April 25, 2025

Hi-Fi Heaven Starts Here: Rega Naia at Audio T Cheltenham

April 25, 2025/ Audio T Cheltenham/ Cheltenham

The Rega Naia turntable has been around for about 18 months now, so I thought it was high time I gave the Audio T Blogworld a gentle reminder of just how wonderful it is—and why it deserves pride of place right at the very tippy-top of your luxury wish list.

The Secret To Hi-Fi Heaven

The secret to hi-fi heaven is making sure you’ve got the best source material possible—and by now the whole world surely knows that one of those is vinyl. Personally, I’m of the view that the Rega Naia is the finest vinyl spinner I’ve had the pleasure of playing records on. And I’ve heard plenty over the years (some of them ludicrously expensive too), having been part of the hi-fi world for a very long time!

Naiad Gives Birth to Naia

The Rega Naia is what happens when you're the boss of the company (Roy Gandy, in this case) and you give your best R&D team free rein to design a cutting-edge, state-of-the-art creation with absolutely no limits—no holds barred. Admittedly, this approach initially resulted in a beautiful thing called the Naiad, of which only 50 were ever made—and they’re all long since sold.

After seven long years in research and development, the project known as Naiad was finally completed in 2017. It was a product unlike any other, created to push Rega’s philosophies to the extreme and prove beyond doubt that their lifelong mantra—ultra-lightweight, high-rigidity plinths and the use of key materials in key areas—is absolutely paramount when it comes to building a serious performance turntable.

Of course, the Naiad is no longer available—but before it bowed out, it gave birth to the Naia…

Key Features of Naia

Graphene impregnated Carbon Fibre skeletal plinth with Tancast 8 foam core
ZTA Zirconium toughened alumina (ceramic) central bearing
RB titanium tonearm: One piece titanium vertical bearing and Titanium vertical spindle assembly
Tungsten balance weight shaft and weight
Ceramic top and bottom braces
Reference advanced fully adjustable power supply
Resonance controlled ceramic platter with improved flywheel effect and complex profile
Low mass skeletal aluminium feet
Triple Reference drive belts for improved stability and drive characteristics.
Rega Aphelion 2 MC factory fitted (optional)
Lifetime warranty against manufacture defects

the naia is available with the Aphelion 2 cartridge pre-loaded

Kuunatic

Hot off the presses—and sounding rather lush on the Naia—comes the brand-new album from Japanese primal psych rockers Kuunatic. I’ve been following their career for the past few years and have seen them live twice (they were brilliant, by the way), and with this new release, Wheels of Ömon, they’ve really come of age.

Kuunatic is a Japanese trio made up of Fumi Kikuchi on keyboards, synths and traditional Japanese instruments; Shoko Yoshida on bass; and Yuko Araki on drums. All three contribute closely interwoven vocals to Wheels of Ömon, which follows their concept debut Gate of Klüna—a mythical tale set on the planet Kuurandia. This new record expands on that story, exploring its moon Klüna and its sun, Ömon. “Each of its eight songs pinpoints a specific moment from one 45-hour orbit of Ömon”—though if you weren’t told, you probably wouldn’t know!

Fumi, Shoko and Yuko

Wheels of Ömon is a trip-fest fever-dream freakout, with beautifully recorded interplay between bass and drums underpinning the pagan chant vocals and cosmic fusion of keyboards and traditional Japanese instruments. At times, the music becomes a full-blown pagan ritual. At others, it’s a dubby cosmic odyssey. Always psychedelic, always intriguing, and always bonkers—in the best possible way!

Standout track for me is “Yellow Serpent”, with its swirling organ and vocal incantations, and a dreamy, Krautrocky, early-Floyd fuzz bass and drum vibe… totally hypnagogic, and probably like nothing else you’ll ever hear. Give ’em a try—they might just become your new favourite band

In this exclusive interview from the Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2025, we sit down with Roy Gandy, founder of Rega, to discuss the brand’s latest developments and enduring commitment to music playback.

The Bit At The End

All of this is proof that if you want a turntable that makes everything you play sound amazing, then the Rega Naia is, without a doubt, the one to put right at the top of your demonstration list. It has everything you could want from a top-end vinyl spinner—great looks, superb build quality, and it's super-duper easy to set up and install. Best of all, it’ll still be working and sounding brilliant for years to come!

Thanks for reading – Andy, Jon and Farid – (but mainly Andy 😉) – Audio T Cheltenham Store.

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other hi-fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to get in touch.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not check out some more of our blogs—and don’t forget to follow us on our social media channels below…

Rega can be found at the following Audio T stores -

March 21, 2025

The All-New Acoustic Energy AE309² at Audio T Cheltenham

March 21, 2025/ Audio T Cheltenham/ Cheltenham

Fresh from making waves as one of the standout new releases at the recent Bristol Hi-Fi Show, we have now just taken delivery of our demonstration pair of the brand new Acoustic Energy AE309². Are they any good I hear you all ask? Well, after giving them a jolly good run-in on our main shop system, they’re now set up in the demo room for a more critical, in-depth listen!

Out With The Old…

We’ve been selling Acoustic Energy loudspeakers for quite some time now, and they’ve consistently impressed by delivering performance that punches well above their price point. The original AE309 has been one of our best-selling compact floor-standing loudspeakers for a while, so when we heard a Mark 2 version — or ², as they’ve named it — was on the way, we weren’t sure they could improve on an already fantastic speaker.

Well, improve it they have — and by no small margin!

…In With The New

The new Acoustic Energy AE309² benefits significantly from trickle-down technology, courtesy of the flagship Corinium loudspeaker. In fact, it shares no components with the previous model — this is a complete redesign.

The AE309² features brand-new paper and coconut-fibre bass-mid drivers, developed using research from the Corinium project. These are housed in an inert, slimline 18mm MDF cabinet, using constrained-layer damping with bitumen for improved rigidity and reduced resonance — a notable step up in both sound and build quality at this price point. Around the back, the slot-shaped bass port has been carefully engineered to minimise air turbulence, delivering clean, undistorted low frequencies.

A newly designed soft-dome tweeter, also inspired by the Corinium, provides open, delicate, and natural high frequencies, blending seamlessly with the mid-woofer for a cohesive, balanced performance across the entire audible range.

“I Like Your Top”

A sturdy set of solid aluminium feet and spikes act as outriggers, providing excellent stability and preventing the cabinet from rocking on the floor. A more stable speaker isn’t just practical — it enhances imaging and soundstaging too, delivering a more precise and immersive listening experience.

“Bottom’s Quite Nice Too”

The speaker connections are a pair of solid, gold-plated 4mm sockets — ready to accommodate banana plugs, spades, or even bare-ended cable with ease.

Round the back, the slot-shaped duct port enhances bass output and has been carefully engineered to minimise air turbulence, delivering clean, undistorted low frequencies. This clever design also means you can position the speakers closer to a rear wall without introducing any unpleasant bass boom — perfect for tighter spaces.

Looking Good From Behind Too…

History And Science Fiction

To put the new Acoustic Energy AE309² speakers through their paces, my first choice was History and Science Fiction by guitar virtuoso Chris Forsyth and the Solar Motel Band. The track comes from the 2017 album Dreaming In The Non-Dream, which I believe was released as a sort of anti-Trump protest howl against the destruction of the American Dream — makes me wonder how he feels now!

The album is short, clocking in at around 35 minutes, and has a raw, live feel. This track, just shy of 10 minutes, builds into a steadily evolving psych-infused art-rock jam. It’s a mutant blend of Marquee Moon-era Television and a Grateful Dead live space-out, with a full-fat, funky Velvet Underground meets God vibe running through it. There’s even a breakdown that’s pure prog rock — plus a surprise Roxy Music-esque sax moment toward the end, just for good measure. And here’s the kicker: it’s not even the best track on the album.

The AE309² speakers were nothing short of stunning. The soundstaging stretched far beyond the cabinets, creating a massive, immersive space. The bass was deep, weighty, and seamlessly integrated with a wonderfully open midrange. Topping it all off, the new tweeter is a thing of beauty — smooth, sweet, and brimming with detail, letting me peer right into the heart of the mix.

No Fluke

Just to make sure this wasn’t some kind of strange fluke, I figured I’d better try another track. This time, I went with Magic Mountain by Hollow Ship, from their album Future Remains.

Hollow Ship are a four-piece psychedelic rock band from Gothenburg, blending the sounds of early British psych with mind-expanding, funky Afro-rock grooves. Their music fuses sweet, 1960s analogue sonics with modern production techniques, creating a sound that’s uniquely their own.

Once again, the Acoustic Energy AE309² delivered in style — infusing the track with an infectious, bouncy energy and a swaggering, acid-soaked, guitar-drenched vibe. An air-guitary, psych-rock fever dream brought to life.

So, definitely not a fluke then!

The Best Just Got Better

To sum up — the best has indeed just got better. There’s now a sizeable gulf between the new AE309² and the rest of the competition, who’ll need to seriously up their game to avoid being left behind. These compact floor-standing marvels have no right to sound this good for the price.

In line with modern furniture trends, Acoustic Energy has moved away from the high-gloss finishes of the previous 300 Series. Instead, the AE309² comes in a newly developed, highly durable 'silk-touch' black or white matte finish, or a classic walnut wood veneer — all paired with colour-coordinated trims and premium fabric grilles for a refined, contemporary look.

Sonically, they’re an exciting, exhilarating, and incisive listen — and they absolutely deserve a spot at the top of any serious shortlist of loudspeakers to demo this year.

Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2025 - Brad from Audio T sat down with James, Acoustic Energy's Creative Director and the mind behind the design of these speakers, to discuss the new range.

The Bit At The End

Well, there you have it! If you’re curious to hear just how impressive the new AE309² — or any of the refreshed Acoustic Energy 300 Series — sounds for yourself, why not book a demonstration at your local Audio T? There’s nothing quite like hearing them in person, and our team will be more than happy to set them up, answer any questions, and help you find the perfect setup for your system. Get in touch today — you won’t be disappointed.

Thanks for reading - Andy, Jon and Farid - (but mainly Andy)- Audio T Cheltenham Store.

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

Acoustic Energy can be found at the following Audio T stores -

February 27, 2025

Audio T Cheltenham And The English Electric EE1

February 27, 2025/ Audio T Cheltenham/ Cheltenham

World-renowned for producing some of the finest hi-fi cables, interconnects, and accessories, Chord Company has revived the historic English Electric brand for a side project focused on network noise isolation. With the upcoming release of the new, higher-end EE1+, I decided to revisit the more affordable version to remind myself just what these little marvels can do.

