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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£541.67Ex. VATThe Gold Note Vasari Shibata MM Phono Cartridge features a Shibata stylus that offers increased contact with vinyl grooves for superior sound quality, reduced wear, and enhanced durability. Its high-damping aluminium body and lightweight cantilever ensure precise tracking and minimal vibrations, delivering excellent dynamics and resolution during playback.
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£1,458.33Ex. VATThe Heed Abacus DAC transforms digital signals into vibrant, high-fidelity analogue sound. Supporting PCM up to 384 kHz/32-bit and double-speed DSD processing, it ensures outstanding audio precision. With quartz-based clocks, linear power supplies, and discrete analogue buffer stages, it preserves every musical detail. Whether from streaming, CDs, or high-resolution files, the Abacus delivers a natural, immersive listening experience.
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Atacama
Atacama Apollo Storm 6 Premium Black Edition Hi-Fi Rack Inc. Base ShelfSKU: Apollo Storm 6 Black
£199.99Inc. VATThe Apollo Storm 6 Premium Black Edition HiFi Rack combines performance and elegance. Made from solid oak composite wood with CNC precision, it offers vibration isolation and modular flexibility. Each shelf module is £199.99 and available in multiple heights. Finished in satin black with dark-stained wood grain, this rack supports optimal audio while enhancing your interior with its bold, modern aesthetic. -
From£12.08Ex. VATEnhance your vinyl listening experience with the Pro-Ject Adapt-IT Precision Machined Single Record Puck, designed to precisely centre 7" vinyls on your turntable for optimal playback quality. Crafted from non-magnetic aluminium through precision CNC machining, this durable puck offers a sophisticated alternative to plastic options, compatible with all brands and types of record players.
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£790.83Ex. VATExperience warm analog sound with the Ortofon SPU GTX S moving coil cartridge. Marrying vintage charm with cutting-edge innovation, and enhanced audio fidelity bringing the warmth and character of vinyl records to life. Featuring a spherical diamond stylus, this ensures a smooth, balanced sound, perfect for rediscovering the rich textures of your favorite track -
£208.32Ex. VATSupport Your Audio System in Style with the Apollo Podium 6 XL a strong, flexible rack designed for large components. Made from solid European oak with adjustable spikes and a 50kg weight capacity per shelf, it provides a stable, vibration-free base for your high-fidelity gear. Stackable modules allow you to customize it to suit your setup and maximize your audio performance.
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£8.33Ex. VATKeep your turntable and HiFi electronics looking pristine with the Pro-Ject Cloth-IT Microfibre Cleaning Cloth, made from high-tech microfibre material specifically selected for satin and high-gloss finishes. Its ultra-soft, scratch-free design effortlessly removes fingerprints and finest dust particles, ensuring your equipment remains polished to perfection.
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SALETungsten Grooves
Tungsten Grooves W50-H33 Mini Grooves Isolation Feet - Pack of 4 - Ex-DemoSKU: W50-H33 Ex-Demo
£1,586.67 £2,266.67Ex. VAT ✓ Save £680.00This series of isolation feet by Tungsten Grooves was created to efficiently absorb vibrations from your audio equipment, relying on the absorptive properties of tungsten to unlock hidden details in your music system. The W50-H33 Mini Groovers are the smallest feet that Tungsten Grooves make, with the same height as the D70 but a narrower profile than either of its two bigger siblings, making it ideal for the smallest of components. -
£832.50Ex. VATThe SPU GTX E has the musicality and tonal warmth that have made the SPU series a great choice for audiophiles while embracing cutting-edge advancements for superior performance. Its elliptical stylus design, featuring a narrower front radius and broader side radius, ensures a larger contact area with record grooves. This translates to enhanced tracking ability and exceptional sound detail. Engineered for pristine audio clarity, the SPU GTX E features a built-in MC step-up transformer, providing high-output, low-noise performance without requiring extra amplification. -
£2,249.17Ex. VATThe Astell&Kern SP3000M Copper-Nickel edition enhances premium audio with a refined alloy that enhances sound depth and durability. Featuring an advanced HEXA audio circuit with dual AK4191EQ and four AK4499EX DACs, it achieves a 130dB SNR for crystal-clear sound. Enjoy seamless streaming via Open App Service and AK Connect, while Crossfeed ensures comfortable listening. Combining high-fidelity performance with an elegant, corrosion-resistant design, the SP3000M delivers an immersive experience. -
Atacama
Atacama Apollo Storm 6 Two Shelf Vinyl Storage Rack - Premium Black EditionSKU: Apollo Storm 6 Vinyl Storage Black
£429.99Inc. VATThe Apollo Storm 6 Premium Black Edition is a stylish two-shelf vinyl storage module that holds up to 150 LPs. Made from solid European Oak with a satin black finish, it doubles as a hi-fi unit with its removable oak stop block. Modular, durable, and UK-made, it’s ideal for building your dream audio setup. -
£62.50Ex. VATThe Ortofon Super OM 5E is a high-precision moving magnet cartridge with superior tracking and clarity. Featuring an elliptical stylus, it follows grooves accurately, reducing distortion. The split-pole pin generator system extends frequency response for a balanced, natural sound. Its removable weight ensures compatibility with both standard and low-mass tonearms. With multiple stylus upgrade options, the Super OM 5E is a long-term solution for audiophiles seeking an enhanced vinyl experience.
