Indholdsfortegnelse for May 2023 i What Hi-Fi?

Just as a rugby union team cannot perform properly without a solid front five in the scrum, a hi-fi system relies on its amplification for much of its success. For all the fancy-dan showiness of a turntable or pair of speakers, without a great integrated stereo amplifier doing the hard graft and providing the power, those more visible, on the face of it, ‘entertainers’ of the team simply aren’t able to do justice to a score. Happily for us, as music fans, there are a number of excellent integrated stereo amplifiers (p28) for less than £750 that will allow the rest of your hi-fi system to truly sing. At a slightly more lofty pricepoint, there is a new challenger to the Award-winning Cambridge Audio CXA81 amp, in the form of…

1 Sony WH-CH720N £130 Sony’s WH1000-XM5 sit atop many of our best headphones lists, but we wouldn’t recommend them if you are on a budget. Thankfully, Sony’s latest pair of entry-level wireless headphones include the same Dual Noise Sensor technology and Integrated Processor V1 as the flagship XM5, for almost a third of the price. The WH-CH720N also feature a 35-hour battery life with ANC active, Multipoint Bluetooth connectivity – and you can customise the noise-cancelling experience via the Sony Headphones Connect app. Voice controls come as standard and buyers can choose between black, blue or white finishes. whf.cm/WHCH720N 2 FiiO R7 £650 FiiO’s first desktop hi-res audio player features a unique design and, on paper at least, promises much. The system is powered by ESS Sabre ES9068AS DACs and…

View online review whf.cm/PM6007 Clearer and punchier than its lauded predecessor, Marantz’s latest entry-level amplifier never puts the formidable 6000 Series dynasty in doubt – and sees the company refining its Award-winning budget amp recipe still further. Marantz has implemented a new DAC into the PM6007, with the AKM AK4490 replacing the Cirrus Logic CS4398 found in its previous entry-level model, the PM6006 UK Edition. It is complemented by two digital filters – a slow roll-off and sharp roll-off – that users can choose between when playing from a source connected to either of its two optical or single coaxial inputs. Such versatility has trickled down from the brand’s more premium digital processors, such as those built into the SA-10, SA-12SE and SA-KI Ruby. Upgraded components In an effort to…

View online review whf.cm/Brio This sixth generation of Brio (the original launched in 1991), is now five years old and still going strong. For those familiar with its predecessors, this 2018 version will feel both familiar and completely new. It’s been redesigned, but in a way that harks back to the retro style of the older Brios. It remains an analogue-only amplifier, but it now, finally, has a headphone socket. And it sounds terrific. It has been revamped throughout, from an updated circuit-board layout to the scooped front-panel design that is reminiscent of early ’90s Brios. Every tweak to the circuits and power supply has been made to help isolation and keep the main signal path as clear as possible, leading to better overall sound quality. There are two separate…

TOTAL PRICE £4461 We have loved all the iterations of Rega’s Elex amplifier over the years. This, though – the mark four – is the first of them to have a digital to analogue converter (and a headphone output). Which, of course, opens up rather more system-building possibilities than its forebears could offer. When you are putting a system together, it doesn’t always work simply to run a finger down a list, stop at the five-star products, bung them together, and expect everything to work perfectly. Life – and certainly hi-fi – just isn’t like that. Take a little care in bringing the various musical strands together, though, and it is possible to come up with a stunning system that adds up to more than the sum of its parts.…

■ Network streamer ■ £16,955 Linn’s Selekt DSM is a network music streamer, but look closer and you find far more sophistication and versatility than that suggests. Linn loves to use the word ecosystem when talking about the Selekt DSM, and as pompous as that sounds, it’s a pretty apt description. This is a modular design that can be specified to the performance and features the buyer wishes. As a high-end product, it costs accordingly. There are two basic variants of the Selekt DSM: the Edition Hub (£9950) on test here and the 2018 original, now renamed the Classic Hub (£4900). We reviewed and liked a heavily optioned version of the original in 2019. The difference comes down mostly to the casework. The Edition Hub is significantly more luxurious, with…

