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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£208.33Ex. VATThe QKORE Wire is a mechanically tuned cable that utilizes Nordost’s patented Micro MonoFilament technology, combined with extruded FEP insulation, and constructed with a 16 AWG, silver-plated OFC, solid core conductor. -
£999.17Ex. VATThe Melco D100 embeds the most recent generation of Japanese optical drive which reads CD and Optical Discs with the greatest precision.
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★ Award
Chord Electronics
Chord Electronics Hugo TT 2 DAC, Preamplifier & Headphone AmplifierSKU: Chord Hugo TT 2
From£3,416.67Ex. VATDeveloped from the multi-award-winning transportable Hugo 2, the Hugo TT 2 is bigger, better and more advanced in every way. TT 2 sets a new benchmark for table top DACs, eclipsed only by Chord Electronic's flagship DAVE. -
SALEEntreq
Entreq Eartha Challenger Ground Earth Cable 1.65m - Special Offer - Black November DealSKU: Entreq Eartha Challenger 1.65m
£266.66 £333.33Ex. VAT ✓ Save £66.68The Entreq's Eartha Challenger Ground Earth cable is a hybrid Copper/Silver cable that is rather neutral and with good details. -
£37.50Ex. VATThese optional extension bars work brilliantly with both the Furutech NCF Booster and NCF Booster Signal giving you more flexibility by greatly increasing the potential height of the NCF Booster segments. Whether your power sockets are 10cm off the ground or your hi-fi system is contained in a specialist rack, these extension bars will allow you to receive the full benefit of the NCF Boosters. -
SALE£229.17 £241.66Ex. VAT ✓ Save £12.49The Audition 300 stands 335mm off the floor, raising your speakers just above the ground to avoid low levels of ambient vibrations. Using the Isolation Gel Pads supplied, the isolating capabilities of this speaker stand can be further improved.
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SALE£237.50 £249.99Ex. VAT ✓ Save £12.49The Audition 400, stands 435mm off the floor to bring your speakers closer to a more natural listening position while sitting. By accurately setting up your speakers towards a centralized seated area, you can greatly improve the clarity and dynamics during your listening sessions.
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SALE£245.83 £258.32Ex. VAT ✓ Save £12.49The Audition 500 raises your speakers 535mm from the floor to adjust the origin point of your music closer to the central point of your room's dimensions. This helps music to fill the room during listening sessions, creating a greater atmosphere.
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SALE£253.32 £266.66Ex. VAT ✓ Save £13.33The Audition 600 boosts your speakers by a height of 635mm, bringing the central point of sound closer to your ears. This improves the overall clarity and soundstage you will hear and offer a more personalised listening experience.
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SALE£261.24 £274.99Ex. VAT ✓ Save £13.75The Audition 700 has a total height of 735mm to raise your speakers from the floor and fill your room with amazing sound. As an added bonus, each Audition Speaker Stand comes supplied with Atacama's Isolation Gel Pads to diminish any excess vibrations resulting in cleaner, distortion-free listening.
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£100.00Ex. VATBuilt to protect the award-winning Mojo DAC/headphone amp and Poly wireless streamer/player, the Poly/Mojo leather case offers stylish protection for on-the-go usage. The case has been styled by Chord Electronics’ John Franks and Fumi Higashi San of VanNuys Inc. and is exclusively manufactured by VanNuys Inc. in Tokyo.
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£62.46Ex. VATCreate the best listening position. Have sound that turns with your TV. Keep your soundbar flush with your TV thanks to adjustable height and depth.
