HI-FI CHOICE 2010.02 UK, Hi-Fi
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO HIGH-PERFORMANCE STEREO
FEBRUARY 2010 £3.99 WWW.HIFICHOICE.CO.UK
REGA
REVOLUTION
SYSTEMS
Lavardin and Bel Canto
set-up is afantastic
dealer tip-off
STUDIO
MASTERING
SECRETS
The tricks of the trade
from one of the world’s
greatest mastering suites
GRADO’S
WIN!
THE ULTIMATE
Can Grado’s
£1,800PS1000
eclipse
Sennheiser’s
incredible
HD800 reference?
ALeemaAccoustics
Pulseamplifier
worth£1,270
SPEAKER GROUP TEST
Expert verdicts on six luxury loudspeakers
FEBRUARY 2010
£3.99
Audio Analogue
Price breakthrough for Italian-built kit
Adam Audio
Active monitor for plug ‘n’ play hi-fi
British-built high-end Regas take on the world!
BEAUTIFUL
BEST
Argon3L
Finnish your quest
Ready forsomething morepermanent or stilllooking forthe
fadofthe week?
Howdoesaspeaker thatmeasures perfectly,iseasytoplace
and performs superbly in allkinds of rooms sound to you?
Don’t takeour,orthe reviewer´s word forit. Please audition
them yourself and letyour ears decide.
Amphion is 100 %handmade in Finland.
www.amphion.fi | info@amphion.fi | www.koretrade.co.uk
Amphion´s Hifi ChoiceBest Buy Awards
Prio 520
January 2008
“particularly inviting forlong
term listening” *
Ion L
September 2008
“Rareand very welcome
combination of open voicing
that´s free from anyunwanted
aggressivetendencies”
Helium 520
December 2008
“Sound is warm, neutral,
lively and essentially neutral,
with superior musical
communication skills”
Argon
2
Anniversary
March2009
“Doesprecisely whatagood
standmount should.”
Argon3L
August2009
“Smooth, clean, neutral and
very well controlled, with a
wide dynamicrange”
Authorized dealers:
Allquotesby
Paul Messenger
,who is probably UK´s foremostloudspeaker reviewer.
www.storemags.com & www.fantamag.com
WELCOME...
THE MOST RESPECTED
NAMES IN HI-FI
JOURNALISM...
HI-FI
CHOICE
FEBRUARY 2010
ISSUE 329
Future Publishing Ltd, 2 Balcombe Street, London NW1 6NW +44 (0)20 7042 4000
PAUL MESSENGER
A former Hi-Fi Choice editor,Paul has
been writing about his belovedhi-fi
hobbyfor morethan 30 years. In that
time he has become one of theworld’s
mostrespected scribes, and he is
undoubtedly theUK’sforemost
loudspeaker reviewer.
So, Linn has officially pulled the plug on CD
player manufacturing. It’s a sad announcement
from one of the UK’s most respected and
historically significant hi-fi companies, but one
that simply reflects the marketplace and the
changing buying habits of audio consumers.
In addition to our news story this month,
Alvin Gold reflects on Linn’s announcement
and the implications for the audiophile on
The most suprising detail in Linn’s press release, however, was in
the language: “Linn’s exit from the CD player market is testament
to the supremacy of digital streaming
technology”. Linn has nailed its colours to the
mast and put the writing on the wall for CD.
Now we wait to see who follows suit in 2010...
JIMMY HUGHES
With morethan 40 yearsasanenthusiast
under his belt, Jimmyisone of the
country’sbest-known hi-fiexperts.
His knowledgeofsystem-matching,
hi-fi-tweaking and record-collecting is
unmatched in the industry.
Dan George
Editor
RICHARD BLACK
Richard is a professional musician and
recording engineer and a highly
knowledgeable hi-fianalyst to boot. He
has aknack forwriting about complicated
subjects in a readable way – and he only
writes for
Hi-Fi Choice
.
WHYWEARE
NO.1
FORHI-FI...
