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Hi-Fi Choice  |  Oct 09, 2018  |  0 comments
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.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Jan 29, 2019  |  0 comments
Welcome Audio products with more than one function used to be derided by serious audiophiles. Think music centres in the seventies combining record player, cassette deck and FM radio tuner that took up most of the sideboard, and were often too easy on the pocket and not so easy on the ear. A dedicated component that's built for a specific audio task has always been the audiophile approach, but the all-in-one music system looks to be making a bit of a comeback in 2019. Take a look at KEF's LSX wireless music system reviewed on p16.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Jan 20, 2015  |  0 comments
Welcome to our January 2015 issue. This month’s group test looks at the latest USB DACs to upgrade your hi-fi and sound on the go, and we also go In-depth with a stunning Primare pre/power combo. Four of the best sounding DAB radios get rated, plus we listen to B&W’s T7 Bluetooth speaker and celebrate Topic Records at 75! Clickhereto buy a copy or become a subscriber by clickinghere. .
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Sep 27, 2016  |  0 comments
Onkyo has unveiled its new R-N855 network stereo receiver, which shoehorns custom audio circuit boards festooned with high-quality electrical components, a massive customised EI transformer and two huge capacitors into a half-width metal chassis. Bolstered by an aluminum faceplate, this full-flat rigid chassis aims to prevent interference caused by mechanical vibration, maintaining clarity of sound. The space-saving design is made possible by Onkyo-original switching amplification with discrete modulation stage, which develops a claimed 70W x 70W of power with low distortion levels. Combined with a flagship AK4490 32-bit/768kHz DAC and original VLSC filtering, audio performance is described as being clear and energetic with power to handle difficult-to-drive or highly sensitive bookshelf speakers.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  May 24, 2016  |  0 comments
Officially launched at the Munich High End Show at the beginning of May, Onkyo’s DP-X1 Digital Audio Player should cover all hi-res needs, thanks to its ability to handle 24-bit/384kHz FLAC/WAV files along with DSD 11. 2MHz and support for lossless MQA (via a free update). The portable player utilises an Android operating system (and so can download additional apps from Google Play, while the pre-loaded OnkyoMusic service allows music download without the use of a PC), boasts 32GB internal storage (of which 7GB is used by the system) and employs ESS Technology’s Sabre ES9018K2M DAC for conversion. There are two microSD card slots for adding extra memory (up to 432GB) and outputs for both 2.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Oct 09, 2015  |  0 comments
The newly launched TX-8150 and TX-8130 stereo receivers from Onkyo offer 2x 135W and 110Wper channel respectively. Touted as hi-res network receivers, they both use a 32-bit/384kHz DAC to decode any digital two-channel source, be it wireless (TX-8150) or wired (TX-8130), including 24-bit/192kHz FLAC or DSD 5. 6MHz music files over a home network. Deezer, TuneIn, and Spotify Connect streaming services are onboard with song selection available via a free remote app that can integrate with music libraries stored on PC or media server to control playback.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Sep 14, 2016  |  0 comments
Unveiled together with a fully featured NS-6130 sibling, the NS-6170 combines intuitive usability with a traditional twin-monaural circuit layout and unique wideband filtering technology to effectively exploit the untapped potential of 11. 2MHz DSD and 192kHz/24-bit PCM Hi-Res Audio. The NS-6170 network audio player (above) is equipped with Google Cast, AirPlay, Spotify, wi-fi and a HDD-ready USB input. It's based on a twin-monaural L/R channel layout with separate power supply paths, discrete custom capacitors for each channel, and dual-differential 768 kHz/32-bit AK4490 DACs to decode the positive and negative halves of the signal waveform.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Jun 10, 2017  |  0 comments
Considerably smaller than its first digital audio player, the new DP-S1 follow-up model from Onkyo is milled from a solid block of black aluminium and boasts 16GB of built-in memory, which can be expanded to 416GB thanks to its twin MicroSD card slots. Underthe hood there are dual ES9018C2M ESS SABRE DAC chipsets, ensuring that the player can support DSD 2. 8MHz and 5. 6MHz, FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF (up to a maximum of 32-bit/192kHz), AAC and MP3.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Nov 13, 2017  |  0 comments
The market for stereo receivers is hotting up and Onkyo has launched two new models in the form of the £250 TX-8220 and £530 TX-8250 (pictured). The networkable TX-8250 claims a power output of 2x 135W into 6ohm, six RCA inputs and a moving-magnet phono stage. It has a hefty selection of additional features and sports optical and coaxial digital inputs, a USB audio connection and supports DTS Play-Fi, Spotify, Tidal, Deezer and TuneIn. All decoding is handled by an internal AKM DAC, with support for 24/192 and DSD128 files.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Feb 03, 2021  |  0 comments
Meet the Minimo, Mojo and Mambo
Lee Dunkley  |  Jan 28, 2016  |  0 comments
There are global events that happen in our lifetime, unusual days where you receive news about something so earth shattering that it seems to make even time itself stand still as you slowly come to terms with the reality that the world you knew up until that moment has changed forever. For me, the announcement of David Bowie’s death on Monday 11 January is one of those moments where everything seemed to slow and an already grey winter morning felt just that little bit darker. Things around me appeared to take on a different look and feel as the news unfolded in a hushed and reverent tone from BBC Radio 6 Music and the story began to sink in. I was in the kitchen at the time making breakfast after an early start, and I imagine that I will always be able to recall the sinking feeling that washed over me and stopped me dead in my tracks as the news broke and I began to comprehend the magnitude of what was being revealed.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Sep 23, 2014  |  0 comments
PRODUCT Oppo HA-1 ORIGIN USA/China TYPE Class A headphone amplifier/preamp/ DAC WEIGHT 5. 9kg DIMENSIONS (WxHxD) 254 x 80 x 333mm FEATURES ● Coaxial, Toslink; USB; AES/EBU and Bluetooth digital inputs ● Support for PCM; DSD (DoP v1. 1 or native); MP3; AAC ● 32-bit/384kHz ESS Sabre 9018 DAC ● 4. 3in fine-pitch colour display DISTRIBUTOR Oppo BD UK Ltd TELEPHONE 0845 0609395 WEBSITE oppodigital.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Jul 25, 2023  |  0 comments
A brace of Bluetooth speakers from the ace amp manufacturer
Hi-Fi Choice  |  May 30, 2023  |  0 comments
New turntable from Southampton

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