Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2019 i What Hi-Fi?

“We switch to Nitin Sawhney’s Prophesy set and the Technics revels in the album’s complex rhythms and thickly layered production” View offers Turntable | £899 | whf.cm/SL-1500C The rebirth of the Technics brand has been fascinating. Since 2014, the brand has released a steady stream of products with varying degrees of success, but there are now signs that it is truly hitting its stride. The high-end SL-1000R turntable, introduced in early 2018, was the first product to confirm that the brand really could deliver. We were so impressed that it has now become our reference record player. That good work has continued with the SL-1500C, the company’s brand-new entry-level deck. This is a less elaborate mini-me of the high-end model, still using a core-less direct-drive motor with sophisticated speed management…

View offers Stereo speakers | £599 | whf.cm/Debut2F52 He who shouts loudest often has the least to say. That isn’t entirely the situation in which we find ourselves with sub-£1000 floorstanders at the moment, but while our favourites are far from shy and retiring, there is certainly room for a more reserved character to join the top table. Step forward Elac. While others may demand attention, these Debut 2.0 F5.2s would rather earn it. They make their point clearly and concisely, delivering each anecdote with wide-eyed expression. If they were a person, they’d be easy to miss, but impossible to ignore. For the Debut 2.0 range, Elac has taken the bold step of redesigning much of its previously successful range of speakers. That includes the main drivers – the F5.2s…

View offers 55in 4K television | £2799 | whf.cm/OLED55E9PLA Buy a flatscreen TV, then add a soundbar. That tends to be our advice when reviewing televisions. Of course, there is always an exception to the rule, where the audio exceeds expectations. LG is hoping that its 55in OLED55E9PLA TV is one of those exceptions. This TV comes straight out of LG’s OLED class of 2019, which has already proved a hit thanks to the five-star OLED65C9PLA. Moving up to E9 from C9 brings a couple of aesthetic tweaks, but the main difference is in the audio performance. There are more speakers (4.2ch compared with 2.2ch), more power (60W against 40W) and different positioning (forward-vs down-firing). Before we settle down for a Netflix binge, we employ the One Touch Sound Tuning…

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To bring things right up to date, here we have another, on the face of it, ’simple’ system that is, inevitably, anything but. At first glance, this is just a pair of stereo speakers and a tablet. Appearances, as is so often the case, are deceptive, however. That pair of stereo speakers, KEF’s beautifully put together LSX, is in fact a thoroughly modern all-in-one streaming system. Just add a means of controlling things – we’ve plumped for Apple’s excellent iPad Mini here, but a smartphone would do the job perfectly well – and you can access music from a multitude of places. As far as discreet (size wise at any rate) systems go, you’ll have to work pretty hard to better this. The LSX shares the blueprint of its successful…

The demise of the Apple iPod (only the Touch remains from the original line-up) may not have pleased Apple fans, but it has opened up the market for other portable music player brands. Cowon is among those to have caught our attention in recent years. Its budget hi-res players are notable for their vast file support, pocket-size practicality, accessible price and sonic superiority over smartphones. The Cowon Plenue D2 (or PD2) is the next-gen version of one of the most impressive budget players we’ve encountered. We liked the What Hi-Fi? Award-winning original Plenue D for its budget price and vintage-lighter size, but also its insightful, punchy sound and plentiful features. These include a battery life of over 50 hours (hi-res file playback) and support for 24-bit/192kHz WAV, FLAC, ALAC and…

NAD ignored a number of rules when it released the original D 3020 amplifier. If using Class D amplification wasn’t enough of a thumb to the nose to traditional designs, its chassis looked positively futuristic, standing upright with dimensions wildly unbefitting of ‘proper’ hi-fi. The D 3020 was unlike anything else on the market, and it actually sounded great. Essentially, this V2 is a slicker, classier looking version of the amp. It features the same glossy curvature and similarly chunky dial, yet somehow it succeeds in making its predecessor seem dated. Now with a phono stage In fact, there’s an argument to say this version of the D 3020 is harking back to the past. Aside from its retuning and refining of the original, NAD has kitted the amp out…

It would be easy to dismiss the Musical Fidelity M2si on the grounds of features, or rather, the lack of them. This is one of the most stripped-back amplifiers we’ve come across at this level. It offers the basics – a remote control, six line level inputs, including a tape loop and a home cinema bypass option to help integration into a surround system – and not much else. You’ll be searching in vain for a phono stage, let alone a headphone output or digital inputs. Even purist rivals such as Rega Elex-R (£949) or its little brother the Brio (£599) do better by including good phono modules. While a cheaper alternative, such as Audiolab’s 6000A (£599), gives you it all as far as features are concerned. But there’s much…