View offers whf.cm/BBStereoAmps Stereo amps up to £500 Rega io £379 Best stereo amplifier under £400, Awards 2021 Those who are happy with a no-fuss, purely analogue amp and who prioritise entertainment should arguably consider the io their number one choice. Power 30W Inputs Line-in x2, MM Outputs Headphone NAD D 3020 V2 £399 September 2018 A likeable effort that features a full-bodied sonic performance with fine timing and dynamics and lots of useful features. Power 30W Inputs Line-in, MM, optical, coaxial, BT Outputs Headphone Marantz PM6007 £499 Best stereo amplifier under £500, Awards 2022 Clearer and punchier than its Award-winning predecessor, Marantz’s latest entry-level amplifier never puts the formidable 6000 Series dynasty in doubt. Power 45W Inputs Line-in x4, MM, coax, optical Outputs 6.3mm h’phone £500 to £1000 Rega…

View offers whf.cm/BBHifiSpeakers Standmounts up to £200 Dali Spektor 2 £199 Best standmount speaker under £200, Awards 2020 The 2s combine Dali’s traditional strengths with a generous dose of entertainment that even Mission and Q Acoustics struggle to match. Size (hwd) 17 x 28 x 28cm Bi-wire No Finishes 2 “The way these speakers handle dynamics is impressive” Standmounters from £200 to £500 Elac Debut B5.2 £250 Best standmount speaker under £300, Awards 2022 ELAC’s latest budget standmounter is talented enough to worry the established competition. Size (hwd) 34 x 18 x 23cm Bi-wire No Finishes 1 “These new Debuts should be considered one of the company’s finest efforts” Dali Oberon 1 £349 February 2019 About the size of a shoe, these articulate and bold-sounding speakers have a wonderfully unfussy…

View offers whf.cm/BBTurntables £150 to £300 Pro-Ject Primary E £159 Best turntable under £200, Awards 2022 Pro-Ject has revised a budget deck to nail the under £150 market – and has succeeded on every front. Speed 331/3, 45rpm Size (hwd) 11 x 42 x 33cm £150 to £300 Audio Technica AT-LP3 £199 Best turntable under £200, Awards 2017 A fully automatic turntable that doesn’t scrimp on performance, this is the ideal entry-level deck for those looking to dip their ‘vinyl toes’ in. Speed 331/3, 45rpm Size (hwd) 13 x 44 x 35cm Rega Planar 1 £275 Best turntable £200-£500, Awards 2022 This revamped entry-level deck from Rega doesn’t sound anything like an entry-level deck. Pleasingly solid, accurate and agile – it’s a lovely listen. Speed 331/3, 45rpm Size (hwd) 12…

View offers whf.cm/BBHomeCinemaAmps £500 to £2000 Denon AVR-X2800H £869 Best home cinema amplifier £1000-£2000, Awards 2022 The AVR-X2800H ups the ante with more HDMI 2.1 inputs, a new user-friendly interface and a more responsive, coherent and spacious sound. Power 7 x 95W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 6/2 Denon AVC-X3800H £1499 Best home cinema amplifier over £2000, Awards 2022 Despite being more expensive than its predecessor, the AVC-X3800H’s updated feature spec and new and improved sound make it an excellent buy. Power 9 x 105W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 6/3 Arcam AVR 5 £2000 September 2022 While it lacks some of the functionality and usability of the competition, the AVR5 delivers an impeccable sonic performance. Power 7 x 60W Dolby Atmos Yes HDMI in/out 7/2 £1000 and above Denon…

View offers whf.cm/BBSoundbars Up to £500 Yamaha YAS-207 £249 Best soundbar under £300, Awards 2020 The latest in a series of fine Yamaha soundbars, this is a compelling, class-leading performer in a practical, easy-to-use package. Size (hwd) 6 x 93 x 11cm Inputs Opt, HDMI, 3.5mm, BT Sub Yes Sonos Beam (Gen 2) £449 Best soundbar under £500, Awards 2022 A compact soundbar that pumps out an exceptional sound for its size and price. Now with Dolby Atmos capabilities. Impressive. Size (hwd) 7 x 65 x 10cm Inputs Optical, HDMI ARC, AirPlay Sub No £500 to £1000 Yamaha YSP-2700 £699 February 2017 With a spacious, involving sound the YSP-2700 is the most convincing surround experience you’ll get outside of a full 5.1 surround system. Size (hwd) 5 x 94 x…

