Hi-Fi News - Yearbook 2021

YEARBOOK 2021 WWW.HIFINEWS.CO.UK

THE HOME OF REAL HI-FI

RS&EVEPI1MNVA4UTRIASEA0GITCWEE+SS,

THE YEAR’S FINEST PRODUCTS & ESSENTIAL MUSIC

Equipment Vintage Music Opinion

70 standout Audio icons The best Vinyl, Our columnists’
separates tested of yesteryear CDs & Downloads hi-fi high points

• VINYL/PHONO PREAMPS AVID to Zesto • DIGITAL PLAYERS/DACS Audio Analogue to Merason UK £6.99 Aus $18.50
• TRANSISTOR & TUBE AMPS Audio Research to Yamaha • ACCESSORIES AudioQuest to Ferrum
• LOUDSPEAKERS B&W to Wilson Audio • VINTAGE ICONS B&O, Sharp, Technics, Philips & Sony

Atria II

Cutting edge, stand-out products
by virtue of extraordinary, relevant
applied technology and execution.

£30,995

Distributed in the UK and Ireland by:
www.padood.com | [email protected]
+44 (0)1223 653199 | 9 Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GE

CONTENTS

MUSIC REVIEWS: BEST OF 2021 67 SPL Phonitor xe 103 Magico A5 YEARBOOK 21

154 Vinyl, CD & Downloads ‘Pro audio’ DAC/headphone amp A flagship with ‘Graphene Nano-Tec’

Our pick of the year’s audiophile 68 Audio Research 104 MBL Radialstrahler
releases and hi-res downloads Reference 80S 101 E MkII

SOURCES: BEST OF 2021 Gateway amp to top-tier REF range Omnidirectional speakers to die for

32 AVID Boron 69 Audia Flight FLS 9 105 Monitor Audio Bronze 200

Mid-range MC with boron on-board ‘Starter’ amp with optional modules Vice-free speaker is top value too

33 DS Audio Grand Master 71 BAT VK-3500 107 Paradigm Founder 100F

Optical pick-up makes waves High-end tube/solid-state integrated The high-end floorstander bargain

35 Linn Majik LP12 72 Bricasti M20/M25 109 PMC fact fenestria

Iconic LP spinner enjoys a revamp Dual-mono pre/power from US brand Speed, detail and striking design

37 Mark Levinson No5105 73 Boulder 1110/1160 110 Rogers LS5/9 Classic SE

Second deck is fuss-free ’n’ stylish No-nonsense solid-state excellence All-time classic is resurrected

38 Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 75 Bryston BR-20 111 System Audio Legend 60.2
Silverback
New king for popular MM series Fully-balanced flagship preamp/DAC
Active speaker with ‘Stereo Hub’
39 Pro-Ject Debut PRO 76 Cambridge Audio Edge NQ/M
113 Wilson Audio SabrinaX
The ‘most audiophile’ Debut yet Network streamer/monoblock amps
Compact floorstander raises the bar
41 Soundsmith SG/SG-230 77 Classé Audio
Delta PRE/MONO ACCESSORIES: BEST OF 2021
Strain gauge pick-up truly dazzles
Potent pre/power amps from Canada 114 AudioQuest
42 Thorens TD 124 DD William Tell Zero
79 Copland CSA150
Deck is revived, with direct drive The speaker cable with ‘Zero-Tech’
Beefed-up tube hybrid integrated
43 VPI Prime 21+ 115 CrystalConnect van Gogh
80 Engström ERIC Encore
Popular deck gains arm and pick-up Midrange interconnect in ‘Art Series’
Radical, big-ticket tube power amp
44 Hegel V10 117 Ferrum Hypsos
81 Marantz Model 30
Debut phono stage plays it smooth Programmable DC PSU cleans up
Trickle-down tech with piles of style
45 Musical Fidelity M3x Vinyl 119 In-akustik Reference
83 Mola-Mola Kula LS-204 XL Micro Air
Phono preamp hides its novel tech
Innovative integrated with Class D Multicore cable from Germany
47 Thorens MM-008
84 NAD C 298 VINTAGE: BEST OF YESTERYEAR
Premium phono stage low on price
‘Stripped-back’ Class D power amp 122 Sony PS-Q7
49 Zesto Andros Deluxe II
85 Pass Labs INT-25 The smallest hi-fi turntable ever?
Tube phono preamp with new PSU
Super integrated is Class A all the way 123 Philips CD10
50 Audio Analogue AAdac
87 PS Audio M1200 Dutch company’s debut portable
USB DAC scores where it counts
Class D power amp with tube input 125 Sharp DX-411H
51 Auralic Altair G2.1
88 Rotel Michi X3 Second-gen 16-bit player from ’86
Meet the gutsy music library/DAC
Feature-laden, pile-driving integrated 127 B&O Beomaster 6000 4Ch
53 Cambridge Audio
DacMagic 200M 89 VAC Master Preamp/ Classic quad sound at its best
Signature 200iQ
USB/wireless DAC pays dividends 129 Yamaha C-2a/M-2
Pre/power from iconic US tube brand
54 Grimm Audio MU1 The amps that embraced MOSFETs
91 Yamaha A-S3200
Dedicated music server with a twist 131 Technics SB-7000
‘Retro’ amp with 21st century sound
55 HiFi Rose RS150 A ’70s speaker with ‘phase linearity’
LOUDSPEAKERS: BEST OF 2021
Network-attached DAC from Korea EVENTS AND OPINION
92 B&W 603 S2
57 Matrix Audio Element X Anniversary 21 Welcome

Network DAC offers a feast of tech Range-topper scales new heights Message from the editor

59 McIntosh MCD85 93 Cambridge Audio SX-80 22 Best In Show

Disc player/DAC looks like an amp! Big speaker is a top budget buy Seven years of our Hi-Fi Show Live

60 Meitner Audio MA3 95 DeVore Fidelity O/96 135 Opinion

Streaming DAC packs custom chip High sensitivity ’n’ Kurt Müller cones Hi-fi highs of the past 12 months

61 Merason DAC1 96 FinkTeam KIM 186 Off The Leash

Top dog DAC makes its mark Speaker with a ribbon-esque tweeter Ken Kessler looks back over 2021

AMPLIFIERS: BEST OF 2021 97 Franco Serblin SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Accordo Essence
62 Astell&Kern KANN Alpha Special Offer: See Page 180
Star standmount now writ large
Pukkah portable with Bluetooth 5.0
99 KEF LS50 Meta
63 iFi Audio NEO iDSD
Revamp for iconic compact monitor
‘Plug ’n play’ DAC/headphone amp
100 Klipsch Heresy IV
65 Naim Audio Uniti Atom HE
The Heritage speaker sure to excite
Headphone-optimised streamer
101 Kudos Audio Cardea C20

The ultimate speaker at the price?

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

The ultimate in aesthetic and
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Distributed in the UK and Ireland by Padood
www.padood.com | [email protected]

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

GOOSEBUMPS

EVEN IN THE NEXT ROOM

Omnidirectional Loudspeakers

Audition at:
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07702 155 847 | stranger.info



Inheriting the essence of the Grand Master

Excellence. Evolved.

The new 800 Series Diamond.

This is not just another speaker range. This is our
benchmark, our icon; the most advanced range of
loudspeakers we know how to make. For us, the
800 Series Diamond is everything we know, and
everything we are. Listen, and you’ll see.

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Timeless Passion. Now Awarded.

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and its matching SACD 30n player are a triumph”. Experience this iconic combination at a premium retailer near you.

marantz.com ®2021 Sound United. All Rights Reserved.

background image by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Wireless Fidelity
Has a New Champion

also for balanced wired connection

Legend 40 Silverback:

“most impressive of all is this

wireless speaker’s compelling
sound, which majors on
resolution, bass power and a

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also for balanced wired connection

Legend 5 Silverback:

“a beautifully elegant, and

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Hear that?

It’s that moment. The one where the singer’s
voice cracks perfectly. Sending you back to
the road trip you took with your new girlfriend,
now your wife, when you heard the song for the
˩˘˥ˬ Ѓ˥˦˧ ˧˜ˠ˘ʡ ˁˢ˪ ˬˢ˨Ϡ˥˘ ˛˘˔˥˜ˡ˚ ˜˧ ˔˚˔˜ˡʟ ˥˜˖˛˘˥
and more vibrant than ever, on the Monitor Audio
Silver Series. Turn it up. Press repeat.

ˁ˘˪ ˆ˜˟˩˘˥ ˆ˘˥˜˘˦
Speakers that speak to you

Learn more at monitoraudio.com/silver

Elegant Design Inside and Out

karma Authorized United Kingdom Distributor 01423 358846 karma-av.co.uk
[email protected]
audio-visual

Elegant Design Inside and Out
Primare is known for the elegant exterior
design of its products, which reflects the
artfully crafted electrical designs based on
our practical design approach allowing
every component to work sympathetically
together as a cohesive whole.

Power supply designs are custom crafted
to best serve the unique needs of each
component, whether it be switching or
linear, based on toroidal or laminated core
transformers, so that all elements of any
design operate effortlessly.

Signal paths are kept as short and as
simple as possible, with gain preferably in
one device, and utilizing four-layer circuit
boards to more easily and effectively design
circuitry with the most direct connection
of components to reduce distortion and
eliminate noise.

Non-essential signal carrying wires are
eliminated, exemplified by the use of
surface mount components when possible
and by directly connecting the output stage
to the speaker binding posts free of wires
or solder to interfere with power delivery.

karma

audio-visual

Modular design is offered in as many of our
products as possible, providing the power
to choose just the right features to meet any
system needs, with the reassurance that as
technology evolves and changes so too can
Primare modular models.

For over thirty years Primare has produced
components that embody the Scandinavian
design ideal of lagom – that sense of
not too much or too little, but just right;
everything in balance, proportion, and
harmony, both inside and out.

For more details, go to primare.net

01423 358846 karma-av.co.uk
[email protected]





OOR by Ferrum

a star is born

Ferrum OOR, the only headphone amplifier with a soul

We tasked our most talented engineer with an impossible goal: create the perfect
headphone amplifier. The result is an alchemical masterstroke with part of his soul forged
right into it, and it blew us away. OOR is a ground-up design without precedent, created
from a profound exploration of analogue audio in its purest form. In true Ferrum style, OOR
marries understated looks with sophisticated power delivery and amplifier technologies,
delivering ultra-low distortion, huge dynamics and unrivaled detail. For those who want
to go even further in unleashing unheard musicality, OOR is, of course, designed to pair
perfectly with the awarded HYPSOS Hybrid Power System.