FOR Detailed, balanced and punchy sound Easy to position Precise stereo imaging with wide sweet spot AGAINST Their analytical nature may not suit all VERDICT They may have been designed for studio use, but these PMC Result6s represent excellent value for money and are a great domestic option too “The PMC Result 6s are intended as studio monitors, so it’s no surprise that they have a highly analytical nature” PMC is now firmly established as one of the major premium speaker manufacturers with a long string of five-star reviews and Awards to show for it. The brand was originally aimed at the Pro industry (the initials stand for Professional Monitoring Company) and it continues to make dedicated monitors alongside its highly regarded domestic speakers. The Result6s are entry-level studio offerings…

View offerswhf.cm/BBIFISystems 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 £1000…

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 2 Sony…

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 “The iPhone XS Max is simply the best smartphone for movies and music” 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 Android “Samsung’s careful refinements make the S9 a pretty impressive package” 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 “The S9+ is as polished and refined as Android phones currently get” Samsung Galaxy S9+ May 2018 It’s…

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 Apple iPad Mini (2019) £399 July 2019 The looks haven’t changed, but under the skin improvements make the latest iPad Mini even better than before OS iOS Size (hwd) 204…

EXPERIENCE. HERITAGE. We’ve been helping the world discover the best in hi-fi and home entertainment for more than 40 years, and have more than 100 years of reviewing experience under our collective belts – so you can count on our expert opinion. DEDICATED TEST FACILITIES We test every product against its peers in our brand-new, bespoke reviewing facilities in London and Bath. We conduct all our tests as a team – our opinions and conclusions are always the result of collaboration. HOW WE SCORE All review verdicts are agreed upon by the team as a whole – not an individual reviewer. Each product will be listened to and/or viewed by several members of the test team, who will then discuss the final verdict before it appears in the magazine or…

View offers Wireless headphones | £120 | whf.cm/Melomania1 There’s no doubt Cambridge Audio is passionate about music – the company’s website even urges you not to accept the ‘crime’ of ‘bad sound experiences’. So it’s no surprise that its inaugural wireless in-ear monitors are named Melomania – it means crazy about music. Cambridge Audio’s focus has long been on sonic delivery over appearance; while the black version of these buds is fairly standard, the Melomania 1s also come in a ‘stone’ grey hue, the look and feel of which is somewhat medical. The little units snap into their charging nest with the aid of magnets, while another magnet keeps the case shut. The case features a horizontal set of five lights to indicate the battery charge level. With nine hours’…

At the turn of the millennium, the music industry started a steady 15-year descent into a ditch. Music piracy had taken it down a hole, before streaming services, such as Spotify and its Apple, Google, Amazon and Tidal rivals, arrived to pull it out. Today streaming has a 46.9 per cent share of global music industry revenue (IFPI) – in the USA, that figure is 75 per cent – and virtually all current revenue growth. Five years after Radiohead’s Thom Yorke described Spotify as “the last desperate fart of a dying corpse”, 2018 saw the third consecutive year of double-digit growth for the music industry, mostly thanks to streaming. But the green giant’s streaming model hasn’t affected just the way we consume music. It has altered what we listen to,…

A few short years ago it would have been almost unthinkable that a CD system should feel, somehow, like the most old-fashioned of the systems we have to share with you in this magazine. Digital music is, after all, the most modern of formats through which we access our tunes. CD, however, has been superseded in the digital domain by the numerous methods now available to stream and store music. And the vinyl resurgence? Well, not many saw that one coming – certainly not with such a renewed enthusiasm over the past decade or so. While CD finds itself now in a bit of a backwater, perhaps, there is still plenty of life left in the old favourite yet. Certainly, there are millions of discs out there – and plenty…

…PLUS the cost of your chosen Sky Q package Now it’s just possible that we at What Hi-Fi? may have mentioned in the past that flatscreen TVs (as we used to call them, in the days when the cathode-ray tube was still able to provide the best picture from the ‘box’), tend to sound really rather disappointing. And, while it’s undeniably true that things have improved beyond most expectations, we stand by the fact that, to enjoy the full home cinema experience that today’s larger screens provide, you really owe it to yourself to improve the sound as much as possible. It’s amazing just how much the viewing experience is enhanced with top-notch sound. First things first, though; we need something to watch to kick things off. Our choice of…

