Moon Néo Ace Lands In UK

21. June 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Hifi News · Tags: , , ,

The Nēo ACE from Moon is “A Complete Experience of musical ecstasy” says the company’s press release. The all-in-one ACE is an integrated amplifier and streaming DAC music player so all you need do is simply hook up a pair of speakers, connect to the internet and play. The ACE features Moon’s MiND* control system which provides a full graphic interface allowing access to a digital music library or streaming service.MOON ACE low res 2

The ACE features all-new advanced setup software and will decode DSD up to DSD256 and 32- bit/384kHz PCM. The ACE also features a moving magnet phono preamplifier and has RS-232 and IR ports for use in custom-install environments.

RRP £2,800, though on offer at £2500 until July 1stMOON ACE low res 1

MOON NEO ACE FEATURES 

  • Three line-level inputs including a front-mounted 1/8” mini-jack for personal media
  • Headphone output on 1/4” TRS jack located on the front
  • Seamless integration with MOON’s MiND
  • Eight (8) digital inputs include USB (hi-res audio), SPDIF (2), Optical (2), aptX® Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi and Ethernet
  • The first MOON product using an OLED type screen – provides more detailed information.
  • Simple MiND setup via on-board software
  • Moving magnet phono preamplifier
  • Analogue inputs are configurable to “pass-through” mode, which bypasses the gain stage to accommodate components like a home-theatre processor

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 

  • Output Power at 8Ω: 50 Watts per channel
  • Input Sensitivity: 370mV – 3.0V RMS
  • Input Impedance : 11,000Ω
  • Gain: 37dB
  • Signal-to-noise ratio: 100dB @ full power
  • Frequency response (full range): 10Hz – 60kHz +0/-3dB
  • Crosstalk: 90dB

   THD (20Hz – 20kHz @ 1 watt/50 watts): 0.015% / 0.02%

  • Intermodulation distortion: 05%
  • PCM Bit-depth range/sampling rates: 16-32bits / 1-384kHz
  • DSD sample rates: DSD64, DSD128 & DSD256
  • Shipping weight: 24 lbs / 11 Kgs
  • Dimensions (width x height x depth): 42.9 x 8.9 x 36.6

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Frantique (BBR)

21. June 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Album Reviews

DISCO is big at Hifi Pig Towers and many a Saturday night is spent strutting our stuff around the listening room…there’s even talk of us getting a mirror-ball. So what better than this album by all girl three piece that had a huge hits in ’79 with Strut Your Funky Stuff (you’ll know it of course!) and their follow up “Getting Serious”. More »

I’m A Freak, Baby : A Journey Through The British Heavy Psych And Hard Rock Underground Scene 1968-72 (Cherry Red)

21. June 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Album Reviews

Out on the 29th July I’m A Freak Baby is really going to appeal to a certain kind of person…and I count myself in with this lot. As a teen I had hair down my back, wore an Afghan coat, stank of patchouli oil and listened to psych rock and heavy rock from the late 60s and early 70s, so when this landed on my desk I was a bit giddy with nostalgia and keen to give it a play. More »

SOtM Announce $450 Streamer

20. June 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Hifi News · Tags: ,

sMS-200 is a new generation of mini network player with built in ‘Media Player Board’ developed by SOtM that will cost $450.sMS-200_Front_Original

sMS-200 has a dedicated ARM processor board that has been developed for only audio. SOtM developed the product just for audio sound performance, getting rid of all unnecessary features concentrating on the high quality sound at a reasonable price.

As to the player software, ROON, MPD, DLNA, SqueezeLite and others are available. And the music files from an external USB storage device, network shared folders and streaming servicessMS-200_Rear_Original

are also available. More functions can be added by software downloads.

The web GUI allows users to choose the desired audio function, setup and control playing music file through Apps on users’ smart devices.

