Dyn with confidence - a closer look at the magnificent Dynaudio Confidence 50 speakers

/ Audio T Brighton/

Hello everyone, and welcome to the latest article from Audio T Brighton. This month, we’re in for a treat as we explore a touch of loudspeaker bliss, featuring a product from across the North Sea: Danish manufacturer Dynaudio.

Dynaudio has been producing loudspeakers for both domestic and professional markets for decades, and here at Audio T in Brighton, we’re proud to be a Dynaudio dealer. However, this month is something special, as we have the privilege of hosting some of Dynaudio’s high-end range of speakers. Enter the Dynaudio Confidence 50 floor-standing behemoths!

Dynaudio Confidence 50...

dynaudio confidence 50 in our resident naim 500 series system

Dynaudio - A personal story...

As a kid, I remember the adverts for Danish bacon vividly, but it wasn’t until my teens that I first became aware of the Danish brand, Dynaudio.

Renowned for their speaker drive units, Dynaudio was the go-to for several hi-fi manufacturers who relied on them to provide quality drivers for their speaker ranges – and very good they are too.

My own experience began with a pair of entry-level Dynaudio Audience 42 stand-mount speakers, which served me exceptionally well for several years. The hi-fi bug had truly bitten, and when I heard the impact of a pair of Dynaudio Focus 110 stand-mount speakers could have on sound, I bought them – and they’re still in the family today.

I'm fortunate to be able to listen to a wide variety of electronics and speakers in my line of work, and I've thoroughly enjoyed my experience with speakers from the more recent Dynaudio range. In fact, over the past couple of years, I’ve written about the superb Dynaudio Contour 20i, which you can read about here.

Have confidence, will listen!

dynaudio confidence 50’s in our naim 500 series system

So, what do the Dynaudio Confidence 50 have to offer? Let’s just say they deliver a level of performance that’s worlds apart from the Dynaudio stand-mount speakers I’ve owned. It’s safe to say that the Confidence range is the finest series Dynaudio has ever produced, packed with the most advanced speaker technology available today!

Full technical specifications are available on our website here.

dynaudio’s confidence range (Photo Credit: Dynaudio)

The use of original Dynaudio drivers, including the formidable Esotar 3 tweeter, combined with a precision composite baffle, innovative cabinet design, and optimised crossover, has created the most advanced passive speaker in their history. Dynaudio’s cutting-edge sound analysis tools in their Jupiter Lab measuring facility have led to the next generation of Dynaudio’s DDC sound-beaming technology, including the DDC Lens waveguide system.

dynaudio’s jupiter test lab facility (Photo Credit: Dynaudio)

The Esotar 3 tweeter in the DDC Lens works in harmony with the NeoTec woofers, the groundbreaking Horizon midrange driver surround, and the innovative Compex baffle, ensuring music is directed perfectly to your ears.

Striding confidently through music playback

All the technology in the world would mean little if the Dynaudio Confidence 50 didn’t deliver sonically. Now, I know Bonfire Night has passed, but the sonic fireworks these speakers bring are something to behold. With explosive dynamics and a massive sense of scale, they delineate each instrument and voice as distinctly as individual fireworks lighting up the night sky. I can’t say they’d blow up the Houses of Parliament, but they’d certainly get MPs’ attention if the volume were turned up!

Once the smoke clears, the Dynaudio Confidence 50 also display a soft, delicate touch, with musicality radiating from every driver, bringing musicians vividly to life before your eyes and ears.

A class act!

things are looking up with the dynaudio confidence 50 loudspeakers

I can speak with confidence when I say these speakers come highly recommended...

The Dynaudio Confidence 50 are a recent addition to our line-up of speakers here at Audio T Brighton, and we’ve been utterly astonished by their performance since their arrival – especially when paired with our Naim 500 system, comprising the Naim NAC 552 preamp 552PS DR and NAP 500DR 500PS, fronted by a Rega Naia turntable with Aphelion 2 MC cartridge and Rega Aura phono stage.

During our recent Turntable Event, we paired the shop’s Naim 500 series system and Dynaudio Confidence 50 loudspeakers with a range of turntables to impressive effect, including an Audio Note TT-3 turntable with Arm 3/IO MC cartridge and PSU-3 power supply, a Linn LP12 Klimax with Urika, Ekos SE, and Ekstatik cartridge, a Michell Gyrodec turntable with T8 tonearm and Cusis S cartridge, an SME Series 15A Diamond turntable with Series 5 tonearm and Rega Ania Pro MC cartridge, and finally a Cyrus TTP turntable, all running through a Cyrus Classic phono stage with PSX-R2 power supply.

It’s safe to say that these speakers’ performance vividly highlighted the differences between each turntable. If you’re looking to build a high-end system, the Dynaudio Confidence 50 come highly recommended.

As always, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, so do get in touch to book a demonstration.

Thanks for reading.

Ade, John and Paul - Audio T Brighton

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

SME can be found at the following Audio T stores -

A Disappearing Act: The Magic of the ATC SCM100ASLT SE

/ Audio T Southampton/

Here at Audio T Southampton, we have always been big fans of ATC speakers—especially their fantastic range of active models. In today’s blog, I’ll be diving into one of their most prestigious offerings: the illustrious SCM100ASLT SE. I’ll share my experience with these extraordinary speakers during the short time we had them. Without further ado, let’s jump in!

The Brilliant ATC SCM100ASLT SE in burr magnolia (Photo Credit: ATC Loudspeakers)

What Does “Active” Mean?

For those unfamiliar, ATC specialises in both passive and active speakers, with the latter featuring built-in amplifiers precisely matched to their drivers. Unlike passive speakers, where you need to consider wattage per channel carefully, active speakers remove that stress by integrating everything seamlessly. The only additional requirement is mains power for the built-in amplifiers.

The key benefits of active speakers include perfectly matched amps for each driver and the freedom to keep your rack uncluttered for other components, such as sources or streamers.

a photo from our incredible atc x auralic event

Massive Size, Balanced Sound

Unboxing these imposing speakers was a memorable experience. Standing at nearly 1.2 metres tall and weighing 79kg each, they’re as monumental as they are magnificent. Once positioned and fitted with spikes, it was clear these speakers were in a class of their own. The High Gloss Piano Black finish was flawless, and their sleek, distinctive "Brow" design added a touch of elegance.

a fantastic track to test both highs and lows!

To play these beauties, we paired them with the award-winning AURALiC Aries G2.2 and Vega G2.2, using the Vega to control the speakers. The sound was nothing short of breathtaking. The bass was tight, controlled, and effortlessly powerful, while the midrange remained crystal clear, and the highs were sweet and precise. Everything was perfectly balanced—an audio experience that was as immersive as it was impressive.

A Magician’s Dream

One standout quality of the SCM100ASLT SE is their ability to “disappear.” Let me explain: when we finally had the system set up, the team gathered to listen to a wide range of tracks. The first was Fanfare for the Common Man by the Minnesota Orchestra. The kettle drums boomed with such authority it felt like they shook the room. But as the trumpets entered, the speakers blended into the background, as if the sound was coming from nowhere.

A track wth amazing bass and incredible soundstage.

Another track that left a lasting impression was Malia’s Celestial Echo. Known for its deep, rich bass, it’s a challenging song for many speakers. Yet the SCM100s handled it effortlessly, reproducing punchy, dynamic bass without breaking a sweat. It was as if the music was alive—simply astonishing.

Great on Paper, Better in the Flesh

A quick glance at the specs shows the SCM100s are built to amaze. Each speaker features three amplifiers—200W for the 314mm super-linear bass driver, 100W for the 75mm soft dome midrange, and 50W for the all-new 25mm soft dome tweeter. The cabinet is masterfully constructed, providing the stability needed for such precision. Together, these components create a speaker that reproduces sound with unparalleled clarity and depth.

If you want the full specifications, click here.

Different angle, same splendor.

Conclusion

While their size and weight mean they demand a proper space, their sound quality makes them worth every inch. In summary, the ATC SCM100ASLT SE are a masterpiece.

Thank you for reading, and we hope you enjoyed this glimpse into one of ATC’s finest creations!

Thank you for reading.


Tiago, Wayne & Nick - Audio T Southampton

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

ATC Loudspeakers can be found at the following Audio T stores

Answering Customer Question at Audio T Bristol (Part 1)

/ Audio T Bristol/

Welcome to a new series of customer questions. Over the past three months, we’ve gathered customer questions that are nuanced and require fairly in-depth explanations. We hope this will be helpful as you consider your next, or first, Hi-Fi setup…

“Hi, I’m looking to build a Hi-Fi setup that includes an Amplifier (£800-£1500), Streamer (£800 - £1500), Turntable (£500 - £800) and Speakers (£1,000 - £2,000). I have listened to the PMC Prodigy 5 speakers at the Bristol show, these were the standout for me in this price range but I was also impressed by the Rega speakers and Focal. The Rega Planar turntable 3 or 6 has caught my eye, for amp and streamer I would take your recommendation, but I like the look of Arcam, Audiolab and Naim. Any advice would be appreciated and it would be good to arrange a demo session.”

This question reflects a very common enquiry, outlining source requirements and budget. However, the crucial information missing here is the room’s size, shape, and dimensions. Additionally, knowing the setup and furnishings is useful, as it allows us to estimate the room’s acoustic reflectivity and boundary wall areas, which impact speaker selection, positioning, and overall performance. Without this information, it’s difficult to know where to start.

A word or two on Room sizes

Roughly speaking, small to medium rooms are around 10m² to 20m². These are suited to small to medium standmount speakers, and occasionally small floorstanders. Listening in these rooms is often referred to as nearfield, so there is less need for powerful amplification.

Medium to large rooms are around 20m² to 36m². These are suited to medium to large standmounts and medium floorstanders, while anything above 36m² is considered very large. This may seem like a fairly large room, but many living spaces are now open-plan, with living rooms extending into dining areas and kitchens – this should be considered as a single room when selecting speakers.

Where to spend and achieve a balanced system?

The question above provides an overall budget of £3,100 to £5,800, with a focus on speakers, followed by amplifier and streamer, and lastly turntable. This approach is somewhat contentious (the old adage of 'garbage in, garbage out'). We prefer to prioritise sources first, then the amplifier as the heart of the system, and finally speakers.

If a well-designed speaker works well in a particular room, it will nearly always perform better when matched with higher-quality sources and amplification, revealing more detail, nuance, and control. The PMC Prodigy 5, priced at £1,995* as reviewed by our Audio T Swindon branch (read here), truly comes to life when driven by a Rega Aethos. At £3,000*, this is budget-stretching, but worth it. While these speakers could be powered by a less powerful amp, it would result in an unbalanced system. By this, we mean a system that fails to extract the full level of detail the source is capable of, as the amp wouldn’t have enough power to drive the speakers with sufficient control.

Cables and Interconnects are components not an afterthought

image: Chord Cables and Interconnects

Cables require careful consideration – whether connecting speakers or hi-fi components, the cable used will influence the way the system sounds. A higher-quality speaker cable can transform everything you hear, affecting dynamics, detail, tonality or timbre, and perhaps most critically, musical coherence and timing. This effect is also noticeable with power cables and dedicated audio mains blocks. Technically, better-quality cables improve signal-to-noise ratios and/or reduce noise – your decision is whether that change enhances the sound and is more suited to your preferences.


Comparing Amplifiers

At around the £1,000 mark, the contenders include the Arcam Radia A15, Audiolab 7000A, and Rega Elex Mk4. The most 'super' connected is the 7000A, offering four digital inputs, Bluetooth, USB, and HDMI, along with a unique feature – a power amp output, which is useful if you want to connect to an AV receiver. On paper, the Arcam is the most powerful at 80W.

Listening revealed the Audiolab and Arcam to offer smoother presentations, with a detail-rich, grippy midband and textured bass alongside impressive dynamics. Simply put, the Rega does more, and the all-important emotional intent of the music is so engaging, no matter what genre you throw at it. It’s no surprise that it’s rated by some reviewers – and by us – as one of the finest amplifiers under £2,000. The trade-off is that it lacks the interconnectivity of the Arcam or Audiolab, and doesn’t boast the plush exterior design and finish. The Rega is the more no-nonsense, classic A/B amplifier with a utilitarian design.

The fact that the Rega Elex lacks connectivity isn’t a significant issue, as those duties are handled by the streamer.

Streamer

The Bluesound Node 3 Wireless Network Music Player has long been a favourite for music lovers seeking high-quality streaming and easy integration into their system. Known for its robust features, the Node 3 offers seamless streaming from a variety of sources, including high-resolution audio formats, and even integrates effortlessly with other Bluesound devices to create a multi-room setup. Whether you’re using it to stream from your favourite services or your own digital library, the Node 3 provides an outstanding listening experience with crisp, clear sound and reliable connectivity.

However, the Node 3 is now end of line, making this the perfect time to grab one at a special price of just £395*, down from its original retail price of £549. With limited stock available, it's a great opportunity to secure a high-performance streamer at a discounted rate before it’s no longer available.

The Node 3 has recently been replaced by the new Bluesound Node Performance Music Streamer, which offers even more advanced features and enhanced performance for just £499. With improved hardware and software, the Node Performance provides an even better listening experience, supporting the latest streaming technologies, including superior DAC performance and expanded connectivity options. While the Node 3 remains an excellent choice for many, the Node Performance takes things to the next level for those who want the very best in wireless streaming.

Turntable

After many years in development, Rega has recently announced the new Nd range of cartridges, replacing the Elys 2 and the Exact with the Nd3 and Nd5. Using neodymium magnets, these moving magnet (MM) cartridges set a new benchmark for what is possible from an MM cart. We look forward to reviewing these new models from Rega – but there is no doubt, the initial listenings are truly groundbreaking. The Rega Planar 3 with the Nd3 is a clear winner here.

Systems in Summary

  1. Complete Separates

Other amplifier considerations -

  1. Combined amp & Streamer

Either system is firmly in the high-fidelity category and will provide years of musical enjoyment. The complete separates offer the flexibility to upgrade components over the years to come. With the Naim, we are entering premium Hi-Fi, with the fit and finish to match – the epitome of elegance and performance in a single device, along with impressive connectivity. And to hear the difference, as our customer notes, ‘…arrange a demo session.’

Thank you for reading,

Justin, George and Max - Audio T Bristol

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

*All prices, credit terms and interest rates quoted are correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to change. E&OE

Sennheiser 600 series has a new edition to the range and it's got it's own prerogative!

/ Audio T Manchester/

Sennheiser HD 620S – How do they compare to the HD 660S2?

The 600 series from Sennheiser has been a staple of both audiophile and studio grade headphones for years now. With the studio ready HD 600 – the audio purist’s choice for reference playback. The more refined and tuned HD 650 - for analytical listening with expertly balanced acoustics, smooth response and a dimensional soundstage.

The new HD620S

And the latest open back offering in the range, the HD 660S2 – building on the recognised benchmark for neutral audiophile sound set by the HD600, HD 650, and original HD 660S, the S2 features numerous improvements on the previous models; such as enhanced sub bass response and a revised coil construction, providing higher magnetic force and electrical dampening for cleaner impulse response.

