HI-FI HEAVEN - MCINTOSH LUXURY C8 PRE, MC830 POWER AMPS & MCD85 CD PLAYER

We are very excited to show you our new arrivals from McIntosh Laboratory, Inc, who we started our Hi-Fi journey with in the summer of 2021 and we have enjoyed listening to quite a few of their products since then.

The three new arrivals are the C8 2-Channel Vacuum Tube Preamplifier, the MC830 1-Channel (Mono block) Solid State Amplifier and the MCD85 2-Channel SACD/CD Player.

C8 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier - The Control Centre

The very stylish and compact C8 pre amplifier stands out with the iconic McIntosh green glow of the four 12AX7a valves, sitting inside their gorgeous looking cages.

McIntosh C8 Vacuum Tube Pre Amplifier - Polished to a mirror finish

To connect your equipment there are two sets of phono sockets, one set of balanced XLR plus an MM and MC phono stage if you wish to connect a turntable. McIntosh's optional DA2 Digital Audio Module is available as an upgrade and this ads digital inputs like optical, coax, 1 USB-B and HDMI (ARC).

DA2 Digital Audio Module

On the front panel you find a headphone socket and McIntosh's built in High Drive Headphone Amplifier makes sure that you can enjoy your music at every time of the day.

Tone controls like bass, treble and balance are available from the front panel buttons or via the remote control. For the purest experience you can choose tone control bypass.

MC830 Solid State Mono Block - The Power House

The MC830 is a 1-channel amplifier , also known as mono block or mono amplifier, is a true power house that matches the open chassis design of the C8 pre amplifier. The output is a hefty 300W into 8Ohm and it will get warm but the two massive heatsinks will deal with it, so don’t worry.

Look at those heat sinks

Balanced and unbalanced inputs and gold-plated solid cinch speaker binding posts

For more piece of mind - Power Guard and Sentry Monitor

The patented Power Guard® technology monitors the amplifier's output signal to protect the speakers against being over driven; if necessary, it makes real time micro adjustments to the input signal to prevent clipping that could damage your speakers.

Another level of protection is Sentry Monitor™, the fuse-less short-circuit protection circuit that will disengage the MC830's output stage before current exceeds safe operating levels, and then will reset automatically when operating conditions return to normal.

MCD85 2-Channel SACD/CD Player and Digital Hub

MCD85 CD/SACD Player

The MCD85 is multi-talented. Not only does it play CDs and SACDs, it also offers 5 digital inputs. Two optical, two coaxial and one USB-B input allow music playback higher than CD quality via a pc or digital music servers like the ones from Innuos.

Balanced and unbalanced outputs are standard

Sound Quality

Incredible is how we would describe it in one word, but that wouldn’t be enough to point out how good it sounds. We connected the system to our pair of Sonus Faber Lumina 3 and started with ‘No Love Dying’ from Gregory Porter’s album ‘Liquid Spirit’ and it is the warmth and richness we feel, while the image of Gregory’s big voice is placed right in the middle between the speakers.

We change from Gregory Porter to Muse. The track ‘Uprising’ from the album ‘The Resistance’ is different, louder and a good test to hear how it deals with busier tracks. The instruments are well separated from the vocals and that doesn’t change when we turn up the volume. Everything sounds well organized and makes you want to listen to more music.

We play a SACD and we choose two tracks, ‘LINE ‘EM UP’, sung by James Taylor and ‘GRATITUDE’ by Earth, Wind and Fire. We are blown away and we think that you will be too.

This system sounds fantastic and we feel privileged that this McIntosh equipment is here in our store for our customers to listen to.

We hope that you have enjoyed this blog. All mentioned products are available to listen to at Audio T Swindon and if you are interested in an McIntosh product that isn’t mentioned in this blog, please give us a call on 01793 538222 or send us an email to swindon@audio-t.co.uk.

Thanks for reading - Stefan & Andy - Audio T Swindon

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.

McIntosh products can be found at Audio T Swindon with more stores set to take on the brand.

ARCAM HI-FI - HIGH PERFORMANCE STREAMING AND AMPLIFICATION

Arcam, a renowned manufacturer of H-Fi and AV equipment, based in Cambridge, have mad a very successful career of creating Hi-Fi components for more than 40 years and home cinema electronics for more than 20 years. Here at Audio-T Swindon, we like them so much that we thought that it would be a good idea to show you a selection of the Arcam Hi-Fi we have in store.

Amps, CDs and Streamers… Oh My!

In store, you will find a whole host of Arcam goodies. On the top and middle shelf of our lovely Hi-Fi Racks Podium XL, we have three integrated amplifiers, the SA10, SA20 and the SA30. On the bottom shelf you see the network music streamer ST60 and the CDS50, a CD/Network streaming player.

SA10 Class A/B Amplifier

The tour starts with the SA10. This is Arcam’s most affordable of the three amplifiers. It offers a healthy 50w per channel, 5 analogue inputs including a built-in moving magnet phono stage for a turntable, and three digital inputs (to connect the TV or set-top box to the amplifier). The Pre-Out sockets on the back allow you to connect the SA10 to a power amplifier for any possible upgrade you may want in the future.

The SA10 can be integrated into a home cinema system via processor mode. This option is also available on the SA20 & SA30.

The USB socket is used for software updates and the network socket for IP control in multi-room/ custom installations.

SA20 Class G Amplifier - What does “G” mean?

The SA20 looks very similar to the SA10 but the amplifier offers a powerful 90w per channel rather than the 50w per channel of the SA10. It is a Class G hybrid power amp which operates in Class A up to 12 Watts then switches in an additional power supply that produces Class B for situations that require greater power. The difference between this and a classic Class A/B design is that there is a transition area where both power supplies are operating which is claimed to eliminate crossover distortion.

The SA20 with upgraded speaker terminals and built-in MM phono stage

SA30 Class G - A Full Streaming System

The SA30 is the flagship of the three amplifiers and this time Arcam have added a lot of extra features - First of all it is a full UPNP streaming system, supporting Google Cast and AirPlay2 and all you have to add is a pair of speakers. The Class G amplifier is powerful at 120w per channel and it will drive most speakers without any problem. It is Roon Ready and supports MQA (Master Quality Authenticated - available from Tidal Hi-Fi streaming service).

An ARC socket for the tv and a built-in phonostage for MM and MC cartridges

The TV can be connected via an optical cable or via an HDMI cable into the ARC socket (Audio Return Channel). The aerials for a wireless connection to the home network are supplied and you can connect it directly to the network router.

What music to stream? Stream music from a NAS drive, or a music streaming services like Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer, Napster, Hi-Res audio or internet radio. Spotify is not mentioned in the free Arcam control app, MusicLife, but it works. Simply open the Spotify app, play a song , select the Arcam SA30 - done. Enjoy your music.

What about turntables ? No problem, on board is a turntable phono stage that supports both cartridge types, moving magnet and moving coil.

Dirac Live Room Correction

The built-in Dirac Live room correction technology is there to help reduce unwanted resonant frequencies caused by the room. Download Dirac Live to your laptop (Windows or Mac), measure 13 positions around your room and the software calculates and corrects the colourations.

Two source components - ST60 Music Streamer & CDS50 CD Player/Network Streamer

The ST60 music streamer is the latest edition to the range of Arcam two channel products. This UPNP streamer plays music from services like Tidal (including MQA support ), Qobuz , Deezer, Napster , Spotify and internet radio. It supports Google ChromeCast and Airplay2 and it is Roon Ready.

On the back are four digital inputs (2 optical and 2 coaxial) and a USB socket if you wish to connect a USB hard drive to play all your ripped music files . The default for the output level is set to fixed when connected to a pre-amplifier or integrated amplifier but it can be changed to variable output if you decide to use the ST60 as a pre-amplifier, connected to a power amplifier.

