Are all turntable cartridges the same? A study of the Audio-Technica VM95

/ Audio T Portsmouth/

With the popularity of vinyl growing on what seems to be a daily basis, it’s unsurprising that you’ll see more and more content online featuring those wondrous discs that many of us cherish above all other possessions. Social media is rife with record players in almost all advertisement, whether it be a boutique hotel chain or a popular wine merchant, it would appear that vinyl records are the hottest appurtenance. As with any trend, comes a wave of younger and uninitiated enthusiasts, eager to get their hands on the latest buzz items…

As we know, not all turntables are created equal. To repurpose a well known phrase from legendary tattoo artist, Norman Collins (Aka Sailor Jerry) -”Good hi-fi ain’t cheap and a cheap hi-fi ain’t Good”. Obviously, in the original quote he was talking about tattoos, but the sentiment remains the same. We’re all too aware of a certain brand of turntable, born of a furniture manufacturer, that comes in the form of the portable suitcase design, playing on the current trend of mid-century nostalgia and certainly working on the “style over substance” ethos. Frankly, these systems sonically retain all the charm and clarity of an old tin can… I ask myself, “Why buy records at a starting price of £20 and upwards and then play them on a cheap system that lacks depth and soundstage, not to mention bass?!”. This is of course not to say that you have to break the bank with your hi-fi system, especially when looking at your first set-up. There are countless options out there, but it’s just knowing where to start. And what better place than the cartridge?

After a recent conversation with a customer who was enquiring about entry to mid-level turntables, we had gotten on to the subject matter of cartridges. Now this has obviously been a hot topic throughout Audio T recently with Manchester’s excellent blog explaining the difference between Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Coil (MC) Cartridges, not to mention Swansea’s article of discovery, answering their customer’s enquiry, Do you need to stick with the same brand of cartridge when replacing your existing one?

So, in the conversation with my customer, who was novice to the world hi-fi and turntables, he said “I keep seeing record players with a green stylus. Is that any good?” Instantly I knew he was talking about the humble Audio-Technica AT-VM95E. I explained that it is a true workhorse of a cartridge and considered to be one of the best within its price bracket. “But do I have to have a green one? I’ve seen the same cartridge in different colours.”… Oh dear boy, sit down and let me explain to you the story of one of the most popular selling cartridges worldwide. The Audio-Technica AT-VM95…

A Brief History of Audio-Technica…

Tokyo’s Bridgestone Museum of Art (1952)

During the early 1960s, Hideo Matsushita, curator of the Tokyo Bridgestone Museum of Art, was well known for hosting listening concerts within the walls of the newly constructed Bridgestone Building. Here, people would experience vinyl records played on high-quality audio equipment. Matsushita moved by the positive reactions that the guests had to the musical experience, but dismayed with the expense of high-fidelity listening and how it prevented many people from experiencing it, felt that something needed to be done to change this…

Audio Technica founder, Hideo Matsushita

In 1962, Matsushita founded Audio-Technica based within rented one-storey apartment in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo. The company had a single vision; producing high-quality audio that would be accessible to everyone. Matsushita soon created a truly affordable phono cartridge, the AT-1.

Building on this passion, Audio-Technica have grown to design critically acclaimed headphones, turntables, cartridges and more. To this day, Audio-Technica remains a family business that retains the belief that high-quality audio should be accessible to all…

Meet the family…

As already mentioned, the popular AT-VM95E is a staple cartridge for many turntable manufacturers around the globe as it offers high-quality sound at an affordable price. Taking their deep historical roots in the phono cartridge industry, Audio-Technica continue to offer innovative products to all, this being demonstrated in release of the AT-VM95 family of cartridges.

AT-VM95SH Cartridge cross-section

The six, yes that's right six AT-VM95 Series models all feature Audio-Technica’s patented Dual Magnet design, which duplicates the “V”-shaped arrangement of the magnets in the cutter head and precisely positions the magnets to match the positions of the left and right channels in the groove walls. The Dual Magnet construction provides superior channel separation, stereo imaging, frequency response and tracking of the record groove. A newly designed coil constructed of TPC (tough pitch copper) wire provides increased output voltage, and a new radial damping ring improves both transient and frequency response. Ok, that’s all good and well, but unless you have a physics degree or electronics qualification, you might be staring blankly into space right now… So what does it all mean?

The AT-VM95 Models

AT-VM95C with conical stylus - The series’ entry model features a 0.6 mil conical stylus (spherical on the end, more like a ball-point pen). Whilst it improves on the sonic performance of its predecessors, the AT91 and AT91R, the spherical shape of the conical stylus means it has a large radius. This means they can reach less of a record’s tiny groove modulations which are associated with higher frequencies and more detail. There are however benefits of this design - They can pick up less debris and imperfections that may lay deep in the record’s groove. Let’s say that you are listening to older or possibly more damaged records. In theory, you’ll hear less pops and clicks during playback.

AT-VM95E with elliptical stylus - Successor to the legendary AT95E cartridge, the AT-VM95E offers a higher output level, improved dynamic range and frequency response. It is also the first cartridge in the family to feature an elliptical stylus (also known as a bi-radial stylus). An elliptical stylus, because of its shape makes better contact with a larger area of the grooves on a record’s surface. So, it’s a little more precise than a conical stylus. An elliptical stylus generally has improved frequency response and lower distortion. Because a record’s inner grooves can be hard to track, an elliptical stylus tends to be the best bet. The one drawback to this design, is that elliptical styli tend to wear down quicker than a conical stylus. But Audio-Technica still quote a range of 300 to 500 hours of playback with the AT-VM95E, so I wouldn’t worry too much about that.

AT-VM95EN with nude elliptical stylus - The AT-VM95EN is a nude elliptical stylus. But what does that mean? In a conventional design of cartridge like the AT-VM95E, the stylus is a bonded (or jointed) diamond tip which is glued on to a metal shank that is itself glued into the hole of the cantilever. Nude styli, shaped from whole diamonds, are more costly than bonded styli, with their diamond tips “bonded” to metal shanks before finishing. But because of their lower mass, nude styli track more accurately, giving a more detailed sound and a longer life to the stylus.

AT-VM95ML with line contact MicroLinear stylus  - The AT-VM95ML features a MicroLinear diamond stylus which is a more complex shape than the elliptical design, allowing it to reach further in to the groves, giving the sound of playback more detail and clarity.

AT-VM95SH with line contact Shibata stylus  - The top of the line VM95 Series model comes with a line contact Shibata diamond stylus. Also known as fine line, stereohedron, hyperelliptical styli. Shibata diamond styli take the elliptical design further for greater contact with the record. When properly aligned they offer fantastic high-frequency performance, longer tip life (in some cases up to 2,000 hours), improved tracking, and low record wear. They are, however, harder to manufacture than elliptical styli, and therefore more expensive.

AT-VM95SP for 78 RPM records  - The AT-VM95SP is optimized for 78 RPM disc playback. The groove of a 78 RPM record is about 3 to 4 times wider than the a typical 33 RPM record. To play 78 records, you must use a stylus designed specifically for the wider grooves. If a standard stylus tip were to be used, it will ride very low in the groove and produce a very noisy, unlistenable signal. Not to mentioned it will destroy your standard stylus very quickly! Buy hey, the likelihood of those new to the world of turntables and hi-fi are unlikely to be listening to 78 RPM records.

Styli and Cartridges and Headshells… Oh My!

If you’ve been and had a look at the AT-VM95 family on our website, you’ll notice that there are three varying options for each of the six different different models. These come as -

  • Interchangeable Stylus

  • Cartridge

  • Cartridge and Headshell Pre-mounted Combo Kit

So which one is right for you? Well this all comes down to what you’re trying to do…

If you’re replacing a worn stylus or perhaps upgrading your existing AT-VM95 stylus, then you can simply purchase the interchangeable stylus. The cartridge body of the AT-VM95 allows any vinyl enthusiasts to use the same cartridge with a variety of the above styli. It’s a incredibly simple process that can take just seconds. Watch the video below to see how…

 
 

If you’re replacing the cartridge on a turntable with a fixed head on the tonearm, a design incorporated by manufacturers such as Linn or Rega, then you will need the whole cartridge. The VM95 cartridges are designed for easy installation, thanks to threaded inserts in the cartridge bodies that allow them to be mounted to a tonearm using just two screws… No fiddly nuts here! You can see how our Swansea store tackled this in their aforementioned blog, Here.

If you happen to be replacing a cartridge on a turntable that has a separate headshell then you may prefer the Audio-Technica pre-mounted combo kit, which comes with the AT-HS6. A universal ½"-mount headshell for 4-pin turntable tonearms.

The Audio-Technica AT-VM95E pre-mounted on to the AT-HS6 headshell

To Summarise…

There are no right or wrong answers when it comes to selecting the ideal stylus/cartridge for yourself. Much like the turntables themself, every shape and design of the cartridge is a balance between performance, price, and application.

One thing is certain. The AT-VM95 family from Audio-Technica offers pretty much something for everyone! The interchangeable design of the body makes it easy for users to replace worn out styli and upgrade to the next level without fuss. Don’t forget that Audio-Technica offer a wide range of cartridges beyond the AT-VM95, and you can view them Here.

Hopefully you’ve found this article useful? Don’t forget that you can take terminology used within the descriptions of these cartridges and use them across all makes and models. You can find more cartridges, from a whole host of manufacturers on our website Here.

As always, Audio T are on hand to help with any enquiry you may have. So be sure to Contact Us with your questions and queries.

Thanks for reading

Brad Tyler (Audio T Digital Marketing Manager)

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

What's in the box? - Infinite Baffle or Ported Speakers, what's the difference?

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Infinite Baffle or Ported are the two main types of box loudspeakers. Let’s look closer….

ATC SCM7. KEF LS50 META

First things first, What is infinite baffle?

A true form of infinite baffle doesn't technically exist, as it would need a flat baffle for the drive units that extends out infinitely. However an equivalent is to mount the drive units in a sealed cabinet to provide minimal “air spring” restoring force to the cone.

Infinite baffle or “IB” is used as a generic term for sealed enclosures of any size, The name coming from its ability to prevent interaction between the forward and rear radiation of a driver at low frequencies.

What are the pros to “Infinite Baffle” speakers?

  • Distance from walls - If you have a small room or awkward space it can be difficult to position “Reflex” or “ported” speakers. Due to the sealed box design of an “IB” speaker, it’s a little more forgiving for small spaces and they usually perform best when positioned closer to a rear wall, as you can gain up to 3dB of low end frequencies.

  • Low end clarity - The characteristics of an “IB” speaker allows for the ability to exercise more control over the low end. This in turn can allow the speakers to deliver a clear range of detail across the frequency range, aiding in separation and over all clarity.

  • Close monitoring - IB speakers do make a pretty good studio monitor. due to their ability to be placed “almost”anywhere, as well as their clean low end characteristics.


They sound great I hear you say, so what are the cons?

Ok now it gets difficult as there is no such thing as a “perfect” speaker, they all have their good points and less good points, and it’s no different with IB speakers….

  • Inefficient - Infinite baffle speakers are generally less efficient than ported designs, so require more amplifier power for the same output level.

  • Less deep bass - This can also be a positive too, aiding in room positioning. (two things being true for one statement, Oh my). “IB” speakers often have an analytical low end but not always the weight in the bass that many ported speakers have. So depending on the Genre they can be both good and bad at the same task.

That about does it for the “Infinite Baffle” section, Now let’s discuss “ported” designs

  • Ported speakers have a vented cabinet,

  • These “ports” are used to tune the cabinet resonance to a desired frequency. The air in the port, which may be a simple hole or a tube, acts as a mass against the compliance of the air inside the cabinet. The two work together in a resonant fashion, reversing the phase of the sound coming from the port at low frequencies, adding to the output of the bass cone instead of opposing it. Resulting in a more efficient speaker that is also more extended in the lowest frequencies.

    A few of the pros for “ported” speakers

  • Extended bass - Ported speakers can provide deeper and more dramatic bass

  • Smaller - For a given bass output and efficiency a ported speaker can be smaller, making them easier to accommodate if size matters.

  • Cheaper - Just like tequila you may want to take this one with a pinch of salt. Although not true for all, the majority of good quality “IB” speakers come at a higher price due to their design, build material and overall engineering to perfect the sound.

So what are the cons of ported speakers?

  • Optimal positioning - In order to really get the best out of your “ported” speakers you’ll have to make allowance regarding the distance from walls. This will be greater than with an infinite baffle design. This can sometimes be difficult to achieve in the modern home. This is more of an issue with rear ported speakers, as the reflection from the wall will effect the sound. The closer to a wall the more bass you will get, however, some frequencies will sum together, some frequencies will partially cancel and some frequencies will completely cancel each other out.

  • Lack of control over the low end. Ported speakers rely on their vent or port to increase volume and low end response, however, this can make the speaker harder for the amplifier to control and in some cases can result in a “one note” bass, affecting clarity in mid and high frequencies.

What can we conclude from all this?

We are all looking for that perfect sound to suit our taste and unfortunately the reality is there is no right answer. But do not despair! We always recommend you sit down and have a listen to speakers and let your emotions be the judge. Use the reviews drafted by your favourite Youtube reviewer or the Hi-Fi forums to create a shortlist and come and listen in one of our demonstration rooms. Explore the vast sea of sound and set sail on your own voyage of discovery.

Thank you for reading - Luke & Nick- Audio T Portsmouth

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

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

You can see many of the different types of speakers we sell on our website Here.

"The Pinnacle of Sound" - Is 'Ionic Original' the Future of Music?

/ Audio T Portsmouth/

How does the old adage go? “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it”? Well, with that in mind, many audiophiles would argue that the vinyl record is the pinnacle of sound. Having gone through several changes in its various incarnations over a 132 year history, is there a new contender for the throne in the form of T Bone Burnett’s “Ionic Original”?