What’s In The Box?

The English Electric EE1 is a network noise isolator designed to sit discreetly between Ethernet cables in a streaming audio or video system. According to Chord Company's marketing, it drastically reduces digital noise nasties while allowing the music signal to pass unhindered. It achieves this through common mode filtering, selectively removing low-frequency noise and filtering out high-frequency interference, all while ensuring uninterrupted data flow.

Close Up Of That Classic Logo

close up of that resurrected iconic logo

Digital signals are robust but often carry some level of noise, typically transferred from home network devices. In a hi-fi system, this can manifest as a slight muddiness or even degradation of the all-important music signal.

Bullet Points

I am a big fan of bullet points so here’s few to be going on with…

Targeted filtering reduces harmful network noise.
Galvanic isolation blocks low-frequency noise, reduces high-frequency interference, and preserves data integrity.
Compact yet powerful – easy to install and discreet in any setup.
Stackable performance – using multiple EE1 units can further enhance results.
Self-powered – converts unwanted noise into heat.
Includes an additional Ethernet cable.

Hidden in the bottom of the box is that afore mentioned ethernet cable

Big Big Train

To put the English Electric EE1 to the test, what could be more fitting than English Electric by UK prog rockers Big Big Train? I chose the track A Boy in Darkness—because it’s ace—and yes, the EE1 actually does make a difference.

The song has clear influences from early Genesis and Yes and, in true prog rock tradition, is split into three parts. Part One explores the hardships of young boys forced to work in Victorian coal mines. Part Two is an instrumental section where an organ riff anchors a dynamic interplay of guitar, organ, and flute solos, bridging past and present. Part Three connects the tragic fate of a boy lost in the mines with a modern-day warning about children suffering at the hands of those entrusted with their care.

The verse sections are eerie, ghostly, and sparse, while the choruses are powerful and emotional. The lead vocal holds a fixed note as the surrounding instruments swirl dramatically, creating a striking contrast.

Into The Node

For this experiment, the EE1 was paired with the rather lovely Bluesound Node—a superb streamer in its own right that punches well above its weight. However, with the EE1 in place, the difference was immediately noticeable. There was a palpable increase in the sense of space around individual instruments and a wider soundstage. The vocal carried more passion, and the lyrics were easier to follow. A slight harshness present without the EE1 disappeared entirely once it was reintroduced into the signal path.

Summing Up

I really enjoyed revisiting the EE1 for this blog and believe it offers a worthwhile upgrade for the money. Its impact becomes even more apparent after using it for a while—only to remove it and notice how the sound suddenly feels a little flatter and less engaging.

Thanks for reading!

Andy, Jon and Farid - Audio T Cheltenham Store.

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

Chord Company and English Electric can be found at the following Audio T stores

Bluesound can be found at the following Audio T stores -

January 30, 2025

Audio T Cheltenham and the Arcam Radia CD5 Compact Disc Player

January 30, 2025/ Audio T Cheltenham/ Cheltenham

I've recently noticed that it has been quite some time since any of our stores have written a blog dedicated solely to a CD player. This got me thinking—could this be a sign of the times? Is the once-mighty Compact Disc format truly in decline, or have we simply become so focused on the ever-growing popularity of vinyl and the convenience of streaming that we've ended up neglecting the good old CD player? Whatever the case, it seems only right to redress the balance. So, let’s take a closer look at the relatively new Arcam Radia CD5 and find out what all the fuss is about!

Minimalistic Simplicity

The Radia CD5 may not be the most eye-catching CD player at first glance, but over the past few weeks, I’ve come to truly appreciate its understated, minimalist design. Rather than trying to stand out with flashy aesthetics, it embraces a refined simplicity that allows it to blend seamlessly into any system. What really matters, though, is not how it looks but how it performs—and that’s where it truly shines. The more time I’ve spent with it, the more I’ve grown to admire its no-nonsense approach, focusing purely on delivering great sound without unnecessary distractions.

Sailing a Bit Close To The Edge

Arcam has been at the forefront of Compact Disc playback since the release of the Delta 70 CD player back in 1986—a groundbreaking design developed entirely in-house. Decades of expertise in crafting high-quality digital audio products have led to the creation of the CD5, a player that embodies everything Arcam has learned along the way. Every component and material has been meticulously selected, rigorously tested, and carefully refined to ensure nothing less than outstanding sound quality, staying true to Arcam’s legacy of audio excellence.

What’s Around The Back

The rear panel of the Radia CD5 is well-equipped, featuring phono outputs alongside two digital outputs, as well as a USB input for added versatility. It supports playback of CD, CD-R, and CD-RW discs, meaning you can enjoy your favourite albums or even those carefully curated mix CDs from years past. If you prefer, you can also play music directly from a USB drive, making it a truly flexible source component. For those seeking high-resolution audio playback, the CD5 has you covered, supporting FLAC and WAV files from both CDs and USB storage, ensuring exceptional sound quality.

The Secret Weapon

Hidden within the Arcam Radia CD5 is a rather special component—the ESS ES9018 DAC. You might be wondering, what exactly is that? Well, this digital-to-analogue converter is the key to the CD5’s rich and engaging sound signature. Unlike some CD players that can sound overly clinical, the Radia CD5 delivers a wonderfully warm and natural presentation—more akin to the smooth, analogue sound of vinyl. Crucially, this warmth does not come at the expense of detail or musical insight. Instead, it strikes a perfect balance, offering a highly enjoyable and immersive listening experience, particularly impressive at this price point.

Keys To Ascension 2

To really test what this little Arcam is capable of, I decided to throw on a bit of Prog Rock (who’d have guessed?)—and it doesn’t get much proggier than this! My weapon of choice was Keys to Ascension 2 by Yes, a stunning mix of live and studio recordings, both beautifully played and even more beautifully recorded. For the real test, I went straight for Close to the Edge (yes, the entire thing), paying particular attention to the I Get Up, I Get Down section. This part of the track contains what might just be the deepest, most cavernous bass ever committed to CD, a true challenge for any player. The Radia CD5 took it all in its stride, handling the monstrous bass pedal section with absolute clarity and control, never losing definition or sounding muddled. Very, very impressive for a CD player at any price—let alone one at this level!

Discipline Is Never an End in Itself, Only a Means to an End

Next, I turned to something even more rhythmically demanding: Discipline, King Crimson’s eleventh studio album and the first featuring the legendary lineup of Fripp, Levin, Bruford, and Belew. If any track could reveal a CD player’s ability to untangle complex, interwoven patterns, it’s Elephant Talk. This track feels like a natural successor to Larks’ Tongues in Aspic—tribal, hypnotic, and relentlessly intricate. Bill Bruford’s drums twist and turn through shifting time signatures, Robert Fripp’s jagged, elephantine guitar attacks collide with Tony Levin’s subterranean Chapman Stick bass runs, and somehow, it all comes together in a mesmerising sonic tapestry. The Radia CD5 handled it masterfully, presenting a soundstage that stretched from wall to wall in our demo room, making the whole performance feel utterly immersive.

Now, I know some might argue that the amplifier and speakers are doing the bulk of the work here—but I’d have to disagree. After all, your system can only ever be as good as the source feeding it, and if that’s not up to scratch, nothing further down the chain can fix it. In this case, the source is nothing short of a marvel. The Arcam Radia CD5 doesn’t just play CDs—it brings them to life.

Thanks for reading!

Andy, Jon and Farid - Audio T Cheltenham Store.

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

Arcam is available in the following stores:

December 19, 2024

Audio T Cheltenham And The Year 2024 In Music

December 19, 2024/ Cheltenham

It is quite amazing how quickly yet another year has got behind us. I think that 2024 has quite probably been the best year for new releases in absolutely flippin’ ages. Possibly even since the vinyl revival began in earnest in 2006. I would just like to use up this blog time to take you through a few of my tip top favourites and hope that I may spur you on to try something new and to perhaps recommend something to me in return!

In No Particular Order

These five albums have been chosen for their power, passion and beauty. All have spent a great deal of time sat next to my Rega P7 turntable at home in my man cave ready to jump on the ceramic platter at a moments notice and all of them have come to mean a lot to me during the year. They are also of course (in that grand tradition of reality TV neutrality) in no particular order. So here we go….

All The Way From Barcelona

tarot parts one and two by magick brother and mystic sister

Ok so this first choice may be cheating a little. Barcelona based band Magick Brother And Mystic Sister released two albums during 2024. Tarot Part One arrived early on in the new year and then in December we were treated to (surprise surprise) Tarot Part Two to complete what is in effect a double concept album…. How prog rock is that? Stylistically their music is all ethereal floaty vocals with cosmic guitars, sitars, tablas, flutes, retro analogue synthesisers, and mellotrons. Here and there are littered hints of folkie experimenters Pentangle, Mike Oldfield, prime time Popol Vuh and Radio Gnome period Gong. All of this is moulded into a visionary sound that is totally their own. Spiritually uplifting, this is definitely 2024's prog rock masterpiece! Production and pressing quality is rather amazing too and all wrapped up in beautiful gatefold sleeves that when put together form a Tarot board. My copies both came with Tarot card reprints with handwritten messages from lead singer and synth wiz Eva Muntada (thanks Eva!).

the Tarot reading board created when two gatefolds come together

Flying Saucer Attack?

Second on the list is the Three Quarter Skies album, which is the side project of Slowdive drummer Simon Scott. You may wince at the thought of a solo album by a drummer, but here Scott ably assisted by illusive Flying Saucer Attack main man Dave Pearce, refracts his shoegazy psychyness expertly through a lattice of glitchy drums and buzzing synths. The expected elements - voice and guitar primarily - are melted into cosmic slop that I can't help but assume Pearce, who assisted Scott with the mixing, had a rather large hand in. There are songs in here somewhere but they are reduced to a bubbling ambience of dreamy fuzziness. Particular highlights are the last two tracks on side two. “Pictures Of Roslin” where walls of distortion and feedback are wrapped around a distant drum beat and a ghostly disembodied vocal and then the majestic “In The Night” which is the most overtly Flying Saucer Attack-like and quite possibly the most mind expanding slice of dreamy psychedelia you will hear this year.

Bleak And Beautiful

Next comes Lives Outgrown by Beth Gibbons. Here both the music and the sound quality are stunning. You may know Beth as the singer with genre defining trip hoppers, Portishead.

