This month’s Hi-Fi News includes a unique technical group test of headphones. If you’re looking for hi-fi ’phones up to ￡110, you’ll need to read this first!
Saturday 1 September 2007
By Andrew Harrison
Hi-Fi News Oct 07 on sale now...
This month’s Hi-Fi News includes a unique technical group test of headphones. If you’re looking for hi-fi ’phones up to ￡110, you’ll need to read this first! Also inside, the new Naim Supernait integrated amplifier, Audio Research’s new entry-level preamp, ‘66-bit’ two-box CD player from Accustic Arts, Manger Audio Zerobox loudspeaker, plus an upmarket omnidirectional speaker from Duevel, the Bella Luna Diamante. All this plus the story behind Pro-Ject in the Czech Republic, Classic Kit, and much more...
THIS MONTH
October issue
Look out for the free cover-mounted System Diagnostic tool to see how much power you need!
Duevel Bella Luna Diamante
Impressed by its affordable Planets omnidirectional speaker, Ian Harris tries Duevel’s striking £3750 model.
Audio Research LS17
Processor control and valves combine in Audio Research’s new entry-level preamplifier, tested by Ken Kessler.
Bel Canto S300i
David Berriman finds a cool-running, sweet-sounding integrated amplifier with 150W of Class D power.
Accustic Arts Drive 1 Mk 2 and DAC 1 Mk 4
Interesting new ‘66-bit’ technology lies at the heart of this transport and DAC, examined by Andrew Harrison.
Cambridge Audio Azur 540R V2 and Onkyo TX-SR605
Two AV receivers at £350 and £400 fight it out. Richard Stevenson
weighs up the choice between a 5-ch classic design, and 7-ch of bells
and whistles.
Group Test: Headphones
In the first technical group test of headphones in living memory, Keith
Howard roots out the £100 favourites from AKG K530, Audio Technica
ATH-AD700, Beyerdynamic DT 440, and Grado SR80.
Manger Audio Zerobox 109
A Manger sound transducer is the star attraction in this two-way standmount speaker, by Ian Harris.
Naim Audio Supernait
Is it an amp? Is it a DAC? No, it’s Supernait, Naim Audio’s heroic new stereo integrated amp, tested by Andrew Harrison.
Super Systems: Musical Fidelity A1008 CD/amp and B&W 803D
Steve Harris gets a taste of power and precision with Musical
Fidelity’s latest electronics feeding diamond-domed Bower & Wilkins
floorstanders.
Features
Objects of Desire
A first peek at chic audio pieces, with the VTL TL 6.5 Signature preamplifier and Shanling CD-T1500 CD player.
Hi-fi @ Home
Stately home sonic sophistication – Steve Harris enjoys high-end stereo sound at the home of Sir John.
Audio Exposed
To provide background for this month’s Group Test, Keith Howard discusses the technical challenges of headphone measurement.
Inside Story
DVD-Video recorders are emerging as the replacement for VHS recorders.
Jim Lesurf discusses the issues of compatibility that he’s uncovered
between different brands’ recorders.
On Location: Pro-Ject
The story behind Project Audio Systems, maker of turntables and electronics in the Czech Republic.
Classic Kit
John Howes remembers Worden Audio, a small British manufacturer operating in the 1960s and 70s.
NEXT MONTH
November issue
Pioneer BDP-LX70
First Blu-ray player from Pioneer appears in gloss black livery, promising image and sound exactly as the film-makers intend. Paul Miller checks the quality.
NAD C315BEE
Yet another ‘3020’ replacement, yet this time even Ken Kessler warms to what may be a new budget reference.
Pro-Ject Debut III USB
The evergreen starter deck gets a binary upgrade with the help of a USB digital output. Steve Harris zeroes in.
Denon AVR-3808
Richard Stevenson renews his marriage vows with the latest version of Denon’s 3800-series AV amp.
Shanling CD-T1500
Ken Kessler takes this otherworldly CD player for a spin, revelling in its oddball looks and fine sound.
Hi-Fi News Awards: 2007
The year’s pick of the products, with selections in three price bands. Categories include best analogue source, digital source, integrated and pre/power amplifiers, loudspeaker, and projector and flat panel display.
PS Audio GCA-MC5000
Up to 7kW is promised from this modular multichannel power amplifier with ICEpower. Richard Stevenson settles for a mere 5 x 500W...
JBL ES80
Bigger is not always better, but Keith Howard finds potential in this budget four-way, five-driver floorstander.
SIM2 HT5000
Latest three-chip projector from SIM2 introduces 1080p performance. Paul Miller sees the (UHP) light from this ￡30k high-end imagecaster.
Super System
Christopher Breunig evaluates a one-brand CD-to-loudspeaker solution from Leema Acoustics.
FEATURES
ADVICE
Hi-fi @ Home
Spectral, Accuphase, Nagra... Steve Harris visits a high-end addict who’s invested in two-channel bliss.
Music on DVD
Ken Kessler makes a case for music with images, with his personal selection of good sounds on DVD.
Audio Exposed
Keith Howard concludes his odyssey into the importance of reserve power when reproducing real music SPLs at home.
Inside Story
Jim Lesurf continues his exploration of the problems with DVD±RW home video recorders.
On Location: Harbeth
Steve Harris talks to Alan Shaw of Harbeth about founder Dudley Harwood’s gardening habit.
Classic Kit
John Howes remembers His Master’s Voice, when the HMV company was making hi-fi equipment.
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