Len Wallis Audio HEADLINES Winter 2017

The Newsletter of Len Wallis Audio

Winter 2017

Naim goes Atomic No-compromise audio in a compact package

Screen Dreams

Oppo’s top spinner

Panasonic’s ’780 Series and OLED TVs

Meet the ultimate UHD Blu-ray player

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(02) 9427 6755

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SA10S1 Reference SACD / CD player & DAC MADE IN JAPAN

PM10S1 Reference Stereo Integrated Amplifier MADE IN JAPAN

THE REFERENCE 10 SERIES

SOON TO BE LEGEND

Introducing the Marantz SA-10 SACD player/DAC and PM-10 amplifier – The New Reference Series, built on groundbreaking audio technology.

The new Marantz SA-10 is the latest model in a range of high-end players stretching all the way back to the dawn of CD. The SA-10 is designed to sets new standards, whether with music on disc or content streamed from a computer, and to become the New Reference in digital audio.

It’s no surprise that our very latest Premium Series model, the PM-10, is an integrated amplifier built to set new standards with all of today’s music

formats. In fact, this massively powerful integrated amplifier is constructed more like a high-end separate preamplifier and a pair of mono-block power amps, but all in one beautifully finished case, designed both to maximise performance and create a strong visual statement.

Marantz 10 Series Reference Components.

Because Music Matters.

For more information visit www.marantz.com.au

SA14S1 Special Edition

PM14S1 Special Edition

NA11S1

TT15S1

SACD / CD Player and DAC

Stereo Integrated Amplifier

Network Audio Player and DAC

Fully Manual Turntable

MADE IN JAPAN

MADE IN JAPAN

MADE IN JAPAN

MADE IN GERMANY

AVAILABLE AT

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Inside...

04 From the desk of Len

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06 Panasonic impresses with its 2017 televisions 08 Oppo’s BDP-205 ultimate UHD Blu-ray player!

10 Meet Naim’s New Uniti line-up including the compact Uniti Atom

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PS Audio’s Stella amp and DAC with ‘cell’ technology

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New home cinema family members for HEOS

14 Heaven in Hunters Hill Our custom installation team delivers a whole home of entertainment 19 Bose rewrites the rules of sound again with the SoundLink Revolve 19 Sony’s stunning 4K cinema projector

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20 Give your hi-fi the support it deserves...

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NAD delivers power with understatement

23 Hugo 2 from Chord outdoes the original 24 Triangle’s stylish Australe speaker offers even more than first meets the eye 26 Sonos gets under your TV

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26 Sennheiser’s high-value wireless noise-cancelling headphones 27 Inakustic cables that count 28 Yamaha’s deceptively simple yet capable system 29 Top accessories & tweaks

64 Burns Bay Road, Lane Cove NSW 2066 Telephone 02 9427 6755 sales@lenwallisaudio.com.au TRADING HOURS Monday Tuesday Wednesday Friday: 9 to 5.30 Thursday: 9 to 8; Saturday: 9 to 5; Sunday: closed THE LATEST IS ONLINE! – www.lenwallisaudio.com

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EDITORIAL

FROM THE DESK OF LEN

W

hile Wi-Fi is generally taken for granted these days, it is still a relatively new phenomenon.

The first wireless products – then called WaveLAN – were introduced by NCR Corporation in 1991 as a means to have their cash register systems communicate wirelessly to each other. The following year scientists working for the CSIRO patented an advanced version of the technology, and 802.11 was released in 1997. Apple was the first company to introduce Wi-Fi (as an option) in their laptops in 1999.

It was still some time before Wi-Fi became popular, with the common application for many years being accessing Internet via laptops etc.

However the last few years has seen an explosion in the use of devices that utilise

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Wi-Fi, and more importantly, the home network. As recently as 10 years ago most homes would have one or two laptops, possibly a PC, and a printer. Today it is not unusual for a home to have 50 or more smart components that each have their own unique IP addresses. The demands of a current domestic installation far outstrip the abilities of a home network designed ten or even five years ago. We have quickly grown from the scenario above to having multiple members of the household simultaneously streaming video and/or audio, gaming on-line, monitoring security, accessing smart devices (which are increasingly being used as system controllers), controlling automation, communicating on-line (VoIP etc.), cloud storage etc., etc.

Almost all devices we sell and install these days, even through our retail division, will connect to the network.

Most systems access music or video online. Almost all are subject to regular software upgrades, via the web. Most programmable remotes are smart device (iPad etc.) based products, and almost all multi-room audio streaming systems are network based. Once you throw in any form of automation the dependency on the network grows exponentially. And the unfortunate reality is that if your network is not up to the task, these systems are simply not going to perform as they should.

Through necessity we have been designing and implementing networks for some years now. The difference is that the networks we design are Enterprise (commercial) Grade. The fact that your existing Wi-Fi system is coping with your current requirements does not mean it will cope with newer technologies. The stockstandard network components that you pick up from your local electronics store – or supplied by your ISP provider – simply will not cope with modern day demands.

While Len Wallis Audio is an entertainment-based company, and this will never change, you will find that one of the first questions we will now ask is ‘how stable is your network?’

It is now common practice for us to install the network prior to or alongside the installation of your audio or Audio Visual system. We are also aware that these demands are becoming greater day by day, so it is important that any-thing we install now will cope with future requirements as well.

EXTRAORDINARY PERFECTED Introducing the new Panasonic OLED TV. With Technics tuned Dynamic Blade Speaker for stunning sound.

Experience in store now.

PANASONIC

Screen Dreams 2017 Panasonic televisions released

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t’s been a long wait, but we are finally seeing the first of the new 2017 Panasonic TV models – and the wait has been worth it. Positive rumours of this range have been circulating since they were shown at CES in Las Vegas in January, and thankfully the chatter has been well founded.

Panasonic will continue to roll out new models over the next few months.

The first two models we have received represent the best of their traditional LED-LCD screens, the ’780 series. There are two sizes, 65” and 75”, and both are 4K Ultra HD screens – with a 58” version due very soon.

By the time that you receive this newsletter we would also have received the lower priced (but still 4K enabled) ‘600’ series, a range commencing with

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a 43” model for $1,500 and extending to a 65” screen selling for less than $3,000.

