LATEST ADDITIONS

Hi-Fi Choice  |  Jul 22, 2016  |  0 comments
Originally unveiled at the High End Show in Munich back in May, NAD announces two additions to its prestigious Masters Series line. First up, the M32 Direct Digital Amplifier (pictured above) claims 2x 150W power output and is a true digital amp, and not just Class D. Computer controlled, it amplifies entirely in the digital domain and only converts audio signals to analogue at the speaker terminals to give the shortest signal path possible. It’s fitted with a moving-magnet phono input as well as digital inputs in the form of coaxial, optical, AES/EBU, USB type A and type B and an asynchronous USB 2.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Jul 21, 2016  |  0 comments
If your aspirations extend beyond conventional solid-state hi-fi components but at more real-world prices, then this tube series from the US-based audiophile specialist Audio Research may well grab your attention. The Foundation ‘entry-level’ series is from the same engineering and design team responsible for its aspirational Reference series, and the three-strong range (for now) includes the LS28 line stage preamplifier with four balanced and four single-ended inputs, PH9 phono stage with five different impedance settings for cartridge loading – which can be changed on the fly with the included remote – and the DAC9 384kHz and DSD-compatible digital-to-analogue converter. All three models are built around the same chassisand 6H30 vacuum tubes, with four in the LS28 line stage preamplifier, three in the PH9 phono stage and a pair in the DAC9. Available in both black and natural anodized aluminium finishes, each unit comes with its own custom metal remote control.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Jul 20, 2016  |  0 comments
Specialist audio brand Hegel, has garnered a reputation for doing things its own way, and so it’s no surprise to see the Norwegian name unveil plans to introduce a CD player just as many brands look set to trim down their silver disc-spinning models. Originally unveiled at the High End Show in Munich in May, the Mohican is a CD player without any digital inputs. There’s a true 75ohm BNC-output connector for transport-only use. The CD-only player uses a dedicated audio drive mechanism, and not a CD-ROM, and employs Hegel’s own servo boards which it claims have minimal impact on the digital signal read off a CD.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Jul 19, 2016  |  0 comments
Danish audio brand Copland has been absent from these pages in terms of new product launches for some time, but now it’s back with its long-awaited DAC 215 USB DAC/headphone preamp fed by a pairof ECC88 tubes. Described as a “Universal high-resolution DAC, preamplifier and headphone amplifier” it can be used as a headphone amp, preamp or as a pure DAC – the choice is yours. The Copland DAC 215 looks set to be bang on trend with its retro styling thanks to the rotary front panel controls for the volume level and input selection, and the faint glow of the valves from the headphone amp output section lurking behind the slatted grille will undoubtedly enhance any likely old-school feel for potential purchasers. But at the heart of the DAC 215 is a digital-to-analogue converter with multiple S/PDIF inputs, PCM, and DSD capabilities using the ES9018 Reference 8-channel DAC used in double-differential mode.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Jul 18, 2016  |  0 comments
As more people opt for headphones as their choiceof transducer for music, there is a growing number of products designed to ensure headgear is giving its best. TEAC has one such portable item, and its HA-P5 headphone amplifier claims to be ultralight, weighing inat just 182g. Circuit design is based on the Tokyo brand’s UD-501 (HFC 375) and HA-501 hi-fi components, and hi-res digital audio signals are routed via a Burr-Brown PCM1795 D/A converter before being passed to a high-power 2x 160mW (at 32ohm) Class A/B amplifier. It has two separate master clocks to handle 44.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Jul 15, 2016  |  0 comments
If the Scansonic name seems vaguely familiar it's because the brand has an illustrious history, being deeply rooted in Danish loudspeaker design and engineering. Scansonic goes back some 45 years to whenit was introduced as the name ona then-new line of loudspeakersfrom famous Danish drive-unit manufacturer ScanSpeak. Now owned by Dantax, the same parent company as Raidho, the brand’s loudspeakers are designed by the creator of the renowned Raidho range, acoustic designer Michael Børresen. As a result, Scansonic has plenty in common with the respected Raidho family DNA and pedigree, but at a fraction of the cost.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Jul 15, 2016  |  0 comments
Since we all miss an issue of Hi-Fi Choice from timeto time it’s good to know that you can plug any gapsin your collection by making use of our Back Issues service, which has recently found a new home. The website at mags-uk. com is where they’re at and finding them couldn’t be easier. Sign in on the home page, then select Hi-Fi Choice via the Titles or Publishers (MyTimeMedia) listing on the menu bar.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Jul 15, 2016  |  0 comments
Subscribe today and get a FREE pair of Denon headphones worth £199! denon. co. uk Hi-Fi Choice is the essential guide to getting the best possible sound from your hi-fi, whether you're buying, tuning or tweaking. .
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Jul 15, 2016  |  0 comments
There’s something very reassuring about a high-end integrated amplifier. While stacks of black boxes might have been the done thing in the early eighties, in today’s world, the trend is to downsize, but music fans don’t want to hear anyless of their beloved recordings. The so-called ‘super-integrated’ breed ticks all these boxes; it’s big but not too big, and promises a sound to rival some more expensive pre/power amplifier combinations. Roksan, lest we forget, has always made fine-sounding amplification; it has a distinctly muscular-but-musical character that covers more bases than some rival designs, many of which tend to be one or the other.
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Jul 12, 2016  |  0 comments
Over the years, the BBC has done arguably more that any other broadcaster to push the boundaries of audio performance. Perhaps the best known fruit of its labour comes in the small but perfectly formed cabinet of the LS3/5A studio monitor loudspeaker. Originally produced for outside broadcast vans, it went on to become commercially available and is rightly recognised as something of a classic. Perhaps not so well known, but equally important in the grand scheme of things were BBC sound engineers Lee Taylor and Mallory Nicholls.

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