Ferrum OOR Headphone Amplifier Ferrum HYPSOS Hybrid Power System
• Truly balanced design • > 8W into 60Ω (bal. mode) output power • • Linear/switching PSU design • 110 ~ 240V AC in •
• 5 ~ 30V DC out • 6A/80W • 21,7 x 20,6 x 5,0 cm •
• headphone output impedance < 0,3 Ω • 21,7 x 20,6 x 5,0 cm •

30-day Free Trial • Free Support • Free Extended 3-year Warranty
More info on www.ferrum.audio

YEARBOOK/21

ABOVE: Mark Levinson’s second turntable, the No5105, has been W elcome,
designed to be a painless, all-in-one, ‘turnkey’ offering, (p37) audiophiles,
enthusiasts,
ABOVE: Not as basic as it looks... Mola-Mola’s Kula combines the music fans
Makua pre and Tambaqui DAC with an NCore Class D amp, (p83) and lovers
of all things luxury to our
MUSIC: 70 years on and Ol’ Blue Eyes’
Sing And Dance With Frank Sinatra is our annual Yearbook. Whatever the
choicest slab of vinyl (p154) while the
VPO’s 2021 New Year’s Concert hits the mainstream news headlines
top of our high-res downloads (p158)
RIGHT: Hi-Fi News & RR is the UK’s are currently troubling us with,
representative of EISA’s Hi-Fi Expert
Group. Editor Paul Miller took over as it’s reassuring to know there’s
EISA’s President in June 2016
absolutely no global shortage We’ve been there from the

of audio goodies as Hi-Fi News beginning of course... Launched

& Record Review celebrates in 1956, Hi-Fi News is the

the hardware that inspired world’s oldest specialist ‘hi-fi’

our senses and the music that magazine, even pre-dating the

sustained our souls and sanity stereo revolution itself! It’s fair to

throughout 2021. say we are woven into the very

So sit back and savour our fabric of the high quality audio

annual festival of the most awe- scene, having explored and

inspiring vinyl-playing hardware, catalogued every step in hi-fi’s

of amplifiers ranging from tube journey for the last 65 years.

titans to Class D divas, network- We’ve stood the test of time

connected digital players and as the audiophile’s reference –

DACs, and loudspeakers of every month, we independently

every conceivable

size and stripe. While ‘The HFN Yearbook
leafing through the is your go-to guide for
jewels of high-end
audio featured in this the world’s finest hi-fi’
bumper 188-page

collection, I hope

you’ll also be tempted to seek research, lab test and audition

out some new sounds from our the newest high-end hi-fi from

choice of heavyweight LPs, plus established brands as well as the

physical and ‘virtual’ digital new kids on audio’s block.

media. Hi-fi is, after all, our So if you want to read the

window on the world of music. first in-depth tests of the world’s

We’ll also pause and reflect finest hi-fi then why not join us

on the innovations that are on the adventure. Who knows

driving the evolution of our – next month you may discover

shared passion while looking that once-in-a-lifetime upgrade

back at some vintage audio you’ve always dreamed of!

heroes to remind us of hi-fi’s

impressive pedigree. PAUL MILLER GROUP EDITOR

HI-FI NEWS’ EXPERT LINE UP: THE FINEST MINDS IN AUDIO JOURNALISM BRING THEIR EXPERIENCE TO BEAR ON ALL AREAS OF HI-FI & MUSIC

BARRY FOX DAVID PRICE KEN KESSLER MARK CRAVEN STEVE HARRIS ANDREW EVERARD STEVE SUTHERLAND

Investigative journalist An avid collector of is a long-serving Editor of our sister title Former Editor of this has reviewed hi-fi for worked on Melody
supreme, Barry is the audio treasures, and contributor, luxury Home Cinema Choice, very title from 1986 over 30 years and Maker and then edited
first with news of the life-long hi-fi addict, goods writer and Mark’s passion for through to 2005. A is still effortlessly NME from 1992-2000,
latest developments DP lends his ears champion for the music extends from lifetime in audio and enthusiastic about new the Britpop years. Steve
in hi-fi and music and experience from renaissance in valves stereo to multichannel a love of jazz makes technology, kit and brings a unique slant to
technologies analogue to digital and ‘vintage hi-fi’ and Dolby Atmos Steve a goldmine discovering new music our Vinyl Release pages

YEARBOOK 2021 | www.hifinews.co.uk | 21

SHOWBLOG Sights and sounds from around the globe

Hi-Fi Show Live 2013-18

We’ve missed a full two years of
sights and sounds at our Hi-Fi Show
Live, but in anticipation of our next
feast of all that’s truly fabulous in
high-end audio we thought we’d
look back at some of the seminal
kit, and inspirational people, that
fuelled our passion over the years.

The Hi-Fi Show Live was
launched and hosted at the
Beaumont Conference Centre
in Old Windsor from 2013-18
witnessing a host of exclusive
product launches and once-in-a
lifetime listening experiences.
Here’s a taster of those events...

Our inaugural show in 2013 featured live performances by Symmetry’s Nigel Crump was
Eleanor McEvoy in the PMC demonstration room, in addition to grinning from ear to ear in
seminars by world-renowned mastering engineer Crispin Murray, 2013 at the sound produced
seen here standing next to PMC’s awesome BB5 SE ‘prosumer’ by the Wisdom L75 planar
monitors with their 15in Radial bass units. Powered by Bryston magnetic loudspeakers.
amplifiers, the experience was visceral. www.pmc-speakers.com Partnering them was an
SCS ‘suitcase sub’ and SC-1
system controller, which
incorporated electronic
crossovers and Audyssey
room correction. Driven by
Ayre Acoustics’ DX-5 DSD A/V
Engine and the (then) new
KX-5/VX-5 pre/power amps
they served up 3D images of
life-sized musicians. www.
symmetry-systems.co.uk

Wilson Audio’s Peter Famous audio maverick Peter Madnick, and driving force behind
McGrath (left) and the Constellation Audio ‘dream team’ involving the who’s-who
Absolute Sounds’ of audio engineers, poses next to the Californian marque’s Virgo
Ricardo Franassovici line stage preamplifier [HFN Jul ’13]. Constellation’s partnering
flank the Wilson Alexia Centaur 500W monoblocks drove the Magico S5 floorstanders
floorstander [HFN Mar [HFN Dec ’12] to immense sound pressure levels in the
’13]. It sounded sublime demonstration room. www.constellationaudio.com
driven by D’Agostino
Momentum pre/power
amps with an Audio
Research REF CD9 CD
player/DAC [HFN Jul ’11;
May ’13]. Wilson Audio’s
new Duette Series II
‘bookshelf’ monitor
also made its UK debut
[HFN Apr ’14]. www.
absolutesounds.com

22 | www.hifinews.co.uk | YEARBOOK 2021

SHOWBLOG Sights and sounds from around the globe

Kevin Akam began his expansion
of Signature Audio Systems at our
2014 show with PS Audio’s sprightly
Bluetooth-equipped Sprout integrated
amp, priced £650 at the time [HFN Feb
’15] and partnered with Vandersteen
Model 1Ci speakers. A second system
featuring PS Audio’s DirectStream DAC,
twin Jeff Rowland 525 mono amps and
Vandersteen’s Treo speakers ensured the
room was constantly buzzing with visitors.

In subsequent years Kevin would go on
to demonstrate the BHK Signature 300
monoblocks [HFN Jul ’16], the PerfectWave
Transport, a succession of Power Plant AC
mains regenerators plus the astonishing
Theoretica BACCH-SP dio ‘3D Sound’
processor. www.signaturesystems.co.uk

In 2015 KEF demonstrated a revamped version of its
iconic Muon flagship speaker to a packed house. Seen
below with Jack Oclee-Brown, Head of Acoustics, the
£140k Muon sported a revised Uni-Q mid/treble array
with stiffened drivers and a new crossover said to give
deeper bass. KEF’s £16k+ Blade Two [HFN Jul ’15] was
also on show next to the original Blade, highlighting
their shared striking aesthetic and the former’s more
manageable size. www.kef.com

Here’s Irv Gross in 2015 wielding the app that drove Constellation Audio’s
spectacular £33k Cygnus DAC Server, seen here with Métronome’s Kalista
Ultimate Signature transport/DAC and outboard PSU combo [HFN Dec ’13].
However, Constellation’s ‘entry-level’ Inspiration Series pre and power
amps [HFN Jul ’15] were the real stars, delivering a genuinely jaw-dropping
sound via Magico S5s. www.magico.net; www.kalista.audio

With a price tag of £90k,
you can understand why
Clearaudio’s Veronika
and Robert Suchy were
standing guard around their
flagship Statement TT1 V2
turntable [HFN Apr ’16],
which came with a number
of revisions including a
new bearing design for
its parallel-tracking arm.
The radical tech of DS
Audio’s DS-W1 optical
cartridge [HFN Nov ’15] also
wowed the crowds. www.
soundfowndations.co.uk

YEARBOOK 2021 | www.hifinews.co.uk | 23

Old’s cool.

The new Dynaudio Heritage Special.
Classic premium hi-fi, handmade with love in Denmark.

Listen to craftsmanship. Listen to real wood. Listen to true, Each of the 2500 limited-edition pairs is unique. And they’re
state-of-the-art, hand-built tweeters and woofers. To more brimming with the spirit (and flødebolle-fuelled boldness) that
than 2000 hours of devoted R&D. To the depths of your made the Dynaudio name. Run your fingers over the hand-
record collection. Listen to what you love. finished American Walnut veneer. Pause at the groove around
the baffle (you’ll remember it from our speakers that you coveted
‘Heritage Special’ isn’t just a name. It’s a salute to traditional years ago). Then play some music and rock your socks off.
high-performance Danish audio design, featuring Dynaudio’s
now-legendary materials, technologies and performance. It isn’t for everyone. But that’s OK. We made it for you.

Heritage Special

www.dynaudio.com/heritage

SHOWBLOG Sights and sounds from around the globe

Arguably the most spectacular demonstration at the Hi-Fi Show
Live 2017 saw whirlwind guitarist Joncan Kavlakoglu performing
a duet with one of his own recordings through an awesome
system including an Aurender W20 music server, a DAC, preamp
and (four!) power amps from Nagra’s HD series [HFN Jul ’18] plus
the four-tower Sonja XV Junior speakers from YG Acoustics. With
a supporting cast including SME, Boulder, Bel Canto and Weiss,
this huge suite was a high-end treasure trove. www.padood.com

Mola-Mola’s Bruno Putzeys, developer of the Hypex NCore and
Eigentakt Class D technologies, is seen here in 2016 with a
brace of his Kaluga monoblocks, which were driving the Vivid
Audio Giya G4 speakers. In the rack is the Mola-Mola Makua
preamp [HFN Aug ’17], which features optional phono and DAC
sections. www.mola-mola.nl; www.vividaudio.com

Mike Valentine of Chasing Audiophiles could do little but gasp and listen in wonder at this fabulous array of exclusive Luxman
The Dragon – a Hi-Fi Show separates unveiled at our 2017 show, aided and abetted by a pair of room-filling DALI Epicon 8
Live regular from 2015 – floorstanders [HFN Sep ’12]. Vinyl fans were delighted to discover the PD-171A turntable and new
joined Symmetry in 2016 EQ-500 tube-based phono stage, but the real last-minute exclusive came in the form of the (then)
to talk about the recording very new Luxman L-509X integrated amplifier [HFN Jan ’18]. www.luxman.com
techniques he uses at AIR
Studios in London. Playing
to a packed house, Mike
gave visitors the chance to
compare half-speed mastered
and direct-cut albums with
standard LP pressings. http://
chasingthedragon.co.uk

YEARBOOK 2021 | www.hifinews.co.uk | 25



Magico’s Peter Mackay flew SHOWBLOG Sights and sounds from around the globe
to the Hi-Fi Show Live in
2018 to unveil the new M6 Fans of the hottest hi-fi filled the Icon Audio room
floorstanders which sounded to hear its MB81 push-pull monoblock amps, with
utterly magnificent regardless massive GU81 transmitter tube and external PSU,
of whether they were driven connected to designer David Shaw’s replica TAD
via the Constellation Audio horns. These speakers featured a JBL compression
Centaur II 500 power amp driver and 15in bass! www.iconaudio.com
[centre; HFN Dec ’19] or
the pair of Jadis JA 200
tube amps seated either
side. Front-end [inset]
included the Continuum
Obsidian turntable with
Viper tonearm [HFN Oct ’19],
Kalista DreamPlay CD/DAC
[HFN Nov ’17] and streamer,
Constellation Virgo III and
Jadis JP80 MC preamps.
www.absolutesounds.com

Kog Audio’s Mark Standbridge unveiled Avalon Acoustics’ then new
PM1 floorstander, with Estelon’s YB model – a sonic sculpture in black –
alongside by way of comparison. Chalk and cheese, to be sure, but both
equally compelling as they were driven via a Melco N1ZS/2 music library
[HFN Jun ’17], a Vitus Audio RD-101 DAC/streamer and RI-101 stereo
power amplifier. www.melco-audio.com; www.kogaudio.co.uk

With a little help from Saying ‘goodbye’ to the Beaumont Estate in Windsor,
a Mark Levinson No519 home to the Hi-Fi Show Live for six years, was tinged
digital audio player/No585 with sadness but also anticipation as the cream of the
amplifier [HFN Jul ’17 & Apr hi-fi industry planned for an entirely new adventure...
’15], Atlas Cables’ MD Kevin
Kelly used the Hi-Fi Show
Live 2018 to demonstrate
the company’s flagship
Grun grounding system
fitted to its Asimi Lux
interconnect and speaker
cables [HFN Dec ’18]. Even
under show conditions, the
comparison was convincing
as ‘Grun’ proved its worth.
www.atlascables.com

YEARBOOK 2021 | www.hifinews.co.uk | 27

SHOWBLOG Sights and sounds from around the globe

UK Hi-Fi Show Live 2019

For its seventh year, the UK Hi-Fi Show June [pictured, below], in October this provided the ideal environment for
Live witnessed a change of venue – and spectacular venue saw exclusive UK packed workshops, hosted by world-class
what a change! In 2019 we took the product launches from brands including presenters including Germany’s Matthias
‘hotel’ out of hi-fi shows, hosting the BAT, Wilson Audio, Constellation, Innuos, Bode, Michael Fremer and Ken Kessler.
cream of high-end audio in the vast IsoTek, Avantgarde and D’Agostino. Here’s a very, very brief taster of this
but elegant settings of Ascot’s iconic The luxurious Parade Ring, On5, Ascot unique high-end audio extravaganza. The
Grandstand. Home to Royal Ascot in Authority and Windsor Forest suites doors open again on 10-11th Sept 2022!

