November 2011
Classic Hi-Fi
Editorial By David Price

 

  One of the great things about doing this job is the chance to rediscover classic hi-fi components – and the opportunity to hear a well fettled and/or restored golden oldie must never be missed!

And this month we feature two classic turntables, both subtly modified and carefully rebuilt. The Tiger Paw Khan modification package for the Linn LP12 [p106] is genuinely one of the most important reinterpretations of that magic Sondek formula. Its cast aluminum top plate is built with the precision you’d normally only expect from Linn themselves, and reduces resonances to effect a dramatic clean-up of the sound.

Then we have the Northwest Analogue Slate 401 [p111], which is a huge slate plinth and stand for the classic Garrard 401. Just as the Sondek is held back by its stock plinth, so is the Garrard – only more so as the massive motor in these decks throws noise and vibration into the system, which is why it’s essential to have a massive structure such as this to filter out the nasties. This design works brilliantly well, and lets people hear their classic deck in a way that was never possible when new.

Elsewhere in this issue, we go back to the future with Tannoy’s excellent DC6T floorstanding loudspeaker on p12. The brand has an mighty historical pedigree, and this features traditional Tannoy design cues (Dual Concentric drivers, wideband tweeter) in a modern setting. The result is a fast, clean, expansive performer for under £1,000. Our new integrated amplifier supertest has seven models of differing prices up to £1,200, including a tube amp and an AV receiver. There are some surprises – read on from p17. 

Digital disc fans will like our review of the new Sony BDP-S480, which is entry level Blu-ray par excellence [p44] and its cousin from some thirteen years back, the DVP-S725. One of the first DVD players, it still gives great pictures but works as super CD spinner too, all for pennies secondhand; read our Olde Worlde on p86. But for me this month’s nicest surprise is the Bladelius Freja III [p50] – a great sub-£3,000 SACD player that reminds us what a super format Super Audio Compact Disc still is. Enjoy this issue! 

David Price, editor

 

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