The Guide To Superior Sound 2015

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THE GUIDE TO

SUPERIOR SOUND Seven pages of the ultimate hi-fi equipment, from speakers and digital-to-audio converters to amplifiers and internet radio players

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE Gain control of your music with this versatile and userfriendly Stream 3

THE CABASSE STREAM 3 The Stream 3 from Cabasse is a wireless system that provides high-fidelity music playback from your domestic network, your phone or thousands of internet radio stations

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ontrol the music with your fingertips. The Cabasse Stream 3 brings the full scale and subtlety of music performances to your home, in an easy to use and discreet package that is incredibly simple to set up.

With the Cabasse app for Android and iOS, you can select the music you want from your network whether it be on your computers, multimedia hard discs, USB sticks or from the internet for access to thousands of radio stations. You can also stream music from your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth and connect Stream 3 to your TV to upgrade the sound and discover the richness and emotions of your favourite soundtracks.

Also available Stream Source (left), Stream 1 (centre), Stream 3 (right)

KEY FEATURES ● Wireless music streaming Connect Stream 3 to your network via Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) to stream your stored music and access thousands of internet radio stations.

● High-quality music playback Cabasse has over

64 years’ experience making some of the world’s finest loudspeakers.

Stream 3 can playback high-resolution music in just about any file format.

● Connect other devices Built-in Bluetooth connectivity

allows music to be streamed from phones and tablets directly to Stream 3 and the digital audio input enables connection of audio devices like TVs and CD players.

● App controlled The Cabasse app for Android and iOS allows easy navigation of all music on your network, connection to the Deezer music streaming service and selection of internet radio stations.

● Available from Bartlett’s Hi-Fi (London); Soundcraft (Ashford); Senso Systems (Truro); Holburn Hi-Fi (Aberdeen); The Future of Audio (Poole); AV 82 (Harpenden)

+33 (0) 2 98 05 88 14 www.cabasse.com

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AEROMAX 6 FILL THE AIR,FLOOR NOT THE STANDING SPACE SPEAKERS Whatever the size of your room, the seductive, slick Silver Series loudspeakers will deliver glorious, three-dimensional wideband audio to each and every corner

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ilver is the product of over 40 years of speaker development, invested with our love for astonishing sound, imbued with our belief in design perfection. Abundant dynamics bearing a wideband response, rich with textures and detail; holographic clarity and wonderfully accurate imaging – all the ingredients of great sound brought to a breathtaking focus by the refinement of our flagship technologies and the introduction of new acoustic innovation.

Combined in perfectly voice-matched systems for music and film, Silver delivers the sonic superlatives but also reaches a new level of lifestyle appeal. Each of eight Silver Series models are super-slender, finished in a choice of real-wood veneers or devastatingly chic gloss black or white, and possess the power to complement any room without sacrificing living space.

KEY FEATURES ● Six luxurious lustres

Our real wood veneers and high gloss lacquer cabinet finishes blend with both modern and traditional interiors.

● All new C-CAM® drivers

The new Silver Series incorporates our award winning C-CAM, (ceramic-coated aluminium/magnesium) drivers.

● Pioneering driver technology

The Rigid Surface Technology or RST® cone profile is inspired by the Japanese art of Origami. Our speaker cones are strengthened and made more rigid by making small and precise folds across the surface.

● Class-leading cabinet construction

We use meticulous craftmanship and employ radial and cross-bracing on every speaker. This ensures the music you hear is exactly as the artist intended.

www.monitoraudio.co.uk

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Fall in love with your music collection once again with PS Audio’s Sprout

QUALITY SOUND, SIMPLY DELIVERED Sprout will change the way you listen to music at home. As a music lover, this ‘plug and play’ solution via bluetooth will re-connect you with your entire music collection

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prout is the culmination of PS Audio’s 42 years’ experience building concert-quality audio products. We hand selected the best parts of that rich history and put it into a single, simple, easy-to-use personal music system. It’s everything you need and nothing you don’t. Just add speakers or headphones, and music – as if it’s live.