Specifications:

OS
Linux
Audio player
Roon Ready
DLNA renderer
Music Player Daemon(MPD)
Logitech Media Server(LMS)
Squeezelite
Audio
PCM 32bit/384KHz max, DSDx64, DSDx128, DSDx256
Ultra Low Jitter Clock
Ultra Low Noise Regulator
Active Noise canceller
USB port
High-End audio grade USB port x 1
USB 2.0 port x 2
Ethernet port
RJ45 100Mbps

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Grandinote Proemio Preamplifier and Silva Power Amplifier

20. June 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Amplifiers, Hifi Reviews · Tags: , , ,

At £14500 for the pair, the Grandinote Proemio preamp and Silva power amplifier are far from bargain basement fodder, but do they warrant such a price-tag? Stuart Smith finds out.  More »

Let’s Eat Grandma – I, Gemini (Transgressive Records)

20. June 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Album Reviews · Tags:

You may have recently read about two girls from Norfolk who look uncannily similar but are, in fact, unrelated.  Rosa and Jenny are both 17, met when they were 4 years’ old and have been inseparable ever since.  Together, they make music under the moniker Let’s Eat Grandma.  Whether or not you enjoy their debut album really comes down to whether you like their mixture of darkness and light.  Oh, and their voices. More »

Veracity Audio Mystra DAC

20. June 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Hifi News · Tags: ,

UK based Veracity Audio’s Mystra is a dual mono design with dual DAC architecture. The dedicated 24bit dual mono, multi-bit conversion handles PCM files without sample rate change and the stand-alone ∆Σ DAC/reconstruction filter offers playback of DSD64 and DSD128 natively without digital processing. The DAC features auto-switching with incoming signal file format, directing DSD to the DSD reconstruction filter and PCM to the parallel PCM only DAC. Both engines share only the SE triode valve analogue stage on a ‘one-at-a-time’ basis.1-Mystra DAC blk angle Cr

To match the output of the DAC to any pre or integrated amplifier the DAC is equipped with an analogue volume control designed with non-inductive resistors controlled by relays, with only two resistors in the signal path at any level and R2R shunt operation. For digital-only systems, this volume control can facilitate direct connection to power amplifiers. Volume control and input selector operation can be remote controlled with the custom, handmade handset.

A jitter rejection system for SPDIF inputs is employed with a quad differential receiver for use with a CD transport and any other compatible signal source.

Line preamplifier function is offered for external analogue source to directly use the DACs triode valve stage as an active preamplifier with R2R volume control. Analogue input is via a pair of RCAs whilst output is via RCA and XLR.

Mystra features a Headphone output for 32Ω – 300Ω headphones.

The valve analogue output stage operates in pure Class A. It is a single ended triode design without negative feedback.

Low impedance, high current drive audio outputs are connected directly from the valves through Jensen Copper foil audio capacitors to a stereo pair of RCA single-ended and a pair of XLR passively balanced analogue outputs. Both output types are coherent with any amplifier input with RCA`s 209Ω and XLR`s 600Ω output impedance.1-Mystra DAC rear panel

The valve stage consists of a pair of 6SN7 signal drivers, a pair of ECC82 output drivers and a pair of CV574 full-wave valve rectifiers.

Veracity Audio has separated out the digital and analogue power supplies and also the left and right channels. Strictly linear, ultra low noise power supplies were designed, each for the specific application including internal power supply for the USB interface. All power supplies are capable of high current delivery and feature separate power rails with dedicated decoupling for each individual power consumer. Multiple choke filters system and ultra low impedance film and organic polymer capacitors are used to provide the purest power flow possible. The DAC also features a built-in, selected Schurter mains filter.

Mystra DAC is equipped with Soft start, giving the time for the valves to warm-up. During this warm-up time signal outputs are muted with the Audio comes-on automatically after 70 seconds.

From £3390

 

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Miles Showell Of Abbey Road Interview

17. June 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Hifi News · Tags: ,

We at Hifi Pig recently bought and absolutely raved about the half speed master version of the John Martyn album Solid Air released on vinyl by Abbey Road. Miles Showell is the mastering engineer behind the project and Hifi Pig caught up with him for a chat.Miles with half speed lathe 20140730_7336 3500pxsmall

Read the full interview with Miles Showell of Abbey Road. 

