Say 'Bonjour!' to the X-P700 Preamp & X-A160EVO Power Amp from Advance Paris!

At Audio T Southampton we’ve been eagerly anticipating the arrival of a number of products from Advance Paris. Amongst many new toys that we have booted up and played with since their arrival are the X-P700 preamplifier and the X-A160 EVO power amplifier. So without further ado, let's dive in…

When the pre and power amp were delivered, they were immediately put to use in driving a pair of Acoustic Energy Corinium speakers in the striking British Racing Green. We were pleasantly surprised with the sound straight out of the box. Even without time to run in the equipment, it was apparent that the synergy with the speakers was one to be savoured, utilising the Corinium’s natural warmth and their own inherent clean and warm signature sound to produce a wide and natural soundstage and sound, almost making the speakers disappear completely!

The Advance Paris X-P700 (Right) and the X-A160EVO (left)

Now you might expect these items, especially with what I described above, to be rather costly, however this is thankfully not the case. Each unit costs a modest £1,500*, meaning that you can have a separate pre and power system for a fraction of what you thought it would cost! And asides from the affordable price points, the pre-amplifier is chock full of various features and settings to play with.

X-P700 Preamp

The X-P700 has an extensive range of inputs, both analogue and digital, that meet the requirements of most, if not all listeners. This includes a switchable phono stage that allows you to use either an MM, High Output MC or Low Output MC turntable seamlessly. Also included in this is 2 optical, one coaxial and a USB input for any of your digital sources, utilising the powerhouse Burr Brown PCM 1796 DAC, capable of converting digital files/sources all the way up to 24bit/192kHz without breaking a sweat.

Other connections include a total of seven RCA inputs (excluding the phono input), an RCA record out for the tape enthusiasts and even a balanced XLR input for any of those pesky sources that only have XLR outputs.

But enough about the plethora of inputs, let's discuss the outputs. And this preamp has plenty for you to choose from. Starting with the obvious, you have both RCA and XLR outputs to go to your power amp or active speakers, a 3.5mm and 6.3mm headphone output, and it also has 2 LFE subwoofer outputs, meaning you can have a stereo pair of subwoofers for your system. Now isn't that neat?

You can also add an optional Bluetooth Receiver to the dedicated port on the rear of the unit. I could talk about the full features of this product for hours, but you can find them here to discover at your own pace.

X-A160EVO Power Amp

Now onto the X-A160EVO power amplifier, and there isn't as much to say about this unit as as it is simply a no-frills powerhouse - No French lace here!

What we can talk about however, is the power output, which sits at a very impressive 160 watts per channel into 8 Ohms on Class A/B, meaning this power amplifier can comfortably drive arguably most speakers you decide to pair with it. But despite it being Class A/B, this beast doesn't run very warm at all, not unless you switch on its High Bias mode.

The High Bias mode is quite interesting, as the difference it makes to the sound is indistinguishable when listening at high volumes, however it shines through at lower levels. Essentially, flicking this mode on turns the amplifier into a pseudo-Class A amp.

I found that this mode cleans up some of the audio at lower levels, bringing out the bass a bit more and also making the mids and tops a little sweeter.

One of Advance Paris’ signature features is the beautiful VU meters. Both light up in a nice, cool blue LED (Which can be dimmed or even turned off).

Conclusion

The X-P700 Preamp and X-A160EVO Power Amp from Advance Paris make a fantastic pair for anyone serious about high-quality audio. The X-P700 offers precise control and super clean signal handling, ensuring your music sounds just right. The X-A160EVO Power Amp packs a serious punch, delivering powerful and clear sound thanks to its advanced design. Together, they create an amazing listening experience that's rich, detailed, and immersive. For those who want to take their audio setup to the next level, this combo is a top-notch choice that won't disappoint. But why take my word for it?

If you have any further queries on these products, or would like to book a demonstration to listen to these or any Advance Paris products, don't be afraid to call us and ask/request!

Thanks for reading

Tiago - Audio T Southampton.

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

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

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Advance Paris can be found at the following Audio T stores

• BRIGHTON

• BRISTOL

• CARDIFF

• CHELTENHAM

• MANCHESTER

• ONLINE STORE

• OXFORD

• PORTSMOUTH

• READING

• SOUTHAMPTON

• SWANSEA

• SWINDON

In-Seine-ly Good! Audio T Reading Falls In Louvre with the Advance Paris MyConnect 60 All-in-One Hi-Fi System

Bonjour, and welcome mes amis from Audio T Reading in Swallowfield. To be frivolous for a moment, we’ve got to love our far-out French neighbours. While we say “oh my gosh”, they say ‘ah la vache’ – ‘oh my cow’. When it’s “raining cats and dogs” here in Good Ol’ Britannia, over there it’s “pleut comme une vache qui pisse” – ‘raining like a cow pees’. (What is their beef with those poor cows?). Us Brits might retort that someone is exaggerating or “going a bit too far”; the French of course will exclaim ‘faut pas pousser mémé dans les orties’ – ‘don’t push grandma into the nettles’. (It would now appear no grandmother or cow is safe)…

However… while we puff out our chests and feel quite pleased for seeming “to know the score”, it so happens our French friends have a much nicer one up their (record) sleeve as they appear ‘connaître la musique’ – ‘to know the music’. On this fine note, please do keep reading as we have something new to share with you from an exciting brand just across ‘La Manche’ or ‘The Sleeve’ – aka “The English Channel”. Why do our friends à la française call it The Sleeve? Nevermind, en evant (onward)…

SECRETS TRAVEL FAST IN (ADVANCE) PARIS – THE MYCONNECT 60 ALL-IN-ONE AMPLIFIER

Once famously declared by the infamous Napolean Bonaparte, ‘Secrets travel fast in Paris’. And they are about to travel pretty fast here too because, as part of a big Audio T exposé, we are delighted to be one of the few exclusive retailers in the UK to bring to you the fabulous French audiophile brand – Advance Paris.

Here at Audio T Reading, it’s a pleasure to have on demonstration the exciting MyConnect 60 All-in-One Amplifier.

This little all-in-one is quite the tour-de-force, offering a host of audio treats such as external streaming from Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify (and many more music providers), CD playback, DAB+ and FM radio, internet radio, local audio streaming from USB and other network storage (NAS) devices, Wi-Fi, ethernet, Bluetooth and Airplay connectivity, an on-board phono stage for connecting a turntable with a moving magnet (MM) cartridge, a suite of analogue and digital inputs and outputs, plus a dedicated subwoofer output!

There is even a headphone output of the full-fat 6.3mm variety for sending your tunes to a set of good quality cans; As headphonistas here at Audio T Reading, we are thrilled to see a larger headphone jack on the MyConnect 60 – It’s really quite rare to find this on an all-in-one product that retails below £1,000.  

THE APÉRO DÎNATOIRE OF HI-FI – MYCONNECT 60 LAYS ON QUITE A SPREAD

With more features on its plate than one might find at an apéro dînatoire evening buffet, what is it actually like to use the Advance Paris MyConnect 60 all-in-one? One of the biggest turn-offs when it comes to poorly executed all-in-one products is being met with a sea of buttons and knobs that feel more wobbly than blancmange to the touch while being annoyingly unresponsive in use.

Advance Paris have kept the fascia clean and chic on the MyConnect 60; adorning the frontage is a slick feeling on-off button, six small pin buttons providing just the essential playback functions, and the pièce de resistance – a single spun-metal rotary knob with a positively reinforcing turn-and-click operation. This knob performs volume adjustments and allows for access to source selection, tone controls, etc. Streaming control and management of connected devices are provided by the Advance Playstream app, available for Apple and Android devices.

Both the rotary selector wheel and the dedicated app are a joy to use – controls are tactile and are quick to respond, and latency was impressively low when cueing and playing tunes via Qobuz, Tidal and Apple Music via Airplay. It’s evident that the design and engineering team at Advance Paris have paid very close attention to the operational quality of the MyConnect 60; this really matters as a lack of operational foibles brings the connection between the listener and the music ever closer.    

