Terrific Tiny Amplifiers at Audio T Reading

/ Audio T Reading/

good things come in small packages

We’ve always been fond of hi-fi equipment with a small footprint here at Audio T Reading, which is why we carry a generous range of bijou goodies, from headphones to small streamers and all things weenie in-between. Just lately, whether by chance or perhaps on trend, we’ve received a number of enquiries for integrated amplifiers that can deliver on diminutive size while not sacrificing on performance. “Impossible” we hear some of our readership cry out! This would go against the tried-and-tested philosophy of giving electronic components space to breath and thereby perform, especially within an amplifier which serves as the driving heartbeat of any hi-fi system.

When listening to our customers there are considered factors behind those requests for a small amp, for example a need to downsize following a change of listening room or abode, or to meet physical space limitations within their hi-fi rack, or simply wanting an additional desktop size system for their office or workshop. Fortunately, we hold a range of compact but sonically uncompromised amplifiers to suit every need and we’re excited to now showcase three fully analogue designs that are all dinkier than one of Snow White’s seven dwarfs!

IO, IO, IT’S OFF TO WORK WE GO – THE REGA IO

The small but might Rega io at AUdio T Reading

To kick things off, let’s get to work with the excellent Rega IO integrated amplifier. Entry level this may be on price, but certainly not on performance. A lively little thing, this one I often refer to as the excited puppy dog of amplifiers. It possesses all of the brio of, well, the recently discontinued Rega Brio! But its topology is more modern by comparison, and although lower in power at 30 watts-per-channel it packs quite a punch.

At the 2023 Bristol Hi-Fi Show Rega had a listening room dedicated to showing off a Rega System One – their entry-level turntable based hi-fi system – in which the IO is the command centre. Many of us came out of that room blown away by how engaging that system sounded, and to its credit it wasn’t embarrassed by systems in nearby rooms costing multiple amounts more.

The IO features a high-quality moving-magnet phono stage that brings the best out of a Rega Planar 2 turntable and will even highlight the quality jump to a Rega Planar 3. Remote control volume adjustment and input switching adds to the ease-of-use and a very good headphone output rounds off an exceptional package.

WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK - THE CHORD ELECTRONICS ANNI

Chord Electronics Anni (Photo Credit: Chord Electronics)

This one is a cheeky little addition; the Chord Electronics Anni is chiefly recognised as a headphone amp, and rightly so as it makes pretty much every headphone sing sweetly. Possessing both a 6.35 mm and 3.5 mm headphone socket, as soon as you plug your cans into either one the ample Anni intelligently figures out the impedance of the headphones and drives them to perfection. However, a skillset that often gets overlooked with the smaller-than-a-house-brick sized Anni is its ability to drive a set of loudspeakers too.

Granted, while it doesn’t have the grunt to push a set of floorstanders to room filling levels, the also-built-like-a-brick Chord Anni is perfect for driving small monitors and will do so with clarity and astonishing dynamic expression. A gain switch facilitates pairing with little loudspeakers of ranging efficiency and, with high gain engaged, the Anni produces stunning detail retrieval even at low volume. As volume is controlled manually on the unit itself, the Anni is ideally suited (but not solely limited) to desktop applications. But please be advised, a Chord Anni in your home office setup might just have you whistling while you work…

I’M WISHING – THE AUDIO NOTE I ZERO

Okay, so you want a healthy dose of tube-y goodness but don’t have the space to accommodate it? Enter the Audio Note I Zero; this is one fine sounding integrated valve amplifier. And despite its slender size and entry-position into the world of Audio Note, it fully delivers on the company’s mantra of music’s finest conductor. It’s musically commanding alright, and then some!

Under the small hood of the I Zero are four line-level inputs mated to a compliment of four ECL82 valves in class A/B configuration. In true Audio Note style, the output transformers are fully designed and manufactured in-house. Audio Note’s philosophy, to our ears, is about producing a sound that’s rich in tonality, sumptuous in texture, and awash with rhythmic swagger for good measure.

Possessing of just a volume knob and an input selector, the obvious sacrifice made by the I Zero is feature-count – serial tinkerers are best advised to look elsewhere. But what the I Zero trades in frills and footprint, it more than makes up for with sheer musicality. Add a pair of Audio Note’s own AX-One/II loudspeakers and prepare to be amazed by the miniature musical marvel. We certainly wouldn’t mind meeting Snow White at the nearest well to wish for an I Zero.

WHO IS THE SMALLEST ONE OF ALL? CLOSING THOUGHTS…

Whether you’re short on space, or looking for a degree of transportability with your audio equipment, or perhaps something else, at Audio T Reading we value quality over quantity and would be happy to help you find a small amplifier, or small system to suit your wants and needs.

Please do get in touch with us if you would like more information on the above featured products, or on any of the range of products that we carry, no matter how big or small.

Thank you for reading.

Rishi, Gareth and Dan – 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…

The products featured here can be found or enquired about at the following Audio T stores:

A BIT ABOUT OUR NEW STORE

Our new Swallowfield store is accessible via the 600 bus route from Reading town centre and is very easy to reach by road with the A33, M3 and M4 all nearby. On arrival you’ll find ample free parking right on our doorstep, and our showroom and demo rooms are all on ground level.

The picturesque surroundings here provide many places to enjoy a countryside walk, a riverside stroll, or a picnic. There are local sites of interest to explore such as the Blackwater River, Wellington Country Park, Siren Craft Brewery and a host of cute village pubs with gardens. So when you come to see us, why not make a fun day of it?

Ohm my goodness! Watt amp to pair with my speakers?

/ Audio T Portsmouth/

A frequent consideration for many entering the world of hi-fi is how to choose speakers to match an amplifier or vice versa. But, unless you have a basic understanding of how electricity works, it can seem a little daunting. In this month’s blog we aim to provide some information and guidance in clear, not-too-technical English to better help you make informed decisions when choosing your next system.

When looking at purchasing new speakers and/or an amplifier, some people focus on trying to match the stated power handling of speakers to their amp’s stated power output.

Whereas a manufacturer may state that a particular model of speakers has a power handling of such-and-such watts. Sometimes speaker manufacturers will state a recommended amplifier power range, for example 30-150w. Amp power output, meanwhile, is usually stated in watts per channel (wpc).

The best bit of advice we can give is don’t get overly hung up on trying to achieve the perfect marriage of watts. And here’s why…

Power Handling

Firstly, there is no single standard method for calculating power handling for speakers. Manufacturers calculate the power handling of their speakers using different approaches. It is therefore hard to say with any real certainty whether a speaker from Manufacturer A rated at 150w can cope with 50 more watts than a speaker rated at 100w from Manufacturer B.

There are actually different types of power ratings for speakers, including RMS, Max, and Peak. RMS (root mean square) is the most reliable measure of a speaker's power handling as it refers to its ability to handle continuous power, while Peak is not a reliable indicator of overall performance.

The second, and perhaps more important thing to remember, is that the power handling of a given pair of speakers does not mean that your speakers will sound terrible with an amp with an output lower than the recommended power handling figure. For example, if a pair of speakers are rated at 120W and an amp at 100w per channel, the amp (assuming it’s of decent quality) will most likely have no problems at all driving those speakers.

Nor does it mean that the speakers will blow up if you wire them up to an amp whose power output is slightly higher than the recommended power handling. In fact, as a general rule, it is better to use an amp that, on paper, outputs more watts than a speaker is rated for than to use an amp that is very underpowered. More on that later.

Resistance

The third thing to remember is that the stated power output of an amplifier is related to the nominal resistance of the speakers, expressed in ohms (Ω), that you are looking to drive. It’s why amplifier outputs tend to be stated as 100w into 8Ω, 150w into 4Ω and so on…

The Rega Elex delivers 72W into 8 ohms and 90w into 6 ohms (PHOTO CREDIT: REGA RESEARCH LTD)

The lower the ohms, the lower the resistance and the greater the load presented to the amplifier. The load determines the current that speakers draw from the amp – the lower the resistance, the more power drawn and the harder the amp has to work. It’s why the watts output by an amp increase as ohms decrease.

It is also worth remembering that the resistance of every pair of speakers varies across the frequency range. For instance, a speaker with nominal resistance of 8Ω may present your amp with loads as low as 2Ω and as high as 16Ω at certain frequencies and according to the dynamic demands of the music being played this can make the speaker hard to drive.

So, all other things being equal, an amp rated at 80w into 8Ω, for example, will have to work harder to meet the load presented by a pair of 4Ω speakers. However, a quality amplifier with a decent power supply will have plenty of headroom and so 4Ω speakers shouldn’t present too much of a challenge.

Sensitivity

Of course, all other things are not equal. And sometimes, when focusing on watts we can forget about speaker sensitivity which is expressed in decibels (dB) e.g. 87dB. Sensitivity is important when considering what speakers or amp to buy.

What that decibel figure shows is the level of sound output by a speaker at one metre’s distance using one watt of amplifier power. Basically, it is a way of measuring how efficient a speaker is at turning electrical power into sound.

Most modern speakers tend to fall into a range from 80dB to 100db. The higher the figure the more efficient the speaker.

Modern speakers like the Acoustic Energy AE309s are relatively easy to drive (Photo credit: Spendor)

So, an amplifier rated at 100w into 8Ω ought to drive a pair of 8Ω speakers with a sensitivity of 92dB to high volumes with ease and with little or no distortion.

But that same amplifier will have to work harder to drive a pair of 4Ω speakers with a sensitivity of 84dB to the same volumes. In other words you may have to turn up the volume to get the same level of sound.

This is fine if your amp has sufficient power reserves to cope with a more difficult speaker load. But you can run into problems if a low-powered amplifier is being asked to drive a pair of inefficient speakers to high volumes.

Return to the subject of Power

Remember we said we’d come back the point about it being better to over-power than under power your speakers? Well read on…

To recap, we recommended you don’t get too hung up on matching amp output in watts to the power handling of speakers

However, as a general rule, choosing an amp with an output at the top end or even beyond the recommended speaker handling figure is better than running an amp at the lower end of, or below, a speaker’s handling capacity.

Tube amps like the audio note conqueror, delivering 8w into 8 ohms, sound wonderful but may not be the best choice for hard-to-drive speakers (Photo Credit: Audio Note UK)

The reason, as we alluded to at the end of the previous section, is that a low-powered amplifier may struggle to drive a demanding speaker load (e.g speakers with low sensitivity and low resistance) to high volumes. It may even result in the amp clipping if it is required to deliver more power than it is designed for. Clipping simply refers to the ‘clipped’ or cut off waveform produced as shown on an oscilloscope when this happens. The result is distorted sound, and serious and prolonged clipping can damage both amplifiers and speakers.

A clipped WAVEFORM (IMAGE CREDIT: THE PRODUCTION ACADEMY)

On the other hand, it is also possible to damage a pair of speakers when driving them at too high volumes with an amp that delivers massively more power than is recommended for those speakers.

Now, many modern speakers can handle 100w or more comfortably, even entry level models. And most reasonably priced amps tend to sit in the 50 to 150wpc range. So most comparably priced amps and speakers will be compatible power-wise. And you should have no problem using an amp that can deliver around 50% more than the recommended power handling of a pair of speakers. For instance, a pair of speakers rated to handle 100w then an amp delivering 150wpc will drive then with no issues. Although it would be unwise to turn the amp up to maximum.

However, turning up the volume on an amp delivering loads more power – let’s say 2,3 or more times the recommended handling power of the speakers – would likely overheat the coils in the drivers and/or cause so much mechanical movement that the driver starts to thump in its assembly.

Conclusion

The reality is that many modern amps and speakers, in roughly the same price bracket, are compatible in terms of power output and handling.

There exceptions however. For instance, the Musical Fidelity M8s 500S Power Amplifier which outputs a potentially driver melting 500wpc into 8Ω.

Musical fidelity M8s 500s is a power house ampc (PHOTO CREDIT: Musical Fidelity)

So, as long as you are not trying to hook up a pair of sensitive stand mounters to pair of monster monoblock amplifiers - and, let’s face it, why would you - you will most likely be fine.

If you are in any doubt you can just ask a member of the Audio T staff.

Once you have laid to rest any doubts you may have had over amp and speaker compatibility then you can then get to the most important part of the process - and that is listening to them in one of our bespoke demo rooms!

As we know, just because an amp and a pair of speakers are technically compatible on paper, this tells you very little about how they will sound together, much less about whether you will like that sound.

At the end of the day, hi-fi is all about the music and how your equipment reproduces that music for you rather than technicalities of watts, ohms and decibels.

So, don’t be shy. If you are considering a new amp, speakers or any component and want some advice give us a call on 0239 266 3604 or email and we can get you booked in for a fun, free and no obligations demo.

Thanks for reading

Alan, Stephen and Luke - 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…

Petite and Phenomenal: Introducing the All-New AURALiC VEGA S1 Streaming DAC

/ Audio T Southampton/

Here at Audio T Southampton we have long been admirers of AURALiC products. The latest to arrive is the Vega S1 Streaming DAC/Preamp with the optional S1 Purer Linear Power Supply. So without further ado, let’s dive in to see exactly what this product can do…

The Little Streamer That Could

The Auralic Vega S1 DAC has been crafted to deliver unparalleled sound quality within its price range. Drawing inspiration from the esteemed G2.2 reference products, these machines inherit premium audio technologies that claim to set new standards in the industry.

