Naim Event "The Evolution of the Nait"

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On January 16th at 7pm at the Marriot City Centre Hotel we will be holding our annual Naim audio event.

This time we will be looking at Naim Audio's iconic range of integrated amplifiers from the entry level Nait 5si to the all new SuperNait 2. The event is entitled "The Evolution of the Nait" and will see Jason from Naim talking us through 3 systems.

System 1. CD5si / Nait5si. This will introduce us the acoustics of the venue and the entry point into Naim's range of separates.

System 2. ND5XS / Nait5XS upgrade with Flat-Cap2XS and XP5XS. The next level up and our first opportunity to see what happens when you add dedicated power supplies to Naim components.

System 3. NDX / Super-Nait-2 upgrade with Hi-Cap-2 "DR" and XPS-2 "DR" Top of the range integrated should be music to our ears.

We will be using Focal Aria 926 floor standing loudspeakers which work very well with the Naim range. These feature brand new speaker technology. If all goes to plan we shall also have Dave from Focal UK to explain a little about how Focal achieve such a good sound.

If you register your interest in advance you will be entered into a prize draw on the night with the chance of winning one of 3 prizes. First prize Naim Powerline mains cable, Second prize 10 Naim label CD's and Third prize 5 Naim label CD's. There will of course be a goodie bag with a sampler CD for everyone in attendance.

Book your place by emailing bristol@audio-t.co.uk.

Date: 16th January 2014

The Venue

Marriott Hotel,

2 Lower Castle Street,

Bristol,

BS1 3AD

Time

7.00pm, till 9.30 pm

 

Four Thousand Reasons To Visit Audio T Swindon

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Sony & Audio T can give you four thousand reasons for you to pop along to the Swindon branch with the new Sony KD-55X9005 4K ultra HD TV screen.

At Audio T Swindon, we are pleased to be the only dealer in town who can show off the amazing capabilities of this Sony 4K screen, giving you four times the resolution of standard HD TV!

 

 

With its stunning rich colour palette and great depth to the image, this Sony 4K LED screen truly is breath- taking.....and that's just on upscaled Blu-Ray content!

Let us show you the future of television when we demonstrate it using 4K ultra HD content from our 4K server.

So if you're looking for a new TV that has great on board sound and a picture to die for then look no further and pop in to Audio T Swindon and witness for your self the future of television.

You can read reviews and see videos of the Sony KD-55X9005 4K ultra HD TV screen on our website.

Call Andy or Phil on:

Tel: 01793 538222

 

Audiolab MDAC/MPWR. Compact HiFi with high end sound.

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With a footprint of less than 10" x 10", this compact digital pre-power with DAC and headphone output is equally suitable as the heart of a high quality desktop or HiFi system.

The sound quality is dynamic, detailed with excellent speed and agility. It is really hard to criticise at the retail price of £1100.

MDAC

2 x Coaxial inputs

2 x Optical inputs

USB with asynchronous data processing.

Digital filter presets

Up to 24/192kHz sampling rates.

Sabre chipset.

Balanced and unbalanced outputs

Remote control

MPWR

40 WPC

Balanced and unbalanced inputs

Please feel free to let us know if you would like a demonstration and click if you would like to read some impartial reviews on our web site.

Sony 4K Projector Event Coming to Audio T Manchester.

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On Thursday 5th December our Manchester store will be showcasing the brand new Sony VPL-HW500ES. 

We will be hosting an all day event from 9:30am till 5:30pm and we will be demonstrating true 4K footage.

Sony will be bringing along their dedicated 4K media player which is able to show true 4K.

The VPL-VW500ES can show up to 60 frames per second in 4K. It’s the new 4K industry standard and is much higher than the earlier 24p. The result is a smoother image with superior colour and realism.

Drawing on optical technology developed for the VPL-VW1000ES, Sony have achieved both high brightness (1,700 ANSI lumens) and high contrast (200,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio) in the VPL-VW500ES. So, you’ll see crystal-clear, bright, detail-packed images – even in well-lit rooms.


Now, to add a lot more excitement to what will no doubt, already be a truly cinematic experience , we are introducing the new pre/power Yamaha CX-A5000 & MX-A5000 AV surround amplifier.

This behemouth will power the KEF R Series R900 AV package.

The MX-A5000 discrete structured 11-channel Power Amplifier.