TROUVER LE TON JUSTE – MYCONNECT 60 SONIC IMPRESSIONS

On the subject of music listening, how does the Advance Paris MyConnect 60 fare with audio reproduction? Well, this is a just-add-speakers system and after trying out a selection in our Swallowfield listening chambre we arrived at our impressions of the MyConnect 60 by pairing it with the UK designed Acoustic Energy AE100² loudspeakers – few speakers come up better this side of £500.

The combination proved to be astounding, one of the best French-British connections since the Channel Tunnel or Dover to Calais! Music gushes from this system with freedom and flair – it somehow sounds at ease yet energetic at the same time. This match-up has a really interesting tonal balance; generally speaking, the sound of most systems can be described as warm (fuller sounding), cool (leaner sounding) or neutral (somewhere between the two) and typically the whole spectrum of sound, from the low notes to the high notes, will combine overall to slot itself into one of those categories. What’s interesting with the MyConnect 60 and the Acoustic Energy AE100² combination is that the bass notes are tilted towards a nice and full sound, while the mid-to-high notes are tilted more towards neutral and are comparatively a touch leaner.

This dual-tilt presentation proves to be trouver le ton juste – hitting just the right note. It makes listening to all genres of music a fun and engaging experience. Let’s not forget, the MyConnect 60 with that awesome headphone jack is also a just-add-headphones system. Pairing it with closed back Meze 99 Classic cans or open-back Sennheiser 660 S2 headphones is truly magnifique!

WHAT HAPPENS IN PARIS STAYS IN PARIS – MYCONNECT 60 FINALE THOUGHTS

What happens in Paris stays in Paris? Not quite anymore. Now available from Audio T and with a current asking price of £850*, the Advance Paris MyConnect 60 all-in-one music making machine is a clear step-up in quality from offerings in and around the £500 and above mark. With a carefully tuned class-AB amplifier at its heart, the MyConnect 60 more than holds its own in the company of all-in-one players at approaching twice the price.

The consistency of its excellent presentation deserves a mention – whether it be from CD, streaming, radio and via speakers or headphones, the MyConnect 60 demonstrates all of the attributes of carefully crafted engineering at a price point where it often isn’t found. When combined with the Acoustic Energy AE100² speakers, the MyConnect 60 serves as the conductor of a complete digital music system that rivals any competitor around this price point. And in time you could even consider adding a turntable such as the venerable Rega Planar 2. Et voilà!

Thank you for reading, Rishi and Gareth – 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…

Please note: no cows, grannies or French people were harmed in the making of this blog. We love them all! 😉

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

• BRIGHTON

• BRISTOL

• CARDIFF

• CHELTENHAM

• MANCHESTER

• ONLINE STORE

• OXFORD

• PORTSMOUTH

• READING

• SOUTHAMPTON

• SWINDON

• SWANSEA

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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?

A Room With Two VU's - The Advance Paris Xi-1100 Integrated Amplifier

oooo, an artistically lit logo. someone’s brought their ‘a’ game.

Nouveaux jouets!

(New toys)

The most recent brand to arrive at Audio T Swansea’s golden shore, is the hitherto little-known in Britain (yet 25 year-old French marque), Advance Paris.

So little-known on this side of la Manche, it’s nigh-on an Audio T exclusive. Far be it for me to make sweeping generalisations and regurgitate national tropes about our continental cousins, but they do like to do some things a little differently over there. A case in point is this Xi-1100 integrated amplifier..

Design inspiration by Sebastien Chabal?*

for the avoidance of doubt, it’s the unit on the bottom shelf.

*This guy

We are used to great slabs of machined aluminium gracing amplifiers of this cost, yet here we have polished acrylic hiding those slabs of aforementioned metal that in turn, hide a robust, pressed steel chassis. Apart from the two funky, dirty-great-big, blue and orange VU meters of course.

almost intimidating aren’t they?

The stout construction delivers an all-up weight of 20kg (44lbs) which is bang on trend for this price bracket and most impressive when one has to manipulate it about for a photo shoot. Je vous remercie (Thank you to those not down with the lingo).

A great deal of that mass is the large toroidal transformer, mounted vertically just behind the double fascia and the impressive six-compartment construction of the interior, complete with aluminium heatsinks running down the flanks. This is all very reassuring, as is the specification; 220 Watts into 8 Ohms is respectable enough, but to near-double that up to 400 Watts into 4 Ohms, is impressive and hints at some very useful headroom indeed, should you have a loudspeaker that presents a less than charitable load.

The Detail

In common with many modern amplifiers, the ‘1100 has digital as well as analogue inputs and a phono stage to boot. Moving magnet only in this case, which makes sense to us, as anyone who has a Moving Coil cartridge is probably going to want a discrete moving coil phono stage. In my experience they sound better.

reassuringly built and mightily solid it is too.

Uncommonly, the Xi-1100 has two DACs (digital to analogue converters) A ‘regular’ one from Texas Instruments (they don’t just make calculators you know!) a Burr-Brown PCM1796 which is connected to the four optical, two coaxial and single AES (the one that looks like an XLR socket) digital inputs, which can decipher up to 24bits at 192KHz. The second DAC is an X-MOS processor and ‘jitter-corrected USB3318’ used purely for the USB-B input. Not something often seen and (we are reliably informed) resolves the compromise of having one DAC do two slightly different jobs and compromising the performance of one of them. Remarquable!

A comprehensive selection of analogue inputs inhabit the rear panel: four component RCAs, that aforementioned phono stage with ground screw, an XLR, an RCA pre-amp input (handy for home theatre applications) plus a variable-level RCA pre-out (to connect a power amplifier or subwoofer) and a switched, fixed-or-variable RCA output labelled ‘Tape/Subwoofer.’ Oh and no fewer than six loudspeaker terminals. Four are labelled ‘output A’ and two ‘output B’. When you realise that output A is for bi-wiring, six terminals for a stereo amplifier makes a little more sense. You could even tri-wire, should you feel inclined. Logique.

i said they like to do things differently and i was right. those unusual bi-wire terminals.

There is one more design feature that has an impact on performance; This amp runs pure Class A up to 45W but when more current is required, the Xi-1100 engages Class A/B. This is of benefit as we get the body, weight and finesse of Class A most of the time, but without the attendant enormous power consumption and heat creation of a fully Class A design. Bon.

So what does it sound like?

We connected a pair of Dynaudio Special 40, (famously a 4 Ohm design that prefers...robust amplification) and they simply sat up and did as they were told.

With the analogue inputs, not as weighty and forceful as one might expect, given the sheer size of the unit, the specs described and those mighty VU meters. It’s...correct. It isn’t bright, it isn’t overly warm, it’s accurate and it is engaging. It doesn’t have a particularly pronounced presence band either, it simply gets on with the job of keeping out of the way of the artiste, an open window on the performance if you will. If it isn’t on the disc, (or in the data file!) it ain’t coming out of the speakers. Bravo!

couldn’t resist another pic of those v-u’s, especially when the photographer has taken so much trouble with the bokeh.

Via the DACs, the picture is a little different. It’s gentler than I expected, tracks known to be bright or even hard, are presented with an evenness and grace I had not experienced before. The same scale is still there on orchestral pieces, or electronic landscapes, but the music has an unforced quality about it whilst still keeping the listener engaged. I think this amplifier may be the cause of many a late-night listening session. Now, where did I put my copy of Tom Waits’ Swordfish Trombones...?

But don’t take my word for it, the Advance Paris Xi-1100 is on demonstration at our Swansea store right now, so pay us a visit tout suite.

Merci d’avoir lu ceci (Thank you for reading)

Ade - Audio T Swansea

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

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

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Advance Paris can be found at the following Audio T stores

• BRIGHTON

• BRISTOL

• CARDIFF

• CHELTENHAM

• MANCHESTER

• ONLINE STORE

• OXFORD

• PORTSMOUTH

• READING

• SOUTHAMPTON

• SWANSEA

• SWINDON

An Olympian in the making - Advance Paris x-i75 amplifier

Hi folks, and welcome to the latest article from us here at Audio T Brighton. We’re potentially in for a bit of amplification bliss this month as we’re taking a look and a listen to a product from across the English Channel; the French manufacturer, Advance Paris.

