Hey Big Spendor! A closer look and listen to the floor standing A2, A4 and A7 models.

Hi folks, and welcome to this month’s article from us here at Audio T Brighton. We’re in for a bit of domestic speaker bliss this month because we’re taking a look and listening to a classic British speaker brand, namely Spendor loudspeakers. Spendor have many designs in their portfolio and we couldn’t possibly cover them all in this blog, so we will concentrate on models from the A-range of floor-standing loudspeakers; the A2, A4 & A7.

Our colleagues at Audio T in Reading have written a similar blog this month on one of their smaller siblings, the Spendor Classic 4/5 stand-mount speaker and you can read about that here.

Spendor - a potted history...

Spendor have always had a reputation for making fine speakers and we were recently given the opportunity to have a listen to a few pairs at our store in Brighton. We liked them so much we’ve taken some of their range on permanently and thought a fresh take on their qualities would be nice to write about in this month’s blog.

Spendor is a fusion of the creators, Spencer and Dorothy Hughes, who morphed the ‘Spen’ and ‘Dor’ to establish the brand name.

Spencer’s knowledge gained as an engineer at the BBC helped to create his first loudspeaker, the BC1, a design that has since gone on to become a bit of a classic.

spendor bc1 loudspeaker

To Spend Or Not To Spend?

50 years on from the Spendor BC1, the company has continued to evolve and currently has an extensive range of speakers, starting with the A-line, which is the focus of today’s article. The full range of Spendor speakers can be seen on our Audio T website or by visiting Spendor’s own website.

The Spendor company is a rarity in hi-fi manufacturing, in that they manufacture all of the cabinets in-house as well as the crossovers and drive units themselves. This allows complete control over the manufacturing process, with results we all can see and hear.

The quality of finish is near-unrivalled in the industry and several other manufacturers have, until recently, utilised the cabinet craftsmanship of the skilled carpenters at Spendor. The manufacturing process is a joy to behold - just watch the video below for evidence…

Spendor A2 - the baby of the line-up...

spendor a2 in oak

The Spendor A2 really is a quart-in-a-pint pot speaker. Measuring just 786mm(H) by 150mm(W) by 258mm(D), the A2 will slot in many places you wouldn’t expect a floor-standing speaker to go and as I expect you will find out, placement is easier than many a small stand mount speaker and without the bass overhang generated by positioning close to boundary walls. Now that isn’t to say careful positioning shouldn’t be undertaken, because any speaker will sound at its best when positioned well and matched with quality electronics. However, Spendor make bold claims about the room friendliness of their designs and for the most part, we’d have to agree.

At 85dB and 6.6 ohm minimum impedance, the Spendor A2 aren’t a challenging load for any decent amplifier but you will need some power to drive them to reasonable levels because of their low sensitivity. Spendor suggest 25 - 125 W/ch but we would err towards the upper limit of their recommendations to allow sufficient amplifier headroom.

Spendor A2 manufacturer specs can be seen here.

Spendor A4 - the middle man...

black spendor a4’s on dem at audio T in brighton

Unlike A4 v A2 printer paper, the Spendor A4 is the larger of the Spendor A2 and Spendor A4 loudspeakers. Measuring 861mm (H) by 165mm (W) by 284mm (D), the Spendor A4 are a substantially larger speaker and although the rated frequency response in the bass region (34Hz) v A2 (36Hz) is not significantly different on paper (whoops another paper reference!), the Spendor A4 sounds fuller and more dynamically free, certainly more than the additional 2Hz bass extension would suggest. It is also more sensitive at 86dB/W and will go louder much more comfortably than its baby brother.

More detailed Spendor A4 specs can be found here.

Now for the big Spendor - the Spendor A7...

oak spendor a7’s in our brighton audio T demonstration room

So now we get to the head-honcho of Spendor’s A-Line range of speakers.

The Spendor A7 measures 934mm(H) by 180mm (W) by 305mm (D). With a sensitivity of 88dB/W, it is an easy speaker to drive with a minimum impedance of 6 ohms. Power handling is increased to 200 Watts and the Spendor A7 rewards an amplifier with power and grip, not because it needs it, but the Spendor A7 is clearly the most capable of the three speakers tested in our blog. When we listened with our resident Naim ND 5XS2 streamer and Rega Aethos amplifier the sound blossomed beautifully. They also responded to further improvements in the front-end and amplification, as our resident Naim NSC 222 streaming preamp and Naim NAP 250 power amplifier ably demonstrated. The 4G Linear Flow Reflex bass port in the Spendor A7, unlike the normal circular port in the Spendor A2 and Spendor A4, seems to add additional control whilst delving a bit deeper into the bass. On top of that (pun intended) the mid-range and top-end of the frequency range seemed a bit more detailed and refined. We often hear that when the bass end of a speaker is improved, it creates a more natural and spacious effect in the upper frequencies, not unlike what may be achieved when a subwoofer is added.

For more technical specs on the Spendor A7 click here.

To sum up...

If the Spendor A-Line of speakers were exams, then each of our students would confidently achieve top marks in their respective speaker categories.

Beautifully made, easy to drive and exquisite sounding, you should form an orderly queue outside your local Audio T for a listen, they are that good.

As always, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, so 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…

Time capsule turntable is a real treat

When Philip Atkinson walked into the Portsmouth shop carrying a yellowed Rega box we assumed it contained another much-used Planar deck in need of some TLC…

We get quite a few customers in the Audio T Portsmouth store looking to buy a turntable because they sold their old deck many years ago, and in some cases all their vinyl too, in the belief that CDs were the only future for hi-fi.

Others come in with old decks they haven’t listened to in a few years and want us to give them a service to get them sounding as good as they did when new.

And then there are the dedicated vinyl enthusiasts who bring their treasured and well-used turntables in for regular servicing.

But, as far as we can remember, no-one has ever come in with a 33-year-old turntable that not only have they never played but they have not even unboxed since they bought it!

Until now.

When Philip told us he’d never unpacked the deck since buying it in 1991 we did a collective double take.

the yellowed Timecapsule rega box

Looking at the yellowed Rega box, he explained: “I bought it from Chichester High Fidelity and I didn’t open it because we were moving house.

When we moved I put it in a spare room and I just never got round to opening it and setting it up. I just moved onto CDs.

Fortunately I kept all my old records. Some date back to the 1960s. So, I thought it was probably about time I finally got the turntable up and running. But I did think that Audio T better check everything was in working order first.”

Remember when hifi cost this much?

Philip kindly shared the original receipt from Chichester High Fidelity with us. Those of you who recently bought new hi-fi may want to look away now. The total cost was £271, including a Linn K5 cartridge, 10 metres of QED cable (terminated with banana plugs) and only 15% VAT!

The bargain of the century in today’s prices! But remember that the average full-time salary in the UK in 1991 was around £12,000 a-year. And, just for reference, it’s worth bearing in mind that in 1991 John Major was Prime Minister, Freddie Mercury died and Nirvana released their landmark album Nevermind. In other words, it’s quite a long time ago!

The first-time unboxing of a time capsule Planar 3 a third of a century after its purchase is not something we get to do every day. So we proceeded carefully, joking that like an ancient Egyptian mummy the whole thing might crumble to dust on contact with the air.

Everything was neatly packed and wrapped as it would have been the day it left the former Chichester High Fidelity shop. There was even the old Rega hints and tips sheet in the box that they used to send with every turntable. Rega tell us that they stopped issuing hints and tips sheets in the early 2000s!

Longterm Rega customers may remember these sheets

The chaps at the former Chichester High Fidelity had already set the deck up which is exactly what we do at Audio T with modern Planar 3s. This involves checking that the cartridge is properly fitted, including setting the correct tracking weight.

The first thing we did after setting it up was give it a spin, eager to hear what a 33-year-old, but effectively new, turntable sounded like.

Remarkably, it sounded very good indeed. Testament to Rega build quality, not to mention the Linn cartridge.

The linn k5 cartridge fitted in 1991

Nonetheless we carried out a service. The drive belt had gone egg-shaped after three decades in one position and the compound was also slightly degraded, so we replaced it. We checked the turntable speed which was pretty accurate. However we also cleaned the sub-platter bearing assembly. The oil had become yellowed and tacky over the years which along with the old drive belt was affecting the speed slightly. We then checked and adjusted the tracking weight.

So after 33 years in its box Philip’s Planar 3 is again in tiptop condition and ready for him to finally give his records their first spin on his new(ish) deck.

Ready for action 33 years later

Thank you Philip! This was a rare treat indeed.

Don’t forget that we’ve extended our popular free turntable healthcheck, so if you want us to look at yours, be sure to contact us.

Thanks for reading.

Alan - 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

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Audio Note - Music’s Finest Conductor?

Musical joy - The complete system from the listening chair

Here at Audio T Oxford, we are very pleased to announce that we are the latest official Audio Note dealer within Audio T. We prefaced this by making a visit to the Audio Note factory earlier in the year and being totally impressed by their quality ethos, the company’s technical and engineering capabilities, and the dedication of its staff to producing “Music’s Finest Conductor”.

Audio Note definitely plough their own furrow, one that seemingly goes against current mainstream ideas, creating products such as low- powered single-ended tube amplifiers, CD players with no over-sampling or digital filters, the belief in turntable superiority in the digital era, and loudspeakers which go against most all currently accepted speaker design principles. But there is a good reason for this, it is a calculated engineering and highly reasoned approach that produces a thoroughly musical and insightful outcome that serves all kinds of music.

Additionally, Audio Note have a continuous research and development programme into outstanding musical reproduction, and to this end have recently introduced such innovations as field coil loudspeakers and idler drive CD players.

The System

Audio Note products are terrific in their own right, but they really start coming into their own as part of a complete Audio Note system. So, we have now decided to maintain a permanent set up in our demonstration room, which at present comprises:

  • CD3.1xII compact disc player (2) dedicated modified Phillips Red Book mechanism, with analogue output stages served by two dual triode valves and custom designed capacitors

  • Otto Phono SE Signature integrated amp (2) driven by pure Class A Single Ended Pentode valves.

  • TT2 Deluxe turntable with external PSU, Arm 3/ll and IQ3 mm cartridge (2)

  • AN-J SPe Hemp high efficiency speakers and matching stands (3)

  • AN Isis interconnects (3) and AN – SPe (3) loudspeaker leads

The tt2 on top, with power supply oN THE LOWEST shelf, The CD3.1xII and OtTo amp in between.

As pictured, this is a Level 2/3 system in the Audio Note product hierarchy and majors on vinyl and CD reproduction. CD is still considered to be a viable digital medium by Audio Note and when they bring their special talents to CD replay, you will understand why!

You will have noticed that the AN-J SPe speakers are sited in the room corners. Like their bigger brother, the AN-E, the J is designed, ideally, for corner loading. The idea with Audio Note speakers is to place them as close to the corners as possible and angled in. If it is impractical to place them so, then close to a rear wall. So, overall, these speakers are designed to work in unison with near room boundaries.

So how does it sound?

Preface

We thought it appropriate having set up an all-Audio Note system, that we should review it as a unified whole, rather than a collection of individual units. That is not to say the Audio Note products cannot sound great in a variety of sympathetic mixed make systems, because in that environment they can and do sound excellent.

The Audio Note System listening notes:

A glorious combination of leading-edge attack and full-bodied decay with astonishing bass depth and a grain-free open treble reproduction; beautiful tone, timbre, and a full-bodied enveloping sound that makes it difficult to resist on any type of music programme. That is a key indicator of Audio Note systems that they will sound real and impressive, with any genre of music.