Here she collaborates with Lee Harris of TalkTalk and the resulting album is all at once eerie, spooky and well suited to the time of year. There is a little bit of Pink Floyd in here too and lyrically the album seems centered on fighting personal battles and then whatever may come after! The overall package is great too, coming in a retro effect tip-on gatefold sleeve with a studio booklet, art print and gatefold lyric sheet with pictures of Beth in blurry reflective mode.

One to file in between your Kate Bush and TalkTalk albums. As I touched upon before the sound quality of this album is amazing and the pressing is faultless. That bass thump at the end of the first track on side two “Reaching Out” is just awesome as is the bass and drum rumble on the track “Rewind” which has become one of my demonstration test pieces. The real star of the show though is just how well the vocals are recorded. There is space aplenty with a goosebump inducing palpable sense of reality As such this is the kind of album that will make your hi-fi system really sing and is one of 2024’s essential purchases.

The Return Of The Goths

Then we have a bit of an unexpected one. Songs Of A Lost World. The first album in sixteen years by The Cure. In my youth I was more than a bit of a goth and a huge fan of The Cure (among others) but after sixteen years I was rather dubious about whether the world needed another Cure album and turns out that yes it does! Anyway on its release day I gave it a listen on Qobuz and thought it was OK. Played it in the car too and after a couple or three plays it was growing on me so I bought a vinyl copy and what I previously thought was fair to average at best turned into a proper trippy powerhouse full of mangled gnarly guitar riffs, long instrumental passages and songs about loss, regret and growing old and wondering what your place in the real world might be? What also struck me was just how much better this is compared to the streamed version which sounds awfully flat. First track on side two Drone:No Drone is quite possibly the best thing they have ever committed to tape…. classic Cure! There was a hint of controversy regarding which pressing to go for as there was a Miles Showell Abbey Road cut, a double 45rpm version of the same, various coloured vinyl versions and a Bernie Grundman cut on black and grey swirly vinyl. I plumped for the last one and have not been in the least bit disappointed, it sounds amazing and really brings out the powerful psychedelia. I think it’s their best since 1989’s Disintegration!

Enjoy The Mildlife

My last choice here is a stunner both musically and sound quality wise. This one is titled Chorus and is the third studio album from Australian psychedelic jazz fusion prog dance group Mildlife. All their albums are wonderful and this one from March this year is no exception. Sinewy bass guitar and drum rhythms collide with virtuoso guitar and keyboards. Chorus is the dance of an expanding and contracting universe – its groove is forever and always, cyclical and evolving. In its most human moments, the album luxuriates in the velvety embrace of Tomas Shanahan’s bass lines, Adam Halliwell’s luminous guitar riffs, Kevin McDowell’s hushed and alluring vocals and synthesisers, Jim Rindfleish’s intricate percussive tapestries and the spiritual rhythms of regular collaborator Craig Shanahan. Swept up in the chorus, the lines between individual and ensemble disappear into a giant cosmic blur. Chorus has become one of my all time favourite hi-fi system demo albums. Just listen and marvel at that bass guitar and percussion attack on opening track Forever and the delightfully dreamy vocoder led spaced out funk groove of Return To Centaurus. If you don’t adore it you can’t be my friend!

Honourable Mentions Go To…

There have been lots of great things this year and honourable mentions must also go to Futuropaco, Goat, Flock, Mdou Moctar, Laura Marling, Blood Incantation, Opeth, Tapir, Pye Corner Audio, Jane Weaver and Hollow Drifter (phew!).

Watch Out For The Big Reveal Coming Soon…!

For my ultimate fave and number one album of 2024 watch out for my next Instagram/Facebook post coming soon!

Thanks for reading!

Andy, Jon and Farid - (but mainly Andy) Audio T Cheltenham Store.

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

November 29, 2024

Audio T Cheltenham And The New Dynaudio Contour Legacy Loudspeakers

November 29, 2024/ Audio T Cheltenham/ Cheltenham

Now at Audio T Cheltenham - All the way from Skanderborg in Denmark and part of the intriguingly named Heritage Collection this brand new re-working of the Contour 1.8 compact floorstanders promises to shift a few goalposts…

Nice Chunky Wooden Crates

packed in wooden crates just to make sure they arrive in perfect condition

They arrive perfectly secure in their own bespoke packaging which is reassuring and adds to that sense of anticipation when opening the sturdy wooden crate.

Fresh Out Of Their Boxes

While I’m not usually one to get excited about packaging (and those endless unboxing videos online often make me cringe), I couldn’t resist capturing the moment. I promise it won’t become a habit—honest!

A Little Bit Of Tech Stuff

The Contour Legacy are a two and a half way rear reflex ported design using the cutting edge tech of Dynaudio’s own top end Esotar 3 tweeter and two 180mm bass/mid range drive units as used in the Evidence range. Each Contour Legacy speaker weighs in at a fairly hefty 32.5 kg and measures just 20.8 x 35.2 x 99.5 cm (WxDxH). They are very carefully matched as a pair, in a beautiful and sustainably sourced American Walnut wood. Although outwardly they closely resemble the old Contour 1.8’s that they are based upon, they are actually very different beasts!

that solid metal base plate and super chunky binding posts / banana sockets

The spike connections to the hefty metal bases are rock-solid, providing excellent stability for the speakers. Meanwhile, the gold-plated banana sockets not only ensure a premium connection but also radiate a sense of high-quality craftsmanship that perfectly complements the overall design.

What’s Around The Back

The two rear-facing bass ports play a crucial role in the Contour Legacy's ability to deliver deep, seismic bass extension. They allow the speakers to produce a low-end response that feels powerful yet controlled, adding depth and impact to your music..

Initial Listening Tests

While the Contour Legacy might closely resemble the original Contour 1.8s - including a reproduction of the classic logo on the front - don’t let appearances fool you. Having had the chance to spend time with a pair of the original Contour 1.8s earlier this year I know they are a really good speaker. However, I can confidently say the Legacy models are in a league of their own, and easily out perform the earlier version.

One track that truly showcased their capabilities was Soothing by Laura Marling from the Semper Femina album. From the very first notes, I was struck by how jaw-dropping the bass extension was. The depth and scale felt almost unreal for a speaker of this size. What’s even more impressive is the control and definition in the low end—it’s effortlessly precise, setting a new benchmark in performance for compact floorstanders.

Just Wow!

The Contour Legacy breezed through another of my go-to bass test tracks—Evolution 1:1 by Connect.Ohm from the album 9980. This spaced-out, psychedelic ambient classic put their capabilities on full display. What stood out wasn’t just the subterranean depth and impeccable control of the bassline but also the immense soundstage they created.

This is one of those tracks I thought I knew inside out, yet the Legacies revealed layers of detail I’d never noticed before. My listening notes summed it up with a simple, emphatic “WOW” in capital letters—a reaction I don’t jot down lightly.

And bear in mind, this was straight out of the box. Once these speakers are fully run in, they promise to deliver a genuine taste of high-end performance at a price that’s surprisingly reasonable.

The Bit At The End

The only downside to all of this? The Contour Legacy speakers are a limited edition, with just 1,000 pairs available worldwide—and only 52 of those allocated to the UK. They’re bound to sell out quickly, so don’t hang about if you’re tempted!

If you’d like to hear the difference these incredible Dynaudios can make to your Hi-Fi system, give us a call or visit the shop for a demo. Trust me, you’ll be absolutely blown away by how good they sound.

Thanks for reading!

Andy, Jon and Farid - Audio T Cheltenham Store.

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

Dynaudio can be found at the following Audio T stores -

October 30, 2024

Audio T Cheltenham and the Audio Technica AT-VM Moving Magnet Cartridge Family

October 30, 2024/ Audio T Cheltenham/ Cheltenham

Audio Technica have been making phono cartridges for more than a few years now and have got rather good at it! The VM range are so good that I have been inspired to dedicate this months blog to them and explain why one of them may well be just what your turntable needs for Christmas. (Blimey have I mentioned the C word already!)

A Bit Of Background Info

Audio Technica was started by Hideo Matsushita from a small flat in 1962. He was disillusioned by the expensive options around at the time and wanted to make brilliance affordable to everyone. The first Audio Technica cartridge was called the AT-1 (must have taken the marketing department a while to come up with that name!)

Affordable Brilliance

Altogether the Audio Technica VM 95 range consists of five beautifully packaged cartridges (not counting the 78 version) all of which share the same body but all of which use very different styli, and are the epitome of that company philosophy of affordable brilliance. The cartridge is a vitally important link in the reproductive cycle, being the bit that turns the mechanical movement of the needle (stylus) in the record groove into an electrical signal.

The VM95C

The cheapest of the range is the VM95C. The C stands for conical which is the most basic of all the stylus profile shapes and will be mostly used with basic entry level turntables. Also very easy to install and the conical stylus profile is not so fussy about perfect alignment in the turntable head-shell.

The VM95E

Second up from the bottom of the range comes the VM95E. The E here meaning that the stylus profile is elliptical. This gives a little more contact of the stylus with the groove wall of a record thus making the sound a tad more detailed and refined. This one is the perfect go to as an entry level upgrade for older turntables with worn out cartridges or styli or newer decks that have cheap pre fitted cartridges.

The VM95EN

The middle of the range brings us to the VM95EN. This stylus profile is an eliptical nude refinement of the cheaper 95E giving it more groove contact and greater fidelity.

The VM95ML

Just one down from the top of comes the VM95ML. The ML signifies that this stylus tip is microlinear in profile. This almost exactly duplicates the shape of the cutting stylus that produces the original master disc (the disc used to create the pressed vinyl record). This likeness enables the microlinear stylus to track portions of the record groove that other styli just cannot reach. This results in extremely accurate tracing of high frequencies and a flat frequency response within the audible range. This unique multi-faceted shape also wears more evenly,greatly extending record and stylus life…..good eh!

The VM95SH

Sitting proudly at the top of the VM range comes the VM95SH. This has an even narrower stylus tip. This gives a beautiful mid range and improved extension at the top end. Also being much kinder on record groove wear too! It does require more precise alignment and set than do conical and elliptical styli though.

Added Bonus

All models of VM95 Series cartridges use the same electromagnetic engine-body, therefore all of the replacement styli are perfectly compatible with each other. This has the added bonus that cartridges can be used for years just by replacing the interchangeable stylus. It is no longer necessary to buy a complete cartridge when your diamond is worn out, you can simply buy the matching replacement stylus, but also enjoy the experience of upgrading your cartridge with a better stylus should you feel the need.

