Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2023 i What Hi-Fi?

When is a pair of speakers not a pair of speakers? When it’s a full-blown system, of course. Time was, an all-in-one music system was regarded as a convenient but sonically rather compromised option for listening to your music at home. And while it is true that we at What Hi-Fi? are still advocates of using specialist products for each link in a system, those compromises of times gone by have lessened to such a degree that we have absolutely no hesitation in recommending an all-in-one system now; and of course they can be an excellent cost option over separate components. All of which is confirmed in our round-up of some outstanding systems that look like speakers (p44). They range in price from £529 to £6000, and are all terrific…

View online review whf.cm/DCB41 £529 SPEAKER SYSTEM Are you looking for a neat, good-sounding but affordable hi-fi system? If so, Elac’s Debut ConneX DCB41 might just be perfect for you. It is a powered set-up where one speaker contains all the electronics, including the 2 x 50 watts of amplification, while the other is a conventional passive design. The two speakers are linked with a standard, supplied speaker cable. Unlike pricer alternatives such as Triangle’s AIO Twin or the KEF LSX II, there aren’t any network streaming smarts included here, so you need to supply the source. This can be an aptX Bluetooth signal from your phone, or anything digital that directly connects through the USB (Type B), optical or HDMI inputs. That addition of HDMI ARC is a smart…

View online review whf.cm/JBL4305P £1799 SPEAKER SYSTEM Like vacuum-packed bags for storage and foldout beds for studio apartments, hi-fi too offers a clever way to fit as much as possible into a small space these days – as the JBL 4305P Studio Monitors capably demonstrate. These miniature bookshelf speakers – just 34cm tall and 23cm deep – pack not only drive units but also Class D amplifiers and digital network circuitry to offer an all-in-one streaming stereo system from just two diminutive cabinets. Convenient or what? For someone looking to upgrade their single-unit wireless speaker to true stereo sound or simply add affordable hi-fi to their living space in the most space-efficient way possible, the 4305P look to be just the ticket. That they are more modest versions of the…

■ DAC/Network streamer ■ £12,500 ■ If the words ‘dCS’ and ‘entry-level’ spark thoughts of a truly affordable digital product that embodies the qualities that have made the brand so dominant at the top end of the market, you are in for a disappointment. While buying a new Lina Network DAC is indeed the cheapest way into owning something new that incorporates the brand’s trademark Ring DAC digital conversion circuitry, this product certainly doesn’t fall into what most people would consider the ‘accessible’ category. What your £12,500 does buy you, though, is a generous dose of dCS technology and a product that puts all but the very best of its rivals firmly in the shade when it comes to performance. The company calls this product a Network DAC, while we…

View offers whf.cm/BBStereoAmps Stereo amps up to £500 Rega io £379 Best stereo amplifier under £400, Awards 2021 Those who are happy with a no-fuss, purely analogue amp and who prioritise entertainment should arguably consider the io their number one choice. Power 30W Inputs Line-in x2, MM Outputs Headphone NAD D 3020 V2 £399 September 2018 A likeable effort that features a full-bodied sonic performance with fine timing and dynamics and lots of useful features. Power 30W Inputs Line-in, MM, optical, coaxial, BT Outputs Headphone Marantz PM6007 £499 Best stereo amplifier under £500, Awards 2022 Clearer and punchier than its Award-winning predecessor, Marantz’s latest entry-level amplifier never puts the formidable 6000 Series dynasty in doubt. Power 45W Inputs Line-in x4, MM, coax, optical Outputs 6.3mm h’phone £500 to £1000 Rega…

View offers whf.cm/BBDACs Up to £300 iFi Go Link £59 October 2023 The iFi Go Link feels like the perfect device for enhancing your headphones on the move and on a budget, living up to its brief. Size 13.5cm long Resolution PCM 32-bit/384kHz, DSD 256, MQA Zorloo Ztella $99 August 2020 (issue 437) If you want to improve your smartphone sound, but don’t want a USB stick hanging off the end of it, this is a bit of a no brainer. Online only for now. Size 11cm long Resolution PCM (up to 384kHz), DSD (up to 5.6MHz), MQA iFi Zen DAC V2 £159 Best DAC under £200, Awards 2022 A good jump in quality over the Award-winning original, to keep features and performance best in class – and for not…

