October was a real whirlwind of a month, there were Hifi Shows including Hifi Show Live Windsor and The Indulgence Show plus a huge amount of news and we reviewed gear ranging from £89 IEMs to a £32,000 Power Amplifier. Just in case you missed anything, here is a round up of what happened last month… More »
September has been another busy month with lots happening in Hifi, just in case you missed anything here’s the Hifi Pig monthly round up. We announced the winners of our first Wheelchair fundraiser and don’t forget we are running our second fund raiser to get a ‘Wheelchair for Ricky’, you still have time to donate and enter to win a Special Edition VPI Player Turntable.
More »
The Peak PT1 turntable has a natural slate plinth and comes complete with an arm for £599. Ian Ringstead takes it for a spin for Hifi Pig. More »
At Hifi Pig we know that readers don’t want to be kept waiting for reports and photographs from the Hifi shows we visit and so without further ado here is part 2 of Stuart’s show report, with his final report following tomorrow.
In part two of Hifi Pig’s coverage of the National Audio Show 2016 at Whittlebury we focus on Choice Hifi and Analog Domain, Roksan Audio, Henley Designs #1, Henley Designs #2, The Audio Consultants & German Physics, Audio Emotion, Chasing The Dragon, CODE, Russ Andrews, Arendal Sound, Teddy Pardo, Fanthorpes.
August has been busy for us Piglets, not only did we launch our Wheelchair For Ricky fund-raising campaign and raffle (which you can still donate to to win great prizes), we went to a prog rock festival and there’s been plenty of hifi news. In case you missed anything, here’s a round up of what happened in August. From the opening of a new Hifi bar/restaurant in London, to new products from many brands including Quad, Chord, Martin Logan, Dali and Clearaudio, to what’s happening at hifi events like Canjam Europe and Indulgence, you get all the latest hifi news first on Hifi Pig!
International Audio Group (IAG) Appointments Darrell Huggins Group CEO
Double Tap Audio Bite The Bullet
Arcam rHead Class-A Headphone Amplifier
aqua acoustics Optologic Formula DAC
Spiritland, High End Hifi Bar/Restaurant, Opening Soon
DALI Launch DALI Connect Loudspeaker Cable
QUAD VA-ONE Valve Amp Announced
Bespoke Audio Event At KJ West One
Custom Cable Becomes Audio Sanctuary
Furutech’s New SK-Filter Now Available
Taga Harmony Introduce Azure B-40 v.2 Loudspeaker
Gang of Four Announce Live Album
Fine Sounds Has Become McIntosh Group
New Entry Point Turntable For Clearaudio’s Innovation Range
Legendary Engineer Chris Kimsey At The Indulgence Show
Brian May Donates Prize For ‘Wheelchair For Ricky’ Fundraiser
Bryston Announce BDP-π Digital Music Player
Dali Announce Katch Bluetooth Speaker
CanJam Europe 2016, 24th and 25th September
Pro-Ject Win EISA For Classic Turntable
Eclipse TD-M1 At Richer Sounds
New Network Players and Compact Systems From Onkyo Announced
A Host Of New Speakers From Martin Logan
New Active Diamonds From Wharfedale
Chord announce SPM 1050 Mk II Amplifier
World’s Most Expensive Earphones Arrive In UK
Newly Enhanced Transfiguration Proteus Phono Cartridge Arrives In UK
New Moving Magnets From Gold Note
Liverpool based Do Good Audio is a wholly new retail venture, but has a link to the past. Martin, the founder of Do Good Audio, discovered his great grandfather owned one of the earliest audio shops in the country. Located in Wakefield, West Yorkshire in circa 1920 “Wireless Radio & Gramophone” sold wireless equipment, gramophones, 78s and other audio electronics, although the eventual fate of this business is unknown.
Hifi Pig think it’s great to see a new independent Hifi retailer open its doors and it must be the first in Liverpool in ages.