View offers whf.cm/BBTelevisions Up to 43in Samsung UE43AU7100 £449 Best 40-43in TV, Awards 2021 Samsung’s miniature hero proves you don’t need a bottomless bank account or a cavernous room to enjoy great picture quality. Type LCD/LED HDMI 3 Resolution 4K ARC/eARC eARC “Shows a level of maturity, confidence and understanding of the many elements that go into producing a truly satisfying TV picture” 48in to 50in Hisense Roku R50A7200GTU £399 Best 48-50in TV under £1000, Awards 2021 With an excellent operating system and solid all-round performance, this is a complete package for a decent price. Type LCD/LED HDMI 3 Resolution 4K Tuner Freeview HD “The Roku TV smart platform is pretty close to flawless. It covers all the major streaming services” TCL 55RP620K £449 November 2021 For those after an…

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/advice 1. First, the most popular headphone design: the over-the-ear model, also called circumaural. These cup your ears completely, usually with semi-air-tight earcups that help minimise both sound leakage from your headphones into the outside world and the intrusive effects of ambient noise. 2. Supra-aural or on-ear designs tend to be smaller and lighter than circumaural models and, as the name suggests, they sit on your ears rather than over them. Some listeners find them lighter and easier to wear for extended listening, but they do tend to allow in more sound from outside. 3. Available in both circumaural and supra-aural types, closed-back headphones are the optimum choice for cutting out external sounds altogether. They’ll also deliver more bass weight than other headphone types,because the closed earcups…

Music apps Spotify from free December 2016 Its accessibility, ease of use, huge catalogue and more mature music discovery are reasons why Spotify remains at the top of the pile. Sound quality Up to 320kbps Ogg Vorbis Offline playback Yes Tidal from £10/month Best music streaming service, Awards 2022 One of the few streaming services to offer lossless audio, Tidal’s exclusive content and curated playlists make it stand out. Sound quality Up to 1411kbps lossless Offline playback Yes Video apps Disney Plus from £7.99/month Best video streaming service, Awards 2022 This is a polished and personal streaming service that fans of Disney’s output, both children and adults, are bound to enjoy. Resolution Up to Ultra HD Offline playback Yes Amazon Prime Instant Video from £5.99/month Best video streaming service, Awards…

View offers whf.cm/BBAVHifiRacks Up to £500 Atacama Apollo Storm 6 £390 February 2018 Another class-leading support from Atacama that’s cheaper than its Award-winning sibling. It lets your kit perform at its best. Width 590mm Modular Yes Cable management No “Want to give your system adequate support for a decent price? Atacama has you covered” Hi-Fi Racks Omnium8 £478 Reviewed online, 2018 Hi-Fi Racks has made the Ominium8 about as flexible as possible. You can specify everything from finish to shelf spacing and upright shape. Width 57cm Modular Yes Cable management Yes “As configurable an equipment rack as we’ve come across” £500 and above Atacama Elite Eco 12.0 £598 March 2013 Those looking for a strong support for AV and hi-fi that enables a fluid, authoritative presentation will like the performance…

View offers whf.cm/BBCartridges Cartridges Goldring E3 £90 Best cartridge under £100, Awards 2022 This is a wonderfully balanced and entertaining moving magnet cartridge that will work well with a wide range of record players. Type MM Tracking weight 2.0g “The sound it delivers is clear, informative and fun. We can’t ask much more than that” Sumiko Rainier £160 Best cartridge £100-£250, Awards 2022 This Sumiko is a little gem. Set it up with care and have a little patience, and you’ll find this to be one of the best performers anywhere near this price. Type MM Tracking weight 1.8-2.2g (2.0g recommended) “Get in some hours of use and the presentation blooms into something that’s surprisingly musical and engaging” Ortofon Quintet Blue £359 Best cartridge over £250, Awards 2022 Given a…

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerStands Speaker stands Atacama Moseco 6 £150 Best speaker stand, Awards 2022 A speaker stand that impresses with how weighty and dynamic it allows systems to sound. Considering the price, it’s something of a steal. Height 60cm Fillable Yes Finishes 4 (pole), 3 (base panel) “The Mosecos may just be our new favourite affordable speaker stands” 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. Height 66.5cm Fillable No Finishes 2 “£200 for a pair of speaker stands? When they’re this good, we don’t mind” FOR A FULL LIST OF SPECIFICATIONS AND IN-DEPTH REVIEWS VISIT WHATHIFI.COM…

