Music at Home 2017 by Audio T

MUSIC AT HOME 2017

Contents

Published by Audio T Design & Artwork Philippa Steward Printed in England by CBF Net All prices, credit terms and interest rates quoted are correct at the time of going to press. E&OE

AirPlay, iPod, iPhone and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Computer Inc. BBC iPlayer is a registered trademark of The British Broadcasting Corporation

Bluetoothis a registered trademark of Bluetooth Sig, Inc. DLNA is a registered trademark of Digital Living Network Alliance Dolby Atmos is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories

Netﬂix is a registered trademark of Netﬂix Inc.

SKY HD is a registered trademark of BSkyB Ltd.

Spotify is a registered trademark of Spotify AB All other products and services may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.

INTRODUCTION TO Hi-Fi & HOME CINEMA 7 Auralic 8 Chord Electronics 19 Clearaudio 10 Isotek 10 Cyrus 11 Innuos 12 Nova Fidelity 12 Marantz 13 Naim Audio 14/15 Panasonic 16 Pioneer 16 Quad 17 Arcam 18 Ruark 18 Pro-Ject 19 Rega 20

Rotel Unison Research Yamaha Sonos

21 22 23 24

INTRODUCTION TO LOUDSPEAKERS 25 Bowers & Wilkins 26 Focal 27 Dynaudio 28/29 KEF 30 Kudos 31 Monitor Audio 32 Neat Acoustics 33 Ophidian 34 PMC 35 Q Acoustics 36 REL 36 Spendor 37

INTRODUCTION TO ACCESSORIES 38 Bowers & Wilkins 38 Audioquest 39 HiFi Racks 40 QED 40 Qobuz 41 Sennheiser 42 The Chord Co 43 SOUND & VISION THE BRISTOL SHOW 24 STORES

Back Cover

Audio T Audio T is the UK’s leading specialist retailer of Hi-Fi and Home Cinema equipment, 100% UK owned by three hands on partners. By far the longest established group in the country, we were founded in 1966 and have just celebrated our 50th anniversary! We sell exciting products guaranteed to provide you with a system that will thrill you for years to come. We don’t try to sell you the latest magazine favourites or, worse still, in-house brands, we actually offer independent, real world advice based on what things sound like, how reliable they are and how easy they are to use. With 50 years of experience, our knowledgeable staff will help you make the right choice based on what you hear and what you like. We stock all of the key brands so we can give you impartial advice based on what’s best for your needs. We only stock products that offer high performance and value for money whatever your budget, chosen by staff who have the knowledge that comes from being genuine enthusiasts. When is a Chain Not a Chain? What Audio T is not, is a chain of stores all selling what central buyers tell them to. All Audio T stores are different and are run by enthusiasts for other enthusiasts and anyone who wants an honest opinion in these days of boring uniformity. We don’t produce or import any of our own brands so we won’t try to switch sell you. And we don’t pay our staff extra commission to sell particular brands and nor do we pay them to sell you unnecessary guarantees. We just make sure that everything we stock is good and let you make the final choice! We like to build a relationship with our customers that will see you using our expertise for years to come. Though Audio T has a hard-earned reputation as the most reputable stores in the country we also have a Price Promise that ensures you always get great value.

Not requiring vast central resources to spend on buying and marketing means our overheads are low and our prices are keen. How will good music and movies improve my life? Music provides entertainment and pleasure. It can stimulate you and relax you at the same time. Music is pure emotion, but this will only come through on equipment good enough for you to respond to it naturally. The more natural the sound, the more enjoyment and satisfaction you will derive. We hope you will enjoy it so much that you’ll buy lots of new music and rediscover your existing collection. That’s what good Hi-Fi is all about and why we love it so much! Likewise you can be transported into another world by watching movies, but you will need a Home Cinema system that produces natural pictures and great sound. No mass-market packaged home cinema systems achieve this goal not least because most of them are devoting only 20% of the budget to the sound. We believe, as George Lucas does, that the sound and music are 50% of the entertainment in a film. WHAT’S IN STORE FOR YOU New technologies Rarely has the Hi-Fi market been so exciting, with the arrival of music streaming from computers and the internet giving the industry a shot in the arm and sparking huge debates about the benefits of different file types and DACs. Not to mention the relative merits of turntables, CD players and streaming itself! All good fun and at Audio T you can come and hear the differences for yourself in one of our demonstration rooms.

I’m a beginner - how should I use this guide? If you’re new to Hi-Fi and Home Cinema then you might like to read the introductions to each section for a simple approach to the subject. After that use the Guide to get an overview of what’s available before coming into one of our shops for a chat and a listen. You will then have a better idea of what to ask us.

Audio Streaming There are several diﬀerent ways to stream music but the basic principle is that your music is held in digital form on a computer drive somewhere - on your computer, in the cloud or at a music streaming company (see below). 3

Audio T radio in the lounge while your partner listens to their favourite track in the kitchen! These days expensive and quickly outdated built in round the house systems have given way to these much simpler options. They can operate wirelessly, making installation both simple and inexpensive; however, if they can be wired they will stream more reliably and sound better.

“Amazing service with professional advice given, time was no issue. James went above and beyond to ensure I got exactly what I required for my type of listening pleasure. Well done Audio T” Mr Cripps, Waterlooville

These digital files can be streamed into your hifi using a streaming programme (such as iTunes or JRiver) where they are decoded by a digital to analogue converter (DAC) and played back just like any other music source. Alternatively they can be stored on a network attached storage hard drive (NAS) from where they can be played using a suitable streaming product added to your Hi-Fi system. We can advise on which one would be best for your system. The great benefit of streaming is that you can copy (rip) your CD collection onto your computer or NAS drive (or to the internal storage in some systems) and you can then browse your music quickly and easily. Your CD’s can be stored in your loft or garage freeing up space in your home. High resolution downloads have also become available so you can purchase and stream music at a higher quality than CD. Your music files can be played back in any room of the house that can see your network. This, in turn, has led a number of manufacturers to produce systems that allow such multi-room streaming, the best known of which is Sonos. They provide the convenience of selecting what you want to listen to from wherever you are in the house using an app on a tablet or a phone. They avoid clashes of interest too: you can listen to the

Music Streaming Services The internet, digital audio, and the advent of streaming have made listening to music today easier than ever. Subscription based music streaming services such as Qobuz, Deezer, Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal give you the flexibility of listening to an enormous range of music from the comfort of your favourite armchair without the need for any physical media at all. All you need is a music streaming device connected to an amplifier, headphones or DAC and a pair of speakers or headphones and away you go. All the music is served over the internet and you access your music using a mobile or desktop app. Music can also be held locally so you can listen to it when you’re not online. Old technologies Yet, despite all the above, physical media in the form of records have had a conspicuous revival. More and more music is becoming available on vinyl and the sales of turntables are booming. Many people say that records still sound best and most would agree that the record sleeve and its accompanying artwork and information leave CD’s as a poor relation and streaming as a quite different experience. Audio T has never stopped selling turntables and, in fact, to help you buy new music on vinyl in particular, we sell a range of Diverse Vinyl’s own label audiophile pressings and these are now available in many of our stores (check the website for details). We have a larger selection of more main line vinyl at our shops in Oxford , Brentwood and Reading and we

Audio T also sell a comprehensive range of pickup cartridges and phono stages to get the very best from your turntable. Home Cinema A Home Cinema is something the whole family will enjoy together (and one of the few things that will keep teenagers socialising with you!) We supply and install the best televisions and projectors, along with the most up-to-date audio electronics. LED backlit TVs have never been better value and remain our preferred aﬀordable solution for now. All the TVs we sell are now “smart” and are able to access the internet to stream BBC iPlayer or rented movies. UHD sets - commonly called “4K” - are also featuring strongly, and with four times the resolution of current 1080p sets they will future proof your purchase. We don’t sell ‘built to a price’ special models you won’t ﬁnd on the manufacturer’s websites; we sell the real thing with none of the features removed or picture degraded!