MALCOLM STEWARD
Former editor of
Hi-Fi Review
magazine,
Malcolm wasone of thebest-known and
mostoutspoken reviewers of the1980s
and 1990s. He currently edits hi-fi industry
bible
The British Audio Journal
and also
writes exclusively for Hi-Fi Choice.
■
Since 1975,
Hi-Fi Choice
has delivered the world’s most thorough,
most reliable no-nonsense guide to buying high-performance hi-fi.
■
Every issue contains a potent mix of the latest hi-fi news, views,
music, reviews and in-depth tests, brought to you by a prestigious
team of expert writers who are the best audio journalists in the UK.
ALVIN GOLD
Alvin has been writing about his
obsession formorethan 25 years. In that
time he has contributed his encyclopedic
knowledgetoalmostevery hi-fiperiodical
youcan think of (and several more
besides). He is widely regarded as one
of Britain’s finest hi-fi reviewers.
■
Our test regime is the most rigorous in the business and we are the
only hi-fi magazine to offer ‘blind’ listening sessions, along with
user-friendly laboratory tests in our six-way Ultimate Group Test.
■
That’s why
Hi-Fi Choice
is...
TheEssentialGuideToAudioExcellenceInTheHome
JASON KENNEDY
Jason Kennedy wasaformer editor of
Hi-Fi Choice and spent an incredible
17 yearsonthe title. Nowhe’sback
as afreelance writer and using his
considerable hi-fiexpertise to contribute
to the UK’s best hi-fi title.
ED SELLEY
Ahighly knowledgeable audio expert, Ed
has worked foranumber of prestigious
manufacturersincluding CambridgeAudio
and Yamaha. Specialising in product
supportand development, he brings a
wealth of professional and enthusiast
knowledge to the pages of Hi-Fi Choice.
Toensureyougetthebestinformation,opinionand
advice,Hi-FiChoiceemploysthemostknowledgeableand
experiencedhi-fiwritersinthebusiness.
february 2010 HI-FI CHOICE 3
www.storemags.com & www.fantamag.com
freephone:
0800 121 4771 /4772
e-mail:
ask@jordanacoustics.co.uk
web:
www.jordanacoustics.co.uk
Musical FidelityAMSCD
(NEW)AMSSeriesfromMusicalFidelity
Everyproductseemstohaveanidealcombinationofvirtues:state-of-the-art
design,performanceandexceptionalvalue.ItsMFbacktoitsverybest!
AMSCD:
Reference CD Player
TheAMSCD/DAC is the finest digital product that
MF have ever made.Theyhave spared no expense
or design eforttoachieve the maximum possible
performance.
AMS35i:
IntegratedAmplifier
The AMS35i seems to have an ideal combination
of virtues. When you listen to it all that seems to
be important is the music.Isn’t that what hi-fi
is for?
AMS35p:
Pure Class APower Amplifier
High currentdeliveryand outstanding stability
means that the AMS35p can drive any
loudspeaker comfortably.
0% FINANCE OPTIONS*
AVAILABLE
www.storemags.com & www.fantamag.com
AMS50:
Pure Class ADual Mono
Power Amplifier
TheAMS50 is astate-of-the-art pureClass A
dual mono power amp. Sonically the AMS50 has
asweet,clear tactile sound which takesyou ever
closer to the heartofthe music.
Primo:
Pre-amplifier
It is the best preamp that Musical Fidelityknow
how to make. Azerofeedback, pureClass A
triode,fully balanced design with superlative
technical performance.
Call Jordan Acoustics tofindout more.
0
(NEW-HOT PRODUCT)
MXA60:£6,995
50% Deposit:
£3,497.50
Term:
18 months
Monthly Payment:
£194.30
Full-blownMcIntoshHIFIin-miniature
Conceivedandexecutedbythesameteamresponsiblefor
the$250,000McIntoshReferenceSystem,theMXA60
standsreadytointroduceawholenewrangeofmusiclovers
tothepleasuresofowningahand-madeaudiosystem;a
systemthatisbuilttolastalifetime.
