North West Audio Show 2026 Report
TEAM HiFi PiG REPORT FROM NWAS 2026 AT CRANAGE HALL IN CHESHIRE
North West Audio Show, NWAS 2026, or Cranage 2026…whichever name you like to call it, the show is a spectacular early summer event, well placed for visitors and exhibitors, just south of Manchester, in Cheshire, UK.
Team HiFi PiG, Lin, Stu, Oscar, Kelly and Michael covered the show…snoofling out some fantastic systems and HiFi components. Join us for a full tour of the show, and feel like you were there…and if you were not there, make sure you make time to attend next year, the show is a favourite with exhibitors and punters for very good reasons.
We would also like to thank our NWAS 2026 coverage sponsor, Auden Distribution…of who you will hear more about later in this report.
NORTH WEST AUDIO SHOW 2026 – THE UK’S FAVOURITE HiFi SHOW
If my memory serves me right, North West Audio Show 2026 was the tenth edition of the show, though there was a break during the “COVID years”. We’ve been involved with Kris, who runs NWAS, pretty much from day one, and it’s been an absolute joy to see this event grow into the huge success that it is today.
NWAS 2026 once again proved why Cranage has become one of, if not the highlight of the UK HiFi calendar, with 2,805 visitors making their way to De Vere Cranage Estate over the weekend.
Before we get into our room-by-room reports and Brazillians of photos, I’d like to take a moment to say thank you to a good number of people.
First and foremost, congratulations to Kris, Kasia and family, and the entire North West Audio Show team. Organising an event of this size is a huge task, and as visitors, it’s easy to forget just how much work goes on long before the doors open on Saturday morning. Also thanks to the folk that lug all the gear about – you know who you all are, but special mention to Gregor! If there’s anyone you want on your side in any discussion, it’s him! And thanks to the staff at the hotel, especially Tony and Clare, who make the trek from France such a joy!
Every year the show has grown, not just in terms of the gear getting shown off, but also in the sense of community that surrounds it. This year’s show felt chilled, welcoming and full of enthusiastic folk. You know something is right when people look forward to the bants in the bar just as much as the exhibits and rooms.
Whilst I’m at it, thank you, too, to everyone who stopped us over the weekend. Whether you wanted to talk about HiFi PiG, discuss a system you’d heard, recommend an album, just say hi, or punch me in the nose (thankfully no one wanted to do that this year), those natterings are one of the reasons we love coming to Cranage so much. HiFi can sometimes (OK, a lot of times) disappear into chatter about measurements, specifications and (I’ll not do the adenoidal voice) price tags, but weekends like this remind us that, at the end of the day, this hobby is about people, our shared love of music and the gubbins it gets played on. On the music front, I heard Take 5, but I didn’t hear Keith Don’t Go even once. RESULT!
One of the things that really did hit home for me this year was the audience. There were plenty of familiar faces, of course, but there also seemed to be more families and a lot more younger people than I can remember seeing before. That can only be a good thing for us all. On Sunday afternoon, some of those younger visitors had the chance to win one of two excellent HiFi systems, and judging by the excitement when the winners were announced, it was a worthwhile addition to the weekend. I rather suspect other show organisers will be watching with interest and may well decide to introduce something similar. If they do, then that’s all good – the sincerest form of flattery, as they say, is imitation, and if it helps bring more young people into this hobby, everybody wins. RESULT!
I’d also like to take a mo’ to recognise the exhibitors. They are pretty much the first people to arrive and the last to leave any kind of event like this. They spend weeks planning their rooms, transporting equipment, setting everything up, making the room sound less like a hotel bedroom or conference suite, and then spend two long (and hot) days demonstrating systems, answering questions and sharing their knowledge with visitors. Wandering around the hotel, it was clear just how much effort had gone into creating very good demonstrations. Whether the system cost a few grand or a shed-load more dosh, the common thread was the pride exhibitors took in presenting it at its very best. This is important; gone are the days where you can plonk a system on a trestle table and get away with it!
The North West Audio Show has always had a bit of a different atmosphere to other shows. It feels welcoming and has a bit of the people’s show vibe about it. Chats happen naturally, visitors are encouraged to ask questions, exhibitors are happy to play requests, and there is a sense that everyone is there because they genuinely enjoy music and the equipment that brings it to life. That atmosphere cannot be contrived; it is created by every single person who walks through the front doors of Cranage.
To the people from Team HiFi PiG that came along to the show, you are the best – are you threatening me?
Loads was going on at NWAS 2026 that I missed (live music, the record fair, etc.) but I guess it’s like Glastonbury; you can’t expect to see everything at an event like this. However, we had a big team at the show, and we think we covered every single room
I hope you’ll enjoy reliving the show with us, and if you couldn’t make it this year, hopefully this report will persuade you to put the dates in your diary for next time.
Stuart Smith
North West Audio Show 2027 returns to De Vere Cranage Estate on 26th and 27th June 2027, and if this year’s event was anything to go by, it promises to be another weekend well worth making the journey for.
Please note, all content and photos are the copyright of HiFi PiG Magazine/Big Pig Media LLP and must not be copied or reproduced in any way without the prior, written consent of the editor.
NORTH WEST AUDIO SHOW 2026 REPORT
Now, let us guide you around what we discovered in Cranage Hall at NWAS 2026.
FIRST FLOOR
Just upstairs from reception, in the old part of the hotel, are some stunning rooms, these were covered by Michael (words) and Lin (pictures).
FANTHORPES HiFi
My first stop of the show, and what a brilliant place to start. When I arrived, Fanthorpes HiFi was showcasing the PMC prophecy1 standmounts (£2875). Jon Lumb reviewed them for HiFi PiG, and found them to be excellent. Phil, from Fanthorpes, referred to these as ‘the babies’, in relation to the larger prophecy9 floorstanders, and PCM fact.12 Signature. That description applies only to their smaller footprint, compared with their bigger siblings, not to their audio ability or presence. In other words, there was nothing juvenile about these 2-way speakers. They are beautifully finished in natural, mediterranean oak, and looked fantastic atop the stands.
Giorgio by Moroder had a laid-back, effortless sound, with great presence, control, and impact, even at a modest volume. Bass control, which is essential for this track to translate well, was also superb.
The rest of this lovely system comprised of a Bryston Bp-19 Preamplifier, and 48 Power Amplifier, from the same brand. An Innuos Statement NG music server handled the digital sources. Rounding out the rack were two superb Chord boxes: DAVE DAC, and M Scaler. The rack itself was an Atacama, and all cables, speaker and interconnects were Chord Signature X.
ATC LOUDSPEAKERS
We were treated to the active EL50 loudspeakers from ATC. These sizeable, 3-way tower Anniversary floorstanders were a snip at £50k, per pair, and reeked of high-end quality; that high gloss walnut veneer is to die for. The overall finish was further enhanced by “Upholstered napa leather panels around the mid and high-frequency drivers and the lower front section add a contrasting texture while integrating cleanly with the cabinet’s overall form.” Just gorgeous.