View offers whf.cm/BBHifiSpeakers Standmounts up to £200 Dali Spektor 2 £199 Best standmount speaker under £200, Awards 2020 The 2s combine Dali’s traditional strengths with a generous dose of entertainment that even Mission and Q Acoustics struggle to match. Size (hwd) 17 x 28 x 28cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2 “The way these speakers handle dynamics is impressive” Standmounters from £200 to £500 Elac Debut B5.2 £250 Best standmount speaker under £300, Awards 2022 ELAC’s latest budget standmounter is talented enough to worry the established competition. Size (hwd) 34 x 18 x 23cm Bi-wire No Finishes 1 “These new Debuts should be considered one of the company’s finest efforts” Dali Oberon 1 £349 February 2019 About the size of a shoe, these articulate and bold-sounding speakers have a wonderfully unfussy…

View offers whf.cm/BBWirelessSpeakers Up to £100 Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 £60 April 2023 It’s quite astonishing just how much you get out of this little speaker; an enthusiastic and capable performer at this ultra-budget price. Size (hwd) 10 x 10 x 4.3cm Battery 12 hours “There’s energy in spades… voices in particular shine through the Micro 2: they are clear and detailed” Apple HomePod Mini £99 Best home wireless speaker under £100, Awards 2022 It’s much smaller and more affordable than expected, but the most surprising thing about the HomePod Mini is its superb sound. Size (hw) 4 x 14cm Battery No “It’s clear that the HomePod Mini comfortably outperforms its size and price” JBL Flip 6 £130 May 2022 Another resoundingly five-star product, with sonic upgrades in terms of…

View offers whf.cm/BBProjectors Up to £2000 BenQ W1800 £1099 Best projector under £1500, Awards 2022 BenQ’s decision to focus with the W1800 on what we guess could be considered good old-fashioned home cinema values pays off handsomely. Throw ratio 1.13-1.46:1 Inputs HDMI x2, USB 2.0 Speakers Yes Epson EH-TW7100 £1599 Best projector £1500-£2000, Awards 2022 The Epson EH-TW7100 stretches the limit of what can be considered a budget big screen device, but it more than justifies its price. Throw ratio 1.32-2.15:1 Inputs HDMI x2, USB 2.0 x2 Speakers Yes £2000 to £15,000 LG CineBeam HU715Q £2645 Best ultra-short-throw projector, Awards 2022 LG’s sharp and contrasty image really sells this UST projector, making it one of the few models that you might seriously consider ditching your TV for. Screen size up…

 View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerPackages Up to £1000 Wharfedale DX-2 £399 Best speaker package under £500, Awards 2022 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 2020 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” Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 HCP £999 Best speaker…

 View offers whf.cm/BBHeadphones In-ears up to £250 SoundMagic E11C £50 Best wired in-ear headphones under £100, Awards 2022 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 Klipsch T5M Wired £70 Best wired in-ear headphones £50-£100, Awards 2021 Not only do they have some of the most comfortable tips around, but these T5M Wireds also show a maturity that’s rare at this price. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.3m Sennheiser Momentum M2 IEi £70 Best in-ears £50-£100, Awards 2017 You wouldn’t think anything so small could sound…

Music apps Spotify from free December 2016 Its accessibility, ease of use, huge catalogue and more mature music discovery are reasons why Spotify remains at the top of the pile. Sound quality Up to 320kbps Ogg Vorbis Offline playback Yes Tidal from £10/month Best music streaming service, Awards 2022 One of the few streaming services to offer lossless audio, Tidal’s exclusive content and curated playlists make it stand out. Sound quality Up to 1411kbps lossless Offline playback Yes Video apps Disney Plus from £7.99/month Best video streaming service, Awards 2022 This is a polished and personal streaming service that fans of Disney’s output, both children and adults, are bound to enjoy. Resolution Up to Ultra HD Offline playback Yes Amazon Prime Instant Video from £5.99/month Best video streaming service, Awards…