Amid a busy 12 months for Cambridge Audio, the company has launched a new entry-level range of hi-fi separates. The AX series comprises two CD players, two stereo amplifiers and two network receivers, all under £500. The Cambridge Audio AXA35, a 35W per channel stereo amplifier, looks reasonably elegant for a budget amp. The dark grey finish that Cambridge has adopted for many of its products looks stylish and helps add a sense of purpose. At just over 8cm tall, this is quite a slender hi-fi separate and, combined with a minimalist front panel, it makes rivals, such as the Marantz PM6006 UK Edition look fussy in comparison. The dot-matrix display is bright and easy to read head-on, but because it appears to be set back from the front panel,…

It’s not often we come across a new stereo amplifier that is able to challenge the Award-winning Rega Brio. But the Audiolab 6000A takes the fight straight to our reigning champion when it comes to mid-priced stereo amplifiers. This is the most affordable amp Audiolab has produced in years, and also one of its most capable, confident and competitive efforts. The Audiolab 6000A uses Class A/B amplification, with a claimed power of 50W per channel into 8 ohms. The preamplifier section is kept as simple as possible to maintain signal integrity. The layout aims to keep noise interference and distortion down to a minimum. There are also independent power supplies for critical stages of the circuit, and a dedicated headphone amplifier that uses current-feedback circuitry. Borrowed technology Audiolab has paid…

Michael Phelps wouldn’t be considered the greatest Olympian of all time had he settled for his gold rush in 2004 and not persevered by coming back every four years to win some more. Likewise, the Rega Elex-R has been nothing if not persistent since its arrival, and was rewarded with a first Award in 2014. Built to last Technically, if you think of this amplifier as a beefed-up version of the previous generation of Brio, you won't be too far from the mark. The build quality is as solid as we expect from Rega, and while the casework is functional rather than luxurious, it’s finished neatly and everything feels like it will last for years. In fact, our sample has been a staple in our hi-fi test room for over…

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 1cm Resolution 24-bit/96kHz Audiolab M-DAC nano £149 August 2019 If you’ve got a good pair of wired headphones and want to improve your sound on the move, the Audiolab M-DAC nano makes a mighty strong case. Inputs Bluetooth 4.2 Size 44 x 44 x 14mm Res 32-bit/384kHz 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…

View offerswhf.cm/BBInternetRadios View offerswhf.cm/BBDABRadios Up to £200 “There’s no doubt the Pure Evoke H2 is an upgrade over the D2” 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 “Its ability to fill a medium-sized room is not to be understated” 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 “The Stream 94i is the complete package, making it the best radio at this price” Roberts…

View offerswhf.cm/BBTurntables £150 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 £150 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 Sony PS-LX310BT £200 August 2019 A no-nonsense, fully automatic turntable with built-in phono stage and Bluetooth, offering a surprisingly musical sound. Speed 33⅓, 45rpm Size (hwd) 11 x 43 x 37cm Rega Planar 1 £249 Best turntable £200-£500, Awards 2018…

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 Up to £500 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 composure. This feature-packed AVR is easy on the ears and your wallet.…

View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £300 “Compared with the sound quality from even the best smartphones, there’s more detail and nuance” 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 “Cowon justifies the price hike with a performance that takes transparency and entertainment to the next level” Cowon Plenue D2 £259 June 2019 The PD2 manages to justify the premium over its predecessor. We haven’t heard a better-sounding budget portable music player. Hi-res 24-bit/192kHz, DSD 128 Storage 64GB £300 to £700 “The A&norma has as much sonic aspiration as design ambition” Astell & Kern…

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/advice Setting up a ‘Household’ account Amazon Prime Video will recommend content based on your viewing history - but what if you’re really into crime thrillers, your other half loves romantic comedies and the kids love cartoons? The answer is by linking together two Amazon accounts that will both have access to Prime Video. Go to Your Account > Shopping Programmes > Amazon Household. There you can add another adult or profiles for children, and then click ‘Create Household’. Parental Controls You can set up a four-digit PIN on the web by going into the ‘Settings’ of the Prime Video section and also in the mobile app’s settings. Streaming Ultra HD video On Amazon’s TV app there’s a category populated with Ultra HD content. You can also…