The new
MXA60 Integrated Audio System
from
McIntosh
challenges old
notions about what constitutes serious audio hardware. Capable of true-to-life sound reproduction that belies its
diminutive size (the product measures 22.5” long, 10.6” high, and 14.9” deep, including loudspeakers), the
MXA60
is afull-blown McIntosh HIFI in-miniature
.Now, perhaps for the first time, music aficionados need not trade
performance for convenience.
Features include:
Amplifier (75wpc)and Preamplifier,CD/SACDPlayer,AM/FM
Tuner and specially designed 2-way loudspeakers (in high gloss piano black).
*subject to status/conditions.
*written details on request.
*buy now pay later /0%finance
available on most products.
Youhave to hear the
MXA60
to believe it -
because its that good. Anew all-in-one reference!
Oicially the UK’s No.1
Specialist Dealer
forMcIntosh
AwardWinner2009
BEST LOUDSPEAKER
DancewithanUsher
J
ordanAcousticsisveryexcitedtointroducethereference
rangeofUsherloudspeakersaspartofitscarefullyselected
portfolioofbrands.
The amazing
Usher Dancer Be-10
has just won the
Hi-Fi World ‘Best
Loudspeaker’2009 award.
Hi-Fi World wrote:
“Itisunremittingly dynamic too,making music sound ‘live’inaway that
nearly all hi-filoudspeakersfail to do.Its massive visceral punch, allied to
real silky smoothness and sophistication (when given the right ancillaries
to work with) makes it an exceptional loudspeaker by any definition, and
aworthy winner of its Hi-Fi World Award. ”
Hi-Fi World Awards2009
We could not agree more. To find outmoreabout the complete Usherrange,
call, e-mail, drop by or visit our web sitetoday.
0% FINANCE OPTIONS*
AVAILABLE
www.storemags.com & www.fantamag.com
%*
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl chiara76.opx.pl
THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO HIGH-PERFORMANCE STEREO
FEBRUARY 2010 £3.99 WWW.HIFICHOICE.CO.UK
REGA
REVOLUTION
SYSTEMS
Lavardin and Bel Canto
set-up is afantastic
dealer tip-off
STUDIO
MASTERING
SECRETS
The tricks of the trade
from one of the world’s
greatest mastering suites
GRADO’S
WIN!
THE ULTIMATE
Can Grado’s
£1,800PS1000
eclipse
Sennheiser’s
incredible
HD800 reference?
ALeemaAccoustics
Pulseamplifier
worth£1,270
SPEAKER GROUP TEST
Expert verdicts on six luxury loudspeakers
FEBRUARY 2010
£3.99
Audio Analogue
Price breakthrough for Italian-built kit
Adam Audio
Active monitor for plug ‘n’ play hi-fi
British-built high-end Regas take on the world!
BEAUTIFUL
BEST
Argon3L
Finnish your quest
Ready forsomething morepermanent or stilllooking forthe
fadofthe week?
Howdoesaspeaker thatmeasures perfectly,iseasytoplace
and performs superbly in allkinds of rooms sound to you?
Don’t takeour,orthe reviewer´s word forit. Please audition
them yourself and letyour ears decide.
Amphion is 100 %handmade in Finland.
www.amphion.fi | info@amphion.fi | www.koretrade.co.uk
Amphion´s Hifi ChoiceBest Buy Awards
Prio 520
January 2008
“particularly inviting forlong
term listening” *
Ion L
September 2008
“Rareand very welcome
combination of open voicing
that´s free from anyunwanted
aggressivetendencies”
Helium 520
December 2008
“Sound is warm, neutral,
lively and essentially neutral,
with superior musical
communication skills”
Argon
2
Anniversary
March2009
“Doesprecisely whatagood
standmount should.”
