01442 820580

hi-fi+ issue 243 Contents

COMMENT

7Incoming! Your views on all things audio

FEATURES

88Meet Your Maker Luis Fernandes of finite elemente

EQUIPMENT REVIEWS

10Audiovector R 10 Arreté floorstanding loudspeaker

20Magico S5 floorstanding loudspeaker

27Computer Audio Design 1543 MkIII digital converter

35Trilogy 914/994 preamp and mono power amplifiers

41HzProject HzCORE music server

47Accuphase E-700integrated amplifier

53Marantz 60n integrated streaming amplifier

59Fyne Audio F701SP stand-mount loudspeaker

65hARt Lab Tune Three power amplifier

71Stack Audio SmoothLAN Regenerator network regenerator filter

77Musical Fidelity M8x Vinyl phono stage

83The Funk Firm Eeze-Lign cartridge alignment shim

85WK Audio TheRay power cord

MUSIC

94Giles Martin Legendary Abbey Road producer talks about custom hi-fi and revisiting INXS breakthrough album, 40 years on

103Music Reviews Contemporary, classical, jazz and audiophile music

PLUS

100Subscriptions Subscribe and save!

111Advertiser index

112Next Month Don’t miss a thing!

Issue 242 on sale April 3, 2025

COMMENT

7Incoming! Your views on all things audio

COMPETITION

74WIN! A Computer Audio Design USB Filter worth £750 must be won!

FEATURES

78Meet Your Dealer Andy Blockley of Winchester HiFi

85Out Of The Box Five of the most innovative brands in audio today!

EQUIPMENT REVIEWS

10Graham Audio VOTU Mirama floorstanding loudspeaker

16Linn 119 passive or active stand-mount loudspeaker

25PrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid power amplifier

33Naim Audio Statement/500 Series amplifiers

41Bricasti M11 R-2R Classic digital converter

47conrad-johnson CAV-60integrated amplifier

53Hegel H400 integrated amplifier

59Electrocompaniet ECM 1 MkII streamer

64Meze Audio POET planar magnetic headphones

68Pro-Ject VC-S3 record cleaning machine

72Meridian Ellipse wireless loudspeaker

75Russ Andrews UltraFuse 5A and 13A audiophile fuses

MUSIC

94Clive Langer Legendary producer and co-writer of ‘Shipbuillding’ talks about his band project and their latest, very personal, album

103Music Reviews Contemporary, classical, jazz and audiophile music

PLUS

100Subscriptions Subscribe and save!

111Advertiser index

112Next Month Don’t miss a thing!

hi-fi+ issue 241 Contents

COMMENT

7Incoming! Your views on all things audio

FEATURES

10Sources: Past, present and future a brief round-up of the last 170 years of recorded music!

82Meet Your Maker MBL Akustikgeräte GmbH of Berlin, Germany

90Out Of The Box Ten of the most innovative brands in audio today!

EQUIPMENT REVIEWS

18dCS Varèse digital audio system

27AURALiC ALTAIR G2.2 streaming DAC preamplifier

37Technics SL-1300G turntable

45Gold Note CD-5 CD player

51EAT C-Dur Concrete turntable

57Luphonic R3turntable

63Xact S1 Evo music streamer and server

68Eversolo DMP-A10 streaming DAC preamplifier

72Bluesound Node ICON streaming DAC preamplifier

76Esprit Audio Lumina interconnect and loudspeaker cables

78Kanto Audio REN active loudspeaker

80Hana SH Mk II moving coil cartridge

MUSIC

102Peter White We spoke to smooth jazz guitarist, songwriter, and one-time sideman to Al Stuart

111Music Reviews Contemporary, classical, jazz and audiophile music

PLUS

108Subscriptions Subscribe and save!

119Advertiser index

120Next Month Don’t miss a thing!

hi-fi+ issue 240 Contents

COMMENT

7Incoming! Your views on all things audio

COMPETITIONS

74Network Acoustics Win an eno2 streaming filter worth £1,395!

