Hi-Fi

From the origins of the loudspeaker industry in Glasgow comes this piece of musical intensity that is the Fyne Audio F700.
A very nice piece of engineering that proffers an explicit presentation with pin point imaging.

Fyne Audio F700 official site.

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For the uninitiated in the digital realm of HiFi, the exact purpose and functionality of the M Scaler can seem perplexing. A unit that sits between your digital source and your DAC to drastically improve the digital signal....isn't it all ones and zeroes at that stage? How can you make ones and zeroes better?

Well, it's all about the Taps...the digital Taps that is. Taps refers to how many times and therefore how accurately the unit revisists the algorythm that's going to create the analogue Wave Form from the sample rate that's given by the source. Normally DACs would perform this function themselves but no DAC, not even Chord Electronics very own Dave comes even close to the amount of Taps that the M Scaler has. Normally an ordinary DAC would have a 100-tap filter, the Dave has 164,000-tap filter but the M Scaler has 1,015,808-tap filter!

In Rob Watts own words "If you have a conventional filter with 100 taps, you will recover some of the transient information. A 100-tap filter gives you sufficiently good frequency-domain performance, but not in the time domain. . . . Every time you increase the number of taps, you improve the perception of pitch, timbre gets better—bright instruments sound brighter, dark instruments sound darker—the starting and stopping of notes becomes easier to hear, the localization of sounds get better. There is less listening fatigue—the brain has to do less processing of the information presented to it to understand what's going on." 

And that perfectly sums up what you hear when you add an M scaler to a Chord Hugo TT2 or the Dave. It's an opening up of the musicality getting this normally step wise wave form of a CD player or 44kHz back to the most accurate analogue Wave Form you can possibly get. 

And this is where the M Scaler is particularly special because it's the most accurate digital device out there by a long margin. And that's because of the Taps. Turn on the Taps!

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The configuration and performance of these Acoustic Energy AE520s remind me of the original Mission 753 line array loudspeaker that was so loved in the 1990's. However this takes that now iconic slim front baffle with line array of drivers and adds steroids to the design. 

Although each of the five mid bass drivers are small in are these carbon fibre cones have a motor magnet behind them the same size as each cone ... so their their motor to cone ratio is higher than any other speaker in their class. 

The narrow front baffle makes for an excellent holographic portrayal of space and radically minimises the visual footprint of the AE520s.

The respected Australian originated review site Stereonet have awarded the AE520 "Product of the Year" for 2020

StereoNet on the Acoustic Energy AE520 

"Reveiwary on the Acoustic Energy AE520 

"Hi Fi +" on the Acoustic Energy AE520 

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The Mezzo and the Nautilus can perform this sonic magic of sounding lifelike and with the exact intentions of the musician, whether it’s played in the concert hall, in the studio, or on electronic hardware and software. Both these cartridges made each record sound like the best sounding record I've ever heard. That is, until I played the next record.” - Tom Lyle, Enjoy The Music

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Soundsmith cartridges are handmade in the USA and are little jewels to adorn your most beloved Turntables. 

They are a Moving Iron design - the third, less talked about category of cartridge design. This design uses less mass than a Moving Magnet design so it's more reactive and dynamic.

The Paua MkII uses a new Aluminium Cantilever which is stiff where it's needed but is also acoustically dampening in critical areas.

An important factor when we choose we high-end cartridges to stock is their retipping service. We like to recommend cartridges that when something happens to the stylus there's a skilled in-house retipping service. Soundsmith offer just that.

And isn't the new sea shell casing just beautiful!

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The new M8-700m monobloc power amp is fully balanced, and offers a staggering 700 watts per monobloc, with stellar sound quality and technical performance.

The M8-700m has extremely low distortion, typically 0.001% at 1 kHz. At 20 kHz distortion is still below 0.005%. Distortion at 50 kHz (a ridiculous and unreasonable measurement, but revealing of the total amplifier performance nonetheless) is 0.02%. At 100 kHz, it is about 0.06%. These extraordinary measurements, and the extremely low high-frequency distortion, are highly significant sonically.

The noise ratio of the M8-700m is extremely low at -120 dB A-weighted.

The M8-700m has huge power reserves, producing 700 watts RMS into 8 ohms and just on 1300 watts into 4 ohms. It is an absolute powerhouse.

The power, low distortion and the extremely low noise contribute to its fabulous, effortless sound.

