Headlines - Spring 2022

Hi-Fi Headlines September 2022

Naim & Focal Celebrate 10 Years

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(02) 9427 6755

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Contents

4 From The Desk Of Len Len says it’s all change (though nothing drastic!) at Len Wallis Audio, which is going through an exciting rebrand… and launching a shiny new website to celebrate.

5 All The New Headphones Something familiar from Bowers & Wilkins, Plus Meze Audio’s latest superb-sounding works of art.

6 Musical Fidelity MX-Stream Streamer

11 Bowers & Wilkins/AudioQuest Promotion

18 REVIEW: PrimaLuna EVO 300

Production of Bowers & Willkin’s 800 D4 Series is now catching up with orders, and to mark the occasion a promotion has been launched to give away up to $3,000 worth of AudioQuest cables with select 800 D4 purchases.

Another small initiative is that we have commissioned Greg Borrowman, who was the editor of Australian Hi-Fi magazine for over 40 years, to do short reviews for us. He has been given open slather; we provide the equipment but have no input to the review.

These are his subjective assessments,

12 Triangle Borea BR02-BT, BR03BT The Borea speaker range from the French brand has been an international sensation, so it’s little surprise that active versions of the two bookshelf models have now been

streamer is the streaming equivalent of a CD transport, in that it requires a connection to a DAC-toting component. Elsewhere in the company’s range, there’s been a welcome price drop...

more convenient system package.

7 Bluesound Hub Wireless Source Adapter

speakers trio is a fantastic choice.

A wireless source adapter that allows any number of sources — a turntable, a CD player, a TV etc — to be distributed wirelessly through your existing BlueSound network.

14 The Latest On Home Theatre

13 Rega System One Vinyl System For those who are looking for a simple, well-

24 All Things Vinyl Pro-Ject has launched an usual limitededition turntable that is sure to get Metallica entirely new tonearm since 2006; exciting new vinyl releases from Inakustik and Mobile Fidelity have just come in; and we have a number of ingenious accessories for keeping your records clean.

26 All-important Accessories

We are in the process of designing a new dedicated high-end Home Theatre space in our showroom and have used the opportunity to research the market from scratch, resulting

8 ‘just add speakers’ solutions at the moment — and an excellent example of one is NAD’s latest streaming system, ideal for anyone looking for a well-priced, compact, fully featured component that you just need to add speakers to.

16 Naim & Focal Celebrate 10 years

10 Perreaux 200iX &

17 Reavon UBR-X110 4K Blu-ray Player

To mark a decade together under common ownership, Naim Audio and Focal have released an exceptional limited-edition system that in many ways is exactly what a limited-edition system should be.

There are many upgrade paths one can go down to improve their system’s performance, from adding isolation feets/pads and upgrading power cables to giving it a new lease of life with an external DAC…

28 Musical Fidelity M-Series A quartet of versatile, powerful integrateds that ultimately share one thing in common: excellent sound quality for their price.

30 Aurender Streamers/Servers Another new brand on our shelves is Aurender, which has established itself as

In just a couple of years, new-kid-on-theRated at 200 and (you guessed it) 300 watts, Zealand are sonically astonishing — without doubt up there with the best available.

as go-to brand for high-end UHD Blu-ray players. And its latest disc spinner will certainly please users of SACDs…

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Editorial

FROM THE DESK OF LEN

I

t is possible you noticed that this it. After some decades, Len Wallis Audio is having a re-brand. Nothing

fabulous products, same showroom (although there are some changes underway here as well), but all folded into a new website which will soon go live, and we are in the process of updating our internal operating systems too.

traditional ‘audiophile’ has now been joined by a new brigade of younger consumers who

without any suspicion of how good it could

diet of compressed music accessed via earbuds, are suddenly becoming aware of the wonders of listening to their music as it

passionate about their music and the means of reproducing it. It is the so-called

new technologies (streaming, wireless etc) plus embracing old faithfuls (vinyl).

to be all things to all people, it is important that we create an environment that caters to everyone concerned.

Another small initiative is that we have commissioned Greg Borrowman, who was the editor of Australian Hi-Fi magazine for over 40 years, to do short reviews for us. He has been given open slather; we provide the equipment but have no input to the review. If

High-quality audio and video can now be accessed from anywhere inside your home

performance, convenience and aesthetics.

to perform well, be easy to use, be reliable, and, in many cases, not visually dominate the living environment.

