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Marantz's SACD 30n & Model 30 SACD player/integrated amp, Acoustic Energy's AE520 floorstander, Pro-Ject's Debut Carbon EVO turntable, desktop DAC Group Test, John Lennon remembered and much more...

USA-built preamp comes to the UK

I am sure many readers will have fond memories of putting together their first hi-fi separates systems, based on thumbing through hi-fi press review pages of the time in search of the best-sounding components to satisfy their quality audio itch at an affordable price. For me, my first hi-fi setup was an eclectic bunch of components comprised of a Rotel integrated amplifier, Sony CD player and a pair of Tannoy Mercury standmounts. I don’t recall the exact model numbers, but I’ll certainly never forget the lively and engaging sound this beer-budget system delivered and the fun I had playing disc after disc. It’s a long way from my system today, but it set me on the hi-fi path and this month’s bargain standmount Group Test aims to do just that for seekers of high-quality audio.

Wison Audio's exquisite Sasha V floorstanding loudspeaker, Origin Live Sovereign S/Agile turntable/tonearm, Final Audio ZE8000 true-wireless earbuds, Astell&Kern AK PA10 portable headphone amp, Aretai Contra 100S standmount speaker and an integrated amplifier Group Test

Inside this month's issue: six of the best MM and MC cartridges in our Group Test, Rotel's superb Michi P5/S5 preamp and power amp combo, Klipsch's The Fives standmount, Elipson's Chroma 400 BT turntable, Astell&Kern's SE200 DAP and much more...

Welcome to the October 2016 issue of HFC. . . Whether you’re returning to the vinyl format after a 20-year hiatus, say, or a newbie just starting out with the black stuff, you’re in for a treat as six of the newest mid-priced decks go head to head in this month’sGroup Test.

Network music streaming continues to be a convenient way for many of us to listen to music at home, and its appeal is clear to see. With access to millions of digital files at the tap of a touchscreen and CD-quality sound or better on offer from hi-res subscription services like Qobuz Sublime or Tidal Master, streaming is a remarkably slick way of playing music and this month’s Group Testlooks at six low-cost network audio navigators to get you started. Despite streaming being a thoroughly modern way to listen to music, physical formats continue to play on in many systems, with vinyl being by far the most popular for readers to get their music listening kicks, judging by the number of votes that it received in our recent twitter poll asking: “What is your favourite music format?”. It seems that we’re a diverse bunch when it comes to ways to listen, but for those looking for something that combines both worlds, check out Yamaha’s MusicCast Vinyl 500.