No Nuts

VM95 Series cartridges are all fitted with two M2.6 threaded inserts allowing easy installation of the cartridge onto tonearm or removable head-shell without the use of nuts. Each cartridge is provided with one pair of 8mm M2.6 screws, one pair of 11mm M2.6 screws and two plastic washers. Personally I would do away with the screws and washers and use a couple of nice bolts of just the right length.

The Red Hot Favourite

Out of the whole range my favourite one is the 95ML. It is a great upgrade for so many turntable and arm combinations. It has this great knack of sounding both full bodied and yet delicate at the same time. Sound staging can be goosbumpingly gorgeous and can put many a much more expensive cartridge to shame! Bass reproduction is fast and bulbous, tight also! I always look forward to listening to one of these and just know that if a turntable has one of these little gems fitted to it that it will sound sweet, musical and fun all at the same time!

Get A Demo

If you fancy hearing the difference that an Audio Technica AT-VM95 series cartridge make to your turntable, please give us a call or pop along to the shop for a demo. There’s free fitting too!

Many thanks for reading… Andy, Jon and Farid - Audio T Cheltenham Store.

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

Audio Technica can be found at the following Audio T stores

September 23, 2024

Introducing the New Rega ND5 Phono Cartridge

September 23, 2024/ Audio T Cheltenham/ Cheltenham

Well this is about time! You wait 20 years for a new moving magnet cartridge from Rega and then three turn up all at once! Blogwise this month is all about the middle one of the three, the ND5. So strap yourself in and here we go…..

The Power Of Neodymium

The technology behind the ND5 is pretty radical. Based upon the glass filled polyphenylene sulphide body (PPS) which is a lightweight and highly rigid material that Rega developed for their expensive Moving Coil series of cartridges, the ND5 is actually their first moving magnet design ever to use a Neodymium magnet (that accounts for the ND bit in the name). Neodymium is the world’s most powerful commercially available magnet and is a crucial component that makes this unique design possible by delivering more power than standard bar magnet designs can.

Magnetic Attraction

I was recently lucky enough to be in a position where I could compare the ND5 to the outgoing Exact which up until now has been the top of the range moving magnet from Rega. Both cartridges were mounted on to Rega P3 turntables so the playing field was as level as it’s going to get.

Precision Perfect

I can report back that the difference is not subtle! The new ND5 soundly trouncing the outgoing Exact in every department and the Exact is a pretty capable performer in its own right. What struck me immediately was just how much more open and sweeter sounding the ND5 was and how much more grip and grunt was present. The soundstage window was bigger in all dimensions too. This is partly down to the fact that the ND5 has an aluminium cantilever which is fitted with a precision perfect elliptical nude diamond stylus. This profile provides exceptional tracking accuracy and extracts greater levels of detail from the vinyl groove.

The ND5’s secret weapon is an optimised pole gap which gives superior linearity and cross talk characteristics. This manifests itself in a far wider soundstage than the previous models. It also has miniaturised parallel coils which are wound in house using 38-micron wire with just 1275 turns. This produces a low inductance, low impedance generator giving vastly improved high frequency response.

I also noted that surface noise was also reduced compared to the Exact. I suspect because the ND5 stylus profile is getting more information out of the grooves compared with the clicks and pops. I played a variety of my favourite demo tracks from the likes of Yello (natch), Nils Petter Molvaer (ECM), Alan Parsons Project (I Robot) and Porcupine Tree (prog brilliance), but the biggest difference came when I played the brand new album by Three Quarter Skies (Fade In).

Bubbling and Fuzzy

Three Quarter Skies is the side project of Slowdive drummer, Simon Scott. You may wince at the thought of a solo album by a drummer, but here Scott ably assisted by illusive Flying Saucer Attack main man Dave Pearce, refracts his shoegazy psychyness expertly through a lattice of glitchy drums and buzzing synths. The expected elements - voice and guitar, primarily - are melted into cosmic slop that I can't help but assume Pearce, who assisted Scott with the mixing, had a rather large hand in. There are songs in here somewhere but they are reduced to a bubbling ambience of dreamy fuzzyness.

Particular highlights are the last two tracks on side two. “Pictures Of Roslin” where walls of distortion and feedback are wrapped around a distant drum beat and a ghostly disembodied vocal and then the majestic “In The Night” which is the most overtly Flying Saucer Attack-like and quite possibly the most mind expanding slice of dreamy psychedelia you will hear this side of prime time Popol Vuh. I think that this kind of music only truly gives up its magic when being played at 33/3 rpm on vinyl on a good record deck with a good cartridge….enter the Rega ND5.

that precision perfect elliptical nude diamond stylus in action

The Main Difference

In conclusion I think that the main difference that the ND5 made over the Exact was that sense of three dimensionality became so much bigger. There wasn’t necessarily more bass or more top-end, there was just more music hanging in the air in front of me… a truly mesmerising experience. The performance of the P3 turntable has been substantially improved and it was pretty nifty before!

Get A Demo

If you fancy hearing the difference that an ND5 can make to your turntable or if you are interested in trying it attached to the Planar 3, Planar 6 or your own turntable, please give us a call or pop along to the shop for a demo.

Many thanks for reading Andy, Jon and Farid -

Audio T Cheltenham Store.

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

Rega can be found at the following Audio T stores

August 30, 2024

Audio T Cheltenham and That Double Sub Thing!

August 30, 2024/ Audio T Cheltenham/ Cheltenham

After my last blog on the rather lovely Advance Paris X-CD9 Compact Disc spinner, I found myself with an afternoon to kill and the urge to experiment. I had already setup the aforementioned valve CD player in the demo room, which I partnered with the equally delightful Advance Paris X-i75 amplifier and some rather great sounding Acoustic Energy AE500 loudspeakers sat upon the visually striking Solid Steel SS6 speaker stands. What happened next took my breath away!

I added two REL T5x subwoofers just to see what would happen…

Pushing Boundaries

I am all for trying to push the boundaries of performance versus cash outlay when choosing a hi-fi system. This little experiment involves the underused practice of installing double subs. Yes! You read that right! Two subs… one for the bass on the left channel and one for the bass on the right channel.

Hocus Pocus

Now the boffins at REL will feed you all sorts of scientific malarkey about pressuring the room and how the addition of double subwoofers will not only improve the deep bass but will also make the mid band open up and spookily will even make that top end sound sweeter and more succinctly detailed. I never used to believe this hocus pocus witchcraftery, but recently I have seen the light and become a bit of a convert.

It’s all down to fixing what’s going on down low so that all the harmonics are able to rise.

Stage Right Rel T5x and Acoustic energy ae500

Get The Balance Right

Experimentation with positioning was important. With the subs too far apart and close to the corners of the room the bass was all woolly and indistinct with a hole in the middle. With the subs placed near to and just to the outside of the speakers the soundstage really snapped into life. Careful dialling in of the crossover point and volume was necessary too, but it didn’t take too long to find the ideal settings to seamlessly integrate with the AE500.

Plugs And Wires

Wiring this system was simple. The REL subwoofers are supplied with all the necessary cables. The yellow and red cables are twisted together and connect in to the positive binding post and the black cable connects to the negative binding post. This process is repeated for the other channel. The left and right speakers are plugged in to the binding posts with the banana plugs on the ends of the speaker cables. The picture below will make this clear!

How to wire up two subwoofers at the same time

The First Rule Of Double Sub Club

Rule number one when using subwoofers for music replay in a stereo system is that they absolutely must be fed a signal from the loudspeaker outputs of the amplifier. If this does not happen then subs and speakers will be getting their signal from different places and will be significantly out of phase with each other to the degree that they will never be able to provide a cohesive signal.

Everything I played on this lovely little system sounded amazing!

REL are right. The little details at the top end become sweeter and more extended and are easier to hear against the background. The mid band becomes deeper and wider almost like the walls of the demo room are not there and music comes at you from three dimensional space.

Semi Permeable Men-Brain

The album that astounded me the most on the double sub system was the first album by Prog rock monsters, Diagonal. Released in 2006 this one is the first of four albums all of which merit investigation.

Information about Diagonal is hard to come by. They don’t seem to have a website and their Facebook page just directs you to their record company’s page on Bandcamp. Spotify’s “About” box simply says, “English Progressive Rock/Psych band – originally from Brighton”. Google hits are all about the line joining the opposite corners of a rectangle or the “diagonal band of Broca”, which Wikipedia says is “one of the basal forebrain structures that are derived from the ventral telencephalon during development”. Not very helpful.

Diagonal....look 'em up they are wonderful

The song that benefited the most from this system set up was the first track, intriguingly titled Semi Permeable Men-Brain, a ten minute long 21st century schizoid jerk off apocalypse with more weird time signature changes than even the Guards Of Magog could summon down from the skies. This track is a no compromise full on prog/psyche wig out of the highest quality and this system made it sound so huge that you could just fall in to the soundstage and fly away!

The Bit At The End

As you can tell I kinda quite like this system and I think that you might too. If your interest has been piqued even just a tiny bit then pop in or give us a call and arrange a listen for yourself. The kettle is always on and we usually have biscuits too!

Many thanks for reading Andy, Jon and Farid -

Audio T Cheltenham Store.

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

Advance Paris, Acoustic Energy and Solid Steel and REL can be found at the following Audio T stores

July 25, 2024

The Advance Paris X-CD9 CD Player lands at Audio T Cheltenham

July 25, 2024/ Audio T Cheltenham/ Cheltenham

OK… we are so super excited about this new (to us) and fairly exclusive French brand, Advance Paris. With 25 years experience in their home market, Advance Paris started out as Advance Acoustic in 1995 with a range of five loudspeakers. After expanding its speaker range, Advance Acoustic began working on electronic products in 2002, launching its first integrated amplifier in 2004. This integrated amplifier laid the aesthetic and technological foundations for Advance Paris products as they are today. VU meters, valves and massive amplifiers play a major part in the makeup of the brand's DNA. The first product under the Advance Paris brand was launched in 2013. Advance Paris is now international and sells its products in over 40 countries, bringing a sophisticated French touch to listening rooms all around the world.

Valve Close Up

The reassuring warm orangey glow of valves

Amongst all of the lovely Frenchness from Advance Paris comes the rather lovely X-CD9 Compact Disc player which will be the subject of this little blog. The X-CD9 comes armed with both analog and digital outputs. The analogue output though has something rather special: as you can see on the above picture of the front panel, the comforting orangey glow of two miniature audio valves which provide a musical signal devoid of any aggressiveness to your amplifier.

Classic Good Looks

Great care has been taken in powering this CD player using a toroidal transformer. It provides a stable and clean power supply for all analogue and digital circuits such as the CD mechanism, laser control and digital-to-analogue converter (DAC).

