Hi-Fi Choice

Hi-Fi Choice is the essential guide to audio excellence in the home. It is a no-nonsense guide to the finest products available, from vinyl and valves, to multi-channel digital audio and high-fidelity video. Hi-Fi Choice sorts the best from the rest with rigorous test processes and a highly experienced team of reviewers.

Welcome • www.hifichoice.com Issue No. 475 May 2021

Basshead! • The new SVS 3000 promises “shockwave bass” from a tiny source

Tim for action! • Charlatans frontman inspires new Flare Audio in-ears

Moving on up • Cambridge Audio offers new enhanced earbud model

PLAY YOUR CARDEAS RIGHT!

Hey, hey, my Mojo • Neil Young bigs up Chord Electronics

True nobility • Texan range comes to the UK

Rotel’s X appeal • The up-market Michi series makes a welcome return with two new integrated amplifiers overflowing with power, but can they match up to their EISA-award winning predecessors?

Unique group tests • Our Group Tests are supported by rigorous and exhaustive listening tests carried out by experts

Starters’ orders • Assembling a separates hi-fi system on a tight budget, the right amp is key. David Vivian looks at six varied contenders that promise a flying start

Cambridge Audio AXA35 £300 • This is textbook budget integrated fare, but Cambridge makes it look and feel so much more special than that

Edwards Audio IA5 £500 • Here’s an amp that ditches fancy features in favour of quality electronics and high performance

Marantz PM6007 £500 • Can the latest take on one of recent history’s most praised amps stay ahead of the pack?

NAD D 3020 V2 £400 • The original 3020 rewrote the budget amp playbook, can its digital take do the same?

Pro-Ject MaiA S2 £450 • The updated MaiA has several refinements but, as before, size is the real surprise

Rega io £380 • Though Rega’s amplification starting point is analogue only, its sonic talent is no surprise

Group test verdict • After a long week of listening, David Vivian is finally ready to weigh the pros and cons of a diverse but talented group and reveal a deserving winner

Back to the future • JBL turns the clock back for inspiration for the latest addition to its Studio Monitor series, another retro classic in the making

Sixth sense • It might not be supernatural, but David Vivian can’t help but wonder just how B&W has managed to finesse the original 606 quite so effectively

Disc, man • B&O’s sturdy portable speaker gets a makeover just in time for summer. Cliff Joseph fires up the barbecue

Direct action • Audio-Technica has updated its hugely successful affordable direct-drive turntable, so Ed Selley gives it the shake down

Allez les Bleus! • As Focal beefs up its closed-back headphone offering Ed Selley works out if blue really is the warmest colour

All for one • David Price takes Musical Fidelity’s versatile new M6x Vinyl phono stage for a spin

Just add speakers • While others integrate systems and speakers to create all-in-ones, T+A is heading in the other direction. Andrew Everard listens in

Heads phone • As Grado rolls its own with its new ‘hemphone’, Cliff Joseph takes a hit but promises not to inhale

EVERYBODY HERTZ • We may take radio for granted nowadays, but the way it has developed is a fascinating story. Are you sitting comfortably? Neville Roberts begins

Heavy metal • Even when launched in 1979, Technics’ SP-15 was a turntable out of time, says David Price as he reminisces about a classic

Great savings • when you subscribe to Hi-Fi Choice today

YOUR LETTERS & QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Pandemic possibilities • Just when you...