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Hi-Fi Choice  |  Aug 14, 2015  |  0 comments
Compact floorstanders are very much the style du jour among manufacturers at the moment, so Spendor’s claim that its new ultra-compact A5Ris guaranteed to make even an average-priced amplifier sound brilliant is intriguing to say the least. The 2. 5-way, floorstander boastsa 22mm-wide surround tweeter witha polyamide textile diaphragm. Proprietary D-line technology has been incorporated into both the mid and bass drivers, which are housed withina single sealed acoustic enclosure.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Aug 13, 2015  |  0 comments
Following on from the success of its P5 headphone (reviewed back in HFC 333), Bowers & Wilkins has unveiled a newly updated Bluetooth model, fittingly called the P5 Wireless. Adopting the same Bluetooth aptX technology that’s found in the company’s wireless T7 speaker (HFC 393), the P5 Wireless is easy to sync to compatible devices such as portable music players, smartphones, tablets or computers at the touch of a button. Intuitive controls allow users to play/pause and skip tracks, while those that opt to use their phone for listening can also answer calls, thanks to a pair of built-in microphones. The P5 Wireless features a rechargeable battery, which is claimed to provide up to 17 hours use and it can be replenished using the supplied USB cable.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Aug 12, 2015  |  0 comments
QED’s new Performance Audio 40 cable incorporates the company’s proprietary asymmetric Complementary Conductor geometry, which was first introduced in both its high-end Reference and Signature interconnects and delivers, so the maker claims, unprecedented all-round quality at the price. It boasts two complementary 99. 999 percent pure, oxygen-free copper, multi-stranded conductors of different diameters and is terminated with new QED Anamate phono plugs comprising gold-plated high-purity copper. The Performance Audio 40is available to buy now in a choice of four different lengths, which include: 0.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Aug 11, 2015  |  0 comments
With its 90mm-thick teardrop-shaped solid birch ply plinth, the new Elevation turntable stands out from the crowd, but the design is more about just looking good, with the high mass producing what Inspire claims is a rich deep bass performance and an agile presentation. Partnered with a 50mm solid acetyl platter that’s available in black or white, the distinctive record deck also features a dual belt pulley system and an aluminium bronze bearing. The Elevation offers 33, 45 and 78rpm speeds and the ability to fine-tune the pace using the strobe light that plugs into the back of the off-board PSU. The supply itself is a new quartz-generated Pro-Ject Strobo Speedbox, which it’s claimed will improve both the AC motor’s performance and the sound quality even further.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Aug 10, 2015  |  0 comments
Following the trend for offering both horizontal or vertical placement, Denon’s new Design Series system comprises the DCD-50 CD player (£329) and the PMA-50 stereo amplifier (£449), which are perfect for use as a smaller secondary system. Boasting compatibility with 24-bit/192kHz high-resolution audio sources and playback of PCM and DSD audio files from both PC and Mac via its USB-B connection, the PMA-50 boasts 50W (into 4ohm) power output. Wireless connectivity in the shape of aptX Bluetooth is also supported and outputs include optical, coaxial, a subwoofer pre-out and headphone. Additional features include Advanced AL32 Processing and DAC Master Clock design.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Aug 10, 2015  |  0 comments
Prince and Tidal, today confirmed that the next release from the legendary artist will be exclusively available via the music streaming service on 7 September, 2015. The upcoming release, the experimental,HitNRun, was first announced by his band,3rdeyegirl, on BBC radio in late July, following the release of the critically praised first single, Hardrocklover. "Super hardcore Prince fans that know every song he's ever recorded – we refer to them as 'The Purple Collective' or 'The Purple Army' – this album is absolutely for them, because it's super funky," reported3rdeyegirl. "There are a lot of experimental sounds.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Aug 07, 2015  |  0 comments
Inspired by music legend Quincy Jones, AKG has unveiled a new flagship noise-cancelling headphone. The N90Q is the result of a five-year collaboration with US parent company Harman and the iconic music producer. “I have thoroughly enjoyed a wonderful partnership with Harman over the past five years, and am very excited to add the AKG N90Q to my signature line of headphones,” the legendary producer said. The N90Q claims to be the world’s first headphone to be fitted with a unique auto-calibration technology designed to deliver sound that’s specifically tailored to your own ears.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Aug 06, 2015  |  0 comments
Welcome to the September 2015 issue of Hi-Fi Choice – the essential guide to getting the best possible sound from your hi-fi, whether you're buying, tuning or tweaking. . . 