Equipped with coaxial (RCA) and optical (TOSLINK) digital outputs, unbalanced (RCA) and balanced (XLR) analogue outputs, the X-CD9 could just be the ideal CD player for your Hi-Fi system and your large CD collection.

Pleasantly Surprising

I have spent rather a lot of time over the past week or so listening to this rather sexy slimline CD player as it has been going through the running in process. It started off well enough fresh out of the box but after being on now for about 100 hours it has begun to sound rather wonderful. The sound is warm and super smooth and for a CD player is very analoguey (hey I’ve invented a new word). I suspect that this warmth is the effect of those two valves on the audio output stage. I love the fact that it uses a proper drawer loading mechanism too, I am not a fan of slot loaders personally so that is another tick in another box. Internally the X-C D9 uses top quality Woolfson DACs not used so much these days but still up there with the absolute best. The CD mech itself sits on a sprung sub-chassis to cancel out any deleterious effects from both outside and internal vibrations. What all of this amounts to is that the X-CD9 performs way above what I would normally expect from a player at this price point (£890*). There has not been a single disc go through this player that I have not been very pleasantly surprised by.

Hag

I have had especially fine results with the track “Hag” off the self titled album by the band Storm Corrosion.

Storm Corrosion is the 2012 collaboration between modern prog rock geniuses Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree fame and Mikael Akerfeldt from Opeth. Based upon both of these guys home bands I was expecting some kind of riff monster of an album but what transpired was just the opposite. This album is quiet and spaced out. There is a spooky other worldliness going on here that took me totally by surprise. To start with, I was not at all sure that it was any good but over the past few years it has grown on me to the extent that now it is one of my go-to demo albums.

Played on the Advance Paris X-CD9 the soundstage is huge in every direction. When the bass kicks in the malevolent evil beauty of this track really becomes apparent.

Elekro Kardiogramm

Another favourite demo piece is the track, Elektro Kardiogramm, from the Tour De France Soundtracks album by total legends Kraftwerk. It is possible for some CD players to make this track sound a tad bright and sterile but not here. The X-CD9 turns this track into a multi dimensional robotic elecro-lurch and just when you think that bass has gone down really low… It goes down a little bit more! Wow, this player is seriously good!

Summing Up

All I can really say is that this unit breathes new life into the CD player market at anywhere near its own more than reasonable price. I have heard many much more expensive CD players sound a lot worse than this little marvel. The Advance Paris X-CD9 is most definitely an entry level audiophile product and as such demands a place on your demonstration short list.

Many thanks for reading Andy, Jon and Farid -

Audio T Cheltenham Store.

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

Advance Paris can be found at the following Audio T stores

*All prices, credit terms and interest rates quoted are correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to change. E&OE

June 26, 2024

Audio T Cheltenham and The SME Model 12 Mk 2 Turntable

June 26, 2024/ Audio T Cheltenham/ Cheltenham

“This is no ordinary turntable” is the first thing you read upon opening up the instruction book for this sexy beast of a vinyl spinner. Well then let’s put that bold statement to the test then shall we?

First The History Lesson…

SME is without doubt one of the hi-fi world’s most iconic brands. Founded in 1946 by audio legend Alastair Robertson-Aikman in West Sussex. Today SME is recognised as makers of one of the finest precision turntables and tonearms in the world. Entirely made in house with state of the art manufacturing processes, complemented by traditional craftsmanship methods. SME audio has evolved from 75 years of engineering excellence, innovation and perfection, delivering precise and pure audio reproduction.

Then The Science Bit…

The Model 12A MK2 is a precision turntable of high mass made to exacting engineering standards for high performance. The chassis and sub-chassis are CNC machined from premium grade aluminium billet. The sub-chassis is suspended on an advanced isolation system for primary resonance control and houses the main bearing, platter and tonearm. Four fully adjustable feet are mechanically de-coupled from the main chassis by isolators providing base resonance control.

The main spindle is 19mm precision machined from high chrome tool steel, ground, super finished and supported in a sealed housing with individually fitted sintered bronze bearings of generous proportions needed for precise bearing and platter rotation.

The platter is machined from aluminium alloy and weighs over 4.6kg. Extensionally dampened with the top surface iso-damp, diamond-turned with a fine scroll for acoustic performance. This method of finishing upsets a myriad of tiny fibres which interface with the underside of the vinyl record. A substantial record clamp operating on the reflex principle ensures the largest possible platter contact even when appreciable record warp is present.

The motor conforms to the highest standards of silent running and the turntable is driven by a custom made bi-phase AC synchronous motor controlled by a highly advanced speed control unit providing precise speed accuracy and stability.

The MK2 Model 12 comes equipped with a Model 309 tonearm with internal wiring by Crystal Cable as standard. Tonearm choice can be upgraded to the superior Series IV or V if you so wish.

The Speed Control Box…

The Speed Control Unit uses a dedicated DSP engine to generate two independent pure mathematical sine waves which provide total control of frequency, phase relationship and amplitude. These in turn are matched (tuned) to the motor for accuracy to obtain the best possible performance.

The speed range is 33.33 and 45rpm with independent memory settings via a switched encoder. Fine pitch speed increments/decrements of +/-0.01% of the selected speed are made by a rotary control on the Speed Control Unit fascia. The SCU case is CNC machined from billet aluminium. A separate mains Power Unit keeps the transformer away from the SCU and importantly separated from the turntable audio signal cables.

The Dynavector 10x5 Mk2 looks good in the 309 arm

We have chosen to partner the SME up with the Dynavector 10X5 Mk2 moving coil cartridge. A combination that works exceedingly well.

Time for a listen

When presented with a new turntable such as this I always like to refer back to a couple of favourite demo albums of mine. Both are really good at telling me how a turntable is performing but both are very different from each other.

First under the clamp is I Robot by The Alan Parsons Project. Not the standard version but the Mobile Fidelity double vinyl edition with the album spread over four sides and playing at 45 rpm for extra detail and bandwidth. I always side one track one which just so happens to be the title track. All swirly synthesisers and female vocals morph into a rhythmic hypnotic electronic Tangerine Dreamy pulsing with snappy drums then choral vocals to form a very Pink Floyd like funky melange which the SME portrayed beautifully. Has to be one of the best times I have ever had whilst listening to this old favourite. Just stunning… especially the separation of the band from the wordless choral vocals…..just beautiful.

Next on my test album list was the three sided live bootleg of one of my all time favourite bands Ash Ra Tempel. Being a bootleg this one is not the nth degree in sound quality that the Alan Parsons Project is but hey I love it and for a turntable to be my friend it has to make this Krautrock gem sound OK. And boy does it! Again quite possibly the best I have ever heard it. I always go for the track Ooze Away on the Red Side of the album. Spaced out drums emerge from an ambient freak out elecrosludge and when the drums kick in it becomes truly transportative (is that even a word? Tis now!).

Summing Up

Here we have what is without doubt one of the great turntables from one of the great turntable manufacturers. If you are in the market for that one vinyl spinner to last you the rest of your life and provide your hifi system with the source signal it so richly deserves this could quite possibly be it. Me? I will love it forever just because it makes my 1973 Ash Ra Temple bootleg sound sooooooo good. Audio perfection…Nuff said!

Many thanks for reading

Andy, Jon and Farid - Audio T Cheltenham Store.

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

The SME Model 12 Mk2 can be found at the following Audio T store

CHELTENHAM

Dynavector can be found at the following Audio T stores

May 31, 2024

Audio T Cheltenham Gets Closer To The Source!

May 31, 2024/ Audio T Cheltenham/ Cheltenham

I would just like to deviate a little from the normal style of my articles and take the opportunity with this one to put forward some musings as to exactly which component within a hi-fi system is the most important!

Sources For Courses

To this extent there are those who will put forward the view that the source component (turntable, compact disc player, DAC, streamer, FM tuner, etc) is the most important part of the system as it is the provider of that all important signal at the very beginning of the chain. Indeed if you are an audiophile of a certain age you may well remember that old Linn mantra of “Garbage In, Garbage Out.” True to an extent I will grant you but let’s see where this train of thought goes!

Speakers Corner

Then of course, perhaps the biggest perceivable difference to a hi-fi system may well be entirely down to the loudspeaker choice and how it interacts with not only the rest of the system components but also (very importantly) the room within which they are being used.

Very often rooms are entirely the cause of lousy sounding hi-fi systems (this subject may well be worth a blog all of its very own!). Of all the components in your set-up, the loudspeaker’s job is probably the most difficult in a never ending battle against the laws of physics to reproduce that believable three dimensional sound-space that hangs in the air in front of you from a relatively small box. And of course just to baffle you even more, there are so many of them!

Control Freaks

Next comes the amplifier conundrum. Does it drive your loudspeakers adequately? More importantly is it degrading that all important delicate music signal before it even reaches your loudspeakers. It undoubtedly is a very important part of the system chain enabling the selection of signals from various inputs and sending them on for the speakers to do whatever they can with them. Skimp here and be damned.

It’s Just A Piece of Wire Isn’t It?

Loudspeaker cables and interconnects are also very important to consider being as they are essentially the finishing touch to the system chain. They need to be compatible with the system components and most importantly not do any harm to the music signal. Do you mix and match cable brands or should you stick with one manufacturer for all. That will quite probably only become apparent upon careful experimenting and listening.

All of these are very important questions to be taken into account and all will need very careful consideration whilst you choose your new hi-fi system or upgrade your existing one.

But here’s the thing…

Isn’t the most important part of the hi-fi system and potentially it’s limiting factor entirely down to your choice of music and the quality of the recording that you play on it?

I would argue that yes, using that old Linn “Garbage in, Garbage out” theory, the ultimate source of the hi-fi system becomes the music played on it. For example, this will more often than not be on my preferred vinyl format and the record that prompted this little rant which is… Alpha by legendary prog rock supergroup, Asia. Now this album ain’t gonna sound good on anything ‘cos it sounds LOUSY! It’s a real shame as in there somewhere are some very pretty tunes by some top notch musicians. We have the collected talents of Geoff Downes from Buggles and Yes, Steve Howe also from Yes, Carl Palmer from ELP and John Wetton formerly of Family and King Crimson, so it should be all good. Sadly, that is not the case.

The sound is bright and flat with no depth, no width and no perceptible bass on it at all. I have played this album so many times on so many great and good hi-fi systems and have never ever got it to sound good. You would never want to use this one as a demonstration album.