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Interview With Miles Showell Of Abbey road

17. June 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Industry Insider

We at Hifi Pig recently bought and absolutely raved about the half speed master version of the John Martyn album Solid Air released on vinyl by Abbey Road. Miles Showell is the mastering engineer behind the project and Hifi Pig caught up with him for a chat. More »

High End Munich 2016 FREE E-Magazine

17. June 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Hifi News, Hifi Shows, High End Munich, High End Munich 2016, Industry Insider · Tags: , , ,

Hifi Pig’s coverage of the Munich High End show is now available for FREE download. There’s over 140 pages of comment, photographs, inerviews and reports in this bumper edition that has been sponsored by Tellurium Q.
As well as all the great content one lucky reader will have the chance to win a Hifi Pig Special Edition pair of loudspeakers kindly given by Kralk Audio and a pair of Tellurium Q speaker cables to connect the speakers to your rig.
Download your copy now! 

munichfrontPNGSmall More »

Copland DAC 215 Arrives

16. June 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Hifi News · Tags: , , ,

 

The long-awaited DAC/valve headphone amp and preamp from the Danish brand Copland has arrived in the UK courtesy of Absolute Sounds.

DAC 215 is a Universal Hi-res DAC, Preamplifier and Headphone amp.4478_Copland_DAC_215

The heart of the DA215 is a D/A converter with multiple S/PDIF inputs, PCM, and DSD capabilities using the ES9018 Reference 32-bit DAC in quad-mono configuration, 8 mono to 2 stereo configuration.  The company’s press release has the following to say “Combining four in-phase and four opposite-phase converters per channel, the statistical properties of the signals are taken to advantage; the signal power of the phases correlate and add-up in constructive addition, whereas the noise power of the phases are de-correlated, improving the signal to noise ratio of the resulting analogue waveform”.

The class-A buffering technology of the analogue filtering sections is borrowed from the Copland CD-players and composed by discrete transistors.

The DA215 incorporates an asynchronous USB input, three S/PDIF digital inputs, an analogue input, two analogue outputs (fixed and variable) and a complete pre-amplifier with analogue volume control and front panel headphone output featuring vacuum tube gain stages.

You can use the DAC215 for headphones playback. However, you can also use it as a high-end pre-amplifier with volume control, using the amplifier RCA outputs. The volume control and pre-amplifier functionality can be bypassed for pure DAC mode.4485_Copland_DAC_215_(rear)

The DA215 USB features USB 2.0 PCM 24/32 bit data transfer to 384 kHz, including native DSD64 and high resolution DSD128. The input is converted to i2s and it is connected directly to the DAC chip. Once connected, the computer recognizes the DAC and routes the digital audio data to it, bypassing the source device’s internal audio circuitry. The asynchronous USB-B port connects to the computer’s USB-A port. No power is taken from the computer. The regulated power supply for the USB input section has its own winding of the power transformer and the noisy computer line is completely interrupted by the use of digital Isolators.

UK RRP: £1998; available with black or silver fascia

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Women in HiFi Meet Up at T.H.E. Show Newport Beach

16. June 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Hifi Shows, Industry Insider

The Women In Hifi group continues its march forward following its inaugural meeting at High End Munich with a gathering at this year’s T.H.E. Show Newport Beach More »

Mark Levinson No 536 Amp Arrives In UK

15. June 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Hifi News · Tags: ,

 

Karma-AV say they are delighted to announce the availability of the Mark-Levinson № 536 monaural power amplifier to UK dealers, installers and customers.  27425088062_d6272b2916_k

Engineered to deliver a substantial 400W into 8 ohms and 800W into 4 ohms, the № 536 will drive demanding loudspeaker loads to generous volume levels even in larger rooms. It is designed for exceptional sonic purity, stability, consistency and reliability, blending discrete class AB amplifier topology with Class A voltage gain and driver stages. No integrated circuits are used in the signal path.

The Mark Levinson № 536 includes an XLR balanced and an RCA unbalanced input, and provides two pairs of heavy-duty speaker binding posts fitted with Mark Levinson’s characteristic hurricane wings to facilitate secure speaker-cable tightening without tools.

The № 536 also includes Ethernet, RS-232 and 12V trigger inputs and outputs for integration with Mark Levinson preamplifiers, networked installations and control systems. EuP-compliant the amplifier will go into low-power standby mode when not in operation.

In keeping with all Mark Levinson audio components, the № 536 has a distinctively elegant appearance. Its unmistakable black and silver industrial design blends iconic Mark Levinson aesthetic elements with an angular, modern contemporary look.  More details here. 

Mark Levinson No 536 Monaural Power Amplifier typical retail price inc VAT: £14000.00 each and are available in July. Hifi Pig heard this and it’s matching preamplifier at Munich High-End and it is really something!

