Indholdsfortegnelse for May 2016 i What Hi-Fi?

Time was I could only find negative connotations to the word ‘resolution’ – usually to do with pretending to stop doing something I enjoyed in the interest of ‘self-betterment’. But, happily, these days the word (to me, at least) means only audio/visual pleasure – especially when proceeded by the word ‘high-’. Quite how much pleasure is to be derived from ‘high-resolution’ audio and video content is illustrated vividly in this issue: we’ve three great big 4K TVs (p34), one slightly smaller (p26) and the very first 4K Blu-ray player (p8) covering the hi-res video angle, three hi-res audio download sites (p52), an A Z of how to get hi-res audio on iOS devices (p59) and two portable hi-res players (p14, p20) too. So if you mustmake resolutions, resolve to get…

B&O Beolit 15 | Wireless speaker | £400 FOR Huge spread of sound; goes loud; rich bass; design AGAINST Not the last word in clarity; needs more energy KEY FEATURES BLUETOOTH BATTERY LIFE - 24 HOURS USB CHARGING PORT 3.5MM INPUT Take one look at the Bang & Olufsen Beolit 15 speaker and it’s hard not to wish for a sunny day, a grassy field, friends and food. It looks like a picnic basket. But the Beolit 15 isn’t just a frivolous exercise in design by the celebrated Danish company. £400 is a hefty sum for a Bluetooth speaker, but the Beolit 15 has the features (portable design, long battery life, USB charging port) and the performance to justify that premium price. By the end of this review, you’ll be…

"The bass guitar creates a dense undergrowth from which the rest of the frequency range can sprout. But the urBeats fall short in just about every other category. It's like strings are made of marshmallow" Beats urBeats | In-ear headphones | £80 FOR Deep bass; forward presentation; well constructed AGAINST Lack detail; poor dynamic expression; bass-heavy KEY FEATURES INLINE MIC FOUR CHOICES OF EAR BUD OPTION OF SIX COLOURS Like the headphone equivalent of a testosterone-fuelled teenager, it often appears as if Beats has only one thing on its mind. And what does that make us? Most probably playing the role of the dejected supply teacher, hoping that one day they will come to learn that there are more important things than bass. Of course, like an optimistic supply teacher…

This is the definitive guide to the best home entertainment kit you can buy. From 75in TVs to smartphones, from portable Bluetooth speakers to Dolby Atmos surround-sound packages, here’s where you’ll find the perfect product, fast. NEW ENTRIES Sony looks into the future and comes up with a 4K, HDR projector, Onkyo has a network streamer in the TX-8150 that’s very well connected and Naim’s Mu-so Qb is a small speaker with a big personality.…

Up to £200 Arcam miniBlink £90 Best Bluetooth receiver, Awards 2015 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 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 £200 to £500 Chord Mojo £400 Best DAC £400-£800, Awards 2015 The majority of the £1400 Hugo’s performance for a fraction of the price. An enthusiastic performer that stays refined and superbly balanced. Inputs USB, opt, coax Size 2 x 6 x…

Desktop 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 Floorstanders up to £1000 Q Acoustics 3050 £500 Best floorstander under £600, Awards 2015 Another 2015 Award-winner, and no wonder. The powerful 3050s are so talented, they give speakers closer to £1000 a run for their money. Size (hwd) 100 x 20 x 30cm Bi-wire Yes Finishes 5 £1000 to £2000…

Up to £150 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, up to 18 hrs playback JBL Flip 3 £100 April 2016 Correcting the missteps of the Flip 2, the Flip 3 boasts a smooth, warm sound as well as improved battery life and connectivity. Size (hwd) 6 x 17 x 6cm Battery Yes, up to 10 hrs playback Ultimate Ears Boom 2 £120 February 2016 UE has built on the success of the original Boom and produced a speaker that betters its predecessor in usability and performance. Size (hw) 18 x 7 x 7cm Battery Yes, up to 15 hrs playback Ultimate Ears Roll £100…

Up to £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 £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 Sony VPL-VW520ES £8800…