Offering a diverse range of products new to us here at Audio T, they provide consumers an alternative choice of hi-fi products at both the entry-level, right up to the high-end. Advance Paris has been in business for over a quarter of a century and it will be fascinating to see what delights they bring to the Audio T-able! (See what I did there?)

Advance Paris x-i75 integrated amp...

advance paris x-i75

The Advance Paris x-i75 integrated amplifier is a well-adorned and smart-looking device with a specified 75W/ch into 8-ohms, a plethora of inputs on the rear, which includes: a MM phono input for a turntable, 1 x CD analogue input, 1 x Tuner analogue input and 4 x Auxiliary analogue inputs, 2 x co-axial digital inputs, 1 x optical(toslink) digital input, 1 x asynchronous USB-B input for a computer/laptop and 1 x USB-A input to allow music files to be played from an attached storage device, such as a USB memory stick or hard drive. An optional Bluetooth module can be purchased and plugged into the provided slot on the rear, if desired, as there is no network wireless connectivity built-in as standard. To be fair, consumers have alternative options from Advance Paris with products available in their range should they wish to go for network connectivity. Apart from that, customers will be unlikely to want more plug-in options than are available in the current range.

the well adorned input rear of the advance paris x-i75

Headphone users will be pleased to see a 1/4 inch headphone jack for personal listening. This is an advancement on the usual 3.5mm mini-jack available on many of the competitors offerings.

For full specifications on the Advance Paris x-i75 integrated amplifier please click on this link.

The Advance Paris x-i75 in use... Sacre bleu!

In order to gain some sonic impressions of the Advance Paris x-i75 amplifier we decided to partner it with a source from the same stable, the x-CD7 compact disc player, commensurate in price and a product we’ve heard a real buzz about!

I carefully placed a copy of The Very Best of Nina Simone and witnessed a positive closing of the CD tray. If you’re in a hurry to start listening to music, the x-CD7 won’t keep you hanging around because once the drawer has closed the CD starts to play immediately! It appears that the default setting on this unit is set to autoplay and this may be a convenient feature for some. On a more light-hearted note, it did remind me of a scene from Ronnie Barker’s BBC production of Open All Hours where Arkwright’s till drawer closed in a similar manner 😆

Sonically, the Advance Paris x-i75 amp and x-CD7 CD player seemed perfectly well-matched and provided a vibrant and flavourful sound, especially when reproducing Nina Simone’s voice.

John Scofield’s Uberjam Deus provided an album of weight and punch to test out the x-i75’s ability to control bass and play a tune and the pairing did a fine job, exceeding the performance of its price class.

Horses for courses, when it comes to hi-fi systems at this price point, both products performed extremely well in different areas, with subjective differences evident with a good in-store demonstration. We always recommend this approach before parting with your hard-earned cash when buying a new hi-fi system, of course, because variety is the spice of life.

We tried the Wharfedale Lintons with the Advance Paris set-up and the Lintons did the job nicely, offering a warm balance which we think complements the Advance Paris very well.

Quelle surprise!

We have been surprised by the quality of the Advance Paris offerings and the extensive range of models available to potential customers. The x-i75 amplifier and matching x-CD7 CD player offer customers a viable alternative to the competition with an extensive upgrade path available as you advance through their range.

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

Thanks for reading.

Ade - 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…

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Advance Paris can be found at the following Audio T stores

• BRISTOL

• BRIGHTON

• CARDIFF

• CHELTENHAM

• ENFIELD

• MANCHESTER

• OXFORD

• PORTSMOUTH

• READING

• SOUTHAMPTON

• SWANSEA

• SWINDON

Advancing The Sounds Of The Compact Disc With Advance Paris

Matt from our Cardiff store takes a deep dive into one of our newest and most exciting brands, Advance Paris and of their components particularly the X-D500 CD transport. So let’s test drive this phenomenal piece of kit and see where we end up…

advance paris xd500 cd transport

I find myself once again on the wonderful wild ride through the world of Hi-Fi. As previously mentioned, for this month’s blog I am focusing on the compact disc side of things. The CD source in question this month is a wonderful CD transport made by the amazing French company, Advance Paris.

Advance Paris first came onto my radar in February of this year at the Bristol Hi-Fi show, where I was invited to visit their room and have a listen to the exciting new range of products they had to offer. It was a great opportunity to get to know the brand and I was (and still am) very impressed not just with their look & build of their product range, but also their sonic performance.

advnace paris embossed logo top panel xd500

Advance Paris History

As you will no doubt have read from blogs from our colleagues in our sibling stores - Advance Paris was born in 1995 by French Hi-Fi enthusiasts, pushing the boundaries of high-fidelity audio and music reproduction at its finest. Bringing audiophile quality equipment such as amplification, CD players and speakers to our ears at reasonable prices.

Moving forward to 2004 Advance Paris developed their first integrated amplifier which laid the foundations for the innovations we see in their range today, such as the beautiful yet functional features including preamp valves and VU meters. These features were later joined by streaming with products such as the WTX Stream Tubes network player and amplifiers like the Playstream A5. These products are just the tip of the iceberg in Advance Paris’s fantastic arsenal, and there is truly something for everyone. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re expanding your sonic horizons Advance has it.

The Tech Bit

The XD 500 has a linear power supply with 2 toroidal transformers for perfect separation of the different power supplies, for the operation of this product such as mechanical management, and processing of the signal from the laser etc.

This CD transport also has an over sampling function (up scaling) from (16bit/44.1kHz) to a signal bit rate of (24bit/96KHZ or 24bit/192kHz).

The XD-500 also benefits from a chassis with significant rigidity thanks to its mechanical design. Each circuit is separated from the others by compartmentalised construction, ensuring effective shielding. Equipped with Coaxial (RCA), Optical (Toslink) and AES / EBU (XLR) digital outputs.

Advance paris xd500 cdtransport rear panel

Let The Listening Commence

advance paris remot control

I have said many times before one of the great things about working for Audio T is the ability to bring the latest and greatest kit home to get to know how each piece of equipment performs. As we say to our customers, there’s nothing quite like listening in the comfort of your own room. As I write this, I am in my music room with the wonderful Advance Paris CD transport plugged into my system, sat on my sofa with a cup of coffee listening to a selection of CDs as the evening rolls on.

Thos of you that have got to know me from my previous blogs or have met me in store will know that vinyl & turntables are my first love. The CD format does come a very close second and I have collected rather a lot of CDs over the years, possibly in the high hundreds in all honesty, I’ve lost count. It is safe to say that the CD player, or in this case the CD transport, is just as important in delivering quality sound as the turntable. You may be thinking why bring the Advance Paris XD 500 home and plug it into a Cyrus amp. My reasoning for this was that the XD 500 sounds phenomenal through Advance Paris’s own amplification using the internal DAC and I feel it is just as important to test the flexibility of a CD transport as many of us out there mix and match brands in our Hi-Fi systems.

How Does It Sound?

First impressions, as with all the Advance Paris equipment I’ve had the pleasure to come across, is that the build quality is superb and the aesthetic styling is clean and modern. With looks that would grace anyone’s home system.

(Although, I must say that it looks especially impressive if you pair it with the A10 integrated amplifier as they really complement each other.)

Aside from looks, let talk about performance...

With my amplifier all warmed-up from the get-go the XD 500 CD transport really adds something a little different to what I am used to.

This CD transport seems to add a certain warmth you’d expect from an analogue source whilst maintaining a sense of digital magic. It works perfectly with instruments such as the iconic Fender Telecaster tone of Bruce Springsteen, especially on Racing in the Streets, where it sounds more alive than ever before. Stephen Perkins’ drums on the Jane’s Addiction track, The Great Escape, seemed to be cleaner whilst retaining the solid groove he plays throughout the track.

I feel that the XD 500 really captures what we want from the music, and more. The fact that it performs as well as it does at this price bracket is a testament to one of Advance Paris’ main goals “…the aim is to deliver uncompromising sound quality at affordable prices”.