You’ve got to know where you’ve been before you can know where you’re going…

Before music was readily available on black discs of varying materials and sizes, the forerunning commercial medium was found in the form of Wax Cylinders. But even this has a more complicated story…

First invented in 1877 by renowned American mastermind, Thomas Edison, the phonograph used a thin sheet of tin foil wrapped around a hand-cranked, grooved metal cylinder. Due to availability, refinement processes and durability tin foil was not a practical recording medium for either commercial or artistic purposes, and the rudimentary hand-cranked phonograph was only marketed as a novelty, to little or no profit. With this, Edison moved his attention to the incandescent electric light bulb. It wasn’t until several years later that Scottish inventor, Alexander Graham Bell and his team introduced wax as the recording medium, and engraving, rather than indenting, as the recording method. In 1887, Bell’s "Graphophone" system was being put to the test of practical use by official reporters of the US Congress, with commercial units later being produced by the Dictaphone Corporation.

After this system was demonstrated to his representatives, Edison quickly resumed work on the phonograph and eventually settled on a thicker all-wax cylinder, the surface of which could be repeatedly shaved down for reuse. Both the Graphophone and Edison's "Perfected Phonograph" were commercialized in 1888.

Objectively speaking, these early wax recordings sounded great for the time, but the medium wasn’t overly durable. Being made from wax, they were easily scratched and were known to warp with changes in temperature. Whilst many rival companies scrambled with experiments to create more hard-wearing materials for the phonograph format, others decided to move their attentions elsewhere.

“They're records Jim, but not as we know it”

“Can you take another one? I think I had my eyes closed” - Emile Berliner

In 1890 Emile Berliner introduced flat disc shaped records for use with his gramophone invention. The shape of the disc was considered to be more appealing due to being far easier to store and transport over cylinders. Five years on, Berliner introduced discs based on shellac – a natural resin secreted by female lac bugs, mixed with clay and cotton fibres. This brittle, yet inexpensive composition dominated the industry for decades to come.

However, Edison, joined by independent inventor and entrepreneur, Jonas Aylsworth, advanced the chemistry behind record discs in 1912 when they introduced Condensite, a phenol-formaldehyde resin similar to Bakelite which had been invented several years prior. The sound and finish were far superior to shellac, but the high price of Condensite meant it wasn’t as popular and shellac remained as the dominant medium.

The first vinyl LP (long-playing) record was launched circa 1930 - The 30cm, 78rpm flexible plastic discs were used as part of syndicated radio programming. Although they shipped well and had superior broadcast sound, they didn’t prove popular with the general public.

During World War II, shellac became harder and harder to source, leaving record companies no choice but to begin to move away from the natural resource. In 1948, Columbia Records started selling Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) long playing records, which had a quieter surface, stored more music and were far less brittle than their predecessor. This led to the big record labels of the time introducing their own heavy gauge PVC and styrene formulas with different finishes. MGM had Metrolite, Mercury Records – Merco Plastic, Decca Records - Deccalite and Regent – Sav-O-Flex. Obviously all boasted the claim of ‘Unbreakable Under Normal Use’…

Colour variants have been a driving force in the resurgence and popularity of vinyl records in recent years

To this day, PVC remains the most popular material for record production, the crystalline structure means it’s strong enough to support a groove and withstand the needle without damage. Although contemporary compositions tend to be optimised for thick, heavy records with deep grooves as it is argued they give a better-quality sound. 180 gram vinyl records are certainly stronger and more durable, so they tend to last longer and resist breakage. Because of their tensile strength, 180 gram vinyl records also resist warping better than those of conventional weight, however, some argue that they are not as sonically good!

Records - The Next Generation?

Now we’ve already seen countless music formats come and go, with the likes of Reel-to-Reel, 8-Track and in more recent decades MiniDisc, all claiming to be the next big thing… So is it possible to improve on the physical format of music?

Award-winning music producer and musician, T Bone Burnett, announced earlier this year that he is developing a new physical music format which he calls Ionic Original. The format combines some of the materials and methods used in both vinyl and CDs to create durable, one-of-a-kind analogue discs.

T Bone Burnett with a ionic original disc

Unlike traditional vinyl LPs made of PVC, and CDs, which contain plastic with a layer of metal, Ionic Originals consists of "lacquer painted onto an aluminium disc, with a spiral etched into it by music...which can be heard by putting a stylus into the spiral and spinning it", which is essentially the same technology that the music industry has used for decades to create test pressings, known as acetates or dubplates.

Musicians, producers and engineers tend to agree that these acetates sound better than the resulting vinyl - but they degrade quickly, as the force of the needle pushing into the groove melts the lacquer.

"So we started looking into what they use on the Space Station to shield it from the direct light of the sun," says Burnett. "And we've been able to coat the acetate with that, and it removes enough friction that the acetate doesn't degrade over thousands of plays."

He goes on to say that the coating - made from a gradient of sapphire and quartz - also reduces the crackle often associated with vinyl.

"Friction creates static electricity, which attracts dust, which causes pops. So with this coating removing friction, if some dust does land on the needle, it cleans it out. So the discs are essentially self-cleaning."

“How Much? £1M? I’ll take two…”

Ok, so this one might need a little explanation…

In March 2021, alongside T Bone Burnett, Bob Dylan recorded a new version of his seminal hit, “Blowing in the Wind”. Unlike the original, the 2021 re-recording features a full band, recorded live in the studio as Dylan sang. This is the first time the song has had a studio recording since it was first written in 1962.

Now here’s the kicker… There is only one copy in existence! And you guessed it, It’s on Ionic Original.

Currently on display at Christie’s Auction House, the one-off item is set to fetch between £600k and £1M…

“We’re only making one because we view this work as the equivalent of an oil painting”
— T Bone Burnett

Playable on any regular turntable, the new format is described as "the pinnacle of sound" by Burnett. He goes on to say "I don't know what an original recording of Bob Dylan singing one of the most important songs of the last century is [worth] today, but I know it's not point $0.001 divided by 5 billion, which is the reality that musicians face now." - A blatant comment on the current state of music streaming and the ways in which artists are paid.

So how does it sound?

Well, unless you’re one of the lucky fans that has been you’ve been to visit Christie’s Auction House, there is no way of knowing first-hand. Supposedly, the auction house has a sedate side-room, where the 10-inch disc is handled with silk gloves before being placed on a £30k McIntosh hi-fi system comprising of the MT5 Precision Turntable, MP1100 Phono Preamp and MHA200 Headphone Amplifier,

BBC’s, Mark Savage, is one such person who has had the privilege of sampling the exclusivity of both the Bob Dylan track and the Ionic Original experience -

“Listening on headphones, the warmth and precision of the sound is immediately apparent, save for a few pops and cracks (maybe four in total) attributable to dust or static on the surface of the record.

Dylan's voice is smooth and dextrous throughout, having benefited from an extended break in touring during the Covid-19 pandemic.”

I find it interesting that he notes the pops and cracks… After all, Burnett himself says “the discs are essentially self-cleaning”… Interesting!

Should I expect to be buying Ionic Original in the future?

In my humble opinion… No. I really wouldn’t worry about the need to think about replacing your record collection anytime soon… Not least at all, because the discs can’t currently be massed produced. So for the meantime they are set remain collector's items for playboys and philanthropists. However, Burnett hopes they will be more widely adapted in the future…

“I don’t look at this as a replacement for anything,” he says. “I just look at it as another arrow in the quiver for every musician in the world [and] a whole new way of earning a living that we’ve never had before.”
— T Bone Burnett

Not to put a damper on Burnett’s endeavour, but this isn’t his first foray in to the reinvention of sound… In 2008, it was reported that Burnett started a new venture called ΧΟΔΕ (or Code), which aimed to do for music what THX did for cinema sound whilst allowing listeners to achieve "studio quality" recordings from a DVD player… This was a flash in the pan that died a quick death!

So at least for now, you can sit happy with your CDs and Vinyl. And as always, Audio T are on hand to help with any enquiry you may have. So be sure to Contact Us with your questions and queries.

Thanks for reading

Brad Tyler (Audio T Digital Marketing Manager)

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

McIntosh can be found at the following Audio T stores -

BANG FOR YOUR BUCK - GRAND SOUNDING COMPONENTS FOR UNDER A GRAND

/ Audio T Reading/

Not that long ago, here at Audio T Reading, we had a visit from a wonderful new customer who journeyed in from Twickenham to see us. A little perplexed, he was looking to invest into his first proper hi-fi system. He explained that he was left confused by the plethora of options available to him, and that his odyssey had been fraught with uncertainty right up until the point of visiting our establishment. We proceeded to guide our customer through the options and following a great demo (including multiple streams of Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill that remarkably were not driven by the global obsession with Stranger Things!).

During the process it came to mind that, for a newcomer to the hi-fi world, it’s a minefield out there. There are endless options, ranging from the entry-level to the sublime. And there are a multitude of different combinations that can send us plummeting into the audio abyss or see us soaring gracefully into audio nirvana. So, with inspiration taken from our customer’s recent voyage, we would like to delve a little deeper in to a few specific gems we have in-store; individual equipment which we know and can confidently show has that special ability to sound grand for under a grand. Moreso, can these treasures perform wonders way beyond their price point? Let’s find out…

The AE100² in the Audio T Reading main demo room

WE HAVE LIFT OFF – THE ACOUSTIC ENERGY AE100²

During yet another very grey and windy day at Audio T Reading, we felt there was no better way to blast away the gloom than with a pair of loudspeakers that never fail to impress, the Acoustic Energy AE100². Coming in well below the £1000 mark and costing just over £250* a pair, it wouldn’t be fair to call these little lovelies budget. That’s because they sound anything but budget - instead they exhibit sonic virtues of being balanced, sure-footed, energetic and even room filling relative to their modest dimensions. Most of all, these speakers present your music with a good dose of enjoyment. We find that they happily dovetail into pretty much every system we can put together instore at around the £1000 to £1500 mark and they are very rarely outshone by speakers in their price bracket, and in some cases those costing double the amount or more.

Here’s something to consider when looking for your first set-up… Rega’s System One is a fabulous system comprising of award winning components including the Planar 1 turntable, IO amplifier and Kyte speakers. It has been devised as an excellent option to cater to the needs of any budding hi-fi enthusiast. Using the ingredients in this system as a basis of comparison is a brilliant starting point when trying to traverse the murky waters of hi-fi selection…

If you were so inclined, it’s entirely possible to swap out the Rega Kytes for the Acoustic Energy AE100². Have no fear of the comparatively lowly price tag of the AE100², they will go toe-to-toe with the likes of the Kytes despite being nearly half the price. You may even find that you prefer them? Afterall, the Kytes have a unique look more akin with professional studio monitors, whereas the AE100² adheres to the more conventional design of hi-fi speakers and comes in three finishes - Black, White and Walnut. But that’s not to discount the Kytes in any way. Sound is a flavour at the end of the day, so don’t be shy to get in touch with us to hear the differences for yourselves and to discover some great sounding kit.

The Rega Brio in the Audio T Reading front of shop

ENTER THE ENTERTAINER – THE REGA BRIO

It has to be said, to our ears, not many amplifiers come close to the Rega Brio at this side of a grand. Every time this determined little might is part of an amplifier shoot-out in store, it almost always comes up trumps for the customer and yet one more Brio inevitably flies off the shelf quicker than a cheetah in running shoes! It’s hard to believe that so much goodness is packed into that shoebox-sized form factor. The Brio entertains. Full stop.

Whatever we play via the Brio, it brings a smile to our already happy faces - well happy most of the time! What the Brio may fall short of in outright technical specifications, such as types of inputs, it more than makes up for with its engaging, energetic and rhythmic delivery. It’s that ‘M’ word (ahem – musical – there, we said it!) which seems to mean both everything and nothing to the hi-fi community that we love and are a part of!

Some worthy words of consideration, when it comes to any of Rega’s amplifiers, try not to pay too much attention to the wattage figures. They all sound way bigger than their power on paper suggests. Just come by with your tunes and hunker down for a listen, we’ll be happy to show you, and we dare you not to tap your toes!

The Bluesound NODE in the Audio T Reading front of shop

BEATING THE BLUES - THE BLUESOUND NODE

The red pill or the blue pill? Which one should you go for? If it’s a multiroom streamer under a grand that you are after, we would suggest going blue – and in particular, the Bluesound NODE.

There are few better ways of pulling sounds from the internet and pumping them into your listening space in glorious hi-fi quality. When it comes to features, the NODE will stop short only of making you a coffee, but it’ll probably do everything else. Do you want to hear your music played in high quality, say from your phone via Bluetooth or Airplay, and then routed through your hi-fi system? Or do you want to stream your tunes directly from your preferred Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify or other music subscription service? Or maybe you want to listen to internet radio, or even perhaps stream your favourite sounds directly to your Bluetooth headphones? Whatever you want to do, the NODE very likely has it covered.

There can’t be many better ways, nor better sounding ways, of having your digital cake and eating it – especially with the inclusion of a great sounding DAC onboard, as well as the ability to connect to a separate outboard DAC should the upgrade bug bite. This makes the Bluesound NODE highly scalable, a device that will grow with you and your hi-fi system. Previous iterations of the NODE have been known to stay in countless systems for many a year. Please don’t be put off by its diminutive size. The NODE remains a modern marvel and punches well above its weight.

The tremedous trio of the NODE, the Brio and the AE100²

FINAL THOUGHTS – HUMBLE HEROIC HI-FI 

The sweet spot… Value for money… Bang for your buck… you can be certain that these three hi-fi heroes are genuine examples that comfortably live up to the overarching mantra of getting-more-for-less.

When starting out on a hi-fi equipment expedition, if the choice seems daunting and the fear of disappointment looms large, you can be sure that these three examples will push the boundaries of performance at the price. Plus each one will hold its own when individual components of the system are upgraded around them.

Of course, we have other gems, like the Rega Planar 3 turntable, that also fit the bill. Those are for another time, so please do check back in. And if ever your audio voyage starts to feel murky, why not pop in to see us? We live for your hi-fi questions and would love to guide you through the process.