After working for many years as a building contractor, Martin has taken a leap of faith and started what he describes as “a small online retail outlet”. Together with his partner Kirstie, they ran their business as an online only retailer, but they craved the excitement of a busy shop floor, and the opportunity to share their knowledge and passion for Hifi with like-minded folk. The Liverpool shop has allowed Do Good Audio to diversify the product range and provide a comfortable demo room. Martin’s Mum Mandy helps out in the shop too and the company say they hope to offer a very personal service.
Brands stocked include Musical Fidelity, Roksan, Marantz, Pro-Ject, Dali, Q Acoustics, Edwards Audio and many more and Martin says theirs always the offer of a good cuppa when you visit the shop.
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 vinyl revolution shows no signs of retreating behind the barricades and here in our second look at vinyl at high end Munich 2016 we see a number of innovative and pricey vinyl spinners…and some not to expensive of course. Part 1 can be found here. Sperling Audio, Rega, AMG, Acoustic Solid, Clearaudio, Trans Rotor, WE Audio Systems, Well Tempered Lab, Audio Deva, Pro-Ject, SPEC Corporation, Acoustic Signature, Gpinto, Kuzma, Sibatech, Acoustical Systems More »
There was good news for Scotland’s audiophile community as Edinburgh-based Audio-philia opened for business on 14 May.
Audio-philia’s story started in a little Italian town when 8 year old Carlo Marengo was given a small radio by his mother. That radio, a free gift with a packet of washing powder, sparked Carlo’s interest in music and audio reproduction.
After training as a chef, and despite the long hours that this profession demands, Carlo’s passion for audio remained undiminished and when he moved to Edinburgh, he studied for an HND in audio-visual technology while carrying on his culinary career. Shortly after completing his qualification, Carlo founded Audio-philia as an on-line business specialising in the sale of second-hand audio equipment.
Acquiring premises in the heart of one of Edinburgh’s most attractive areas, owner and director Carlo has transformed Audio-philia into a premium hifi dealership, offering a wide range of audio products from around the world, extending the choice available to music lovers in and around Scotland’s capital city. Visitors will also find a carefully-selected collection of CDs and vinyl from some of the best jazz and classical music labels.
Italy is renowned for style, hospitality and excellent coffee and Carlo has brought all of these to his beautiful new shop. As a chef, Carlo knows the importance of combining the right ingredients to achieve the highest levels of quality and flavour and he brings these skills into play in providing a bespoke service for his customers. Taking time to get to know his clients’ requirements, he works with them to blend components that will maximise quality at a given price point. Whether you are looking for a whole new system or to upgrade your existing kit, Carlo will work with you to achieve the sound you desire.
As well as being Scotland’s only dealer in Elac and Lyngdorf products, Audio-philia’s brands include Brodmann, ART, Pro-Ject, Exposure, Benchmark and Fostex.
Audio-philia will soon be launching their website – watch this space – but for now you can find them at 95 Gilmore Place, Edinburgh.
Pro-Ject Audio Systems has announced The Classic turntable which utilises a simple and elegant “frame” design, which bears a notable resemblance to some of the most famous turntables of the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s. Hifi Pig managed to have a dem of this at the recent High End show in Munich and it looks great in a retro kind of way (see first picture). Speaking of the design, Heinz Lichtenegger has said:
“In my first year as a hi-fi dealer, working out of my mother’s petrol station using her trade license, I sold 50 Thorens 166 MK 2. In a town of 2000 people, I made everybody into a hi-fi believer…
Later I expanded to some Linns, Aristons, Heybrooks etc. Today Pro-Ject is the leading company for hi-fi stereo turntables and sooner or later I simply had to produce what I once loved…”
The Classic’s design is more than just aesthetically pleasing, it also combines proven hi-fi technologies with the simple set-up so often associated with Pro-Ject turntables, so you can get down to enjoying your music as soon as possible.