86AIM One of three AIM NA9 Ethernet cables worth £1,200/$1,300/€1,250

Equipment Reviews

10Burmester BX100 floorstanding loudspeakers

18Focal Hadenysheadphones

27Peak Consult Sonora floorstanding loudspeakers

37Innuos ZEN Next-Gen music server

44Quad 33/303 preamplifier/stereo power amplifier

51Rockna Wavedream Reference Signature DAC

57Xavian Medeastand-mount loudspeakers

63WiiM Ultra streaming preamplifier

69Sonus faber Sonetto III G2 floorstanding loudspeakers

75Diapason Karis Wave stand-mount loudspeakers

81Vertere Acoustics Calon phono preamplifier

87Computer Audio Design USB Filter USB accessory

89GutWire Consummate loudspeaker cable

91Nordost Red Dawn 3 cable system

99OMEX Symphony S equipment support system

MUSIC

102Level 42 We spoke to frontman and bass legend Mark King on the 40th anniversary of the band’s chart-topping breakthrough album, World Machine

111Music Reviews Contemporary, classical, jazz and audiophile music

PLUS

108Subscriptions Subscribe and save!

119Advertiser index

120Next Month Don’t miss a thing!

hi-fi+ issue 239 Contents

COMMENT

7Incoming! Your views on all things audio

FEATURE

96 Meet Your Maker Dr Matthew Webster, CEO of YG Acoustics

Equipment Reviews

11Antipodes Audio Oladra music server

19Master Fidelity NADAC D/NADAC Cdigital to analogue converter and clock

27Thrax Audio Sirens stand-mount loudspeaker

37Cambridge Audio EXA100/EXN100 integrated amplifier and streamer

47Piega Coax 611 floorstanding loudspeaker

55conrad-johnson ART150 stereo power amplifier

61Roksan Caspian 4G Streamingintegrated amplifier

67PSB Imagine T54 floorstanding loudspeaker

73Quiescent T500VA balanced mains supply

79Opera Consonance Wax Engine/Charisma Audio ECO turntable and cartridge package

84DALI IO-8 wireless headphones

87Solid Tech Feet of Balance isolation feet

93AIM NA9 Ethernet cable

MUSIC

101 Kim Wilde The 80s icon returns to electro-pop form, but in more reflective mood, with a new album, co-written and produced by her brother, Ricky.

111 Music Reviews Contemporary, classical, jazz and audiophile music

PLUS

108Subscriptions Subscribe and save!

119Advertiser index

120Next Month Don’t miss a thing!

hi-fi+ issue 238 Contents

COMMENT

7Incoming! Your views on all things audio

AWARDS

11The 2025 Awards We look at all the products we’ve tested in 2024, to pick the very best of the best. Find out what the finest audio systems will be sporting next year!

Equipment Reviews

166Accustic Arts TUBE PREAMP V/AMP IV pre/power amplifier

173PMC Active twenty5.22i stand-mount loudspeaker

176Monitor Audio Gold 100 6G stand-mount loudspeaker

181DS Audio DS-E3 optical cartridge and equaliser

184Chord Company PowerHAUS P6 mains distribution board

189Merason Reuss Digital to analogue converter

192DALI Rubikore 2 stand-mount loudspeaker

FEATURE

196Meet Your Dealer We return to Soundstage Hi-Fi in Cockfosters, North London, to see what’s changed and what Michelin stars and mojitos have to do with it!

MUSIC

200Thompson Twins Into The Gap, the newly reissued, fourth and most successful album from 80s pop trio Thompson Twins turns 40 this year

209Music Reviews Contemporary, classical, jazz and audiophile music

COMPETITION

170Win! Meze Audio Liric II The second generation of Meze Audio’s superb closed-back planar magnetic headphones worth £1,850/$2,000/€2,000 must be won!

PLUS

206Subscriptions Subscribe and save!