The AURALiC VEGA S1 Streaming DAC (Photo Credit: AURALiC)

When we first received this product, the initial thing that we all agreed on is that the size of the unit was rather surprising, being considerably smaller than other AURALiC units currently available. Another key feature that we really enjoyed was the high quality OLED display, which allowed us to see exactly what is being played from anywhere within the room.

Upon first listening to this delightful little product, we were pleasantly surprised to discover that it offers the same signature AURALiC sound but at a much lower price point. Supplying its listeners with a wide soundstage, crystal clear midrange and high notes, all with an uncompromising bass, we believe the Vega S1 truly outperforms other streaming preamplifiers in its price range, and possibly even some just above it also!

The Guts of the vega s1 (Photo Credit: AURALiC)

We had a little play around with a few options and decided to put it in a system comprising of the Chord Electronics Ttoby Power Amplifier, a pair of Harbeth P3ESR-XD with the matching Harbeth Nelson Bass Extender Stand Solution. This particular setup offers a neat yet powerful solution, with each component complementing the other perfectly to provide a rich and moving sound.

A beautiful sounding system at the front of our store!

Macro Technology in a Micro Device

Powered by the cutting-edge Tesla G3 streaming platform, the S1 series leverages AURALiC’s innovative Direct Memory Access (DMA) and Direct Data Recording (DDR) technologies; by seamlessly recording incoming audio data into the Tesla G3 system memory and transmitting it directly to the low-level audio hardware. With the inclusion of Dual 60fs Femto Clocks and Galvanic Isolation, the S1 series achieves an unprecedented level of noise reduction. The meticulous attention to detail in the S1 series ensures that clock jitter and signal distortion are minimised to an extraordinary degree. The result is a remarkably smooth and natural sound character that faithfully reproduces the nuances of the original audio, providing an immersive listening experience that captivates the senses.

The Vega S1 offers multiple input choices, enabling you to use your preferred music playback software effortlessly. It is 100% compatible with OpenHome based control software like BubbleUPnP and Linn Kazoo, as well as being a certified RoonReady endpoint for optimised performance within your Roon ecosystem.

AURALiC’s proprietary software, Lightning DS, is the ultimate control app designed exclusively for their streaming devices. Their user-friendly interface puts you in complete control. Browse and play your favorite tunes from various sources, including local files, streaming services, and internet radio, all with ease. Lightning DS's intuitive layout and efficient navigation make it a must-have for music lovers.

digital connection galore! (Photo Credit: AURALiC)

Master Conversion

The Vega S1 represents the pinnacle of AURALiC’s state-of-the-art DAC technology, showcasing excellence in both hardware and software realms. At its core lies AURALiC’s proprietary Fusion DAC, a groundbreaking innovation that seamlessly integrates the finest elements of discrete ladder and Delta-Sigma DAC designs.

In addition to this advanced DAC technology, the Vega S1 incorporates Analogue Volume Control and Analogue Preamplifier features derived from the award winning Vega G2.2, ensuring a listening experience characterised by unique detail and precision. Breaking new ground, AURALiC introduces two pioneering technologies in the VEGA S1: PureDAC mode and Tone Mode adjustment.

the Beautiful high quality OLED display

PureDAC mode empowers the Vega S1 to disable all streaming and network-related functions, dedicating all resources to digital signal processing and conversion tasks. In this mode, the Vega S1 utilises Direct Data Recording (DDR) technology to store music signals from any digital or USB input in the past hour to Tesla G3’s system memory, allowing users to replay music from any point at any time.

Tone Mode adjustment refines the output sound character of the DAC by incorporating harmonic elements into the music signal, based on a model rooted in auditory psychology. This innovative feature enhances the listening experience, elevating the Vega S1 to new heights of audio excellence and musical enjoyment.

POWERRRRR!!

For those seeking an even higher level of audio quality, AURALiC offer an optional upgrade: the S1 External Purer-Power Supply Unit. This unit bypasses the internal power supply of the Aries S1 and Vega S1, doubling the power capacity for enhanced performance. Featuring two dedicated transformers and Purer-Power low noise power supply circuits, the upgraded unit ensures total galvanic isolation between the Tesla G3 processing circuit and audio circuits. This separation eliminates interference and minimises noise, resulting in superior sonic performance.

The AURALiC VEGA S1 and S1 Purer Power Supply (Photo Credit: AURALiC)

Our Word Against Theirs

So all in all, we believe that the Vega S1 and the S1 Purer-PSU are something truly impressive. But don’t just take our word for it, take a look at some of these excerpts from industry expert reviewers.

“The Vega S1 gets to the parts that other streamers fail” The Ear.

“Auralic are to be congratulated on what they have achieved with the Vega S1, it has been a long time since I heard a Vega G1 but can say with some confidence that this new Vega is in a different league. Not only does it have virtually all the features found in the Vega G2.2 but when combined with the S1 Purer-Power it approaches its sound quality too.” HI-FI Plus.

Final thoughts…

In conclusion, we are very much thrilled to have such a fantastic piece of kit in our line-up of streamers and sources. The combination of a small size, elegant and modern look, alongside sounding simply brilliant makes the Vega S1 a true contender for our favourite item to be released this year. Add the S1 Purer-PSU and you have an amazing sounding front end that will never leave you wanting. We can’t wait to see what the masterminds at AURALiC will be bringing out next.

If you are interested in listening to this fabulous little streamer, or indeed are interested in entering the realms of streaming in general, then don’t hesitate to get in contact with us and arrange a demonstration.

Tiago - Audio-T Southampton

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 Hail Rega! Over five decades of quality record players - (Part 1 of a 2 part turntable special)

/ Audio T Brighton/

Hi folks, and welcome to this month’s article from us here at Audio T Brighton. Over the next month or so, we are going to be focusing the attention of our blogs solely on the venerable record player.

Our first instalment will consist of an overview of the extensive range of turntables from Rega - our trusty, Southend-made, English brand with an enviable track record (pun intended) of enabling music lovers to get the most from their vinyl playback. Part 2 will follow next month, but needless to say, we will be looking at the turntable options at the more exclusive end of the market and what additional qualities they bring to the party.

(Spoiler Alert: We will be including the Rega Planar 10 and their latest offering, the Rega Naia. Both of which have been written about in earlier Audio T blogs. If you haven’t already read them, hold onto your hats and links shall be forthcoming.)

So, onto this month’s subject… The offering from Rega, including: the Planar 1, Planar 1 Plus, Planar 2, Planar 3 and Planar 6.

Here goes!

Who are Rega?

rega wall-display here at audio t in brighton

I thought it might be worth writing a few lines about Rega using broad brushstrokes only to give an outline of the company’s origins.

Rega Co-Founder and Owner, Roy Gandy (Credit: Rega Research)

I think engineering just happened to be something necessary in my life - Roy Gandy.

As an avid music lover from early on in life, Roy Gandy’s desire to listen to music through a decent hi-fi system proved a catalyst in his drive to engineer the necessary equipment to do so. An initial desire to build an amplifier gave way to his home manufacturing of loudspeakers, all whilst holding down a full-time job at the Ford motor company. Moving onto his turntable designs, these evolved over a few years as he grappled with plinth and platter materials, motor and bearing design, sourcing a tonearm he thought worthy of his designs. On 1st July 1973, Roy Gandy and fellow businessman, Tony Relph formed Rega Research Limited, the name being formed from the first letters of their respective surnames. And so, the long, successful and ongoing story of Rega’s association with the manufacture of fine music playback equipment began.

In the rest of this blog we are going to focus on the conventionally shaped plinth varieties of Rega turntables…

Rega Planar 1 and Rega Planar 1 Plus

Rega planar 1 in white flanked by rega aya speakers at Audio T Brighton

Rega’s entry-level turntables, the Rega Planar 1 and Rega Planar 1 Plus, really are our benchmarks for a good quality, fine-sounding starter turntable, with good reason. Available in Matt Black, Matt White & Walnut, differences between the two variants are that the Planar 1 Plus is equipped with a built-in phono stage, facilitating a line-level output into amplifiers without a dedicated in-built phono stage, not uncommon in the era where CDs were all the rage and manufacturers thought vinyl was a dead duck. The Planar 1 Plus phono stage is roughly equivalent to their Rega Fono A2D mini, which is a separate phono stage box with the added benefit of a USB output, should your amp have no phono stage or you desire to digitise your record collection.

For someone looking to get into vinyl playback, the Rega Planar 1 and Rega Planar 1 Plus are an ideal starting point, with ease of setup straight out of the box, a good quality Rega Carbon MM cartridge and a sound quality exceeding their price point and an infinite improvement from the likes of Crossley, who many won’t know, that are actually detrimental to the quality of your records.

Rega Planar 2 plus Carbon or ND3 MM cartridge...

The Rega Planar 2 is a good step up from it’s younger siblings. Equipped with an improved RB220 arm, a superior glass platter and a more substantial bearing assembly, the Rega Planar 2 allows upgrade potential to the user via improvements in the cartridge options that can be fitted to the arm.

The Rega Planar 2 has always come fitted with a Rega Carbon MM cartridge as standard, which is great if you’re on a budget. However, the good news for upgraders is the addition of a brand new range of Rega MM cartridges; the Rega ND3, ND5 and ND7. Now available as a factory-fitted option, the Rega Planar 2 with ND3 cartridge is a huge upgrade on its predecessor, what we might sonically describe as a no-brainer, especially as when bought this way you save a good chunk of change.

Rega Planar 2 in gloss black with a rega carbon cartridge at Audio T Brighton 

Rega Planar 3

The Planar 3 is an old stalwart of the Rega turntable range and can almost single-handedly be lauded for the Rega boom of the 1980s. I myself am the proud owner of an original 80s Rega Planar 3, with its groundbreaking (for the time) one-piece RB300 tonearm.

The Planar 3 or Rega P3, as it has been known, is where record playback gets more serious. The current Rega Planar 3 has had numerous engineering improvements over the five decades of the company’s existence and in its current form, in our humble opinion, is the best turntable on the market in its price category… But don’t just take our word for it. Check out the numerous industry awards it has won here.

The latest RB330 arm, improved bearings, thicker platter, additional bracing, plinth material construction and a much quieter motor, have all made cumulative gains in sound quality. The current deck also allows for a Rega Neo power supply upgrade, allowing an even more stable, quiet power supply, with the added benefit of push-button speed change between 33/45 rpm. Throw in the latest generation of Rega MM cartridges; the ND3, ND5 and ND7 all push the performance envelope of the Rega Planar 3 to previously unheard heights.

Rega planar 3 in gloss red at Audio T Brighton

Rega Planar 6

The Rega Planar 6 offers another performance leap over the already exceptional Planar 3. The plinth used now has an aeronautical foam construction, which is both very stiff and extremely light, meaning that unwanted acoustic energy struggles to be stored - remember Newton’s Laws from school? Well, probably not! But to summarise, Rega’s philosophy is that unwanted acoustic energy stored in the plinth can only transfer through to the arm and cartridge, to the detriment of musical playback sound quality, so it goes that reducing energy storage has numerous sonic benefits. In addition, the tolerances in the arm bearings on the Planar 6 are tighter and the platter is now a more rigid, composite glass which is peripherally weighted to aid with speed stability. Finally, the Planar 6 comes with the Rega Neo 2 power supply as standard, with the previously mentioned benefits it bestowed on the Rega Planar 3.

Rega planar 6 with regA ania cartridge at Audio T Brighton

To be honest, at this level of record playback quality, one needs to seriously consider the Rega Aria phono stage to gain the most out of the Planar 6. The Rega Aria is a high-quality MM/MC phono stage, allowing the user to incorporate Rega’s fine range of moving coil cartridges; the Ania, Ania Pro and Apheta 3. The benefits of moving-coil cartridges over moving-magnet cartridges need to be heard to be believed - the tonal colours and textures are simply mesmerising.

So what have we learned so far?

Rega have been making turntables for over 50 years, establishing a name for sound quality, reliability and serviceability in the process. They are certainly a go-to recommendation when customers walk into our Audio T store in Brighton looking for a turntable. Starting at an affordable price for the Planar 1 and moving up the range as your record collection and experience grows, the Rega Planar family of turntables really are a must-listen if you are serious about spinning the black disc.

As always, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, so get in touch to book a demonstration.

Thanks for reading.

Adey, John & Paul - 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…

Low End Theory - Let’s talk REL Subwoofers

/ Audio T Cardiff/

“Are Subwoofers All About Bass? Are subwoofers all about surround sound? Can a subwoofer be added to a two-channel system?” These are questions that we get on a daily basis here at Audio T, so Matt from our Cardiff store has decided to take a deep dive into the world of subwoofers, exploring their effect in two-channel systems and how they can improve your Hi-Fi’s overall performance. So, let’s embark on this two-channel sonic journey with one of our favourite subwoofer brands, REL Acoustics, and see where we end up.