SHOPPING AT AUDIO T How do I get the best sound and vision at home? Independent journalists always give the same advice about buying Hi-Fi and Home Cinema - find yourself a good dealer and listen to the products for yourself. What do they mean by a good dealer? They mean shops that give knowledgeable advice, offer demonstrations and can deliver and install your purchase. Everyone can see and hear the difference between equipment so don’t think you need to be an ‘expert’. A pair of appreciative eyes and ears are the only qualifications necessary when it comes to choosing a good system. Whether you’re tweaking an existing system or starting from scratch, contact your local store to arrange a demonstration. Many other retailers don’t have these facilities - we think they’re essential. Worse still, other dealers won’t install systems for you whereas we are always keen to give you the benefit of our long experience in setting up and positioning equipment to get the very best out of it.

We stand by our Price Promise so you can buy with confidence knowing you will have the best combination of service and value for money. Home Loans We can arrange home loans of equipment (subject to status) and also home demonstrations, especially for those customers who find travelling difficult. This is subject to arranging a mutually agreeable time and there is usually no extra cost involved (subject to the travelling distance). Audio T Online For the convenience of those who live too far from one of our stores, or those who just wish to shop from home, we also sell online. Our online shop offers a “Click and Reserve” service for customers to reserve items for in-store collection and payment. We are happy to ship goods to you free of charge but this excludes some products that require special installation or those from suppliers who prefer us not to mail order. All items are subject to availability and we will always give you the best information we can on anticipated delivery dates. Please call or email us for prices or to discuss anything you are unsure about. Contact us via email on info@audio-t.co.uk and on the Internet at www.audio-t.co.uk where, in addition to our online store, you’ll find our most up to date clearance list and news of our latest products. You can also find us on Facebook at facebook.com/audiotgroup and on Twitter at twitter.com/audiotgroup Delivery and Installation Having consulted the Hi-Fi Magazines, checked for reviews on the web, sat down and discussed your needs with one of our staff and then had a demonstration on your choice of equipment, you are ready to buy. All of this was a considered purchase because you want the very best for your needs, but why stop there? For a small charge we will deliver and set up your equipment and

“My ﬁrst dealing with Audio T Cheltenham, cannot fault them, 1st class” Mr Carvell, Telford

retra We are members of the Radio, Electrical and Television Retailers Association

Audio T maximize its performance. We think you will be surprised by just how much diﬀerence a professional installation can make – be it correct rack building, cable dressing or just loudspeaker placement – this expertise can dramatically improve the sound and is part of the skill set you are tapping into when you buy from Audio T.

Turntable Upgrades and Servicing We are able to service your turntable if you need us to and an upgrade can often produce considerable sonic beneﬁts. Our stores have been working with turntables for years, making improvements that are very cost eﬀective.

Custom Installation Custom Installation ranges from something as simple as mounting a TV on your wall to specifying and installing a full multi-room system. It can include both Hi-Fi and Home Cinema along with lighting, blinds and other hardware. Whatever level of installation you choose we work with experienced installers to oﬀer you the personal attention you expect. You may be about to embark on a refurbishment project, have an extension or new home built. Perhaps you have been thinking about a loft or basement conversion for a home cinema with a hidden projector and screen. Whatever your plans, Audio T can arrange these installations for you – working with our installers or your builders.

Credit We offer a wide range of credit products to suit most budgets. Call into your nearest shop for full details. All our credit facilities are subject to acceptance for UK residents aged 18 and over*. Written quotations are available on request. Minimum amount of loan (after deposit) is £200. We also accept all major payment cards, Visa Credit, Debit & Electron, Mastercard Credit & Debit, American Express and Maestro. Making your purchase safe and easy We are authorised by the manufacturers to sell all the products we stock. This means we have trained staff who know what they’re talking about. We have an after sales service you can count on: our warranty is backed up by the manufacturers and we can arrange the repair of items efficiently if they go wrong. We are also happy to answer any ongoing technical queries you may have. We allow you to upgrade your purchase to something better for up to 30 days, at no cost penalty provided the returned equipment is in perfect condition complete with all packing and instructions (excludes clearance items and special orders). Join the e-Club Our customers can now keep up-to-date by joining our e-Club electronic mailing list that has special benefits for members: monthly newsletters with news of new products, special offers, competitions, extra discount on clearance items and more… Sign up today by visiting the Audio T website: www.audio-t.co.uk. We’ll only mail you once or twice a month and we will never, ever sell your email address to anyone else.

*Subject to status. Ask in store for details. 6

Introduction to Hi-Fi and Home Cinema Hi-Fi and Home Cinema separates, as individual components are commonly known, oﬀer the very best sound quality and the ability to upgrade easily. Combinations of these items can be tailored to build a complete system that will suit your sonic preferences, your home decor or whatever your particular needs may be. This modular approach to system building makes upgrading easy, as well as letting you add other components as your tastes develop, technology changes or your budget allows.

We can put together systems from as little as £500 but we are conﬁdent that you will agree, once we’ve shown you what is possible, that spending more will pay big dividends. You might spend many thousands of pounds on a wonderful music system but the average system sale is around £1,000 to £2,000. You can listen and look in our demonstration rooms (or at home) and make the decision for yourself. A good separates Hi-Fi system will give you musical enjoyment that will excite you and involve you on an emotional level, just like live music. It will be an investment you will never regret.

All our stores can demonstrate how wonderful Hi-Fi and Home Cinema can sound, and you really need to discuss things before handing over your money. For example, some home cinema amplifiers sound great on music as well as films but others don’t. It’s expensive to make them sound good on both (even more so with Dolby Atmos) so you need to think about where your priorities lie. Whatever you decide, our staff members are factory-trained so we can get it all working without any fuss and transform your living room into your own private cinema or concert hall!

Likewise, everyone is thrilled by the excitement of surround sound when they visit the cinema. Now you can enjoy the same amazing experience at home; and not just with films. The same benefits apply to many TV programmes, sporting events and games consoles. Multi-channel sound from Sky HD, Freesat and Freeview HD plus, of course, blu-ray players (and now 4K blu-ray players) and streamed content has made the experience ever more available. Home Cinema with surround sound is definitely something that the whole family will enjoy! Now there is Dolby Atmos, which makes the experience even more exciting. Come and try this out for yourself at any one of our stores and we think you’ll be impressed! Dolby Atmos has ditched what used to be called channels, replacing them with a fully digital system that moves the sound around in space much more accurately. This, with the addition of height information, makes the sound more enveloping and realistic but it does require the addition of at least two more speakers. These can be mounted on top of your existing front speakers or in your ceiling for the best effect.

Auralic

Auralic Polaris

Founded in 2009, Auralic has established a worldwide reputation for designing innovative music streaming and audio components of the highest quality - a combination of classic analog technology and cutting edge digital evolution with a design aesthetic. All products are precision manufactured and built to exacting standards. The proprietary Lightning DS app makes it easy to play high resolution music in each room of your home from any internet service or local storage device, to discover new music based upon your own tastes, to share music from friends, and connect your audio system with the very latest technology and superior audio performance. Polaris is a comprehensive, all-in-one wireless streaming amplifier incorporating high quality music streaming services, Airplay and Bluetooth. Supports all file formats including Quad-Rate DSD and PCM up to 32bit/384khz through a Wi-Fi network. Internal optional SSD storage with no capacity limitation. 8

www.auralic.com

Chord Electronics

Chord Electronics started life making extraordinary amplifiers. They were so extraordinary, in fact, that the world’s leading studios took notice. The first customer was the BBC, then Abbey Road, Air Studios and Skywalker Sound, dozens followed. Discerning music lovers started to notice and demand led to a domestic range that incorporated Chord’s unique designs, developed from avionics; proprietary technology and no-compromise engineering brought studio-quality audio into the home for the first time. Today, the brand’s core values remain and Chord’s expansion into digital technology over the past two decades has positioned it as a world leader in digital audio; four 2016 What Hi-Fi? awards attest to that. Chord’s ground-breaking DACs, which eschew off-theshelf chips used by rivals for programmable circuits with proprietary software, have set new standards.

including Hugo and the revolutionary Mojo headphone amp/DACs, have brought studio-quality audio to mobile listening. Of course, Chord’s comprehensive home portfolio, from the Choral range (pictured) to the ﬂagship Reference products, continues to bring listeners closer than ever to their favourite music. Chord’s unique in-house ampliﬁcation and digital audio technologies have recently scooped the most prestigious awards in the audiosphere and deservedly so.