Kii Audio demonstrated its £30k fully active/DSP-governed Kii
THREE speakers [HFN Aug ’18] with BXT bass extension modules
[HFN Apr ’20] and digital controller. Visitors, including seasoned
hi-fi reviewers, returned time and again to soak up one of
the most impressive sounds at the show, Kii Audio making a
singularly convincing case for the benefits of loudspeaker DSP.
www.kiiaudio.com; www.sounddesigndistribution.co.uk

Kudos Audio and Exposure were singing at their very best in
the AQ/Kudos room, where Titan 707 speakers were driven by
Exposure 5010 monoblocks via the VXN active crossover [HFN
Feb ’20]. The system also featured AudioQuest’s Niagara 7000
power conditioners [HFN Sep ’17] and Zero series cables. www.
kudosaudio.com; www.audioquest.com; www.exposurehifi.com

28 | www.hifinews.co.uk | YEARBOOK 2021

SHOWBLOG Sights and sounds from around the globe

Visitors to the Reel-to-Reel Filling the huge 2nd floor Parade Ring, Cadence Audio/Padood’s demonstration was centred around
Rambler room enjoyed music Germany’s mighty Avantgarde Duo Primo XD loudspeakers [HFN Jan ’20] driven by electronics from
through a system comprising Nagra’s HD range with a Garrard 301/SME/Ortofon front-end (seen here on Quadraspire racks).
Aesthetix amplification, Other demos featured components from the SME range, YG Acoustics, Spendor, Plinius Audio and
Raidho speakers and open- Boulder, with a lid-off look at the mighty Boulder 2160 stereo power amplifier. www.padood.com
reel machines from Revox,
Pioneer, Akai and Ballfinger.
There were also talks from
industry luminaries such as
Ken Kessler, Michael Fremer,
and singer Lyn Stanley. www.
thereeltoreelrambler.com

Raidho’s £95,000 TD3.8 loudspeakers let rip on the end of an
Esoteric set-up based around components from the Grandioso
Series. These included the K1X SACD player, C1 preamp and
M1 monoblocks. The sound was astonishing – aided in no small
measure by a full loom of Shunyata Research’s flagship Sigma
and Alpha power cables, Denali 6000/T power conditioner, and
– a world premiere – Hydra Alpha A10 power distributor [inset].
www.raidho.dk; www.esoteric-highend.eu; www.shunyata.com

Absolute Sounds arrived to fill Ascot’s huge 5th floor event
space with a dazzling selection of products from its portfolio,
including components from Magico, Constellation, Continuum,
EAT, Sonus faber, Krell, PrimaLuna and the TechDAS AirForce One
Premium turntable. Two sound-treated rooms offered ticketed
demos, the larger with the all-new Wilson Alexx speakers driven
in turns by Audio Research REF160S [HFN Feb ’20] and D’Agostino
Relentless amps [HFN Mar ’20]. www.absolutesounds.com

YEARBOOK 2021 | www.hifinews.co.uk | 29

absolute sounds ltd.

International Distributors & Consultants of Specialised Hi-End Home Audio & Video Systems
5 8 D u r h a m R o a d , L o n d o n , S W 2 0 0 T W T: + 4 4 ( 0 ) 2 0 8 9 71 3 9 0 9 F : + 4 4 ( 0 ) 2 0 8 8 7 9 7 9 6 2
absolutesounds.com [email protected]

For Your Nearest Dealer Please Visit The Absolute Sounds Website

CARTRIDGE

Low-output moving-coil cartridge with exposed body
Made by: AVID Hi-Fi Ltd, Kimbolton, Cambs
Supplied by: AVID Hi-Fi Ltd
Telephone: 01480 869900
Web: www.avidhifi.co.uk
Price: £4000

AVID Boron

The middle model in a midband, but with an even
range of three cartridges, silkier top-end than the
Ruby’s, which has its own
the £4000 Boron sells for
delicious sheen.
a substantial £2000 less As bizarre as this
than the flagship Reference Ruby

[HFN Nov ’20]. Aside from a boron might seem, the disparity
cantilever instead of ruby, hence reminded us less of cantilever

the models’ names, the Boron is variances than the sound of
identical to the flagship model,
with the same micro-ridge stylus, different valves. The Boron
tracking force and impedance.
sounded like a KT77 while the
Ruby resembled a KT88. Subtle,

The entry-level Ionic has an obscure, minuscule, perhaps, but

aluminium cantilever, but an it was repeatable with every song
elliptical stylus, so comparisons of
on Gene Clark’s No Other from the
that model with its dearer siblings extensive box set [4AD].
isn’t a matter of varying cantilevers.
You open up that other can of Now, we don’t want to create
the impression that Boron versus

worms – the sound of different Ruby describes some vast sonic ABOVE: The AVID bass was drier with the Ruby, and
stylus profiles. Hey, we even know chasm. This is simply not the case. Boron’s cantilever
is exposed and less forceful with the Boron. Again,
those who swear by conical! While we were dazzled by the emerges from a it was The Remains’ power track,
gold-plated yoke. ‘Don’t Look Back’, with its manic
Thanks to other MCs using atmosphere of menace that the The cantilever percussion, that allowed us to
AVID Ruby conveyed, the Boron itself is equipped appreciate how the two differ.
aluminium, boron, diamond, nearly managed the same but with with a 3x70µm
ruby, et al, we already know that ‘micro-ridge’ We’d imagine the Boron would
stylus while benefit those loudspeakers with
these materials instil repeatable, a teensy reduction in absolute both mounting ultra-tight, snappy bottom octaves,
and polish are while the Ruby shines through
characteristic sounds. What this stage depth. We’re in no position first class ‘bottomless-pit’-type speakers, eg,
means for the end-user is that you to confirm this was an artefact of
those with lots of woofers and
can use this knowledge, with AVID’s cantilever behaviour, but it was tuned ports. With either AVID MC,
the bass is deep enough to satisfy a
detectable. That said, the hip-hop devotee or those who listen
to Kodo drums for pleasure.
‘The space, snap and Boron’s stage width and three-
warmth all recalled dimensionality matched that
the Reference Ruby’ of the Ruby, despite the latter
sounding a touch more open.

We also noticed more so

cartridges and others, to simplify with this cartridge than the VERDICT
Reference Ruby the ‘hotter’ right
This exceptional cartridge is more
your selection process. For example, channel. This was, for whatever ear-friendly and less critical of the
rest of the system than the Ruby.
you might rule out diamond reason, particularly apparent on In some set-ups, then, the Ruby’s
arch precision, attack and speed will
cantilevers for a system that’s LaVern Baker Sings Bessie Smith be preferred. For a more relaxed
already a bit ‘zippy’ at the top end, [Speakers Corner/Atlantic] rather experience, though, the Boron is
the ticket. And you saved £2000.
for fear the gem would encourage a than on the other LPs used for the

still brighter sound. After cantilever sessions. But this was not so much
material, pick-up ‘sound’ is also
influenced by cantilever length, that we were reaching for the
balance control. In fact, the Boron

magnet type, internal wiring type, actually seemed to create a more

body material, body removal, etc. rock-solid centre image with the HI-FI NEWS SPECIFICATIONS
mono pressing of The Remains’
Generator type/weight Moving-coil / 9.1g
SILKY CUTS eponymous debut [Epic] despite any Recommended tracking force 18-22mN (20mN)
Sensitivity/balance (re. 5cm/sec) 317µV / 0.1dB
The space, the snap and the warmth slight channel discrepancies. Compliance (vertical/lateral) 9cu / 8.5cu
Vertical tracking angle 30 degrees
of the Boron’s sound recalled the That only added to the belief L/R Tracking ability 70μm / 70μm
Reference Ruby, but with less that the Boron and the Ruby L/R Distortion (–8dB, 20Hz-20kHz) 0.47–17.5% / 0.35–13.8%
L/R Frequency resp. (20Hz-20kHz) +0.4 to –2.4dB / –0.2 to +2.3dB
aggressively forensic exposure. can co-exist peacefully in the Stereo separation (1kHz / 20kHz) 28dB / 23dB

Nothing was lost – it was simply same catalogue (again, price

presented in a less dogmatic, less notwithstanding) with more
forceful way. With the cartridge than just the top-end attack and

feeding an EAT E-Glo phono absolute precision being their main

preamp set to just over 100ohm, differences. Rather, we also noted

we enjoyed a rich and glorious with all of the recordings that the

32 | www.hifinews.co.uk | YEARBOOK 2021

CARTRIDGE

Photo-electric pick-up cartridge and equaliser
Made by: Digital Stream Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan
Supplied by: Soundfowndations Ltd, Berks
Telephone: 0118 9814238
Web: www.ds-audio-w.biz; www.soundfowndations.co.uk
Prices: £11,995/£38,000 (cartridge/PSU & equaliser)

DS Audio

Grand Master

In every field there are products central, 5-pin cable feeds the LED
that push both engineering and power supply unit. There’s a choice
price limits, and this is certainly of three single-ended RCA and three
a phenomenon we are used balanced XLR outputs, differing by

to in high-end audio. Thus, with their low frequency cut-off points

shaking hands (not a desirable state – a flexibility it shares with the

with this item), we installed the Master 1 energiser. The appropriate

DS Audio Grand Master cartridge, filter is selected according to one’s

at £11,995 surely one of the most speakers and system needs. ABOVE: The be able to identify the guitars, if
sapphire and not the string manufacturers. This
expensive on the planet. Inside the PSU enclosure can be boron cantilevers cartridge comes across as a tool
used in other for assessment as well as a means
That’s not all: DS Audio pick-ups, found three transformers, one for DS models are for musical fulfilment. We found
replaced by a ourselves listening to whole albums
with their ‘optical’ engine, require each of the left and right equalisers, diamond rod in in their entirety, transfixed by the
this flagship Grand Master’s, well, mastery. Yes,
their own dedicated energisers and the third for the LED supply. Overkill it’s that kind of cartridge.
BELOW: Huge
specific equalisation. To accompany perhaps, but the Grand Master alloy chassis host VERDICT
the over-sized
the Grand Master, there is a two-box design also includes a claimed 2.34 PSU [bottom] The Grand Master is so supreme
and energiser/ in resolution, transparency, spatial
solution selling for a heart-stopping farads of electrolytic capacitance equaliser [top] recreation, neutrality and any other
parameter we can name that we’re
£38,000 [pictured bottom right]. within the equaliser and 2.97 farads tempted to say: ‘This may be the
best cartridge we’ve ever heard.’
To advance beyond the still- within the power supply.

amazing Master 1 [HFN Dec ’17],

DS Audio graced the internal MASTER OF REALITY

workings of the Grand Master with Listening via the balanced (XLR)

independent LEDs and photo- connections, we were knocked

out by the bottom end of

‘It delivers unconfined John Lennon’s Gimme Some
Truth set [Universal]. The first

bass and a gloriously impression was of an extended,
open and fast sound’ unconfined bass, with the
track ‘Cold Turkey’ – menacing

in any form – acquiring more

detectors for the left and right mass and greater substance. This

channels, boosting sensitivity and cartridge delivers weight to support

also benefiting the S/N and stereo all that comes above, which is a

separation. A smaller moving gloriously open and fast sound.

