Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2025 i What Hi-Fi?

Amplifiers and loudspeakers have been the constants of hi-fi through the ages. But turntables? If you had asked What Hi-Fi? 30 years ago if the record player should also be on that list, I doubt you would have received a favourable response. The venerable vinyl disc was in the doldrums rather, in the mid ’90s. Compact disc was king, and there was no real reason to think it wouldn’t be the major source of music listening for many years to come. And yet… Vinyl – of course – never quite went away, despite being at its nadir before the turn of the century. Since that low point, the upward tick of the sales graph has been both a joy to see and somewhat of a surprise. Still, it seems the…

View online review whf.cm/Debut_Evo_2 £599 The Evo 2 is an updated version of the five-star Debut Carbon Evo, with key elements taken from the two-time What Hi-Fi? Product of the Year, the Debut Pro, to elevate the performance further. As the Debut Pro is being replaced by a balanced connection-equipped model, it’s this new Evo 2 that is being pitched as the forerunner for the Debut line. At £599 it undercuts the outgoing Debut Pro which we tested at £699. This means the Evo 2 goes toe to toe with its evergreen rival, the Rega Planar 2, with the Planar 2/Nd3 package going for £599. The Debut Evo 2 is a clean, minimal design that is well-built and smooth in use. It marries that simplicity with a touch of pizzazz,…

View online review whf.cm/FonoMM5 £230 Rega’s Fono MM has been our go-to recommendation for an affordable phono stage for more years than we care to remember. It is about as minimalist as such things get at this level, being a moving magnet-only design with just the basic input and output connections. The company clearly doesn’t want to spoil a winning recipe, and so the revisions for this newest Mk5 version amount to a change of casework to match some of the brand’s newer products and… well that’s it. The internals have remained unchanged from the last generation, but given that it was a clear class leader maybe that is not such a bad thing. Respectably low noise levels A gain of just over 41dB is more than enough for any…

View online review whf.cm/DuoMC-MM £299 Producing any five-star duo requires complementing talents, different enough to validate the inclusion of both parties while similar enough to form a cohesive whole. The Duo referred to in the name of Cambridge Audio’s latest phono stage would seem to refer to its ability to handle both MM and MC turntable cartridges. But it could perhaps indicate the Duo’s inclusion of an on-board headphone amplifier, for use in either a traditional hi-fi system or solely as middleman between your deck and a suitably talented pair of cans. Visually sophisticated Few phono stages at this price offer such a sophisticated visual statement. From the offset volume dial dominating the Duo’s otherwise minimalist fascia to the smaller, intuitive tics such as mirrored labelling on its rear (allowing…

View online review whf.cm/Sound_Burger £199 It’s hard not to think of Audio-Technica’s Sound Burger as anything but a novelty. Originally released in 1983 just as CD took off, the record player’s ultra-compact, portable concept flew in the face of conventional turntable design. And its timing couldn’t have been worse. As the brand released a limited edition version (called AT-SB2022) in 2022 to celebrate the brand’s 60th anniversary, however, it discovered it is now in a landscape where vinyl is wildly popular again. Such was the demand for this revived Burger that a full-production release and permanent fixture in its line-up was deemed necessary. The latest Sound Burger still feels like a bit of a novelty at first glance, but, just as we discovered when What Hi-Fi? reviewed the original model…

View online review whf.cm/AT-LPW50BTRW £420 It’s gratifying to see vinyl still in healthy shape, with record-breaking vinyl sales (thanks, Taylor Swift) and new record players regularly hitting the shelves. Audio-Technica’s AT-LPW50BTRW is one such recent turntable, offering an appealing combination of features – it’s a belt drive turntable with built-in phono stage and Bluetooth streaming – to appeal to a wide audience, regardless of their experience with vinyl. There is plenty of competition at this price from the likes of Rega, Pro-Ject, Dual and Sony, but Audio-Technica has a knack for manufacturing modern turntables with hi-fi flourishes that look and sound great. Can this AT-LPW50BTRW stand out from the crowd? Appealing looks This is a smart-looking turntable with instant shelf appeal. The rosewood finish looks appealing and the build quality…

