Hi Fi News

Since its launch in June 1956 - two years before the commercial realisation of stereo - Hi-Fi News & Record Review has been delivering insightful reviews of the key products and technologies that lie behind our shared hobby... the passion of listening to music on the very best equipment available to the enthusiast. Every issue, Hi-Fi News delivers uniquely in-depth reviews of high-end audio equipment, including the best in vinyl replay and iconic vintage gear from the early days of audio. It is essential reading for all music enthusiasts.

JAN/24

Boxing Day specials • With the festive season about to begin, Hi-Fi News comes to the rescue with a score of CD box sets for last-minute Christmas gift shopping. Ken Kessler plays Santa Claus…

The UK Hi-Fi Show Live #2

The hi-fi news & Record Review Reader Pledge • Hi-Fi News’ readers can take full confidence in the fact that every product featured on our front cover, throughout the magazine and on our website has been comprehensively reviewed (auditioned, photographed and lab tested) at our facility

D’Agostino MxV Integrated • This new heavyweight integrated blends inspiration from D’Agostino’s Momentum HD preamp and MxV power amp into an app-controlled design with modular upgrade path

DAN’S MXV UPDATES

DS Audio Master 3 • Conceived to replace the Master 1, but with all the ‘third generation’ technology unveiled in the Grand Master, the Master 3 is described as a ‘semi-flagship’ pick-up…

LIGHT WORK

GoldenEar T66 • A refinement of GoldenEar’s established Triton series, the new T range still combines an AMT tweeter, active bass and ABRs

HYBRID THINKING

Rotel Michi X3 Series 2 • Rotel’s ‘entry-level’ Michi integrated, now in Series 2 guise, features multiple component updates – including switching to an ESS DAC – while retaining its huge power output

POWER PLAY

PS Audio StellarGold DAC • The latest addition to PS Audio’s Stellar range is a back-to-basics USB/I2 S DAC with the emphasis on performance rather than frippery. But it does have a gold ‘go faster’ stripe!

GETTING INTO STELLAR

KEF R11 Meta • KEF’s R series adopts all the ‘acoustic principles’ of its far costlier Reference range, but is the big R11 Meta a ‘disruptor’

INSIDE THE BOX

Mola Mola Lupe • Developed from the phono stage debuted in the Makua preamp and Kula integrated, the Lupe is a deceptively simple-looking but hugely flexible, app-driven phono preamp

MOLA MOLA APP

Musical Fidelity A1 • First the Nu-Vista series, and now the iconic ‘Class A’ A1 integrated is reimagined by Musical Fidelity’s new owners. How close to the original is this modern version?

A CLASS ACT

Haydn String Quartet Op 76 No 2 ‘Fifths’ • Gut or steel? Repeats, or straight through? Pathos or plain speaking? Peter Quantrill looks behind the notes of an enigmatic masterpiece and asks ‘What is Haydn up to’?

Joni Mitchell Ladies Of The Canyon • Now reissued on 180g vinyl, Joni Mitchell’s third album found the singer-songwriter perfecting her confessional – and highly influential – style, says Steve Sutherland

Beefheart Safe As Milk • Take the inventive, ‘un-linear’ musical approach of charismatic frontman Don Van Vliet, add the guitar skills of a youthful Ry Cooder, and you get this groundbreaking 1967 debut album that throws blues, rock, soul, doo-wop and more into the melting pot

PRODUCTION NOTES

Alternate Format Discography

Studio In The Country • Betty Davis, Stevie Wonder and an IRS showdown along the way… Steve Sutherland on a studio in America’s Deep South that’s produced more than its fair share of classic cuts

AUDIOPHILE: VINYL

AUDIOPHILE: DIGITAL

HI-RES...