Demonstration Tracks

1: Bruce Springsteen - The Promise

Track: Racing in the streets

2: Jane’s Addiction - The Great Escape

Track: Irresistible force met the immovable object

3: Artist: Incubus - Morning view

Track: Just A Phase

Demo albums used

Conclusion

In short, Advance Paris really has set out to impress with their innovative designs, whilst tipping the proverbial hat to vintage technology such as valves and VU meters. But above all else, the sonic performance of the entire range conducts itself well above its price point.

So why not give us a call and book yourself in for a demonstration and tell us what you think.

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…

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Advance Paris can be found at the following Audio T stores

• BRIGHTON

• BRISTOL

• CARDIFF

• CHELTENHAM

• MANCHESTER

• ONLINE STORE

• OXFORD

• PORTSMOUTH

• READING

• SOUTHAMPTON

• SWANSEA

• SWINDON

Sacre Blue! VUs, valves, vivid sound and value-for-money herald a French Hi-Fi invasion

It’s an established brand name that most of us in the UK have probably never heard of. However that’s all about to change…

There is a buzz of excitement running through Audio T at the moment as all stores have recently taken delivery of demonstration units in the Advance Paris range which you can also read about in other Audio T shop blogs.

At Portsmouth, we have been fortunate enough to secure the popular mid-range A10 Classic amplifier, the WTX-StreamTubes network player, the XCD9 CD player as well as the Air65 Connect active network speakers.

Advance Paris? Well, they have been manufacturing hi-fi since 1995 and sell products in more than 40 countries. However, it’s fair to say that the French company are yet to secure a high profile this side of La Manche. Now, with a new UK distributor, that is set to change.

In fact with so many products in their range - from all-in-one systems, amps, streamers and even cables - it may feel a little like a French hi-fi invasion. Especially with the keen pricing and brand’s focus on bang-for-buck.

Let’s take a look…

First impressions of their amp, streamer and CD player are very positive. All units in the Advance Paris range are classy-looking in a modern-yet-retro way (thanks to valves and VU meters) and are well-built.

WTX-streamTubes, a10 and xcd9

The A10 is no exception. The unit is reminiscent of amps from US manufacturer, McIntosh in terms of its twin blue-lit VU meters sitting behind a glassy fascia.

The A10’s twin VUs and valves

It’s not a case of style over substance either. The A10 is a sizeable unit weighing in at just under 15kg. There is grunt aplenty from this class AB amp which delivers 130W into 8ohms.

The A10 is well-furnished with connections including six analogue, a moving magnet (MM) phono stage, five digital inputs and three USB inputs. There is also a connector for an optional aptX XFTB01 or XFTB02 bluetooth receiver. There are a couple of HDMI connectors, including an Arc, and two sub outs. A 6.35mm headphone socket sits on the otherwise uncluttered front.

The rear of the A10

Unusually, and in common with many other Advance Paris products, there is also a valve-driven preamp stage. Apart from looking pretty exotic, these little glowing valves are designed to play an important part in the sound reproduction.

The warm glow of the A10’s twin valves

The proof is in the listening…

In our first listening session in the Portsmouth demo room we had the A10 driving a pair of Spendor A7s. Not the hardest speakers to drive, although they really sing with the sort of current supplied by more powerful amps like the A10.

Our first impression of the A10 was that it delivers a surprisingly fluid and detailed sound. Many amps take a bit of running in to lose that box-fresh brittleness in their sound.

The lack of initial harshness may be, in part, due to those valves in the A10’s pre-amp stage. It may also be the class AB push-pull amplification that imparts this silkier-than-expected tonality. AB amplification combines lower distortion class A amplification with higher efficiency class B to give a natural sounding amp that doesn’t generate as much heat as pure class A.

There is even a switch on the back of the unit which allows you to engage a higher bias towards A class amplification. While there isn’t much of an obvious immediate difference when switching to high bias there was a slight dip in volume combined with a sense of a more natural presentation. We chose to leave it in high bias.

The A10 runs pretty warm as you’d expect with any valve technology - high bias just makes the casework that little bit warmer. This amp ideally needs a bit of space around it.

Already impressed, I took the A10 home for an extended weekend audition. I swapped out my tank-like Parasound A21 and, by comparison, the pretty chunky A10 looked positively compact. And, at almost half the weight of mine, the A10 was far less of a back breaker to move.

The first impression was that the A10 was noticeably brighter than my amplifier. Not surprising perhaps given newness of the Advance Paris electronics compared to my well and truly run-in unit which is about 20 years old.

Had my system lost some of its warmth with the A10 in place of the Parasound A21? Probably. But this likely says more about my amp than the A10. In car terms, I see my old amp as a vintage American muscle car: in other words, bags of raw power with a lovely V8 sonic burble to it (figuratively speaking, obviously), but not so agile on the twisty stuff.

The A10, fed by a Bluesound Node running into a Naim DAC-V1, coaxed another level of detail and precision out of my Spendor A5Rs. That double cymbal strike in the slow-build intro to AC/DC’s Hells Bells (Back In Black) had never sounded so defined on my system.

Robert Plant’s vocal (and backing vocals) on Fallin’ in Love Again (Band of Joy) were better projected and three-dimensional through the A10. The soundstage on the track Nerds on Mushrooms, by electronic duo Infected Mushroom, was vast and the detail stunning, all anchored with a thunderous bassline thanks in part to my REL T/Zero sub.

José Carreras singing Agnus Dei in the Misa Criolla was spine tingling. Don’t get me wrong, this track sounds very good indeed through my amp. But the A10 lent a fresher tone to Carreras’ voice, perhaps it was as much to do with there being more perceived space around his vocal. This sense of space around instruments and vocals is something the A10 projected very well.

Conclusion

I thoroughly enjoyed the A10 both in store and in my personal system. In terms of the detail, the sense of space in the music and the size of the soundstage the A10 simply delivered more.

More than once, while listening to the A10, I had to remind myself that this amp only costs £2,000. Ok, only is probably not the right word since £2K is a lot of money. But the thing is, the A10 sounds and looks like an amp that might easily carry a price tag of £3,000 or more.

The A10 embodies the Advance Paris commitment to quality and value-for-money. If you are in the market for a mid-range integrated amplifier with plenty of power, tremendous connectivity, deeply impressive sound and lush looks to match then the A10 certainly ought to be on your demo shortlist.

Thanks for reading.

Alan, Stephen and Luke - Audio T Portsmouth

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

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

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Advance Paris can be found at the following Audio T stores

• BRIGHTON

• BRISTOL

• CARDIFF

• CHELTENHAM

• MANCHESTER

• ONLINE STORE

• OXFORD

• PORTSMOUTH

• READING

• SOUTHAMPTON

• SWANSEA

• SWINDON

The Advance Paris X-CD9 CD Player lands at Audio T Cheltenham

OK… we are so super excited about this new (to us) and fairly exclusive French brand, Advance Paris. With 25 years experience in their home market, Advance Paris started out as Advance Acoustic in 1995 with a range of five loudspeakers. After expanding its speaker range, Advance Acoustic began working on electronic products in 2002, launching its first integrated amplifier in 2004. This integrated amplifier laid the aesthetic and technological foundations for Advance Paris products as they are today. VU meters, valves and massive amplifiers play a major part in the makeup of the brand's DNA. The first product under the Advance Paris brand was launched in 2013. Advance Paris is now international and sells its products in over 40 countries, bringing a sophisticated French touch to listening rooms all around the world.

Valve Close Up

The reassuring warm orangey glow of valves

Amongst all of the lovely Frenchness from Advance Paris comes the rather lovely X-CD9 Compact Disc player which will be the subject of this little blog. The X-CD9 comes armed with both analog and digital outputs. The analogue output though has something rather special: as you can see on the above picture of the front panel, the comforting orangey glow of two miniature audio valves which provide a musical signal devoid of any aggressiveness to your amplifier. 