Oh well… at least the beautiful cover artwork by prog legend, Roger Dean, is great. I think if the cover art was lousy I would probably have binned it a long time ago! It is still one of my guilty pleasures though and gets an outing every once in a while- if only to remind myself how good it could have been.

The Flip Side

Lives Outgrown by Beth Gibbons…Timeless classic!

Now this is the polar opposite of the album by Asia. This little gem is the brand new album from Beth Gibbons called Lives Outgrown. And both the music and the sound quality are stunning. You may know Beth as the singer with genre defining trip hoppers, Portishead.

Here she collaborates with Lee Harris of TalkTalk and the resulting album is all at once eerie, spooky and well suited to the time of year. There is a little bit of Pink Floyd in here too and lyrically the album seems centered on fighting personal battles and then whatever may come after! The overall package is great too, coming in a retro effect tip-on gatefold sleeve with a studio booklet, art print and gatefold lyric sheet with pictures of Beth in blurry reflective mode.

One to file next to Out Of Season and in between Kate Bush and TalkTalk. As I touched upon before the sound quality of this album is amazing and the pressing is faultless. That bass thump at the end of the first track on side two “Reaching Out” is just awesome. The real star of the show is just how well the vocals are recorded. There is space aplenty with a goosebump inducing palpable sense of reality As such this is the kind of album that will make your hi-fi system really sing. And that is what I mean when I say that the most important part of your hi-fi system and the gateway to the best musical experience will always be the music you play on it… I rest my case m’lud!

Many thanks for reading

Andy, Jon and Farid - Audio T Cheltenham Store.

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

April 24, 2024

Cheltenham and the Acoustic Energy Corinium

April 24, 2024/ Audio T Cheltenham/ Cheltenham

The anticipation regarding the release of the new Acoustic Energy flagship loudspeaker had been reaching fever pitch in the weeks running up to their release earlier in the year. Our pair are now well and truly run-in and sound sooooo lovely, I thought I just had to shout about them a little via our monthly blog…

looking rather gorgeous in British Racing Green

Matt Spandl, who is the resident genius, chief designer and general loudspeaker whisperer at Acoustic Energy has been working on the Corinium project for three years now, squirreled away in his secret laboratory on a converted farm in deepest darkest Tetbury on the edge of the Cotswolds. Helped out in no small fashion by a certain James Luce, who is responsible for the funky design work, the two of them have produced one of the best loudspeakers we have ever heard. And that goes for both looks and sound!

Blue meanie digs our demo pair of coriniums

this colour is called Tectona…that’s posh speak for teak!

Why the name “Corinium”? Well, Cirencester (in the beautiful English Cotswolds) was hometown to Acoustic Energy for more than 25 years and also happened to be an important outpost in Roman Britain. In fact it was the most important town outside of London and the Romans named it Corinium Dobunnorum because they knew that at some stage in the future, someone from Cirencester would need a funky name to call their new statement loudspeakers!

Nothing has been left to chance here. Every component, every curve, every position point of the drive units and their precise specification has been painstakingly researched and refined over three years and the result is the best Acoustic Energy speaker that I have ever heard, and that includes the legendary AE1 from back in the eighties.

Build quality is reassuringly rock solid and included are super stable spiked bases designed to dump cabinet vibrations out of the speaker (where it would adversely affect the drive units) and into the floor.

Speaker cable connections are provided via a a single pair of binding posts/banana terminals. Acoustic Energy believe it’s possible to obtain optimum results using a single pair of high quality speaker cables rather than two pairs of lower quality cables… And it avoids the unreliability of bridging links.

super chunky speaker sockets/binding posts

The Coriniums offer superlative performance at their price and are a massive upgrade over the company’s previous ‘flagship’ floorstander, the AE520 which is pretty much half the price, but the Coriniums are more than twice as good.

Matt and James’ aim was to make the high end more affordable and boy have they delivered on that. Now that our demonstration pair are nicely run in (and that does make a difference) they are proving to be a proper jaw dropper. On the end of a suitably capable amplifier the Coriniums could well just be the perfect loudspeaker.

I have recently been streaming the Hi-Res 24 bit 96kHz ECM Records playlist on Qobuz with which the Coriniums have been making wonderous noises. With music such as this it is often not so much a case of the actual performance as the space around it, within which the individual musicians react to and bounce off each other. I think that music that is recorded this well finds its perfect match with the Coriniums.

Amongst all the beautiful ECM music that Qubuz was streaming at me these two sounded particularly lovely. Firstly Gesualdo by Erkki-Sven Tuur and Brett Dean.

And then the even more lovely Silent Light by Dominic Miller.

Through the Coriniums I was experiencing a level of detail, sound staging and bass depth that is as good as many bigger and more expensive loudspeakers. They have the ability to wring out the power, the emotion and the scale of whatever music they play.

Acoustic Energy have been making some of the world’s best loudspeakers since 1987 and these are definitely their best to date! They must be very proud of themselves.

Never before from a cabinet of this size have I heard a stereo image so wide, so deep and so high that you feel you can reach out and touch the performers. Looking at my notes from the listening session the word “real” was written large and in capitals across the middle of the page.

dID I MENTION THE BRITISH RACING GREEN PAIR

If you would like to know why these new speaker stars are kicking up a bit of a fuss in the hi-fi world there is a rather good and in depth Q&A about the development of the Coriniums with Matt Spandl on the Acoustic Energy website so pay it a visit here. More importantly perhaps get yourself a demo at one of our Audio T Stores… You will be impressed.

There is an absolute avalanche of great reviews for the Coriniums and the accolades are coming thick and fast…

Many thanks for reading.

Andy, Jon and Farid - Audio T Cheltenham Store.

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

Acoustic Energy can be found at the following Audio T stores -

March 22, 2024

Audio T Cheltenham And The Neat Acoustics Classic Elite

March 22, 2024/ Audio T Cheltenham/ Cheltenham

Neat Acoustics have been suppliers of funky stuff to needy audiophiles for a rather large number of years now, and have become rather good at it too! Here in the Cheltenham store we needed something fun to do while the Gold Cup horse racing shenanigans had scared away all but the bravest (or foolish) of our customers. So we asked Bob Surgeoner, (the boss man and resident design genius at Neat), if he could send us a pair of the new Classic Elite floorstanding loudspeakers to give us something to look forward too and like he always does… He said yes!

In 2022, Neat launched the first model in its new Classic range with a new version of the legendary Petite. This giant-killing little speaker became an immediate success with a succession of exceptional reviews and awards, leading to a demand for a floorstanding companion for the mighty stand-mounter. So, looking once again to the company’s legacy products, it was deemed appropriate to revive the Classic Elite, a model last in production in 2016.

Like the Petite Classic, the new version of the Elite retains the outer dimensions of the original model, but with updated drive units and a completely redesigned crossover. Designed to work well in smaller listening spaces, this latest design brings a full-range performance without dominating the living room.

The bass-mid driver is the latest version of Neat’s own R3 doped paper cone unit, the same as used in the flagship Ultimatum range, and the tweeter is the remarkable AMT (Air Motion Transformer) from the Petite.

These superb drive units are seamlessly blended by a minimalist crossover using carefully chosen components of the highest quality.

The staggered port tuning through the base and the rear of the cabinet contributes to the clean, defined and rhythmic bass response. Along with superlative treble performance from the Air Motion Transformer tweeter, the Classic Elite combines all the usual Neat trademarks of clarity, musical engagement and a convincing soundstage in a compact and elegant cabinet.

Available in a choice of oak and walnut real wood veneers (which look lovely) and satin black and satin white.

Tuned port venting downward at a precise space and spiked bases too

According to the blurb these speakers can reproduce bass right down to 25hz! so I chose to put that to the test with one of my favourite demo tracks, Hey Now by London Grammar from their first album, which is called If You Wait.

This album is beautifully recorded and is pressed up over four sides each playing at 45 rpm for extra dynamism and it works too! As part of a system with the Rega P8 turntable with the Ania Pro cartridge feeding the Rega Elicit amplifier it was obvious right from the start of the track that something really rather good was about to happen and when at the 1 minute and 20 seconds point the bass drops in it is astonishingly subterranean. But here’s a thing that took me totally by surprise, the whole sound was beautifully airy and open with the delicate shimmering guitar in the background coming over like I had never heard it before (and believe me I have heard it many many times…) Hannah’s vocal soars out of the boxes and floats in the space created between the loudspeakers, a goosebumps moment! This was levels of bottom end combined with detail retrieval not normally associated with speakers this small or at this price level. Very cleverly that deep deep bass never gets in the way of the rest of the performance. everything remains clean and open with that rare ability to let you follow every little nuance that is going on in the music all at the same time…which is just wonderful!

To sum up all I can say is that the Neat Classic Elites are shockingly good value for money. They are easy to drive and so sound good on more modest amplification, however, if they are properly driven with a top quality source and a good amp they really spring to life like no other speaker of this size that I know. They take a bit of running in (200 hours as recommended by Neat) but persevere with this and you will be rewarded with a truly sensational sound! The Neat Elites are definitely ones to put on your demo list.

Many thanks for reading

Andy, Jon and Farid - Audio T Cheltenham Store.

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

Neat Acoustics can be found at the following Audio T stores

February 28, 2024

Tape's Not Dead!

February 28, 2024/ Audio T Cheltenham/ Cheltenham

The sole purpose of this month’s blog is to gently guide your collective attentions to a rather wonderful book that I was recently gifted by some like minded friends from our Monthly Music Club!

The book in question goes by the title of “High Bias…The Distorted History Of The Cassette Tape” by Marc Masters (no….me neither). Now I have been variously called a “Tapehead” or “Tape Pervert” for a number of years now and even as I sit here now writing this blog I am sitting behind what can only be described as a wall of various different types of cassette tapes. And if you, like me, have even a remote or passing interest in the format then you will love this book.

Various chapters take you through the early development and birth of the revolutionary cassette tape in the 1960s to the Walkman inspired domination of the format in the 1980s. Cheap, portable and reusable, these small plastic rectangles changed the course of music history in so many ways.

Each chapter tackles a different aspect of how far from killing music, home taping was actually responsible in so many ways for keeping it alive! The influence of cassette tape rippled through myriad scenes that the giant corporations just couldn’t control. For so many people tapes meant freedom to create, freedom to invent and perhaps most importantly, freedom to connect both with other like minded people and cultures.

the comeback has begun…chapter seven says so!