The CDS50 is CD player and a network streamer in one box. and it can be set-up wirelessly or connected to your router via a network cable. The CD player plays CD’s and SACD’s (Super Audio CD), the network streamer streams music from Tidal, Qobuz, Napster, Deezer, CDs ripped to a NAS (Network hard drive) and even from a USB stick.

Arcam CDS50 cd player and network streamer in one box

Arcam CDS50 rear view

We hope that you have enjoyed the tour. All mentioned products are available to listen to at Audio T Swindon and if you are interested in an Arcam product that isn’t mentioned in this blog, please give us a call on 01793 538222 or send us an email to swindon@audio-t.co.uk.

Thanks for reading - Stefan & Andy - Audio T Swindon

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.

Arcam products can be found at the following Audio T Stores

Cheltenham

Enfield

Southampton

Swindon

IT'S OFFICIAL - MCINTOSH JOINS SONUS FABER AT SWINDON

Back in June we wrote a Blog in which we took a look at Sonus Faber, an Italian manufacturer of high quality loudspeakers that were a new addition to some Audio T stores. During a visit from the he UK distributors, Fine Sounds, we were also shown another brand of theirs, McIntosh Laboratory, an American manufacturer of some of the best looking amplifiers on the market. Now, several months on, we are very excited and happy to announce that both brands are now available here at Audio-T Swindon.

McIntosh Power - Let’s take a look

From a selection of five integrated solid state (or transistor) amplifiers we have decided to start with two, the MA5300 and MA7200. These amplifiers have such an iconic look that you can tell from a distance that they are McIntosh amps. Switch them on and you are greeted by two great looking blue VU meters.

MA5300

Physically, the MA5300 is the smallest amplifier of the range but looking at the output of an impressive 100 watts per channel into 8Ohms and 160 watts per channel in to 4 Ohms - This is only the beginning of our exciting journey into the McIntosh sound.

McIntosh MA5300 integrated amplifier - We love the blue Watt meters

You get a lot of amp for your money that’s for sure. On the analogue side you get 4 phono inputs, one set of balanced XLR’s, pre-amp output, power-amp input and a moving magnet phono. The high drive headphone amplifier makes sure that you get the most from your headphones. Bass and treble control are also on board should you prefer to change the sound to your liking.

A very nice feature of this amplifier is the AV Passthrough. When the MA5300 is part of a Home Theatre system, the right and left front channels can ‘pass through’ from an AV processor or AV amplifier to the assigned input on the MA5300. In this configuration the MA5300 works as a power amplifier with a fixed volume output - Very nice.

MA5300 - Can I connect it ? Yes you can

The Digital Audio Module 1 (DA1) comes fitted and offers all digital inputs needed for a modern hi-fi set-up. An optional upgrade (including one HDMI ARC socket) to the Digital Audio Module 2 is available.

MA7200

Let’s take a look at the MA7200. What do we get? Everything we said about the MA5300 and more. Compared to the MA5300, the MA7200 is only about 4cm higher than the MA5300 but weighs a hefty 17 kg more, a total of 42kg. Blimey! This amp is a beast.

The amplifier delivers an output of 200 watts per channel regardless of your speakers impedance and this is because of McIntosh’s Autoformer technology.

AUTOFORMER™ TECHNOLOGY - DOES IT MAKE THE DIFFERENCE?

The McIntosh Output Autoformer™ is a special transformer that is designed and manufactured in-house by McIntosh. This allows any speaker type to be used with a McIntosh amplifier and have all of the power that the amp is designed to deliver. McIntosh claim that other amplifier designs will not have even power with differing speaker designs. McIntosh amplifiers with the output Autoformer™ will deliver ‘All the Power You Pay For’ regardless of chosen speaker type.

On the back you will see two banks of four speaker binding posts, the bottom post is for each of the negative cables and the positive cable connects to one of the positive posts above, marked 2, 4 and 8 Ohms.

MA7200 with Autoformer Technology

There are eight analogue inputs including a Moving Coil and a Moving Magnet phono stage as well as six digital inputs.

SONUS FABER CLARITY

As well as taking delivery of McIntosh amplifiers, we have also received some more Sonus Faber loudspeakers, the Sonetto 1 and Sonetto 3. The colour choices are wood, white, black and wenge. The Sonetto range comprises of two pairs of bookshelf speakers, three pairs of floorstanding speakers, two centre speakers and a pair of on-wall speakers.

Sonetto 1

The Sonetto 1 is a two-way bookshelf loudspeaker and the smallest of the Sonetto range. They are front ported at the base of the speaker, which allows closer placement to the rear wall. The hand-sewn leather top is as a very nice feature of the speaker.

Sonetto 3

The Sonetto 3, a three-way floorstanding design, are the first of three pairs of floorstanders in the Sonetto range. The reflex port is on the underside of the speaker, making it easier for room placement. Non parallel cabinet surfaces ensure perfect control over internal resonances.

Sound Quality

For the purpose of the demonstration we used the Sonetto 1 connected to the MA5300, as a source we use an Innuos Zen Mini MK3 music server with Qobuz music streaming integration. Our demo room measures approximately 6 x 4 metres (speakers set up just a little more than a foot away from the wall) and we started with Jack Johnson, In Between Dreams. The bass is tight and very controlled at higher volume levels, the imaging on Jack’s voice is brilliant with just a little toe in, and the guitar sound crisp and clear. Next on the list is UB40, Kingston Town. A fantastic track with lots of rhythm and deep bass and the Sonetto 1 filled the room effortlessly. They may be the smallest speaker of the Sonetto range but don’t be fooled - they sound big.

We had the MA7200 powering the Sonetto 3 in the same room with the same source, roughly the same distance away from the rear wall. Instantly, we could hear a much bigger presentation of instruments and that the vocals sound more focused. You feel when a system sounds great and you want to play more music - It’s that great.

McIntosh and Sonus Faber are fantastic brands and we are truly happy that both are now available to our customers .

Many thanks for reading - Stefan & Andy - Audio T Swindon

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.

For the time being, McIntosh products can be found at -

Swindon

Sonus Faber can be found at -

Bristol

Cardiff

Swindon

If these products aren’t stocked at your local branch, be sure to contact us.

RECREATING THE CINEMA EXPERIENCE AT HOME WITH REL 3D

Everytime I watched a movie at my favourite local cinema, I left with a smile, always so impressed by the quality of the sound. Original movie soundtracks are mixed for big venues, with lots of big speakers. The question is - Is it possible to add more depth and detail to our own home cinema systems without changing the front, left and rear speakers? The short answer to this is - Yes, add THREE REL Acoustics subwoofers and experience what is called - REL 3D

How does it work?

REL 3D refers to a set-up that each of the three groups of speakers in a traditional 5.1 home cinema system (front left/right, centre and surround channels) are underpinned by a REL subwoofer to improve depth and body to create a better, tighter and bigger sounding bass. Check out the picture below for a better representation of what I’m talking about.

The plan, the room and the set-up

To put this method to the test, we thought we’d go ahead and put a system together in our store demo room. And as the saying says, “Go big or go home”, we decided to “Go big” set up a 9.2.4 Dolby Atmos home cinema sound system with REL 3D.

Our room dimensions are 5m x 3.5m.

We used a combination of Bowers & Wilkins 600 Anniversary front speakers, centre and surround channels , three REL Acoustics Tx Series subwoofers, four KEF in-ceiling speakers, a Denon home cinema amplifier and a Panasonic 4K Blu-Ray player.

Speakers

• Bowers & Wilkins 607 Anniversary (rear speakers),

• Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary (front speakers),

• Bowers & Wilkins HTM6 S2 Anniversary (centre speaker).

