Arcam's AVR750 Lands In Our Demo Room!

Arcam's top of the range and eagerly awaited Home Cinema Amplifier has arrived!

It feels like Christmas has come early! :)

 Supplied with the Arcam AVR750 you will find x1 Power Cable, x1 Set-Up Mic, x1 FM/DAB Aerial, x1 Remote (CR450), and x2 AAA Batteries.

Arcam's AVR750 isn't just an improvement over its predecessor the AVR600.... Its a giant leap forward in Movie and Music terms!, Arcam quoted that the AVR600 was known as the "best sounding" receiver available at that price point and beyond, however Arcam's AVR750 is being referred to as Arcam's best ever "stereo" amplifier!

Arcam have decided to use a completely new HDMI board for the AVR750 which relates to faster input switching & a faster to appear set-up on-screen menu which all helps create a smooth & seamless operation of the new AVR's, but more importantly is the improvements over picture definition! (We find ourselves getting pulled further into the picture noticing minute details that we previously had missed!). Arcam has also changed the volume control using a resistive ladder operation much like a high-end multi-pole resistor switch (usually found in esoteric and expensive pre-amps). With this design it means that only a single resistor is in place of the signal path , offering next to no distortion!

Lurking under the casework of the Arcam AVR750 is a huge toroidal transformer supplying the Class G power amplifiers with the clean, stable power they need to deliver a genuine 120 Watts (2 channels driven) and 100 Watts per channel when driving all seven, however the majority of normal listening uses a Class A stage, making Arcam's AVR750 a cut above the competition for music playback & arguably movies "Hollywood is easy......get the music right and Hollywood will follow".

Lastly the new remote (CR450) is superior to the one previously supplied with the AVR360/400/600, With much better and reliable lighting you can enjoy a home theater experience without having to stumble in the dark trying to find the right button!

Our first listens have left us gob smacked!.... thanks to it's refined Class G power amplifer and new analogue volume control its so much cleaner sounding than both the AVR400 & AVR600 amps.  The picture appears to have more depth & HDMI handshaking speeds are incredibly fast due to the new HDMI boards. This feels like what the AVR600 should have been.

Well done ARCAM! :) It's Amazing!

Book a demo today!

Audio-T Enfield

Tel:0208 367 3132

Email:enfield@audio-t.co.uk

Arcam AVR750

We have high hopes for Arcams new integrated recievers and the AVR750 is the first one we have had a chance to play with. At £4000 it needs to be good as there are plenty of good home cinema amps on the market for less money.

First impressions are good, the unit feels solidly built with the usual Arcam FMJ case, and the list of specifications is appropriately lengthy. The only slightly disappointing part is the remote which feels light weight and a bit insubstantial for such a quality product.

We rigged the AVR750 up to our favourite PMC speaker package. The menus and remote are slick, and quicker to react than the previous recievers. The auto set up with the microphone provided is as good as any, however I still believe that a better result can be achieved on most occasions if you spend a bit of time and do it manually.

After putting the AVR750 through it's paces for an hour I can honestly say it is one of the best, if not the best, home cinema amplifier I have ever heard. It sounded effortlessly powerful and dynamic with an action movie, but also retained subtlety, detail and musicality, not an easy combination to achieve with an integrated home cinema amplifier.

B&W's MT50 Dominate Our Demonstration Room!

Take a closer look & listen at B&W's MT50 speaker package at Audio-T Enfield!

The new B&W M-1 Satellites contain x1 1" metal dome Tube-Loaded tweeter, x1 4" woven glass fibre cone bass driver which features B&W's Anti-Resonance Plug. The performance is now full range with help from a extended bass port and other shared technologies from the Nautilus & PM1 speakers. In short the M-1's are some of the best satellite speakers we've heard!

The M-1 centre channel is simply the same speaker as the M-1 satellites with the stand adjusted & the badge turned around :) (All satellites are wall mountable using the supplied wall bracket).