In their side wall-loaded positions, the AN-J’s in combination with the Otto opened up the soundscape considerably becoming more three-dimensional, almost holographic. The lowest frequencies of the Audio Note UK AN-J weren’t overbearing in the least, but tuneful and precisely focused in space, with a steady and unerring sense of control.

The AN-J’s in their corner position

With this system the midrange (voice) is present, articulate and expressive. This is a real litmus test in that the human voice is the final and conclusive standard by which to judge the ‘accuracy’ of high-definition sound reproduction.

This expressive sound is provided regardless of format. The CD3 contributing quite superbly with its quality, untampered data stream revealing tons of transparency and information, as well as fine musical tonality that you may have missed listening previously to your best CDs. With the TT-Two, as soon as you put on your favourite record, it immediately makes a very persuasive case for itself. The two motors allow the platter to spin up to speed almost instantly and pitch stability is rock solid.

The fantastic TT2 in action

Sonically, both the CD3 and TT-Two are muscular and powerful performers. Fast paced recordings are delivered with real urgency, underpinned with a tight and potent bass that has shape, insight and just the right amount of depth. Music sounds dynamic, full, natural and layered, starting and stopping with real poise.

Music Used

We threw all types of musical genres via CD and vinyl to see if we could trip it up:

Vinyl (please not vinyls!)

  • Horace Andy – Midnight Scorchers. A great mix of Massive Attack and dub-like sonics.

  • Lamb – The Secret of Letting Go. High dynamic range recording, drum and bass blended with downbeat bliss, excellent vocals.

  • Yello – Zebra. Well recorded 1980’s dance, with a sense of fun.

  • Sibelius Symphony No1 – BBC Symphony Orchestra/Sir Malcolm Sargent. The symphony is characterised by its use of string and woodwind solos.

CD’s

  • Mendelssohn – A Midsummer Nights Dream/Neville Mariner. A clear and natural recording.

  • Alice Coltrane – Journey to Satchidananda. A classic bit of mystical 70s jazz feat. Pharoah Sanders

  • Porcupine Tree – Fear of a Blank Planet. Rock/Prog underpinned by a fearsome bass and drum rhythm section and unusual keyboard arrangements.

  • Jeff Buckley – Grace. Classic inventive rock and melody with astounding vocals.

Summary

This system provides organic musicality in spades. It will make you keen to rediscover your music collection and give you insight into the musicians’ intent, whatever the genre. A real joy with long listening sessions guaranteed!

Available for demonstration now, come and experience the magic of Audio Note!

Thanks for reading.

Rob & Jon - Audio T Oxford

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… 


Audio Note can be found at the following Audio T stores

Hey (Not So Big) Spendor! – Audio T Reading Size Up The Little Spendor Classic 4/5

A hearty hello to everyone from us at Audio T Reading, from pastures new in Swallowfield. Last June we did a feature article on “Three Little Lionhearted Loudspeakers“ and taking centre stage were the Neat Petite Classic, the Audio Note AX One/II, and the Harbeth P3ESR XD. Back then we asked the question “Is bigger always better?” going on to discuss the many virtues of those premium little loudspeakers. It was one of the most fun speaker shoot-outs we have ever done, however there was another pair of speakers that we would have loved to include in the showdown that unfortunately weren’t in our possession at the time. On the upside, we have now been able to get our hands (and ears) on the missing “little loudies” and have spent a good amount of very enjoyable time with them – so without further ado let us to tell you of our tremendous trio becoming a colossal quartet and let us share with you our experience with the wee Spendor Classic 4/5

A LITTLE BIT OF BIG HISTORY – SPENDOR’S MINI MONITOR HERITAGE

Spendor have certainly played their part in the history of small but mighty British loudspeakers, most notably of course playing a key role in the manufacture of the legendary LS3/5A studio monitor under licence from the BBC – these went on to reach the homes and studios of many thousands of likely happy punters. While not an exact replica, the Spendor Classic 4/5 is certainly a huge nod to that classic monitor with a re-invigorated take on that design to meet the demands of the modern music and home audio consumer.

Back then, the initial job of the LS3/5A was to scrutinise the quality of BBC transmissions from within the tiny confines of their dedicated broadcast vans, most likely in an all-analogue environment. But now, courtesy of the Classic 4/5, Spendor has delivered a tiny transducer that excels at conveying the sonic nuances from the upstream electronics in both the digital and analogue domain. Most notably when you hear these mini marvels, the memo this time around from Spendor appears to be “bring forth the music”; bring it in as huge a dose as possible and from as small a cabinet as possible… surely impossible?

THE CLASSIC 4/5 THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS – HOW DO THEY SOUND?

Alice in Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS) is described here as being a ‘rare brain-related condition that makes things look or feel larger or smaller than they actually are’ and incidentally is believed to be ‘most common in children’. Well… it must be said, we are the biggest kids going when it comes to boundless enthusiasm for all-things-audio, and we must confess that this dinky duo from Spendor has certainly left our senses in a state of child-like, AIWS disarray – a good kind if such a thing exists!

On first listen to the Classic 4/5, the spread of sound in front of us was appreciably grander than the dimensions of the cabinets had us believing it would be. Further auditioning revealed a sweetly extended top end, wonderful clarity and openness throughout the midrange, and the bass on offer – while not plummeting the depths of the room – was bewitchingly big and full sounding, taking us back into AIWS territory once again.

Our best discovery with these slender Spendors is how beautifully musical they are – they won’t punch you in the rib cage, at least not in an overt way, when a kick drum hits hard. Nor will they pound out a brazen rock track with the kind of vest-ripping, chest-outward bravado that some might crave for. But what the Classic 4/5 never fail to achieve is to get the core musicality of the message across; these baby boxes unassumingly lure you into listening sessions that end up way longer than intended, whatever the genre. It’s this most desirable trait that leaves us repeatedly grinning like a cheshire cat.

THE SKINNY ON THE SKINNY SPENDORS – LASTING IMPRESSIONS

The Spendor Classic 4/5 aren’t an unfamiliar breed in that they are a sealed-box design on the slimmer side, but this time-honoured approach does buck a modern movement of seemingly hordes of loudspeakers that tend to favour impressing its audiences with beefed up lower-ends and striking dynamics.

Whilst the Classic 4/5 are recommended for use with 25w -100w per channel amplification, we found that they deliver their best, most balanced, presentation when partnered with the likes of the Lyngdorf TDAI-1120 all-in-one player or the Rega Elicit Mk5 integrated amplifier, both punching at the higher end of the quoted power range. In fact, we even tried these bijou Spendors with an amp delivering 125 watts per channel, the hefty Rega Aethos, and the sonic outcome was magnificent.

With more juice behind the Classic 4/5, we found that the fullness in their upper bass strengthens, without losing any definition or tautness, and the result was more coherence with the rest of the audio spectrum and a broader canvas of musical images that convince rather than impress.

CONCLUSION

When compared to the previously showcased triumvirate of the Neat Petite Classic, Audio Note AX One/II and Harbeth P3ESR XD, the Spendor 4/5 hold themselves in said company with consummate ease and are not in too dissimilar a mould to the P3ESR XD; both are exceptional sealed-box allrounders, although each set possesses a special sonic character of its very own.

All four of these bantamweight boxed pairs certainly warrant your attention and are superlative in their own right. If you would like to know more, or would like to hear a set of these splendid speakers in action, please do contact us or your nearest Audio T store; our knowledgeable team will be most happy to assist you.

Thank you for reading.

Rishi – 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…


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.

Also during the Summer Bank Holiday weekend in August, nearby Swallowfield Park plays home to the vibrant Swallowfield Show. When you come to see us, why not make a fun day of it?


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

Audio T Cheltenham Gets Closer To The Source!

I would just like to deviate a little from the normal style of my articles and take the opportunity with this one to put forward some musings as to exactly which component within a hi-fi system is the most important!

Sources For Courses

To this extent there are those who will put forward the view that the source component (turntable, compact disc player, DAC, streamer, FM tuner, etc) is the most important part of the system as it is the provider of that all important signal at the very beginning of the chain. Indeed if you are an audiophile of a certain age you may well remember that old Linn mantra of “Garbage In, Garbage Out.” True to an extent I will grant you but let’s see where this train of thought goes!

Speakers Corner

Then of course, perhaps the biggest perceivable difference to a hi-fi system may well be entirely down to the loudspeaker choice and how it interacts with not only the rest of the system components but also (very importantly) the room within which they are being used.

Very often rooms are entirely the cause of lousy sounding hi-fi systems (this subject may well be worth a blog all of its very own!). Of all the components in your set-up, the loudspeaker’s job is probably the most difficult in a never ending battle against the laws of physics to reproduce that believable three dimensional sound-space that hangs in the air in front of you from a relatively small box. And of course just to baffle you even more, there are so many of them!

Control Freaks

Next comes the amplifier conundrum. Does it drive your loudspeakers adequately? More importantly is it degrading that all important delicate music signal before it even reaches your loudspeakers. It undoubtedly is a very important part of the system chain enabling the selection of signals from various inputs and sending them on for the speakers to do whatever they can with them. Skimp here and be damned.

It’s Just A Piece of Wire Isn’t It?

Loudspeaker cables and interconnects are also very important to consider being as they are essentially the finishing touch to the system chain. They need to be compatible with the system components and most importantly not do any harm to the music signal. Do you mix and match cable brands or should you stick with one manufacturer for all. That will quite probably only become apparent upon careful experimenting and listening.

All of these are very important questions to be taken into account and all will need very careful consideration whilst you choose your new hi-fi system or upgrade your existing one.

But here’s the thing…

Isn’t the most important part of the hi-fi system and potentially it’s limiting factor entirely down to your choice of music and the quality of the recording that you play on it?

Alpha by asia….dont bother!

I would argue that yes, using that old Linn “Garbage in, Garbage out” theory, the ultimate source of the hi-fi system becomes the music played on it. For example, this will more often than not be on my preferred vinyl format and the record that prompted this little rant which is… Alpha by legendary prog rock supergroup, Asia. Now this album ain’t gonna sound good on anything ‘cos it sounds LOUSY! It’s a real shame as in there somewhere are some very pretty tunes by some top notch musicians. We have the collected talents of Geoff Downes from Buggles and Yes, Steve Howe also from Yes, Carl Palmer from ELP and John Wetton formerly of Family and King Crimson, so it should be all good. Sadly, that is not the case.

The sound is bright and flat with no depth, no width and no perceptible bass on it at all. I have played this album so many times on so many great and good hi-fi systems and have never ever got it to sound good. You would never want to use this one as a demonstration album.

Oh well… at least the beautiful cover artwork by prog legend, Roger Dean, is great. I think if the cover art was lousy I would probably have binned it a long time ago! It is still one of my guilty pleasures though and gets an outing every once in a while- if only to remind myself how good it could have been.

The Flip Side

Lives Outgrown by Beth Gibbons…Timeless classic!

Now this is the polar opposite of the album by Asia. This little gem is the brand new album from Beth Gibbons called Lives Outgrown. And both the music and the sound quality are stunning. You may know Beth as the singer with genre defining trip hoppers, Portishead.

Here she collaborates with Lee Harris of TalkTalk and the resulting album is all at once eerie, spooky and well suited to the time of year. There is a little bit of Pink Floyd in here too and lyrically the album seems centered on fighting personal battles and then whatever may come after! The overall package is great too, coming in a retro effect tip-on gatefold sleeve with a studio booklet, art print and gatefold lyric sheet with pictures of Beth in blurry reflective mode.

One to file next to Out Of Season and in between Kate Bush and TalkTalk. As I touched upon before the sound quality of this album is amazing and the pressing is faultless. That bass thump at the end of the first track on side two “Reaching Out” is just awesome. The real star of the show is just how well the vocals are recorded. There is space aplenty with a goosebump inducing palpable sense of reality As such this is the kind of album that will make your hi-fi system really sing. And that is what I mean when I say that the most important part of your hi-fi system and the gateway to the best musical experience will always be the music you play on it… I rest my case m’lud!

