Hi-Fi World   Volume 21 Number 8   October 2011

 

   Hi-Fi World is an independently owned and run specialist hi-fi magazine, started by Noel Keywood, a highly respected technical journalist of thirty five years standing. Dedicated to equipment of all types, the emphasis is on 'affordable audiophile' kit which doesn't have to be expensive, but has to perform. Our readership is worldwide and diverse in nature, but all share a passion for music and the desire to hear it as enjoyably as possible. Run by enthusiasts for enthusiasts, our commitment shows in everything from the rigorous technical measurements we undertake on almost every product reviewed to the weird and wonderful editorial mix. No product is too small or obscure; old and new, budget or high end, if it's great then Hi-Fi World will say so!

 

3 Audio Fashion
Editorial By David Price

7  COMPETITION
Your chance to win a superb TeddyPardo TeddyDAC worth £1,100!

8  NEWS : Words from the front...

34  MAIL: Eleven pages of your views.

58  WORLD STANDARDS : Our guide to the latest and greatest hi-fi hardware on sale.

74  WORLD CLASSICS : Top designs that have stood the test of time...

82 SUBSCRIPTIONS
Ensure your copy every month and save money too!

84  AUDIOPHILE CD : Paul Rigby rounds up the latest audiophile CD releases.

89, 91, 93, 95, 97 OPINION : The team get to grips with matters music, hi-fi and life!

120  DIAL A DEALER : A comprehensive guide to UK hi-fi retailers.

124  CLASSIFIEDS : Two pages of second-hand bargains.

128  NEXT MONTH : Here's what we hope to bring you in the next issue...

127  WHITTLEBURY SHOW

129  ADVERTISERS’ index

130  CLASSIC CUTS:

 

Features
THE CHINESE WAY  68
Noel Keywood packs his suitcase and heads East to China, where much of modern hi-fi is now made...

MEASURED PERFORMANCE  80
Noel Keywood explains our rigid testing regime.

OLDE WORLDE  86
Tim Jarman remembers Philips’ lost long N2521 cassette deck.

 

Soundbites
67     STAX SRS 2170 HEADPHONES

73     TRACK AUDIO SPIKE/ATLAS MAVROS

107 MOBILE FIDELITY RECORD CLEANERS

111 BREN 1/COPULARE CORAL LIFTERS

119   FURUTECH DESTAT/MAGICHEXA

123   PAB PLATFORM/RAA CLARITY

 

Loudspeakers
MARTINLOGAN ELECTROMOTION  12
Alvin Gold is shocked by these super sounding electrostatic hybrids!

AUDEL ART CG618  54
Adam Smith is charmed by these charismatic Italian loudspeakers.

 

Amplification
ESOTERIC C-03/A-03  30
David Price puts this backbreakingly heavy high-end pre-power combination through its paces.

ICON AUDIO MB150  46
Alvin Gold tries a pair of tubular belles!

 

Digital
DAC SUPERTEST  19
Tony Bolton pits eight affordable DACs against one another:

ARCAM rDAC  20

EMOTIVA XDR-1  21

MUSICAL FIDELITY M1 DAC  23

CENTRANCE DAC MINI  24

WYRED 4 SOUND DAC 1  25

LITE DAC -83  26

TEDDY PARDO TEDDYDAC  27

CALYX DAC 24/192  28

HISOUND STUDIO 5  16
David Price goes out with a great sounding digital portable.

PURE MOVE 2500  45
David Price is impressed by this affordable DAB/FM portable.

NAIM NDX/UNITISERVE  50
David Price tries this expensive computer audio package.

 

Vinyl
VINYL NEWS  98
Paul Rigby rounds up the newest vinyl releases...

CARTRIDGEMAN CONDUCTOR 100
Rafael Todes appraises a superb new parallel tracking tonearm.

MF AUDIO MC STEP UP  105
David Price tries an excellent high end step transformer.

AUDIONOTE ARM TWO/II  108
Adam Smith auditions this fine new sub-£1,000 tonearm.

MUSICAL FIDELITY M1 VINYL  116
David Price tries out a flexible new phono stage.

 

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