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Chord Electronics unveils Qutest DAC
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Feb 02, 2018  |  0 comments
The Venetian Tower in Las Vegas seemed an appropriately glamorous location for Chord Electronics to unveil the latest addition to its family of DACs to an expectant public at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (see this month's issue for more). Dubbed “The World’s most advanced compact DAC”, Qutest is based on the latest version of Rob Watts famed proprietary FPGA technology – developed for the Hugo 2 (HFC 428) no less. Designed for static use within the home, the new digital-to-analogue converter benefits from being powered via a 5V micro USB port, offering up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512 via its USB Type-B input, 24-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD128 from its coaxial (BNC) and 24-bit/192kHz via optical Toslink. Created by Chief Designer John Franks, the new square-edged, solid aluminium chassis retains the often divisive circular magnifying porthole window seen on Hugo and similarly utilises the coloured spheres to provide the user with information relating to sample frequency and input selection.
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February issue on sale now!
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Feb 01, 2018  |  0 comments
HFC kick started 2018 by travelling to CES Las Vegas to experience the show that sets the tone for the technology trends in the year ahead, and it looks set to be a great one for hi-fi. Now in its 51st year, it’s true that the expo has evolved to focus more on emerging technologies such as 8K screens, AI assistants, virtual reality and autonomous driving, but there were still plenty of audio highlights to satisfy our hi-fi sensibilities with brands showcasing the latest developments and product launches. Read our CES Show Report to discover what’s in store. One of the highlights of last year’s CES was the opportunity to see Naim’s Uniti series in the flesh.
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Competition winners
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Jan 31, 2018  |  0 comments
Back in HFC 431 we gave you the opportunity to win a selection of accessories from IsoTek. We can reveal that Chris Corrigan is the lucky winner, while the seven runner’s up prizes go to: Pamela Ratchford, Dan Odling, Peter Weston, Glen Buddery, David Dukes, Kevin Rowley and Robert Whewell. Congratulations to you all! Here's Chris all set to install his IsoTek Evo 3 Corvus nine-way mains distribution block and conditioner clutching a copy of the latestHFC. .
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Webwatch February
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Jan 30, 2018  |  1 comments
Fine tune like a pro The dark art of subwoofer setup is explained in this fantastic series of videos produced by REL. Corner placement, orientation, phase, crossover and room correction for both two-channel and home cinema are all explored in depth. Click here to find out more. Sonos: Sound Tracks A fascinating series of videos by acclaimed music journalist Joe Levy, Sound Tracks is available to Tidal subscribers and features in-depth chat with producers, engineers and musicians about the tunesthat changed their lives.
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Marantz launches ND8006 digital music player
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Jan 26, 2018  |  0 comments
After the introduction of the analogue-only PM8006 integrated amplifier with phono stage (£1,099)at the end of last year, Marantz kicked off 2018 by unveiling its matching ND8006 – a digital music player that combines network streaming and CD playback, available now for £1,099. Designed by the audio specialist as a high-quality universal music player, it can be used to partnera conventional integrated amplifier (such as the intended PM8006)or connected directly to a power amplifier or active speaker of your choosing, thanks to its built-in digital preamp. HEOS integration also enables it to form part of a multi-room setup – just add HEOS speakers. Disc playback extends to CD and CD-R/RW (MP3/WMA), but unlike other disc players in the Marantz range, SACD isn't supported.
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The year's best hi-fi
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Jan 02, 2018  |  0 comments
In putting together this special edition, it’s clear to see that it has been another landmark year for audio, with a staggering number of high-performance components emerging to feed our passion for sound in increasingly innovative ways. From the continuing rise in popularity of vinyl to on-demand music streaming services delivering CD-quality sound and higher, the way we access music and the products we listen on is as diverse as ever. Inside this 164-page issue you’ll find our pick of the greatest-sounding audio products to undergo our respected reviewing process in 2017. From hi-res digital players to turntables, loudspeakers and headphones, every product is a covetedHi-Fi Choicebadge winner applauded by our experts for a winning combination of outstanding sound quality and value for money.
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Rega Planar 6 competition
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Jan 01, 2018  |  0 comments
From the moment Rega revived its Planar name with the introduction of the Planar 1, Planar 2 (HFC 415) and Planar 3 (HFC 411) turntables in 2016, it was just a matter of time before an RP6 successor would become a reality. Rumours had been circulating for some time after the Planar 3 debuted well over a year ago, and anticipation was finally broken with the official announcement of the release of the new Planar 6 in mid-July. The good news is that it was well worth the wait. So much more than just a beefed-up version of its Planar 3 sibling, the Planar 6 boasts a new lightweight, single-piece plinth, improved two-piece platter and superior power supply design that borrows from Rega’s flagship RP10 turntable.