On my wild and wonderful journey through the world of Hi-Fi, I have set up many REL subwoofers in customers’ surround sound AV systems for home cinema, but surprisingly not so many in two-channel systems. Granted, in-store I have demonstrated subwoofers in two channel systems quite a few times, and I have always been very impressed with how the system sounds when adding a subwoofer or two into the mix. This raises the question for me: How can a subwoofer improve the sound of my own Hi-Fi?

After a chat with Rob Hunt, UK Director of Sales for REL, I decided to take home their T7x subwoofer for the weekend to try it in my own system.

The REL t7x in white

Before I dive in and talk your ears off about my findings, let’s talk a little history…

Where Did It All Start for the Kings of the Subwoofer?

REL Acoustics was founded in our local county, Bridgend, right here in South Wales by Richard Edmund Lord. As you can gather, his name is where "REL" came from. Richard first entered the Hi-Fi scene after feeling rather dissatisfied with the subwoofers available at the time, as they were not performing in the ways he wanted them to.

This led him to design his first subwoofer, which he built into a bay window area in his own home. Fast forward to 1990, and REL Acoustics was born when Richard first came up with the high-level input to match the signal from the final output stage of an amplifier or receiver. This produces a seamless quality that precisely matches the sound being fed to your loudspeakers. There have been many more innovations from REL over the years in their subwoofers, such as Class A/B amplification circuits. Their cabinets are also acoustically braced, not unlike an acoustic guitar, which goes to show it’s not just about the amplification or the speakers; the cabinet and how it’s tuned play a really big role in how the subwoofer sounds.

Is It All About Bass?

In some ways, yes, a subwoofer is there to create big low-end frequency. But I feel there’s more to it than just low end with REL subwoofers, especially the T7x I have at home right now (which I will tell you more about shortly).

But First, Let’s Talk About Speakers

As we know, most speaker can only reproduce a certain amount of bass frequencies due to the size of the cone as well as the magnet behind the driver. A loudspeaker will sound its best in the manufacturer's anechoic chamber or recording studio locked away in the R&D dungeons, or the mind blowing Jupiter speaker analysis system at Dynaudio HQ in Denmark. The main problem with any speaker design arises in our own listening environments.

Dynaudio jupiter - speaker analysis system in denmark

Dynaudio Evoke 10

For instance, the low frequency of my Dynaudio Evoke 10 is at 47Hz. In the perfect room, they sound amazing, and they do sound great in my own system, but there is just something missing from the overall sound stage. This is due to my own living room, as I, like many of you, don’t have a perfect listening space.

So here comes the really big question: How do I fix this? Do I get bigger speakers? Hmm, I do like my speakers, and I don’t feel that changing them for anything of a comparable size will help. This is where a subwoofer comes to the rescue.

What Does a Subwoofer Do?

The main job of a subwoofer is to reach frequencies that your speakers can’t, all whilst matching the movement and timing and crossover point of the bass driver in our loudspeakers, thus giving you that missing sub-bass frequency without compromising the other frequencies.

As we know, not all speakers have the same frequency response as one another, but luckily the subwoofer can be perfectly tuned to match the system. For instance, in a two-channel setup like I have here, this can be adjusted using the high-level control and the crossover control found at the back of the subwoofer. (If you are running a surround sound combination, you will run both the high-level and the LFE (low-frequency effects) connection.)

“How Is the Subwoofer Connected in a Two-Channel Setup?”, I Hear You Say!

REL kindly provides a high-level cable with every subwoofer they manufacture, which has a Speakon connector on one end with red, black, and yellow wires on the other.

Rel Hi-Line Cable

The main Speakon connector goes into the back of the subwoofer. You may be wondering, what do I do with the three wires? There are a few ways you can run these into your system; the two main ones are: first, going straight into your amplifier via the speaker terminals on the back of your amplifier. The best way to look at this is: red to the right red terminal (i.e., the positive terminal), yellow to the left red terminal, and black to either of the black terminals (i.e., negative terminals). This is generally the preferred method for sound quality. The other way is to connect the wire directly to your speaker terminals, twisting the red and yellow wires together; they go to the red positive terminal, and black goes to the negative terminal. This can be useful for cable management if you’d like to tidy your system up.

REL also offer a range of upgraded Bassline Blue Cables that have either banana or spade connections on the other end of the Speakon to offer maximum audio quality.

I went with the wired-direct-to-the-amplifier option

Now that we’re all wired up, with a little fine-tuning and correct placement, my amplifier is all warmed up and ready for some serious listening.

Now for the Fun Part - How Does It Sound?

Here I am, sitting in my music room on a Sunday evening with a few choice albums ready to rock. The artists, albums, and tracks are as follows:

Artist: Alice in Chains
Album: MTV Unplugged
Release Year: 1996
Track: Brother
Format: CD

Artist: The Cult
Album: Sonic Temple
Release Year: 1989
Track: Sweet Soul Sister
Format: Vinyl

Artist: Peter Gabriel
Album: i/o Dark-Side Mix
Release Year: 2023
Track: Panopticon
Format: Vinyl

My ever-growing system

It’s important to note that when looking to add to or change our Hi-Fi systems that we are the best judges of what we want. So we should trust our ears. We are the ones who are familiar with the sound of our Hi-Fi, our houses and what’s in our music collections.

Even though I know that there are always improvements to be made, I can honestly say my system already sounded great before adding anything. Now, with the subwoofer on, I can assure you the REL T7x really adds more dynamic range to the music.

Yes, there is more low-end, but the bass has better definition and is more assertive, which also helps the mid and treble range coming out of my speakers, underpinning everything and really bringing out a much bigger soundstage. Above all, it adds musicality and makes listening more fun. I’d even go as far as to say it’s transformative. it’s like having the band in your living room.

So, what did the REL do to the sound of the albums I was spinning? (It was a long listening session, so I promise I won’t go on too much and bore you rigid)…

Starting with the Alice in Chains track: with the subwoofer on, the whole performance felt more alive, Layne Staley & Jerry Cantrell’s vocals were more present, and the acoustic guitars sounded fuller-bodied. For the next track, Of Course, the volume and drive of the performance went up.

The Cult’s Sweet Soul Sister - let’s just say Billy Duffy’s guitar tone with the subwoofer on was more nuanced. You can really hear the natural tone of his Les Paul and Marshall combination. I let the whole album play through (Oh, my poor neighbours!).

Last but not least, Peter Gabriel’s track Panopticon. This track sounded amazing already, but with the subwoofer on, it really changes the track, giving more assertiveness in the bass and bringing Peter’s vocals out more in the recording. The guitars are also more present.

Which Is the Right Subwoofer for Me? There Are So Many!

The great thing is REL has an amazing tool on their website to help calculate which subwoofer is right for you by determining what speakers you have in your system and matching the correct subwoofer to you (Click Here to have a go yourself). In my case, the REL T7x is what was suggested and it is the right fit for me. I can happily say that there will be a REL T7x residing in my system very soon—watch this space.

If you’re interested in putting a subwoofer in your system or just want to hear for yourself what it adds to the mix, we can demonstrate different subwoofer options both at home and in-store. Let us show how much of a big change a subwoofer can make and pop in and see us and have a listen.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.

Matt - 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…

Introducing the New Rega ND5 Phono Cartridge

/ Audio T Cheltenham/

Well this is about time! You wait 20 years for a new moving magnet cartridge from Rega and then three turn up all at once! Blogwise this month is all about the middle one of the three, the ND5. So strap yourself in and here we go…..

Rega ND5 Cartridge

The Power Of Neodymium

The technology behind the ND5 is pretty radical. Based upon the glass filled polyphenylene sulphide body (PPS) which is a lightweight and highly rigid material that Rega developed for their expensive Moving Coil series of cartridges, the ND5 is actually their first moving magnet design ever to use a Neodymium magnet (that accounts for the ND bit in the name). Neodymium is the world’s most powerful commercially available magnet and is a crucial component that makes this unique design possible by delivering more power than standard bar magnet designs can.

ND5 Close up

Magnetic Attraction

I was recently lucky enough to be in a position where I could compare the ND5 to the outgoing Exact which up until now has been the top of the range moving magnet from Rega. Both cartridges were mounted on to Rega P3 turntables so the playing field was as level as it’s going to get.

Eco friendly packaging too

Precision Perfect

I can report back that the difference is not subtle! The new ND5 soundly trouncing the outgoing Exact in every department and the Exact is a pretty capable performer in its own right. What struck me immediately was just how much more open and sweeter sounding the ND5 was and how much more grip and grunt was present. The soundstage window was bigger in all dimensions too. This is partly down to the fact that the ND5 has an aluminium cantilever which is fitted with a precision perfect elliptical nude diamond stylus. This profile provides exceptional tracking accuracy and extracts greater levels of detail from the vinyl groove.

Three Quarter Skies 

The ND5’s secret weapon is an optimised pole gap which gives superior linearity and cross talk characteristics. This manifests itself in a far wider soundstage than the previous models. It also has miniaturised parallel coils which are wound in house using 38-micron wire with just 1275 turns. This produces a low inductance, low impedance generator giving vastly improved high frequency response.

I also noted that surface noise was also reduced compared to the Exact. I suspect because the ND5 stylus profile is getting more information out of the grooves compared with the clicks and pops. I played a variety of my favourite demo tracks from the likes of Yello (natch), Nils Petter Molvaer (ECM), Alan Parsons Project (I Robot) and Porcupine Tree (prog brilliance), but the biggest difference came when I played the brand new album by Three Quarter Skies (Fade In).

Bubbling and Fuzzy

Three Quarter Skies is the side project of Slowdive drummer, Simon Scott. You may wince at the thought of a solo album by a drummer, but here Scott ably assisted by illusive Flying Saucer Attack main man Dave Pearce, refracts his shoegazy psychyness expertly through a lattice of glitchy drums and buzzing synths. The expected elements - voice and guitar, primarily - are melted into cosmic slop that I can't help but assume Pearce, who assisted Scott with the mixing, had a rather large hand in. There are songs in here somewhere but they are reduced to a bubbling ambience of dreamy fuzzyness.

simon scott

Particular highlights are the last two tracks on side two. “Pictures Of Roslin” where walls of distortion and feedback are wrapped around a distant drum beat and a ghostly disembodied vocal and then the majestic “In The Night” which is the most overtly Flying Saucer Attack-like and quite possibly the most mind expanding slice of dreamy psychedelia you will hear this side of prime time Popol Vuh. I think that this kind of music only truly gives up its magic when being played at 33/3 rpm on vinyl on a good record deck with a good cartridge….enter the Rega ND5.

that precision perfect elliptical nude diamond stylus in action

The Main Difference

In conclusion I think that the main difference that the ND5 made over the Exact was that sense of three dimensionality became so much bigger. There wasn’t necessarily more bass or more top-end, there was just more music hanging in the air in front of me… a truly mesmerising experience. The performance of the P3 turntable has been substantially improved and it was pretty nifty before!

Get A Demo

If you fancy hearing the difference that an ND5 can make to your turntable or if you are interested in trying it attached to the Planar 3, Planar 6 or your own turntable, please give us a call or pop along to the shop for a demo.

Many thanks for reading Andy, Jon and Farid -

Audio T Cheltenham Store.

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…

Dynavector - The sound of Japanese precision.

/ Audio T Cardiff/

On my own personal journey through Hi-Fi and various changes to my system, one of the biggest advancements I’ve made was making the jump from a moving magnet (MM) cartridge to moving coil (MC) cartridge. A good moving coil cartridge can be quite expensive and as we say, the source is the most important part of the Hi-Fi system…

Going back just over a year ago, not long after I started working for Audio T, I had the opportunity to listen to a Rega planar 8 turntable with a Dynavector 10X5 Mk II high output MC cartridge. The system we had with this turntable at the time was the Trichord Dino+ phono stage going into the very new at the time Leema Acoustics Elements amplifier driving a pair of Spendor D7.2 floor standing speakers. I remember clearly the record and track I listened to. It was Iron Maiden - Lost in a Lost World from their album Senjutsu, it gave me goosebumps! The system on the whole is phenomenal but the source of the system, the turntable and cartridge is what pulled me in and made me sit down and listen. That listening experience has stayed with me; the clarity, accuracy and detail from the Rega and Dynavector combination certainly made the right impression. I have listened to many other brands of cartridge since then and I’ve found that Dynavector especially the 10X5 is the right cartridge for me. As a result, I now own a Dynavector 10X5 MK II, proudly fitted to my Rega planar 6 turntable. In fact, both my colleagues (Nick and Kerrin), have 10X5’s on their turntables. You could say that Dynavector has become a strong favourite among cartridge brands here in the Cardiff store. So, I thought it was high time I wrote about Dynavector and explored their other models and the brands history…

Dynavector’s Rich History

The company was started by Dr Noboru Tomonari in 1974, after retiring from a career as a professor in mechanical engineering at the Tokyo Metropolitan University. Noboru always had a passion for music and creating the best sound possible, so he decided to bring his mechanical expertise to the world of Hi-Fi and thus Dynavector was born.

Starting with his first commercially available cartridge, the XE1S, which was a design way ahead of its time. It comprised 8 alnico magnet in a V formation housed in an aluminium body. This was a replacement for his original prototype D13 cartridge, which we now know as the D17DX karat. Something that I believe sounds truly amazing.

