March 2019
What's Within This Issue Of Hi-Fi World
Editorial By Noel Keywood

  Whilst the LP is returning with a vengeance – just read our News this month (p7-9) – that other technology of the past, the valve amplifier, seems less assured in its progress. Britain, Germany, the USA and Japan have all returned to valve amplifier manufacture and China too, where they still make valves. But modern valve amplifiers come with curiously different design philosophies, Audio Research (USA) conceptually inhabiting Mars whilst Audio Note (UK) are on Venus – or something like that!

But perhaps that's why modern valve amplifiers are attractive: they are far more diverse than transistor amplifiers can ever be. Yet at the same time more challenging to own. This issue of Hi-Fi World uniquely identifies and gets to grips with the underlying reason: the heart of the beast. On p15 we look at a new valve designed by Icon Audio, the KT150D. That a UK manufacturer is so dedicated to do this leaves me more than impressed! Once you get down to such fundamentalism – think Peter Walkers Quad ESL-57 electrostatic loudspeaker – your place in audio history is being prepared. The KT150D raises the issue of reliability – a barrier to ownership and a curse on manufacturers and users alike. Worth reading if you are currently thermionic or thinking of going that way.

Our lead review is also an Icon Audio product, their new Stereo 300 MkII amplifier that uses 300B power tubes, designed 1938 in the USA – another look into and acknowledgement of past values. Doesn't it just look the part too! OK, your children will be baffled. It's so far from a Playstation PS4 they will fall silent in disbelief: What's that dad? What it is you can read about on p10 where we review this amplifier in all its glory – a fusion of old and new that captures the best of both. Outshine your children – and neighbours!

Receiving two products for review that are not ready for market raises a perfect storm. Mitchell&Johnson's S800/S815 pre/power combo review on p20, and Micromega's M-One 150 review on p43 identify 'problems'. Read these reviews to find out. Also read my column on p65 that discusses how we Globe rate them – to abate a storm!

March 2019's Hi-Fi World dives into interesting and perhaps controversial subjects. Tackle me about it at The Bristol Hi-Fi Show where I look forward to seeing you and hearing your views.

--- Noel Keywood, editor.

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