What do the designers of your favourite turntable love listening to? What are the vinyl records that they cherish or recommend for their great-quality pressing? We spoke to some of today’s most respected turntable designers and manufacturers to find out their favourite vinyl discs for testing and pure enjoyment, and ask why they have chosen each pick. We were treated to some wonderful personal stories of how a specific album or a track had a huge impact on their lives – from kickstarting a “lifelong affair with vinyl” to leading them to “look into record player design” in the first place. Best of all, we now have an armful of new vinyl recommendations to go hunt for on Discogs – so we can enjoy exactly what the makers of some…

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 Up to £300 iFi Zen DAC V2 £159 Best DAC under £200, Awards 2023 A good jump in quality over the Award-winning original, to keep features and performance best in class – and for not much extra money. Inputs USB 3.0 Size 35 x 160 x 117mm Res PCM 384kHz, DSD256, MQA iFi hip-dac 2 £179 April 2022 At this level, you’re unlikely to find a portable DAC as clear, zealous, fully featured, or as downright good-looking as the iFi hip-dac 2.  Inputs USB…

View offers whf.cm/BBInternetRadios View offers whf.cm/BBDABRadios Up to £200 Roberts Revival Petite 2 £100 Best radio under £100, Awards 2024 Packed with features and emitting a clearer, richer, more dynamic sound than you might expect, this delightful little portable is a must-have sonic accessory. Battery 20hrs (rechargeable) Size (hwd) 73 x 124 x 85mm Finishes 7 “It’s a lively, rhythmically engaging sound that has a surprising amount of weight and punch to it, given the unit’s size” £200 and above Ruark Audio R1S £299 Best radio £100-£400, Awards 2024 Appealing aesthetics and sophisticated, nuanced and precise sound – it’s a level of quality we are surprised to hear from a product of this size and price. Battery Optional Size (hwd) 17.5 x 13 x 13.5cm Inputs 3.5mm, USB, BT, wi-fi…

View offers whf.cm/BBHifiSystems Up to £500 Denon D-M41DAB £399 Best hi-fi system under £500, Awards 2024 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 Best powered speakers, Awards 2024 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 Triangle AIO Twin £699 Best speaker system under £750, Awards 2024 If you’re looking for a fun music system that also sounds hugely capable in hi-fi terms, at a decent price, this system is…

View offers whf.cm/BBBlurayPlayers Up to £500 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 £349 Best 4K Blu-ray player, Awards 2024 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 Aura from £249 Best PVR, Awards 2024 As a Freeview PVR, the Humax Aura is solid, but its useability foibles and lack of Netflix give pause for thought. Tuners 3 Storage 1TB/2TB Ultra HD Yes Subscription boxes Sky Q 2TB from £199 Best subscription box, Awards 2024 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 2023 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 £100 and above Apple TV 4K £169 Best video streamer, Awards 2024 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…

 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…

Summer’s here, so you might be expecting us to have been testing with sun-soaked pop bangers and throwaway feel-good tunes. But this month’s list is as broad and varied as ever, featuring Slipknot and Portishead and peppered with hints of ’90s nostalgia and a big slice of lunar loveliness courtesy of Clint Mansell’s Moon soundtrack. WHAT WAS THAT LORDE Lorde’s new track, her first solo release since her 2021 album Solar Power, has been highly anticipated, and while we don’t believe it’s her strongest song lyrically, it’s still an undisputed banger. While it starts low-key, the track quickly gives way to an infectious, grungey synth baseline, juxtaposing the atmospheric electronic effects and Lorde’s raw, emotive vocals nicely. The track is brimming with angst, and though it retreads her retrospective style…

View online review whf.cm/Primary_E £229 This is the most affordable traditionally designed Pro-Ject turntable, and it has claimed top spot in our best budget record players buying guide for many years now. The brand’s similarly priced Elemental deck has a platter that sits over a long and thin, plank-like chassis (imagine a pizza draped over a wooden serving board). And the E is also more or less a twin of the Pro-Ject Primary, another great turntable. 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 a little less than the original model. So, how…