Following close behind – due late July – we will also see three models of Panasonic OLED screens, two at 65” and one at 75”.

These are already available on the European market, and to say that the early reports are enthusiastic would be an understatement.

While most people are aware of 4K technology, there is another equally important technology which has largely gone unnoticed, and that is HDR (High Dynamic Range). While 4K TV is all about screen resolution, HDR is all about colour, contrast and brightness. If you were to compare two TVs, one having a higher pixel count (4K UHD) and the other with better contrast ratio and more accurate colour, the latter would invariably be chosen as the more appealing screen.

HDR is about much more than just brightness – it is about the relative illumination of any image, be it dark or light. While a regular TV has a range of 220 usable shades, an HDR screen offers 1,024 shades, making it much easier to pick variations and detail in either darker or very bright images – a major problem for many viewers.

The good news is that all Panasonic screens from the ’600 series up offers the best of all worlds – they are both HDR enabled and 4K certified. It does not get any better than that!

Combine this level of technology with a full raft of easy to use ‘smart’ applications and you have a product that not only looks great, but is also incredibly versatile.

Panasonic offers a number of innovations with this new series: Like /lenwallisaudio on Facebook

PANASONIC

• Hexa Chroma Drive: Panasonic has introduced a unique advanced colour processing technology called Hexa Chroma Drive using 6-colour reproduction. It manages colours by adding 3 complementary colours (CMY) to the 3 primary colour axes (RGB), resulting in greater colour reproduction and accuracy. An advanced version of this technology, Hexa Chroma Drive Pro, is used in models from the ’780 series and above.

• Studio Colour HCX2: The new Studio Colour HCX2 Processor represents the pinnacle of Panasonic’s image processing. The image processor is a result of Panasonic’s long collaboration with Hollywood film studio professionals. With Studio Colour HCX2 and Hexa Chroma Drive,

HCX2 ensures that brightest parts of HDR pictures contain lots of detail, while dark shades enjoy much smoother gradation than LCD and OLED TVs typically achieve.

• TV Anytime: This innovative feature lets you access your TV from a tablet or phone regardless of where in the world you might be. You can use the system to set recordings on your TV or, even better, you can stream live broadcasts or recorded content from your TV to your smart device – even if you’re outdoors. All you need is an internet connection and “Panasonic Media Centre App” on your smart device of choice.

• Swipe and Share: Unleash the full potential of your smartphone or tablet with swipe and share functions. Share and stream personal content like pictures, movies and music to your Panasonic TV simply from Android or Apple based devices. Simply download the ‘Panasonic TV remote 2’ app on your smart device and ensure your TV is connected to your Wi-Fi network. This is a really clever technology – ask for a demo.

• Picture tuned in Hollywood: Panasonic has long understood that delivering the most accurate TV pictures means working with the creative community that actually makes all those films and TV shows you love. From the ’780 series and above, Panasonic’s screens are tuned and tweaked by professionals in the Hollywood film industry. With a purpose-built TV laboratory in Hollywood, Panasonic is determined to deliver accurate picture quality “true to the film maker’s intention”.

We are often asked why we now only carry one brand of screen. We are fortunate enough to be in the position to approach any manufacturer – and we have viewed them all. We believe that Panasonic offers the most reliable, realistic and natural images on the market.

What happened to 3D? In all there will be six ranges in the new Panasonic line-up, and yet only the ’780 series is 3D enabled. Just a few years ago it was inconceivable that any company would bring a TV to market without 3D on-board.

Today the Panasonic ’780 series is the exception to the rule, as most companies today do not offer a 3D model at all.

There are a number of reasons being floated as to why this technology so spectacularly failed: • lack of content, and the questionable appeal of many of the movies released in 3D; • uncomfortable and annoying glasses, without any consistency in technology between brands, or even models within a brand; • Blu-ray discs being the primary source of 3D when consumers were moving to streaming services; • many consumers being reluctant to also upgrade their existing disc players, AV receivers etc. as well as their TVs to access the technology; • 3D was not written into the new UHD Blu-ray spec; • consumers were simply underwhelmed by the experience.

The industry is now closely watching the fate of curved screens!!

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OPPO

The Oppo we’ve been waiting for…

Oppo UDP-205 4K Ultra HD Audiophile Blu-ray Disc Player

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ppo have now released their UDP-205 4K Blu-ray player. As expected this is an exceptional player, both for visual and audio. Priced at $2,199, the performance of this unit eclipses players costing multiples of this price.

We believe that Oppo’s own press release – reproduced below – sums up the features of this player beautifully.

“The OPPO UDP-205 carries many of the same features as the UDP-203: • playback of 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, regular Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, SACD, CD and many other formats;

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• High Dynamic Range (HDR10) and firmware upgradable to Dolby Vision; • dual HDMI outputs – HDMI 2.0 for UHD and HDMI 1.4 for audio; • and an HDMI 2.0 input port for external streaming devices or set-top boxes.

“The audio performance of the OPPO UDP-205 is a significant upgrade over the UDP-203 and previous generation players. The UDP-205 provides referencelevel sound quality through the analogue outputs, improves the clock precision of the HDMI audio output, and increases the power of the built-in headphone amplifier.

For the analogue output stages, the

UDP-205 utilises two ES9038PRO DACs, the flagship of the ESS Sabre Pro series, delivering best-in-class audio performance.

“Stereo listening accounts for a large part of audiophile usage of a universal player, and that is why the UDP-205 offers a dedicated stereo output in addition to its 7.1-channel analogue audio output.

The stereo audio output is powered by a dedicated ES9038PRO DAC chip and specially designed buffer and driver stages.

It provides both XLR balanced and RCA single-ended connectors. The balanced output features a true differential signal path all the way from the DAC to the 3-pin XLR connector. By transmitting a pair of differential signals, the balanced output provides better common-mode noise rejection and improves signal quality.

“For a more intimate listening experience, headphones can be connected directly to the UDP-205’s built-in headphone amplifier. The headphone amplifier is

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OPPO – AVID

connected directly to the ESS SABRE PRO DAC and offers a unique performance advantage over standalone headphone amplifiers. Compared to the built-in headphone amplifier in our previous generation BDP-105/105D players, the new design offers more power and higher performance,” says Oppo.