View offers Over-ear headphones | £151 | whf.cm/K371 “Great ideas are born in silence” are the slightly counterintuitive words stamped onto the interior lid of AKG’s new K371 wired headphones. Silence, however, is not what comes to mind when talking about the K371, the new wired counterparts to the capable Bluetooth K371-BT model. We found the BT version stood out in a crowded wireless market, and it is mostly the same story with this new wired offering. Boasting a big, broad sound and some seriously impressive audio clout, the K371 deliver a great listening experience for a reasonable fee. They also have the numbers to match – AKG claims around 5Hz to 40kHz frequency bandwidth, substantial 50mm drivers and a meagre weight of just 255g. These cans deliver mostly pleasing…

Your stereo amplifier is the beating heart of any hi-fi separates system, and which one you choose will have a huge impact on the sonic quality and character of your whole system. It’s vital, therefore, that you put as much love and care into choosing your amp as possible. Integrated amps can, like all hi-fi components, reach dizzying heights, price-wise, with a range of qualities that justify the price tag – but for most of us, there are plenty of affordable integrated amps that will do your system proud. These six What Hi-Fi? favourites are all five-star beauties that deliver wonderfully on our performance-to-pound metric. Specifically, we are looking here at amplifiers retailing below £750. Most amps at this level will still have a good range of connectivity and a…

View online review whf.cm/D3020V2 NAD ignored a number of rules when it released the D 3020, an update of the legendary ’70s NAD 3020 amplifier that was released to coincide with NAD’s 40th anniversary. If using Class D amplification wasn’t enough of a thumbing of the nose to traditional designs, the D 3020’s chassis looked positively futuristic. It stood upright with dimensions wildly unbefitting of ‘proper’ hi-fi. The D 3020 was unlike anything else on the market, and it sounded great. While, essentially, this update is a slicker, classier-looking version of that amplifier, it has one important thing in common with its predecessor – great sound. It features the same glossy curvature and similarly chunky dial, yet somehow still it succeeds in making the original seem dated. Although, in fact,…

View online review whf.cm/CXA61 In a world where the price of everything we buy seems to go up on a regular basis, we are pleased to report that is not the case with this Cambridge. It cost £750 when we first came across it in 2019 and is now available for a highly tempting £699. If that’s not great value we don’t know what is. The CXA61 is a solid and classy piece of kit that looks and feels a step above its rivals. Look closer at the specification and you will notice plenty of detail changes between the two generations of CXA amplifiers. The big news is that there is now a USB (type B) alongside the usual coaxial and optical digital inputs on the rear panel. Comprehensive compatibility…

View online review whf.cm/iFiZenV2 Offering a significant upgrade over computer sound quality in an era where people need it most, the Zen DAC V2 is another feather in the cap for iFi’s budget Zen series It uses the new-generation processing chip found in the higher-ranging Neo iDSD and iDSD Diablo DAC/headphone amps, delivering double the clock speed and four times the memory of the chip inside the original. As well as supporting PCM (up to 384kHz) and DSD (up to DSD256) files, the Zen DAC V2 also has full MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) decoding onboard, taking over the entire ‘unfolding’ process that music encoded in the tech requires to be played back in its most accurate form. Last but not least, iFi has also tweaked the circuitry, which now includes…

■ DAC ■ £12,750 “This is not a particularly characterful sound – and that’s a compliment. It is balanced, neutral and revealing” In 1975, Pioneer was developing a new range of high-end speakers specifically designed for professional use. The project was called TAD – Technical Audio Devices. TAD continued to evolve as a sub-brand until it was separated from Pioneer and established as a standalone company in 2007. Today, the company has developed into a respected high-end manufacturer of speakers and electronics, and this new digital-to-analogue converter is a fine example of what TAD does. Like many of its designs, the DA1000TX is an understated product, built and engineered with obsessive care. When we say understated, that doesn’t apply to its size. It is easily bigger than many of the…

View offers whf.cm/BBCDPlayers Up to £1000 Marantz CD6007 £399 Best CD player under £1000, Awards 2022 No one can accuse Marantz of pushing the boundaries on the CD6007, but it has taken an already excellent CD player and made it a bit better. Type CD transport Outputs Coaxial, optical Musical Fidelity M2sCD £699 June 2020 Musical Fidelity’s CD player sounds expansive, detailed and delicately layered - a resoundingly listenable proposition. Type CD player Outputs Coaxial, optical £1000 to £6000 Naim CD5si £1149 October 2014 The CD5si boasts a full-bodied, winningly enthusiastic approach to music. The absence of digital outputs means there’s no upgrade path. Type CD player Outputs Line-out, DIN Cyrus CDi £1195 Best CD player over £1000, Awards 2022 Cyrus says this player is its best-sounding yet, and after…