At the same time we are fortunate to have a strong following of clients who remain

expect him to say so (admittedly, this is equipment which we are impressed with).

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Headphones

All the new headphones We may have lost the headphone logo in our branding, but headphones remain an important category for us, and we have recently received a couple of excellent new models

Meze Audio ADVAR in-ear headphones Meze Audio has established a very solid reputation in a very short time frame. For the archaic civilizations of Romania, where Meze Audio is based, an Advar was similar to a talisman, amulet — a symbol of the

at a price, and that price is performance (this is why both cordless headphones

between the performance of these phones with and without the cables).

ADVAR is the one where most in-ear

Stax Spirit S3 wireless headphones Firstly, these Stax headphones do not come out of the Stax factory but are what under the Stax banner that has been built elsewhere. Priced at $699, they are also nowhere near as expensive as traditional Stax headphones, which start

luck to whoever wears it. Like the ancient amulet, the ADVAR in-ear monitor is a work of art with its solid stainless-steel chassis so with authority and complexity. Lots of

commitment to performance that dictated that these phones are not wireless.

Despite recent advances, Bluetooth is a

If you are in the market for a very impressive, and comfortable, pair of in-ear phones, the ADVAR should be on your shortlist. $1,100.

B&W Px7 S2 wireless noise cancelling headphones B&W has established itself as a serious decade. The Px7 S2, now arrived, is based on their earlier Px7 model. The S2 variant utilises new drivers plus Qualcomm’s aptX

amounts of air with small movements dynamic with a faster response time and lower distortion, than traditional cone-based alternatives.

When 30-year review veteran Mark Sparrow reviewed the Stax S3, he stated that these ‘…are probably the best wireless headphones I haves heard to date’. His conclusion: ‘ Stax Spirit S3 wireless headphones to listen to. They sound like a breath of fresh air. The dynamism and vibrancy

directly with the B&W Music App. The Px7 was well established as a premium headphone, and the S2 version is a step forward. The best news is that the

the comfort levels are excellent thanks to those replaceable ear pads.’

price as its predecessor. Excellent value. iconic brand.

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Musical Fidelity

Some news from Musical Fidelity

MX-Stream

A

ccording to Musical Fidelity, “for a solution to be true to the Musical Fidelity tradition, it has to have our warm but transparent and incredibly detailed signature sound, and not just be technical wizardry to give clean technical measurements. We need to hear it, we need to feel it, and we

need to move with it inside and out”.

This philosophy has obviously been applied dedicated streamer — due for release in late October. In keeping with this purist approach, this is a streamer only; there is no DAC or pre-amp built in. It’s the streaming equivalent of a CD transport, a device designed to plug

integrated DAC feeding a USB input.

The MX-Stream is part of the company’s mid-sized (220mm wide) series and a perfect match for the MX-DAC, a high performance, well-priced DAC that shares the same physical dimensions.

The MX-Stream sells for $2,000.

V90-BLU5 HD Bluetooth Receiver reduced in price Yes — bucking the trend, the V90-BLU5 has recently been reduced in price from $999 to $800.

As the performance of Bluetooth continues to improve, it also continues to grow in popularity. The V90-BLU5 is a hi-res device based on the improved Bluetooth 5.0 standard and utilises a separate DAC with both re-clocking and

up-sampling skills.

Many do not consider Bluetooth as a legitimate audiophile source, and based on what has come before this is a legitimate call. While we are not suggesting that the

V90-BLU5 is as good as the very best sources out there, it raises the level. It is convenient, too, and good enough to enjoy as a legitimate music source in the best of

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BlueSound

BlueSound Hub

O

ne of the downsides to most multi-room wireless streaming systems (BlueSound, HEOS, Sonos, MusicCast etc) is that their application is restricted primarily to playing network-accessed music. It may be possible to add an additional source, but the options are limited.

BlueSound has recently announced HUB,

a wireless audio source adaptor that will accept numerous analogue and digital input sources, including phono, line-level, optical, coaxial and HDMI eARC. You can even have two simultaneous audio streams — one via an analogue input and the other via a digital input — per hub.

The HUB connects to your network via Wi-Fi or hardwired. It then allows for a

number of sources — a turntable, a CD player, a TV etc — to be distributed wirelessly through your existing BlueSound network. prior to Christmas, though we have been warned that initial shipments will be limited, and we are currently taking orders.

