All posts by Dave Denyer

David Denyer PR & the reel-to-reel rambler
DDPR news & musings, DS Audio, Sound Fowndations

“So different – and so special”: Roy Gregory reviews DS Audio’s DS-W1 optical cartridge for Hi-Fi Plus

While electro-magnetic pick-up technology continues to dominate the vinyl scene, there have always been alternatives or variations on the theme, suggests Roy Gregory, writing in the June 2016 issue of Hi-Fi Plus.

“It’s not too hard to understand why,” he surmises, “gives the all too audible flaws inherent in, and challenges presented by, both moving-magnet and moving-coil designs. Throw in the essential mechanical crudity of the process and it’s hardly surprising that designers and end-users alike crave a more sophisticated and elegant solution.”

The solution under review is Japanese DS Audio’s DS-W1 optical cartridge.

Continue reading “So different – and so special”: Roy Gregory reviews DS Audio’s DS-W1 optical cartridge for Hi-Fi Plus →

All press releases, Timestep

Take one Technics SL-1200 GAE deck, add some clever enhancements: introducing the new Timestep EVOke

PRESS RELEASE

Devon-based Timestep has garnered quite a reputation for its intelligent (and fully sanctioned) modifications of various iconic Technics turntables. Now, designer Dave Cawley turns his attention to the recently-launched SL-1200 GAE deck and comes up with yet more cannily-crafted advancements in the form of the new Timestep EVOke. Continue reading Take one Technics SL-1200 GAE deck, add some clever enhancements: introducing the new Timestep EVOke →

DDPR news & musings, Decent Audio, Riva Audio

Riva S Bluetooth loudspeaker: “another winner” & “one of the best” say Hi-Fi Plus & Hi-Fi World

“Portable Bluetooth loudspeakers can be something of a mixed bag,” says Jon Myles, writing in the June 2016 issue of Hi-Fi World. “There’s a delicate balance to be achieved – light and small enough to be carried around, yet sufficiently sturdy in their construction and driver arrangement to make them a rewarding listen.”

The Riva S aims to address both of those challenges head-on. Light and petite out the outside, on the inside it packs seven drivers – three active, firing right, left and forwards, plus four passive bass radiators. It’s an unusual arrangement, designed to deliver a bigger soundstage than might otherwise be expected from its bijou dimensions.

“Yes, it’s compact,” agrees Myles, “but the little Riva S is also rather potent.”
Continue reading Riva S Bluetooth loudspeaker: “another winner” & “one of the best” say Hi-Fi Plus & Hi-Fi World →

DDPR news & musings, Decent Audio, Transfiguration

‘Groovy’ and ‘Deeply Groovy’: The Audiophile Man reviews Transfiguration cartridges

Described as “the world’s most  musically natural phono cartridges,” Japanese Transfiguration have had all three of the models in their small but stunningly crafted range put to the test by reviewer Paul Rigby, aka The Audiophile Man.

Both the top-of-range Proteus and mid-range Phoenix S scored a ‘Groovy’ award, while the lower-priced Axia S earned a ‘Deeply Groovy’.

“In ultimate terms, of course, the company’s Phoenix and Proteus cartridges offer superior sound quality for obvious budget and design reasons but, somehow, with the Axia S, the company has succeeded in hitting a perfect price point/performance blend. Incredibly, then, I see the Axia S as the best Transfiguration cartridge in the range and one of the best designs in its price range currently for sale on the market,” concludes Rigby.

Read The Audiophile Man’s full reviews of the Transfiguration Proteus, Phoenix S and Axia S.

Find out more about Transfiguration cartridges, including details of stockists, from UK distributor Decent Audio.

Transfiguration Proteus MC cartridge
Transfiguration Phoenix S
Transfiguration Axia S
All press releases, Exposure Electronics

Exposure adds DSD to 2010S2 DAC

PRESS RELEASE

Exposure Electronics has just announced an upgrade to the 2010S2 DAC, enabling it to handle DSD music files.

The 2010S2 DAC is an affordable digital-to-analogue converter with excellent, engaging musicality and a surprisingly un-digital sound. The new upgraded edition, available now, is able to handle single-rate DSD (DSD x64 or DSD 2.8 mHz) through the USB input, as well as PCM support up to 24 bit / 192 kHz.

Continue reading Exposure adds DSD to 2010S2 DAC →

CAD, DDPR news & musings, Furutech, IsoTek, Magnepan, Scansonic HD

North West Audio Show 2016: Sunday 26th June

No plans for this coming Sunday? Great! Then you’ll be free to head over to the North West Audio Show 2016.

Now in its third year, the Northwest Audio Show is quickly becoming one of the highlights in the audiophile calendar with great exhibitors, top brands and a superb venue. With free entry and free parking to tempt you northwestwards, spend a day surrounded by the best in audio amid the beautiful settings of Cheshire’s Cranage Hall and Wychwood Park.

Continue reading North West Audio Show 2016: Sunday 26th June →

All press releases, Decent Audio, Scansonic HD

Scansonic M BTL-series loudspeakers: Raidho-inspired, wireless and active – the ‘next gen’ of hi-fi

PRESS RELEASE

Danish Scansonic may be the sister brand of highly covetable Raidho, but its fabulously affordable ‘HD’ range of loudspeakers is starting to make waves in its own right. Now, it enters the Bluetooth arena with the new wireless active M BTL-series. 

Continue reading Scansonic M BTL-series loudspeakers: Raidho-inspired, wireless and active – the ‘next gen’ of hi-fi →

All press releases, Clearaudio, Sound Fowndations

Join us for the UK launch of one of the world’s finest turntables… Clearaudio Statement v2 – Stone Audio – 1st & 2nd July 2016

PRESS RELEASE

For the first time ever, the iconic Clearaudio Statement v2 turntable will be gracing the demonstration room of a UK audio dealer. Catch it while you can at Dorset-based Stone Audio’s very special Clearaudio event on Friday 1st & Saturday 2nd July. 

Continue reading Join us for the UK launch of one of the world’s finest turntables… Clearaudio Statement v2 – Stone Audio – 1st & 2nd July 2016 →

All press releases, Furutech, Sound Fowndations

Furutech introduce top-of-line NanoFlux NCF power cable & NanoFlux speaker cable

PRESS RELEASE

Japanese cable experts Furutech’s recently-developed ‘Alpha Nano-Au-Ag’ OCC conductor is among the best that the brand’s engineers have ever conceived for sound reproduction. Not surprising, then, that it underpins the brand’s new top-of-line power and speaker cables.

Continue reading Furutech introduce top-of-line NanoFlux NCF power cable & NanoFlux speaker cable →