View online review whf.cm/SL-1500C £899 The rebirth of the Technics brand has been fascinating. Since 2014, Technics has released a steady stream of products with varying degrees of success, but in recent years it feels as if the company has really hit 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. And that good work has continued with the entry-level SL-1500C. This is a less elaborate mini-me of the high-end model, still using a core-less direct-drive motor with sophisticated speed-management circuitry, a hefty, well-damped chassis and a version of the company’s long-running S-shaped arm. Obsessive engineering It comes supplied with the well-respected Ortofon 2M…

View online review whf.cm/Zen_Phono_3 £249 As well as being a vital link between your record player and your active speakers or amplifier, the best external phono stage is a neat way to upgrade the quality of your existing vinyl set-up; they tend to be of a better quality than the ones built into your powered speakers, amplifier or turntable. iFi’s Zen Phono 3 is compact and wallet-friendly and can neatly slot into most vinyl systems, and is – unusually for this level – compatible with both moving magnet and moving-coil cartridges. The Zen Phono 3 is a nicely made and compact unit. The chassis is identical in dimensions and finish to the Zen DAC 3 we reviewed recently, and it’s a sleek, smart unit that is easy to accommodate on…

View online review whf.cm/110LPv2 £560 If you play records, no other electronic component in your system has as much impact on the sound as the humble phono stage. There aren’t many talented units around the £500 mark, so when we come across something as capable as Moon’s 110LP v2, it’s something to celebrate. This is a neatly made aluminium box finished to the high standards we have come to expect from Moon. The curved front panel is beautifully machined and makes the 110LP v2 look classier than most of the competition. This phono stage is a switchable unit capable of handling both moving coil and moving-magnet cartridges. Unlike most rivals, the Moon offers gain adjustment in four increments, starting from 40dB and continuing through to 66dB. This range should be…

View online review whf.cm/Phono-1MkIIL £1495 Vertere’s Phono-1 was a stonking product. We reviewed the five-star MkII version in 2019 and it has since garnered Awards galore. There’s no massive design or philosophy change with this MkII L version, just careful honing of an already capable product. Surprisingly, there aren’t any upgraded components or significant changes to the circuit design. What Vertere has done here is more akin to housekeeping, where the physical position of numerous circuit components has been revised to reduce unwanted interactions, and the signal path refined to reduce distortions. The unit’s linear power supply has also been moved to the main circuit board, allowing improvements in the placement of the connecting tracks and ground plane optimisation. In addition, the signal tracks are now of equal length and…

View online review whf.cm/PS-LX310BT £249 For many music lovers, the prospect of shelling out for various bits of highly involved and potentially incompatible kit can turn the happy notion of Sundays spent chilling with vinyl into a headache. Cartridge, phono stage, alignment gauge, tracking weight scales, long-nosed pliers, set of Allen keys? It’s a daunting technological assault course. And yet, having done little more than plug Sony’s PS-LX310BT turntable into the wall socket, we are listening to Bruce Springsteen’s Born To Run through Bluetooth headphones as it spins in front of us. The whole set-up process takes about the time it takes to make a pot of coffee; from box to The Boss in under five minutes. For a while now, decks housing both a phono stage and Bluetooth have…

View online review whf.cm/T1_Evo_BT £479 There are some combinations that work beautifully, even if you wouldn’t necessarily consider putting them together in the first place. Beans on toast is an odd combination when you think about it, as is surf and turf, while carrots in a cake has no right to be as good as it is. Mixing poached eggs with smoked salmon is essentially combining poultry and fish, but no one complains when a bougie brunch spot has Eggs Royale on the menu, do they? It’s the same with Bluetooth turntables. Teaming up Bluetooth and vinyl may seem strange at first, but the idea of having analogue record playback beamed wirelessly to a host of modern compatible sources unquestionably has its appeal, especially for users who are just setting…