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…

Hugo Can Weave Magic: The Chord Electronics Hugo TT2 Desktop Headphone Amplifier

The Chord Electronics Hugo TT2 is the latest evolution to the Hugo family, following the original portable Hugo DAC/headphone amplifier, Hugo TT(desktop), and Hugo 2 (portable) units. All three previous Hugos offered excellent sound, features and build quality. TT2 capitalises upon that foundation…

that shiny gold chord badge does give us the shivers

that shiny chord badge does give us the shivers

The original Hugo was a tiny bit bright sounding for many people and the original Hugo TT didn’t have quite enough output power for some of the more demanding (read high-end) headphones out there. The Hugo 2 fixed the somewhat bright sound of the original Hugo and then some, but predictably it lacks the power necessary for the aforementioned harder-to-drive cans. It’s a lovely bit of kit, but it’s not quite perfect.

jimi, he approves of all the purple. (these photos aren’t just thrown together you know)

Chord Electronics have realised that the majority of Hugo TT owners use them as a stationary piece of hi-fi, which rather negates the need for the original incarnation’s internal batteries. The space these batteries took up in the TT1, have been redesigned to accommodate six ‘super capacitors’.

These super capacitors allow for much higher maximum output power, which better enables the TT2 to drive those dashed tricky headphones; The Hi-FiMan Susvara being a notorious example. Offering up 7.3W at 8 ohms single ended, and 18W at 8 ohms from the balanced outputs on the rear of the device, there aren’t many headphones the TT2 can’t handle.

those single-ended and balanced output stages

someone’s been busy with the cnc lathe. by eck it’s gorgeous.

Opening the TT2 packaging, you are greeted with a sleek, compact, solid piece of engineering. One thing we have noticed with Chord products, in the headphone market in particular, is that they are almost unrivalled in terms of build quality. All the buttons and knobs, (or in this case a backlit textured sphere,) have the perfect feel. Not stiff to turn, they always feel light and nicely damped. Speaking of backlit spheres, it’s a quirky and interesting way to indicate the current volume on the device. Whilst not everyone is enthused by Chord’s ‘marbles’, they are an innovative way to convey the sample rate, volume, etc that you are currently experiencing. They’re rather fun and it demonstrates that Chord Electronics don’t take themselves terribly seriously, except with regard to the sound of their hi-fi.

IS IT PINK? MAGENTA MAYBE? EITHER WAY AND IN THE WORDS OF THE INIMITABLE bOB SMITH: IT’S HOT HOT HOT.

Our store reference DAC is the Chord DAVE. Supreme clarity, detail, and definition, it has few rivals. There are other DACs out there, but I have not heard an arguably better one. It would be wrong not to admit that their different flavours may appeal to you more. The only problem with DAVE in terms of headphone replay is that it only offers 2W out of its headphone socket. Enough for many headphones, but not for the aforementioned hard to drive ones.

The savvy headphone enthusiast then, should consider a TT2 with Chord Electronic’s M-Scaler. A two-box system that is powerful, as well as being the closest to a DAVE in terms of performance as anything else we’ve heard.

THOSE TWIN BNC SOCKETS ARE WHERE ONE WILL CONNECT AN M-SCALER. it generates SO MUCH INFORMATION, ONE COAXIAL CABLE CAN’T CARRY IT ALL. note two optical inputs next to the all-important usb-b socket. how else are you to enjoy dsd?

DAVE is king of micro detail, has a more transparent and nuanced presentation than the TT2.

The TT2, however seems to have a bit more meat on its bones, and is a touch warmer than DAVE. Both are superb DACs and it is a case of your budget and use, as to which you should choose. If you listen via speakers the majority of the time, then DAVE is king. However, if like a great many music fans you prefer to use headphones, the TT2 is the way to go. Partnered with the M-Scaler, it can be argued that it’s the more enjoyable option. Mind you, once you’ve heard DAVE with an M-Scaler….

it’ll even decode bluetooth, should you require it. more handy than you might anticipate.

The TT2 is a superb all in one device. There truly isn’t much it can’t do. Drive your desktop speakers? Sure. Drive low efficiency headphones? Sure, no problem. Want a superb DAC? Here you go. Heard a DAVE, can’t live without it but it’s out of reach right now? Great! This is as good a stepping stone as you could possibly hope for.

The Hugo TT2 is an all around performer. Granted, It does not have the ultimate DAC quality of DAVE but it makes a trade off to be one of the best, most flexible, all in one headphone source components on the market, for well under half the price of DAVE. In that regard, it’s solid value and highly recommended. Especially as it’s now reverted to its pre-Covid price of £3995*.

Thank you for taking the time to read our blog!

Audio-T Swansea

Words by Ade, pics by Nic.

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…


Chord Electronics 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

Harbeth P3ESR XD and the Nelson Bass Extender Stands

Image: Harbeth Nelson Bass Extender stand - detail of Base

A mishearing of “Harbeth Nelson” conjured up fond childhood memories of 4 O'Clock on Saturday afternoons in the 1980s - Dickie Davis introduces ITV World of Sport Wrestling. Big Daddy takes on Giant Haystacks. Invariably, the first piece of theatrical grappling is the full or Harbeth Half Nelson. The victim of the hold red faced, eyes bulging - tapping out in pain or near suffocation. But how do the Harbeth Nelson grapple with the lower octaves?

The Nelson reference is more prosaic than my overactive imagination, a reference to Nelson’s Column at London’s Trafalgar Square and there are certainly Corinthian design cues.

For years, Harbeth have designed arguably one of the the best iterations of the BBC Mini Monitor - currently the P3ESR-XD. Derived from the original LS3/5A BBC R&D specification request, note the credit on this whitepaper - non other than H.D. Harwood, the founder of Harbeth. The internet is awash with great stories of how this speaker legend came about. I’ve collected below some links that track the venerable history and the modern day offshoots.

Suggested Reading

A word on Frequencies

The common misconception is that a sub works on sub-hearing frequencies, i.e. below our hearing range of 20Hz - 20KHz and is a modern phenomenon of electronic music. However, this is not the case. If we look at the frequencies of orchestral instruments - some pipe organs reach as low as 16Hz, a grand piano’s lowest note is 27.5Hz. At the other end the piccolo chirps away at a maximum of 5KHz - still a long way off human hearing limit of 20KHz.

The Harbeth PSESR-XD speakers have a quoted frequency range of 75-20KHz - 75Hz is around an octave and a half above the lowest note on a piano - though room resonances and harmonics will allow for an impression of reproduction of lower notes.

The BBC spec sheet, was about the clear reproduction of the human voice for studio monitoring in a variety of conditions - production studio to outside broadcast back of a van. It was about uniformity of reproduction.

Filling in the Gaps

The Nelson Bass Extender incorporates a Harbeth 5-inch drive unit and 50 watts of digital amplifier power, speaker frequency extension from 35Hz to 75Hz resulting in exceptional bass control, great integration (notice how that upper frequency exactly matches the lowest frequency of the P3) and power output.

Essentially, removing the stress of stand selection, improving bass extension without the additional space and cabling of sub woofers.

Setup

Harbeth Nelson Bass Extender Stand - Connections detail

One of our favourite combinations with the Harbeth P3, is the Naim Uniti Nova. The transparency, clarity and breath of presentation is really an enjoyable listen. Curiously, although the speaker does not reach particularly low frequencies, the way they roll off is so gentle that it only feels somewhat lacking in bass heavy electronic music.

What takes your breath away, is the mid range and upper frequencies. So perfectly balanced that there is no fatigue when listening and it really magically draws you in to the performance. Upping the ante to the Supernait 3 with NDX 2 then to the Naim 222 and Naim 250 still provides even more performance. The limiting factor is their diminutive size - a room dimension of 5m x 4m with standard 2.5m ceiling is probably their limit.

Placing the Harbeth on the Nelson Bass Extender stands raised the height by about 10cm compared to them being placed on a conventional 600mm stand. I thought this would upset presentation as my ear was now level with between the tweeter and mid range driver, not on axis with the tweeter, but really it did not matter.

More problematic was positioning. The advice from Harbeth is to start with the Nelsons at mid level bass on both stands and adjust from there. But getting the sweet spot was tricky. Push the speakers too far back and bass bloom flowered like a Hydrangea. Adjust the Nelsons volume to compensate and it felt like the bass fell away too quickly. The sweet spot was around 40cm from side or back wall and the Nelson volume on a 1/4, and a little more on the right channel, where there was more free space, in order to balance the presentation. This lays bare the Nelson issue - It negates a key advantage of a separate subwoofer–being able to place it optimally in a different location from the main speakers in order to reduce placement issues and blooms/nulls at the listener position.

Qobuz Audio T Bristol, Selected from Playlist:

Here is a selection of tracks we use for evaluating bass performance. The full playlist is available on Qobuz Here.

  • Sailing to Philadelphia - Mark Knopfler

  • Limit to your Love - James Blake

  • Veto, Tremours - SOHN

  • Man in the Long Black Coat (Album Version) - Bob Dylan

  • Never Come Back (Koreless Remix) - Caribou

  • Paper Tiger (Album Version) - Beck

  • Playing God - Polyphia

  • Chameleon - Trentemøller

  • THE EIGHTH NIGHT PART 1 - Mike Dean

  • Veto, Tremours - SOHN

Conclusion

Let’s be clear - this is a bass extender not a sub. We are talking about extending the range of the Harbeth P3 in an integral way that does not necessarily mean sub frequency theatrical slams, but lower octaves enhancement.

The clearest benefits are that bass extension works absolutely beautifully. One of the most curious advantages is in the way the whole soundstage benefits - clearer imaging, greater expanse of sound and depth in the whole frequency range and a book shelf clarity, speed and transparency with the reach of a floorstander.

Aesthetically, the footprint is unchanged and thus the visual marmite of separate subs is a household argument that will not be an issue.

If you are a Harbeth P3 or BBC LS3/5A model incarnation owner - this is well worth an audition.

Thank you for reading,

Justin - 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…


Harbeth can be found at the following Audio T stores

Isolation Is The Word - A look at IsoAcoustic and fine-tuning your Hi-Fi system

Matt from Audio T Cardiff takes a deeper look into the story behind one of our favourite brands, IsoAcoustics, and how we can better isolate the components in our Hi-Fi systems.

As promised, I’m following on from last month's blog and talking about IsoAcoustics; what makes them tick, how they got into the audio business and the evolution of their purpose and design process. But, more importantly, how IsoAcoustics can help fine-tune your Hi-Fi components from turntable, amplification, right down to your speakers.

So come with me now, and let’s take this journey and see where we end up…

Last month I invited you to join me as I continued on my personal journey through Hi-Fi and talked about the importance of dedicated furniture and the difference it makes to how our components sound. But I’m not stopping things there… Although people don’t realise it, there’s more to isolation than meets the eye (or ears), and this is where IsoAcoustics comes into the equation.

Like many Audio T customers, I own a few IsoAcoustics products which I use in my personal system. At the time of writing this, I have Orea Graphite isolation pucks under my turntable and speakers. Before I talk about the difference it has made in my system’s sound, let's talk a little about where IsoAcoustics as a company....

So where did it all begin?

Like a lot of great audio innovations out there, IsoAcoustics was born in the recording studio. This is where the now company president and co-founder of IsoAcoustics, Dave Morrison, and co-designer and inventor, Robert G. Dickie, both from Ontario, Canada, started.