Argon3L
August2009
“Smooth, clean, neutral and
very well controlled, with a
wide dynamicrange”
Authorized dealers:
Allquotesby
Paul Messenger
,who is probably UK´s foremostloudspeaker reviewer.
www.storemags.com & www.fantamag.com
WELCOME...
THE MOST RESPECTED
NAMES IN HI-FI
JOURNALISM...
HI-FI
CHOICE
FEBRUARY 2010
ISSUE 329
Future Publishing Ltd, 2 Balcombe Street, London NW1 6NW +44 (0)20 7042 4000
PAUL MESSENGER
A former Hi-Fi Choice editor,Paul has
been writing about his belovedhi-fi
hobbyfor morethan 30 years. In that
time he has become one of theworld’s
mostrespected scribes, and he is
undoubtedly theUK’sforemost
loudspeaker reviewer.
So, Linn has officially pulled the plug on CD
player manufacturing. It’s a sad announcement
from one of the UK’s most respected and
historically significant hi-fi companies, but one
that simply reflects the marketplace and the
changing buying habits of audio consumers.
In addition to our news story this month,
Alvin Gold reflects on Linn’s announcement
and the implications for the audiophile on
The most suprising detail in Linn’s press release, however, was in
the language: “Linn’s exit from the CD player market is testament
to the supremacy of digital streaming
technology”. Linn has nailed its colours to the
mast and put the writing on the wall for CD.
Now we wait to see who follows suit in 2010...
JIMMY HUGHES
With morethan 40 yearsasanenthusiast
under his belt, Jimmyisone of the
country’sbest-known hi-fiexperts.
His knowledgeofsystem-matching,
hi-fi-tweaking and record-collecting is
unmatched in the industry.
Dan George
Editor
RICHARD BLACK
Richard is a professional musician and
recording engineer and a highly
knowledgeable hi-fianalyst to boot. He
has aknack forwriting about complicated
subjects in a readable way – and he only
writes for
Hi-Fi Choice
.
WHYWEARE
NO.1
FORHI-FI...
MALCOLM STEWARD
Former editor of
Hi-Fi Review
magazine,
Malcolm wasone of thebest-known and
mostoutspoken reviewers of the1980s
and 1990s. He currently edits hi-fi industry
bible
The British Audio Journal
and also
writes exclusively for Hi-Fi Choice.
■
Since 1975,
Hi-Fi Choice
has delivered the world’s most thorough,
most reliable no-nonsense guide to buying high-performance hi-fi.
■
Every issue contains a potent mix of the latest hi-fi news, views,
music, reviews and in-depth tests, brought to you by a prestigious
team of expert writers who are the best audio journalists in the UK.
ALVIN GOLD
Alvin has been writing about his
obsession formorethan 25 years. In that
time he has contributed his encyclopedic
knowledgetoalmostevery hi-fiperiodical
youcan think of (and several more
besides). He is widely regarded as one
of Britain’s finest hi-fi reviewers.
■
Our test regime is the most rigorous in the business and we are the
only hi-fi magazine to offer ‘blind’ listening sessions, along with
user-friendly laboratory tests in our six-way Ultimate Group Test.
■
That’s why
Hi-Fi Choice
is...
TheEssentialGuideToAudioExcellenceInTheHome
JASON KENNEDY
Jason Kennedy wasaformer editor of
Hi-Fi Choice and spent an incredible
17 yearsonthe title. Nowhe’sback
as afreelance writer and using his
considerable hi-fiexpertise to contribute
to the UK’s best hi-fi title.
ED SELLEY
Ahighly knowledgeable audio expert, Ed
has worked foranumber of prestigious
manufacturersincluding CambridgeAudio
and Yamaha. Specialising in product
supportand development, he brings a
wealth of professional and enthusiast
knowledge to the pages of Hi-Fi Choice.
