Hi-Fi Choice

Hi-Fi Choice  |  May 24, 2018  |  0 comments
Billed as the ‘complete all-in-one super integrated amplifier’, Gold Note’s IS-1000 is an ambitious design to bridge the gap between a traditional standalone integrated amp and an all-in-one music system with network streaming in an almost imperceptible way. At its heart it’s an integrated amplifier with a Class A/B output section, claiming a healthy 2x 125W into 8ohm that doubles to 250W into 4ohm. The model reviewed here is priced at £3,820, but if your setup demands even greater power Gold Note offers a 2x 150W output version into 8ohm, taking the cost to £4,370. Connectivity is impressive and analogue sources are catered for via three inputs; one via XLR and two using RCA phonos.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  May 21, 2018  |  0 comments
Audiophile recording specialist, Chasing The Dragon has kindly made available a 16/44 digital download of the finalAllegro from Corelli Op. 6 No. 4(an encore played at one of the concerts) so you can experience for yourself the ambience of the church and the quality of the playing. You can download the sample recordinghere About theInterpreti Veneziani The Interpreti Veneziani orchestra debuted on the Italian and international concert stage in 1987 and quickly gained a reputation for the exuberance and all-Italian brio of its performances.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  May 17, 2018  |  0 comments
Q Acoustics has launched its latest entry-level loudspeaker range – the 3000i Series. The three new models, which consist of a braceof standmounts and a floorstander,form the core of the company’s hi-fi loudspeaker range. They are an evolution of the previous 3000 Series and include innovations first employed in its high-end flagship Concept 500 loudspeaker (HFC 426). The new range uses acoustically analysed and specific points strengthened using P2P (point to point) bracing on thespeaker cabinets andthe structural integrity is further improved, thanks to the top and front baffles boasting double thickness and precision-cut corners.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  May 07, 2018  |  0 comments
Following the UK preview at The Bristol Show in February, AKG has officially unveiled its N5005 in-ear headphone. Priced at £800, the N-series flagship uses a single 9. 2mm dynamic driver and four balanced armatures to create a hybrid five-way driver system inside the high gloss black ceramic and scratch resistant ear pieces. Available now, each set has a unique serial number and comes with a carrying case and an interchangeable Bluetooth dongle for wire-free listening for up to 8 hours.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  May 04, 2018  |  0 comments
Designed to be unfussy about room positioning, the Kii THREE is a fully active loudspeaker built around Bruno Putzeys’ (HFC 426) Ncore Class D power amplifiers to handle six speaker drivers firing to the front, side and rear, but working together to throw the sound in the forward direction only. Measuring just 200 x 400 x 400mm (WxHxD), the compact system from the Germany-based specialist deploys its proprietary ‘Active Wave Focusing Filters’ to create a time-aligned output from the front-firing 25mm tweeter and 127mm midrange, plus 2x side and 2x rear-firing 165mm bass drivers. The sophisticated DSP ensures a coherent ‘forward’ sound and keeps the drive units within their safe operating range. A 16-position Boundary control allows the DSP to compensate for room positioning and a ‘Contour’ control selects from 14-preset EQ curves to fine tune the system to your taste.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  May 03, 2018  |  0 comments
Since their debut at The Bristol Show in February (HFC 435), Naim has released further details about its three new standalone network streamers. Each model is built around the same streaming platform found in its integrated Uniti family and includes the ND5 XS 2 (£1,999), NDX 2 (£4,999) andND555 (£12,999). All models support PCM files up to 32-bit/ 384kHz and DSD128 via UPnP and provide access to Tidal, Spotify and Internet Radio network streaming services, together with AirPlay, Chromecast, Bluetooth and Roon compatibility. The ND5 XS 2 does without a display or remote control and, with no front panel controls, is reliant on Naim’s Control app, while the NDX 2 and ND555 (pictured) are fitted with a full colour LCD display as found on the Uniti models.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  May 03, 2018  |  0 comments
Following our Rock Jaw Audio Alfa Genus V2 competition last month, we can reveal that Pamela Ratchford from Stoke-on-Trent,Derek Briggsfrom BradfordandPaul Lockett from Crewe are the lucky winners. Congratulations! Your prize will arrive with you shortly. https://rockjawaudio. com/products/brand-new-alfa-genus-v2 .
Hi-Fi Choice  |  May 02, 2018  |  0 comments
Following on from its desktop DS-1 Bluetooth loudspeakers, Wharfedale has unveiled its next-generation DS-2 follow up. Featuring a 19mm silk dome tweeter and 75mm mid/bass driver, the wireless DS-2 outputs a claimed 2x 15W continuos power (2x 30W peak) and is designed for hook up to PCs and mobile devices. Connectivity includes a 3. 5mm analogue stereo input (on the master speaker) along with the aptX version of Bluetooth.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  May 02, 2018  |  0 comments
Whenever the subject has come up for discussion at HFC, it seems that professional singers and musicians generally aren’t into audiophile-grade hi-fi. Why would they be? Immersed in their own music for a living, even the world’s greatest system is going to come off second best. Their ‘hi-fi jollies’ don’t involve 24/192 downloads but living and breathing the music itself. We can understand that.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  May 01, 2018  |  0 comments
Hewn entirely from aircraft-grade aluminium and coated in an elegant brushed anodised skin, Magico’s new A3 floorstander sure is designed to stand out from thecrowd. Described by the Californian manufacturer as “the impossible made possible”, the A3 incorporates a pure beryllium-diaphragm tweeter with an optimised 28mm dome surface partnered by a 153mm multi-wall carbon fibre cone midrange driver with a layer of XG Nanographene for optimal stiffness and damping. A pair of 178mm low-frequency drivers complete the lineup, boasting the company’s new Gen 8 Magico Nano-Tec cone, which is claimed to offer the same properties as its midrange counterpart. With a quoted sensitivity of 88dB at 4ohm, the A3’s drivers are acoustically integrated using Magico’s Elliptical Symmetry Crossover topography to maximise bandwidth and minimise distortion.

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