“In addition to its playback capabilities, the UDP-205 adds a USB DAC and a coaxial and an optical digital audio input, so users can take advantage of the excellent audio performance of the UDP-205 with other sources. The asynchronous USB DAC input supports sample rates up to 768kHz PCM and DSD512. By bypassing the low fidelity, poor quality DAC of traditional computer soundcards, the UDP-205 turns any computer into a high performing multimedia source by utilising the ES9038PRO DAC. For additional convenience and flexibility, the UDP-205 can convert digital signals from cable and satellite boxes, televisions, video game consoles and other digital transports with coaxial and optical digital outputs to analogue.

“The UDP-205 features a highstability, high-precision HDMI clock and a special HDMI audio jitter reduction circuit. This unique design significantly reduces jitter and eliminates timing errors, allowing customers to enjoy their music with increased accuracy when they use the audio-only HDMI output port for connecting the audio signal. PCM and DSD signals rely on the HDMI clock directly, so the HDMI audio jitter reduction circuitry can improve the sound quality of PCM and DSD audio. For compressed bitstream audio, it helps to ensure errorfree transmission, and may improve the audio performance depending on whether the audio decoder in the A/V processor or receiver uses a synchronous or asynchronous clock scheme.

“Advanced engineering, rigorous parts selection, and rock-solid build quality are foundations to the UDP-205’s

the BDP-205 (as well as the BDP-203) can be modified to support multi-region Blu-ray discs, and unlike earlier players this mod appears to be trouble-free...

performance. The UDP-205’s audio circuitry is powered by a massive toroidal power supply, which provides a very clean and robust power source to the audio components. The brushed aluminium front panel and metal chassis continue the tradition of excellent workmanship found in previous generations of Oppo universal players. Four heavy-gauge machined feet provide a stable foundation for the UDP-205, and isolate it from

outside vibration. A new double-layered chassis further enhances the rigidness and vibration-canceling capabilities. The internal layout and chassis design promote healthy air flow so critical components can be naturally cooled. Strategically placed heatsinks and ventilation grilles allow the UDP-205 run both cool and quiet without the need for internal or external fans. The high quality construction is designed to impress and to perform.

“Drawing from over a decade’s worth of experience in advanced image processing technology and high fidelity audio performance, the OPPO UDP-205 is the perfect choice for discerning enthusiasts.”

More good news is that the BDP-205 (as well as the BDP-203) can be modified to support multi-region Blu-ray discs, and unlike earlier players this mod appears to be trouble-free (and will not void warranty). The modification costs $200.

Avid Pellar Phono Stage Despite the recent return to vinyl, many amplifiers on the market still do not incorporate a phono stage. More importantly the phono stages in most amplifiers that do include phono stages still leave a lot to be desired. Because of this there has been a growing return to external phono stages.

It is not a coincidence that one of the better ones comes from Avid HiFi, since

Avid manufacture some of the best value turntables on the market. At $1,299, the Pellar is Avid’s baby phono stage and is an exceptional performer for the price. It handles both Moving Magnet and Moving Coil (both high and low gain) cartridges.

The gain can be changed for all settings, and it is possible to set the resistance value for any MM cartridge (like all phono stages the default setting is 47k).

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NAIM AUDIO

UPDATE: Naim Uniti Atom In the Summer edition of our newsletter (two issues ago) we made a song and dance about the replacement for the Naim Uniti Qute, the Atom. As of writing, we still have not received stock – however, I have been assured that by the time you read this we will have them on the floor.

This promises to be an exceptional product. Its predecessor – the Qute – was extremely popular, and with the feature

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set offered by the Atom we predict that this will be an absolute winner for anyone looking for a no-compromise system in a compact package.

The many features include: • Google Cast for Audio – the Uniti Atom is one of the first audio products to incorporate this new technology from Google; • Tidal – our favourite streaming service, with all the music you need available to stream in CD quality, and some albums in MQA; • AirPlay – stream music from your iDevice or from iTunes / Apple Music; • Spotify Connect – the world’s most popular streaming service; • Bluetooth (with aptX HD) – stream from your Bluetooth device in CD quality (or better);

• Internet Radio; • UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) – stream your stored music from a PC, Mac or network attached storage; • Digital input – connect any external digital device, including any recent model TV; • Analogue outputs – connect an external power amplifier or subwoofer; • an upgraded headphone amplifier.

Along with the above, Naim have upgraded their streaming platform, incorporated a new improved DAC, improved their amplification and even integrated a new volume control based on their Statement amplifier. The display panel is larger, the remote control has been improved, and there is a new App. See details of the whole new range opposite.

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NAIM AUDIO

New Uniti range

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he Qute is not the only piece from the Uniti range to be upgraded; in fact the entire range has changed. Along with the Atom, Naim are also releasing:

UNITI STAR: An all-in-one package including a CD drive which can be used either as a CD player or to rip discs to its internal storage. Its amplification is rated at 70 watts/channel.

UNITI CORE: This is a replacement for the Uniti Serve. It allows you to rip CDs to an external NAS drive, or with the additional of an internal hard-drive you can store up to 100,000 tracks internally. This is an excellent companion to the Uniti Atom opposite.

UNITI NOVA: This is the top of the new Uniti range. An 80 watt/channel amplifier and streamer in one.

JULY 26 – NAIM RELEASE NIGHT!

All three of Naim’s amplifier-based new Uniti models include Google Cast for Audio, Apple AirPlay, Tidal, Spotify

Connect, aptX HD Bluetooth, vTuner internet radio and UPnP (universal plug and play) hi-res streaming.

This has been a very important and also a carefully considered release from Naim.

They have had a team of 25 engineers working on the project for three years, and have invested around A$6m on the project. While we have been waiting for this release, their decision to hold back the date for six months until they were confident that they had it right is an indication of their commitment.

The Australian Hi-Fi & AV Show is being held in Sydney this year, starting on Friday July 28th. One of the guests of the show is Dan Poulton from Naim, and he, along with the importers of Naim, has agreed to host a release for the Uniti series at our store on the previous Wednesday night (the 26th). We understand that this will be the first Australian showing for a couple of these models.

If you would like to attend our Naim Launch Night please call Meena on 9427 6755 or email sales@lenwallisaudio.com.au to reserve a space.