The CX-A5000.  ESS 9016 DACs for all channels including front and rear presence channels.

The ever popular KEF R Series.

We will be hooking up the R900s as the fronts, the R600 center and R800DS and R100s as rears...

...and the KEF R400b will take care of the bass.


Although there is no need to book an appointment, it would be helpful for us know the numbers interested in attending so if you could drop us a line on the info below it would be most helpful.

Thanks.

Munir, Kevin, Dave and Mike.

Tel: 0161 839 8869
email: manchester@audio-t.co.uk
web: www.audio-t.co.uk
We are open Monday to Saturday 9:30 - 17:30
and Sunday 11:30 - 16:30

Sony 4K TV and Hi-Resolution Audio Event

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This successful event took place on the 28th to the 30th of November. Many of our customers were amazed at the image quality of the 4K screen and the amazing sound quality produced by the high resolution audio players.

4K TV

Sony KD55X9005 4K TV


Exceptional picture quality on 4K souces and Blu-Ray discs. The TV also offers amazing sound quality from the built in magnetic fluid loudspeakers developed by NASA.

Sony STR-DA5800ES


The Sony STR-DA5800ES offer a true home cinema experience. The unit offers te following features:

9 x 145W power output

HDMI 9 in / 3 out

4K upscaling and pass through

Hi-Resolution playback up to 192kHz / 24 Bit

Hi-Resolution Audio

Hi-Resolution audio generally refers to a format that is capable of exceeding the sampling/Bit rates of CD (44.1kHz/16Bit). An Example of this is WAV files which are capable of 96kHz/24Bit. This offers a level of performance far exceeding that capable of CD.

Products that will be availble for demonstration will Be:

Sony HAP-S1


This is a high resolution audio player. It is not a streamer - each time music is downloaded to the HAP-S1 it is backed up onto its own hard drive. Therefore music play back is instantaneous as there is no need to wait for the network to stream the tracks. This also makes the unit stand alone as once the files are transfered to the HAP-S1 there is no need to have the PC, etc, on.

The HAP-S1 includes a high quality 40W amplifier, built in D/A convertor and a 500GB HDD. (This is expandable via the USB port on the rear of the product).

Sony HAP-Z1ES


The HAP-Z1ES is similar to the HAP-S1. However as this is an ES product that establishes itself as the highest quality audio player made by Sony. The HAP-S1ES has all of the benefits of the HAP-S1 with the following differences:

There is no amplifier in the HAPZ1ES. Due to the quality obtained a seperate high qualty amplifier is recommended.

The HAPz1ES includes a unique DSD remastering engine. This enables standard music files such as MP3, AAC & WAV to be converted to DSD files.

A very high quality DAC is integated within the unit. This uses FIR filters taht are ideal for the conversion of DSD files.

The unit has a 1Tb HDD that is expandable via the rear USB port.

Exceptional built quality renown in the Sony ES range.

TA-A1ES


This is an analogue two channel stereo amplifier designed to partner the HAP-Z1ES. It is the first two channel amplifier designed by Sony since the EA777ES 14 years ago. The amplifier is an 80W push pull design and offers multiple analogue inputs and a balanced input.

UDA-1S


The UDA-1S is a high quality DAC designed to except digital inputs from a variaety of sources including CD Players, Computers, Smart phones, etc. It is capable of decoding signals up to 192kHz 32 Bit.

It has a built in 23W analogue amplifier so it can be connected directly to a high quality pair of loudspeakers.

SS-HA1 Loudspeakers


Designed to compliment the Sony High resolution products such as the HAP-S1 and the UDA-1. The speakers incorporate WD super tweeters designed to reproduce the exceptional sound of hi-resolution audio.

We look forward to seeing you at the end of November.

 

 

Rega Saturn-R Arrives! CD But Not As We Know It Jim.

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The eagerly awaited and much anticipated Rega Saturn-R CD player has just arrived at Audio T in Chandlers Ford!

This full width Rega product is housed in high quality and satisfyingly heavy metal casework.  It is far more than just a CD player.  In fact it is effectively two products packaged as one: a high quality CD transport with improved power supply, and other tweaks, plus a fully independent and upgraded DAC.


The DAC section is well endowed with socketry including a fully asynchronous USB input and is capable of 192Khz - 24 bit resolution.  

The CD player and DAC are both fully, and independently, controllable by the logical and clear controls of the included Solaris remote handset.