B&W's ASW608 uses x1 8" Paper Aramid Fibre cone long-throw driver which is driven by 200 Watts of power, although less powerful on paper than KEF's E2 & Monitor Audio's Mass W200, B&W's decision to mount the 8" bass driver on the front of the cabinet means a tighter faster slam! Bring on the trouser flapping bass! :)

So find out today whether B&W's MT50 5.1 speaker package is the surround sound we've been waiting for!

We would describe the M-1 satellites as "Detailed with considerable bass weight and texture"

And the ASW608 subwoofer as "Fast, Punchy with a controlled slam"

Book a demo today!

Audio T Enfield

Tel:0208 367 3132

Email:enfield@audio-t.co.uk 

Don't you step on my blue suede.......Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear headphones.

The all new Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear in blue.

Blue Alacantara (suede) adornes the headband... 

....and is also used on the cushions for extreme comfort.

As usual from Sennheiser fit and finish is second to none. 

The adjustable headband makes it easy to slide the headphone into a comfortable listening position.

As with most high end Sennheiser headphones the cable is replaceable, should you break or lose it.

So far the consensus is positive with a Freakscore 9.5 out of 10.  

Techdigest have also given the Momentum On-Ears a glowing review.

With a range of colours available, anybody can pick a style to please. 

Remember all the colours are available through our website or you can pop into our Manchester store to take a look for yourself and ask for a demonstration.

Theres also a great little video from Sennheiser promoting the Momentum headphones. 

https://vimeo.com/sennheiserelectronic/momentum-on-ear-headphones

Just call in ask Munir, Dave, Mike or Kevin for any help.

See you soon..

Q Acoustic Concept 20's Are a Hit !!!

We recently added the new Q Acoustic Concept 20 to our stock profile and if we could sum them up in one word, that word would be "WOW !!".

In polished black or gloss white they are a great modern looking bookshelf speaker that would complement any Hi-Fi system.

 

The sound they produce from a seemingly small box is outstanding, producing crisp open detail, smooth mid's and a low end bass that no speaker that size should be allowed to do, and we were pleasantly surprised to learn that they sell for only £350 as they out perform many other speakers at the same price. To improve the sound even further we used them on the specially designed speaker stands that also completes the stylish look of the whole package.

If you are considering some new speakers then the Concept 20 is definitely one that should be high on your list. Give us a call in Preston to arrange a demonstration or just pop in any time.

For further info check out the Q Acoustics YouTube vid here.

Pioneer XC-P01DAB

The new Pioneer XC-P01DAB is a new two piece micro sytem comprising of a 75wpc receiver offering a DAB/FM radio and a separate high quality CD player.

The receiver offers an optical and coax digital input and two analogue stereo inputs. The CD player offers a USB input for connection to I-Pads, I-Phones and external USB Devices.

Sound quality for a system of this size and price is stunning. When partnered with speakers such as the Wharfedale Diamond 121 the sound is open and transparent and offers great depth of bass.

A lot of the one box micro sytems offer great sound for the money but the Pioneer just takes everything to a different level.

If you are in the market for a small dicrete hi-fi system this one has to be the top of your list.

Classic Album Evening Number 7 Tuesday 20th August

Following the success of our sixth Classic Vinyl Evening, we are pleased to announce Classic Vinyl Night number seven.

This will be on Tuesday 20^th August and once again will be held at the Fusion Room restaurant, 80 Friargate, Preston, PR1 2ED, at 7pm 7.30 start. 

Click the link to find where we will be http://www.fusionroom.co.uk/

The album we have chosen is Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd.

The idea is simple... just turn up and listen to an album in it's entirety on vinyl with a short break to grab a drink half way in.

If you are interested in joining us please email the store preston@audio-t.co.uk or call us on 01772 883958 to confirm your place

If you require any additional information, please feel free to contact us.

We look forward to seeing you

Ian, Gavin and Andy       

Two New Audiolabs! Q-DAC and M-PWR

Much like buses, you wait for a new Audiolab product to appear then two arrive at once!

Here are the new Q-DAC and M-PWR before we unwrapped them.  