The Sennheiser HD 660S2 is an impressive successor to the HD 660S, refining the series’ already respected appeal.

the Hd 660s2 and the 620s

Launched in May of this year, the HD 620S is Sennheiser’s latest closed-back offering, designed for music lovers seeking exceptional sound quality and noise isolation, aiming to maintain the well established signature sound of the 600 series, with the added bonuses of next to no sound leakage.

Much like the rest of the 600 series family, the HD 620S2 combines advanced sound reproduction with a robust, comfortable design suitable for long listening sessions. At the core is a custom 42mm dynamic driver made in Sennheiser’s Tullamore facility in Ireland, which delivers a natural, immersive audio experience with well-defined bass and clear, responsive highs.

Sennheiser HD 620S2

They distinguish themselves by balancing the open-back sound qualities typical of the HD 600 series with the benefits of a closed-back design. This means listeners can enjoy high audio fidelity and expansive soundstage while minimizing external noise, making it versatile for environments where focus is essential. Sennheiser has enhanced the headphones’ construction with metal reinforcements and steel plates that help reduce internal reflections, which in turn preserves sound clarity and precision. This refined setup provides detailed sound localisation, beneficial for both music & film lovers, as well as gamers who prioritise spatial accuracy.

Sennheiser HD 660S2

Let's give them a listen, compare them to the HD 660S2 and discuss the strengths, differences and minor trade-offs between the two…

Sound Quality

Bass: Starting with the HD 660S2, one of the main improvements Sennheiser implemented on the S2 is the enhanced low-end response. Compared to the original HD 660S, the S2 has deeper and more defined bass, which gives it a fuller, richer sound. They appear to have utilised a similar approach on the new HD 620S, as they too have a deep, rich bass, with plenty of texture and prominence in the mix, without getting too overbearing. The 660S2's bass seems a little more pronounced, possibly due to their open back nature allowing more of the airy high frequencies to escape and 'float' around your head, while the bass remains thundering in the earcups. On the other hand the 620S' closed-back design keeps all those fine high end details ringing inside them, giving the impression of less outstanding bass in comparison. It's also worth noting that the frequency response on the 620S goes down to 20Hz, while the 660S2 reach down to 10Hz.

While listening to Nude from Radiohead's In Rainbows, Colin Greenwoods' Dub-like P Bass sounds full and driving, while still letting all the textural details and reverb trails happening around it shine through. The Moog-like synth bass at ~4:00 of Frank Ocean’s Nights resonated nicely on both pairs, providing lots of low end detail without muddying any of the low mids or other elements of the mix.

Mids: The HD 660S2 delivers exceptionally detailed mid-range, especially for vocals and instruments like guitars and strings. The mids are well-balanced and give a natural warmth that audiophiles will appreciate.

The 620S sounded a little clearer in the upper mids to our ears, but this range is where all the 600 series headphones shine, they capture vocal nuances and instrumental textures that help encapsulate an immersive and engaging listening experience.

The slow building dynamics and timbre of Thom Yorke's voice on Nude were crystal clear here, surrounded by glistening, chiming guitars and strings panned around the soundstage. The chirping guitars and spatial synth layers in Nights were crisp and clear too.

Treble: The treble range is smooth and clear, without harsh peaks or sibilance. Sennheiser designed it to avoid fatigue, making it suitable for long listening sessions.

Listening to Falaise by Floating Points, from the album Crush on the HD 620S, there's no escaping the soft background hiss swelling in before the first note pierces it with a soft whine. On the HD 660S2's however, this hiss is much less prominent and fades into the airiness of the open back ear cups, not really feeling like the piece “starts” until that initial piercing note.

While the highs may lack some sparkle for those who prefer a brighter sound, they maintain clarity and detail, ensuring a pleasant, non-fatiguing listening experience that’s perfect for detail-focused listeners.

A close up view of the 620 s drive unit

Soundstage and Imaging

The soundstage on the HD 660S2 feels open and well-defined, providing an immersive listening experience without the excessive width of some open-back headphones. Imaging is precise, allowing listeners to pinpoint the position of instruments and sounds with ease. This quality makes the HD 660S2 suitable for a range of music genres and for critical listening, where spatial accuracy and layering are crucial.

Since the HD 620S are closed-back, the sound stage isn't quite as wide as the HD 660S2, they will however, give you a more direct and isolated sound, allowing you to hear every detail no matter your environment.

On the other hand, the open-back HD 660S2 offer a more expansive sound stage. The imaging and instrument separation are excellent, which results in precise placement and spatial accuracy of sounds. This makes them ideal for those who enjoy complex compositions, acoustic music, or live recordings where separation of sound elements is essential, although wouldn't be suited to those without a quiet listening space.

HD 620s

Comfort and Build

Sennheiser has maintained the same sturdy build and understated aesthetic seen in previous models. The headphones feel both robust yet lightweight, with a combination of metal and plastic materials that offer durability without adding bulk. The HD 660S2 come fitted with velour ear pads and a well-padded matching headband to make them comfortable for extended listening sessions. On the HD 620S they've opted for leather on both the earcups and the headband padding, which although to us do feel just as comfortable, might end up on the sweatier side during long listening sessions compared to the velour.

The clamping force is moderate, which helps with stability but might feel a bit tight for some users initially, but tends to loosen slightly with use over time.

Compatibility and Connectivity

The HD 620S has been designed to work with both high-end and more accessible audio equipment, thanks to its 150-ohm impedance. A dedicated headphone amp or DAC would really make them shine, but wouldn't be essential.

The HD 660S2 however, with an impedance of 300 ohms, would benefit from a dedicated amplifier to reach their full potential. While you can drive them from a smartphone or a portable DAC, they really come alive when paired with a high-quality amplifier or desktop DAC. Audiophiles will appreciate the S2’s responsiveness to high-end audio equipment, where it reveals its full clarity and detail.

Mirroring this difference, the HD620S comes with a detachable 2m cable with a 3.5mm jack for ease of use with laptops, USB DACs etc. as well as a gold screw-on 6.3mm adapter & a carry pouch.

The HD660S2 comes with two detachable 1.8m cables, one with a 6.3mm jack and one with a 4.4mm balanced cable, more suited to high end equipment, along with the same carry pouch.

It may be worth noting that the HD620S cable only plugs into the left earcup via mini-jack whereas the HD660S2's cable attaches to both sides via a 2 pin plug.

Final Verdict

Whether you fall on the side of open or closed back, these headphones are well-suited to anyone who values detail, comfort, and a balanced sound profile without extreme bass or harsh treble. While they may require good amplification to reach their full potential, both the HD 660S2 & HD 620S provide a rewarding, natural listening experience for listeners who appreciate accuracy and musicality without excessive colouration. If you're lucky enough to have a quiet listening environment, with nothing to disturb or be disturbed by, then the HD 660S2 might be for you. If you value silence and environmental isolation is essential, the HD 620S may be up your street.

Give us a shout at Audio T Manchester if you'd like to book a listening session to try them out for yourselves.

Thanks for reading

James, Munir & Dave - Audio T Manchester

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

Riffs and Revolutions: A Very Different Kind of Vinyl Listening Event!

/ Audi T Cardiff/

As many of you know, Matt from Audio T Cardiff is a keen musician. Recently he hosted a vinyl event in Pontypridd, one of our home counties, alongside the fantastic team at A Strings guitar shop and with sponsorship from Rega. The event took place on Saturday, 28th September. If you were lucky enough to attend, you’ll know what a fantastic day it was—but if you missed out, here’s an account of what went down."

Over the years, our branches have traditionally hosted in-store events that have been highly successful, giving us the chance to showcase and demonstrate our featured brands at their best. These events have always been a real pleasure. But how do we reach a wider, more diverse, and perhaps younger audience, you may ask?

Personally, I wholeheartedly believe that music fans and musicians alike deserve access to a great-sounding hi-fi. Am I right? Of course, I am! Everyone should have a hi-fi that truly engages them—making you smile, even shed a tear, but most importantly, gets your feet tapping. Some of us even know that special piece of music that inspires us to pick up a guitar and master that riff or solo. (Thank you, Eddie Van Halen.)

As many of you know, I’ve previously organised Audio T Cardiff vinyl events outside the store at MEC Coffee, which were fantastic. This time, though, I thought it was time for something a little different.

Time for a little time travel! No, it doesn't involve a DeLorean.

When I talk about time travel, I’m really talking about this event. As most of you know, before my days with Audio T, I worked at a local guitar shop in Cardiff for 17 years. Being a guitarist, I started thinking about organising an event that combines my three biggest passions: music, hi-fi, and, of course, guitars. Musicians are often overlooked when it comes to hi-fi, which got me wondering—how can we bridge the gap between musicians and audiophiles?

Reflecting on my childhood, I feel lucky to have experienced music in such quality, thanks to my dad’s studio days. Everyone deserves access to great hi-fi, and I wanted to show that you don’t need to spend over £10,000 to enjoy a high-quality system, especially for vinyl playback—my favourite way to listen. How could I best demonstrate this? That’s when it hit me—I should reach out to my favourite guitar shop, A Strings.

In the hi-fi world, everyone knows everyone, and I’ve known the guys at A Strings, Andrew and Adam, for years as both friends and a customer (keeping my guitar addiction alive). I asked if they’d like to co-host an event with us in their store, and they were thrilled to say yes. We set the date, and both the A Strings team and I couldn’t have been more excited!

How about a little history about A Strings?

A Strings was founded in Cardiff back in 2006 by Andrew Morgan, originally specialising in guitar strings and accessories. Stocking over 1,000 varieties of strings—ranging from the popular to the obscure—they quickly built a loyal customer base, with many of their original customers still returning to this day. Over time, they expanded to stock a range of leading guitar brands, including Fender, Gretsch, and Gibson.

Fast-forward to the present, and A Strings is now located at 66 Broadway, Treforest, Pontypridd, where they’ve been for the past 15 years. In fact, they celebrated their 15th anniversary at this location on the day of the event.

An interesting fact about A Strings: they have supplied strings and gear to legendary musicians such as Brian May of Queen, Eric Clapton, the Manic Street Preachers, Motörhead, Killing Joke, and Mark Knopfler, to name just a few.

Reaching out to the turntable kings – Rega, that is.

With a good idea of the system I wanted to bring to the event—mainly Rega equipment—I reached out to our fantastic Rega representative, Rob Noble, about promoting the event on their website as well as ours and A Strings’. I also enquired about the possibility of a turntable giveaway, and Rega went above and beyond by generously donating a Rega Planar 1 Eco deck for the event’s prize draw.

Rega Planar 2 with nd3 cartridge

Rega’s God of amplification.

With everything in full swing—the advertising sorted and nearly everything ready to rock—I received an email from Rega’s amplification guru, Mr Terry Bateman, which was a real honour. Terry and I discussed how unique this event was compared to typical hi-fi events and how it bridges the gap between audiophiles and musicians. We also talked about amp design, especially the renowned Rega Brio, which Terry designed and voiced much like a guitar amplifier. It’s known for that rich analogue class AB warmth, reminiscent of solid-state guitar amps.

Terry shared his experiences before joining Rega, when he worked as an amp repairman for guitar amplification, focusing on brands like Fender, Marshall, and Vox. Like me, Terry has roots in the guitar industry and has even worked with notable musicians, including Robin Trower (if you haven’t heard Bridge of Sighs, give it a listen), The Hamsters, and many others. After our chat about amps, music, and classic rock, Terry said he would come along to the event. It’s a true privilege to have someone of his stature attending—as I said at the start, an amp legend!

What equipment did I bring to the event, I hear you ask?

Starting with the sources:

On the amplification front:

On the speaker front:

Cabling: Black Rhodium Intro speaker cables and interconnects.

Hi-Fi rack and stands:

On the vinyl cleaning side of things:

And now the fun really begins.

With the system set up and ready to go in what I can only call ‘guitar heaven,’ we were all set to rock. I spoke with many people about their records, collections, and equipment, and we even did several A-B tests, playing records before and after they’d been cleaned. One rare gem was Andrew’s original pressing of Queen II, and we played March of the Black Queen. Hearing the difference post-cleaning was incredible—the improvement was, as they say, night and day.

We also put the Rega system through its paces; to say it sounded fantastic doesn’t quite do it justice. The system truly demonstrated that you can build a great hi-fi setup without breaking the bank. The event itself had an amazing atmosphere, with rock tracks from every genre filling the space. Chatting with new faces about hi-fi, music, and guitars (my three favourite subjects), spending the afternoon with Andrew and the fantastic team at A Strings, meeting their customers, and having Terry from Rega there made for an absolute joy—a perfect afternoon of rock & roll and hi-fi.

And we have a winner!

A week had passed since the fantastic event at A Strings, and it was time to announce the lucky winner of a Rega turntable! I headed back to A Strings to reveal the winner on Fear’s Friday update. Yes, I did this live, and it went well—it was an honour to be part of their regular Friday video. So, who’s the winner? Drum roll, please... congratulations to Kris Morris!

Kris came by our store to collect his brilliant new Rega Planar 1 Eco deck. While he was here, I took him through a few amplification and speaker options to help him get set up and ready to enjoy his new system.

Are there more events like this on the way, you ask?

The short answer is a big, resounding yes! The event had such a fantastic vibe that it’s definitely worth doing again. In fact, I’ve spoken with Andrew and the team, and they’re keen to host another event with us at Audio T in the near future—so watch this space!

Thank you

A huge thank you once again to Andrew, Adam, and the team at A Strings for co-hosting the event with us, and to Terry and his lovely wife for attending—it was a real honour to have them there. Most importantly, a big thank you to everyone who came to the event; it was a genuine pleasure to meet you all, and I hope to see you again soon!

Thank you all for taking the time to read my blog.

Matt - Audio T Cardiff

Matt and the A String Team

Audio T Cheltenham and the Audio Technica AT-VM Moving Magnet Cartridge Family

/ Audio T Cheltenham/

Audio Technica have been making phono cartridges for more than a few years now and have got rather good at it! The VM range are so good that I have been inspired to dedicate this months blog to them and explain why one of them may well be just what your turntable needs for Christmas. (Blimey have I mentioned the C word already!)

shiny new things at Audio T Cheltenham

A Bit Of Background Info

Audio Technica was started by Hideo Matsushita from a small flat in 1962. He was disillusioned by the expensive options around at the time and wanted to make brilliance affordable to everyone. The first Audio Technica cartridge was called the AT-1 (must have taken the marketing department a while to come up with that name!)

All Lined Up in a row

Affordable Brilliance

Altogether the Audio Technica VM 95 range consists of five beautifully packaged cartridges (not counting the 78 version) all of which share the same body but all of which use very different styli, and are the epitome of that company philosophy of affordable brilliance. The cartridge is a vitally important link in the reproductive cycle, being the bit that turns the mechanical movement of the needle (stylus) in the record groove into an electrical signal.

