Hi Fi News January 2017

As ever, it was a huge pleasure to meet so many longstanding, and a growing number of new, Hi-Fi News readers at our recent Hi-Fi Show Live event in Windsor. Until the next Hi-Fi Show Live on October 21st-22nd 2017, this was the only chance for enthusiasts to see and hear so many fabulous high-end brands under one roof. Those who missed out can live the experience vicariously via our online Show Blog (also published in last month’s Hi-Fi News). Fortunately, you’ll not be waiting too long before many of our Show’s exclusive product debuts are followed up by in-depth reviews in Hi-Fi News. Indeed, the massive C-900u/M-900u pre/power amps from Luxman and exquisite NightOwl Carbon headphones from AudioQuest were all on demo at our show alongside UK premieres including Audio Research’s…

With immediate effect, the India-based Cadence Group has taken ownership of UK engineering and hi-fispecialists SME Ltd and installed new CEO Stuart McNeilis to run its dayto-day operations. Speaking of the acquisition, McNeilis said, ‘SME is the most iconic name in tonearm and turntable engineering and epitomises the very best of British engineering. By combining innovation with meticulous manufacturing and attention to detail, SME has led the market for several decades. With increased investment allowing for new product developments, the company will build on its legacy o manufacturing the very best tonearms and turntables in the world.’ Having already acquired a major controlling interest in other renowned specialist audio brands including the UK’s Spendor Audio Systems and Netherlandsbased Siltech Audio and Crystal Cables, the Cadence Group has established a reputation for investing without…

As if to demonstrate that retro really is the new ‘cool’, JBL has re-imagined its classic 4425 studio monitor from 1985 as two new models for a 21st century audience. The £5800 4429 (pictured) combines a 19mm titanium supertweeter with a 50mm titanium mid/HF driver, both compression-loaded inside a single ‘SonoGlass’ horn system. These are married to a 300mm pulp-coned woofer, refl ex-loaded via two ports in the baffl e. The £11,800 4367 leverages JBL’s dual-diaphragm/dual-voice coil compression driver technology from its M2 Master Reference Monitor, partnered with a huge (380mm) aluminium-framed woofer. Harman Luxury Audio Group, 01423 358846; www.jblsynthesis.com, www.karma-av.co.uk…

SAMSUNG BUYS HK Korean CE giant Samsung Electronics will acquire Harman International in a cash deal worth an estimated $8.0bn. Known to audiophiles for its luxury hi-fi brands including Harman Kardon, AKG, Revel, JBL [see item, left], Lexicon and Mark Levinson, the major portion of Harman International’s business – some 65% – has been centred on the automotive sector as an OEM supplier of ICE drive units and integrated electronics. Samsung’s ‘Automotive Electronics Business Team’ was established in December 2015. It is predicting significant growth in the sophisticated ‘in-vehicle technology’ market and sees this acquisition as the perfect point of access. As to Harman’s cherished audio marques, Samsung says ‘All of these brands will greatly enhance the competitiveness of Samsung’s mobile, display, virtual reality and wearable products to deliver a fully differentiated audio…

Based on T+A’s outstanding PA 3000 HV integrated amplifier [HFN Sept ’13], the new PA 3100 HV model is immediately distinguished by its huge ‘fishbowl’ meters, calibrated in W/4ohm. While utilising the same ‘High Voltage’ output stage circuit design seen in all T+A’s HV amplifiers, the PA 3100 HV promises further improvements in stability and power by accommodating the PS 3000 HV outboard PSU via a special Powerlink cable with highcurrent M-23 connectors. The amp offers six line inputs (four balanced), a tape loop and balanced preamp outputs alongside pairs of 4mm speaker cable binding posts. It’s rated at a massive 300W/8ohm, includes a 1kVA toroidal transformer, weighs 38kg and is expected to cost £3000 more than the £10,400 PA 3000 HV integrated amp, which will remain current. T+A elektroakustik…

Looks are deceiving because ELAC’s new Element EA101EQ-G is no mere minimalist stereo amp. Priced at just €699 this latest addition to the Debut series includes asynchronous USB and wireless Bluetooth inputs in addition to a pair of unbalanced RCA inputs and a line-level subwoofer output. The latter is configurable via an main speaker feeds while also offering supplementary room correction. The EA101EQ-G features a compact BASH amplifier module, rated 2x40W/8ohm [see HFN Feb ’15]. ELAC Electroacustic GmbH, 01285 643088; www.elac.com…