Dave and Robert's ideas took shape whilst working with television and sound studios such as CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) back in 2010, using their patented speaker stands to help isolate and control the speaker system within the studio. But isolation work with CBC studios wasn’t only limited to speaker stands. Dave also worked on the structural side of the very building they worked in, using isolation treatment under the suspended floors, helping to create the perfect studio recording environment.

Dave’s passion for sound and attempting to recreate perfect audio has helped many studios around the world. All their hard work and design resulted in the birth of IsoAcoustics in 2012. The rest, as they say, is history…

“How do IsoAcoustic products work?” I hear you ask!

First, imagine a perfectly still pond. Now imagine throwing a stone into said pond. When the stone hits the water, you can clearly see the ripples expanding across the water’s surface.

What does isolation have in common with ripples in a pond, I hear you ask? Well, this is how sound waves work. They radiate in all directions away from the source, the only significant difference is that we can’t see them.

The issue with isolation when it comes to Studio, Hi-Fi or Home Cinema equipment is that we’re not just dealing speakers, sound waves and standing waves (the bouncing of sound waves between fixed points). We also have to deal with vibrations created by the physical components.

All of these waves and vibrations are moving the air around us, which affects our listening space and, more importantly, our listening experience and thus the enjoyment of music.

There’s a lot of physics involved in all of this. For example, when a loudspeaker cone moves forward pushing air, the opposing force wants the enclosure to move backward. In an ideal world, the cabinet would not move or vibrate at all. But that is only achieved with an enclosure of infinite mass, which is a physical impossibility.

But that problem isn’t limited to just the cone and cabinet. A loudspeaker will sit on something, whether that be the floor, a desktop or speaker stand, each surface will have the same problem opposing forces and vibrations. The unwanted resonant frequencies and vibrations from the speaker work their way through the surface they sit on. Obviously most floorstanding speakers will use spikes to attempt to quell these effects by dramatically reducing the touching surface areas… But that’s not enough.

So, I guess that leads us on to question of “How does an IsoAcoustics product help to counteract these problems?”

ISOACOUSTIC PATENTED DESIGNS

A great example of one of IsoAcoustic’s products and how it controls this very problem is the Aperta speaker stands. Dave Morrison and Robert G. Dickie effectively developed a floating speaker stand that has two specially designed upper and lower platforms that manage how sound reflects within the two structures.

Internally, rubber bushings are used in the top and bottom plates, which the connecting rods push into. These bushings enable front-to-back movement of the connecting rods while minimizing side-to-side motion, effectively creating a floating speaker stand with each connecting rod decoupled from any outer casing.

A very similar design principle is used in other products in the range, such as the Gaia isolation feet and the Orea pucks.

Time to weigh-in

For those not in the know, rubber is measured by tensile strength, the composition, and the thickness of the material used. So, each of the varying models of Gaia feet and Orea pucks have different weight-load options, meaning you can get the right isolation for your specific product - from small desktop speakers, to the biggest floorstanding monoliths or to massive monoblock power amplifiers.

The great thing is IsoAcoustics has simplified the way to find the right products for your equipment using their product selection wizard, which you can find on our site here. Trust me, it’s such a valuable tool!

So, to answer the question, “What Do these products do to help with unwanted vibrations in equipment?” The answer is that they effectively help to remove most of these unwanted vibrations, reducing noise and providing us with the best listening experience possible. Take, for instance, my personal setup. As you may know, I’m quite limited with space and trying to control frequencies such as bass and also things like acoustic feedback became somewhat of a problem in my room.

So how did I fix these issues in the room and fine tune my system.

If you read last month’s blog you will know I bought a Solidsteel rack to compliment my system., but I didn't stop there. I had to think about how to control vibrations toward my turntable, causing the feedback issue I was experiencing.

I have used the Orea Graphite pucks at three points under the turntable. The effect of using these has eliminated the feedback and tightened up the sound from my turntable source. I have also used the Oreos on my speaker stands as my Dynaudios have to sit pretty close to the wall. Using the pucks have on the speakers gives more control on the bass frequencies and opens up the mids, giving the speakers a more focused and detailed sound.

In conclusion

IsoAcoustics is quite an amazing company, and Dave and Robert have come up with some true engineering marvels, bringing near perfection to how equipment sounds in the studio and in our homes. My best advice is to try their products and listen to the differences they make to how your Hi-Fi system sounds. It's surprising in a good way, trust me.

Thank you for taking the time to read our 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…


Affordable Hi-Fi - An absolutely superb system with Rega, Acoustic Energy and Bluesound!

It’s no secret that the Hi-Fi industry is one of the few where the more you spend, the more you get in terms of performance. So does that mean that all good Hi-Fi systems are expensive? The short answer: No. There are Hi-Fi systems out there that can be affordable without compromising quality, and today we’re going to look at just that…

We’ve put together this system for the person or family looking for a great sounding and affordable set-up, who primarily wants to be able to both stream music and also play records.

Rega Brio

I have chosen the heart of the system to be the Rega Brio amplifier. I could have chosen the junior Rega IO, but with the Brio being priced at £549* (reduced from £700) while stocks last, it is well worth shelling out the extra £129.

The Brio is a half width, no frills amplifier, packing 50 watts into an 8 ohm load. Rega took the decision to forgo having an internal DAC or Bluetooth receiver and instead opted on spending more of the budget on having an excellent in-built MM phono stage along with higher quality electrical components.

This multi-award winning amplifier is the perfect starting point for anyone looking to build a two channel Hi-Fi system.

Rega Planar 1

The Planar 1 is at the entry point of Rega’s turntable line-up and is pretty much a plug and play deck; with no anti-skate to adjust and a counterweight that simply slides onto the arm until it comes to a stop.

Speed change is manual but is very quick and easy to accomplish, you are not paying for an electronic speed change that does absolutely nothing for sound quality. It comes fitted with a Rega Carbon cartridge as standard, but could easily be upgraded should you wish.

The Rega Planar 1 is not short of competition but it truly is the ultimate budget turntable!

Listening to Yello’s excellent ‘One Second’ album; the track track ‘La Habanera’ shows just how good the phono stage in the Brio is, highlighting deep lows and possessing a lustrous tonality. Shirley Bassey’s vocals on ‘The Rhythm Divine’ exhibit a rich top end and are never bright or forward. There is good bass control but it is the lovely top end where it shines the most.

The Rega Planar 1 exhibits a smooth midrange and open treble. The lower frequencies are tight and punchy.

Bluesound Node

The current Bluesound Node adds to the strengths of its illustrious predecessors. The all important control App is one of the best in the business and connectivity is excellent: Wired or wireless, Bluetooth in and out, HDMI (to connect to your television), plus analogue and digital outputs. There is also the ability to add music to extra rooms with other Bluesound devices.

Like Rega, the Node strength’s are all about rhythm and dynamics. Piano music can be a real test of any Hi-Fi system or component. Debussy’sChildren’s Corner’ can sound splashy and unpleasant on many a system but not here. The subtle harmonics that give depth and resonance to the piano are accurately reproduced and everything flows beautifully.

With the advent of the excellent WiiM series of music streamers, the Node is no longer the cheapest introduction to high quality streaming, but it is still the best value for money in our humble opinion.

Acoustic Energy AE100² Speakers

These attractive little speakers are without doubt the best budget speakers that I have ever heard and can easily rival opposition that may cost twice as much.

With nicely rounded corners and a magnetic grill they have an appealing design. The cabinet is unusual in that it is made of HDF rather than MDF; this allows for thinner walls and bracing, increasing the internal volume and therefore increasing the depth of bass available from the cabinet size.

Perhaps their strongest attribute is with regard to their sound staging abilities; with just a little bit of toe in they can present a broad sound field, with real depth and an excellent central image. They are detailed, with a punchy midrange. The treble and upper midrange err towards brightness but they are by no means fatiguing to listen to. Bruce Springsteen’s57 Channels and Nothing On’ is a foot tapping track and it was delivered in a snappy way and never once sounded harsh or edgy.

Bass depth and extension is in line with most of their peers.

In conclusion

I would argue that each and every one of these components is individually the best in class.

We know from experience that putting two or more excellent products together is by no means always a recipe for success. The key to putting a good system together is all about obtaining good synergy. There might be occasions when putting a system together where every item errs towards dynamics might be over egging the pudding, but no, these all work together perfectly.

The result is a fabulous little system that is a delight to listen to.

Thank you for reading.

Jon and Rob - Audio T Oxford

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, Acoustic Energy and Bluesound 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

A Wiim my way, is all mighty in the value stakes

Whilst being a fairly new name on the streaming market Wiim are making real waves in the Hi-Fi industry, releasing some of the most affordable units around. Offering a range of products from the Wiim Mini (a Google Chromecast style device), two Hi-Res streamers in the form of the Wiim Pro and the Pro+, and the all-new flagship model: The Wiim Ultra.

Although it is the Wiim Streaming Amp that is the feature of this month’s little review, a lot of the operational features described are also applicable to the stand alone streamers too. Wiim are really offering incredibly good value with all of their products. The Pro streamer costing just under £150*, the higher spec Pro+ at under £220. The Wiim Streaming Amplifier incorporates a well specified Class D power amplifier, producing a decent 60 watts per channel into 8 ohms, and doubling that to 120 watts in to 4 ohms load, and is incredible value at just £319.

The super compact 19cm x 19cm x 7.5cm enclosure has a digital volume control with a pause/play in the middle, and at the side, a row of pin-sized LED indicators show the volume level. The main control of the amp is really carried out by the included Bluetooth remote or, the slick Wiim app on smartphone or tablet.

On the rear are the mains power connector, four quality speaker terminals, along with subwoofer output, analogue input, HDMI Arc connector for enhancing your TV sound, USB, an optical 'toslink' SPDIF digital input, and a network LAN connector for those not wishing to use Wifi.

Although there is no physical headphone socket, the Wiim amp offers two-way Bluetooth, so any Bluetooth headphones can be connected, and everyone, including guests, can stream in via Bluetooth.

As a streaming product, the support offered by the Wiim app is second to none. As well as being Roon Ready, this little box offers direct streaming from Amazon Alexa & Music, BBC Radio, Calm Radio, Deezer, Napster, Open Network Stream, Pandora, Qobuz, Radio Paradise, SoundCloud, SoundMachine, Soundtrack, Spotify, Tidal, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, and vTuner (subscriptions may be required for some services of course).

Connectivity with other apps is also similarly impressive. Chromecast Audio, group connect with HomePods Nest and Echo speakers and displays, Alexa Multiroom, control via Siri, Alexa, Google, the mentioned Bluetooth, full DLNA, local network accessible hard drives, and AirPlay 2. It is hard to find something this little box doesn't support, and with automatic updates through the internet, you’ll always stay connected and up to date.

The included remote control is fully voice-controlled, and being Bluetooth has the advantage it will work in the room regardless of where you locate the tiny Wiim amp, even if it is hidden in a cabinet, not that anyone could object to such a tiny little enclosure.

In use, just add speakers, plug in and go! Of course, the HDMI input is a real boon for TV users. Simply connecting to your TV set’s HDMI Arc channel will establish a connection, enabling TV sound and level control to be sent via the Wiim amp. All sources can be used in multi-room mode too, with any compatible Wiim device.

It's hard to believe so much technology is packed into such a tiny little enclosure, and that it all works so well! Of course, as a streamer, you must download the control app to your device to start. Set up is super easy, be it wired LAN connection, or using your Wifi. Connect up your loudspeakers, plug into mains power, and you are off. The app is super slick, and on top of that, it’s whizzy in its use. No waiting for operations, it just does it.

