Author: HifiPig

Hifi News

Chord Electronics to Launch Hugo Headphone Amp and DAC

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Chord Electronics’ DAC 64, the company will be launching something very special at CES 2014. Based on their FPGA DAC technology the company will be introducing a reference-level. Called the new device offers “studio-master-tape sound quality, advanced connectivity and uncompromising file playback capability, all from a palm-sized player”. Hugo […]

Hifi News

Chord Company Extend Tuned ARAY Range of Audio Cables

Following the introduction in October of two Tuned ARAY Ethernet cables, Indigo Tuned ARAY Ethernet and Ethernet Sarum Tuned ARAY Ethernet, The Chord Company has further extended the implementation of its proprietary cable-tuning technology into its digital portfolio with three new cables joining the Tuned ARAY family: Anthem Digital Tuned ARAY; Signature Digital Tuned ARAY […]

Album Reviews

Mutation- Error 500

There’s been a bit of a trend recently towards metal supergroups (the heavy music community is practically salivating at the prospect of Killer Be Killed), but Mutation is one that may slip under the radar.  Well I’m gonna do my best to see that it doesn’t. Describing themselves as a “collective”, the band is comprised […]

Hifi News

Kimberly Wyatt Announced Face of Monster iSport Headphones

Monster, which has just launched its first ever on-ear wireless, washable headphones; the iSport Freedom has appointed Sky 1’s Got to Dance judge and ex-Pussycat Doll, Kimberly Wyatt the new face of the Monster iSport range. Discussing her new partnership with Monster, Kimberly said: “I am delighted to be welcomed into the Monster family. Working […]

Hifi News

New Cyrus CD Player – CDi

Cyrus Audio, whose X200 Signature Mono amps and X DAC Signature received Hifi Pig recommended awards has announced the latest CD player the CD i. The CD i is built around a specially updated version of the company’s proprietary Servo Evolution disc reading system and replaces their two existing integrated CD players – the CD […]

Hifi News

Schiit Tube Headphone Amp – Vali

Time for a left turn into tubeland for the guys over at Schiit Audio whose Magni and Modi kit we’ve reviewed in the past. The new Vali headphone amp uses a tiny NOS JAN Raytheon pencil tubes which supply all the gain (not just an buffer!) and whilst the Vali resembles the Magni, the only thing […]

Hifi News

Randall K Designer Hifi

Now here’s a bit of a breath of fresh air. Randall K Designer HiFi was started a little under a year ago with one mission, to make audio cool again and get people passionate about wanting to share music and audio the very same way it was infused in us. To do this, they are […]

Hifi News

Amazon Audio and Mørch in the UK

Surrey based Audio Reference got in touch with Hifi Pig to let us know they will now be representing and distributing Amazon Audio turntables and Mørch tonearms in the UK. Frankfurt-based Amazon Audio offers five turntable models including the entry level Amazon 2 with the range moving up through the Amazon 1, Referenz and Grand […]

Hifi News

ATC Announce New Passive Loudspeakers

ATC Loudspeaker Technology has announced the launch of their new Hi fi Passive series SCM 19 and SCM 40 loudspeakers. The new loudspeakers feature the new ATC designed and built 25mm soft dome tweeter, updated bass/mid drivers and crossovers housed in a curved and a laminated cabinet. The new tweeter shares technology with the ATC […]

Hifi News

Bryston BUC-1 Digital to Digital Converter

Bryston, LTD has announced the introduction of the BUC-1, a digital to digital converter that enables users to use their computer as a music source even if their existing Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) does not feature asynchronous USB capability. The Bryston BUC-1 converter allows for native 24 bit resolution at sampling rates up to […]

Hifi News

Meridian Prime Headphone Amplifier

Meridian Audio has announced the introduction of their Prime Headphone Amplifier which replays audio from both analogue and USB-based sources. The Prime Headphone Amplifier also provides a preamplifier output to drive an external audio system or active loudspeakers.  The metal enclosure of the Prime headphone amplifier is a dual-skinned design of interlocking extrusions which Meridian […]

