During the last 12 months, I will need to have seen and heard most likely near a few hundred merchandise as they’ve handed by way of What Hello-Fi?‘s suite of take a look at rooms. Some — surprisingly few, truly — have been downright poor, most have been what I might name ‘strong’, and a choose few have impressed sufficient to win one in every of our 2023 What Hello-Fi? Awards.
However this listing is not merely my favorite handful of these Award winners; it’s my decide of the merchandise which have personally made an influence on me, that goes past star scores and awards. I discover these merchandise attention-grabbing and, every in their very own means, uncommon…
TEAC VRDS-701 CD participant
Provided that the launch of recent CD gamers has slowed to a mere trickle, the legislation of chance means that the probabilities of any making it onto this listing are minuscule. So it says a lot for the standard of the TEAC VRDS-701 (pictured high) that it will get the nod.
This can be a well-conceived product that not solely performs CDs to a excessive stage but additionally has the complete vary of digital inputs to permit it to work as an outboard DAC for different digital sources. The inner DAC’s vary of compatibility is spectacular, going as much as 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD 512. There may be quite a lot of adjustability on provide, too, permitting tweakers to fine-tune the participant’s efficiency to their tastes. However fairly truthfully, such is the usual of the efficiency, I believe most individuals may have a play earlier than sticking to the identical settings from then on.
This can be a well-built unit, giving off the impression of one thing designed to serve for many years. The center of the machine is, after all, TEAC’s highly-respected VRDS transport mechanism, which helps the disc over its complete floor in a bid to scale back rotational vibration. My expertise of the ‘701, and different premium VRDS-equipped TEAC CD gamers prior to now, strongly suggests there’s loads of benefit to that concept.
This participant delivers a splendidly steady and authoritative sound that even a machine as proficient as Cyrus’s CDi-XR struggles to match. Bass is delivered with texture, depth and energy, and serves as a strong basis for the remainder of the frequency vary to construct on. Concerning element decision, management and muscularity, this CD participant has nothing to concern from any rival we’ve come throughout. That it’s a pleasure to make use of is a bonus.
Musical Constancy A1 built-in amplifier
I admit I’ve all the time had a gentle spot for the long-lasting Musical Constancy A1, what with its distinctive angular design and the unique nature of its Class A circuitry. So when to firm determined to resurrect the ’80s design, I could not wait to listen to the outcomes. Happily, the brand new A1 didn’t disappoint.
It is meant to be a trustworthy reincarnation of the 1985 authentic – and inside present laws, it principally is. The place the corporate has erred, it has finished so for good motive. The brand new model’s case is greater to assist warmth dissipation, whereas inside is a revised energy provide association to enhance sound high quality. There may be additionally a distant, one thing the unique lacked.
Regardless of all of the laborious work, there isn’t a method to keep away from the truth that the brand new mannequin nonetheless runs scorching – certainly, scorching sufficient to really feel uncomfortable to the touch for various seconds. Extra warmth is a component and parcel of a Class A circuit design, after all, however so is the promise of fine sound – and that’s what the brand new A1 delivers.
It sounds means bolder than its modest 25-watt-per-channel energy output suggests. The character of the presentation is splendidly full-bodied, easy and fluid, leaving most of its competitors sounding a bit of sterile and mechanical compared. The 2023 A1 might not be essentially the most detailed or clear amplifier in its class, however it stays one of the crucial beguiling.
Fyne Audio Classic Traditional X loudspeakers
It’s simple to underestimate a speaker just like the Fyne Audio Classic Traditional X. I think most individuals tempted by them will predominantly purchase them for the way in which they appear, and there’s nothing mistaken with that.
They’re fantastically made and can mix into traditional-styled domesticated house seamlessly. However that isn’t why these audio system are on my listing. No, they’re right here purely due to their sound and, to a sure diploma, their worth. Fairly merely, it is a lot of speaker for the cash, each bodily and sonically.
Little else I’ve heard within the final 12 months appears like them. That vast 25cm Isoflare driver array, which locations the titanium dome compression tweeter within the throat of the paper-fibre mid/bass, delivers a mix of free-flowing dynamics, low-end agility and musical cohesiveness that’s laborious to get another means at this worth stage.
Positive, the Traditional X wouldn’t be my first alternative if tonal neutrality or treble refinement have been my predominant priorities, however in most different methods they do sound actually beautiful.
Rega Naia turntable
The Naia was the Rega deck I didn’t assume can be made. It’s successfully a manufacturing model of the corporate’s well-known Naiad, a technological showpiece and ‘take a look at mattress’ idea that was meant to push Rega’s engineering rules so far as attainable, no matter price.
The model reckons that the Naia just about matches the Naiad’s efficiency, which is a formidable achievement for one thing that may be constructed on a manufacturing line subsequent to the corporate’s bread-and-butter Planar decks.
The highlights listed below are the exceptionally mild but inflexible carbon fibre-reinforced foam plinth, the ceramic platter/predominant bearing meeting, and the Titanium tonearm.
The end result is likely one of the best document gamers I’ve heard, interval. The Naia sounds exquisitely clear for essentially the most half, capable of resolve a lot when it comes to element however ship it in such a pure and unforced method that a lot of the competitors sounds contrived compared. I used to be significantly taken by the Naia’s articulate and textured means with bass, which initially sounded a bit of light-weight to me however over time proved unusually agile and sincere.
Lavardin ITx built-in amplifier
Playing cards on the desk, I like this amplifier. On the floor, spending over £7000/$9000 on a functional-looking stereo amp that gives simply 55 watts per channel doesn’t appear smart, does it? Significantly when that amount of cash will purchase a thick slice of sophistication, lots of of watts of energy and an distinctive construct high quality from any of the established high-end alternate options. Certainly, that Lavardin feels it’s sensible to cost further for a distant is difficult to know.
But, the Lavardin ITx is particular. The core philosophy behind the corporate’s amplifiers has all the time been the eradication of what it calls ‘Reminiscence Distortion’. That is the concept that as electrons move throughout silicon (utilized in transistors) they go away a residual path, and that path impacts the way in which that subsequent electrons transfer by way of the fabric. Lavardin claims that this impact causes conventional transistor-based designs to sound tougher and fewer musical than valve-powered alternate options. In valves, electrons (primarily) move by way of a vacuum so the ‘Reminiscence Distortion’ impact doesn’t exist.
At this level, I have to point out that no different producer I do know of even acknowledges the impact, not to mention thinks it is an issue that wants fixing. However, given how good the iTx and different Lavardin amplifiers I’ve heard sound, I’m keen to offer the corporate the good thing about the doubt.
This Lavardin is likely one of the most uncluttered and musically cohesive amplifiers I’ve heard, no matter worth. Its presentation is splendidly easy and fluid. In these respects, it does remind me of a few of the higher valve designs available on the market. However right here, they’re mixed with a mix of agility, dynamic subtlety and rhythmic drive that’s past any of its pure opponents, no matter design. Generally essentially the most treasured of presents can come within the plainest of wrappers. That is actually the case right here.
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