215Advertiser Index

216Next Month Don’t miss a thing!

hi-fi+ issue 237 Contents

COMMENT

7Incoming! Your views on all things audio

FEATURE

10Bridging the GAP Improving your hi-fi mains supply

EQUIPMENT REVIEWS

20Gryphon Audio EOS 5 floorstanding loudspeaker

27AURALiC VEGA G2.2digital to analogue converter

37Focal Diva Utopia streaming loudspeaker

46WADAX Studio • Player CD/streamer

53Amphion Krypton3X floorstanding loudspeaker

59Java Hi-Fi Double Shot integrated amplifier/DAC

65Dynaudio Contour Legacy floorstanding loudspeaker

71Connected-Fidelity TT Hub turntable

77Triangle Capella wireless active loudspeaker

83Allnic HPA-300B integrated headphone and loudspeaker amplifier

89Tellurium Q Ultra Silver II cables

93Network Acoustics eno2 ethernet filter

97Node Audio SS-1 vibration control pods

103REL Classic 99 subwoofer

107WK Audio TheRed interconnect cable

MUSIC

110Phil Manzanera Famed Roxy Music guitarist, producer and musical collaborator celebrates half a century of music with a extensive new box set

119Music Reviews Contemporary, classical, jazz and audiophile music

PLUS

116Subscriptions Subscribe and save!

127Advertiser index

128Next Month The annual hi-fi+ Awards!

hi-fi+ issue 236 Contents

COMMENT

7Incoming! Your views on all things audio

FEATURE

105Systems or Separates? Is the way magazines review products wrong?

111Meet Your Dealer Simon Burton of Home Media Limited, in Maidstone, Kent

EQUIPMENT REVIEWS

10Linn Klimax Solo 800 mono power amplifier

19Avantgarde Acoustic Colibri C2 stand-mount loudspeaker

27Advance Paris A12 Classic hybrid integrated amplifier

37Döhmann Audio Helix Two Mk3 turntable

45T+A PSD 3100 HV DAC/preamplifier

51Pachanko Labs Constellation Mini SE/Stellar server and linear power supply

57Luphonic H2 turntable

63Violectric DHA V226 headphone amplifier/DAC/line stage

69HiFi Rose RA289 integrated amplifier

75DALI Rubikore 2 stand-mount loudspeaker

81Manley Oasis phono stage

87Gryphon PowerZone 3 power conditioner

93Crystal Cable Infinity power cord

99HIFISTAY Stella 80T spike shoes

101Origin Live Strata turntable mat

MUSIC

117Fairground Attraction The 1980s skiffle-pop-country sensation are back with a new album after an almost 35 year hiatus

127Music Reviews Contemporary, classical, jazz and audiophile music

PLUS

124Subscriptions Subscribe and save!

135Advertiser index

136Next Month Don’t miss a thing!

hi-fi+ issue 235 Contents

COMMENT

7Incoming! Your views on all things audio

FEATURE

89Loudspeaker Hall of Fame The best speaker brands and their best speakers that we’ve tested

168Out Of The Box 18 exciting companies that might just make your next loudspeaker!

192Holger Mueller German Physiks supremo talks about omnidirectional loudspeakers, bending waves and mathematician and audiophile Peter Dicks!

EQUIPMENT REVIEWS

11YG Acoustics Cairn stand-mount loudspeaker

20DALI Rubikore 8floorstanding loudspeaker

26Franco Serblin Accordo Goldberg stand-mount loudspeaker

32Focal Aria X No.3 floorstanding loudspeaker

39Fyne Audio Vintage 5 stand-mount loudspeaker

46Dynaudio Evoke 30 floorstanding loudspeaker

54MBL Radialstraher 101E Mk II floorstanding loudspeaker

60KEF LS60 Wireless active floorstanding loudspeaker streaming system

67Graham Audio 10th Anniversary LS6 stand-mount loudspeaker

73Tannoy Super Gold Monitor SGM12 floorstanding loudspeaker

79Totem Acoustic Bison Tower floorstanding loudspeaker

85REL T/9x Red active subwoofer

MUSIC

200Jake Bugg Pop sensation and English singer-songwriter talks about life and his sixth album

209Music Reviews Contemporary, classical, jazz and audiophile music

PLUS

4WIN! Graham Audio 10th Anniversary LS6! Your chance to win this classic loudspeaker worth £2,200!

208Subscriptions Subscribe and save!

