Indholdsfortegnelse for February 2016 i What Hi-Fi?

Janaury 6th 2016: the February issue of What Hi-Fi?goes on sale. Simultaneously the majority of the editorial team is at the CES expo in Las Vegas, dazzled, deafened and footsore from a week of investigating the possible, probable and definite future of consumer electronics. We’ll be reporting on that next month (and over on whathifi.com), but for now we’re all about the current state of the art. Digital audio is the mainstream present and future of hi-fi – and we can help you make the very best of it. So the big seven-way test of outstanding wireless, streaming, multi-room speaker families (p36), as well as three luxuriously high-end DAC/headphone amps (p67) are designed to optimise your digital audio experience no matter your budget. Which should certainly help in the here…

Sony NW-A25HN Portable music player £240 FOR Precise and articulate presentation; noise-cancelling AGAINST Sound lacks bite; ergonomics could be better KEY FEATURES BLUETOOTH HI-RES BATTERY LIFE 30 HOURS A few years ago, it seemed the market for stand-alone music players was finished. The increasing popularity of phones, and the use of them as music devices, had wiped out most of the breed. Even Apple killed off its iconic iPod Classic. It turns out the end isn't as imminent as we'd thought, and a steady trickle of new products suggests there may be a recovery of sorts, particularly if high-resolution audio replay is on your radar. Plays most file types While the Sony NWA 25HN isn't cheap, it is one of the more affordable of this new breed of player. It’s…

Ultimate Ears Boom 2 Wireless speaker £120 FOR Rhythmic, expressive sound; app functionality; build AGAINST Distortion at maximum volume KEY FEATURES MULTI-ROOM POTENTIAL BATTERY LIFE: 15 HOURS WATER RESISTANT Love at first sight (and listen). That’s how we remember the UE Boom – the first wireless speaker from Ultimate Ears to impress us, but not the last – the MegaBoom (the Boom but bigger) and the Roll (a 2015 Award winner) have hit the mark since, and the new UE Boom 2 is by no means the runt of the litter. If its very literal name isn’t enough of a clue, it’s the next-gen Boom, which brings new internals, a tweaked exterior and a range of new colours. UE claims the speaker goes 25 per cent louder than the original…

Fourteen speakers, seven multi-room solutions: it’s been a brawl. But countless app set-ups, several rooms and umpteen hours of listening later, we have a winner – and it’s one nobody should be surprised by. Sonos has not so much cleaned up as defined the multi-room market, and with improvements over the years through both redesigned hardware and software updates, stays at the cutting edge of the multi-room game. We still wish it would give in to hi-res (that’ll be the day), but for as little as £320 (the price of two Play:1s), it represents excellent value for money. The Play:1 and Play:5 are successes in their own right and, naturally, even stronger in numbers. It wasn’t an easy decision. Bluesound took our multi-room Product of the Year gong – as…

FOR Terrific dynamic subtlety; portability; aptX Bluetooth AGAINST Connections and power switch are cramped KEY FEATURES HI-RES BLUETOOTH PORTABLE Hugo? That’s an odd a name for a hi-fi product. It’s a play on ‘you-go’, which gives a suggestion as to the focus of this portable digital-to-analogue converter. Chord claims this to be the ‘world’s first reference-class portable DAC/ headphone amp’. That’s a bold claim, but the company’s track record in digital-to-analogue conversion is terrific since the DAC 64 was introduced 20 years ago. Window of opportunity So what does the Hugo do? It has an impressive range of connections – as well as the standard optical, coax and (twin) USB inputs, the Chord accepts aptX Bluetooth signals too, opening up use with smartphones and tablets. Alongside these inputs there’s a…

DACS under £1000 Arcam miniBlink £90 Best Bluetooth receiver, Awards 15 This receiver has serious dynamic clout, with a zingy and fluid rhythm. The 3.5mm analogue output means an adaptor is needed for trad hi-fi. Inputs Bluetooth Size (hwd) 2.5 x 3 x 4cm Audiolab M-DAC £600 June 2015 A good desktop alternative to the Chord Mojo, with plenty more sockets and features. Smooth balance, fluid dynamics and subtle detail. Inputs USB, opt, coax Size 6 x 25 x 25cm Res Up to 24-bit/192kHz Audioquest DragonFly v1.2 £130 February 2014 This tiny DAC/headphone amp remains one of our favourites for its USB-stick size and fine sonic talents. Clear, detailed with a fantastic sense of timing. Inputs USB Size (hwd) 6 x 2 x 1cm Resolution Up to 24-bit/96kHz Chord Mojo…