Classic Good Looks

sleek slimline good looks

Great care has been taken in powering this CD player using a toroidal transformer. It provides a stable and clean power supply for all analogue and digital circuits such as the CD mechanism, laser control and digital-to-analogue converter (DAC).

Nive varied selection of outputs too

Equipped with coaxial (RCA) and optical (TOSLINK) digital outputs, unbalanced (RCA) and balanced (XLR) analogue outputs, the X-CD9 could just be the ideal CD player for your Hi-Fi system and your large CD collection.

posh remote

Pleasantly Surprising

I have spent rather a lot of time over the past week or so listening to this rather sexy slimline CD player as it has been going through the running in process. It started off well enough fresh out of the box but after being on now for about 100 hours it has begun to sound rather wonderful. The sound is warm and super smooth and for a CD player is very analoguey (hey I’ve invented a new word). I suspect that this warmth is the effect of those two valves on the audio output stage. I love the fact that it uses a proper drawer loading mechanism too, I am not a fan of slot loaders personally so that is another tick in another box. Internally the X-C D9 uses top quality Woolfson DACs not used so much these days but still up there with the absolute best. The CD mech itself sits on a sprung sub-chassis to cancel out any deleterious effects from both outside and internal vibrations. What all of this amounts to is that the X-CD9 performs way above what I would normally expect from a player at this price point (£890*). There has not been a single disc go through this player that I have not been very pleasantly surprised by.

Hag

Storm Corrosion

I have had especially fine results with the track “Hag” off the self titled album by the band Storm Corrosion.

Storm Corrosion is the 2012 collaboration between modern prog rock geniuses Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree fame and Mikael Akerfeldt from Opeth. Based upon both of these guys home bands I was expecting some kind of riff monster of an album but what transpired was just the opposite. This album is quiet and spaced out. There is a spooky other worldliness going on here that took me totally by surprise. To start with, I was not at all sure that it was any good but over the past few years it has grown on me to the extent that now it is one of my go-to demo albums.

Played on the Advance Paris X-CD9 the soundstage is huge in every direction. When the bass kicks in the malevolent evil beauty of this track really becomes apparent.

Elekro Kardiogramm

Kraftwerk

Another favourite demo piece is the track, Elektro Kardiogramm, from the Tour De France Soundtracks album by total legends Kraftwerk. It is possible for some CD players to make this track sound a tad bright and sterile but not here. The X-CD9 turns this track into a multi dimensional robotic elecro-lurch and just when you think that bass has gone down really low… It goes down a little bit more! Wow, this player is seriously good!

Summing Up

All I can really say is that this unit breathes new life into the CD player market at anywhere near its own more than reasonable price. I have heard many much more expensive CD players sound a lot worse than this little marvel. The Advance Paris X-CD9 is most definitely an entry level audiophile product and as such demands a place on your demonstration short list.

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…

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Advance Paris can be found at the following Audio T stores

• BRISTOL

• BRIGHTON

• CARDIFF

• CHELTENHAM

• ENFIELD

• MANCHESTER

• OXFORD

• PORTSMOUTH

• READING

• SOUTHAMPTON

• SWANSEA

• SWINDON

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*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

Cyrus Stream-XR streamer and Cyrus i9-XR amplifier - Bringing tears of joy to your hi-fi listening.

Hi folks, and welcome to the latest article from us here at Audio T Brighton. We’re in for a bit of streaming playback bliss this month as we’re taking a look and listening to a classic British Hi-Fi brand, Cyrus Audio. Cyrus has a long-standing history in many facets of the Hi-Fi industry and their kit has been widely acclaimed all over the world. Distinctive looks, practical 1/2 standard size case boxes and great sound have long been synonymous with the Cyrus name, so let’s have a closer look at some of their more recent offerings, the Cyrus Stream XR and Cyrus i9-XR integrated amplifier.

First, a little bit of history behind the Cyrus brand...

I have long remembered Cyrus from my early foray into the world of hi-fi during my university days in the mid-eighties. I have fond memories of the Cyrus 1 amplifier, launched in 1984, which a mate of mine owned, sporting a distinctly different sound to that of my NAD 3020, being both more detailed and dynamic than the warm and cosy NAD.

Horses for courses, but a great head-to-head shootout in the days when none of us could afford a Naim or Exposure amp on a student grant (remember them?)

Cyrus today...

Cyrus celebrating 40 years of hifi

The Cyrus brand has certainly moved on in the 40 years since my Cyrus v NAD head-to-head, if not much in the way of visual change but certainly technological advancements and range expansion. Cyrus has always maintained its half-case appearance and family sound, one that is familiar and has encouraged a loyal following over the decades.

Audio T in Brighton has a range of Cyrus products, including a Cyrus Stream XR, Cyrus i9-XR amplifier, Cyrus CDi-XR CD player, Cyrus PSU-XR power supply,

Our resident vinyl guru and shop manager, John Killick, heartily recommends the: Cyrus Phono Signature Phono Stage, Cyrus PSX-R2 power supply. We will endeavour to cover a couple of these products during the rest of this blog.

Cyrus Stream XR - Bringing tears to your eyes

cyrus stream xr

The Stream-XR streamer is great addition to the Cyrus range and the decision to use the Bluesound BluOS app to operate the streamer is a smart move by industry veterans.

Well established as a functional and reliable application, the Bluesound BluOS app allows use of the Cyrus Stream-XR to be a breeze, allowing connection to streaming services such as: Spotify, Tidal and our personal favourite, Qobuz, to be a relatively seamless user experience. Connection to the internet can be made wirelessly via your home network router, or better still, using the RJ45 Ethernet port on the rear, which we generally recommend anyway.

rear inputs on the cyrus streamer-xr

Equipped with a single pair of RCA analogue outputs, 1 x optical output and 1 x co-axial digital outputs, the Cyrus Stream-XR can be used as a standalone streamer or as a streaming transport if use with an external DAC is desired.

The Cyrus Stream-XR sounds great on its own, but as with their other products in the XR range, a Cyrus PSU-XR power supply upgrade will wring the last ounce of performance and musical engagement when funds allow, and is the first and most logical upgrade path for Cyrus owners to pursue.

Equipped with 1 x optical input and 1 x co-axial digital input, the Cyrus Stream-XR can also function as a DAC to output into an analogue amplifier, should they not be equipped with their own internal DAC. Many of the latest modern integrated amplifiers have built-in DACs so the options come down to personal taste and use case.

Partners in rhyme... Cyrus i9-XR amp

cyrus stream-XR with partnering cyrus i9-xr integrated amplifier

We have already mentioned some of the dance partners for the Cyrus Stream-XR earlier in the blog, but we do need an amplifier and a pair of speakers in order to listen to assess its talents. Keeping equipment in house, so to speak, we have been listening to it via its sister amplifier, the Cyrus i9-XR integrated.

Comprehensively equipped, the Cyrus i9-XR integrated amplifier comes with a plethora of inputs; quite an achievement given the small real-estate available on the rear panel. With 1 x MM phono input for turntable playback, 4 x RCA analogue, 2 x optical, 2 x co-axial and 1 x USB digital input for a computer, twin speaker outputs and a headphone amplifier output on the rear, the Cyrus i9-XR really does fit a quart into a pint pot!

Rated at 91 Watts into a 6-ohm load, the Cyrus i9-XR has plenty of power-on-tap into most normal speaker loads.

Together, the Cyrus Stream-XR & i9-XR bundle perform to a very high level, offering tight, detailed and punchy sonics, with imaging and clarity being strong points. Again, adding the Cyrus PSU-XR power supply upgrade brings forth remarkable gains in focus and clarity, with leading edges of notes, dynamic subtleties and timing moving from very good to excellent with the power supply in place.

A perfect dance partner...

System matching is an essential part of building a satisfying hi-fi system and our resident Wharfedale Linton speakers & stands proved a great partner for the Cyrus setup, offering a touch of warmth and richness to the sound, balancing nicely with the detail, clarity and transparency of the Cyrus pairings. The Wharfedales not only look good on their matching stands, but they sound grand for not a lot more than that, offering a remarkable value to sonic prowess ratio.

wharfedale Linton in walnut with Wharfedale stands.

