LATEST ADDITIONS

With similarities to its high-end Cadenza Series, Ortofon’s new MC Windfeld Ti moving-coil cartridge uses titanium to increase the rigidity of the body, eliminate unwanted vibrations and increase its dynamic capability. It uses “the finest diamond in the world” – the Ortofon Replicant 100 – which boasts a thin and light profile, with a long vertical contact surface making it as close as possible to an original record cutting stylus. By specially polishing the stylus and then mounting it onto a boron cantilever, Ortofon claims that it offers remarkable transparency, speed and responsiveness beyond that of any other combination. It weighs 11g and is available to buy now for £3,100 and is distributed in the UK by Henley Audio.

Are music systems getting smaller? In terms of physical dimensions, audio components are definitely shrinking in my setup. A quick flick through this month’s issue is testament to the audio industry’s move towards compact design and practical portability – and I don’t mean the kind of shrinkage that leaves you feeling short changed as you do with unscrupulous food brands reducing their pack sizes. Technology is a wonderful thing and a move to downsize a hi-fi product doesn’t have to mean a sacrifice in audio quality or resolving power, as our reviews of Chord Electronics’ Hugo 2 and Audiolab’s M-DAC Mini demonstrate. Even the briefest audition of the all-new Hugo 2 DAC and headphone amplifier will leave you in no doubt that this is a tremendously mighty and flexible device that builds on the success of its quirky predecessor and redefines what we can realistically expect from something that’s not much bigger than a pack of cigarettes.

Two years in development, Talk Electronics has unveiled its latest Edwards Audio integrated amplifier. The IA3-R boasts a new MOSFET output stage, RF filtering, improved small signal transistors and a new custom-wound toroidal transformer. It claims power output of 2x 90W into 8ohm and a signal-to-noise ratio of 85dB at 1W. Completely designed and manufactured in the UK, it hasa blue backlit display and comes equipped with a remote control handset.

Specifically designed to complement Arcam’s Solo Music and Movie systems (HFC 414), the Solo Muso loudspeaker is rated at 80W (4ohm) and comes in a robust cast aluminium chassis. The main 125mm driver is constructed from a proprietary paper pulp fibre sandwich cone for its stiff but light properties. It is supported by a die-cast basket to minimise sound reflecting back towards the speaker cone and causing distortion in the process. The accompanying 25mm tweeter is of the neodymium aluminium dome variety and damped to similarly reduce distortion and improve the clarity of fine details.