Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2019 i What Hi-Fi?

When we think of Pro-Ject, the company’s excellent affordable turntables spring to mind. But alongside these, and a number of premium record players, there has long been a line-up of ultra-compact electronics. We've found these something of a mixed bag over the years, but that hasn’t stopped the range from growing to a point where it now includes CD players, streamers, phono stages and, of course, DACs. Take a look at the Pre Box S2 Digital’s feature list and it’s fair to say Pro-Ject has ticked every meaningful box. The Pre Box plays PCM files up to 32-bit/768kHz and top out with DSD512, so file compatibility isn’t an issue. Even MQA decoding is included, which is still something of a rarity regardless of price. Inside the S2, you’ll find the…

What constitutes an ideal budget stereo amplifier? It’s a tricky question, and one where answers from hi-fi manufacturers and the average customer seeking an entry-level system are likely to differ. Regardless, the market for sub-£200 integrated amps is thinly populated, and it's been a few years since we last saw a new one. So, we're eager to welcome the Yamaha A-S301 into our testing rooms. The cheapest such product to which we gave an Award in 2018 was Marantz’s PM6006 UK Edition at £329, and not since Onkyo’s A-9010 (a three-time Award-winner) have we really loved anything for around this price. Hidden talents The A-S301 certainly doesn’t look or feel like a budget component. Its thickset dimensions may put off those seeking to hide their system away, but we like…

The Audio Technica ATH-M50xBTs are the Bluetooth version of the M50x wired headphones we gave four stars to around four years ago. This Bluetooth version behaves and performs in much the same way as their tethered stablemate – and that is pretty much a positive thing across the board. You get a fair amount for your money here and, most importantly, a good listen when you’re out and about. The Bluetooth 5.0 version of the ATH-M50x looks and feels similar to its wired sibling, which means good-quality plastics on the earcups and headband, and well-padded earpads. While these headphones are not actively noise-cancelling, the over-ear design, with those fairly thick pads, nevertheless makes an effective seal against the outside world for decent passive noise-exclusion. Clever tech The left earcup houses…

he recent popularity of suitcase turntables with fully automatic functionality has, in some eyes, reduced the record player to a retro trinket. They appear to cater for those too busy to put down their craft beer to lift the needle, rather than the genuine hi-fi enthusiast. But in the AT-LP3, Audio Technica has fashioned a turntable with the ease of use and affordability of suitcase record players, but one that also follows the rules of hi-fi – in particular, the one about technology never stealing the spotlight away from the performance. All set for an easy life In terms of facilitating the entry-level listener, there’s little else the AT-LP3 could do. As well as being fully automatic, it has a built-in phono stage, a foolproof set-up and a cartridge that…

Rather than being a gentle evolution of the previous (and still rather good) RP8, this new turntable takes its inspiration from Rega’s Naiad – the company's spare-no-expense uber-deck. Just look at it. This skeletal player can't but turn your head with its angular shape and aggressive cutouts. The idea is to minimise plinth mass while increasing rigidity; the plinth is 30 per cent lighter than that used on the last model – and more rigid with it. Rega believes that mass absorbs energy and that ends up taking the life out of the music. Engineering as art The platter is something of a work of art. It’s made of three pieces, with two different types of laminated glass. This is one area where more mass leads to better results by…

If building a great turntable is all about top-quality design and mechanical excellence, Clearaudio’s Innovation Wood is off to a winning start. This is an astonishingly well-built turntable that combines rugged build with exceptional quality of fit and finish. And we do mean exceptional. Even by the standards of stratospherically priced kit, this package is something special. The way the metal spindle-piece fits perfectly into the hole in the elegant acrylic platter, sinking into place as if damped, illustrates the precision with which this turntable has been machined. As befits a product called Innovation, there are plenty of clever ideas in the design, from a ceramic magnetic main bearing that minimises friction and noise, to a high-quality DC motor and an electronic speed governor that switches from 33½ to 45…