Tonal Balance Don’t partner bright-sounding products or warm, rich-sounding components either. You’ll get a mushy, sonic soup and no one wants that. Find hi-fi separates that complement each other and enhance the overall performance. Electrical compatibility A general rule is that most CD players are compatible with most amplifiers, and most amplifiers can drive most speakers. Still, care with partnering will give more optimal results. Musicality Think of hi-fi separates as rowers pulling in the same direction. Detail, dynamics and timing should be handled in a way that doesn’t impair them. A speaker with good timing will falter if your CD player isn’t as good in this respect. Cables While it’s tempting to use the free, supplied cables, don’t. They’ll get you going, but you’ll almost certainly get better performance…

UPnP Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) is a series of protocols that allow devices easily to discover and communicate with each other over a network to share information. DLNA DLNA focuses on media formats and management, allowing content (video, audio, pictures, etc) to be shared across devices, with the user able to manage said files. Most DLNA tagged devices are UPnP capable too. CD-quality CD-quality refers to the resolution of an audio CD, which is 16-bit/44.1kHz. CD-quality should not be confused with high resolution audio. High resolution High-resolution audio has a higher sampling frequency and bit rate than CD-quality audio. Hi-res files tend to use a range of sampling rates, the most common being 96kHz and 192kHz at 24-bit. NAS NAS – Network Attached Storage – is an intelligent storage…

Wireless tech explained The most used wireless transmission methods tend to be the following: aptX Bluetooth, regular Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay and Kleer (used by Arcam). AirPlay is Apple’s proprietary solution and works only with Apple devices. Bluetooth, and its higher-quality aptX variant, will work with any Bluetoothcompatible device, while Kleer requires a dongle. If it were our money, we would opt for one of the Bluetooth variants – it’s versatile and the quality is fine, albeit lower than with a wired connection. How much should you spend? This all depends on what you want your dock to do. If you fancy something to take to the park for picnics, then you’d want to consider a unit that has a good battery life. If you’re replacing a micro or mini system,…

Under £1000 BenQ W1080ST+ £850 Best projector under £1000, Awards 2015 This short-throw projector can sit less than six feet from the screen at max zoom – and looks brilliant thanks to its crisp, eye-catching pic. Throw ratio 0.69-0.83:1 Inputs 2 x HDMI, component Speakers Yes Projectors £1000 and above Epson EH-TW6600 £1400 April 2015 If you aren’t bothered about wireless connectivity, you’ll be thrilled by its bold, rich colours, sharp lines and hugely impressive contrast. Throw ratio 1.32-2.15:1 Inputs 2 x HDMI, PC, component Speakers Yes Epson EH-TW7200 £1900 Best projector £1000-£2000, Awards 2015 Versatile and easy to set up, this one raises the bar for picture quality in the sub-£2000 arena with its realistic, subtle and punchy performance. Throw ratio 1.34-2.87:1 Inputs 2 x HDMI, component Speakers No…

Soundbases under £500 Cambridge Audio TV5 £250 June 2015 The TV5 shares its TV2 sibling’s rich presentation, but with an extra driver and bigger chassis there’s better detail, clarity and dynamics. Size (hwd) 10 x 73 x 34cm Inputs Optical Canton DM55 £330 Best soundbase under £400, Awards 2015 Replacing the DM50, the £70 cheaper DM55 is even more appealing – its meaty yet subtle sound is a huge audio upgrade for your TV. £500+ Geneva Model Cinema £550 June 2015 This premium soundbase has a big, balanced and authoritative sound, with detail and dynamic insight in spades. It’s worth the extra spend. Size (hwd) 10 x 70 x 35cm Inputs Optical, coaxial FOR A FULL LIST OF SPECIFICATIONS AND OTHER USEFUL INFO VISIT WHATHIFI .COM…

Under £500 Panasonic TX-40CS520 £380 Best 40-46in TV under £500, Awards 2015 This is a great deal. It might not be flashy (there’s no 3D or 4K) but it’s packed full of features and its picture quality is best-in-class. Type LCD/LED Screen size 40in Resolution 1920 x 1080 Televisions £500-£1000 Panasonic TX-40CX680B £700 August 2015 This good-looking telly is a great advert for smaller-screen 4K, offering a fine picture and a good stack of features with it. £700 well spent. Type LCD/LED Screen size 40in Resolution 3840 x 2160 Panasonic TX-50CS520 £500 October 2015 This Full HD TV presents a stunning picture, but the sound is good too. Add a fine interface and that £500 price becomes an act of generosity. Type LCD/LED Screen size 50in Resolution 1920 x 1080…