Chord Electronics Ltd The Pumphouse Farleigh Bridge Farleigh Lane East Farleigh ME16 9NB T 01622 721444 www.chordelectronics.co.uk

Mojo

Chord’s unique technology is available both at home and away, too. Recently introduced portable products,

Chord’s striking Choral range includes the world’s most advanced DAC, DAVE

Clearaudio

IsoTek IsoTek is a British company founded in 2001 with a singular aim: to allow hi-ﬁ and home cinema systems to achieve the high levels of performance they were designed for, by removing the limitations imposed by poor quality mains electricity. At the company’s helm is Keith Martin. With 25 years of consumer electronics experience and more than 60 industry awards to his name, Keith developed designs for many well-known blue chip brands, from Kenwood to Lufthansa, before focusing on high-end audio.

Handmade in Erlangen, Germany, Clearaudio’s hi-fi desirables are widely regarded as truly innovative and standard-setting by audiophiles, music lovers and design aficionados. With a solid presence in more than 70 countries worldwide, and with a fully comprehensive range of high-end turntables, tonearms, phono cartridges, phono stages, amplifiers, hi-fi accessories and even audiophile vinyl records, Clearaudio has established itself as a world leader in audio design. Stunningly sleek, elegant and masterfully crafted, the Clearaudio range is often sought out for photo shoots by luxury lifestyle magazines. Which is nice, but the company’s focus remains firmly rooted in the pursuit of excellent sound. Still very much family-run and with a small crew of passionate and specialized staff, the Clearaudio team remains as obsessive about quality and as dedicated to “taking the best and making it better” as it was when first launched back in 1978. This founding philosophy is embedded in every Clearaudio creation – from the towering sculptural form of the cost-no-object state-of-the-art ‘Statement’ turntable, to the compact and bijou multi-award winning ‘Concept’ plug and play deck (six What Hi-Fi? awards at the last count). Which means that whatever your hi-fi budget, there’s always a Clearaudio innovation within reach.

Sound Fowndations 3a Vulcan House Calleva Park Aldermaston RG7 3QA 10

IsoTek’s class-leading technologies enhance sound and picture quality by filtering mains electricity and regulating its distribution, delivering pure and stable power to your highly sensitive hi-fi and AV components. At the same time, they provide unrivalled protection from power surges and extend the life of your valuable equipment. Over the past 15 years, IsoTek has grown into a world leader in clean power solutions with a comprehensive portfolio of awardwinning products enjoyed by more than 100,000 customers in 45 countries. From the entry-level ‘Discovery’ range to the state-of-the art ‘Ultimate’ series, IsoTek offers something for every budget and to suit any system. All IsoTek products are manufactured in Europe and built to last.

Sound Fowndations 3a Vulcan House Calleva Park Aldermaston RG7 3QA

Cyrus

Made in UK

Cyrus ONE

If you’re a hi-fi aficionado, you’ll be very familiar with the Cyrus brand. They’ve been a world leader in the field for over 30 years, winner of numerous awards for their class-leading CD players, streamers and amplifiers, a heritage they’re extremely proud of. If, however, you’re new to hi-fi or are looking to invest in an audio system which is not only class-leading in every respect, it can grow and evolve with your needs, then rest-assured you’re looking in the right place. Cyrus products offer a level of insight and clarity in their performance that is nothing short of astonishing and that’s quite aside from their small form factor, something that we know many of our customers value highly. New this year, they’re excited to introduce the new Cyrus ONE amplifier. The original Cyrus One amplifier in 1983 established their products as global leaders in

their ﬁeld – the new version has no lesser ambition, yet brings the world of genuine hi-ﬁ within reach of a new generation of customers. Vinyl is undergoing something of a resurgence in popularity. The Cyrus ONE allows you to connect a highquality turntable directly; its built in phono stage being capable of quite exquisite sound. If your music is mostly stored on your phone or laptop, a wireless Bluetooth connection with aptX® is built in, allowing you the best possible wireless sound quality. The headphone connection, when used, diverts all the muscle of the Cyrus ONE to deliver a reference-grade headphone amp. Finally, multiple analogue inputs can amply cater for the rest of your sources, making the Cyrus ONE the perfect building block for your future system. Pop in to store and be prepared to go “WOW”.

Cyrus Audio Ltd Ermine Business Park Huntingdon PE29 6XY T 01480 410900 www.cyrusaudio.com

Innuos

Nova Fidelity Nova Fidelity has a range of 4 sound systems from the small and neat X12 - All-in-One HD Digital Music Centre to the X50 which is possibly one of the most versatile and powerful Pure Digital Music Servers, with database, CD Ripper, Network Streamer and much more... Thoughtfully designed and engineered to deliver true high fidelity sound, the X30 (shown here) is feature rich and easy to use – a truly modern day music centre for all ages. Store all of your music in one place for instant access in Lossless and High Definition audio formats. The X30 is a music server/streamer with internal storage, Internet and FM radio and the ability to record HD audio. Use the built in HD DAC and high performance Amp or enjoy brilliant High Definition sound through your existing Hi-Fi system. The X40 is a world class, high-resolution, digital audio high fidelity Music Server, CD Ripper and Network Streamer with a built-in Premium DSD DXD Audio DAC. ZEN Mk.II Music Servers Powered by innuOS

With regular, free function and ﬁrmware updates, all units are easy to use and support Deezer, Spotify, Tidal and Qobuz.

Innuos designs and manufactures a range of Digital Hi-Fi systems which combines ease of use with sound quality. Innuos focuses on providing a great customer experience based on ease of use, highly reliable hardware and world-class customer service, warranting the company glowing customer reviews from early on. The new Zen Mk.II series enable a complete computer-free operation for managing CD ripping, importing digital music and editing album data & cover art via a an easy to use tablet/smartphone interface. You can play Hi-Res music up to 32 bit/384 KHz, DSD256 as well as MQA, when connecting to compatible DACs. Streaming services like Tidal, Spotify or Qobuz never sounded so good. The ﬂagship Zenith, with its innovative triple-linear power supply and SSD-based storage, was considered by Hi-Fi+ “A very hard act to beat for anyone looking to push streaming quality to the max”.

1st Floor 2 Woodberry Grove, North Finchley London N12 0DR T 01793 384048 info@innuos.com www.innuos.com 12

NuNu Distribution Ltd T 0203 544 2338 info@nunudistribution.co.uk www.novaﬁdelity.co.uk

Marantz

CD6006 and PM6006

True Hi-Fi is about being able to reproduce the magic of a performance. To Marantz, perfect specifications and technical accomplishment count for nothing unless a product can unlock the power, the excitement and the emotion of music. With elegant lines and exceptional performance, the PM6006 integrated amplifier and its companion the CD6006 CD player are the new, affordable music duo from Marantz. With further refined Marantz sound, they are about to once again set new standards in the mid-class for demanding music lovers. Containing components selected with the upmost care this stereo system will delight the most discerning music lovers looking for the best performance.

The PM6006 has retained the pre-amp and power-amp sections that exclusively feature discrete components – not a single IC in sight of the signal path, the CD6006 is ﬁne-tuned with even more specially selected components and new layout circuit compared to its predecessor. Both models are What Hi Fi 5 Star Award winners, with the PM6006 being described as having a “Smooth, balanced and insightful delivery” while the CD6006 is praised for having “big sound”. Again proving that Marantz strives in reproducing music, just as the artist intended. Because Music Matters.

D&M Audiovisual Ltd. Unit 10 1 Lanyon Quay Belfast BT1 3LG Northern Ireland T 02890 279830 www.marantz.co.uk

Naim Audio music server completes the range, allowing you to store and stream thousands of albums and back up all your music. With each player working independently (or together), simply add speakers to unleash your music in any room of the house.

Mu-so is supplied with a black speaker grille as standard. You can add a new dimension of colour with Deep Blue, Vibrant Red and Burnt Orange grilles.