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PS AUDIO

Star performance from Stella

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ow PS Audio got its start back in 1973 is a great story – if you have the chance, click on the ‘About’ link on their website. However it has been the last few years which have seen this extremely innovative company come to the forefront. Products like the unique DirectStream Memory Player covered in our last publication showcase a lot of technology, and have captured the interest of the audio loving consumer.

Not a company to stand still, PS Audio have just released a new range of amplifiers – Stella. We are currently carrying two products from this range, the Stella Gain Cell DAC, and the Stella S300 Stereo Power Amplifier.

Stella Gain Cell DAC We also made mention of the NuWave DSD DAC in our last newsletter – this is one of the best value for money DACs on the market. At $2,595 the new Stella Gain Cell DAC (below) is an improved version of the DSD DAC, built into an analogue preamplifier. At the heart of the preamplifier stage is the Gain Cell. Invented in the early 2000s by PS Audio founder Paul McGowan, this unique approach to variable gain amplification eliminates a

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classic problem for preamplifier designers – the volume control.

All preamplifiers must provide a means for the level to be turned up or down. There are numerous methods of accomplishing this seemingly simple task: potentiometers, stepped attenuators, light-dependent resistors, transformers, electronic switches, etc. All have something in common – they are inserted in the signal path and degrade the musical signal to varying degrees. If you have ever owned a product with both variable and fixed outputs and compared the two, you will understand what we mean.

Instead of inserting an additional level control in the signal path, the PS Audio Gain Cell relies on a different technology known as a variable gain amplifier (Gilbert Cell). This topology was invented in the 1960s by Howard Jones and Barry Gilbert, and became widely adopted by recording and mastering studios in their analogue heyday — then later abandoned when these same studios went digital.

The idea behind the variable gain cell is simple. Instead of adding additional circuitry to the signal path to vary loudness, the preamplifier’s actual amplifier stage varies its gain in response to the user’s front panel volume control.

This method requires zero additional circuitry in the signal path, offers more than 80dB of attenuation and, if designed properly, performs to the equal of most high-end preamplifiers.

Stella S300 Power Amplifier The S300 stereo power amplifier (pictured above) is rated at 140 watts into 8 ohms and doubles its power into 4 ohms. Once again this product utilises PS Audio’s ‘cell’ technology – this time the ‘Analogue Cell’. This is a zero feedback, balanced, Class A, MOSFET input stage, mirroring the sonic qualities of valve components.

The output stage is a high current Class ‘D’ design. There is a common school of thought that Class ‘D’ amplifiers are digital – which is incorrect. A Class D amplification stage is an analogue process, known as Pulse Width Modulation (PWM).

Class D amplifiers do switch in on/off fashion, possibly why they wrongly acquired the “digital” moniker – or it may be simply the ‘D’ in the description.

The Stellar S300 is a dual mono design, with each of the two channels having complete and independent power supplies and power amplification stages.

Interestingly PS Audio has stated that their goal with the development of this amplifier was to design “one of the most extraordinary under $5,000 stereo power amplifiers ever crafted”. We cannot say that they have achieved this goal – but given that the Stella 300 sells for $2,295 we would suggest that they have come up with an outstanding bargain.

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HEOS

HEOS range expands

M

any people are not aware that the HEOS multi-room wireless music system was initially developed in Australia, and has gone on to become one of the major players in the market – world-wide. HEOS have recently released a number of new products.

HEOS AVR: A Home Theatre receiver that gives you the option of connecting your speakers by traditional cables, wirelessly, or by a combination of the two.

The feature set of the HEOS AVR (pictured right) is impressive, rated at 5 x 100 watts/ channel, with the latest specification 4K-compatible HDMI 2.0, and Bluetooth streaming. The AVR also comes with

built-in HEOS network technology for access to the most important online streaming services, and multi-room operation with other HEOS products.

HEOS BAR: This soundbar joins HEOS’s existing HomeCinema – at a lower cost.

The HEOS Bar is a three-channel (Left, Centre, Right) soundbar which will provide a virtual surround effect via its nine inbuilt

drivers. Alternatively you can add a pair of HEOS wireless speakers at the rear plus the HEOS Subwoofer (as pictured above) to have a proper 5.1 set-up. The HEOS Bar has four HDMI inputs, Bluetooth streaming and of course all the abilities of the HEOS wireless multiroom platform.

HEOS SUBWOOFER: The wireless HEOS sub can be added to any existing HEOS component – and it comes with factoryoptimised options for any configuration.

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HOME INSTALLATION

Heaven in Hunters Hill

L

en Wallis Audio was given the opportunity to manage the Audio Visual installation of this unique residence in Hunters Hill as part of extensive renovations being carried out by the owner. With his flair for design, function, quality and wow factor, Alberto

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Vangi, Senior Custom Sales Consultant of Len Wallis Audio, took on the challenging project and the task of turning the owner’s dreams into functional reality.

As you can see from the photos, this residence exudes a special presence. The main entry is via a bespoke bronze front

door that might look just as at home on an ancient Aztec temple. Once inside you find yourself mesmerised by the gallery-style entry hall (see overleaf), served with sound via Niles high-resolution ceiling speakers.

Continuing on from the remarkable entrance into the delightful main living Like /lenwallisaudio on Facebook

HOME INSTALLATION

area (main image here), the client wanted the space to cater for the dual requirement of high quality hi-fi playback and an immersive surround sound experience for movies, while also incorporating a special love for B&W’s Limited Edition Maserati 805

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HOME INSTALLATION loudspeakers. Enter the unlikely yet harmonious marriage of Krell and Marantz amplification. The Krell Foundation Integrated Amplifier offers superb characteristics when the system is in two-channel hi-fi mode to drive the 805s.

When switching to surround sound mode, the Krell is programmed to change to dedicated power amplification duties for the 805s as they act as front speakers, while the Marantz manages surround sound processing, 4K video switching and powering of the centre and rear effect speakers.

The centre speaker is also a special feature here, being a custom laser-cut James Audio unit from the USA that perfectly matches the width of the television. The rear speakers are directional high resolution Niles in-ceiling models, and with broad bottom-end duties managed by a 12-inch Sunfire subwoofer.