Portable music players nder £500 Apple iPod Touch (6th Gen) 128GB £330 December 2015 There’s life in the iPod Touch yet. Its price and talent with CD-quality music makes it a worthy challenge to pricier rivals with hi-res audio. Hi-res compatible No Weight 88g Storage128GB Astell & Kern Ak Jr £400 Best portable music player, Awards 2015 Our favourite portable unit of 2015, this hi-res player isn’t cheap, but its build quality and performance make it a formidable, portable pleasure. Hi-res compatible Yes Weight 93g Storage 64GB Sony NWZ-A15 £170 December 2014 Hi-res music players don’t all cost a fortune. If you’re not after flashy features and want to try high resolution, this is a fine place to start. Hi-res compatible Yes Weight 66g Storage 16GB Portable music players £500…

On demand services BBC iPlayer Free Best video-on-demand service, Awards 2015 Quality content, a great interface and free (for catch-up TV), BBC’s iPlayer is one of, if not the best, video on-demand platforms out there. Resolution up to 1080p Offline playback Yes Google Play Movies & TV Variable June 2014 Google’s venture into video streaming is a success, offering pretty much everything we could ask for from an on-demand video service. Resolution Up to 1080p Offline playback Yes services - demand On 7Digital Variable January 2016 A download site that features competitive pricing, a strong catalogue and that’s easy to use, this is one of the best music-dowload sites around. Resolution Up to 24-bit/192kHz Offline playback Yes Primephonic Variable January 2016 A strong catalogue, superb website and a growing community…

Racks uunder £500 Atacama Eris Eco 5.0 £460 April 2012 Whatever hi-fi you have will sound agile, detailed and dynamic on this. If that’s not all, the Eco is well built, easy to construct and looks smart. Width 590mm Modular Yes Cable management No Atacama Evoque Eco 60-40 £450 September 2014 Helps a hi-fi system by giving it the support to sound confident, insightful and entertaining. Build and design are superb, naturally. Width 600mm Modular Yes Cable management No Racks £500 and above Atacama Elite Eco 12.0 £500 March 2013 Those looking for a strong support for AV and hi-fi that enables a fluid, authoritative presentation will like the performance this rack can offer. Width 1157mm Modular Yes Cable management Yes Atacama Evoque Eco 60-40 SE £525 Best equipment support,…

Mains products up to £500 Isotek EVO Polaris + Premier cable £400 September 2015 Offers a significant improvement over just plugging your hi-fi into the wall, allowing your system to sound more positive and confident. Type Cable + block Mains filter Yes No. of plugs 6 Olson Sound Fantastic HF6 £135 September 2015 Grants a system far greater freedom of expression without sacrificing control or authority. If you can afford to, buy it without reservations. Type Block Mains filter Yes No. of plugs 6 Russ Andrews X6 £350 September 2015 No matter what the source material, the X6 helps unearth a revealing, well-integrated listen, allowing your kit to be as explicit as it can be. Type Block Mains filter Yes No. of plugs 6 Tacima CS947 £45 September 2015 Great…

Speaker stands up to £250 Atacama Moseco 6 £120 Best speaker stand, Awards 2015 A speaker stand that impresses with how weighty and dynamic it allows systems to sound. Considering the price, it’s something of a steal. Top plate size (wd) 130 x 170mm Height 60cm Fillable Yes Custom Design FS104 Signature £200 September 2011 A stylish, reasonably priced stands that work across a variety of speakers. Buy Custom Design’s Inert Filler (£20) for the best results. Top plate size (hwd) 220 x 260 x 4mm Height 60cm Fillable Yes Q Acoustics 20 speaker stands £200 September 2014 Designed with QAs’ Concept 20 speakers in mind, the clever construction and elegant design ensures other speakers give their best too. Top plate size (hd) n/a Height 66.5cm Fillable No Soundstyle Z2…

Experience & heritage We’ve been hard at work helping the world discover the best in hi-fi and home cinema for more than 37 years, and have getting on for 100 years of reviewing experience under our collective belts – so you can count on our expert opinions. Dedicated test facilities We test every product in the magazine or at whathifi.com against its peers in our New! Improved! bespoke reviewing facilities. And we test every product as a team, so our opinions and conclusions are always the result of collaboration. We spot big trends first MP3 player tests before the iPod even existed? High-def video before it even had a name? That was us. We keep you in touch with big stories and future trends. Worldwide readership With seven international editions…

PSB M4U 4 In-ear headphones £230 FOR Smooth presentation; solid sound; comfortable AGAINST Bass is too rich; sound could be crisper; pricey KEY FEATURES CHOICE OF CABLES 2 FINISHES CHOICE OF EAR TIPS The PSB M4U 4s have very big shoes to fill. Not only are we fans of PSB's over-ear cans (M4U 1 and M4U 2), but they’re also the company’s first stab at a pair of in-ear headphones. These in-ears come with a hefty price tag, and that puts them up against some mighty talented competition. Our favourites are the Award-winning Shure SE425s. They cost £200 and are magnificent. How do the PSBs fare next to such formidable competition? The sound of sludge We start with grunge ballad Creep by Stone Temple Pilots, and are met with a…