‘shading’ plate, made from 99.9%- The Paul Butterfield Band’s East-

pure beryllium, is also used here – West [Elektra/Speakers Corner] is an

its weight reduced from 1.56mg to oddity: Chicago blues segueing into

0.74mg. And, although not the first ‘raga rock’. The album’s title-track –

to use this as cantilever material, 13 minutes of hippie excess – stars

DS Audio has opted for diamond, the guitars of Mike Bloomfield and

chosen for its rigidity, fitted with a Elvin Bishop, as well as Butterfield’s

micro-ridge stylus. harp, so this provided a workout for HI-FI NEWS SPECIFICATIONS

Meanwhile, DS Audio’s new the Grand Master cartridge above Generator type/weight Photo-optical / 7.7g
Recommended tracking force 2.0-2.2mN (2.1mN)
cartridge body is fashioned from its bass capabilities and irrespective Sensitivity/balance (re. 5cm/sec) 2050mV / 0.30dB (from Eq unit)
Compliance (vertical/lateral) 11cu / 15cu
‘Ultra Duralumin’ to maximise of the recording’s limited spatiality. Vertical tracking angle 22 degrees
L/R Tracking ability 65μm / 80μm
rigidity, and the internal wiring is Here the transients were L/R Distortion (–8dB, 20Hz-20kHz) 0.60–8.8% / 0.33–9.2%
L/R Frequency resp. (20Hz-20kHz) +4.0 to –0.5dB / +4.5 to –0.4dB
1.6x thicker than that of previous conveyed with absolute precision, Stereo separation (1kHz / 20kHz) 34dB / 25dB

models, to reduce its impedance. no decay issues, no marring of

Now let’s take a look at the either the clarity or the screech, as

two-chassis equaliser and power required. As the solos are identified

supply unit. Connection is via three in order, one gets to compare

heavy umbilical cables. The two the funkier Bishop with the more

7-pin cables connect power to the aggressive Bloomfield, and the

L/R equaliser channels, while the guitarists among you will even

YEARBOOK 2021 | www.hifinews.co.uk | 33

Distributed exclusively in the UK & Ireland by SCV Distribution
For your nearest dealer call 03301 222500 | www.scvdistribution.co.uk

TURNTABLE

Belt-driven manual turntable with arm
Made by: Linn Products Ltd, Glasgow
Supplied by: Linn Products Ltd
Telephone: 0141 307 7777
Web: www.linn.co.uk
Price: £3450 (inc. arm/cartridge)

Linn Majik LP12 sounded fresher, as if someone had
wiped the lens so there was more to
Meet the latest ‘entry and other Linn PSUs it does include ABOVE: Familiar see, with less blurring of the details.
level’ Linn Sondek a noise filter. It appears to be stainless top-
LP12. As you can see, in more than adequately precise too. plate, two-piece Alongside this was a surprising
many ways it is visually Even the baseboard used here has platter with felt amount of detail. It may be more
mat, rectangular subtly delivered but was still very
similar to the first Sondek turntable, changed, for instead of a cheap armboard and much present – as Steve Hackett’s
iconic plinth ‘Star Of Sirius’ [Voyage Of The
launched back in 1973, but much plywood affair it is now a stiffer, shape – it can Acolyte; Charisma] illustrated.
only be an LP12, The Majik LP12’s delivery really
has changed under the skin. lower resonance alloy plate. available in a suited this great classic rock piece,
wide choice conveying the timbre of Hackett’s
The entry-level Majik LP12 The bundled Krane tonearm of colours and distinctive guitar work and also the
equipped here grain of vocalist Phil Collins’ voice.
version costs £3450, though the is closely based on an affordable with the Krane
tonearm Then there’s the soundstaging.
lacquered turquoise finish pictured static-balanced Clearaudio design A classic groove in the shape of
Isaac Hayes’ ‘Cafe Regio’s’ [Shaft:
here adds £300 to the price. It with an anodised alloy armtube. Original Soundtrack; Stax] now
sounded positively expansive.
comes with a Krane tonearm and It has a polished tungsten and It’s as if this new LP12 grabs the
recording by the scruff of the neck,
Adikt MM cartridge, the latter if sapphire vertical bearing with a grips each instrument and doesn’t
let go. The music had a new-found
bought separately costing £430. dual ceramic horizontal bearing solidity and confidence – the deck’s
accurate tonality, almost forensic
The Majik package also includes assembly, and feels smooth enough detail retrieval and capacious
soundstaging made this opulently-
goodies that will interest owners of in operation. VTA, azimuth and recorded track quite a thing to hear.

tracking force adjustments are That old LP12 magic – if you
pardon the pun – was very much
‘This new LP12 grabs provided, while the headshell in evidence with relatively simple
allows for easy cartridge programme material, such as
Sade’s ‘When Am I Going to Make
the recording by the alignment. The Adikt MM A Living’ [Diamond Life; Epic]. Here
the deck seemed able to knit the
notes together better than most
turntables we’ve heard, combining
fine speed stability with a certain
deftness when it came to subtle
music accents – or ‘microdynamics’.

scruff of the neck’ cartridge, meanwhile, is made VERDICT
by Armour Home Electronics to
Just when the LP12 was starting
Linn’s specification, and sports to look overpriced and under-
developed, along comes Linn with
older Sondeks. First is the Karousel a rigid plastic body along with a a punchy new entry-level package
that’s a hard-hitting, value-for-
main bearing, launched last year Gyger II replaceable stylus. money proposition. It still sings like
a bird, but now louder.
as a £750 upgrade, but standard

on new LP12s. This is basically a MODERN ROMANCE

meatier, better made version of the At the core of the Sondek’s sound

already fine Cirkus bearing. is a certain quintessential, foot-

This turntable also features the tapping musicality. The deck still has HI-FI NEWS SPECIFICATIONS

Majik subchassis, which replaces the an involving and almost romantic Turntable speed error at 33.33rpm 33.26rpm (–0.22%)
Time to audible stabilisation 4sec
pressed-steel version of yore with an feel to the way it makes music, Peak Wow/Flutter (Peak wtd) 0.02% / 0.04%
Rumble (silent groove, DIN B wtd) –70.1dB
aluminium part. This has a mounting but this is largely a function of its Rumble (through bearing, DIN B wtd) –68.5dB
Hum & Noise (unwtd, rel. to 5cm/sec) –55.0dB
for the bearing at one end and rhythmic and dynamic prowess, Power Consumption 4W (1W standby)
Dimensions (WHD) / Weight 445x140x356mm / 10kg
armboard at the other, so is a key rather than tonal coloration.

part of the deck’s architecture. On The bass line on The Pet Shop

its own, this is a £330 upgrade. Boys’ ‘Being Boring’ [Behaviour;

Meanwhile, the Majik LP12 Parlophone] was tauter, more

power supply is integrated into the supple and more tuneful than we

deck and while it’s not a frequency- remember it through our old late

synthesiser type like the Valhalla ’80s LP12. Indeed, the whole record

YEARBOOK 2021 | www.hifinews.co.uk | 35



TURNTABLE

Belt-driven turntable with electronic speed control
Made by: Harman International Ind., Northridge, CA, USA
Supplied by: Harman Luxury Audio Group (UK), Cambridge
Telephone: 01223 203200
Web: www.marklevinson.com
Prices: £5799 (£6499 with Ortofon MC)

Mark Levinson our systems. As for the timbre of the
No5105 instruments, the piano enjoyed a
sparkle (or tinkle?) which yielded a
A ny sequel to the Mark Meanwhile, the 6.5kg platter is ABOVE: Fitted level of authenticity that rendered
Levinson No515 [HFN also fashioned from the same alloy here with an the listening all the more vivid.
Oct ’17] has to live up to with a very substantial hardened upmarket
a heady precedent. At steel spindle bearing that runs Ortofon Quintet Next up was Carly Simon’s No
Black S MC, and Secrets [Speakers Corner]. Detail
£5799 less cartridge, or £6499 within sintered brass bushings. with its 25mm obsessives will delight in the way
bead-blasted this analogue front-end handles
with Ortofon’s Quintet Black S MC And the cartridge? The successful alloy front panels nuances, especially breathiness
segueing into a and realistic, rather than irritating
pick-up, the No5105 sells for just pairing of the earlier No515 with glass and clear- sibilance. As for the myriad sounds
alloy frontispiece, on ‘You’re So Vain’, there’s an
over half the price of the No515. an Ortofon MC made it a go-to Mark Levinson’s undeniable delight in hearing Mick
No5105 is the Jagger’s unmistakable, rather nasal
Though the inclusion of the supplier, and the Quintet Black S is super-slick, contribution in the background.
21st-century LP
cartridge does not save any money, a honey. As for the tonearm, it, too, spinner given Of course, you’re thinking, this
physical form applies mainly to the package with
it does remove any set-up worries is a gem, especially if you use low the Ortofon MC, but it remained
consistent with the other MC
by being factory-fitted. And that just compliance MCs, of which we tried cartridges we tried: a Koetsu and a
Denon, neither of which resemble
two – one costing more the Quintet Black S in basic attitude.

‘If this deck has a party than the deck itself. If this deck has a party trick, it
In short, the precision of has to be the lower octaves. With
the Whitesnake compilation, Love
trick, it’s revealed in the every facet of the No5105’s Songs [Rhino], the challenge was to
weight of lower octaves’ build – from chassis to convey not just wall-of-sound guitar
platter – is world-class, and pyrotechnics, but stadium rock/
power ballad grandiosity.
an object lesson in what
Just as the No5105 was adept at
happens to be a primary goal of the can be achieved by 21st century intimacy with the Charles Mingus
session, so did it fill the room from
No5105: no-fuss ownership. industrial hi-fi design. the opening notes of ‘Love Will Set
You Free’. What this says to the
A clean-sheet design, the deck’s listener with catholic tastes, while
also satisfying the needs of single-
genre monomaniacs, is that the
No5105 is neither a rock nor a jazz
nor a pop nor a classical deck, but
one of equal opportunism.

VERDICT

This is a sublime, user-friendly
turntable which does everything
you’d want of a deck at its price,
while delivering pride of ownership
usually restricted to luxury pens and
watches. We’re dazzled.

main chassis hosts the AC-DC power NONE MORE BLACK

supply and speed control for the As if to match the plinth’s gorgeous HI-FI NEWS SPECIFICATIONS

integrated motor while machined, finish, the initial impression was of Turntable speed error at 33.33rpm 33.30rpm (–0.089%)
Time to audible stabilisation 6-7sec
bead-blasted and anodised alloy the ultra-quiet background, a real Peak Wow/Flutter (Peak wtd) 0.03% / 0.05%
Rumble (silent groove, DIN B wtd) –71.3dB (–72.3dB with clamp)
structures feature throughout the boon when it comes to reproducing Rumble (through bearing, DIN B wtd) –70.6dB
Hum & Noise (unwtd, rel. to 5cm/sec) –59.5dB
dense jigsaw of the mechanical a live feel or simply the spontaneity Power Consumption 4W (1W standby)
Dimensions (WHD) / Weight 438x154x395mm / 34kg
design. This includes the two black, of any small jazz ensemble.

