from Astley, Manchester, is the lucky winner. Congratulations,Jimmy! Here he is with his prize already installed and a copy of his favourite hi-fi magazine. .
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Feb 23, 2018  |  0 comments
Tape that and party In an effort to explore the growing popularity of the humble compact cassette, Radio Four’s The World At One got a selection of DJs, journalists and record label ownersto explain what it is that they still find so enduring about tape. Hear for yourself what they love about the format here. Reel gone kid Our very own Neville Roberts is oneof many music enthusiasts enjoying the re-emergence of reel-to-reel tapes. Is it the new vinyl? Short answer, no.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Feb 06, 2018  |  0 comments
Introducing the new Shawline Streaming cable from The Chord Company. Claimed to offer a significant performance upgrade over the company’s C-stream series, the cable is constructed from four pairs of high-speed silver-plated copper conductors in conjunction with low-loss FEP insulation. It is available in pre-assembled standard lengths (0. 75m, 1.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Feb 05, 2018  |  0 comments
Cambridge audio has started off its 50th anniversary year by introducing a new pair of dedicated phono stages. The moving-magnet Solo (pictured top) claims 36dB gain (@1kHz) and 10W maximum power consumption. With nominal output of 300mV, it is expected to cost £150. Priced at £100 more, the Duo incorporates both moving-magnet and moving-coil input stages, with 60dB gain claimed for the latter.

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