The VM95C

AT-VM95C

The cheapest of the range is the VM95C. The C stands for conical which is the most basic of all the stylus profile shapes and will be mostly used with basic entry level turntables. Also very easy to install and the conical stylus profile is not so fussy about perfect alignment in the turntable head-shell.

The VM95E

AT-VM95E

Second up from the bottom of the range comes the VM95E. The E here meaning that the stylus profile is elliptical. This gives a little more contact of the stylus with the groove wall of a record thus making the sound a tad more detailed and refined. This one is the perfect go to as an entry level upgrade for older turntables with worn out cartridges or styli or newer decks that have cheap pre fitted cartridges.

The VM95EN

AT-VM95EN

The middle of the range brings us to the VM95EN. This stylus profile is an eliptical nude refinement of the cheaper 95E giving it more groove contact and greater fidelity.

The VM95ML

AT-VM95ML

Just one down from the top of comes the VM95ML. The ML signifies that this stylus tip is microlinear in profile. This almost exactly duplicates the shape of the cutting stylus that produces the original master disc (the disc used to create the pressed vinyl record). This likeness enables the microlinear stylus to track portions of the record groove that other styli just cannot reach. This results in extremely accurate tracing of high frequencies and a flat frequency response within the audible range. This unique multi-faceted shape also wears more evenly,greatly extending record and stylus life…..good eh!

The VM95SH

AT-VM95SH

Sitting proudly at the top of the VM range comes the VM95SH. This has an even narrower stylus tip. This gives a beautiful mid range and improved extension at the top end. Also being much kinder on record groove wear too! It does require more precise alignment and set than do conical and elliptical styli though.

going up the range from left to right

Added Bonus

All models of VM95 Series cartridges use the same electromagnetic engine-body, therefore all of the replacement styli are perfectly compatible with each other. This has the added bonus that cartridges can be used for years just by replacing the interchangeable stylus. It is no longer necessary to buy a complete cartridge when your diamond is worn out, you can simply buy the matching replacement stylus, but also enjoy the experience of upgrading your cartridge with a better stylus should you feel the need.

The packaging is rather nice too

No Nuts

VM95 Series cartridges are all fitted with two M2.6 threaded inserts allowing easy installation of the cartridge onto tonearm or removable head-shell without the use of nuts. Each cartridge is provided with one pair of 8mm M2.6 screws, one pair of 11mm M2.6 screws and two plastic washers. Personally I would do away with the screws and washers and use a couple of nice bolts of just the right length.

The Red Hot Favourite

My Favourite!

Out of the whole range my favourite one is the 95ML. It is a great upgrade for so many turntable and arm combinations. It has this great knack of sounding both full bodied and yet delicate at the same time. Sound staging can be goosbumpingly gorgeous and can put many a much more expensive cartridge to shame! Bass reproduction is fast and bulbous, tight also! I always look forward to listening to one of these and just know that if a turntable has one of these little gems fitted to it that it will sound sweet, musical and fun all at the same time!

Get A Demo

If you fancy hearing the difference that an Audio Technica AT-VM95 series cartridge make to your turntable, please give us a call or pop along to the shop for a demo. There’s free fitting too!

Many thanks for reading… Andy, Jon and Farid - Audio T Cheltenham Store.

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

ROTEL AII AND CD11 MK2: Rotel’s latest amplifier and CD player

/ Audio T Swindon/

Introducing the A11 and CD11 MKII at Audio T Swindon

As many of you may know, Rotel is a respected Japanese Hi-Fi brand with a remarkable history spanning nearly seventy years, and it's still family-owned to this day.

Their latest MkII versions of the amplifier and CD player build upon the success of the previous Tribute series—a tough act to follow, given the Tribute models’ strong reputation. Rather than a complete overhaul, Rotel opted for an evolutionary approach, refining and enhancing the original design—a wise choice that retains the qualities that made the Tribute series so popular while adding thoughtful improvements.

A11 MK2 amplifier

In updating this amplifier, Rotel has chosen to add a Texas Instruments 32-bit, 384 kHz DAC—the same high-quality DAC featured in the CD11 MKII. This choice reflects their commitment to providing excellent digital performance. Unlike the previous Tribute model, which lacked a DAC but offered two pairs of speaker outputs, the A11 MKII includes only one pair of outputs. Personally, I find the addition of a DAC far more valuable than the ability to run dual speaker sets.

Inside the beast (photo credit: rotel)

The Rotel A11 MKII offers coaxial and optical inputs, but if digital functionality isn't essential, the A10 MKII is identical in all other respects and saves you £150. The A11 MKII includes a high-quality moving magnet phono input, analogue and Bluetooth connectivity, and a front-panel 3.5mm headphone jack. The metal casing, offered in silver or black, features all-metal rotary controls, with a volume knob that has a nicely weighted feel—adding to its premium impression. With 50 watts per channel, it easily drives most compatible speakers.

Rotel CD11 and A11 MKII at Audio T Swindon

CD11 MK2

Over thirty years ago, during my early days at Audio T (when I still had hair!), we took-on Rotel's first CD player, the multi-bit RCD 855, soon followed by the highly popular Bitstream RCD 865. Rotel quickly established itself as a leading name in CD playback, and it’s reassuring to see their continued support for this format. This model, as mentioned, shares the same TI chip as the matching amplifier and features a proprietary Rotel transport, with a digital stage that improves upon its Tribute predecessor. Naturally, the same high-quality build is maintained throughout.

As a system:

We paired the system with a set of Dali Oberon 5 speakers and played our go-to test track, Ballad of the Runaway Horse by Rob Wasserman and Jennifer Warnes. If you’re not already using this track for setup, it’s worth considering: it helps position Jennifer’s voice precisely in height and width, while also assessing bass control—a valuable tool for fine-tuning. The result was a spacious, well-defined soundstage with an authentic performance feel. It was musical, detailed, and truly enjoyable. Switching to the Hi-Fi show favourite Hey Now by London Grammar, the system handled the notoriously challenging bass with control, delivering a warm high-end and a balanced, mellifluous presentation overall.

Conclusion.

These units offer outstanding value for money, providing ample power for real-world listening environments. They deliver a sound that’s impressively detailed yet easy on the ears, ensuring an enjoyable and non-fatiguing experience over extended listening sessions. Built to an exceptional standard, they’re as robust as they are elegantly designed, with controls that feel precise and intuitive—making them a pleasure to use.

For those who appreciate a traditional setup, there’s also a matching tuner, the T11, a rare find in today’s market, which seamlessly complements the system.

If you’d like to experience these for yourself, please don’t hesitate to reach out and book a listening session.

Thank you for reading.

Jon and Andy - Audio T Swindon

Rotel products are available at the following stores:

A SUBstantial evening of sound discovery with Audio T Bristol and REL Acoustics

/ Audio T Bristol/

On Thursday 14th November (19:00 - 21:00), Audio T Bristol will be hosting the first of our Winter Series of events beginning with the question - What can subwoofers do for the Hi-Fi Experience? Led by Rob Hunt from REL, this promises to be a SUBstantial journey into the wonderful world of bass.

Full details of the event follow at the end of this blog, but first let’s discuss Subwoofers…

The Marmite Analogy - once more…

Across the pond, it is a matter of course to add subwoofers to a Hi-Fi system and a no brainer if you are passing through audio from a TV to enjoy cinema at home.

Here in the UK, there are still members of the Hi-Fi community that frown deeply at the thought of subwoofers. It borders on heresy, largely due to experiences of booming boxes from other brands, questionable early subwoofer marketing days and a misconception that subs are for the youth in lowered cars with UV lights and phat exhausts.

REL Acoustics’ Approach to Subwoofers

REL Acoustics began in 1990, driven by one man’s dissatisfaction with the performance of subwoofers available at the time. That search for better, that pursuit of perfect bass reproduction remains the driving force behind REL.

Over the years, with renewed emphasis on reliability, high powered, fast reacting subwoofer drivers and REL’s production and technical abilities have turned them into world leaders in Subwoofer performance - the benchmark of benchmarks. Check out the blog section of REL’s website - a treasure trove of in depth answers to every subwoofer question and solution out there can be found here.

The Common Subwoofer Misconception

  • I’m not a bass freak

  • Flow and timing are ruined

  • Lower octave bass is not needed, if you’ve got good speakers

  • That boomy, uncontrolled, sloppy and slow sound will ruin my system setup

  • Takes up too much room

The RELevance of Subwoofers

  • Most people buy a sub to add some bass to their Home Cinema and/or gaming experience. We would go a step further and say you cannot fully experience Home Cinema and gaming without a Sub, such is the use of sub frequencies in film and gaming production effects, music and ambient environment - there is so much of the audio immersive experience missing.

  • Expanded soundstage

  • Enhanced mid range

  • Better Imaging

  • Vocal presence improved; A sub increases intelligibility of dialogue.

  • Richness, transparency & focus

  • Bang for buck it can be one of the best performance improvements you can make to a system.

  • Clearly produces the lower frequency instruments with better impact, punch and dynamism.

  • It can overcome the deleterious effects of bad rooms. We all have rooms to live in, not perfect conditions for acoustic reproduction.

The 3 Commandments according to RELigion

1: The Sub should never boom or call attention to itself. The goal is to get the sub locked in. Natural integration with that seamless handover between speaker and sub is essential. You should never be able to audibly detect where a Sub is in a room, it fills in where the speakers need support in the lower frequencies that the speaker cannot reproduce. Interestingly this does not take away the character of the speakers’ presentation at all.

2: Woolly bass is largely a product of bad cabinet design. The build quality and finish of the REL is impressive. A subwoofer running is having to deal with 40 -50 psi (2.7-3.5 Bar) of cabinet pressure as the pistonic action of the huge driver moves to produce the frequencies. That requires a very well braced, damped and reinforced cabinet and REL succeeds hugely on this over the competition.

3: Speed is key. REL’s circuitry and filters allow for the sub frequencies to be transmitted at speed. Most subwoofers will fulfil a criteria of producing 20-20Hz region with output peak of around 100dB (very loud). But, most of them will not possess the speed and suppleness of a REL. The High Level connection (more on this later) allows for a response rate of 8ms for the T series falling to 4ms and less in the Reference & S series. Where most subwoofers seemingly bow out of the conversation by 10ms, the S/510, for example, has the capacity to open up fast loudspeakers, many of them costing upwards of $20,000, and improve the very things they’re best known for - Image precision, rhythm, nuance, harmonic structure, and air…all improve vastly when the sub matches speaker speed.

High Level Connection

What High Level connection means, is that you are taking the same signal from the amplifier output terminals that feed the main speakers directly to the Subwoofer. The High level allows REL to take the high voltage signal from the amplifier, step it down through a resistor ladder matrix. It seems easy, it’s not and is the hard fought knowledge of many years of development and key to REL’s signature transparency and speed. The character of your speakers is determined by all the components from the source and the eventual signal path to the speakers is where all the character comes from and this is where REL sits and this is better than a low level connector. To the amplifier, it does not “see” that connection as it runs at over 100,000 Ohms and represents effectively no load to the amp.

Audio T Presents…

Get ready for an immersive journey into the world of high-fidelity sound as Audio T Bristol kick off our Winter Series of events with something truly special. Join us for an evening dedicated to answering one of the most debated questions in the audiophile community: What can subwoofers really do for the Hi-Fi experience?

When? Thursday 14th November (19:00 - 21:00)

Where? BAWA, 589 Southmead Rd, Filton, Bristol BS34 7RG

How much? Tickets are FREE, Demand is high, so BOOK NOW, Refreshments provided

This is an event you can experience the RELs for yourself. It you can’t make it book a demonstration or enjoy a weekend home loan (deposit required) to see how subs can transform our Hi-FI Music and Cinema Experience

See you there!

Justin, George & Max - Audio T Bristol

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

A turntable summit - 6 high-end turntables to take your vinyl playback to the mountaintops.

/ Audio T Brighton/

Hi folks, and welcome to this month’s article from us here at Audio T Brighton. Continuing from where we left off last month, we are going to focus our attention on the more exclusive end of the turntable market. What fun!

In part two of our blog on turntables, we are delighted to have the opportunity to listen to six turntables of distinction. To say that we have a rare opportunity is a bit of an understatement, as the turntables under consideration have been drawn from all over the country for comparison. To mark the occasion, Audio T Brighton will be hosting a week-long event to demonstrate to our customers the joys of quality record playback and what they may bring to your musical pleasure, taking place between Tuesday 5th November and Saturday 9th November.

An audio preface to phono stages...

Before we start on the major task of turntable reviews, we mustn’t forget the all-important phono stage. Whether moving-magnet (MM) or moving-coil (MC), they shouldn’t be overlooked when it comes to system matching and synergy.

The Aura is the finest in Rega’s current range and Moving Coil only phono stage, although this isn’t a problem at this end of the market because most of the cartridges employed tend to be of this type anyway.

The Cyrus Classic phono stage with PSU is another option we will use in these reviews. More flexible in its settings and MM/MC compatibility, it offers an excellent alternative when turntable matching comes into play (which, as you will see, it does quite often).

The Linn Urika phono stage with Linn Radikal 2 power supply is a little different, in that it is mounted internally on the Linn LP12 Klimax turntable, explaining why I haven’t included a photo here!

The brawn behind the brains...

Our blog wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the powerhouse system we’ve used to amplify and play our favourite records…

The top shop system comprises a Naim NAC 552 preamp with a NAC 555PS power supply and a NAP 500DR power amp with CD 555PS power supply, feeding a pair of ATC SCM50 passive loudspeakers. This system is as dynamic and transparent as they come, allowing our turntables to really show their stuff.

As an addendum to the above, we have just taken delivery of some Dynaudio Confidence 50 speakers, making a pleasant change from our resident ATC’s and their sound can only be described as spectacular!

our resident naim 500 series system, now with dynaudio confidence 50 speakers

Describing the sound and character of our turntables...

Our thoughts on the sound characteristics of the six turntables is difficult to do without personal preference or favouritism and is very subjective, so we’ve attempted to go back to school and remember our friends and peers in the context of the character they displayed and use that as a vehicle for description. Fingers crossed!

Audio Note TT3 with PSU3 and Audio Note IO cartridge...

audio note tt3 turntable with audio note io blue cartridge

Our first record player is an Audio Note TT-3 turntable with its matching PSU-3 power supply and an Audio Note IO Blue low-output MC cartridge.

Armed with an independently controlled, suspended 3 motor belt-drive, LEXAN platter (low resonance and non-reflective material) and Audio Note’s own in-house design tonearm, called the Audio Note ARM -THREE/II, all mounted on a substantial anodised-aluminium plinth, this turntable is a substantial beast on our hi-fi rack, yet subtle and finessed in its musical rendition. Interestingly, during our first listen with the Rega Aura phono stage, we felt the deck was not quite “singing”. Changing to our Cyrus Classic phono stage, and altering the gain settings, we found our preferred sound signature.