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Beautiful System: Simaudio, Totem Acoustic, VPI, Goldring
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Dec 15, 2017  |  0 comments
Were I gifted the time and resources to write a hi-fi thesis, I feel there is a strong case to be made for exploring regional similarities in the design and creation of audio equipment that is broader than national borders. If I needed physical evidence to back this up, I could do a lot worse than point to this system. There are roughly 400 miles between Cliffwood New Jersey and Montreal in Canada – in North American terms a journey of very little consequence. There is also a national border and a partial language change.
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Sonos adds voice control to new One loudspeaker
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Dec 13, 2017  |  0 comments
Voice control was among one of the biggest advances in 2017, and it hasn’t taken multi-room giant Sonos long to bring this functionality into its ecosystem. The new One is the first Sonos multi-room speaker to include Amazon Alexa voice control (and from 2018, Google Assistant) built in. The speaker uses six far-field microphones and voice capture technology with echo cancellation tech to ensure it receives voice commands clearly. A volume ‘duck’ feature drops the music level as soon as you start talking.
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Mission unveils new QX loudspeaker lineup
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Dec 12, 2017  |  0 comments
Positioned above Mission’s entry-level LX loudspeaker range (see reviews in HFC 426 and 430), the new QX lineup comprises five stereo models – two standmounts and three floorstanders plus home cinema options. Priced from £299 to £999, all employ Mission’s DiaDrive cone system with inverted cone driven by a secondary sub cone and a new 38mm ring-dome tweeter that is designed to offer high detail and low levels of distortion. A slot port system allows for effective movement of air through the cabinet and helps to reduce unwanted noise. The range is available in a choice of black, white and walnut finishes.
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Pioneer unleashes new flagship PD-70AE SACD player
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Dec 11, 2017  |  0 comments
Pioneer has announced details of its new reference disc spinner in the form of the PD-70AE. Able to play CD and SACD via its large aluminium drawer-loading mechanism, the player promises to be a usefully flexible CD source and also act as a DAC via optical and a coaxial digital inputs at the rear. Decoding is handled by a pair of ESS9026PRO DACs and the entire circuit has been assembled to be fully balanced. A three-mode adjustable filter fine tunes the presentation with a choice of Slow, Sharp and Short settings.
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Dynaudio introduces Music multi-room systems
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Dec 08, 2017  |  0 comments
Multi-room music systems are a popular choice for a growing number of music fans and Danish hi-fi loudspeaker brand Dynaudio is the latest to diversify and join the fray. Its new four-strong range of networked active speaker systems is called Music and can be used in any combination desired up to a total of six units. All four speakers share some common intelligent technology, designed to make them easier to integrate into your environment. Each is fitted with software called RoomAdapt, which claims to sense the proximity of the speaker in relation to rear or side walls and adjust its output for the optimum performance.
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January 2018 issue on sale now!
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Dec 06, 2017  |  0 comments
Inside the January 2018 issue we take anexclusiveIn-depthlook at Auralic’s Aries G2 network streaming transport, whileExoticafeatures Yamaha’s NS-5000 standmount loudspeaker. Regular review pages feature VPI’s Player turntable package, Chord Electronics’ Poly wireless streaming add-on, T+A’s Cala SR one-box system and Bowers & Wilkins’ PX wireless noise-cancelling headphones. Plus,Beautiful Systembrings together US and Canadian brands VPI, Simaudio and Totem Acoustic whileMusic Legendscharts the life and times of the original king of rock and roll Fats Domino, and our six-wayGroup Testlooks at six in-ear headphones from Final, NuForce, oBravo, Oriveti, Sennheiser and Westone. Plus: Get our AVTech Awards 2017/18 supplement absolutely free.
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IsoTek Competition
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Nov 28, 2017  |  0 comments
Electricity is a vital ingredient in any home hi-fi system of course. But while on the one hand it’s essential in powering our music systems, on the other it can affect hi-fi performance if not handled properly. Think of it as the fuel that’s required to get a car running – if you want to get the best performance, you need to ensure that its being fed the cleanest ‘fuel’ possible. Our mains supply can be affected by numerous factors, whether it be the journey it takes from the power station to your home, the other components that are in the vicinity of your system or air-borne signals from smartphones, wi-fi or Bluetooth devices.
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Electrocompaniet unveils new Rena Series
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Nov 20, 2017  |  0 comments
Electrocompaniet has unveiled the latest additions to its EC Living modular wireless audio range, the Rena series. The Rena SA-1 streamer (above) comes equipped with a Class D amplifier claiming 2x 75W and the built-in DAC supports 24-bit/192kHz files. Costing £610, it boasts wireless speaker connection and includes an optical in, coaxial in and out and a USB port for external storage. For those that already have an amplifier, the Norwegian company has produced the £582 Rena S-1.
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