In signing off, many thanks to our customer from Twickenham who made the train ride over to us at Audio T Reading. After all, he is the inspiration for this article, and we hope sharing his hi-fi odyssey will bring some benefit to others on their journey, or at least will leave some good food for thought.

Thank you for reading.

Rishi, Gareth and Rob – Audio T Reading

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

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

Still listening to CD's? So are we - Marantz SA10 Premium CD & SACD Player / DAC

/ Audio T Swindon/

We have received the Marantz top-end CD/SACD player, the SA10. It is more than a CD player. It is a multi-talented device that not only plays CDs but also SACDs (Super Audio CD). First introduced in 1999, Super Audio CDs were developed by Philips and Sony. Some music available on SACD was not only available on the standard stereo, but also multi-channel. Those of us lucky enough to who have SACDs at home know exactly how great this format is.

First impression - It feels like a premium product

The SA10’s build quality is superb and it weighs just over 18kg. Everything looks and feels like a premium product. The casework has a very luxurious feel, with details such as the ‘on/off’ button, that makes a lush click when depressed - I miss that on many contemporary products but maybe that’s just me? When you press the ‘open/close’ button, the tray elegantly and quietly opens or closes - This is all very promising and we can’t wait to hear some music. Let’s have a look and listen, shall we?

Marantz SA10 CD/SACD/DAC in silver/gold

The Marantz SA10 has the choice of either balanced XLR or single-ended phono sockets as a preferred connection method. Balanced XLR reduces the noise floor when connected to another balanced XLR device. This can mean that you hear more detail in the music.

More than just a CD/SACD Player - The SA10’s DAC…

These days, people like the ability to connect all their sources, analogue and digital, to the one amplifier. A very nice feature of this unit is the built-in DAC (Digital to Analogue Converter). Marantz have added isolated low-noise digital inputs for a better sound quality. This allows you to connect devices such as music streamers, set-top box, TV, games console and more directly to the SA10 and select the inputs via it’s supplied remote control. This adds a lot of flexibility to your music system and reduces the box count.

There are two USB sockets. The larger of the two (USB-B) is for computer audio (PC or MAC) or a device like the Innuos music servers. The smaller one is to connect a USB memory stick or an external hard drive with a library of music.

The built-in, fully discrete headphone amplifier means minimum interference and with a wide choice of headphones available on the market, the gain can be set to low, mid or high.

Marantz SA10 CD/SACD/DAC Rear Panel

Sound Quality

To put the Marantz SA10 through its paces we setup a system comprising Spendor D7 loudspeakers, Marantz Model 30 integrated. The speaker cable use is the Chord Company Shawline X and a set of Shawline interconnects.

Marantz Model30 and SA10 CD/SACD Player

We started with B.B.King & Eric Clapton’s “Riding With The King“ and wow! It certainly got our feet tapping. The clarity and rhythm was stunning. The instruments and vocals sound like a highly refined wall of sound that makes you want to listen to more and more. The “Three O’Clock Blues” makes you feel as though you’re sat in a cozy little Jazz Club with a drink on the table, a welcome remedy after a long day at work.

Love this Sony SACD Collection from 2001

Next up we used one of my Sony SACDs (Super Audio CD), “Ultimate Collection” from 2001. “Gratitude” from Earth, Wind and Fire. Gosh, was I blown away when I heard this track on SACD for the very first time. This is one funky song that has a lot of punch and energy. I couldn’t resist turning it up. I think this is what makes a great CD player - It makes you want to listen to more and more music.

But would we recommend it?

The Marantz SA10 CD/SACD sounds extremely good on both CD and SACD, and yes, we would highly recommend it! The humble CD is not out of fashion at all and the SA10 proves that. Well done Marantz.

Spendor D7 speakers in natural oak

Here at Audio T Swindon, we are here to help and we’d love to set something up for you so please get in touch with us. You can call us on 01793 538222 or email us on swindon@audio-t.co.uk. Our opening hours are Tuesday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.30.

Thanks for reading

Stefan & Andy - Audio T Swindon

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

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Spendor can be found at the following stores

Synchronicity or Serendipity? Replacing your cartridge - A look at the humble Audio Technica AT-VM95E

/ Audio T Swansea/

A few days ago, a gentleman called into our store to ask about suitable upgrade cartridges for his son’s Rega Planar 2 turntable. A couple of years old now, this particular vintage of P2 has a fire-and-forget setup, in that the arm has a nominally fixed tracking weight (downforce) and automatic bias, designed for a specific cartridge – Rega’s own Carbon MM. For those of you interested, you will be heartened to learn that the latest Planar 2 now has downforce adjustment and remains cleverly auto-biasing. But what are we to do with this particular turntable?

A Rega P2 turntable with closeup of Rega Carbon MM cartridge

With no apparent way to know how much tracking force is being applied, fitting a different model cartridge can be somewhat….problematic.

Also, if the new cartridge is lighter than the Carbon MM, it is impossible to counteract the reduction in mass, as for simplicity of setup, the counterweight is designed to sit right at the forward end of its travel for the Carbon MM.

A heavier cartridge can be accommodated by moving counterweight back of course, it simply requires the use of a gauge to accurately set the downforce. Happily, here at Audio T Swansea we come equipped with the Project Measure It II Stylus Balance gauge to do just that…

A Rega P2 turntable pictured with cartridge fitting tools. To whit, pliers, screwdrive and tracking force gauge.r

Project Measure It II Stylus Balance gauge ready to get to work

Which cartridge to recommend?

Upon the horns of a dilemma, our gentleman didn’t wish to be overgenerous, (the turntable will be operated by an enthusiastic youth after all), yet he didn’t wish to appear parsimonious towards his son. I suggested the Audio Technica AT-VM95E at £50*.

It has been noted that the Rega Carbon MM and Audio Technica’s moving magnet cartridges have a certain resemblance, even if the latter are a touch larger and conveniently slightly heavier than the Rega Carbon MM. I successfully convinced our customer of the ‘95’s virtues and fitted it to the deck….

A Rega tonearm in closeup awaiting its new cartridge, the Audio Technica VM95E

The rega carbon removed from the tonearm and ready for the new at-vm95e cartridge

A turntable cartridge resting upon a stylus tracking force gauge measuring exactly 2 grammes of downforce.

weight precision with the Project Measure It II

A tonearm and cartridge resting on a stylus alignment protractor

Weight isn’t everything. ALIGNMENT is key.

The finished article…

I carried the newly upgraded turntable out on to the shop floor. “Shall we have a listen? The 1st Floor demo suite is free…”, I said.

“Oh – can we?”, the customer beamed.

“Of course – follow me!” - We trotted upstairs and I plugged the Rega Planar 2 into our Rega Elex-R amplifier and Monitor Audio Silver 100 speakers..

“What sort of music do you like?”, I asked.

“Anything really – I quite like Queen if that’s any help.”

“I’ve got a new ‘Night at the Opera’ pressing…”

“Go for it.”

I settled on ‘Love of my Life’ (I hadn’t listened to it since we went to see ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’) and frankly, I was surprised at how good it sounded. It’s not the best-engineered recording ever made, but the brave little AT-VM95E dug into the groove and gave us a solid and realistic piano and Freddie’s vocals full with emotion, soared clear above the speakers. The soundstage had width, weight and scale. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable experience which was well worth the entrance fee.

A black Rega Elex-R amplifier sits upon an oak table next to a playing rega P2 turntable. In the background, a cheap Ikea floor lamp illuminates the scene and refracts light through the turntable's glass platter in a pleasing fashion.

“Oh man, I could sit in front of that all day! Thanks for doing that for me, that’s brilliant, really lovely.”


“Not at all sir, entirely my pleasure. And of course, once the young gentleman has worn out the stylus, he can upgrade from the current standard Elliptical stylus to the Elliptical Nude at £100, or the Microlinear at £135 or the £160 Shibata, all without having to change the cartridge body.”*

“Ha! That’ll focus his mind on getting a part-time job.”

And there you have it! Proof that you don’t always have to match products and components from the same manufacturer. If you have any questions about cartridge replacement, upgrades or any other Hi-Fi or Home Cinema query, be sure to Contact Us.

Thanks for reading.

Nic and Ade - Audio T Swansea

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

Open or Closed-Back Headphones? What’s the difference?

/ Audio T Enfield /

Don’t we all just love putting on our headphones and retreating into our own solitude from time to time? The world is drowned out and whatever you’re listening to has your undivided attention. For example, picture yourself on an 8-hour flight - a good-quality pair of headphones can make an otherwise noisy flight far more relaxing and enjoyable. But with such a huge variety of headphones out there, which ones will sound the best? And what factors contribute to their overall quality? Today’s article will be discussing the differences between open and closed back headphones, which will hopefully help you make a more informed decision when purchasing your next pair.

Open-back headphones

Firstly, for those who aren’t familiar, let’s answer the question of “what are open-back headphones?”. Open-back headphones allow air from the rear of the speaker driver to pass through the ear cups, meaning that low-frequency build-up and resonances caused by the enclosure are not an issue. This allows them to sound more clear and natural, which is great if you’re using them for critical listening or mixing and mastering. This also makes them a go-to option for audiophiles seeking the highest quality.

Despite their advantages, you’ll only tend to get the best out of this type of headphones if you’re in a relatively quiet surrounding, due to their inability to completely block out noise. So you wouldn’t necessarily want to use these when commuting on public transport or at the gym where there is a lot going on. As well as allowing sound in, they leak sound out too, so others around will be able to hear what you’re listening to. Picture this, you’re at work, in your own world and listening to music through open-back headphones. Your colleagues begin raising their eyebrows in annoyance, wondering where that racket is coming from - cue the idle gossip about your awful music taste! Who will have more to answer for in this situation?! You, for being unintentionally inconsiderate for playing such loud music? Or the others, for brazenly ‘dissing’ your playlist? Anyway, I digress… Or do I? Really and truly, no-one is in the wrong, everyone thought the other couldn’t hear them, but it turns out the open-back headphones had other ideas…

Closed-back headphones

As you’ve most probably guessed, closed-back headphones are the exact opposite. They are completely sealed on the back of the earcup, meaning sound can’t leak out past your ears. Their inherent ‘noise-cancelling’ qualities means that you can listen in a somewhat busy environment and not hear most, if any of the background noise. Equally, people around you can’t hear the audio leaking either, so it’s a win-win for everyone.

It’s important to note that closed-back headphones aren’t the same as noise cancelling. Active noise-cancelling (or 'ANC') headphones come mostly in wireless form and work via a microphone capturing the targeted ambient sounds, and a small amplifier generates sound waves that are exactly out of phase with the undesired background noise. When the sound pressure of the noise wave is high, the cancelling wave is low (and vice versa). The opposite sound waves collide and are eliminated or "cancelled".

Whilst blocking out background noise is brilliant for anyone that wants to be in their own solitude, this may affect their listening experience. The sealed ear chamber can result in the low frequencies building-up and being emphasised, meaning it won’t sound as good or as natural as it should. You may also eventually have the small inconvenience of your ears feeling quite warm because of the lack of ventilation due to the sealed chamber design. Whilst closed-back headphones may be great for recording audio professionals, probably not the best option during a workout; sweaty, red ears aren’t the most flattering of looks! You may want to give an in-ear option a go instead!

So, which type should I buy?

Well, that’s the big question isn’t it? Obviously, taking into consideration the pros and cons of both types of headphones, your purchase may be swayed by how you intend on using them. As previously mentioned, if you’re in a public setting or perhaps listening at home whilst trying not to disturb other people in the room, you may find the closed-back to be the best option. What I think is really important to note is that just because a pair of headphones is designed in a certain way, doesn’t necessarily always make them sound better than one another. You can try two different models or brands of closed-back headphones and find the results to be completely different. The moral of the story? It’s important for you to try them out for yourself. With that in mind, be sure to Contact Us to book a FREE demonstration. We can set you up with a turntable and amp, a streamer and headphone amp, or simply your phone and a DAC. We’ll ensure you’re testing the headphones in the right way!

Thanks for reading

Elena, John & Jason – Audio T Enfield

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Beyerdynamic can be found at the following Audio T stores:

A fond farewell to PMC's Tom Barron

/ Audio T Southampton/

Many things have changed in the thirty six years (gulp!) I have worked at Audio T (formerly Hampshire Audio) in Chandlers Ford. There have been numerous ups and downs in the world of hi-fi but one very positive constant over all these decades has been Tom Barron of PMC. Tom is finally about to begin his well earned retirement, despite encouragement, indeed pleading, that he doesn't go! So rather than focus solely on hi-fi products in this article, I'd like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you and a very fond farewell to Tom.

Tom Barron

It was very early in my life sentence (joke!?) in Chandlers Ford when Tom made his first appearance as the new Rotel rep.  He soon won us over with his cheery banter and I'm sure ours wasn't the only hi-fi shop in which Tom managed to carry out a sneaky full Rotel stock take on every visit, presenting a 'just sign here' order list for items he assured us we just couldn't do without!  He wasn't wrong.  Rotel products like the RA820BX amp and RCD965BX CD player were hi-fi bargains and sold like hot cakes.

Tom and I are close enough in age to have both grown up (?) during the heyday of Monty Python. They were simpler and, in many ways, more amusing times. Python's influence was deeply ingrained and I recall many phone calls to Tom along the lines of:

' 'Ello Miss. What do you mean “miss”? I'm sorry, I have a cold... etc'

and (very) occasionally... 'I wish to register a complaint'...

As the millenium approached change was afoot. In 1999 Hampshire Audio was taken over by Audio T. Tom also had a new boss. Founder of PMC, and lifelong friend, Peter Thomas, persuaded Tom to become his first sales manager and Tom was soon clocking up more miles nationwide demonstrating the new FB1 (literally floorstanding box 1), PMC's first domestic audiophile speaker. This was soon followed by DB1, GB1, TB1, OB1, not forgetting Wafers. A Python reference again, of course.