The two-plinth design utilises Thermo Plastic Elastomers (TPE) to isolate the sub-chassis, rather than the traditional method of a spring-loaded sub-chassis. The layout effectively decouples the motor from the main bearing and the tonearm, reducing unwanted interference between the components.
The idea of reduced resonance transference carries through to the platter configuration. The instantly recognisable dual-platter layout has been chosen instead of the old cast platters. The main platter on The Classic is machined from an aluminium alloy which is lined underneath with TPE damping. The sub-platter/bearing assembly combines a hardened steel rod with a bronze bushing that is lined with Teflon, resulting in a very smooth, low-noise solution. The configuration is similar to that of a Debut turntable, but the tolerances for these components have been improved by a factor of 10 over the Debut Carbon.
The Classic also boasts an entirely new tonearm, exclusively designed for this special anniversary turntable. The conical tube is made from aluminium, wrapped in a layer of carbon fibre. The carbon fibre keeps the tonearm light and stiff, while the aluminium adds improved damping and grounding.
The Classic Tonearm also uses a new bearing assembly with precision-machined, ultra-low friction Zircon bearings. Underneath, a new Japanese-designed ball-bearing allows for easier placement of the tonearm wires and a much freer movement of the tonearm. The new nickel-finished counterweight is also TPE-damped, reducing the amplitude of the tonearm’s resonant-frequency by 50%. Finally, the tonearm also benefits from the usual azimuth and VTA-adjustments associated with all high-end Pro-Ject tonearms.
A variety of counterweights will be available for The Classic, supporting cartridges up to 25g. The Classic Tonearm will also be available for sale separately in the future.
To increase accessibility for The Classic, the turntable has been designed with a new set of feet, which effectively allows the turntable to perform as well as possible in a wide variety of installations, even when it’s not placed on an ideal platform. The feet are both dampened and height-adjustable, ensuring the turntable can be adjusted to sit level on unbalanced or imperfect surfaces.
The Classic is supplied as standard with the Ortofon 2M Silver cartridge, which has been designed exclusively for Pro-Ject Audio Systems. However, the ability of the turntable is such that it’s also capable of working with a wide variety of high-end Moving Coil options. The inclusion of a junction box on the back-panel, also allows for cable improvements as and when you improve your cartridge option.
The Classic turntable is available in Eucalyptus, Rosenut or Walnut (shown) finishes. It is supplied as standard with all necessary set-up tools, a fitted dust cover and Pro-Ject’s specially-developed Connect-IT E turntable cables.
SRP £799.00
The Pro-Ject Classic will be available in the UK from June 2016.
Technical Information
Speed: 33 / 45 RPM (manual speed change)
Drive Principle: Belt drive
Platter: 300mm aluminium (TPE-damped)
Main Bearing: Stainless steel (Bronze bush with Teflon lining)
Wow & Flutter: ± 0.03% (33rpm) / ± 0.05% (45rpm)
Speed Drift: ± 0.10% (33rpm) / ± 0.11% (45rpm)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: -71dB
Tonearm: The Classic Tonearm (9”)
Effective Arm Length: 230mm
Effective Arm Mass: 13.5g
Overhang: 18mm
Included Accessories: Dust Cover, Connect-IT E (RCA) cable Power Supply: 15V / 1,600mA DC
Power Consumption: 5W Max. / <0.5W in standby Dimensions (W x H x D): 460 x 131 x 351mm (lid closed) Weight: 10.2kg (net)
The EAT C Sharp turntable certainly looks the part for £2500 including tonearm, how does it sound? Janine Elliot spins some vinyl. More »
Once again, the HIGH END show at Munich will feature, not only great hifi and audio equipment,but also a wide variety of interesting talks, presentations, demonstrations and workshops with high-profile speakers all about consumer electronics.
