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After several years of steady growth, the number of newbie and returning vinyl fans looks as though it is finally beginning to plateau and the rate of new entry-level decks being introduced by manufacturers begins to show signs of slowing too. But for those already smitten by the format and looking to take the next step up the vinyl playback ladder, this month's Group Test is for you, with six sophisticated players designed to show how a mid-priced deck can bring even greater levels of detail and pace over the entry-level spinner that got many of us started.

The turntable market has changed massively in the last few years and, with so many models vying for attention, these are boon times for buyers. I'm confident you'll find the ideal upgrade for your vinyl habit in our £700 to £1,500 shootout.

Best known for its considerable range of traditional loudspeaker designs, Bowers & Wilkins is something of a latecomer to the world of wireless multi-room setups. But nevertheless the recent introduction of its bespoke Formation platform and four-strong suite of loudspeakers has put the cat among the audiophile pigeons with a remarkably slick wireless music system that integrates seamlessly with networked music and other Formation models around the home. To find out more read our In-Depth review of the £3,500 Duo standmount to discover how it performs.

Also inside the September issue:
Monitor Audio’s Gold 300 floorstander, Audiolab’s 6000N Play network player, Sennheiser’s Ambeo soundbar and Elipson’s Prestige Facet 34F floorstander. Insider visits power conditioning brand IsoTek, Music Legends celebrates the Grateful Dead and Beautiful System looks a seriously entertaining setup from T+A, while this month’s Group Test looks at six turntables from: AnalogueWorks, Cambridge Audio, NAD, Pro-Ject, Rega and Technics.

Lee Dunkley, editor