August 2013
In This Issue...
High Quality Comes In All Shapes And Sizes
Editorial By Noel Keywood

 

  I hardly need mention the fact that Germany is doing rather well at the moment and much of its success lies in engineering – making things the world wants to buy. Quite how Germany managed to make a world-wide success out of Mini and Bentley is a story to be told I suspect. I frequently find myself in Munich, or Hamburg or Berlin on audio business, such as the High End Show, a Rohde & Schwarz visit, a Yamaha press conference and such like, because Germany is gaining gravity in Europe with all things engineering. That's why it is ever less surprising to me that German loudspeakers are steadily moving forward in ability, where I sometimes worry that UK loudspeakers are getting ever more idiosyncratic. The Quadral Platinum M50 loudspeakers featured in this issue are a prime example of meticulous German engineering, where every detail has been diligently attended to. Reviewer Jon Myles was very impressed and you can read about his sonic experiences on page 10.

AV receivers are a technological tour-de-force that I believe no one understands. They are barking mad electronic contrivances – just try and read the Owner's Manual for Onkyo's TX-NR828 Martin Pipe manfully reviews in this issue! Yes, I've done it and been left wondering if it means anything to a normal human being. But on the other hand big Onkyo receivers like this one are awesome in what they can do, as Martin explains on page 14.

At the other end of the technology scale lies Ming Da's lovely Dynasty Duet 300B single-ended valve amplifier on page 36. Tony swooned over its sound – and I understand why. Good SE valve amps are the most seductive creatures you'll ever meet, second only to – hmmm – Rachel Weiss. It's otherwise the most seductive thing you'll ever meet – and listen to.

High quality audio comes in all shapes and sizes, from Germany, China and countries around the world, as this great new issue of Hi-Fi World once again testifies.

--- Noel Keywood, editor.

 

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