This wasn’t just all about their looks; the sound was fantastic too. Jeff Buckley’s ‘Everybody Here Wants You’ was keyed up, and I loved it. The intimacy of his achingly heartfelt vocal was spot on, as were the tight control of the low end; best exemplified by the super clear, impactful thud of the kick drum. Hearing one of my favourite tracks through this brilliant system didn’t disappoint, in the slightest.
Driving the show was an ATC SCA2 – Discrete Stereo Pre-Amplifier, paired with a dCS Bartok and roon nucleus.
CHORD COMPANY
I caught the first Chord listening session demo of the day, and it was a great presentation, in an already packed room. Great to see so many visitors showing up early and getting stuck in. The session focus was to demonstrate the differences and benefits of their various interconnect cables. Specifically, the new, standard V-Links. Once the guys did the swap out, to introduce these to the equation, the improvements in drive, punch, and bass were very noticeable. Even more enhancement was near-tangible once the Epic V-Links cables from the range were brought to the party. The increased depth of bass on the track was undeniable.
Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, the Music Links interconnects upped the ante, and further proved the merits of upgrading cabling in your system.
Superb stuff from another brilliant Chord demonstration. Great guys too, who made it a nice, relaxed, and fun vibe. Cheers, folks!
The system comprised of the Cyrus 40 system (40 AMP, 40 ST, 40 CD), with Dali Rubikore 6 floorstanders, and a sizeable REL subwoofer.
AUDIO GROUP DENMARK
On to the Audio Group Denmark room, which I was very excited to check out; having had the absolute pleasure of covering three of their demo rooms at High End Vienna, just a few weeks ago.
This system was amazing, no question. Ghost Rider ‘Make Us Stronger’ had an energetic, room-filling scope. As I said in my Vienna coverage, these systems blew me away. Børresen X2 floorstanding loudspeakers were hooked up while I was here, and I was equally impressed by their sheer drive, thwack, and insane level of detail. At £6k per pair, they are a fantastic bargain for an intro-level speaker series. The white piano lacquer gloss cabinet cut a striking pose. The full system featured an Aavik SD-588 Streamer/DAC, optimized with Ansuz C3 cables, and accessories. I loved this!
KUDOS AUDIO
We were treated to Kudos Audio Titan 505s, which Kudos state are ‘perfect for modest spaces.’ I agree, wholeheartedly. The Vertere turntable was doing the source duties, at first, and paired beautifully with the 505s with a lovely, relaxed sound.
Things got really interesting when they switched to digital via an innuos Stream3. The sheer level of detail was brilliant. I could have happily sat and soaked in the instrumental track, ‘Waxcap’ by djrum, for much longer. Especially, as there was a welcome, cool breeze coming into this bright, spacious room. Loved it all!
Ultrafide’s new ENSO (INT125) Integrated Amplifier powered the 505s, while Kudos Audio’s SIGAO Drive active crossover provided the foundation. Kudos were using their own KS-1 Speaker Cables, AudioQuest interconnects, and Quadraspire HiFi support.
Sadly, I didn’t manage to get back to this room to experience the enticing, ‘monstrous’ 50kg DIAS-U8 high-power class AB amp from Ultrafide, waiting in the wings for its moment to shine. According to the company website, it features “…a unique sliding bias design, created by Terry Clarke and refined by Alex Cooper, both considered legends in pro audio. DIAS-U8 can deliver a huge 1KW per channel with ease.” I’d have loved to hear what that beast brought to the party. Fortunately, Alan McIntosh (another fellow PiG contributor) let me know he’d enjoyed some good house and techno music while the DIAS was doing its thing. As I know he’s a fan of those genres, I consider that high praise enough, indeed.
HERITAGE HiFi
Distributor, Heritage HiFi was showcasing the KLH Model Seven flagship model, stated to be an “Improved version of the original version”, which was “the first 13” three-way acoustic suspension loudspeaker.
‘Little Wing’ by Stevie Ray Vaughan is another favourite of mine. How do these demo reps seem to know what I like, I thought to myself? Was this going to be my day, hearing superb music I already love? So far, so great. The simplicity of the track absolutely lent itself to these brilliant speakers, and Stevie’s guitar performance had never sounded better, to my ears. After the song had finished, someone said, “Made for each other, that artist.’ I couldn’t agree more. Pure magic!
Digital source was an eversolo DMP-A10 (streamer, DAC, pre-amp), which was paired with a Lecua, luxman’s electronically controlled ultimate attenuator, all underpinned by a PS Audio DirectStream Power Plant 12.
MARAVEDIS AUDIO
This was a delightfully pared down affair, both in terms of the system setup, and the room itself; minimalist was my first impression.
The quality of the audio just spoke for itself, and didn’t need to rely on a fancy, well-dressed room, and mood lighting to make an impression. The focal point was a striking pair of Horn 390 loudspeakers, featuring a 500mm nine-sided horn, which is “…. made from solid laminated wood.” They are both beautiful to look at, and it was a joy to hear the sound they produce. They are formed with eight layers of 3mm ply, and the softness of the wood, with a soft violin varnish, has been confirmed to have a positive impact on the quality of the sound. I found that fascinating.
James Boyd, designer/builder described this as “The smallest, big horn system I could make.”
Once again, another of my favourite pieces of music came on. Was someone advising these folks to put on tunes that resonate with me? Of course not, Michael. Don’t be so daft. Irrespective, ‘Fields of Gold’ (Eva Cassidy) sounded wonderful, musical, and the emotion in her voice exuded warmth. The clarity of her diction, breathiness, and sibilance was outstanding. It was another great example of that perfect synergy of artist, style, and brilliant audio gear.
For this NWAS system, Maravedis employed a 213 single-ended amplifier with a Lundahl transformer driver stage, AudioNote copper in oil coupling cap, and a Monolith Magnetics Nano-X output transformer. Their source was a Mac mini M2 with BACCH DSP, utilising slight ORC room correction. Lovely.
HiFi NETWORK
Victor, from HiFi Network, talked me through this cool, ultra-simple system. The stars of the show were a pair of ELAC Debut Reference 3.0 (£1399), which they claim, “builds on the success of Debut 3.0 with redesigned driver technology, refined cabinet design, and a true 3-way floorstanding architecture.” Also in the range, both with 2-way bass reflex, are: standmounts (£749) and a centre channel speaker (£449). These come in five different finishes, including: black, green, satin white, titanium, and walnut.
An AVM CS30.3 streaming amplifier was doing an admirable job of driving the ELACs, even with some laid back, and gentle smooth jazz. Having reviewed the Carina BS 243.4 bookshelf loudspeakers from the brand, I can testify their speakers benefit from an amp that can drive them, to bring out their best. This amp had it covered, with ease, and was also a lovely-looking box in chrome finish (£3700). Also on display, but not in the system at the time I was in the room, was an Inspiration C2.3 streaming amp, in a gorgeous gold satin colour. The option of this finish is exclusive to this model but doesn’t carry any additional premium. Gorgeous kit.
GROUND FLOOR
Lin and Michael continue their coverage on the Ground Floor of the show, with a little help from Oscar too.