No longer are wireless speakers tinny little Bluetooth models that sound worse than flatscreen TVs. Today’s wireless speakers are stylish products with the latest streaming technologies inside – and they are packed with clever features. Taking note of new trends and how people listen to music, they now incorporate multi-room ability and the likes of Spotify Connect. And they can sound great. Wireless speakers had long prioritised convenience over sound quality, but that tide is turning. Even as they retain their ease of use, simple connectivity and portable features, they have evolved to deliver excellent sound quality – the best close to good enough to be called hi-fi. But with such a vast variety of wireless speakers available on the market, how do you pick the one that works best…

FOR Good file support; fluid midrange; easy-going sound AGAINST Organisation could be tighter; lacks a bit of punch KEY FEATURES HI RES DSD SUPPORT VARIABLE AND FIXED ANALOGUE OUTPUTS It’s been a long time since we reviewed a Moon product – more than six years, in fact – but we’re always excited to see something new from a company with such great hi-fi credentials. This little unit is something rather different than we’re used to from Moon and Simaudio. It’s the company’s first DAC aimed squarely at a desktop audience, featuring a headphone output and a more desk-friendly size, measuring even narrower than the Naim DAC V1. As part of the Neo range, it’s also cheaper than a lot of Moon products we’ve seen in the past. While some of…

TEST WINNER Chord Hugo £1400 Inputs 2 x microUSB optical, coaxial • Outputs 2 x 3.5mm headphone jack, 6.3mm headphone jack, stereo RCA phono • File support Up to 32-bit/384kHz, DSD64 & DSD128 • Bluetooth Yes • Dimensions (hwd) 20 x 100 x 132mm • Weight 0.4kg Moon 230HAD £1150 Inputs 2 x coaxial, optical, USB-B, stereo RCA phono • Outputs 2 x stereo RCA phono, 6.3mm headphone jack • File support Up to 32-bit/384kHz, DSD64, DSD128, DSD256 • Bluetooth No • Dimensions (hwd) 76 x 178 x 280mm • Weight 2.8kg Naim DAC-V1 £1350 Inputs 2 x optical, 2 x coaxial RCA, coaxial BNC, USB-B • Outputs 6.3mm headphone jack, stereo RCA phono, DIN • File support Up to 24-bit/384kHz, DSD64, DSD128 • Bluetooth No • Dimensions (hwd) 87 x 207 x 314mm • Weight 4.3kg…

Stereo amps under £500 Marantz PM6005 £300 June 2015 The PM6005 is a multiple Award-winner for good reason. Nicely made, well featured and with refinement and insight few rivals can match. Power 45W Inputs 5 line-in, MM Outputs 2 x speaker, headphone Onkyo A-9010 £200 Best stereo amplifier under £300, Awards 2015 Our favourite budget amplifier, this is arguably the most entertaining affordable amp around. It has agility and a wicked sense of rhythm. Power 44W Inputs 5 line-in, MM Outputs speaker, headphone Stereo amps £500-£1000 Arcam FMJ A19 £650 May 2014 Arcam’s entry-level amplifier is a terrific combination of sensible features, fine build and entertaining sound. Power 50W Inputs 6 line-in, MM Outputs Speaker, headphone, preamp Cambridge Audio CXA60 £500 Best stereo amplifier £300-£700, Awards 2015 This is a…

Streamers under £1000 Bluesound Node 2 £435 November 2015 Looking for a non-amplified streamer to hook up to your existing hi-fi? The Node is back, and better, with improved design and connectivity. DLNA Yes Inputs Toslink, 3.5mm Storage No Cambridge Audio CXN £700 Best streamer £500-£1000, Awards 2015 Building on the success of Cambridge’s Award-winning Stream Magic 6 v2, the CXN features an all-new design and improved sound. DLNA Yes Inputs optical, coaxial, 3 x USB Storage No Under £1000 Google Chromecast Audio £30 January 2016 Google turns its expertise to audio streaming to bring music from any Cast-compatible app to your amps and speakers. And for only £30. DLNA Yes Inputs RCA, 3.5mm, optical Storage No Music streamers £1000 and above Pioneer N-50A £500 Best streamer £500-£100, Awards 2015…