The M-PWR is opened first, showing how it is well protected in foam packaging and complete with instruction manual and separately boxed power lead.

We soon have the power amplifier fully revealed in all it's glory.  It's a compact and solidly engineered piece of equipment, reassuringly weighty.

Now we want to see the Q-DAC so we carefully open the outer box.

The Q-DAC is similarly well packaged and comes with user manual and power supply with integral mains lead and multi pin plug for connection to the Q-DAC power supply input.

The Q-DAC is now out of it's box revealing the same clean functional design as the M-PWR and the higher specification M-DAC.  The alloy casework and front panel have a reassuring feel of quality about them.

The Q-DAC and M-PWR make a handsome pair!

A peek around the back reveals a comprehensive set of sockets, mostly gold plated.  The Q-DAC has a 192KHz coaxial digital input and asynchronous USB socket also supporting 192kHz 24 bit files plus 96kHz 24 bit optical input.  Like it's big brother, the M-DAC, the Q-DAC has a Class A output stage and headphone amplifier so should give a warm, involving sound.  

M-PWR produces 40W into an 8 ohm load and has XLR inputs for optimum connection to M-DAC as well as RCA sockets for connection to Q-DAC, etc.

Right, now it's time for some music!  We will report back on these products once they are fully run in and warmed up.  The Q-DAC is £399.00 and M-PWR is £499.00 so look like being great value for a compact high spec DAC pre-power combination.

Tune in again soon for our thoughts once we've had a listen!

Garlic......bread? KEF.....headphones? Hell yeh !! The M500 from KEF

Yep..that's right here are the first ever on ear KEF M500 headphones.

Beautifully designed from precision machined aluminium the KEF M500 look gorgeous.

High comfort level afforded by the unique ergonomic 'Smart-Hinge' for extended listening sessions.

Smart control and tangle free cable.

Fold up and carry away!

Eh!! bring those back Chromey!!..

All presented in a neat KEF carry case.

So how do they sound?

Well, pretty impressive actually. The music has a very wide presention and large sound stage, much larger than other headphones. Almost like having a pair of KEF speakers strapped to your head. But thats our opinion, why not pop in and try a pair and you can decide for yourself.

Here's what some online publications think of the KEF M500.

T3 Gadget Website

Life Of Android

KEF's own website

Audio T 

Remember to ask for a demonstration when you call in at Audio T Manchester

See you soon..

Munir, Dave, Mike and Kevin

The Chord Company Sarum Tuned Aray

There has been considerable interest in the Sarum Tuned Aray cables and here at Audio T Brighton we have a set of demonstration leads. Our stock set comprise the 5 Din to 5 Din, and RCA pr Interconnects, mains cable, and a set of speaker leads. Other configurations of leads can be made available by arrangement.

The best way to assess these leads is to try them in your system, so please contact us and we will endeavour to facilitate this for you.

Come and find out what all the fuss is about !

ROLL UP ROLL UP,.. Get 'em while they're fresh!..

EX-DEMO DEALS IN SWINDON....

Are you after something new in your system?

If the answer is YES then we just might have something for you in our Clearance Corner!

Pop into Audio T Swindon or go on to our Clearance section on our website to see what Ex-Demo deals we have for you.

It's changing on a regular basis so please keep checking back to see our latest offers.

If you have any questions relating to an item we have listed then please feel free to give us a call on: 01793 538222.

Headphone Hedonism from Sennheiser.

It's alive!!!

We just wanted to remind all you good folk that some of the best headphones on the market from Sennheiser are ready to demonstrate at our Manchester store. 

As we are part of the exclusive Club Orpheus we have the stunning Sennheiser HD800 on demonstration. We also have the Sennheiser HD700 and the Momentum closed backed headphones.

We can also use the Sennheiser HDVD 800 as the source amplifier.

Call us on 0161 8398869 to book a demo.

Arcam's irDAC is here!

We've got our hands on the eagerly awaited Arcam irDAC!

We open the box to find everything perfectly wrapped in individual compartments.