BlueSound HUB sells for $599.

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NAD

NAD C 700

T

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THE NEW C 7OO BluOS STREAMING AMPLIFIER FROM NAD. N A D E l e c t ro ni c s’ C 7 0 0 t a k e s f i v e d e c a d e s o f e x p e r t is e in hi g h p e r f o r m a n c e in t e g r a t e d a m p lif i e rs a n d b rin g s a n e w l o o k wi t h B lu O S hi g h re s o lu t i o n s t re a m in g , f o r a p i o n e e rin g “j u s t a d d s p e a k e rs” s y s t e m f o r t h e m o d e r n a u d i o p hil e.

P R O U D LY D IS T RI B U T E D B Y

nadelectronics.com.au

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Perreaux

Perreaux

I

f you have been a client of ours for 30+ years, you will recall the heyday of Perreaux. In the late 80’s/early 90’s, we

— and for very good reason. They sounded good, they were well priced, and they were reliable. This was a great example of a simple design done very well.

Much was made of the build quality and

images circulating of Peter Perreaux of an amp being run over with a truck.

Perreaux has undergone a few changes of ownership since those days, and a couple of the new releases have caught our eye (for more than one reason). The 200iX and

and (you guessed it) 300 watts, respectively.

Sonically these are excellent, without doubt up there with the best available. And Perreaux has managed to achieve this while They incorporate a host of analogue and digital audio connections, including AES EBU, USB, Bluetooth, Optical (Toslink), Coaxial (SPDIF), Balanced (XLR) and Unbalanced (RCA) inputs.

With an onboard 24-bit/384kHz SABRE Pro 9038 DSD DAC, they are capable of computer or streaming Bluetooth audio direct from your smartphone or tablet.

Additionally, they also feature a class-leading PERREAUX MM / MC Phono a Moving Coil or Moving Magnet cartridge.

Headphone enthusiasts are also catered to with the inclusion of the legendary Full control of the 200iX is available via the downloadable PERREAUX Bluetooth iOS / Android app or the supplied handheld IR remote control. to order in any colour you desire.

200iX $9,495 300iX $12,995

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B&W – Audioquest

Bowers & Wilkins Promotion

B

&W has announced a very enticing promotion in conjunction with AudioQuest cables. The 800 D4 series is now a year old and has received glowing endorsements worldwide (we know of one reviewer who was so taken by the 803 D4 that he was reviewing, he ordered a pair of 801 D4 for his personal use).

If there was a downside, it was that B&W has not been able to meet demand, with some customers waiting many months for delivery.

It appears that production is now catching up, and this promotion has been launched to mark the occasion.

Purchasers of any of the 800 D4 series will be able to chose any AudioQuest cables to the following values.

801 D4 Select up to $3,000 worth of AudioQuest cables

802 D4 Select up to $2,500 AudioQuest cables

803 D4 Select up to $2,000 AudioQuest cables

804 D4 Select up to $1,500 AudioQuest cables

805 D4 Select up to $1,000 AudioQuest cables

However, you will need to be quick — this

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Triangle

Triangle

T

he Borea speaker range from Triangle has been an international sensation — in many markets

There have been two developments in the

two models in this new series, both based available in a choice of Black Ash, Cream

connect all three!

BR02-BT: $1,000pr BR03-BT: $1,200pr

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Rega

Rega System One

T

here is a lot to be said for creating a system with every component in mind, where every piece is matched. Rega has just done that with the System One. The System One is designed for those who are looking for a simple, well-priced, vinylbased system — and it is ideal for someone stepping into a quality audio system for the added to or upgraded over time, or one that will simply continue to perform well for many, many years to come in its current form.

bookshelf speakers. Given its price, this is an excellent sounding system, and we believe Ed Selly from AVForums summed it up well: “The Rega System One is one of the most

it possesses everything that a great Hi-Fi system needs to have. For many owners, anything like this, that experience is going

that. This is a Hi-Fi experience like very little else anywhere near its price point and it is an indisputable Best Buy.”

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Home Theatre

The latest on Home Theatre We have a lot happening with our Home Theatre market at the moment. We are in the process of designing a new dedicated high-end Home Theatre space in our showroom, and have taken the opportunity to go back to basics. We have researched the market from scratch, which has resulted

important, a fact recognised by many of our two-channel clientele. The same applies for theatre packages consist of both speakers

JBL Synthesis Sub Woofer-SSW

JBL Synthesis

T

he Home Theatre market has gone through a maturity phase in recent times. The vast majority of domestic theatres built in the past have been constructed around brands and products, particularly speakers, that were initially designed in a two-channel world.

