News

Ten years ago, few of us could have predicted the major shift that would take place in the way we consume music and that we’d be able to stream CD-quality and hi-res music files straight into our homes via robust broadband services. To my mind, this is still the stuff of science-fiction fantasy and in a relatively short time, music fans like myself have gone from buying CDs from a high-street record store to streaming content directly to our home music systems with just the tap of a touchscreen. I don’t know about you, but I can’t remember the last time I purchased any physical digital media, although I know I am listening and discovering more music than ever.

Streaming services have undoubtedly revolutionised the way we experience music, and several now offer better-than-CD sound quality, while others are still serving something close to MP3-quality. Find out which services continue to cut the sonic mustard for true quality audio fans in this month's Group Test on six music streaming services from: Amazon, Deezer, High Res Audio, Qobuz, Spotify and Tidal.

Speaking of which, quality audio fans will be interested to know that preparations for the Hi-Fi Show Live 2018 are underway as it returns to the Beaumont Estate in Old Windsor, Berkshire, for the sixth consecutive year. Organised by our sister title Hi-Fi News & Record Review, the two-day event runs over the weekend of 10-11 November and is the UK’s biggest celebration of high-end hi-fi. Snap up an advanced ticket today at Eventbrite.

Also inside the September issue: Eclipse TD510ZMK2 and TD520SW 2.1 loudspeaker combo, Arcam CDS50 CD/SACD and networked music player, Cyrus ONE HD integrated amplifier, Spendor A7 floorstanding loudspeaker, Audiolab M-EAR 2D in-ear headphone, Monitor Audio Monitor 50 standmount loudspeaker, Pioneer A-40AE integrated amplifier, MrSpeaker Voce electrostatic headphone. Plus, Music Legends pays tribute to The Who, while Beautiful System mixes cutting-edge digital and more traditional hi-fi components all supplied by distributor Henley Audio, and much, much more!

Lee Dunkley, editor