215Advertiser index

216Next Month Don’t miss a thing!

hi-fi+ issue 234 Contents

COMMENT

7Incoming! Your views on all things audio

FEATURE

10Porsche meets Burmester! Porsche Taycan Turbo S Sport Tourismo with Burmester sound system

92Meet Your Dealer Paul Clark of hifi lounge

EQUIPMENT REVIEWS

19Luxman L-509Z integrated amplifier

29EMT 928 II, 909 HI, Tondoseturntable, tonearm, and cartridge

39Ideon Audio IΩN+ digital to analogue converter/preamplifier

47SPL Diamond digital to analogue converter

53Meze Audio Liric 2nd Generation headphones

59Balanced Audio Technologies VK-90/REX 500 preamplifier and power amplifier

65Shunyata Research Altaira grounding system

71Nordost QBASE QB6 Mark III mains distribution block

77Analog Relax EX500 moving coil cartridge

81Connected-Fidelity Unity interconnect and loudspeaker cables

87Astell & Kern A&ultima SP3000T portable music player

MUSIC

99Laurence Kilsby BBC Young Chorister of the year turned tenor, with a love of recital and opera!

104Englebert Humperdinck 1960s singing legend behind ‘Release Me!’ is still as musically active as ever at 88 years old!

111Music Reviews Contemporary, classical, jazz and audiophile music

PLUS

76WIN! Benchmark DAC3 B! Your chance to win the classic DAC worth £1,999!

91WIN! Gold Note IS-10! Win the excellent Gold Note IS-10 integrated amplifier worth £2,900!

108Subscriptions Subscribe and save!

119Advertiser index

120Next Month Don’t miss a thing!

COMMENT

7Incoming! Your views on all things audio

EQUIPMENT REVIEWS

10Stenheim Alumine Two.Five floorstanding loudspeaker

19SME Model 60 One of One turntable and tonearm

27HSE Masterline 7 phono preamplifier

37Russell K. Red 50Se stand-mount loudspeaker

47Benchmark Media Systems DAC3 B digital to analogue converter

53Oephi Immanence 2.5 floorstanding loudspeaker

59Bowers & Wilkins 702 S3 Signature floorstanding loudspeaker

65AVID Accent integrated amplifier

71Heed Audio Lagrange S integrated amplifier

77Audience ClairAudient 1+1 V5 stand-mount loudspeaker

83NAD M66 streaming preamplifier

90CAD Ethernet Control network noise isolator

93Atlas Cable Arran Ultra L RCA Grun interconnect cables

99English Electric EE1 network noise isolator

MUSIC

102Dana Gillespie Singer-songwriter, actress, close friend of David Bowie... Dana Gillespie is back with a new album and a break with the blues!

111Music Reviews Contemporary, classical, jazz and audiophile music

PLUS

108Subscriptions Subscribe and save!

110WIN! Gold Note IS-10! Your chance to win the excellent Gold Note IS-10 integrated amplifier worth £1,699!

119Advertiser index

120Next Month Don’t miss a thing!

hi-fi+ issue 232 Contents

COMMENT

7Incoming! Your views on all things audio

FEATURE

111Meet Your Maker Shunyata Research

COMMENT

6Incoming! Your views on all things audio

EQUIPMENT REVIEWS

10AURALiC VEGA S1 network streamer, DAC, and digital preamp with optional power supply

19Axxess Forté 1, 2, and 3 integrated amplifiers

27Burmester 111 mk IIripping music server, streamer, DAC, and preamplifier

37Technics SL-1200GR2 direct-drive turntable and tonearm

47Gold Note IS-10, PA-10 EVO integrated amplifier and power amplifier

55conrad-johnson Classic Phono phono preamplifier

61Buchardt Audio Anniversary 10 active stand-mount loudspeaker

67Hegel Music Systems H190v integrated amplifier

73Graham Audio LS3/5a stand-mount loudspeaker

79Accustic Arts Power III integrated amplifier

85Enleum HPA-23RM portable/desktop amplifier

93Van den Hul Carbon Elite XGW moving coil cartridge

97Stack Audio AUVA EQ system isolators

101Nilai500DIY mono power amplifiers

MUSIC

118Richard Hawley Sheffield’s velvet-voiced singer-songwriting legend

127Music Reviews Contemporary, classical, jazz and audiophile music

PLUS

77WIN! Dan Clark Corina headphones! A pair of stunning Dan Clark Corina headphones worth £4,800 must be won!