However, the needs and requirements of the two worlds vary considerably. More recently, a number of companies have commenced designing and manufacturing products

Len Wallis Audio spent a considerable amount of time researching various brands and, for a number of reasons, we believe Synthesis. Firstly, and most obviously, is

Secondly is brand integration — the synergy

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Home Theatre

Barco Bragi

Thirdly, the build quality of this brand is rock solid. In most good Home Theatre designs, the speakers and electronics are out of sight, with the speakers being built into the walls and ceilings. The last thing you want is to have a technician on a ladder trying to rectify any fault.

The room correction capabilities of JBL Synthesis are excellent too. No room is perfect, so any good theatre processor will room — and JBL excels in this area.

Finally, and importantly, JBL Synthesis

systems cover a very wide range of price categories. You can build a quality projectionbased system utilizing JBL Synthesis for as little as $25,000. Alternatively, you could scale this up to $1M, or of course settle anywhere in between.

As mentioned above, we are in the process of upgrading our showroom, and eventually we will have JBL Synthesis-based theatres from around $25,000 through to $500,000.

Currently we have installed a temporary JBL Synthesis theatre if you would like the hear (and see) what all the fuss is about.

Looking for the ultimate in residential projectors? It is hard to go past Barco. This brand has unashamedly targeted the top end of the market with a number of models ranging in price from $44,000 to over $200,000. The model we have chosen to feature in our new room is the Bragi CS, a HLD (high lumens density) LED projector that sells for $54,000.

With the availability of large screen TVs at much lower prices these days, a common question is whether one should consider a large screen TV or a projector in a cinema environment. The Bragi is a good example of why you would consider a projector — the projected image from a quality projector is so much more natural than a TV (admittedly at a price premium). Another obvious reason is that most dedicated theatres use a cinemascope (2.35:1) format rather than the

Projectors Sony Sony projectors are not new to us, but they have really thrown down the gauntlet with their new releases. These two latest models are exceptional. Both are powered by Sony’s excellent X1 processor, both are laser based, and both are native 4K.

Optoma UHZ50

Sony VPL-XW5000ES: OK, lets get straight to the point: this has to be one of the best bargains this industry has seen for a long time. This native 4K SXRD Laser Projector with 2,000 lumens output sells for $9,999. the model it supersedes (at a time when prices are skyrocketing) and it blows its predecessor out of the water.

Sony VPL-XW7000ES: At $24,490, this is a considerably more expensive option than its sibling, and yet it still represents excellent value. It outputs 3,200 lumens and uses a larger 70mm Advanced Crisp Focus lens.

The unique construction of the AFC lens reduces colour deviation and improves curvature correction. The lens is powered and can store settings via lens memory.

Len Wallis Audio has not displayed a sub$10K projector for many years, but given the recent vast leaps in performance at lower price points we decided that it was time to rectify this. We had the luxury of looking from scratch and found that there are now a number of very good, well-priced, projectors on the market. Our eventual decision was Optoma, yet another new brand for the Len Wallis Audio portfolio.

UHZ50 is also a laser projector, with a stated life span of up to 30,000 hours for the light source. It outputs 3,000 lumens with a contrast ratio of 2,500,000:1.

The UHZ50 sells for $4,999.

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Focal Naim

Naim/Focal celebrate 10 years

T

o mark the 10th anniversary of their common ownership, Naim Audio and Focal have released an exceptional limited-edition system — the one you can see above.

The system comprises a pair of Focal Sopra No.2 speakers featuring concrete side panels and a ‘tin’ facia (and they look a lot better than they sound!). They also sound much better than the standard version.

The electronics consist of the cutting-edge NDX 2 music streamer and Naim’s NAC complete with matching NAPSC and HiCap DR power supplies. These components are speakers, and the system is sold with all the necessary connections, including a pair of Naim’s top-of-the-range Super Lumina speaker cables.

This system represents what a limited edition is indeed a limited edition (we understand there are only ten systems earmarked for Australia), and importantly the price — $59,995 — is roughly 15% less than the sum of its parts. and aren’t sure where to look, this would be a very good place to start.

