Hi-Fi Essentials
Hardware and treatment for a system you already own: headphones, DACs, amplifiers, streamers, isolation, racks and grounding. The next purchase after the system exists.
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This is the upgrade section rather than the starting point. It assumes you have a system, know roughly what it does well, and want to work out what to change next.
The order that usually works starts with the mechanical foundation. A rack that resonates undermines everything sitting on it, so proper support and isolation come first. Then the source, because nothing downstream can recover what a poor source has already lost. Then the electronics, and last the treatments that sit around the edges of a system, such as grounding.
Some of what is here is uncontested. Speaker stands, isolation feet and a rigid rack do measurable and audible things. Other categories, grounding in particular, divide opinion sharply, and we say so on the pages where that applies. What we will not do is recommend something we have not heard, or call a component essential when your system does not need it. Tell us what you are running and what you want to improve, and we will give you a straight answer.
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★ AwardChord Electronics
Chord Electronics Qutest Standalone Digital Audio ConverterSKU: Qutest
(17 reviews)£1,041.67Ex. VATWinner of What Hi-Fi?'s Best DAC £500-£1200 & Product of the Year, Qutest is Chord's ‘pure’ DAC (it does not contain headphone amplification or rechargeable batteries like some of its range stablemates) and is designed to improve sound quality in the home. It is the latest evolution of their most affordable standalone DAC, the multi-award-winning 2Qute, which it directly replaces.
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£55.00Inc. VATReliably prevents the transmission of undesirable resonances from loudspeaker cases to the surfaces they´re standing on. 30 Years Warranty.
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£24.96Ex. VATTo reduce the amount of RF interference entering your AV system we recommend "capping" all unused HDMI Ports.
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£33.29Ex. VATTo reduce the amount of RF interference entering your system we recommend "capping" all unused XLR inputs. -
Atacama
Atacama Speaker stand Isolation Gel pads (pack of 8)SKU: Atacama Speaker stand Isolation Gel pads
(11 reviews)£16.66Ex. VATDesigned to adhere to speaker stand top plates and are made from a high performance polyurethane elastomer which, as well as being non-slip and non scratch, gives excellent sound and vibration resistance. -
£1,341.67Ex. VATDesigned as a range to accommodate any size and weight of speaker – standmount plus stand, floorstander or subwoofer – the Seismic Podium breaks the acoustic connection between the floor and the speaker, preventing the passage of deleterious vibrations both to and from the speaker cabinets. -
£24.96Ex. VATTo reduce the amount of RF interference entering your system we recommend "capping" all unused USB Ports. -
SALE ★ Award£134.57 £141.66Ex. VAT ✓ Save £7.08Moseco speaker stands combine all the aesthetic and sonic Benefits of Bamboo with the adaptability, strength and stability of twin carbon steel poles.
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SALE ★ AwardAtacama
Atacama Apollo Storm 6 Solid Oak Hi-Fi Rack Inc. Base ShelfSKU: Atacama Storm 6
(22 reviews)£121.94 £141.66Ex. VAT ✓ Save £19.72The Storm 6 is not only a solid oak hi-fi rack, because it also features Atacama's isolated construction. The addition of isolation makes this rack perfect for reducing the ambient vibrations within your system and improving overall performance while stylishly containing your equipment.
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£16.66Ex. VATThe result is a significantly better sound. The XXL® caps have a Teflon coating inside and consist of solid brass with 24 carat gold plating. 30 Years Warranty. -
£18.99Inc. VATHigh-quality vibration damper for acoustically insulating high-end hi-fi and home-cinema components and loudspeaker boxes. 30 Years Warranty. -
B-Tech
B-Tech BT77 Ultragrip Pro Side Clamping Loudspeaker Wall Mounts with Tilt and SwivelSKU: BT77
(3 reviews)£49.96Ex. VATThe B-Tech BT77 Ultragrip Pro Side-Clamp Loudspeaker Wall Mount is ideal for speakers with curved fronts or rears and suitable for all types of small to medium loudspeakers.