 View offers whf.cm/BBAVHifiRacks Up to £500 Atacama Apollo Storm 6 £390 February 2018 Another class-leading support from Atacama that’s cheaper than its Award-winning sibling. It lets your kit perform at its best. Width 590mm Modular Yes Cable management No “Want to give your system adequate support for a decent price? Atacama has you covered” Hi-Fi Racks Omnium8 £478 Reviewed online, 2018 Hi-Fi Racks has made the Ominium8 about as flexible as possible. You can specify everything from finish to shelf spacing and upright shape. Width 57cm Modular Yes Cable management Yes “As configurable an equipment rack as we’ve come across” £500 and above Atacama Elite Eco 12.0 £598 March 2013 Those looking for a strong support for AV and hi-fi that enables a fluid, authoritative presentation will like the performance…

View offers Bluetooth headphones | £1200 | whf.cm/SolitaireT The Solitaire T may be as modern in the headphone world as streaming is in the music one, with their Bluetooth, active noise cancellation and plush, practical, portable design giving them as many convenience points as style ones, but T+A insists they were first and foremost developed as passive designs (ie not digital; without electronics). The company would also tell you that, with the Solitaire T, it has prioritised acoustic construction, with all the cost and complexity involved, as opposed to relying on digital-processing corrections. That acoustic construction revolves around a 42mm transducer made of a wood-fibre plastic mixture, aided by a pressure chamber system with sound guides and filters that work to linearise the frequency response and facilitate clean, powerful bass reproduction.…

View offers Hi-fi rack | £300 per shelf | whf.cm/EliteECO24 Hi-fi equipment racks have to be both a sturdy, reliable support for your kit, and look good enough as furniture to blend into your living space. In both cases, Atacama’s Elite Eco 24 Reference range succeeds with flying colours. Atacama’s bamboo-made Evoque range of equipment racks has been our go-to recommendation in recent years, with the current Evoque Eco 60-40 SE2 model a multiple What Hi-Fi? Award-winner. Atacama hasn’t sat on its laurels, but decided to redesign the construction to deliver better support as well as offer a new-look design. Atacama’s use of bamboo now extends to the legs as well as shelves, and both the build and look of the new shelves has been revised, with interlocking panels of…

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View online review whf.cm/AIOTwin £699 SPEAKER SYSTEM Music systems that integrate all amplification, connectivity, streaming and more features into one box or a pair of speakers are an increasingly neat and attractive way to get hi-fi sound into your home. Not only are they lifestyle-friendly (not everyone has space for so many separate boxes), but their feature set means you can play just about anything through them. And that’s the case with the versatile Triangle AIO Twin: it may look like a pair of ‘normal’ speakers, but this is a fully fledged, versatile music system in its own right, with a whole host of features and a level of performance that makes for quite the bargain at this price point (£699). We warmed to the Triangle system the second it…

View online review whf.cm/LS50WirelessII £2499 SPEAKER SYSTEM Upon their launch in 2016, KEF’s LS50 Wireless highlighted the appeal of an all-in-one stereo system over a system of separates at the modest end of the market, and the LS50 Wireless II simply improve on that concept. An active speaker system take on KEF’s legendary passive LS50 speakers, the LS50 Wireless was a pair of wireless stereo speakers packed with built-in amplification and streaming smarts, and the impressive execution of this appealing concept earned those speakers a five-star review and a What Hi-Fi? Award. The Wireless II don’t simply address their predecessor’s imperfections, such as some control app hiccups and the need for a cable to connect the two speakers. They have been designed to squeeze even more performance out of the…

■ Standmount speakers ■ £5499 ■ “ As we listen longer we become aware that the Dovedales are far more versatile than we had imagined” It would be easy to view Wharfedale’s new Dovedale speakers as a mere marketing exercise designed to mine the company’s rich heritage; but that isn’t the whole story. Yes, they are a re-engineered version of one of the company’s best-loved products of the ’60s and ’70s, and at a basic level exude the kind of retro charm some won’t be able to resist. Yet that isn’t the reason we like them. These are huge standmounters by modern standards, standing 66cm high and taking up as much space as a small fridge. In the accompanying press material, Wharfedale points out that the original Dovedale speakers were…