A Panasonic 65-inch screen completes the picture, with source components being the premium Oppo Blu-ray player, Sonos, Apple TV and Foxtel IQ3. Control and function is via an iPad which incorporates the RTI Control system for ease of use.

Outdoors and upstairs In the outdoor entertaining area, wall-mounted B&W speakers are used, and in the months ahead this will be complemented by a James Audio Satellite and Sub solution – all able to be controlled via the same RTI system on iPad. The upstairs area of the residence features a dedicated home theatre experience in a unique space with a special raked ceiling design (opposite).

“This area required some careful planning to ensure the perfect solution to get the very best out of the space”, says Alberto, who has overseen many successful theatre builds, and chose a 125-inch Cinemascope screen (2.35:1) from specialist Stewart Filmscreen.

“Stewart screens are world-renowned for their reference-quality image performance, and we’ve had consistently excellent results with their products,” he says.

With viewing from multiple sources (including Blu-ray discs, Foxtel and Apple

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effect that often results from playback of different source materials.

What’s Kaleidescape?

TVs and the pièce de résistance – a Kaleidescape Strato movie server) Alberto specified a screen with multi-format capability. This means that the screen features motorised black side-masking which allows the viewer to perfectly border the image for increased contrast and a more enjoyable 16:9 (1.78:1) experience, drawing the viewers’ eye into the image and resolving the unwanted ‘letterbox’

The Kaleidescape is a truly unique source solution. It allows the user to download content from the online store in full 4K and HDR quality (exactly as you would with purchased 4K discs – no quality compression or frame loss whatsoever).

But the real genius of the system is that once you build up the library, it allows for storage of content on-site with a superb interface, categorisation and instant access. No discs, no buffering and no fuss.

Projection is delivered from a Sony 4K projector, while a Focal Aria speaker solution (left, right and centre) with two Sunfire subwoofers makes up the front of the room for sound, with rears, side and back sound being managed by Focal’s exceptional in-wall Beryllium speakers.

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HOME INSTALLATION

Marantz pre and power amplification drives sound to the speakers with the resultant performance well beyond what you would experience in a commercial cinema – goose bumps are included!

Sleeping in The Master Bedroom (pictures overleaf) continues the integrated entertainment

theme, with a 55-inch Panasonic TV and a full surround sound system featuring two front and two rear Niles fully directional high definition ceiling speakers, a James Audio centre speaker and a Sunfire subwoofer – just the thing for watching movies in bed on those cold wintery days.

The integration doesn’t stop there either, with a single stereo Sonance Extreme ceiling speaker powered via Sonos in

the Master Bathroom – all able to be controlled by an RTI system on iPad.

Taking control “When thinking of all this technology, the streaming, Wi-Fi for RTI control purposes and everyday living, we always stress how important the network infrastructure is,” says Onur Gursen, Len Wallis Audio Project Manager, who managed the IT

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HOME INSTALLATION

and programming for this installation.

“It’s key to be able to guarantee a robust and effective IT infrastructure in systems such as this to ensure a user experience that is consistent and stable”.

The system includes a commercialgrade Ruckus Wi-Fi solution with a dedicated outdoor WAP to ensure rock-solid connectivity throughout the residence. In addition, managed network switches from Luxul are deployed throughout the project.

The result – iPad control from anywhere in the home, and a little slice of heaven, with top-quality hi-fi and AV entertainment integrated seamlessly within this wonderful home.

What the client says The client has been thrilled with the results and was happy to share his thoughts on the experience.

“I knew what I wanted in terms of a media room and a quality sound system for my property, so I approached Len Wallis Audio based on their reputation” he says. “I worked closely with Alberto Vangi

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to design media and sound systems that would best complement my needs and add value to my home.

“From the initial wiring to completion, all the work was carried out efficiently.

If I had a question or I required wiring to a certain area moved forward, it was sorted without any fuss.

“The lounge, being my main living room, is where I watch general TV. What I was particularly pleased with as the cold weather drew in was the use of the equipment installed in the master

bedroom. I find I start watching a movie in the lounge and then retire to the bedroom to continue watching the same movie without diminishing any of the quality by the fact that the systems are fully integrated and I have the same standard of equipment throughout the house.

“A major factor in my recommending Len Wallis Audio is their service is ongoing. Any queries on the operation or teething problems have been dealt with immediately. That is what is worth paying that bit extra for.”

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BOSE / SONY

Bose SoundLink Revolve

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hen we first heard the Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth speaker, one of the staff commented that Bose had rewritten the laws of physics. Amazing performance (and versatility) out of a compact design. That was a couple of years ago – and Bose have now done it again, with SoundLink Revolve.

The most obvious aspect of the Revolve design is that it is omnidirectional, i.e. it plays music in all directions. It is also small – measuring only 15cm high. Don’t let the size put you off though – this unit really packs a punch.

Sony VPL-VW550ES Cinema Projector We realise that we keep repeating ourselves, but the advances in projector technology during the last decade are nothing short of astounding. Not only have prices plummeted but performance has soared. The Sony VPL-VW550ES is a great example of this.

This is Sony’s second generation 4K projector. It outputs 1800 lumens brightness (more than enough for a home

theatre), has a contrast ratio of 350,000:1 – and this projector is HDR (High Dynamic Range) compatible.

While conventional TV screens continue to grow in size, there is still something unique about a big-screen projection system. The sense of immersion and the film-like quality of projection is very engaging. Drop in and have a quick look at the Sony – you will be impressed.

Other features include: • Water resistance; • Battery power, with a battery life of up to 12 hours; • Press and hold the multi-function button to access the voice input for Siri and Google Now right from the speaker; • You can control SoundLink Revolve from a smart device app; • Add a second Revolve and switch to stereo mode via the app; • Speakerphone – take calls right through the speaker.

PLUS – if you are looking for a little more performance, you should consider SoundLink Revolve+, a larger, more powerful version of Revolve, with a 16-hour battery life and the convenience of a carry handle.

The prices for the two versions are: SoundLink Revolve: $299 SoundLink Revolve+: $439

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AVID ISORAK – ATACAMA EVOQUE

SEEKING SUPPORT

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t would be a mistake to assume that the cabinet housing your system will not impact on the its performance – it does. Yet it is getting harder to find a good Hi-Fi rack these days. Thankfully we have come across two excellent examples recently.