25mm-thick front panels and The images and sounds on

naturally-anodised (clear) bezel at Charles Mingus’ Ah Um [Mobile

the centre of its frontispiece, the Fidelity] were suspended in total

latter also hosting a solid glass – not freedom from the loudspeakers,

acrylic – setting for the alloy speed delivering that sought-after

and standby buttons. disappearing trick we all desire from

YEARBOOK 2021 | www.hifinews.co.uk | 37

CARTRIDGE

High-output moving-magnet cartridge
Made by: Ortofon A/S, Denmark

Supplied by: Henley Audio Ltd, UK
Telephone: 01235 511166

Web: www.ortofon.com; www.henleyaudio.co.uk
Price: £829

Ortofon 2M

Black LVB 250

This new flagship for the common with any pick-up featuring
company’s 2M moving- a complex diamond tip – fine-lines,
magnet family, released micro-ridges, Shibatas, etc – the
to mark the anniversary of setting of both the VTA and SRA

Beethoven’s birth in 1770, comes become far more intricate and

in at a heady £829. However, that important procedures.

price accounts for its top-of-the- This was more so than with the

range 2M magnet and thoroughly circa-£95 2M Red we have used

revised mechanism. for years as our reference entry-

Based on the well-respected 2M level MM cartridge, minuscule

Black, this deluxe version is also adjustments to the VTA being

fitted with a nude Shibata stylus but audible with the 2M Black LVB 250.

on a boron cantilever, as found in The good news here is that the

the much dearer Cadenza Black MC sound seems to snap into place ABOVE: The cartridges. Not only was this LP an
distinctive body ideal diet for the 2M Black LVB 250,
cartridge. In addition, Ortofon fully when you nail it, with its focus shape, with it also showed it has a way with the
threaded inserts natural acoustic of a massive hall.
revised the rubber compound for locked vis-à-vis image placement for easy headshell And the strings enjoyed a particular
mounting, is lushness that – dare we say it –
the suspension system. and stage depth. What’s more, shared across the reminded us of the Ortofon SPU.
entire 2M range.
This polymer mix, says Ortofon, transient attack tightens up and the The Shibata stylus Indeed, the 2M Black LVB 250 is
has a 6x50μm one of the most charming MMs we
‘is based on an efficient Multi Wall bass acquires a touch more solidity. (0.006x0.05mm) have tried. It revels in recreating a
radius, retained large, natural acoustic and delivers
Carbon Nano Tube (MWCNT) filler’, from the 2M far greater refinement for the extra
Black but outlay over the 2M Red. While
the aim being to ‘attain an optimal LIKE A CHARM mounted here, it doesn’t strike us as the most
instead, on the impactful of the 2Ms, it certainly
interaction between compliance The 2M Black LVB 250 recreates boron cantilever merits its position as the line’s top
seen on Ortofon’s model on elegance alone.
and damping’. The MWCNT space, especially stage width more Cadenza Black MC
VERDICT
so than depth, with ample
Having lived with the 2M Red, we
‘The sound was rich, provision for forensic listening were surprised to hear how the
into the performance. With 2M Black LVB 250 varied from its
sibling. It’s a silky, sophisticated
full and, goodness me, Aretha Franklin’s ‘I Say A Little cartridge which favours classical,
did this rattle the room’ Prayer For You’ [Atlantic], you jazz and acoustic, rather than the
could almost separate the sizzle-and-snap of pop or rock.

vocalists from each other,

production process is also said while Aretha’s voice possessed

to be cleaner, non-polluting and that inimitable mix of power and

energy-saving and therefore more subtlety for which she is adored.

environmentally-friendly. Another impressive element was

While the primary specification that despite the wide-open view,

of the 2M Black LVB 250 remains there was a wonderful coherence

the same as that for the original 2M across the sound spectrum.

Black, the recommended tracking By direct contrast, we next

force has been increased by a mere turned to the milestone of artifice

0.1g to 1.6g. We tested it with that is The Human League’s ‘Don’t

everything from 56-year-old mono You Want Me (Extended Dance Mix)’ HI-FI NEWS SPECIFICATIONS

7in singles to limited edition 10in [Virgin]. This became a legendary Generator type/weight Moving-magnet / 7.2g
Recommended tracking force 1.5-1.7mN (1.6mN)
pressings to 45rpm audiophile LPs audiophile demo disc due to its bass Sensitivity/balance (re. 5cm/sec) 4.7mV / 0.6dB
Compliance (vertical/lateral) 14cu / 19cu
– even a knackered single we use extension and speed, attack, snap Vertical tracking angle 26 degrees
L/R Tracking ability 75μm / 75μm
to challenge cartridge stability – and dynamic contrasts. Goodness L/R Distortion (–8dB, 20Hz-20kHz) 0.75–7.0% / 0.65–4.5%
L/R Frequency resp. (20Hz-20kHz) +2.3 to –7.6dB / +3.1 to –2.6dB
and noted that this new pick-up’s me, did this rattle the room, while Stereo separation (1kHz / 20kHz) 28dB / 14dB

tracking ability is not an issue. the overall sound was rich and full.

Initial set-up is straightforward The week before this cartridge

thanks to clearly-identified pins went live we had been listening

while the flat front panel is deeply to Riccardo Muti and the Wiener

notched so the stylus is visible to Philharmoniker, performing Mozart

assist in both overhang adjustment Symphonies Nos 25, 35, ‘Haffner’

and track cueing. Also, and in and 39 [Decca], via a couple of MC

38 | www.hifinews.co.uk | YEARBOOK 2021

BUDGET ESOTERICA – TURNTABLE

Belt-driven turntable system with electronic speed control
Made by: Pro-Ject Audio Systems, Austria
Supplied by: Henley Audio Ltd, UK
Telephone: 01235 511166
Web: www.project-audio.com; www.henleyaudio.co.uk
Price: £699 (inc. arm and cartridge)

Auditioned in context, the Debut

PRO yields nothing, as we heard

with William Bell’s The Soul Of A
Bell [Speakers Corner]. His sublime
composition ‘You Don’t Miss Your
Water’ exhibited vocal textures so

convincing we were having second

thoughts about MCs. The warmth
in the voice defied the technology

of the phono stages, vivid and

Pro-Ject Debut PRO apparent whether through all-valve
or solid-state step-ups. ‘Coherent’
replaced ‘competent’ as this deck
certainly earns its suffix, ‘PRO’

being less of a conceit and more a
statement of intent.

This was made even more

evident when we cruelly subjected

W hat started as a pure you should experience greater ABOVE: A neat it to a slightly knackered copy of
entry-level product has and compact, The Best Of The Lettermen [Capitol].
been joined by enough quietness, less nervous behaviour, modern-looking We have no way of knowing how
and more authority. With the new
much HF content had been shaved

siblings over the last Pick it PRO cartridge, the new heavy turntable, the off over the years by abuse, but the

20 years that the new Debut PRO platter, the massive feet and, of Debut PRO has Pick it PRO extracted each of the
a hand-painted three voices in their own sonic turf.
can be regarded as the range’s course, the new tonearm design, it’s plinth, new
flagship and crowning glory. The one-piece alloy/ Even better was the sublime
numerous improvements elevate all about more stability and greater carbon-fibre
subtlety, without sacrificing any tonearm and Analogue Productions release
the price to £699, but even that retrieval of details.’ nickel-plated of The Beach Boys’ Smiley Smile
[APP068]. Even the weird numbers
hasn’t undermined this record Pro-Ject co-designed the new like ‘Vegetables’ and ‘Wind Chimes’
deck’s bargain status.
MM cartridge with Ortofon’s Leif

Accounting for the £250 uplift Johanson to give a more substantial, bearing block. were captivating, but the LP’s two
over the most recent Debut, the more full-bodied sound. ‘In Leif, we Three machined
Carbon EVO [HFN Dec ’20], Pro-Ject feet screw into masterpieces – ‘Heroes And Villains’
found a great partner who worked and ‘Good Vibrations’ – were further

CEO Heinz Lichtenegger recites out exactly the sound balance we place for levelling evidence that the retrieval of detail
a list of features that starts with and vibration hadn’t been compromised. Both
improved motor isolation, on wanted for the Debut PRO’, says control
Lichtenegger. ‘We intended to give are studio creations of almost

to height adjustment achieved it more body, very pleasant to hear, absurd complexity, yet whatever
bizarre sounds Brian Wilson chose
through TPE-damped metal feet, but still keep the refinement of the to employ here, the Debut PRO
handled with aplomb.
Ortofon 2M cartridge line.
VERDICT
‘It extracted each of ‘The Carbon EVO was

designed to give people

The Lettermen’s voices with a moderate budget a

in their own sonic turf’ record deck with an “entry Having lost count of the Debuts
audiophile” attitude. The we’ve tried, one thing’s for sure:

while VTA adjustment has been idea of the PRO is to further each new model has delivered an
added to fettle cartridge upgrades.
squeeze any compromises you’d advance on its predecessor. And
expect in a budget turntable.’ there couldn’t be a more fitting way

In addition, the aluminium PRO-FESSIONAL to mark Pro-Ject’s 30th anniversary,
platter is more heavily damped and for the Debut PRO is a knock-out.
anti-magnetic – which Lichtenegger There’s no escaping it – the Debut
says is a boon for upgrades to MC PRO is easy to adore, the most HI-FI NEWS SPECIFICATIONS

cartridges – while the tonearm is staggering element being the Turntable speed error at 33.33rpm 33.37rpm (+0.1%)
a sandwich of a central tube of solidity and extension of the bass. It

aluminium surrounded by carbon extracted all the weight of George Time to audible stabilisation 3-4sec
fibre ‘for better damping and higher Benson’s Breezin’ [Mobile Fidelity], Peak Wow/Flutter (Peak wtd) 0.02% / 0.03%
effective mass’. The new tonearm the ultra-expressive lower registers Rumble (silent groove, DIN B wtd) –66.2dB
courtesy of the legendary Phil Rumble (through bearing, DIN B wtd) –63.8dB
also utilises massive gimbals, and Upchurch. But a Benson LP is about Hum & Noise (unwtd, rel. to 5cm/sec) –55.7dB
voice and guitar, and the Debut
has a nickel coating – again in a bid
to provide improved damping.

As Lichtenegger explains further, PRO was a more-than-competent Power Consumption 6W (1W standby)
‘When you go to costlier high- Dimensions (WHD, with lid) / Weight 415x113x320mm / 6kg
deliverer of richness in all areas, a
end decks, if they’re really better, boon for Benson’s honeyed tones.

YEARBOOK 2021 | www.hifinews.co.uk | 39

PHYSICS NOT VOODOO

“There’s a lot of hand-made cable here for the money,
making it a reliable bet for that first ‘big upgrade’.”

Paul Miller, Hi Fi News, February 2021

CARTRIDGE

Strain gauge pick-up, active bridge and preamp
Made by: Soundsmith, Peekskill, New York, USA
Supplied by: Signature Audio Systems
Telephone: 07738 007776
Web: www.sound-smith.com; www.signatureaudiosystems.co.uk
Price: £15,999

Soundsmith

SG/SG-230

The fact that this ‘Strain supplies split-phase RCA sockets
Gauge’ cartridge has a which convert to XLRs with the
user-replaceable stylus supplied RCA-to-XLR adapters.
assembly means it can be The SG-230’s output can also be

purchased a number of ways. Of configured to allow ‘easy bridging

the six different cantilever/stylus of two stereo amplifiers into double

configurations available, the version power monoblocks, subwoofer

here is the penultimate set-up – the driving, bi-amping or sourcing into a

so-called SGS-5 with ruby cantilever secondary system’.

and nude line contact stylus. You’ll also need to acquaint ABOVE: The A sharp, bright, upbeat tune, it
two columns features crisp drumming and loads
As for the SG-230 in the product yourself with the SG-230’s user- of blue LEDs on of punch. The differences were
the front of the as negligible as we’d hoped. The
catalogue, this is not the model of adjustable auto-mute system, cartridge’s alloy Strain Gauge pick-up and the DS
body confirm Grand Master were quieter than the
the cartridge, but of the energiser but once set up, simply turning ‘power on’ for TechDAS TDC01 Ti, which in turn
each channel was slightly warmer. The SG/SG-
(or ‘bridge’) and full-function line the rotary source selector to the 230 was the most open-sounding
BELOW: SG-230 and detailed, the DS Grand Master
preamp which was supplied with Strain Gauge input energises the preamp/bridge slightly richer. We could live happily
applies a constant with any one of them – but would
the review sample. cartridge. You know it’s ‘on’ when current through hate to have to choose.
piezoresistive
In addition to the strain gauge the blue LEDs located on the front strips within the VERDICT
pick-up. It derives
PSU and equalisation, the SG-230 of the cartridge light up. a voltage from Soundsmith’s SG joins a select group
the changes in of pick-ups whose performance is
provides four line inputs, with their electrical inarguably sublime. The SG-plus-SG-
resistance 230 will not just cosset your ears
remote control for input selection, GAME CHANGER but challenge your intellect. For
music lovers, it is life-enhancing.
volume and muting. As this review From the opening notes of Jethro

is about the cartridge rather than Tull’s Aqualung [Mobile Fidelity], we

realised we were in the

‘This bright, upbeat tune presence of something as
game-changing as the DS

features crisp drumming Audio Grand Master [see
p33]. The Soundsmith
and loads of punch’ SG is a precision tool,

yet at the same time

the SG-230 per se, we fed its fixed is capable of pure thuggery. The

outputs into a regular preamplifier track ‘Locomotive Breath’ has the

for our long listening sessions. power to make you cower and it

That said, the SG-230 is a highlighted one of the cartridge’s

superlative control centre, ghostly many, almost-peerless strengths: it

quiet and versatile. Soundsmith has bass so solid, powerful and deep

supplies a host of connectors and, we found ourselves admiring the

out of necessity, a comprehensive speakers for being able to handle it.

operating manual. Indeed, anyone It was forcing us to fire up its

buying this package should read rivals, just to make sure that we

the full set of instructions before weren’t attributing greatness to

unpacking to avoid accidents. it because of the novelty value. HI-FI NEWS SPECIFICATIONS

Among the supplied items are We had already learned it tracked Generator type/weight Strain gauge / 9.8g
Recommended tracking force 21-25mN (23mN)
two separate 24V ‘wall wart’ power like certain legendary MMs best Sensitivity/balance (re. 5cm/sec) 495mV / 1.15dB
Compliance (vertical/lateral) 10cu / 9cu
supplies. These, however, do not suited to test LPs. It was relatively Vertical tracking angle 26 degrees
L/R Tracking ability 60μm / 65μm
connect directly to the SG-230 but unflustered and unruffled by inner- L/R Distortion (–8dB, 20Hz-20kHz) 1.25–21% / 0.35–13%
L/R Frequency resp. (20Hz-20kHz) –1.8 to +1.0dB / –2.8 to +1.1dB
via a small black box labelled WWE- groove activity, making us think of Stereo separation (1kHz / 20kHz) 30dB / 25dB

24X2 (a PSU filter, we presume), the DS Audio Grand Master and the

which then connects to the SG-230 TechDAS TDC01 Ti [HFN Sep ’14].

via two cables fitted with ferrite As all these cartridges were

rings. That’s just the rigmarole for already set up and easy to access,

getting power to the unit. we slipped The Turtles’ Save The

To derive a balanced output Turtles [FloEdCo] onto the turntable

from the SG-230, Soundsmith and cued up ‘Happy Together’.

