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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£999.17Ex. VATThe MCP2 phono preamplifier is Soundsmith's premium preamp with a design optimised for use with their low-output Fixed Coil cartridge line, or ant other quality low-output cartridge. Featuring shielded transformers to deliver ultra-low distortion and negligible noise, the MCP2 also allows the user to seamlessly adjust the loading from 10 Ohms all the way up to 5k Ohms ensuring compatibility with any low-output design. Each MCP2 is handmade by Soundsmith engineers in upstate New York. -
£829.17Ex. VATThe DAC-9SE by NuPrime represents quality and convenience, containing a high-end DAC and built-in pre-amp/headphone amp. Featuring USB-B, digital coaxial, optical, I2S HDMI, analogue RCA and Blutooth or WiFi inputs, this versatile equipment is compatible with almost any source. It is also capable of carrying both S/PDIF and 5V power over just a single, standard USB-A to micro-USB cable.
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£999.17Ex. VAT
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SALE£74.96 £107.50Ex. VAT ✓ Save £32.54The Hi-mDAC is a portable USB DAC and headphone amp that performs above its price point. Its USB-C input means it can connect to tablets, computers or mobile, and is capable of being powered by a mobile (unlike some other DACs which claim to be portable). Utilising a superior Cirrus Logic chip, the Hi-mDAC delivers low-power high performance. -
SALENuPrime
NuPrime Omnia WR-1 Multi-Zone Network Streamer - Special Offer - Black November DealSKU: Omnia WR-1
£231.62 £329.17Ex. VAT ✓ Save £97.54 -
SALEiFi Audio
iFi Audio iDSD Diablo Transportable DAC / Headphone Amp - Ex-DemoSKU: iDSD Diablo - Ex-Demo
£540.83 £832.50Ex. VAT ✓ Save £291.67iFi ushers in the New Year with the best battery-powered DAC/headphone amp the company has ever produced –the devilishly brilliant iDSD Diablo.
Note: This product is ex-demo, used once for demonstration purposes.
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£375.00Ex. VATThe SSF Stainless Steel feet by Shunyata Research are designed to isolate their power distributors without needing to place them on a dedicated HiFi rack or platform. They come in two sizes- SSF-38, which are recommended for the Venom Line power distributors, and the SSF-50 which are recommended for the Performance Line (Hydra Delta D6 and above). -
£1,662.50Ex. VATThe OOR headphone amplifier by Ferrum features balanced and unbalanced outputs and is designed to drive any headphones and delivers a transparent, realistic yet precise sound. Pair it with Ferrum's Hypsos power supply to unlock its full potential! -
Lindemann
Lindemann Audio Musicbook Source II Network Music PlayerSKU: Lindemann Musicbook Source II
£2,991.67Ex. VATThe Musicbook Source II by Lindemann Audio is an upgrade to the multi-award-winning original. It is a very versatile device, capable of playing the highest resolution music from a server or all the best streaming services due to its in-built DAC. You also have the ability to turn the Musicbook Source II into a high-class CD player by opting for the built-in CD drive or simply connecting an external CD drive via the USB input. -
£4,165.83Ex. VATThe N50-S38 by Melco is a 3.8TB digital music library designed to hold music files in an organised manner and is can be used by connecting it to a USB-DAC, network player (via USB or Ethernet), USB-DAC enabled amplifier, or directly to active speakers with a USB input. This unit can also, if connected to a DAC, function as a streamer through use in conjunction with the Melco Music HD App. -
£41.62Ex. VATWould you like to mount your valuable TV safely and stylishly like a painting on the wall? If so, a COMFORT Fixed TV wall mount is exactly what you need. This wall mount is specially designed for lively homes. Your TV will be mounted tight, firm and safe. The space between the TV and the wall is only 2.2 cm. Please note: this is the medium size version with a maximum load of 50kg, designed for 32 - 77 inch screens.
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£29.12Ex. VATWould you like to mount your valuable TV safely and stylishly like a painting on the wall? If so, a COMFORT Fixed TV wall mount is exactly what you need. This wall mount is specially designed for lively homes. Your TV will be mounted tight, firm and safe. The space between the TV and the wall is only 2.2 cm. Please note: this is the small size version with a maximum load of 30kg, designed for 19 - 50 inch screens.
