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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£108.33Ex. VATThe ES-78 is Gold Note's entry-level phono cartridge. It featuresa Moving Magnet and conical diamond, and has an output level of 4mV. Like all Gold Note products, the ES-78 is exclusively comprised of components sourced and assembled in Italy.
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£4,699.00Inc. VAT
Experience sensational listening quality at home with Utopia, the exceptional headphones made in France by Focal, and the fruit of over 40 years of sound innovation. Unveiled in 2016, it returns in 2022 with a reworked design and improvements to the sound for even more music-inspired emotion.
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£1,082.50Ex. VAT
If you're looking for an excellent streaming experience with exceptional sound quality, the Neo Stream DAC & Network Streamer is the way to go. With its powerful 16-core XMOS processor, the Neo Stream provides full MQA decoding up to 384kHz and Roon Ready certification, allowing you to stream seamlessly from your favourite online services like Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect and Apple Airplay.
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Synergistic Research
Synergistic Research HFT Speaker Kit - Pack of 6SKU: SR HFT Speaker Kit
(1 reviews)£375.00Ex. VATHFT speaker Kits come with (3) Standard HFT's (2) HFT 2.0's and (2) HFT X's or enough to treat (1) speaker. The combination of the 3 HFT types is ideal for most speakers. With easy to follow placement guidelines you will dramatically improve your speakers ability to disappear in your room with tighter bass, improved mid-range clarity, and smoother more articulate highs. NEW - HFT speaker Kits now include an additional standard HFT to place on the ceiling directly above your speaker. -
Synergistic Research
Synergistic Research Black Box Acoustic TreatmentSKU: Synergistic Research Black Box Acoustic Treatment
(1 reviews)£1,662.50Ex. VATThere is no other compact acoustic treatment device that you can place in your listening room to solve your low-frequency problems quite like the Synergistic Research Black Box. Based on their award-winning and patented sympathetic resonance technology, the Black Box is an (all in one) Broad Spectrum Low-Frequency Resonator Array with UEF Tech that effectively eliminates bass nodes while expanding your room’s ability to accurately portray low-frequency information and spacial content. -
£124.17Ex. VATIf you're looking for a lightweight, hi-fi quality USB DAC that is easy to use and provides a consistently clear and noise-free sound, the Astell&Kern AK HC3 is an excellent choice. Its ES9219MQ Dual DAC delivers ultra-high sound quality and its dual shielded cable minimises noise interference.
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From£1,666.67Ex. VATThe PS Audio AirLens Network Streamer is an essential device for any audiophile looking to get the most out of their audio streaming experience. With galvanic isolation, perfect reclocking of the digital audio signal, and the ability to handle PCM up to 384kHz and DSD up to 256 (4X) in DoP or native, the AirLens provides a high-quality audio experience that is free of unwanted noises, jitter and EMI interferences. -
£5.42Ex. VATThe Ortofon tracking force gauge is a simple budget tool for turntables that is used to determine the stylus tracking force.
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£90.83Ex. VATIf you're an avid vinyl enthusiast who wants to get the most out of your records and ensure their longevity, then the Sweep-IT S2 from Pro-Ject Audio Systems is the perfect choice for you. It's incredibly easy to set up and use, and quickly cleans your records in real time without having to take them off the player.
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£10.00Inc. VATEvery vinyl lovers' essential piece of kit; a brush specially designed to keep your precious vinyl in optimum playing condition; free of atmospheric and residue blemishes, dust particles and reduces electrostatic charge. -
£457.50Ex. VATIf you are an audiophile looking for a product that will deliver an amazing sound experience, the Astell&Kern AK PA10 is the perfect choice for you. This Class-A amplifier offers an incredibly natural and spacious analog sound, enhanced further with Astell&Kern’s TERATON ALPHA technology.
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SALEAtacama
Atacama Elite ECO 24 Reference HIFI Rack Inc. Base ShelfSKU: Atacama Elite ECO 24 Reference
(1 reviews)£291.46 £333.32Ex. VAT ✓ Save £41.87The Atacama Elite Eco 24 Reference Series Modular Hifi Support is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a premium, attractive and highly efficient hifi support system. This all-bamboo design comes in two colour options - natural bamboo or dark finish bamboo - and can support hifi components up to 80kg and a maximum completely assembled rack capacity of 250kg.
