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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£2,000.00Ex. VATThe Giotto MC Cartridge by Gold Note offers improved clarity, balance, and spatial depth. With a boron cantilever, Ultra Micro Elliptical diamond, and duralumin 7000 body, it delivers high-precision tracking and pure, dynamic sound. Its wide frequency response and optimized output make it the perfect match for high-end analogue systems. -
£749.17Ex. VATElevate your home cinema with the dorpo UHP-3001 8K UHD Smart Media Player. Featuring Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos support, it delivers stunning visuals and powerful surround sound. Powered by the Amlogic S928X-K processor and FunplayUI 2.0 system, it supports Blu-ray ISO playback, 24TB HDD storage, and wide connectivity. Ideal for professional installations and high-end home theatre setups.
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£11.25Ex. VAT
Elevate your vinyl listening experience with the Pro-Ject VTA-IT 1.5mm Tonearm Spacer, allowing precise adjustment of the vertical tracking angle for optimal alignment and reduced distortion. Compatible with various Pro-Ject turntables, it facilitates the use of thicker upgrade mats like Cork it, offering customisable enhancements to suit individual preferences.
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£415.00Ex. VATThe NPA20ARC Networked Power Amplifier delivers 2 x 10W (or 1 x 20W mono) output at 4 or 8 ohms, with HDMI ARC and analogue inputs for seamless connectivity. Powered via PoE or PoE+, it features DSP, EQ, audio delay, and daisy-chain output for easy expansion. With multiple control options, including HDMI CEC, RS-232, and Web-GUI, it’s a compact, high-performance solution for enhancing audio in bedrooms, meeting rooms, or distributed AV setups. -
£1,250.00Ex. VATThe Da Vinci MC Cartridge offers rich, detailed sound with perfect tonal balance. Featuring a Micro Elliptical diamond and lightweight aluminium cantilever, it delivers smooth, natural audio performance. Ideal for audiophiles seeking clarity and depth. -
£2,412.50Ex. VATThe Matrix Audio ND-1 is a dedicated DAC from Matrix Audio's N Series separates system, designed around a flagship AKM chipset with LUNDAHL transformer-coupled outputs, a switchable sound character, and comprehensive digital input connectivity for a wide range of source components. -
£170.83Ex. VATIntroducing the Furutech NCF Clear Line-RCA Line Optimizer, the latest addition to Furutech’s Clear Line range designed to elevate the performance of your audio or video system. Building on the success of the NCF Clear Line AC optimizer, these compact and user-friendly signal line optimizers are crafted to enhance the quality of your system's signal lines with remarkable simplicity.
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£6.67Ex. VATThe Pro-Ject Set-IT Cartridge Alignment Tool simplifies cartridge setup, ensuring precise alignment and tracking force adjustment with ease. Affordable yet effective, it maximises playback performance and compatibility across all brands of record players, offering audiophiles an accessible solution for optimal sound quality.
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SALE£510.00 £566.67Ex. VAT ✓ Save £56.67The EE1 Plus by Chord Company refines digital AV signals by reducing network noise without affecting data quality. Featuring galvanic isolation, common-mode filtering, and ARAY technology, it enhances connections between routers, switches, and streamers. Its passive design and precision-machined aluminium build ensure durability and easy installation. Improve your audio and video performance effortlessly with this compact yet powerful Ethernet filter. Backed by a 24-month warranty for peace of mind. -
£357.50Ex. VATThe Ortofon MC X20 Moving Coil Cartridge delivers exceptional vinyl playback with a nude elliptical diamond stylus, pure silver coils, and a newly developed magnet system. Its honeycomb-structured stainless-steel frame ensures stability, while precision rubber damping reduces distortion for accurate sound. Finished with PVD treatment, the MC X20 combines premium audio performance with sleek design, making it a perfect match for music lovers seeking depth, clarity, and refined tonearm integration. -
From£216.67Ex. VATIntroducing the Furutech NCF Clear Line-XLR Line Optimizer, the latest addition to Furutech’s Clear Line range designed to elevate the performance of your audio or video system. Building on the success of the NCF Clear Line AC optimizer, these compact and user-friendly signal line optimizers are crafted to enhance the quality of your system's signal lines with remarkable simplicity.
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£24.17Ex. VATAchieve audio perfection with the Pro-Ject Level-IT Spirit Level, ensuring a perfectly flat platter for your records. Elevate your turntable setup with precision engineering and embark on a journey of sonic excellence.