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

Thanks for reading.

Ade, John, Paul and Kevin - 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…

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Cyrus can be found at the following Audio T stores

• CARDIFF

• MANCHESTER

• SOUTHAMPTON

• SWINDON

• ONLINE STORE

• BRIGHTON

• PORTSMOUTH

• CHELTENHAM

Wharfedale can be found at the following Audio T stores

• ONLINE STORE

• BRIGHTON

• CHELTENHAM

JBL launches its new range of AV receivers

The new JBL MA range brings something new to audio visual processing and amplification. The high spec, value-focused range consists of five models: the MA310, MA510, MA710, MA7100HP and MA9100HP.

The range comes in both black and white-fascia models all with a snazzy orange accent behind the front plate and also around the base of the feet. The units look unfussy and modern.

JBL MA9100HP

We’re focusing on the baby of the range here, the £499 MA310. Yes, that’s correct, £499!

JBL MA310

In common with it’s bigger brothers the MA310 packs Class D amplification under the bonnet, in this case pushing out 60W into two channels at 8ohms, or 100W at 4ohms.

It’s a 5.2 receiver meaning you can run two front speakers, a centre speaker, two rears and two subwoofers. It has four 4K HDMI inputs and an HDMI Arc out.

There are additionally two pairs of analogue RCA inputs plus coaxial, optical and USB inputs. There is Dolby and DTS decoding and DACs can handle high res up to 192kHz 24-bit.

JBL MA310 rear

It doesn’t seem like a massive spec until you remind yourself that this is a sub-£500 AV receiver. You may well ask, how many more inputs and outputs do I really need?

JBL MA range remote

After all, with the MA310 it is possible to create a full 5.1 surround system that will leave every sound bar out there in its dust. And potentially, depending on your choice of speakers, you can have this for around £2,000.

That’s a lot of surround sound real estate for a very reasonable investment.

Added to which the MA range comes with free EZ Set EQ app (iOS and Android) which can optimise the sound for all connected speakers. There is on-screen display for easy set up. And it is Bluetooth enabled for music replay from a suitably enabled device.

The MA range offers a natural upgrade path.

Stepping up to the MA510 gives you 75W RMS, an eARC and HDMI 2.1, HDR10+/Dolby Vision and WiFi.

JBL MA9100HP

The MA710 additionally gives you 7.2, 110W, Dolby Atmos, 6xHDMI, APTX HD Bluetooth, a zone 2 pre out options, biamping. The MA7100HP has 125W, 2 HDMI outs, 3xOptical, an MM phono stage Dirac Live, colour LCD and built-in ambient lighting. The MA9100HP offers 9.2 channels and 140W.

Thanks for reading.

Alan, Stephen and Luke - Audio T Portsmouth

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

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

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JBL can be found at the following Audio T stores -

• BRIGHTON

• BRISTOL

• CARDIFF

• CHELTENHAM

• MANCHESTER

• OXFORD

• PORTSMOUTH

• READING

• SOUTHAMPTON

• SWANSEA

• SWINDON

• ONLINE STORE

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*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

'Good Morning - Audio T Swansea, how can I help?'

Customer - “Hiyah! I need a decent vinyl system, but I'm on a tight budget.”

Us - “Don’t worry, we’re here to help and this is not our first rodeo.”

Customers who are unfamiliar with Audio T, perhaps acting on a friend’s recommendation, often feel as if they need to empty their bank account to own a system that will give them joy. This is especially true if they happen to be a hi-fi novice who has friends who have been cultivating and upgrading their systems over a number of years. A mature vinyl replay setup which to the untrained eye, may look complicated and expensive. We’ll let you into a secret; it doesn’t have to be…

“this is what i’d have, if it was my money miss”

Record Player

If we’re talking record players, few manufacturers can boast such a pedigree as Rega. Now well into their 51st year, Rega of Southend-on-Sea is known for producing quality hi-fi entirely in Essex, and for those on a modest budget, squeezing every last drop of performance from every penny spent. The phrase “Sweat your assets” might have been coined for them.

For this enquiry we shall choose the entry-level Rega Planar 1 turntable. Starting at £299* (although the walnut finish photographed is £329*) it displays the core design philosophy of Rega turntables (and Colin Chapman of Lotus Cars) ‘Add lightness.’ Rega hold that mass in a turntable will absorb energy, we need all the energy that is generated in a pick-up cartridge to be transferred to the amplifier, so we make the supporting system as light as possible. We also want the fewest losses in the system of cantilevers, beams and bearings as we can, so the system has to be as rigid and as closely-toleranced as possible. Simple, light and stiff; rather like a good martini.

the rega planar 1 playing a record. unsurprising, given its brief.

Lively and always up for a good time, this deck can only be characterised as F.U.N.

Amplifiers

On the subject of amplifiers for vinyl playback - Some suggest that it makes sense to choose a manufacturer of turntables to produce an amplifier that will ensure the best quality replay from a vinyl source. Now, let’s not forget that we working with a budget conscious customer… Enter the Rega iO at £420*. Developed especially to partner the Rega Planar 1 and Planar 2 turntables, the iO is a simplified version of Rega’s venerable and hugely popular Brio amplifier (currently on sale at £549) It has just three inputs – Moving Magnet for vinyl and two line-level, (maybe for the value-for-money music streamer, the Wiim Pro, which I reviewed a few months ago.) Do not be deceived by modest dimensions of the iO, with the correct partnering speakers, this amplifier has horsepower enough to rock your room.

the rega io amplifier, playing through its turtable input, very, very, quietly.

Cables

black rhodium intro loudspeaker cable. note the ferite ring under the white heatshrink. unusual at this price point.

The connection between amplifier and speaker can be marred by the wrong choice of cable. We could be tempted to use something like QED 79 Strand to keep costs down, but in this case we are vastly better-served by choosing something that has been designed to sound much better. A personal favourite of ours is the Black Rhodium Intro loudspeaker cable at £70 for a 3m pair. These are factory-terminated, directional cables with ferrite cores at their terminus and they absolutely sing. With a sparkling treble, decent weight and surprising scale, our system suddenly sounds much more expensive.

Speakers

Finally, we come to my favourite inexpensive loudspeakers, the Acoustic Energy AE100² at £279*. Available in black, walnut or white, music pours out of them in such a hearty, good-natured fashion, you simply cannot help but raise a smile. Are they the last word in loudspeaker transparency? Absolutely not. Are they enjoyable and fun to listen to? Unequivocally, yes. Do they want you to have a good time? Without a doubt! And, so do we. So, 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

ae100 speakers resting upon isoacoustic aperta 155 isolation stands.

Thanks for Reading

Adrian (Images by Nic) - Audio T Swansea

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…

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Rega can be found at the following Audio T stores

• BRIGHTON

• BRISTOL

• CARDIFF

• CHELTENHAM

• MANCHESTER

• OXFORD

• PORTSMOUTH

• READING

• SOUTHAMPTON

• SWANSEA

• SWINDON

• ONLINE STORE

Black Rhodium can be found at the following Audio T stores

• CARDIFF

• SWANSEA

Acoustic Energy can be found at the following Audio T stores

• BRISTOL

• CARDIFF

• CHELTENHAM

• ONLINE STORE

• PORTSMOUTH

• READING

• SWANSEA

• SWINDON

• OXFORD

• BRIGHTON

• SOUTHAMPTON

• MANCHESTER

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*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

The Behemoth Returns - Denon AVC-A1H weighs in on its home cinema credentials

When you think of Japanese Hi-Fi companies, you tend to think in relatively modern decades... 70s, 80s etc. But, Denon can trace their sound making roots back to the beginning of recorded sound. Up until the 21st Century, Denon was the brand name of The Nippon Columbia record company. The Japanese arm of the American record company Columbia, supplying the Japanese market more with it's own material than American imports. Through events such as World Wars and various Emperors, Denon slowly became the company we know today.