SOURCE SOUNDS WITH DRIVING SOUNDS MAGAZINE
Outside the front entrance was a fabulous display of car audio…and some very tasty motors. Lin got a demo in the blue Porsche, which was fitted out with Audison gear, a fantastic sound indeed and very helpful and knowledgeable staff. A special mention to Lauren Baillie who really knows her stuff and, even at the young age of 25, knows how to give an incredibly professional demo of the system, how it is installed and its capabilities, tailored to the client’s music taste…a fab experience.
SOUND FOWNDATIONS
It’s always a pleasure to visit Chis Green’s room. You’re guaranteed to hear a great variety of superb tracks on vinyl, and this year was no exception. An eclectic mix of ‘wacky jazz’, which I have to say I really enjoyed on this system. It may not be my go-to preference, but I was totally into it here. Of course, the high-quality system made all the difference to my appreciation, and it all sounded fantastic. I was about to leave then got stopped in my tracks (no pun intended), by Daft Punk Short Circuit coming on. So, I stuck around to hear the whole song, which sounded great.
Huge Kerr K100 floorstanders dominated, in black ash, supported by Townshend podiums. The deck was a soulines TT23, fitted with a Rega RB3000 tonearm (£1800). soulines ubase feet were also used on the deck and the platter feet were the BDS ball bearing suspension under the platter. The cartridge was a Master 3, from DS audio. Finally, the amp was a Gamma, music first passive pre, with cabling, plugs and accessories by furutech.
EXPOSURE HiFi
It was great to meet Brian from Exposure, who was showcasing a brilliant system that had a very composed, and confident sound. I found it to be that non-fatiguing quality you could easily enjoy over extended periods of listening. Taylor Swift even sounded good to me!
The kit included: a 3510 CD as a transport (£2500) into a new product, simply titled ‘The DAC’, which is a great monicker (£2500). Power was handled by the new 5510 series; preamp (£3500), and a pair of monos (£7300 each). ProAc D20R floorstanders were were hooked up in a bi-wired configuration with speaker cables from the same brand. Connected Fidelity catered for the mains and other cables. I also loved the latest version of the gorgeous X-Reference rack, which features brushed satin aluminium, and bronze upgrades.
G-POINT AUDIO (APPLETON ROOM)
These folks always make a big first impression with stunning-looking systems, and this was right up there as one of the best I’ve seen at NWAS. Towering Fonica International LaGRANDE 3-way Isodynamic speakers were quite something to behold. David Laboga’s excellent cabling, along with Skogrand Cables, was used throughout the setup.
Lucas Domansky’s Lucas Audio Labs Reference One server was also in the mix and is a superb bit of kit. It was also a total pleasure, and a bonus to see Lucas again. Especially, so soon after having a good, long chat at High End Vienna, just a few weeks ago. This industry really has loads of lovely people.
The full line up of mouth-watering equipment included: Circle Labs Audio preamplifier P300, phonostage V1000 on a Thorens Turntable, Circle Labs M200 power amplifier, LampizatOr Genya DAC, and OSV HT 120 amplifier.
Hoist The Colours had even more scale, and depth than I’ve ever heard it. The vocals dug deep and were amazingly well-balanced. The timbre of the voices was so rich and engaging. Bobby Bass’ solo vocal section was especially striking – every drop of the recording was rendered in superb clarity.
CHORD COMPANY STATIC STAND
The ‘Corridor of Chord Cables’ was a really well designed display leading to the next area of the show.
ACOUSTICA HiFi
Sonus Faber Stradivari loudspeakers were the centre of attention in this room (£54000 per pair. Their red high gloss was very eye-catching. Audio source and amplication came courtesy of two McIntosh products: C12000 2-channel amp (£22580), matched with a pair of MC462 2-channel power amps (£13495, apiece). Yet another Innuos STREAM3 streamer (£5400) was doing a marvellous job. They were everywhere at the show. I’d love one for myself. Cabling was covered by Chord products, exclusively. A handsome, and enjoyable system, with a full, and forward sound.
ROCK STREET
The main corridor of the show, Rock Street hosts some very interesting stands, doing a roaring trade in accessories, cables, power management and more.
RUSS ANDREWS
SYMPHONY DISTRIBUTION
RICHER SOUNDS
PLY-FI
PURITAN AUDIO LABS
DOUG BRADY HiFi
Doug Brady had the huge Stephenson 1 and 2 room space, divided up very clevery to create individual listening spaces and display areas, which worked incredibly well…much like big exhibitors in Munich or Vienna.
The first system I stopped to check out featured Quad loudspeakers. Specifically, Elegan 1 standmounts that looked the business on a pair of Solidsteel SS-3 stands (black). A Lateral LAS-9 Cadenz was supporting further Quad components: 3 Integrated Amplifier, and 3 CDT CD Transport. Once again, Chord Company supplied the speaker and interconnect cables. Doug Brady HiFi had a special show offer deal on the Quad products, and Chord cables, with a whopping saving of almost £600.
In the next listening space, things were stepped up both in size and sound. Speakers were significantly larger than the Quads in the first area; this time we had Dali Epikore 11 Floorstanders. I do have a soft spot for Dali and really enjoyed these too. I’d never be allowed speakers of this size in my house though. Shame. They are great.
Luxman took care of power amplification with a pair of monaural B-100, paired with their C-10X pre. Also from Luxman was an SACD player, though it was not playing while I was here. Instead, you guessed it, we had a STREAM3 from innuos.
It occurred to me, while I was enjoying some Johnny Cash who sounded so good on this setup, that the tracks playing were the same in each space. It was explained to me that this was owing to the use of innuos’ multiroom group mode settings; where one source was the master and the other 2 were endpoints.
The third of these impressive systems was based around the Ruark brand, which was being celebrated for the 40th anniversary of the company. Sabre-R bookshelf speakers were on display, along with their R610 integrated music system, and R710 wireless music streamer / CD Hi-Fi console. They were also utilising a STREAM1. Each of the STREAM products have on board DACs, so all outputs were analogue to the attached gear. They sure know what they’re doing, those innuos folks.
The final boxes of delight in the Doug Brady salvo were based around the new full width 80 series pre and power amplifiers, both launched with the UK debut at the show. Cyrus also provided their TTP turntable, and the Dali Epikore 3 standmount speakers completed this excellent group of goodies.
Lin also caught a David Solomon Qobuz session in this room too and said it was really engaging and of course great fun.
HIFONIX
With Oscar being our resident HeadFi expert, he snoofled around the Hifonix HeadFi area for us.
Plenty of headphones in here, the main new ones were the HiFiMAN HE6 Remastered – which have a tuning that is slightly closer to the original HE6 than the HE6 SE. I got to A/B them, and they are tonally very similar, however the HE6 Remastered has slightly better detail and clarity. It’s not a night and day difference, but it is there.
