Hi-Fi Choice

News
Copland launches CTA408
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Feb 02, 2019  |  0 comments
One event that really caught our eye at last year’s busy Hi-Fi Show Live was the unveiling of Copland’s CTA408 hybrid integrated amplifier that utilises both valve and solid-state circuitry. Unlike many other manufacturers, Copenhagen-based Copland prefers to do things differently and the CTA408 is based around an arrangement usingthe latest KT150 output valves and its own output transformers, offering a power stage rated a 2x 75W into4 and 8ohm that’s equipped with a special startup procedure designed to prolong valve life. Measuring 435 x 220 x 460mm (WxHxD) and weighing 26kg, it offers four line-level inputs and a tape loop, plus a fully shielded phono stage that has dedicated moving-magnet and moving-coil inputs and a solid-state circuitry design said to use 100+ discrete components. A dedicated Class A headphone amplifier is also built in, and the 6.
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News
Acoustic Energy introduces 100 Series flagship loudspeaker
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Feb 02, 2019  |  0 comments
Acoustic Energy introduced its 100 Series in 2017 – the Cirencester-based company’s 30th anniversary year – with the launch of the AE109 (HFC 425), the new series’ top floorstander at the time priced at £600. The AE120 (pictured above) is the latest addition to the entry-level series and is a true three-way floorstander with sensitivity rated at 90dB. The slimline floorstander measuring 200 x 900 x 300mm (WxHxD) sees the new addition to the 100 Series continue to focus on traditional design values for a modern setting that have been carefully thought through. Twin 110mm bass drive units underpin the AE120’s performance, partnered with a dedicated midrange driver that’s housed in its own enclosure designed to mitigate the harmful effects of rear wave reflections, the company says.
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Cables & Accessories
Soundeck DPS Damping Puck
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Feb 02, 2019  |  0 comments
Damping pucks fulfil a number of useful functions, such as helping to keep the surface flat during vinyl playback or by adding to the rotation mass to reduce instantaneous speed changes when tracking loud passages of music and limiting record slippage. The DPS claims to go one further by collecting and removing unwanted vibrations during playback.
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News
Chord Electronics debuts ULTIMA flagships
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Feb 02, 2019  |  0 comments
The premier of the monster ULTIMA preamp and monoblock power amps from Chord Electronics certainly drew big crowds eager to geta first look at the newest beasts to arrive from the Kent-based specialist audio brand at last year’s Hi-Fi Show Live held in Windsor. Launched to celebrate the company’s 30th anniversary with two ground-breaking introductions to its Reference range, the ULTIMA preamp (above) and twin mono power amps dominated one of the show’s largest demo spaces in a spectacular showcase that was joined by the company’s Blu MkII CD/ digital transport and DAVE DAC/preamp and partnered with probablythe world’s most striking loudspeaker – supplied in the shape of KEF’s Muon flagship. A single ULTIMA power amp measures 480 x 350 x 670mm (WxHxD) and weighs in at 86kg. It’s rated at 780W into 8ohm (for 0.
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News
Definitive Technology debuts Demand loudspeakers in UK
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Feb 01, 2019  |  0 comments
Releasing a trio of standmounts for the first time on UK shores, Definitive Technologyis part of the Sound United group that also includes hi-fi specialists Denon and Marantz. Designed in California, the baby Demand 7 measures 140 x 248 x 222mm (WxHxD) and claims 85dB sensitivity. It’s priced at £529 and employs a 114mm mid/bass driver partnered to the same offset 25mm aluminium dome tweeter that’s fitted to each Demand model along with the company’s 20/20 Wave Alignment Lensfor improved stereo imaging and dispersion. Priced at £799, the Demand 9 is the mid model measuring 165 x 297 x 300mm (WxHxD) with a 133mm mid/bass driver and 229mm passive bass radiator, and claims 88dB sensitivity.
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Turntables, Arms & Cartridges
Rega Planar 8
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Feb 01, 2019  |  0 comments
Sometimes, the arrival of an entirely expected model can still be surprising. For the last couple of years Rega has been replacing its RP series of turntables with Planar decks, so it didn’t take an enormous amount of deduction to work out that this would continue up the range to include the RP8. What wasn’t so obvious is that the Planar 8 would be so different to its predecessor and almost every other Rega turntable that came before it.
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Cables & Accessories
IsoTek EVO3 Gemini
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Feb 01, 2019  |  0 comments
A mains filter that is fitted with a standard 10A IEC C14 input socket, the EVO3 Gemini has two output sockets also rated at 10A. The unit features star earthing internally and a delta filter topology to ensure filtration of both common mode and differential mode mains noise. Common mode noise is interference that appears on the live and neutral mains connections simultaneously and is often caused by external sources, such as RFI, which affects both mains conductors.
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Network Media Players
Google Chromecast Audio
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Feb 01, 2019  |  0 comments
Our recent Group Test of entry-level network music players (HFC 442) showed there are some very impressive low-cost models to help you get started in streaming, but Google perhaps offers the bargain of the lot. It has a growing range using its own Cast streaming platform and for £70, the Chromecast Ultra supports video, but we’re more interested in the Chromecast Audio at just £30.
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News
Monitor Audio unveils fifth-generation Gold Series loudspeakers
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Jan 31, 2019  |  0 comments
Few loudspeaker designs use complete metal mid/bass drivers, and fewer still combine them with ribbon tweeters. Monitor Audio has always gone its own way and like its predecessor, the latest Gold Series iteration balances the company's established C-CAM driver and MPD high-frequency transducer and introduces tech derived from its flagship Platinum II Series. Reduced to six models in this revised lineup,it includes three hi-fi pairs – a standmount and two floorstanders, plus a centre speaker, rear/FX speakers and a subwoofer for multi-channel installations. Priced at £1,400 the two-way Gold 100 standmount is fitted with a 165mm C-CAM mid/bass driver and rated at 86dB sensitivity.
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Loudspeakers
Falcon Acoustics RAM Studio 30
Hi-Fi Choice  |  Jan 31, 2019  |  0 comments
Before we get to the brand new and rather imposing tower you see before you, a little Brit-fi archaeology. You’ve doubtless heard of Falcon Acoustics, not least for its assertion that among the host of latter-day copies, it makes the most authentic and accurate recreation of the legendary BBC LS3/5a standmount monitor. A decent enough claim to fame. But to fully appreciate the provenance of the company, its specialisations and its aspirations, we must dig deeper.
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