Sprout is the link between your music and your speakers. Barely the size of a hard-back novel, it will fill any room with enormous, live sound.

Sprout is designed to make access to your music so simple.

Whatever the format – CD, downloads, vinyl or analogue – just connect to Sprout and enjoy the music.

KEY FEATURES ● Full integrated amplifier Sprout is a one-box solution to your hi-fi needs, just connect your speakers.

● 50 watts per channel power amplifier Sprout will fill your entire room with a live and stunning sound.

● Drives loudspeakers of any size There is no need to change your existing speakers.

● Analogue preamplifier

Sprout can take an input from your TV or a tape cassette player.

Use headphones to enjoy all of your music in your own personal space.

● 192/24 high-end fully asynchronous DAC

For smart devices linked via Bluetooth, Sprout will bring your downloaded music to life and give you access to internet radio via your smart device.

07738 007 776 (UK Distributor) www.psaudio.com/products/sprout

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE Choose from stunning gloss black or gloss white lacquer finishes

AEROMAX 6 FLOOR-STANDING SPEAKERS With powerful, immersive sound matched with innovative and modern aesthetics, the Aeromax 6 are the ideal speakers for those wanting the best stereo performance with stunning looks.

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ike all of our range, the flagship Aeromax 6 speakers follow our ‘Sound First’ design principles – that’s to say, we concentrate resources on what makes the product sound amazing, and nothing else.

Their class-leading performance is greatly down to the use of our patented BMR (Balance Mode Radiator) drivers which deliver a wider, more room-filling sound than traditional tweeters, which is hugely beneficial when positioning speakers in awkward locations.

The BMR drivers also allow for a much lower crossover point for a fuller and more coherent sound, and as the BMR can cover more of the frequency range, bass can come from two entirely dedicated subwoofers optimised for a low-end response rather than using compromised mid/bass drivers. All of these benefits result in a crisp, immersive and thunderous performance.

KEY FEATURES ● New BMR driver A brand new, fourth generation BMR driver offers an exceptional high frequency extension to deliver a crisp and detailed top end.

● Improved crossover Ultra-high grade crossover components bring superb levels of detail and transparency leading to a seamless transition between highs, mids and lows.

● Superior cabinet bracing Extensive bracing locks the drive units to the cabinet structure resulting in lower coloration and cleaner dynamics.

This is especially important with Aeromax, as the drivers include two dedicated subwoofers, so the more rigid the cabinet, the better.

● New speaker terminals Brand new, audiophile grade, gold plated speaker terminal posts are used for the ultimate performance and for ease of use.

● High-grade internal cabling Oxygen-free copper (OFC) internal cabling gives the purest signal path from the audiophile grade, gold plated terminal posts to the crossover and drive units.

www.cambridgeaudio.com

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ALL IN ONE! An HD hi-fi music server with database, CD ripper, DAC, 60W amplifier and network streamer… it’s the only hi-fi you’ll ever need

W The X12 is a sophisticated system that caters for all your modern hi-fi needs

KEY FEATURES ● HD Music The X12 features 24 bit/192Khz high resolution audio.

ith the Nova Fidelity X12, you can load all your CDs onto the built-in hard drive storage in many formats, including FLAC, ALAC, WAV, MP3 and Ogg including the CD’s metadata, and its cover art. You can also record vinyl and cassette collections in CD quality and edit the recorded file.

The X12 has well-organised music database functions, so you can display all your tracks by album, artist, genre, composer or title. You can also play back hi-res audio files including 24bit/192Khz WAV and FLAC files plus various audio file formats including Apple lossless audio codec (ALAC), APE/CUE, M4A, AIFF and many more.

The X12 is also set up for Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), allowing you to connect other devices on the same network.

● CD Ripping Load your CD collection into the X12, including all of the metadata and album cover art.

01732 765 105 www.sygnifi.co.uk

● Streaming The X12 features high-quality Qobuz and Receiva internet radio, plus a media server and renderer.