Bring Your Music Alive Mu-so and Mu-so Qb are Naim’s multi award-winning wireless music systems. With the Naim Mu-so range you get the unmistakeable Naim sound, cutting edge technology and ultimate convenience. Finely tuned by their specialist engineers in England, both systems feature a 32-bit digital sound processor and customdesigned speakers for a musical experience that has to be heard to be believed.

Let the voice of Naim take you inside the music

Founded in Salisbury, England in 1973, every Naim product is conceived, designed and engineered entirely in service of the sound, revealing a pure experience of music that is as close as possible to its original source. Discovering which Naim system is right for you will illustrate the boundless potential of Naim. Whether you are new to the world of high-ﬁdelity audio or a seasoned audiophile, Naim have the perfect system to take you deeper into the music.

Their advanced yet simple to use connectivity includes AirPlay, UPnPTM high-res streaming, Bluetooth® (aptX®), Spotify® Connect, TIDAL, iRadio, multiroom in up to ﬁve rooms, USB, analogue and digital inputs, all controlled via the Naim app for iOS and Android. Whether you are starting your journey with Naim, or looking for a secondary system for another room in your home, Mu-so oﬀers everything you could ever want from an all-in-one system. The New Classics

Your Music Collection Reimagined Introducing Uniti – Naim’s most advanced all-in-one music streaming platform. Combining seamless digital technology with rich analogue soul, you can play, rip and store your entire music collections. Uniti allows you to command all your music in one place and play with a deep, immersive sound only a Naim system can deliver. Southampton Road Salisbury SP1 2LN T 01722 426600 info@naimaudio.com www.naimaudio.com 14

The new Uniti family consists of three all-in-one players: the reference audiophile Uniti Nova, the multifunctional CD operating Uniti Star and the compact yet powerful Uniti Atom. The Uniti Core industry reference

Naim have revitalised and reintroduced their core range of separate power amplifiers with flagship Statement amplifier transistors and DR (Discrete Regulator) technology. The new NAP 200, 250, 300 and 500 power amps now offer even more of the fundamental Naim pace, rhythm and timing for which the originals have become renowned. They form the heart of a high-performance system with a Naim preamplifier and source product or make a perfect partner for the NAC-N 272 streaming preamplifier.

Naim Audio

Uniti Nova reference all-in-one player

Designed for Pure Musical Performance Every link in the audio chain is important, and when Naim developed their ďŹ&#x201A;agship ampliďŹ cation system Statement, another project took shape alongside it: a completely new range of high performance speaker cables and interconnects. Designed to maximise the performance of Statement, but equally at home in 500 Series and Classic Series systems, Super Lumina is crafted from the highest quality materials in Salisbury and will transform your Naim system. Super Lumina high performance speaker cables and interconnects

Panasonic

Pioneer The NC-50DAB combines everything you need for a modern hi-fi system in one convenient unit: CD player, network player, DAB+/ Internet radio, music subscription services and all current streaming standards for your smart phone or tablet are included. Simply combine with the speakers of your choice to create a stylish, practical one box hi-fi system that’s bang up to date with all the latest feature requirements for the digital age as well as being fully equipped to cater for yesterday’s technologies too. Pioneer also offer an exciting range of portable, Hi-Res digital audio players if you require your music ‘on the go’. Features include; MQA playback, 4.7” touchscreen, Android O/S (enabling Google Play), direct purchase & download of Hi-Res audio, twin SD card slots, balanced ESS DAC and headphone output.

With four-times the detail of HD, Panasonic UHD 4K Television delivers unrivalled clarity and detail that provides a truly immersive viewing experience. Panasonic 4K Blu-ray players will make the most of your 4K television, and allow you to enjoy the very latest generation of ultra-high deﬁnition (UHD) Blu-rays. The latest players feature a new 4K HighPrecision Chroma Processor equipped with imaging technologies such as chroma and high gradation processing that have been fostered and reﬁned by the Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory (PHL) Blu-ray R&D facility. High dynamic range reproduction (HDR), adds even more detail allowing images on a home TV/Projector that look exactly as their creators intended.

Panasonic House, Willoughby Road, Bracknell RG12 8FP T 0844 844 3852 (Panasonic Customer Care Centre) www.panasonic.co.uk 16

Pioneer & Onkyo Europe GmbH - UK Branch Oﬃce Anteros Building Odyssey Business Park West End Road South Ruislip HA4 6QQ T 0208 8363500 www.pioneer-audiovisual.eu/uk XDP 100R Twitter: @pioneer_uk

NC-50DAB

QUAD

QUAD Artera Play, Artera Stereo and S-2 speakers

QUAD is Britain’s original high-end audio brand, with 80 years of audio innovation under its belt. The company’s current range comprises both solid-state and valve-based electronics alongside a range of highly acclaimed loudspeakers, including QUAD’s legendary electrostatics. Those seeking a ﬂavour of the famous ESLs in more convenient and less costly forms should experience QUAD’s entry-level S Series speakers, and the premium-level Z Series. Coupling bespoke ribbon tweeters for sweet, soaring treble with specially designed Kevlar-coned mid/bass drivers, these speakers deliver a delicious mix of vibrant expression and ﬂuid musicality.

When it comes to electronics, QUAD’s Artera Series fuses decades of sonic experience with cutting-edge tech and crisp, clean styling. The Artera Play is a CD player, DAC and preamp in a single, elegant chassis, sporting a slot-loading CD mechanism and an array of hi-res digital and analogue inputs. Its perfect partner is the Artera Stereo power amp, delivering 2x140W via the latest iteration of QUAD’s famous Current Dumping circuitry. More Artera components are arriving for 2017, including a hi-res wireless streamer called Artera Link, and the Artera One, an all-in-one source/amp component. Combining the assurance of tradition with the buzz of innovation, QUAD makes made-to-measure hi-ﬁ for modern music lovers.

IAG, Units 13/14 Glebe Road St Peters Industrial Estate Huntingdon PE29 7DL T 01480 452561 www.quad-hiﬁ.co.uk

Arcam

Ruark Audio

Arcam believes in the simple philosophy of bringing better sound to more people. The Solo Music one-box stereo system is the latest generation of the award-winning Arcam Solo range. 75 watts of Class G ampliﬁcation provides ample power to drive any loudspeaker. It plays CDs and SACDs, handles DAB/DAB+/FM radio and boasts streaming via aptX Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Ethernet. The free to download IOS control app, MusicLife by ARCAM is now available, while four HDMI inputs let it act as a hub to connect to your TV or projector. Simply stunning for its size. R4

“A complete one-box stereo system.” – What Hi-Fi?

Arcam, The West Wing, Stirling House, Waterbeach, Cambridge CB25 9QE T 01223 203200 www.arcam.co.uk

Founded by Alan O’Rourke and Neil Adams, the origins of Ruark Audio lie in a desire to design and build the very best audio products. A trained engineer and lifelong music enthusiast, Alan has now been working within the British audio industry for over 30 years. In 1986, together with his father Brian, they formed Ruark Acoustics with the desire to develop their own high ﬁdelity loudspeaker systems. Although no longer in production, Ruark loudspeakers have become respected by Hi-Fi enthusiasts worldwide, winning numerous accolades and awards. Late in 2004, with the growing popularity of DAB radio in the UK, Alan was looking for a unit for his own use. It appeared to him that whilst sound quality was important for Hi-Fi, in radios and other similar products the sound was often poor. Seeing a gap in the market and based on their wholehearted belief that they could do better, Ruark made the radical decision to diversify from loudspeakers and apply their expertise to designing a small range of quality radio based products. Since launching in November 2006, their products quickly became regarded as the ﬁnest available, receiving a clean sweep of 5 star reviews, awards and accolades along the way.

59 Tailors Court, Temple Farm Industrial Estate, Southend-on-Sea SS2 5TH T 01702 601410 www.ruarkaudio.com 18

Pro-Ject Audio Systems Pro-Ject Audio Systems are widely recognised as one of the ﬁnest turntable manufacturers in the world. Their mission is simply to produce the best sounding analogue components at the most competitive prices possible. The current series spans a wide range of price points, with a variety of products targeted to key demographics or to accommodate the modern listener’s unique requirements. In 2016, Pro-Ject marked their 25th anniversary with the release of a new turntable that combined traditional styling with modern technology; showing

The Classic (Walnut)

their innate ability to keep turntables fresh and interesting at a time when popularity of the vinyl format is at a previously unprecedented level. ‘The Classic’ proudly sits in the middle of a multi-award winning range of turntables that manage to combine sound performance with the latest technologies and unrivalled style at every level. Based in Vienna, Austria, all Pro-Ject Audio Systems turntables are made by a highly skilled workforce with great skill, care and attention in their centralEuropean factory.

