March 2018
In This Issue...
Thinking About Radiogram And High-End Audio
Article By Noel Keywood

  What was it that made me think of the radiogram when working on this issue? It wasn’t that such a device gets a mention anywhere, so much as the current drive toward all-in-one solutions is similar in intent – the new Novafidelity X35 we review on p39 is a good example. This product is impressive in what it can do, using Class D amplifiers to achieve that magic 100 Watt output power figure people expect nowadays, from a compact box. Reviewer Jon Myles is our expert at dealing with the Ethernet, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections that are an essential part of such products, as well as the apps – all of which the radiogram lacked of course. But at least you could stand a vase on top!

Reviewer Martin Pipe didn’t review a radiogram either, instead he reviews a Roberts Radio on p23 reminiscent of the old transistor radios that were so popular in the same era, or shortly after as transistors took over from valves. But this traditionally styled portable has an Ethernet connection and USB also. How radios have changed!

The gorgeous Lux D-380 CD player I review on p13 is also reminiscent of past values, as it is meant to be. Luxman have curiously but cleverly used a modern digital filter in conjunction in with an old radiogram-era valve to achieve a sound that I’ve not encountered before. Here the best of today and yesterday have been mixed to give an intriguing result.

OK, we are a bit late with our Beatles Sgt Pepper album review. Last year this album was big at U.S. audio shows, but Abbey Road studios – nearby – somehow forgot us. We received a bona-fide review set recently and you can read Paul Rigby’s expert view on p87. I hope you enjoy it.

And I hope you enjoy the many articles and views we publish this month, in the first issue of our 28th year. Sorry for the lack of radiograms!

--- Noel Keywood, editor.

Subscribe!
Click here to subscribe to Hi-Fi World.