 Back in the April issue our Group Test looked at six of the most popular music streaming services, complete with blind listening to see which sounded the best to our hi-fi ears.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Aug 06, 2015  |  0 comments
Bang & Olufsen has today unveiled its new multi-room solution linking up all of your B&O products into a singleBeoLink wireless system so that you can have music playing throughout the home, or different tunes in different rooms. Called BeoLink Multiroom, the system is claimed to provide simplicity of operation akin to switching on a light – simplytouch your Bang & Olufsen product to join the Multiroom experience – in any part of your home. If you've got one, your Bang & Olufsen TV can also join the Multiroom experience through your BeoRemote One or the new BeoMusic App, which offers an intuitive and transparent overview of the system. The BeoSound Momentmusic system sits at the centre of the setup and is claimed by B&O toadapt to your listening patterns to select music that fits with the relevant time of day – based on the sort of music you've listened to at that time of the day before.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Aug 04, 2015  |  0 comments
Online hi-res music provider HighResAudio is now offering VirtualVault,a systemthat allowsits existing customers to stream their own music librariesfree of charge via the HighResAudio mobile home page. The system, claims HRA, works with all mobile devices (smartphone/tablet PC), desktop web browser and/or evenvia the web browser in your car. It caters, for wireless transmission via Bluetooth and is compatible with wireless multi-room solutions, says company CEO Lothar Kerestedjian. HRA claims to be the first to introduce Adaptive Audio Streaming (HLS/HTTP) and, depending uponthe available network bandwidth, it promises to deliver sound quality that’s on a par with CD.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Aug 03, 2015  |  0 comments
The high-end headphone market has seen major growth recently, and Pioneer is among the latest brands to enter the fray with its flagship SE-Master1, that has been tuned and tested in London by Air Studios. Handmade in Japan and engraved with its own unique serial number, it is claimed that up to 100 individual processes are requiredto produce a single SE-Master1 headphone. According to Pioneer, it features 50mm driver units with an aluminium diaphragm finished in a special surface treatment called PCC (Parker Ceramic Coating), that it claims is advantageous for high-frequency resolution. In addition, the company says that its PEEK (Poly-Ether-Ether-Ketone) compounding material helps to reduce distortion and achieve a smoother sound quality.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Jul 31, 2015  |  0 comments
Founded in 2010, TIBO Electronics has built up a considerable product list for a new brand, including hi-fi systems, loudspeakers and home entertainment stands. The appeal of wireless speakers has seen TIBO moving in this direction with established models already in its range. Its new Plus series active speaker system is the latest line to be added to the range and uses the latest Bluetooth 4. 0 technology along with the aptX codec.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Jul 31, 2015  |  0 comments
Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger has teamed up with legendary Oscar winner Martin Scorsese to tell the tale of a fictional record label in the seventies. The hour-long special is being produced and shown on US cable network HBO and has been named Vinyl. AsVarietyreports, the drama – which isritten by Terence Winter (who collaborated with Scorsese on The Wolf Of Wall Street and TV series Boardwalk Empire – features Bobby Cannavale as label boss Richie Finestra, who hasa knack for discovering talent, but faces a crisis when confronted with a life-changing decision. Vinyl is expected to appear on US screens in 2016, but as yet no details have been announced about who has picked up the UK rights to screen it.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Jul 30, 2015  |  0 comments
Earlier this month, Neil Young announced his intention to remove his music from streaming services due to the poor quality that they provide. In a social media outburst that appeared on both Facebook and Twitter, Young told the world: "Streaming has ended for me. I hope this is ok for my fans. It’s not because of the money, although my share (like all the other artists) was dramatically reduced by bad deals made without my consent.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Jul 30, 2015  |  0 comments
The Chord Company has launched what it calls its most advanced mains product to date, the Sarum Super ARAY power cable. First unveiled at the Bristol Show 2015, the mains plug is a bespoke version of an MS Power mains plug, with silver-plated conductors, says the maker. It’s also claimed that the fitting of two silicone tubes improves mechanical damping and vibration. Cable insulation is gas-foamed PTFE and the shieldingis high-density silver-plated braid.

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