 

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New Cans From Focal

14. June 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Hifi News

Focal have announced their new high-end line of headphones equipped with exclusive innovations they say offer “remarkable sound performance and an unrivalled audiophile experience true to the brand’s core values”.

Utopia are the reference high-fidelity headphones manufactured in France by Focal. Equipped with exclusive technology, they offer striking realism, neutrality, dynamics and clarity, for sound with unrivalled purity say the company. Utopia are unique they are the world’s first audiophile headphones to be equipped with totally open-backed full-range speaker drivers with pure Beryllium ’M’-shaped domes.box

From $3999

Elear are inspired by the technology and acoustic research that went into designing Utopia, Focal’s flagship headphones. The mechanical design provides remarkably smooth and seamless style due to the solid aluminium yoke say the company. They also feature memory foam ear cushions and exclusive speaker drivers with their aluminium/magnesium ‘M’-shaped domes.

From $999

Listen combine all the advantages of premium portable headphones, have excellent noise isolation with the closed-back design and by the large ear cushions which preserve the headphones’ acoustic qualities, even in noisy environments. The heat-sensitive, very high-density memory foam ear-pieces offer maximum comfort for the listener. Finally, at the source of Listen’s acoustic qualities are the innovative 1¾″ (40mm) drivers.

From $249

More news when we get it.

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Flamingo Audio Debut New Products At North West Audio Show

14. June 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Hifi News · Tags:

Flamingo Audio have quite a line up for The North West Audio Show….take a look.

JK ACOUSTICS Reference CD Transport

The JK Reference is a high end CD Transport made in the Netherlands, priced just under £4K. It utilizes a Philips CDM12 Pro transport mechanism installed on a 15mm thick aluminium plate suspended on 4 massive legs

which form the chassis outer corners and is optimally decoupled by silicone rubbers of low resonance.

The power supply is a high quality stabilized unit and connections available are 1 xSPDIF (RCA) & 1xAES-EBU XLR).flam4

 

BEYOND FRONTIERS AUDIO

TULIP Hybrid Integrated Amplifier SRPP – 2x180W/8 Ohm – Built-in 24/192kHz Cirrus Logic & Burr-Brown DAC – VDF display by Noritake – Shunt Relay Volume Control by Takamishawa,

Mundorf M-CAP Supreme Silver/Gold/Oil and MLytic HC Caps used – Without caps & audio transformers in the signal path, or any type of feedback – 100% SRPP tube stage gain. Price £13,650.flam1

ZELLATON Legacy

Zellaton is a specialist loudspeaker manufacturer using a unique diaphragm technology by Emil Podszus dating back to the 1930s: lightweight, torsionally stiff rigid-foam diaphragm with ideal unit pulse response.

They are painstankingly made in-house in Germany, from start to finish by a third-generation family member, Manuel Podszus. Each diaphragm takes several weeks to manufacture, in order to ensure optimum

cell structure integrity and maximum rigidity paired with minimal weight. The magnet systems are computer-optimized with a largely linear field along the entire height of the pole plate.

High temperature coils on titanium films are used to guarantee optimal unit pulse response. Every single driver is subjected to multiple control measurements and fine adjustments. Each frequency response

is logged and documented. Documentation of all drivers shipped guarantees years-long service. The crossovers are made with no compromise Dueland Coherent Audio components.

The cabinets are of very intricate design featuring proprietary, calibrated wooden materials with wall thicknesses up to 68mm. Handmade cabinet coating, painting and polishing process takes up to months –

to ensure a perfect finish. The Legacy is a 2-Way Reference Monitor System (on dedicated stands)which never fails to surprise with the very high level of performance is capable of delivering. Price £19,950.flam5

TSAKIRIDIS DEVICES Theseus

The THESEUS valve integrated amplifier is an exciting new model with many interesting features.

It is compatible with EL34, KT88/6550, KT120, KT150 valves and operates in Class A. Pentode, or Triode operation and normal, or Low Feedback can be selected by easily accessible toggle switches.

It provides 3xLine, MM, USB inputs and a transformer headphone output with high/low impedance selection. The volume is controlled by a  motorized blue Alps potensiometer.