CHASING THE DRAGON
This room is always such a fun departure from everything else, in that it has the specific focus on excellent, audiophile-grade vinyl recordings. As ever, the music was downright enjoyable; The Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Big Band Spectacular was spinning during my relaxing time in the front seat. I couldn’t help but think of my Papa, the late Father of my own Dad – who is also no longer with us, sadly. I know my dad’s dad, Robert, would have very much approved of this room, and the music. I expect my own dad, also Robert (they were affectionately known, to avoid confusion in their younger years, as Big Bob and Wee Bob) would have appreciated the tunes, and equipment on show. Sizeable ATCs, Technics 1200-G deck and QUAD 3 integrated amplifier.
BRIAN AND TREVORS
David Solomon, Qobuz ambassador, was doing another one of his excellent presentations in the brian and trevors room. I loved his session last year and was really looking forward to this.
David selected a piece by Hiromi, a Japanese jazz composer and pianist, which sounded excellent. The bass from the recording was full, rounded, but not at all bolated. The REL subwoofer output could be felt, and balanced the frequency range of the system, without ever drawing the ear to the actual low end.
‘Warriors’ by Too Many Zeus really piqued my attention. As David explained, this was a recording of a three-piece, crafted to echo their NYC subway performances, with amazing, natural reverb. Very cool. This also had awesome depth and control of the low end. The trumpet parts were also crystal clear.
Once again, this was a thoroughly engaging, and relatable session. I especially liked hearing firsthand life experiences with his own daughter, sharing music together. That prompted Mr. Solomon to cue up Justin Bieber’s ‘Love Yourself’ as he had previously done with her at home. While I’m not a fan of his music, I have to say it sounded really good on this system.
The full system was built around a Linn LP12, Linn Selekt and Qobuz streaming, alongside a Dela (formerly known as Melco) Network Switch, Dela Music Server, Ultrafide power amplification, Audiovector R3 Arette loudspeakers, REL subwoofers, Quadraspire furniture, Puritan and Nordost power products, and Les Davis Earthling cables.
AUDIOCOUNSEL
Last year at NWAS I spent a lovely hour in the presence of Bob Harris in this room. He regaled us with many stories from his illustrious career and soundtracked the presentation with many of his favourite tracks, on vinyl. Sadly, no Bob this time around, due to ill-health, but no less an enjoyable experience.
The sound was so relaxing and soothing. I needed some of that, so it was a welcome moment to sit and just enjoy the music. Oh, it was also nice, and cool in the room too. Given the soaring UK temperatures this past week, that was a bonus to not feel so hot, even just for a few minutes. I especially liked Come As You Are from Nirvana Unplugged. The live atmosphere was great.
Audio-Counsel was proudly playing the very first Audio Note DAC 4.1x IZVOR, an all-new discrete ladder DAC from Audio Note. The system also featured an Audio Note Meishu Tonmeister 300B integrated amplifier, AN-E/SPx LTD Field Coil loudspeakers, a TT2 Deluxe turntable with Arm3 tonearm and Segno Maya MC cartridge, feeding an Audio Note S2 step-up transformer, plus an Audio Note CDT Four transport.
THE AUDIO WORKS
They were demoing the MusicWorks AcouPly CLAM Cable Damper (£100), which we all agreed had a profound impact on the nuance of the notes and overall detail. Very cool stuff, indeed. We all approved. “A stonking bargain”, as the chap next to me stated. Here, here! Stanley Clarke Bass Folk Number 10 sounded fantastic. I’ll need to check out the rest of the album. Cool stuff.
The system featured PEAK Sinfonia floorstanders, an Accuphase A-80 stereo power amplifier, a DP-770 precision MDSD SACD player, and an E-700 Class A precision integrated stereo amplifier.
CYRUS AUDIO
Tennessee Voodoo by Booker T. was playing via Cyrus 40 series kit (amp, streamer, separate power supply) and sounded fabulous through Neat Acoustics Classic Vito speakers (UK debut) I noted that song had also been playing on the Cyrus 80 gear in the Doug Brady space. It’s cool to hear tracks more than once across different rooms and systems at these events. It was also a real pleasure to sit and chat with Nick Clarke from Cyrus. Great guy. It’s so much about the people at these shows, even more so than the gear.
HENLEY AUDIO (WATT ROOM)
I’ve got my eye on the new M6xi amplifier from Musical Fidelity, for a second system I will be building soon at home. This was my first opportunity to hear it in action, and it was great to get firsthand advice about the amp, directly from Rob in the room.
It was hooked up alongside three other Musical Fidelity boxes: M8x Vinyl Phono Stage, M6s CD Player, and M6x DAC. Each component is equally tasty and the next. I was so into this because it isn’t always the easiest to get a chance to demo products, in which you might be interested in investing. That’s one of the best parts of shows like this, where you get to be up close and personal with the kit.
We had a Stones song, courtesy of Ananda Shankar’s version. on the EAT C-Dur Turntable, piped through Klipsch Forte IV floorstanding speakers. Elsewhere, the digital end was a WiiM Ultra streamer, and cables were DS-Line. Suffice to say, I was impressed by what I saw and heard here. Happy days!
CHORD ELECTRONICS
I was chuffed to be able to enjoy the premier play of the new Chord ULTIMA 7 stereo power amplifier, which is due for release in September. Alongside the amp was a demonstration of the new Chord flagship digital upscaler, paired with a DAVE DAC. That still has to be one of the best named HiFi products, ever. I love that! Rounding out this excellent suite of Chord products was the Ultima Pre 3 (five input preamplifier)
The standmount speakers were Kerr Audio K320 and, lest I forgot, there was one more of those ubiquitous innuos streamers here too. This time it was the turn of a Zenith Next-Gen. Top notch, all round.
I languished in the mellow vibe of the tunes in here, which were perfect for me to catch my breath. I even closed my eyes to take it all in, albeit just for a moment. Note to self to do that more often. I’m glad I did because I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.
Maurice in this room couldn’t have been more accommodating. Thanks again to him for humouring me, following my initial faux pas mixup of ‘Chord’ companies at the show. That was most likely brought on by a slightly dehydrated, and weary body and mind from a long, but fun day of taking in all the sights and sounds the NWAS had to offer
I took my cue to take a wee break. Luckily, this was just the perfect room to take that time to chill and relax a little.
G-POINT AUDIO (JENNER ROOM)
Tony Hesketh was representing Phono Stage Audio, with Fonica, LampizatOr, and David Laboga products all featured in the room.
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s ‘Voodoo Chile’ sounded superb. The bass had me wondering where the subwoofer was, yet the system delivered punch, impact, subtlety, fast transients, and excellent micro-dynamics without overdoing things. Chris Stares from G-Point was also on hand, and the team were helpful, good-humoured, and great company. It was a brilliant start to day two.
The digital source was a Fonica Simbolo streaming DAC used as a transport into a LampizatOr Atlantic TRP DAC. This fed a Fonica Pre-1 preamplifier and Fonica F-A1 power amplifier, rated at 100W per channel. Vinyl duties were handled by a Pre-Audio DE-1800N deck (£4,890), with onboard compressor and air bearing, plus a phono stage. The floorstanders were Storgaard & Vestkov models from Denmark, supplied by SV Audio, finished in a striking Aston Martin-inspired colour scheme. They can be customised and hand-sprayed in a car factory, and the finish was beautiful. Cabling came from David Laboga and PSC in Australia.