View offers whf.cm/BBMusicStreamers Up to £500 Audiolab 6000N Play £449 Best music streamer under £500, Awards 2020 A great, affordable way to implement streaming into your system without compromising sonic quality. The best budget solution we’ve seen… Outputs Line-in, coaxial, optical, subwoofer Chord 2yu £449 November 2021 Partnered with a suitably capable digital-to-analogue converter, this could be all the digital source you’ll ever need. Outputs USB, coaxial, optical, BNC £500 to £1000 Bluesound Node (2021) £549 Best music streamer under £750, Awards 2022 For this outlay the Node 2021 represents one of the most entertaining and comprehensive ways of adding music streaming to your hi-fi system. Outputs RCA, coaxial, optical, subwoofer, 3.5mm Cambridge CXN V2 £799 Best music streamer £750-£1000, Awards 2022 All the success of the classy CXN streamer,…

Read more at… www.whathifi.com/features Wall or in the open? Where’s the best place to position a speaker? Some speakers might sound better against a wall, while others prefer to be out in the open. Whatever your specific requirements, your speaker choice should primarily take into account how much space you have to house them. Use a stand Speaker stands keep the speaker cabinet rigid. This allows for more of the drivers’ movement to be translated into sound and not wasted through vibrations. If your stands are on a carpet, make sure you have spikes to ensure stability. Tweeter height The higher-frequency sounds from a tweeter are more directional, and having them at ear level ensures optimum performance. So try to choose stands that will have your speaker at the right…

View offers whf.cm/BBWirelessSpeakers Up to £100 Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 £60 April 2023 It’s quite astonishing just how much you get out of this little speaker; an enthusiastic and capable performer at this ultra-budget price. Size (hwd) 10 x 10 x 4.3cm Battery 12 hours “There’s energy in spades… voices in particular shine through the Micro 2: they are clear and detailed” Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 £90 Best portable wireless speaker under £100, Awards 2019 If you want a travelling companion you can rely on, this portable, rugged and durable speaker is a great-sounding option. Size (hw) 10.5 x 9.5cm Battery 13 hours “The Wonderboom 2 delivers a sound as cohesive and detailed as we could hope for at the price” Apple HomePod Mini £99 Best home wireless speaker under…

View offers whf.cm/BBProjectors Up to £2000 BenQ W1800 £1099 Best projector under £1500, Awards 2022 BenQ’s decision to focus with the W1800 on what we guess could be considered good old-fashioned home cinema values pays off handsomely. Throw ratio 1.13-1.46:1 Inputs HDMI x2, USB 2.0 Speakers Yes Epson EH-TW7100 £1599 Best projector £1500-£2000, Awards 2022 The Epson EH-TW7100 stretches the limit of what can be considered a budget big screen device, but it more than justifies its price. Throw ratio 1.32-2.15:1 Inputs HDMI x2, USB 2.0 x2 Speakers Yes £2000 to £10,000 LG CineBeam HU715Q £2645 Best ultra-short-throw projector, Awards 2022 LG’s sharp and contrasty image really sells this UST projector, making it one of the few models that you might seriously consider ditching your TV for. Screen size up…

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerPackages Up to £1000 Wharfedale DX-2 £399 Best speaker package under £500, Awards 2022 Wharfedale delivers movie magic on a small scale with this enjoyable, well integrated package that’s perfect for smaller rooms and budgets. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 12 x 31 x 12cm Finishes 2 “It has all the detail, attack and deftness to deliver exhilaration in spades” Q Acoustics 3010i 5.1 Cinema Pack £895 Best speaker package £500-£1000, Awards 2020 The subwoofer needs a bit more kick, but this fantastic sub-£1000 5.1 package delivers a clear, well-balanced and expressive performance. Size (hwd) Centre speaker 15 x 43 x 22 cm Finishes 4 “This compact set really hits the spot with its great clarity, integration, expression and ample bass weight” Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 HCP £999 Best speaker…