Considering the price, the sound quality is seriously good. Stereo image and location are excellent, giving the sense of space and reality. The midrange is also fluid, and for a small enclosure, the sound packs a punch. A digital graphic equalizer is incorporated within the design, which can be handy for customers needing the speakers tucked away. Different EQ settings are available for different inputs too. Given the unit is happy with 4-ohm speakers, it can drive a surprising amount of loudspeakers with ease.

The value for money is amazing with the baby Wiim streaming amplifier. It would be great value even just as a source for Bluetooth headphones, with the built-in 240W power amp, superb app, and great sound per pound, it makes the perfect second room system or can form the basis of a very competent introduction system, and the world of streaming.

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.

Thanks for reading

David, Munir, James & Haden - Audio T Manchester

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

It's time to Selekt your Linn product - a review of the Linn Selekt DSM Hub Classic modular Hi-Fi system.

Hi folks, and welcome to this month’s article from us here at Audio T Brighton. We’re in for a bit of modular streaming hi-fi bliss this month because the streaming DAC/pre-amp/amplifier in question is one of the most flexible and upgradeable units on the market today. Throw in fine sound, sleek looks and user-friendliness and you’re as future-proof a design in this field as one can get. Time to look at the Linn Selekt DSM Hub Classic and her options.

Linn Selekt DSM Hub...

linn selekt dsm hub classic in a black finish

The Linn Selekt DSM hub comes in several variants - I will attempt to cover many of them throughout the course of this blog, but as a catalyst (or should I say Katalyst - pun very much intended!), we’ll be referring to a custom build of the Linn Selekt DSM Classic Hub with a built-in amplifier/standard DAC module. This version is on one of the starter models on the Linn Ladder of Listenability via modular design, which is both neat and allows customers flexibility as their music system expands with personal requirements. To be fair, this is not just marketing PR, which the industry can be prone to, as Linn has always followed this philosophy with their famous Linn LP12 turntables, allowing upgradability when funds and desires coincide.

Linn Selekt DSM Classic Hub with amp/DAC modules... Assembly

I thought a little video insert might be educational for folks to see how well thought out the Linn modular design is. So here goes...

I’m not sure the BBC have much to worry about and before you ask, no I didn’t go to film school! 😅 P.S. I did put the lid back on afterwards!

Linn Selekt DSM Hub hall of fame...

This section will aim to break down the options available on the Linn Ladder of Listenability and provide some insight into the plethora of options available to our customers.

First of all comes the box, so to speak, with a folded aluminium case in the Classic Hub, or a fully-machined case out of a solid block of aluminium with the Edition Hub.

It should be noted that the Edition hub comes with a fully machined chassis for rigidity. The sonic benefits this type of enclosure offers; reduced interference and microphonics, should not be dismissed lightly. The Edition hub version also has a built-in headphone socket and subwoofer output, which may be essential for some users.

Second up comes your choice of DAC performance; Standard, Katalyst, Organik or Dual-Mono Organik. I can personally vouch for the sonic upgrade between the Standard and Organik DAC’s, having fitted and listened to both, the sound improvements are marked and very worthwhile!

Choose your linn selekt dsm dac performance level

Thirdly, comes your application requirement; either as a digital source, a fully-fledged 2-channel stereo system or an AV/TV system.

All Linn Selekt DSM Hubs come with the latest Utopik power supply, which is in itself a significant upgrade, which I experienced when I fitted and heard the before and after on a customer’s Linn Klimax DSM.

It should be mentioned that owing to the modular upgradability of the Linn system, the Linn Utopik power supply upgrade is available as a retrofit upgrade for earlier versions of the Linn Selekt DSM Hubs.

More details about the various system configurations can be found on our website at Audio T in Brighton or by following the links provided in this blog or on Linn’s own website.

A technical tour-de-force...

linn selekt dsm technical specs

WiFi, Bluetooth and AirPlay 2 come as standard but we always recommend a good old ethernet cable whenever possible.

Being a Linn product , one would come to expect a good quality MM/MC Phono Stage and the Selekt DSM Hubs don’t disappoint, as we find out in our listening tests later. Digital playback is as agnostic as you’ll get, with Hi-Res, DSD lossless formats catered for and most compressed file types in the mix as well.

For those who encounter sound problems owing to awkward room dimensions or room layout, reflective surfaces etc, then Space Optimisation is available to counter these deleterious effects. Personally, we feel good speaker placement and system set-up negates the need for DSP but it is still a nice extra to have should you need it.

It’s time to Selekt your music...

linn selekt dsm edition hub with a matching linn selekt LP12 turntable

So, once you’ve chosen your Selekt DSM Hub configuration and had it assembled, delivered and installed by your local Audio T, now is the time to choose some music and enjoy your purchase, knowing full well that your future playback requirements are covered.

Linn Selekt DSM Classic sound...

How does it sound? Quite frankly, stunning!

Linn has built a sonic reputation around their famous Linn LP12 turntables, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023 and currently comprises three performance levels: Linn Majik LP12, Linn Selekt LP12 and Linn Klimax LP12.

I’m pleased to say that the various incarnations of the Linn Majik DSM, Linn Selekt DSM and Linn Klimax DSM hubs perform at a commensurate level to their analogue siblings.

Here at our Audio T shop in Brighton, we paired a Linn Majik LP12 with a Linn Adikt MM cartridge, the aforementioned Linn Selekt DSM Hub Classic amp/dac module and a pair of Linn Majik 140 floor-standing speakers to great effect, sounding neutral, detailed and wholesome at the same time - not an easy feat for a music system, at any price.

I have attached a short video of the system in action for your pleasure!

Be one of the Selekt few...

The Linn Selekt DSM Classic Hub offers the user fine sound quality, an excellent user experience and a future-proof modular upgrade path. It comes highly recommended from Audio T.

As always, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, so 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…


Cable guys for a day - A visit to Chord Company HQ

First founded in 1985, Chord Company enjoys a global reputation for quality products that can enhance the sound of any Hi-Fi or Home Cinema system…

If you cast your mind back to last year, you may recall that we wrote about Chord’s English Electric Ethernet Switch, PowerHAUS P6 mains distribution block and their BurndyX cables for Naim systems in our November blog.

For those of you that read the article, you’ll know that we liked these products a lot! Each of them improving the sound we got out of our reference Naim 300 series.

So we were delighted when the kind people at Chord Company invited the Audio T Portsmouth team to spend a day at their Amesbury headquarters in order to learn more about their products and manufacturing processes.

Chord Company HQ

Organised

The first thing that struck us was the smaller-than-expected Chord set-up. Given the global reputation and reach of Chord Company cables, I suppose we were expecting a football field-sized factory.

Looks can, however, be deceptive, and inside the modern industrial units at Chord HQ it was clear that this was a highly organised, highly efficient operation.

Chord warehouse

Our guides for the day were Chord’s Southern UK Sales Rep, Ian Kemsley, and Bill Fraser, UK Sales.

Hands-On

After a quick tour of the immaculately organised warehouse and fabrication rooms we were led to some free workbenches and told that our task for the morning was to make some EpicX Aray RCA interconnects and a length of EpicX speaker cable.

Our workbenches for the day

Together these cables, at the lengths we were making, retail at close to £1,000. So, no pressure then!

We tackled the EpicX Aray RCAs first. The Aray technology addresses the internal mechanical noises inherent in all cables.

Chord Epic X Aray RCAs

The precision required to solder the RCAs onto the various cores in the cables was a real test of hand-eye coordination, something that Chord’s Production Technician, David Shannon, made look way easier than it was.

Next up were the Epic X speaker cables. These use the ChordOhmic plugs. The plugs are micro-welded to the cable by using the ChordOhmic Hex Gun tool which applies huge amounts of pressure to create the weld. Both the cables and the interconnects are heavily shielded and coated in XLPE (cross-linked polythene).

Chord Epic X speaker cables fitted with chordohmic plugs

Under the guidance of David our cable making results were pretty good, even if we do say so ourselves.

The proof is in the pudding…

After lunch we decamped to the listening room to hear some Chord cables in action, specifically Chord’s top of the range ChordMusic cabling, using tuned aray technology and Taylon insulation. They connected a Moon Mind network player, to a Chord Electronics Dave, and Bonnec Pre and Power amps powering Bowers & Wilkins 803 D4 speakers.

chordmusic cables

Needless to say they sounded superb, the ChordMusic cables allowing the musical detail to shine.

Sound Advice

Ian was a veritable font of knowledge and useful advice about cabling. Perhaps his most interesting tip was to remove all non-essential cables from your set-up. Ian left one end of an ethernet cable plugged into an English Electric ethernet switch. The other end was left dangling.

We were sceptical that leaving the ethernet cable plugged into the switch would make any appreciable difference to the sound. Ian played part of a test track with the cable in, then removed the cable and replayed the test track. Surprisingly, there was a clearly audible improvement in the sound stage and detail.

Ian explained that all cables can act as aerials and can introduce interference into a system which affects performance, meaning you hear less of the music. So, we should all do our systems a favour by unplugging all unnecessary cables!

Interference and noise is why quality manufacturers like Chord pay so much attention to shielding on their cables.

Having recently introduced a pair of Chord EpicX speaker cables into my own hi-fi system, I can vouch for the positive difference good cabling makes to a set-up.

Chord epic x speaker cable

As Ian said: “Think of your cable loom as another component in your system, like an amp or a streamer.

People tend to match components by quality and, by extension, price point. We wouldn’t generally match our mid to high-end source component with a significantly less expensive amplifier.

The same holds true for cabling. It allows your system to perform to its full potential.

Sound advice. So, if you are happy with the system you have currently, but wonder if you can squeeze even more performance out of it then it may be worth upgrading your cabling. You may be surprised at the difference they can make. Check out Audio T’s range of cables here, and get in touch to arrange a home demonstration.

Thanks for reading.

Alan - 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

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Rack 'em up! - Dispelling the myth around Hi-Fi Furniture

A question we get asked a lot is “Does a Hi-Fi rack make any difference sonically?” Matt from our Cardiff store takes a deeper look in to how we set our Hi-Fi systems up at home and sets out to answer questions like “How does it improve the performance and presentation of the music?” as well as “Do we go for style over function? Or do we walk the line between the two?”

On my exciting journey through the wonderful world of Hi-Fi, there have been many changes to my own system of the past couple of years. One big change came this year after attending the Bristol Hi-Fi Show, where I had a rather in-depth chat with MIAN Audio Distribution who represent Solidsteel Hi-Fi furniture for the UK.

I had some issues with my current set-up with unwanted acoustic feedback and vibration problems when listening to music at home (teamed with a difficult placement situation). After a very informative conversation, I decided to finally take the plunge and I bought myself a new rack. Now my system proudly sits on a rather cool SolidSteel S3-3 in black. 

Matt’s Hi-Fi rack at home solidsteel s3-3

Since I made this big change in my Hi-Fi it has made the world of difference to how the music sounds. How much difference does Hi-Fi furniture make? How does isolating components help with things such as noise floor?

Studio Time

As I’ve mentioned in other blogs; in my late teens I used to quite often help my dad in the TV studio he worked in. I was tasked with such things as carrying cables and making coffee, especially when working on outside broadcast.

I remember one day asking my dad why the equipment was mounted in rack cases. He essentially told me that it makes it easier to strip down the rig if there is a problem, but more importantly it keeps everything isolated. This is especially important when you’re recording quite instruments or speech as the least amount of component noise is required.

Fast forward to present day and working at Audio T, I feel Hi-Fi racks play a important role as a rack case would in the studio, isolating our equipment and giving easy access to individual components.

The big question?

All this talk about how we house our systems brings to light the big question I hear you asking out there, are Hi-Fi racks and Hi-Fi furniture worth it? How much difference does it make to the sound of my system? and also just as important, how does a Hi-Fi rack perform this magic act of changing the way our system sounds?