Up to £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. Size (hwd) 7 x 55 x 30cm Inputs Optical, coaxial £500 and above 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 Philips Fidelio XS1 £500 April 2016 If you’re…

Up to 40in Samsung UE32J6300 £380 March 2016 It expertly ticks all the boxes you’d expect from a Full HD TV. The only issue is the availability of larger rivals at the same price. Type LCD/LED HDMI 4 Resolution Full HD Tuner Freeview HD 40in to 50in 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 HDMI 2 Resolution Full HD Tuner Freeview HD 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 HDMI 3 Resolution Ultra…

Under 5in 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 5in 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…

Up to £50 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 Performance Audio 40 £45 Reviewed online If you covet space and detail along with sure but nimble footwork and heaps of insight, all for less than £50, look no further. Balanced/Single Single Wireworld Luna 7 £40 March 2014 The Luna 7 really gets stuck into a track, allowing an enthusiastic sound and showing little in the way of brightness or sharpness. Great value.…

Experience & heritage We’ve been hard at work helping the world discover the best in hi-fi and home cinema for nearly 40 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 six international editions in…

Watch a Blu-ray of Spectre and the W2000 shows off its excellent ability with colour BenQ W2000 | Projector | £800 FOR Natural colours; immersive pictures; easy set-up; value AGAINST Restricted black levels; detail could be better KEY FEATURES 2000 LUMENS DLP CHIP THROW RATIO 1.15- 1.5 There was a time when, if you weren’t thinking of spending upwards of £2000 on a projector, we’d have told you to proceed with caution. But things are changing, and no more so than with BenQ’s W2000. The W2000 is a Full HD single-chip DLP projector, and boasts BenQ’s CinematicColour technology, which aims to deliver the Full Rec.709 colour standard for HD images. This should mean more accurate colours straight out of the box. Well rounded design It’s a compact, lightweight projector, neatly…

1 Onkyo headphones from £75 Onkyo’s new headphones comprise on-, over- and in-ear designs. Sitting at the top of the range are the premium A800s, with an open-back design, 50mm drivers and leather headband with velvet and memory foam earpads. whf.cm/OnkyoA800 2 Panasonic 2016 TVs from £600 Panasonic has eight new TV ranges for 2016. All of its 4K TVs support HDR, have Firefox OS and Hollywood tuning. The DX802 (pictured) is a lavishly designed model with THX certification and a high-quality speaker system. whf.cm/PanasonicTVs 3 ATC SCM19AT £4990 ATC has enlarged its Award-winning SCM19 standmounters with the introduction of the SCM19 active tower (AT) speakers. They come with a new one metre-high cabinet and biamp packs to power each driver. whf.cm/SCM19AT 4 Acoustic Research M20 £650 The M20 hi-res…

This three-way test is another good example of why you shouldn’t make a decision based on star ratings alone. Things can be more subtle than that. Starting from the top, the Samsung UE65JU7000 is still clearly a class leader when it comes to 65-inch 4K televisions. Everything we loved about the set a year ago remains unprecedented among its peers – and this massive set’s monstrous price drop makes it only more covetable 12 months down the line. While it remains on the market we’re struggling hard to imagine how anything could better it. It remains fully worth recommending. Solid sound from Philips The Samsung, then, is a clear winner of this three-way test, with a star between it and the Philips 65PUS8601. The Philips is undeniably talented, with a…

Our long-held opinion is that Apple iPhones have generally been among the best-sounding smartphones around. Newer phones may boast about natively playing hi-res music, but the likes of LG, Samsung and HTC haven’t been able to better the iPhone in terms of pure audio quality. But never mind the iPhone 7, we want our iOS device to play hi-res music right now. After all, who wouldn’t want that level of sound quality? “If the stumbling block is that Apple Music and iTunes don’t support hi-res, we need to find an alternative. Luckily, there are a few apps that unlock the ability to play hi-res files on your device” Considering how many people now listen to music on their smartphones, and the number of iPhones around (Apple sold 74.8 million in…