From 65in 4K TVs to turntables, and from portable Bluetooth speakers to Dolby Atmos surround sound packages, here’s where you’ll find the perfect hi-fi and AV product, fast. NEW ENTRIES THIS MONTH Samsung’s hugely impressive QE65Q90R 65in 4K television shows that QLED is now pretty much the equal of OLED – with, quite probably, more to come. And Astell & Kern has come up with a real high-end beauty of a music player with its A&futura SE100, while Revel’s Concerta2 F35 loudspeakers are fabulously entertaining floorstanders. WHAT IS HDMI 2.1? New 8K TVs need to be equipped with HDMI 2.1 to play physical 8K content (that doesn't exist yet). Turn to p110 for a handy explainer. APPLE MUSIC UNCOVERED Since its launch, Apple Music has gained more than 36 million…

View offers whf.cm/BBDACs Up to £200 Cyrus soundKey £99 Best DAC under £150, Awards 2018 An affordable, compact DAC that turns mobile listening into an authentic high-fidelity experience. iOS users may find connectivity a little inelegant. Size 2 x 5 x 1mm Resolution 24-bit/96kHz Audioquest DragonFly Red £169 Best DAC £150-£300, Awards 2018 A more expensive alternative to the DragonFly Black, this is a marked improvement over the original, sounding more sophisticated and subtler. Size 6 x 2 x 1cm Resolution 24-bit/96kHz £200 to £500 Chord Mojo £399 Best DAC under £300-£500, Awards 2018 The majority of the Hugo’s performance for a fraction of the price. An enthusiastic performer that stays refined and superbly balanced. Inputs Coax, opt, USB Size 2 x 6 x 8cm Res 32-bit/768kHz, DSD 512 £500…

View offers whf.cm/BBInternetRadios View offers whf.cm/BBDABRadios Up to £200 Pure Evoke H2 £89 Best radio under £100, Awards 2018 Pure’s latest radio is similar to its previous incarnation, but more refined. The H2 improves on the D2’s already-sophisticated sound. Battery Optional Size (hwd) 18 x 12 x 12cm Inputs 3.5mm “There’s no doubt the Pure Evoke H2 is an upgrade over the D2” Revo SuperSignal £179 August 2016 A stylish radio with plenty of features, it’s even more impressive on the audio front thanks to a large-scale sound that belies its appearance. Battery No Size (hwd) 21 x 14 x 14cm Inputs 3.5mm, Bluetooth “Its ability to fill a medium-sized room is not to be understated” Roberts Stream 94i £189 March 2018 Sets the bar even higher than its predecessor,…

View offers whf.cm/BBTurntables £200 to £300 Pro-Ject Primary E £149 Best turntable under £200, Awards 2018 Pro-Ject has revised a budget deck to nail the £150 market – and has succeeded on every front. Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 11 x 42 x 33cm £200 to £300 Audio Technica AT-LP3 £199 Best turntable under £200, Awards 2017 A fully automatic turntable that doesn’t scrimp on performance, this is the ideal entry-level deck for those looking to dip their ‘vinyl toes’ in. Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 13 x 44 x 35cm Rega Planar 1 £249 Best turntable £200-£500, Awards 2018 This revamped entry-level deck from Rega doesn’t sound anything like an entry-level deck. Pleasingly solid, accurate and agile – it’s a lovely listen. Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 12 x…

View offers whf.cm/BBHomeCinemaAmps Up to £500 Sony STR-DN1080 £429 Best home cinema amplifier under £500, Awards 2018 Sony’s latest AV amp is a return to form, with cutting-edge features (inc. Dolby Atmos) and a compelling sound. It ticks all the right boxes. Power 7 x 100W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 6/2 Denon AVR-X2500H £499 October 2018 Builds upon its predecessor’s all-round excellence, with plenty of extra muscle. This will be a strong draw for anyone with £500 to spend. Power 7 x 95W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 8/2 £500 to £1000 Denon AVR-X3500H £899 Best home cinema amplifier £500-£1000, Awards 2018 A mid-priced amp that adds authority and scale alongside detail, clarity and compsoure. This feature-packed AVR is easy on the ears and your wallet. Power 7 x…

View offers whf.cm/BBTelevisions Upt ot 40in Samsung UE32M5500 £329 Best 32-39in TV, Awards 2017 It’s not the most sophisticated TV, lacking 4K and HDR, but for a 32in screen it offers a picture and features that will leave you more than satisfied. Type LCD/LED HDMI 3 Resolution 1366 x 768 Tuner Freeview HD “Motion is impressive, arguably more so than on many larger 2017 Samsungs we’ve seen” 40in to 50in Sony KD-49XF9005 £1300 Best 49-50in TV £500+, Awards 2018 A small step forward from the 49XE9005. The improvements can be felt mainly in the colour and contrast performance. It’s the 49in TV to beat. Type LCD/LED HDMI 4 Resolution 4K Tuner Freeview HD/YouView “Slight improvement on its predecessor, but nevertheless, it’s a belter of a TV” Philips 50PUS6703 £479 Best…