124Subscriptions Subscribe and save!

135Advertiser index

124Next Month Don’t miss a thing!

hi-fi+ issue 231 Contents

COMMENT

7Incoming! Your views on all things audio

Equipment Reviews

10Audiovector Trapeze floorstanding loudspeaker

19Reed Audio Muse 1C and 3P turntable and tonearm

27Acoustic Energy Corinium floorstanding loudspeaker

37 Chord Electronics Ultima Integrated integrated amplifier

47 Audiobyte SuperHUB network streamer

53 Michi X3 Series 2 integrated amplifier

59Sonus faber Duetto active streaming stand-mount loudspeaker system

65Network Acoustics Tempus streaming audio network switch

71 Ayre Acoustics EX-8 2.0 integrated amplifier

77 Xavian Virtuosa Anniversario floorstanding loudspeaker

83Pro-Ject Evo 9 CA Premium tonearm

89 Stillpoints V2 equipment support devices

95 Bassocontinuo AEON X equipment support rack

99Niimbus US 5 PRO headphone amplifier

105 HIFISTAY Absolute Point equipment support foot

MUSIC

110 Eímear Noone Contemporary composer, specialising in video game music

119 Music Reviews Contemporary, classical, jazz and audiophile music

PLUS

116 Subscriptions Subscribe and save!

127 Advertiser index

128WIN! Dan Clark Corina headphones! A pair of stunning Dan Clark Corina headphones worth £4,800 must be won!

hi-fi+ issue 230 Contents

AWARDS

26 Editor’s Choice Awards We look at more than 100 of the finest products from the best brands over the last 25 years of audio reviews in hi-fi+

COMMENT

7 Incoming! Your views on all things audio

FEATURES

10 The History of hi-fi+ A lot of things have happened in the past 25 years. We look back on the history of hi-fi+ and audio since 1999

240 Paul Messenger 1949-2024 We were saddened to learn of the passing of one of the best known reviewers in the UK, and a good friend. A personal tribute from the Editor

COMPETITIONS

20 Four ways to win! our outstanding quartet of competitions mean you can win big! Including an Audiodesksysteme record cleaning machine, AudioQuest power conditioning and DACs, GiK Acoustics room treatment, and Meze headphones!

EQUIPMENT REVIEWS

204 Nordost QBASE Reference (QB 10) AC distribution system

208 B.audio Alpha One integrated amplifier

213 Tannoy Super Gold Monitor SGM 10 stand-mount loudspeaker

219 HiFi Rose RS130 streaming media transport

MUSIC

226 Dee C Lee British soul singer and songwriter on the Style Council, her daughter Leah Weller, and her first album in 25 years!

233 Music Reviews Contemporary, classical, jazz and audiophile music

PLUS

202 Subscriptions Subscribe and save!

239 Advertiser index

hi-fi+ issue 229 Contents

COMMENT

5Incoming! Your views on all things audio

COMPETITION

32 Computer Audio Design USB Control fantastic USB audio filter worth £675 must be won!

EQUIPMENT REVIEWS

10Magico M7 floorstanding loudspeaker

19 Aavik I-880 integrated amplifier

27Graham Audio LS8/1 stand-mount loudspeaker

37Technics SU-GX70 integrated networked audio amplifier

45 Morel Avyra 633 floorstanding loudspeaker

51Trilogy Audio Systems 921 integrated amplifier

57 McIntosh Audio Labs MA352 hybrid integrated amplifier

63Fyne Audio F702SP floorstanding loudspeaker

71Meze Empyrean II headphones

77 AudioQuest Cinnamon, Yukon, Rocket 33, Niagara 1200 system upgrades

79Stillpoints Ultra ESS equipment support system

89Stack Audio SmoothLAN network enhancer

91GIK Acoustics SlatFusor room acoustic treatment

MUSIC

94His Lordship Modern British rock ‘n’ roll duo on their eponymous first album

103Music Reviews Contemporary, classical, jazz and audiophile music

PLUS

96Back Issues Never miss an edition!

100Subscriptions Subscribe and save!

