News

Computer music Computer audio is now one of the most important growth areas in two-channel audio. It is no longer the preserve of the budget category or lifestyle setups and thereis now a wider selection of equipment available at virtually every price point from the very affordable to the ultra high end. At the same time, the supporting infrastructure that allows computer audio to deliver on the promises of sound quality and convenience has made equally significant progress. Storage is cheap and getting cheaper.

Bit perfection – unleash hi-res music from your computer with these six USB DACs PRODUCT Denon DA-300USB PRODUCT ADL X1 PRODUCT Hegel HD12 DSD PRODUCT Henry Audio USB DAC 128 mkII PRODUCT iFi Nano iDSD PRODUCT LH Labs Geek Out M ORIGIN China TYPE USB and S/PDIF DAC/headphone preamp WEIGHT 1. 5kg DIMENSIONS (WxHxD) 170 x 57 x 182mm FEATURES ● 32-bit/192kHz DAC ● Format support: PCM 44. 1-192kHz; DSD64; DSD128 ● Inputs: USB-B port; S/PDIF coaxial; 2x Toslink ● Output: stereo RCAs DISTRIBUTOR D&M Audiovisual, UK Ltd TELEPHONE 02890 279830 WEBSITE denon. co.

PRODUCT Stream Magic 6 V2 ORIGIN UK/China TYPE Network streamer/ DAC preamp WEIGHT 4kg DIMENSIONS (WxHxD) 430 x 85 x 305mm FEATURES ● Dual Wolfson WM8740 DACs ● Wi-fi, Ethernet and optional aptX Bluetooth streaming ● USB; S/PDIF; Toslink; Ethernet; Wi-fi inputs ● S/PDIF; Toslink; balanced XLR audio outputs DISTRIBUTOR Richer Sounds TELEPHONE 0333 9000093 WEBSITE cambridgeaudio. com ISSUE 393 . . .

Chord Electronics Hugo ORIGIN UK TYPE DAC/headphone amplifier WEIGHT 0. 4kg DIMENSIONS (WxHxD) 100 x 20 x 132mm FEATURES ● 32-384kHz, DXD, DSD64, DSD128, 16-32-bit ● aptX Bluetooth, optical, coaxial, 2x USB inputs ● 6. 3mm and 3. 5mm headphone, RCA phono outputs ● Rechargeable battery operation ● Volume/output level control DISTRIBUTOR Chord Electronics Ltd TELEPHONE 01622 721444 WEBSITE chordelectronics.

DETAILS PRODUCT:VPI Nomad PRICE: £795 ORIGIN:USA TYPE:Turntable packagewith built-inheadphone ampand phono stage WEIGHT:5. 9kg DIMENSIONS:(WxHxD)470 x 109 x 343mm FEATURES ● Belt-driventurntable withmanual speedchange ● 24V AC motor ● 10in tonearm ● Ortofon 2M Redcartridge supplied DISTRIBUTOR:Renaissance Audio TELEPHONE:0131 5553922 WEBSITE:renaissanceaudio. co. uk; vpiindustries.

If it’s inspirational or even aspirational hi-fi you’re after then this is indeed a fantastic time of year. The hi-fi show season is well under way, and what’s more the high-end Hi-Fi Show returns to the Beaumont House Estate, Old Windsor for the second year running. Hosted by our sister magazine Hi-Fi News & Record Review and AVTech Media, the two-day, high-end audio event held on the weekend of November 1 and 2 will showcase a spectacular line up of hi-fi for audiophiles and music lovers alike. With informative demonstrations by industry specialists, it looks set to be a spectacular audio event that you won’t want to miss.

Acoustic Energy AE 103 £550 Bowers & Wilkins 684 S2 £800 Cambridge Audio Aeromax 6 £900 Dali Zensor 7 £730 PSB Speakers Imagine X1T £750 Roth OLi RA4 £400 This well-executed British-designed floorstander has a build quality that’s well above its price point and a specification that partners nicely done anodised aluminium cones with a soft fabric dome tweeter. The second incarnation of the 684 is thinner than it’s predecessor thanks to the use of smaller drive units still utilising the brand’s characteristic woven Kevlar cones. But how does the heavily tweaked S2 design fare against price rivals here? Just 18 month’s after the launch of its Aero range comes the revamped Aeromax, complete with shiny cabinets, improved internal bracing and driver enhancements. It’s the most costly model here, but will that be enough to take the spoils? One of Denmark’s most respected loudspeaker makers, Dali should always be on your audition list.