With everything unpacked its clear to see Arcam has been quite generous. Supplied with the irDAC is all the relevent cables needed to get you on your way. PSU, Remote, x1 Stereo phono-phono cable, x1 Digital Optical cable, x1 Digital Coax cable, USB A-B cable, and Manual.

The Arcam irDAC uses x1 Burr-Brown/TI PCM1796 DAC chipset (Hang on don't they use x2 of them in Arcam's D33... Yes!) So arguably quite a lot of DAC for a mere £399!

On the back of Arcam's irDAC you will find x1 USB input Class I/II(switchable)[Faster is better :) Driver needed visit http://www.arcam.co.uk/extranethome/tor and download the D33/irDac driver to support the faster class II USB input], USB iPod input, x2 Optical inputs, x2 Coax inputs, x1 Digital Coax output & x1 Analogue Phono output.

So for those of us that don't have £2200 to spend on Arcam's wonderful D33! Is this the answer?

We have our irDAC running in now, so our thoughts will follow in a couple of days(Watch this space!)

Arcam's irDac is everything I expected from the little brother of the mighty D33.The irDac stays true to Arcam's sonic signature, which I feel is a vast,immersive 3D sound stage which brings you closer to the music & allows the listener to forget about their speakers & electronics! Arcam's irDac sounds right... everything I've played through it (from Classical to Metal, and everything in between) has made me smile with its sweet, natural tones. In turn this has given me more head room to crank the volume up, without my system losing control.

The Arcam irDac is one of the best £399 I can think of spending, which is why mine's on order.

Book a demo today!

Audio-T Enfield

Tel: 0208 3673132

Email: enfield@audio-t.co.uk

Treat Your Ears To The MASSive Sound Of Monitor Audio's Latest 5.1 Speaker Package!

 

Get up close & personal with Monitor Audio's MASS 5.1 surround sound speakers.

The MASS 10 & Centre satellites contain 1x 4" C-CAM Bass/Midrange driver which uses a single bolt through driver and bracing system, for increased overall bracing and rigidity & 1x 1" C-CAM Tweeter. The cabinet also features a single rear mounted port featuring HiVe technology for clean, powerful, punchy bass. 

 The MASS Centre speaker is identical to the MASS 10's but turned on its side which sits on a rubber support to prevent any vibrations from the surface it sits on. Keeping the same size speaker as the left, right and rears ensures excellent steering of effects while listening to your favourite movies. (All satellites can be wall mounted using Monitor Audio's Speaker Mount £15(each)

 

The mighty MASS W200 uses x1 10" C-CAM Long throw driver driven by 220Watts of class-D power.

On the other side of the MASS W200 you will find a 10" Passive Auxiliary Bass Radiator (which is usually used to gain more volume with a more controlled response than simply porting a subwoofer cabinet). Using quality cabling always pays off we suggest The Chord Crimson VEE3 or the Cobra VEE3 for even tighter bass.

Listen in one of our purpose built demo rooms to find out just how good the Monitor Audio's MASS 5.1 speaker package can really sound!

We would describe the satellites as "Fast, Focused & Detailed"

And the W200 subwoofer as "Room shaking" & "Trouser Flapping" :)

Book a demo today!

Audio-T Enfield

Tel:0208 367 3132

Email:enfield@audio-t.co.uk

You Cannot Be Sirius!

Well in fact we can...

The Isotek EVO 3 Sirius is a very serious 6 outlet power bar that will protect and improve any Hi-Fi system. Priced at £450 it may be the best value upgrade you could ever make.

For the techies amongst us the salient features are:

Removes common and differential mains noise.

Drops the noise floor by 40dB!

No cross contamination between sockets.

22,500A of instantaneous protection.

2,300W maximum power

Multi-strand silver plated OFC cable with a PTFE dielectric.

If you own a good HiFi system then you owe it to yourself to try this out (idealy with a matching IsoTek mains lead).

 http://www.isoteksystems.com

Transform Your Vinyl....Part 2. Apheta Prime...

Rega Apheta moving coil cartridge.

Now thats what I call a headshell !! 