YEARBOOK 2021 | www.hifinews.co.uk | 41

TURNTABLE

Direct-drive turntable, arm and cartridge
Made by: Thorens GmbH, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany

Supplied by: Signature Audio Systems
Telephone: 07738 007776

Web: www.thorens.com; www.signatureaudiosystems.co.uk
Prices: £7999 (£1999, SPU 124 pick-up)

its punchy brass and deep bass but

we were not expecting mass nor

extension to rival that of open-reel

tapes. In the bottom octaves, the

TD 124 DD nailed all the weight,

attack and substance, while it was

so quiet, so constant, that we forgot

all about our much-missed TD 124,

with its low-level grunge.

Thanks to this deck’s retention

of the original’s pop-up large-hole

singles adapter, we were happy to

sail through a selection of 7in 45s,

but ultimately ended up with small-

hole 12in singles. One of these was

the 40th anniversary half-speed

remastering of The Specials’ creepy

‘Ghost Town’ on a 180g 12in single

[2-Tone]. The TD 124 DD went with
the flow, its deep bass cosseting the

Ska track’s bottom-heavy balance,

while deliciously expressing the

Thorens TD 124 DD eeriness of the material.
On to raucous pop, and the

Thorens TD 124 DD dispatched

Katrina & The Waves’ ‘Walking On

Sunshine’ from their eponymous LP

[Capitol] with all the top-end sparkle

A n homage to the legendary system, which is accompanied by ABOVE: Fitted the track needs to communicate its
TD 124 that reigned an hydraulic hiss in use. Tonearm with a classic message. Graham Central Station’s
supreme from 1957-67, adjustability is comprehensive, and curved tonearm ‘Feel The Need’ and Little Feat’s
this latter-day derivative includes the facility for moving the and SPU 124 ‘Oh Atlanta’ from the compilation,

trades the original idler-drive for a arm tube if azimuth is out. pick-up, the TD The Warner Brothers Music Show

custom direct-drive motor. Costing Meanwhile, a dedicated Ortofon 124 ‘aesthetic’ [Warner Brothers] are examples
a sobering £7999, the TD 124 DD SPU MC in a captive headshell is is unmistakable. of funk with the fluidity of The

retains just about everything else available for £1999. Not only is The diecast Specials’ track, showing that the

from the original, however. the bulbous body shape of the SPU top chassis TD 124 DD could do it at 33.3rpm.

There are the knobs for levelling 124 (Stereo Pick-Up) reminiscent of has a rubber We found ourselves listening to
the deck on the underside edges of the iconic MC launched by Ortofon suspension, song after song as the time flew

the chassis, the rotary speed control in 1958, so too has the design of adjustable past – there are no two ways about
back and front, it, this deck is magnificent.
with null points between settings the ‘motor’ – two fine copper wire

(though now without 16rpm or coils wound onto a (moving) square alongside the

former – been retained. pitch wheel. VERDICT

‘This direct-drive A universal headshell is Levers are for The TD 124 DD is one of the most
nails all the weight, supplied for other cartridges, the 33.3/45rpm successful trips ever in audio time-
attack and substance’ along with two counterweights. speed selection travel. The look is 100% correct, and
The heavier weight deals with [left] and the the sound is better than we recall of
the 30g mass of the SPU, the electronic arm lift the original. If we had £8000, this

lighter weight accommodating [right] deck would be staying put.

78rpm), the illuminated strobe with everything else. As for the outboard

rotary pitch adjustment, and the PSU, this has an on/off switch on its HI-FI NEWS SPECIFICATIONS

braking system beloved of DJs. The rear panel but is without an LED so Turntable speed error at 33.33rpm 33.32rpm (–0.05%)
new plinth is minimalist and, well, the only clue to ‘power on’ is when

perfect, with a teensy footprint of the speed selector is chosen, which Time to audible stabilisation ~1-2sec

425x350mm (wxd). sets the platter in motion, and then Peak Wow/Flutter (Peak wtd) 0.15% / 0.02%

Fitted to the TD 124 DD is a illuminates the light over the strobe. Rumble (silent groove, DIN B wtd) –76.2dB
new tonearm reminiscent of the Rumble (through bearing, DIN B wtd) –69.2dB
early BTD12S, TP14 and TP25, BLAST FROM THE PAST

with similar looks and adjustments. We were taken aback by our initial Hum & Noise (unwtd, rel. to 5cm/sec) –65.7dB

Because the arm is integrated and response to the TD 124 DD. The Power Consumption 4W (1W standby)

not interchangeable, Thorens was eponymous Blood, Sweat & Tears Dimensions (WHD) / Weight 425x185x350mm / 19kg
able to devise an electronic cueing album [Mobile Fidelity] is known for

42 | www.hifinews.co.uk | YEARBOOK 2021

TURNTABLE

Belt-driven turntable with manual speed control
Made by: VPI Industries Inc., New Jersey, USA
Supplied by: Renaissance Audio, Scotland
Telephone: 0131 555 3922
Web: www.vpiindustries.com; www.renaissanceaudio.co.uk
Prices: £4500 (£6500 with Shyla cartridge/Weisline cable)

VPI Prime 21+ There was a slight nagging
feeling that the Prime 21+ sounded
The recent expansion of vibrations, its aluminium shell hiding ABOVE: Seen a little richer than we’re used to;
VPI’s range has surely been improved internal motor circuitry. here with black a subtle upper-bass bloom that
fuelled by the global ‘vinyl vinyl finish (it’s seemed to persist whether we used
revival’. In addition to its VPI claims the 21+ can be set up also available in the clamp, or not, or whether we
in under 20 minutes but once you walnut) the Prime swapped out VPI’s thick felt mat for
21+ features alternatives. Yet this is a suggestion
lineup of tonearms, and innovative factor in the time to fine-tune VTA superior feet of ‘character’ rather than an
from the HW40, unwelcome imposition.
turntables including the direct-drive and bias – plus motor placement plus a Shyla MC
with revised coils Otherwise, the deck’s ability
HW-40 Anniversary [HFN Apr ’19], experimentation – well, it took us and suspension to find the best in any recording
damping is a great strength – if there’s
there are new ‘Prime’ series decks in nearly an hour. Still, this also reflects the merest hint of a gold nugget
deep in your LP’s grooves, it will
the form of the Prime 21 and Prime the deck’s great flexibility! dig it out. And when you spin a
truly fine recording, it comes fully
21+, priced at £4500 and £6500. to life. ‘Your Heart Is As Black As
Night’ from Melody Gardot’s My
Both are fitted with a gimbal- SOMETHING SPECIAL One And Only Thrill [Verve] was
electrifying, her vocals sounding
bearing tonearm, in place of the It took barely a half-side of an LP both husky and intimate, and the
double-bass enjoying a firmness
original Prime’s uni-pivot [HFN Jun for us to realise this turntable is and resonance that evoked the
sense of a real, palpable instrument.
something quite special. The Prime This impression was reinforced by
a strong, stable central image and
‘It’ll dig out the 21+ instantly announces itself as very deep soundstage.
merest hint of gold a big and confident performer,
but one never hurried or likely to We swapped the Shyla cartridge
for a Clearaudio MC Essence [HFN
Aug ’17] and while it tightened up
the lower registers very slightly, it
didn’t disguise the deck’s signature
upper-bass warmth. It also revealed
a little more treble sparkle than
the Shyla, but at the expense of
midband quality and a more general
sense of cohesion. Clearly, VPI has
voiced its cartridge well.

in those LP grooves’ be flustered in its music-making. VERDICT
Neither is it heavy-footed in its
Assembly and set-up might not be
unaffected sense of ease and as brisk as VPI would imply, but
once up and running the Prime
’15], while this ‘+’ variant includes solidity, no matter what kind of 21+ is a magnificent-sounding
turntable package. It brings out
an A-T built Shyla MC pick-up, and material you throw at it. the best from less-than-perfect
recordings while ensuring your
custom RCA tonearm lead from This presentation is part-and- well-produced LPs will shine.

Nordost. There are a number of parcel of a typically deep, solid and

mods to be found under the skin, rich-sounding bass. The Prime 21+

too: the MDF chassis now has a top- is able to rattle ornaments, but feed

bonded aluminium plate for greater it an intricate bass line and it also

strength and resonance control. A rises to the challenge. The notes

walnut finish is now an option for on ‘Roulette’ from Night Flight’s HI-FI NEWS SPECIFICATIONS

the base in addition to black, and eponymous debut LP [CRC Records] Turntable speed error at 33.33rpm 33.27rpm (–0.18%)
Time to audible stabilisation 3-4sec
the feet – with integral elastomer were warm and fulsome, while the Peak Wow/Flutter (Peak wtd) 0.04% / 0.03%
Rumble (silent groove, DIN B wtd) –70.5dB (–70.4dB with clamp)
pads – are the same as those on the piano had a fine sense of realism. Rumble (through bearing, DIN B wtd) –69.6dB
Hum & Noise (unwtd, rel. to 5cm/sec) –56.1dB
HW-40 Anniversary model. Meanwhile, Samuel Holmes’ Power Consumption 6W (1W standby)
Dimensions (WHD) / Weight 535x190x400mm / 17.5kg
As on the original Prime, a single vocals sounded as compelling as

belt drives a 9kg aluminium platter. we could have hoped. What’s more,

Speed change (33.3rpm to 45rpm) as this track builds in its intensity,

is achieved by swapping the belt the soundstage becomes crowded,

between steps on the motor pulley. and we have heard more than one

The motor pod has been beefed turntable throw in the towel at this

up to further dampen unwanted point. This wasn’t the case here.