Peter Thomas of PMC and Tom

It was always worth phoning PMC just to be put on hold and hear John Cleese ranting 'He's a stiff! Bereft of life, he rests in peace! If you hadn't nailed him to the perch he'd be pushing up the daisies!' So much better than cheesy muzak!

PMC speakers are great, thanks to Peter's brilliant designs, incorporating PMC's trademarked Advanced Transmission Line which ensured open natural sound and extended bass from even the smallest models in the range like the current Twenty5 21i.

However, Peter would be the first to admit that Tom's enthusiasm and dedication to PMC was instrumental to the success of the brand.

Tom's popularity has extended well beyond the PMC dealer base. Anyone who has attended a hi-fi show or store event will almost certainly have come across Tom. His exuberance, passion for music and masterful demonstration skills have ensured that he has been the public face of PMC for many years.

But, time waits for no one. I was sat in The Hexagon recently with my wife and eldest son watching my granddaughter in a concert and reminiscing that the last time I was at this venue was with Tom and his family enjoying a Mary Chapin Carpenter concert, circa 1992. Tom's sons were very young, as were mine, at the time. It's scary to think that both pairs of 'boys' are now as old, if not older, than I was then. Even my work colleague here, Wayne was then only nine years old…

…Where did all the time go...?

Tom with me on his final visit to Audio T Southampton

Happy retirement Tom.

P.S. If anyone ever attacks you with a raspberry, just pull the lever and the 16-ton weight will fall on top of them.

Thanks for reading

Alan and Wayne - Audio T Southampton

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What is the difference between a moving magnet and moving coil cartridge? Does it matter?

/ Audio T Manchester/

Moving Magnet

In a moving magnet cartridge, the stylus (typically a diamond) is attached to a rigid cantilever, which has a small magnet on the other end. Within the cartridge body, near the magnet attached to the cantilever, are a pair of coils. The movement of the magnet, caused by the stylus running through the groove of the record, generates a current in these coils which can then be picked up by the phono stage.

Moving Coil

As the name suggests, in a moving coil cartridge, the magnet and the coils have switched places. So, the cantilever has the stylus at one end and a pair of coils at the other. The cartridge body then contains the magnets. As with a moving magnet cartridge, the stylus running through the record groove cause movement in the cantilever. This time however it is the coil that moves within the magnetic field rather than the magnetic field moving around the coils to generate the signal which passes to the phono stage.

Moving Iron?

I have to admit, that until writing this blog I had always incorrectly assumed that Moving Iron was just another way of saying moving magnet. Magnets are made from iron, right?

It's not far off but there is a subtle difference. In a moving iron cartridge, both the magnet and the coils are in fixed positions within the cartridge body and there is a small hollow temporary magnet or armature attached to the cantilever. This small hollow piece of iron has a magnetic field induced in it by the stationary magnet within the cartridge, the movement of the armature then induces a magnetic flow within the poleshoes which are within the fixed coil. This generates the necessary current to be picked up by the phono stage.

Effectively, this means that with moving iron cartridges, you can get greater detail than a standard moving magnet while retaining the high output.

Moving magnet cartridges tend to have an output of between 2mV and at the extreme 10mV, most typically being between 3mV and 5mV.

Moving Iron carts have a similar output to moving magnet and can therefore be used with a moving magnet phono stage.

Both of these types of cartridge need a phono stage with a 47KOhm input loading and usually around 40-47dB of gain. Any moving magnet phono stage will be capable of running these cartridges and no adjustment need to be made.

Moving coil cartridges have a much lower output voltage, due to the size of the coil that can be attached to the cantilever. They can be as low as 0.15mV and rarely get above 1.6mV. This means that they need a phono stage tailored to deal with these low outputs. Usually these will have adjustments so you can match the input loading, both impedance and capacitance to the cartridge manufacturers specifications. There is normally a gain adjustment too.

Moving coil cartridges can be used with a moving magnet phono stage but to do so requires a pair of transformers, one for each channel to sit between the cartridge and the phono stage.

So then, does it matter?

Yes, it does. It matters both for reasons of compatibility and fidelity.
In terms of compatibility it is simple, buy the wrong cartridge for your phono stage and it simply won't work. Running a moving coil cart into a moving magnet stage won't provide enough gain and your turntable will barely audible. A moving magnet cartridge being put through a moving coil stage will overload the input and produce a distorted sound.

When it comes to fidelity, a moving coil cartridge has the benefit of a small coil on the end of the cantilever allows for greater detail to be retrieved from the record. This because there is a much smaller mass moving, so the response to the contour of the record groove is faster and can be more subtle. As discussed earlier this means that the signal produced is more delicate and needs more gain to be added than a moving magnet does. This means that the phono stage is more important to the end result as well.
That's not to say that you can't get very good results with either moving magnet or moving iron, just that the more you move into the world of high end turntables the less you will see moving magnet/iron, to obtain that detail that we are all chasing, moving coil is usually the best answer.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to contact us if you need more information on this subject.

Mike - Audio T Manchester

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A first look at the Stellar Strata Integrated Streaming Amplifier from PS Audio

/ Audio T Oxford/

According to Merseyside rockers, Half Man Half Biscuit, “Time flies by when you're the driver of a train” - Just as it does when you're a Hi-Fi retailer! Unbelievably it has been more than three weeks since our very welcome store visit from Signature Systems, who kindly brought all manner of lovely stuff for us to play with. As the UK distributors for a plethora of quality brands, we were furnished with a dazzling array of equipment from Matrix Audio, Sbooster, Ferrum and PS Audio. And, as you would expect, these past weeks have flown-by while we get to grips with some really interesting and exciting electronics.

I briefly alluded to the startling quality delivered by Matrix Audio's X - Sabre 3 in a recent Facebook post and this DAC has quickly become our preferred digital source since it was first installed. It will be the subject of a properly formulated blog entry at some point shortly as it has proved to be a very welcome addition to Audio T Oxford’s recently refurbished listening room. However, on this occasion I would like to draw your attention to the wonderful world of PS Audio, who offer a distinctly different approach to design and were the principal reason we were so keen to speak to Signature.

My interest was captured following a regular customer's wholehearted endorsement of PS Audio, and their Stellar range a few years ago. As any Hi-Fi hobbyist can relate, a carefully auditioned amplifier upgrade, can inevitably lead to the quest for a new pair of speakers within a matter of a months! Frustratingly though, the new speakers appeared to require, or possibly deserve, a little more current and control than my customer felt the new amp' could muster; enter PS Audio and one of the most effusive and unequivocal endorsements of any brand. Unfortunately the Pandemic prohibited me from enjoying the offered home visit, but I haven't forgotten that positive feedback and consequently we all have been very keen to hear the distinct sound that PS Audio electronics deliver.

The Signature team's visit was fun and informative and they have also been very generous, leaving us with a comprehensive selection of PS Audio products to play with that included the PerfectWave Power Plant 12 and it's Stellar range equivalent, the Power Plant 3.

Unlike traditional mains conditioning units, the two Power Plants aim is to completely reconstruct the mains feed received from your wall socket. The AC feed delivered is converted to DC and then back to AC and at this point the sine wave is completely reconstructed ensuring that any deleterious effects from your mains won't affect playback. For the electrically uninitiated, like myself, this is eminently repeatable concept but ultimately one lost in the lack of an absolute technical understanding. However, the benefits are clear and obvious to hear when the Power Plants are included in a system and while we have had an awful lot of equipment to play with recently, I couldn’t resist taking the Power Plant 3 home to try with my current system, again delivering the same superb results. It worked beautifully with my Naim Pre/Power and gave a substantial up-step to both my streamer and DAC. Very impressive and definitely worth investigating as the improvement can be substantial.

Power regenerators aside, we were also furnished with the Stellar GainCell DAC, a very capable Pre-Amp designed to work with either the Stellar S300 Stereo Power Amplifier or the Mono M700's - more news to come on all three products. But the subject of this missive….is the Stellar Strata, an integrated amplifier that includes a Sabre chipset based DAC with a Streaming Platform built-in and some potent amplification.

The DAC offers multiple inputs including two coaxial inputs - PCM up to 192kHz with a single optical connection - PCM up to 96kHz, USB socket - PCM 384kHz and DSD128 and the less prevalent I2S connection resolving PCM 384kHz and DSD128, which PS use to great effect in their more exotic standalone DACs and the PerfectWave SACD Transport. The streamer is easily controlled via PS Connect, a free to download app for phone or tablet that is eminently useable. The Strata is priced at £3150*.

How does it sound?

PS Audio's Stellar range is built exclusively around ICEPower Digital Amplification modules. In the Strata they deliver a "minimum" of 100 watts into a 8 Ohm load, doubling 200 watts into 4 Ohms. Far from an inconsiderable amount of power gave us the impetus to really push the Strata’s limits and while we tried quite a few speakers, one of the more exotic employed were Dali Epicon 6, which at 4x the Stellar’s price point might have proved a tall order, but were driven to great effect. The Strata has a distinct sonic character that is unlike any other electronics brand we currently stock. And no matter the speaker the Strata was paired with its signature was clearly audible.

PS' often describe the sound they sought to achieve with the Strata range as valve or tube like, and there is a definite sense of warmth in amongst the proceedings but the Strata's sound is in no way cloying or even reserved. The Strata is dynamic, propulsive even, and you can’t help but be engaged. And while timing is tight, the soundstage is wide, vocals step forward in the mix and fine detail is beautifully resolved. Now I have had plenty of time to really get to grips with the Strata and I have listened to many of my favourites and then some, but the best illustration I can give of the Strata's abilities was while listening to Tookah by Emiliana Torrini, just as I was putting the finishing touches to this blog post.

This is the opening and title track from her last solo outing and it's a track I am very familiar with. It also seemed to demonstrate the character of the Strata. From the outset there is a real sense of pace. A tight drum pattern, is intermittently punctuated by an echoing finger click which, with the Strata, always appears precisely in place, while a slightly recessed guitar not helps the songs progress but adds to the layers and while this element is sometimes lost to other electronics, it is clear to hear and the shades within the element of the mix aren’t lost.

Throughout these opening bars there are subtle changes of character within each strand as this seemingly simple track starts to show its depth. Pleasingly the Strata was easily able to expose all of these nuances and as the vocal begins to take your focus, nothing is lost in translation, the rhythm and flow remain constant, while the vocal sits forward in the mix, sparkling with each and every inflection. It’s an effortless performance and indicates the discrete yet impressive nature of the Strata, this is a single box that offers true hi-fidelity sound in the way that not so long ago, only multiple boxes and dedicated power supplies could.

The Strata’s sound is immediate and impressive but you quickly understand this is an accomplished component offering a clean, unforced and naturally musical sound. The Strata is fantastic but it also gives a clue to the improvements to be had within the rest of the Stellar range and without wishing to give too much away, things only get better and better as you climb that PS Audio ladder. So far, a thoroughly enjoyable journey.

Thank you for reading.

Andrew, Jon and Rob - Audio T Oxford. 

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

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

Sub Standard Bass Management - Adding a Subwoofer to your Stereo System

/ Audio T Brighton/

The heading for this month’s article is not meant to be a throwaway, facetious title. However, like the inappropriate use of the apostrophe (or in this case, lack of a hyphen) in the English language, sub-standard understanding makes setting up a speaker & subwoofer pairing all too easy to get wrong.

So this month I thought I’d look at the process of integrating a subwoofer into a home audio system and discuss some of the benefits and advantages of doing so, along with a “scratch the surface” look at the audio science behind it.

It’s all about dat bass...

There is no denying it, the laws of physics are significant when it comes to achieving deep, controlled bass. You often read reviews which claim deep bass from a small enclosure but the old adage, “You can’t fit a quart into a pint pot” holds true, for the most part. In the audio world, size matters! We all hear sound differently, so as the saying goes, your mileage may vary.

In my youth, I remember well, visiting the Concorde 2 live venue on Brighton seafront on a dub reggae night and marvelling at the cabinets, driver size and heart stopping bass! We amused ourselves by trying to find spots in the room with the most nauseating bass. This story may seem a bit passé but it does highlight another factor in bass management, that of room nodes and the acoustics of cancellation or enhancement of certain frequencies that may cause a lack of bass, or more likely, too much “boomy” bass. I’m sure you’re all familiar with occasions where you’ve experienced that!

Different strokes for different folks...

Here at Audio T in Brighton, we have manufacturers with a different take on how to produce bass. Volume of the cabinet is one factor, along with designs that are sealed or ported. Construction materials and the quality of their application also have a factor.

Jern loudspeakers including the Model 11, which made out of cast iron, are an example of the use of a non-conventional material, aside from the usual vinyl/wood veneered MDF or HDF construction.

ATC’s speaker range include: SCM7, SCM11, SCM19’s sealed box(infinite baffle) stand mount designs and SCM40 floorstanders, all have a deliberately limited bass extension in preference for speed and control.

Proac speakers have their Tablette 10 and Tablette 10 Signatures, which are sealed(non-ported) designs, with a similar sound philosophy, albeit with different family tonal flavours to satisfy audiophiles differing sonic palettes.

Proac also have an extensive range of front and rear ported speakers and here at Audio T in Brighton, we are an exclusive Proac dealer in the area, so are pleased to be able to demonstrate speakers such as: Proac DB1, Proac DT8 and Proac D20R, all of which use ported designs to enhance bass reproduction.

Dynaudio speakers, including their Evoke 10’s and Evoke 20’s standmounts, Evoke 30 floorstanders all include bass ports to enhance bass depth.

Top’ n’ tail...

At this point we shall get onto the speaker and subwoofer pairing.

At Audio T in Brighton, we are rather fond of the REL range of subwoofers, including the; REL T-Zero3, REL T5X, REL T7X and REL T9X, all of which have been manufactured with stereo music system integration at the forefront of their design, rather than the bang, crash & wallop that most feel is the purpose of a subwoofer.