View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £300 Cowon Plenue D £199 Best portable music player under £250, Awards 2018 The Plenue D is a player worth its salt. It can handle a range of files, has an open and insightful sound and is easy to use. Hi-res 24-bit/192kHz Weight 94g Storage 32GB “Compared with the sound quality from even the best smartphones, there’s more detail and nuance” £300 to £700 Astell & Kern A&norma SR15 £599 Best portable music player £250-£750, Awards 2018 Our favourite music player combines fine build, ease of use and class-leading sound better than any rival we’ve tested. Hi-res 32-bit/384kHz, DSD128 Weight 154g Storage 64GB “The A&norma has as much sonic aspiration as design ambition” £700 and above Astell & Kern Kann £899 Best portable music player…

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/advice Want to get the best from Apple Music? Then you want our updated list of handy pointers to features you may not yet have stumbled across… Since its launch, Apple Music has gained over 36 million subscribers. The release of iOS 10 in 2016 led to a refresh of the interface and with the advent of the Apple Music-orientated HomePod smart speaker, there’s no better time to get fully acquainted with the ins and outs of this music-streaming service. How to unsubscribe Say you’ve opted for the free trial but no longer want to continue with it. To cancel, click on your profile icon in the top-right corner of the screen and in the For You tab, hit View Account, then View Apple ID and sign…

View offers whf.cm/BBAudioCables Up to £50 Chord Company C-Line £40/m Best analogue interconnect under £50, Awards 2018 Few entry-level interconnects at the price come close to offering the sonic enjoyment that Chord has produced with this cable. Balanced/Single-ended Single QED Performance Audio 40 £40/m Best analogue interconnect under £50, Awards 2017 Few rival interconnects are as good as this QED when it comes to detail resolution and precision. It’s nicely made too. Balanced/Single-ended Single £50 and above Chord Clearway Analogue RCA £90/m Best analogue interconnect £50+, Awards 2018 If you’re spending cash on hi-fi components and you want cabling that doesn’t inhibit performance, the Clearway may be the ideal pick. Balanced/Single-ended Single…

View offers whf.cm/BBPhonoAmps Up to £200 Rega Fono Mini A2D £85 March 2012 There’s little fancy about the Fono Mini A2D, but that doesn’t matter when the presentation is this good. And it has a useful USB output. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 6 x 18 x 25cm Edwards Audio Apprentice MM £90 Best phono stage under £250, Awards 2017 A fine entry-level phono stage that will deliver a crisp and exciting sound from any good price-compatible moving magnet cartridge. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 5 x 16 x 11cm Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Communicator £180 July 2018 A gem of a phono amplifier that has stood the test of time. It offers class-leading levels of detail, brilliant timing and a sweet sound. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 5 x 12 x…

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerStands Speaker stands Atacama Moseco 6 £120 Best speaker stand, Awards 2018 A speaker stand that impresses with how weighty and dynamic it allows systems to sound. Considering the price, it’s something of a steal. Height 60cm Fillable Yes Finishes 4 (pole), 3 (base panel) “The Mosecos may just be our new favourite affordable speaker stands” Q Acoustics 20 speaker stands £200 September 2014 Designed with QAs’ Concept 20 speakers in mind, the clever construction and elegant design ensures other speakers give their best too. Height 66.5cm Fillable No Finishes 2 “£200 for a pair of speaker stands? When they’re this good, we don’t mind”…

It is often said that those who crave power are the least deserving of it, but Denon doesn’t seem to adhere to that tenet. Having produced a long line of home cinema amplifiers with more kick than a donkey with a drum kit, the multi-Award-winning manufacturer sated its power-hungry customers yet further when it released this range of products last year. The AVR-X4500H is no exception to the rule. It echoes that jump up, not only in power but across the board, since its last iteration earned this particular Denon family two further What Hi-Fi? Awards at the end of 2018. Just like the AVR-X4400H before it, the AVR-X4500H boasts 125W of amplification (into 8ohms with two channels driven) across each of its nine channels, giving you native access to…