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CD is not dead ... it's merely resting a little. In my humble opinion you haven't heard how good digital music can be unless you have heard a Cd or SACD through a really good player like this ...

Considered by many long term reviewers as the standard in SA CD and CD reproduction. The depth of musicality, extraordinary; The imaging, second to none.

The amount of times hardened audiophiles have said to me with this CD player, 'I haven't heard that in that track before', countless. We've put this CD player into a whole range of different types of systems. We find it very versatile as to what it can be 'matched' with and that's also a testament to it simply being a REALLY good CD player.

 "Hi Fi News" on the SA10S1 

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If this was an asteroid on its to hit the planet then it may well cause the extinction of the mammals. At 50kg it is one of the most massive single box amplifiers that I have ever encountered and is gorgeous.

First encounter was playing it through a pair of Dynaudio Confidence 60 sourced by a Marantz SA10. Fresh out of the box the Michi X5 lacks the glare and oft harsh treble of many of the super amplifier designs without being salubrious like a Musical Fidelity X8i. It has needless to say terrific poise with no overhang or bloom on these critical speakers and an instant rendition of space that is immensely gratifying.

I dived straight in with Patti Smith Horses and her raw proto punk seventies energy was immaculately recreated with this powerhouse running the system. 

The amplifier is physically gorgeous, although some may find the black looks unsettling. In use it is both tactile and entertaining. The new Michi Trademark display that suddenly illuminates in the panel is excellent fun.

The official Rotel X5 site 

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Now available in the darker, matt Tungsten finish as well as the classic Aluminium.

This Elite model from Meze is an improvement on their already spectacular Empyrean Headphones. A new driver design creates a bigger soundstage and more detail.

The Meze Empyreans have been extraordinarily popular and from all accounts these lack nothing that the Empyreans have in terms of sound and general performance. Just improving on what was already a sensational base. 

Meze has collaborated with Ukraine’s Rinaro Isodynamics who designed the MZ3 isodynamic driver found in the Empyrean. After three years of research and development, Rinaro makes the updated MZ3SE drivers used in the Elite. This brings their new “Parus” low mass acoustic diaphragm built using a proprietary “ultra-thin biaxially oriented semi-crystalline polymer film”, and arranged in a rather unique and complex way for maximum sonic results. 

Read more about the Empyrean Elite here at Meze's own official site

 Darko Audio on the Meze Elite headphones 

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There has never been an introductory integrated amplifier with the fit, finish and sound of the ROMA 753AC. At first glance, this stunning amp simply takes your breath away. This high performance amplifiers brings out the best of other components in the system. Created by those obsessed with great sound and for those who love great music.The result is 50 watts of pure pentode output per channel built around a pair of 12AU7 on input/driver tubes and a pair of EL34/6CA7 power tubes in push-pull configuration for a detailed, delicate and dynamic sound.

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Originally this was a cartridge that AJ Van den Hul made after a specific request from a customer to produce a high end cartridge at a lower price point. He did it and sold a couple of other units after the word got out. Now they're a permanent mainstay of the Van den Hul inventory.

This particular Crimson has a Polycarbonate body. Some people really like the slightly more analytical sound of this cartridge than the wooden bodies. I admit though, we do sell more of the wooden bodied Crimsons than this Polycarbonate. I find the wooden bodies more open, more organic sounding.

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A really unusual amp from this rather fanatical UK comnpany. The Blak is all about refinement and composure but with serene unflappable power. 

The Blak Integrated Amplifier is a powerful and musically enthralling design, with ample control and headroom available for exceptional grip and drive. Bass is quick, deep and exceptionally tight, ensuring a sense of speed and rhythm with an ultra-spacious and detailed soundstage that benefits all recordings and musical genres. Specially-selected components feature throughout the fully symmetrical circuit and a top-quality power supply design ensure the best possible performance.

The Blak Integrated Amplifier contains very high quality internal Moving Magnet phono stage for direct connection to a turntable, aptX Bluetooth capability, an internal high-end DAC with USB connectivity and a circuit switchable headphone input. Rich in both sound and features, it represents the pinnacle of Roksan’s amplification.

https://www.whathifi.com/au/roksan/blak-integrated/review

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The Crimson is a top performance custom handbuilt moving coil phono cartridge. The cartridge body is made from Pau Ferro wood. This is a Brazilian wood which instrument makers have used for centuries to make instruments and in particular, bows. It has extraordinary resonant qualities as well as stiffness and strength making it ideal for cartridges as well!