Audio Research GSi75 £14,998 April 2017 This can stand toe to toe with the finest pre/power combos at this price; it’s a well equipped one-box solution for high-end purists. Power 75W Inputs Line-in x3, MM, MC, USB Outputs Headphone Burmester 808 MK5 £28,000 February 2013 Burmester’s masterpiece may be decades old but a string of upgrades have kept it relevant. Sound quality remains exceptional. Inputs Line-in, MM, MC (optional) Outputs Balanced, single-ended Nagra Classic Pre/Power amp £29,000 August 2018 Rivals have more muscle, but once in full flow the Nagra lets the music take centre stage. One of the finest pre/powers money can buy. Power 100W Inputs Line-in x5, phono, XLR…

View offers whf.cm/BBMusicStreamers Up to £500 Audiolab 6000N Play £449 Best music streamer under £500, Awards 2020 A great, affordable way to implement streaming into your system without compromising sonic quality. The best budget solution we’ve seen… Outputs Line-in, coaxial, optical, subwoofer Chord 2yu £449 November 2021 Partnered with a suitably capable digital-to-analogue converter, this could be all the digital source you’ll ever need. Outputs USB, coaxial, optical, BNC £500 to £1000 Bluesound Node (2021) £549 Best music streamer under £750, Awards 2022 For this outlay the Node 2021 represents one of the most entertaining and comprehensive ways of adding music streaming to your hi-fi system. Outputs RCA, coaxial, optical, subwoofer, 3.5mm Cambridge CXN V2 £799 Best music streamer £750-£1000, Awards 2022 All the success of the classy CXN streamer, with…

View offers whf.cm/BBHifiSystems Up to £500 Pro-Ject Juke Box E £369 Best turntable system, Awards 2019 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 £329 Best microsystem, Awards 2022 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 Elac Debut ConneX DCB41 £499 February 2023 We are big fans of systems such as this. They are neat, well-featured and the best of the breed represent excellent value. This is one of them. Inputs USB, line-in/phono, opt, Bluetooth, HDMI (ARC) Outputs Subwoofer £500 to £1500 Marantz PM7000N…

 View offers whf.cm/BBBlurayPlayers Up to £500 Panasonic DP-UB150EB £129 March 2020 A highly competent machine at an impressively low price, this 4K Blu-ray player represents a big step up from streaming your UHD content. Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, CD HDMI out 1 Sony UBP-X700 £199 Best 4K Blu-ray player under £250, Awards 2021 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 Panasonic DP-UB820EB £299 Best 4K Blu-ray player, Awards 2022 Delivers on multiple fronts, supporting all major HDR formats, delivering a hugely immersive and impactful picture, and all backed up by strong audio. Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, CD HDMI out 2…

 View offers whf.cm/BBSetTopBoxes PVRs Humax FVP-5000T from £179 Best PVR, Awards 2022 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 2022 Sky has overhauled its TV package with Q and made it more enticing and versatile thanks to 4K support, but it comes with a high price tag. Tuners 4 Storage 2TB Ultra HD Yes…

 View offers whf.cm/BBVideoStreamers Up to £100 Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K £50 Best video streamer under £100, Awards 2020 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 Google Chromecast with Google TV £60 Best video streamer under £100, Awards 2022 With a new remote and super-smart UI, Google’s latest Chromecast video streamer is the complete package. Resolution Up to 4K HDR, 60fps Storage n/a 4K Yes £100 and above Apple TV 4K £169 Best video streamer over £100, Awards 2022 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,…

 View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £1000 Sony NW-A55L £160 Best portable music player under £250, Awards 2020 Sony hasn’t carried out an update for the sake of it; the refresh is justified by squeezing more performance into a budget price than ever before. Hi-res 32-bit/384kHz, DSD Weight 99g Storage 16GB (plus microSD) “If you’re looking for a sonic upgrade over your phone, the Sony will offer it across the board” Cowon Plenue D3 £279 Best portable music player under £500, Awards 2021 This is a talented player that betters its previous generation counterpart for detail, separation and transparency. An impressive, tiny box of tricks… Hi-res 24-bit/192kHz, DSD 128 Weight 103g Storage 64GB “Cowon has added Bluetooth, a volume wheel and a dual DAC to its player and released another class…