Anyone looking for a high-end portable music player may be subliminally swayed by the name of the Astell & Kern A&futura SE100. But a considered assessment would also point you there, for the SE100 is a portable pleasure that deserves to be pocketed. At a rather pricey £1499, it sits between the A&ultima SP1000 (£3299) and the What Hi-Fi? Award-winning Kann (£899) in A&K’s hi-res player portfolio, and justifies its position above the latter with a far better performance. Kick the Kann Playing a range of music genres and file resolutions, the SE100 comes out on top at every turn. Thanks to its 32-bit, eight-channel ESS Sabre ES9038Pro DAC and its crystal oscillator clock’s jitter-reducing efforts, it isn’t just a small improvement either – the SE100 sounds miles better than…

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You’d have struggled to imagine even five years ago that in 2019 we’d be attempting to squeeze 15 of our favourite turntables into as many pages of a vinyl-special magazine. Yet here we are. Having laid more or less dormant for a couple of decades, the thin black disc (or red, or green, or blue…) has not only woken from its slumber but found a whole new lease of life. We dished out six Awards for turntables in 2018, each represented in this round-up, and vinyl lovers have simply never been better catered for. Whether in the market for a new deck or just here to take in the landscape, let’s rejoice in vinyl’s second coming.…

Rather like a book, a turntable cannot be judged by appearance alone. It isn’t necessarily about build quality, either, at least not purely in the sense of it being well manufactured or robust; it is about how it feels to use, the touch of the dial to switch between rotation speeds, the weight of the tonearm and how it glides from its rest to vinyl. That attention to detail is what fills us with confidence before we even get round to listening to Audio Technica’s AT-LP5 turntable. Our point of reference here is Rega’s Award-winning RP1 turntable, although in reality these are two quite different pieces of equipment. Now available at the same price as the Rega, the AT-LP5 treats you to a built-in phono stage (although you can use…

Pro-Ject’s Debut range of affordable turntables is fast approaching its 20th birthday. Launched in 1999, the original Debut deck filled a gap at the affordable end of the market at a time when many thought vinyl was dead and buried. Instead of facing decline, the Czech company found itself well positioned to capitalise on the vinyl revival. The Debut III S Audiophile confirms the range’s new position in (just about) mid-market territory. That means we can expect a decent level of performance, which will be necessary if this turntable is to compete with fine record players such as the Rega Planar 2 (?399). Shaping up There are a few upgrades on the Debut format here, which aim to give credence to the ‘Audiophile’ moniker. The S refers to the S-shaped…

How do you improve on arguably the best-value high-end record player on the market? That question must have taxed the engineering minds behind the VPI Prime – an Award winner in 2015. VPI’s solution is a range of sensible and wide-ranging enhancements that improve the deck notably without spoiling its appealing character. The most obvious upgrade is to the plinth, made up of two layers of gloss MDF sandwiching a chunky aluminium plate, to improve damping and rigidity. The deck’s four feet have been upgraded to improve isolation and the motor housing is taller to compensate for the extra height of the new plinth and feet. The motor housing (made mostly of steel) has more mass, which means lower resonance and greater damping of vibrations. The result is less energy…

The Linn LP12 was introduced in 1973. This unassuming belt-driven turntable took a while to gain traction, but by the 1980s it had become the dominant premium record player on the UK market. Even today, it’s held in high esteem and still considered by many as one of the most capable decks around. Invisible changes Despite appearances, it has changed almost totally over that time. The good thing is that all the key improvements are retrofittable, so an early deck can easily be brought up to current standards. Perhaps that should be “bought up”: the basic deck (called Sondek LP12) – no arm or cartridge – comes in at below two grand, which is not so bad for a top-end turntable. It’s available in one of five standard plinth finishes:…

There's plenty of ‘look-at-me’ hi-fi floating around social media, and turntables always feature highly. But no matter how ostentatious, how Insta-ready, those decks would be nothing without a decent phono stage working behind the scenes. Phono stages are rarely sexy – often a largely featureless black box happy to get on with its work in the shadows, but upgrading yours could lead to quite radical changes in the performance of your whole system – and save you shelling out for a new deck or amp. This particular roundup takes in 11 of our favourite phono pre-amps currently on the market, from entry-level boxes costing less than a ton to those well into four figures – including the Cyrus Phono/PSX-R2 we use as reference. So let's finally give these unassuming little…