Here is a small selection of the exciting topics to come:
TECHNOLOGY STAGE – HALL 3, STAND K08 HQ-RADIO IN EUROPE
Initiatives and trends for radio as quality audio medium
Mr. Werner Bleisteiner, editorial manager for digitalisation projects at BR-KLASSIK
Thursday, 05 May 2016, 3.00 pm
Friday, 06 May 2016, 4.30 pm
Radio has come a long way to arrive in the future: Digital distribution channels – on air and online – program associated data services and interactive features have blown the old box. Yet, audio quality is still the key issue to define the special quality of experience of the medium.
Major European broadcasters, especially from Germany, France and Great Britain, collaborate closely under the auspices of the European Broadcasting Union EBU to set future milestones and standards in media technology development.
Werner Bleisteiner (BR) takes a look at the European broadcasting landscape for surround sound, binaural and high quality streaming services with HTML5, as well providing first hand insights into the present stage in the development of the upcoming technology “object-based broadcasting”.
TECHNOLOGY STAGE – HALL 3, STAND K08
THE FASCINATION OF TUBES
Dipl.-Ing. Ulrich Apel (Association of German Sound Technicians)
Friday, 06 May 2016, 3.00 pm
Starting with an explanation of the basic function of a tube, different types and details on the tasks they perform in preamplifiers and final amplifiers will be explored. An important aspect is the comparability of the tubes made by different manufacturers, different type designations and an outlook of their lifespan. To finish, a few tips for integrating a tube amplifier into an existing system.
THE TAPE MACHINE IN THE HIGH-END CHAIN
Dipl.-Ing. Ulrich Apel (Association of German Sound Technicians)
Saturday, 07 May 2016, 3.00 pm
What does it need to be able to do, and what should its settings be, to ensure it sounds right when playing master tapes?
By explaining how magnetism works, the way sound goes through magnetic heads and onto the tape is explored. Mechanical and electrical settings ensure perfect transmission. Finally, there are valuable tips for connection and level ratios.
TECHNOLOGY STAGE – HALL 3, STAND K08 SENNHEISER HE1, SOUND REPRODUCTION SYSTEM
Axel Grell, Sennheiser
Friday, 06 May 2016, 11.00 am
Saturday, 07 May 2016, 10.30 am
In his presentation, Axel Grell, Portfolio Manager at Sennheiser, explains an innovative am- plifier concept and sound converter system designed to unite the HE1 headphones, which cost €50,000, with exclusive materials.
SENNHEISER’S AMBEO 3D AUDIO TECHNOLOGY
Gregor Zielinsky, Sennheiser
Friday, 06 May 2016, 11.00 am
Saturday, 07 May 2016, 10.30 am
The trailblazing 3D Immersive Audio technology makes recording and reproducing audio at the very highest level possible, thereby creating a hitherto unheard sound experience for the user. Within the framework of a presentation at the HIGH END 2016, graduate sound technicians Gregor Zielinsky provides some insight into the development of Sennheiser’s AMBEO 3D audio products, and speaks about the special features and application areas of the 3D audio technology.
CONFERENCE ROOM K1B (OPPOSITE HALL 1)
Daily from 10 am to 6 pm
HIGH END 2016 – THE FASCINATION OF MULTICHANNEL
Following the extremely positive feedback received last year, a top-class multichannel audio demonstration will be held again this year, in conference room K1B, opposite Hall 1.
Loudspeaker icon Joachim Kiesler from Musikelectronic Geithain and cable specialist Hans M. Strassner from HMS have joined forces with the studio professionals from Merging Technologies from Switzerland and a German HiFi Internet platform to form an ambitious cooperative venture. Once again, demonstrations and workshops will treat the attende- es to acoustic performances of what is currently viable in terms of multichannel music playback.
The internationally renowned master sound technicians Jean-Marie Geijsen (Polyhymnia International), Jared Sacks (Channel Classics), Morten Lindberg (2L), Daan van Aalst (Navis Classics) and Stephan Cahen (Myrios Classics) will share reports from everyday life in the recording studio, and share their passion for multichannel music with their listeners. Accompanying presentations will round off the program.