◼ Turntable package ◼ £44,605 Hundreds of high-end products have passed through What Hi-Fi?’s test rooms over the years. Given the hefty prices involved, it will come as no surprise to find that the vast majority have been well-made and elaborately engineered. Most look imposing, some even manage to look luxurious, but we can’t recall a single one that we would call pretty. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that, but in dimly lit surroundings, the Vertere SG-1’s strategically placed LEDs embedded in the sumptuous acrylic plinth is a lovely sight. ‘Pretty’ seems the best word for it, though you can always turn off the illuminations if you don’t like them. Now, let’s not take this too far. Any record player that costs the same as a typical…

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 x3, MM, optical, coaxial, BT Outputs Headphone Rotel A8 £399 Best stereo amplifier under £500, Awards 2024 A fuss-free, well-built product that sets an enviable standard for sound quality at this level. The A8’s understated charms have us hooked. Power 30W Inputs Line-in, MM Outputs Headphone £500 to £1000 Marantz PM6007…

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/features Turntables might not be cutting-edge tech, but for their look and feel – not to mention thrillingly articulate analogue sound – you can’t beat them. The only thing your record collection lacks is portability, but there is a way to take those LPs with you 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. But 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…

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 Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 £249 Best standmount speaker under £300, Awards 2024 They can live with the best at the price. They have a bro ad spread of abilities that will help them get the most from price-compatible electronics. Size (hwd) 31 x 18 x 28cm Bi-wire No Finishes 1 “They dig up a pleasing amount of detail and manage to organise it in a cohesive and musical…

View offers whf.cm/BBTurntables £150 to £300 Pro-Ject Primary E £199 Best turntable under £200, Awards 2024 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 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 £150 to £300 Rega Planar 1 £299 Best turntable £200-£500, Awards 2024 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 to £2000 Sony TA-AN1000 £999 Best home cinema amplifier under £1500, Awards 2024 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 Yes HDMI in/out 6/3 Yamaha RX-A6A £2299 October 2022 With its exhaustive feature set, this is the ‘choose-your-own adventure’ of AVRs, with a completist approach to almost every aspect of its configuration. Power 9 x 150W Dolby Atmos…

View offers whf.cm/BBSoundbars Up to £500 Sony HT-S2000 £349 May 2024 If you want clearer, more dynamic and direct sound from your TV at a price that won’t put you off, then this Sony really is an easy sell. Size (hwd) 6.4 x 80 x 12cm Inputs Optical, HDMI eARC Sub No Sonos Beam (Gen 2) £449 Best soundbar under £500, Awards 2024 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 Dali Katch One £649 Best soundbar £500-£1000, Awards 2018 Great for music, even better for films, this tidy soundbar delivers all the sound your living room is likely to need.…

View offers whf.cm/BBTelevisions Up to 43in LG OLED42C4 £999 Best 40-43in TV and Best gaming TV, Awards 2024 The 42in LG C4 is the best small OLED TV money can buy right now, delivering a wonderfully punchy, immersive viewing experience. Type OLED HDMI 4 Resolution 4K Operating system webOS24 “The C4 delivers brilliant peaks. Contrast levels are wide and impactful, and movements look wonderfully smooth” 48in to 50in Amazon Fire Omni QLED £450 Best budget 48-50in TV, Awards 2023 Budget TVs are hard to get right, but the 50in Omni QLED succeeds thanks to a consistent, considered performance and impressive feature set. Type QLED HDMI 4 Resolution 4K ARC/eARC eARC “A surprisingly consistent and considered performer that provides a very satisfying and authentic picture” LG OLED48C4 £1199  Best 48-50in TV,…

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…

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 2024 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 2024 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 Netflix from £5.99/month Best video streaming service, Awards 2020 Without doubt…

View offers whf.cm/BBAudioCables Up to £150 Chord Company C-Line £63/m Best analogue interconnect under £100, Awards 2024 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 Chord Co ClearwayX ARAY Analogue RCA £130/m Best analogue interconnect over £100, Awards 2024 Evolution of a well-regarded interconnect that reveals greater texture, control and dynamics from your system’s performance than before.  Balanced/Single-ended Single…