Specific characteristics for this great cartridge are a relatively high (0,85mV) output, gold coils, a Samarium-Cobalt magnet, extended channel separation and superb tracking ability.

We have many happy customers with these units. It is musical, warm and sounds effortless. Certainly, if we're being picky, it doesn't reach the heights of resolution that the more expensive Colibri range of cartridges do. Still an astounding performer and well worth a listen.

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Every now and then one of our manufacturers comes out with a product that gives me hope that innovation has not died and been forsaken in the cause of conformity and conservatism.

On the 5000 series Yamaha designers were let off the lead with no constraints, so it is no surprise that the headphone amplifier built to match the remarkable YH5000 head fi is a fantastic no compromise design.

I absolutely love the way it has two toroidal power supplies protruding gasometer style from the casing. One power supply for digital and one for analogue circuitry. I love the double rectangle footprint and the anti-vibration construction ... it feels like it has miniature Ohlins suspension for its five feet.

It is my great hope that Yamaha will bring out a range of high fidelity components built along similar principles.

 Link to Carlton Audio Visual YH5000 page 

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I've been waiting years for this amplifier. Even before there was a tantilising rumour that Rega had started designing the elusive amp that sits between the Elicit R ($3799) and the Osiris ($13,995), it was a near constant lament from customers - 'but why doesn't Rega make an amp at the $5K - $7K range. I love the Osiris but it's out of budget and I need something more than the Elicit R'. 

Well it has arrived and it is beautiful. A newly designed casing that is solid and industrial but with some sexy curves that form cutouts to reveal the bulky heat sinks underneath.

And how does it sound...well...it grips and it dictates yet its smoothness is alluring. Detail, tightness and extension in the bass is all there but there's also the lusciousness and enveloping blanket of sound that you only get with a Rega.

The Aethos has set a new benchmark at this price point.

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The Aphelion is the third generation of Rega's unique moving coil cartridges.Taking the technology developed from the latest Apheta 2 to the next level, our engineers have fine tuned every aspect of the original design. Aphelion features a new boron cantilever and super high-powered, neodymium magnet and a coil meticulously hand wound on an iron micro cross that is fifty percent smaller than the original. The weight reduction of the generator allows us greater freedom to track the vinyl groove accurately ensuring even more detail is extracted from the vinyl.The Aphelion is housed within a completely redesigned, single piece, aluminium black anodised body and protected by a CAD designed, clear rigid cover to protect the internal fine wires, making handling whilst fitting, safe and risk free. The Aphelion is the perfect partner for the RP10 turntable and RB2000 tonearm - see complementary components. Learn More

Michi is a flagship series of products built on the history and heritage of Rotel. Michi represents over 55 years of experience coupled with the passion of a family business and ever-growing family of satisfied product owners. Acoustic Elevation. Sonic Evolution. Visual Perfection. Michi, because our reputation is personal.

The Michi P5 S2 Pre Amplifier delivers the ultimate culmination of audio performance with a full complement of source inputs. The meticulous circuit design, critical component selection and over 3 years in the making ensures the P5 S2 meets the highest of standards allowing this preamplifier to proudly wear the Michi logo.

The new version of this preamplifier boasts new DACs. The AKMs have been replaced by ESS Sabre DACs.

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The cable has a balanced design for lower common mode
noise. A unique feature with our patented hollow oval design
is the ground lead surrounds the hot and cold leads to keep
the signal pristine. With its low inductance design and extra
shield it has a very low noise floor for a better Signal to
Noise Ratio (SNR) to help bring out subtle nuances in the
music. With this new design it has the ultimate in shielding
for better ElectroMagnectic Interference (EMI) and
ElectroMagnectic Compatibility (EMC). The Ultimate Power
Oval takes the power cord to the next level in performance
and design. It will work great with any of your equipment
from DAC, Pre Amp, Power Amp. Made in USA

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The mighty Neuphonix is the top of the range of Krix floorstanding home speakers. Like a Mission 753 in configuration but much better performance.

There's no finer way to break one's own ribcage than to put a kick drum in the chamber and pull the trigger on the Krix flagship speakers. A true three way cross over ensures the crisp mids and high notes are not muddled by the awesome power of the 4-driver bass array.

There is an in wall version of this loudspeaker that is surely amongst the best architectural loudspeakers available.

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