Power output depending on the output valves chosen ranges from  2 x 10 – 22W. Price with EL34s is £1,480. During the Audioshow a limited number of Theseus amps will be offered at a very special price!flam6

Book your tickets now. 

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Scansonic Goes Active And Connected

14. June 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Hifi News · Tags: ,

Danish Scansonic may be the sister brand of Raidho, but its affordable ‘HD’ range of loudspeakers is starting to make waves in its own right as we found out recently when we reviewed a pair of their standmounter M-5s. Now, it enters the Bluetooth arena with the new wireless active M BTL-series.

Scansonic is owned by Dantax, the same parent company as Raidho and the brand’s loudspeakers are designed by Michael Børresen, creator of the  Raidho range.  As a result, they have much of the Raidho family DNA and pedigree but at a fraction of the cost.Scansonic M6BTL living room

Børresen’s initial designs for Scansonic’s HD range were the first models in the MB-series (named with his own initials), closely followed by the astoundingly affordable M-series.

The new active M BTL-series, comprising a standmount and two floorstanders, features wired analogue, digital and wireless aptX Bluetooth audio connections.

One of each pair of speakers features a built-in amplifier stage – but not the class D design that one might expect in this price range, since this has never been the Scansonic way (keep in mind the Raidho connection). Each of the three models in the M BTL-series sports a powerful class A-B amplifier: 50W in the 2-way M-5 BTL standmount, 60W in the 2.5-way M-6 BTL floorstander and 80W in the 3-way M-9 BTL.

All three models are designed around the same ultra-light ribbon planar tweeter as used in the Raidho-inspired MB-series. Its membrane is formed by a kapton-aluminum sandwich just 20μm thick and with an extremely low mass – approximately 50 times less than any conventional textile, ceramic, beryllium or diamond dome.

The tweeter is partnered with a paper-polypropylene coned 4.5-inch mid/bass driver (one in the M-5 BTL standmount and two in the M-6 BTL and M-9 BTL floorstanders) with underhung magnet system. The M-9 BTL floorstander adds an 8-inch side-mount bass driver.

The cabinets feature a heavily braced, ventilated box design with front-loaded port, and the system also comes with a learning remote control.

Technical specifications

 

  M-5 BTL M-6 BTL M-9 BTL
Type 2-way wireless active stand-mount 2.5-way wireless active compact floorstander 3-way wireless active floorstander
Enclosure Heavily braced, ventilated box design with front loaded port
Inputs Wireless: 2.4GHz aptX

Wired digital: 1 x optical (Toslink) & 1 x RCA

Wired analogue: RCA line-level
Tweeter 1 x sealed ribbon tweeter with kapton/aluminum sandwich membrane
Mid/bass driver 1 x paper-polypropylene coned 4.5” bass/mid driver with underhung magnet system 2 x paper-polypropylene coned 4.5” bass/mid driver with underhung magnet system
Woofer – –         1 x 8” woofer
Crossover 3.5kHz 2nd order acoustic slope 3.5kHz 2nd order acoustic slope;

300 Hz 1st order

 
Amplification 50W Class A-B 60W Class A-B 80W Class A-B
Frequency response 55Hz – 30kHz 50Hz – 30kHz 40Hz – 30kHz
Impedance > 6 ohm > 4 ohm > 6 ohm
Dimensions mm

(w x h x d)

 151 x 265 x 151 151 x 900 x 198 151 x 900 x 298
Weight 5.4kg 17.8kg 23.6kg

 

Pricing and availability

The Scansonic HD M-BTL series is available now, priced as follows (incl VAT). All models are available in a choice of two finishes: black-piano or white-piano.

M-5 BTL 2-way wireless active standmount                    £599

M-6 BTL 2.5-way wireless active compact floorstander  £1,199

M-9 3-way wireless active floorstander                          £1,799

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Audio Research Foundation Series

13. June 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Hifi News · Tags: , , ,

Audio Research has announced the introduction of their Foundation Series. From the same engineering and design team responsible for the Reference Series, “the Foundation family of vacuum tube components has been created to provide incredible musical experiences”.4476_Audio_Research_Foundation_Series_(stack_without_shadow) (1)

The first three components include the LS28 line stage preamplifier, the PH9 phono stage, and the DAC9 digital- to-analog converter. A new amplifier will follow, with other products to complete the series. All models will be available in both black and natural anodized aluminium finishes. Each unit comes with its own custom metal remote control.