Music in all formats will be played for visitors to listen to in closed, thirty-minute demons- trations. Stereo recordings, historical audio documents as three and four channel recor- dings, and the original master files from the most recent recording sessions by the sound technicians participating will encourage acoustic comparisons.
All those involved will be doing their very best to be able to demonstrate the music on an extraordinary system. Musikelectronic Geithain will be lending an exclusively loudspeaker set-up for this demonstration, using their reference products ME 800 K and ME 801K. This will be accompanied by the NADAC (Network Attached Digital to Analogue Converter) made by Merging Technologies as a source, and which the Swiss studio experts intend to use to redefine the quality standard in digital playback in the home entertainment sector as well. The first euphoric reactions from all over the world justify the high expectations. Hans M. Strassner from HMS will be continuing the state-of-the-art Suprema series he began with network cables, and will be contributing his brand-new, highest quality con- nection cables of the same name for use with this exceptional system. And last but not least, Reinhard Weidinger from Hörzone will be working with his sales partner, artnovion from Portugal, to provide the appropriate acoustics in the room, without which top-quality sound is not even possible.
WORKSHOP DATES WITH MATTHIAS BÖDE FROM THE STEREO EDITORIAL TEAM
Duration approx. 30 minutes
Advance reservations are not needed.
Saturday, 07 May 2016
11.00 am
Topic: What role does the pick-up play for the sound of vinyl? Three pick-up heads – from MM to MC – in comparison.
Exhibitor: Transrotor/AVM – Atrium 4, Room F104
12.00 am
Topic: How much potential does bi-amping offer? Loudspeakers played using two or four monoblocs.
Exhibitor: AVM/Gauder Akustik, Atrium 4, room E105
2.00 pm
Topic: Does the phono cable define the record player’s performance? Conductors from the low-price segment in a cross check.
Exhibitor: Pro-Ject/Cabasse, Atrium 3, Room C118
3.00 pm
Topic: Is high-bit HiFi more than just a buzz word? Format checks from MP3 right up to 24 bit/192 kilohertz. Exhibitor: Burmester, Atrium 3, room D106
4.00 pm
Topic: Unique: Listen to record players from all price segments “virtually”. The new “STEREO Phono Festival” through a super system.
Exhibitor: MBL, Atrium 4, room D106
Read more news about Munich High End 2016 Here and Hifi Pig’s coverage of last years High End Munich here
Once again, the HIGH END show at Munich will feature, not only great hifi and audio equipment,but also a wide variety of interesting talks, presentations, demonstrations and workshops with high-profile speakers all about consumer electronics.
Here is a small selection of the exciting topics to come:
TECHNOLOGY STAGE – HALL 3, STAND K08 HQ-RADIO IN EUROPE
Initiatives and trends for radio as quality audio medium
Mr. Werner Bleisteiner, editorial manager for digitalisation projects at BR-KLASSIK
Thursday, 05 May 2016, 3.00 pm
Friday, 06 May 2016, 4.30 pm
Radio has come a long way to arrive in the future: Digital distribution channels – on air and online – program associated data services and interactive features have blown the old box. Yet, audio quality is still the key issue to define the special quality of experience of the medium.
Major European broadcasters, especially from Germany, France and Great Britain, collaborate closely under the auspices of the European Broadcasting Union EBU to set future milestones and standards in media technology development.
Werner Bleisteiner (BR) takes a look at the European broadcasting landscape for surround sound, binaural and high quality streaming services with HTML5, as well providing first hand insights into the present stage in the development of the upcoming technology “object-based broadcasting”.
TECHNOLOGY STAGE – HALL 3, STAND K08
THE FASCINATION OF TUBES
Dipl.-Ing. Ulrich Apel (Association of German Sound Technicians)
Friday, 06 May 2016, 3.00 pm
Starting with an explanation of the basic function of a tube, different types and details on the tasks they perform in preamplifiers and final amplifiers will be explored. An important aspect is the comparability of the tubes made by different manufacturers, different type designations and an outlook of their lifespan. To finish, a few tips for integrating a tube amplifier into an existing system.