 View offers whf.cm/BBPhonoAmps Headphone amplifiers Austrian Audio Full Score One £1299 February 2025 If you are obsessive about getting the most from your hi-fi headphones and have sources of sufficient quality, this amplifier is warmly recommended.  Inputs Stereo RCA in parallel with balanced XLR Outputs XLR, 6.3mm x2 “The Full Score covers itself in glory by delivering the title track’s explosive punch and instrumental complexity so well”…

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 Rega Fono Mini A2D Mk2 £110 April 2024 It is the quality of the sound that continues to impress. Quite simply, we haven’t come across a better-sounding alternative at this entry level. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 3 x 10 x 10.5cm 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…

Dolby Atmos soundbar | £250 | View offers whf.cm/Fire_TV_SoundbarPlus This Amazon ’bar offers a way to bring the immersive Dolby Atmos experience to the living room without breaking the bank. The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus is the step-up model from its cheaper sibling, which we rated a respectable three stars, and adds Dolby Atmos support. The Plus costs roughly twice as much as the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar, though, as with most of Amazon’s first-party products, discounts are frequent and often substantial. But competition is fierce, even at this budget level, and the Sony HT-S2000 sets the benchmark here. The Soundbar Plus’s plastic body with its neat cloth grille gives it a clean overall feel, while its 6.4 x 94 x 13.2cm (hwd) dimensions make it perfectly suited for…

View online review whf.cm/Planar1plus £399 On its release in 2018, our reaction to Rega having finally developed a turntable with a built-in phono stage was a mixture of relief, anticipation and a fair bit of “about time, too”. The Planar 1 Plus is essentially a Rega Planar 1 turntable with the Rega Fono Mini A2D built in. Both are Award-winning products, of course, and Rega says it felt only natural to combine them together. We absolutely agree. Placing the Planar 1 Plus next to the Planar 1 results in a quick game of spot the difference. Apart from the logo printed in the corner, the two decks are virtually identical. The Planar 1 Plus uses the exact same platter, bearing, RB110 tonearm, Carbon MM cartridge, 24V synchronous AC motor and…

View online review whf.cm/Planar3_RS £999 The Planar 3 has traditionally been the sweet spot of Rega’s turntables. Iconic by name and reputation – and the recipient of more What Hi-Fi? Award wins than we can count – this deck has recently impressed us all over again thanks to its new fitted moving-magnet cartridge (Nd3) improving the performance even further than before. There are ways to upgrade the standard Planar 3’s performance – add an outboard power supply and/or upgrade to a step-up cartridge, for instance – but there is quite a gap to the next rung up the ladder, which is the premium Planar 6 deck (£1280 without cartridge). This is where the Rega Planar 3 RS Edition comes in. ‘RS’ stands for ‘Rega Special’ and is a full production…

View online review whf.cm/MiniA2D_Mk2 £115 The second iteration of Rega’s Fono Mini A2D looks a little cleaner than its forebear, its new glossy front panel better fitting in with the aesthetic of the brand’s current range. But the important part of this phono stage, the audio circuitry, remains unchanged, and we are glad Rega has left it well alone. You see, the Rega Fono Mini A2D has always been something of a star performer at this level, and this Mk2 version continues to impress. Physically, this remains a small, unassuming box. It takes up barely any more shelf space than a typical drinks coaster. The technical side is as expected with a 47kOhm/100pF input loading, which are the standard values needed for moving-magnet cartridges. Apart from the stereo RCAs that…

View online review whf.cm/PhonoBox_DS2 £249 The phono stage has more impact on the quality of record replay than any other part of the amplification chain. It does the heavy lifting in amplifying the cartridge’s tiny signal and also performs the delicate equalisation necessary for a flat frequency response, while it shouldn’t add too much noise and distortion. The phono modules built into most non-premium integrated amplifiers are pretty limited in ability, and so in most cases a dedicated phono stage will give you a better sound. That’s where Pro-Ject’s Phono Box DS2 comes in. Pro-Ject has built its reputation on good value and high-quality vinyl replay, and the Phono Box DS2 is a convincing piece of kit for the money. Inside the solid, smartly finished aluminium casework is a neat…

