LATEST ADDITIONS

Headphones
HiFiMan Sundara Headphones
Review and Lab: Keith Howard,  |  Sep 03, 2019
hfnedchoiceThe Chinese company claims a decade of planar driver technology development with these robust mid-priced open-backed 'phones – are they a cause for celebration?

With HiFiMan's UK distribution now switching to Signature Systems, we are at last able to get our hands on this idiosyncratic range of headphones from China. What makes them idiosyncratic is not merely their use of planar magnetic (aka isodynamic) drive units – something which is becoming increasingly mainstream – but that these drivers are reminiscent of isodynamic units of the past in respect of their low sensitivity.

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From the Vault
CD: The story so far
Martin Colloms  |  Aug 30, 2019  |  First Published: Mar 01, 1984
A year after the launch of CD, Martin Colloms looks at the progress made by player manufacturers before reviewing the new generation of machines

This issue marks the first anniversary of CD's UK launch, the Philips CD100 appearing on these shores in March 1983. There has been some comment in the press concerning a 'second generation' of CD players and this appears to be the case for some manufacturers.

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Loudspeakers
Focal Kanta No1 Loudspeaker
Review: Nick Tate,  |  Aug 29, 2019
hfncommendedCelebrating its 40th anniversary, Focal continues to diversify and expand – its Kanta range now three-strong

Sitting smack-bang in the middle of the company's vast loudspeaker range, the Focal Kanta series is described as 'a new vision for a premium speaker', no less. Personally I'm not entirely convinced that this is so revolutionary, but the £4499 Kanta No1 still makes a fine case for itself. It's attractive, very well finished and sports some novel technologies.

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Audiophile Vinyl
Audiophile: Vinyl, June 2019
Ken Kessler  |  Aug 28, 2019
This month we review: Tony Joe White, Julie London, Buck Owens and Linda Ronstadt
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Audiophile Digital
Audiophile: Digital, June 2019
Ken Kessler  |  Aug 28, 2019
This month, we review: Miles Davis, The Action, Jimi Hendrix and The Hues Corporation
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Rock
Rock, June 2019
Johnny Black  |  Aug 28, 2019
This month we review: The Skints, Matthew Edwards And The Unfortunates, The Cranberries and Pretty Archie
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Jazz
Jazz, June 2019
Steve Harris  |  Aug 28, 2019
This month we review: Gwilym Simcock, Chris Potter, Alfredo Rodriguez/Pedrito Martinez and John Turville
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Classical
Classical, June 2019
Christopher Breunig  |  Aug 28, 2019
This month we review: JS Bach, Chopin, Mahler and Shostakovich
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Meet the Producers
Robin Guthrie
Steve Sutherland  |  Aug 27, 2019
His shimmering guitar soundscapes not only brought the Cocteau Twins fame back in the '80s but would earn him numerous production credits with other bands seeking his trademark touch. Steve Sutherland on the Scottish-born producer Robin Guthrie

One of the '80s most over-the-top critical statements…' That's what the Guardian said.

'That was very naughty of you Steve, very, very naughty…' was what the singer said before she bit me on the arm in the pouring rain outside the Embassy Club in London and drew blood through my jacket, a small rosary of teeth marks tattooed there for a week or two, testament to her displeasure.

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Turntables, Arms & Cartridges
EMT Jubilee JSD 6 Cartridge
Review: Nick Tate,  |  Aug 23, 2019
hfnoutstandingWith a heritage in broadcast and studio environments EMT has always married robustness with precision engineering, witnessed in this 'domestic' high-end MC series

Elektromesstechnik – under the abbreviation EMT – is a brand that needs no introduction to vinyl fans, not least because of the reputation its turntables earned as the workhorses of recording and broadcast studios across the globe. The company's cartridges share a similar reputation for quality, robustness and reliability, but so far these have been somewhat overshadowed by its record decks. That's a pity, because not only has EMT been making pick-ups since 1959 but it has buyers in all four corners of the world.

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