THE TAPE MACHINE IN THE HIGH-END CHAIN
Dipl.-Ing. Ulrich Apel (Association of German Sound Technicians)
Saturday, 07 May 2016, 3.00 pm
What does it need to be able to do, and what should its settings be, to ensure it sounds right when playing master tapes?
By explaining how magnetism works, the way sound goes through magnetic heads and onto the tape is explored. Mechanical and electrical settings ensure perfect transmission. Finally, there are valuable tips for connection and level ratios.
TECHNOLOGY STAGE – HALL 3, STAND K08 SENNHEISER HE1, SOUND REPRODUCTION SYSTEM
Axel Grell, Sennheiser
Friday, 06 May 2016, 11.00 am
Saturday, 07 May 2016, 10.30 am
In his presentation, Axel Grell, Portfolio Manager at Sennheiser, explains an innovative am- plifier concept and sound converter system designed to unite the HE1 headphones, which cost €50,000, with exclusive materials.
SENNHEISER’S AMBEO 3D AUDIO TECHNOLOGY
Gregor Zielinsky, Sennheiser
Friday, 06 May 2016, 11.00 am
Saturday, 07 May 2016, 10.30 am
The trailblazing 3D Immersive Audio technology makes recording and reproducing audio at the very highest level possible, thereby creating a hitherto unheard sound experience for the user. Within the framework of a presentation at the HIGH END 2016, graduate sound technicians Gregor Zielinsky provides some insight into the development of Sennheiser’s AMBEO 3D audio products, and speaks about the special features and application areas of the 3D audio technology.
CONFERENCE ROOM K1B (OPPOSITE HALL 1)
Daily from 10 am to 6 pm
HIGH END 2016 – THE FASCINATION OF MULTICHANNEL
Following the extremely positive feedback received last year, a top-class multichannel audio demonstration will be held again this year, in conference room K1B, opposite Hall 1.
Loudspeaker icon Joachim Kiesler from Musikelectronic Geithain and cable specialist Hans M. Strassner from HMS have joined forces with the studio professionals from Merging Technologies from Switzerland and a German HiFi Internet platform to form an ambitious cooperative venture. Once again, demonstrations and workshops will treat the attende- es to acoustic performances of what is currently viable in terms of multichannel music playback.
The internationally renowned master sound technicians Jean-Marie Geijsen (Polyhymnia International), Jared Sacks (Channel Classics), Morten Lindberg (2L), Daan van Aalst (Navis Classics) and Stephan Cahen (Myrios Classics) will share reports from everyday life in the recording studio, and share their passion for multichannel music with their listeners. Accompanying presentations will round off the program.
Music in all formats will be played for visitors to listen to in closed, thirty-minute demons- trations. Stereo recordings, historical audio documents as three and four channel recor- dings, and the original master files from the most recent recording sessions by the sound technicians participating will encourage acoustic comparisons.
All those involved will be doing their very best to be able to demonstrate the music on an extraordinary system. Musikelectronic Geithain will be lending an exclusively loudspeaker set-up for this demonstration, using their reference products ME 800 K and ME 801K. This will be accompanied by the NADAC (Network Attached Digital to Analogue Converter) made by Merging Technologies as a source, and which the Swiss studio experts intend to use to redefine the quality standard in digital playback in the home entertainment sector as well. The first euphoric reactions from all over the world justify the high expectations. Hans M. Strassner from HMS will be continuing the state-of-the-art Suprema series he began with network cables, and will be contributing his brand-new, highest quality con- nection cables of the same name for use with this exceptional system. And last but not least, Reinhard Weidinger from Hörzone will be working with his sales partner, artnovion from Portugal, to provide the appropriate acoustics in the room, without which top-quality sound is not even possible.