View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £200 Amazon Fire 7 £60 Best tablet under £150, Awards 2022 The Amazon Fire 7 is an entry-level device with budget specs, but it gets plenty right and is far better than the price may suggest. OS modified Android Size (hwd) 137 x 193 x 11mm Storage 16 or 32GB £200 and above Apple iPad Air (5th gen) £569 Best tablet over £150, Awards 2022 The same picture and sound as before, but with vastly more power under the skin. All the iPad most people will ever need. OS iOS Size (hwd) 248 x 179 x 6mm Storage 64GB, 256GB…

 View offers whf.cm/BBMainsProducts Mains Products Tacima CS947 £35 September 2015 Great value, the highlight being how well it allows for greater detail, attack and dynamics. For the price, it’s a brilliant entry-level purchase. Type Block Mains filter Yes No. of plugs 6 Russ Andrews X6 £381 September 2015 No matter what the source material, the X6 helps unearth a revealing well-integrated listen, allowing your kit to be as explicit as it can be. Type Block Mains filter Yes No. of plugs…

View offers whf.cm/BBCartridges Cartridges Goldring E3 £90 Best cartridge under £100, Awards 2022 This is a wonderfully balanced and entertaining moving magnet cartridge that will work well with a wide range of record players. Type MM Tracking weight 2.0g “The sound it delivers is clear, informative and fun. We can’t ask much more than that” Sumiko Rainier £160 Best cartridge £100-£250, Awards 2022 This Sumiko is a little gem. Set it up with care and have a little patience, and you’ll find this to be one of the best performers anywhere near this price. Type MM Tracking weight 1.8-2.2g (2.0g recommended) “Get in some hours of use and the presentation blooms into something that’s surprisingly musical and engaging” Ortofon Quintet Blue £359 Best cartridge over £250, Awards 2022 Given a…

View offer whf.cm/BBSpeakerStands Speaker stands Atacama Moseco 6 £150 Best speaker stand, Awards 2022 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” Know your stuff: speaker cables Read more at... www.whathifi.com/advice It’s not always easy to navigate your way through the terminology of hi-fi, so…

Simon Quarry has worked at Musical Fidelity for more than 20 years and is the engineer responsible for resurrecting the company’s A1 amplifier. It wasn’t a simple job, given the more restrictive legal requirements of today and the need to maintain the much-loved character of the mid-’80s original. We talk with Simon about his career, the various Musical Fidelity products he has worked on and what makes the A1 such a desirable amplifier. What Hi-Fi?: What is your job title and role at Musical Fidelity? Simon Quarry: My job title is Audio Designer. In that role, I design and re-evaluate the analogue sections in Musical Fidelity products – both new and historical – and have a hand in the concept and design of casework, digital control etc. When did you…

Not that long ago, anyone who wanted quality hi-fi sound in their home was obliged to research and invest in a number of separate products, and then – more often that not – add various cables and supports to make the whole thing work. Of course, all-in-one systems are nothing new, but until recently they tended to come with a large helping of sonic mediocrity attached. Of late, though, the quality of such systems has soared – along with the number and type available. When it comes to’proper’ hi-fi, it’s time to take the all-in-one solution seriously. Essentially, these systems carry everything you need to listen to your music in just a pair of speaker cabinets. They are all powered speakers, which means they carry their own amplification, along with…

View online review whf.cm/KEF_LSXII £1199 SPEAKER SYSTEM The KEF LSX II is a stylish streaming system that comes with none of the baggage and boxes a separates set-up brings. The speakers use the same version of KEF’s 11th Generation Uni-Q driver as found in their predecessors, too. Surprisingly, there’s no room for KEF’s Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT), which is present in the LS50 Wireless II and LS60 Wireless and works to absorb soundwaves that radiate from the back of the tweeter dome. KEF tells us it would increase the cost too much. Like the original LSX, the cabinets are rear-ported, and amplification once again amounts to 200 watts, with 30W going to the tweeter and 70W to the woofer on each channel. Despite the lack of exterior changes, the KEFs…