Dr Tominari’s cartridges are not just about the diamond or the cantilever, it’s also about how the cartridge is wound and the types of magnets used.

the current dv507mkii

Dr Tominari also designed a groundbreaking tonearm, the DV 507, which first appeared in 1984. The DV 507 is a bi-axis inertia-controlled tonearm so no matter what type of cartridge you fit it can trace the music signal grooves cut in the recording with extreme accuracy. The DV 507 also provides superb trackability even on warped recordings. The resolution and musical detailing are quite remarkable. He didn't stop there. He even worked with William Firebaugh of Well-Tempered Labs to come up with the DV500 turntable which featured the DV 507 arm, but sadly this turntable has been lost in time as it is no longer in production.

Dynavector also manufactures amplifiers such as the HX100 power amplifier and fantastic phono stages such as the P75 which compliments the Dynavector cartridge range.

Dr Tominari sadly passed away in 2003 but his dedicated team at Dynavector Systems, led by his son, Taro, continue his work ensuring that the irreplaceable legacy and knowledge of its founder is carried on for years to come.

Dynavector Cartridges

Now let’s get back to the cartridges and take a look at the three main models we carry in stock and why we like them so much…

The 10X5 MKII

DV-10x5MKII

Starting with the 10X5 MK ll high output cartridge, this particular cartridge is Dynavectors starting point within their range. Since the release of the original MKI back in 1978 the 10X5 set the benchmark in the Hi-Fi industry. Now, with the MKII getting the stylus upgrade from an elliptical to a diamond shibata lll giving us greater detail and a more open sound. Being a high output moving coil cartridge you can pair this with a moving magnet phono stage. I personally use the Nytech CDP 122 phono stage set to moving magnet. Soundwise, this one I personally class as a great rock ’n’ roll cartridge. Going from my music taste the 10X5 MKll is lively with detail and control, even tracks that are a little heavy on the bass have more definition and control. This one is a shop favourite, as mentioned previously myself, Kerrin and Nick own a 10X5, I feel that speaks volumes. Just recently Dynavector have released a low output version of the 10X5 MKll.

The 20X2L

Now onto another great cartridge we carry in stock the Dynavector 20X2L low output cartridge. To say this cartridge is more refined than the 10X5 MKll is definitely true. Before I talk your ears off about how good this cartridge is let’s talk a little about the spec. DV20X2 has a solid aluminium body and rigid magnet construction giving this cartridge a really clean look as well as its strength. The cantilever is a 6mm length of hard aluminium pipe. The stylus tip itself is a micro ridge diamond enabling the cartridge to track with less surface noise and following the groove on the record with perfect precision, giving a more open and transparent sound changing the listening experience. I can definitely hear why this cartridge is a good upgrade from the 10X5 MKll, I can hear a dramatic change in how the 20X performs, presenting cleaner lead guitar tones and more pronounced detail in other instruments like a Fender Rhodes piano. These elements becomes more engaging and less muddy in tone. In short the Dynavector 20X2L is a great fun sounding cartridge with a-lot of detail and character. The Dynavector 20X2L is also available as a high output cartridge.

The Te Kaitora RUA.

On looks alone this cartridge looks stunning on the end of many tonearms. Some would agree the Te Kaitora is a work of art not just in looks but sound performance too. The Te Kaitora was the result of collaboration between Dynavector japan and Dynavector New Zealand with both house’s bringing their most innovative ideas to the table. The Kaitora has a highly polished titanium headpiece made for maximum rigidity and not just for good looks. This cartridge has been wound with special grade copper wire utilising the use of alnico magnets giving the Kaitora a smoother presentation. With its boron cantilever and pathfinder contact stylus this cartridge certainly is the perfect build for the perfect sound.

DV Te kaitora mounted on the Linn krane

To the Maoris of New Zealand, “Te Kaitora” means “The Discoverer”. Dynavector want us to embark on a voyage of discovery to the outer limits of listening to vinyl. Discover we certainly have done! The Kaitora sounds big and open with greater detail than any other cartridge I have heard at this level. Bass is more controlled and more pleasing to the ear even some of my heavier taste in music sounds more exciting, yet still incredibly controlled. On the treble side of things this cartridge presents a smoother and more tuneful presentation. We have compared the Kaitora with more expensive cartridges and in our humble opinion the Kaitora certainly holds its own. Yes, the Kaitora is a big jump from the before mentioned 20X, this cartridge is a work of art from the ground up and that promise of being taken on a voyage of sound is 100% true.

dv d17dx

As we know Dynavector make many other cartridges in their range such a the before mentioned D17 Karat and the equally stunning XV-1T. For now, I am just scratching the surface and can’t wait to listen to more of the Dynavector range as I am certainly now a big fan of their sound and how my 10X has transformed the sound of my turntable. The only bad thing is I’d love to one day own a Te Kaitora, maybe some time in the future.

Why not pop in and see us to have a listen and tell us what you think. 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.

Thank you for reading

Matt, Nick and Kerrin - Audio T Cardiff

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…

Valve-Driven Streaming: The Advance Paris WTX-StreamTubes Review

/ Audio T Swindon/

Over the last couple of weeks we have been stunned by some of the sound qualities coming out of the Advance Paris catalogue. Today, we are reviewing a network streamer in quite a competitive market within the £500 price bracket. With the likes of Bluesound, WiiM or Sonos, amongst others, all fighting for a similar spot…

Whilst many of the functionalities overlap, each streamer has their own unique characteristics and we feel the WTX StreamTubes has a couple of fun tricks up its sleeves. What really sets it apart immediately is its unique implementation of valve technology. In a sea of digital components, this little detail adds a touch of analogue warmth and musicality that’s often missing from other streamers, which often rely purely on solid-state components.

WTX-StreamTubes key features:

The streamer supports a variety of high-resolution formats, including FLAC, WAV, and AAC, amongst others, ensuring that it can handle most demanding digital audio files with ease. It allows for Wifi and Ethernet connections, as well as Bluetooth aptX HD, with the latter requiring the purchase of the optional X-FT Bluetooth receiver.

The WTX-StreamTubes is also equipped with a USB port, allowing for direct playback from external drives, and it integrates smoothly with popular streaming services like Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, Apple Music, Apple Airplay and TuneIn, amongst many others. Its UPnP compatibility means it can easily slot into an existing home network, allowing you to stream from a NAS or other DLNA-compliant devices without a problem.

Finally, the design feels very solid. Despite it's very small size, it feels well built. The valves are illuminated upon powering up on the front panel, with only a power button plus a source switch between Bluetooth and WiFi streaming. The inclusion of both analogue and digital outputs ensures that it can be paired with a wide range of audio systems, giving you the flexibility to bypass the DAC.

Upon warming up the valves…

When it comes to sound quality, the valves are what make the difference compared to the competition. The implementation of 5703 subminiature valves in the output stage delivers a sound that is both smooth and engaging, with a natural warmth that complements a wide range of musical genres. Whether you're streaming classical, jazz, or modern electronic tracks, this WTX translates the sound with a sense of depth and richness that solid-state streamers sometimes can’t replicate.

The tonality is well-balanced, with a slightly pronounced midrange that brings vocals and instruments to life without overshadowing the other frequencies. The bass is tight and controlled, offering enough punch to satisfy most listeners, while the treble is detailed but not harsh, maintaining a smoothness that is easy on the ears even during extended listening sessions. It’s worth mentioning that the unit needs good running in, as it did not sound this neat right out of the box, so a little patience is needed for the components to really click, with the bass tightening up after several listening sessions.

This streamer also has a nice way of handling dynamics. Quiet passages are rendered with delicacy, while louder sections are delivered with a good sense of authority. The soundstage is impressively wide for a streamer in this price range, creating an immersive listening experience that allows you to pinpoint the placement of instruments and voices within the mix. Overall it is a sound that prioritises the emotion and engaging aspects of music over analytical precision.

User Interface

With the sound quality being on par, if not better in some aspects, compared with the top rated streamers in this range, it is equally important to discuss the user interface and the functionality and intuitiveness of the app.

The Advance PlayStream app, available for both iOS and Android, utilises the same interface as WiiM Home, so those familiar with the layout will have no trouble navigating around it. In fact, the StreamTubes can be controlled with the WiiM App without any noticeable drawbacks.

As you can see above, the Advanced PlayStream interface is clean and easy to navigate, whereas some third party control apps don’t have this intuitive and appealing layout.

Advance Paris Vs…

In comparison to its rivals, the Advance Paris WTX-StreamTubes carves out a unique niche. The Bluesound Node, for instance, is widely praised for its excellent DAC and robust ecosystem, but it lacks the distinctive warmth provided by the WTX-StreamTubes’ valve output stage. The Bluesound Node might offer a more clinical, accurate sound, which some might prefer, but for those who enjoy a touch of analogue warmth, the WTX-StreamTubes holds a clear advantage.

When compared to the WiiM Ultra or Pro+, the WTX-StreamTubes offers a more refined listening experience. While the WiiM models are excellent for those who want a straightforward, no-frills streamer with decent support and wide format compatibility, they don’t quite match the musicality and tonal richness of the WTX-StreamTubes. The WiiM Pro+ does offer a great value proposition with its extensive feature set, whereas the WTX-StreamTubes feels like a musical instrument in its own right.

In conclusion, the Advance Paris WTX-StreamTubes is a standout option in the crowded £500 streamer market, especially for those who value sound quality and a touch of audiophile nostalgia. Its use of valve technology offers a unique, warm, and rich sound that is rare to find in streamers at this price point. It delivers an engaging and musical performance that is sure to please those who prioritise audio quality above all else.

More information on the WTX-StreamTubes found here.

As always, we recommend you hear the difference for yourself. Contact your nearest Audio T to book a demonstration.

Thanks for reading.

Dan & 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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Turntable Health Check Clinics At Audio T Reading – Our Expert Findings & Observations

/ Audio T Reading/

At the start of this summer, among many great promotions that we were running, we were excited to offer the opportunity for a free turntable health-check either by visiting one of our stores or by way of a courtesy home visit. Here at Audio T Reading, the response to this offer has been spectacular, with a huge number of turntables flowing through our Swallowfield showroom doors and regularly on rotation (cringy pun intended) in our service room.

But why were we offering this free check? Had we gone completely mad?

Well, to elaborate further, the acquisition of turntables for music listening remains on an upward trajectory, which is no surprise given how delightful vinyl records can sound and how pleasingly tactile the vinyl handling experience is. In a world where (almost) every interaction comes courtesy of a flat and featureless touchscreen, the act of sliding a record out of its arty sleeve and placing it down for a musical spin feels ceremoniously rewarding. However, whether a turntable is fresh out of its box, or has been living a charmed life in a muggy loft, it will benefit from some form of fettling and fine tuning, especially in the dextrous hands of our enthusiastic experts.

To give you a feel for our work and for your reading pleasure, we would like to take a moment to share some of our findings and observations from our summer turntable camp…

WHAT WAS MOST APPARENT FROM OUR TURNTABLE CLINICS?

Over the past few months of phonographic fettling, something that has really stood out is that the performance and function of nearly all of our customer’s turntables could either be subtly enhanced or greatly improved, either by way of simple tweaks such as adjusting the tracking weight on a tonearm, or by a realignment of the cartridge. In some cases, a repair or replacement of inexpensive parts or consumables, followed by the necessary adjustments and alignments, was all that was needed to restore a turntable’s operation back to optimal health.

You might be reading this right now and wondering, is there any point in bothering with a turntable inspection, especially if everything seems to play just fine and has done so for many moons? Well, over a period of time, whether it be years or even just months, operating your turntable with the set-up not quite right, or unknowingly with a worn stylus, will eventually cause damage to your precious records. And then there is sound-quality; if, like us, you place high-importance on this, then we have at our disposal a combination of objective measures, expertise, and our well-trained ears to help to get your turntable to ring out every last drop from the grooves of your records.

ISSUES THAT WE CAME ACROSS…

The number one issue that we noticed from our turntable health-checks was worn out styli. This was followed by out-of-spec platter turning speeds. Slightly bent or fully deformed cantilevers (the metal tubing holding the stylus in place) were in third place. And next on the list of issues found were misshapen or degraded drive belts. From a sonic point of view, some turntables were heard to be exhibiting an above average amount of buzz or hum, and during playback the presence of distortion or a lack of dynamic expression were indicators that prevailing issues were marring the performance capabilities of the affected decks.

Here is something that might astonish you; at the time of writing this article – with the exception of just one deck – every turntable brought into the Audio T Reading store this summer had either an incorrect or sub-optimal tracking weight setting, or incorrect anti-skate setting, or incorrect tonearm height positioning or other misplacement.

These findings came as no surprise to us as we have come to know that – over time, use, and movement – it’s natural for a turntable to fall out of alignment or deviate away from its optimal settings. This is why here at Audio T, we are open to you bringing your turntable to us no matter what time of year for a free health check – we are always happy to advise or provide reassurance by taking a look for you.

SOME FUN FINDINGS AND OBSERVATIONS!