Hifi News

NaimNet’s Alan Ainslie to Join Chord Electronics

Chord Electronics has announced that Alan Ainslie has been appointed as Business Development Manager with immediate effect. Alan will oversee a number of projects in the coming year. Prior to joining Chord Electronics, Alan was Business Development Manager at Naim Audio’s NaimNet, the brand’s custom install multi-room audio distribution and control system (which he created), […]

Hifi News

Hifi Review – Akiko Tuning Sticks

When we were asked to review these tuning sticks we were somewhat intrigued as the makers Akiko make some pretty bold claims about what they can do in a system. Essentially the Tuning Sticks from Akiko Audio are a passive “tweak” which you plug into the back of an amp, spare mains socket or Velcro […]

Hifi News

Audio Origami Turntable Care Package

Glasgow-based Audio Origami is best known for its tonearms and the PU7 in particular. But Johnny whose brainchild Audio Origami is also offers a range of services to vinyl lovers including tonearm wiring and tonearm restoration. As part of this service the company has always supplied turntable essentials such as bearing oil and headshell wiring. […]

Hifi News

Hifi Review – QED uPlay Stream

A streamer with a built in digital to analogue converter for less than £150? Well that’s what arrived in the post a couple of weeks ago from our friends at QED. To say I was a touch sceptical would have been an understatement, however I was pleasantly surprised. “It’s compatible with all the main file […]

Hifi News

Hifi Review – QNKTC AB-1.2 DAC

…or to give it its full name the Quantization Noise Killed The Cat AB – 1.2 DAC. Snappy title for a digital to analogue converter that just trips of the tongue but will this $170 DAC cut the mustard in the sonic department. Danny takes a listen and gives us his review. “The AB-1.2 lets […]

Hifi News

Two Teufel Soundbars Introduced

Teufel have introduced a couple of nifty looking soundbars called the PC Bamster and the BT Bamster. The PC Bamster can be connected to source devices via mini stereo jack or USB port and can even be supplied with electricity via a USB connection if used on the go with a notebook or tablet computer. […]

Album Reviews

Arcade Fire – Reflektor

Arcade Fire.  The Canadian indie heroes have been pretty quiet of late… the only murmurs that have permeated our newsfeeds were allegations of pop diva Delta Goodrem ripping off their classic track “Rebellion (Lies)”… Until they announced they were releasing a double album!

Hifi News

Audio – Technica ATH-ANC70 Noise Cancelling Headphones

Audio-Technica is introducing noise-cancelling technology at what seems a truly accessible £149 price point. The ATH-ANC70 headphones are say Audio-Technica ideal for smartphone, tablet and laptop use as well as in-flight movies and enjoyment of your music at home. The noise cancelling circuit is powered by a single battery and you can choose to have […]

Hifi News

Meridian G65 Surround Controller

Meridian Audio has announced the introduction of their new-design G65 Surround Controller. Meridian’s G65 is the definitive surround processor of the company’s G Series and in conjunction with the Meridian HD621 it allows connection of a diverse range of audio and video sources with unified control over time alignment, bass management and surround sound processing. […]

Hifi Shows Industry Insider

Haute Fidelité Hifi Show – Paris 2013.

The Haute Fidelité show was a great success for us, not least because this year we actually managed to catch our train and get there in one piece. It’s a really good show it has to be said and members of the public who attended are clearly very passionate about their two channel replay and […]

Hifi News

Hifi Review – Mike New Bearing for Technics 1210 Turntable

We’re on a bit of a journey with the infamous DJ spinner, the Technics 1210. Some have a bit of a love affair with the turntable whereas others loathe it. Personally I fall into the Love It camp, though in its stock form, whilst a reasonable way of getting music from the vinyl grooves, it […]