TECHNICS
It was great to catch up with David Fowler of Stratton, whom I had recently met at High End Vienna. In the Technics room, he was showcasing the Stratton Element 8 standmounts (£30k per pair). They looked superb, with a strikingly polished front baffle, and sounded just as impressive. Their enormous sound was perfectly demonstrated by Darude’s ‘Sandstorm’, which delivered serious punch and energy. That certainly woke me up for the rest of the day. Thanks for that, Kevin Walker. I do love the Technics room.
In this space, the Element 8s reached down to 24Hz and suited the room, although David said the larger Element 12s would also have worked comfortably in the same demo space.
The system was driven by a Technics stereo integrated amplifier, partnered with a Technics Network/SACD player. Technics gear simply works, and I love it for that.
HENLEY AUDIO (MACKENZIE ROOM)
This was Henley Audio’s second room, with the focus here on Rotel components. The rack featured Michi Prestige models, including the X430 integrated amplifier and Q430 CD player, alongside a HiFi Rose streamer that was not in use during my visit. The amplifier includes a DAC, phono stage, and Bluetooth, and the setup also included the RS2 phono stage with its matching power supply. A Roon Titan, finished in gorgeous wood, and an Ortofon MXC50 cartridge, launched at Vienna, were also on show. Loudspeakers were lovely Piega floorstanders.This was Henley’s first UK show appearance with the Prestige models.
APEX HIFI
The Apex HiFi and Avondale Audio room was small but bustling. I had hoped to hear Alan Clark’s Alchris Audio TX-55 Signature floorstanders, but they were not connected during my visit. Instead, a pair of Linn Isobariks was in use, and the system sounded well driven on Ghost Rider. Apex HiFi also launched its new flagship SuperDAC, which uses a separate enclosure design intended to isolate the sensitive DAC circuitry from digital electronics and interference.
I enjoyed what I heard, despite the lively chatter in the room. That was no bad thing, though; it was great to see so many enthusiasts filling the space.
Kii AUDIO
Kii said, “…experience the award-winning Kii SEVEN, a loudspeaker praised for delivering remarkable performance in almost any listening environment while keeping the focus where it belongs: on the music.”
I’ve loved my previous visits to this room, the past couple of years coming to NWAS, and heard good things, again. These speakers just produce a very clean, transparent, and consistent sound, and are not at all fussy about room placement. Active speakers have a lot to offer and have a great future in the world of HiFi.
ATLAS CABLES
A good array of wares on display here from the Scottish company, as was the case when I met the team at their stand during High End Vienna. This time, they were demoing the sonic benefits of their cables, although they were between actual music playbacks at the time I stopped by. Fellow HiFi contributor, John Scott, told me that he had paid a visit earlier in the day and heard the enhancements of the quality cabling. I trust his musical judgement, so that’s a good enough assessment for me.
MORLEY AUDIO
A neat, straightforward setup featured the Genesis Series MKII Gold Edition Dual Mono Amplifier, rated at 75W into 8 ohms and 150W into 4 ohms, with an RRP of £1,395 and a show price of £1,195. Dire Straits ‘Sultans of Swing’ was playing and, although I’m not much of a fan, I found it a decent listen. Great looking gear too.
KENSINGTON AUDIO
The system used the new Kensington Audio C-600 cartridge through the updated MC6 phono stage, alongside the revised IA5 amplifier, now with MOSFET Class AB amplification (£1,400). These products are part of the process of replacing the Edwards Audio range. TALK Electronics also had its diminutive Lancaster standard two-way floorstanders on show, plus a static prototype of the forthcoming IA25 amplifier. The music was mellow and laid-back, giving the room a relaxed, chilled sound.
AUDIOQUEST
There was a demo going on of the differences when switching out power cables, and we got to listen to These New Puritans ‘Wild Fields’ – a dark, atmospheric track, with cool percussion. The A/B between the standard, bundled cable that came with the Marantz Model 30 integrated amp (£3k) and the Jaws power cable (£519 for 1m) showed off a lot more vocal definition and nuance. The overall low end became more cohesive too, and it felt like a properly controlled track, as a whole, with more space and air. This was a really well done, and relaxed demo. Top marks, folks.
Speakers were bi-wired Bowers and Wilkins 704 s3 floorstanders (£3k), hooked up to an Audioquest Niagara 3000 power-conditioning mains blos (also, £k). A laptop (Macbook?) was providing the source, hardwired using the brand-new DragonFly Copper dongle DAC (£229), which I would love to get my hands on. Last, but not least, they had a PowerQuest Power Conditioner, including a 716-power cable (£699). Great gear from Audioquest.
SIXTH SOUND
The system was powered by a pair of Radford Revival MA100 Mono power amplifiers from the Kaizen Series, driving Robato standmount speakers finished in high-gloss black. Vinyl duties were handled by a PTP Solid 9 turntable fitted with a Groovemaster GM4 arm and Ortofon SPU Synergy cartridge, supported by EAR MC4 and EAR 834P phono stages. An SJS Acoustics Model 7 line-stage preamplifier, with its accompanying power supply, completed the main setup.
David Gilmour’s music came across in a typically languid, flowing style, with a cool, easygoing sound that suited the room well.
The room was also well appointed with acoustic treatment from APAMA Acoustic Project in Poland. The panels looked sturdy, well made, and thoughtfully integrated into the space.
AUDIO NOTE
Nice to be back in the company of more Audio Note gear, which is always a true pleasure. I met Daniel Qvortrup for the first time this year, and he’s a great guy, who is very much into his music. That absolutely translates via all of the Audio Note products too, as it really is some of the most musical-sounding kit out there.
The full system was superb, or ‘Audio Set Menu’ as they had opted to present their kit list; to reflect your choices as if you were dining at a fine eating establishment. It was such a novel way of providing a show kit list. Love that!
The Starter course I opted for was the CDT2. Daniel kindly popped the CD of L.A. Woman, from The Doors. First, we listened to ‘The Changeling’,’ and then L.A. Woman itself, both of which I loved. Their music is still so timeless to me and lends itself to this gear, as ideal bedfellows; drawing out the exceptional feel of the respective and collective performances from each band member.
I enjoyed my first taste of this delicious selection, paired with the DAC2.1x Signature, and Main dish of a 35th Anniversary Edition, OTO Phono SE (classic EL84 Class A single-ended, integrated amplifier…” with a modern update by Chef Grove”. Every bite was more delectable. To round out this sumptuous meal with Dessert was a pair of AN-K/LX standmounts. My musical soul had been thoroughly nourished, but I would love to come back for seconds, and more at another ‘restaurant’ very soon. Love this experience. Thank you again, Daniel.