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…

“Hi-res up to PCM 32-bit/384kHz, direct streaming from Spotify Connect and Tidal, Apple AirPlay 2, internet radio and Google Chromecast, which brings Deezer, Qobuz and Google Play Music” View offers Wireless speaker | £1299 | whf.cm/Mu-so2 Die Hard 2, Once Upon A Time In Mexico and Star Wars: The Force Awakens are all examples of how a sequel can work by simply repackaging a successful recipe. The all-new Naim Mu-so 2nd Generation (or Mu-so 2) is a similar case of a tale twice-told. Put the Mu-so 2 side-by-side with the original and the two near-identical aluminium boxes may lead you initially to dismiss this as a soft update. But to judge the Mu-so 2 by its cover would be to undermine the progression it brings to the Mu-so line. According…

“There are plenty of Dolby Atmos soundbars out there, but the Ambeo Soundbar is different: it’s the best soundbar we’ve tested” View offers Soundbar | £2199 | whf.cm/AmbeoSoundbar It’s amazing that Sennheiser has waited until now to launch its first consumer speaker. Apparently unmoved by the Bluetooth speaker craze, and so far resisting releasing a range of multi-room or smart speakers, the company has seemingly been tempted to venture outside its headphones comfort zone by the advent of Dolby Atmos, which it has built into a soundbar. There are already plenty of Dolby Atmos soundbars out there, but the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar is different: it’s much more expensive, much bigger and a fair bit fussier. But it’s also much better. In fact, it’s the best sounding soundbar we’ve tested. The…

“The ATC falls down where scale and authority are concerned. It can’t quite muster the heavyweight delivery of the best stereo amplifiers at this price” View offers Stereo amplifier | £2500 | whf.cm/SIA2-100 Although ATC is best known for its drive units and stereo speakers, the arrival of the SIA2-100 stereo amplifier comes as no great surprise. ATC has been dabbling with hi-fi separates for decades. What is a surprise is the shape of this new amp. It’s neither full-width, like its impressive sibling, the SIA2-150, nor is it half-width, like Cyrus hi-fi separates. Instead, it settles on a three-quarte-rwidth stance, which makes it a perfect partner for the company’s matching CD player, the ATC CDA2. A lack of symmetry Though the width isn’t really an issue, the view that…

1 Audio Technica ATH-G1 £159-£229 • whf.cm/AudioTechnicaGaming Gaming has come a long way since Tetris. With budgets as big as Hollywood blockbusters, games deliver an immersive AV experience to rival anything at your local multiplex. To help you make the most of it, Audio-Technica has launched the ATH-G1 (wired) and ATH-G1WL (wireless) gaming headsets. Based on the company’s hi-fi headphones, the mic can be removed to make them standard over-ear headphones. Neat. 2 IT’S OK Bluetooth cassette player Approx £60 • whf.cm/WirelessWalkman If you yearn for music with the hiss of magnetic tape in the background, but would like to listen to it through your Bluetooth headphones, how about this? The strangely named, IT’S OK from NINM Lab claims to be the world’s first portable cassette player with wireless Bluetooth…

It’s a generally accepted fact that, however good an all-in-one system may be, you get better sound from a system of separate components, each one dedicated to a specific role. Which is why we include in our eight systems here this streaming alternative to the hugely impressive KEF LSX (p38). For just £100 more than the KEF/iPad Mini combo, you can get a system of superb separate components that will work together in a wonderful synergy to produce a sound worth, we believe, comfortably more than the £1500 you will have invested. The Node 2i is part of Bluesound’s multi-room family – but it works extremely effectively as a standalone streamer as well. Indeed, take that impressively useful compatibility out of the equation and we still believe this is the…

It has to be said that soundbars and bases do a very good job of improving the sound of a modern wafer-thin television set. But, let’s be honest: however good they are, they’re not a patch on a fully specified separates system. Invest in a dedicated home cinema amplifier, one that directs a movie’s soundtrack around your room with pinpoint precision, via a surround-sound speaker package, and you’ll enjoy as close to the full cinema experience as you can get outside the multiplex. So, if you’ve got a room large enough to house it (and, of course, the money to fund it), we would urge you to invest in a system such as the one you see here. The boost a proper sound system brings to the overall movie-watching experience…

Strangely, we're now at a point at which a film director could use the original iPod to date a scene, but, paradoxically, couldn’t do the same with a turntable. Watch Baby Driver, a film in which an aloof millennial pays off a debt to Kevin Spacey by being his getaway driver, and the film’s least believable facet is his collection of iPods in lieu of a wittily titled Spotify playlist. Though this, the seventh generation of the iPod Touch, is the last remaining descendant of the original, it is testament to Apple’s ability to adapt to its surroundings that one of its most iconic products still has its place in a wholly different world from 18 years ago. This is a family that began when every town still had a…