WORKSHOP DATES WITH MATTHIAS BÖDE FROM THE STEREO EDITORIAL TEAM
Duration approx. 30 minutes
Advance reservations are not needed.
Saturday, 07 May 2016
11.00 am
Topic: What role does the pick-up play for the sound of vinyl? Three pick-up heads – from MM to MC – in comparison.
Exhibitor: Transrotor/AVM – Atrium 4, Room F104
12.00 am
Topic: How much potential does bi-amping offer? Loudspeakers played using two or four monoblocs.
Exhibitor: AVM/Gauder Akustik, Atrium 4, room E105
2.00 pm
Topic: Does the phono cable define the record player’s performance? Conductors from the low-price segment in a cross check.
Exhibitor: Pro-Ject/Cabasse, Atrium 3, Room C118
3.00 pm
Topic: Is high-bit HiFi more than just a buzz word? Format checks from MP3 right up to 24 bit/192 kilohertz. Exhibitor: Burmester, Atrium 3, room D106
4.00 pm
Topic: Unique: Listen to record players from all price segments “virtually”. The new “STEREO Phono Festival” through a super system.
Exhibitor: MBL, Atrium 4, room D106
Read more news about Munich High End 2016 Here and Hifi Pig’s coverage of last years High End Munich here
A full size integrated amplifier with phonostage, plus a CD player that is also a streamer for just shy of £1200 seems like a good deal. Stuart Smith investigates. More »
The January edition of HIfi Pig Extra is now published and ready for FREE download. It’s another great issue with loads of content…
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD
REVIEWS
Merrill Audio Thor Monobloc Amplifiers.
MunroSonic EGG150 – Active Monitoring Loudspeakers.
Cabasse Stream 100 Amplifier and Surf Loudspeakers.
Martin Logan Motion 15 Standmount Loudspeakers.
Zeta Zero Venus Picolla Loudspeakers.
DiDiT DAC 212 Digital To Analogue Converter.
Lab 12 gordian Power Distributor/Conditioner.
Clearaudio Smart Matrix Professional Record Cleaning Machine.
Black Cat Redlevel Tube speaker Cable and RCA Interconnects.
COLUMNS
Retro Bites – Janine Elliot takes another look at retro audio kit, this time focusing on the rare Tefifon
Voice Of Dom – Dominic Marsh gets puzzled over the differences people hear with identical products and explains how he goes about evaluating and listening to new kit.
Fidelity Matters – In the last of his Fidelity Matters articles for 2015, Ian Ringstead celebrates innovation wherever it comes from and applauds all the people in the hifi industry who make this wonderful kit possible.
The Views Of Stu – Stuart Smith looks at the year that was 2015 and hints at a few things you can expect to see in the coming year from Hifi Pig.
Bird’s Eye View – Linette Smith asks “What’s your drug of choice?”.
Dealers’ View – Mike Twomey continues his series of articles looking at the wonderful world of audio from the dealers perspective and this month offers up a few useful tips on how to get the best trade in deal when it comes round to the inevitable upgrade time…
Music and Live Gig Reviews with John Scott and Stuart Smith including live reviews of The Rezillos, Spizzenergi and The Proclaimers.
The Classics – John Scott throws a log on the fire, pours himself a wee dram and puts on his copy of Mike Oldfield’s Ommadawn as part of his Classic Albums series.
A great Behind The Brands interview with Heinz Lichtenegger, the CEO of Pro-Ject.
Roksan Audio have been considered a leading force in the analogue audio world since their first product, the Xerxes record player, was released in 1985.
The Oxygene 30 Turntable boasts an elegant, minimalist aesthetic inspired by the popular Oxygene range of hifi electronics. But beneath its striking gloss-white exterior is an innovative design that draws heavily from the Xerxes 20Plus.
The Oxygene 30 utilises a complex, multi-layered, four-piece plinth design with a new high-mass mounting block for housing the motor. The new motor mount ensures that unwanted resonances from the motor are transferred into the block and significantly attenuated before reaching the top plinth. It also improves motor alignment for optimal belt tension and reliable speed stability.