If you’re after the best phono stage money can buy this Burmester is a good place to start. The base version comes in at the price we quote. This can support a turntable (with either a moving-magnet or moving-coil module) and pass the amplified signal through single-ended or balanced XLR outputs. If you’re lucky enough to run two turntables, the 100 can be equipped with a second phono module – both MM and MC options are available. The ability to deliver a variable output means that the 100 can be connected directly into a power amp and bypasses the need for a dedicated preamp in a purist vinyl-only set-up. A revelation After letting the Burmester settle over a few days we start with Nick Cave’s A Boatman’s Call. We use…

FOR Articulate, informative sound; rhythmic ability; dynamics; Bluetooth AGAINST Ergonomics can be a little frustrating VERDICT The Hugo TT2 is a brilliant DAC. Chord has produced yet another class leader “This Mk 2 version seeks to move the TT out of the long shadows cast by the rest of its ridiculously talented family” Chord Electronics’ domination of the premium digital-toanalogue converter market has been spectacular. Over the past few years, the company has released a variety of number crunchers from the £399 portable Mojo to the high-end, all-singing DAVE at £8499 and swept aside all-comers, winning a truckload of five-star ratings and Awards in the process. Despite the brilliance of the range, we’ve long felt that the original Hugo TT was last among equals. It was essentially the original Hugo…

View offers whf.cm/BBHifiSpeakers Standmounts up to £200 Mission LX-2 £149 Best standmount speaker under £200, Awards 2016 Mission’s most convincing budget speaker in quite some time, the LX-2s are one of the best speakers under £200 you can buy. Size (hwd) 31 x 19 x 25cm Bi-wire No Finishes 1 “Partner these Missions with care and they’re as entertaining a budget box as we’ve heard in years” Dali Spektor 1 £159 March 2018 A small speaker that inherits all the Spektor 2’s good traits, pumping out an energetic and entertaining sound for an affordable price. Size (hwd) 24 x 14 x 20cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2 “If you’re looking for really small budget speakers, buy these” Dali Spektor 2 £199 Best standmount speaker under £200, Awards 2018 The 2s combine…

View offers whf.cm/BBWirelessSpeakers Up to £100 Ultimate Ears Roll 2 £60 Best wireless speaker under £100, Awards 2018 The Roll 2 has a sound that’s more open, more dynamic and goes louder than that of its predecessor. The drop in price makes this a bargain. Size (hw) 4 x 14cm Battery 9 hours “The same sense of fun as the previous model, but there’s a touch of maturity with the Roll 2” Ultimate Ears Wonderboom £80 June 2017 If you want a travelling companion you can rely on, this portable, rugged and durable speaker is a great-sounding option. Size (hw) 10 x 9cm Battery 10 hours “It might be about as big as a coffee mug, but it certainly won’t break quite so easily” Audio Pro Addon T3 £149 Best…

View offers whf.cm/BBProjectors Up to £2000 Optoma UHD40 £1199 Best projector under £1500, Awards 2018 A ‘4K’ projector that brings top-tier technology to a budget price point, this device boasts punchy colours and insightful detail. Throw ratio 1.21:1-1.59:1 Inputs HDMI x2, VGA, 3.5mm Speakers Yes £2000 to £10,000 Optoma UHD65 £2999 Best projector £1500+, Awards 2018 It may not have the bells and whistles of a high-end 4K projector, but it puts in a sophisticated performance, is future-proof and well priced. Throw ratio 1.39-2.22:1 Inputs HDMI x2, PC x2, Phono Speakers No Epson EH-TW7400 £1900 Reviewed online, 2018 The perfect compromise if you want a super-sized faux-4K picture on a budget. The Epson’s rich palette and upscaling skills will delight. Throw ratio 1.35-2.84:1 Inputs HDMI x2, USB, VGA, Speakers No…

