Hi-Fi News August 2021

AUGUST 2021 WWW.HIFINEWS.CO.UK

Exclusive VI W NYL ICO
PMC’s fact fenestrias
are towers of power DEEPPURPLE N REVIE
IN ROCK

It’s Majik... 65

Linn’s iconic Sondek LP12 oRfFYePevEariAoetuRwdrSusec&st
turntable, in colour!

VAC Sigma 170i

The artisan valve integrated

FEATURE

McIntoshMCD85 Class D is hot stuff!

CD/SACD spinner with USB DAC AGD’s Gran Vivace monoblocks

• OPINION 12 pages of comment • VINYL RELEASE The Vaccines’ WhatDidYouExpect? on 180g LP UK £5.50 Aus $13.99
• CLASSICAL COMPANION Brazilian Composers, beyond Villa-Lobos • STUDIO TOURS Hansa Berlin
•VINTAGEREVIEWPhilips 551 ‘MFB’ preamplifier•READERS’CLASSIFIEDSHi-Fi bargains galore

A Lifetime of Music Discovery Begins Here...

Available Finishes:

Based on the award winning Synergy, the Model 12A has been designed for those who
prefer to select their own special combination of phono stage and cartridge for a unique
listening experience. It comes equipped with the legendary SME 309 tonearm and high-
end Crystal Cable wiring. Precision engineered and handcrafted perfection with the close

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“This is a no-nonsense, compact, user-friendly package that will cut to the heart of the musical
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Hi-Fi News, September 2019
For dealers in the UK please call Padood on 01223 653199 or visit www.padood.com

For international sales please call SME on +44 1903 814321 or visit www.sme.co.uk

CONTENTS

VINYL & RECORD REVIEWS NEWS AND OPINION AUGUST 21

78 Classical Companion 46 AGD Gran Vivace 21 Welcome

Peter Quantrill surveys the sounds So you think you’ve heard it all? What A message from the editor
of South America with a look at the about a Class D amplifier with gallium
best classical composers from Brazil nitride FETs mounted inside a ‘valve’? 22 News

80 Vinyl Release 50 Naim Audio Uniti Atom Limited edition anniversary amplifier
Headphone Edition from Luxman, Grado revisits Prestige
Smart, self-contained singles with Series ’phones, Q Acoustics expands
a knowing nod to pop’s past... Company hopes to hook in the its active speaker range, Vertere
Steve Sutherland on The Vaccines’ headphone listener with a streamer unveils hand-built MM cartridge
What Did You Expect? on 180g using its Statement amp technology
24 Hidden Treasures
82 Vinyl Icon 54 Spendor Classic 3/1
From supermarket ‘specials’ to
The bands ‘MkII’ lineup was to help This ’70s-styled speaker has more discs with one-off sleeves, do you
create a template for heavy metal. than retro charm as modern design unknowingly own valuable LPs and
Mike Barnes explores the recording brings all the thrills without the spills CDs? Johnny Sharp is your guide...
of Deep Purple In Rock from 1970
58 VAC Sigma 170i 30 Investigation
88 In The Studio
Will this push-pull integrated amp Mike Barnes talks to those working
Known as The Hall By The Wall, have what it takes to impress like its in the music industry about how the
Hansa was the studio where Bowie imposing pre/power brethren? Covid-19 pandemic has changed
would record his Berlin trilogy. the ways they make music
Steve Sutherland has the story 62 System Audio Legend 40.2
Silverback 103 Opinion
92 Music Reviews
Active floorstander boasts a digital Insider comment on the hot audio
Our selection of audiophile LP crossover, DSP, DAC and a wireless topics of the day from Barry Fox,
and hi-res downloads reviewed by option. But what are ‘RAM Tweaks’? Barry Willis, Andrew Everard, Jim
our specialists alongside the latest Lesurf, Adam Smith and Steve Harris
rock, jazz and classical albums 66 Linn Majik LP12/Krane
114 Sound Off
DEFINITIVE PRODUCT REVIEWS Entry-level version of original LP12
40 PMC fact fenestria receives a makeover with the addition The return of retro speakers, the
of Clearaudio-sourced Krane tonearm effect of turntable torque on sound,
Flagship speaker packs a quartet of notes on hearing loss, single-ended
piston bass drivers and vibration 70 McIntosh MCD85 amplifier misunderstandings sorted
control like that used in earthquake
zones... Hold on to your seats! Ear-friendly sound from this CD/SACD 138 Off The Leash
player that can also act as a DAC
ABOVE: Active sounds, Scandi style from Why does some hi-fi from overseas
System Audio’s Legend 40.2 Silverback, p62 75 Crystal Connect cost far more to buy in the UK than
Art Series van Gogh in its country of origin? Ken Kessler
pores over the profit margins...
Can this silver interconnect deliver on
its promise of more detail and slam? ABOVE: Singers, studios, producers,
engineers... how has the music
VINTAGE music industry coped
with Covid-19?
122 Vintage Review See p30

Arriving in 1976, Philips 551 preamp SUBSCRIBE!
was designed to drive the company’s
MFB speakers. We take a listen today SSapvec7i5a%l Cohnrdisigtmitaalswoiftfhear:
pTrhinret seuibsscureipstfioSrneejSupeseatgpe£1236850027!
128 From The Vault

It’s HFN May ’99 and Martin Colloms
is living with KEF’s R109 Maidstone.
But will this flagship speaker stack up?

AUGUST 2021 | www.hifinews.co.uk | 3



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www.padood.com | [email protected]

+44 (0) 1223 653199 | Nine Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 1GE

THE VERY BEST CONSUMER TECHNOLOGY...

ARRIVING SOON!

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EISA AWARDS 2021-22
Celebrating the year’s best products

The Expert Imaging and Sound Association is the community of 60 technology magazines, websites and social media
commentators from 29 countries, specialising in hi-fi, home theatre, photo and video, in-car and mobile electronics.

Every year the EISA jury of experts rewards the best products in each class with a coveted EISA Award.

The 2021-22 EISA Awards will be announced on August 15th 2021

TESTED BY THE EXPERTS Q WWW.EISA.EU

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Introducing Thorens new range of turntables.

Thorens has always been a pioneer of Turntable technology. Our new range has been
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TD1 01 £ 000

Thorens new TD 1601 combines all
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Special features include:

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• Thorens precision tonearm TP 92 (9”)

TD 201 £450 TD 202 £600 TD402DD £800

TD103A £1000 TD148A £1500 TD1 00 £2500
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