Let’s talk technical

Talking technical, I promise I won’t go on too much but I will give you a bit of information to think about. Most of our audio equipment generates unwanted vibrations and standing waves which are barely audible but can disturb the components in our Hi-Fi systems, such as our turntables and other sensitive electronic components, compromising sound quality. It manifests in the form of noise and gives your audio an unnatural harshness or even distortion. These unwanted vibrations can come from the transformers in our components for example, even movement from our speakers or other appliances in our homes is also a factor.

All of this makes a dedicated rack an essential part of any good audio system making our listening experience more enjoyable (sorry to sound a little vain but a rack really makes your system look the business too).

It’s all material

All of the Hi-Fi furniture manufacturers we deal with at Audio T have a well established background in engineering and design. Companies such as Solidsteel, Quadraspire and Atacama to name but a few. Before we talk about these three amazing companies, let’s look into the materials they use and why.

Many companies such as Atacama and Quadraspire use more natural materials for their damping characteristics, bamboo being one example. Suitable hardwoods such as solid oak are favoured by others. Hardwood ply has excellent acoustic properties since it consists of multiple layers of wood which have different resonances. Another alternative being MDF, which companies like Solidsteel use to make their shelves due to its more consistent density from a lack of wood grain.

There are other things at play in how a rack is built, leg design and materials such as aluminium alloy being particularly dead and easy to machine. For example, Atacama put their legs on spikes between shelves to further decrease contact between components and reduce the amount of unwanted vibration.

Let’s talk a little history

Let’s start with my personal favourite, Solidsteel. Their story is deeply rooted in passion and craftsmanship with Moreno Conti, a music enthusiast, laying the foundation for the brand in the early 1990s. His commitment to excellence has led to Solidsteel being one of the most recognised hi-fi furniture brands available in the UK.

SolidSteel S5-3 Rack

The name ‘Solidsteel’ traces its origins back to the 70s and 80s with a young man from Pescara, driven by a love for music and motors. An interesting side note is his love of motors can be seen in their speaker stands which, believe it or not, are welded by the same gentleman that welds Ducati’s motorcycle exhausts. He has experimented with cutting-edge metalworking techniques over the years which led to the creation of their first metal furniture.

Moving onto Quadraspire

The company was started by Dutch designer Eddie Spruit back in 1995 in an east London Studio, but now based in Bath. Going back over twenty years ago he set out to deliver near perfect Hi-Fi performance and something that looks the part as well. After a lot of research and experimentation, Eddie came up with his preferred materials. Bamboo for the shelves and solid machined aluminium for the legs. Using a curved design on the shelves as well as cutting cross sections out from the underside of the shelves. This fine tuning removes any unwanted resonances, almost like a spruce top on Martin acoustic guitar, they use what is know as ‘X‘ bracing to tune the wood. All of these design aspects help with the overall performance of Quadraspire racks.

And last but certainly not least

Atacama Audio, formerly know as “Sambell Engineering Ltd”, goes right back to 1969. Specialising in aerospace engineering while working beside prestigious companies such as Rolls Royce aircraft division.

Moving forward to 1987, Atacama became involved in the Hi-Fi industry. Drawing from their past experience with aluminium, they had the perfect means to design legs and feet for a Hi-Fi rack. Next, they had to come up with the perfect materials for shelving. They started with tempered glass shelves which worked really well but were still prone to vibration, they then went onto using what they felt was the perfect materials, oak and bamboo. They also incorporated a curved design to the shelves as well as using spiked isolation between them to develop their signature characteristics.

Do all Hi-Fi racks cost a small fortune?

The resounding answer is ‘no’, the great thing is Solidsteel and Atacama both have racks in their ranges that are cost effective and look great, such as the Solidsteel S2 series and the Apollo storm range from Atacama. Both are fantastic options, but I personally decided to up the performance and went for the S3 rack. That being said, the S3 is still very reasonably priced and above all great performing.


Standing up for ourselves, with speakers that is!

All three of the aforementioned companies also make speaker stands using the same design aspects, taking unwanted resonances out of the stand and increasing the performance and focus of our speakers.

For instance, I own a pair of Atacama Nexus 600 speaker stands for my Dynaudio Evoke speakers (pictured to the right). Although they are the basic range from Atacama, they do have some amazing and functional design cues. For instance, their tubular steel legs can be filled with sand or Atacama’s own Atabites to dampen any resonance they might still have.

I can’t mention speaker stands without talking about a true favourite of mine (a very near future purchase for me 😉) - The Solidsteel SS-6. As well as looking great they also isolate the speakers really well. The top plate is made from MDF, bolted into the frame as well as resting on three bearing points, again reducing any movement from vibrations.


Other ways to isolate the components in your system…

IsoAcoustics, a brand born from the recording studio and the brainchild of Canadian Dave Morrison who started the company in 2012. He was closely involved in the design of music and television studios.

I personally have some of their Graphite range pucks under my turntable and speakers, believe you me they do make a big difference, I highly recommend giving them a try! However the graphite range is the tip of the iceberg for these guys. I will be taking a bigger dive into IsoAcoustics in another blog in the very near future, so watch this space!

IsoAcoustics Orea Graphite

In conclusion

Going back to that original question, “Is Hi-Fi furniture worth it or is it just smoke and mirrors?”…

Smoke and mirrors? Definitely not! They serve a very real purpose that is audibly noticeable when implemented, especially when moving from generic furniture from the likes of IKEA that is popular with many people.

As well as proving to make a sonic difference to your system’s performance, dedicated Hi-Fi furniture showcases your set-up in the best way possible and gives it the stage it deserves.

But don’t just take my word for it pop into our store and try out the Solidsteel, Quadraspire or Atacama series racks for yourself.

Thank you for taking the time to read our 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.

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DALI iO-12 Headphones - Jack of All Trades?

Introduction

io-12’s sophisticated design

DALI pitch their relatively new iO-12 cans as the only headphones you will ever need, bridging the ground between premium wireless and wired headphones. Whether you're plugged into your Hi-Fi, immersed deep into your vinyl collection, or paired with a smartphone or laptop enjoying music whilst on the move.

So the DALI are offered up as being able to excel in the portable, wireless role, but also in the wired domestic role. This is not necessarily to say that they are up there with the best Sennheiser or Mezze high-end wired offerings, but rather that they have the dual facility of being wired and wireless and they will sound great with both. They will compare favourably against functionally similar portable alternatives around the price-point. Almost a new category of headphone really, majoring both on sound quality and versatility.

The technical stuff

Wirelessly, the iO-12 features AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive. They also features Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and also has a USB-C input which sends its signal to the DALI internal DAC (handling up to 24-bit 96kHz files).

iPhone 15 or iPad users with USB charging and output points can jump for joy here as you can get direct access to the full-fat-cream hi-res experience streaming experience from Apple Music, Qobuz and the like. There are two sound profiles when listening in wireless, one is Hi-Fi and the other is Bass.

They also have a purely passive wired-only mode for use with a headphone amplifier, via a 3.5mm stereo jack.

DALI plough their own furrow in many ways with the iO-12 in that there is no app to partner with and control it. They have gone for the no-fuss simplicity of buttons on the right-hand ear cup that toggle noise cancelling on and off, power/pairing on and off, apply bass boost and allow volume and track selection to be controlled. A lovely touch here is that when you press a button a voice through the headphone informs you of the setting. Personally, I prefer this simple but effective approach over an app.

Controls on the right earcup, here with bluetooth engaged

The 35 hours of battery life with noise cancelling and Bluetooth turned on is likely to prove more than sufficient for most users.

DALI has done something quite interesting and unique with the iO-12, they are the first headphones to feature the company’s patented Soft Magnetic Compound (SMC) technology which aims to reduce unwanted distortion and give a clearer. This is a “trickle down “usually found in DALI high end speaker systems.

The internals of the io-12 speaker driver

The speaker units also feature large 50mm drivers utilizing a paper fibre cone, again to help lower distortion.

Quality and comfort

The iO-12 exude the quality and style of a premium product, and the overall colour effect is a sort of mid to dark chocolate brown. Continuing the quality feel, the headband is leather, and the bottom padded section is a soft rubbery material that is well cushioned, and the earpads are sort of rectangular and made from genuine leather. They are quite big, and they are very comfortable, but they do look physically big when you are wearing them.

high quality travelling case

The earpads are nice and deep and easily cover my ears, they are also well padded which leads to good comfort levels all-round, a must for a headphone that is designed for out-and-about daily use. 

The luxury feel, packaging and comfort of the iO-12 is very good indeed and will no doubt add to the pride of ownership.

How do they sound?

To test out the flexibility of these cans I used Bluetooth 5.2 for streaming from my laptop and phone. Watching Foundation on Netflix from the laptop, there was a convincing soundstage, dynamics and most importantly, clarity of voice. A good start.

Music from Qobuz was well presented and nuanced via the iPhone with Bluetooth, and quite immersive, allowing you to get lost in the music with all its ambient clues. It was a rich and detailed experience both inside the house or going for a walk. The Bass setting was good, tilted more towards the lower end, giving substance but not overpoweringly so. The Hi-fi setting gave more detail as expected but in a very convincing way that got to the heart of the performance, the lossy codecs doing a surprisingly good job of transferring musical information.

Listening to film Media via USB/Thunderbolt, using the internal dac

Going back to the laptop I was able to plug the iO-12 directly into the USB3/Thunderbolt ports, thus accessing the in-built DAC in the headset. This was a great experience and a step up in musical clarity and dynamics over Bluetooth.

I also managed to dig out my old Meridian Explorer USB DAC and attach it to the Mac to use the iO-12 in passive mode via the stereo jack. Bingo, this gave an outstanding result as well, with clarity and insight. Another uptick in sound quality was achieved when heard in passive mode via the Naim Uniti Atom HE.

io-12’s passively driven via meridian explored

Using the iO-12 in its tethered modes, either via USB-C or the stereo jack, reveals just how much more detail is available, and how engagingly capable the iO-12 is as a passive headphone. This makes me think that DALI have done some careful work on the shape and engineering of the headset cups, rather than just relying on heavy DSP to get their headphones to sound right. The iO-12 sound good in passive mode, and though they have a warm tilt this doesn’t mask an overall clean sound.

Last but by no means least, the ANC worked well to damp out distracting roar in a noisy environment, Transparency mode works as it should and allows you to hear more of your surroundings as and when needed. Also, the passive isolation is excellent.

Music and Media

Music (thought I would throw in something different this time):

  • Maria Topley Bird – Forever I Wait

  • Lady Blackbird – Black Acid Soul

  • Nine Horses – The Banality of Evil

Other Media Used:

  • Foundation streaming series, Ad Astra film via Apple TV and various podcasts from BBC Sounds

Summary

The DALI iO-12 are one of the best high-end wireless options on the market for out-and-about use, they even do a fantastic job when sitting down and listening at home. They are flexible and produce a great sound regardless of which mode you listen to. They are thoughtfully engineered to give a great sound quality.

Personally, I find the no app ethos refreshing, it is one less thing to worry about or get lost in. In practice the physical sound mode buttons just perform very well indeed and the ANC simply works.

Comfort and premium build quality is superb. Price is a bit more than many wireless alternatives, but so is flexibility.

These are great all-rounders and deserve to be heard. Why not book a demo?

Thank you for reading.

Rob - Audio T Oxford

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… 


DALI can be found at the following Audio T stores

NEW in at Audio T Bristol - Dynaudio speaker Range Overview

At Audio T we are constantly looking at and auditioning components to best serve our customers. Sometimes that means revisiting old friends with new ears and that is exactly what we have done - A big Bristolian hello to Dynaudio.

