May 2013
In This Issue...
Another Exciting Issue Of Hi-Fi World!
Editorial By Noel Keywood

 

  In the West there's long been an interest in old products, if a fringe one kept alive typically by car enthusiasts trundling through the British countryside on a lovely summer's day in a flip-top Triumph Herald. Nice, but yesterday.

In the Far East, there's firm belief that products of the past were just better, designed and built with passion and dedication. Nice, and better than today!

So just look at how it once was in this month's issue when you gaze upon Spendor's SP100 R2 loudspeaker (p12). Yep! There's no pandering to domestic aesthetics here; this product is unlikely to feature in an issue of Beautiful Home or be seen in the background of a James Bond movie. But it does attract buyers in the Far East who associate such loudspeakers with good, old fashioned values. The Spendors find an eager market overseas. Perhaps they will in the UK too.

Staying on the subject of loudspeakers, but this time in a reverse situation – we review Wharfedale Diamonds (p32) manufactured in the Far East and sold in the UK.

OK, it isn't quite that simple. What we don't see is that the UK gets a small proportion of the factory's output; most of it goes to SWT (Sino Wharfedale Trading) and gets distributed to dealers throughout China. That's a lot of Wharfedales. But the new Diamond 122 we review this month is a great budget design both Chinese and Brits will love I believe.

And finally, don't miss the fascinating story of pianist Percy Grainger (p94), whose performances were captured on piano rolls. I have his recording of Grieg's 'Piano Concerto' on a 2L Blu-ray and it is extraordinary, a wonderfully lively and animated piece played at blistering pace, with precision and passion. Tony Bolton reveals how Percy Grainger's 1920's performance made it into today's world.

I hope you enjoy this issue of Hi-Fi World, in all its eclectic glory. High fidelity is a fascinating subject, as you will find within our pages.

--- Noel Keywood, editor.

 

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