View online review whf.cm/MX-VYNL £749 Phono stages are an easily overlooked link in the analogue hi-fi chain, but after the record player, we think this is arguably the next most critical component in the signal path. Anyone who doubts that should listen to Musical Fidelity’s new MX-VYNL against some of its rivals in a suitably talented system. This is not the kind of product that makes any sense if your turntable isn’t spot-on. You simply won’t hear just how good this unit is without a suitably detailed and transparent source. We think the likes of the Linn Majik LP12 (around £3700) is a good starting point, but would be happy to keep on using the MX-VYNL with decks up to double that price. This little box really is that good.…

View online review whf.cm/JBLSpinnerBT £379 You can see why JBL has brought the Spinner BT turntable to market. In case you hadn’t noticed, vinyl is undergoing a bit of a resurgence which is partly being powered by a mix of nostalgia, dedicated events celebrating the format (like Record Store Day) and the fact several modern-day mega artists are now choosing to release their albums on the format. We also know that modern Bluetooth products have never been more prevalent. There aren’t many households in the land that don’t have at least one Bluetooth speaker lurking somewhere, while wireless headphones have become the default device through which most people now consume their music. JBL has its feet firmly in both of these product camps so why not try and ride that…

View online review whf.cm/AlvaTTV2 £1399 Cambridge Audio is best known for its capable and often Award-winning range of electronics, but in recent years its reach has extended into the turntable market. The company currently makes two models, with the Alva TT being the range-topper. This new V2 variant marks a gentle but thoughtful evolution over the original we tested back in 2019. The headline changes for the Cambridge Audio Alva TT V2 are a new tonearm with a detachable headshell, and the ability to toggle both the built-in phono stage and the Bluetooth module on and off. The new tonearm replaces the previous generation’s Rega-based design and makes it easier to change cartridges when required. The decision to make both the Bluetooth and phono stage switchable is a response to…

◼ Floorstanding speakers ◼ £5995 “The twin bass drivers and generous cabinet dimensions suggest plenty of bass, and we are not disappointed” Few of the floorstanders that have come through our test rooms in recent months have looked as classy as Sonos Faber’s new Sonetto V G2 floorstanding speakers. At almost 109cm tall, these are relatively large boxes, but the curved sides, carefully chosen finishes and some tasteful detailing make them look much less obtrusive than perhaps expected. These speakers are part of a seven-strong range that also includes a pair of standmounters, larger and smaller floorstanders, a dedicated centre and a wall-mount option. We chose to test the Sonetto V G2 as it is the most affordable stereo model in the range to include Sonus Faber’s new Camelia midrange…

View offers whf.cm/BBCDPlayers Up to £1000 Marantz CD6007 £379 Best CD player under £500, Awards 2024 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 Arcam CD5 £699 Best CD player £500-£1000, Awards 2024 A tremendously talented player that deserves an audition if you’re still holding on to your beloved CDs and want to give them a new lease of life. Type CD player Outputs Coaxial, optical, line-level £1000 to £6000 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 Naim CD5si £1149 October 2014 The CD5si boasts…

View offers whf.cm/BBMusicStreamers Up to £500 WiiM Pro Plus £219 Best music streamer under £300, Awards 2024 As a first, affordable introduction to the many and various charms of music streaming, the WiiM Pro Plus is hard to lay a glove on at the price. Outputs RCA line-level, coaxial, optical WiiM Ultra £349 April 2025 This streamer puts in a mature, engaging performance; its combination of features, connectivity and terrific user experience for the price is unparalleled. Outputs RCA line-level, coaxial, optical, subwoofer 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 Cambridge Audio MXN10 £449 Best music streamer £300-£750, Awards 2024 Cambridge…

