There was a time, between the early 1970s and the late 1990s, when every well-equipped British home included a respectable audio system. Possessing high-quality hi-fi equipment, whether you were an audiophile or not, was a sign of your discerning character, similar to having good furniture or a high-end car. By the 1990s, many of the […]
These inexpensive portable Swedish cans are compact and light, with a simple design (59g). Considering their low price, build quality is excellent – easily as good as anything from Sennheiser at or anywhere near their £50 retail price. Their design is also semi-foldable (with two folding joints), making them ideal for portables, whilst they’ll be
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Ariston was previously one of the most prestigious hi-fi brands. It was the proud moniker on one of Scotland’s best turntables, and it was adored by many a well-heeled audiophile in the 1970s. The brand is now a shell of its former existence, long gone and nearly forgotten, and the RD11 tale is still mired
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When this DAC came in the United Kingdom in 2007, it was nearly alone. It’s funny to think of now, but the digital to analogue converter was nearly extinct. The Benchmark DAC1 was a bit of a novelty back then, and the USB option that arrived soon after added to its uniqueness. The unit’s pro
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There aren’t many cartridges that are as divisive as this one. Some people say it has a magical, natural melody that is simply not available in any other pick-up. Others believe it is an out-of-date old bruiser that is absolutely out of its element in today’s world. After owning many variations, all of which were
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Despite not being a favorite of the British hi-fi press, Ariston Audio developed a great line of turntables for a decade and a half. The Prestwick company received consistently positive feedback, but it never quite managed to inspire hi-fi enthusiasts in the same way that Linn and Rega did. Regardless, its commodities were well-received and
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People are only now realizing the importance of a turntable plinth. A hefty plinth that stores mechanical energy like a mechanical capacitor should be avoided on any deck with an independently sprung subchassis; instead, it should be light. The issue is that light items aren’t always strong, which is why firms like Linn have typically
Denon’s TU-1500AE had a problem: it was the long-awaited successor to one of the best and longest-running budget tuners in history. True, there were a few fantastic rivals from NAD and Creek, but the Denon TU-260L sold well for a long time because it sounded rich and silky in a way that was surprising for
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The Mark 2 version of the SL-150, released in 1977, added quartz-locked servo control to the original’s excellent direct drive motor, introduced a redesigned and quieter plinth, and incorporated wood into the equation; the armboard and lower section now received this as both a cosmetic touch and a sonic improvement. It was a worthwhile redesign
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The SL-P1200 was a (at the time) outmoded top-loading CD spinner with pitch control and a jog wheel for fine and accurate cueing control. The 1200, like the turntable with which it shared a model number (and indeed feet! ), was a ‘pro’ design meant for nightclub use, and it was quite firmly manufactured –
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