• KEF Ci160.2CR x 4 (Atmos in-ceiling speakers)

Subwoofers

• REL T9x (front right corner - high level front left & right speakers and LFE)

• REL T7x (rear left corner- high level rear speakers and LFE)

• REL T5x (high level centre speaker)

AV Receiver

• Denon AVC-X4700H - 9.2 channel amplifier that supports Dolby Atmos and DTS-X

Blu-Ray player

• Panasonic DP-UB820 4K Blu-Ray Player

REL Acoustics Tx Series Subwoofers

From left to right we have the REL T5x, T7x and T9x - Ready to go into our home cinema system -

The hard work

I’m sure that many of us who have set-up a home cinema system before agree that the hardest part of it is getting down on your knees, crawling into narrow spaces, connecting all the components together and then trying to fit them all into cupboards, but it’s a great feeling once you’re finished and you know you’ve done a good job.

To start with, we positioned our left and right speakers, a pair of B&W 606 S2 Anniversary. We set them up like you would a conventional two channel system, striving for the best possible stereo imaging.

The REL high level is supplied with every one of their subwoofer

This done, we connected the main front subwoofer, a REL T9x using the supplied high-level cable to the front left/right speaker terminals of the Denon amplifier and set it up.

Why is this important?

With the use of the high level cable, the REL subwoofer is now like an extension of the two front speakers, working as one with them. It gets exactly the same information as the two front speakers and adds depth and clarity, allowing your speakers to sound bigger in the sound stage and infinitely better in their performance. The cable connects to the .1 channel (called LFE -Low frequency effects) on the back of the subwoofer and that is your front-end done.

Next we positioned the second subwoofer, the REL T7x, in the left rear corner and connected the high level cable to the rear speaker terminals on the Denon amplifier in the same way as the first sub. On top of the included high level cable, we added a second dedicated phono to phono sub cable to the LFE (Low Frequency Effect) channel. This dedicated input allows the AV receiver to send discrete content to the subwoofer from a Dolby or DTS encoded audio track.

The B&W HTM6 centre speaker sounds great on its own, but with the added support of a REL T5x, it grows into a bigger and deeper sounding speaker.

When fine tuning the system I love to use the opening sequence of the 2009 animated film, “9”. Produced by Tim Burton, this movie has a dark and ominous presence which puts the subwoofers through their paces.

The reward - It’s movie time!

To kick things off, we decided to start with the action packed, 2021 monster mash, Godzilla vs. Kong. There are so many great scenes to choose from, but you have a listen to Kong’s monster growl through the HTM6/REL T5x combination and you’ll know what we mean. Moving on to the moment when Godzilla and Kong fight under and above water, you can feel the weight of those two gargantuan beasts. The REL T9x & T7x are hard working speakers and never lose control of the dedicated LFE frequencies. This set-up is guaranteed to put a smile on the faces of most customers.

The next tester was the 2011 drama, War Horse, directed by Steven Spielberg. We could barely contain ourselves; we jumped straight to the iconic scene where the massive cannons are tirelessly pulled uphill by two rows of exhausted horses and put into position to fire. And then… this is hard to put into words… cannon fire with a satisfying bass so tight and loud it is a feast to the ears. A true reflection of the cinema experience this film was made for.

The conclusion

Now we’re not suggesting that everyone should go out and put three subwoofers into their room, we know not everyone will have the space. BUT, it’s a method worth considering when looking to improve the overall sound of your home cinema setup. Why not start with one main subwoofer and add more with time. You won’t be disappointed.

If you’d like to find out more about REL subwoofers or the 3D technique, feel free to contact us.

Thanks for reading.

Andy & Stefan - Audio T Swindon

REL can be found at the following Audio-T stores -

• BRIGHTON

• BRISTOL

• CHELTENHAM

• ENFIELD

• MANCHESTER

• OXFORD

• PORTSMOUTH

• SOUTHAMPTON

• SWANSEA

• SWINDON

• ONLINE STORE

• READING

B&W can be found at the following Audio T stores -

• BRIGHTON

• BRISTOL

• CARDIFF

• CHELTENHAM

• ENFIELD

• MANCHESTER

• OXFORD

• PORTSMOUTH

• SOUTHAMPTON

• SWANSEA

• SWINDON

• ONLINE STORE

STREAMING & MORE - INTRODUCING THE NAIM UNITI ATOM HEADPHONE EDITION

Naim Audio Uniti Atom Headphone Edition

The Naim Uniti Atom is an award winning, high quality, all-in-one streaming solution. All you need to do is add a pair of loudspeakers - Job done! But not everyone wants or has the space for speakers, or perhaps they prefer the more intimate listening experience of headphones. What then? Introducing the Naim Uniti Atom Headphones Edition.

Whilst the conventional Uniti Atom HDMI does feature a built-in 3.5mm headphone socket, its main purpose is to serve more as a central hub for all your entertainment needs. Now, moving away from the standard version, the headphone edition removes the built-in stereo amplifier in favour of a dedicated, high quality, discrete headphone amplifier which utilises technology from the company’s flagship range, the Statement Series. Whilst you may think that the Headphone Edition could be slightly restrictive in its functionality, you’d be wrong. If you’re already familiar with Naim and its very user friendly app, you’ll be no stranger to its multi-room functionality, meaning you could include the Atom to your existing set-up. On top of this, with the inclusion of an optional external amplifier, this system can be used as the streaming source to your Hi-Fi system. But first and foremost, the Naim Uniti Atom Headphone Edition is designed to turn any space in to your own personal audio cocoon.

FEATURES

The Uniti Headphone Edition offers three headphones connections - On the front panel you’ll find a 6.3mm and balanced 4.4mm Pentaconn connection, on the rear is a balanced 4-pin XLR. This plethora of connections gives you the flexibility to keep up to three headphones plugged in at any time and switch sets depending on what you’re listening to and when.

You’ll also find a pair of balanced XLR and RCA pre-amplifier outputs so you can connect the Uniti to a power amplifier or even directly to active speakers. There are three digital (two optical and one coax) plus a USB-A socket to add more sources to the system.

Uniti Atom HE on the left ( two headphone sockets ) and the Uniti Atom

Uniti Atom HE on the left next to the Uniti Atom

SO MUCH CHOICE - WHAT TO LISTEN TO?

There is so much choice with these systems as to what to play. Stream music from services like Tidal Hi-Fi, Qobuz or Spotify, play music wirelessly via AirPlay2, Bluetooth or Chromecast from your smartphone, tablet or computer. Copy your entire music collection to a pocket drive and plug it in to the front USB socket. Not enough? Select from thousands of Internet radio stations via the Naim control app and listen away.

Perhaps you would like to connect a turntable via a phono stage? No problem. There is an analogue input on the back.

SOUND QUALITY AND APP CONTROL - HOW GOOD IS IT ?

For the purpose of our test we used quite a few pairs of very good sounding headphones. Sennheiser HD800S (open back) and HD820 (closed back), Beyerdynamic T1 (openback) and a pair of Grado RS2 (openback).

You don’t have to have the expert ear of a musician or studio engineer to hear the difference a headphone amplifier of this calibre makes. It’s the control at higher volume levels, more spacing between instruments and more punch with the right timing - Just to name a few benefits.

The Naim Audio Control App is fun and easy to use, plus we find it to be one of the more stable apps available in the Hi-Fi world. This free download is available on both iOS or Android.

It allows the change of the source layout, style (app background) , inputs can be renamed and pre-amp & headphones maximum volume levels can be set individually.

Reading is one thing and believing is another - So please come in and have a listen for yourself . Bring some music on a memory stick or enjoy browsing a vast catalogue from Tidal or Qobuz here in the shop.

We look forward to seeing you in store soon - Andy & Stefan - Audio-T Swindon

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.