Desktop Speakers up to £1000 Eclipse TD-M1 £800 August 2014 Some might feel the TD-M1s are watching them – but we’re more interested in the great stereo imaging, fine detail and precision. Size (hwd) 24 x 16 x 22cm Powered Yes Finishes 2 KEF Egg £350 Best desktop speaker £200+, Awards 2015 Our 2015 Best Desktop Speaker Over £200 have a distinctive design and flexible connectivity – and a stunning, consistent performance. Size (hwd) 27 x 13 x 17cm Powered Yes Finishes 3 Wharfedale DS-1 £130 Best desktop speaker under £200, Awards 2015 Smart, terrific-sounding and just £130; if you’re after small, articulate, affordable desktops with Bluetooth streaming, you can’t go wrong. Size (hwd) 19 x 11 x 15cm Powered No Finishes 1 Floorstanders under £1500 B&W 683 S2 £1150…

Turntables under £500 Pro-Ject Elemental £150 April 2014 As plug-in-and-play as you’re likely to find, this is a quality entry-level record player for those taking their first steps in the world of vinyl. Speed 33.3 & 45rpm Size (hwd) 9 x 43 x 30cm Pro-Ject Essential II £210 Best turntable under £400, Awards 2015 A frill-free, entry-level product that gets all the basics spot-on. Easy to set up and even easier to enjoy, it’s an obvious Award-winner. Speed 33.3 & 45rpm Size (hwd) 14 x 46 x 36cm Rega RP1 £225 Awards 2010 The unadorned RP1 is an impressive turntable in its own right, with a good sense of drive and pleasing transparency. Speed 33.3 & 45rpm Size (hwd) 12 x 45 x 36cm Turntables £500-£1000 Clearaudio Concept £995 Best…

Blu-ray players under £300 Panasonic DMP-BDT170 £90 August 2015 Picture quality is what counts. It might be short on catch-up services but the arresting colours, strong contrast and good upscaling make up for that. Compatibility Blu-ray, DVD, CD Panasonic DMP-BDT370 £100 Best Blu-ray player under £150, Awards 2015 A bright, sharp picture, weighty sound and 4K upscaling, all for just £100. Enough to award this player our 2015 Blu-ray Product of the Year. Compatibility Blu-ray, DVD, CD Sony BDP-S4500 £75 August 2015 Nothing’s perfect in this life, but the BDP-S4500 comes pretty close. Delivering on every count, it’s a positive steal at this price. Compatibility Blu-ray, DVD, CD Sony BDP-5500 £110 July 2015 A tiny player that goes big on performance. Features and design are strong too – and there’s…

PVRs under £300 Humax DTR-T2000 £180 Best PVR, Awards 2015 This YouView recorder is still one of the best ways to handle live TV. Its 500GB is a decent amount of space, but it’s now available with 1TB too. Tuners 2 Storage 500GB Ultra HD No Humax HDR-1100S £190 (500GB), £220 (1TB),£270 (2TB) December 2015 Now with wi-fi, this impressive Freesat recorder is a genuine wireless entertainment hub. It’s our top subscription-free choice. Tuners 2 Storage 500GB, 1TB, 2TB Ultra HD No Subscription set-top boxes BT Ultra HD YouView min £15/month + fees November 2015 The first 4K box to hit the market, this is the most accomplished live TV you can watch. Content is a little limited right now – so sports fans only. Tuners 2 Storage 1TB Ultra…

Style packages under £1000 Q Acoustics Q7000i £900 November 2013 Got £900 to spend on a sub/sat package? Spend it here. This compact set creates a cohesive and expansive soundfield, with strong bass. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 12 x 20 x 16cm Finishes 2 Tannoy HTS-101 XP £600 Best style package under £1000, Awards 2015 The latest incarnation of a multiple winner has a sonic character that retains its fast, spacious quality, but with extra detail and solidity. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 19 x 10 x 11cm Finishes 1 Style packages £1000-£2000 B&W MT-50 £1100 Best style package £1000+, Awards 2015 These speakers sound crisp, clear and insightful, and the sub and satellites integrate so well. Value and versatility combined. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 25 x 11 x 16cm Finishes…

Input lag Televisions come with their own built-in latency, and high latencies lead to less-responsive controls. Manufacturers rarely mention these figures, but look online and you’ll find some useful sites that list television latencies. Local dimming Local dimming works by dimming the backlight in the image’s darker areas, resulting in deeper blacks. TVs with good dimming can have excellent contrast, making for more vivid, expressive colours but they can also add to a TV’s latency. Don’t believe refresh rates Higher refresh rates update the image faster, which should reduce motion judder. Console games run no faster than 60 frames per second, so refresh rates of 120Hz and more won’t hugely improve performance. A 60Hz set is more than capable. Game mode Game mode disables processing modes thereby reducing input lag.…