For the purpose of today’s experiment, I used the REL T7X subwoofer, joined by a pair of Proac Tablette 10 Signatures as our main speakers. Amplification and streaming is provided by the excellent one-box solution, the Naim Uniti Nova.

Making the connection...

Subwoofers usually come with two types of input; low level inputs using standard RCA connections for giving the thud and clatter associated with explosions in movie playback, or high level speaker connections for music playback. It is the latter that REL recommend and it is this type of connection we are looking at here, as it usually provides better results and is easier to get a balanced, musical sound from.

The diagrams above show the use of a high level input cable called the REL Bassline Blue, appropriately and also conveniently coloured blue. The electrical characteristics of these cables mean that longer lengths of this cable can be used without adversely affecting the amp and speakers at either end of the connection and reduce the chance of hum. These run in a “piggyback” fashion as can be seen above, allowing for easy connection at the amplifier end with traditional banana speaker plugs. You’ll also find some images from the REL manual to assist with the connection procedure.

The Neutrik connectors supplied with the REL Bassline Blue are for connection at the subwoofer end.

The speaker cable we used was standard Naim NAC A5.

Setting it up . . . .

Naim uniti nova connected to a rel t7x using rel bassline blue subwoofer cable

proac tablette 10 signatures in oak

So with the electronics in place and the necessary cables connected, we can get to the nitty-gritty of positioning and tuning the sound of the sub to integrate seamlessly with the speakers.

Before we get to the mechanics of the set-up, a few pointers and sound principles to steer the reader in a the right direction.

“Boom, boom let’s shake the room...”

No, I’m not joking when I say, I’m not going to give your bass a slap if you get this wrong, but most listeners idea of good bass is more quantitative than qualitative. This can be explained by the fact that folks, when not listening to a relatively bass-free sound through their phone speakers or TV, are more attuned to the bass sound coming from a passing car lowrider, than fast, accurate low end reproduction. Acclimatisation to bass sounds resulting from the effects produced by room acoustics, poor positioning of speakers and inappropriate size of speaker for the listening environment are the most common causes of poor bass reproduction and this leads to the normalisation of what bass should, in their opinion, sound like.

So if you want good bass sound, let’s just say, “Where there’s a will there’s a way!”

Dialling it all in...

What’s about to follow is, of course, subject to personal taste, so take this advice with a pinch of salt and use your own ears to decide what works best for you in your setup.

rel t/7X subwoofer

First thing to do is to place the REL T/7X sub in a position that maximises its bass pressurisation of the room. This is the way REL have designed their subwoofers and will usually be in a corner of the room, as shown in the picture, or along one of the side walls, a few feet away from the corner but not too far away, because the REL T7/X has been designed to use the room acoustics to enhance the bass response.

Be patient with the positioning process and tune with your ears because a few centimetres here and there can make all the difference. The best placement for the sub may be subject to room dimensions, shape and furniture placement, and may require more than one subwoofer to do the job properly. Two small ones may well be better than one big one in this scenario.

Dave Taylor, our man from REL (and when he wasn’t drinking all our coffee!) assisted me in the process of setting up the REL T7/X, so I thank him for his expertise and music selection during the following setup process.

Musical choices for the REL T7X subwoofer setup can be found here.

I would add that, as the personal owner of a Naim Uniti Nova, Proac Tablette 10 Signatures and an “oldie but goodie” REL Stampede subwoofer that I’ve owned for 20 years plus, I do have some prior knowledge of the setup process, especially in relation to the components mentioned in this blog. However, the newer REL subs have come on some way in recent years, with a faster response and with lower latency, so they should prove superior sonically. I was also interested to see if the process differed from my own and if the results were a step forward, eyeing up a future upgrade for myself.

Steps...

1) Find some music with a repetitive pulsating low bass response and start it playing. Turn up your main hi-fi amp, in our case the Naim Uniti Nova, to a reasonable level. At this point you may not be able to hear the deep pulsating bass notes through the main speakers because of the nature of your music choice. We certainly couldn’t through our Proac Tablette 10 Signatures.

2) Switch on the already connected REL T7X subwoofer and listen until the deep bass notes can be felt and heard through the sub by setting the Hi/Low level and crossover dials to a starting position of around 11 o’clock. You shouldn’t need to rotate these two dials much further than this, assuming you have positioned the sub well enough.

3) Hopefully, you should now hear the deep bass line. Although this may be way too loud for enjoyable music listening at this stage, don’t worry, as this will be adjusted later. Now toggle the phase switch between 0 degrees and 180 degrees to see which one is the loudest setting of the two.

Remember that, at this point, we are tuning the sub so we can hear it and then we’ll re-adjust the settings later until you can’t. If that seems a bit strange, I’ll elaborate more later. It is also useful to have someone else present to help with the tuning process because it does require getting up and down out of your seating position quite a lot if you are on your lonesome.

4) Once the phase has been set, the crossover frequency can now be dialled in. It helps to have some idea of what your speakers lower level frequency response roll-off is. The -3db bass response roll-off for the Proac Tablette 10 Signatures is stated as 55Hz on the Proac website. Try setting the sub crossover to around the same frequency and listen for how the sub blends with the main speakers. Adjust the crossover frequency accordingly.

5) Once you are happy with the blend, you may find the sub contributes a little too much to the overall sound, so alter the Hi/Low level dial to back off on the sub so that you can no longer “hear” the sub. This stage may well need to be tweaked by playing a few different tracks with a good bass line to settle at your final adjustment.

A couple of final points to remember. You shouldn’t even know there is a subwoofer in place until you turn it off, when a couple of things will tend to be noticeably different.

Is it working?

Subwoofers do have their detractors, especially from hi-fi purists, but the “thud thud” heard during film soundtracks and the sound from drive-by bass addicts are far removed from seamless integration into a hi-fi system focussing on music reproduction. Final adjustments don’t have to be set in stone and are subjectively open to interpretation. After all, it’s your sub and you can choose your own filling!

From an objective point of view, if set up properly, the differences are undeniable. Whether for better or for worse remember you aren’t married to a subwoofer, so subtle tweaks can be made as your ears adjust to the changes.

Firstly, when the subwoofer is turned off, you should notice that the music will lose “body” and not sound so full-range or sonically balanced as before. The really deep bass will be noticeable by its absence and your system may sound “thin” in comparison.

Secondly, when the subwoofer is on, you should notice a change in the soundstage, with some more “air” and space around instruments and vocals, in particular. This second feature of good sub integration is slightly counterintuitive because one expects the sub to do only bass. In fact, for some listeners, it is the improvement to the midrange and treble that are the biggest winners when it comes to subwoofer integration. The scientific reasoning behind these changes in sound may well be down to harmonics, which are the effects of multiples of a frequency of vibration having subtle complementary effects further on up the frequency range.

These harmonics can also be detrimental and heard when speaker/room mismatching issues rear their ugly head, in the form of room “nodes”, especially with exaggerated bass frequencies, leading to the “boomy” bass mentioned earlier on in this blog. Using smaller satellite speakers with a well integrated sub, could be an effective way to ameliorate these problems.

Sound principles...

We haven’t even touched on room treatments in this article, so I’ll briefly outline some other factors to consider in the overall setup of your system.

Some rooms are notoriously difficult to get right. Whether it be down to the room size being too big or too small for the speakers used, the room dimensions and/or shape of the room or the amount and type of soft furnishings being used, there are a multitude of factors to listen out for before making big financial commitments on hi-fi purchases. Like a good football team, you cannot just throw money at it and expect it to get results, although it helps. Good management and a handy Pep Guardiola will allow well informed decisions to be made.

Here at Audio T, we’re on hand to help you manage those decisions before making your purchase. We can offer a premier level of service and expertise, so pop in and let us help you with your hi-fi choices.

Thanks for reading - Ade - Audio T Brighton

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

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

ProAc can be found at the following Audio-T stores

Rega Amplifiers - Shelf Filling Heavy Weights

/ Audio T Cardiff/

NEW

REGA ELICIT MK5 AMPLIFIER

With the arrival of the all new Rega Elicit MK5 amplifier, I thought it was high time we compared three of Rega’s best; the Elex-R , Elicit and the Aethos. I’ll take a look at the differences in performance and tell you all about these fantastic British built amplifiers. I very proudly own a Rega Elex-R with a Rega Planar 6 turntable myself, so I’ll let you know how I came to the decision of my purchase and why I count myself as a bit of a Rega fanboy!

Since their humble beginnings back in 1973, Rega’s initial success was built upon award-winning tonearms and turntables but Rega has been making complete hi-fi systems since the eighties. From day one every Rega product has been designed to achieve some of the best musical performances and deliver a lifetime of musical enjoyment at an affordable price.

To this day, Rega designs and assembles every product by hand in their custom-built 38,000 square foot facility in the South East of England, employing over 140 people, their product range is currently exported globally to 46 different countries. So let’s take a look…

Rega - Elex-R

Starting with the Elex-R we have a fine blend of the Brio and the Elicit. So, what comes from where and why combine the two amps. The Elex-R borrows its power circuit and phono stage from its big brother the Elicit and the simplicity from the Brio, this comes together giving you more power control and dynamics while retaining that classic warm but detailed Rega tone we all know and love. Basic features:

  • Price £1045*

  • 72 watts per channel into 8 ohm and 90 watts per channel into 6 ohm

  • Moving magnet phono stage

  • 4-line inputs with pre-amp and record out

  • Class A/B design

  • The same power transformer as the Elicit

Rega - Elicit MK5

Now for the new kid on the block, the Elicit MK5. This highly anticipated amplifier has gone through its fair share of changes making it a real force to be reckoned with. With decades of award-winning design packed with a few new features, Rega have come up with the perfect integrated amplifier at this price point. Featuring the same FET based pre-amp circuit found in the award winning Aethos, and it is powerful enough to run even the most power hungry floor standing speakers. It also has arguably one of the best integrated DACs I have ever come across in an amplifier. The Wolfson DAC really stands out in the crowd, especially being driven by Rega’s all new Saturn MK3 CD player, I can hear great detail while maintaining the warmth and musicality. Here are the features:

  • Price £2000*

  • 105 watts into 8 ohms 127 watt’s into 6 ohm and a huge 162 watt into 4 ohms

  • Moving magnet phono stage

  • 4 line out input’s with record in and out

  • Class A/B design

  • Built in Wolfson 16 to 24 bit DAC with digital, optical and coax input’s

  • Built in headphone amp with 1/4” socket

  • Direct and preamp out

Rega - Aethos

Now last but not least the Jewel in Rega’s crown the Aethos . Although the Aethos looks very similar to the Elex-R and the Elicit it certainly stands apart from the others in not just price. Being the most powerful amplifier in this shoot out with its internal dual mono design putting out 156 Watts per channel into 6 ohms this amp is a true monster. The headphone amplification circuit switches the main speaker output using a mute relay as so not to obstruct the signal path, so you get the sound quality you desire while listening through headphones. The tech specs:

  • Price £3300*

  • 125 Watts into 8 ohms and 156 Watts into 6 ohms’

  • No phono stage

  • 5-line inputs with direct input, record out and pre-amp out

  • Dual mono design

  • Built in headphone amp with 1/4” socket

The Setup

So I could best judge the performance of the amplifiers, I have replicated as much of my home setup for a reference point I’m intimately familiar with…

Music used

Jimi Hendrix - Are You Experienced - recorded in 1967 - Tracks used - ‘Hey Joe’ and ‘The Wind Cries Mary’ (Vinyl)

Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti - Recorded in 1975 - Tracks used - ‘Trampled Underfoot’ and ‘Ten Years Gone By’ (Vinyl)

Alice In Chains - Rainier Fog - Recorded in 2018 - Track used - All I Am (CD)

The listening

Rega Planar 6 Spinning Jimi Hendrix

So down to the important part. As previously mentioned, I personally own the Rega Elex-R. I know how it is going to sound and perform. This is where my love of class A/B amplification starts. With its ability to create a good and strong sound stage and warm yet detailed tone, also borrowing some of the same tricks that the Elicit has up it’s sleeve, i.e., the power circuit bringing out things I’ve not heard before like the backing vocals in Hendrix’s ‘Wind cries Mary’. What stood out to me aside from its tone is its simplistic design and the fantastic value. It is a lot of amplifier for your money.

Now onto the all new Elicit Mk5. As I stated before, this is the latest edition to the Rega family. There have been several incarnations of the Elicit amplifier before, but I personally think Rega have outdone themselves on this one. Not only does it have more power, but it has so much of the same feel as its big brother, the Aethos. The Elicit feels more effortless and I found myself turning the volume up, especially on ‘Led Zeppelin’s - Trampled Underfoot’ with that infamous clavinet used on that track by John Paul Jones, instantly getting my foot tapping.

Next, I thought I’d explore the Elicit’s Wolfson DAC so I connected up the Rega Saturn MK3 CD player. I found it detailed and easy to listen to as well as engaging on ‘Alice in Chains - All I Am’. The swirling phaser effect that they use on the recording is mesmerising and full of depth. This amplifier is a hard one to beat at this price point.

Ok, and now for the finale (drum roll please)… Well, I have to say this amplifier has taken my breath away. Yes, this amplifier has a lot more power but that in no way means it is hard to control. It is effortless to listen to, yet draws more detail out of the music. This was noticeable when playing ‘Led Zeppelin - Ten Years Gone By’. I could hear that slight bit of a ring from John Bonham’s upper toms on his drum kit (I know I’m being really nerdy, I’m sorry). In short, the Aethos is at the top end of the scale here but if you think about what you are getting for your money this amplifier is priceless.

Conclusion

Led Zeppelins Physical Graffiti LP

So, to sum up this shootout - Each of these amazing amplifiers bring something different to the table and not just more of the same. The Elex-R has fantastic build quality and simplicity, a rich tone and bags of power. The Elicit has more power but yet more functionality especially with it’s lovely new built-in DAC. And of course, the Aethos a true class A amplifier with more power to say the least, but yet more control and detail and much much more to make you smile.