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerPackages Up to £1000 £ Wharfedale DX-2 £399 Best speaker package under £500, Awards 2018 Wharfedale delivers movie magic on a small scale with this enjoyable, well integrated package that’s perfect for smaller rooms and budgets. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 12 x 31 x 12cm Finishes 2 “It has all the detail, attack and deftness to deliver exhilaration in spades” Q Acoustics 3010i 5.1 Cinema Pack £895 Best speaker package £500-£1000, Awards 2018 The subwoofer needs a bit more kick, but this fantastic sub-£1000 5.1 package delivers a clear, well-balanced and expressive performance. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 15 x 43 x 22 cm Finishes 4 “This compact set really hits the spot with its great clarity, integration, expression and ample bass weight” Dali Zensor 1 5.1 £980 Best…

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/advice As ever in consumer electronics, there is always something new on the horizon and that new thing is 8K. So here’s what we know about the latest format to trouble the TV market. What is 8K? 8K refers to resolution – the number of horizontal and vertical pixels in an image. Pixels equals information, so more pixels should, in theory, make for a better quality image. 8K, has a horizontal resolution of 7680 pixels and a vertical resolution of 4320 pixels. 4K has half the number of horizontal and vertical lines (3840 x 2160) and Full HD is 1920 x 1080. Count the pixels up and 8K has four times as many as 4K and 16 times more than Full HD. Who is making 8K content?…

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/advice What’s the difference between the various on-ear headphones? Our jargon buster explains the various types, and why you might want to choose one particular model over another 1. First, the most popular headphone design: the over-the-ear model, also called circumaural. These cup your ears completely, usually with semi-air-tight earcups that help minimise both sound leakage from your headphones into the outside world and the intrusive effects of ambient noise. 2. Supra-aural or on-ear designs tend to be smaller and lighter than circumaural models and, as the name suggests, they sit on your ears rather than over them. Some listeners find them lighter and easier to wear for extended listening, but they do tend to allow in more sound from outside. 3. Available in both circumaural and…

Even before hearing these Wharfedale D310 standmounters, we can tell they have a lot going for them. Their heritage lies with one of the most successful budget speaker ranges, the Wharfedale Diamonds. These aren’t new additions to the legendary series, but the smaller of two standmounters in a new entry-level D300 range that borrows engineering from the Diamond 11 series above it. The resemblances are present in everything from the drivers to the downward ported cabinet, and considering the Diamonds 11.1s had a favourable four-star review last year, that puts these D310s in good stead. Basket case The D310s’ 25mm tweeter has been lifted from the Diamond 11.1 standmount and retuned, while the 10cm mid/bass driver uses Wharfedale’s latest woven Kevlar cones. The driver is mounted in a ribbed rigid…

Home automation used to be one of tech's money pits. Now, thanks in part to Amazon's Echo smart speakers, it's one of the most lucrative and growing areas of domestic electronics. The real cost is your privacy, of course, but as this is eroded with every Google search or Facebook post made, you might as well appreciate a bargain when it appears. Amazon's Echo Input is effectively an Echo Dot without the speaker, letting you try out digital living via a smart assistant for less money. It's an 8cm disc of black or white plastic, designed to be ignored rather than noticed. There's no ring of LED lights around its edges to let you know Alexa is listening, and no grey fabric on its sides to make it seem prepped…

You don’t need to set eyes on Pro-Ject’s Primary E turntable to know it has a lot going for it. It’s the company’s most affordable traditionally designed turntable – the Elemental deck, also priced ?150, has a platter that sits over a plank-like chassis (imagine a pizza served on a wooden serving board). The E is also more or less a twin of the Primary deck that we handed five stars to in 2017. Like most twins, there are a few key differences that set the two apart. The Primary E’s power supply is built into the deck rather than the plug; it is available only in black, rather than the Primary’s red or white options; and it costs ?20 less than the original model. So with the Primary due…

Not even Rega’s best-selling turntable is immune to the desire for a fresh approach. But, despite a considerable list of tweaks to the Planar 1, the company’s signature sound has always remained. Those changes were always unquestionably positive. They began with the RB110 tonearm, which uses precision bearings and automatic bias adjustment, and has the ideal tracking weight already marked for you. Neat, sharp lines During its last round of modifications, Rega included tweaks to the Thermoset, gloss-laminated plinth. Our test sample is a sleek white, but the black finish is equally tidy, with sharp lines and an ergonomic design. The platter has a higher mass and enhanced flywheel effect for improved speed stability. There are also hand-me-downs from higher up the range. The Rega Carbon cartridge is fitted as…

