The elimination of static from audio and AV media is something that Japanese cable and accessories experts Furutech know a thing or two about. Their new ASB-1 antistatic brush is an upgrade on the earlier SK-III, and is a simple-to-use yet deceptively advanced gadget that effectively removes unwanted static charge from just about anything – from CDs and vinyl records to camera lenses.
Continue reading New ASB-1 antistatic brush for audio and AV media from Furutech
“If you haven’t got the right amplifier to drive your speakers, your system doesn’t stand a chance,” says Hi-Fi Choice. And to prove that the ‘right’ amplifier doesn’t have to be a stratospherically expensive one, the magazine picks out “six great designs worth checking out” from £399 to £1,990.
Continue reading “Great designs”: Exposure XM5 among Hi-Fi Choice’s pick of integrated amps
“Pitch slurring,” “warbling” and “watery pitch” are just some of the unwanted results when a turntable suffers from speed variation, writes Noel Keywood in the November issue of Hi-Fi World. “Subjectively it isn’t an obvious issue until you hear the same music played on a pitch-stable turntable,” and then it’s “like taking off misty glasses.” Unfortunately, the problem is surprisingly common. Fortunately, there are some handy gadgets that enable DIY solutions.
Continue reading Turntable speed accuracy: Hi-Fi World editor Noel Keywood explores Clearaudio’s Stroboscope Test Record, among others
Catch up with the latest news and reviews over at The Reel-to-Reel Rambler, in which David Denyer and fellow hi-fi journalists delve into the world of tape.
In recent posts, Ken Kessler atones for his sins (well, sort of!), Neville Roberts meets a US audiophile record label that’s doing things a little differently, David Denyer discovers a new recording of an old favourite and UK label Chasing the Dragon makes entry into the world of tape a tad more affordable….
As one of the world’s most prolific cartridge designers, A.J. van den Hul never stops inventing and re-inventing. And, since he is also one of the most renowned, a new edition of van den Hul’s top-of-range model is a noteworthy event. Enter the new Colibri XGW Signature Stradivarius.
Continue reading van den Hul’s new top phono cartridge: the Colibri XGW Signature Stradivarius
Each autumn, the editors of US-based hi-fi magazine The Absolute Sound pick out their audio peaks and pinnacles and crown them worthy winners of the annual Golden Ear Awards.
In 2018, Associate Editor Neil Gader singles out Clearaudio’s Charisma V2 phono cartridge. “Like its name implies, you’ve either got it or you don’t. This cartridge has got it,” he writes.
Continue reading Clearaudio’s Charisma V2 cartridge earns a Golden Ear Award from The Absolute Sound
“We may be in the streaming age, but this hasn’t stopped vinyl sales booming. Audiophiles and analogue devotees, as well as digital converts, are rediscovering the joys of records,” writes Wired magazine, which has just singled out (no pun intended) its best record players for any budget in 2018.
Continue reading Clearaudio Concept among Wired magazine’s ‘best record players’
“Sharing the same chassis design as its 3010 series, but boasting double the clout,” Exposure’s new duo of amps replaces the former MCX series at the top end of the brand’s range. Hi-Fi News reviewer Andrew Everard is mightily impressed, finding them as convincing on detail and finesse as they are on power and grip.
“Cable risers are not exactly news, nor are they universally used, accepted or even recommended. In fact, even those who advocate them have trouble agreeing on what they do or how they do it,” writes reviewer Roy Gregory in The Audio Beat. “None of this is, of course, any reason to ignore them,” he adds, having recently been provided with a set of Furutech’s NCF Boosters and Booster-Signals to review. “They have become utterly indispensable,” he concludes.
Earlier this year Chris Martens published a favourable preview of Magnepan’s new top-of-range loudspeaker in Hi-Fi Plus (issue 157). Now, as the 30.7 nears full production, he revisits the flagship ‘Maggie’ in view of an important change to this “remarkable design achievement”.
David Denyer PR | The hi-fi specialist 