Avid’s Isorak (pictured right) is a high quality support solution for your audio components. This entirely modular, scalable and simply superb system can easily be tailored specifically to your own requirements thanks to the custom leg lengths available, and can be added to as your system changes or expands!

Isorak has thick solid shelves with resonance diffusion slots, supported by solid aluminium support poles with Isorak’s unique ball contact steelbearing separation points, further enhancing isolation characteristics.

Cable management is included, and it all comes in a useful (and easy to assemble!) flat-pack design.

Purchased individually, the shelf tiers then simply stack onto each other above the base section. Five different lengths of leg are available, and this enables the system to be configured to match virtually any combination of hi-fi components, and also to adapt as your system changes.

Isoraks can also be configured with either three or four legs for maximum flexibility.

Each shelf is precision machined in black 30mm MDF, which is profiled to dissipate vibrations and prevent standing waves from forming.

Avid’s Isorak is available in two different shelf sizes and pricing starts at $765 per tier for Isorak mini (above) and $869 per tier for the full sized Isorak.

The other rack is the Evoque series from British company Atacama (below).

“If you’re of the opinion all hi-fi racks are created more or less equal, the Atacama Evoque is about to make you rethink your position...”

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NAD The Evoque concept is simple – you start with a base module and then add the necessary shelves to that. The shelves come in 145mm/195mm or 245mm internal space sizes, and can be stacked to a total height of 1255mm. All pieces sell for $549. There is also a double-width version (internal storage width 1120mm) which operates on the same principle, with the difference being that the individual pieces sell for $929 each.

Atacama recently stated that their goal in the production of a new stand was to “to build a hi-fi support able to dampen, direct, isolate and control sonic and mechanical resonance away from the equipment”.

When WHAT HI-FI? did a review of the Evoque their comment was “If you’re of the opinion all hi-fi racks are created more or less equal, the Atacama Evoque is about to make you rethink your position.”

While on the subject (or soapbox) of support, I have on occasion come under criticism for suggesting that speaker stands used under bookshelf speakers can make a bigger difference to performance than the speaker cables used. The difference between an average speaker stand and a quality one is obvious and immediate, and is always an improvement, rather than the subjective changes (i.e. it sounds different) that you can get with cables.

A great example of this was the B&W Maserati 805 loudspeaker.

Besides the cosmetics, which turned the 805s into one of the most gorgeous-looking loudspeakers ever produced, the only change to the speakers was the stand. Yet the Maserati 805s sounded considerably superior to the standard version.

THE POWER OF UNDERSTATEMENT

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e have regularly lambasted the current gibberish that passes for power ratings on amplifiers. In many cases the specifications quoted are laughable, and appear to be written by the marketing department rather than by the technical staff. There is no consistency in rating procedures, making any attempt of a valid comparison impossible, with Home Theatre amplifiers being the greatest culprits. We recently saw the specification for a 7-channel receiver where the power was rated with

only one channel driven (not uncommon, but a worthless procedure), measured at 1kHz frequency and with 10% distortion.

This is completely removed from any reallife situation.

It was, then, refreshing to read the recent Hi-Fi News and Record Review review of the pictured NAD C368 stereo integrated amplifier. This amp is rated at 80 watts/channel (into 8 ohms), but under test it topped out at 130 watts (also into 8 ohms).

While it is probably not surprising that it is a NAD that was so vastly under-rated

(they have a habit of doing so), it was great to see at least one company with a little integrity left.

Incidentally, they were also impressed with the performance, concluding “While at the upper limit of what’s usually considered for these ‘Budget Esoterica’ pages, the C368 more than justifies the title by offering a remarkable level of performance for the money, combining serious punch with fine detail and control, while able to drive even ambitious speakers with excellent grip”.

The price of the C368 is $1,499.

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CHORD

Meet Hugo 2, son of Hugo

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ay hello to the new Hugo 2, a powerful digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) and headphone amp that builds on the groundbreaking Hugo original. Designed for both home and mobile use, Hugo 2 transforms the sound quality of headphones and audio systems with its cutting-edge proprietary DAC technology.

In 2014, Chord Electronics introduced Hugo, a revolutionary portable DAC and headphone amp that quickly became a standout product in the Hi-Fi market place.

Fast forward to 2017 and the ongoing advances in digital technology, including the latest FPGAs and WTA (Watts Transient Aligned) filters, have enabled Chord to introduce a next-generation version, Hugo 2, featuring flexible new operational

features, plus next-generation technical and sonic performance.

Hugo 2 can be used both at home and on the go, either with headphones or within a conventional audio system.

Its line-level output and full-function remote control adds real flexibility in full-size and desktop systems.

The device offers four digital inputs (optical, coaxial and HD USB, plus extended-range Bluetooth), with highresolution file playback up to 768kHz and up to DSD512 (Octa DSD) via HD USB input.

Analogue outputs include 2 x RCA, plus 3.5mm and 6.35mm headphone outputs.

A four-function switch filter offers a useful degree of user-selectable frequency shaping, bringing a choice of warm and soft, or transparent and incisive

presentations, giving additional flexibility and user control.

For headphone listening, Hugo 2 retains the popular digital cross-feed function of the original and offers three operation modes. The system duplicates the effect of listening to speakers and is based on advanced binaural audio research.

Hugo 2 features four friendly spherical control buttons which illuminate with colour-coding information, controlling power, input, filtering, plus the unit’s cross-feed functions.

Battery playing time is around seven hours, and two modes of automatic charging are included using the dedicated Micro USB charging port; an indicator shows charging and battery-charge status.

Hugo 2 has a RRP of $3699.

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TRIANGLE

Australe for Australia!

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riangle are bringing a new loudspeaker to Australia in July this year, which will be known as the Australe EZ. This is a full-sized 3-way floorstanding speaker positioned above the current top-of-therange Antal EZ within the Esprit line-up.

Standing only slightly larger in cabinet than the Antal, at first glance you could be forgiven for thinking there’s not much difference here, but there’s much more to the Australe than meets the eye. The big differences are in the specifications of the components and construction of the cabinet, adding significantly more strength bracing and internal thickness.