Bestowed with a fine and airy top-end, the Audio Note seemed to extract oodles of detail from our copy of Miles Davis, “Kind of Blue”, yet provided a pure and well-balanced, neutral performance. Overall, the sound was clean and easy on the ear, with long listening sessions possible, without the fatigue some decks can produce with over-mastered modern guitar-based recordings. I certainly enjoyed its sonic ease and transparency with old-school jazz. Unfortunately, access to an Audio Note phono stage wasn’t possible in time for our event. It's a pity because it would have been interesting to hear this deck with a “home-grown” phono stage before any final conclusions were drawn.

Our colleagues at Audio T in Reading have written an earlier blog on this turntable, so if you fancy an alternative and more technical review read here.

Using our student analogy, the Audio Note TT-3 was like a student I knew at school. He had an air of confidence, yet was socially quite laid-back in character. Particularly good at Art and Technical Drawing, with an eye for detail in his studies, he went on to study Graphic Design at Cambridge University.

Rega NAIA with Rega AURA phono stage...

rega naia turntable with rega aphelion 2 MC cartridge

Rega has established a formidable reputation as a major brand in-store at Audio T in Brighton. For over 50 years Rega has been producing quality music playback equipment, but they are currently best known for their turntables. In our case, we listened to the Rega NAIA with Rega Aphelion 2 MC cartridge played through a Rega Aura phono stage.

Rega NAIA spotlight...

I have written at length about the virtues of the Rega NAIA and its matching MC cartridge and phono stage in an earlier blog. To avoid repeating the technical details of the deck, I will point you to this article - Rega Naia blog and review.

Differences between the Rega NAIA and Audio Note TT-3 combos are quite marked, with physical characteristics being a world apart and reflecting a very different design philosophy when it comes to dealing with energy dispersal. Rega’s low mass theory versus the higher mass/suspension system of the Audio Note is an argument for theoretical physicists but there is no denying it affects the sonic qualities of each deck.

The Rega Naia is an exceptionally dynamic and weighty-sounding turntable with a wonderfully diverse tonal palette and a beguiling nature. As I have mentioned before, the phono stage changes the game, with the two decks sounding more alike (yet still totally unalike!) when the Cyrus Classic phono stage was used instead of the Rega Aura. The Rega combo is a synergistic marriage made in heaven!

Ending with our student analogy, the Rega Naia is a bit of a string bean, popular with his peers, has a playful and experimental nature, yet gets good exam results and goes on to achieve a 1st Class Honours Vocational Degree in Engineering.

Linn LP12 Klimax/Urika1/Radikal2/Ekstatik...

linn lp12 klimax with urika phono stage and linn ekstatik mc cartridge

There’s a saying that two’s company and three’s a crowd! Certainly, the market is flooded with a ton of turntable combinations and at these heady price levels, customers should expect their purchase to stand out from the crowd.

The Linn LP12 Klimax turntable with Ekos SE tonearm, Ekstatik MC cartridge and Urika/Radikal 2 phono stage/power supply does the best it can to do this and in many ways, its upgradeability, serviceability and heritage mark it out from the crowd. I guess the question is, does the LP12 Klimax live up to its name amongst the modern-day competition?

We have written extensively about Linn’s turntable options in many of Audio T’s blogs, including the more affordable combinations of Linn LP12 add-ons. Please read here for more info.

linn lp12 klimax with urika phono stage and linn ekstatik mc cartridge

So how does the Linn LP12 Klimax with Ekos SE/Ekstatik combo fare in such esteemed competition? The answer is, as you’d expect, very well indeed! However, when you are listening at this level, they all sound amazing.

I would describe the Linn LP12 Klimax sound as detailed and dynamic with great pizzazz and etched in the presence/lower treble region, a transparent mid-range and fluid bass with great timing. One of the beauties of vinyl playback is the ability to “flavour” your sound with different cartridges, with an extensive choice of quality cartridges on the market. We’ve certainly heard our fair share here at Audio T Brighton and some work better than others, especially when partnered symbiotically with amps and speakers in the audio chain. I guess this highlights the importance of listening to a range of system combinations before you buy and Audio T offer unparalleled services in that area that cannot be matched by reading reviews or buying online.

The Linn LP12 Klimax was a sporting wizard at school, has a very fastidious work ethic and a socially adept character, who went on to get a First Class Honours Degree at St.Andrews!

Michell Gyrodec with T8 tonearm & Cusis S MC cartridge...

michell gyrodec with michell t8 tonearm and cusis mc cartridge

At this point, we’ve gone beyond the two’s company, three’s a crowd, so we’ll say hello to the Michell Gyrodec with Michell T8 tonearm and Cusis MC cartridge, as it gatecrashes the party.

The Michell Gyrodec really is a sight to behold when it’s spinning, being beautifully eye-catching and yet distracting at the same time. The video -clip below will give you an idea of what I mean.

The Michell Gyrodec is probably closest in character to the Audio Note TT3, with less “air” in the upper treble, yet is more fleshed-out in the lower treble/presence region, giving cymbals a smoother yet more tonally rounded character. Interestingly, at least for us, we preferred the sound of the Michell without the record clamp attached. The clamp seemed to produce a slightly more sat-on character, possibly because of the damping effect it had, so we’d recommend leaving it off, but as usual, your mileage may vary!

Using our student analogy, it is like the quiet student in class, with an immaculate school uniform, gets on with their work without misbehaving, putting their hand up or joining in - yet still gets good exam results.

SME Model 15A-V Diamond with Series V tonearm and Rega Ania Pro MC cartridge...

SME model15/309 with series v tonearm and rega ania pro mc cartridge

The SME Model 15A - V Diamond with Series 5 tonearm is an engineering marvel and our crowd of turntables is rapidly turning into a collective pronoun, if one exists. Our visitors, Ian and Alester, took us through the extensive process of setting up the SME Model 15A - V Diamond with Series 5 tonearm, with a plethora of adjustment tools - all very impressive stuff!

The finished assembly is a sight to behold, with impressive engineering and a solidity that is commensurate with its elevated price. The SME design certainly falls into the high mass, suspended design, as opposed to the Rega NAIA with Aphelion 2 cartridge design, which favours a low mass design, platters aside.

The SME Model 15A - V Diamond with Series 5 tonearm and Rega Ania Pro MC cartridge was auditioned through a Cyrus Classic Phono stage plus PSU-XR.

Sonically, the SME combination has a very lucid presentation, with bass quality and its ability to play a tune especially noticeable. Dynamically, the SME sounded very adept and instruments were delivered very cleanly and with gravitas.

So what type of student is it? The SME Model 15A - V Diamond with Series 5 tonearm went to Lancing College, was a bit of a swot, a teacher’s pet, with shoes buffed like mirrors and won a scholarship in engineering at Cambridge!

Cyrus TTP with PSX-R2 PSU, Rega RB330 tonearm and Dynavector 20XII cartridge...

cyrus ttp with psx-r2 psu, rega rb330 tonearm and dynavector 20xii cartridge

Last but not least comes the Cyrus TTP with PSX-R2 PSU supplied as standard with a Rega RB330 tonearm and Dynavector 20XII cartridge. Lifting this deck gives a good impression of quality and it certainly falls into the high mass camp regards energy suppression. Along with some other decks in this blog, the Rega tonearm seems to be a go-to for turntable manufacturers, with several iterations depending on the audiophile tier that the deck falls into. All I can say is hats off to Rega for designing an arm that is ubiquitous in the hi-fi turntable manufacturers toolkit.

Fit and finish are splendid and we felt our choice of Dynavector 20XII cartridge was a good match for the Cyrus TTP when it came to our listening sessions.

It is almost a little unfair to compare the Cyrus TTP with our other decks in this blog because they operate in a different stratosphere when it comes to cost. However, you may be pleased to hear that the Cyrus TTP fared well, especially when used with the additional PSX-R2 PSU. We are a big fan of additional power supplies here at Brighton and with it, the Cyrus TTP is elevated significantly in sound quality, with a lot more detail and “meat on the bone”, producing a clean, well-separated sound, as sturdy sonically as it is in terms of its construction.

Using our student analogy, the Cyrus TTP with PSX-R2 PSU was the energetic, sporty student at the local comprehensive school, is popular with the girls and plays an Ovation acoustic guitar with his mates in a school band.

A turntable event to look forward to...

It is not often that the opportunity arises to be able to listen to such a range of quality turntables. We are already spoilt with our resident decks, available to demo every week, but to have four additional “special” decks is a privilege for us and an opportunity not to be missed for the turntable lover, so put these dates in your diary and give us a call.

Tuesday 5th November until Saturday 9th November at Audio T in Brighton.

Tel: 01273 609431

Email: brighton@audio-t.co.uk

As always, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, so get in touch to book a demonstration.

Thanks for reading.

Adey, John & Paul - Audio T Brighton

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

Rega can be found at the following Audio T stores

Cyrus can be found at the following Audio T stores

Audio Note can be found at the following Audio T stores:

Michell can be found at the following Audio T stores

Linn can be found at the following Audio T stores

SME can be found at the following Audio T stores

Dynavector can be found at the following Audio T stores

Dynaudio can be found at the following Audio T stores -

Naim can be found at the following Audio-T stores

Wired for sound: Focal's hard-wired headphones deliver audiophile thrills to suit a range of pockets

/ Audio T Portsmouth/

Focal Celestee (Photo Credit: Focal)

Tom Gooderidge, Naim’s UK Sales and Training Executive, recently paid us a visit at the Portsmouth store and brought four sets of Focal headphones for us to listen to: the Azurys, the Clear MG, the Stellia and the Utopia. We share our views on these quality wired headphones.

Bluetooth headphones are having a moment thanks to the ubiquity of powerful mobiles, streaming services and high-res BT codecs such as Qualcomm aptX HD and aptX Lossless.

A number of Bluetooth-enabled headphones from brands such as Bowers and Wilkins, Cyrus, DALI, Sennheiser, Sonos and Focal themselves give us genuinely high quality listening experiences wirelessly and on-the-go.

But, for many hi-fi enthusiasts, wired headphones plugged into a good headphone amplifier are still the way to go for a truly high-end listening experience.

Focal, the French speaker manufacturer and now parent company to British hi-fi legends Naim, offer a range of headphones, including the award winning Bluetooth Focal Bathys. But it was their wired headphone models that we recently had the pleasure of listening to in the store.

Meet the family

We used a Naim Uniti Star to power the Azurys and the Clear MGs before switching to a Naim Nait 50 and a Naim ND5 XS2 combo for the remaining two.

Azurys

At £499* the Azurys sit at the more affordable end of the headphone market competing against the likes of the Sennheiser HD660 S2 model. They are well made with a leather headband and textile-covered earpads.

Focal azurys, closed back wired headphones

As closed-back headphones the Azurys deliver good isolation and, at just over 300g, they seem suitable for on-the-go listening. Generally, you tend to get a bassier, fuller sound from closed-back headphones compared to open backs. Open-back headphones tend to offer a greater sense of space around the music and less weighty but sometimes tighter bass.

The Azurys certainly have a weighty low end, but it is not overpowering. There is a decent sense of air and space for a closed-back headphone, no doubt thanks to their rigid aluminium/magnesium drivers.

Clear MG

Switching to the open-back Clear MG there is an obvious step up in the appearance, feel and weight (450g). These £1,299* headphones exude quality with their metal, leather and suede-like materials. The listening experience is high quality too.

Focal clear mg place you in the music

They incorporate all magnesium drivers (hence the MG in the name) which are designed to deliver a faster, more precise sound than the Focal Clear models that they replaced. The soundstage is larger than the Azury and there is greater clarity and transparency.

The Clear MG do a great job at placing you in a space in which music is playing as opposed to playing the music between your ears. Bass is articulate, tuneful and well-integrated. Micro-details are well presented, and voices and instruments have excellent tonality.

Stellia

The Stellia headphones were next up and shifted us back to a closed-back design, incorporating Focal’s electrodynamic pure Beryllium M-dome speaker to give improved lightness and stiffness compared to many other materials. The metal and leather construction of these £2,899* headphones is classy.

Focal Stellia are a class act

There is an immediate improvement in the attack and detail of the music played through the Stellia. Vocals have the power to surprise, occasionally shock, because they are so immediate and accurate. You are placed in the studio in front of the singers while guitars and other instruments are rendered with wonderful realism. Bass was beautifully reproduced with real weight and speed.

Utopia

It was now the turn of the Utopia and, frankly, we wondered if and how the excellent Stellia headphones could be bettered. The Utopia also have the Beryllium M-dome drivers. Their carbon fibre, metal and leather construction is high tech and luxurious.

These £4,699* headphones did not disappoint. As open-backed, as opposed to closed like the Stellia, they were fantastically honest and engaging. The sound staging was superb. There was an almost tangible sense of the studio or venue in which the music was recorded. Their openness was such that it felt like listening to a pair of high end speakers in an acoustically engineered room.

Focal utopia luxurious and high tech

Instruments and vocals were startlingly real, rendered with a tonal authenticity that was gripping whether it was the raw leading edge of guitar chords, the physical rap of a snare drum or the micro-tones within a single synthesiser note.

Headphones like the Utopia, Stellia and even the Clear MG deserve a good headphone amp, ideally a stand alone unit.

It’s said by some in hi-fi circles that to get the same sound produced by a pair of high quality headphones (with good quality headphone amplification) you’d have to spend two or three times the amount on speakers.

It is true that a pair of decent headphones may give you the detail and a bass response that a modest pair of speakers might struggle to match. But in our experience speakers will give you a greater soundstage and space, allowing the music to propagate and breathe in your room (although, as we know, rooms can create their own problems for hi-fi enthusiasts).

So, music played through headphones isn’t necessarily better nor worse compared to speakers. It’s just different. However, having said that, the Stellia and, particularly, the Utopia headphones come as close as we have heard recently to recreating that open sound you get from speakers – and then some.

Check out Audio T’s range of Focal headphones

Thanks for reading

Alan, Stephen and Luke - Audio T Portsmouth

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

Focal can be found at the following Audio T stores

*All prices, credit terms and interest rates quoted are correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to change. E&OE

Jack of All Trades? The Marantz Stereo 70S AV Receiver

/ Audio T Swansea/

Our story begins with the arrival of our new demo Panasonic TV-65Z95AEB television just a short while ago. Obviously we needed an amplifier and speakers to accompany it (obviously!), looking all lonely as it was on its stand, so we started scratching around for something a bit more interesting than a stereo amp with a DAC inside. Remembering the Marantz Stereo 70s, we connected one and fired it up.

such a cute display

The 70S is a unit that on first look, appears to fall between two stools. Is it a stereo amplifier or is it a home cinema one? Well... It’s kind of both. In our Swansea store, I’m the only staffer with a “traditional” home theatre set-up – a chunky multi-channel amplifier, five speakers & a subwoofer (well two actually, but that’s another story). I thoroughly enjoy the immersive nature of it, I use it for music, film, TV, gaming and it sounds terrific. I’ve spent a long time building it and because I work in a big-boy toyshop, I get to choose from a great many nice things.

