December 2020

From The Editor....
Bringing Power To The People
Power is still a headline specification.
Editorial By Noel Keywood

  People want power and in this issue we've covered two ways of getting it. The old way, from a valve amplifier producing 80 Watts and the new way, from a transistor amplifier delivering a scorching 600 Watts. Phew!

It took two of us to lift the valve amplifier, PrimaLuna's Evo 400 (31 kg) you can find on p10. But it was worth it. A wonderful sound, the Evo 400 came over as fast and filigree detailed – one reason the EL34 is popular in the Far East. PrimaLuna also get powerful bass from their amplifier plus, of course, that liquid valve sound with convincing stage depth.

It took three of us to lift the Musical Fidelity M8xi (46 kg). So no weight advantage that's for sure, but you do get a lot more oomph from modern transistors. And commonly digital too, as in the M8xi.

I wasn't aware of any power difference: both went shatteringly loud when pushed. Yet the sonic differences between a powerful valve amplifier and powerful transistor amplifier are night and day. I hope you enjoy reading about both – and I recommend you get to audition these amplifiers in a dealer showroom if possible. Let us know which you prefer, and why. Nothing like hearing what others have to say; keeps our feet on the ground!

With Wharfedale's trad. Linton loudspeaker enjoying success and Leak's new Stereo 130 amplifier upon was, old values are being re-visited. Spendor step up to the mark with their new Classic 4/5 mini-loudspeaker, what is known as a near-field monitor. That means you sit close to it, in a small room – less than 14ft long. Based on the BBC LS3/5a studio monitor designed for small outside broadcast trucks, the LS 4/5 continues the ideal of accurate sound monitoring. You can read what John Pickford thinks of this new compact loudspeaker on p16. 

"Power to the people" said Citizen Smith – some time ago! – and that remains true today. Power is still a headline spec. and you can read about it in this great issue. Enjoy!

--- Noel Keywood, editor.

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