A bit of history

A major supplier to the Japanese broadcasting organisation NHK (Nippon Hoso Kyokai, literally Japan Broadcasting Corporation) building electronics, turntables and pick-up cartridges specifically for the Japanese broadcaster. Even today, the classic DL103 cartridge, launched for broadcast purposes in 1963 is still a part of the Denon lineup.

The Legendary DN-023R

Denon was at the forefront of digital audio. In 1972 it announced the DN-023R , the world's first digital recorder. Less than a decade later, the brand unveiled the first CD player for professional use, followed a year later by the first consumer model, the inimitable DCD-2000.

The humble cassette.

Denon used to make a plethora of great cassette decks in the 80’s and 90’s

At the end of the 60s, Denon was one of the first companies experimenting with digital PCM recording, as a route to mastering better vinyl record replay, and by the mid-1970s, Denon had firmly established a digital recording and mastering chain, releasing all of their recordings as digital mastered, years before the CD player was on the market. They earned a high reputation for sophisticated direct-drive turntables, and some of the best sounding cassette recorders ever made.

As the market moved towards multi-channel sound and home theatre, Denon was one of the companies pioneering the technology. In fact, the original version of the Denon AVC A1 amplifier, was one of the very first amplifiers with full Dolby Digital surround.

And today, from Denon we have a new behemoth to wow our home cinema enthusiasts. Enter the Denon AVC-A1H…

Design

Denon has consistently been a reputable name in the audio-visual industry, known for its high-quality receivers and amplifiers. The latest addition to their lineup, the Denon AVC-1H, continues this tradition with a host of advanced features and cracking performance.

The AVC-1H boasts a sleek and modern design, characterized by a minimalist front panel with a clear, easy-to-read display, which to be honest hasn’t really changed much over the last number of generations, and that’s not a bad thing. The construction is solid and at 32kg it feels like it. Its aesthetic appeal will complement any home cinema setup, blending seamlessly with both modern and traditional decors.

The ins and outs

The Denon AVC-1H is packed with connectivity options, including multiple HDMI inputs and outputs, USB, and analogue connections, dedicated XLR connections from high-end sources like the Panasonic UB9000 UHD player and XLR outputs for subwoofers. So those of you who may have high-end subwoofers in your setup, you are not going to be left wanting.

One standout feature is the support for HEOS multi-room audio technology, which enables seamless music streaming throughout your home. Additionally, built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay 2 offer versatile wireless streaming options, catering to different user preferences.

The AVC-1H also includes voice control compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri, providing convenient hands-free operation. The intuitive setup assistant and on-screen GUI make installation and configuration straightforward, even for those new to high-end AV equipment.

So many useful connections hidden around the back, wait!!!, whats that!! a lesser spotted Chrome trooper??

the avc is designed and built in Japan

the high quality transformer brings the power

high end components adorn the inside of the AVC-1H

Performance

Denon has always prioritised sound quality with its flagship range, and the AVC-1H is no exception. Equipped with advanced audio processing technologies, it delivers rich, immersive sound. The receiver supports the latest audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Auro-3D, providing a three-dimensional audio experience that is both enveloping and precise.

The power output packs a punch with it's 210W per channel, easily driving a wide range of speakers with precision, clarity and detail. The AVC-1H’s ability to reproduce both subtle details and stark dynamic shifts makes it ideal for both music and movies, ensuring an engaging listening and visual experience. The beach scene at the beginning of Dunkirk is a great example of this, a great movie with superlative audio and visuals.

In addition to its stellar audio performance, the AVC-1H excels in video processing. It supports 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video pass-through, making it future-proof for upcoming content. HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG compatibility.

While the AVC-1H sits at the higher end of the price range, its extensive feature set and exceptional performance justify the investment, standing as a powerful and versatile AV receiver that excels in both audio and video performance for audiophiles and home cinema enthusiasts seeking the top tier of audio and video quality.

Its wide range of features, future-proof specifications, and user-friendly design make it a standout choice for anyone looking to elevate their home entertainment system. Whether you’re a cinephile or a music lover, the AVC-1H promises to deliver an immersive and satisfying experience.

Our AVC-1H is on demo at our Manchester store. We have both inwall and free standing speakers to hang off the AVC-1H, all of which sound absolutely epic.

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

Munir - 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…

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Denon can be found at the following Audio T stores -

• BRIGHTON

• CARDIFF

• CHELTENHAM

• MANCHESTER

• ONLINE STORE

• OXFORD

• PORTSMOUTH

• SOUTHAMPTON

• SWANSEA

• SWINDON

Audio T Cheltenham and The SME Model 12 Mk 2 Turntable

“This is no ordinary turntable” is the first thing you read upon opening up the instruction book for this sexy beast of a vinyl spinner. Well then let’s put that bold statement to the test then shall we?

First The History Lesson…

SME is without doubt one of the hi-fi world’s most iconic brands. Founded in 1946 by audio legend Alastair Robertson-Aikman in West Sussex. Today SME is recognised as makers of one of the finest precision turntables and tonearms in the world. Entirely made in house with state of the art manufacturing processes, complemented by traditional craftsmanship methods. SME audio has evolved from 75 years of engineering excellence, innovation and perfection, delivering precise and pure audio reproduction.

The SME model 12 mk2 in all its glory

Then The Science Bit…

The Model 12A MK2 is a precision turntable of high mass made to exacting engineering standards for high performance. The chassis and sub-chassis are CNC machined from premium grade aluminium billet. The sub-chassis is suspended on an advanced isolation system for primary resonance control and houses the main bearing, platter and tonearm. Four fully adjustable feet are mechanically de-coupled from the main chassis by isolators providing base resonance control.

The main spindle is 19mm precision machined from high chrome tool steel, ground, super finished and supported in a sealed housing with individually fitted sintered bronze bearings of generous proportions needed for precise bearing and platter rotation.

The platter is machined from aluminium alloy and weighs over 4.6kg. Extensionally dampened with the top surface iso-damp, diamond-turned with a fine scroll for acoustic performance. This method of finishing upsets a myriad of tiny fibres which interface with the underside of the vinyl record. A substantial record clamp operating on the reflex principle ensures the largest possible platter contact even when appreciable record warp is present.

The motor conforms to the highest standards of silent running and the turntable is driven by a custom made bi-phase AC synchronous motor controlled by a highly advanced speed control unit providing precise speed accuracy and stability.

close up of that beautiful arm bearing

The MK2 Model 12 comes equipped with a Model 309 tonearm with internal wiring by Crystal Cable as standard. Tonearm choice can be upgraded to the superior Series IV or V if you so wish.

Speed control box

The Speed Control Box…

The Speed Control Unit uses a dedicated DSP engine to generate two independent pure mathematical sine waves which provide total control of frequency, phase relationship and amplitude. These in turn are matched (tuned) to the motor for accuracy to obtain the best possible performance.

The speed range is 33.33 and 45rpm with independent memory settings via a switched encoder. Fine pitch speed increments/decrements of +/-0.01% of the selected speed are made by a rotary control on the Speed Control Unit fascia. The SCU case is CNC machined from billet aluminium. A separate mains Power Unit keeps the transformer away from the SCU and importantly separated from the turntable audio signal cables.

The Dynavector 10x5 Mk2 looks good in the 309 arm

We have chosen to partner the SME up with the Dynavector 10X5 Mk2 moving coil cartridge. A combination that works exceedingly well.

Power unit for the speed control box

Time for a listen

When presented with a new turntable such as this I always like to refer back to a couple of favourite demo albums of mine. Both are really good at telling me how a turntable is performing but both are very different from each other.

I Robot MFSL

First under the clamp is I Robot by The Alan Parsons Project. Not the standard version but the Mobile Fidelity double vinyl edition with the album spread over four sides and playing at 45 rpm for extra detail and bandwidth. I always side one track one which just so happens to be the title track. All swirly synthesisers and female vocals morph into a rhythmic hypnotic electronic Tangerine Dreamy pulsing with snappy drums then choral vocals to form a very Pink Floyd like funky melange which the SME portrayed beautifully. Has to be one of the best times I have ever had whilst listening to this old favourite. Just stunning… especially the separation of the band from the wordless choral vocals…..just beautiful.

