We've just reviewed the Panasonic TX-P50VT30B television

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We've just added a review to the Audio T website for the Panasonic TX-P50VT30B television:

"This TV is amongst the best I've ever seen, superb pictures from its' built in Freesat HD and Freeview HD Tuners as well a mighty fine display for all your 3D / Blu-ray and DVD movies. The set is great out of the box but has all you need to set it up to exactly as you want it."

Click here to read our review in full along with pictures, specifications, news and other information

We've just tried the B&W C5 in ear headphones out

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We've just got in the brand newB&W C5 in ear headphones- read our review below:

"Well B&W have done it again, addressing many of the issues normally associated with ear canal headphones resulting in a headphone that not only sounds fantastic but fits properly and should, with the use of the secure loop system, out last many other makes on the market. A must for all iPod / iPhone users interested in high quality playback."

Click here to find out more about the C5 headphones, including more pictures, specifications, and reviews.

We've just added reviews on four products

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Castle Knight 2

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We've just added a review for the Castle Knight 2 speakers to the Audio T website:

"Astonishing value for money. When matched with suitable equipment such as Arcam Solo or Audiolab separates, they perform well above expectations for a speaker of such a modest price. Don't forget a good pair of stands though, Castles own work very well."

Click here to read the full review along with product pictures, features, technical information and other features.

Web World Exclusive! (Updated 14th Oct'11)

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The new Rega Reference IOS Phonostage.

 

A week or so back I had a e-mail from Rob at Rega Research offering me a chance to audition their new Reference IOS Phonostage but there was a small catch, I could only have it for 24 hrs being that there are only 3 in existence and he was on his travels to various dealers.

 

Excited by this I popped into the store ( I was on leave at the time ) and collected said unit. Oh my, this has to be the largest phonostage I’ve ever seen, matching its stable mates, the Isis CD player and Osiris amplifier. Oh and the heaviest too at over 15kg! Yes, it’s built in exactly the same way as the aforementioned to further dampen resonances, staggering.

 

The reference IOS is a serious reworking/refinement of their standard IOS phonostage having itself received many a glowing review over the years. Lifting the lid off shows many changes and enhancements and of course that beautiful casework. Feature-wise there are two major additions, a pair of XLR inputs are included alongside the usual RCAs with a switch on the rear to select either but more usefully, for me at least, is a mono switch on the front for use when playing mono discs of which I have many. This allows one to fully enjoy these records without the distraction of any surface noise coming over in stereo either side of the mono soundstage. This is a feature that is often lacking in many systems either on the amp or phonostage so full marks to Rega here. The remaining Reference IOS features are as the standard IOS and to save me time can be found here. (Select >products >amplifiers> IOS).

 

So, how does it sound? In a word, INCREDIBLE! Rob had loaned me the standard IOS too for comparison and as great as that one is, the Pro was in an altogether different league. The first thing I noticed was just how well is separates all the instruments and layers whilst holding them together musically; frankly it was revelatory. The noise floor was also somewhat lowered and with all this came a greater sense of pace and timing, indeed there was an almost CD like quality to it and of course by that I mean the good aspects of CD reply namely clarity and speed and lack of unwanted noise or bloom aligned with the greatness we all so much love in vinyl reproduction which digital media at any level can’t quite match.

 

Many of my favourite albums were revisited, those that I’m most familiar with and discovered nuances and instrument interactions previously masked but by 2:30am I really had to drag myself off to bed, honestly, I could have stayed up all night as record after record begged to placed on the platter.

 

My first encounter with the Rega Reference IOS may have been short but it was oh so sweet!

 

Apparently I’m the first dealer in the world to hear it so many thanks go out to Rob for putting himself out to give me this opportunity and I look forward to some more quality time with one.

 

RRP: £3995

 

Availability: Now shipping

Simon

UPDATE: I missed it SO much I ordered one and today, 14th Oct. (a bigger event than today's launch of the iPhone 4s, for me at least) it's arrived. Serial no. 00002. Rega inform me they lost the stickers for no.1 and that I'm the 1st in the WORLD to own one!

Arcam release SongBook Arcam app at Apple app store

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Great news for Arcam owners; Arcam have released the SongBook Arcam app onto the Apple app store. This long anticipated control app allows you to control the Arcam Solo Neo, AVR400, AVR600 and the AV888 from your iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad.

You can download the app by clicking here, or search for it on the app store.

If you have an Arcam Solo Neo, you may need to update to software version 1.7 for the SongBook Arcam app to work - we recommend heading to your nearest Arcam dealer for this necessary update.

