LATEST ADDITIONS

Integrated Amplifiers
Audio Research I/50 Integrated Amplifier
Review: Ken Kessler,  |  Nov 01, 2022
hfnoutstandingA new dawn? Audio Research's first fresh integrated amp in seven years shows a change of direction while still maintaining a grip on the brand's sonic virtues. Enter the I/50...

Few companies have been as resistant to styling changes as Audio Research. Even after a decade-plus under the ownership of fashion-conscious Italians, ARC products still suggest they belong in studios or government laboratories. Can you imagine the shock, then, when news releases arrived showing a swoopy integrated amplifier available in six colourways?

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Audiophile Vinyl
Audiophile: Vinyl, October 2022
Ken Kessler  |  Oct 31, 2022
This month we review: Mose Allison, Ornette Coleman, Electric Light Orchestra and Madness.
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Audiophile Digital
Audiophile: Digital, October 2022
Ken Kessler  |  Oct 31, 2022
This month, we review: Judee Sill, Augustus, Eddie Piller Presents British Mod Sounds and A Summer Of Soul.
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Rock
Rock, October 2022
Mike Barnes  |  Oct 31, 2022
This month we review: Working Men's Club, Tim Bowness, Breathless and Martin Courtney.
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Jazz
Jazz, October 2022
Steve Harris  |  Oct 31, 2022
This month we review: Joey Alexander, Chet Baker Trio, Charles Lloyd and Justin Thurgur.
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Classical
Classical, October 2022
Peter Quantrill  |  Oct 31, 2022
This month we review: Hallé/Sir Mark Elder, Vienna State Opera/Welser-Möst, Bertrand Chamayou and Brabant Ensemble/Stephen Rice.
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Hi-Res Downloads
Hi-Res Downloads, October 2022
Andrew Everard  |  Oct 28, 2022
This month we review and test releases from: Marc-André Hamelin, Carmen Sandim, The Gesualdo Six, Jeremy Mohney and Mansur.
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Phono PreamplifiersTurntables, Arms & Cartridges
Pro-Ject X2 B/Phono Box S3 B Turntable/Phono Preamp
Review: Ken Kessler,  |  Oct 27, 2022
hfnoutstandingMoving-coil pick-ups are inherently 'balanced' and Pro-Ject is determined to reveal them at their best with this balanced-wired version of the X2 deck and phono preamp

One burning question is begged by the arrival of Pro-Ject's X2 B turntable and Phono Box S3 B phono stage: why did it take so long for the industry to simplify a balanced vinyl-playing front-end? It's not like balanced operation wasn't adopted by high-end listeners decades ago as superior to single-ended for both line-level sources – DACs and top-flight CD players – and pre-to-power amp connections. MC cartridges are inherently balanced. So why the wait?

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Pre/Power AmplifiersVintage
Two Tube Winners
Ken Kessler  |  Oct 25, 2022  |  First Published: Jun 01, 1993
hfnvintageAn old circuit with a modern look versus a new design with retro styling as Ken Kessler hears valve amps from Papworth and Sonic Frontiers

Contrary to the practices of most specialist companies, some still believe that small is beautiful. Despite the continuing displays of excess from across the Pond, enough manufacturers realise that the only way to get quality sound into certain homes is to 'down-size'.

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Loudspeakers
GoldenEar BRX Loudspeaker
Review: Mark Craven,  |  Oct 24, 2022
hfnoutstandingNow owned by AudioQuest cable's parent company, GoldenEar has added the compact Bookshelf Reference X to its range – the final design from longstanding CEO Sandy Gross

Looking at the BRX (Bookshelf Reference X) loudspeaker, it's easy to feel slightly unnerved by the amount of, well, 'technology' that's been squeezed into its compact dimensions. But then we should remember it hails from American brand GoldenEar, a company that – under the auspices of founder Sandy Gross – has always seemed to approach loudspeaker (and subwoofer) design a little differently to many rivals.

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