You maybe wondering why I went for the Elex-R?

It’s a long enjoyable road on the Hi-fi journey and I am at the start. I felt the Elex-R is the best amp to start with for me as I really enjoy its class AB tonal characteristics and how easy it is to use. The power behind it as I mentioned before is borrowing some of the Elicits power amp design which is capable of driving many many loudspeakers on the market. It drives my Acoustic energy AE300 speakers with ease and was at the right price point. Maybe further down the road I may go for an Elicit or really head down that wonderful class A route and go for the Aethos… We’ll just have to see.

But don’t take my word for it. Why not pop into our store for a demonstration and see which one you prefer.

Thanks for reading

Nick, Matt & Kerrin - Audio T Cardiff

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

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

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

“System Synergy” and All That (Free) Jazz… Featuring a first look at the all new Rega Elicit Mk5 Amplifier

/ Audio T Cheltenham/

The Holy Grail

It is very true that an inexpensive audio system can often outperform a more costly and ambitious set up with the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. How does this happen you may ask? Well…

There can be many and varied reasons why people put together their hi-fi systems. For most, it is possibly all about a passion for music and getting the best reproduction that they can. For some it may be a desire to own something shiny and expensive to show off to friends and relatives. For others it may have been randomly chosen from a list of magazine reviews, “best buys” or from a long list of great looking specifications and technical claims in the manufacturer’s blurb. Then there are those that like to stay loyal to a particular brand name or have upgraded components one by one over a number of years to finish up with their dream system. The more frugal of us will buy because a particular product is being sold at a big discount price.

All of these reasons are valid but can and probably could possibly lead to a hi-fi system sounding mediocre and less than the sum of its parts. The really important thing to ask is….”Do these system components work well together?” The phrase we give it here in the Cheltenham store is “System Synergy”. Put simply, the art of putting together components that compliment each other sonically, so that the overall result is a musicality beyond what each of those components could achieve if combined with less compatible products.

A Proper Giant Killer

I have recently been fortunate enough to have several customer demonstrations that have allowed me to listen to a couple of rather nice hi-fi systems, both of which would cost you well over £20K! As you’d imagine, both of them were really really impressive. But then along came this particular demo…

Rega Saturn Mk3, Rega Elicit Mk5 and Acoustic Energy AE209.

This system absolutely defines the phrase “System Synergy”. It consists of two all new releases from Rega - The Rega Saturn Mk3 CD and Rega Elicit Mk5 amplifier, alongside the Acoustic Energy AE509 loudspeakers. The sound that this sexy threesome produces is truly astonishing and really does convey a palpable sense of power, dynamic drive, deep bass extension and a feeling of physical impact so satisfying and way above its price point.

Rega Saturn CD player

The new Rega Elicit Mk5

Acoustic Energy AE509

Goosebumps!

I won’t go on and on forever about “effortless reproduction” and “openness of soundstage” or how “the loudspeakers simply disappear and make the walls dissolve so that the music magically hangs in the air around you”. Or that “you get the sense that you can hear the performers in the room with you”. Or any other clichés you’re likely to see in many hi-fi articles… But then that really is the wonderful thing about “System Synergy” and the goosebump moments that you can get when it happens. It is priceless!

Free Jazz

voLITION BY kRAKATAU

Raoul Björkenheim guitars, shekere
Jone Takamäki tenor saxophone, krakaphone, toppophone, whirlpipe
Uffe Krokfors acoustic bass
Alf Forsman drums
Recorded December 1991 at Rainbow Studio, Oslo

I have championed this album before in previous articles. It is a stupidly good recording of some difficult but wonderful music by Finnish experimentalists Krakatau. This album was released on the rather wonderful ECM record label and on most hi-fi systems it can be a challenging listen. However, on this combination, the sound is wonderfully dynamic and open. The acoustic bass is so deep and tight. Raoul’s guitar is wild & abandoned, you can tell he is having tremendous fun playing it. Overall what strikes me the most is how the music is laid out in an ultra wide vista with the speakers imaging way out of their cabinets in all directions. Up, down, left, right, front and back to such an extent that I could swear the band were in the room (oops, there’s a slip of banality) . The system was producing a truly spine tingling effect and l know this album inside out and have heard it on some systems that are way more expensive than this, but played on this set up is quite probably the best (and the most fun) it has ever been! The sheer presence and realism is uncanny with a genuinely tangible low-level resolution and dynamic range that many, much more expensive systems would kill for. Now that is what “System Synergy” is all about. I rest my case.

The system set up in out dem room

The bit at the end

I could go on dishing out superlatives, but if I have even only piqued your interest a tiny bit then demonstrations can be arranged in store and are thoroughly recommended.

Thanks for reading.

Andy, Jon and Farid - Audio T Cheltenham.

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

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

HI-FI OR HOME CINEMA - WE’RE HERE TO HELP AT AUDIO T SWINDON

/

In this article, we’ll discuss what it is we do here in store and give you some guidelines to help you before you make an appointment or visit our shop. It is a priority for us to make sure that our customers feel as comfortable as possible when they sit down with us here at Audio T Swindon.

Some of our equipment

How to start? Tell us what you have in mind

Whilst we are here to guide you through your Hi-Fi or Home Cinema needs, it’s good to have some sort of idea where you want to start. We think that some of the questions below will help you prepare for your journey…

  • Do you want to build a home cinema or a two channel audio system?

  • Are you completely new to this or do you have an existing system?

  • Are you looking to upgrade or down size?

  • What are the room dimensions and how is it laid out ( Furniture, windows, doors, fireplace etc.)? You can send us photos of your room prior to the appointment.

  • How would you like to play your music? CDs, vinyl or streaming service such as Spotify or Tidal?

  • Would you like to play music in more than one room or add this in the future?

  • Do you want separate components or are you looking for a one box solution?

  • How do you want to display the new system? Do you have suitable furniture for the setup?

  • Do you have any equipment you would like to trade-in?

Free Parking behind our shop

We have a customer car park right behind the shop. You’ll find it via Faringdon Road, Farnsby Street and then turn left into Villette Street - At the end turn left and sharp right into our long driveway that will take you into our enclosed car park (big black sign on the white wall)…

Demonstration Rooms - Try before you buy

Whilst we have a selection of records, CDs and access to several streaming services, we encourage our customers to bring their favourite music as well to listen to in demonstrations.

Home Cinema or Music System ? Or both ?

It’s important for us to have an idea of what sort of thing you’re after before your appointment, that way we can make sure that one of our two bespoke demonstration rooms is set up and ready when you arrive. We have two different sized rooms and we will set up the equipment in the one that is closest in size to your room.

Make yourself comfortable and enjoy the demonstration over a cup of tea or coffee

Part Exchange - No problem

Here at Audio T, we use a third party solution to take on your unwanted Hi-Fi and Home Cinema equipment. All we need to get you a valuation is the details of the item (condition, accessories, packaging etc) and if possible, some photos.

Price Promise

We know you won’t find better service or expertise.

We know you won’t find better sound.

But if you do find a better deal from another authorised shop, let us know and we’ll be happy to match it (subject to verification). Be sure to Contact Us or visit your Local Store.

Collection or Installation?

Do you feel confident to collect and install your new system yourself? Not a problem. But if you’d like the expert touch, we can deliver locally, install and set up your new Hi-Fi or Home Cinema system.

You can contact us on 01793 538222 or email us on swindon@audio-t.co.uk. Our opening hours are Tuesday - Saturday 9.30 - 5.30.

Thanks for reading - Stefan & Andy - Audio T Swindon

 

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

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

Find your nearest Audio T store Here.

An integrated amplifier reimagined - the Marantz MODEL 40n

/ Audio T Enfield/

The latest release from Marantz, the MODEL 40n, has expectedly been very impressive; it’s finish is beautiful and it sounds great, but arguably so does every other Marantz product. “So what makes it stand out?” I hear you ask. Well, hopefully by the time you’ve finished reading this article, that question will have been answered and you’ll be convinced that the MODEL 40n is something built to last…

Way back when…

Saul B Marantz

First founded in New York but now based in Japan, Marantz began its operations in 1953 when Saul Marantz, an American musician, inventor and engineer, designed the brand’s first audio product, the Audio Consolette, at his home in Kew Gardens, NY.

The company went on to be a major influence in high fidelity audio systems, reaching the height of its success during the mid to late 70s.

During the 80s they were owned by Phillips, and subsequently sold some highly-regarded CD players, until their focus turned to higher-end components in the early 90s. Marantz Japan bought the brand from Philips in 2001 and owned all worldwide sales subsidiaries. Marantz combined with competitor Denon in 2002 to form D&M Holdings Inc., which was eventually renamed D+M Group. Sound United LLC finalised the acquisition of D+M Holdings on March 1st, 2017.

Music to my eyes…

Marantz’s attention to detail in their designs of the MODEL 40n doesn’t go unnoticed. The brand ensures many aspects are carefully considered when it comes to aesthetics - premium materials, symmetry, smooth operation of rotary controls, and porthole display, which can be seen throughout their long-line of renowned offerings.

Marantz don’t want their products to look like lifeless lab equipment, but instead, a beautiful extension of your home. The MODEL 40n does just that. It’s iconic porthole screen displays the right information at the right time, allowing you to adjust accordingly using the control knobs, which are strategically placed to create a symmetrical look. You can adjust the bass and treble using these knobs to suit your sound. Available in black or silver, it’s carbon fibre-like pattern makes it all the more attractive, and although it strongly resembles its predecessor, the MODEL 30, on the outside, they are far from similar once opened up…

It’s what’s on the inside that counts…

While the MODEL 30 is an all-analogue (input) architecture driven by Class D Hypex Ncore modules, the MODEL 40n is based on the Class A/B design of older Marantz amplifiers. The discrete HDAM modules, the power supply, and the power amp have all been improved to enhance the ability to drive low impedance loads.

The model 40n’s components and structure

When did you get so smart?!

With a variety of streaming smarts built-in, including HEOS, Bluetooth and Airplay2, the all-in-one amplifier puts the control at your fingertips, allowing those with an infinite, digital collection to listen online. DLNA compatibility along with voice control via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri devices makes it effortless for enthusiasts to use.

Mind the gap

The Marantz MODEL 40n bridges the gap between analogue and digital. It’s versatile enough to connect everything from your TV to your turntable, in addition to a wide choice of network streaming possibilities. There is an HDMI with ARC for TV. The optical and coaxial digital inputs are used to connect games consoles and other digital sources. There are three RCA phonos and a recording output for analogue sources. Connect your deck to the phono input for the best in vinyl (MM). So if you fancy a quick switch between listening to your records and Internet radio, then you can do just that. Equally, if you’d prefer to put your feet up and watch the telly, you can do that too!

Tech-y info:

  • Marantz’s bespoke op-amps, the HDAM-SA3s, improve temperature stability by using surface-mount metal-film resistors - the end result is a less-distorted and cleaner sound.

  • The non-magnetic aluminium front panel and steel top cover allows the amp to resist both electrical and mechanical interference.

  • The Marantz MODEL 40n boasts plenty of power for room-filling sound, with 70 watts per channel. The toroidal power transformer, which is doubly insulated, provides this Marantz amp with sustained power, minimal noise, and silent operation - ideal for hearing every detail in your favourite music.

Is this integrated amp the ‘model’ student?

In a nutshell, I’d say this is probably one of the most versatile pieces of hi-fi gear currently available on the market, simply due to the fact it can do so much. You can connect your TV, turntable and game console, not forgetting the variety of built-in smarts it comes with.

So, was the earlier question answered? Are you now convinced that the MODEL 40n is something built to last? If not, then you may need to hear it with your own ears!

Thanks for reading

Elena, John & Jason – Audio T Enfield

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

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

The ‘Quest’ to discovering cables - Exploring AudioQuest cables and how they can improve your system

/ Audio T Enfield/

One of the most common questions amongst Hi-Fi and Home Cinema enthusiasts is, “Do cables make a difference to my system?”. Some are adamant that they can’t hear any differences between various grades or ranges, others are insistent of the exact opposite, that cables can make or break the way a set-up sounds. One thing is for certain though - there are plenty of cable manufacturers out there, all of which spend countless months researching the best combination of metals & materials to use to create the best cables. During this article, I’ll be looking at AudioQuest and discussing their cables and the different core metal wirings used to find out how this affects their conductivity and overall quality.

The Quest to AudioQuest

AudioQuest was founded by William (Bill) Lowe (also CEO) in 1980, just two years after he had started making cables at his one-man Hi-Fi shop. With their headquartering in Irvine, California and offices in the Netherlands, they have become a leading developer, manufacturer and distributor of high-end AV products and custom-install solutions over the last 40 years, distributing to approximately 65 countries throughout the world.

Bill discovered how easily influenced a system was by the quality of cables during the early days of his Hi-Fi career, and through successful experimentation, he founded AudioQuest to create new and innovative wires, connectors and accessories.

“Everything I’ve learned about hi-fi or cables is purely the result of being interested in getting high on music.”
— Bill Lowe, The Absolute Sound magazine, 2008

The Four Elements. But they’re not Earth, Water, Air and Fire…

AudioQuest describes their design philosophies and foundational materials with the Four Elements:

  • Solid Conductors

  • Directionality

  • Noise-Dissipation

  • Metal Quality

If you’d like a more indepth read about these elements, you can check them out Here (Page 5).

What’s in a name?

The naming of the cables may seem a bit strange - cable types often fall under a group of “something”. For example, the interconnects are all named after Bridges & Falls - Tower, Evergreen, Golden Gate, Big Sur, Sydney, Yosemite and Angel, and Subwoofer cables are named after dog breeds - Black Lab, Greyhound, Irish Red, Boxer and Husky.

Other cables are named after popular indulgences from around the globe, like Forest, Pearl, Blueberry, Vodka and Diamond, and these names are used for multiple cable types (HDMIs, Ethernets, Digital Coaxs etc.).