REPLAY AUDIO DISTRIBUTION
In here you had the Atoll AM400 Evo power amp, PR400 Evo pre-amp, CD400 Evo CD-player, ST300 Signature streamer, and a pair of Neat Acoustics Petite Classic on Solid Steel SS-6 stands, with some Solen models on static display at the side of the room. The Neat Petite Classic may look small, but they sound a lot bigger, and paired with a full Atoll complement, they were kicking out expertly controlled yet musical sound. The overall clarity and depth to the sound is stunning; they are refined yet fun, with plenty of insight into the recording. A lovely sounding system for small-to-medium sized rooms.
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO
Cambridge had their new L/R active speakers on demo, with the L/R X and M in the system, with an Evo 300 and L/R S on static display at the side of the room. The smaller L/R M were sat on Solid Steel SS-6 stands and were playing when we were in the room, despite their diminutive size they filled this room with ease. These are speakers for normal UK living rooms, whilst the larger L/R X are more suited to larger rooms. The combination of front firing mid-bass, down-firing woofer, and dual passive radiators means a lot of output from a small cabinet, and they handle different genres with ease. From Epic by Faith No More, to Tribute by Tenacious D, they kick out a surprisingly big sound. The bass radiating from these tiny boxes really is something you have to experience, without missing out on the finer details, transients, or layering.
MOOR AMPS
Moor amps had a pair of Kerr Acoustics K200 speakers on demo, paired with their Angel-6 MKII power amp, Angel Pre, ManaDAC, with Innuos Stream 3 as the source. The Moor amp has great grip over the K200 speakers, with excellent clarity and detail. These are rather large speakers in a smaller room, yet they were placed along the long wall and sounded controlled, yet deep when needed, with natural midrange and airy treble. The Moor amps come across clean and detailed, without lacking musicality, delivering the source content to the speakers without trying to add too much of their own flavour.
SOUND SERVICE UK
Sound Service were running their usual IsoAcoustics demo system, with two pairs of Focal Aria Evo X speakers, one with IsoAcoustics Gaia Neo feet, the other with stock spikes. These were running of a Benchmark AHB2 power amp, and the source was a Naim Uniti Atom (Headphone edition). It’s always a great demo, showing how the IsoAcoustics feet can tighten up the sound, giving it a sense of focus and control, along with better imaging and soundstaging.
MORGAN ACOUSTICS
Morgan Acoustics had two new models on demo, paired with a full Naim stack of electronics and Chord cabling throughout. The two new models were the Model 8 (standmount), Model 77 (more compact floorstander)
The Model 8 were playing, and they manage to hit hard (well, you would expect that from their size), pressurising the room without breaking a sweat, and hits with impressive tactile impact, whilst vocals and treble cut through the mix with great clarity and without fatigue. We then listened to Toccata by Marcin, a demo track I heard in Vienna, and the Model 8 have excellent transient response, with huge scale, and impressive depth. These are a brilliant sounding speaker for medium to larger rooms, handling the shifting dynamics of this track with ease and composure. The soundstaging is also a strong point, with great stereo imaging, impressive width and height, and rock-solid centre image.
Dan was incredibly pleased with Michael’s write up last year, stating he was impressed at how quickly and easily Michael clicked with what the flagship 1012 MK1 could do, capturing their essence in an acoustically unfamiliar room. It’s always good to hear feedback like this from exhibitors, and the new Model 8 definitely hits the spot sonically.
ACOUSTIC ENERGY
Acoustic Energy had their new AE2 40th Anniversary speakers on demo, paired with an Eversolo T8 streaming transport, Gustard X30 DAC, Rega Solis and Mercury pre/power combo, mounted on a Custom Design Milan rack with cabling from Audioquest. These are a classic speaker, that have been brought up-to-date with modern materials, and chuck out a lot of sound for their size, with the front ports allowing for slightly more room-friendly placement. It’s also a fun, yet well controlled speaker, with good articulation and dynamics, without ever losing control or sounding bloated.
RICHER SOUNDS
Richer Sounds had a setup with their new exclusive Neat Motif speakers, REL T7x subwoofer, new Cambridge Audio Evo 300, Magnetar UDP900 MKII blu-ray player, AWOL Vision Aetherion short throw projector, Solid Steel SS-6 stands, and Chord Epic X cabling. A well-integrated sub/stand mount setup, with great centre imaging and clarity, with bass reinforcement adding a little extra depth and punch to the sound. The projector setup was great, showing off the dual use purpose of a good stereo setup.
NEAT ACOUSTICS
Neat had their new Vito Classic speakers on demo in this room, paired with an Atoll SDA300 streaming amplifier. Even though this was a small-ish room, they did a good job at not overpowering the room, the bass was deep and full, but tasteful and controlled. It pressurised the room, without overwhelming it, and there was excellent detail shining through. I’m a big fan of how Neat do things, and the new Vito Classic are no exception, they do music so well, and are made to be enjoyed rather than analysed. This is a brilliant new speaker from Neat, and they were sounding very good in this room.
VERTERE
Vertere were running ATC 100SE active speakers, SCA-2 pre-amp, HBS Mains conditioner.
They had 3 playback systems, phono 1 MKII phonostage, redline mains A/B testing against the new Phono 1 LX with redline mains. DG X Mystic 2 Pack A/B testing with DC2 power supply vs Luna Linear power supply – redline mains on both, using a DG isolation platform too. Along with an MG 1 turntable with HB Arm, XtraX cartridge, Verum Solo armlead, Imperium power supply, HBS mains, sitting on a Reference isoshelf platform. Their Calon phono stage was used for all, with HBS mains, along with Verum Solo cabling throughout the system.
They played Tenacious D – Tribute on the MG 1 system, and it was perfect for a Sunday morning. The clarity, and sheer natural tonality jumped out at me. When the track kicks in, this system easily keeps up, keeping each layer clear and clean, whilst sounding utterly coherent at all times. This was such a fun song, on a brilliant system – kudos to Mike at Vertere for his impeccable choice of music as always. Next up was Nirvana – About a Girl (unplugged), and again the natural tonality jumps out, and everything sounds incredibly real, this was played on the DG X setup and it sounds fantastic for the price. We did also revisit this room during Mike’s Metal Hour – what a blast.
LAiV (HIFONIX)
In here you had a full LAiV setup incuding the Harmony GaNM mono block amps, Harmony DAC, and Harmony HP2A headphone amp/pre-amp, with an Innuos Stream 3, and Audiovector Trapeze Re speakers. Clear, full sound from this room with the speakers digging deep when called for whilst retaining great clarity and control across the board. I’m Not Ready To Go by Hazlett sound very natural, with the deeper notes played back with the fullness they require, and great detail retrieval.
THE SPINNING ROOM
Paul from Leeds based HiFi retailer, The Spinning Room, was at the show with a pair of Ø Audio Icon 12 and also a pair of their smaller Frigg 02 – these were paired with Valvet A4.5 mono blocks, Valvet Soul Shine MkII pre-amp, Aurender A1000 streamer/server, Aurora Sound Vida 2 phono stage, Audiopax Reference phono, Primary Control Kinea with Gravita tonearm with Etsuro Urushi Bordeaux SE cartridge, Systemdek Revolution with Korf Sapphire TA-CF9 tonearm, Etsuri Urushi Gin-Nezu cartridge. ZenSati cabling throughout with puritan mains conditioning, and all housed on a Solid Sounds rack. A well put together system, with the Icon 12’s playing when we were in the room, with some dub-reggae on. Plenty of depth, articulation, and clarity. The Icon 12’s handle any music with ease, and this system was musical and engaging, without missing out on the finer bits.