It doesn’t stop there either, with the cabinet construction utilising a system Triangle calls ‘Driver Vibration Absorption System’ or DVAS. This system uses strategic rubber reinforcement to isolate the respective driver magnets from each

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other, as well as specific thicknesses in the bracing slats themselves. Much more than just a marketing tactic, the DVAS revisions equate to a significantly stiffer cabinet than is used for the already impressive Antal, which assists in the dissipation of standing waves and clearer frequencies at higher volumes.

The Australe gets higher specified components than the Antal as well, such as the titanium TZ 2510 tweeter (already familiar in the Esprit line), but adds Triangle’s proprietary Dynamic Pulse System (DPS), originally dedicated to the top-of-the-range Magellan line. The mid-range driver is also taken from the Antal but is expanded to 165mm in size to provide an even more open and expansive soundstage.

The bass drivers of the Australe see some further significant innovation in material composition to aid the extension

of both frequency and sound pressure.

Here Triangle have developed a new material which combines unbleached kraft pulp and carbon fibre with a newly developed 120mm magnet for thrilling bass response.

Inputs and outputs are managed by a new crossover board with internal wiring utilising a specific order OFC cable, similar to that used on Triangle’s high-end Signature range. The rear plate will offer terminals with high/midrange and bass separation, to allow biwiring and biamping.

All of these innovations combine to create a formidable floorstander with a frequency range of 35Hz to 22kHz, a friendly 92.5dB sensitivity, and power handing up to 300 watts.

The Triangle Esprit Australe EZ will be priced from $5999 per pair and available from late July.

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"IT’S SHOCKINGLY GOOD, AND A BENCHMARK PRODUCT AT THIS PRICE AND WELL BEYOND." Hans Wetzel SoundStage Network

Distributed by Convoy International

NADElectronicsAustralia

NADElectronics.com.au

02 9774 9900

SONOS – SENNHEISER

Sonos PLAYBASE

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urprisingly, the viability of this product was questioned by many inside the industry when it was released. To us it made a lot of sense, and given that Sonos have been out of stock of the new PLAYBASE more often than not, it appears that our instinct was correct.

The Sonos PLAYBASE is essentially a soundbar that sits under your TV rather than in front of it (see the picture above).

As the profile of TV stands gets smaller this makes lots of sense – it is not uncommon for your soundbar of choice to obscure the lower portion of your screen, necessitating raising the TV. As luck would have it this is also a very good soundbar, incorporating a woofer, six mid-range drivers and three tweeters.

It also features all the usual streaming sources we have come to associate with Sonos. Some of the other features include:

• A speech enhancement setting which reduces the intensity of loud sound effects on TV or recorded visual material without affecting the dialogue; • A night sound setting which reduces the dynamic range of the material you are listening to for late night listening.

The soft passages sound a little louder and the loud passages a little softer; • It will play any source that is connected to your TV; • It will handle TVs up to 35kg in weight.

The PLAYBASE is available in either black or white, and sells for $995.

Sennheiser HD4.50 BTNC Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headphones The headphone market continues to be a very competitive category – but we believe that Sennheiser have just released an absolute winner.

Firstly these headphones tick the two most important boxes: they have excellent performance, and they are very comfortable to wear. However they have a

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lot more going for them as well. They are intuitive to use (you would be surprised how often headphones in this category can be difficult or confusing to control).

The battery life is 19 hours (with noise cancelling engaged), and surprisingly they sell for $299. This is an exceptional headphone for the money.

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INAKUSTIK

INAKUSTIK ACCESSORIES Inakustik manufactures more than cable – they have a very good range of accessories as well, including isolation devices, record sleeves and slip covers, and an excellent test CD.

Record slipcovers

Premium Performance

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very once in a while a product range comes along which takes us by surprise – and the cable brand Inakustik is such a product.

There are a number of things that set this range apart.

Firstly the product is extremely well manufactured, and it is exceptionally competitive, yet the vast majority of the range is manufactured in Germany.

Most importantly the performance is everything that you would expect from a product of this calibre — and beyond.

The range is extremely comprehensive, with speaker cables selling for $7.00/mtr through to the top-of-the-range Reference LS-1603 which sells

for $2,999 for a 3mtr pair. The concept of packaging 3mtr speaker cable pairs is something that Inakustik actively promotes, with four Reference models on the market ranging from $995/ pair through to the LS-1603.

The same diversity applies to interconnects, with RCA cables from $59 to $1,000, and a range of HDMI cables starting at $19 each through to $250. However it is their XLR cables that offer some of the best value. Although hardware manufacturers are finally waking up to the value of using XLR connections, there are not a lot of cable manufacturers following suit. Inakustik offers a great range starting at $99 a pair.

Excellenz Bolide Absorbers isolation devices

Manufactured from HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) that prevents electrostatic charge build-up on your records. $59 for 50.

$139 for a set of 4

Record sleeve covers Premium Pic Maxi spikes

Outer covers to protect your record sleeves.

Complete with double sided tape to attach to the underside of your component or speakers. $69 for a set of 4.

Reference Sound Check CD Premium Doublette isolation devices This sandwich design consists of metal discs and rubber to dampen vibration to components. $69 for a set of 4.

14 high quality tracks recorded utilising highdefinition mastering process RESO-Mastering and HQCD (HiQualityCD) production. This is an excellent CD to bring out the best in your system. $36.95.

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YAMAHA

Simple stereo with so much inside!

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Yamaha MCR-N470 with MusicCast We have sold Yamaha since day one, and most of those sales have been of high performance AV receivers, which is a market that Yamaha has rightfully dominated for decades.

At the same time Yamaha have always manufactured good quality ‘Midi Systems’, and the MCR-N470 is a great example of this. Firstly, be aware that this unit sells for only $699. Yet for that you will get: • CD player; • FM/DAB+ radio; • USB input;

• Bluetooth – including Bluetooth output for connectivity to Bluetooth headphones or speakers; • AirPlay; • Spotify Connect; • Internet Radio; • Wi-Fi; • Control app; • …and Yamaha’s multi-room wireless system, MusicCast.

This is a well-made, feature-abundant package that is perfect for smaller environments and starter systems.

