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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£332.50Ex. VATThe Astell&Kern AK Cradle turns your compatible DAP into a powerful home audio source with balanced Neutrik XLR outputs, real-time bit-rate illumination, and a sleek aluminium design. Enjoy stable charging, secure locking connectors, and seamless streaming with Roon Ready, Qobuz Connect, and open-Android support. Perfect for building a high-performance home listening hub. -
£107.50Ex. VAT
Elevate your turntable's performance with the Pro-Ject Acryl-IT and Acryl-IT E Upgrade Platters, crafted from acoustically inert acrylic for enhanced sonic purity and visual appeal. Compatible with various Pro-Ject turntable models, these upgrade platters offer a simple yet impactful solution to elevate your vinyl listening experience, providing a stable platform that brings out the full richness and clarity of your favourite records.
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£89.99Inc. VATThe ZE3000 SV brings premium wireless audio with a 10mm F-Core SV driver for rich, balanced sound. The F-LINK port delivers wired-like acoustic realism, while Comfort ANC reduces ambient noise without muddying detail. Ideal for audiophiles seeking natural tone and deep immersion.
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£582.50Ex. VATThe B1xi is a high performance integrated amplifier offering a 60W Class A/B design, HDMI licensing and HDMI ARC for convenient TV connection. It provides clean, dynamic sound with flexible input options and includes a remote for effortless control. Ideal for modern entertainment setups. -
£4,995.83Ex. VATThe Matrix Audio SC-1 Audio Grade Reference Clock is a high-precision 10MHz master clock designed for compatible streamers, DACs, and CD players, using a custom OCXO module to deliver ultra-low phase noise, reduced jitter, and improved timing accuracy for high-end digital audio systems. -
£245.83Ex. VATIntroducing the Bamboo Coupler, a laminated bamboo block of chaotic construction for better resonance control. Place this block under electronic components for better sound and more optimised audio performance. -
NEW£582.50Ex. VATThe iFi iDSD GR 2 MT is a portable DAC and headphone amp voiced with producer Steve Levine, built around a Burr-Brown PCM1795 DAC for warm, low-distortion portable listening. -
£65.83Ex. VATThe iFi Audio iSilencer Max is a USB-C noise filter that utilizes Active Noise Cancellation 3 technology to eliminate electromagnetic and radio interference, significantly enhancing sound quality by reducing noise by up to 100x (40dB). Its robust design, featuring REBalance technology and USB 3.0 support, ensures compatibility with a wide range of devices, delivering cleaner, warmer, and more transparent audio without compromising performance or speed.
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£4,995.83Ex. VATAudeze proudly introduces the CRBN electrostatic headphone (pronounced “carbon”), which features a new Patent-pending polymer film with suspended carbon nanotubes to eliminate problems commonly found in previous electrostatic designs. Originally developed for MRI medical applications, Audeze have adapted those innovations for the audiophile version of CRBN, which top audio professionals have called the best sounding electrostatic headphone to-date. -
£665.83Ex. VATThe Ultrasone Virtuoso AKE09 offers audiophiles a powerful blend of clarity, depth, and musical expression. Evolved from the Signature MASTER MKII, it delivers precise, emotionally rich audio designed for serious listening.
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£1,291.67Ex. VATThe S300 Amplifier is an affordable stereo power amplifier that brings power, warmth, and clarity to your loudspeakers. Using a Class D output stage combined with a Class A Analog Cell, it delivers deep bass, rich detail, and an expansive soundstage. A perfect upgrade for music lovers seeking high performance audio without compromise. -
Astell&Kern
Astell&Kern A&ultima SP4000 Copper Digital Audio Player - Limited EditionSKU: AKP Copper
£3,665.83Ex. VATThe Astell&Kern A&ultima SP4000 Copper Limited Edition is a flagship digital audio player machined from 99.98% pure copper, featuring quad DAC architecture, advanced noise suppression, and full Android support for reference-quality portable listening.