Okay, for a bit of fun, here are some findings, observations and interesting turntable works that have come about from our phono clinics so far…

Want to know which turntable we’ve seen the most of? That’s the stalwart Rega Planar 3. We’ve seen these ubiquitously, most likely because of how venerable and resilient the Planar 3 is. If you’re interested in a Planar 3, it’s worth considering a step up to the Rega Planar 6 instead – it comes as standard with the excellent Rega Neo power supply and the superior vibration mitigating properties of the Planar 6 enable it to accommodate a broader range of more talented cartridges, such as Rega’s own Ania Pro or Dynavector’s 10x5 MkII, which we’ll come to…

One of the things we love most about the Rega range of turntables is how well they lend to being restored to as-new working order, regardless of their age. Key parts are consistently available and, allied to the ever-improving efficiency of servicing them, it makes the Rega decks one of the most sustainable on the planet!

Most installed cartridge? That’s the excellent Audio Technica VM95ML - it’s microlinear stylus tracks deep and true into those record grooves and it’s also highly resistant to wear. For added good news – if you happen to accidently prang the stylus, it’s replaceable.

Most impressive high-end cartridge installed? A joint winner here and, in no particular order, it would have to be the Hana ML and the Audio Note IQ III. The impressive features of the Hana ML are how beautifully crisp and extended the high frequencies are, to go with its wide-open midrange and taut bass. As far as moving-coil (MC) cartridges go, it’s a slayer of a cartridge. With regards to the Audio Note IQ III, it’s a moving-magnet (MM) design that has been given the full Audio Note treatment – trueness of tone, fullness of body, and musicality are its virtues. When we first heard the IQ III, we couldn’t believe a MM cartridge could sound that good!

Best pound-for-pound cartridge installed? Enter once more the Dynavector 10x5 MkII. The performance to price quotient of this cartridge is extraordinary. It predominantly comes as a high-output MC design, which is designed to work with MM compliant phono stages. Sound confusing? We understand – please call us and we’ll explain how it works.

Weirdest item found attached to or within a turntable? A long part-grey and part-brown hair, twisted around a sub-platter, that we suspect of human origin (we are still waiting for the lab results). Oh and melted chocolate smeared along the side of a dust cover. At least, we think its chocolate… Oh gosh!

GOING FULL CIRCLE – CLOSING THOUGHTS…

It’s been fun to receive and revitalise a number of different decks, from the simple-but-splendid Rega Planar 1, to a majestic 25th anniversary edition Linn Sondek LP12. For each of the previously mentioned issues that we came across, we were able to liaise with our customers and implement a fix. For example, fitting a new belt to an old Systemdek IIX helped to restore the platter rotation speed – as we found it was turning too slow, which was altering the pitch of the record being played and making the music sound lifeless.

Through undertaking a number of restoration projects, we have found some great turntable, tonearm and cartridge combinations, which we would be happy to share with you. And in case you weren’t aware, when buying a cartridge from us we offer free installation and alignment.

We would like to say thank you to all of our customers who put their trust in our free turntable health-check service and are feeding back that their precious decks are sounding better than ever. If you would like us to have a look at your turntable, either for some tune-up work or to resolve a possible issue, please do get in touch with us. We’ll be happy to see you and show you around our new Swallowfield store.

Thank you for reading,

Rishi, Gareth and Dan – 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…

The products featured here can be found or enquired about at the following Audio T stores:

A BIT ABOUT OUR NEW STORE

Our new Swallowfield store is accessible via the 600 bus route from Reading town centre and is very easy to reach by road with the A33, M3 and M4 all nearby. On arrival you’ll find ample free parking right on our doorstep, and our showroom and demo rooms are all on ground level.

The picturesque surroundings here provide many places to enjoy a countryside walk, a riverside stroll, or a picnic. There are local sites of interest to explore such as the Blackwater River, Wellington Country Park, Siren Craft Brewery and a host of cute village pubs with gardens. So when you come to see us, why not make a fun day of it?

Audio T Cheltenham and That Double Sub Thing!

/ Audio T Cheltenham/

After my last blog on the rather lovely Advance Paris X-CD9 Compact Disc spinner, I found myself with an afternoon to kill and the urge to experiment. I had already setup the aforementioned valve CD player in the demo room, which I partnered with the equally delightful Advance Paris X-i75 amplifier and some rather great sounding Acoustic Energy AE500 loudspeakers sat upon the visually striking Solid Steel SS6 speaker stands. What happened next took my breath away!

I added two REL T5x subwoofers just to see what would happen…

the system in all its glory

Pushing Boundaries

I am all for trying to push the boundaries of performance versus cash outlay when choosing a hi-fi system. This little experiment involves the underused practice of installing double subs. Yes! You read that right! Two subs… one for the bass on the left channel and one for the bass on the right channel.

The CD and amp

Hocus Pocus

Now the boffins at REL will feed you all sorts of scientific malarkey about pressuring the room and how the addition of double subwoofers will not only improve the deep bass but will also make the mid band open up and spookily will even make that top end sound sweeter and more succinctly detailed. I never used to believe this hocus pocus witchcraftery, but recently I have seen the light and become a bit of a convert.

It’s all down to fixing what’s going on down low so that all the harmonics are able to rise.

Stage Right Rel T5x and Acoustic energy ae500

Get The Balance Right

Experimentation with positioning was important. With the subs too far apart and close to the corners of the room the bass was all woolly and indistinct with a hole in the middle. With the subs placed near to and just to the outside of the speakers the soundstage really snapped into life. Careful dialling in of the crossover point and volume was necessary too, but it didn’t take too long to find the ideal settings to seamlessly integrate with the AE500.

stage left same again

Plugs And Wires

Wiring this system was simple. The REL subwoofers are supplied with all the necessary cables. The yellow and red cables are twisted together and connect in to the positive binding post and the black cable connects to the negative binding post. This process is repeated for the other channel. The left and right speakers are plugged in to the binding posts with the banana plugs on the ends of the speaker cables. The picture below will make this clear!

How to wire up two subwoofers at the same time

The First Rule Of Double Sub Club

Rule number one when using subwoofers for music replay in a stereo system is that they absolutely must be fed a signal from the loudspeaker outputs of the amplifier. If this does not happen then subs and speakers will be getting their signal from different places and will be significantly out of phase with each other to the degree that they will never be able to provide a cohesive signal.

what goes on underneath

Everything I played on this lovely little system sounded amazing!

REL are right. The little details at the top end become sweeter and more extended and are easier to hear against the background. The mid band becomes deeper and wider almost like the walls of the demo room are not there and music comes at you from three dimensional space.

Semi Permeable Men-Brain

The album that astounded me the most on the double sub system was the first album by Prog rock monsters, Diagonal. Released in 2006 this one is the first of four albums all of which merit investigation.

The first Diagonal album

Information about Diagonal is hard to come by. They don’t seem to have a website and their Facebook page just directs you to their record company’s page on Bandcamp. Spotify’s “About” box simply says, “English Progressive Rock/Psych band – originally from Brighton”. Google hits are all about the line joining the opposite corners of a rectangle or the “diagonal band of Broca”, which Wikipedia says is “one of the basal forebrain structures that are derived from the ventral telencephalon during development”. Not very helpful.

Diagonal....look 'em up they are wonderful

The song that benefited the most from this system set up was the first track, intriguingly titled Semi Permeable Men-Brain, a ten minute long 21st century schizoid jerk off apocalypse with more weird time signature changes than even the Guards Of Magog could summon down from the skies. This track is a no compromise full on prog/psyche wig out of the highest quality and this system made it sound so huge that you could just fall in to the soundstage and fly away!

The Bit At The End

As you can tell I kinda quite like this system and I think that you might too. If your interest has been piqued even just a tiny bit then pop in or give us a call and arrange a listen for yourself. The kettle is always on and we usually have biscuits too!

Many thanks for reading Andy, Jon and Farid -

Audio T Cheltenham Store.

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…

Advance Paris, Acoustic Energy and Solid Steel and REL can be found at the following Audio T stores

Introducing the all-new Rega Nd3 Cartridge - A work of art at Audio T Bristol

/ Audio T Bristol/

The Bristol Museum has recently been exhibiting John Constable's iconic landscape, “The Hay Wain”, on loan from The National Gallery. So, I went along to see it and was truly blown away on so many levels…

Firstly, the sheer size of the painting, at an impressive 1.3m x 2m. The detail, the powerful light and shadow play. The etching of fine edges of colour creating line and form and textures, and those clouds… Oh that sky!

Up until that moment, all the images I've seen of “The Hay Wain” were digital or in print and the writings & art review TV shows gushing about it's importance didn't prepare me for the real thing.

This got me thinking… “Do I need an art degree and be an accomplished oil painter to appreciate and be moved by the Constable’s famous works?” No. And in many ways, the same goes for Hi-Fi.

What’s that famous quote from Fred. R Bernard? “One look is worth a thousand words”. Well, let me flip this and make something more relevant to our little world of Hi-Fi...

"Hearing something a thousand times isn't the same as listening"

Justin - Audio T Bristol (2024)

I would go even further on this point and say that it is not enough to just listen - you have to experience, emotionally feel and sometimes be open enough to be overwhelmed and amazed. It is a journey. Your appreciation for music and how and what moves you evolves, as does what you strive to attain from your Hi-Fi evolves…

Introducing the Rega Nd3

Now, whilst we’re discussing artwork… Let’s talk about the all new Nd3 moving magnet cartridge from Hi-Fi industry titans, Rega. They claim it is a culmination of 10 years of development, but how does it stack up?

The new Rega Nd3 truly delivers a new performance level in Moving Magnet technology. The stylus profile is a high quality elliptical diamond, which is bonded to a round titanium shank. The design uses a brand new generator geometry with perfect symmetry to achieve accurate channel balance.

The Nd3 also has an optimised pole gap for superior linearity and cross talk characteristics, this provides a far wider soundstage than the previous models. This new cartridge is created with miniaturised parallel coils which are wound in house utilising 38-micron wire with just 1275 turns. Each Nd3 is meticulously hand-made by Rega’s highly skilled technicians.

With the Nd5 and Nd7 making up the range that replaces the Elys2 and Exact cartridges that debuted over 20 years ago! The Nd3 can be seen as the first step up from the entry level stock Rega Carbon, (essentially a Audio Technica ATN3600L). and occupies the spot where the Rega Bias (circa 1987) used to be, but is so much more.

Testing and listening

Naturally, this review required a little tinkering and setting up cartridges. Comparing the Rega Planar 2 performance with either the Nd3 or Carbon is easy enough. Without a doubt, the Nd3 blows it out of the water, as you would expect. But, how will the Nd3 stack up against the outgoing Elys2 or Exact?

System:

Records:

  • 9 Airs by Leif

  • Mezzaine by Massive Attack

  • When Jah Shall Come by Various Artists on Pressure Records

  • Night Train by Ocar Peterson Trio.

Method

First using only the MM Phono Stage on the Rega Elicit Mk5, I compared the Nd3 to the Carbon, Elys2 and Exact. Then switched to the MM input on the Rega Aria Phono Stage to compare Exact and Nd3. Then plumbed in the Linn LP12 Selekt with Krystal Cartridge on the MC side of the Rega Aria.

Three cartridges later I can report that the Nd3 is a masterpiece. Dynamics, pace and space are a plenty, with width and depth enormously improved - as Rega attested. Even when compared with the Exact, the Nd3 outperforms on all aspects. Better detail, more resolution, less surface noise, wider soundstage, better instrument placement. Thankfully, the Rega sound is still there with drive and gusto.

Moving to the external Rega Aria phono stage was a large leap in performance, pushing the noise level lower, with a cleaner, sharper sound and more dynamics. This is the shape of things to come from Rega’s Moving Magnet cartridges, so the Nd5 and Nd7 are going to be a real challenge to all.

Pricing wise, in a world of ever increasing prices, Rega have held the Nd3 at £175* the same price as the outgoing Elys2. While the Nd5 at £295* is the same as the outgoing Exact and the Nd7 at £450* occupying a £100 cheaper price point than Rega’s entry level Ania Moving Coil at £550.

Turning to referencing the Rega Planar 2 with Nd3 performance against a turntable at 20 times the price in the shape of the Linn LP12 Selekt with MC Krystal cart is a little extreme, especially with all the other components kept the same - highly unrealistic. But, benchmarking like this is the only way to hear the old adage of “Source is first”. Of course the Linn was in another league - the separation on Night Train by Oscar Peterson Trio, was mesmerising. Just like seeing an original painting, those shades, shadows and feeling of light are incredibly clear. The conveying of emotion in Liz Fraser’s vocals on Teardrop is spell binding. The importance of using this deck as a reference is that the Rega Planar 2 did not feel or sound poor, shoddy or broken in comparison. It is a lesser deck, but not for the money, with no lack in drive and sheer musical enjoyment.

We constantly read from reviewers about “Impactful” Bass, “musical” presentation or “dynamic” tone - But that does very little to describe the experience. Like saying a car is fast or a design is minimalist - these terms are journalistic filler that do not help the reader to make a decision. And how do stars and marks out of 10 help anyone?

Your decision, as the Hi-Fi consumer needs to be informed, communicated and understood as - the sound YOU prefer and best conveys the “flavour“ of musical intent that you enjoy - not what a reviewer, Hi-Fi mag or even a Hi-Fi shop tells you is a good sound. And, with that, book an audition with us for the new Nd3 for yourself.