Naim Uniti can be found at the following Audio-T stores

• BRIGHTON

• BRISTOL

• CARDIFF

• CHELTENHAM

• ENFIELD

• MANCHESTER

• ONLINE STORE

• OXFORD

• PORTSMOUTH

• READING

• SOUTHAMPTON

• SWANSEA

• SWINDON

MCINTOSH AND SONUS FABER - FIRST LOOK & LISTEN AT SWINDON

Here at Audio-T Swindon we carry a wide range of Hi-Fi products, none the less it would be an understatement to say that we were a little more than excited when Matt Peddle from Fine Sounds UK visited us to show us some McIntosh amplifiers and Sonus Faber loudspeakers.

McIntosh and Sonus Faber

McIntosh Laboratory, founded in 1949, is an American manufacturer of high-end audio equipment, based in Binghamton, New York. Known globally for offering distinguished home audio systems brandished with their iconic blue Watt output meter.

Sonus Faber, founded in 1983, is an Italian manufacturer of high quality, handcrafted loudspeakers which are quickly becoming a favourite throughout many of our stores.

McIntosh - MA352 & MA12000

McIntosh MA12000

There are three Hybrid design integrated amplifiers in the McIntosh range and we had the chance to listen to two of them - The MA352 and MA12000. So what does Hybrid mean? Well, put simply they combine a vacuum tube preamp and a solid state power amp and wow do they look good.

Blue and Green should never be seen?

The iconic blue VU meters and green glowing McIntosh logo and valves are visually stunning, They hit your eyes straight away and we certainly like it. Now we know this won’t be to everyone’s liking, luckily the VU meter backlights lights and the green LEDs under the tubes can be switched off as well as the overall display can be dimmed.

McIntosh MA12000 integrated amplifier - 17 inputs ( 10 analog &7 digital ) plus MC/MM phono stage on board

Just to give you a quick idea of what we are dealing with here - The MA12000 offers 350W per channel and due to McIntosh’s Autoformer technology, this is guaranteed whether the speakers have 2, 4 or 8 Ohm impedance - This allows your Hi-Fi system the control it needs to play music at the highest quality. Unlike many contemporary amplifiers, the MA12000 features a details 8-band EQ for tonal control as well as built-in Moving Magnet/ Moving Coil phono stage.

McIntosh MA352 Hybrid integrated amplifier

The next amplifier in the range is the MA352. This little beast sits below the MA12000 and looks stunning but in an entirely different way, offering a slightly stripped back experience. The power output is rated at 200W per channel into 8 Ohm or 320W into 4 Ohm speakers giving enough power to drive most loudspeakers. It features a MM phono stage, 5-band EQ and a built-in headphone amplifier. Obviously it features the iconic VU meters for that retro style of output monitoring.

McIntosh MA352 - Moving Magnet Phono Stage is built in

Sonus Faber - Olympica Nova 3

Previously we listened to the Sonus Faber Olympica Nova1, a two-way monitor that impressed us with both its build and sound quality. On this occasion we had a chance to listen to the bigger Olympica Nova 3 and we couldn’t wait to set them up.

The asymmetrical shape of the cabinets looks great and the aesthetically pleasing integrated slotted reflex ports on the rear, run all the way down the speakers to allow the ports to be aimed inside or outside, depending on your room.

Sonus Faber Olympica Nova3 in wenge

Listening

For the audition we used a Bluesound music streamer and a Linn LP12 Akurate and were incredibly happy with what we heard. It’s safe to say that both amplifiers and the speakers are a brilliant pairing that work really well together. A truly fantastic performance with bags of detail, detailed timing and controlled bass. Wow, we could really go on and on but we think you should really contact your local branch to see about trying them out yourself.

Thanks for reading - Stefan & Andy - Audio-T Swindon

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.

Sonus faber can be found at the following Audio-T stores

• BRISTOL

• CARDIFF

FIRST LOOK AT DALI EPICON 2 & 6 LOUDSPEAKERS

The letters in the word “Dali” stand for Danish Audiophile Loudspeaker Industries. We here at Audio-T Swindon have been Dali dealers for a few years now. With a growing number of enquiries from our customers we have decided to take on the top range, the Epicon Series. The range comprises a standmount, a centre speaker and two pairs of floorstanders. The Epicon 2 & Epicon 6 have now arrived here with us and we couldn’t wait to check them out.

Unboxing and our first impressions

Dali Epicon speaker links and spikes

Where do we start? We are blown away just by looking at the immaculate finishes of both speakers and the quality of the supplied bi-wire speaker links. Even the supplied spikes for the Epicon 6 are extremely solid and well machined.

In the box with the Epicon 6 you’ll find a plinth which has been designed to give the speaker a larger footplate as a necessity for the EU safety tilt test. Interestingly, according to Dali there is no audible benefit , so if you decide not to use them, you won’t lose anything on the performance.

Dali Epicon 6 plinth

Dali Epicon 6 packed with care with all accessories

Attention to detail : The underside of the Epicon 6

Dali Epicon 2

The Dali Epicon 2, the smallest model in the Epicon range, is a two-way rear ported design. It features a soft dome tweeter and a mid/bass paper-cone woofer, made with wood-fibre reinforcement . This adds stiffness to the very light paper cone for top-class behaviour.

Dali Epicon 2 in Walnut High Gloss Lacquer

Dali Epicon 6

The Dali Epicon 6 is a two-and-a-half way design with two rear bass ports. There are two mid/bass drivers ( same size as the driver used in the Epicon 2 ) but here is what is special about this model - The hybrid tweeter module.

The Hybrid Tweeter Module - The Job Share

The double tweeter design, a soft dome and a ribbon tweeter is usually featured in the company’s larger speakers. The idea is that the ribbon tweeter takes over at a threshold where the soft dome tweeter starts to struggle (at the top of the higher frequencies). This end result is better control and a more detailed sound.

This could have been included with the Epicon 2 but only at the expense of a much bigger cabinet, not to mention cost. Some might remember the Dali Helicon 300, which was unusually tall for a standmount speaker.

Dali Epicon 6 in Ruby Macassar High Gloss Lacquer

What do they sound like?

We left both pairs of speakers running for a few days before we sat down and gave them a proper listen. The result was absolutely fabulous, in every way.

These speakers are extremely well balanced. Big sounding but not boomy, crisp & rich but not bright or harsh, warm and engaging but not mellow.

Unlike usual speaker set-ups, Dali suggests positioning them straight ahead towards the listening position. We’d suggest taking this as a recommendation as every listening environment is different. We decided to move the speakers and toe’d them slightly inwards, which we found gave the best results in our listening room.

Our Verdict

Both, the Epicon 2 & Epicon 6 are excellent and we can’t wait to get our hands on a pair of Epicon 8. We will do another comparison once they are here with us - promise.

Please come in and listen for yourself and feel free to bring some records or your favourite CDs. Just remember to give us a call first to make an appointment.

And one more thing...

You can save 20% on Dali Epicon when you trade in your old speakers
and this promotion runs until the 31st July 2021.

Thanks for reading - Stefan & Andy - Audio-T Swindon

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.

Dali can be found at the following Audio-T stores

• CARDIFF

• ENFIELD

• SWINDON

• ONLINE STORE

LINN MAJIK DSM - A ONE STOP BOX OF TRICKS : JUST ADD SPEAKERS

The new Linn Majik DSM is the latest edition to a range of Linn network music players. It’s a complete box of tricks, and all you have to do is to add a pair of loudspeakers!

Linn Majik DSM front panel with headphone output

You can stream music from streaming services such as Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, Amazon Music, Internet radio via TuneIn and your own music, stored on a network hard drive. The Majik DSM connects to your home network via either WiFi or wired ethernet. You also have Bluetooth capability on board for quick and easy playback from tablets and smartphones.