All products at Audio Research follow the exact same path from concept to production, regardless of the series or model. The Foundation Series shares the same lineage, build quality, and many design characteristics found in the more costly Reference Series.

Many of the parts in an Audio Research product are proprietary, while some are designed for a singular model. This attention to detail is inherent to all processes at Audio Research – from the hand-soldering of every circuit board, to the final listening test which is conducted by the same person who helped guide the design. Our commitment at Audio Research is to deliver the most musically satisfying experience at every level.

The LS28 line stage is a flexible  preamplifier. Four balanced and four single-ended inputs, and two sets of both balanced and single-ended outputs, allow maximum connectivity. The straightforward menu allows control of numerous parameters, including input naming, tube hours, auto shutdown, and home theater passthrough. Phase invert and mono are also standard functions. At the heart of the LS28 are four 6H30 vacuum tubes in the analogue circuit.4471_Audio_Research_LS28

While the LS28 is the perfect match for any Audio Research amplifier, it has been designed to work with nearly any amplifier on the market today. Shipping to begin in June.4472_Audio_Research_LS28_(internal)

The PH9 phono preamplifier is a great pairing with most cartridge and turntable combinations. A trio of 6H30 vacuum tubes are at the core of a simple and clear signal path to provide the most transparent preamplification possible. Five different impedance settings allow for cartridge loading, which can be changed on the fly with the included metal remote. Cartridge impedance, tube hours, auto shutdown, and other features are included in the menu system. Shipping to begin in July.4474_Audio_Research_PH9

4475_Audio_Research_PH9_(internal)

The DAC9 digital-to-analog converter decodes most current formats with state-of-the-art vacuum tube technology. Five digital connections – USB, RCA, BNC, AES/EBU, and Toslink – provide connectivity to all of your digital sources. Quad DAC architecture provides a balanced digital signal, wide dynamic range, and decoding resolutions from red book CD up to 384 kHz and native DSD sampling rates.4468_Audio_Research_DAC9 (1)

A pair of 6H30v vacuum tubes are the heart of the analog circuit. Both balanced and single-ended connectors are provided for output connectivity. Native-rate upsampling and selectable digital filters allow customisation of the digital signal. Shipping to begin in August.4469_Audio_Research_DAC9_(internal)

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Luxman MQ-300 Vacuum Tube Stereo Power Amplifier

13. June 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Hifi News · Tags: , , , ,

The MQ-300 is a new generation of vacuum tube stereo amplifiers from LUXMAN that “uses the most thoroughly selected parts and circuits to maximise the performance and tonal quality of the latest direct heated triode – the TA-300B”. Following in the design footsteps of the MB-300 released 31 years ago, the MQ-300 combines traditional design with cutting edge technology.   MQ-300_skew_coverlesss

Since the foundation of the company 90 years ago, and the subsequent release of the MB-300, LUXMAN has pursued certain core principles for sound generation. These principles are embodied in the MQ-300 as ‘honest and natural sound quality, feeling the sound field without exaggeration’, ‘feeling the unity of sound with sufficient data for the whole audio band’ and to achieve ‘fatigue free listening enjoyment’. Expressing the original sound whilst bringing the spirit of each disk to life are qualities intrinsic to the MQ-300 and those principles.MQ-300_rears

Design History

The MQ-300 is based on the cosmetic design and circuit configuration of the MB-300, the renowned vacuum tube monaural power amplifier released by LUXMAN in 1984. The elements of traditional design and elegant tonal quality that is unique to the performance of the TA-300B, a direct heated triode, have been maximised in the MQ-300.

SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Rated Power Output: 8W + 8W (4Ω, 8Ω, 16Ω)
  • Input Sensitivity: 490mV (8W) 240kΩ
  • THD: 1% (1kHz / 8Ω / 1W)
  • S/N Ratio (IHF-A): 105dB
  • Input: 1 x Direct, 1 x  Variable
  • Output: Large speaker terminal x 1  set (4,8,16Ω independent)
  • Power Consumption: 160W
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 460 × 273 × 340 (mm)
  • Net Weight: 29.0kgMQ300_trans_tops

The MQ-300 is arriving in the UK later this month, with an RRP of ￡15,000.