Then there’s heroes of folklore (Robin Hood & William Tell) and Mythical Creatures (ThunderBird, FireBird & Dragon), which are two groups of speaker cables as well as Rocket and others.

So now we have a basic understanding of the cables and names, but what makes them differ from one another? How do we know which cables are improving in conductivity? This is where core metal wiring comes in.

Why does the metal core wiring matter?

There are other important elements that can improve a cable’s overall quality aside from core metal wiring, however for the sake of not over-complicating matters, we will be primarily focussing on how a cable’s conductivity is dependent on the metal used.

It goes without saying that the core metal wirings play one of the most important roles within the complexities of the cable’s structure. Different metals will have differing conductivity levels, so it’s important to have an understanding of this when deciding which cables to buy for your system.

Copper is often the preferred metal used in cables for a few reasons: its high conductivity levels; its inexpensive price; its thermal resistance; and its ductility. Check out Monroe Engineering’s blog where they go into more detail about this.

Pure Silver is proven to be the best conductor of electricity, however is seldom used due to it’s high cost. AudioQuest incorporate a lot of Silver into their products as they go up the range, so if the conductivity is improved, then surely upgrading cables will make a difference to how your system will sound? Let’s listen and find out.

The listening session

We split the session into three sections for each cable type:

The system used throughout was a Windows laptop running Roon with a USB > Ethernet adaptor > Apple Airport Express.

The experiment began with analogue interconnects:

Next up were the Ethernet cables:

And lastly, we ended our session with the AC Power Cables:

We listened to the same song with each cable type, listed in the order above, and all three of us noticed an improvement as they went up in the range. We followed a comparison system too; once we got to the last cable (typically the best of the group), we’d go back and listen to the first cable - this is where we really heard just how much the cables improved the quality of what we were listening to.

Starting with the interconnects, despite being entry-level the Tower sounded great, lots of clarity and very smooth - easy on the ears for sure. As we progressed through the cables, this clarity and smoothness improved massively, especially when we reached the Angel cable which is made of Solid PSS (Perfect Surface Silver AKA pure Silver). The stunning quality this cable provided so effortlessly was unbelievable, particularly heard once compared with the Tower.

Following on, we had a play around with the ethernets, and admittedly there was more scepticism around them, purely because we live in such a wireless world and weren’t sure what we were listening for. Pearl was up first, showing us it’s ability to seamlessly carry lots of information from the system to our ears - the music’s sharpness was undeniable. Again we followed the system of going up the range, where more and more Silver is used in the core metal wiring for this cable type. As we got to Diamond, the top in the range made from 100% PSS, we were hearing things in the music that we weren’t aware of beforehand. We then went back and comparatively listened to both the Pearl and the Diamond, which confirmed our findings.

Finally, it was the AC power cables’ turn. We listened to a choir track for this round, which enabled us to really gauge the capabilities of a power cable. The NRG-Z2 was first; the beauty of a choir is all the different voices you can pick out amongst them, and this particular cable made that really easy to do. There was a great deal of clarity amongst the vocals, but it didn’t sound clinical; it sounded full-bodied, as though they were almost in the room with you. We progressed to the NRG-Z3, and it was at that point that the choir felt as though it was in front of us. The vocals were brought to the forefront, giving us the ability to pick out more voices than before. The sound-stage grew immensely, with those vocals all around us rather than in front of us.

So, what’s the verdict?

Purely from a scientific point of view, the question “Do cables make a difference to my system?” can be answered as a yes, absolutely. Improving the conductivity by incorporating more and more silver into the core metal wiring, which is proven to be the best electricity conductor, will definitely make a difference in how those electrical signals pass through one part of your system to another. That being said, it is definitely recommended that one listens with their own ears to draw their own conclusions, and what better way than to come in and listen for yourself?!

Thanks for reading

Elena, John & Jason – Audio T Enfield

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

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ANNI ARE YOU OK? A FIRST LOOK AT THE CHORD ANNI WITH THE SENNHEISER HD 820

/ Audio T Reading/

It’s likely we will have all formed an acquaintance with the Chord’s Qutest, the dinky DAC champion that’s more than held its own over the last decade. By comparison, the Chord Anni is a much more hidden beast. It seems so rarely that the Anni is even so much as breathed a mention, despite it hailing from Chord’s stable of familiar Qutest products. A stable in which the Chord Huei, itself highly praised in the world of phono stages, completes a triumvirate of high-fidelity desktop delights.

So… what is the Chord Anni? Why would anyone need or want one? And what happened when it crossed paths with the stellar Sennheiser HD 820 headphones? Hope you’re sitting comfortably… it’s time to lift the lid on the Anni and see what lurks beneath!

Hello and welcome. A quick introduction… my name is Rishi (no, thankfully not the chancellor), and I’ve recently embarked on a dream journey into the world of working in hi-fi and audio-visual at Audio T Reading. Whilst I’m familiar to audio and hi-fi, I’m still wet behind the ears when it comes to working in a hi-fi shop. I’m loving the variety, one minute making up a lovely set of Chord Company Shawline X speaker cables complete with Ohmic plugs for our friendly customers, the next minute lugging inconceivably heavy, but also lovely, ATC SCM40 speakers up three flights of stairs to our main demo room!

Ok, truth be told, I’m not loving the lugging part. But such is life, even in hi-fi, got to take the rough with the smooth… sometimes got to swallow a stone-cold coffee whilst listening to the sweet tones of the Audio Note Cobra integrated amplifier. Actually, that amp makes even the most bitterly cold coffee taste sublime! But I digress…

While still in a daze in the new day job, I sometimes find myself eyeballing all the amazing equipment, a lot of which I could only dream of getting my hands on someday. So, one day while mesmerically gawping at the supreme Sennheiser HD 820 closed-back headphones, and with Gareth warming up a new Chord Anni desktop integrated amplifier, fresh from its crisp box, I saw a perfect opportunity to try them both together... and I did! I mean why not? Here’s what unfolded…

FIRST UP – THE CUTE, OR PERHAPS QUTE, CHORD ANNI

Curiously, I must admit, my first slightly nagging thought was… what’s the point of this Chord Anni? While it’s appreciably compact, it’s largely restricted to doing amplifying duties, and it doesn’t have the wanderlust and wire-free portability of say the Chord Hugo 2. The Anni needs to be plugged into the mains like any other integrated amplifier, so why on earth would I want to use this at home, when I can plug my headphones into my Exposure 3010S2D integrated amplifier? Oh wait, my Exposure doesn’t have a headphone output! As it turns out, none of my other equipment does either, which is why I acquired a thumb-sized Audioquest DragonFly Cobalt USB DAC/amp for headphone listening. Ok, so it turns out I’ve stumbled across a first use case for the Chord Anni.

It then also dawned on me that the Anni may be rendered redundant, as my living arrangement is such that I can reach for my full-size hi-fi and give it a blast anytime I choose, especially because I’m not sharing casa-de-Rishi with anyone else (which is to everyone else’s benefit of course). But there are many of us who have a requirement for more private listening, maybe to tune out the unwanted drone of the TV, or perhaps some of us want a little lunchtime escape to jam out to some tunes whilst working from home. And maybe jam out in the highest quality possible. This is the key with the Anni. Each and every one of its 10 watts per channel is serving up ultra-pure and magnificent quality, all based on Chord Electronics range topping ULTIMA models.

A good food-for-thought question I’ve heard come up a few times in the hi-fi circles is ‘How good is the first watt?’ Me personally, I’d rather have 10 watts of blissful audio than be subjected to 100 watts of shoulder-tightening, ear-splitting noise-a-rama! Get the first watt right, and amping up that watt becomes a joyous experience, especially if you have something of the ilk of the Sennheiser HD 820 to appreciate every bit of it. More to come on this... I’m also now thinking, with Chord’s Qutest range, which includes the Anni, it’s now a reality to have a separates system that’s diminutive, taking up hardly any space, whilst still possessing the heightened sound quality that a separate casework and separate power supply that both can, and do, bring to the table.

Ok, now I’m starting to see and get a taste for the virtues of the Anni. And after spending time listening to it, I’ll cut to the chase… I think I may want one!

NEXT UP – THE SENSATIONAL SENNHEISER HD 820

Oh my! So I mentioned earlier about being mesmerised while looking at the Sennheiser HD 820 headphones. They are a closed-back design, with a see-through window that was imploring me to have a good gawp at the sporty, but also elegant looking drivers on each earcup. Designed in this way as a visual hint, perhaps, of the potential sonic goodness on offer. To snap myself out of my stare, I did what any reasonable person should with headphones… I put them on my head! But it didn’t stop me trying to catch further glimpses of them in the conveniently reflective Perspex covid shield protecting our store counter… 

But upon placing them on my bonce, I couldn’t help but notice how light and comfortable they felt in-situ. I could wear these for hours, I thought. I really, really hope they sound good, I thought some more, this time with fingers virtually crossed. Once I plugged the Sennheiser’s into the Anni, I realised I need not have harboured such insecure hopes…

BETTER TOGETHER – THE SWEET SOUND OF THE ANNI WITH THE HD 820

Upon plugging the 6.3 mm jack of the Sennheiser HD 820 into the Chord Anni, I could hear all the feed-forward corrective technology of the Anni kicking into action. A series of satisfying relay clicks were automatically adjusting to the electrical load of the Sennheiser’s to ensure the appropriate drive and volume was ready to be delivered to the HD 820. I can tell you that this corrective technology works an absolute treat! To demonstrate its excellence, I plugged in my own Sennheiser HD 660s and various other headphones of different electrical load that I had to hand, and each time the drive and volume level from the Anni was spot on. The Anni is a great unit for testing the sound quality of headphones as it does a grand job of removing the bias of higher or lower volume from the equation. For those of us with a healthy (or perhaps unhealthy) collection of headphones, the Chord Anni is bordering on being an essential pairing.

It's worth noting that the Anni will also drive reasonably efficient (and apparently even some inefficient) loudspeakers and has high-quality banana socket terminals inboard. But the Anni’s ability to drive a range of loudspeakers wasn’t tested here, though a quick peruse online implies that it does this favourably in a desktop environment.

To get to the eagerly anticipated business-end – getting some tunes flowing - a streaming solution comprising of a Bluesound Node streamer, a Chord Qutest DAC and the Anni with adjoined HD 820 was assembled. All interlinking cabling came courtesy of The Chord Company. First up, I was in the mood for some Electro, something to get this headphone system fired-up and bouncing. And bounce it certainly did while playing Skream by EMF! Initially, I wasn’t accustomed to the presentation as it’s the first time I’ve listened to a headphone setup of such gravitas (relative to what I’ve been used to). Each pounding, warbling synth-line from the HD 820 was dripping with texture and definition, so much so that while I could I hear it… I could almost taste it! The bass didn’t just thump and boom in a compressed space (what I’m normally accustomed to), but instead it completely filled the cans with a huge wall of well-defined low-frequency goodness.

Time then to try out some vocals… so a quick thumb-press on the play icon on my heavily smudged and smeared phone screen saw Billie Eilish’s Your Power set in motion. Smudged and smeared are the complete opposites of what the Anni and HD 820 are all about. On the intro to the track, it was a treat to hear, with transparency, the delicate strum-work of the acoustic guitar. Each string pluck was skilfully delineated, with the player’s finger-slides along the fretboard bringing a tingly sensation. Billie’s vocals were breathy, lazily gravely as they should be, and holographic. The experience was emotive, and it felt like the Anni and the Sennheiser’s were taking me on a guided tour around Eilish’s voice box. My shoulders further untightened, and I found myself enjoying every second.

For the final track, I cued up Dave’s We’re All Alone in This Together album, a fairly new offering and the first time I was hearing it. Please take caution, it’s an explicit offering, but one that is expertly produced and mastered. While listening to the track We’re All Alone it was noticeable how unshakably on-point the imaging of Dave’s voice was. Each carefully crafted layer of the track that sequentially unfurled into earshot had its own secure space in the mix, the fullness of the piano elements was particularly impressive as it completely and densely filled the space of the HD 820’s ear cups and seemingly filled space beyond the earcups too! An impressive feat for closed-back headphones. My head was nodding furiously like a rooster imitating a woodpecker when the rhythms snapped into focus.

That’s the thing with this Chord and Sennheiser combo… You just can’t help but get deeply engrossed into the music, and this continued way into the early hours of the morning! 

CLOSING THOUGHTS – CHORD ANNI & SENNHEISER HD 820

The Chord Anni is a joy to use and while it’s minimalist feature count won’t get a technophile’s heart racing, it’s that simplicity and purity that ensures the Anni keeps out of the way of the music. Paired with the Sennheiser HD 820, the presentation is full, nuanced, engaging and above all enjoyable. There’s a brightness to the combination, but it’s the welcome kind of bright that is skilfully executed and intelligently shines a light on the performance, as opposed to that gnawing brightness that resembles the glare of an oncoming car, with poorly adjusted headlights… on a rainy night… down a pitch-black B-road… ugh you get the idea! What’s also great about the HD 820 is that its closed-back construction not only looks incredible, but it ensures a fully private and intimate listen, with minimal sound invasion to and from the outside world. The whole experience of the listening to the Anni and HD 820 has been a joy, one I didn’t want to end, and as a high quality, high-fidelity desktop solution, it’s likely there won’t be much that surpasses it. But don’t take my word for it; please do come along to Audio T to experience this system, and others. We’ll have a hot beverage and a comfy chair waiting for you…

Rishi, Gareth and Rob – Audio T Reading

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

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

Chord Electronics can be found at the following Audio T stores

Sennheiser can be found at the following Audio T stores

A thorough look at the Rotel RA-1592 MKII Super Integrated Amplifier

/ Audio T Bristol/
Rotel RA-1592MkII Integrated Amplifier Front View

Not long ago, “integrated amplifier” was enough of a description to illustrate a combined pre and power amplifier - arguably the first step in Hi-Fi separates - the only exotic addition being an MM phono stage if required.