Thank you for reading,

Justin, James & Max - 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.

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

Stand aside Olympics, Paris has its own champion! The X-i50BT

/ Audio T Manchester/

Introducing the Advance Paris X-i50BT

Is it new?

New Hi-Fi manufacturers are few and far between these days, so when one arrives with a range as extensive as the one Advance Paris has to offer, you have to stick your head above the parapet and take a look.

However, Advance Paris isn't exactly new. First created in 1995 to cater for the French market only, Advance Paris extended their range extensively in 2004 with an integrated amplifier and electronic components. Wanting to break free of their home market they expanded into a least 40 other countries in 2005.

Audio T Advances to Paris.

Today, Audio T has a near exclusive on Advance Paris products which range from streamers to valve amplifiers to all in one amp/streamers and CD players, the latter of which is resurgent in today's market.

Here at Manchester we are taking a look at the new Xi-50BT

It's an integrated amplifier that has Bluetooth and a phono input and utilises class A type technology, which basically runs at higher temps but offers excellent sound quality.

The first reaction to the Xi-50BT is the styling, Advance Paris are using perspex for the front fascia and a formed steel construction for the case work. Which looks and feels elegant and solid. Good start.

Around the back

The X-i50BT has what you could reasonably call a fair selection of analogue inputs, which include a turntable input. I can't imagine anyone being left wanting for more inputs in the analogue domain.

From a digital angle, the supplied Bluetooth aerial screws into the back and enables communication with smart devices, opening up endless possibilities for visitors to your home wanting to play their own music on your system.

Next up is the USB input, which in this instance, keeps things simple with offering MP3 playback. So if you've got a collection of USB sticks with MP3s on them which you may use in the car, you can stick them in the back of X-i50 as well.

And at the front

Conveniently, the X-i50 has a chrome volume dial which also operates as a multifunction jog wheel, this lets you access tone controls and a loudness feature, as well as cycling through the inputs. Also, the white glow from the back light on the dial against the black perspex fascia adds a premium look to the unit.

The testing

We put our unit through its paces by pairing it with the new WiiM Ultra streamer, a pair of Dynaudio Emit 10 sat on the Atacama Nexxus speaker stands.

Our playlist consisted of German electro/techno maestro Robag Wruhme, some instrumental ambience from Contours, an old school Manchester jazz collective, The Cinematic Orchestra and a little bit of classic funk from Parliament.

What's the consensus mon ami

Well, very good indeed! £500* gets you an amp that happily drives a pair of hefty speakers with aplomb. In general, the sound was detailed and engaging. The high bias mode helped for lower volume listening and across all our playlist the sound filled our demo room with ease.

The electro from Robag Wruhme was pacey, no flabbiness in the bass. The Contours “Elevation” album sounded airy and open. And George Clinton sounded like, well, George Clinton.

Are there other amps around the same price that sound as good? Well, there is a small selection in the same price bracket that either sound very different in terms of playback quality or have a fraction of the connectivity available. However, other integrated amps around the same price, beware!! we have a new kid on the block, and the X-i50BT means business!

But don’t just take our word for it. Contact your nearest Audio T today to book a demonstration.

Thanks for reading.

Munir

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

It’s a wild card from Sonos! A Look at the Sonos Ace Headphones

/ Audio T Southampton/

Greetings fellow music lovers, and welcome to another article from Audio T Southampton. I’m once again delving into the world of headphones and this time taking a look at the brand new Sonos Ace.

As I'm sure many of you will be aware, Sonos is one of the leading brands when it comes to consumer level multi-room wireless systems, wherein you can do anything from creating a fully wireless surround sound system in your living room, multiroom playback via multiple devices or kitting out your garden with the aid of simple-yet-elegant weatherproof speakers. Sonos offer a range of solutions from soundbars to ceiling speakers. And with the inclusion of their first ever pair of headphones, you can now take your night-time listening to a whole new (and more personal) level.

Out of the box…

When I first saw these headphones announced, quite frankly I didn't know what to expect. Knowing who Sonos are, it was intriguing to me as to how they would incorporate such a personal listening experience into their portfolio of multi-room systems. At a reasonable £449*, they have simply blown me away both with their quality and comfort.

Fitting quite snugly on my head and never threatening to fall off when I walk around, thanks to the stainless steel headband which smoothly extends and stays securely in place. Inside the ear cup is an innovative mechanism which allows for precise adjustment to equalise pressure and create an exceptional acoustic seal.

Features

After perusing the included user guide and getting a better understanding of how these headphones work, I discovered that they have a feature called “Aware Mode” - An intelligent form of ANC that lets certain sound frequencies through the noise cancelling element, so you can keep an ear out for oncoming traffic or emergency service sirens. Making them the perfect option for listening to your music on the move.

Something else that the Ace incorporate is the “Wear Detection” feature. This is becoming more of a commonplace attribute with most ANC Bluetooth headphones - Everytime you take the headphones off perhaps to make conversation with someone or to complete a transaction at a store, your music will stop instantly, and will start again as soon as the headphones sit comfortably on your ears. Meaning you won't miss a single second of your favourite tracks whilst on your day-to-day business.

I don’t know about you, but one of my biggest gripes with wireless headphones is going to use them and realising that you haven’t put them on charge and the battery is completely flat! Well, with the Sonos Ace Rapid Charging, you can go from 0% to 3 hours of playback with just 3 minutes on charge. That being said, Sonos boasts a staggering 30 hour playback on one full charge (3 hours), so it might be a while before you need to worry.

Performance

Now onto the sound of the headphones themselves…

I have to say I was very pleased their performance. With a modern design that is sleek and minimalistic, the audio playback offers a clean and full bodied low-end, with a crisp and clear mid-range that allows vocals to be beautifully presented through the music.

They are truly amazing to listen to and wear. The Sonos Ace were more than capable in reproducing everything I listened to. From the softest of acoustic tracks, through to electronic and heavy rock music, not once did I wince at any dissonance!

Now, to discuss a key feature of these headphones that I thought I’d save until now; Dolby Atmos mode. I have to say this feature felt quite unique and perfect for television and film viewers who want the cinema experience without disturbing anyone else in the home.

Adding the Ace headphones to your Sonos ecosystem via the dedicated app allows you to connect to the Sonos Arc soundbar and seamlessly takeover the audio in the push of a button. However, recreating that surround sound experience isn’t easy. Especially when you factor in that your head doesn’t stay perfectly still when you’re watching the latest blockbuster.

Sonos have created a uniquely interactive system which immerses you in a three-dimensional soundstage using dynamic head tracking. This innovative feature traces the smallest movement in your head and adapts the sound to keep you centred in every scene.

Hearing the audio seamlessly shift from one side to the other made me feel like I was at the cinema, all the while without disturbing any sleeping house guests. It is worth noting that this feature requires a compatible Sonos soundbar to create the spatial audio possible.

Conclusion

As a stand-alone set of headphones, the Sonos Ace perform above and beyond their price point. Offering exceptional comfort and practical features that are perfect for the music lover on the go. I can imagine that these would be a commuters dream!

Whilst I think everyone could take enjoyment from the Sonos Ace, I think it’s safe to say that these headphones really shine as part of a Sonos ecosystem. So if you’re a Sonos user, this might very well be the next purchase for you.

And with that, I can safely say that this review on the Sonos Ace headphones is complete! If you’re interested in demonstrating these for yourself, be sure to contact your local Audio T.

Thank you for reading,

Tiago - Audio T Southampton.

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

Advance Paris PlayStream A1 Connected Integrated Amplifier: All for one and one for all.

/ Audio T Oxford/

PlayStream A1

Advance Paris may be an unfamiliar name to many despite the fact they have been around for nearly thirty years. Over this period they have grown from initially supplying their home territory in France, to now exporting to over forty countries and now to Audio T.

Aiming to produce high end audio at affordable prices, their product range encompasses: streamers, integrated and pre-power amplification, speakers (active and passive), CD players, CD transports, valve hybrid products, mini systems and WiFi/ Bluetooth accessories. Today, we’ll be looking at the PlayStream A1…

Introduction

There are three models in the PlayStream lineup (A7 / A5 / A1) of which the A1 is the most affordable. The PlayStream A1 HDMI is a connected integrated amplifier. Rated at 2x52W/6Ω in Class AB, the A1 has been designed with the ultimate goal of satisfying the discerning audiophile. It is an incredibly well appointed product, the list of its connection capabilities is a long one:

  • Wired or wireless streaming.

  • Digital inputs including USB

  • Analogue inputs.

  • Optical and coaxial digital inputs.

  • Phono (MM) input.

  • HDMI ARC.

  • Bluetooth.

  • Airplay.

  • Headphone

Design and technology

Of an all metal construction with a brushed black facia, the Playstream sports the look of a premium design. The LED display is blue and is relatively unobtrusive, it gives it a classy appearance and the blue illumination is a strong visual identifier for all Advance Paris products. The controls are metal which feel lovely to the touch.

With its impressive 52W per channel class AB amplification, it should be capable of driving most of speakers to reasonable levels quite happily.

Control

App

Although supplied with a remote control, the majority of end users are most likely to use the Advance Paris App. Streaming products can become a nightmare to use if the App is not intuitive and robust. The Advance Paris Advance PlayStream App is very, very similar to that found on WiiM (pronounced “Weem” in case you were wondering) products and is equally excellent; clear, easy to use and responsive.

Sound quality.

Plugging in a Rega Planar 3 and a pair of Acoustic Energy AE 309, the bulk of the listening was via Qobuz using the onboard decoding (most of the other major streaming services are also available).

Powering up the rather lovely illuminated power button I searched for ‘True Love Ways’ by Buddy Holly (from the original master hits). This exhibited an excellent mid range purity, The A1 is musically articulate, open and transparent.

Another of my ‘go to tracks’ is ‘Collage’ by Lady Blackbird; this highlighting the agile, tight clean bass along with a smooth treble and excellent sound staging.

The overall sonic signature is neutral and non fatiguing, which I think even the most discerning listeners will enjoy.

Running the Rega Planar 3 directly in to the phono input, I was very pleasantly surprised with the result. So many amplifier’s supplied phono stages seem to be a bit of an afterthought these days, but not this one. A spin of Yello’s ‘La Habanera’ from the One Second Album; was smoother than that of the Qobuz rendition of the same track. This is by no means a shabby performer and it is an engaging listen.

In conclusion

The Advance Paris PlayStream A1 represents phenomenal value for money. It is a “French Swiss Army Knife” of a product. It lacks for nothing.

For those looking for a complete home entertainment package that is sonically absolutely leagues ahead of even the most premium of soundbars, or for those customers who would like an excellent sounding amplifier, with all of the connectivity that they could possibly hope for (both wired and wireless), without blowing the budget, then this product is the perfect choice.

Advance Paris is now available in all Audio T stores, so expect to see more from us on these guys.

Thank you for reading.

Rob & Jon - 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.

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… 

Introducing the Advance Paris Playstream A5

/ Audio T Bristol/
image:Detail of Advance Paris A5

Vive la France! - The phrase has its roots in Bastille Day, a French national holiday commemorating the storming of the Bastille and the beginning of the French Revolution. Is this the beginning of a French Hi-Fi Revolution?

Chez Advance Paris, nous créons des expériences audio qui transcendent l’ordinaire, un mélange harmonieux de technologie et d’art. That’s the great thing about the French language, even the marketing spiel sounds like a work of Joubert or Jean-Paul Sartre. And for those of you that aren’t bilingual, that is “At Advance Paris, we create audio experiences that transcend the ordinary, a harmonious blend of technology and art.”

Comment vous appelez-vous? L'Advance Paris Playstream A5, monsieur

(What is your name? The Advance Paris Playstream A5, Sir.)

Hi-Fi Manufacturers call them "streaming amplifiers” or “all in one systems". Audio T has a menu area called Hi-Fi Systems & Radios. In any case, Advance Paris calls it the Playstream, a Connected Integrated amp - “The nerve centre of your system”.

The build quality is exceptionally good. With a good weight and feel to the control dial and buttons, solid clunks of switches and the haptic touch of the input select ribbon at the bottom a real treat. Blue VU meters will divide opinion, like UV under lights or a Max Power aftermarket body kit. For some, this will be welcome relief from the sometimes bland black box world of minimalist function.

Caractéristiques

(Features)

The Playstream range consists of 3 models - A1, A5 and A7 all equipped with network compatibility to stream your music from a phone, tablet or computer using the digital connections or the onboard advance stream module that uses the Advance Paris app. The A5 is the middle of the three with 2 x 80W in 8ohms, 4 digital inputs - COAX and 3 optical inputs, USBA, Bluetooth, A phono stage with both MM and MC, DAB/FM tuner, 5 analogue inputs, Rec Out, Pre Out to use a separate power amp and Amp In, to use a separate preamp and use the A5 as a power amp. Unusually, there are also 2 dedicated RCA sub outs. The A7 adds another set of speaker outputs, HDMI ARC input and ups the wattage to 115W.