View online review whf.cm/JBL4329P £3499 SPEAKER SYSTEM It’s still the case today that all-in-one systems generally don’t tend to perform as well as the best separates systems totalling similar amounts. However, such space-efficient, convenient, do-it-all designs are improving sonically by the year and becoming all the more compelling for it. Case in point: the JBL 4329P Studio Monitor. The 4329P are powered, streamin-gsavvy speakers that share a strong aesthetic likeliness to previous passive JBL models, namely the five-star, high-end 4349 speakers we reviewed back in 2021, though on the whole they have more in common with their smaller siblings, the (also powered) 4305P. JBL’s iconic 25mm horn-loaded driver is driven by 50 watts of amplification and fights for your gaze against a 20-cm purple-pulp paper cone mid/bass (driven by a 250W…

If you have read an amplifier review or looked at the specifications for one, the chances are that you have come across a term such as ‘Class A/B’. In fact, this is just one of a number of different amplifier classes, the most common being Class A, Class A/B and Class D. Most amps have the same basic building blocks in their electronic design. They typically use transistors as the core amplification component along with a supporting cast of resistors, capacitors, inductors, wires and transformers to make the whole thing work. But it is the amount of current that flows through the main output devices (the output transistors) when there is no input signal that defines the class of the amplifier. This single engineering decision sets the product’s basic parameters.…

View offers whf.cm/BBCDPlayers Up to £1000 Marantz CD6007 £399 Best CD player under £1000, Awards 2022 No one can accuse Marantz of pushing the boundaries on the CD6007, but it has taken an already excellent CD player and made it a bit better. Type CD transport Outputs Coaxial, optical Musical Fidelity M2sCD £699 June 2020 Musical Fidelity’s CD player sounds expansive, detailed and delicately layered - a resoundingly listenable proposition. Type CD player Outputs Coaxial, optical £1000 to £6000 Naim CD5si £1149 October 2014 The CD5si boasts a full-bodied, winningly enthusiastic approach to music. The absence of digital outputs means there’s no upgrade path. Type CD player Outputs Line-out, DIN Cyrus CDi £1195 Best CD player over £1000, Awards 2022 Cyrus says this player is its best-sounding yet, and after…

View offers whf.cm/BBInternetRadios  View offers whf.cm/BBDABRadios Up to £200 Roberts Stream 94L £200 Best radio under £200, Awards 2022 The updated Stream 94L radio remains a firm favourite, with its extensive playback options, unfussy nature and hugely enjoyable sound. Battery Optional Size (hwd) 25 x 17 x 13cm Inputs 3.5mm, USB, BT, wi-fi “This radio is such an enjoyable performer. We have it playing throughout the day and never tire of it.” Tivoli Model One Digital Generation 2 £299 Best radio over £200, Awards 2022 We really enjoy Tivoli’s winning little box of tricks. Old-school radio feels and modern AirPlay 2 and Chromecast; it scores consistently high marks. Battery No Size (hwd) 11.5 x 22.2 x 14cm Inputs Aux in, BT, Apple AirPlay “The sound is more than enough for…

View offers whf.cm/BBTurntables £150 to £300 Pro-Ject Primary E £159 Best turntable under £200, Awards 2022 Pro-Ject has revised a budget deck to nail the under £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 Rega Planar 1 £275 Best turntable £200-£500, Awards 2022 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…

 View offers whf.cm/BBHomeCinemaAmps £500 and above £500 to £2000 Denon AVR-X2800H £869 Best home cinema amplifier £1000-£2000, Awards 2022 The AVR-X2800H ups the ante with more HDMI 2.1 inputs, a new user-friendly interface and a more responsive, coherent and spacious sound. Power 7 x 95W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 6/2 Sony TA-AN1000 £999 July 2023 Sony has delivered an AV amp that has reignited the same excitement that we felt with its last model, here with additional dynamics, scale and accuracy. Power 7 x 85W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 6/2 Denon AVC-X3800H £1499 Best home cinema amplifier over £2000, Awards 2022 Despite being more expensive than its predecessor, the AVC-X3800H’s updated feature spec and new and improved sound make it an excellent buy. Power 9 x 105W Dolby Atmos…

