LATEST ADDITIONS

Gearbox Automatic Produced by mastering engineers, the Gearbox Automatic turntable connects via Bluetooth and has Spotify integration so that it can identify what it is playing and then save it to a Spotify playlist, if that’s your thing. See for yourself in this video. Make the grade When buying and selling secondhand vinyl its condition can be vital, but the complex world of grading is also deeply confusing. How do you spot your near mint cuts from those that are merely excellent or very good? This guide explains all.

Billed as the ‘complete all-in-one super integrated amplifier’, Gold Note’s IS-1000 is an ambitious design to bridge the gap between a traditional standalone integrated amp and an all-in-one music system with network streaming in an almost imperceptible way. At its heart it’s an integrated amplifier with a Class A/B output section, claiming a healthy 2x 125W into 8ohm that doubles to 250W into 4ohm. The model reviewed here is priced at £3,820, but if your setup demands even greater power Gold Note offers a 2x 150W output version into 8ohm, taking the cost to £4,370. Connectivity is impressive and analogue sources are catered for via three inputs; one via XLR and two using RCA phonos.

Q Acoustics has launched its latest entry-level loudspeaker range – the 3000i Series. The three new models, which consist of a braceof standmounts and a floorstander,form the core of the company’s hi-fi loudspeaker range. They are an evolution of the previous 3000 Series and include innovations first employed in its high-end flagship Concept 500 loudspeaker (HFC 426). The new range uses acoustically analysed and specific points strengthened using P2P (point to point) bracing on thespeaker cabinets andthe structural integrity is further improved, thanks to the top and front baffles boasting double thickness and precision-cut corners.

Designed to be unfussy about room positioning, the Kii THREE is a fully active loudspeaker built around Bruno Putzeys’ (HFC 426) Ncore Class D power amplifiers to handle six speaker drivers firing to the front, side and rear, but working together to throw the sound in the forward direction only. Measuring just 200 x 400 x 400mm (WxHxD), the compact system from the Germany-based specialist deploys its proprietary ‘Active Wave Focusing Filters’ to create a time-aligned output from the front-firing 25mm tweeter and 127mm midrange, plus 2x side and 2x rear-firing 165mm bass drivers. The sophisticated DSP ensures a coherent ‘forward’ sound and keeps the drive units within their safe operating range. A 16-position Boundary control allows the DSP to compensate for room positioning and a ‘Contour’ control selects from 14-preset EQ curves to fine tune the system to your taste.