Earlier in 2017 Exposure Electronics launched its exciting new ‘XM’ series of hi-fi components, cleverly packing an impressive complement of high-end features into a compact and affordable design. Now, the XM3 phonostage and XM5 integrated amplifier are joined by the new XM7 preamp and XM9 mono power amp.
Like the violins, violas and cellos crafted by the Stradivari family during the 17th and 18th centuries, almost all of van den Hul’s phono cartridges are personally hand built and tuned by Dutch master cartridge designer Mr A.J. van den Hul himself. But has van den Hul now cracked one of the key secrets of the famous Stradivari sound? The new ‘Stradivarius’ edition of his Crimson phono cartridge would suggest so….
“For years, one of the best-kept secrets in hi-fi has been that the single most cost-effective upgrade you can make to any system (regardless of price or ambition) is to provide it with a dedicated AC supply equipped with a parallel, clean ground,” writes Gregory. “That might seem like a bold statement,” he acknowledges, “but consider the issues for a moment and the logic is unassailable.” Indeed it is, when we consider that the AC supply is basically the raw material from which our systems are striving to recreate the musical performance, while at the same time providing the sink down which all unwanted electrical noise is supposed to drain. “Which leads us directly to the crucial question of noise floor….”
Continue reading “The highest possible recommendation”: Roy Gregory is thoroughly convinced by Computer Audio Design’s Ground Controls in a recent Hi-Fi Plus blog
“DS Audio enjoyed instant impact since its birth five years ago for having the sheer guts to release a new (or forgotten) cartridge technology in the post-vinyl era,” writes Ken Kessler in the June issue of Hi-Fi News. Having been charmed by the company’s original DS-W1 model, what will Kessler make of the new entry-level ‘baby’ DS 002?
Clearaudio’s Performance turntable “has evolved almost beyond recognition over the last decade,” notes Nick Tate in the June issue of Hi-Fi News. “Will the new linear tracking TT5 arm propel it further?”
Singled out as a ‘Hot Product’ at the 2016 Munich High End Show, Computer Audio Design’s Ground Controls tackle noise reduction at the level of signal ground and mains earth, with truly remarkable results. Now, just in time for the 2017 Munich High End Show, the original GC1 is joined by the new larger and more powerful GC3.
Devon-based Timestep has earned quite a reputation for its intelligent modifications of various iconic Technics turntables – not to mention winning a bunch of awards. Now, designer Dave Cawley turns his attention to a more affordable deck – the new Technics SL-1210 GR – to create the enhanced Timestep EVO GR.
Vinyl might be enjoying an apparently unstoppable resurgence right now, but do we know what we’re doing with it?
“As I looked around a local shop on Record Store Day last month, it occurred to me that an entire generation (or three) has no idea how to handle vinyl LPs,” writes Ken Kessler in The Telegraph. “Lulled into a false sense of security by CDs, and later by downloads, they have no idea that a music storage format can be perishable.”
So how does one keep on top of all the dirt, dust, chemical residues and oil from fingerprints that threaten to dull the quality of, and shorten the life of, our beloved vinyl records? Continue reading “The last word in vinyl care”: Ken Kessler reviews Clearaudio’s Double Matrix Professional Sonic record cleaning machine for The Telegraph
Earlier this year, Exposure Electronics launched its exciting new XM series of hi-fi components. Inspired by the unstoppable resurgence of vinyl in a digital age, the series offers a high-performance, compact solution for music lovers who want great sound across multiple media but don’t want the size or cost of their system to spiral out of control.
In the May issue of Hi-Fi News Adam Smith checks out the XM3 phono stage and asks, “does it pack a full-sized performance into a ‘half width’ chassis?”
Continue reading “Exposure has done it again”: Hi-Fi News reviews the British brand’s new XM3 phono stage
And yet it was very nearly missed by ‘Mr Gamut’ himself. CEO and chief designer Benno Baun Meldgaard took a tumble down a flight of stairs just a few days before the event and, confined to bed rest, was unable to travel from Denmark to Dorset.
But as the saying goes, you can’t keep a good man down and so, undeterred by his unfortunate acrobatics, Meldgaard was adamant that he’d be there at least in spirit if not in body. Cue live video link…
David Denyer PR | The hi-fi specialist 