My colleagues have different priorities and therefore take a different approach. They are both very much “music first” individuals and their systems at home reflect this – turntables, phono stages, streamers, amplifiers and speakers. To enjoy film and live concerts more, (because why wouldn’t you?) they’ve connected their TVs to their amplifiers via a DAC of some description and very much enjoy the stereo soundtrack to accompany the latest Glasto or episode of “Slow Horses.”

that bowie fellow is everywhere

Inputs

Now, this approach is all fine and dandy if you don’t mind (or secretly rather enjoy) having lots of boxes and adding another to your existing system, but what if you’re looking for a new amp, but can’t (or won’t) entertain the multi-unit approach and are really into music, film, TV, gaming and want to enjoy them all? Enter the Marantz Stereo 70S. Equipped with six HDMI sockets, three of which are 8K, plus eARC for audio from one’s television, a couple of analogue RCA inputs, a moving magnet turntable input, optical and coaxial digital audio inputs, a DAB/FM tuner and Marantz’ proprietary HEOS music streamer (accessed from their HEOS app) capable of playing music files from Tidal, Amazon HD, Apple Airplay2, Spotify Connect, your own networked music and internet radio, all in one very smart-looking box.

just about every input one could reasonably hope for, including a dab/fm tuner

Outputs

Outputs for two pairs of speakers, two subwoofers, a power amplifier (should 75Watts somehow prove insufficient) and second zone analogue pre-outs appear on the logically laid out rear panel. A full-sized (6.3mm) headphone socket is a welcome inclusion on the front.

It’s a handsome product, the new double-deep fascia design draws positive remarks from just about everyone who sees it. I particularly like the minimalist, recessed LED display which to me at least, is curiously nautical and the smart dark grey/brown handset is back-lit – oh so useful for those dark winter evenings.

that raft of hdmi sockets in all their glory

Performance

The musical performance is suitably gutsy and coherent, with plenty of layers revealed and satisfyingly resolved. 24 bit files are particularly well treated. The moving magnet phono stage is pleasingly serene, as are the other analogue inputs. Audio via HDMI sounds spacious, clear and solid. There’ll be far less straining to hear film dialogue than with typical TV speakers and soundbars.

With no Dolby Digital decoder, you’ll need to setup your source HDMI audio outputs to ‘normal’, ‘stereo’ or ‘PCM’ or you'll hear nothing at all.

By a curious quirk of fate, I found a function on Netflix called ‘Netflix Spacial Audio’ Designed to enhance stereo listening, Netflix Spatial Audio makes no discernible difference when heard on TV speakers, but bursts into life when deployed on the Marantz, yielding a wide soundstage and locking the dialogue to the centre of the screen, despite no centre speaker being present. It’s really most impressive. Bravo Netfix engineers.

the heos control and music streaming app in all its glory

Control

The breadth of connectivity options, including 8K-capable HDMI, plus HEOS streaming, makes it impressively flexible. It's wonderfully musical for the price, capable of fine detail with a particularly melodious midrange.

Marantz has created an alternative home cinema experience, free from the complexities of multichannel sound. For those looking to replace an existing stereo amplifier or, better yet, integrate one with their collection of HDMI-enabled media sources, this is a very solid buy. The Marantz Stereo 70s is currently £679* and on demonstration at our Swansea store.

Diolch yn fawr iawn - Thank you very much for taking the time to read our blog.

Adrian - Audio T Swansea

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact us

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

Marantz can be found at the following Audio T stores -

*All prices, credit terms and interest rates quoted are correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to change. E&OE

Terrific Tiny Amplifiers at Audio T Reading

/ Audio T Reading/

good things come in small packages

We’ve always been fond of hi-fi equipment with a small footprint here at Audio T Reading, which is why we carry a generous range of bijou goodies, from headphones to small streamers and all things weenie in-between. Just lately, whether by chance or perhaps on trend, we’ve received a number of enquiries for integrated amplifiers that can deliver on diminutive size while not sacrificing on performance. “Impossible” we hear some of our readership cry out! This would go against the tried-and-tested philosophy of giving electronic components space to breath and thereby perform, especially within an amplifier which serves as the driving heartbeat of any hi-fi system.

When listening to our customers there are considered factors behind those requests for a small amp, for example a need to downsize following a change of listening room or abode, or to meet physical space limitations within their hi-fi rack, or simply wanting an additional desktop size system for their office or workshop. Fortunately, we hold a range of compact but sonically uncompromised amplifiers to suit every need and we’re excited to now showcase three fully analogue designs that are all dinkier than one of Snow White’s seven dwarfs!

IO, IO, IT’S OFF TO WORK WE GO – THE REGA IO

The small but might Rega io at AUdio T Reading

To kick things off, let’s get to work with the excellent Rega IO integrated amplifier. Entry level this may be on price, but certainly not on performance. A lively little thing, this one I often refer to as the excited puppy dog of amplifiers. It possesses all of the brio of, well, the recently discontinued Rega Brio! But its topology is more modern by comparison, and although lower in power at 30 watts-per-channel it packs quite a punch.

At the 2023 Bristol Hi-Fi Show Rega had a listening room dedicated to showing off a Rega System One – their entry-level turntable based hi-fi system – in which the IO is the command centre. Many of us came out of that room blown away by how engaging that system sounded, and to its credit it wasn’t embarrassed by systems in nearby rooms costing multiple amounts more.

The IO features a high-quality moving-magnet phono stage that brings the best out of a Rega Planar 2 turntable and will even highlight the quality jump to a Rega Planar 3. Remote control volume adjustment and input switching adds to the ease-of-use and a very good headphone output rounds off an exceptional package.

WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK - THE CHORD ELECTRONICS ANNI

Chord Electronics Anni (Photo Credit: Chord Electronics)

This one is a cheeky little addition; the Chord Electronics Anni is chiefly recognised as a headphone amp, and rightly so as it makes pretty much every headphone sing sweetly. Possessing both a 6.35 mm and 3.5 mm headphone socket, as soon as you plug your cans into either one the ample Anni intelligently figures out the impedance of the headphones and drives them to perfection. However, a skillset that often gets overlooked with the smaller-than-a-house-brick sized Anni is its ability to drive a set of loudspeakers too.

Granted, while it doesn’t have the grunt to push a set of floorstanders to room filling levels, the also-built-like-a-brick Chord Anni is perfect for driving small monitors and will do so with clarity and astonishing dynamic expression. A gain switch facilitates pairing with little loudspeakers of ranging efficiency and, with high gain engaged, the Anni produces stunning detail retrieval even at low volume. As volume is controlled manually on the unit itself, the Anni is ideally suited (but not solely limited) to desktop applications. But please be advised, a Chord Anni in your home office setup might just have you whistling while you work…

I’M WISHING – THE AUDIO NOTE I ZERO

Okay, so you want a healthy dose of tube-y goodness but don’t have the space to accommodate it? Enter the Audio Note I Zero; this is one fine sounding integrated valve amplifier. And despite its slender size and entry-position into the world of Audio Note, it fully delivers on the company’s mantra of music’s finest conductor. It’s musically commanding alright, and then some!

Under the small hood of the I Zero are four line-level inputs mated to a compliment of four ECL82 valves in class A/B configuration. In true Audio Note style, the output transformers are fully designed and manufactured in-house. Audio Note’s philosophy, to our ears, is about producing a sound that’s rich in tonality, sumptuous in texture, and awash with rhythmic swagger for good measure.

Possessing of just a volume knob and an input selector, the obvious sacrifice made by the I Zero is feature-count – serial tinkerers are best advised to look elsewhere. But what the I Zero trades in frills and footprint, it more than makes up for with sheer musicality. Add a pair of Audio Note’s own AX-One/II loudspeakers and prepare to be amazed by the miniature musical marvel. We certainly wouldn’t mind meeting Snow White at the nearest well to wish for an I Zero.

WHO IS THE SMALLEST ONE OF ALL? CLOSING THOUGHTS…

Whether you’re short on space, or looking for a degree of transportability with your audio equipment, or perhaps something else, at Audio T Reading we value quality over quantity and would be happy to help you find a small amplifier, or small system to suit your wants and needs.

Please do get in touch with us if you would like more information on the above featured products, or on any of the range of products that we carry, no matter how big or small.

Thank you for reading.

Rishi, Gareth and Dan – Audio T Reading

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

The products featured here can be found or enquired about at the following Audio T stores:

A BIT ABOUT OUR NEW STORE

Our new Swallowfield store is accessible via the 600 bus route from Reading town centre and is very easy to reach by road with the A33, M3 and M4 all nearby. On arrival you’ll find ample free parking right on our doorstep, and our showroom and demo rooms are all on ground level.

The picturesque surroundings here provide many places to enjoy a countryside walk, a riverside stroll, or a picnic. There are local sites of interest to explore such as the Blackwater River, Wellington Country Park, Siren Craft Brewery and a host of cute village pubs with gardens. So when you come to see us, why not make a fun day of it?

Ohm my goodness! Watt amp to pair with my speakers?

/ Audio T Portsmouth/

A frequent consideration for many entering the world of hi-fi is how to choose speakers to match an amplifier or vice versa. But, unless you have a basic understanding of how electricity works, it can seem a little daunting. In this month’s blog we aim to provide some information and guidance in clear, not-too-technical English to better help you make informed decisions when choosing your next system.

When looking at purchasing new speakers and/or an amplifier, some people focus on trying to match the stated power handling of speakers to their amp’s stated power output.

Whereas a manufacturer may state that a particular model of speakers has a power handling of such-and-such watts. Sometimes speaker manufacturers will state a recommended amplifier power range, for example 30-150w. Amp power output, meanwhile, is usually stated in watts per channel (wpc).

The best bit of advice we can give is don’t get overly hung up on trying to achieve the perfect marriage of watts. And here’s why…

Power Handling

Firstly, there is no single standard method for calculating power handling for speakers. Manufacturers calculate the power handling of their speakers using different approaches. It is therefore hard to say with any real certainty whether a speaker from Manufacturer A rated at 150w can cope with 50 more watts than a speaker rated at 100w from Manufacturer B.

There are actually different types of power ratings for speakers, including RMS, Max, and Peak. RMS (root mean square) is the most reliable measure of a speaker's power handling as it refers to its ability to handle continuous power, while Peak is not a reliable indicator of overall performance.

The second, and perhaps more important thing to remember, is that the power handling of a given pair of speakers does not mean that your speakers will sound terrible with an amp with an output lower than the recommended power handling figure. For example, if a pair of speakers are rated at 120W and an amp at 100w per channel, the amp (assuming it’s of decent quality) will most likely have no problems at all driving those speakers.

Nor does it mean that the speakers will blow up if you wire them up to an amp whose power output is slightly higher than the recommended power handling. In fact, as a general rule, it is better to use an amp that, on paper, outputs more watts than a speaker is rated for than to use an amp that is very underpowered. More on that later.

Resistance

The third thing to remember is that the stated power output of an amplifier is related to the nominal resistance of the speakers, expressed in ohms (Ω), that you are looking to drive. It’s why amplifier outputs tend to be stated as 100w into 8Ω, 150w into 4Ω and so on…

The Rega Elex delivers 72W into 8 ohms and 90w into 6 ohms (PHOTO CREDIT: REGA RESEARCH LTD)

The lower the ohms, the lower the resistance and the greater the load presented to the amplifier. The load determines the current that speakers draw from the amp – the lower the resistance, the more power drawn and the harder the amp has to work. It’s why the watts output by an amp increase as ohms decrease.

It is also worth remembering that the resistance of every pair of speakers varies across the frequency range. For instance, a speaker with nominal resistance of 8Ω may present your amp with loads as low as 2Ω and as high as 16Ω at certain frequencies and according to the dynamic demands of the music being played this can make the speaker hard to drive.

So, all other things being equal, an amp rated at 80w into 8Ω, for example, will have to work harder to meet the load presented by a pair of 4Ω speakers. However, a quality amplifier with a decent power supply will have plenty of headroom and so 4Ω speakers shouldn’t present too much of a challenge.

Sensitivity

Of course, all other things are not equal. And sometimes, when focusing on watts we can forget about speaker sensitivity which is expressed in decibels (dB) e.g. 87dB. Sensitivity is important when considering what speakers or amp to buy.

What that decibel figure shows is the level of sound output by a speaker at one metre’s distance using one watt of amplifier power. Basically, it is a way of measuring how efficient a speaker is at turning electrical power into sound.

Most modern speakers tend to fall into a range from 80dB to 100db. The higher the figure the more efficient the speaker.

Modern speakers like the Acoustic Energy AE309s are relatively easy to drive (Photo credit: Spendor)

So, an amplifier rated at 100w into 8Ω ought to drive a pair of 8Ω speakers with a sensitivity of 92dB to high volumes with ease and with little or no distortion.

But that same amplifier will have to work harder to drive a pair of 4Ω speakers with a sensitivity of 84dB to the same volumes. In other words you may have to turn up the volume to get the same level of sound.

This is fine if your amp has sufficient power reserves to cope with a more difficult speaker load. But you can run into problems if a low-powered amplifier is being asked to drive a pair of inefficient speakers to high volumes.

Return to the subject of Power

Remember we said we’d come back the point about it being better to over-power than under power your speakers? Well read on…

To recap, we recommended you don’t get too hung up on matching amp output in watts to the power handling of speakers

However, as a general rule, choosing an amp with an output at the top end or even beyond the recommended speaker handling figure is better than running an amp at the lower end of, or below, a speaker’s handling capacity.

Tube amps like the audio note conqueror, delivering 8w into 8 ohms, sound wonderful but may not be the best choice for hard-to-drive speakers (Photo Credit: Audio Note UK)

The reason, as we alluded to at the end of the previous section, is that a low-powered amplifier may struggle to drive a demanding speaker load (e.g speakers with low sensitivity and low resistance) to high volumes. It may even result in the amp clipping if it is required to deliver more power than it is designed for. Clipping simply refers to the ‘clipped’ or cut off waveform produced as shown on an oscilloscope when this happens. The result is distorted sound, and serious and prolonged clipping can damage both amplifiers and speakers.

A clipped WAVEFORM (IMAGE CREDIT: THE PRODUCTION ACADEMY)

On the other hand, it is also possible to damage a pair of speakers when driving them at too high volumes with an amp that delivers massively more power than is recommended for those speakers.

Now, many modern speakers can handle 100w or more comfortably, even entry level models. And most reasonably priced amps tend to sit in the 50 to 150wpc range. So most comparably priced amps and speakers will be compatible power-wise. And you should have no problem using an amp that can deliver around 50% more than the recommended power handling of a pair of speakers. For instance, a pair of speakers rated to handle 100w then an amp delivering 150wpc will drive then with no issues. Although it would be unwise to turn the amp up to maximum.

However, turning up the volume on an amp delivering loads more power – let’s say 2,3 or more times the recommended handling power of the speakers – would likely overheat the coils in the drivers and/or cause so much mechanical movement that the driver starts to thump in its assembly.