Écoute à la musique

(Listen to music)

Setting up was a breeze, with the Advance Paris app providing straightforward basic settings. Delving into the menus, there are settings for tone controls, Bass, Treble and Balance, Loudness Gain and a Bypass option to turn this amp section off. Round the back of the amp is a High Bias switch. In the “on” setting it allows for more of the Class A amplification as opposed to discrete. The setting gives the amp a very slightly warming character, but also seems to push detail and transparency levels a lot more. The drawback is the amp does run a little warmer and consumes a little more juice.

I settled on a very un-Hi-Fi world/audiophile controversial setting of Loudness ON, Bass +02, Treble +02 in High Bias ON mode, Bypass OFF. For speakers we used the Dynaudio Evoke 10 and Acoustic Energy AE500. Both were driven extremely well.

The turntable test was done with the Rega Planar 2 fitted with the new ND3 cartridge. Playing Oscar Peterson Trio’s Night Train; The trio consisting of Peterson at the piano, Ray Brown on the bass and Ed Thigpen on the drums was a real treat. Properly engaging with great transients and groove.

The Audio T Bristol Qobuz playlist got a bit of a hammering trying to decide what to listen to and what would push the A5 to an uncomfortable genre. No such luck - the A5 kept on being engaging and putting a little smile on your face.

Comparaison

(Comparison - That one was pretty obvious!)

What was really need was an unfair test - a tag team to take down this young upstart - to see what we had been missing. In the red corner was the Naim Uniti Atom and the Rega Elex MK4 with a Wiim Pro Plus, COAX to the Elex digital input. This was the surprise - not only did the A5 not crumble in the corner, tapping out, but put up such a fight that I was left a little speechless. I did a blind test with a colleague - moving between the Naim, Rega and A5 - and he preferred the A5. The look of horror on my colleague’s face as the vanguards of Hi-Fi crumbled was devastating (just sorry, I don’t have a picture).

Finale

(I’m not even going to bother on this one…)

“Advance Paris est plus qu’une marque, nous sommes les gardiens des rêves musicaux” - “Advance Paris is more than a brand, we are the guardians of musical dreams”.

Whether you are an experienced audiophile or just starting out on a sonic adventure, Advance Paris offers a load of features and performance for the price. And, as always, the proof is in the pudding - book a demonstration and hear for yourself.

Merci de lire ce que nous écrivons

(Thank you for reading what we write)

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.

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…

Say 'Bonjour!' to the X-P700 Preamp & X-A160EVO Power Amp from Advance Paris!

/ Audio T Southampton/

At Audio T Southampton we’ve been eagerly anticipating the arrival of a number of products from Advance Paris. Amongst many new toys that we have booted up and played with since their arrival are the X-P700 preamplifier and the X-A160 EVO power amplifier. So without further ado, let's dive in…

When the pre and power amp were delivered, they were immediately put to use in driving a pair of Acoustic Energy Corinium speakers in the striking British Racing Green. We were pleasantly surprised with the sound straight out of the box. Even without time to run in the equipment, it was apparent that the synergy with the speakers was one to be savoured, utilising the Corinium’s natural warmth and their own inherent clean and warm signature sound to produce a wide and natural soundstage and sound, almost making the speakers disappear completely!

The Advance Paris X-P700 (Right) and the X-A160EVO (left)

Now you might expect these items, especially with what I described above, to be rather costly, however this is thankfully not the case. Each unit costs a modest £1,500*, meaning that you can have a separate pre and power system for a fraction of what you thought it would cost! And asides from the affordable price points, the pre-amplifier is chock full of various features and settings to play with.

X-P700 Preamp

The X-P700 has an extensive range of inputs, both analogue and digital, that meet the requirements of most, if not all listeners. This includes a switchable phono stage that allows you to use either an MM, High Output MC or Low Output MC turntable seamlessly. Also included in this is 2 optical, one coaxial and a USB input for any of your digital sources, utilising the powerhouse Burr Brown PCM 1796 DAC, capable of converting digital files/sources all the way up to 24bit/192kHz without breaking a sweat.

Other connections include a total of seven RCA inputs (excluding the phono input), an RCA record out for the tape enthusiasts and even a balanced XLR input for any of those pesky sources that only have XLR outputs.

But enough about the plethora of inputs, let's discuss the outputs. And this preamp has plenty for you to choose from. Starting with the obvious, you have both RCA and XLR outputs to go to your power amp or active speakers, a 3.5mm and 6.3mm headphone output, and it also has 2 LFE subwoofer outputs, meaning you can have a stereo pair of subwoofers for your system. Now isn't that neat?

You can also add an optional Bluetooth Receiver to the dedicated port on the rear of the unit. I could talk about the full features of this product for hours, but you can find them here to discover at your own pace.

X-A160EVO Power Amp

Now onto the X-A160EVO power amplifier, and there isn't as much to say about this unit as as it is simply a no-frills powerhouse - No French lace here!

What we can talk about however, is the power output, which sits at a very impressive 160 watts per channel into 8 Ohms on Class A/B, meaning this power amplifier can comfortably drive arguably most speakers you decide to pair with it. But despite it being Class A/B, this beast doesn't run very warm at all, not unless you switch on its High Bias mode.

The High Bias mode is quite interesting, as the difference it makes to the sound is indistinguishable when listening at high volumes, however it shines through at lower levels. Essentially, flicking this mode on turns the amplifier into a pseudo-Class A amp.

I found that this mode cleans up some of the audio at lower levels, bringing out the bass a bit more and also making the mids and tops a little sweeter.

One of Advance Paris’ signature features is the beautiful VU meters. Both light up in a nice, cool blue LED (Which can be dimmed or even turned off).

Conclusion

The X-P700 Preamp and X-A160EVO Power Amp from Advance Paris make a fantastic pair for anyone serious about high-quality audio. The X-P700 offers precise control and super clean signal handling, ensuring your music sounds just right. The X-A160EVO Power Amp packs a serious punch, delivering powerful and clear sound thanks to its advanced design. Together, they create an amazing listening experience that's rich, detailed, and immersive. For those who want to take their audio setup to the next level, this combo is a top-notch choice that won't disappoint. But why take my word for it?

If you have any further queries on these products, or would like to book a demonstration to listen to these or any Advance Paris products, don't be afraid to call us and ask/request!

Thanks for reading

Tiago - Audio T Southampton.

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…

In-Seine-ly Good! Audio T Reading Falls In Louvre with the Advance Paris MyConnect 60 All-in-One Hi-Fi System

/ Audio T Reading/

Bonjour, and welcome mes amis from Audio T Reading in Swallowfield. To be frivolous for a moment, we’ve got to love our far-out French neighbours. While we say “oh my gosh”, they say ‘ah la vache’ – ‘oh my cow’. When it’s “raining cats and dogs” here in Good Ol’ Britannia, over there it’s “pleut comme une vache qui pisse” – ‘raining like a cow pees’. (What is their beef with those poor cows?). Us Brits might retort that someone is exaggerating or “going a bit too far”; the French of course will exclaim ‘faut pas pousser mémé dans les orties’ – ‘don’t push grandma into the nettles’. (It would now appear no grandmother or cow is safe)…

However… while we puff out our chests and feel quite pleased for seeming “to know the score”, it so happens our French friends have a much nicer one up their (record) sleeve as they appear ‘connaître la musique’ – ‘to know the music’. On this fine note, please do keep reading as we have something new to share with you from an exciting brand just across ‘La Manche’ or ‘The Sleeve’ – aka “The English Channel”. Why do our friends à la française call it The Sleeve? Nevermind, en evant (onward)…

SECRETS TRAVEL FAST IN (ADVANCE) PARIS – THE MYCONNECT 60 ALL-IN-ONE AMPLIFIER

Once famously declared by the infamous Napolean Bonaparte, ‘Secrets travel fast in Paris’. And they are about to travel pretty fast here too because, as part of a big Audio T exposé, we are delighted to be one of the few exclusive retailers in the UK to bring to you the fabulous French audiophile brand – Advance Paris.

Here at Audio T Reading, it’s a pleasure to have on demonstration the exciting MyConnect 60 All-in-One Amplifier.

This little all-in-one is quite the tour-de-force, offering a host of audio treats such as external streaming from Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify (and many more music providers), CD playback, DAB+ and FM radio, internet radio, local audio streaming from USB and other network storage (NAS) devices, Wi-Fi, ethernet, Bluetooth and Airplay connectivity, an on-board phono stage for connecting a turntable with a moving magnet (MM) cartridge, a suite of analogue and digital inputs and outputs, plus a dedicated subwoofer output!

There is even a headphone output of the full-fat 6.3mm variety for sending your tunes to a set of good quality cans; As headphonistas here at Audio T Reading, we are thrilled to see a larger headphone jack on the MyConnect 60 – It’s really quite rare to find this on an all-in-one product that retails below £1,000.  

THE APÉRO DÎNATOIRE OF HI-FI – MYCONNECT 60 LAYS ON QUITE A SPREAD

With more features on its plate than one might find at an apéro dînatoire evening buffet, what is it actually like to use the Advance Paris MyConnect 60 all-in-one? One of the biggest turn-offs when it comes to poorly executed all-in-one products is being met with a sea of buttons and knobs that feel more wobbly than blancmange to the touch while being annoyingly unresponsive in use.

Advance Paris have kept the fascia clean and chic on the MyConnect 60; adorning the frontage is a slick feeling on-off button, six small pin buttons providing just the essential playback functions, and the pièce de resistance – a single spun-metal rotary knob with a positively reinforcing turn-and-click operation. This knob performs volume adjustments and allows for access to source selection, tone controls, etc. Streaming control and management of connected devices are provided by the Advance Playstream app, available for Apple and Android devices.

Both the rotary selector wheel and the dedicated app are a joy to use – controls are tactile and are quick to respond, and latency was impressively low when cueing and playing tunes via Qobuz, Tidal and Apple Music via Airplay. It’s evident that the design and engineering team at Advance Paris have paid very close attention to the operational quality of the MyConnect 60; this really matters as a lack of operational foibles brings the connection between the listener and the music ever closer.    

TROUVER LE TON JUSTE – MYCONNECT 60 SONIC IMPRESSIONS

On the subject of music listening, how does the Advance Paris MyConnect 60 fare with audio reproduction? Well, this is a just-add-speakers system and after trying out a selection in our Swallowfield listening chambre we arrived at our impressions of the MyConnect 60 by pairing it with the UK designed Acoustic Energy AE100² loudspeakers – few speakers come up better this side of £500.

The combination proved to be astounding, one of the best French-British connections since the Channel Tunnel or Dover to Calais! Music gushes from this system with freedom and flair – it somehow sounds at ease yet energetic at the same time. This match-up has a really interesting tonal balance; generally speaking, the sound of most systems can be described as warm (fuller sounding), cool (leaner sounding) or neutral (somewhere between the two) and typically the whole spectrum of sound, from the low notes to the high notes, will combine overall to slot itself into one of those categories. What’s interesting with the MyConnect 60 and the Acoustic Energy AE100² combination is that the bass notes are tilted towards a nice and full sound, while the mid-to-high notes are tilted more towards neutral and are comparatively a touch leaner.

This dual-tilt presentation proves to be trouver le ton juste – hitting just the right note. It makes listening to all genres of music a fun and engaging experience. Let’s not forget, the MyConnect 60 with that awesome headphone jack is also a just-add-headphones system. Pairing it with closed back Meze 99 Classic cans or open-back Sennheiser 660 S2 headphones is truly magnifique!

WHAT HAPPENS IN PARIS STAYS IN PARIS – MYCONNECT 60 FINALE THOUGHTS

What happens in Paris stays in Paris? Not quite anymore. Now available from Audio T and with a current asking price of £850*, the Advance Paris MyConnect 60 all-in-one music making machine is a clear step-up in quality from offerings in and around the £500 and above mark. With a carefully tuned class-AB amplifier at its heart, the MyConnect 60 more than holds its own in the company of all-in-one players at approaching twice the price.

The consistency of its excellent presentation deserves a mention – whether it be from CD, streaming, radio and via speakers or headphones, the MyConnect 60 demonstrates all of the attributes of carefully crafted engineering at a price point where it often isn’t found. When combined with the Acoustic Energy AE100² speakers, the MyConnect 60 serves as the conductor of a complete digital music system that rivals any competitor around this price point. And in time you could even consider adding a turntable such as the venerable Rega Planar 2. Et voilà!

Thank you for reading, Rishi and Gareth – 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…

Please note: no cows, grannies or French people were harmed in the making of this blog. We love them all! 😉

The products featured here can be found or enquired about at the following Audio T stores:

A BIT ABOUT OUR NEW STORE

Our new Swallowfield store is accessible via the 600 bus route from Reading town centre and is very easy to reach by road with the A33, M3 and M4 all nearby. On arrival you’ll find ample free parking right on our doorstep, and our showroom and demo rooms are all on ground level.

The picturesque surroundings here provide many places to enjoy a countryside walk, a riverside stroll, or a picnic. There are local sites of interest to explore such as the Blackwater River, Wellington Country Park, Siren Craft Brewery and a host of cute village pubs with gardens.

Also during the Summer Bank Holiday weekend in August, nearby Swallowfield Park plays home to the vibrant Swallowfield Show. When you come to see us, why not make a fun day of it?

A Room With Two VU's - The Advance Paris Xi-1100 Integrated Amplifier

/ Audio T Swansea/

oooo, an artistically lit logo. someone’s brought their ‘a’ game.