The Rega Apollo Saturn-R is a fantastic product in its own right and the ideal partner for the superb Elicit-R integrated amplifier.  This pairing offer outstanding sound quality and punch way above their price point of £1598.00 each, giving more expensive products some serious competition.  

Anyone looking for a thoroughly musical CD player and DAC need look no further than the Saturn-R.  Add an Elicit-R and a pair of Rega or PMC speakers and you'll have a system which will have you playing more and more music at home and leaving the TV switched off.

Just give us a few days to warm up and run in our demo Saturn-R and give us a ring (get it it?) to arrange a demonstration. We're sure you will love what you hear!

 

Ruark MR1 Active Speakers

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If you are looking for affordable active speakers then you really should look at these little beauties.

Ruark MR1's are truly versatile speakers, equipped with both line and high quality Bluetooth aptX inputs, plus a subwoofer output for potential upgrades. Using Ruark's own bespoke high quality drive units and class a/b amplifiers, they sound amazing and retail for only £299.

Suitable applications include: HiFi, computer audio, Bluetooth streaming and as an upgrade to your TV audio (either via the line in or your television's Bluetooth output if equipped).

Available in white, black or walnut veneer. A remote control comes as standard and an optional battery pack can be added for truly portable use.

If you want to find more about these speakers please visit the Ruark Audio website.

Or if you would like to see them on our website and read reviews from our customers.

 

 

 

 

 

Jony Ive & Marc Newson love the design of the Rega RP8

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18 of the Best Designs of All Time, Picked by Jony Ive and Marc Newson.

And the spectacular Rega RP8 is one of them. Well done Rega.

Wired have posted an article asking Jony Ive (the Apple design guru) and Marc Newson to pick some of their favorite designs.

See the link here.

 

And just a quick reminder, we actually have the amazing Rega RP8 on display and demonstration at the Manchester store.

Please feel free to call in anytime and have a listen.


Tel: 0161 839 8869
email: manchester@audio-t.co.uk
web: www.audio-t.co.uk
We are open Monday to Saturday 9:30 - 17:30
and Sunday 11:30 - 16:30

 

 

Wot No Phase Cap????......

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Monitor Audio have just updated the ever popular Silver series, now replacing the "RX" moniker with "Silver" as the new model name.

 

As you can see, one of the key changes are the removal of the phase cap. 

Monitor Audio's new drive units use a new rigid surface technology (RST),Ceramic-Coated Aluminum/Magnesium (C-CAM®) drivers, which seem to elimate the need for a phase alignment cap.

 

Our initial reaction to Silver series is very positive. The new drive units sound much more detailed than the RX series.

They also have very quick response times, resulting in sound that is much faster than its predecessors. 

They look great too.

The Silver 1 in gloss black.

The Silver 2 in black.

The Silver series sub in walnut.

We have a range of Monitor Audio Silver Series on demo at our Manchester store including:
Silver 1
Silver 2
Silver 6
Silver 10
Silver Center
Silver Subwoofer
Please feel free  to contact the store and arrange a demonstration.
Audio-T Manchester
Tel: 0161 839 8869
email: manchester@audio-t.co.uk
web: www.audio-t.co.uk
We are open Monday to Saturday 9:30 - 17:30
and Sunday 11:30 - 16:30

Owners Manual for Men! - Monitor Audio Airstream S300

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Another new toy has arrived with us - the Monitor Audio Airstream S300.

Opening the box you will see the "quick start quide"... at this point I thought: here we go another simple guide to nowhere! but I was soon to be proved wrong....

 

As you can see, it looks too good to be true.... again being the cynic I still didn't believe it was going to be this easy..... but following the isntructions (as most blokes will only use as a last resort)... it was up and running in minutes...

Hard wiring the device of choice to the rear panel as instructed... a few more button presses and we were away...

So.. how does it perform?

I had just perched the Airstream on an easy to access shelf in the shop to set it up which was obviously not the best place for it, but the Airstream has a brilliant setup feature called APC - Automatic Position Correction. Test tones are output by the Airstream which are measured by it's built in microphone and then setting the equalisation of the Airstram - genius!. Again, so simple to operate so that if you do move the Airstream to different locations around the house you know it will perform to the best of it's ability.