Use a headphone amp The headphone amplification circuitry included in a typical source or amplifier tends to be basic, and rarely offers the sonic transparency of the other outputs. Dedicated headphone amps take greater care, and have the electrical characteristics required to get the best sound. Source An MP3 file will edsave Panel storage space on your portable player, but a compressed music track is a blight on a sound quality. If you have the space, opt for FLAC or a hi-res download (for example Technics Tracks). You’ll be letting your music collection of its leash. Shut down background apps Having other apps running in the background can affect performance if you’re using an Android or Apple smartphone as a source. Close everything down (and shut those pesky notifications off)…

Under 8” Apple iPad mini 4 from £320 Best tablet under 8in, Awards 2015 Apple’s best small tablet yet? A superb screen, great user experience, punchy audio and fine apps make this the best small-screen tablet. OS iOS Size (hwd) 203 x 135 x 6mm Storage 16/64/128GB Over 8” Apple iPad Air 2 from £400 Best tablet 8in+, Awards 2015 The iPad Air 2 ticks all the boxes. Best-bar-none video and audio, an unrivalled user experience, snappy in use and a gorgeous design. OS iOS Size (hwd) 240 x 170 x 6mm Storage 16/64/128GB Sony Xperia Z4 tablet £500 Reviewed online An excellent screen, superb sound and lovely features. The Z4 is a great option for Android fans and, at last, a real competitor for the iPad. OS Android Size…

Headphone amps up to £1500 Meridian Prime £1200 February 2014 A supremely capable headphone amp which doubles as a talented, if feature limited, stereo amplifier. Treat the DAC as a nice bonus. Outputs 3.5mm, 6.3mm Inputs RCA,3.5mm, USB Pathos Aurium £850 August 2013 A top-class choice for amplification, but you’ll need a source and a pair of headphones of similar quality if you want the best from it. Outputs 6.3mm, XRL, RCA Inputs XLR, 3 RCA…

Phono amps Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Communicator £160 June 2013 Fast, organised and dynamic, this box offers great quality on a budget. The Gram Amp 2 Communicator is low on frills but high on quality. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 7 x 10 x 25cm Phono amps up to £1000 Rega Aria £800 March 2010 A phono stage of rare quality under £1000, the Rega Aria will perform superbly – as long as the rest of your system is suitably talented. Type MM, MC Dimensions (hwd) 8 x 22 x 32cm Rega Fono Mini A2D £85 March 2012 There’s little fancy about the Fono Mini A2D but that doesn’t matter when the presentation is this good. And it has a useful USB output. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 6 x 18…

Not only did the Walkman start one of the most recognised product brands in the audio business, but it also cemented a place for Sony in popular culture. Back in July 1981 we pitched Sony’s second generation player, the £90 Walkman 2, against rival personal cassette players from the likes of Sanyo, Aiwa, Panasonic and Binatone in a personal music player Group Test. Although it lost out to the £115 Aiwa S30 for pure sound performance, the Walkman 2 had plenty in its favour, being the smallest, lightest and most portable player of the bunch. Small? For its time We noted that, from the front, it was “only marginally bigger than a cassette box, and only around twice as thick.” (Our concept of what constitues a ‘small’ personal player has…

Pioneer XDP-100R Portable music player £500 FOR Refined detail; big sound; file compatibility; storage; build AGAINST Rivals offer greater sonic subtlety KEY FEATURES HI-RES DSD SUPPORT 2 MICRO SD CARD SLOTS The Pioneer XDP-100R is the company's first high-resolution portable music player. It's also the world's first hi-res player to support MQA technology (Master Quality Authenticated), a new codec that packages hi-res/lossless files in a very efficient way. So now you can stream or download hi-res files without taking up as much space as current formats. Great news for those who want their music portable and in a high-quality format. Impressive file support This £500 player is Android-powered, has impressive file support and storage space and comes loaded with music-streaming apps such as Tidal – which is also due to…

WILL SOUND QUALITY SAVE MUSIC? Downloads service 7digital tells us 45 per cent of customers buying Adele’s latest album have opted for 16-bit/441kHz FLAC, while streaming service Tidal says “nearly half” of its million-plus users are subscribed to the premium Hi-Fi tier. With that interest in quality, things look more hopeful. BBC Music is planning to put out an app in 2016. “So what?” you may say. “We don’t need another music app.” Indeed, but this one is not aiming to be the next Spotify. It is inspired by Apple Music’s Beats 1 radio service. We think this gives us a glimpse at the future of the music business. The problem Music distribution, as it stands, faces a major problem: it is unsustainable. Physical sales are in decline, even with…

Digital to analogue Rarely has a product name been as self-explanatory as that of the digital-to-analogue converter. These devices take digital data from an appropriate source – say a laptop or CD transport – and, using this information together with the sampling rate, reconstruct the original analogue waveform. There are DACs in every electronic digital component we use, and in our experience the quality of these has a notable impact on performance. WHAT’S ON TEST Chord Hugo Naim DAC-V1 Moon Neo 230 HAD…

