News

Welcome to the latest, 148-page January issue of Hi-Fi News & Record Review – the heartiest read in hi-fi by far – on sale 21st December. Our cover star this month is the Air Force V turntable, the most affordable and compact model from the TechDAS range, still featuring an air-bearing and vacuum pull-down feature plus the capacity to accommodate no fewer than four separate tonearms. This issue also features the first full review of Marantz's SA-KI and PM-KI Ruby SACD player/DAC and integrated amplifier, launched in celebration of Ken Ishiwata's 40 years with the brand. This, plus the first technical exploration of DS Audio's new DS-W2 'optical' pick-up and, in our Investigation strand, a frank discussion about inspiration, innovation and hi-res audio with the master of the melodious synth – Jean-Michel Jarre – as the man himself spins-up his latest album, Equinoxe Infinity.

Hi-Fi News – the oldest hi-fi magazine in the world is still delivering the best mix of international show reports, in-depth investigative features, world-class reviews, vintage celebrations and surely the most comprehensive range of music features available anywhere. And we're still the only magazine that tests high resolution music downloads.

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Music Reviews & Features

Classical Companion
This month Christopher Breunig highlights the work of the dazzling San Francisco music director and conductor, Michael Tilson Thomas

Vinyl Release
Pop goes post-apocalyptic as Steve Sutherland hears the 180g reissue of Crown Of Creation, the 1968 album by Jefferson Airplane

Vinyl Icon
Thanks to Thomas Dolby this band of Northern indie hopefuls created some of the '80s most enduring music. Johnny Black on the making of Prefab Sprout's Steve McQueen

Meet The Producers
He was the doyen of the desk for bands powering the alternative rock boom of the early '90s. Steve Sutherland on Butch Vig...

Music Reviews
Our selection of audiophile LP and hi-res downloads reviewed by our specialists alongside the latest rock, jazz and classical albums

Definitive Product Reviews

TechDAS Air Force V
Company ups the ante for high-end turntables with a mega-deck that's more affordable than you'll think

Marantz SA-KI/PM-KI Ruby
Purity, poise and polish as Ishiwata anniversary SACD and amp pairing prove once more that 'Music Matters'

Manger Audio P2
This flagship speaker with MST driver is as insightful as it is idiosyncratic, making it one to hear

McIntosh MA252
Compact hybrid stereo integrated hits the sweet spot with its mix of lifelike, liquid and rhythmic sound

Naim ND5 XS 2
Why the junior model in company's revitalised range of network music players could be the star performer

DS Audio DS-W2
Reworking of company's optical pick-up tech results in near range- topping performance at half the price

Falcon Acoustics LS3/5a
Better built than the originals, these reborn classic speakers are arguably a bargain, but how do they sound?

Denon AH-D5200
Slam, scale, solid bass... replacements for tried-and-trusted AH-D5000 cans put the emphasis on sheer enjoyment

Accusound XD
Can this cable relieve your sonic ills?

Wharfedale D330
Why this budget-buy floorstander offers remarkable value for money

Vintage

Vintage Review
How do the classics of yesteryear shape up today? We test a CD player from 1984 – the Ferguson CD 01

From The Vault
It's Dec 1976 and Trevor Attewell reviews three loudspeakers – from Chartwell, Leak and Lentek

News And Opinion

Welcome
A message from the editor

News
Premium pre/powers from Chord, Wilson re-works Sasha speaker, EX-8 'hub' amp from Ayre, plus a hybrid integrated from Unison Research

Show Blog
Now in its sixth year, the annual Hi-Fi Show Live in Windsor attracts the world's most prestigious hi-fi. We bring you a seven-page report...

Investigation
Just what will the master of the melodious synth epic make of a full dCS, D'Agostino, Wilson rig? We catch up with Jean-Michel Jarre...

Opinion
Comment and analysis as Barry Fox, Barry Willis, Jim Lesurf, Steve Harris and Andrew Everard consider the hot audio topics of the day

Sound Off
Quality bass and driver size, a deep dive into digital media processing, amplifier power tests, the hunt for the 'hottest' LS3/5a, plus the case of the capricious amp

Off The Leash
'Talking heads', Twitter trolls and the most important brand in hi-fi history as Ken Kessler fights to the last against those who warp the past