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HIFICRITIC Vol 11 No 4

October to December 2017

In this HIFICRITIC issue we explore how to get DSD music downloads and make performance measurements on resolution, look back at the pioneering subjective sound quality investigations of Enid Lumley, and we review leading products from Focal, Chord Electronics, ATC, PASS, Magico, PROAC, LINN, QED, Rotel and NAD. We explore multi-room sound technologies. And we pose the question ‘Who Invented the Triode?’ We also report on three audio shows and check out musician Harry Partch. Music reviews include new releases in rock, pop, jazz and classical categories.

Download cover, contents and excerpts from this issue below.

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About this issue...

Reviewed products from Rotel, NAD, Spendor, Magico, LINN, PROAC, Amazon Alexa, Pass, Chord, ATC, Sonos,  HEOS , MusiCast, DSD Audio, QED, Focal and MBA.

In addition to Stan Curtis’ regular wise commentary on matters audio, here musing on pioneers of the analysis of subtle effects such as vibration on audio quality, Martin Colloms scrutinises the top of the line LINN KLIMAX Katalyst DS digital audio player, the one where the powerful DSP even includes micro correction for the tiniest errors emanating from the audio output transformers.

​Kevin Fiske temporarily eschews his large high sensitivity Audio Note UK loudspeakers for a pair of long established stand mount compacts the D2-II from those painstaking industry stalwarts, PROAC.

Andrew Everard has penned a comprehensive rundown on voice operation, the hands free technology, including the devices and the connected systems under such control, especially for music replay.

Harry Harrison tackles the new, much vaunted  Chord portable audio accessory, the POLY connectivity interface unit for the popular MOJO compact audio player, and with fascinating results.

​Continuing his near forensic coverage of Nelson Pass and his largely Class A operating creations, Kevin Fiske explores the XP-12 and XA30.8 pre-power combo.

Frequently controversial, Julian Musgrave provides further diary musings on audio matters of a personal nature.

Martin Colloms has wanted to review a bigger ATC for years, and now gets his wish in the shape of the latest ATC SCM 50 PL, a high performance passive stand mount.

Frequently avoided by audio separates reviewers, multi room audio and the advancing generations of wirelessly connected and controlled audio is a truly massive market, here addressed by Andrew Everard. His extended feature includes Sonos, HEOS and MusicCast.

Keith Howard is fascinated by audio coding formats and here applies his well known analytical skills to unravelling the available DSD formats, including the highest definition, and how they work and how well they sound.

Colloms was sent a moderate cost speaker cable, a new design from QED called the XT-25 and had enough time to run it in before formal testing.

Andrew Everard has a penchant for Rotel, or so it seems, and finds the strong points in their latest multi-format high power integrated amplifier Rotel RA-1572.

​Andrew also covers a similarly powerful , network compatible Class D amplifier from NAD, the C388.

Colloms tackles the new Magico POD accessory feet upgrades for the entire range of Magico S series speakers, not to be taken lightly, not least in respect of the 100kg per loudspeaker weight of his own Magico S5 MKII examples.

Chris Frankland samples a new Spendor, the A4, while the editor Paul Messenger tackles the substantial floor standing Focal Scala EVO loudspeaker and a new design, the Marauder from Modern British Audio with a full range driver.

An expert reporter provides the low down on the most popular of those heated glass bottles, namely the triode.

Our  music coverage continues with  guest contributor Wayne Hyde , introducing his shortlist of favourite recordings.

Also for music content we have many Rock, Jazz and Classical reviews, while the issue finally closes with Paul Messenger’s perennial column, Subjective Sounds.

Download cover and contents for a closer look...

Cover-201712-pdfimg

Cover

Contents-201712-pdfimg

Contents

Excerpt-201712-3-Editorial-pdfimg

Editorial

Download excerpts...

Excerpt-201712-1-Autumn-Hi-Fi-Shows-pdfimg
Martin Colloms reports on the London Indulgence Show
Excerpt-201712-2-Subjective Sounds-pdfimg
Paul Messenger’s Subjective Sounds
Excerpt-201712-4-Comment-Passing-Notes-pdfimg
Julian Musgrave delivers the first episode in the diary of an audiophile
Excerpt-201712-5-Review-Linn-Klimax-DS-Katalyst-pdfimg
Martin Colloms tries out a reference level streamer from Linn Products
Excerpt-201712-6-Comment-Stans-Safari-40-pdfimg
Stan is inspired by encounters with the remarkable Enid Lumley
Excerpt-201712-7-Review-Pass-Labs-XP-12-XA30.8-pdfimg
Impressed by Pass Labs’ Int-60 integrated amp, Kevin Fiske decides to check out the XP-12 and XA30.8 pre-/power combo
Excerpt-201712-8-Feature-Say-What-You-Want-pdfimg
Voice activation is changing the way many people interact with the internet and their music collections, say Andrew Everard

Have a look at Reviews and Features from HIFICRITIC available for download for free

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