FOR Precise sound; supports PCM and DSD; connectivity AGAINST Not the most relaxing presentation KEY FEATURES DSD HI RES OLED DISPLAY It’s fair to say Naim didn’t spring into digital music with quite the same gusto as some of its competitors. Instead, it scoped out the market and tackled one thing at a time – first by focusing on streaming, then adding digital outputs to its CD players, before turning to the burgeoning ‘desktop audio’ sector with the launch of the DAC V1 in 2013. This is the second DAC from the company, but the first that also works as a headphone amp for desktop listening and features an asynchronous USB port for connecting directly to a laptop. This allows the DAC to control the information flow from the laptop…

CD transports under £1000 Cambridge Audio CXC £300 Best CD transport under £500, Awards 2015 If you already have a DAC – the CXC is useless without one – we wouldn’t hesitate in recommending this transport over a standalone CD player. Type CD transport Outputs coaxial, optical Cyrus CD t £750 Best CD transport £500+, Awards 2015 An exceptionally talented transport, the CD t offers a level of insight, transparency and clarity you’d struggle to find elsewhere at this price. Type CD transport Outputs coaxial, optical CD players under £1000 Marantz CD6005 £300 Best CD player under £500, Awards 2015 Marantz’s CD6005 is rightly regarded as fantastic player, one that offers sprinkles of improvements on top of its superb predecessor. Type CD player Outputs coaxial, optical, RCA, headphone Naim CD5si…

Radios up to £300 Geneva World Radio DAB+ £270 September 2013 This Bluetooth-toting portable radio is a sleek machine that’s a breeze to use. The full-bodied, detailed performance is worth the price. Battery Yes (chargeable) Size 18 x 30 x 12cm Inputs 3.5mm, B’tooth Pure Evoke D2 £90 Best radio under £100, Awards 2015 A three-time Award-winner. For just £85, you have a stellar radio that not only sounds lovely but will look charming in any home. Battery Yes Size (hwd) 15 x 21 x 7cm Inputs mini-USB, 3.5mm Radios up to £300 Revo Axis X3 £200 January 2014 Strong with voices, the X3 goes surprisingly loud for a compact radio. It also has internet radio, aptX Bluetooth and a Lightning connector dock. Battery No Size 13 x 22 x…

Multi-room systems up to £1000 Sonos System From £175 Best multi-room system under £500, Awards 2015 If you don’t need high-res, Sonos is an obvious choice for multi-room. A great user experience alongside a full-bodied, insightful sound. Res 16-bit/44.1kHz App Mac, Android Formats MP3, iTunes Plus, WMA Bluesound Generation 2 From £540 Best multi-room system over £500, Awards 2015 Bluesound’s Generation 2 has a more streamlined design and sounds as good as ever, offering high-res support and good connectivity. Res 24-bit/192kHz App iOS, Android Formats MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG Stereo systems under £500 Cambridge Audio Minx Xi £400 Best music system £400-£800, Awards 2015 This terrific system is a joy to use. It has a 24-bit/96kHz resolution limit, but that’s OK in light of its articulate and hugely likeable character.…

Wireless speakers under £300 Audio Pro Addon T3 £165 Best portable wireless speaker £100-£200, 2015 This classy boombox from Audio Pro ignores gimmicks and focuses on delivering the best sound possible for an extremely tempting price. Size (hwd) 12 x 22 x 14 Battery Yes Audio Pro Addon T8 £250 June 2014 These lively, beautifully built speakers are punchy, offer plenty of detail and an upbeat and immensely enjoyable overall sound. Size (hwd) 16 x 10 x 14cm Battery No Cambridge Audio Go £120 Awards 2014 Few wireless speakers offer such a great combination of build quality, battery life and enjoyable performance as this former Award-winner. Size (hwd) 24 x 12 x 6cm Battery Yes JBL Xtreme £250 November 2015 The Xtreme delivers all the power suggested by its brutish…

AV amplifiers under £500 Sony STR-DN860 £400 September 2015 Sony proves the value of performance over the latest mod cons. No Dolby Atmos, but a thoroughly authoritative and engaging sound. Power 7 x 95W Dolby Atmos No Yamaha RX-V379 £300 Best home cinema amplifier under £350, Awards 2015 This entry-level amp is a great way to start in home cinema. Champion under £350 at the Awards, it offers a scale of sound belying its price. Power 5 x 70W Dolby Atmos No AV amplifiers £500-£1000 Denon AVR-X2200W £500 Best home cinema amplifier £350-£700, Awards 2015 Our AV amp Product of the Year is an articulate and detailed amp, with stacks of functionality and future-proofing. Packed with features. Power 7 x 95W Dolby Atmos Yes Yamaha RX-A850 £900 Best home cinema…