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The ‘Hifi Pig Loves You’ Award High End Munich 2016

13. June 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: High End Munich, High End Munich 2016

As you may have seen before, we like to give an award, to express our love for what Hifi Pig sees as our favourite room of the show. Now, this is not strictly for the ‘Best Sound’ at the show, though that is definitely a factor, we take other things into consideration. We pick rooms that sound great, have attentive (but not pushy) staff who are friendly and knowledgeable. The room has to look really nice and have a style about it…effort has to have gone into how it looks and feels to be in the room, as well as how it sounds. More »

Wire On Wire Cable Company

13. June 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Hifi News · Tags: ,

“The audio cable that enjoys a little teasing” is how this new British cable manufacturer opens their press release. The company in question is Wire On Wire and they hand build their cables in the UK.wire_on_wire_interconnect_1

With its REDpurl™ variable geometry (UK patent pending), the company’s Experience 680 interconnect permits the user to alter its wire spacing, allowing the sound character of the interconnect to be tuned to the user’s preference.

“The REDpurl™ geometry allows the user to vary the relationship between conductors”, says Wire on Wire’s founder and designer Chris Bell, “so altering the cable’s physics and helping it adapt to their system and musical taste. I was looking for something that could adapt to the individual and the result many years later is a cable full of potential tweaks.”wire_on_wire_interconnect_2

The Experience680 uses carefully chosen silver-plated copper conductors of different diameter, insulated with PTFE. Capacitance is kept low thanks to the REDpurl™ variable geometry.

Wire on Wire will be exhibiting at the North West Audio Show later this month.

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That’s All Folks – Hifi Pig’s Final Report From High End

13. June 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: High End Munich, High End Munich 2016 · Tags: ,

Hifi Pig’s very last report on High End Munich 2016.  More »

Clearaudio Statement v2 Turntable UK Launch

12. June 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Hifi News · Tags: ,

For the first time ever, the Clearaudio Statement v2 turntable will be gracing the demonstration room of a UK audio dealer. Catch it while you can at Dorset-based Stone Audio’s very special Clearaudio event on Friday 1st & Saturday 2nd July.

Originally launched in 2006, Clearaudio’s cost-no-object, flagship Statement is a “masterpiece of engineering that genuinely advances the state of the art” says their recent press release. You can read all about the turntable here. Clearaudio Statement v2 - 1

Where: Stone Audio, The Axium Centre, Dorchester Road, Poole, Dorset BH16 6FE

When: Friday 1st July, 6pm & Saturday 2nd July, 10.30am-5pm

Tickets: Entry is free but please book your place in advance.

 

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Mitchell & Johnson SAP201V Amplifier, CDD 201V CD player and WLD+211T Streamer

12. June 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Amplifiers, CD Players, Computer audio and Streaming, Hifi Reviews, Uncategorized · Tags: , , , , ,

Mitchell and Johnson’s trio of CD Player, Amplifier and Streamer cost a total of £947 which puts them very much in the budget category but can they satisfy sonically? Dominic Marsh finds out for Hifi Pig.  More »

The Creeks Arrive At Hifi Pig

10. June 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Hifi Reviews, Unboxings

Most audiophiles, particularly those in the UK, will know the name Creek and it is indeed great to see the company doing so well for themselves.

The Creek Evolution 100P is a power amplifier offering up a healthy 100Watts whilst the CD is, surprisingly enough a CD player. Interestingly the CD has an inbuilt DAC with a volume control so that’s all you need to get yourself up and running.
The pairing arrived in a sturdy double box and completely undamaged…which was nice! More »

Pro-Ject Vertical Turntable

10. June 2016 · Write a comment · Categories: Hifi News, Uncategorized · Tags: ,

Pro-Ject’s first vertical turntable is now available in the UK.We caught a glimpse of it at Munich and it indeed very cool.

“The VT-E is a lifestyle product that still employs hi-fi principles to deliver a great sound from such a striking record player” says the company’s press release.

Retail price is £229.00 in all three available finishes. At launch we will only have access to the Right-handed version, and until the end of June VT-E will only be available through a select network of hi-fi retailers. From July 2016, VT-E will be available through the whole Pro-Ject authorised dealer network.

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