Toensureyougetthebestinformation,opinionand
advice,Hi-FiChoiceemploysthemostknowledgeableand
experiencedhi-fiwritersinthebusiness.
february 2010 HI-FI CHOICE 3
www.storemags.com & www.fantamag.com
freephone:
0800 121 4771 /4772
e-mail:
ask@jordanacoustics.co.uk
web:
www.jordanacoustics.co.uk
Musical FidelityAMSCD
(NEW)AMSSeriesfromMusicalFidelity
Everyproductseemstohaveanidealcombinationofvirtues:state-of-the-art
design,performanceandexceptionalvalue.ItsMFbacktoitsverybest!
AMSCD:
Reference CD Player
TheAMSCD/DAC is the finest digital product that
MF have ever made.Theyhave spared no expense
or design eforttoachieve the maximum possible
performance.
AMS35i:
IntegratedAmplifier
The AMS35i seems to have an ideal combination
of virtues. When you listen to it all that seems to
be important is the music.Isn’t that what hi-fi
is for?
AMS35p:
Pure Class APower Amplifier
High currentdeliveryand outstanding stability
means that the AMS35p can drive any
loudspeaker comfortably.
0% FINANCE OPTIONS*
AVAILABLE
www.storemags.com & www.fantamag.com
AMS50:
Pure Class ADual Mono
Power Amplifier
TheAMS50 is astate-of-the-art pureClass A
dual mono power amp. Sonically the AMS50 has
asweet,clear tactile sound which takesyou ever
closer to the heartofthe music.
Primo:
Pre-amplifier
It is the best preamp that Musical Fidelityknow
how to make. Azerofeedback, pureClass A
triode,fully balanced design with superlative
technical performance.
Call Jordan Acoustics tofindout more.
0
(NEW-HOT PRODUCT)
MXA60:£6,995
50% Deposit:
£3,497.50
Term:
18 months
Monthly Payment:
£194.30
Full-blownMcIntoshHIFIin-miniature
Conceivedandexecutedbythesameteamresponsiblefor
the$250,000McIntoshReferenceSystem,theMXA60
standsreadytointroduceawholenewrangeofmusiclovers
tothepleasuresofowningahand-madeaudiosystem;a
systemthatisbuilttolastalifetime.
The new
MXA60 Integrated Audio System
from
McIntosh
challenges old
notions about what constitutes serious audio hardware. Capable of true-to-life sound reproduction that belies its
diminutive size (the product measures 22.5” long, 10.6” high, and 14.9” deep, including loudspeakers), the
MXA60
is afull-blown McIntosh HIFI in-miniature
.Now, perhaps for the first time, music aficionados need not trade
performance for convenience.
Features include:
Amplifier (75wpc)and Preamplifier,CD/SACDPlayer,AM/FM
Tuner and specially designed 2-way loudspeakers (in high gloss piano black).
*subject to status/conditions.
*written details on request.
*buy now pay later /0%finance
available on most products.
Youhave to hear the
MXA60
to believe it -
because its that good. Anew all-in-one reference!
Oicially the UK’s No.1
Specialist Dealer
forMcIntosh
AwardWinner2009
BEST LOUDSPEAKER
DancewithanUsher
J
ordanAcousticsisveryexcitedtointroducethereference
rangeofUsherloudspeakersaspartofitscarefullyselected
portfolioofbrands.
The amazing
Usher Dancer Be-10
has just won the
Hi-Fi World ‘Best
Loudspeaker’2009 award.
Hi-Fi World wrote:
“Itisunremittingly dynamic too,making music sound ‘live’inaway that
nearly all hi-filoudspeakersfail to do.Its massive visceral punch, allied to
real silky smoothness and sophistication (when given the right ancillaries
to work with) makes it an exceptional loudspeaker by any definition, and
aworthy winner of its Hi-Fi World Award. ”
Hi-Fi World Awards2009
We could not agree more. To find outmoreabout the complete Usherrange,
call, e-mail, drop by or visit our web sitetoday.
0% FINANCE OPTIONS*
AVAILABLE
www.storemags.com & www.fantamag.com
%*
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]