Conclusion

The reality is that many modern amps and speakers, in roughly the same price bracket, are compatible in terms of power output and handling.

There exceptions however. For instance, the Musical Fidelity M8s 500S Power Amplifier which outputs a potentially driver melting 500wpc into 8Ω.

Musical fidelity M8s 500s is a power house ampc (PHOTO CREDIT: Musical Fidelity)

So, as long as you are not trying to hook up a pair of sensitive stand mounters to pair of monster monoblock amplifiers - and, let’s face it, why would you - you will most likely be fine.

If you are in any doubt you can just ask a member of the Audio T staff.

Once you have laid to rest any doubts you may have had over amp and speaker compatibility then you can then get to the most important part of the process - and that is listening to them in one of our bespoke demo rooms!

As we know, just because an amp and a pair of speakers are technically compatible on paper, this tells you very little about how they will sound together, much less about whether you will like that sound.

At the end of the day, hi-fi is all about the music and how your equipment reproduces that music for you rather than technicalities of watts, ohms and decibels.

So, don’t be shy. If you are considering a new amp, speakers or any component and want some advice give us a call on 0239 266 3604 or email and we can get you booked in for a fun, free and no obligations demo.

Thanks for reading

Alan, Stephen and Luke - Audio T Portsmouth

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

Petite and Phenomenal: Introducing the All-New AURALiC VEGA S1 Streaming DAC

/ Audio T Southampton/

Here at Audio T Southampton we have long been admirers of AURALiC products. The latest to arrive is the Vega S1 Streaming DAC/Preamp with the optional S1 Purer Linear Power Supply. So without further ado, let’s dive in to see exactly what this product can do…

The Little Streamer That Could

The Auralic Vega S1 DAC has been crafted to deliver unparalleled sound quality within its price range. Drawing inspiration from the esteemed G2.2 reference products, these machines inherit premium audio technologies that claim to set new standards in the industry.

The AURALiC VEGA S1 Streaming DAC (Photo Credit: AURALiC)

When we first received this product, the initial thing that we all agreed on is that the size of the unit was rather surprising, being considerably smaller than other AURALiC units currently available. Another key feature that we really enjoyed was the high quality OLED display, which allowed us to see exactly what is being played from anywhere within the room.

Upon first listening to this delightful little product, we were pleasantly surprised to discover that it offers the same signature AURALiC sound but at a much lower price point. Supplying its listeners with a wide soundstage, crystal clear midrange and high notes, all with an uncompromising bass, we believe the Vega S1 truly outperforms other streaming preamplifiers in its price range, and possibly even some just above it also!

The Guts of the vega s1 (Photo Credit: AURALiC)

We had a little play around with a few options and decided to put it in a system comprising of the Chord Electronics Ttoby Power Amplifier, a pair of Harbeth P3ESR-XD with the matching Harbeth Nelson Bass Extender Stand Solution. This particular setup offers a neat yet powerful solution, with each component complementing the other perfectly to provide a rich and moving sound.

A beautiful sounding system at the front of our store!

Macro Technology in a Micro Device

Powered by the cutting-edge Tesla G3 streaming platform, the S1 series leverages AURALiC’s innovative Direct Memory Access (DMA) and Direct Data Recording (DDR) technologies; by seamlessly recording incoming audio data into the Tesla G3 system memory and transmitting it directly to the low-level audio hardware. With the inclusion of Dual 60fs Femto Clocks and Galvanic Isolation, the S1 series achieves an unprecedented level of noise reduction. The meticulous attention to detail in the S1 series ensures that clock jitter and signal distortion are minimised to an extraordinary degree. The result is a remarkably smooth and natural sound character that faithfully reproduces the nuances of the original audio, providing an immersive listening experience that captivates the senses.

The Vega S1 offers multiple input choices, enabling you to use your preferred music playback software effortlessly. It is 100% compatible with OpenHome based control software like BubbleUPnP and Linn Kazoo, as well as being a certified RoonReady endpoint for optimised performance within your Roon ecosystem.

AURALiC’s proprietary software, Lightning DS, is the ultimate control app designed exclusively for their streaming devices. Their user-friendly interface puts you in complete control. Browse and play your favorite tunes from various sources, including local files, streaming services, and internet radio, all with ease. Lightning DS's intuitive layout and efficient navigation make it a must-have for music lovers.

digital connection galore! (Photo Credit: AURALiC)

Master Conversion

The Vega S1 represents the pinnacle of AURALiC’s state-of-the-art DAC technology, showcasing excellence in both hardware and software realms. At its core lies AURALiC’s proprietary Fusion DAC, a groundbreaking innovation that seamlessly integrates the finest elements of discrete ladder and Delta-Sigma DAC designs.

In addition to this advanced DAC technology, the Vega S1 incorporates Analogue Volume Control and Analogue Preamplifier features derived from the award winning Vega G2.2, ensuring a listening experience characterised by unique detail and precision. Breaking new ground, AURALiC introduces two pioneering technologies in the VEGA S1: PureDAC mode and Tone Mode adjustment.

the Beautiful high quality OLED display

PureDAC mode empowers the Vega S1 to disable all streaming and network-related functions, dedicating all resources to digital signal processing and conversion tasks. In this mode, the Vega S1 utilises Direct Data Recording (DDR) technology to store music signals from any digital or USB input in the past hour to Tesla G3’s system memory, allowing users to replay music from any point at any time.

Tone Mode adjustment refines the output sound character of the DAC by incorporating harmonic elements into the music signal, based on a model rooted in auditory psychology. This innovative feature enhances the listening experience, elevating the Vega S1 to new heights of audio excellence and musical enjoyment.

POWERRRRR!!

For those seeking an even higher level of audio quality, AURALiC offer an optional upgrade: the S1 External Purer-Power Supply Unit. This unit bypasses the internal power supply of the Aries S1 and Vega S1, doubling the power capacity for enhanced performance. Featuring two dedicated transformers and Purer-Power low noise power supply circuits, the upgraded unit ensures total galvanic isolation between the Tesla G3 processing circuit and audio circuits. This separation eliminates interference and minimises noise, resulting in superior sonic performance.

The AURALiC VEGA S1 and S1 Purer Power Supply (Photo Credit: AURALiC)

Our Word Against Theirs

So all in all, we believe that the Vega S1 and the S1 Purer-PSU are something truly impressive. But don’t just take our word for it, take a look at some of these excerpts from industry expert reviewers.

“The Vega S1 gets to the parts that other streamers fail” The Ear.

“Auralic are to be congratulated on what they have achieved with the Vega S1, it has been a long time since I heard a Vega G1 but can say with some confidence that this new Vega is in a different league. Not only does it have virtually all the features found in the Vega G2.2 but when combined with the S1 Purer-Power it approaches its sound quality too.” HI-FI Plus.

Final thoughts…

In conclusion, we are very much thrilled to have such a fantastic piece of kit in our line-up of streamers and sources. The combination of a small size, elegant and modern look, alongside sounding simply brilliant makes the Vega S1 a true contender for our favourite item to be released this year. Add the S1 Purer-PSU and you have an amazing sounding front end that will never leave you wanting. We can’t wait to see what the masterminds at AURALiC will be bringing out next.

If you are interested in listening to this fabulous little streamer, or indeed are interested in entering the realms of streaming in general, then don’t hesitate to get in contact with us and arrange a demonstration.

Tiago - Audio-T Southampton

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

All Hail Rega! Over five decades of quality record players - (Part 1 of a 2 part turntable special)

/ Audio T Brighton/

Hi folks, and welcome to this month’s article from us here at Audio T Brighton. Over the next month or so, we are going to be focusing the attention of our blogs solely on the venerable record player.

Our first instalment will consist of an overview of the extensive range of turntables from Rega - our trusty, Southend-made, English brand with an enviable track record (pun intended) of enabling music lovers to get the most from their vinyl playback. Part 2 will follow next month, but needless to say, we will be looking at the turntable options at the more exclusive end of the market and what additional qualities they bring to the party.

(Spoiler Alert: We will be including the Rega Planar 10 and their latest offering, the Rega Naia. Both of which have been written about in earlier Audio T blogs. If you haven’t already read them, hold onto your hats and links shall be forthcoming.)

So, onto this month’s subject… The offering from Rega, including: the Planar 1, Planar 1 Plus, Planar 2, Planar 3 and Planar 6.

Here goes!

Who are Rega?

rega wall-display here at audio t in brighton

I thought it might be worth writing a few lines about Rega using broad brushstrokes only to give an outline of the company’s origins.

Rega Co-Founder and Owner, Roy Gandy (Credit: Rega Research)

I think engineering just happened to be something necessary in my life - Roy Gandy.

As an avid music lover from early on in life, Roy Gandy’s desire to listen to music through a decent hi-fi system proved a catalyst in his drive to engineer the necessary equipment to do so. An initial desire to build an amplifier gave way to his home manufacturing of loudspeakers, all whilst holding down a full-time job at the Ford motor company. Moving onto his turntable designs, these evolved over a few years as he grappled with plinth and platter materials, motor and bearing design, sourcing a tonearm he thought worthy of his designs. On 1st July 1973, Roy Gandy and fellow businessman, Tony Relph formed Rega Research Limited, the name being formed from the first letters of their respective surnames. And so, the long, successful and ongoing story of Rega’s association with the manufacture of fine music playback equipment began.

In the rest of this blog we are going to focus on the conventionally shaped plinth varieties of Rega turntables…

Rega Planar 1 and Rega Planar 1 Plus

Rega planar 1 in white flanked by rega aya speakers at Audio T Brighton

Rega’s entry-level turntables, the Rega Planar 1 and Rega Planar 1 Plus, really are our benchmarks for a good quality, fine-sounding starter turntable, with good reason. Available in Matt Black, Matt White & Walnut, differences between the two variants are that the Planar 1 Plus is equipped with a built-in phono stage, facilitating a line-level output into amplifiers without a dedicated in-built phono stage, not uncommon in the era where CDs were all the rage and manufacturers thought vinyl was a dead duck. The Planar 1 Plus phono stage is roughly equivalent to their Rega Fono A2D mini, which is a separate phono stage box with the added benefit of a USB output, should your amp have no phono stage or you desire to digitise your record collection.

For someone looking to get into vinyl playback, the Rega Planar 1 and Rega Planar 1 Plus are an ideal starting point, with ease of setup straight out of the box, a good quality Rega Carbon MM cartridge and a sound quality exceeding their price point and an infinite improvement from the likes of Crossley, who many won’t know, that are actually detrimental to the quality of your records.

Rega Planar 2 plus Carbon or ND3 MM cartridge...

The Rega Planar 2 is a good step up from it’s younger siblings. Equipped with an improved RB220 arm, a superior glass platter and a more substantial bearing assembly, the Rega Planar 2 allows upgrade potential to the user via improvements in the cartridge options that can be fitted to the arm.

The Rega Planar 2 has always come fitted with a Rega Carbon MM cartridge as standard, which is great if you’re on a budget. However, the good news for upgraders is the addition of a brand new range of Rega MM cartridges; the Rega ND3, ND5 and ND7. Now available as a factory-fitted option, the Rega Planar 2 with ND3 cartridge is a huge upgrade on its predecessor, what we might sonically describe as a no-brainer, especially as when bought this way you save a good chunk of change.

Rega Planar 2 in gloss black with a rega carbon cartridge at Audio T Brighton 

Rega Planar 3

The Planar 3 is an old stalwart of the Rega turntable range and can almost single-handedly be lauded for the Rega boom of the 1980s. I myself am the proud owner of an original 80s Rega Planar 3, with its groundbreaking (for the time) one-piece RB300 tonearm.

The Planar 3 or Rega P3, as it has been known, is where record playback gets more serious. The current Rega Planar 3 has had numerous engineering improvements over the five decades of the company’s existence and in its current form, in our humble opinion, is the best turntable on the market in its price category… But don’t just take our word for it. Check out the numerous industry awards it has won here.

The latest RB330 arm, improved bearings, thicker platter, additional bracing, plinth material construction and a much quieter motor, have all made cumulative gains in sound quality. The current deck also allows for a Rega Neo power supply upgrade, allowing an even more stable, quiet power supply, with the added benefit of push-button speed change between 33/45 rpm. Throw in the latest generation of Rega MM cartridges; the ND3, ND5 and ND7 all push the performance envelope of the Rega Planar 3 to previously unheard heights.

Rega planar 3 in gloss red at Audio T Brighton

Rega Planar 6

The Rega Planar 6 offers another performance leap over the already exceptional Planar 3. The plinth used now has an aeronautical foam construction, which is both very stiff and extremely light, meaning that unwanted acoustic energy struggles to be stored - remember Newton’s Laws from school? Well, probably not! But to summarise, Rega’s philosophy is that unwanted acoustic energy stored in the plinth can only transfer through to the arm and cartridge, to the detriment of musical playback sound quality, so it goes that reducing energy storage has numerous sonic benefits. In addition, the tolerances in the arm bearings on the Planar 6 are tighter and the platter is now a more rigid, composite glass which is peripherally weighted to aid with speed stability. Finally, the Planar 6 comes with the Rega Neo 2 power supply as standard, with the previously mentioned benefits it bestowed on the Rega Planar 3.

Rega planar 6 with regA ania cartridge at Audio T Brighton

To be honest, at this level of record playback quality, one needs to seriously consider the Rega Aria phono stage to gain the most out of the Planar 6. The Rega Aria is a high-quality MM/MC phono stage, allowing the user to incorporate Rega’s fine range of moving coil cartridges; the Ania, Ania Pro and Apheta 3. The benefits of moving-coil cartridges over moving-magnet cartridges need to be heard to be believed - the tonal colours and textures are simply mesmerising.

So what have we learned so far?

Rega have been making turntables for over 50 years, establishing a name for sound quality, reliability and serviceability in the process. They are certainly a go-to recommendation when customers walk into our Audio T store in Brighton looking for a turntable. Starting at an affordable price for the Planar 1 and moving up the range as your record collection and experience grows, the Rega Planar family of turntables really are a must-listen if you are serious about spinning the black disc.

As always, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, so get in touch to book a demonstration.

Thanks for reading.

Adey, John & Paul - Audio T Brighton

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

Low End Theory - Let’s talk REL Subwoofers

/ Audio T Cardiff/

“Are Subwoofers All About Bass? Are subwoofers all about surround sound? Can a subwoofer be added to a two-channel system?” These are questions that we get on a daily basis here at Audio T, so Matt from our Cardiff store has decided to take a deep dive into the world of subwoofers, exploring their effect in two-channel systems and how they can improve your Hi-Fi’s overall performance. So, let’s embark on this two-channel sonic journey with one of our favourite subwoofer brands, REL Acoustics, and see where we end up.

On my wild and wonderful journey through the world of Hi-Fi, I have set up many REL subwoofers in customers’ surround sound AV systems for home cinema, but surprisingly not so many in two-channel systems. Granted, in-store I have demonstrated subwoofers in two channel systems quite a few times, and I have always been very impressed with how the system sounds when adding a subwoofer or two into the mix. This raises the question for me: How can a subwoofer improve the sound of my own Hi-Fi?