Bands like Metallica and Iron Maiden got started with self-distributed tapes, and many others followed. Over time, the recording quality improved. Bruce Springsteen’s classic album Nebraska was recorded on a four-track tape, and he famously could not make it sound better when he tried to recreate it in the recording studio. The emergence of hip-hop also owed much to the cassette. The enduring legacy of The Grateful Dead grew courtesy of the tapers that the band allowed to record their concerts and swap tapes.

With this book Marc Masters brings vividly to life the tape artists who thrive underground. The concert tapers who trade bootlegs; mixtape makers who send messages via cassette; tape hunters rescuing forgotten sounds and music; and comes bang up to date with today’s labels that reject CD and streaming and sell their music on cassette. Their stories celebrate the cassette tape as dangerous, vital and radical.

With energy, insight, and wit, Masters provides a welcome examination of an often overlooked format and cultural turning point. Go on give it a go….I loved it!

‘We Are Rewind’ in all their retro glory

Have you got a load of tapes sat at home and nothing to play them on? Or perhaps you’ve bought the latest Harry Styles or Taylor Swift albums on new cassette release? Well look no further! You can rekindle your love of the format with We Are Rewind and their series of contemporary portable cassette players. Housed in a durable and stylish metal chassis, the cassette player features an audio input to record your own tapes, a 5.1 Bluetooth output to connect to speakers or headphones, and a built-in rechargeable lithium battery that provides 12 hours of continuous playback. Available in 3 colors: Orange (SERGE), Blue (KURT) and Grey (KEITH), you can find out more Here.

Many thanks for reading…

Andy, Jon and Farid -

Audio T Cheltenham Store.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

We Are Rewind can be found at the following Audio T stores -

January 29, 2024

Audio T Cheltenham and the Rega Planar 6 Turntable

January 29, 2024/ Audio T Cheltenham/ Cheltenham

Vinyl is the most popular way to enjoy listening to music and with sales of albums and turntables still on the increase what better excuse can there be to spin some lovely new(ish) vinyl on a the Rega Planar 6 which is a rather wonderful record spinner!

Because the Rega Planar 6 has been in the current turntable line up since August 2017 I think that it is due a bit of a re-appraisal. Evolved from the RP8 and the RP10 the P6 offers a rather enormous improvement over the ever popular P3 and not enough people know about it! So here goes…

Features, Benefits and Advantages…

Like the Planar 8 and the Planar 10, the Planar 6 is constructed around a unique and extremely rigid, ultra light foam core plinth and HPL laminates. This helps it to deliver a level of performance far beyond anything else at this price. The Planar 6 comes supplied with the RB330 tonearm and a dual-layer float glass platter for extra stable speed control. The supplied Neo Mk2 turntable power supply provides convenient selection between 33 and 45 rpm speeds, advanced anti-vibration control, and electronic fine speed adjustment.

The Planar 6 benefits from a single piece, machined aluminium sub-platter, a new 24 V motor hand tuned and matched to its own Neo power supply and custom drive pulley, fitted with the Reference EBLT upgraded drive belt as standard.

Rega’s double brace technology between the platter bearing and the tonearm base, with integral custom matched aluminium tonearm and hub pillars, ensures maximum rigidity and accuracy between the record surface and the stylus tip. This again is something rarely seen on any other make of turntable.

close up of the cross brace between the arm and main bearing housing

Factory fitted cartridge options are…Exact (MM), Ania (MC) or Ania Pro (MC). You can also buy it without a cartridge, if you would like to fit one of your own choice. The Dynavector DV20X2 moving coil works rather well IMHO.

Now time to play some music.

Another wonderful album from 2023. The Delines and The Night Always Comes.

The Delines are an American band from Portland, Oregon. Formed in 2012 they describe themselves as a "retro country soul band". I describe them as just brain meltingly gorgeous. Guitar player and chief lyric writer is the novelist Willy Vlautin and hence each song is like a little story. In fact this album is described as the soundtrack to his novel of the same title. The real star of the show here though is the band and the production. There is a palpable sense of being present with the band in the studio as they are playing. The soundstage as rendered on the Rega P6 is so big and so spacious that you feel as though you could just reach out and touch the band. The bass is deep and bouncy and tuneful. The trumpet and keyboards are off the scale dreamy and Amy Boone’s vocals offer a true widow into the tortured soul of Lynette ( the book’s protagonist ).

Then I moved on to this little gem…

Suffice to say anyone with even a passing interest in Joni Mitchell needs to listen to Meg Baird. Known for her previous work with Espers and more recently, Heron Oblivion, she continues in that tradition with her atmospheric and ethereal vocals. The music is dreamlike and lysergic, with breathy vocals and hushed piano accompanying her understated guitar prowess. She is joined by Mary Lattimore on harp, and she utilises vibes as well, adding to the overall shimmering dreaminess of the tracks. The whole album is just a Joni fan’s meet God wet dream, but my own personal highlight is the song “Cross Bay”. The guitar picking is sublime and the lyrics really are poetry. Once more the Combination of the Rega P6 with the Exact cartridge really brings the music to life. Sound hanging in the air in between and around the loudspeakers.

One more test for the P6…

The audible antecedents of Primrose Green are the extravagantly inventive music that Tim Buckley, Davey Graham and John Martyn made in the 60’s and 70’s. Walker doesn’t just sound like them; he is possessed by a similar spirit. I came upon this album during a visit to local second hand record specialists The Vinyl Vault in Cambray Place in Cheltenham. If you’ve not been there then you are seriously missing out. It is quite probably the best source of used vinyl for miles around! Anyway…played on the P6 the mix of folk-rock and hazy Grateful Dead jazz is delightfully disorientating. There is more than a hint of Danny Thompson in that bass playing too. Special mention goes to the title track for extra genius. “Head full of Primrose Green”….I think I know what he means!

To Conclude…

If the Planar 10 and Planar 8 are out of reach price wise and you hanker after a chunky hike in performance over a Planar 3 then this groovy spinner of groovy grooves (?!?) will be the place to get off. It offers substantial improvements in both sound quality and build quality over the P3 and gives you much more of an insight into the music that you would normally expect with much more expensive turntables.

The Rega Planar 6 turntable is currently available for demonstration at our Cheltenham store so if you fancy a listen call them on 01242 583960 for a chat.

Thanks for reading.

Andy, Jon and Farid - Audio T Cheltenham Store.

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

Rega can be found at the following Audio T stores -

December 21, 2023

Audio T Cheltenham, The Rega Naia And Their Records Of The Year 2023

December 21, 2023/ Audio T Cheltenham/ Cheltenham

Hi Pop kids and music lovers! It’s that time of the year when we look back and take stock of all the fun music we’ve played in-store during the year and shout about our favourite albums of 2023. Not necessarily music of audiophile quality, and perhaps not to everyone’s taste, but for many it is music that is joyous and uplifting. Music that makes you want to dance around. Music to transport your mind to other dimensions or just music that makes you think “What the F**k was that all about!”

secret stratosphere by william tyler and the impossible truth

Secret Stratosphere - William Tyler & The Impossible Truth

Released on the 31st March and without a shadow of a doubt my most favourite album of the whole year is Secret Stratosphere by William Tyler & The Impossible Truth.

A bit of background just in case you’ve never come across him before… William Tyler is a Nashville guitarist and composer. He spent years woodshedding and touring with Nashville groups like Lambchop and Silver Jews before breaking away to focus on his own version of instrumental guitar music. Secret Stratosphere is a live recording of William Tyler & his new band, The Impossible Truth, which shows him at a point of culmination where his place as one of the premier purveyors of prog/psych-country guitar amblings is cemented.

The band are totally hot and the music intense and other-wordly like a cross between Hawkwind and the Charlie Daniels Band. Drums are rock solid and thunderous with Tyler’s looping on lead guitar maintaining a post-rock ethereality, with chugging basslines beamed in straight from The Grateful Dead. There is even a Kraftwerk cover which is off the scale with trippy goodness! I can’t wait to hear more from this bunch.

no fixed point in space by modern nature

No Fixed Point in Space - Modern Nature

Next on my “Best of 2023” list is the third full-length album by Jack Cooper’s band, Modern Nature, which takes the palette of sound and themes that were honed on the 2021 release, Island Of Noise, and launches them into an expansive world of openness and vivid technicolour. It’s a music that hasn’t been heard before; as melodic as anything Cooper has produced in the past but framed by rhythms and instrumentation that reflect the chaos, unpredictability and colour of the natural world. It contains elements of folk, jazz and modern classical without being any of them. Definitely one for fans of late period Talk Talk. A beautifully recorded album and a totally quiet vinyl pressing too.

History - Bokanté

In third place comes History by Bokanté. Snarky Puppy guitarist, Michael League, formed the band in 2016 after hearing singer, Malika Tirolien. On this, their third studio album, Bokanté have mixed rock, jazz and blues with roots firmly in West Africa and the Arab world, bringing it all into the retro-modern present.

These nine tracks tell - with lyrics sung mainly in Guadeloupean Creole - of outsiders and seers, memories and joy; of black history, global unity and the futility of war. Of taking time to rest, feel, love. Of the redemptive power of music as a conduit, a change maker and a muse. The sound quality on this album is totally off the scale gorgeous… Definitely one of those albums to play to your friends when they come round to listen to your hi-fi!

careful of your keepers by this is the kit

Careful of Your Keepers - This is the Kit

Going back to the summer, we had the brand-new release from This Is The Kit, who are the musical project of Kate Stables and whoever joins her. I have been a fan of theirs since the first album came out and they have been improving with each release. This new one has had an injection of summary woozy trippy psychedelia, courtesy of production duties and musical guidance from Gruff Rhys... Him from the Welsh pop wizards, Super Furry Animals (just in case you didn't know).

A great collection of songs that also happen to be absolutely beautifully recorded too. This is one of those albums that will make your system sing. The recording puts so much of a sense of air around all the instrimentation that the sound just pops out of the loudspeakers and hangs in the air, the soundstage extending way out of the boxes left to right and up and down. The real treat though is that wonderful deep bass that seeps through at just the right moments! I suggest you treat your ears to one of these sharpish! Nice green vinyl and a locked groove at the end for extra weirdness!!

Unending Ascending - Gong

November saw the release of Unending Ascending by Gong. A truly brain melting mash up of proggy, funky, drony, psychedelia and jazziness. Not much in the way of Radio Gnomes and Pot Head Pixies but who cares! The spirit of Gong is well and truly alive and safe in the hands of Kavus and his bunch of spiritual anarchists. I was looking forward to this one for ages and was not disappointed. If it wasn’t for the staggering brilliance of William Tyler this would have been top of the list!