Henley Designs Ltd., Unit B, Park 34, Collett, Didcot OX11 7WB T 01235 511166 sales@henleydesigns.co.uk

Rega

This year has seen the rebirth of a brand new Planar range of turntables. The Planar 1, Planar 2 and Planar 3 launched in quick succession, all of which have received critical acclaim from the worlds hi-fi press including Product of the Year from What Hi-Fi? for the Planar 3 with Elys 2 cartridge. Since its inception in 1973, Rega’s initial success was built upon award winning tonearms and turntables but they have been making complete hi-fi solutions since the eighties. Rega now makes more than 45 different hi-fi products including amplifiers, DAC’s, cartridges, CD players, loudspeakers and a wide range of accessories. 20

Now employing over one hundred people, Rega remains a dedicated British manufacturer, designing and assembling every product by hand in its purpose built and ever expanding 25,000sq.ft facility in the South East of England. All Rega products are hand assembled by highly skilled technicians who take great pride in the work they do. So conﬁdent are they in their ability that Rega oﬀers a lifetime warranty against manufacture defects on every product they make. 6 Coopers Way Temple Farm Industrial Estate Southend on Sea SS2 5TE www.rega.co.uk

Rotel Rotel 14 Series Built with critically selected electronic components used throughout the audio path, the 14 Series features a sleek design with simple and intuitive controls. It features six models, including a CD player, three integrated amplifiers of increasing performance and capabilities, a tuner, and a combined advanced tuner/streamer which features DTS Play-Fi for high-quality lossless streaming. Rotel 15 Series The flagship Rotel 15 Series is the pinnacle of Hi-Fi and home cinema performance. A range of high-end products at affordable prices, the 15 Series delivers pristine sound to partner the very best loudspeakers. The comprehensive range includes 7.1 AV processors and receivers, dedicated Custom Installation power amplifiers and award-winning integrated stereo amplifiers.

Dale Road, Worthing BN11 2BH T 01903 221500 uksales@bwgroup.com www.rotel.com

14 Series

Unison Research

Unison Research Unico CD Primo (right) Triode 25 Valve Integrated Ampliﬁer (left)

Unison Research was founded in 1987 by a small group of audiophile enthusiasts led by Giovanni Maria Sacchetti, an accomplished pianist with a deep understanding and passion for music. Since those humble beginnings, the company has grown quickly and carved a niche as one of the foremost specialists of valve-based amplification anywhere in the world. Based just outside Venice, Italy, where their entire R&D and assembly processes still take place, Unison Research’s core focus on the merits of integrated designs has resulted in a broad range of pure valve amplifiers that look and sound incredible. With Unison Research, you can achieve the optimal valve 22

sound – which is so lifelike it’s almost like you’re watching the artist perform in front of you. In addition to the pure-valve offering, Unison Research also produces a range of hybrid hi-fi electronics that combine the warmth of valves with more power and refinement. Adopting a bold, minimalist aesthetic, the Unico range has also allowed the company to produce some class-leading CD players and digital sources. Regardless of the look or type of sound you want to achieve, Unison Research products prove valves really enhance your musical enjoyment.

Henley Designs Ltd., Unit B, Park 34, Collett, Didcot OX11 7WB T 01235 511166 sales@henleydesigns.co.uk

Yamaha Yamaha created the world’s ﬁrst multiroom system back in 2003, years ahead of its time and laid the foundation for the professional technology in the system available now.

with new features and easily allows you to do powerful functions such as multiple room control, device linking, app shortcuts, and the ability to queue your audio from your diﬀerent music apps.

Today Yamaha builds MusicCast into almost every home audio product, from bedroom speakers to home theatre systems, and even a grand piano. It is available in over 30 diﬀerent current products, and all of them have Bluetooth, Airplay and WiFi on board.

MusicCast is moving network audio forward in leaps and bounds, redeﬁning what we understand music streaming to be today. Expect more from Yamaha and MusicCast that will astound and amaze you. Best of all, you can own MusicCast product in your home today.

Available for iOS and Android, the MusicCast app is the easy to way control the system. It is updated regularly

With MusicCast, you can have all your music, wherever you want it.

Yamaha Music Europe GmbH (UK) Sherbourne Drive Tilbrook Milton Keynes MK7 8BL T 0844 811 1116 uk.yamaha.com

WX-C50 Streaming Ampliﬁer, A-S801 HiFi Ampliﬁer and NS-B330 bookshelf speakers

Sonos Sonos speakers are beautifully designed to fill your entire home with music. Use one simple app to stream different tunes in different rooms. Or send one amazing song all through the house. One simple app brings together all your favourite music services, and lets you control everything – from songs to volume to rooms. Play a different song in the living room, bedroom or kitchen, or the same track in every room. Add your existing music services or discover something new. Pick a room. Pick a song. Hit play. Choose what to play, where to play it, and how loud. In one room, or in every room of your home. Track down songs across all your music services with a single search. Create playlists in an instant. The Sonos app does it all. New features and music services delivered automatically — and for free. The Sonos system keeps getting better over time with new features and music services. Once the Sonos music system has been registered, Sonos will automatically notify you when software updates are available. Simply press one button and your system updates itself.

24th- 26th February 2017

th ANNIVERSARY

✔ See and hear almost every product in this Guide ✔ Meet the manufacturers and designers, often there in person ✔ Visit the What Hi-Fi? stand for a demonstration or an answer to any questions you might have ✔ See loads of the latest products, hot from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas ✔ Get great deals on most purchases made at the Show ✔ Win £10,000 worth of prizes in the Show competition ✔ Free headphones for students ✔ Easy to get too, right in the heart of Bristol and next to the new Cabot Circus shopping and entertainment area ✔ Easy parking next to the hotel ✔ A great day out for all the family ✔ The Show’s 30th anniversary Show in 2017! Bristol 2017 Prices On the door: Adults - £12.50. Students/Senior Citizens (over 65) - £11.00. Accompanied children under 16 FREE Online: Adults - £11. Students/Senior Citizens (over 65) - £9.50 Two Day Tickets: Adults £20. Students/Senior Citizens (over 65) £17 Three Day Tickets: Adults £30. Students/Senior Citizens (over 65) £25.50

Play:5 (Stereo Pair)

In association with:

www.bristolshow.co.uk 24

Introduction to Loudspeakers Loudspeakers have changed dramatically over the past few years and nowadays you can get outstanding performance from a vast range of stylish designs – some grand and imposing and others so tiny that you will barely notice them.

Your options are, broadly speaking, traditional wooden speakers that have been the mainstay of the speaker market for years and give great sound. They are available as bookshelf, stand mounted or ﬂoor standing designs and can look very elegant. The ﬁnishes of these speakers has also changed and now, in addition to wood, they are often available in both white and high gloss black and look stunning. If your goal is excellent reproduction of music then these are still the best choice, although they are larger than some of the alternatives. The most common of these alternatives are known as sub sat systems, as they use a subwoofer to produce the bass frequencies with satellite speakers for the rest of the frequency range. The advantage of this approach is that the bass can go deeper than in most traditional speakers, which is particularly useful in Home Cinema systems, and the satellite speakers can be small. Unfortunately they can sound poor if they are not well designed or if they are not set up properly in your room. They can be stand, shelf or even wall mounted with the sub tucked away near a wall.