Under £500 Q Acoustics Media 4 £330 Best soundbar under £500, Awards 2015 Q Acoustics’ debut soundbar is remarkable value – even more so at its reduced price – and more than worthy of its two-time PoY status. Size (hwd) 9 x 100 x 14cm Inputs Optical, RCA Subwoofer No Soundbars £500 and above Dali Kubik One £800 Best soundbar £500+, Awards 2015 A gorgeous and complete package, Dali’s debut soundbar impresses with its hugely engaging sound and smart, well-equipped exterior. Size (hwd) 15 x 98 x 10cm Inputs Optical, 2 x RCA Subwoofer No Philips Fidelio B5 £600 December 2015 Thanks to two detachable (wireless, battery-powered) speakers, it can add surround sound or be a multi-room system. Great sound, too. Size 7 x 104 x 16cm Inputs 2 x…

Video streamers under £100 Amazon Fire TV (2015) £80 Best streaming box, Awards 2015 An improvement on the first Fire TV. For the same money you get 4K streaming, greater speed and power, and expanded storage options. Resolution Ultra HD, 1080p, 720p Storage 8GB Ultra HD Yes Google Chromecast 2 £30 December 2015 The second-gen Chromecast still ‘casts’ content from a device to a TV over wi-fi, but now with speedier operation and a performance boost. Resolution 1080p, 720p Storage No Ultra HD No Under £100 Now TV (2015) £15 Reviewed online Now it outputs 1080p and passes through 7.1 surround sound, NOW TV is a great way to open your doors to a plethora of Sky content. Resolution 1080p, 720p Storage n/a Ultra HD No Video streamers £100 and…

In-ears under £100 Sennheiser Momentum M2 IEi £90 Best in-ears £50-£100, Awards 2015 You wouldn’t think anything so small could sound so good – not for just £90. But good they sound, wonderfully smooth, expressive and balanced. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.3m Sony MDR-EX650AP £60 November 2014 These smart buds are nicely judged tonally, with plenty of detail. Add an expansive soundstage and you’re looking at great value for money. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m SoundMagic E10S £40 Best in-ears under £50, Awards 2015 Paying £40 for a pair of buds like these ranks as one of the simplest, most affordable and most satisfying upgrades available. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m In-ears £100-£300 Focal Sphear £100 November 2015 These Focals back that a classy design with a…

Under 5” Apple iPhone 6S Best smartphone under 5in, Awards 2015 The iPhone 6s packs class-leading audio and video performances, a faster processor, better camera and the intuitive 3D Touch feature. OS iOS Size (hwd) 138 x 67 x 7mm Storage 16/64/128GB Over 5” Apple iPhone 6S Plus January 2016 The best big screen iPhone yet, we heartily recommend this if you have deep pockets and are looking for a fantastic multimedia device. OS iOS Size (hwd) 158 x 78 x 7mm Storage 16/64/128GB LG G4 August 2015 If its leather exterior isn’t enough to win you over, the G4’s snappy processor, stunning screen and superb camera probably will. OS Android Size (hwd) 149 x 76 x 10mm Storage 32GB & microSD Samsung Galaxy S6 August 2015 It’s lost the…

Analogue interconnects up to £100 Atlas Element Integra £45 November 2013 An Award-winner three years on the trot, this cable digs up detail and isn’t fussy about the kit it’s used with. A great first upgrade. Balanced/Single Single Chord C-Line £45 Best analogue interconnect, Awards 2015 Few entry-level interconnects at the price come close to offering the sonic enjoyment that Chord has produced with this cable. Balanced/Single Single QED Reference Audio 40 £85 June 2014 An engaging interconnect that’s capable of expressing the dynamics and nuances of a track, and which has reassuring build quality. Balanced/Single Single FOR A FULL LIST OF SPECIFICATIONS AND OTHER USEFUL INFO VISIT WHATHIFI.COM…

Speaker cables up to £15/m Audioquest FLX-SLiP 14/4 £5.80/m November 2013 Not only is the FLX-SLiP 14/4 able to turn a corner no matter how tight, lest we forget, it’s also an incredibly easy cable to listen to as well. Single or Bi-wire Single Chord Clearway £10/m Best speaker cable, Awards 2015 Not the flashiest cable, its strength is aiding dynamics and musicality, as well as knitting instruments together for an enjoyable experience. Single or Bi-wire Single QED Ruby Anniversary Evolution £6/m March 2014 Capable of delivering a jolt of excitement to a hi-fi system, but can emphasise any harshness present in bright-sounding electronics. Single or Bi-wire Single QED XT40 £10/m Awards 2014 Facilitates a detailed, balanced and authoritative sound with a full-bodied presentation that leaves competitors sounding lean. Single…