YEARBOOK 2021 | www.hifinews.co.uk | 43

PHONO PREAMPLIFIER

MM/MC phono preamplifier
Made by: Hegel Music Systems AS, Oslo, Norway

Supplied by: Hegel Music Systems AS
Telephone: +47 22 605660
Web: www.hegel.com
Price: £1350

Hegel V10 sounding slightly softer than we
might have expected, they still
This £1350 phono preamp The fifth, sixth and seventh ABOVE: The sound both clean and distinct.
has its roots in a simple V10’s functional
unit Hegel founder Bent switches select load capacitances of but elegant We were also impressed by the
Holter designed for his 100, 147, 200, 220, 247, 320, 420 styling belies sense of space and ambience the
or 467pF for the MM input, while the complexity V10 revealed in familiar recordings.
of the gain and Front-to-back image depth was
own use some 15 years ago. It has the eighth and ninth select a 100 loading options very good, each instrument and
offered. The unit vocalist being well defined within
now evolved to cater for both MM or 300ohm input impedance for the is powered via the soundstage and easy to focus
and MC cartridges while offering MC section. Finally, the last switch an outboard on, even if one or two particularly
2x18V/5VA potent vocalists sounded a little less
unbalanced inputs plus unbalanced toggles between the MM and MC AC supply that ‘edgy’ than we are used to.
connects under
RCA and balanced XLR outputs. phono inputs. These settings are the chassis Bass freaks, on the other hand,
will love the V10’s deep and tuneful
Power is provided by an external supplemented by internal controls lower registers. The synth bass on
Ava Max’s ‘Who’s Laughing Now’
PSU that sports two separate 18V and links that can add a further from Heaven And Hell [Atlantic]
bounded along with pace and
feeds. This includes a Y-shaped lead +6dB gain to both MM and MC impact, each note clearly separated
from the next. Although a seemingly
with dual plugs that connect into sections and extend the MC loading simple pop track, we have heard
more than one set-up make a
a pair of recessed sockets located options from 50 to 500ohm. muddle of it. The V10 nailed it!

in a void underneath the chassis of While the flexibility here is Switching to more complex
material had its ups and downs.
the V10 itself. This space also acts certainly commendable, the ‘CMFT Must Be Stopped’ from Corey
as a physical barrier between the configuration of these DIP switches, Taylor’s CMFT album [Roadrunner
Records] is a riot of guitars, shouty
and the MM/MC inputs, is not vocals and expletives. While the
V10 had no issue in separating
‘Bass freaks will love without its foibles. For example, all the elements here, the overall
while there are separate MM and effect was a little polite. However,
similar material showed that the
the deep and tuneful MC inputs, and switches to select V10 is rarely caught out and while
it would be nice to hear this phono
stage let its hair down and party
on occasions, it really is a master
of separation and detail. And that’s
true across both MC and MM inputs.

lower registers here’ them, the MC headamp connects VERDICT
directly into the MM section
The company’s first phono stage
so it’s not possible to have has been well worth the wait. The
gain and loading options extend
PSU regulation inside the front of connections made to both these the V10’s reach across a very wide
range of pick-ups while its sound is
the amplifier and the audio/RIAA sockets at the same time. smooth and gloriously insightful.

circuitry, located to the rear.

Setting-up the V10 to best match NAILED IT

the gain and loading requirements It was clear Hegel had a winner HI-FI NEWS SPECIFICATIONS

of your pick-up is achieved via two on its hands from the moment our

rows of DIP switches. Of these, the cartridge hit the groove. The V10 is Input loading (MM/MC) 47kohm / 33-550ohm

first two toggle a subsonic filter very quiet, with background noise Input sensitivity (re. 0dBV) 9.7/5.2/2.9/2.3/0.9/0.5/0.28/0.23mV

that operates below 20Hz, while and hum all but absent, just as vinyl Input overload (re. 1% THD) 238/123/71/56/22/13/6.8/5.4mV

the third and fourth bring added roar and surface noise are subtly Max. output (re. 1% THD) / Imp. 23.9V / 96.5ohm (20Hz-20kHz)

boosts of +5, +10 or +12dB to the suppressed, allowing fine detail to A-wtd S/N ratio (re. 0dBV) 79.4dB / 76.9dB (MM/MC)

standard MM and MC gains. The shine through without confusion. Freq. resp. (20Hz-20kHz/100kHz) –0.19dB to +0.05dB / +0.29dB
And though the overall balance
latter are specified as +34dB and Distortion (20Hz-20kHz, re. 0dBV) 0.00024-0.0049% (MM)
+54dB, respectively, through the here is on the smooth side, it’s not

unbalanced outputs, while the short on transparency. So while Power consumption 5W (1W standby)

balanced outputs increase this to cymbals and percussion never stray Dimensions (WHD) / Weight 210x60x280mm / 2.2kg
+40dB and +60dB. towards hardness or sibilance,

44 | www.hifinews.co.uk | YEARBOOK 2021

PHONO PREAMPLIFIER

MM/MC phono preamplifier
Made by: Musical Fidelity (Audio Tuning Vertriebs GmbH), Austria
Supplied by: Henley Audio Ltd, UK
Telephone: 01235 511166
Web: www.musicalfidelity.com; www.henleyaudio.co.uk
Price: £1200

Musical Fidelity The Preamp [HFN Nov ’82 & Jul ’13],
M3x Vinyl
for this phono stage has a bottom
It’s not unreasonable to be ire in those who spend two days ABOVE: Solid end to rival even our preferred valve
amazed at the plethora of setting-up their cartridges, they alloy fascia designs. What’s more, the vocals
affordable phono stages now suited Lyra, Koetsu, Denon and EAT (in matt black
on offer, as if to prophesy that MCs without any issues for either or silver) oozed presence, and the detail was
accommodates
the LP’s return has no end in sight. gain or sound quality. touch-switches downright mesmerising.
for MM/MC While we were spinning vinyl
But the £1200 M3x Vinyl joins the For those of you who looked first selection, MM/
MC loading, at 45rpm, we dug out the 45rpm,
£1000-£1500 shortlist because at our photo and wondered, ‘Why IEC subsonic
filtering and a 2LP edition of Bob Dylan’s Love
it’s as flexible as the vast majority is this phono stage housed in a supplementary
+6dB gain option And Theft [Mobile Fidelity]. The key
of users require, and we had no 440x97x385mm (whd) box when it
to the M3x Vinyl’s prowess here
trouble ‘tuning it’ to two MM and would fit into an enclosure the size was the sheer fluidity of the guitar

four MC cartridges. of a paperback book?’, a peek under work. The sound of this slithery

The front panel places its six the lid reveals that the ‘open-plan’ accompaniment was more liquid

buttons with 17 accompanying blue real estate of the M3x Vinyl’s chassis than silky, and while that sounds as

LEDs, in a row, clustered by role. provides considerable breathing ludicrous as a ‘chocolate midband’,

Left-to-right, they include power room to screen and separate the it’s the only way we can describe it.

on/off located out on its own, then phono stage proper from the Still, we needed to hear what
this phono stage could do with vinyl
the MM and MC selectors, followed companion power supply.
of a quality less than stellar. So we
by the third group, which provides In fact, there’s so much fresh
went to the other extreme, and
six settings for MM capacitance air on offer that the elegance of
the box set of The Beatles’ singles
designer Lubor Grigorescu’s [Apple]. This 2019 reissue revealed

the M3x’s ability to create a solid,

central image with charm and

sparkle, again attesting to a sonic

heritage that goes all the way back
to vintage Musical Fidelity designs.

The marque has always managed to
provide a crisp, if slightly dry treble

without inducing any fatigue.

The Doors’ Morrison Hotel
[anniversary box set] is an LP that

seems to be increasing in stature.
Jim Morrison’s singing possesses

a graininess, a slight whine, and
a deadpan quality, all delivered
through the M3x Vinyl, even with
the least expensive of the MM

cartridges. With the MCs? It sang.

‘Its prowess showed in RIAA network will be lost on VERDICT
the sheer fluidity of the all but the most attentive of
accompanying guitar’ observers. Even the fact that Comprehensive cartridge matching,
the PCB is fixed directly to excellent build and – by virtue of its
size – no need to fiddle about with
the rear panel RCA phonos
tiny DIP switches or non-standard-
is testament to the desire to
sized cases. Satisfaction? With the
loading: 50pF, 100pF, 200pF, 300pF, maintain short and controlled signal
M3x Vinyl it comes guaranteed.
350pF and 400pF. paths. The other reason for the size

Next come two further buttons. is that tooling up for a single box

The one labelled ‘IEC’ enables a to suit a range of matching models HI-FI NEWS SPECIFICATIONS

subsonic filter and proved useful inevitably saves costs. Input loading (MM/MC) 47kohm / 25ohm–1.2kohm
Input sensitivity (re. 0dBV) 9.89mV–509µV
when we played some slightly Input overload (re. 1% THD) 111mV/57mV/11.5mV/5.7mV
Max. output (re. 1% THD) / Impedance 10.8V / 97ohm–2.325kohm
warped singles. Finally there’s LIQUID ASSETS A-wtd S/N ratio (MM/MC, re. 0dBV) 92.9dB / 73.0dB
Frequency resp. (20Hz-20kHz/100kHz) –0.0dB to +0.1dB / +0.17dB
the +6dB gain booster, which we For our first burst through the M3x Distortion (20Hz-20kHz, re. 0dBV) 0.00028–0.025%
Power consumption 5W (<1W standby)
didn’t need, but can understand its Vinyl we couldn’t resist listening to Dimensions (WHD) / Weight 440x97x385mm / 6.4kg

usefulness, especially for those who Patricia Barber’s jazzy, atmospheric

want to push the M3x to its limits Café Blue [Impex]. In addition to

with a low-output MC. providing a perfect opportunity to

Lastly are the six MC settings gauge the effect of the subsonic

of 25, 50, 100, 400, 800ohm and filter, this set revealed a trait we

1kohm. As broad as these may seem have associated with Musical

to some, and at the risk of inciting Fidelity going all the way back to

YEARBOOK 2021 | www.hifinews.co.uk | 45

Evolution of a

Kudos classic

It all started with the Cardea C10 back in 2006.
15 years later, the Cardea series has evolved
considerably, but the principle behind
them remains the same: to create a
high-performance loudspeaker for the
real world music lover. Now featuring refined
drive units and crossovers derived from our

reference Titan series, the Cardea’s continue to
be recognised as one of the best speakers at its

price point. But don’t take our word for it.
Hear the Cardea’s for yourself at your local
retailer and discover the Kudos difference.

CARDEA C10 CARDEA C20

A masterfully compact Our budget friendly floor
standmount, the C10 stander, the C20 will
may be small but it
certainly packs a punch. bring your music to life
with vivid detail.

Black Oak Natural Oak Walnut Satin White

AWARD 2021

Kudos Cardea C10

kudosaudio.com

BUDGET ESOTERICA – PHONO PREAMPLIFIER

MM/MC phono preamp
Made by: Thorens GmbH, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
Supplied by: Signature Audio Systems
Telephone: 07738 007776
Web: www.thorens.com; www.signatureaudiosystems.co.uk
Price: £220

Thorens

MM-008

If anyone still doubts the extent
of the LP renaissance, beyond
the use of turntables as a trope
for cool ads aimed at hipsters,
then consider this. When a company

such as Thorens brings out a phono sockets and earthing tag. You need

stage like the £220 MM-008, it to add another 25mm depth for the ABOVE: The
MM-008’s
indicates that renewed LP usage is loading plugs, though. electronics dearer stages. The MM-008 wasn’t
are housed in exactly muddy, but a slight haze
not the sole province of seasoned On the front panel, such as it is, a very simple, was noted, though no more drastic
but adequately than, say, that from cable variations.
audiophiles. Or, wealthy ones. in addition to basic font texts and screened, alloy
case and wrap- Next up were the more raucous
Able to accommodate both MC the Thorens logo, is a centrally- around bonnet blues tracks on The Butterfield Blues
illuminated only Band’s East-West [Speakers Corner/
and MM cartridges, the MM-008 is located LED that glows blue when by a single blue Elektra]. The MM-008 was more
power on LED than capable of communicating
supplied with a set of three pairs of the unit is on. Around the back the set’s sizzle and liquidity, while
the bottom end provided a rich
plug-in adapters containing 10ohm, are the aforementioned earthing and funky foundation, noted on
the opener, ‘Walkin’ Blues’. So
100ohm and 1kohm resistors. With post, push buttons for MM/MC the Thorens MM-008 isn’t to be
regarded as ‘cheap ’n’ cheerful’:
this trio of loads for MC pick-ups input selection and power on/ it’s more ‘beer-budget bliss’.

and a standard 47kohm MM input, off, the input for power from the Any phono amp from a familiar
manufacturer will more than gratify,
pretty much every mainstream wall-wart, and four pairs of RCA but the Thorens MM-008 has one
quality that, for some, will make it
cartridge is covered. phono sockets. From the back, a stand-out: a pedigree going back
more than 130 years. Arguably an
We doubt anyone will be using on the right are the left-and-right abstract virtue, but it’s something
to which you cannot put a price.
the MM-008 with one of the super- line outputs, while the remaining

expensive MCs which ask for loads sockets accommodate MM and MC

of, say, sub-5ohm. However, with cartridges, with the remaining pair

an ear to completeness, we did for the MC loading plugs.