Our first thought when we saw Pro-Ject’s new Juke Box E turntable was along the lines of “we haven’t seen a music centre in years”. Of course, this isn’t a music centre in the mid-to-late 20th century sense – it’s a lot more brand-new and retro than that. What Pro-Ject has done with the Juke Box E is to have one of those ideas that is so simple and obvious – once someone else has had it. A modern update Here’s a record player – based on Pro-Ject’s Primary turntable – that’s tricked out with an Ortofon OM 5E cartridge, amplification (25W per channel into 8 ohms) and a Bluetooth receiver. Pro-Ject has had the idea before – the original Juke Box was a turntable/amp/phono stage – but the concept…

SME has quite some pedigree. It was founded in 1946 and originally known as the Scale Model Equipment Company. As the name implies, the company designed and manufactured intricate models for the exhibition and model engineering trade. It then expanded into producing precision aircraft parts for the likes of Rolls Royce and Hawker, then later into the medical, automotive, Formula 1 and aerospace industries. This is no ordinary hi-fi company. Take the belt-driven Model 15A out of its wooden crate and there’s no mistaking that fact. We can’t remember testing a turntable that was so well made or finished. The styling or ‘black with more black’ finish won’t appeal to all, but there’s no denying the hewn-from-solid-rock feel to the build or the feeling that this is something – all…

It would be difficult to call yourself a real audiophile without being an admirer of the qualities of vinyl and, as the hefty Turntables section of our Awards listings indicates, more and more players are demonstrating those qualities. But what good is loving vinyl without having a decent turntable to play it on? And while we’ve been diligently tracking the best turntables you can currently buy – no matter if you’re on a budget or want USB-compatible – we like to take a trip down memory lane as much as anyone. So with the likes of Linn, Audio Technica, VPI, Pro-Ject, Michell and Systemdek making an appearance, these are the very best turntables we’ve heard since the first issue of What Hi-Fi? was published 43 years ago. Linn LP12 (1973)…

FOR Properly wireless; musical and cohesive sound; excellent build and finish AGAINST They don’t like to be pushed to very high volume levels VERDICT Aurender’s S5W are a wonderful solution where cables aren’t wanted and space is at a premium “Aurender’s S5Ws are different, being genuinely wireless; battery-powered and devoid of physical inputs” In hi-fi circles, wireless has never truly meant wireless. There’s always some form of physical cable that needs to be used, especially when it comes to premium stereo speakers. Even those that actively promote the concept – KEF’s excellent LS50 Wirelesses (£1999) or Dali’s Callisto 6 Cs (£3199) come to mind – still need mains cables to each speaker, and in the KEF’s case, a link between the two channels to help synchronise things. Aurender’s imaginatively titled…

View offers whf.cm/BBHifiSystems Up to £500 Pro-Ject Juke Box E £349 Best turntable system, Awards 2018 An impressive all-in-one system with a level of functionality that’s difficult to replicate in individual separates for a similar price. Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Inputs Line-in, BT Outputs Line-out Denon D-M41DAB £379 Best microsystem, Awards 2018 Denon hasn’t rested on its laurels. It’s managed to better the M40, delivering improved sound and functionality. The best just got better. Inputs CD, line-in, optical x2, BT, DAB/FM Outputs Subwoofer £500 to £1000 Revo SuperSystem £549 Best all-in-one system under £1000, Awards 2017 An all-in-one system that exudes quality, this Revo features great sonic performance and terrific retro looks. It’s a talented system. Inputs 3.5mm, opt, BT, DAB/FM, wi-fi Outputs Line-out, opt, headphone £1000 to £2000 KEF LSX…

View offers whf.cm/BBBlurayPlayers Up to £500 Panasonic DMP-BDT180EB £80 Best Blu-ray player under £100, Awards 2017 A budget player that delivers a high-quality picture. Whether it’s Blu-ray, DVD or streaming, this spinner handles them all with skill and flair. Compatibility Blu-ray, DVD, CD HDMI out 1 Sony UBP-X700 £185 Best Blu-ray player under £500, Awards 2018 This 4K player delivers a stunningly natural picture for an affordable price. It’ll be tough to knock this Sony off its perch. Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, SACD, CD HDMI out 2 £500 and above Cambridge CXUHD £699 February 2018 One of the best 4K players available, this delivers an accurate and understated performance that’s one of the best we’ve seen and heard. Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, SACD, CD HDMI in/out 1/2 Sony…