The sound quality of this tiny selection of some of the year’s best vinyl has been raised to new heights by the introduction of the new top of the range, state-of-the-art turntable from Rega Research, called the Naia. It has not only moved the goalposts, it has changed the game! I knew that it was going to be good but this is just one of those wow products that comes along very rarely.

I am not going to go in to any more detail about it here because I notice a recent blog from the Brighton branch which does just that very eloquently. What I will say about the Naia is that never before have I heard a turntable that can extract this much information from a record groove and still make it fun to listen to. It is that simple. There are quite probably a lot of very worried turntable manufacturers around at the moment, all scratching their chins and trying to work out just how they have all suddenly been left behind.

The Rega Naia turntable is currently available for demonstration at our Cheltenham store so if you fancy a listen call them on 01242 583960 for a chat.

Thanks for reading.

Andy, Jon and Farid - Audio T Cheltenham Store.

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

Rega can be found at the following Audio T stores -

October 30, 2023

The New Neat Mystique Classic loudspeakers land at Audio T Cheltenham

October 30, 2023/ Audio T Cheltenham/ Cheltenham

New loudspeakers from Neat Acoustics don’t come along all too often but when they do, they tend to be something rather special and the brand new Mystique Classic definitely do not buck that trend!

The Neat Mystique Classic are named in homage to the original version which was available between 1994 and 1997. This new version is a small floorstander measuring just 78cm tall and weighing in at 10kg each. Featuring the 134mm driver from Neat's Motive range and the superb AMT tweeter, used across all three Classic models. To add some extra low end extension, the cabinet is ported through the base, which is raised above a plinth by four aluminium spacers.

That superb cobnination of AMT tweeter and Doped paper bass driver

I think that the real star of this show is that amazing AMT tweeter. It gives the Mystique a wonderful open and airy top end that does that rare thing in the loudspeaker world of sounding both smooth and detailed. All too often you get one but not necessarily the other! That bass-mid driver is the latest version of Neat’s own 134mm R3 doped paper cone unit, and in conjunction with the downward firing port the bass response of the Mystique Classic is truly surprising. I seriously do not know of another loudspeaker at this price point that can go this deep without resulting to being overly boomy.

The rear of the speaker sports a pair of chunky gold plated terminals, that will accept bare cable, spades or banana plugs. These are mounted nice and low to the ground, so you don’t have to accommodate longer cable runs.

Internally the crossover uses very high quality low tolerance air core inductors and polypropylene capacitors, hard-wired to minimise disruption to the signal path. Good speaker cable is used throughout to connect the crossover to drive units. This is not always the case with what purport to be top notch loudspeakers, and it is the small details like this that set Neat Acoustics above the competition.

Here at Audio T Cheltenham, we’ve found that the Mystique Classic gives a stunning presentation of scale, which suggests a far larger and also far more expensive speaker. The bottom end extension goes down to 35hz, which is really rather good for any loudspeaker let alone one this small. The compact and elegant cabinet can be placed easily in most domestic situations. They are great with a wide range of supporting systems, from the relatively cheap to the positively top-end, and do not disgrace themselves in any of them. So what’s not to like!

All Neat Classics are available in Natural Oak, Textured Black, American Walnut and Satin White. The Mystique is available now from £2,475* (Black & White) to £2,595 (Oak and Walnut).

The Neat Mystique Classic are currently available for demonstration at our Cheltenham store call them on 01242 583960 for a chat.

Thanks for reading.

Andy, Jon and Farid -

Audio T Cheltenham Store.

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on Facebook to keep an eye on what’s happening in store

Neat Acoustics can also be found at the following Audio-T stores

*All prices, credit terms and interest rates quoted are correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to change. E&OE

September 18, 2023

Audio T Cheltenham Goes Proper Retro With The We Are Rewind Cassette Player

September 18, 2023/ Audio T Cheltenham/ Cheltenham

This little cassette player is just sooooo much fun I just had to make it the subject of this month’s blog article. And hey, it was a great excuse to dig out some of those old cassette tapes once again! I decided to team it up with the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 4 headphones just for good measure as I have been an admirer of the Sennheiser range for a long time and they never disappoint.

What’s In the Box?

This little beauty is obviously designed to tap into our current fetish for all things retro and in particular all things analogue and with sales of audio cassettes increasing every year since 2012 French company We Are Rewind have hit upon a little slice of genius here with a product that is well built, tactile and so easy to use. Featuring 12-hour lithium batteries, Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, and a premium aluminium case just like the best old-school cassette players, this player features fast forward/rewind buttons, a headphone output, a volume control and an audio input so you can create your own mixtapes. Remember how much fun that was? Not only the giving of a personal selection of current favourites on a personalised tape, but receiving one too!

The Perfect Match Up

Now this player/recorder does not come supplied with headphones, but that is most definitely a good thing. Because it means that you can pair it up with an existing pair you may already own, or you could chose to match it up with a nice shiny new pair, such as I have done here with the rather lovely and very versatile Sennheiser Momentum 4s . These have the option of being wired (for the proper old skool approach) or you can connect up to the We Are Rewind via Bluetooth, if you want to feel a little more modern.

Daydreaming

I tried the pairing of Momentum 4s and We Are Rewind both wired and Bluetooth with the Adaptive Noise Cancellation turned off. Pure sound quality wise the cabled option was the best, so the bulk of my listening was done this way.

timeless Shoegazy lovelyness from Sonic youth

I will admit that I was prepared to be a tad disappointed with this Sonic Youth album, as my tape was bought when it was first released in 1988, but it was actually very good for a tape that is 35 years old. It succeeded in drawing me in to the music with a nice open soundstage with plenty of detail. Widely considered to be their watershed moment, the album catapulted them into the mainstream and proved that indie bands could enjoy wider commercial success without compromising their noisy artistic vision.

More recently, Daydream Nation has been recognized as a classic of its era: Pitchfork ranked it #1 on their “100 Greatest Albums of the 1980s”; Spin listed it at #13 on their “125 Best Albums of 1985-2010”. Daydream Nation was one of 50 recordings chosen by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry in 2006 and it was voted "One of the Greatest Albums of All Time" by Rolling Stone. So if you have never played it perhaps you should!

The Red Shoes

Next on the playlist was The Red Shoes By Kate Bush. Highly praised on initial release, The Red Shoes is a total masterpiece, an album of heartbreakingly beautiful ballads. It was quite possibly her most personal collection of songs to date, yet also her most accessible. The majority of the songs are linked by a palpable sense of loss, in particular the loss of love and loved ones.

It’s More Fun To Compute!

a groovy combination and perfect for travelling with too

This was quite possibly the most fun I have had whilst researching for one of my blogs, and everyone we show this to loves it as well. There are three different colour options available. Those being Serge (orange) as our demo model, Kurt (blue) and Keith (grey).

This pairing would also make an ideal travelling companion, as the Sennheisers come with a sturdy travelling case and fold up very neatly. They also boast a playback battery charge of up to 60 hours too!

If your interest has been piqued and you would like a listen to the amazing We Are Rewind for yourself then please feel free to contact us at Audio T Cheltenham. The kettle is always on and we always have a plentiful supply of biscuits too!

Thanks for reading…

Andy, Jon and Farid - Audio T Cheltenham.

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…

We Are Rewind can be found at the following Audio T stores

August 15, 2023

Celebrating 50 years of Naim Audio with the limited edition NAIT 50

August 15, 2023/ Audio T Cheltenham/ Cheltenham

As Naim Audio celebrate their 50th anniversary this year, the audio sommeliers from deepest darkest Salisbury had the brilliant idea to create a limited edition run of the NAIT 50 integrated amplifier as a homage to the Original NAIT 1 that was introduced in 1983 and helped to forge the legend for them all those years ago.

Open That Box…..Quick!

Totally Redesigned

Every part of the new Naim NAIT 50 has been redesigned. Naim very proudly boast that it is a ‘big box’ audiophile Naim integrated amp but in a small box.

The original NAIT is certainly one of the most recognisable pieces of hi-fi equipment ever made and personally I have loved this diminutive marvel in (almost) all its forms over the years (I personally wasn’t so keen on the MK3 version though… I feel they lost their mojo a little there!), and I have been really looking forward to seeing if this new version sounds as good as I remember the old ones used to especially the MK1 and MK2 which were my most favourite.

Just Wow!

Even fresh out of the box the new NAIT 50 delivered that trademark Naim sound and was really enjoyable but after a few days worth of running in the sound blossomed and became instantly recognisable with that typical NAIT like fast, rhythmic, dynamic and detailed presentation that I was hoping it would do. I picked out my CD copy of Mezzanine by Massive Attack an album that I adore and know inside out and gave it a play. The sound was immediately just wow! The soundstage was huge with instruments seeming to just hang in the air totally free of the speakers and it was so easy to follow all the strains of the music all at the same time… No mean feat for this small 25 Watt’er! I very quickly began to realise that this was a rather special little amp and was an addictive listen. I found myself listening to the whole album as I was able to hear things within the NAIT’s almost holographic, exciting presentation that I was sure I had never heard before and I love it when that happens.

There is also a headphone socket on the front panel to access the very same new discrete transistor headphone amplifier that is to be found in Naim’s new super duper Classic series. There is no remote control but then that would spoil the retro appeal now wouldn’t it?

1973 And All That..

This is indeed a special little monster and other manufacturers now have a serious competitor, albeit only for a limited period because there will only be a total of 1,973 NAIT 50 produced, so don’t hang around too long as they are likely to sell out very quickly and will almost certainly become a bit of a collectors item! And for those of you that ask, it’s 1,973 units to commemorate the year Naim was founded, not the year the NAIT 1 was released - That was 1983.

What’s Round The Back

On the rear there is a dedicated MM Phono stage for your turntable and streamer and auxiliary inputs on Naim’s preferred 5 pin din sockets. The loudspeaker outputs are banana sockets. Mains is via a 3 pin IEC socket and Naim supply one of their own superduper Power-Line Lite mains cables for superior electrical contact. The instant on switch when in the “on” position will keep all the sensitive audio circuits permanently powered up for optimum sound quality.

Conclusion

The NAIT legacy lives on in the limited edition NAIT 50. I am actually so impressed with this latest regeneration I may just want to purchase it myself! It is practically perfect. And if your interest has been piqued and you would like a listen to the amazing Naim NAIT 50 for yourself then please feel free to contact us at Audio T Cheltenham, the kettle is always on and we always have biscuits too!

Thanks for reading

Andy, Jon and Farid - Audio T Cheltenham.

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