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Reavon

Reavon UBR-X110 UHD Blu-ray player

D

espite only being on the market for a couple of

necessary to move up to its more expensive sibling, the UBR-X110 $1,850.

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PrimaLuna xoxoxox

Reviewed

PrimaLuna Evo 300 Hybrid

By Greg Borrowman

The best of both worlds? PrimaLuna’s new EVO300 Hybrid Integrated delivers a

C

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PrimaLuna

...valves are microphonic, which means they can act as microphones and pick up sounds, and vibrations, in a room, and add these sounds to whatever sounds replacement.

But there is a way of getting most of the advantages of ‘valve sound’ without most of the disadvantages, which is by buying an amp that uses a combination of solid-state

The Equipment

them after ten years or more. Unlike output valves, there’s no need to bias them, so you can free up your calendar for other events.

Prima Luna has made the hybrid nature of the EVO 300 obvious by putting the six 12AU7 input valves right up front. They are protected by a removable valve cage comprised of six horizontal bars positioned

green and you’re able to use the left-most rotary control to select your desired inputs (there’s also a pass-through input for anyone desirous of integrating the EVO 300 into a multi-channel home theatre system). are unbalanced types — it would have been

valve burn. (Yes, Virginia, valves can get very hot, which is the reason electronics textbooks refer to them as ‘thermionic devices’.) so many audiophiles ignore the dangers personally think the EVO 300 looks better case it’s a win–win.

Prima Luna has for some reason put the mains power switch on the left-hand side of

The Prima Luna EVO 300 Hybrid integrated

been a balanced type, accessible via XLR sockets on the rear panel.

The front-panel volume control feels very most cases you’re more likely to use the supplied remote control to adjust volume, if only because it’s easier to set levels precisely when you’re in the listening position. The speed of volume adjustment from the remote is quite slow (it takes 15 seconds to get from maximum to minimum or vice versa) but at least this very slowness allows more precise level setting.

which means that you will need to position that is not available on the front panel, but delivers that desirable ‘valve sound’ but eliminates the need for those expensive output valves, so you need only replace input valves. Not only are these far less costly to replace ($32 each) but also, because they are not as stressed as output valves, they don’t have to be replaced anywhere near as to music, you might be looking at replacing

means it will take more time to ‘heat up’ than you’ve pressed the power button it will take more than a minute (around 64 seconds) to front panel will shine bright red and you won’t be able to use either the controls on the front panel or those on the infra-red remote control.

the volume level whilst the muting circuit is engaged, it does not automatically the mute to automatically disengage when certainly expect this to occur when using the volume buttons on the remote. This design oversight introduces the possibility

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PrimaLuna

at the same time.

Floyd Design

stereo and mono operation via a switch on operation. That said, however, this is a design oversight that is made by a great

review, and when I went online to locate one,

to this Hybrid version. It also showed that

Valve Sound

which means they can act as microphones

removed in order to install the batteries that provide low-cost batteries that are prone to

terminals that can be switched between

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PrimaLuna

course, but it will be there).

This would seem to be an undesirable trait, but in operation, the sound being picked up by the valves will be the music that is coming from your loudspeakers, the same music

no clipping whatsoever, and at the same

the speakers are in the same cabinet as the valves themselves, the valves are reacting not only to air vibrations, but also to the physical vibrations coming through the cabinet caused by the motion of the speaker

dramatically depending on the impedance of the loudspeakers that are connected to it.

This does not apply in the case of the EVO 300 Hybrid, however, as it does not use valves in its output stage.

As for valves being an ‘old-fashioned’ technology, the fact is that if you own a microwave oven, you already have a valvepowered device in your home because the microwaves that heat the food are created by special type of high-power valve called a cavity magnetron.

Another factor is that, as a general rule,

Listening Sessions

is a pleasantly rich and warm sound. This is one reason that almost all rock guitarists

reproduces a musical note of any pitch will be harmonically related to that note in a way that makes the sound of that note seem richer than it would otherwise be. So if that musical note is, say, A4 (which is 440Hz), the ‘distortion’ will be a small amount of sound at 880Hz, which you’d hear as the musical note A5: in other words, the ‘A’ exactly one octave above. To hear how this type of ‘distortion’ a piano, then press that same key, but also the key that is an octave above it.