”The Octave V 80 SE shouldn’t be seen as just a great valve amplifier. It’s simply a great amplifier that happens to use valves” Octave V 80 SE/Super Black Box | Integrated amplifier | £8950/£2395 FOR Articulate, even, detailed presentation; build; upgradable AGAINST Charging £150 extra for a remote is mean KEY FEATURES VALVE POWERED HEADPHONE OUTPUT 100W PER CHANNEL Octave Audio is a new name to us here at What Hi-Fi?, but the company’s heritage goes back over 40 years to when its founder, Andreas Hofmann, first started developing amplifiers. After spending time with this German unit we can’t help feeling that it’s a shame we’ve waited so long to review an Octave product, because the V 80 SE is terrific. It’s a valve amplifier for those who don’t…

Stereo amps up to £500 Marantz PM6005 £300 May 2014 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 £500 to £1000 Arcam FMJ A19 £650 October 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…

Up to £500 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 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 £500 to £1000 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 Pioneer N-50A £500 Best streamer £500-£100, Awards 2015 The impressive N-50A offers…

Multi-room 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 up to £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. Inputs Analogue &…

Up to £100 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 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 £100 to £300 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-S5500 £110 July 2015 A tiny player that goes big on performance. Features and design are strong too –…

PVRs 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 FVP-4000T £200 March 2016 Catch-up TV is made supremely easy with this Freeview Play box. It’s a comprehensive entertainment hub with minimum fuss. Tuners 3 Storage 500GB, 1TB 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 Set-top BT Ultra HD YouView min £15/month + fees November 2015 The first 4K box to hit…

Style pkgs up to £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 pkgs up t£1000 and above 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…

In-ears up to £50 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 £50 to £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 £100 to £500 Focal Sphear £100 November 2015 These Focals back that…

On demand video 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 On demand music 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 ensure…

Up to £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 £500 to £800 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 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 £800 and above Atacama Evoque Eco 60-40 SE £525 Best…

Up to £200 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 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 x 25cm £200 and above Rega Fono MM Mk2 £200 Best phono stage, Awards 2015 Although it lacks the detail of other similarly priced phono amps, the Rega Fono more than justifies its price in terms of dynamics and scale. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 7…

Up to £200 Atacama Duo 6 £65 February 2013 Easy to assemble (we suggest you mass-load the stand), these Atacamas help produce a detailed, clear and energetic sound. Top plate size (wd) 130 x 170mm Height 60cm Fillable Yes 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 Soundstyle Z2 £70 November 2008 An ideal stand if you’re on a budget, the Z2s can boost your speakers’ detail, attack and openess for less than £100. Top plate size (hwd) 125 x 166 x 3mm Height 57cm Fillable No £200 and above Custom Design FS104 Signature £200 September 2011 A…

FiiO M3 | Portable music player | £50 FOR Size; detailed sound; hi-res support; expandable storage AGAINST Small controls won’t be for everyone KEY FEATURES 24-BIT/48KHZ FLAC 24-BIT 96KHZ WAV MICRO SD CARD SLOT The last portable music player we saw from FiiO (the X5) was demonstrably big. Either the Chinese brand has taken our size-ist criticisms to heart or is simply up for the challenge, because the M3 is around the size (and weight) of a matchbox. It's almost too portable, in the same way a wedding cake can be too pretty to eat. But size aside, it’s hardly a music player of humble stature. For £50 you get a device that can handle hi-res music – WAV support goes up to 24-bit/96kHz, while FLAC is limited to 24-bit/48kHz.…

“The Sony NW-ZX100 is a competent and enjoyable portable hi-res player that delivers great-sounding music” Sony NW-ZX100HN | Hi-res music player | £500 FOR Clear, crisp performance; taut bass; slim and stylish build AGAINST 'Polite' presentation; could be more expressive KEY FEATURES BLUETOOTH MICROSD CARD SLOT 24-BIT/192KHZ NOISE-CANCELLING The Sony NWZ X100HN is the hidden gem of the Walkman range. At £500, this high-resolution music player sits right between the Sony NWA 25HN (an affordable music player at £250) and the flagship NWZ X2 (£900). It offers the best of both worlds: the excellent features of the flagship coupled with the slim design and simple interface of the budget version. Sony has plenty of tricks up its sleeve with the NWZ X100, from its new, slim body to the extensive…