The third approach to speakers is the custom installed way, where speakers are fitted discreetly into ceilings, walls and even rocks in the garden! This is a great way to lose those boxes but it generally compromises the sound unless you buy the very best. They are ideally suited to bedrooms, bathrooms, pools or patios, where ultimate sound quality is not the main requirement or the use of more traditional speakers would be inappropriate. Ceiling fitted speakers can also be used in home cinema systems (in combination with a floor mounted sub woofer) or as a discrete solution to where to put the rear speakers. The fourth option are wireless speakers. The speaker and amplifier are built into one box and the music is sent straight to it via your wireless network or Bluetooth, controlled by a phone or a tablet. This approach offers neither stereo nor the ultimate in fidelity but it is a simple (even portable) solution that will suit many people. These speakers are great in kitchens and other rooms where a traditional hi-fi solution is unnecessary and many DAB radios are now equipped with this option as well. Bluetooth enabled speakers can also be connected wirelessly to many Panasonic TVs. Whichever alternative you choose you will still need to think about how the speakers will react with the room and where you will place them. As you would expect, our staff have great experience in matching systems to rooms and will gladly guide you. And remember, loudspeakers are like car engines: they’re mechanical devices that need to be run-in. Treat them gently for the first week or two and you’ll find that as time passes their sound will improve noticeably.

Bowers & Wilkins Celebrating 50 years In 1966 John Bowers wanted better sound. He was disappointed with the quality of loudspeakers available to listen to the classical music he loved, so he began designing his own. As a result, he started a company that is now regarded as the producer of the very best high-performance audio equipment available. Five decades on, Bowers & Wilkins manufactures the best equipment it has ever produced, with a range of loudspeakers, wireless music systems and headphones that deliver better quality sound and an enhanced user experience to an increasingly large audience. The CM Series The CM Series will transform your enjoyment of music. All the models in this comprehensive range use stateof-the art technology to reveal all the depth and detail that more ordinary speakers miss. Audiophile innovations such as the Decoupled Double Dome tweeter combine with a classic design and real wood ďŹ nishes to deliver speakers that are a feast for both the ears and the eyes. The 600 Series The 600 Series continues to astound. Each successive generation improves on performance, with the latest iteration winning awards and acclaim for delivering audiophile-quality sound at a very accessible price point. With a selection of stereo loudspeakers, centre channels and subwoofers itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the ideal choice for either Hi-Fi or home cinema.

683 Theatre

CM6

26 26

Dale Road Worthing BN11 2BH T 01903 221500 uksales@bwgroup.com www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk

Focal Focal Sopra Loudspeakers Combining twenty years of engineering heritage from its flagship Utopia loudspeaker range, with innovative new technologies in a stylish and compact design, the Sopra range reveals the true essence of your music. This year saw the introduction of a new member of the Sopra family, Sopra N°3, a speaker developed for larger listening spaces. With three major innovations and two patents – the Neutral Inductance Circuit, the Tuned Mass Damper midrange suspension and the Infinite Horn Loading housing for its Beryllium tweeter – Sopra brings unprecedented technical ingenuity and matchless performance, thrilling the senses like never before.

Focal Utopia high-end headphones

Revealing Focal’s Utopia Headphones Focal is proud to introduce a new high-end line of headphones, Utopia, Elear and Listen. All equipped with exclusive innovations and oﬀering remarkable sound performance, these headphones oﬀer an unrivalled audiophile experience true to the brand’s core values.

Focal Sopra N°3 in Imperial Red

Southampton Road Salisbury SP1 2LN T 0845 660 2680 info@focal-uk.com www.focal.com

Dynaudio

Close your eyes and see... the new Contour Series

Dynaudio

You know what they say about wanting something done right... that’s why Dynaudio has been designing and engineering its speakers in-house in Skanderborg, Denmark, since 1977. Its designers are passionate about sound, innovation and materials – which is why you’ll find Dynaudio speakers in countless living and listening rooms; in cars by Volkswagen, Bugatti and more; and in major recording studios all over the world. The company’s Emit entry-level high-end speakers are an ideal way to bring that studio sound home. The Emit M10 bookshelf speakers won a tough group test in What Hi-Fi? magazine – while their bigger brothers, the Emit M20s, took home a Product of the Year trophy at this year’s What Hi-Fi? Awards. Serious performance at a price that’ll raise your eyebrows. Dynaudio has also redesigned the legendary Contour series from the ground up – no mean feat. New drivers, new cabinets, new crossovers... all built and finished by hand in Denmark. Serious hi-fi pedigree. Serious skill. And seriously fun to listen to.

The Dynaudio Emit Series

10 Felsham Place, Burwell Cambridge CB25 0JP T 01638 742 427 bill.livingston@dynaudio.com w: www.dynaudio.com

KEF

Hi-Fi sound for a new generation of listeners with digital music lifestyles

Since its founding in 1961, KEF has been at the forefront of loudspeaker design and technology. With models designed and hand-built in the UK, KEF is regarded by many as the most forward-thinking and technologically advanced Hi-Fi manufacturer in the world.

A complete, fully active system

Every KEF speaker, large or small, embodies the same ethos; quality engineering to enhance the enjoyment of pure sound. KEF LS50 Wireless – A complete, fully active system LS50 Wireless, a fully active music system designed for high resolution music. This complete system allows you to enjoy exceptional sound quality previously only achieved by putting together a system based on quality separates.

Eccleston Road, Tovil, Maidstone ME15 6QP T 01622 672261 www.kef.com 30

Sharing the same acoustic features as the award-winning LS50 speaker’s legendary pedigree, new additions include end-to-end 192 kHz / 24-bit high resolution digital signal

path, a dedicated DAC per channel, a streaming preamplifier, and factory optimised 230-watt amplification in a bi-amp dual mono configuration, making the LS50 Wireless a total music system. Featuring KEF’s patented Uni-Q technology, you will enjoy a three-dimensional sound image anywhere in a room and thanks to the dedicated app available for Android and iOS, you can adjust the LS50 Wireless settings using selectable EQ tuned to suit different positioning and room type scenarios. Connection is available via 2.4GHz / 5GHz Dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 (aptX), Asynchronous USB-B, TOSLINK Optical, and RCA Analog. Connect up to 12 devices in total, including up to eight Bluetooth devices and switch between them effortlessly. Blending easily into your room, LS50 Wireless is available in three deep gloss colours, Titanium Grey/Red; Black/ Blue and White/Copper - it’s easy to find the right colour combination to match your décor.

Kudos The Kudos difference Hand-built, high-performance loudspeakers. Crafted not just for music, but by music. Kudos takes an uncommon approach to loudspeaker design, using music as the primary tool. Designer Derek Gilligan discovered, during his many years as a live sound engineer, that while technical measurements are certainly useful, they don’t reflect everything we hear and there’s no substitute for extensive critical listening across a variety of systems and scenarios. Three further elements underpin the Kudos difference: components, connections and craftsmanship. Components are of exceptional quality, sourced from some of Europe’s finest specialists; several are collaboratively re-engineered to achieve new and unique levels of performance. Connections reflect Gilligan’s firm belief that a ‘less is more’ approach is key to a truly musical performance. “We keep our signal paths clean and clear by closely matching our components, so there’s no need for complex interventions to counteract signal distortions,” he explains. Of course minimalism takes skill, which is where craftsmanship comes in. Kudos favours traditional and well-proven engineering techniques, drawing on timeless artistry to bring out the best in the latest technologies. Every loudspeaker is hand-built in Kudos’ premises in the north-east of England.

1 – 2 Harvey Court Low Willington Industrial Estate Willington DL15 0UT T 0845 458 6698 www.kudosaudio.com Titan 808

Monitor Audio

Examples from across Monitor Audio’s ranges (from left to right): Radius 270, Bronze 5, Silver 6 and Gold 300

Monitor Audio Ltd is a British owned and managed global specialist in hi-ﬁ loudspeaker design. For over 40 years they've been incorporating stereo and surround sound systems and a range of sonically matched architectural speakers for ultra discreet high quality sound, around the home and outside.