 View offers whf.cm/BBSoundbars Up to £500 Yamaha YAS-207 £249 Best soundbar under £300, Awards 2020 The latest in a series of fine Yamaha soundbars, this is a compelling, class-leading performer in a practical, easy-to-use package. Size (hwd) 6 x 93 x 11cm Inputs Opt, HDMI, 3.5mm, BT Sub Yes Sonos Beam (Gen 2) £449 Best soundbar under £500, Awards 2022 A compact soundbar that pumps out an exceptional sound for its size and price. Now with Dolby Atmos capabilities. Impressive. Size (hwd) 7 x 65 x 10cm Inputs Optical, HDMI ARC, AirPlay Sub No £500 to £1000 Yamaha YSP-2700 £699 February 2017 With a spacious, involving sound the YSP-2700 is the most convincing surround experience you’ll get outside of a full 5.1 surround system. Size (hwd) 5 x 94 x…

View offers whf.cm/BBTelevisions Up to 43in Samsung UE43AU7100 £449 Best 40-43in TV, Awards 2021 Samsung’s miniature hero proves you don’t need a bottomless bank account or a cavernous room to enjoy great picture quality. Type LCD/LED HDMI 3 Resolution 4K ARC/eARC eARC “Shows a level of maturity, confidence and understanding of the many elements that go into producing a truly satisfying TV picture” LG OLED42C2 £999 Best 40-43in TV and Best gaming TV, Awards 2022 Simply put, this is the best 42in TV there has ever been. Partly that’s because it’s the first OLED of its size, with fabulous contrast, colours and punch. Type OLED HDMI 4 Resolution 4K Operating system webOS22 “It’s punchy but controlled, vibrant but natural, sharp but not exaggerated. A performance per pound champ” 48in to…

View offers whf.cm/BBMobilePhones iOS Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Best smartphone over £500, Awards 2022 A solid upgrade to picture quality and a huge improvement to sound put the iPhone 14 Pro Max at the top of the smartphone AV charts. OS iOS 16 Size (hwd) 161 x 78 x 8mm Storage 128GB-1TB “The iPhone 14 Pro Max is clearly punchier, more rhythmic, weightier, clearer and more dynamic than its predecessors” Android Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra June 2022 If you can deal with the average battery life, this is the new flagship Android phone to rule them all – and that’s before taking into account the new S Pen. OS Android Size (hwd) 163 x 78 x 9mm Storage 128GB-1TB “This flagship Samsung boasts so many headline-grabbing specs, it’s tough…

View offers whf.cm/BBAudioCables Up to £50 Chord Company C-Line £63/m Best analogue interconnect under £100, Awards 2022 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 £125/m Best analogue interconnect over £100, Awards 2022 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 Edwards Audio Apprentice MM £90 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 Up to £200 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 19cm Musical Fidelity LX2-LPS £199 April 2018 Though it’s not as versatile as the Rega Mk3, the LX2 delivers a more engaging performance thanks to its open, full-bodied sound. Type MM, MC Dimensions (hwd) 4 x 17 x 19cm Rega Fono MM Mk5…

 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 £10/m and above QED Reference XT40i £11/m May 2020 If you’re looking to upgrade your system by investing in speaker cables this…

The wonder of Gorillaz is that there’s such a wealth of creativity and innovation on display since the band’s inception in 1998, drawing upon such a range of styles and influences that it can be hard to pin them down. That makes their music perfect for testing hi-fi, as you will never be short of something that will give your kit a wide, varied array of music to contend with. Here are nine of our particular favourites. FEEL GOOD INC. FT DE LA SOUL (DEMON DAYS) An eclectic range of musical influences makes ideal fodder for testing out speakers and hi-fi, since there is so much variety to reveal strengths and expose weaknesses. Those iconic, bass-driven verses, complete with megaphone-filtered vocals and heavy drum beats, have a completely distinct musical…