One huge advantage that hybrid amps with solid-state output stages have over most

power output capability, but you’ll be paying for it — and you’ll have that many more valves to replace! another area where the solid-state output stage of the PrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid has the advantage over, say, PrimaLuna’s valve version of the same amp: the output

which means the solid-state output stage will have much better control over the motion down on unwanted cone motion caused by

right from the get-go — which is the very high power output of the EVO 300 dramatically depending on the speakers used with them, the sound of a solid-state them up to ‘audition’ levels, and the EVO 300 was very easily able to achieve that…

For a great musical example of how the level

the bass, but also across the midrange, you the PrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid was still punching out clean, undistorted sound, with

a track from her latest album, ‘Renaissance’

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PrimaLuna

Listening to ‘Hymns’,

them for, sustains sounds for tens of seconds

‘Hymns’ because I love k.d. lang’s voice and

(and her most controversial album as well, thanks to the ‘ableist’ slur on the track Heated). Totally designed for the dance

delivered was amazing, whether it was the

very wild ride! And if, while you’re listening, you’re wondering how one drummer can ability to introduce (or remove) vibrato at tracking, it’s actually two drummers, Tom it’s all mixed so transcendently that you’re recorded by a female vocalist, though I’d give the overall award for best rendition of

to the keyboards and also the cymbal work, because the tuba has never before been Hang around for the track that follows,

ever need, and yet again with total control. deliver sound that’s uniquely musical, I’d new album, ‘for you who are the wronged’ (and yes, like e.e. cummings, she’s a fan of

as rich and realistic as I’ve heard him in the concerts of his that I’ve attended over the years. I could also hear the way he makes his usually rich baritone a little more nasal than only you can answer, but I think one reason

gives you the best of both worlds.

almost no maintenance and will deliver that same great valve sound no matter what

The PrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid

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Vinyl

All things vinyl Pro-Ject Metallica Turntable

Mobile Fidelity New releases from Inakustik Following the release of the Telarc Sound Spectacular reissues covered in our last newsletter (now back in stock), we have two more exceptional pressings from Inakustik.

Both are pressed via Direct Metal Mastering (DMM), where the master disc is cut from copper rather than lacquer coated aluminum.

(See our note on the following page.) They are recorded at 45RPM, pressed onto high quality 180gm vinyl and span two albums: America – Greatest hits in concert, and Concord Jazz – a compilation album featuring artists such as Charlie Byrd, LA4, Rita Coolidge, Kenny G, Carman McRae, George Benson, Cleo Laine etc. Price $80

Following a COVID-enforced slow-down in production over the last few years, we are now seeing new shipments from Mobile Fidelity. If you are not familiar with Mobile Fidelity, this company specialises in releasing high-quality vinyl reissues of wellknown albums.

These are sourced from the original analogue master tapes, recorded using their half-speed mastering process and pressed onto very high-quality vinyl.

In more recent times they have also released a number of even higher quality recordings called Ultradisc One-Step, where the number of steps in the recording process is shortened. These releases are always in limited-number boxsets and

usually recorded at 45RPM over two LP’s.

In recent times we have received the Ultradisc One-Step recordings from Eric Clapton (Unplugged) album.

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Vinyl

Flux Brush – the new record cleaner from Flux To say that the FLUX-Sonic ultrasonic stylus

from Germany (have you seen the prices of airfreight lately?!).

We also took that opportunity to try out its record cleaner, the Flux Brush. Historically, the best record brushes have been based

Update on Linn The folk at Linn have been very busy indeed.

Its latest tonearm, Arko, is the company’s

Akito tonearm has been discontinued,

very simple gimbal design, built to very high tolerances, resulting in improved rigidity, precision and coupling throughout the arm assembly. The Arko sells for $5,995.

end of their lives and being replaced by the

released, the Kendo ($5,495) and the Koil

Brush incorporates both technologies. The

cartridge, Kore arm-board, Karousel bearing kit and Trampolin baseboard, plus a choice

lift the dirt from the groove, and the velvet removes it from the record. Brilliant!

The Flux Brush sells for $89

Vinyl lucky-dip packs for $85

RAL colour.

acquired a very large vinyl collection (in These are all classical and are all in good condition. We have made up sealed

also be selling part of this collection at $4 to $5 per album, so the packs represent

PLUS:

Why DMM?

to better transient response and a more

The Direct Metal Mastering technique gives a superior sonic performance for a number of reasons...

improves the overall stability and depth of

sold. If you are getting back into vinyl or

if you are a fan of classical music. print-through (groove echoes) is reduced.