There are 4 x HDMI 2.0 ( 4K compatible ) inputs for Sky, Blu-Ray players, Apple TV, games consoles and more. Simply connect your TV and the DSM becomes a central hub for your home entertainment equipment. You’ll also find a built in MM (moving magnet) phono stage easily connect your turntable, as well as optical and a coaxial inputs for any other digital sources.

Linn Majik DSM rear panel

The internal power amplifier can be switched off if you want to connect the Majik DSM to an external power amplifier or active speakers. This is a nice touch as some might want to upgrade to another amplifier in the future without having to change the entire music system .

Is it easy to use?

Yes it is! As well as being supplied with a remote control, there are dedicated Linn Apps for Apple iOS and Android tablets & smartphones. On the top of the unit you will find six customisable buttons for easy access to your favorite radio stations, any particular inputs you used regularly or even a particular song.

As a bonus you can wirelessly connect multiple Linn DSM players to create a multi-room system.

Linn Majik DSM

Linn’s network music players have Space Optimisation software built-in which means that the performance of the system can be personalised. But how does this work? It builds a picture of the room, down to placement of your speakers and furniture in the room and cleans up unwanted frequencies. This feature can be switched on or off.

If you're looking for a compact, high-quality and great sounding music system, we think that this is the way to go.

Thanks for reading

Stefan & Andy - Audio-T Swindon

Linn can be found at the following Audio-T stores

• BRIGHTON

• BRISTOL

• MANCHESTER

• OXFORD

• SWINDON

• PORTSMOUTH

• CHELTENHAM

• CARDIFF

• SWANSEA

IS THIS THE NEW BRONZE AGE? MONITOR AUDIO BRONZE 6G SERIES

If you’ve ever found yourself in search of the elusive "good performance yet affordable speaker”, whether it be either for your first Hi-Fi system or perhaps even a home cinema set-up, like many of our customers you will of no doubt found yourself perusing the latest offerings from Monitor Audio. One of their most popular models being the Bronze Series, a rarity in that they are extremely well balanced between both price and performance.

Each of the six generations of the Bronze Series speakers have received rave reviews and awards a plenty over a twenty year period. They have also proven the test of time and become a perennial favourites with our customers and staff alike.

So, if it’s not broke, why fix it?

Monitor audio bronze 6G 200 in a very contemporary white finish

The new 6G series departs quite dramatically from its predecessors. The Bronze range has traditionally favoured a front ported design (with the exception of the smallest speaker in the range). This was considered by some to be a benefit to those with much smaller rooms, allowing them to place the speakers closer to the wall. This new range however has adopted much of its design from its bigger brother, The Silver Series. This would suggest that you are getting a far better speaker at the price point over its previous generations. One such design appropriation being the inclusion of the Hive2 port design, which has been integral to many of Monitor Audio's more exotically priced models. This system enables a smoother response as the cabinet moves the air, ensuring placement isn't compromised. Essentially, it doesn’t matter the size of your room, you will still be able to enjoy the Bronze Series.

As well as changes to the low end, Monitor Audio have modified their C-CAM tweeter with a "Uniform Dispersion" Waveguide. “But what does that mean Andrew?” I hear you cry – In short, this ensures a very clear delivery of higher frequencies for even more detail at the top end. In addition to this, Monitor Audio have also made improvements to their mid and bass drivers construction as well. The inclusion of Damped Concentric Mode (DCM technology) to the Bronze Series’ proprietary C-CAM driver allows for tighter low end and more clarity in the mid-range.

It is obvious to me that an enormous amount of time and effort has been invested in this new 6G series. But as with anything, the proof of Monitor Audio's extensive efforts can only be established by listening to them.

So, how do they sound?

As I’m writing this blog only to whet your appetite, I will let you make the final judgement when you call in for a critical listen. However, my humble impressions listening to both the Bronze 50 and 200 is that they both sound absolutely superb; and, most importantly, all the more impressive when you consider their very competitive price points.

Straight out of the box, both the 50s and the 200s offered a very polished performance, that ably competes with many alternative brands in and above a similar budget. The revised design really does pay dividends!

In conclusion, these new models deliver a more textured and nuanced bass output and a more refined mid-range, but the real surprise is the treble presentation, which is crisp but in no way bright and with a smoothness that is sure to surprise.

In conclusion, the new Bronze range offers a comprehensive selection of speakers that perform admirably for music and home cinema. including a new subwoofer, centre speaker, rear FX speakers and the newly introduced Atmos speakers. The range also has a very fetching new finish, Urban Grey. This contemporary finish is already proving very popular with our customers. But if this isn’t to your liking, you also have the option of the more traditional walnut, matte black or white meaning that they will match most decors.

So, there you have it. Why not book a demonstration to come and listen to these exceptional speakers in store or for home demo?

Andrew & Andy – Audio T Swindon

Monitor Audio can be found at the following Audio-T stores

• ENFIELD

• MANCHESTER

• ONLINE STORE

• OXFORD

• PORTSMOUTH

• SOUTHAMPTON

• SWANSEA

• SWINDON

The New Marantz PM7000N Music Streaming Amplifier At Audio T Swindon. Just Add Speakers

With the recently launched Marantz PM7000N, we now have a one-box Hi-Fi solution without compromise, that offers incredible value for money.​​

Any Hi-Fi enthusiast, whether a seasoned audiophile or someone just setting out on their Hi-Fi journey, will more than likely be acquainted with Marantz. Leaving aside the fact that the Marantz heritage is legend, and is doubtless worthy of a separate blog post, I am keen to focus on their current range of amplifiers; of which the PM7000N is the latest addition.

If you're considering your first Hi-Fi amplifier then a Marantz PM5005 will probably by very close to the top of your shortlist and one listen tells you the brand clearly has a winning formula. It's an enormously talented amp' and for such relatively small beer. Take a step up the ladder to the multi-award winning PM6006, which still continues to garner praise, particularly following its UK tuned edition, the SE, and you have two exceptional amplifiers for a very reasonable price. Equally, take a little look at the present range toppers, the PM10 integrated amplifier, and matching SA10 CD Player. A fine combination that will stand proud against any perceived competitor offering poise, power and control, and outstanding detail and dynamics; not to mention absolute bullet-proof build quality. And while not inexpensive, at literally a pound or two less than £14000, they make for an impeccable partnership that absolutely delights. But with all of that said, what is often easy to overlook is the consistency inherent throughout Marantz' range of amplifiers, particularly when step up from the PM6006 to the next in line, the PM8006.

At this price point your head can easily be turned by the likes of Naim's entry level offering, the Nait 5Si or the equally well regarded Rega Elex-R; both fine amps in their own right. Consequently the PM8006 is often overlooked in favour brands that open their ranges with pricer products. And I have always thought this is a shame as the PM8006 in my experience offers a little taste of the what a high-end equipment can do for your music. I've always found the PM8006 to offer a more mature and powerful sound than those below it; giving a clean and musical presentation, it's never bright, but it does bring the out finer detail. Instruments are resolved with greater realism and it offers a wonderfully deep soundstage, it’s an exceptional amplifier!

The reason for the preamble, is that a little bird tells me that the new Marantz PM700N Streaming Amplifier model is very much based on the PM8006, and in no small way either! There are subtle differences in the spec' sheet. The PM8006 is rated at 70w in to 8 Ohms, 100 into 4 Ohms, while the PM7000N offers 60w & 80w respectively. The PM7000N also includes both a newly designed pre-amplifier circuit and moving-magnet phono-stage, Marantz Current Feedback Amplification and their Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Modules, in this case the HDAM-SA3. It also includes a brand new DAC circuit built around Asahi Kasei AK4490 chip. In terms of inputs, while a perfect one box solution, the PM7000N has more than enough inputs anyone using multiple sources.