View offers whf.cm/BBHeadphones In-ears up to £250 SoundMagic E11C £50 Best wired in-ear headphones under £100, Awards 2022 The latest version of Soundmagic’s budget in-ears continues to impress with a full-bodied, energetic and informative sound. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m Beyerdynamic Soul Byrd £69 April 2019 You’ll struggle to find a better pair of in-ear headphones costing less than £70 than these Beyerdynamics. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.2m Klipsch T5M Wired £70 Best wired in-ear headphones £50-£100, Awards 2021 Not only do they have some of the most comfortable tips around, but these T5M Wireds also show a maturity that’s rare at this price. In-line controls Yes Cable length 1.3m Sennheiser Momentum M2 IEi £70 Best in-ears £50-£100, Awards 2017 You wouldn’t think anything so small could sound…

View offers whf.cm/BBMobilePhones iOS Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Best smartphone over £500, Awards 2022 A solid upgrade to picture quality and a huge improvement to sound put the iPhone 14 Pro Max at the top of the smartphone AV charts. OS iOS 16 Size (hwd) 161 x 78 x 8mm Storage 128GB-1TB “The iPhone 14 Pro Max is clearly punchier, more rhythmic, weightier, clearer and more dynamic than its predecessors” Android Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra June 2022 If you can deal with the average battery life, this is the new flagship Android phone to rule them all – and that’s before taking into account the new S Pen. OS Android Size (hwd) 163 x 78 x 9mm Storage 128GB-1TB “This flagship Samsung boasts so many headline-grabbing specs, it’s tough…

View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £200 Amazon Fire 7 £60 Best tablet under £150, Awards 2022 The Amazon Fire 7 is an entry-level device with budget specs, but it gets plenty right and is far better than the price may suggest. OS modified Android Size (hwd) 137 x 193 x 11mm Storage 16 or 32GB £200 and above Apple iPad Air (5th gen) £569 Best tablet over £150, Awards 2022 The same picture and sound as before, but with vastly more power under the skin. All the iPad most people will ever need. OS iOS Size (hwd) 248 x 179 x 6mm Storage 64GB, 256GB…

View offers whf.cm/BBMainsProducts Mains products Tacima CS947 £35 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 Russ Andrews X6 £381 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…

View offers whf.cm/BBSpeakerCables Up to £10/m Chord Company C-Screen £5/m June 2018 The C-Screen possesses the fantastic ability to mirror a system’s punch and drive. What it does, it does better than anything else at the price. Single or Bi-wire Single QED XT25 £6/m May 2018 Features the same characteristics as the more expensive XT40, displaying the kind of transparency that’s difficult for its rivals to match. Single or Bi-wire Single Atlas Equator 2.0 (2018) £7.25/m Reviewed online, 2018 A nicely built speaker cable that promotes a wonderfully clean and detailed delivery – it’s an affordable and easy way to spruce up your system. Single or Bi-wire Single £10/m and above QED Reference XT40i £11/m May 2020 If you’re looking to upgrade your system by investing in speaker cables this…

View offers Smartphone | £399 | whf.cm/Nothing1 Once upon a time, a rebellious company by the name of OnePlus sought to challenge the likes of Samsung, Apple and Sony to prove that you can get flagship performance without the flagship price tag. OnePlus phones now carry price tags that rival those of iPhones, but the company’s co-founder, Carl Pei, has a new brand that invokes the ethos of the early days of OnePlus. You might be familiar with Nothing as we reviewed its first product, the Ear (1) wireless earbuds, in 2021. This Phone (1) is Nothing’s first Android smartphone. Your £399 buys you a Snapdragon 778G+ processor equipped with 5G and admirable performance. The base model comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage, while 8GB/256GB and 12GB/256GB models…

View online review whf.cm/AXA35 The Cambridge Audio AXA35 is a 35W per channel stereo amplifier, positioned at the budget end of the market. Out of the box, it looks understated and reasonably elegant for an affordable amp. The dark grey finish that Cambridge has adopted for many of its recent products looks stylish and helps add a sense of purpose. You are confronted by quite a slender hi-fi separate, at just over 8cm tall. This, combined with a minimalist front panel, makes many rival amps look fussy and messy in comparison. Illusion of floating From the front, it looks as though the AXA35 is floating. It’s an effective illusion created by a thin plastic wedge running under the front edge, which lifts up the chassis and is set back just…