We've just reviewed the Marantz PM6004 amplifier

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We've had a good listen to one of the first Marantz PM6004 amplifiers in the UK courtesy of Marantz. Read our review below:

"The PM6003 was a hard act to follow but the PM6004 is an even more impressive amp and unbeatable in this price sector.  Separating the pre and power amp boards has extracted even greater resolution and channel separation compared to its predecessor.  A great amp and a perfect match to the new CD6004 CD player."

Click here to see the review along with product pictures, features, technical specifications and further information.

We've just reviewed the Pioneer VSX-921 AV receiver

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We've just added a review for the Pioneer VSX-921 AV receiver to the Audio T website:

"This Stunning new budget AV amp from Pioneer raises the performance of entry level products, with full HD decoding from all formats, plenty of HDMI inputs, control from both iPhone and iPad, internet radio, music streaming, and to top it all off superb audio performance at a bargain price this amplifier has to be on your short list to be listened to!" 

Click here to see the review along with product pictures, features, technical specifications and further information.

Linn Kinsky App now available for iPad and iPhone - FREE

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Linn Kinsky for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch is now available as a free download from the AppStore.

Offering the most comprehensive control of all Linn DS features including room selection, source switching, internet radio and the exciting new Songcast functionality, the new Kinsky app offers wireless control from the palm of your hand.

Kinsky is multiroom-ready and can be used alongside other Linn DS control software on a PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, etc.

Showcase Linn DS at its best by downloading Kinsky for your iPad and iPhone today.

See you there at Heathrow 17th August and Dartford 15th September

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Naim is heading out on the road this summer showcasing its vision for the future of hi-fi at the Summer Sounds: On Stream live shows. The five date UK tour aims to inform and entertain with live demonstrations of Naim's network-connected audio range including an exclusive preview of the next addition to the line-up. Come along between 2pm and 8pm at the following dates and venues:

 

17th August � Park Inn Heathrow

24th August � Cottons Hotel & Spa, Knutsford

31st August � Thorpe Park Hotel & Spa, Leeds

8th September � Stonehouse Court Hotel, Stroud

15th September � Hilton Dartford

 

Visitors to the shows will get the chance to meet Naim's team of research and design engineers and networking experts who will be taking questions on a range of issues about streaming audio. There will also be seminars and workshops on the best way to set up your home system to achieve the best possible sound quality.

 

Visit www.naimaudio.com/on_stream and register to attend for the chance to win an NDX network player. The page also contains exclusive video reviews from What Hi-Fi? Sound & Vision which expand upon "The Future of Hi-Fi" double page spread feature published in this month's issues of What Hi-Fi? and Stuff magazines. The On Stream digital mini-guide, which covers Naim's entire digital range is also available for download. 

 

>SUMMER SOUNDS: ON STREAM

 

We've just added reviews on 4 Naim products

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We've had the chance to sit down and write up on some of the great Naim products that are currently on the market. Please feel free to browse through our reviews below:

Click here to read the review on the Naim Power-Line mains cable

Click here to read the review on the Naim 555 PS power supply

Click here to read the review on the Naim Hi-Line interconnect

Click here to read the review on the Naim NAP 500 power amplifier

We've just added reviews on 4 more Rega products

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We've added a review on the great Rega DAC digital to analogue convertor - see below:

Click here to read our review on the Rega DAC digital to analogue convertor

We've also had a chance to review the Rega RS range of loudspeakers.

The Rega RS range of loudspeakers are well liked by us here in Brighton, and by our customers. From the 2 way bookshelf RS1, through to the 3 way floorstanding RS3, RS5 and RS7, they are coherent and well integrated, and suited to positioning close to a wall, which is often a benefit.

Click here to read our review on the Rega RS1 speakers

Click here to read our review on the Rega RS3 speakers

Click here to read our review on the Rega RS5 speakers

 

Rega Brio-R stereo amplifier

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We've just added a review for the Rega Brio-R stereo amplifier to the Audio T website:

"I always loved the sound of the old Brio amplifier, but the lack of a remote and it's relative paucity of current output, sometimes made it difficult to convince people of its worth. However, the new model however addresses all these issues and sounds even better whilst maintaining the same lovely sonic character"

Click here to read the full review along with product pictures, features, technical information and other features.

Rega DAC digital to analogue convertor

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We've just added a review for the Rega DAC digital to analogue converter to the Audio T website:

"Rega are a company that are really on the up! The new Brio-R and DAC represent truly outstanding value for money. This is an ideal product for someone who wants a serious DAC for an affordable amount"

Click here to read the full review along with product pictures, features, technical information and other features.

 

We've just added reviews on five products

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