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Integrated AmplifiersNetwork Audio Players/Servers
AVM Ovation CS 8.3 S streaming amp/player
Review: Mark Craven,  |  May 26, 2026  |  First Published: Jul 01, 2026
hfnoutstandingAVM’s flagship all-in-one streaming, CD-playing receiver combines a generous supply of cool-running power with a treasure trove of flexibility. Is this all things to all enthusiasts?

The latest in a long-running line of premium-priced all-in-one models, the £19,000 Ovation CS 8.3 S from AVM offers so many features that it almost defies categorisation. Its German manufacturer describes it as a ‘streaming CD receiver’, but even that doesn’t quite seem to cover a unit also carrying an MM/MC phono stage and headphone amplifier, while offering playback from CD and USB drives, and over Bluetooth.

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Turntables, Arms & Cartridges
Sumiko Oriole MC cartridge
Review: Ken Kessler,  |  May 25, 2026  |  First Published: Jul 01, 2026
hfnoutstandingMade in Japan for US-brand Sumiko, the low-output Oriole MC sits between the Songbird and flagship Starling pick-ups in its range-topping Reference series

What goes around comes around: if it wasn’t for Sumiko, we would probably still be listening solely to moving-magnet cartridges. As recounted in our review of the Sumiko Celebration 40 [HFN Apr ’22], company founder Dave Fletcher helped introduce to the West Japanese audiophiles’ passion for moving-coils in 1972. Sumiko’s latest, the Oriole, is entirely representative of 21st century MCs, a half-century on since Sumiko made us aware of Supex, Grace and the rest.

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From the Vault
Nakamichi 1000mb/1000p CD player
Hi-Fi News  |  May 25, 2026  |  First Published: Jul 01, 2026
hfnvintageBoasting a premium construction, all-new DAC stage and slick multi-disc playback, does this two-box CD player earn the HFN seal of approval?

This two-box system from Nakamichi follows its 1000 DAT/1000p D/A converter [HFN Oct ’89], but here the company has taken advantage of the modular nature of the DAC to design a completely new processor board with fresh digital, analogue and power supply circuitry. The 1000mb CD transport doesn’t need reinventing however – it’s all new.

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Classical
Classical, July 2026
Peter Quantrill  |  May 25, 2026  |  First Published: Jul 01, 2026

This month we review: Bach Collegium Japan/Masaaki Suzuki; Alexandra Nepomnyashchaya; Orch Nat De France/Cristian Macelaru; and Hallé/Sir Mark Elder

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Jazz
Jazz, July 2026
Steve Harris  |  May 25, 2026  |  First Published: Jul 01, 2026

This month we review: Immanuel Wilkins Quartet, QOW Trio, Soft Machine, Miroslav Vitous

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Rock
Rock, July 2026
Mike Barnes  |  May 25, 2026  |  First Published: Jul 01, 2026

This month we review: Tori Amos, Jalen Ngonda, Seefeel, and Skindred

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Audiophile Digital
Audiophile: Digital, July 2026
Ken Kessler  |  May 25, 2026  |  First Published: Jul 01, 2026

This month we review: Stephen Stills, Van Morrison, Various Artists, Garret T. Willie

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Audiophile Vinyl
Audiophile: Vinyl, July 2026
Ken Kessler  |  May 25, 2026  |  First Published: Jul 01, 2026

This month we review: David Forman, Santana, The Stooges, Mal Waldron

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Hi-Res Downloads
Hi-Res Downloads, July 2026
Review: Andrew Everard,  |  May 25, 2026  |  First Published: Jul 01, 2026

This month we review and test releases from: Mathias Eick, Neil Cowley Trio, Third Angle New Music/P. Glass, Geir Sundstøl, Kramies.

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Investigation
Top 20 Summer Songs
Steve Sutherland  |  May 25, 2026  |  First Published: Jul 01, 2026

From the beaches of Southern California to a park in Cambridge, Steve Sutherland dons shorts and flip-flops to go on a journey through an eclectic playlist of summer sounds

Give or take the odd sudden thunderstorm or grey and drizzly afternoon, the UK summer should have arrived by now, and that means it’s time to spruce up your music listening with some sun-drenched, blue sky classics. That said, with hundreds of tracks to choose from, where to start?

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