After a chat with Rob Hunt, UK Director of Sales for REL, I decided to take home their T7x subwoofer for the weekend to try it in my own system.

The REL t7x in white

Before I dive in and talk your ears off about my findings, let’s talk a little history…

Where Did It All Start for the Kings of the Subwoofer?

REL Acoustics was founded in our local county, Bridgend, right here in South Wales by Richard Edmund Lord. As you can gather, his name is where "REL" came from. Richard first entered the Hi-Fi scene after feeling rather dissatisfied with the subwoofers available at the time, as they were not performing in the ways he wanted them to.

This led him to design his first subwoofer, which he built into a bay window area in his own home. Fast forward to 1990, and REL Acoustics was born when Richard first came up with the high-level input to match the signal from the final output stage of an amplifier or receiver. This produces a seamless quality that precisely matches the sound being fed to your loudspeakers. There have been many more innovations from REL over the years in their subwoofers, such as Class A/B amplification circuits. Their cabinets are also acoustically braced, not unlike an acoustic guitar, which goes to show it’s not just about the amplification or the speakers; the cabinet and how it’s tuned play a really big role in how the subwoofer sounds.

Is It All About Bass?

In some ways, yes, a subwoofer is there to create big low-end frequency. But I feel there’s more to it than just low end with REL subwoofers, especially the T7x I have at home right now (which I will tell you more about shortly).

But First, Let’s Talk About Speakers

As we know, most speaker can only reproduce a certain amount of bass frequencies due to the size of the cone as well as the magnet behind the driver. A loudspeaker will sound its best in the manufacturer's anechoic chamber or recording studio locked away in the R&D dungeons, or the mind blowing Jupiter speaker analysis system at Dynaudio HQ in Denmark. The main problem with any speaker design arises in our own listening environments.

Dynaudio jupiter - speaker analysis system in denmark

Dynaudio Evoke 10

For instance, the low frequency of my Dynaudio Evoke 10 is at 47Hz. In the perfect room, they sound amazing, and they do sound great in my own system, but there is just something missing from the overall sound stage. This is due to my own living room, as I, like many of you, don’t have a perfect listening space.

So here comes the really big question: How do I fix this? Do I get bigger speakers? Hmm, I do like my speakers, and I don’t feel that changing them for anything of a comparable size will help. This is where a subwoofer comes to the rescue.

What Does a Subwoofer Do?

The main job of a subwoofer is to reach frequencies that your speakers can’t, all whilst matching the movement and timing and crossover point of the bass driver in our loudspeakers, thus giving you that missing sub-bass frequency without compromising the other frequencies.

As we know, not all speakers have the same frequency response as one another, but luckily the subwoofer can be perfectly tuned to match the system. For instance, in a two-channel setup like I have here, this can be adjusted using the high-level control and the crossover control found at the back of the subwoofer. (If you are running a surround sound combination, you will run both the high-level and the LFE (low-frequency effects) connection.)

“How Is the Subwoofer Connected in a Two-Channel Setup?”, I Hear You Say!

REL kindly provides a high-level cable with every subwoofer they manufacture, which has a Speakon connector on one end with red, black, and yellow wires on the other.

Rel Hi-Line Cable

The main Speakon connector goes into the back of the subwoofer. You may be wondering, what do I do with the three wires? There are a few ways you can run these into your system; the two main ones are: first, going straight into your amplifier via the speaker terminals on the back of your amplifier. The best way to look at this is: red to the right red terminal (i.e., the positive terminal), yellow to the left red terminal, and black to either of the black terminals (i.e., negative terminals). This is generally the preferred method for sound quality. The other way is to connect the wire directly to your speaker terminals, twisting the red and yellow wires together; they go to the red positive terminal, and black goes to the negative terminal. This can be useful for cable management if you’d like to tidy your system up.

REL also offer a range of upgraded Bassline Blue Cables that have either banana or spade connections on the other end of the Speakon to offer maximum audio quality.

I went with the wired-direct-to-the-amplifier option

Now that we’re all wired up, with a little fine-tuning and correct placement, my amplifier is all warmed up and ready for some serious listening.

Now for the Fun Part - How Does It Sound?

Here I am, sitting in my music room on a Sunday evening with a few choice albums ready to rock. The artists, albums, and tracks are as follows:

Artist: Alice in Chains
Album: MTV Unplugged
Release Year: 1996
Track: Brother
Format: CD

Artist: The Cult
Album: Sonic Temple
Release Year: 1989
Track: Sweet Soul Sister
Format: Vinyl

Artist: Peter Gabriel
Album: i/o Dark-Side Mix
Release Year: 2023
Track: Panopticon
Format: Vinyl

My ever-growing system

It’s important to note that when looking to add to or change our Hi-Fi systems that we are the best judges of what we want. So we should trust our ears. We are the ones who are familiar with the sound of our Hi-Fi, our houses and what’s in our music collections.

Even though I know that there are always improvements to be made, I can honestly say my system already sounded great before adding anything. Now, with the subwoofer on, I can assure you the REL T7x really adds more dynamic range to the music.

Yes, there is more low-end, but the bass has better definition and is more assertive, which also helps the mid and treble range coming out of my speakers, underpinning everything and really bringing out a much bigger soundstage. Above all, it adds musicality and makes listening more fun. I’d even go as far as to say it’s transformative. it’s like having the band in your living room.

So, what did the REL do to the sound of the albums I was spinning? (It was a long listening session, so I promise I won’t go on too much and bore you rigid)…

Starting with the Alice in Chains track: with the subwoofer on, the whole performance felt more alive, Layne Staley & Jerry Cantrell’s vocals were more present, and the acoustic guitars sounded fuller-bodied. For the next track, Of Course, the volume and drive of the performance went up.

The Cult’s Sweet Soul Sister - let’s just say Billy Duffy’s guitar tone with the subwoofer on was more nuanced. You can really hear the natural tone of his Les Paul and Marshall combination. I let the whole album play through (Oh, my poor neighbours!).

Last but not least, Peter Gabriel’s track Panopticon. This track sounded amazing already, but with the subwoofer on, it really changes the track, giving more assertiveness in the bass and bringing Peter’s vocals out more in the recording. The guitars are also more present.

Which Is the Right Subwoofer for Me? There Are So Many!

The great thing is REL has an amazing tool on their website to help calculate which subwoofer is right for you by determining what speakers you have in your system and matching the correct subwoofer to you (Click Here to have a go yourself). In my case, the REL T7x is what was suggested and it is the right fit for me. I can happily say that there will be a REL T7x residing in my system very soon—watch this space.

If you’re interested in putting a subwoofer in your system or just want to hear for yourself what it adds to the mix, we can demonstrate different subwoofer options both at home and in-store. Let us show how much of a big change a subwoofer can make and pop in and see us and have a listen.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.

Matt - Audio T Cardiff

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

Introducing the New Rega ND5 Phono Cartridge

/ Audio T Cheltenham/

Well this is about time! You wait 20 years for a new moving magnet cartridge from Rega and then three turn up all at once! Blogwise this month is all about the middle one of the three, the ND5. So strap yourself in and here we go…..

Rega ND5 Cartridge

The Power Of Neodymium

The technology behind the ND5 is pretty radical. Based upon the glass filled polyphenylene sulphide body (PPS) which is a lightweight and highly rigid material that Rega developed for their expensive Moving Coil series of cartridges, the ND5 is actually their first moving magnet design ever to use a Neodymium magnet (that accounts for the ND bit in the name). Neodymium is the world’s most powerful commercially available magnet and is a crucial component that makes this unique design possible by delivering more power than standard bar magnet designs can.

ND5 Close up

Magnetic Attraction

I was recently lucky enough to be in a position where I could compare the ND5 to the outgoing Exact which up until now has been the top of the range moving magnet from Rega. Both cartridges were mounted on to Rega P3 turntables so the playing field was as level as it’s going to get.

Eco friendly packaging too

Precision Perfect

I can report back that the difference is not subtle! The new ND5 soundly trouncing the outgoing Exact in every department and the Exact is a pretty capable performer in its own right. What struck me immediately was just how much more open and sweeter sounding the ND5 was and how much more grip and grunt was present. The soundstage window was bigger in all dimensions too. This is partly down to the fact that the ND5 has an aluminium cantilever which is fitted with a precision perfect elliptical nude diamond stylus. This profile provides exceptional tracking accuracy and extracts greater levels of detail from the vinyl groove.

Three Quarter Skies 

The ND5’s secret weapon is an optimised pole gap which gives superior linearity and cross talk characteristics. This manifests itself in a far wider soundstage than the previous models. It also has miniaturised parallel coils which are wound in house using 38-micron wire with just 1275 turns. This produces a low inductance, low impedance generator giving vastly improved high frequency response.

I also noted that surface noise was also reduced compared to the Exact. I suspect because the ND5 stylus profile is getting more information out of the grooves compared with the clicks and pops. I played a variety of my favourite demo tracks from the likes of Yello (natch), Nils Petter Molvaer (ECM), Alan Parsons Project (I Robot) and Porcupine Tree (prog brilliance), but the biggest difference came when I played the brand new album by Three Quarter Skies (Fade In).

Bubbling and Fuzzy

Three Quarter Skies is the side project of Slowdive drummer, Simon Scott. You may wince at the thought of a solo album by a drummer, but here Scott ably assisted by illusive Flying Saucer Attack main man Dave Pearce, refracts his shoegazy psychyness expertly through a lattice of glitchy drums and buzzing synths. The expected elements - voice and guitar, primarily - are melted into cosmic slop that I can't help but assume Pearce, who assisted Scott with the mixing, had a rather large hand in. There are songs in here somewhere but they are reduced to a bubbling ambience of dreamy fuzzyness.

simon scott

Particular highlights are the last two tracks on side two. “Pictures Of Roslin” where walls of distortion and feedback are wrapped around a distant drum beat and a ghostly disembodied vocal and then the majestic “In The Night” which is the most overtly Flying Saucer Attack-like and quite possibly the most mind expanding slice of dreamy psychedelia you will hear this side of prime time Popol Vuh. I think that this kind of music only truly gives up its magic when being played at 33/3 rpm on vinyl on a good record deck with a good cartridge….enter the Rega ND5.

that precision perfect elliptical nude diamond stylus in action

The Main Difference

In conclusion I think that the main difference that the ND5 made over the Exact was that sense of three dimensionality became so much bigger. There wasn’t necessarily more bass or more top-end, there was just more music hanging in the air in front of me… a truly mesmerising experience. The performance of the P3 turntable has been substantially improved and it was pretty nifty before!

Get A Demo

If you fancy hearing the difference that an ND5 can make to your turntable or if you are interested in trying it attached to the Planar 3, Planar 6 or your own turntable, please give us a call or pop along to the shop for a demo.

Many thanks for reading Andy, Jon and Farid -

Audio T Cheltenham Store.

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

Dynavector - The sound of Japanese precision.

/ Audio T Cardiff/

On my own personal journey through Hi-Fi and various changes to my system, one of the biggest advancements I’ve made was making the jump from a moving magnet (MM) cartridge to moving coil (MC) cartridge. A good moving coil cartridge can be quite expensive and as we say, the source is the most important part of the Hi-Fi system…

Going back just over a year ago, not long after I started working for Audio T, I had the opportunity to listen to a Rega planar 8 turntable with a Dynavector 10X5 Mk II high output MC cartridge. The system we had with this turntable at the time was the Trichord Dino+ phono stage going into the very new at the time Leema Acoustics Elements amplifier driving a pair of Spendor D7.2 floor standing speakers. I remember clearly the record and track I listened to. It was Iron Maiden - Lost in a Lost World from their album Senjutsu, it gave me goosebumps! The system on the whole is phenomenal but the source of the system, the turntable and cartridge is what pulled me in and made me sit down and listen. That listening experience has stayed with me; the clarity, accuracy and detail from the Rega and Dynavector combination certainly made the right impression. I have listened to many other brands of cartridge since then and I’ve found that Dynavector especially the 10X5 is the right cartridge for me. As a result, I now own a Dynavector 10X5 MK II, proudly fitted to my Rega planar 6 turntable. In fact, both my colleagues (Nick and Kerrin), have 10X5’s on their turntables. You could say that Dynavector has become a strong favourite among cartridge brands here in the Cardiff store. So, I thought it was high time I wrote about Dynavector and explored their other models and the brands history…

Dynavector’s Rich History

The company was started by Dr Noboru Tomonari in 1974, after retiring from a career as a professor in mechanical engineering at the Tokyo Metropolitan University. Noboru always had a passion for music and creating the best sound possible, so he decided to bring his mechanical expertise to the world of Hi-Fi and thus Dynavector was born.

Starting with his first commercially available cartridge, the XE1S, which was a design way ahead of its time. It comprised 8 alnico magnet in a V formation housed in an aluminium body. This was a replacement for his original prototype D13 cartridge, which we now know as the D17DX karat. Something that I believe sounds truly amazing.

Dr Tominari’s cartridges are not just about the diamond or the cantilever, it’s also about how the cartridge is wound and the types of magnets used.

the current dv507mkii

Dr Tominari also designed a groundbreaking tonearm, the DV 507, which first appeared in 1984. The DV 507 is a bi-axis inertia-controlled tonearm so no matter what type of cartridge you fit it can trace the music signal grooves cut in the recording with extreme accuracy. The DV 507 also provides superb trackability even on warped recordings. The resolution and musical detailing are quite remarkable. He didn't stop there. He even worked with William Firebaugh of Well-Tempered Labs to come up with the DV500 turntable which featured the DV 507 arm, but sadly this turntable has been lost in time as it is no longer in production.

Dynavector also manufactures amplifiers such as the HX100 power amplifier and fantastic phono stages such as the P75 which compliments the Dynavector cartridge range.

Dr Tominari sadly passed away in 2003 but his dedicated team at Dynavector Systems, led by his son, Taro, continue his work ensuring that the irreplaceable legacy and knowledge of its founder is carried on for years to come.

Dynavector Cartridges

Now let’s get back to the cartridges and take a look at the three main models we carry in stock and why we like them so much…

The 10X5 MKII

DV-10x5MKII

Starting with the 10X5 MK ll high output cartridge, this particular cartridge is Dynavectors starting point within their range. Since the release of the original MKI back in 1978 the 10X5 set the benchmark in the Hi-Fi industry. Now, with the MKII getting the stylus upgrade from an elliptical to a diamond shibata lll giving us greater detail and a more open sound. Being a high output moving coil cartridge you can pair this with a moving magnet phono stage. I personally use the Nytech CDP 122 phono stage set to moving magnet. Soundwise, this one I personally class as a great rock ’n’ roll cartridge. Going from my music taste the 10X5 MKll is lively with detail and control, even tracks that are a little heavy on the bass have more definition and control. This one is a shop favourite, as mentioned previously myself, Kerrin and Nick own a 10X5, I feel that speaks volumes. Just recently Dynavector have released a low output version of the 10X5 MKll.