A krautrock classic

Next on my test album list was the three sided live bootleg of one of my all time favourite bands Ash Ra Tempel. Being a bootleg this one is not the nth degree in sound quality that the Alan Parsons Project is but hey I love it and for a turntable to be my friend it has to make this Krautrock gem sound OK. And boy does it! Again quite possibly the best I have ever heard it. I always go for the track Ooze Away on the Red Side of the album. Spaced out drums emerge from an ambient freak out elecrosludge and when the drums kick in it becomes truly transportative (is that even a word? Tis now!).

Summing Up

Here we have what is without doubt one of the great turntables from one of the great turntable manufacturers. If you are in the market for that one vinyl spinner to last you the rest of your life and provide your hifi system with the source signal it so richly deserves this could quite possibly be it. Me? I will love it forever just because it makes my 1973 Ash Ra Temple bootleg sound sooooooo good. Audio perfection…Nuff said!

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…

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The SME Model 12 Mk2 can be found at the following Audio T store

• CHELTENHAM

Dynavector can be found at the following Audio T stores

• BRIGHTON

• BRISTOL

• CARDIFF

• CHELTENHAM

• MANCHESTER

• ONLINE STORE

• PORTSMOUTH

• READING

• SOUTHAMPTON

• SWANSEA

Creativity At It's Finest - A Look at Michell Engineering.

Hello fellow audio enthusiasts, and welcome to another blog from Audio T Southampton. The topic of this month’s article is all about the incredible Michell Engineering, the creators of the world-renowned Michell Gyro SE. In this blog we will be taking a look at their history, and then discussing two of their turntables that we currently have in stock for demonstration. So, without much further ado, let's take a dive into the history of Michell Engineering…

John Michell working at his test bench

Start at the beginning

Our story begins in 1966, when an engineer by the name of John Michell started a new company producing scale models for use in movies, as well as engineering components for local firms. His business expanded quickly, and he soon found himself in a large unit based in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.

You can see some of his earlier work in the film “2001 A Space Odyssey”, where he and Stanley Kubrick worked together on the model for the Discovery One ship.

pre-production model of the discovery one

In 1969 a turntable company known as Transcriptor contacted John, and Michell Engineering began to produce multiple parts for them.

Later on in the year Transcriptor moved into the Michell premises, though they didn't stick around for long as in 1973 they relocated to Ireland. However it wasn't all in vain for John, who took over the manufacturing of their stunning Hydraulic Reference Turntable.

An original transcriptor hydraulic reference turntable.

Progress comes with experience…

1977 was a truly significant year for Michell Engineering, as this was when John began manufacturing his own turntable – the extremely rare Michell Reference Electronic Turntable. This originally came with a black base, though later during its production Michell offered two alternative choices; either a mirrored or a marble base. But this wasn't the only thing that came out of Michell, for John had something of a breakthrough and invented the record clamp, which a large variety of other manufacturers have now followed suit and adopted.

an original michell reference electronic in the fabled black.

An icon is born…

Moving forward to 1982, we see something truly revolutionary for Michell Engineering, more so than the previous turntable; this was the creation of the GyroDec. Originally fitted with a heavy aluminium platter that featured a rubber mat and the signature gold platter weights below, this unit really took the world by storm.

1989 saw Michell introduce a new upgrade, the Gyropower QC; a much more silent and efficient method of supplying power to their turntables. In 1995 something very exciting was released in the form of the new flagship Orbe Turntable; created after the monumental success of the GyroDec created a lot of requests and feedback that the company elevate themselves to new higher grounds. The Orbe features significant engineering changes over the GyroDec, making the Orbe the true high-end turntable from Michell Engineering.

The first rendition of the gyrodec.

In 2002 John became seriously ill, forcing him to take a step back to recover whilst his family ran the business for him. During this time John invented multiple things from the comfort of his own home, including the TecnoDec, the TecnoArm, Techno Weight and many more. However, sadly on the 23rd of October 2003 John died, leaving behind a great legacy, an amazing company and a loving family.

The family continues to offer the world near unrivalled performance for the price paid, and even to this day Michell Engineering are synonymous with fantastic design and magnificent sound.

The true flagship from michell, the orbe.

Now that we have had a look at the history of Michell, let's dive into two of their notable turntables, these being the TecnoDec and the GyroDec, both units that we have in stock at our Southampton branch.

A Look Into The TecnoDec

The Michell TecnoDec is a fantastic mid-range turntable, perfect for those seeking a beautiful sound without parting with all of their savings in one fell swoop. The variant we have in-store is the one featuring a T2i Tonearm and the Goldring E3 Moving Magnet Cartridge, which would set you back a very reasonable £2,000* in total. With the classic Michell Engineering design of keeping the motor and power supply separate from the plinth to minimise vibrations, the TecnoDec is a superb turntable.

Truthfully when I first laid eyes on it, I thought it would be a very good deck, however I wasn't prepared for the level of sound that I received. Each note hit perfectly, and the deck's simple design means using it is a breeze. Offering a lovely clear and open sound signature, the TecnoDec is a magnificent addition to any system, especially for those seeking to begin their record collection and who need a turntable which will unlock the secrets the records contain.

The michell tecnodec

Up A Notch To The GyroDec

And now onto the stunning Michell GyroDec. Featuring the T8 tonearm and Michell’s own Cusis S Moving Coil Cartridge, this setup sits at a strong £6,800* total. To my mind there is no doubt as to why the GyroDec is world-renowned, each note being reproduced perfectly and clearly. I know it’s a cliché but I really did hear things in some tracks that previously I did not know where there.

I had guessed that the GyroDec was going to be a brilliant addition to the Southampton store, however nothing could have prepared me for the sheer level of detail and clarity provided, alongside the gorgeous design. The cartridge was simply sublime, a perfect pairing for the rest of the turntable. So much so that this has now become my all-time personal favourite, and is one I would strongly suggest everyone listen to at some point.

The two SE models; the Gyro SE and the orbe se.

And that is all I have for you. Just a brief introduction into Michell alongside my own personal thoughts on both units. If you would like to listen to these, then please contact our Southampton store for further details.

Thanks for reading

Tiago - Audio T Southampton.

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

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

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Michell can be found at the following Audio T stores

• CARDIFF

• MANCHESTER

• SOUTHAMPTON

• SWANSEA

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…

Spendor can be found at the following Audio T stores:

• BRIGHTON

• CARDIFF

• CHELTENHAM

• PORTSMOUTH

• SWINDON

• MANCHESTER

• OXFORD

• READING

Naim can be found at the following Audio-T stores

• BRIGHTON

• BRISTOL

• CARDIFF

• CHELTENHAM

• MANCHESTER

• OXFORD

• PORTSMOUTH

• READING

• SOUTHAMPTON

• SWANSEA

• SWINDON

Rega can be found at the following Audio T stores

• BRIGHTON

• BRISTOL

• CARDIFF

• CHELTENHAM

• MANCHESTER

• OXFORD

• PORTSMOUTH

• READING

• SOUTHAMPTON

• SWANSEA

• SWINDON

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

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…

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Rega can be found at the following Audio T stores

• BRIGHTON

• BRISTOL

• CARDIFF

• CHELTENHAM

• MANCHESTER

• OXFORD

• PORTSMOUTH

• READING

• SOUTHAMPTON

• SWANSEA

• SWINDON

• ONLINE STORE

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… 

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Audio Note can be found at the following Audio T stores

• READING

• BRISTOL

• CARDIFF

• SWANSEA

• OXFORD

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…

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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?

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

• BRIGHTON

• BRISTOL

• CARDIFF

• CHELTENHAM

• MANCHESTER

• ONLINE STORE

• OXFORD

• PORTSMOUTH

• READING

• SOUTHAMPTON

• SWINDON

• SWANSEA

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 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…

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Chord Electronics can be found at the following Audio T stores

• BRISTOL

• CARDIFF

• MANCHESTER

• ONLINE STORE

• READING

• SWANSEA

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*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