24 Brook Road Rayleigh SS6 7XJ T 01268 740580 info@monitoraudio.co.uk www.monitoraudio.co.uk 32

Whatever your taste and budget you'll discover a Monitor Audio speaker that answers your desire for great sound. Since hi-ﬁ was in its infancy they've dedicated all their technical expertise, innovation and craftsmanship to the creation of world-class loudspeakers, which communicate the essence of their brand and reward the people who buy them. We want you to share and enjoy the blend of style, quality, performance and sophistication that makes Monitor Audio unique. Their success is not simply a matter of excellent sound

quality, although expert listeners around the world will testify to that. It’s more about how they deliver the sonic superlatives. By consistently reﬁning and applying their technologies, the proprietary C-CAM® drivers can be much smaller than conventional designs and yet operate way beyond the limits of human audibility without distortion. This means that they can design slimmer more elegant cabinets around them, so you enjoy class-leading audio performance from speakers that better suit your décor and lifestyle. And since they all share a consistency of tonal accuracy the on-wall, in-wall, ﬂoor or stand-mounting speakers may be mixed for the perfect aesthetic and sonic result in any environment. In the strength and depth of their ever-evolving product portfolio, Monitor Audio continues to demonstrate the power of a high quality, high performance loudspeaker brand that serves every application, taste and budget - and every possible desire.

Neat Acoustics Neat Acoustics has a long history of creating loudspeakers that deliver sensational performance from compact enclosures. The IOTA bookshelf loudspeaker, launched in 2011, has rewritten the rule book and deﬁned anew what might be achieved from such an impossibly small enclosure. Now comes the Iota ALPHA, which extends the Iota concept to an extraordinary degree in the form of a sub-miniature ﬂoorstanding design. Incorporating the elements of the Iota, the Iota ALPHA features the same planar magnetic tweeter, which contributes hugely to the

naturally organic presentation of both models. At an almost invisible 45cm tall, the ultra discreet ALPHA deﬁes preconceptions by presenting all types of music with a full-bodied realism which is completely unrelated to the size of the cabinet. The key members of Neat’s design team are musicians, and they approach the design of their speakers from that perspective. All voicing and tuning is done by ear. As a result, listening to music on a Neat loudspeaker is to experience the same level of involvement and enjoyment as one would with a live performance.

Neat Iota Alpha

29B Harmire Enterprise Park Barnard Castle DL12 8XT T 01833 631021 www.neatacoustics.com

Ophidian

The award winning Ophidian M-series range of loudspeakers comprises the tiny but mighty Minimo, the Mojo standmount and Mambo compact floorstander. Hand built in the UK, Ophidian uses carefully engineered components of the highest quality alongside extensive listening tests to achieve their outstanding sound. Unique Aeroflex bass loading technology keeps complete control and allows Ophidian loudspeakers to produce detailed, musical, room filling sound from exceptionally compact cabinets. The newly developed P-series loudspeakers further extend the range providing incredible dynamics and a truly high end performance.

Ophidian Audio T 0151 632 5180 www.ophidian.co.uk 34

PMC

PMC, the Emmy® award-winning British loudspeaker company, presents the most recent addition to its range of superlative speakers for home listening. The twenty5 series is the culmination of a quarter of a century of research, obsessive design and craft: the perfect example of PMC’s core belief that the same speaker can be used throughout the entire audio chain, from composer to studio or film stage, and to the listener at home. Comprising five models of increasing size plus a dedicated centre channel and an active subwoofer of astounding quality, the twenty5 series refines PMC’s established ATL™ concept with new drivers and Laminair, the product of extensive research into the aerodynamics of the transmission line. The results are loudspeakers with smooth, extended bass, unparalleled vocal clarity and breathtaking dynamic performance — at any volume. Long-standing customers making music with PMC include Stevie Wonder, Elbow, Elton John, the BBC, Capitol Studios, and many of the filmscore composers behind the greatest Hollywood soundtracks. Hear your music and movies exactly as the artists, composers and producers intended: with PMC.

The twenty5 series

Holme Court Biggleswade SG18 9ST T 0870 4441044 sales@pmc-speakers.com www.pmc-speakers.com

Q Acoustics

REL At REL, they make subwoofers, only subwoofers. Nothing else. They believe the perfect subwoofer is one built with quality materials and craftsmanship, one designed for your unique space; that is engineered to not just give you boom, but to seamlessly integrate with your system, expanding its entire range and providing depth to the soundstage. We know that this perfect subwoofer–this REL– will transform your whole experience of sound. This year, they are celebrating their 25th Anniversary. In honor of this momentous occasion they’ve developed the No. 25, their premier reference subwoofer. They removed all restraints from their design and engineering team and simply made the most powerful, reﬁned and visually stunning statement possible, one capable of launching REL into their next 25 years. We oﬀer you the No. 25 in celebration of REL’s 25 years pursuing perfect sound.

10 Years of Excellence, Evolution and Reﬁnement Now a Vision Comes to Life The Concept 500’s low-resonance dual-layer GelcoreTM cabinet construction and advanced drivers with innovative decoupled mounting, all add up to one thing: the ﬁnest sound yet from any Q Acoustics speaker. No. 25

Beautifully Engineered Sound www.qacoustics.co.uk 36

North Road, Bridgend Industrial Estate, Bridgend CF31 3TP T 01656 768777 www.rel.net

Spendor Based in the historic Anglo Saxon town of Hailsham in East Sussex, Spendor has been designing, manufacturing and supplying loudspeakers to music lovers all over the world for approaching five decades. Founded by Spencer and Dorothy Hughes, Spendor grew out of the expertise gained in the BBC’s sound engineering department. Traditional craftsmanship and skilled design capability combined with modern technology and innovative engineering have allowed Spendor loudspeakers to earn a worldwide reputation as the reference for both professional sound engineers and consumers. Over the years many Spendor models have earned cult status. Today, this family owned business still designs products with the same fundamental objectives. Spendor loudspeakers must be easy to partner in a wide variety of Hi-Fi systems, easy to place in real world listening rooms and must always deliver a captivating, clear and enjoyable room filling musical experience, with every genre of music and music source. Integrating Spendor Loudspeakers in your home is simple. Decide where they will be positioned, what finish suits your style and room décor, and what level of performance best suits your amplifier and your budget. Spendor - Timeless elegance and technological excellence for your listening room.

D9 – 100% designed and manufactured in the UK

G5 Ropemaker Park South Road Hailsham BN27 3GY T 01323 843474 info@spendoraudio.com www.spendoraudio.com

Introduction to Accessories

Bowers & Wilkins

The performance of your Hi-Fi or Home Cinema system is influenced most by your choice of major components, however, other seemingly less important items also play a vital role in the process. The cables, the stands and the supports under your system can all dramatically affect – and improve – the system’s performance. Spending relatively small amounts of money here can produce large improvements in sound quality. We aim to give you the best advice on finding the balance between what is truly worthwhile and running up huge bills on accessories you don’t need. Stands and tables contribute significantly to the way loudspeakers and system components perform. Loudspeaker stands not only place your loudspeakers at the correct height they also improve detail, dynamics and bass performance. Equipment stands enhance the performance of Blu-ray/CD players, turntables and electronics by dealing with spurious air and structureborne vibrations. There’s a vast range available in different designs, different materials and different colours, so there’s no excuse for not giving your system the support it deserves! Good cables are crucial: the interconnects that come free with equipment rarely offer adequate performance and you should certainly consider replacing them. Poor speaker cables will also strangle the sound of your whole system. Likewise poor video cables will not exploit the full potential of your television or projector. Headphones have had a huge renaissance and new audiophile models are appearing every month. They can sound even better than your speakers and, with the addition of a portable DAC, you can listen to your favourite music in HD audio. We sell Bluetooth wireless models and also headphones for travelling with built in noise reduction. But most of all we sell a wide range to upgrade those supplied with smart phones and the like. The headphones in the box are almost always very poor and upgrading quite inexpensively can make a huge difference to the sound. Replacement versions can also come with the ability to take phone calls - a very useful addition if, say, you are out walking.

P5 Wireless P5 Wireless has been named the What Hi-Fi? Wireless Headphone of the Year thanks to its unrivalled combination of fantastic sound, luxurious materials, 18-hour battery life and advanced Bluetooth streaming for an enticing cable-free acoustic performance. These wonderful headphones allow you to enjoy all the freedom and convenience of wireless headphones, without compromising on the sound quality. P7 Wireless The award-winning P7 Wireless combines advanced acoustic technology with aptX™ Bluetooth® connectivity to deliver a seamless audio experience. Crafted from the ﬁnest materials, including aluminium and luxurious sheep leather, the foldable design means they are perfect for pristine audio on the move. It’s professional quality sound, without the wires.