111Advertiser index

112Next Issue Find out what’s coming in our 25^th Anniversary Special issue

hi-fi+ issue 228 Contents

COMMENT

5Incoming! Your views on all things audio

FEATURES

103Meet Your Maker Dr Daniel Twitchen of diamond dome building experts, E6

EQUIPMENT REVIEWS

10Børresen Acoustics X2 floorstanding loudspeaker

17Bowers & Wilkins 801 Signature floorstanding loudspeaker

25Trafomatic Audio Rhapsody integrated amplifier

35Audiovector QR1 SE, QR3 SE and QR5 SE
stand-mount and floorstanding loudspeakers

45Chord Electronics BerTTi power amplifier

51 Rockna Audio Wavelight music server

57Gold Note PSU-5 phono stage power supply

63Musical Fidelity A1 integrated amplifier

69Bricasti Design M1 Series II DAC

75Mola Mola Lupe phono stage

81iFi Audio iCAN Phantom analogue headphone amplifier

87Computer Audio Design USB Control grounding device

93Aardvark Ethernet filter

97Grand Activation Extreme SC-2000 loudspeaker cables

MUSIC

110 Sarah Jane Morris British jazz and blues singer, who found fame with The Communards in the 1980s, on her new album The Sisterhood

119 Music Reviews Contemporary, classical and audiophile music

PLUS

112 Back Issues Never miss an edition!

116 Subscriptions Subscribe and save!

127 Advertiser index

128Next Issue Find out what’s coming next month!

hi-fi+ issue 227 Contents

COMMENT

5Incoming! Your views on all things audio

FEATURES

96Meet Your Maker Audio Group Denmark

103Meet Your Dealer The Missing Link/The Vinyl Passion Music Room

EQUIPMENT REVIEWS

10MOON by Simaudio 641 and 681 integrated amplifier and network streaming DAC

18JMR Electroacoustique BLISS Jubilé stand-mount loudspeaker

27Origin Live Sovereign S Mk5 and Agile turntable and tonearm

37Lindemann Audio MOVE stand-mount loudspeaker

43Cyrus Audio Stream XR network streamer

50 Oephi Acoustics Transcendance 2 stand-mount loudspeaker

55Technics SL-1500C turntable

61WiiM Mini, Pro and Pro Plus streamers

67Dynaudio Contour 20i stand-mount loudspeaker

75Dan Clark Audio Corina electrostatic headphones

81Audes ST-900DC power conditioner

87Keith Monks Prodigy Special Edition: Monarch record cleaning machine

95WK Audio TheRed loudspeaker cables

MUSIC

110Vince Clark Synth-pop legend, with Depeche Mode, Yazoo, and Erasure to his name on his first solo album.

119Music Reviews Contemporary, classical and audiophile music

PLUS

112Back Issues Never miss an edition!

116Subscriptions Subscribe and save!

127Advertiser index

128Next Issue Find out what’s coming next month!

hi-fi+ issue 226 Contents

COMPETITION

4WIN! A pair of Dynaudio Special Forty stand-mount loudspeakers worth £2,800 must be won!

AWARDS

11The 2023 hi-fi+ Awards The finest products of the year!

COMMENT

7Incoming! Your views on all things audio

EQUIPMENT REVIEWS

188DeVore Fidelity Orangutan O/Baby stand-mount loudspeaker

194conrad-johnson ART Phono phono stage

198Raidho Acoustics X1.6stand-mount loudspeaker

202Solid Tech Balance equipment rack

205Phasemation PP-2000 moving coil cartridge

207 Kimber Kable 4PR/8PR loudspeaker cables

209Hana Umami Blue moving coil cartridge

MUSIC

212A Beginner’s Guide to... Hip-Hop Part 3

Our Beginner’s Guide series ends with Hip‑Hop’s ever-changing nature... and its expansion beyond America.

218Matt Deighton The Welsh singer-songwriter talks about his latest album, Today Become Forever... and a Thorens turntable.

225Music Reviews Contemporary, classical and audiophile music

PLUS

186 & 187 Advertiser index

197CD Salisbury Christmas: while stocks last!

222Subscriptions Subscribe and save!

232Next Issue What 2024 is going to bring us!