View offers whf.cm/BBSetTopBoxes PVRs Humax FVP-5000T from £199 Best PVR, Awards 2018 If you need a Full HD box to give your older TV some more sparkle, Humax’s digital box should absolutely be something to consider. Tuners 3 Storage 500GB Ultra HD No Subscription boxes Sky Q 2TB from £199 Best subscription box, Awards 2018 Sky has overhauled its TV package with Q and made it more enticing and versatile thanks to 4K support, but it does come with a high price tag. Tuners 4 Storage 2TB Ultra HD Yes…

View offers whf.cm/BBVideoStreamers Up to £100 Google Chromecast (2018) £30 Reviewed online, 2018 Tiny, affordable and anonymous - this little device has had few updates but remains a simple, neat way to cast content from smartphone to TV. Resolution 1080p, 720p Storage 2GB 4K No Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K £50 Reviewed online, 2018 Despite some caveats, this 4K device supports all HDR formats and delivers excellent picture quality for a very affordable price. Resolution 2160p, 1080p, 720p Storage 8GB 4K Yes £100 and above Apple TV 4K £179 Best video streamer, Awards 2018 It has a fantastic UI and design, a huge library of 4K HDR content, and the best picture and sound performance at any price. Siri is useful, too. Resolution 2160p, 1080p, 720p Storage 8GB 4K Yes…

View offers whf.cm/BBHeadphones In-ears up to £100 Beyerdynamic Byron £39 Best in-ears under £50, Awards 2018 A spectacular return to the budget earphone arena for Beyerdynamic, the Byron sets the standard at this price with a peerless performance. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m SoundMagic E11C £50 January 2019 The latest version of Soundmagic’s budget in-ears continues to impress with a full-bodied, energetic and informative sound. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m Beyerdynamic Soul Byrd £69 April 2019 You’ll struggle to find a better pair of in-ear headphones costing less than £70 than these Beyerdynamics. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m Sennheiser Momentum M2 IEi £70 Best in-ears £50-£100, Awards 2017 You wouldn’t think anything so small could sound quite so good – not for just £80. But they are…

View offers whf.cm/BBMobilePhones iOS Apple iPhone XS Max Best smartphone, Awards 2018 Apple may have pushed price points sky-high, but this flagship is the finest smartphone around when it comes to video and music replay. OS iOS Size (hwd) 158 x 77 x 8mm Storage 64GB, 256GB, 512GB “The iPhone XS Max is simply the best smartphone for movies and music” Android Samsung Galaxy S9 Reviewed online, 2018 A polished successor to the S8 that, due to a number of carefully considered tweaks, is one of the best Android phones available. OS Android Size (hwd) 148 x 69 x 9mm Storage 64GB/microSD “Samsung’s careful refinements make the S9 a pretty impressive package” Samsung Galaxy S9+ May 2018 It’s more evolution than revolution, but that’s enough to make the S9+ the…

View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £200 Amazon Fire HD 10 £150 Best tablet under £200, Awards 2018 A cheap and cheerful tablet that’s good for the money and has a lot of the functionality you’d find in more expensive efforts. OS Android Size (hwd) 114 x 190 x 10mm Storage 8GB £200 and above Apple iPad (2018) from £319 Best tablet over £200, Awards 2018 The latest iPad receives a muted update, but it still continues to give you that elegant and intuitive experience we expect from Apple. OS iOS Size (hwd) 240 x 170 x 8mm Storage 32, 128GB…

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerCables Up to £10/m Chord Company C-Screen £5/m June 2018 The C-Screen possesses the fantastic ability to mirror a system’s punch and drive. What it does, it does better than anything else at the price. Single or Bi-wire Single QED XT25 £6/m May 2018 Features the same characteristics as the more expensive XT40, displaying the kind of transparency that’s difficult for its rivals to match. Single or Bi-wire Single Atlas Equator 2.0 (2018) £7.25/m Reviewed online, 2018 A nicely built speaker cable that promotes a wonderfully clean and detailed delivery – it’s an affordable and easy way to spruce up your system. Single or Bi-wire Single Wireworld Luna 7 £9.50/m March 2014 A fine speaker cable, the Luna’s exciting presentation and all-round ability means it should sit well…