View online review whf.cm/io While Rega used to make a high-end DAC called ‘io’, the naming of this amplifier is almost certainly a nod to the familial link with its big brother, the excellent Rega Brio. It’s not far off half its price or half its performance – and so, quite reasonably, it has half its name. The 30W-per-channel, entry-level io can be purchased individually, or as part of Rega’s System One all-in-one proposition with the Planar 1 turntable and Kyte speakers. It echoes the power amplifier and phono-stage circuits from its Award-winning elder sibling, and that goes a long way to explain the pleasing sonic resemblance between the two. Analogue only To pack such a performance into this price point, Rega has, as with most of its amplifiers, stuck…

View online review whf.cm/Mojo2 In 2015, the Chord Mojo burst onto the then-fledgling portable DAC/headphone amplifier scene as a real game changer. The palm-sized device justified its elongated name (‘Mobile Joy’), pushing the parameters of what was possible for compact, on-the-go sound quality – so much so that it set the performance benchmark at its level. Here we have its re-engineered replacement. The headline development lies inside the aluminium casework and is what Chord is calling the ‘UHD DSP’, supposedly the world’s first lossless digital signal processor – and here the sky-high promise is customisable digital-to-analogue conversion that doesn’t degrade sound quality along the way. Indeed, Chord’s new proprietary 104-bit processor has opened the Mojo 2 up to a smattering of new features, most notably tonal adjustments across the frequency…

View offers whf.cm/BBDACs Up to £300 Zorloo Ztella $99 August 2020 (issue 437) If you want to improve your smartphone sound, but don’t want a USB stick hanging off the end of it, this is a bit of a no brainer. Online only for now. Size 11cm long Resolution PCM (up to 384kHz), DSD (up to 5.6MHz), MQA Cyrus soundKey £99 Best DAC under £100, Awards 2020 An affordable, compact DAC that turns mobile listening into an authentic high-fidelity experience. iOS users may find connectivity a little inelegant. Size 2 x 5 x 1cm Resolution 24-bit/96kHz iFi Zen DAC V2 £159 Best DAC under £200, Awards 2022 A good jump in quality over the Award-winning original, to keep features and performance best in class – and for not much extra…

View offers whf.cm/BBInternetRadios View offers whf.cm/BBDABRadios Up to £200 Roberts Revival Petite £99 March 2022 Anyone yet to invite the joys of the original wireless into their lives will find this device a compelling gateway product. It’s also a decent Bluetooth speaker. Battery Yes Size (hwd) 8 x 12.5 x 7.5cm Inputs 3.5mm, Bluetooth “Every source the Roberts relays is delivered with agility, textured vocals, pleasing depth and clarity” Roberts Stream 94L £200 Best radio under £200, Awards 2022 The updated Stream 94L radio remains a firm favourite, with its extensive playback options, unfussy nature and hugely enjoyable sound. Battery Optional Size (hwd) 25 x 17 x 13cm Inputs 3.5mm, USB, BT, wi-fi “This radio is such an enjoyable performer. We have it playing throughout the day and never tire…

View offers whf.cm/BBHifiSystems Up to £500 Pro-Ject Juke Box E £369 Best turntable system, Awards 2019 An impressive all-in-one system with a level of functionality that’s difficult to replicate in individual separates for a similar price. Speed 331/3, 45rpm Inputs Line-in, BT Outputs Line-out Denon D-M41DAB £329 Best microsystem, Awards 2022 Denon hasn’t rested on its laurels. It’s managed to better the M40, delivering improved sound and functionality. The best just got better. Inputs CD, line-in, optical x2, BT, DAB/FM Outputs Subwoofer £500 to £1500 Elac Debut ConneX DCB41 £499 February 2023 We are big fans of systems such as this. They are neat, well-featured and the best of the breed represent excellent value. This is one of them. Inputs USB, line-in/phono, opt, Bluetooth, HDMI (ARC) Outputs Subwoofer Marantz PM7000N…

View offers whf.cm/BBBlurayPlayers Up to £500 Panasonic DP-UB150EB £129 March 2020 A highly competent machine at an impressively low price, this 4K Blu-ray player represents a big step up from streaming your UHD content. Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, CD HDMI out 1 Sony UBP-X700 £199 Best 4K Blu-ray player under £250, Awards 2021 This 4K player delivers a stunningly natural picture for an affordable price. It’ll be tough to knock this Sony off its perch. Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, SACD, CD HDMI out 2 Panasonic DP-UB820EB £299 Best 4K Blu-ray player, Awards 2022 Delivers on multiple fronts, supporting all major HDR formats, delivering a hugely immersive and impactful picture, and all backed up by strong audio. Compatibility 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, CD HDMI out 2 £500 and above…

