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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£24.96Ex. VAT
The Record Doctor Goat Hair Record Brush offers a natural and effective solution for cleaning vinyl records, with all-natural goat hair bristles that deeply clean record grooves and naturally combat static. Its ergonomic wooden handle ensures effortless dust removal and fluid application, making it a must-have for vinyl enthusiasts seeking pristine sound quality.
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From£600.00Ex. VATThe Stillpoints Ultra I E V2 2024 improves on the Ultra I V2 with 25–30% better performance, more natural sound, and superior high-frequency response. Ideal under electronics, it features an upgraded internal design and can be paired with the Ultra I Base for even greater sonic benefits.
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From£204.17 £274.96Ex. VAT ✓ Save £70.79
The Record Doctor VI Record Cleaning Machine features a new venting system for reduced noise and heat, a machined aluminium top plate for enhanced durability, and a larger injection-moulded record turner for easier handling. With its high-quality record brush and stylish finishes, it ensures quick, safe, and effective cleaning of your vinyl records, preserving their sound quality and longevity.
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From£304.99Ex. VATThe CYP CR-KP5-R is a PoE-powered wall plate keypad controller featuring four macro buttons, a rotary encoder with push button for three additional controls, RGB LED lighting, calendar-based scheduling, and control via Web GUI, Telnet, and RS-232, available in black and white.
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£3,249.17Ex. VATThe Astell&Kern STELLA flagship in-ear monitors feature a 12-driver quadbrid design with electrostatic, planar, balanced armature and dynamic drivers, delivering reference-level clarity, precision, and full-range immersion.
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£190.83Ex. VATThe Astell&Kern Collector’s Atelier Premium Case is a luxury leather DAP case made from Perlinger Shrunken calf leather, designed to protect and showcase your player with timeless craftsmanship and durability.
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From£155.00Inc. VATFurutech NCF Booster additional cradles expand the cable management and damping capabilities of the NCF Booster system, using NCF Nano Crystal Formula composite materials for static elimination and vibration control.
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£49.17Ex. VAT
Portable DAC magnetic phone wallet complete with two elastic holder rings and easy to use magnetic attachment. Including a custom-designed, dual-angle USB-C to C cable to minimize profile and connection point tension.
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iFi Audio
iFi Audio LAN iPurifier Pro 4-In/4-Out Streaming Ethernet ConditionerSKU: 03-20-015-0001-00
£699.00Inc. VATiFi Audio LAN iPurifier Pro 4-in/4-out Ethernet conditioner, using optical galvanic isolation and active signal regeneration across four independent network ports to eliminate noise and jitter for high-end and professional AV streaming environments. -
£170.83Ex. VATThe Furutech NCF Clear-Line USB Optimizer is a plug-in passive USB accessory using NCF material, gold-plated connectors, and Alpha cryogenic processing to reduce noise and improve clarity from any spare USB port.
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From£199.00Inc. VATiFi Audio LAN iSilencer 4/8/12 multi-port network isolator, using transformer-based galvanic isolation and passive RF filtration across four, eight, or twelve ports to deliver clean, stable network signals in professional and high-end AV installations.
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£66.62Ex. VAT
One of the standout features of the "Supreme" fuse is its use of Cardas Low Eddy Copper. This copper is applied to both the end caps, and the internal melting wire. Not only does this result in increased speed, dynamics, and clarity, but it also ensures long-term performance without the worry of oxidation and degradation.