High-resolution audio (‘anything higher than CD-quality’) is no longer jargon exclusively confined to the audiophile dictionary. Thanks to support from more and more brands and products – including that know-it-all device in your pocket – it’s now firmly a mainstream phenomenon. So how do you get your hands on hi-res music to populate your smartphone or fill up your NAS device? The good news is that you are spoilt for choice. Hi-res download stores such as HDtracks, 7digital, and Technics Tracks now offer thousands of hi-res albums – mostly 24-bit FLACs and WAVs, from 44.1kHz to 192kHz – all available at the click of a mouse. Among a wide range of albums or individual tracks, these services cater for pop and rock fans as well as classical aficionados. Some even…

Popular, compressed format ensures small file size, but not the best sound quality. Convenient for storing music on smartphones An alternative to MP3. Still compressed and lossy, but sounds better. Used for iTunes downloads (256kbps) and YouTube streaming Standard 16-bit/44.1kHz format that all CDs are encoded in. Good sound quality, but enormous file sizes and poor metadata support Lossless compression format supports high-resolution sample rates, takes up much less space than WAV and stores metadata Apple’s own iTunesfriendly lossless alternative to FLAC does hi-res, stores metadata and takes up half the space of WAV Format used for Super Audio CDs comes in 2.8mHz and 5.6mHz varieties, but isn’t widely supported anywhere else…

Up to £500 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 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 Onkyo C-N7050 £350 April 2015 A CD player or a hi-res music streamer? Whatever it is, the C-N7050 is a hugely appealing system that combines the best of both worlds. Type CD player/streamer Outputs Optical, coaxial, line level £500 to £1000 Cyrus CD t £750 Best…

Up to £200 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 Roberts Stream 93i £150 Best radio £100-£200, Awards 2015 This Roberts delivers deep bass that doesn’t overpower the midrange. Spotify Connect, wi-fi and USB playback are the headliners. Battery No – Size (hwd) 21 x 24 x 13cm Inputs 3.5mm £200 and above 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,…

Up to £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 £500 to £1000 Clearaudio Concept £995…

Up to £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 HDMI in/out 5/1 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 HDMI in/out 4/1 £500 to £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 HDMI…

Up to £500 Philips HTL5140 £270 December 2014 Insightful, balanced and unobtrusive, this slimline package will suit almost any set-up. Comfortably deserving of its five-star status. Size 5 x 104 x 7cm Inputs Coax, optical, USB, analogue Sub Yes 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 £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…

Up to £50 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 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 £50 to £150 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 Roku 3 £100 March…

Up to £400 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 Sony NW-AH25N £240 February 2016 Likable and affordable, the AH25N boasts plenty of features and, although the ergonomics could be better, it produces a good sound. Hi-res compatible Yes Weight 66g Storage 16GB £400 to £700 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 NW-ZX100HN £500 April 2016 While it’s too polite in terms of…

Under 8in 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 8in Apple iPad Air 2 from £400 Best tablet 8in+, Awards 2015 The iPad Air 2 ticks all the boxes. Best-b ar-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 Apple iPad Pro from £680 February 2016 A sharp screen and fine audio performance make the Pro a superb proposition for big-screen lovers. In this case, bigger definitely is better. OS iOS Size (hwd) 306…

Up to £200 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 Tacima CS947 £45 September 2015 Great value, the highlight being how well it allows for greater detail, attack and dynamics. For the price, it’s a brilliant entry-level purchase. Type Block Mains filter Yes No. of plugs 6 Audioquest Jitterbug £40 April 2016 Though it looks insubstantial, when plugged into a USB port it works wonders filtering signal noise to allow a more solid and precise sound. Type USB Mains filter No No. of plugs n/a £200 and above Isotek EVO Polaris + Premier cable £400 September 2015 Offers a…

Up to £10/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 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 Van den Hul The Clearwater £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 Wireworld Luna 7 £6.50/m March 2014 A fine speaker cable, the Luna’s exciting presentation and all-round ability means it should sit well with a wide…