Dale Road, Worthing BN11 2BH T 01903 221500 uksales@bwgroup.com www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk 38

Audioquest

NightOwl and DragonFly Red

AudioQuest is a US based company that has been designing and manufacturing high performance, low distortion cables and accessories for over 30 years. Great sound and great pictures, music that consumes you, movies that transport you around the universe... all come from honouring the original signal. AudioQuest knows itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an unavoidable fact of life that every component and cable in a system causes distortion, changing the overall character of the signal.

Better cables and components can only improve performance if they do less harm to the original signal and reduce the amount of noise and distortion introduced into a system. Do No Harm! The last few years have seen AudioQuest branch out from cables. Pictured above are the multi-award winning NightHawk Headphone and the DragonFly portable USB DAC. These new products, like the cables are in house, original designs.

Hoge Bergen 10 4704 RH Roosendaal The Netherlands T 01249 848873 info@audioquest.nl www.audioquest.com

Hi Fi Racks

QED

Handmade by Hi Fi Racks, Loved by You

QED - The Sound of Science Since 1973

For nearly a decade, Hi Fi Racks Ltd has been producing the highest quality Audio Visual furniture for music lovers around the world.

QED have been the leading UK producer of HiFi, Home, Cinema, and now digital cables, for over four decades.

Based in the heart of rural Leicestershire, each item is lovingly hand-made in the Hi Fi Racks workshop, using only the finest solid hardwoods. High quality design and craftsmanship has won Hi Fi Racks Ltd many awards around the globe from leading industry publications. These include Product of the Year Awards from What HiFi? and Hi-Fi Choice magazine for the Podium range of products and Best Support in the Hi-Fi World awards. A friendly, family owned business, they firmly believe that one size doesn’t fit all. That’s why any of the racks can be tailor-made to meet your exact requirements. Whether you are looking to display your cherished turntable, house your classic LP collection or position your new Smart TV, Hi Fi Racks Ltd can help you.

Hi Fi Racks Ltd., Unit 22 Burrough Court Burrough on the Hill Leicestershire LE14 2QS T 01572 756447 info@hiﬁracks.co.uk www.hiﬁracks.co.uk

Why? Because QED’s highly qualified designers understand that cable design is about science, not black magic. Good cable design comes solely from adhering to sound to sound scientific principles and utilising the highest quality materials; plus the skill, knowledge and experience to fuse these elements together. Introducing QED Supremus Loudspeaker Cable Developed without compromise, unmatched in quality and unrivaled in competition. Our Largest Cross Sectional Area Vanishingly low resistance for better speaker and amplifier control QED AIRCORETM Technology – A Unique Geometry and Construction For unrivaled high frequency detail and cable timing Enamel Coated Conductors A new superior insulation for reduced capacitance and consistent energy flow Rhodium Plated AIRLOCTM Locking Plugs Maintaining the fidelity of the audio signal from start to finish

www.qed.co.uk Est. 1973 40

Qobuz

Qobuz, discover a musical experience without compromise on www.qobuz.com

• Metadata enriched by our teams • Exclusive editorial content

Qobuz is a unique online music service that focuses on audio quality.

Today, Qobuz is the only website in the world to oﬀer its entire catalogue in True CD Quality as part of both its streaming and download service.

It is designed for the most demanding music lovers. Qobuz has a catalogue of over 40 million titles, including all Major and Independent labels. Qobuz combines: • Unlimited streaming access to high or very high audio quality via subscription • Downloading True CD Quality (standard 16-bit/44.1 kHz) across the catalogue • The world’s largest catalogue of Hi-Res 24-Bit albums with more than 60,000 (24 bits up to 192 kHz) • State-of-the-art applications for iPhone, Android, Windows Phone and W8

Qobuz has important partnerships with prestigious audiophile hardware brands. It is constantly evolving to provide its users with the best listening experience possible. Discover the full experience with 1 free month of streaming in True CD Quality (worth £19.99). Visit www.qobuz.com/audiot Qobuz is compatible with Sonos, Yamaha MusicCast, Arcam, GoogleCast, Bluesound, Devialet, Esoteric, Linn, Auralic, Aurender, Lumin, Cabasse, BubbleUPnP, Usb Audio Player Pro and more are being added all the time.

www.qobuz.com/audiot

Sennheiser THE SENNHEISER HD 500 SERIES – THE BEST IN CLASS, REMASTERED Sennheiser is releasing the latest generation of its popular and award-winning HD 500 series, with a more contemporary design and even better ergonomics. Powered by Sennheiser’s proprietary transducer technology for truly excellent sound performance, innovative angled drivers channel the audio signal directly into your ears, simulating loudspeakers. The selection includes three open backed designs, the HD 559, HD 579 and HD 599 as well as the completely new closed back HD 569. Optimised for portable devices, the HD 569 also includes an optional 1.2m cable with an inline push-to-talk remote. Pop into your local branch to try them out for yourself, they are a real treat for everyone who likes to listen to their music with a sense of discovery.

Sennheiser UK Ltd. Paciﬁc House Third Avenue Globe Park Marlow SL7 1EY Tel: 0333 240 8185 info@sennheiser.co.uk www.sennheiser.co.uk 42

HD 599

HD 579

HD 569

HD 559

The Chord Company Audio T and The Chord Company have worked together for over 30 years. Whatever music you play and whatever format you use, their cables can transform your listening experience. The Chord Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique Tuned ARAY conductor geometry (developed for the Sarum range) transformed the performance of high end systems. Its ability to carry a signal with an extraordinary degree of musical realism made music lovers everywhere take notice. Over the past twelve months they have applied this ground breaking technology to a new range of interconnects. The Chord Shawline range uses the same Tuned ARAY conductor geometry to produce a cable that does the same for real world systems as the Sarum did for high end set-ups. Whatever the type or level of system, The Chord Company has ARAY, Tuned ARAY and Super ARAY cables that will let you hear just how good your music can sound. From the award-winning C-line to the extraordinary ChordMusic, the new Chord Company cable ranges are the Sound of Music.

Chord Company House The Millsway Centre Amesbury, Salisbury SP4 7RX T 01980 625700 www.chord.co.uk

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Where to find us

BRENTWOOD

BRIGHTON

BRISTOL

30 Crown Street CM14 4BA 01277 264730

69 London Road BN1 4JE 01273 609431

65 Park Street BS1 5PB 0117 926 4975

brentwood@audio-t.co.uk

brighton@audio-t.co.uk

bristol@audio-t.co.uk

CARDIFF

CHELTENHAM

ENFIELD

134/6 Crwys Road CF24 4NR 029 2022 8565

38 Winchcombe Street GL52 2LZ 01242 583960

159a Chase Side EN2 0PW 020 8367 3132

cardiﬀ@audio-t.co.uk

cheltenham@audio-t.co.uk

enﬁeld@audio-t.co.uk

MANCHESTER

OXFORD

PORTSMOUTH

63 Bridge Street M3 3BQ 0161 839 8869

19 Old High Street Headington OX3 9HS 01865 765961

manchester@audio-t.co.uk

oxford@audio-t.co.uk

29 London Road North End PO2 0BH 023 9266 3604 portsmouth@audio-t.co.uk

BRANDS STOCKED AND OPENING TIMES Please check the store pages on our website or call your nearest branch for full details of everything that we sell and our current opening times. FREE PARKING With increased pressure to park in and around town these days we oﬀer a small but useful service to encourage you to visit us. If you come into one of our stores that does not have free parking on-site, and you buy something, then we will reimburse your parking fees. Just ask the salesperson when you are paying and we will credit this against your purchase. 44

PRESTON

READING

SOUTHAMPTON

43 Friargate PR1 2AT 01772 883958

4 Queens Walk Broad Street Mall RG1 7QF 0118 958 5463

12 Hursley Road Chandlers Ford SO53 2FU 023 8025 2827

reading@audio-t.co.uk

southampton@audio-t.co.uk

preston@audio-t.co.uk

SWANSEA

SWINDON

9 High Street SA1 1LE 01792 474608

60 Fleet Street SN1 1RA 01793 538222

swansea@audio-t.co.uk

swindon@audio-t.co.uk