LOWER GROUND FLOOR
Oscar and Kelly take over for the coverage from the lower floor of Cranage, importantly where the social hub of the show is (the bar), the record fair and live music are situated.
AUDEN
Auden had a range of products on display around the room, from Amphion, EgglestonWorks, Hegel, and Audiomica. In the main system they had the Amphion Krypton 3X speakers, paired with a Hegel H600 amp and D50 DAC, using Audiomica cables alongside MusicWorks mains and isolation products. We listened to Holly Humberstone – To Love Somebody, quite an upbeat pop song that sounded brilliant with a driving bass beat, crystal clear vocals, and great synth effects with brilliant positioning. The Amphions are effortlessly controlled on the end of the Hegel kit, and it works very well when you have speakers that go this low.
We also had a listen to I’m Not Ready To Go by Hazlett, and the same traits shone through, with that effortless deep bass that is tight and controlled, alongside clear and open vocals, and a great level of detail retrieval.
We were really impressed with how Bill and the team presented, not just this room, but also their smaller one, with a level of professionalism and attention to detail and visitor experience that rivals the big exhibitors at the international shows we attend.
KARMA AV
Karma AV had two systems in their room, when we were in there, we heard the system with Unison Research Triode 25 Black Edition amplifier, CD Uno, Primare SC15 MKII streamer, Torus TOT mains conditioner and Opera Quinta V2 speakers. Smooth yet full sounding system, with good air and detail, we listened to Man Who Sold The World by Nirvana (Unplugged) and it sounded excellent, great tonality, deep bass, and overall engaging sound.
The second system has a Unison Research Unico Pre + DM power amp pairing, Primare CD35 prisma, AC4500 mains conditioner, Inakustik 2405, and Perlisten S70 Black edition speakers – both setups were using a range of Inakustik cabling throughout.
DOOLEYS
In this room you had a Rotel Michi setup, consisting of the Q5 CD transport/DAC and X3 S2 integrated amp, running into a pair of Fyne F502SP speakers with S-Trax supertweeters, with Chord Epic XL cabling. This system was open, airy, and detailed, with good punch and control.
They also had a second setup with a pair of Fyne F703SP speakers with SuperTrax super-tweeters, Musical Fidelity M8XT turntable, Nu-vista Vinyl S phono stage, Nu-vista 800.2 integrated amp, and HiFi Rose RS-451 streamer. At the side of the room, they had a Burson setup for headphone use, and all the main kit was supported on MW stands – which are stunning.
D’VON AUDIO
D’Von had the smaller Aurora SQ-20 playing in this room, and they suited it perfectly in terms of filling the room with full, yet controlled sound with a wide soundstage and great detail. These were running off the new Cyrus 80 Amp, and these paired very well, the musicality of the Cyrus matching well with these stand mount speakers – a great sounding room and system. You can read the HiFi PiG review of them here.
ART LOUDSPEAKERS, SUGDEN, SYSTEMDEK REVOLUTION
Carbon 8 loudspeakers, Systemdek Revolution turntable with Nagaoka MP110 cartridge, Sugden PA 4 phonostage, LPA 800 pre-amp, and FBA8 800 power amp. This was a musical sounding system, with good groove and drive, I love how they show off the turntable with a budget cartridge to show off what the turntable can do. The subtle warmth of the Sugden amps, and the detail of the Art speakers complement each other in this system.
CADNAM / NYTECH AUDIO
In here you had the Cadnam M4 stand mount speakers, running off a Rega P8 with Benz Ref S cartridge, Nytech Audio MCP1 phono stage, prototype crossover, Cadnam mono blocks with Nytech amplifiers internally running Class A/B. Nice smooth sound, easy going, and detailed.
MARTIN LOGAN / BLUESOUND
Big ESL X electrostatic speakers from Martin Logan were playing in here, they have 2 integrated 8” woofers which help fill out the sound. These were running out of a McIntosh MA252 integrated amp, and Bluesound Node Icon streamer, with plenty of scale and detail – after a soft piano track played, something a bit more dynamic came on a showed off what the system was capable of. With something a bit more engaging, you got a real sense of depth from the dual 8” woofers, paired with the snappy transients of the electrostatic panel. These also excel when it comes to space and air, never sounding harsh, yet giving the music the scale it requires with ease. A very clean, yet dynamic sounding room.
AUDEN
Auden’s second room had a smaller setup, with a Hegel H150 streaming amplifier running into the little Amphion Argon 1S speakers, with Audiomica cabling throughout and MusicWorks isolation and mains blocks. These little speakers chuck out a lot of sound for their size, listening to The Doors and they had plenty of get-up-and-go, with great dynamics and a clean, yet engaging sound with articulate bass. The treble is incredibly detailed and well-extended, yet never sounds grating, and integrates very well with the natural midrange and dynamic bass response.
SYMPHONY DISTRIBUTION
Symphony had the new Kerr Acoustics K400 speakers playing out of a Norma Audio Revo IPA140 integrated amplifier, SME Model 8 turntable with Shelter 901 III cartridge, Lehmann Audio phono stage, and Montaudio cabling. A great system, with a strong centre image, and great layering to the sound. The cabinets are thin yet deep, and give out an airy and detailed sound that’s both clean, yet remarkably easy going and perfect for long listening sessions. Due to the transmission line design, you get remarkably deep, yet controlled bass, and the ribbon tweeters are sweet yet detailed, a great sounding room here.
In their next room, Symphony had a pair of Tannoy Super Gold Monitor (SGM10) speakers, paired with Bluesound Node Icon streamer with SBooster Icon power supply, TEAC AP-701 power amp, and TEAC HA-507 pre-amp, with Montaudio cabling throughout. Crisp midrange, wonderfully natural bass response, and good detail across the board. This was a very natural sounding system, and worked well with the softer music playing. I did then get to hear something a bit more upbeat (electronic) and this Tannoy / TEAC combo worked very well together. These have studio heritage, and they are impressively controlled, delivering deep bass with plenty of control and great transient response. Very impressive sound in this room, delivering power and finesse without a hint of bloat (the GIK panels definitely helped here too).