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ACCESSORIES & ESSENTIALS

LWA’s TOP TWEAKS AND ACCESSORIES Getting the most out of your system doesn’t mean you have spend big – here are our top tweaks and accessories to help get more enjoyment out of your system!

ST2 Antenna

FM is still a very viable source of quality listening. Many people are unaware that FM can offer a marked improvement over Digital Radio (DAB+), which is in turn a huge improvement over AM. The best FM tuners come from Magnum Dynalab in Canada, so it is hardly surprising that they make one of the best FM antennas as well.

The ST-2 concentrates its reception ‘focus’ only on the horizontal plane, providing a stronger signal to the tuner to avoid flutter and fading. It is also less susceptible to multipath interference, often a problem in heavily built-up areas.

The ST-2 sells for $169.

AudioQuest DragonFly Red & Black While the original DragonFly defined the market for micro-DACs, its USB power draw made it compatible with computers only. Music lovers have craved a more portable version — one that could be reliably used with Apple and Android smartphones and tablets. Two new options that do just that: DragonFly Black and DragonFly Red. Convenience and performance are no longer mutually exclusive. With DragonFly Black and Red, any computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone can be used as a true high-fidelity music player, allowing music lovers to enjoy beautiful sound wherever they go, whenever they please.

DragonFly Black priced at $160.

DragonFly Red priced at $320.

AudioQuest JitterBug AudioQuest’s JitterBug is a digital music necessity. This dual-function USB and data filter simply has no peer in the market and is amazingly effective.

It can dramatically reduce the noise and ringing afflicting both the data and power lines on USB ports. Simply inserting the versatile JitterBug into the USB input of any computer, laptop, DAC, receiver, streamer, car or smartphone significantly minimises jitter and packet errors, thereby restoring music’s warmth, dimensions, depth, resolution, dynamics and clarity.

Everyone should have at least one of these.

Priced at $79.

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ACCESSORIES & ESSENTIALS

Peachtree BT1 Bluetooth receiver The Peachtree BT1 Bluetooth Receiver is the easiest way to stream music from your phone or tablet to your stereo or home theatre system. Compatible with both iOS and Android devices, you can enjoy all of your favourite apps like Spotify, Pandora, Tune-In radio and many others wirelessly.

Simply connect the BT1 to an available optical or ‘aux’ input on your stereo (using BT1’s included cables) and within minutes you’ll be streaming music from your Bluetoothenabled smartphone or tablet. Priced at $220.

Good, good, good Vibra...pods Unwanted vibrations in your system are never welcome and can sonically compromise musical playback. Vibrapods can fix this by replacing your existing equipment feet (which are often fairly basic) and start soaking up those unwanted vibrations right away. The improvements they can deliver might well be the most cost-effective HiFi tweak on the market today.

There are five models to cover differing weights of equipment from 1kg up to 13kg so you can get the one that’s right for your gear!

Priced from $39.95 for a set of four.

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Les Davis 3D(2) Discs In a nutshell this product provides “viscoelastic layer damping for audio equipment” – quite a mouthful! At LWA we all wonder how these little silver discs work, and were certainly sceptical at first. However we have all heard the effect that they have, and it is impressive. The technology used is a proven one, called Constrained Layer Damping (CLD), used most notably in the aerospace industry. It involves sandwiching a viscoelastic material between two

layers of a stiffer material. Place two of these under each foot of all audio components that generate and/or store mechanical and electrical energy, including your lap-top if it is part of your system.

(We kid you not.)

The pack sells for $88, and contains enough discs for two pieces of equipment. Plus we are happy to back this product – if it does not work, bring the pack back for a full refund.

AC Infinity fans The build-up of heat in cabinets can be more than just inconvenient (when the system shuts down!) – it can also shorten the life of your equipment. While there are a number of fans that can be fitted into the sides of cabinets we find these are rarely used – they are not the most attractive solution.

AC Infinity make a range of fans designed to sit on top of your equipment and draw the heat away.

They are whisper-quiet, relatively inexpensive, and a great solution for anyone who is concerned about the heat build-up in their cabinet, or who is worried that their equipment is getting a little warm.

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ACCESSORIES & ESSENTIALS

GET INTO THE GROOVE

NAD PP2 e Phono Preamplifier NAD’s PP 2e Phono Preamplifier offers superb performance in a clean and simple package, perfect for the budget-conscious audiophile wanting to use a turntable with the many stereo amplifiers and AV receivers today that have either eliminated the phono input or included a low quality circuit for attaching your turntable. The PP 2e’s moving coil/ moving magnet input selector provides for different cartridge options, while an Auto Power Down feature saves energy by automatically powering off the PP 2e when not in use. The PP 2e is incredibly easy-to-use and is guaranteed to bring years of enjoyment to any lover of vinyl LPs, breathing life back into the vinyl you love. Priced at $329.

Record Doctor V

If you care about your records (and let’s face it, if you didn’t you wouldn’t be reading this), the Record Doctor Series V will keep them in tip-top condition, free of dust and grime.

How does it work? The Record Doctor V has a vacuum motor and vacuum cleaning strip – the same principle as commercial-based machines.

It also features a precision roller bearing to make records spin easily, and a handy storage tank for the easy removal of spent record cleaning fluids.

Of course the Record Doctor V comes complete with a fluid applicator bottle, applicator brush, and illustrated cleaning instructions.

Priced at $365.

Spin Clean Record Washer Mk2 Another option for vinyl fans — the Spin Clean Record Cleaning System is one of the easiest and most affordable solutions for cleaning your records, and it’s highly effective. Unlike other record cleaning methods, the Spin Clean Record Washer MK II enables you to clean both sides of your record at once, helping your albums and singles to sound as they were intended to, offering the highest possible fidelity – while also ensuring the cleanliness of your turntable. If you’ve been looking for a well-priced and effective solution for cleaning your vinyl records, then look no further. Pick one up today and get the grime out of your grooves!

Priced at $149.

Pro-Ject Cork it Replacement cork turntable mats are an excellent and cost-effective way to tune the sound of your turntable and get the best out of it. Available in a 300mm size (12”) diameter, it works by dampening resonances more effectively than standard felt mats or correcting the over-dampening and resultant isolation effect you can get from a rubber mat. Priced at $29.

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