Lately, this has become blurred, with manufacturers adding a plethora of digital inputs - Bluetooth, optical, COAX, HDMI ARC. Rotel themselves refer to the RA-1592 MKII as their ‘flagship all-in-one'. A little confusing as this is a description reserved for products that often include speakers in one box, such as the Naim Mu-So 2nd Generation, but then Naim call the Mu-So is a 'premium wireless speaker'. But then there are also solutions like the Marantz MCR612 - 'a network CD receiver' or the 'streaming integrated'‘ Roksan Attessa. Nomenclature rant over - The RA-1592 MKII is a very interesting proposition. an 18KG class A/B 200W powerhouse with 16 inputs and two pairs of speaker terminals. at £2,295*, this is an enormous amount of amplifier and connectivity for the money.

Background

Rotel have been designing and manufacturing high fidelity, high quality, high performance audio products for over 60 years and was started by Tomoki Tachikawa in Tokyo Japan in 1957 as a hi-fi electronics manufacturer. It is currently run by his nephew, Peter Kao.

Rotel RA-1592MKII Rear View

The flagship model of the series is this RA-1592 MKII with "over 33 component changes in acoustic capacitors, filter capacitors and the power supply". Rotel manufactures a lot of their own components including the in house oversized toroidal transformer delivering 200W of class AB at 8 Ohms. The digital side of things COAX, optical are handled by the Texas Instruments 32bit/384 DAC which also supports MQA, aptX™ AAC wireless Bluetooth and PC-USB. It would have been nice to use an HDMI (arc) to complete the set, but the optical option still allows for TV connections.

Rotel Components

Rotel Components - picture from Rotel

I must testify to owning a 1994 Rotel 930AX, built like a tank and still going strong. I remember about 15 years ago the tone control switch went. Opening it up, it was a simple layout, signed by Graham in a white marker pen, it turned out to be an inline fuse. This RA-1592 MKII still feels well built with it's machined Rotel logo linear volume control and source button layout all having a familiar firm and robust feel to them.

Competition

The Roksan Attessa Streaming Amplifier (Bluesound BluOS) or the Marantz Model 40n (HEOS) Streaming amps offer a complete - JAS solution (Just Add Speakers - I made this acronym up, hopefully it will catch on) as they include the dedicated streamer with app control in the unit. However, if you do not wish to be tied to a platform, then the Rotel is the way to go.

System Setup

Sources

Speakers

Accessories


Listening

Tone controls, considered by some the work of the devil, others look for that functionality. However, as with Mum jeans, flat caps and turn-ups they are making a come back. What can't be argued, is that they give the option to balance the sound characteristics of different music genres especially in difficult rooms. Tone controls off or bypassed felt overall the better experience, however on classical recordings lifting the bass by 3db and treble by 2db created a fuller sound for our particular dem room.

I revisited CD recordings of Ibraham Ferrer, Buena Vista Social Club - great control by the Rotel and a real sense of room space in the single take recording made by Ry Cooder. The soaring trumpets sat back from the choir revealed the perfect size of instruments. Pairing the Rotel with the Harbeth C7ES-3 XD brought the best out of the amp. The ATC SCM11 proved a little too revealing with Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue sounding a little dry . A bit of fiddling with the tone controls smoothed this out a little. Moving on to a little pop - The Verve underground - opening track handled the wall of sound with impressive depth, regardless of the speaker choice. Taking the digital out from the Rega Saturn MkIII and using Rotel onboard DAC confirmed that the onboard DAC is very capable.

The MM phono stage using the Rega Planar 3, was more than adequate, not an afterthought or convenience and a good match with the Rega Planar 3 Exact - revealing the nuances of the Rega deck.

Overall, there is a Rotel house sound that I recognise - even from the ‘90s. It is fuller, darker, more forceful and perhaps sweeter than the other options at this price range. The connectivity, accuracy and sense of fun make this a compelling choice at this price. Book a dem to experience this for yourself.

Thanks for reading - Max, James, Justin - Audio T Bristol

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

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

RECORD STORE DAY 2022 - RETURNS WITH A BANG

/ Audio T Swansea/

Record Store Day has been a favourite annual event at Audio T Swansea for many years. A day where we join Derricks Music to celebrate independent record shops around the UK and the relationship we have had with Derricks for decades!

The worldwide events of the past couple of years have been extremely difficult for everyone, and as independent retailers both Derricks and ourselves had missed doing what we enjoy most in welcoming customers into our stores and having a chat about all things music and Hi-Fi. As we entered 2022 there was hope on the horizon that Covid restrictions would continue to ease, and we would be returning to some sort of sense of normality and start seeing peoples’ smiling faces once again.

In the lead up to Record Store Day the list of limited edition releases is published late February, and the conversation started as to what we would be able to do this year. Would we be able to do the usual display of a Rega Hi-Fi, our goodie giveaways and the prize draw to win the Rega RSD turntable? As time moved on it was all looking as if we would be able to give it the full monty once again.

Each year, fabled UK Hi-Fi manufacturer, Rega Research release a limited edition Planar 1 turntable, and this year was no exception. To celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the first Record Store Day, Rega released a stunning RSD edition Planar 1 featuring an exclusive RSD mat, RSD lid badge and RSD silk screen logo. So once again we were going to be giving away one of these in our free prize draw.

The day before RSD we headed down to Derricks to set up the system and product display, we would be using the Rega System One comprising of the Planar 1 turntable, IO amplifier and Kyte loudspeakers. Christos and the gang at Derricks were busy getting all of their preparations done with deliveries of RSD releases arriving right up to the last minute. Their phones were red hot with enquiries of arrivals - it really was starting to feel like the pre-covid buzz was back and we were getting very excited!

So… with everything set up, it was back to the usual question: What’s the plan of action for tomorrow??

Something we had pondered was if the usual queue of dedicated music lovers would be back in full force as per pre-covid times to which we could only just wait and see.

That evening at home I had great fun in picking the albums that I would be playing on the Rega system. I mainly picked some of my favourite previous RSD recordings to play, as well as a few rather obscure recordings to test the nerve of Christos who is (as most of their customers are all too well aware) Mr Prog! We have a bit of a standing joke with Christos, Sian and Jon at Derricks as to what will be the album that will tip Christos over the edge…. we will have to wait and find out…

Doors open at 9am, and as they say… “Let the games begin!”

The day had arrived, and I took my usual quite early morning walk across town. The council workers were clearing up from what looked like a busy night in Wind Street, then through the almost empty Quadrant centre with just the shop workers getting everything ready to open up for another busy Saturday. As I made my way onto Oxford street, trying not to be drawn in by the smell of the bakeries and indulge in a last minute pasty, I could see the queue which was already to the end of Oxford Street and around the corner heading towards the Kingsway! (For those of you not familiar with Swansea, that’s about 150yds).

Arriving at Derricks, it was big smiles all round as it was clear this was going to be a cracker and boy we had missed it. The doors opened and the first batch of customers were let in, the first of which had been camped outside since 9pm the previous night!

The time was flying by, what a difference it makes when you can actually see the unbridled happiness in people’s faces without being covered by a mask. Competition entries for the Rega RSD turntable were mounting up, especially when they saw the actual turntable they could win playing in the store.

Our giveaway goodies were also going down very well - especially our fabulous Audio T Record Bags. When choosing who to giveaway a goodie bag to, I tend to pick an album at random, and whoever asks for it next will get a bag. It wasn’t long before we had happy winner!

Our fabulous record bags went down a storm!

We did have one highlight of the day, which I’m sure the person in question won’t mind me talking about. Every year I comment that you can never guess what music choice someone will ask for just by looking at them, and this year was probably the best example. Possibly the most requested recording for RSD 2022 was Taylor Swift - The Lakes - 7”. Lots of people were asking for it but sadly the first few in the queue snapped up the only copies available. Later on in the morning, with the queue still heading out the door, there was a young lady attentively waiting in the queue. It was mentioned to her that if it was Taylor Swift she wanted, that they had all been sold. The look of sheer horror on her face was hysterical… “Good God No” she replied…. “I want The Cure!”

Luckily, we all saw the funny side of it…

The day was marching on and it was time for us to pick our lucky winner of the Rega RSD turntable. I made the phone call but was sadly met with an answerphone… It wasn’t long before we had a call back from a delighted winner. We arranged a suitable time for us to hand over the prize and then it was time for us to pack up and reflect on what a day it had been.

Christos, Our lucky winner and myself (Nic - Manager at Audio T Swansea)

RSD 2022 was once again the mad and exhausting day we had all hoped for, with so many happy customers chatting all day about everything music and Hi-Fi. And of course one very happy chap with another Elvis recording to add to his collection…

It goes without saying that we could not do this without the wonderful support from Derricks Music and really appreciate that they love having us there to cause chaos and play our music for the day. So, thanks again for a wonderful day.

Oh…. and what was the record that tipped Christos over the edge and plead for some “proper” music? It was Thelonious Monk, whose music had been described as: “Monk's compositions and improvisations feature dissonances and angular melodic twists” - just what a Prog fan needs!

We have a couple of Limited Edition Rega RSD Turntables still available, which you can order Here.

Thanks for reading.

Nic, Chris and Ade - Audio T Swansea

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

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

A story behind a custom transformation - The Linn Sondek LP12

/ Audio T Brighton/

So, Spring has finally arrived, flowers abundant with colour and the ongoing need to wear thermals. But most importantly, Spring is the season of rebirth, rejuvenation and renewal. With this in mind, we’ll be looking at the subject of transformations in this month’s article. However, not the type I spent over thirty years in the English public education sector teaching about, albeit with a tenuous link to rotations by virtue of the fact that without those, Linn and its famous turntable wouldn’t exist.

“Don’t throw away your records, you haven’t heard what’s on them yet”
— Ivor Tiefenbrun - Founder of Linn

Ivor Tiefenbrun; founder of Linn and designer of the iconic Linn LP12 record deck, hints at the connection with this month’s blog by virtue of transforming a turntable’s rotational energy into the glorious sound a vinyl record can produce.

This is the story of an Linn LP12 and an Audio T customer’s transformation of an iconic deck in memory of someone close to his heart.

In the beginning . . . .

One can never describe a Linn Sondek LP12 as looking mundane, but if you read-on and finish this blog, the image directly below may fit this description.

Spring is a time for rebirth and like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly, the deck blossoms into a thing of beauty, full of colour and character, far beyond its humble beginnings, consisting of a Linn LP12 with a White-lined bearing, Linn Akito arm and a Linn K9 cartridge. In its day, this was a fine deck, but as you will witness, the transformation will be quite stunning.

The re-furnishing of the plinth was a personal quest from a good friend of John and Paul’s here at Audio T in Brighton and done to commemorate the loss of a personal friend, whilst simultaneously paying due respect to an icon of rock guitar. As you will see, from the pictures coming up, he did an immaculate job.

It’s all gone a bit Eddie Van Halen . . . .

Eddie Van Halen’s guitar

Guitarists everywhere were steeped in sorrow over the recent death of Eddie Van Halen. Whether you are playing your vinyl on a Rega Planar 3 with an Exact cartridge, the top of the range Rega Planar 10 or the Linn LP12, in one of its various incarnations, EVH was one of the most creative, influential and recognisable guitar players of his generation and his intense playing tested the tracking ability of decks and the strength of speaker drive units, the world over.

Let’s cut to the chase

In its final assembly, the resulting plinth is a fitting tribute to a personal friend and the late, great EVH, transforming it into a unique Linn LP12 which conjures up an image and sound before even spinning a record. This is borne out when a record is put on.

The finer machinations and assembly on the jig at Audio T in Brighton can be seen in the carousel of pictures above, giving a good insight into the complexities and engineering that go into the making of a Linn LP12.

A great example of the attention to detail in the making of this deck, is in the picture of a “quarter” coin. Apparently, EVH used a quarter to lock the bridge of his guitar, negating the potential tuning issues that occur when bending strings on a guitar equipped with a “whammy-bar”.

To add my personal 25 cents worth to this article, as a guitar player myself with this type of tremolo system, I know all about the “flattening” effect to the sound of the strings when they are bent in extremis and the inherent difficulties that come with maintaining the correct pitch and tuning of an electric guitar whilst playing it when using this system. I certainly didn’t use a “quarter” myself to lock the tremolo system on my Jackson Performa Strat copy.

Maybe that’s one of the reasons why I’m not such a good guitarist as EVH . . . . or more likely, a lack of practise and talent!

Here at Audio T in Brighton, it’s all part of the service . . .

For all the effort that clearly went into the finishing of the plinth, upgrading the mechanics of the Linn Sondek LP12 did require the service facilities available at Audio T in Brighton .

Shop manager, John Killick, has been upgrading Linn LP12’s for over 30 years and in the turntable servicing business, there are none better or more knowledgeable about the requirements to get your deck up and running at its best, so it seems fitting (pun intended) that he was asked to work on this Linn LP12.

You can read one of our past articles about the in depth process of LP12 maintenance Here.

Linn offer many different finishes and these can be viewed Here, just don’t expect an EVH finish like you’ve seen in this article.

linn sondek LP12 eddie van halen style!

So what about the sound?

In a nutshell… It rocks! Sounds a bit clichéd, I know, but it’s true. The final deck was a Linn Sondek LP12 with a Lingo power supply, Linn Ittok arm and a nice red Dynavector 10X5Mk2 cartridge to complete the package visually and sonically.

This combination exudes quality, with a classy, yet punchy sound. Eddie’s guitar sounds both sweet and raw when it needs to be.

Let’s just say that the Van Halen track “Eruption”, from their first album, sounds exactly as the track name describes and “Jamie’s Cryin’” leaves you in tears.

A fitting memoire . . . .

I hope that these few paragraphs do justice to such a fine piece of craftsmanship and that the creator gets many hours of fun listening to a deck that will always serve as a reminder to two people close to his heart.

Thanks for reading - Ade, John and Paul - Audio T Brighton

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