I used our iPad via Airplay which worked perfectly, but if you don't have wifi or it will be placed in a location that has no wi-fi available then it can also be set-up to play directly "point to point" as they call it so no need for wi-fi which would be ideal for the kids in their bedroom for example...

Sound quality is fantastic for it's size! probably the best thing about it was it's off axis performance, a lot of airplay devices or docks can often sound great only when you are head on to them whereas the Airstream sounds great when you are way off centre, and for the headbangers it goes plenty loud enough!!

It is available in black and white too! Click here for more details and specs on the Monitor Audio Airstream S300 You can also read more at the Monitor Audio site

It's permanently wired up in the shop so just ask for a demo next time you call in.....

more new toys coming soon...

A First For Audio T Cardiff, A First For The U.K.

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This week, Audio T Cardiff became the first UK dealer to sell the stunning Project Signature Turntable.  This superbly engineered and crafted turntable weighing in at a massive 75Kg when packed in it's wooden crate was expertly set up at the customers home by ourselves and Duncan Quemby the Project representative.

 

The lid off, showing the ample packaging with the arm and suspended feet.

The top packaging removed allowing plenty of space to lift the turntable carefully out of the crate. 

Out of the box! The twin drive motors, the heavy inverted bearing assembly and arm pivot can clearly be seen along with the LCD display.

Next the turntable placed on the stand and the platter carefully placed on its bearing. The flywheel pulley and the three drive belts were then fitted.

Next the arm was placed on the uni-pivot bearing and the signal leads connected. The arm height was then checked and adjusted accordingly.

The Ortofon Cadenza Black MC cartridge was then fitted to the headshell using the supplied alignment jig.

Them came the setting of the tracking weight using the supplied electronic guage. A recomended tracking force of 2 - 2.5 grams for this cartridge.

Phew! it's done. Record on, glass of wine and feet up! Perfect!

 

Classic Album Evenings 2nd & 3rd of December Featuring KEF Blade

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Following the success of our eighth Classic Vinyl Evening, we are pleased to announce Classic Vinyl Nights number nine.         

They will be on  Monday 2nd & 3rd of December and once again will be held at the Fusion Room restaurant, 80 Friargate, Preston, PR1 2ED, at 6.30pm 7pm start.

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


We are doing this over two evenings as we know demand will be very high,and we have limited seating available,so confirming via email is essential.

When confirming please let us know how many places and what night you will be attending, Monday 2nd or Tuesday 3rd.

The equipment we are using

Speakers                      KEF Blades
Amp                             Yamaha  a-s3000
Turntable                     Rega rp8 inc apheta moving coil cart
Speaker cables             Chord Sarum
                                   Chord Sarum links
                                   Chord Sarum phono to phono

We have decided not play a complete album,but to play a selection of tracks from previous evenings along with others,to show off the speakers.

We are going to start a little earlier, arrive at 6.30pm and start at 7pm

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       

KEF Reference!!

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The KEF Blades may have gone back home to the factory (boo!) but those lovely people at KEF have left us a beautiful pair of Reference 203/2 for the dem room.

They are finished in an exquisite deep metallic midnight blue and sound every bit as good as they look

 

We've been running them with Chord and Heed electronics and a variety of sources including our trusty Michell Gyrodec. Feel free to drop in and have a listen


 

Give us a call, Paul or Danny on 01277 264730 or email us at brentwood@audio-t.co.uk

Neat Acoustics loudspeakers arrive at Reading Audio-T

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We are very proud to announce the addition on Neat Acoustics loudspeakers to our range.

These beautifully discrete speakers pack a mighty punch whilst remaining true to the music. Uniquely they imbue the warmth and smoothness often associated with much larger designs and make natural partners with Naim and Rega amplifier among others.

IOTA 

Currently we have the tiny IOTA bookshelf monitor, all three of the new Motive SX models, 1,2 &3 as well as the Isobarik bass loaded Momentum 4i, (they’ve taken pride of place in front-of-house, running in over the last 2 weeks and we’re enjoying every minute of them. It’s a hard life I know but someone has to do it!), which are all now fully run-in and on demonstration.

 

MOMENTUM 4i

We are very excited to have Neat here in Reading and hope you will enjoy them too.

 

MOTIVE SX2

MOTIVE SX3 

You can find full details of specifications and finishes available and the rest of Neat’s range here: http://www.neat.co.uk/

There are nice words written about them here and here too.

Seeing is Believing.