Finally, only one electroplating generation

to a softer material there is some lacquer masters. lathe passes. The rigidity of DMM leads

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Accessories

IsoAcoustics GAIA series The GAIA speaker isolation devices from Isoacoustics will improve the performance of any loudspeaker or subwoofer. They replace the existing feet or spikes, isolating the speaker from the surface it is sitting on as much as possible.

There are three models: GAIA 1 designed for speakers or subwoofers weighing up to 100kg. $1,099/pack 4 GAIA 2 for speakers or subwoofers up to 55kg. $499/pack 4 GAIA 3 for speakers or subwoofers up to 32kg. $349/pack 4.

IsoTek power cables components are inadequate. They are not built to maintain the electrical integrity to the standard required, and most act as an aerial to EMI/RFI. We recognise that this part of our industry is controversial, with many dismissing it as snake oil. a money back guarantee on all IsoTek power cables. If you purchase one and are not convinced, simply send it back for a refund. One word of warning, though: returns almost never happen, but it does lead to our clients purchasing additional cables for their system!

The range is extensive, so please give us a call to discuss what we believe would be the best option for your system.

FLUX-Sonic stylus cleaner This ultrasonic stylus cleaner is without doubt the best styli cleaner we have seen.

The amount of gunk that can accumulate on your styli is surprising, and it will have an impact of the music you are listening to.

The FLUX-Sonic does an amazing job of removing it. $279

Project Vinyl Clean Sometimes the simplest of ideas work — and this is a good example. There is no shortage of vinyl cleaners available, but one of the persistent problems is how to actually remove dust from the record once you have moved/dislodged it. $19.

Ortofon DS-3 If you are a serious about your vinyl, we’d point you to the Ortofon DS-3, a highprecision digital stylus pressure gauge. $269.

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Accessories

Chord Mojo 2

DAC

Chord claims that ‘the British designed and built Mojo 2 is the most advanced portable DAC the world today’. It may just be right, but even if it isn’t, this is an exceptional product — good enough to give many more expensive desktop DACs a run for their money. $999

Kirmuss KA-RC-1 ultrasonic record restoration system

Les Davis Audio 3D-2 The Les Davis Audio 3D-2 vibration isolation pads have been a favourite of involve the process of having a viscoelastic

There are a number of motorised record between two layers of a more sturdy job that the Kirmuss does for the price.

This cleaner is so good that we (and many others) advocate that you even clean brand new records prior to their $2,200

vibration output of the target component. work. $129/pack 8

Black: Output 1.2 volts tablet. To state that the addition of a the performance of your headphones/ active speakers etc would be a gross

Red: Output 2.1 volts

considerable.

There are three models in the range: $223 $420 $599

Cobalt: Output 2.1 volts

Spinclean The Spin Clean is a manual yet simple way to rinse stubborn dust and grime from your records. Just mix some Spin Clean washer

Spin Clean gets rid of the dirt and grime trapped in the grooves that dry brushes it does both sides of your record at once. $149

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Musical Fidelity

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Musical Fidelity

Musical Fidelity M-Series

M2si

M3si

$2,550

$2,200

M5si

M6si

$5,000 $3,600

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Aurender

Aurender

A

nother new brand on our shelves is Aurender. Aurender has established itself as arguably the

standing within the industry for any brand is

N20 Reference Series music server/streamer $21,995

safe shutdown under an abrupt power

A15 music server/streamer with DAC $14,495

ACS100 music server/ streamer with ripper $6,495

N200 music server/streamer $10,995

for storage.

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Beosound Theatre A S O U N D BA R WITH VISI ON

“THE A-S3200 IS A BEAUTIFULLY BUILT PRODUCT. EVERY PANEL LINES UP PERFECTLY, AND EACH CONTROL AND SWITCH WORKS WITH CRISP PRECISION. IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A WELL-EQUIPPED HIGH-END INTEGRATED AMP, THIS YAMAHA IS WELL WORTH A SERIOUS LOOK. IT’S CAREFULLY ENGINEERED AND HAS A HUGELY APPEALING SENSE OF SONIC PRECISION AND CLARITY.” - WHAT HIFI

CLOSER TO THE ARTIST A-S3200 / A-S2200 / A-S1200 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIERS

au.yamaha.com

au.yamaha.com