For over 45 years Dynaudio have been building and producing some very fine speakers for the home, professional and in automative entertainment worlds. Late last year we had the great privilege of auditioning the Confidence 30 and Confidence 20 and were completely won over by their presentation. So much so, we decided to listen deeper to their current ranges of speakers.

In our Bristol store, we currently have the Special Forty, Confidence 20 and Confidence 30 , plus the full Emit & Evoke ranges for audition.

Dynaudio Emit Range

For those dipping their toes into the world of Hi-Fi sound, the Emit is a great choice. It might be the most compact in the family, but Emit’s performance belies its size.

Emit 10 is the ideal choice if you have limited space. It’s capable of surprising bass performance, but it won’t overwhelm the room even when cranked to neighbour-bothering volumes – and it has the added advantage of not requiring a lot of space behind it, so you can put it close to a wall.

If you’re going all-in on a home cinema set-up, then Emit 10 also performs perfectly both as a front or rear channel for your 5.1 surround-sound system.

The Emit range consists of the Emit 10, Emit 20, Emit 30, Emit 50 as well as Emit 25C dedicated centre speaker. All have the same 28mm Cerotar fabric soft-dome tweeter with DSR (Dynaudio Secret Recipe) coating and strontium carbonate Ferrite+ ceramic magnet. With Hexis and resonance-defeating back-chamber. And 18mm MDF cabinets, in three custom laminate finishes; Black, White or Walnut with Black magnetic grilles included

If space is really tight and you’re forced to place your Emit 10 right up against the wall, in a corner or even on a shelf, then be sure to use the included foam plugs. They can be used to block the rear port for more controlled bass.

Your choice is dependent on room size and how much heft you need from your music. The Emit 10 sit happily in a 10m² room, Emit 20 in 15m², Emit 30 in 20m², Emit 50 30m². Although the 30s in a 15m2 certainly are powerfully entertaining.

How do they Compare?

Around the Emit 10 (£630) are the Acoustic Energy AE300 (£649) - which is a great speaker, the Dynaudio has more punch and texture and is a lot more forward. Think of it as a Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3 (£600), in forward 3D imaging, but with a mid range of an ATC and the smooth textured top end of a Sonus Faber.

The Emit 20 at (£825) is compelling when set against our favourite benchmark - ATC SCM 7 (£995), the Emit’s have a similar mid range performance , with a less dry and more forgiving forward presentation with plenty of bass extension.

The two floorstanders Emit 30 & 50 still manage the feat of being a small floorstander with a huge soundstage. The outrigger feet provide plenty of stability, adjustment and positioning - something that it’s competitors should take note of. - Acoustic Energy AE309 (£1,149)

The Evoke Range

With Evoke, Dynaudio landed right in the Goldilocks zone. After months of intense R&D it became a five-strong family of speakers. All that experience meant the team could combine cutting-edge technology directly from the Contour and Confidence ranges. Optimised at the Dynaudio Jupiter measuring lab with higher build quality and finishing.

The Cerotar tweeter with the Hexis diaphragm is a descendant of the Esotar3 found in the Confidence range. The Esotec+ woofers use MSP (Magnesium Silicate Polymer) in their diaphragms – just like all Dynaudio speakers have done since they started in 1977.

Overall, the presentation is full, engaging, with great clarity with deep textured bass. In store for immediate audition, we have the Evoke 10, Evoke 20 & Evoke 30.

Again, the comparative options of the ATC SCM11, SCM19, Acoustic Energy AE509, are mirrored with what we observed in the Emit range.

The Special Dynaudio Special Forty

Not content to rest on their laurels after 40 years of constant innovation, Dynaudio developed the Special Forty: “we wanted to revisit those innovations and see what we’d do differently this time.”

The Special Forty is classic Dynaudio: all the craftsmanship, attention to detail and total love of authentic sound you’ve come to expect. It’s the connoisseur’s choice – a simple pair of passive hi-fi speakers with beautiful Black Vine or Ebony wave textured finish. This has become a firm shop favourite of ours.

Confidence 20

Dynaudio's flagship level range begins with a standmount Confidence 20 that ploughs the depths of 42Hz with a sweet top end. The dedicated stand allows for an air gap for a downward firing reflex port, long enough to reach those frequencies. The solid cabinet design curved shape and intricate wave guides on the front baffle create an awesome looking speaker and a masterful sound performance.

The Confidence 30 is a three-way floorstander with DDC technology on board. It uses two 18cm woofers with neodymium magnets, one 15cm midrange (also with a neodymium magnet) and one Esotar3 tweeter with the DDC Lens.

Working with a capable system, such as the Naim 300 series, they are the definition of flagship. They are break-takingly immediate, great grip, rich sounding, huge soundstage and a very deep and controlled bass with a scintillating, yet not harsh, top end. More than capable of filling our 6.2 x 7m x 3m audition room - one of the best we have ever heard.

There is a great 6 part podcast on the building of these speakers over on Dynaudio’s website- Building Confidence.

Driving

All Dynaudios we’ve tested here are relatively easy to drive. Indeed the Emit 10 and 20s are happy being driven by a Wiim Amp. Rega amplification provides really strong presence. Naim products, Uniti series and classic separates stand out as the perfect companion to Dynaudio, with the Naim clarity, punch and timing really standing out, but with an edge that is textural without being too overpowering.

Whatever your flavour, room size or equipment level - Dynaudio has a speaker in a range that is worth considering - book an audition.

Thank you for reading

Justin - 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.

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Cheltenham and the Acoustic Energy Corinium

The anticipation regarding the release of the new Acoustic Energy flagship loudspeaker had been reaching fever pitch in the weeks running up to their release earlier in the year. Our pair are now well and truly run-in and sound sooooo lovely, I thought I just had to shout about them a little via our monthly blog…

looking rather gorgeous in British Racing Green

Matt Spandl, who is the resident genius, chief designer and general loudspeaker whisperer at Acoustic Energy has been working on the Corinium project for three years now, squirreled away in his secret laboratory on a converted farm in deepest darkest Tetbury on the edge of the Cotswolds. Helped out in no small fashion by a certain James Luce, who is responsible for the funky design work, the two of them have produced one of the best loudspeakers we have ever heard. And that goes for both looks and sound!

Blue meanie digs our demo pair of coriniums

this colour is called Tectona…that’s posh speak for teak!

Why the name “Corinium”? Well, Cirencester (in the beautiful English Cotswolds) was hometown to Acoustic Energy for more than 25 years and also happened to be an important outpost in Roman Britain. In fact it was the most important town outside of London and the Romans named it Corinium Dobunnorum because they knew that at some stage in the future, someone from Cirencester would need a funky name to call their new statement loudspeakers!

Nothing has been left to chance here. Every component, every curve, every position point of the drive units and their precise specification has been painstakingly researched and refined over three years and the result is the best Acoustic Energy speaker that I have ever heard, and that includes the legendary AE1 from back in the eighties.

Build quality is reassuringly rock solid and included are super stable spiked bases designed to dump cabinet vibrations out of the speaker (where it would adversely affect the drive units) and into the floor.

super stable spiked bases

Speaker cable connections are provided via a a single pair of binding posts/banana terminals. Acoustic Energy believe it’s possible to obtain optimum results using a single pair of high quality speaker cables rather than two pairs of lower quality cables… And it avoids the unreliability of bridging links.

super chunky speaker sockets/binding posts

The Coriniums offer superlative performance at their price and are a massive upgrade over the company’s previous ‘flagship’ floorstander, the AE520 which is pretty much half the price, but the Coriniums are more than twice as good.

this colour is called black

Matt and James’ aim was to make the high end more affordable and boy have they delivered on that. Now that our demonstration pair are nicely run in (and that does make a difference) they are proving to be a proper jaw dropper. On the end of a suitably capable amplifier the Coriniums could well just be the perfect loudspeaker.

I have recently been streaming the Hi-Res 24 bit 96kHz ECM Records playlist on Qobuz with which the Coriniums have been making wonderous noises. With music such as this it is often not so much a case of the actual performance as the space around it, within which the individual musicians react to and bounce off each other. I think that music that is recorded this well finds its perfect match with the Coriniums.

and a white pair

Amongst all the beautiful ECM music that Qubuz was streaming at me these two sounded particularly lovely. Firstly Gesualdo by Erkki-Sven Tuur and Brett Dean.

And then the even more lovely Silent Light by Dominic Miller.

Through the Coriniums I was experiencing a level of detail, sound staging and bass depth that is as good as many bigger and more expensive loudspeakers. They have the ability to wring out the power, the emotion and the scale of whatever music they play.

Acoustic Energy have been making some of the world’s best loudspeakers since 1987 and these are definitely their best to date! They must be very proud of themselves.

Never before from a cabinet of this size have I heard a stereo image so wide, so deep and so high that you feel you can reach out and touch the performers. Looking at my notes from the listening session the word “real” was written large and in capitals across the middle of the page.

dID I MENTION THE BRITISH RACING GREEN PAIR

If you would like to know why these new speaker stars are kicking up a bit of a fuss in the hi-fi world there is a rather good and in depth Q&A about the development of the Coriniums with Matt Spandl on the Acoustic Energy website so pay it a visit here. More importantly perhaps get yourself a demo at one of our Audio T Stores… You will be impressed.

There is an absolute avalanche of great reviews for the Coriniums and the accolades are coming thick and fast…

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.

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Audio T Swansea and Record Store Day 2024

ANOTHER FINE DAY IN THE WORLD OF VINYL

The annual Bristol Hi-Fi Show had finished, and it was time once again to focus on another day that is firmly etched in the diary here at Audio T Swansea, which is of course Record Store Day

For those new to our blogs, or who may not have heard of Record Store Day - it’s a day celebrating the independent record shops with lots of limited edition vinyl releases of previously unheard recordings as well as re-releases of golden oldies, 12 inches, 7 inches and the odd cassette believe it or not!

This year there seemed to be quite a buzz about RSD in the run up, there was a lot of talk about it on both local and National Radio stations. As it happened Radio 6’s Huw Stephens was broadcasting live from Tangled Parrot - a small Indie Record & Coffee shop is Swansea (we were very grateful for the shoutout live on air for loaning them a Rega turntable for the afternoon).

As usual we collaborated with Derricks Music on Oxford Street (Swansea) for the day, and were once again grateful for the opportunity to take down a Rega system and play our own records. In a change to previous years I decided to take down some of the bigger guns as it were for this year, instead of the Rega Planar 1 and Brio I decided to take down the Rega Planar 8 with Fono MC phono stage and the ELEX MK4 amplifier and Acoustic Energy AE500 speakers on IsoAcoustics Aperta Isolation Stands. My main reason for this is that I use the AE500 at home on the IsoAcoustics platforms with my Planar 10, and having spoken to so many customers about how good small cabinet speakers can be on these platforms- we couldn’t ask for a better opportunity to actually have them playing for the day. Friday afternoon and off to set it all up…

The one dilemma I face every year is what records to take with me for the day. As you may be aware from previous RSD blogs, Christos the boss is firmly planted in “the Prog” as I call it as well as “old men in denim”, in stark contrast to my “bloody women and guitars” as he calls it! Do I take some very well known albums or do I take slots of my weird stuff???

So… With the record bag finally packed, it was an early start and the usual trek across the town from the car park to Derricks, with the fine mix of people you can always expect on a Saturday morning in a City centre. Some rushing to work, some tucking into a famous Greggs breakfast and some that could join a circus with their ability to stay vertical seemingly still two sheets to the wind shall we say.

The same question crosses my mind again as I approach Derricks: I wonder how long the queue will be? And… No surprise to see it heading way down the road and around the corner.