ALCHRIS AUDIO
Alan brought a beast of a Sansui receiver to the show, paired with a custom Garrard 401 turntable, Pioneer PD-S901 stable platter CD player, Cambridge CXN V2 streamer, and his own TX-66 speakers. What a system, themed around 1976 (the Sansui is from 1976, and according to Chistine, when Alan bought it way back then, he had to bring it home from Leeds on the bus…and it’s well over 50 kilos); it was a pleasure to sit in here and soak up some tunes. I own a pair of much smaller Alchris speakers, and Alan knows how to make brilliant speakers, and the TX-66 are big speakers, yet sounded very controlled in this room. The sound was effortlessly deep, controlled, and natural. They had a rock hour from 12-1pm (dedicated to Tommy), and it was great fun, these speakers do just get out of the way of the music, the dedicated midrange driver delivering exceptional clarity, and the treble is well-extended and devoid of any fatiguing peaks. A very complete and engaging system, no matter what music you throw at it – we really enjoyed rocking out to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” in here.
PEARL ACOUSTICS
In here you had the Pearl Acoustics Model One speakers, 7040 power amplifier, 170 SET valve amp, Eversolo DMP-A8 streamer, and LTA DAC. Another easy-going system, and surprisingly full sound from a small driver in a large cabinet – detailed and smooth.
DECENT AUDIO
Decent Audio had the Magnepan LRS+ speakers running out of an Advance Paris A12 Apex integrated amplifier, with Eversolo T10 digital transport and DAC-Z10 DAC, with a Dual CS 518 in the system too. Cabling was from Van den Hul, with network cabling from AIM. This was a rather punch system, good bass impact and depth from these speakers, along with that signature snappy transient response and great clarity.
LIVE MUSIC / VINYL RECORD FAIR
Live music outside at lunchtime, along with plenty of vinyl resellers….and of course, our good friends at Diverse Vinyl were in their usual spot in the bar.
CUSTOM DESIGN / KINETIK
The Kinetik speakers in here have a steel cabinet, the model was the KS4 and were paired with Exposure Electronics CD player, amp, and Melco streamer, all the furniture was from Custom Design. The steel cabinets allow them to be quite inert, and sounded very snappy and clean in this room.
ETUDE / CLIPAUDIO / SNA
Chris had a new model of speakers on demo, the Tri-Linear Array (ETLA), which use an array of BMR drivers with a horn loaded tweeter, designed for more common UK living rooms and benefit from boundary loading. These are high sensitivity and work well with SET amps, and were paired with an amp from Super Natural Audio, alongside a ClipAudio dolomite turntable EAR 834p phono stage – SNA Reference pre-amp, SNA 300b stereo power amp. They also had the SNA DAC which includes a full valve input stage, this was a great sounding room and showed speakers that fit well into normal rooms. They have good balance, along with a wide sweet spot and natural sound – a great system.
ARKE
Arke Audio had their Mikros speakers on demo, along with the Altus lower half (pre-production), which turn these speakers into a 3-way design, allowing the Mikros to focus on midrange and treble, whilst the lower half Altus handle the bass. They were using a Denafrips Arcas streamer, Terminator 15th DAC, Bigbottle Audio BT2 preamp, P-6525L power-amp, Stack Audio isolation products, and Studio Connections cabling throughout. These speakers sound extremely well-controlled, with deep and impactful bass, a detailed midrange and sweet yet extended highs. The 3-way configuration opens up the sound, and they sound very complete from top to bottom.
STACK AUDIO
Stack Audio were demoing their Auva 70’s on a pair of Acoustic Energy AE309 speakers, alongside their Auva EQ supports under the electronics. They had a range of their other products on display at the side of the room, I’ve recently purchased their Serene mat and it works very well on my Technics SL-1300G. They were running a Heed Abacus / Elixir combo, with Audioquest mains conditioning in this system, and they played some Rammstein which was brilliant. We then got an A/B demo, same system, one using stock spikes, the other with the Auva’s – the Auva’s clean up the sound, allowing the individual sound effects to snap into place with more focus.
BOURNE AUDIO
Bourne Audio had Atlantis Lab AT23 speakers on demo, compression driver, variable bass port on the bottom – 96dB efficiency. TEAC CD Transport, Heed Abacus DAC, Heed Obelisk amplifier, balanced mains supply ST900, AMG with Shelter cartridge, Heed Questar/Quasar phono stage, and Audioquest cabling throughout. All of this was housed on Lateral stands, and offered up a warm, full sound with excellent detail, an easy yet very enjoyable listen. They also had the AT18 speakers on static display, alongside a Fezz amp, and two Aurorasound models.
SOUND DESIGN DISTRIBUTION
In here you had a pair of wireless active speakers, the Accuvoice Stream S3, these have a WiSA hub that sends the audio wirelessly to the speakers, meaning you only have a power cable into each speaker, with all the sources routing into the separate hub. They support all the usual streaming services, and have built-in room correction, sub-out with bass management, and personal EQ adjustment. These sound great, with a dynamic and impactful sound that’s tight and articulate, yet detailed and open. For their size they dig deep, and I can’t see many people using them with a sub, Jammin by Bob Marley came on, and it was the kind of sound that made you want to get up and move. Toe-tapping, head bopping, engaging music delivery from a modestly sized active speaker system. They also had a Takumi turntable on display at the side of the room.
LOWTHER / CONNECTED FIDELITY / MALVERN / HANA
Big Lowther horns in this room, playing Baba O’Riley by The Who, a powerful sound that is how you would expect it to be from big efficient horns. Good clarity, presence, and space, with enough body and punch to satisfy. Next up was some Bjork, and it was great, handling dynamics with ease. This was supported by a Lowther valve amp, Connected Fidelity TT Hub turntable with Connected Fidelity CF – 1010 Tonearms and the Hana Umami Black and Hana ML cartridges,, Connected Fidelity Unity Mains Cables with Wirewound Technologies, AC 2K Balanced Mains Supply, Six Star Mains Power Distribution and Audio Detail valve pre-amp and phono stage.
There was also a plethora of other products on static display on the tables at the back of the room, from valves, to cables, to isolation products, and LittleFwend tonearm lifters.
ELECTROMOD
In here you had a range of headphones from Grell, Dan Clark Audio, and Ecoute, including the new Dan Clark Aeon Core, and Grell OAE2, alongside electronics from Topping, and Violectric – including the new Topping E50III and Violectric V281 Ultimo. I had another quick listen to the Aeon Core and they are very good value for money if you enjoy the Dan Clark Harman Curve tuning – whilst not quite as refined as the higher-up models, they get you quite close for under £1000.
The Grell OAE2 were making their UK debut and were attracting a lot of attention, if you want to know more about what Oscar thinks of them, check out his review here.
KEF
KEF had two systems, one with their new XIO soundbar, with a clip from Top Gun Maverick, with a single KC62 sub hooked up – impressive sound for a compact home-cinema setup, with plenty of rumble when needed to make the scenes impactful.
The second system had their Coda W active stand mounts, with a single Cube 8 subwoofer, for a more music-focused stereo setup. The room was well laid out, and it was a refreshing place to sit and experience some great sound.
Stay tuned to find out who we awarded the NWAS 2026 Golden PiG Awards to!
Please note, all content and photos are the copyright of HiFi PiG Magazine/Big Pig Media LLP and must not be copied or reproduced in any way without the prior, written consent of the editor.
Oscar Stewart
Michael Fairbairn
Linette and Stuart Smith
Additional photography by Kelly Bowden