There are three line level inputs, plus the new MM Phono-stage. The inputs for the internal DAC include a single coax input, two optical connections and USB-A port for your PC and the DAC is capable up to PCM 24bit/192 and DSD 5.2 with the USB, coaxial and optical inputs. Naturally there is Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity and Denon and Marantz's propriety HEOS streaming platform. HEOS gives you access to Amazon Music, Spotify connect, Napster, Pandora, Tune-In and Tidal, to name just a few, and all can be controlled via the HEOS app', which is beautifully straight forward to navigate and the streamer also offers Apple AirPlay 2. There is also a handy feature that allows you to switch off the digital circuits such as the USB input, Bluetooth and & Wi-Fi to enhance analogue replay; particularly useful if your intending to indulge your record collection for an afternoon. ​​

With the tech-specs taken care of, what of course is most important, is how it sounds! Now my impressions are my own, but as with the other amplifiers mentioned in this blog I really do like it and my brief description to the PM8006 sound should give you a very clear indication of what you can expect from the PM7000N.

While assessing the sound, I paired it with both the Monitor Audio‘s Silver 200, to great effect, and with a pair if Spendor A4’s, which are quite a bit more expensive than the amplifier priced at £2400. While the Silver 200 and the A4's are clearly very different the speakers are able to deliver what the speaker designers intended because the amplifier is so well balanced. I won't say too much more about the sound, we all experience sound differently and we also have our personal preferences, but if you’re in the market for an new amplifier, upgrade or downsize or otherwise, the Marantz PM7000N Streaming Amplifier is absolutely worthy of an audition.​

Please contact the Audio T Swindon team and we will be happy to arrange a proper demonstration for you. Call Andy or Andrew on 01793 538222, we are always pleased to hear from you.

Marantz Hi-Fi products are available from all branches of Audio T:

Join Us For A Delicious Day Of All Things Vinyl With Two New Products From Rega & Diverse Vinyl

Join Manager Andy Day and an as yet unspecified special guest from Rega on Saturday 2nd November for a very special musical event showcasing two exciting new Rega products.

The long awaited Aethos amplifier, that we are presently awaiting the arrival of with baited breath……..and the new Rega Planar 10 turntable which will be coupled with the outstanding Rega Aura reference phono-stage; we expect the shop to sing, and swing, like never before!

Click the image to reserve your place or come along on the day!

We have had our new demonstration Rega Planar 10 on constantly since it arrived, just over a fortnight ago and beleive us, it sounds even better than it looks. And it seems, reading our other branches recent blog posts that the concensus is unanimous, so rather than add another superlative review to the an already crowed field we decided our time was better spent just listening to the deck!....But please check out our other branches blog posts and discover just how good this fantastic turntable is - a great way to whet the appetite before paying us a visit on Saturday 2nd November; without wishing to mix the metaphors too much.

In addition, we will also be hosting our good friend's, Diverse Vinyl, who will be bringing more vinyl treats with them than you could possibly flick through in a single afternoon, who will be operating a "pop-up" shop at Audio T, Swindon, just for the day, so you can browse and by the latest and greatest releases on vinyl.

We hope you can join us for a fantastic day of music and Hi-Fi showcasing two exceptional new products. We look much look forward to seeing you then - Andy & Andrew - Audio T Swindon.

Silence Is Golden! Experience ISOL-8 Mains Conditioning & Hear The Difference

Join Andy Day and Mark from ISOL-8 on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th September and experience a comprehensive demonstration of ISOL-8's range of mains cable and conditioning products and hear for yourself how they can improve the sound quality of your existing Hi-Fi or home cinema system.​

ISOL-8 offer a comprehensive range of products starting with the standard Powerline, a 4 or 6 outlet, compact strip with an anodised, 6mm thick machined aluminum top plate that includes dedicated sockets for both low and high power connections to serve your individual systems power requirement. With a range of additional benefits available with the Powerline Ultra and Axis models such as transmodal filtering and DC blocking; ISOL-8 even offer a dedicated strip, the 1080, designed to enhance your Home Cinema's performance. Move up to the MiniSub & SubStation series of full-width components, and experience the benefits that individual filters can have by not only attending to mains-borne noise from connected appliances, harmonic distortion and RFI, but also from noise generated with your own system.​

ISOL-8 offer two types of Power Cables, the Wave and the Ultra, both designed to maximise your systems performance and if you attended our ISOL-8 event you could win one of 3 ISOL-8 Wave power cables worth £120. ​

**Enjoy a 15% Discount for any orders placed during this two day event**

Click here to reserve your place for Friday and here for Saturday or simply turn-up on the day and with a few details we will add you to the draw. ​

The ISOL-8 event starts at 12.00 noon on Friday 27th and at 10.00am on Saturday 28th September and both events will conclude at 5.30pm. We look forward to seeing you in store for a event that promises to yield some surprising and exciting results!

Isol-8 mains conditioning products are available from the following branches of Audio T: Bristol, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Online, Oxford, Swansea, Swindon

Spendor A2. Good Things Really Do Come In Small Packages.

If your listening room is limiting your speaker choices and a floorstanding speaker seems to be out of the question, then Spendor may just have the ideal speaker for you. 

The A2, is a perfectly formed yet supremely compact floorstanding speaker that takes up less space than many bookshelf speakers!

Priced at £1675 a pair, the A2 offers a real alternative to the plethora of quality stand mounted speakers available at this price point. With lovely clean, straight lines, a super compact footprint and a range of real wood veneer finishes, that include a traditional Black Ash, a Dark Walnut or a Natural Oak, the A2 not only looks good, it also sounds superb; but more on that in a moment. Standing a little over 2.5 feet tall the Spendor A2 is just 15cm wide and only 25cm deep, diminutive to say the least and as they are so compact this speaker is incredibly easy to integrate into your listening room.

By coincidence, our demonstration pair arrived a matter of days before we received our new Naim Supernait 3, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to run these two in together. Consequently we have been enjoying this peppy combination for the past two weeks, coupled with the Naim ND5 XS streamer as our primary source.

While the A2’s clearly are compact, it is clear from the first few notes of any song you select, the sound they produce is anything but small. As we have established with both the Spendor A4's and A7's, the drive-units integrate seamlessly and the A2's paint a big-audio-picture. While the soundstage produced is of the wide-screen variety, the A2’s compact dimensions mean that the low frequency drive unit isn’t very large;. in fact, it is the same drive unit that is specified for the A1 bookshelf speaker, measuring 150mm or 5.9 inch's. It stands to reason then that a driver of this size won't push that much air, particularly given the A2's cabinet size, but the beauty of such a small speaker is it requires less space around it to perform well, and most importantly, less space behind it. Using the rear wall to reinforce the bass output ensures that the A2 doesn't leave you feeling short-changed in any way, shape or form. When critically listening I played a range of Burial tracks, Sbtrkt's Pharaohs and even James Blake's, Limit to your Love, all of which were deliberately selected to get a sense of the depth of bass these little speakers can produce. And honestly, the results were outstanding. While it’s fair to say that the low frequencies aren't necessarily earth-shattering, what the A2's do deliver is a taut, tuneful and nuanced bassline with a sense of realism, nothing is overblown here but distinguishing between a bass guitar or electronic bassline is an easy task; no muddling, nothing is indistinct. Still, if you like your bass to go just a little deeper, a suitable subwoofer will fill in the missing elements below the 36hz the speakers are capable of delivering;  and of course, if your room is a little larger the Spendor A4 and A7 are ready, willing and able for a small increase in price!

Obviously the system we have been running them with is far from an entry level pairing, but we have often found the other Spendor's in the range exhibit an unfussy nature, tending to work well with any brand of electronics we choose. So we thought we might match them with Rotel’s new amplifier, the A11. Priced at £450, it delivers 50 watts of class A/B power, into an 8 ohms load, which is more than sufficient current to control the reasonably sensitive A2's and to cut a long story short, they pair beautifully, with the baby Spendor's delivering a lovely, rounded and mature sound despite the mismatch in the respective prices point of these two products.