MIDLAND HI-FI STUDIO PS Audio’s DirectStream digital-to-audio convertor allows you to hear your beloved CDs as you have never heard them before

The DirectStream DAC brings new life to your CD collection

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idland Hi-Fi was established in 1979 and is still catering for anyone from beginners to high end audiophiles.

A leading brand we deal with is PS Audio with 40 years of expertise in audio – all of our valued customers that have heard the unit agree this is “The most significant source component they have heard” This DAC allows you to listen to all digital sources dab/internet radio, tv, iPod, and smart devices bringing the music quality to an astounding new level allowing you to appreciate performance and soundstage in lifelike presentation.

KEY FEATURES ● Resolution perfect volume and balance controls

Designer Ted Smith has perfected a 100 per cent bit-perfect volume and balance control that’s built into the DirectStream DAC.

● Upsamples PCM and DSD to 10x DSD rate DirectStream

01902 380 083 www.midlandhifistudio.co.uk

takes both PCM and DSD, upsamples the data and converts to single-bit DSD, outputting pure music.

● Purely passive output stage DirectStream takes a different

approach: passive. High-speed class A video amplifiers are used as the final switch for the single-bit, double DSD output of DirectStream.

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Tweeter-on-top technology derived from Bowers & Wilkins speakers found in Abbey Road Studios and now found in the new CM Series

BEAUTIFUL SOUND The new Bowers & Wilkins CM Series hi-fi speakers are designed to sound beautiful, and look beautiful too. Perfect for listening to the music you love in your favourite room

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owers & Wilkins speakers can be found in the best recording studios in the world, including London’s Abbey Road Studios. Its new CM Series speakers bring technology from Bowers & Wilkins flagship 800 Series Diamond – found in these iconic studios – home to you. Features includes tweeters separated from cabinets for amazing high notes, Kevlar midrange drivers that stop distortion, and braced cabinet constructions to ensure powerful, clear bass notes. The result is that the new CM Series sounds beautiful, and looks beautiful too – with minimalist designs that will fit any room. Stunning audio performance, stylish, discreet design – and beautiful sound.

The new CM Series: speakers designed to sound even better than they look

KEY FEATURES ● Tweeter-on-top technology The CM6 bookshelf and CM10 floorstanding speakers feature tweeters separated from the cabinet for precise treble and an amazing sense of space.

● Decoupled Double Dome tweeters All tweeters are isolated from cabinet vibration and use reinforced aluminium domes for crisp, detailed high notes.

● Kevlar drivers

The properties that let Kevlar stop a bullet also make it ideal for dramatically reducing distorting resonances in the iconic yellow midrange cones.

● Ideal for hi-fi and home cinema

CM Series speakers are perfect for high-fidelity stereo, but the range also includes speakers designed for surround sound.

● Beautiful sound

CM Series speakers are designed to sound even better than they look.

And they look beautiful.

0800 232 1513 www.bowers-wilkins.com

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE The Zodiac Platinum, which combines a DAC with headphone amplifier and analogue pre-amp outputs

THE ULTIMATE HI-FIDELITY DAC/HEADPHONE AMP Antelope Audio’s Zodiac Platinum DSD DAC/headphone amplifier is a future-proof piece of audiophile equipment that sets new standards for accuracy, imaging and dynamics

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rom ultra-high resolution DSD audio to legacy analogue sources, the Antelope Audio Zodiac Platinum has been designed as the hub of class-leading audiophile music systems.

Combining a 24bit/384kH, 256x DSD upsampling DAC with a dedicated high-end headphone amplifier and fully balanced analogue pre-amplifier outputs, the Platinum has already won accolades from hi-fi press around the world. Antelope Audio is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of professional digital clocking and AD/DA converters which are routinely used by the industry’s most accomplished recording, mastering and live sound audio engineers.

The new Zodiac Platinum DAC and matching Voltikus power supply are proof of this combined expertise, providing the most comprehensive top-end DSD and PCM sample rate support and uncompromising audiophile sound quality.