The Rega Apheta has been with us for a number of years now and after the recent introduction of the magnificent RP8 which comes with an optional Apheta cartridge, we have been reintroduced to the delights of this wonderful cartridge. 

After 4 years of research by Rega (no pun intended) and many experiments the Apheta was complete. The end result is a fantastic sounding cartridge. Big, open sounding and with great spatial performance it truly is a joy to listen to.

Ours is as expected attached to a Rega RP8 which in turn is hooked up to the Rega Aria phonostage.

On the front end are a pair of Pro-Ac Response D40s connected to a Rega Isis integrated amplifier.

All beautifully displayed on our ground floor at the Manchester store.

As you can see here Rega use the three point mount for use on Rega arms.

 What did you do with rest of the body Chromey ??? Run!! Optimus is coming....

So, want to transform your vinyl? Contemplating a new cartridge? Why not pop in and have a quick listen to the Rega Apheta.

It's all hooked up and ready to play on the shop floor. Just ask any of the guys to spin up some vinyl for you. We'll also be happy to set up the Apheta in our dedicated demo room for a quieter listening experience.

Thanks

Munir, Kevin, Mike and Dave

Audio T Manchester

Tel: 0161 8398869

Just in time for the Saturday's Vinyl Roadshow

Unboxing the all new Rega ELICIT-R integrated amplifier. We'll be running it solidly to prepare it for Saturday's event. First listen is very promising and a review will follow. Better still, pop in for a listen and check out Diverse Vinyl's stock!

No indication on the box that this thing weighs a ton...

...just as well the packaging is tough then.

Much improved remote in the form of the Solaris.

Looks promising.

Seriously solid build, mind your toes!

At 105w into 8 ohms and a whopping 162w into 4 ohms, expect and equally solid performance.

Keep an eye out for our thoughts soon.

Simon

Audio Technica AT-LP1240

We've just received the new Audio Technica AT-LP1240 DJ/domestic turntable

First impressions are great, nice box and feels solid

DJ Danny is obviously excited at the prospect :)

Now for the ritual unpacking

As you can see the internal packing is very good, nothing is going to rattle about in there!

Now to get all the parts together to assemble this beauty

And shortly afterwards the deck is ready, fitted with an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge

Oooh Shiny !

Right we're off to have a listen to this, try out all the DJ features, play with the built in phono stage and USB connection, and load up the bundled Audacity software.

We'll report back later on how it sounds

Countdown To The Projector Event Only A Day To Go!

Final preparation is being made ahead of our Projector event next Thursday, Friday and Saturday 20th-22nd of June.

We will have 2x Epsom Projectors in our smaller demonstration room with a 5.1 package.

In our larger demonstration room we will be running a JVC, A Sony HW50 and the big daddy that is the 4K Sony VW1000ES! We are excited about this and are sure it will impress music and film enthusiasts alike.

The big picture event will be complimented with a high end home cinema packages from Anthem and Focal.

We already have many people attending so be sure to give a call and book in a tine if you are attending in the evening.

We are open each day from from 9.30AM-5PM (Thursday till 7.30pm) and representives from the manufacturers will be on hand to answer all of your questions.

Refreshements will also be available so even if you just love your movies but want to see and hear it and have some cake feel free! Who says nothing in life is free :-)

We look forward to seeing you 

Danny, Paul and Mahmood

May the tracking force be with you..

Having problems with your turntable? Is your vinyl sounding harsh and sibilant?

You may need a new cartridge or stylus. You could do yourself a favour and pop into Audio-T Manchester and have a chat with Dave. With over 20 years of turntable experience what he does not know about styli and cartridges isn't worth knowing.

Dave can advise you on the correct set up for your turntable and recommend the best cartridge for the tonearm and phono stage you are using.

He also does the complete turntable set up in store.

Why not get your turntable serviced now and bring your vinyl back to life!.....and put the force back into your music. 

You can also speak to Munir, Kevin or Mike if Dave is busy.

Thanks

Audio-T

Manchester

Tel: 0161 8398869

Email : manchester@audio-t.co.uk