Nouveaux jouets!

(New toys)

The most recent brand to arrive at Audio T Swansea’s golden shore, is the hitherto little-known in Britain (yet 25 year-old French marque), Advance Paris.

So little-known on this side of la Manche, it’s nigh-on an Audio T exclusive. Far be it for me to make sweeping generalisations and regurgitate national tropes about our continental cousins, but they do like to do some things a little differently over there. A case in point is this Xi-1100 integrated amplifier..

Design inspiration by Sebastien Chabal?*

for the avoidance of doubt, it’s the unit on the bottom shelf.

*This guy

We are used to great slabs of machined aluminium gracing amplifiers of this cost, yet here we have polished acrylic hiding those slabs of aforementioned metal that in turn, hide a robust, pressed steel chassis. Apart from the two funky, dirty-great-big, blue and orange VU meters of course.

almost intimidating aren’t they?

 

The stout construction delivers an all-up weight of 20kg (44lbs) which is bang on trend for this price bracket and most impressive when one has to manipulate it about for a photo shoot. Je vous remercie (Thank you to those not down with the lingo).

A great deal of that mass is the large toroidal transformer, mounted vertically just behind the double fascia and the impressive six-compartment construction of the interior, complete with aluminium heatsinks running down the flanks. This is all very reassuring, as is the specification; 220 Watts into 8 Ohms is respectable enough, but to near-double that up to 400 Watts into 4 Ohms, is impressive and hints at some very useful headroom indeed, should you have a loudspeaker that presents a less than charitable load.

The Detail

In common with many modern amplifiers, the ‘1100 has digital as well as analogue inputs and a phono stage to boot. Moving magnet only in this case, which makes sense to us, as anyone who has a Moving Coil cartridge is probably going to want a discrete moving coil phono stage. In my experience they sound better.

reassuringly built and mightily solid it is too.

 

Uncommonly, the Xi-1100 has two DACs (digital to analogue converters) A ‘regular’ one from Texas Instruments (they don’t just make calculators you know!) a Burr-Brown PCM1796 which is connected to the four optical, two coaxial and single AES (the one that looks like an XLR socket) digital inputs, which can decipher up to 24bits at 192KHz. The second DAC is an X-MOS processor and ‘jitter-corrected USB3318’ used purely for the USB-B input. Not something often seen and (we are reliably informed) resolves the compromise of having one DAC do two slightly different jobs and compromising the performance of one of them. Remarquable!

A comprehensive selection of analogue inputs inhabit the rear panel: four component RCAs, that aforementioned phono stage with ground screw, an XLR, an RCA pre-amp input (handy for home theatre applications) plus a variable-level RCA pre-out (to connect a power amplifier or subwoofer) and a switched, fixed-or-variable RCA output labelled ‘Tape/Subwoofer.’ Oh and no fewer than six loudspeaker terminals. Four are labelled ‘output A’ and two ‘output B’. When you realise that output A is for bi-wiring, six terminals for a stereo amplifier makes a little more sense. You could even tri-wire, should you feel inclined. Logique.

 

i said they like to do things differently and i was right. those unusual bi-wire terminals.

There is one more design feature that has an impact on performance; This amp runs pure Class A up to 45W but when more current is required, the Xi-1100 engages Class A/B. This is of benefit as we get the body, weight and finesse of Class A most of the time, but without the attendant enormous power consumption and heat creation of a fully Class A design. Bon.

So what does it sound like?

We connected a pair of Dynaudio Special 40, (famously a 4 Ohm design that prefers...robust amplification) and they simply sat up and did as they were told.

With the analogue inputs, not as weighty and forceful as one might expect, given the sheer size of the unit, the specs described and those mighty VU meters. It’s...correct. It isn’t bright, it isn’t overly warm, it’s accurate and it is engaging. It doesn’t have a particularly pronounced presence band either, it simply gets on with the job of keeping out of the way of the artiste, an open window on the performance if you will. If it isn’t on the disc, (or in the data file!) it ain’t coming out of the speakers. Bravo!

 

couldn’t resist another pic of those v-u’s, especially when the photographer has taken so much trouble with the bokeh.

Via the DACs, the picture is a little different. It’s gentler than I expected, tracks known to be bright or even hard, are presented with an evenness and grace I had not experienced before. The same scale is still there on orchestral pieces, or electronic landscapes, but the music has an unforced quality about it whilst still keeping the listener engaged. I think this amplifier may be the cause of many a late-night listening session. Now, where did I put my copy of Tom Waits’ Swordfish Trombones...?

But don’t take my word for it, the Advance Paris Xi-1100 is on demonstration at our Swansea store right now, so pay us a visit tout suite.

Merci d’avoir lu ceci (Thank you for reading)

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… 

An Olympian in the making - Advance Paris x-i75 amplifier

/ Audio T Brighton/

Hi folks, and welcome to the latest article from us here at Audio T Brighton. We’re potentially in for a bit of amplification bliss this month as we’re taking a look and a listen to a product from across the English Channel; the French manufacturer, Advance Paris.

Offering a diverse range of products new to us here at Audio T, they provide consumers an alternative choice of hi-fi products at both the entry-level, right up to the high-end. Advance Paris has been in business for over a quarter of a century and it will be fascinating to see what delights they bring to the Audio T-able! (See what I did there?)

Advance Paris x-i75 integrated amp...

advance paris x-i75

The Advance Paris x-i75 integrated amplifier is a well-adorned and smart-looking device with a specified 75W/ch into 8-ohms, a plethora of inputs on the rear, which includes: a MM phono input for a turntable, 1 x CD analogue input, 1 x Tuner analogue input and 4 x Auxiliary analogue inputs, 2 x co-axial digital inputs, 1 x optical(toslink) digital input, 1 x asynchronous USB-B input for a computer/laptop and 1 x USB-A input to allow music files to be played from an attached storage device, such as a USB memory stick or hard drive. An optional Bluetooth module can be purchased and plugged into the provided slot on the rear, if desired, as there is no network wireless connectivity built-in as standard. To be fair, consumers have alternative options from Advance Paris with products available in their range should they wish to go for network connectivity. Apart from that, customers will be unlikely to want more plug-in options than are available in the current range.

the well adorned input rear of the advance paris x-i75

Headphone users will be pleased to see a 1/4 inch headphone jack for personal listening. This is an advancement on the usual 3.5mm mini-jack available on many of the competitors offerings.

For full specifications on the Advance Paris x-i75 integrated amplifier please click on this link.

The Advance Paris x-i75 in use... Sacre bleu!

In order to gain some sonic impressions of the Advance Paris x-i75 amplifier we decided to partner it with a source from the same stable, the x-CD7 compact disc player, commensurate in price and a product we’ve heard a real buzz about!

I carefully placed a copy of The Very Best of Nina Simone and witnessed a positive closing of the CD tray. If you’re in a hurry to start listening to music, the x-CD7 won’t keep you hanging around because once the drawer has closed the CD starts to play immediately! It appears that the default setting on this unit is set to autoplay and this may be a convenient feature for some. On a more light-hearted note, it did remind me of a scene from Ronnie Barker’s BBC production of Open All Hours where Arkwright’s till drawer closed in a similar manner 😆

Sonically, the Advance Paris x-i75 amp and x-CD7 CD player seemed perfectly well-matched and provided a vibrant and flavourful sound, especially when reproducing Nina Simone’s voice.

John Scofield’s Uberjam Deus provided an album of weight and punch to test out the x-i75’s ability to control bass and play a tune and the pairing did a fine job, exceeding the performance of its price class.

Horses for courses, when it comes to hi-fi systems at this price point, both products performed extremely well in different areas, with subjective differences evident with a good in-store demonstration. We always recommend this approach before parting with your hard-earned cash when buying a new hi-fi system, of course, because variety is the spice of life.

We tried the Wharfedale Lintons with the Advance Paris set-up and the Lintons did the job nicely, offering a warm balance which we think complements the Advance Paris very well.

Quelle surprise!

We have been surprised by the quality of the Advance Paris offerings and the extensive range of models available to potential customers. The x-i75 amplifier and matching x-CD7 CD player offer customers a viable alternative to the competition with an extensive upgrade path available as you advance through their range.

As always, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, so get in touch to book a demonstration.

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…

Advancing The Sounds Of The Compact Disc With Advance Paris

/ Audio T Cardiff/

Matt from our Cardiff store takes a deep dive into one of our newest and most exciting brands, Advance Paris and of their components particularly the X-D500 CD transport. So let’s test drive this phenomenal piece of kit and see where we end up…

advance paris xd500 cd transport

I find myself once again on the wonderful wild ride through the world of Hi-Fi. As previously mentioned, for this month’s blog I am focusing on the compact disc side of things. The CD source in question this month is a wonderful CD transport made by the amazing French company, Advance Paris.

Advance Paris first came onto my radar in February of this year at the Bristol Hi-Fi show, where I was invited to visit their room and have a listen to the exciting new range of products they had to offer. It was a great opportunity to get to know the brand and I was (and still am) very impressed not just with their look & build of their product range, but also their sonic performance.

advnace paris embossed logo top panel xd500

Advance Paris History

As you will no doubt have read from blogs from our colleagues in our sibling stores - Advance Paris was born in 1995 by French Hi-Fi enthusiasts, pushing the boundaries of high-fidelity audio and music reproduction at its finest. Bringing audiophile quality equipment such as amplification, CD players and speakers to our ears at reasonable prices.

Moving forward to 2004 Advance Paris developed their first integrated amplifier which laid the foundations for the innovations we see in their range today, such as the beautiful yet functional features including preamp valves and VU meters. These features were later joined by streaming with products such as the WTX Stream Tubes network player and amplifiers like the Playstream A5. These products are just the tip of the iceberg in Advance Paris’s fantastic arsenal, and there is truly something for everyone. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re expanding your sonic horizons Advance has it.

The Tech Bit

The XD 500 has a linear power supply with 2 toroidal transformers for perfect separation of the different power supplies, for the operation of this product such as mechanical management, and processing of the signal from the laser etc.

This CD transport also has an over sampling function (up scaling) from (16bit/44.1kHz) to a signal bit rate of (24bit/96KHZ or 24bit/192kHz).

The XD-500 also benefits from a chassis with significant rigidity thanks to its mechanical design. Each circuit is separated from the others by compartmentalised construction, ensuring effective shielding. Equipped with Coaxial (RCA), Optical (Toslink) and AES / EBU (XLR) digital outputs.

Advance paris xd500 cdtransport rear panel

Let The Listening Commence

advance paris remot control

I have said many times before one of the great things about working for Audio T is the ability to bring the latest and greatest kit home to get to know how each piece of equipment performs. As we say to our customers, there’s nothing quite like listening in the comfort of your own room. As I write this, I am in my music room with the wonderful Advance Paris CD transport plugged into my system, sat on my sofa with a cup of coffee listening to a selection of CDs as the evening rolls on.

Thos of you that have got to know me from my previous blogs or have met me in store will know that vinyl & turntables are my first love. The CD format does come a very close second and I have collected rather a lot of CDs over the years, possibly in the high hundreds in all honesty, I’ve lost count. It is safe to say that the CD player, or in this case the CD transport, is just as important in delivering quality sound as the turntable. You may be thinking why bring the Advance Paris XD 500 home and plug it into a Cyrus amp. My reasoning for this was that the XD 500 sounds phenomenal through Advance Paris’s own amplification using the internal DAC and I feel it is just as important to test the flexibility of a CD transport as many of us out there mix and match brands in our Hi-Fi systems.

How Does It Sound?

First impressions, as with all the Advance Paris equipment I’ve had the pleasure to come across, is that the build quality is superb and the aesthetic styling is clean and modern. With looks that would grace anyone’s home system.

(Although, I must say that it looks especially impressive if you pair it with the A10 integrated amplifier as they really complement each other.)

Aside from looks, let talk about performance...

With my amplifier all warmed-up from the get-go the XD 500 CD transport really adds something a little different to what I am used to.

This CD transport seems to add a certain warmth you’d expect from an analogue source whilst maintaining a sense of digital magic. It works perfectly with instruments such as the iconic Fender Telecaster tone of Bruce Springsteen, especially on Racing in the Streets, where it sounds more alive than ever before. Stephen Perkins’ drums on the Jane’s Addiction track, The Great Escape, seemed to be cleaner whilst retaining the solid groove he plays throughout the track.

I feel that the XD 500 really captures what we want from the music, and more. The fact that it performs as well as it does at this price bracket is a testament to one of Advance Paris’ main goals “…the aim is to deliver uncompromising sound quality at affordable prices”.

Demonstration Tracks

1: Bruce Springsteen - The Promise

Track: Racing in the streets

2: Jane’s Addiction - The Great Escape

Track: Irresistible force met the immovable object

3: Artist: Incubus - Morning view

Track: Just A Phase

Demo albums used

Conclusion

In short, Advance Paris really has set out to impress with their innovative designs, whilst tipping the proverbial hat to vintage technology such as valves and VU meters. But above all else, the sonic performance of the entire range conducts itself well above its price point.

So why not give us a call and book yourself in for a demonstration and tell us what you think.

Thank you for taking the time to read our blog!

Matt - 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…