We think the Spendor A2's are a superb speaker, definitely worthy of an audition. If you happen to be passing by, there a strong chance they will be playing in the background or alternatively, please contact the Swindon team and we will be happy to arrange a proper demonstration for you. Call Andy or Andrew at Audio T Swindon on 01793 538222, or just pop in and we would be very pleased to set them up for you.

Spendor loudspeakers are available from the following branches of Audio T :- Cardiff, Cheltenham, Portsmouth, Swindon

Naim Hi-Fi products are available from all branches of Audio T

Linn Selekt DSM Upgradeble Music System Now Available At Audio T Swindon

The new Linn Selekt DSM audio system has arrived here at Audio T Swindon. This system is modular and can be upgraded to your own taste and functionality. The Linn Select DSM can be either a source component that you add to an existing Hi-Fi system or with integrated amplifiers and a DAC to create a single box music system. All you need to do is add a pair of loudspeakers and your done.

The Selekt DSM is very compact and well built and when you switch it on you’re greeted by the illuminated control button on the top of the unit.

The Linn Selekt DSM supports four stereo and four surround sound configurations ( 5.1 ) which you can choose from.

Our Selekt DSM comes fitted with Katalyst DAC and stereo integrated amplifiers. This system features network music streaming including popular streaming services like Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify and will play your CD rips from a NAS or dedicated music server such as Innuos. Built in Internet Radio allows you to connect to thousands of web based radio stations.

Linn Selekt DSM with six customisable buttons

There are ten digital and analogue inputs on the back, including one HDMI ARC (TV) socket and one USB-B input for connecting to a computer. The built in phonostage can take both, moving magnet and moving coil cartridges for turntables.

Linn Selekt DSM connectivity

Set up is very easy. The Linn Selekt DSM can be configured via the Linn Konfig app (MAC or Windows) and controlled via the Linn Kazoo app ( available for iOS and Android ). Six customisable buttons on the front panel can be assigned a task like a radio station, a song, a playlist or a shortcut to an input. It supports formats up to 24Bit/192kHz high resolution.

Linn have added their latest version of its Space Optimisation Room Equalization software. This is very clever and allows you to add details like the dimensions of your room including doors, windows, ceiling height, the construction type of your rooms walls and more. Add your pair of speakers BRAND AND MODEL) and the system optimises the sound for your room to improve sound quality.

We absolutely love it and we think you will, too.

Please come in to have a listen and will provide tea and coffee.

Linn Hi-Fi products are available from the following branches of Audio T:

Brighton, Bristol, Manchester, Oxford, Preston, Swindon

Dali Oberon Loudspeakers Now Available At Audio T Swindon

We have taken delivery of the first two speakers of Dali’s Oberon loudspeaker range. Dali, Danish Audiophile Loudspeaker Industries, are a company with more than 35 years of experience and we can’t wait to have a listen to them!

The Oberon range comprises of two pairs of standmount speakers, two pairs of floorstanding speakers, a pair of on-wall models and a centre speaker. The speakers we would like to show you are the Oberon 5 floorstanding speakers and the Oberon Vokal centre speaker.

The Dali Oberon Series is available in four finishes : Black Ash, White, Dark Walnut and Light Oak. The new grills are either Mountain Grey supplied with the light finishes or Shadow Black supplied with the dark finishes. Marshmallow White is available is an extra cost.

Our speakers have arrived in Light Oak and we have to admit that they look really nice .

Dali Oberon 5 Floorstanders and Oberon Vokal Centre Loudspeaker with Grills

Dali Oberon 5 and Oberon Vokal without Grills

The Oberon 5’s are 83cm high, 16cm wide and 28cm deep. Like all Dali speakers, the Oberon 5’s fire straight ahead (not angled in towards the listening position) due to the soft dome tweeter’s wide dispersion. The two bass/mid woofers wood-fibre cones take over the mid-range and bass frequencies.

Here are a few photos of the Oberon 5. Stunning wood finish

Dali Oberon 5

Dali Oberon 5

Dali Oberon 5

The Oberon Vokal centre speaker is an ideal partner for the surround sound system and blends in nicely with it’s soft dome tweeter and two wood fibre cone woofers.

Dali Oberon Vokal without grill

Dali Oberon Vokal with grill

The Dali Oberon 5 and Oberon Vokal offer a very nice balanced front soundstage when used together in a surround sound system, just add Oberon1, Oberon3 or even Oberon On-Wall as your surround channels.

We listen to all sorts of music and the Oberon 5’s sound fast, detailed, sharp without being bright. A great allrounder.

Please come in for a listen . Coffee and tea will be provided.

Stefan & Andy

Dali loudspeakers are available from the following branches of Audio T :

Brentwood, Cardiff , Online , Swindon

Big Sound, Small Package! Rega Brio Stereo Amplifier & Apollo CD Player Made In England

These two award winning Rega Research products, the Brio amplifier and the Apollo CD player make a very nice sounding music system and all you have to add is a pair of loudspeakers. Let’s have a look at the two.

On the front of the Brio you find the on/off switch, input selector, volume control knob and a headphone socket designed to avoid interference with the main audio circuit.

On the rear you find 4 sets of input sockets, a dedicated input ( No.1 ) for turntables with moving magnet cartridges and a set of record output sockets.

The Rega Apollo CD Player, similar in size , is a perfect partner for the Brio. The unique top loading mechanism stands out

On the back there is a set of analogue outputs and two digital outputs, optical and coaxial.

Both the Rega Brio R and the Apollo are supplied with a remote control.

These two together are a musical combination with a nice crisp top-end and plenty of detail.

The Rega Brio and Apollo are on demonstration here in the shop. Please feel free to come in for a listen . Coffee and tea will be provided.

Rega Research products are available from all branches of Audio T

PMC Cor Integrated Amplifier - The Heart Of A Hi-Fi System

PMC’s integrated amplifier, named Cor ( which means heart in latin ) has arrived here with us in Swindon. PMC, known as a speaker manufacturer of many award winning speakers , launched the Cor last year as their first stand-alone domestic amplifier.

Designed and hand-built in the UK, the Cor is an analogue Class A/B amplifier that produces 95W per channel (which rises to 140W into a 4ohm load ) and it is very well built indeed.

On the front panel it has a large volume control knob, a headphone socket and buttons for input selection . There are controls for bass, trable and balance and these are operated by motorised slider switches. Each of the switches has a led in the middle and they turn white when dead centre or red when adjustments have been made. You press the bypass switch if you don’t want to use tone controls.

A nice metal remote control is supplied with the Cor.

There is an on/off switch on the back and when switched on, the PMC logo on the front panel turns red, meaning it is in stand-by. Touch the logo to turn the amp on and it turns white.

On the back, there are 5 line-level inputs and a single balanced XLR input. A pre-amp output if you want to connect the Cor to a power amplifier of your choice and direct in sockets for integration into a home cinema, leaving the Cor to power the two front speakers.

This Cor is a neutral sounding amplifier that doesn’t add or take away anything from your music. This heart of a music system offers control and it is pure fun to listen to.

We have connected various speakers and sources here in the shop and it sounded superb.

Please bring some of your music and come in for a listen. Coffee and tea will be provided.

For more specification please click this link —> PMC Cor

PMC Hi-Fi products are available from the following branches of Audio T: Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Enfield, Manchester, Portsmouth, Southampton, Swindon

Rip, Serve and Play - The New Innuos Zen Mini MK3 Music Server Has Arrived At Audio T Swindon

Innuos, a company that was founded in 2009, offer an easy solution to store your CD collection to its internal hard drive. This can be done by either ripping your CD’s or importing an existing music library via USB. Internal disk storage is available from 1TB up to 8TB.