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We now have the Sony KD55X9005 TV on display at the Preston store and it is a truly amazing television. It is packed to brim with all the latest and best technology that you could ask for in a set. It boasts the next generation 4K resolution of 3840x2160 , add to that Sony's Triluminos display for an even greater range of colours and their X-Reality PRO chip and you are left with the best image quality on a television that we have ever seen.

Come into the Preston store and see for yourself.

http://www.sony.co.uk/hub/4k-promo?campaignId=12003040&s_kwcid=bravia|33006741311

The Blades have arrived!

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In anticipation of our KEF/Heed/Audioquest event on Thursday the 7th of November the magnificent KEF Blade speakers are now ensconced in our dem room

Resplendant in an amazing orange finish they are making some quite magnificent sounds at the moment.

Come along on Thursday or before if you have the time to hear what these amazing speakers can do!!

Give us a call, Paul or Danny 01277 264730

 

 


Spaces still available for Naim Factory Tour 15th November

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Are you a Naim fan or interested in how your Naim equipment is assembled, well we have six spaces for a tour of the factory on the 15th November.

 


We have held several tours over the last couple of years which have had great feedback. Customers came away with a sense of pride and understanding of how world class British HiFi is manufactured.

The itinerary for the day is as follows:

  • Arrive at 10.30am for a meet and greet with tea or coffee.
  • Factory tour starts at 11.00am which will be led by Jason Gould a longstanding Naim rep.
  • Lunch is at 1.30pm in the Naim canteen.
  • We will retire to the demonstration room at 2.30pm were Jason will demonstrate various Naim products from the range.
  • Departure is at 4.00pm were you will receive a Naim goodie bag (No they is not a free CD player or Unitilite in the bag).

 

Spaces are on a first come bases so don't hesitate to contact Phil or Andy to book your space on the following number or email address.

 

Tel: 01793 538222

 

Email: swindon@audio-t.co.uk

Focal & Naim Come Together for an Exclusive Offer.

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Naim have teamed up with their partners, Focal, to offer customers in the UK a special introductory price on the new Focal Aria 906 and Aria 926 loudspeakers with their award-winning NaimUniti 2 all-in-one player.

Both the floorstanding Aria 926 and the more compact Aria 906 are perfect partners for the NaimUniti 2. Together they can create a simple, stylish music system which will deliver high-end sound quality from your network, digital music sources and CDs.

Focal Aria 926 on the left and the Focal Aria 906 above.

Naim Uniti below was revitalised and relaunched as Naim Uniti 2 in 2012.

With a new 70W integrated amplifier (NaimUniti 50W) the NaimUniti 2 can accommodate a wider range of loudspeakers and fill even larger rooms with the extra power. It also a boasts an entirely new CD player section, with improved tray, clamping mechanism and the new Burr Brown PCM1793 DAC.

The new inverted dome TNF tweeter on the Aria 926 and Aria 906. Check out Focal's spec sheet here.

Flax cones are designed and manufactured in France, from french flax fiber. 

France is the main cultivator in Europe of fiber flax, principally in Flanders, Picardy, Normandy and the Pas-de-Calais region. French flax is considered the best in the world.

Take a look at Focal's website here for more information on this new cutting edge material know as Flax.

Fit and finish from Focal on the Aria range is really quite special considering the price.

That's leather on the front and back!

The mirrored glass top plate completes the high quality finish of the Aria. 


The following system offers are available for a limited period from Audio T Manchester.

 

System Offer 1                                           

NaimUniti 2                  £2,795                    

Aria 906                       £898 (gloss black)                      

Normal system price     £3,693                    

OFFER PRICE              £2,995                    
 

System Offer 2

NaimUniti 2                  £2,795  

Aria 926                       £1,998 (gloss black)

Normal system price     £4,793

OFFER PRICE              £3,995

 

System Offer 3

NaimUniti 2                  £2,795   

Aria 926                       £1,798 (walnut)

Normal system price     £4,593

OFFER PRICE              £3,795

 

System Offer 4

NaimUniti 2                  £2,795   

Aria 906                       £758 (walnut)

Normal system price     £3,553

OFFER PRICE              £2,855

 

 

Audio-T Manchester
Tel: 0161 839 8869
email: manchester@audio-t.co.uk
web: www.audio-t.co.uk
We are open Monday to Saturday 9:30 - 17:30
and Sunday 11:30 - 16:30