The central objective behind the multi-section plinth is to isolate the core components of the turntable, allowing not only the motor, but also the tonearm, cartridge and record platter to perform at the highest possible standard. Between the plinth layers, high-quality isolating materials are used for tuned decoupling.
The Oxygene 30’s two-piece platter utilises a solid aluminium alloy, which forms a completely dampened, resonant free surface when the inner and outer platter are combined. Like the Xerxes 20Plus, the Oxygene 30 also uses a removable spindle cap, which reduces bearing noise transmission through the record surface.
The Oxygene 30 is supplied as a package in the UK; just install your preferred cartridge and you’re ready to integrate it into any vinyl-ready hi-fi system. The turntable is supplied as standard with Roksan’s XPS-7 power supply/speed controller, and inside the box is a Pro-Ject 9CC Evolution tonearm. The engineers at Roksan have worked extensively to accommodate this popular 9” carbon fibre tonearm on the Oxygene 30, including the development of a brand new mounting plate.
The Oxygene 30 turntable perfectly represents the ethos behind the Oxygene range, as well as Roksan Audio’s wider brand philosophy. The overall design is compact yet highly resolved, and the sound performance is striking in its clarity, detail and musicality. The Oxygene 30 is a new must-consider product in the world of high-end vinyl playback.
SRP £2,500.00
Heinz Lichtenegger is the CEO and President of Pro-Ject Audio Systems, is an absolute audio and music fanatic and here talks to Hifi Pig about his history, his system and where he thinks the industry is headed. More »
French based Cabasse make the renowned Sphère loudspeaker system, but they also produce more modestly priced items.Here Dominic Marsh takes a listen to the Stream 100 amplifier (£499) and Surf loudspeakers (£379) More »
The November Edition of Hifi Pig Extra is available for FREE DOWNLOAD
COVER STORY
Linette Smith talks about the recent visit to the Paris Haute Fidélité show the week after the attacks. ““We are setting off to visit the Haute Fidelité Show at the Marriott Rive Gauche in Paris. I’m not entirely sure how I am feeling, a mixture of anger and defiance, but also sadness and admittedly fear”
REVIEWS
VPI Prime Turntable
Pro-Ject RPM3 Carbon Turntable
Bespoke Audio Co Passive Preamplifier
Kralk Audio BC30 Loudspeakers and PAW Stand
Ophidian Mojo Loudspeakers
Leema Xen Loudspeakers
Melodika “Purple Rain” Series Speaker Cables
COLUMNS
Janine Elliot takes a step down memory lane with the much loved Leak Stereo 20 power amplifier.
Dominic Marsh concludes his popular three part series on mains cables.
Ian Ringstead takes a look at the state of the hifi industry and asks what we can all do to boost the popularity of two channel audio in the home.
There seems to be a lot of in-fighting within the audiophile world about people’s personal choices and the equipment they finally place in their system. Stuart Smith takes a tongue-in-cheek look at what he thinks are the reasons for this phenomenon…
Mike Twomey tells us how best to strike a great deal with your retailer this holiday season.
Plus album and gig reviews with John Scott, Janine Elliot and Stuart Smith and the ever popular Classics series where John Scott takes a look at the Kinks album “The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society”
A comprehensive list of the companies at High End Munich 2015 and the rooms they will be in. More »
Did you miss one of Hifi Pig’s reviews in March? Never fear, here’s links to all nine of them:
Pro-Ject MaiA Integrated Amplifier
ADL (Furutech) H-118 Headphones
Roth OLi RA1 Bookshelf Loudspeakers
Skogrand SC Beethoven Loudspeaker Cables
Arte Forma Mezzo Power Amplifier
Tangent Spectrum X5 BT – Powered Digital Bookshelf Speakers
NuForce NE750M and NE800M Inner-Earphones
Roksan Kandy K3 Integrated Amplifier
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