KEY FEATURES ● Unique 256x upsampling DSD DAC Cutting edge bespoke DAC technology for high resolution DSD and PCM up to 24bit/384 kHz, delivers outstanding sound and future-proof technology.

● Dedicated headphone and pre-out amplifiers Peerless headphone sound and analogue pre-amp output via dual 1/4in jacks, balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA stereo connections.

● Flexible digital and analogue connectivity High-speed USB, AES/EBU, Coaxial/Optical S/PDIF and analogue RCA inputs, de-jittered AES/EBU and S/PDIF outputs.

● Easy to use, simple to control Control the Zodiac Platinum from its front panel controls, a PC interface that mirrors the front panel or use the luxurious high-end remote control.

● Upgradable with atomic clock Leveraging Antelope Audio’s professional expertise, the matching 10M Rubidium 10MHz atomic clock is also available for the ultimate DAC system.

‘One of the best DACs available at any price’ Hi-Fi World

‘The sound places it very high in the ranks of high end DACs’ Best Buy

020 81 33 8355 www.antelopeaudio.com

Your favorite musical artists invite you into their worlds with their magnificent recordings. Do your speakers bring you in, or leave you listening through the letter slot?

• Exquisitely sweet midrange & treble from modern JansZen electrostatic panels • Seamless transition at 500 Hz to high linearity 7" frontal woofer • Deep bass rear woofer • Stand/bookshelf switch allowing extreme near wall placement • Adjustable treble • Room independence • Sensitivity: 85 dB 1W/1m • Freq. response: 30 Hz ­ 40 kHz (±3 dB in room) • Impedance: 8 Ohms • Power: 40 ­ 250 W/ch • 17" H x 8" W x 12" D [43 x 20 x 30 cm]

We all know that listening at home can never be exactly like a concert experience.

Concert halls are huge spaces, and ensembles of instruments and voices interact with those spaces in a unique way.

Fortunately, recordings can put you virtually into exceptional listening spots, even those where it's physically impossible to place a seat. They can be just as beautiful and moving as a live concert, and clearer than what you hear when seated in the audience, where typically half the sound you hear has bounced off the walls of the hall before reaching you.

But unless privy to the highest possible fidelity when playing back those recordings, there's a depth to the musical experience that you could be feeling, but will not be available. If you’ve found yourself suspecting this about your present speakers, you’re probably right.

Figured Walnut

Figured Maple

Model zA1.1

I was spellbound the first time I travelled into this immersive musical realm. In a flash, it was obvious that the sound we hear from our usual speakers may be quite solid and clear, yet even the most highly regarded of conventional, non­ electrostatic speakers can’t recreate the experience into which the performers invested so much effort and love.

Conventional speakers have two weaknesses: they can't reproduce all the sound from a recording, and the sound that they do reproduce is altered by emphasizing some sounds and obscuring others. It’s common knowledge that MP3 files eliminate some of the life from the music, but conventional speakers do this, too. In the case of speakers, it’s not obvious until you compare them to the utterly pure sound of JansZen electrostatics, and possibly become unable to leave your seat.

You can find technical information about that on the JansZen web site and elsewhere.

I'll just say here that the only way to deliver all the music, completely detailed, natural, and pure, is with a properly designed electrostatic speaker. There are several companies making electrostatic speakers, but the only company making them with attention to every important factor is JansZen, who originated the modern electrostatic speaker in 1954.

Figured Cherry

Straight to the heart.

Whether you’re an experienced audiophile or someone who simply enjoys recorded music, I'm quite sure you’ll be immediately impressed by how much deeper and enjoyable your musical experiences are with JansZen speakers.

– David Janszen, President, Janszen Loudspeaker, Ltd. “ . . . sound truly beautiful in the sense of reproducing the beauty of real music . . . This speaker has a level of refinement achieved by few at any price.” – Robert E. Greene, The Absolute Sound, 2015 Buyer’s Guide, writing about the Model zA2.1 (zA1.1 review coming soon)

www.janszenaudio.com +1 (614) 448­1811