If you’ve seen Black Mirror, you’ll probably have wondered how far away we are from surveillance implants, eye-tracking adverts and virtual transportation. But until the last of those is achievable, the best way to see a music festival without being there is to tune in to live broadcast coverage mixed in Dolby Atmos surround sound, in the comfort of your own home – no portaloos, no mud, no overpriced beer. Atmos has become a staple in cinema in recent years. Since 2012, hundreds of films have been mixed in the technology, which is supported by an increasing number of video services (including Netflix, Apple iTunes and Amazon) and devices, from soundbars to AV receivers. There are music mixes in Atmos, with presumably more to come under the forthcoming Dolby Atmos Music…

What makes for a UK Edition of an already beloved integrated amplifier? Is it one whose timbre better matches the complex taste of a bacon butty? Is it easier to wipe down in the damp, drizzly weather? Or perhaps it is portable, designed for those after school trips to the park with a bottle of cider? Sadly, it’s a lot more sensible than that. While Marantz had kept the details of the changes made to its Award-winning PM6006 amplifier close to its chest, it took this opportunity to fine-tune its operation with help from some of the finest technicians in the industry. This opportunity may have arisen organically. As time goes by, certain parts become unavailable, and ploughing the same furrow with different tools is not always the most fruitful…

We waited six long years for the successor to one of our favourite budget amplifiers – the Award-winning Brio-R – and Rega has come back with a redesigned Brio that is every bit as exciting as its predecessor. Now in its sixth generation, the new Brio feels both familiar and completely new. It’s been redesigned, but in a way that harks back to the retro style of the older Brios. It remains an analogue-only amplifier, but it now has a headphone socket. And, crucially, it sounds terrific. Rhythmic, agile and detailed Everything we loved about the Brio-R is here: its incredible sense of rhythm, the punchy dynamics; the agility, detail and fun. The new Rega Brio takes all of those prime qualities and hones them. As a result, the sound…

FOR A cohesive, entertaining and informative sound Expressive dynamics and surefooted rhythmic drive Fine build Sensible features Good upgrade potential AGAINST Those upgrades aren’t cheap VERDICT Naim’s fine form with streaming products continues. The NDX 2 is another winner “In short, this is a product that is more than happy to play any music file you have, in any way you want” Naim Audio’s formidable reputation may have been built on the excellence of its amplification, but in recent years it’s the quality of the company’s streaming products that has impressed the most. The likes of the Uniti range have been hugely successful, opening the firm to a far wider customer base, while its traditional hi-fi streamers have long been benchmarks for others to be judged by. Over the past…

Read more at… www.whatIFI.com/features What do you need? The basic building blocks are: a turntable, a phono stage, an analogue-to-digital converter with USB output, and a computer with suitable recording software. There are turntables that come with a phono stage, analogue-to-digital converter and USB output built in. However, most are at the budget end and focus on getting the job done rather than doing it particularly well. Your recordings won’t necessarily reflect the quality of sound possible from your records, though Audio Technica’s AT-LP5 and Sony PS-HX500 vinyl-ripping decks do their best to buck that trend. If you already have a turntable, the best option is to buy a decent USB phono stage. We like the £90 Rega Fono Mini A2D and Pro-Ject also produce decent affordable alternatives. Recording software…

View offerswhf.cm/BBIFISpeakers Standmounts up to £200 “Partner these Missions with care and they’re as entertaining a budget box as we’ve heard in years” 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 “If you’re looking for really small budget speakers, buy these” 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 “The way these speakers handle dynamics is impressive” Dali Spektor 2 £199 Best standmount speaker…

View offers whf.cm/BBWirelessSpeakers Up to £100 “The same sense of fun as the previous model, but there’s a touch of maturity with the Roll 2” 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 £100 to £200 “It might be about as big as a coffee mug, but it certainly won’t break quite so easily” 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 is more…

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 “It has all the detail, attack and deftness to deliver exhilaration in spades” 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 “This compact set really hits the spot with its great clarity, integration, expression and ample bass weight” 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 “It’s a fluid, dynamic performance that soars…

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/advice 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? Filmmakers use cameras with sensors that range from 4K to 8K, though films will be finished at either 2K or 4K. The Japanese Broadcasting Corporation, NHK, ran a series of 8K trials in…