View offers whf.cm/BBSetTopBoxes PVRs Humax FVP-5000T from £179 Best PVR, Awards 2022 If you need a Full HD box to give your older TV some more sparkle, Humax’s digital box should absolutely be something to consider. Tuners 3 Storage 500GB Ultra HD No Subscription boxes Sky Q 2TB from £199 Best subscription box, Awards 2022 Sky has overhauled its TV package with Q and made it more enticing and versatile thanks to 4K support, but it comes with a high price tag. Tuners 4 Storage 2TB Ultra HD Yes…

View offers whf.cm/BBVideoStreamers Up to £100 Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K £50 Best video streamer under £100, Awards 2020 Despite some caveats, this 4K device supports all HDR formats and delivers excellent picture quality for a very affordable price. Resolution 2160p, 1080p, 720p Storage 8GB 4K Yes Google Chromecast with Google TV £60 Best video streamer under £100, Awards 2022 With a new remote and super-smart UI, Google’s latest Chromecast video streamer is the complete package. Resolution Up to 4K HDR, 60fps Storage n/a 4K Yes £100 and above Apple TV 4K £169 Best video streamer over £100, Awards 2022 It has a fantastic UI and design, a huge library of 4K HDR content, and the best picture and sound performance at any price. Siri is useful, too. Resolution 2160p,…

View offers whf.cm/BBPortableMusicPlayers Up to £1000 Sony NW-A55L £160 Best portable music player under £250, Awards 2020 Sony hasn’t carried out an update for the sake of it; the refresh is justified by squeezing more performance into a budget price than ever before. Hi-res 32-bit/384kHz, DSD Weight 99g Storage 16GB (plus microSD) “If you’re looking for a sonic upgrade over your phone, the Sony will offer it across the board” Cowon Plenue D3 £279 Best portable music player under £500, Awards 2021 This is a talented player that betters its previous generation counterpart for detail, separation and transparency. An impressive, tiny box of tricks… Hi-res 24-bit/192kHz, DSD 128 Weight 103g Storage 64GB “Cowon has added Bluetooth, a volume wheel and a dual DAC to its player and released another class…

View offers whf.cm/BBAudioCables Up to £50 Chord Company C-Line £63/m Best analogue interconnect under £100, Awards 2022 Few entry-level interconnects at the price come close to offering the sonic enjoyment that Chord has produced with this cable. Balanced/Single-ended Single QED Performance Audio 40 £40/m Best analogue interconnect under £50, Awards 2017 Few rival interconnects are as good as this QED when it comes to detail resolution and precision. It’s nicely made too. Balanced/Single-ended Single £50 and above Chord Clearway Analogue RCA £125/m Best analogue interconnect over £100, Awards 2022 If you’re spending cash on hi-fi components and you want cabling that doesn’t inhibit performance, the Clearway may be the ideal pick. Balanced/Single-ended Single…

View offers whf.cm/BBPhonoAmps Up to £200 Edwards Audio Apprentice MM £90 Awards 2017 A fine entry-level phono stage that will deliver a crisp and exciting sound from any good price-compatible moving magnet cartridge. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 5 x 16 x 11cm Up to £200 Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Communicator £180 July 2018 A gem of a phono amplifier that has stood the test of time. It offers class-leading levels of detail, brilliant timing and a sweet sound. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 5 x 12 x 19cm Rega Fono MM MK3 £199 Best phono stage under £100-£300, Awards 2021 Rega has managed to take a near-perfect product and squeeze more improvements from it. It’s a class-leading performer. Type MM Dimensions (hwd) 5 x 18 x 14cm Musical Fidelity LX2-LPS…

The Sonos Era 300 and Era 100 smart speakers were unveiled this month, and though we only had a very brief hands-on session with the two, we can’t wait to get them into our testing rooms. Highlights include completely reworked speaker designs, which Sonos claims will lead to big audio quality improvements across the board, as well as the addition of Bluetooth and USB-C connectivity to both speakers. The larger, more expensive Sonos Era 300 even has spatial audio support, which makes it a direct rival to the Apple HomePod 2 – one of the best smart speakers we have reviewed. But while we are excited about testing the new Era speakers, the What Hi-Fi? team has already started speculating about what could be next in the pipeline from Sonos.…