Rating: Hot: Among the earliest proponents of metal drive units, Monitor Audio goes all the way with the Silver RX1, on which the tweeter and woofer are made of ceramic-coated aluminium/magnesium alloy. Typically, these compact standmounts exhibit a clean and uncoloured midrange, with decent highs and bass. No artificial flavouring to pump up the bass, […]
Rating: Hot: Signature Naim sound with immaculate pace and timing with all sorts of music. It communicates effortlessly and fluidly, creating an expansive and holographic sound stage, especially with acoustic material. Significant gains to be made in performance using Naim’s own power cord, which evens out tonal response, and outboard power supplies. Clear upgrade path […]
Rating: Hot: Tonally balanced and easy delivery with provided Audio-Technica starter cartridge. Move up the cartridge stakes and the turntable/tonearm’s attributes are better displayed via a smoother and more authoritative sound, with good bass extension. Spatial detail becomes more obvious, too. Overall, an articulate combination that is both easy to get going and sounds involving […]
Current version of this integrated amp from ATC, better known for its speakers, incorporates no major reworking, just some fine-tuning. Natural and effort-free delivery, but showing firm control of the proceedings and very transparent, in line with the company’s pro studio cred.
Rating: Hot: A wholesome sounding player, presenting the music in a holistic rather than analytical manner. Yet, it unearths the subtler nuances of the recording, and communicates with a great degree of finesse. Well balanced tonally, and the DAC section truly shines with playback of audio files from a computer. Cold: Filter options may have […]
Rating: Hot: This fifth-generation version of a classic is easy to set up and get going, thanks to the manual. Spot-on timing and hold on the music, but never in your face. Lively sound, tacking musical transients and dynamics with equanimity. Will match a variety of budget cartridges. Conveys what vinyl playback is all about […]
Rating: Hot: These monoblocs amps present an expansive and detailed aural perspective, especially when driven hard. Very nicely balanced with rock and fusion recordings. They’re honest and non-coloured amps, fluid, and show great poise and control. They don’t run very hot with extended sessions. Shoebox sized means fewer worries about rack space. Cold: Busier recordings […]
Rating: Hot: Ability to detach the computer source from the system is an extremely liberating experience. Digital output extends wireless capability to other standard DACs. Cold: Maximum sample rate is 16-bit/48.1kHz, no digital inputs, unable to partner DAC with existing CD players/transports. Decent enough sound, but hardly outstanding. Encore: The DAC 1 is not just […]
Rating: Hot: One will immediately appreciate the top-notch build quality and good looks – the wife-acceptance factor is high. These are very resolving speakers, able to bring out loads of details from the recording, even at low level listening. Can also deliver transients with impressive speed and impact. They don’t get frazzled when fed complex […]
Rating: Hot: This is for the Extreme SE version. Excellent speed, slam and resolution; punches well above its class and on par with some more exotic amps. Very transparent and still musical, with enough grunt to drive hungry loads – and it’s no bass shirker, displaying fast and tight bass. Very natural textures, with a […]
Rating: Hot: It appears the hi-fi world just can’t get enough of this classic – Rogers’ current owner, the Wo Kee Hong group, has already turned out a previous special edition of the venerable LS3/5a, while this one is to commemorate the 65 years that have passed since its creation. One listen and you’ll hear […]
Rating: Hot: The finish itself – the chassis is hewn from aluminium – gives rise to expectations from the Continuum 250 integrated amplifier. There is a more powerful 500 in the range, but the 250 shows itself to be a pretty ballsy performer, driving fussy loads without tripping. The sound is pristine across the range, […]
Rating: Hot: Sometimes, even audiophiles want to get away from the hassle of powering up different bits and pieces in their system just to listen to music. Hassle-free, one-box systems are often hugely compromised sonically, despite the convenience … but now and then, something like the Geneva Sound System Model S comes along and demands […]
Rating: Hot: Vinyl acolytes will like that the system is ready to go right out of the box, if a phono preamp is already available. The Concept comes packaged with the Verify tonearm and Maestro MM cartridge. A slight departure from the traditional Clearaudio “sound”, this system is more laidback and earthy in sonic presentation. […]
Rating: Hot: It may be a single-trick pony, given the Ayre’s QB-9’s single (USB) input, but what a trick! Two filter options are the only sonically configurable setting, geared respectively towards accuracy in the time and frequency domains. It accepts native 24/96 signals from your PC source, and setting up with your computer is a […]
Rating: Hot: Modular design which can be configured solely as a CD player (as here) or CD/DVD player (the 350av). The base unit can also be upgraded for home theatre duties. Information retrieval from discs is superb and it delves deeper into the nether regions. Yeah, so like all Krells, it has excellent bass, which […]
Rating: Hot: Some fine high- and mid-end loudspeakers have emerged from this Memphis, USA-based company, but the Dianne is its first “entry-level” model, although that term should be taken in the right context. Still, this is a reasonably priced speaker and offers much for the money, including fine cabinet craftwork and finish. Sonically, very pleasant […]
Rating: Hot: Even tonal balance with great detail retrieval capabilities. This player is never additive and has a firm comprehension of timing and speed. Full potential is realised when the digital output jumper inside is removed, which results in a more open sound and wider stage, with better bass and more sparkling highs. CD players […]
Rating: Hot: A very musical unit, with a typical “Marantz” midrange. Sweet treble with good bass control and extension. The amp has good “listenability” factor, and is able to draw you into the music. Power output is rated at 70W, but still able to drive moderate loads to high levels without breaking up. MM phono […]
Rating: Hot: Clean-sounding, uncoloured overall sonics. Taut and weighty bass. Transparent midband and extended highs without being strident. Lack of colouration may lead it to be branded as “sterile” but its timing and pace provide good drive to music. Headphone output is well thought out, and not just an afterthought. Can capably drive any pair […]