We were really impressed by the previous model and this new Innuos Zen Mini MK3 is even better.

Innuos Zen Mini MK3 Music Server

Innuos Zen Mini MK3

The new Zen Mini MK3 now features analogue and two digital outputs (coaxial & optical) so it can be directly connected to an amplifier. Another option is to connect the server to a USB DAC via one of the four USB sockets - Nice. A second low-noise Ethernet socket to which one can directly connect a third party Roon Ready / UPNP music streamer.

Set-Up and Connecting it:

We connected our Zen Mini MK3 via an Ethernet cable to our network, applied power to it and switched it on. It was found on the network within seconds.

Once switched on you will see a menu bar and we go straight to settings.

In there, we set the ripping file format to either WAV or FLAC and left the ripping speed set to Quick Mode (and it is quick!) - That’s it We are ready to rip our first CD.

Not long and the correct artwork and information has been found and the Zen Mini MK3 starts ripping the first CD.

Very useful: Missing artwork and CD information can be added or edited if necessary.

As mentioned before existing music libraries can be imported .

For those who have a have a Tidal, Qobuz or a Spotify account, just add your log-in details and the services will be available via the control app.

All in all, the new Innuos Zen Mini MK3 sounds great and is easy to use.

Please get in touch with us here in the shop and we will be happy to give you a demonstration.

Thanks for reading. Stefan & Andy Audio T Swindon

Innuos products are available from the following branches of Audio T

Brentwood, Bristol, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Enfield, Manchester, Portsmouth, Preston, Reading, Southampton, Swansea, Swindon and our Online Store

New Rega Planar 8 Turntable And Aria Version 2 Phono Stage Available At Audio T Swindon

The new Rega Planar 8 turntable and the Aria Version2 MM/MC phono stage have arrived here with us and we can’t wait to have a listen to them!

The Rega Planar 8 is the newest member of Rega’s turntable range and it is available without a fitted cartridge or with two factory-fitted cartridge options (with Ania or Apheta2).

Let’s take a closer look at the Planar 8.

A deconstructed Rega Planar 8

The ultra lightweight plinth (Tancast 8 polyurethane foam - a material developed for the aerospace industry) with a double brace mounted between the tonearm and main hub bearing. It prevents energy absorption and unwanted resonance.

Planar 8 plinth and new RB880 tonearm

Rega Planar 8

The super flywheel effect triple layer glass platter

The Planar 8 is powered by the supplied Neo PSU . It offers a smooth power supply and electronic speed adjustment.

NEO PSU

NEO PSU (Rear)

Our demonstration Planar 8 with the factory fitted Apheta 2 moving-coil cartridge.

Rega Apheta 2 cartridge

But there is one more thing!

What about a lid/cover? No problem. There is a nice lid in the box.

Before we connect it up to our system, we have a look at the Rega Aria phono stage. This is the newer version that matches the design of the Rega Apollo-R CD player and Brio-R integrated amplifier.

The Aria has two entirely separate high performance phono stages, a fully adjustable moving coil and a moving magnet stage. Each stage has its own input sockets and input pre-amplifier circuitry.

The MC input allows to select resistive input loading of 70 ohms to 400ohms and capacitive loading of 1000pF to 4200pF. The input sensitivity can be changed by 6dB.

Rega Aria Phono Stage

With both , the Planar 8 and the Aria, connected to the award winning Rega Elicit-R amplifier and a pair of Spendor A4 floor standing speakers we started listening to Daft Punk’s Random Access Memory.

Straight out of the box, the Planar 8 turntable sounds fantastic. The detail and rhythm are amazing, there is groove and it makes you want to listen to more vinyl.

Next on the list is Nirvana’s Album Unplugged in New York. I watched this concert live on MTV many years ago and listening to it on the Rega Planar 8 brings back memories. Voices and instruments stand out into the room with so much depth and space around them. Fantastic!

Planar 8, Aria, Elicit-R, Neo PSU

Come in and have a listen and bring some of your favorite records. We will provide tea and coffee. Thanks for reading Stefan & Andy - Audio T Swindon

Rega Hi-Fi products are available at all branches of Audio T.

Legendary Hi-Fi Brand Linn, Is Now Available For Audition At Audio T Swindon

We are proud and extremely excited to announce that we are now an official Linn dealer at Audio T Swindon. In this blog we will introduce you to some of their fantastic Hi-Fi products and we hope it will encourage you to come in and have a listen.

Linn, based in Glasgow, Scotland, is one of the oldest and most revered British manufacturers of Hi-Fi equipment. They make turntables (the legendary Linn Sondek), loudspeakers, amplifiers and digital network music players. They’ve always been an innovator and were the first Hi-Fi company to stop CD players in 2009, so they could focus on the development of their digital music streaming and network players.

Let’s start with the range of turntables, the iconic Sondek LP12. Every person who has bought a Sondek LP12 from 1973 onwards has been able to fully upgrade their turntable to the very latest specification and every single Sondek LP12 is made by hand and signed by the person who builds it.

The three ranges are Majik LP12, Akurate LP12 and Klimax LP12.

The choice of plinth finishes are oak, cherry, black ash, rosenut and walnut. The Majik LP12 includes the Majik sub-chassis, Solid Base base board, Majik power supply, a Pro-Ject 9CC carbon tonearm and the Adikt moving-magnet cartridge.

Majik LP12 in oak

Majik LP12 with Adikt Cartridge

Majik LP12

We also have an Akurate LP12 ready for demonstration.

This LP12 comes with an external Lingo 4 power supply, Kore upgraded sub-chassis, Trampolin suspended aluminium base board, Akito tonearm and the Krystal moving-coil cartridge.

Akurate LP12 in walnut

Akurate LP12 with Akito Tonearm and Krystal Cartridge

Linn Krystal Moving-Coil Cartridge

Lingo Power Supply

Linn Network Music Systems:

There is a range of four systems and we would like to show you the entry level Linn Majik DSM.

It is a true one-box two-channel music system (available in black or silver) with a powerful 90W per channel amplifier, 15 digital (HDMI, coaxial, optical ) & analogue inputs, a built-in phono stage (MM) for connecting a turntable, Tidal & Qobuz lossless streaming, streaming form a NAS, Internet radio and much more.

Linn Majik DSM

Linn Majik DSM

The system can be controlled via iOS/Android app and a computer desktop option is available, too. A remote control for convenience is supplied.

The Linn Majik DSM is a very versatile system that allows you to connect a turntable, TV, set-top box or a games console - No problem. There are 3 optical, 3 coaxial, 4 HDMI and 4 analogue inputs (one of them for a turntable).

The Linn Kazoo control app is well designed and works really well. Choose your source, select your music and turn it up - That’s it.

Here is a screen shot of the Linn Kazoo App and what you can choose to listen to.

But there’s one more thing.…

To complete the system we have added a pair of Linn Majik 140 loudspeakers.

This is a 4-way floorstanding loudspeaker and only one out of 3 in the range. There is a pair a bookshelf speakers (Majik 109) and a centre speaker (Majik 112 for a home theatre system) as well.

Linn Majik 140 speakers

Linn Majik 140 speakers

Linn Majik 140 speaker terminal

The Linn system in one of our demonstration rooms:

This is a great music system, with plenty of detail, rhythm and groove and it makes us want to listen to more music. Whether you want to play your favourite records or stream your music digitally it’s fantastic! So come on in and have a listen to one of the best British Hi-Fi brands around!

Thank you for reading. Andy & Stefan Audio T Swindon

Linn products are available at the following branches of Audio T:

Brighton, Bristol, Manchester, Swindon