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/features It’s no good spending hundreds of pounds on your new speakers if you then don’t allow them to perform properly. Take care with positioning to get them to sing. Wall or in the open? Where’s the best place to position a speaker? Some speakers might sound better against a wall, while others prefer to be out in the open. Whatever your specific requirements, your speaker choice should primarily take into account how much space you have to house them. Use a stand Speaker stands keep the speaker cabinet rigid. This allows for more of the drivers’ movement to be translated into sound and not wasted through vibrations. If your stands are on a carpet, make sure you have spikes to ensure stability. Tweeter height The higher-frequency…

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 2024 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” £100 to £250 JBL Flip 6 £130 May 2022 Another resoundingly five-star product, with sonic upgrades…

View offers whf.cm/BBProjectors Up to £2000 BenQ W1800 £999 Best projector under £1250, Awards 2024 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 £1250-£2000, Awards 2024 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 Hisense PL 1 £1499 Best ultra-short-throw projector under £2000, Awards 2024 With its clean, punchy and solid image, the Hisense PL1 is a gem at this price. It’s a TV alternative that actually lives up to its promise. Throw ratio 0.25:1…

 View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerPackages Up to £1000 Wharfedale DX-3 HCP £499 Best speaker package under £500, Awards 2024 The DX-3 HCP delivers sound above and beyond what most soundbars are capable of while being half the price of most models that we recommend.  Size (hwd) Centre speaker 12 x 31 x 12 cm Finishes 2 “All of the sound effects are detailed and placed accordingly, without sounding cluttered or claustrophobic” 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…

 View offers whf.cm/BBHeadphones In-ears up to £250 SoundMagic E11C £50 Best wired in-ear headphones under £100, Awards 2024 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 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 Shure Aonic 3 £179 Best wired in-ear headphones over £100, Awards 2024 Breathtakingly musical and comfy to wear, the Shure Aonic 3s set a new benchmark for in-ear headphones at this level. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m On-ears up to £150 Austrian Audio Hi-X15 £99 Best…

iOS Apple iPhone 16 Pro £999 Best smartphone over £500, Awards 2024 Apple’s attention to detail is almost unrivalled. It’s a formidable smartphone for watching movies, and it’s equally impressive when it comes to music too.  OS iOS 18 Size (hwd) 150 x 72 x 8.3mm Storage 128GB-1TB View offers whf.cm/BBMobilePhones “The bottom line is that this iPhone delivers a balanced, sharp and bright image that looks stunning” Android Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 £1799 November 2024 Best described as an OLED TV that will fit into your pocket, this would be an ideal AV companion for a long-haul flight or road trip. OS Android 14 Finishes six Storage 256GB-1TB “The sharp outlines result in a picture oozing three-dimensional depth; comparatively it makes the iPhones look somewhat flat” Sony Xperia…

 View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £500 Amazon Fire HD10 £349 Best budget tablet, Awards 2024 The Fire HD10 offers a really solid picture performance that successfully balances authenticity with a surprising amount of punch and sharpness.  OS Android Size (hwd) 247 x 166 x 9.2mm Storage 32 or 64GB £500 and above Apple iPad Air 13in £799 February 2025 While not as glorious as the OLED iPad Pro, the much more affordable 13-inch iPad Air is a fabulously cinematic tablet in its own rights. OS iPadOS 18 Size (hwd) 280 x 210 x 6mm Storage 128GB-1TB Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M £1299 Best premium tablet, Awards 2024 It’s hugely over-powered for content consumption, of course, but there is simply no better way to watch movies on the move.  OS iPadOS…

View offers whf.cm/BBAVHifiRacks Up to £500 Atacama Elite ECO 24 £300 per shelf November 2023 The cumulative upgrades in absolute audio quality that a rack like Atacama’s Elite Eco 24 Reference offers is worth it to our minds and ears. Width 600mm Modular Yes Cable management No “An essential luxury if you want the best support for your hi-fi system. This appealing rack is worth investing in” 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…

View offers whf.cm/BBMainsProducts 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 6…

View offers whf.cm/BBCartridges Cartridges Goldring E3 £90 Best cartridge under £100, Awards 2024 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 2024 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 2023 Given a…

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 QED Reference XT40i £11/m May 2020 If you’re looking to upgrade your system by investing in speaker cables this side of £15…