As Christos, Sian and Jon are just getting the final touches ready to the shop, I have got the system warming up then nip outside to help Big Phil hand out the amazing cookies supplied by The Crazy Baker to the dedicated shoppers patiently waiting for the doors to open.

9am strikes and we hear “let em in!”. Our first customer tells us that they were first in line at 11pm the previous evening with the next in the queue arriving just after 1am! How lucky we were to have a fine night and day once again. Amazingly we have always had a sunny day for RSD.

One of my favourite things is to watch the customers come to the counter with their wish list and try to guess what they are going to ask for, and as usual I get it completely wrong. One fine example of this is when a customer asked for Super Furry Animals, so I was then expecting some sort of rock album, how wrong could I be… Scott Walker! we burst out laughing - that is seriously eclectic!

Once the customers had their chosen LPs I had the chance to have a chat with them about the system playing an answer any questions they may have about their system. And as usual we have lots of lovely giveaways to hand out in the form of the limited edition RSD slip mat (only had 10 per store), the fabulous miniature Rega Naia keyrings, Rega bags and a couple of our big Audio T record bags.

One little addition I took to Derricks almost stole the show though - the Degritter Ultrasonic Cleaner. As one customer who was transfixed watching it do it’s bubbly cleaning job said “This is better than the telly!

It was probably around 11am before the queue had died down and people were spending longer in the shop looking at all of the RSD records that hadn’t already been snapped up, which meant they had longer to chat with me about hi-fi and music.

I was having a great time playing some of my favourites albums, and so many people were commenting on how amazing the system sounded considering it was perched on top of a display cabinet. Partly this was down to the Rega being able to perform on almost any surface but also the IsoAcoustic stands under the speakers, it was amazing the difference when the speakers were taken off and just sat on the cabinet - “Yep - this is why I use them myself at home- it’s not smoke and mirrors!”.

And…. no sooner had it started but it was now late afternoon and time to pack up. What a fabulous day! I have to say a big thank you to everyone that took the time to stop and chat with me and also a massive thank you to Christos, Sian and Jon at Derricks Music for making it such a fun packed day.

The only thing left for me to do was to go home and play my RSD purchases.

Christos - Please Note: No women with guitars!!!

Thank you for reading!

Nic - 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

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Modern Hi-Fi 101 - A beginners’ guide exploring the Basics of Hi-Fi Setups in 2024

Modern Hi-Fi 101 - A beginners’ guide exploring the Basics of Hi-Fi Setups in 2024

For many of us, investing in a quality home Hi-Fi system has become more challenging than ever in the current world climate. However the desire for a form of escapism or the pure enjoyment of sitting down and immersing yourself in music is still very much prevalent and maybe even more important than before. 


Whether it’s winding down after a long day’s work or hosting some friend’s & enjoying memorable albums and having a system that brings out a rich, immersive and captivating sound is the power of a quality Hi-Fi system. Bringing the listener closer to the original performance. 

Below I will be discussing the considerations to be had when looking for an up-to-date complete Hi-FI system (without breaking the bank!). If you are just starting your journey in high-fidelity sound and looking at building a complete setup or simply enjoy high quality sound with an outdated system and want to be able to explore the current options with more understanding, this post will hopefully help in some decision making when building your personal audio system without compromising on quality.

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AYAaaa!!! How you doin'?? - A look at the Rega AYA Floor Standing Speakers

Rega AYA

Hi-Fi loudspeakers may not be the first thing you think about when you mention the Rega name; their class leading turntables have dominated the hi-fi market for nearly two generations for very good reasons; the company's high class engineering has left competitors in their wake. But for thirty years now, Rega has offered full hi-fi systems, amplifiers, at one time a tuner, and even CD players; all with their unique design and cleverly engineered twist. This also applied to their speakers too. Fast, lightweight cones, easy to drive, and offering a really incredibly open sound...

An Interesting Cabinet!

As usual, Rega have taken a unique approach to the new AYA floor standing speakers, one glimpse of the tall slim cabinet tells you that tale!

The cabinet has taken a great deal of research and co-operation with a third party concrete specialist, it is actually a construct of concrete lightened with glass fibre. The material is unfinished, and smooth to the touch. Each cabinet will have its own little unique pattern of micro air bubbles. The cabinet looks very sculptural, and is certainly a talking point in anyone's room.

Compared to a standard wooden box, it is much more rigid, and a far better acoustic enclosure. The base is terminated in a three legged arrangement, which offers perfect floor coupling, and gives the speaker the impression that it is floating in space. The drive units are open and exposed, grills are optional. The tweeter has inbuilt protection from inquisitive fingers, but other than that, they stand naked, at 258 x 871 x 215mm (10.2 x 34.3 x 8.5in) .

Rega aya! a step up from the rest

It Tweets and Thumps!

Rega list the drive units as the ZRR tweeter, MX-125 five inch mid bass, and RR 7.8 seven inch bass driver. No crossover points are given, but the design is described as a 'two and a half way'. In practice, this means that both the five inch and the eight inch driver handle the lower bass frequencies, with just the upper frequencies rolled off the larger unit.

Both units appear to be of doped paper construction, and both are fitted with phase plugs in the centre. Both units share the same space in the cabinet, with an acoustic resistance unit splitting the cabinet in to two sections, the drive units in the top half, with tuned bass port in the lower.

Not a space port chromey, for the umteenth time!! Bless him

What Drives Us?

Rega speakers of the past have been famed for their ease of drive, and the new AYA follows this established pattern. A modest 6 ohm nominal load is 50% higher than the currently accepted 'norm' of 4 ohms, and is easier for an amplifier to drive.

In addition, the Rega AYA is well above average when it comes to sensitivity. Sensitivity is essentially how efficient the speaker is at producing acoustic power from the amplifier's power in watts; the AYA will play very loud from as little as 20 watts, even 10 watts in smaller rooms, yet can handle well up to a 110 watts, enough to fill a very large space.

Room Friendly.

The low coloration and non resonant cabinet enables the speakers to be used in many different positions in a room. All speakers require a little space to perform at their absolute best, but of course they have to fit both physically and aesthetically in to our rooms. But this is one speaker that will work reasonably close to walls.

The port at the front affords you the ability to place close to the wall

The Music Matters!

If you have heard a Rega speaker before, you will hear the clear family pedigree in this new design, with an open and liquid midrange, excellent stereo image and precise sound stage.

The speaker responds well to more budget oriented systems, as well as the much more High-End. On arrival in store, we ran the new AYA up on around £15,000 worth of Naim pre-power-streamer system. The AYA did not disappoint. Skipping through a few tracks, the classic 1972 track by The Temptations, Papa Was A Rolling Stone popped up. On this song, each of the vocalists are positioned in a different location within the mix, and on a good system, you can hear quite clearly this splendid stereo effect. And again, on a good system, the different vocal characteristics of the singers shows clearly, and the Rega AYA excelled on this track.

Another 70s special, Bob James and the track, Angela (more familiar as the theme tune to the cult TV show Taxi). Bob James' Fender Rhodes electric piano sounded really clear, the midrange is really a stunning part of this superb speakers design, which as with The Temptations track, human voice is handled aplomb.

Sticking with the 70s vibe, some rare grooves from Camille Yarbrough and Take Your Praise (famously sampled by Fatboy Slim) which has low down sassy vocals and a solid bass line, the AYA did a fabulous job rendering this track, as they did on the more funky Hit or Miss, by Odetta. The piano, bass and drums sounds of Vince Guaraldi, and the recently remastered Black Orpheus soundtrack further proved the AYA's exceptional stereo imaging and life like qualities.

Jumping forward, and back in to the 21st century, the speaker had no problems with more modern programme material, as well as our classic choices. The treble is clean and fast, not bright and splashy, but smooth and controlled. The speaker's efficiency dictates that the bass end is never going to be thunderously deep, but they do go deep, and have a nice warming punch, that in no way effects the gloriously open and spacious midrange.

Chromey takes a stance on good feet and sits down on Aya’s feet.

How Much??, Give Over!!

Even on a much more modest Rega Brio amplifier accompanied by the Rega Planar 3 turntable, the fidelity remains top notch. One thing we haven't mentioned yet is the new AYA's price.

Despite the unique bespoke and rather clever cabinets, the handmade drive units and rigorous testing, the AYA costs a modest £1,499*. On a value for money note, there are few speakers that come close to the AYA on its liquid midrange, its openness, ease of drive and ease of use. A speaker that is at home in a High-End system, as much as a more budget friendly one. The unique looks might be a bit of a 'marmite' issue. But if you are in the market for a speaker at this price point, it is really hard not to give this excellent new addition to the Rega range an audition in store.

Our Rega Aya are on display and ready to demonstrate at our Manchester store. Please feel free to come along to the store and seek out the Rega Aya and see “how they doin’ "

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.

Thanks for reading

Haden (Photos by Munir) - Audio T Manchester

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Naim and Dynaudio create sonic magic at Audio T Portsmouth

A very special day was had by all attending the Naim & Dynaudio listening event we held at Audio T Portsmouth on 18th April. Customers who signed up to the event were treated to an exclusive demonstration of the superb Naim 300 series and Dynaudio’s awesome Confidence 50 speakers.

Star turns

Jason Gould, from Naim, and Bill Livingston, from Dynaudio, had star billing and led three sessions throughout the day.

They kicked off each session by telling our guests a little about the products and then guiding them through a structured listening session.

Jason Gould, Naim

Jason talked guests through the quality of sound delivered by the Naim Uniti Core music server which makes bit-perfect rips of your CDs allowing for better-than-CD quality streaming.

This fed into the Naim NSS 333 streamer and then into the Naim NAC 332 pre-amp. Amplification was supplied by a pair of NAP 350 mono block power amps.

Naim 300 series

Bill then explained some of the history, philosophy and process behind the design of Dynaudio speakers, including the Confidence 50.

The Confidence range are the result of a ground-up process that saw Dynaudio rethink, redesign and retest every component for optimum performance at the price point.

Bill Livingston, Dynaudio UK

Then the serious listening began.

Our guests first heard tracks played via the Naim Uniti Core into the NSS 333, NAC 332 and the NAP 350s.

Big sound

The sound through the big Dynaudio was as expansive, revealing and weighty as you might expect from a system with a combined retail price north of £60,000.

Jason then added a Naim NPX 300 power supply to the NSS 333 streamer and guests listened to the same tracks.

Jason about to add an NPX 300 into the mix

The music immediately sounded more textured with better presentation of microdetail and also enhanced tonality of the voices and instruments. We not only heard more of the music but also more of the space around and between the voices and instruments.

The next step was to add a second NPX 300 to the NAC 332 pre-amp.

Next level

With almost £12,000 of power supply now feeding the streamer and preamp this now £70k-plus system took another step towards musical nirvana.

What was striking about the system was the immediacy and intimacy of the presentation. The music sounded alive.

Singers were virtually present in the room, their voices rendered in all their glory, their imperfections, their strengths and their vulnerabilities. Instrumental tonality became three dimensional, for example what seemed like a single solid bass note was clearly revealed as two, while the snappy rap of the snare drum regained so much of the bite it would have in reality.

Hearing is believing

It is easy to wax lyrical about the way high-end systems reproduce music but, in reality, no amount of words are adequate substitute for listening. Hearing really is believing.

The Naim 300 series remains on demonstration along with the Confidence 50 speakers at Audio T Portsmouth. So, if you missed our event and want to hear for yourself what this incredible set-up sounds like, then contact us and we will happily arrange a demo for you.

For more on the Dynaudio Confidence 50s read our blog from August 2023 below.

Thanks for reading.

Alan - 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

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