test this not just with sub-£100 MM Inside this little box you’ll find

cartridges and under-a-grand MCs, integrated op-amp gain stages,

but these are certainly

‘This is not cheap ’n’ well chosen. An LME49723
cheerful hi-fi – this is featuring very high slew-rate/
low noise/low distortion for

pure beer-budget bliss’ the MC headamp is allied to
a tried-and-tested NE5532

dual-channel op-amp for the VERDICT

but with a £10k MC more likely to active portion of Thorens’ part- The Thorens logo on the MM-008
speaks volumes here. The real magic
find its way through a phono amp passive/part-active RIAA stage. is that its sound never reveals for a
second that this little gem costs less
of similar status. To our delight, than a case of decent chianti. And
it’s almost as yummy.
it proved more indicative of this LICENSED TO THRILL

device’s competence than the The opener was a shock: we weren’t

results with like-priced cartridges expecting the slam and punchiness

as it revealed the compromises – afforded by the Thorens MM-008, as

and they were small. extracted from the John Lennon box HI-FI NEWS SPECIFICATIONS

One must never forget set, Gimme Some Truth [Universal]. Input loading (MM/MC) 47kohm / 10, 100ohm, 1kohm
Input sensitivity (re. 0dBV, MM/MC) 10.3mV / 1.02mV
(especially reviewers) that music ‘Cold Turkey’ possessed the drive Input overload (re. 1% THD, MM/MC) 68mV / 6.8mV
Max. output (re. 1% THD) / Impedance 6.5V / 46-207ohm
lovers constrained by a budget and hostility we’re sure an ex-junkie A-wtd S/N ratio (re. 0dBV, MM/MC) 79.2dB / 66.5dB
Frequency resp. (20Hz-20kHz/100kHz) +0.1dB to –0.3dB / +1.0dB
must weigh how each and every would want to express. This was one Distortion (20Hz-20kHz, re. 0dBV) 0.00025–0.0038% (MM)
Power consumption 4W
pound is spent. This deceptively of his most aggressive numbers, and Dimensions (WHD) / Weight 150x50x117mm / 0.5kg

simple-looking box wastes not a the MM-008 was not shy about it.

penny. With costs a constraint, the While we suspected something

MM-008 is powered by an external was slightly compromised, we

wall-wart which also allows the couldn’t isolate it until we listened

phono stage itself to be housed to the less-cluttered ‘Grow Old With

in a bijou 150x50x117mm (whd) Me’. Here was a slight reduction

enclosure, including the phono in absolute transparency, vis-à-vis

YEARBOOK 2021 | www.hifinews.co.uk | 47

SOLID-STATE POWER
WITH TUBE FINESSE

.SYWTIZHNSL YMJ ;0 M^GWNI NSYJLWFYJI FRUQNąJW
celebrating 25 years of engineering excellence.

ðFS NRUJWNTZX GQJSI TK QZXM QTTPX
audiophile engineering and stellar
UJWKTWRFSHJ FHWTXX FQQ RZXNHFQ ĆF[TZWX

Hi Fi News September 2021

Balanced Audio Technology
balanced.com

PHONO PREAMPLIFIER

MM/MC phono preamplifier
Made by: Zesto Audio, California, USA
Supplied by: Signature Audio Systems, UK
Telephone: 07738 007776
Web: www.zestoaudio.com; www.signaturesystems.co.uk
Price: £7500

Zesto Andros Another performer from that
Deluxe II legendary evening was Joni
Mitchell, whose first four LPs have
Y es, the market is awash There’s also a toggle switch ABOVE: Zesto’s been remastered for the box set
with exceptional phono for high or low gain, which acts two-stage RIAA The Reprise Albums 1968-1971
amps for under £1000. But for both MM and MC, and brings network uses a [Rhino]. Mitchell’s high, clear voice
the £7500 Deluxe II version added control for low or high pair of 12AX7/ should be instantly recognisable
ECC83S and and the Andros Deluxe II presents
of the Andros is an all-tube phono output cartridges. This offers a 12DW7/ECC832 this sublime ‘instrument’ in
double-triodes. an appropriate aural context.
preamplifier with more than enough claimed +63dB/68dB gain for the The sweeping Each word of every one of her
mirrored section compositions came through free of
features to excite the multiple arm/ MC input and +45dB/50dB for MM, of the chassis sibilance, and ripe with expression.
contains the PSU
cartridge/turntable user. the latter configured with a fixed Having rediscovered the joy
of George Benson via an ancient
What’s more, this phono preamp 76kohm/220pF input loading. Mobile Fidelity pressing of Breezin’
[MFSL], we delighted in the silkiness
offers not just balanced XLR and and fluidity of his guitar playing,
which found the Zesto preamp to
standard single-ended RCA outs, it BELT IT OUT be a perfect accomplice. Each note,
every nuance was laid bare.
also provides both RCA/XLR inputs This unit begs to be heard in its
While the guitar is Benson’s
for MC. (MM is single-ended only.) most untrammelled form: with instrument of choice, his voice has
also provided him with crossover
And while there are no controls a thoroughbred MC cartridge chops, from jazzer to crooner.
Again, Zesto’s Andros Deluxe II
demonstrated the same deference
for vocals that helped create the
personality of the BBC LS3/5A.

So, if the Zesto’s phono preamp
is a touch sweet-sounding at
the top, and extra rich at the
bottom, the midband can only be
described as lush and warm. Even
Joni Mitchell’s brittle vocals – as far
removed from the velvety sound of
Benson’s as is possible – acquired a
touch of this temperate seasoning.

and using the balanced

‘Every word sung was output. While it extracted VERDICT
everything we could get out
In a world with ace phono stages at
free of sibilance and of a sub-£100 MM cartridge all price points, the sheer flexibility
ripe with expression’ and a budget MC, we only of Zesto’s Andros Deluxe II means
really experienced the full it ticks nearly all the boxes. While
this earns it a spot on the high-
measure of its finesse and end shortlist, it’s the lush, airy, yet
detailed sound on offer that makes
on the front, the back is packed. grace with top transducers such this tube phono a stand-out.

When you install the Andros Deluxe as the TechDAS TDC01 Ti [HFN Sep

II, in addition to the choice of MM/ ’14] and a pair of Koetsu pick-ups.

MC you are faced with duplicate The biggest surprise, however,

controls for most of the settings. and an unexpected showcase HI-FI NEWS SPECIFICATIONS

This is because the unit is effectively for this phono stage’s cavernous Input loading (MM/MC) 76kohm / 50–1000ohm

two mono stages in one chassis. soundstage, was a venerable Denon

So, when you switch from MM to DL103, which it cosseted. Input sensitivity (re. 0dBV) 4.29mV/ 2.41mV / 0.54mV / 0.30mV

MC or vice versa, you trip not one It was The Band’s The Last Waltz Input overload (re. 1% THD) 18mV / 11mV / 2.5mV / 1.5mV

but two toggle switches; the same – 40th Anniversary [Rhino] which Max. output (re. 1% THD) / Imp. 4.1V / 145ohm (balanced)

goes for earth on/off. Meanwhile, first alerted us to this special ability. A-wtd S/N ratio (re. 0dBV) 74.0dB / 68.7dB (MM/MC)

MC loading is applied via separate When The Staples Singers belted

rotaries for left and right channels, out ‘The Weight’, not only did Freq. resp. (20Hz-20kHz/100kHz) +0.58dB to –0.02dB / –9.2dB

these offering 50, 100, 200, 300, the vocals have all the power one Distortion (20Hz-20kHz, re. 0dBV) 0.235–0.31% (MM)

400, 500, 600, 700, 800ohm and expects of that family in full force, Power consumption 22W

1kohm settings… surely enough to but the air and space around them Dimensions (WHD) / Weight 430x127x304mm / 9.5kg

cover the majority of MCs. only added to the authenticity.

YEARBOOK 2021 | www.hifinews.co.uk | 49

USB DAC

USB DAC with seven digital filters
Made by: Audio Analogue, Tuscany, Italy
Supplied by: Decent Audio, Stockton-on-Tees

Telephone: 05602 054669
Web: www.audioanalogue.com; www.decentaudio.co.uk

Price: £3299

Audio
Analogue
AAdac

Italian manufacturer Audio
Analogue’s ‘PureAA’ line
was spun out of the 20th
anniversary models it launched
back in 2016. The £3299 AAdac is

the latest arrival, bringing digital

capability to a range that was no such drivers are needed for ABOVE: Pin-hole and presence, allied to enormous
LEDs either side dynamic ability to turn on the
otherwise purely ‘analogue’. computers running Mac OSX 10.6 of the volume/ thrills. Richly-detailed, the AAdac
option controller also refused to show even a hint of
This may be a DAC built for and above. Downstream of that USB include the six compression or thickening when
digital inputs things became really busy.
performance, from its choice of receiver, and also fed by coaxial and sample rate
indication from This ability to maintain detail
seven digital filter settings and S/PDIF, Toslink optical and AES/EBU 44.1-384kHz and and a highly persuasive three-
DSD64-512 (USB dimensional sonic picture was
unbalanced and XLR analogue XLR digital inputs, the conversion input only) apparent when The Waterboys’
‘The Soul Singer’ from Good Luck,
outputs, but it still aims for some section is based on the ESS Sabre Seeker [Cooking Vinyl], exploded
from the loudspeakers. What’s
real world appeal, in the form of ES9038 DAC, with its choice of more, the rugged AAdac held it all
together with the complexities of
Bluetooth with aptX. switchable digital filters. ‘My Wanderings In The Weary Land’,
with its driving beat, dense mix
Beyond that it can also handle The digital stage and its and spoken narration, making the
most of the possibilities of stereo
almost every hi-res music format following, fully discrete, analogue soundstaging and effects.

you can throw at it. It’ll also drive output section both operate in

your headphones via its dedicated balanced guise for improved noise

amplifier, and even act as a digital- rejection. Individual boards are

input-only preamp straight into a used for each stage, and the power

suitable power amp or even a pair supplies for digital and analogue

sections are also separated.

‘There’s presence and While this DAC may present
a compact face to the world,

subtlety and the ability that 22cm width well-
proportioned with the 10cm
to turn on the thrills’ height of the unit, it’s still very VERDICT

deep at 39cm front to back. The AAdac scores where it counts
– on its build and performance.
of active speakers (with the ring Nevertheless, it uses all that internal There’s nothing quirky or ‘tailored’
about its sound but rather a balance
of LEDs around the central control space to arrange the layout and that provides excellent insight into
playing and recording, delivered
changing to indicate volume level). signal flow for performance. And with real delicacy and finesse.

Audio Analogue refers to this as while changing settings may not

‘direct’ or ‘volume regulated’ mode. be as intuitive as it would be with a

In fact the only thing missing is graphical display, there’s no denying

network playback capability, either that this is a very flexible digital-to-

from local storage or online music analogue converter. HI-FI NEWS SPECIFICATIONS

services, via the ubiquitous app

control. But then you can do much OUTRIGHT ANALOGUE Maximum output level / Impedance 3.475Vrms / 46ohm

of this using a computer connected While it may seem a cheap trick A-wtd S/N ratio 114.0dB

to the AAdac’s USB-B input, which to read too much into the second Distortion (1kHz, 0dBFs/–30dBFs) 0.00045% / 0.00050%

can accept files at up to DSD512, word of the brand name here, it’s Distortion & Noise (20kHz, 0dBFs/–30dBFs) 0.00045% / 0.00053%

and in PCM up to 384kHz. In other hard not to conclude that what this Freq. resp. (20Hz-20kHz/40kHz) +0.0 to –0.1dB/–0.75dB

words, all anyone could really want. DAC delivers is a very ‘analogue’

Receiving the USB data is an presentation. Playing Channel Digital jitter (48kHz / 96kHz) 250psec / 100psec

input card from fellow Italians Classics’ fabulous Budapest Festival Resolution (re. –100dBFs / –110dBFs) ±0.04dB / ±0.2dB

Amanero Technologies, which Orchestra/Ivan Fischer recording Power consumption 17W (2W standby)

requires drivers to be downloaded of Mahler’s Das Lied Von Der Erde Dimensions (WHD) / Weight 220x100x390mm / 5.5kg

for Windows 7/8/10, although [CCS] created a sound of subtlety

50 | www.hifinews.co.uk | YEARBOOK 2021