The 20X2L

Now onto another great cartridge we carry in stock the Dynavector 20X2L low output cartridge. To say this cartridge is more refined than the 10X5 MKll is definitely true. Before I talk your ears off about how good this cartridge is let’s talk a little about the spec. DV20X2 has a solid aluminium body and rigid magnet construction giving this cartridge a really clean look as well as its strength. The cantilever is a 6mm length of hard aluminium pipe. The stylus tip itself is a micro ridge diamond enabling the cartridge to track with less surface noise and following the groove on the record with perfect precision, giving a more open and transparent sound changing the listening experience. I can definitely hear why this cartridge is a good upgrade from the 10X5 MKll, I can hear a dramatic change in how the 20X performs, presenting cleaner lead guitar tones and more pronounced detail in other instruments like a Fender Rhodes piano. These elements becomes more engaging and less muddy in tone. In short the Dynavector 20X2L is a great fun sounding cartridge with a-lot of detail and character. The Dynavector 20X2L is also available as a high output cartridge.

The Te Kaitora RUA.

On looks alone this cartridge looks stunning on the end of many tonearms. Some would agree the Te Kaitora is a work of art not just in looks but sound performance too. The Te Kaitora was the result of collaboration between Dynavector japan and Dynavector New Zealand with both house’s bringing their most innovative ideas to the table. The Kaitora has a highly polished titanium headpiece made for maximum rigidity and not just for good looks. This cartridge has been wound with special grade copper wire utilising the use of alnico magnets giving the Kaitora a smoother presentation. With its boron cantilever and pathfinder contact stylus this cartridge certainly is the perfect build for the perfect sound.

DV Te kaitora mounted on the Linn krane

To the Maoris of New Zealand, “Te Kaitora” means “The Discoverer”. Dynavector want us to embark on a voyage of discovery to the outer limits of listening to vinyl. Discover we certainly have done! The Kaitora sounds big and open with greater detail than any other cartridge I have heard at this level. Bass is more controlled and more pleasing to the ear even some of my heavier taste in music sounds more exciting, yet still incredibly controlled. On the treble side of things this cartridge presents a smoother and more tuneful presentation. We have compared the Kaitora with more expensive cartridges and in our humble opinion the Kaitora certainly holds its own. Yes, the Kaitora is a big jump from the before mentioned 20X, this cartridge is a work of art from the ground up and that promise of being taken on a voyage of sound is 100% true.

dv d17dx

As we know Dynavector make many other cartridges in their range such a the before mentioned D17 Karat and the equally stunning XV-1T. For now, I am just scratching the surface and can’t wait to listen to more of the Dynavector range as I am certainly now a big fan of their sound and how my 10X has transformed the sound of my turntable. The only bad thing is I’d love to one day own a Te Kaitora, maybe some time in the future.

Why not pop in and see us to have a listen and tell us what you think. If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

Thank you for reading

Matt, Nick and Kerrin - Audio T Cardiff

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

Valve-Driven Streaming: The Advance Paris WTX-StreamTubes Review

/ Audio T Swindon/

Over the last couple of weeks we have been stunned by some of the sound qualities coming out of the Advance Paris catalogue. Today, we are reviewing a network streamer in quite a competitive market within the £500 price bracket. With the likes of Bluesound, WiiM or Sonos, amongst others, all fighting for a similar spot…

Whilst many of the functionalities overlap, each streamer has their own unique characteristics and we feel the WTX StreamTubes has a couple of fun tricks up its sleeves. What really sets it apart immediately is its unique implementation of valve technology. In a sea of digital components, this little detail adds a touch of analogue warmth and musicality that’s often missing from other streamers, which often rely purely on solid-state components.

WTX-StreamTubes key features:

The streamer supports a variety of high-resolution formats, including FLAC, WAV, and AAC, amongst others, ensuring that it can handle most demanding digital audio files with ease. It allows for Wifi and Ethernet connections, as well as Bluetooth aptX HD, with the latter requiring the purchase of the optional X-FT Bluetooth receiver.

The WTX-StreamTubes is also equipped with a USB port, allowing for direct playback from external drives, and it integrates smoothly with popular streaming services like Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, Apple Music, Apple Airplay and TuneIn, amongst many others. Its UPnP compatibility means it can easily slot into an existing home network, allowing you to stream from a NAS or other DLNA-compliant devices without a problem.

Finally, the design feels very solid. Despite it's very small size, it feels well built. The valves are illuminated upon powering up on the front panel, with only a power button plus a source switch between Bluetooth and WiFi streaming. The inclusion of both analogue and digital outputs ensures that it can be paired with a wide range of audio systems, giving you the flexibility to bypass the DAC.

Upon warming up the valves…

When it comes to sound quality, the valves are what make the difference compared to the competition. The implementation of 5703 subminiature valves in the output stage delivers a sound that is both smooth and engaging, with a natural warmth that complements a wide range of musical genres. Whether you're streaming classical, jazz, or modern electronic tracks, this WTX translates the sound with a sense of depth and richness that solid-state streamers sometimes can’t replicate.

The tonality is well-balanced, with a slightly pronounced midrange that brings vocals and instruments to life without overshadowing the other frequencies. The bass is tight and controlled, offering enough punch to satisfy most listeners, while the treble is detailed but not harsh, maintaining a smoothness that is easy on the ears even during extended listening sessions. It’s worth mentioning that the unit needs good running in, as it did not sound this neat right out of the box, so a little patience is needed for the components to really click, with the bass tightening up after several listening sessions.

This streamer also has a nice way of handling dynamics. Quiet passages are rendered with delicacy, while louder sections are delivered with a good sense of authority. The soundstage is impressively wide for a streamer in this price range, creating an immersive listening experience that allows you to pinpoint the placement of instruments and voices within the mix. Overall it is a sound that prioritises the emotion and engaging aspects of music over analytical precision.

User Interface

With the sound quality being on par, if not better in some aspects, compared with the top rated streamers in this range, it is equally important to discuss the user interface and the functionality and intuitiveness of the app.

The Advance PlayStream app, available for both iOS and Android, utilises the same interface as WiiM Home, so those familiar with the layout will have no trouble navigating around it. In fact, the StreamTubes can be controlled with the WiiM App without any noticeable drawbacks.

As you can see above, the Advanced PlayStream interface is clean and easy to navigate, whereas some third party control apps don’t have this intuitive and appealing layout.

Advance Paris Vs…

In comparison to its rivals, the Advance Paris WTX-StreamTubes carves out a unique niche. The Bluesound Node, for instance, is widely praised for its excellent DAC and robust ecosystem, but it lacks the distinctive warmth provided by the WTX-StreamTubes’ valve output stage. The Bluesound Node might offer a more clinical, accurate sound, which some might prefer, but for those who enjoy a touch of analogue warmth, the WTX-StreamTubes holds a clear advantage.

When compared to the WiiM Ultra or Pro+, the WTX-StreamTubes offers a more refined listening experience. While the WiiM models are excellent for those who want a straightforward, no-frills streamer with decent support and wide format compatibility, they don’t quite match the musicality and tonal richness of the WTX-StreamTubes. The WiiM Pro+ does offer a great value proposition with its extensive feature set, whereas the WTX-StreamTubes feels like a musical instrument in its own right.

In conclusion, the Advance Paris WTX-StreamTubes is a standout option in the crowded £500 streamer market, especially for those who value sound quality and a touch of audiophile nostalgia. Its use of valve technology offers a unique, warm, and rich sound that is rare to find in streamers at this price point. It delivers an engaging and musical performance that is sure to please those who prioritise audio quality above all else.

More information on the WTX-StreamTubes found here.

As always, we recommend you hear the difference for yourself. Contact your nearest Audio T to book a demonstration.

Thanks for reading.

Dan & Andy - Audio T Swindon

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Turntable Health Check Clinics At Audio T Reading – Our Expert Findings & Observations

/ Audio T Reading/

At the start of this summer, among many great promotions that we were running, we were excited to offer the opportunity for a free turntable health-check either by visiting one of our stores or by way of a courtesy home visit. Here at Audio T Reading, the response to this offer has been spectacular, with a huge number of turntables flowing through our Swallowfield showroom doors and regularly on rotation (cringy pun intended) in our service room.

But why were we offering this free check? Had we gone completely mad?

Well, to elaborate further, the acquisition of turntables for music listening remains on an upward trajectory, which is no surprise given how delightful vinyl records can sound and how pleasingly tactile the vinyl handling experience is. In a world where (almost) every interaction comes courtesy of a flat and featureless touchscreen, the act of sliding a record out of its arty sleeve and placing it down for a musical spin feels ceremoniously rewarding. However, whether a turntable is fresh out of its box, or has been living a charmed life in a muggy loft, it will benefit from some form of fettling and fine tuning, especially in the dextrous hands of our enthusiastic experts.

To give you a feel for our work and for your reading pleasure, we would like to take a moment to share some of our findings and observations from our summer turntable camp…

WHAT WAS MOST APPARENT FROM OUR TURNTABLE CLINICS?

Over the past few months of phonographic fettling, something that has really stood out is that the performance and function of nearly all of our customer’s turntables could either be subtly enhanced or greatly improved, either by way of simple tweaks such as adjusting the tracking weight on a tonearm, or by a realignment of the cartridge. In some cases, a repair or replacement of inexpensive parts or consumables, followed by the necessary adjustments and alignments, was all that was needed to restore a turntable’s operation back to optimal health.

You might be reading this right now and wondering, is there any point in bothering with a turntable inspection, especially if everything seems to play just fine and has done so for many moons? Well, over a period of time, whether it be years or even just months, operating your turntable with the set-up not quite right, or unknowingly with a worn stylus, will eventually cause damage to your precious records. And then there is sound-quality; if, like us, you place high-importance on this, then we have at our disposal a combination of objective measures, expertise, and our well-trained ears to help to get your turntable to ring out every last drop from the grooves of your records.

ISSUES THAT WE CAME ACROSS…

The number one issue that we noticed from our turntable health-checks was worn out styli. This was followed by out-of-spec platter turning speeds. Slightly bent or fully deformed cantilevers (the metal tubing holding the stylus in place) were in third place. And next on the list of issues found were misshapen or degraded drive belts. From a sonic point of view, some turntables were heard to be exhibiting an above average amount of buzz or hum, and during playback the presence of distortion or a lack of dynamic expression were indicators that prevailing issues were marring the performance capabilities of the affected decks.

Here is something that might astonish you; at the time of writing this article – with the exception of just one deck – every turntable brought into the Audio T Reading store this summer had either an incorrect or sub-optimal tracking weight setting, or incorrect anti-skate setting, or incorrect tonearm height positioning or other misplacement.

These findings came as no surprise to us as we have come to know that – over time, use, and movement – it’s natural for a turntable to fall out of alignment or deviate away from its optimal settings. This is why here at Audio T, we are open to you bringing your turntable to us no matter what time of year for a free health check – we are always happy to advise or provide reassurance by taking a look for you.

SOME FUN FINDINGS AND OBSERVATIONS!

Okay, for a bit of fun, here are some findings, observations and interesting turntable works that have come about from our phono clinics so far…

Want to know which turntable we’ve seen the most of? That’s the stalwart Rega Planar 3. We’ve seen these ubiquitously, most likely because of how venerable and resilient the Planar 3 is. If you’re interested in a Planar 3, it’s worth considering a step up to the Rega Planar 6 instead – it comes as standard with the excellent Rega Neo power supply and the superior vibration mitigating properties of the Planar 6 enable it to accommodate a broader range of more talented cartridges, such as Rega’s own Ania Pro or Dynavector’s 10x5 MkII, which we’ll come to…

One of the things we love most about the Rega range of turntables is how well they lend to being restored to as-new working order, regardless of their age. Key parts are consistently available and, allied to the ever-improving efficiency of servicing them, it makes the Rega decks one of the most sustainable on the planet!

Most installed cartridge? That’s the excellent Audio Technica VM95ML - it’s microlinear stylus tracks deep and true into those record grooves and it’s also highly resistant to wear. For added good news – if you happen to accidently prang the stylus, it’s replaceable.

Most impressive high-end cartridge installed? A joint winner here and, in no particular order, it would have to be the Hana ML and the Audio Note IQ III. The impressive features of the Hana ML are how beautifully crisp and extended the high frequencies are, to go with its wide-open midrange and taut bass. As far as moving-coil (MC) cartridges go, it’s a slayer of a cartridge. With regards to the Audio Note IQ III, it’s a moving-magnet (MM) design that has been given the full Audio Note treatment – trueness of tone, fullness of body, and musicality are its virtues. When we first heard the IQ III, we couldn’t believe a MM cartridge could sound that good!

Best pound-for-pound cartridge installed? Enter once more the Dynavector 10x5 MkII. The performance to price quotient of this cartridge is extraordinary. It predominantly comes as a high-output MC design, which is designed to work with MM compliant phono stages. Sound confusing? We understand – please call us and we’ll explain how it works.

Weirdest item found attached to or within a turntable? A long part-grey and part-brown hair, twisted around a sub-platter, that we suspect of human origin (we are still waiting for the lab results). Oh and melted chocolate smeared along the side of a dust cover. At least, we think its chocolate… Oh gosh!

GOING FULL CIRCLE – CLOSING THOUGHTS…

It’s been fun to receive and revitalise a number of different decks, from the simple-but-splendid Rega Planar 1, to a majestic 25th anniversary edition Linn Sondek LP12. For each of the previously mentioned issues that we came across, we were able to liaise with our customers and implement a fix. For example, fitting a new belt to an old Systemdek IIX helped to restore the platter rotation speed – as we found it was turning too slow, which was altering the pitch of the record being played and making the music sound lifeless.

Through undertaking a number of restoration projects, we have found some great turntable, tonearm and cartridge combinations, which we would be happy to share with you. And in case you weren’t aware, when buying a cartridge from us we offer free installation and alignment.

We would like to say thank you to all of our customers who put their trust in our free turntable health-check service and are feeding back that their precious decks are sounding better than ever. If you would like us to have a look at your turntable, either for some tune-up work or to resolve a possible issue, please do get in touch with us. We’ll be happy to see you and show you around our new Swallowfield store.

Thank you for reading,

Rishi, Gareth and Dan – Audio T Reading

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

The products featured here can be found or enquired about at the following Audio T stores:

A BIT ABOUT OUR NEW STORE

Our new Swallowfield store is accessible via the 600 bus route from Reading town centre and is very easy to reach by road with the A33, M3 and M4 all nearby. On arrival you’ll find ample free parking right on our doorstep, and our showroom and demo rooms are all on ground level.

The picturesque surroundings here provide many places to enjoy a countryside walk, a riverside stroll, or a picnic. There are local sites of interest to explore such as the Blackwater River, Wellington Country Park, Siren Craft Brewery and a host of cute village pubs with gardens. So when you come to see us, why not make a fun day of it?