Hi Fi News May 2020

As a matter of good publishing principle, we try to keep mention of current affairs out of Hi-Fi News. After all, something that seems of great public or political interest one day can seem incongruous if read in the context of a column or review a year or two later. Nevertheless I feel safe in assuming that the Coronavirus pandemic, and the upheaval – both trivial and tragic – will live forever in our collective memory. So this will be a far more personal and heartfelt ‘Welcome’ than our regular readers might have become accustomed. Hi-Fi News & Record Review is the world’s oldest hi-fi magazine, publishing uninterrupted for 64 years. And that tradition will not be derailed by a 100nm virus. So here I am, ‘self isolating’ and solo at Hi-Fi…

Latest addition to Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems’ Progression Series is the Progression Integrated Amplifier pictured here, with prices ranging between £18,500 and £26,250 according to which options are included. The analogue base unit is a traditional line-level integrated amplifier offering two unbalanced inputs on RCAs and three balanced inputs on XLR. To this can be added an optional moving-coil phono input module, which raises the price to £20,750 (or the module can be added later). For digital inputs, a second module offers coaxial, optical, USB-B and both wired and wireless network connectivity. Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer and Spotify streaming subscription services are available, and MQA decoding is standard. With this added to the base configuration the price is £24,000, rising to £26,250 if both the optional modules are fitted. Bluetooth remote…

Audio Analogue’s PureAA series, launched by the Italian company in 2018, has been expanded to three products with the introduction of the £3299 AAdac digital-to-analogue converter. Digital inputs comprise USB, two S/PDIF coaxial on RCAs, optical S/PDIF via Toslink and AES/EBU balanced on XLR. The USB input supports PCM sampling rates up to a specified ‘392kHz’ (which we presume means 384kHz) and native 1-bit datastreams up to DSD512. Seven different digital filter options are provided and a Wi-Fi antenna allows for Bluetooth aptX streaming. Analogue output is fixed or variable, unbalanced via phono sockets and balanced via XLRs. Available finishes are silver or black. Audio Analogue, Italy, 05602 054 669; www.audioanalogue.com; www.decentaudio.co.uk…

RUSS’S SWITCH Suppliers of accessories to the audiophile diaspora, Russ Andrews Ltd is keeping its mail order business operating during the coronavirus lockdown. So, for those customers taking the opportunity to give their hi-fi systems some TLC and perhaps an upgrade, RA has introduced a network switch to its range designed specifically for use in networked audio systems. At the heart of the £989 Russ Andrews Network Switch is a Trichord clock, like those used to upgrade CD and other disc players. In this instance it is complemented by a dual-output, off board power supply connected using Kimber PBJ cable. www.russandrews.com VINNIE ROSSI Distributor Elite Audio has added Vinnie Rossi – US manufacturer of a high-end valve preamp, MOSFET monoblock power amps and hybrid integrated amps – to its portfolio of brands. Expect a…

Legendary turntable manufacturer Thorens, still headquartered in Germany, has recalled one of its greatest products, the TD160, introduced in 1972, to create the new TD 1600 and semiautomatic TD 1601. Familiar design elements include belt-drive, a heavy two-part platter and adjustable sprung subchassis, but there are modern updates. The top plate is made from an ‘Alucobond’ aluminium sandwich and its three-point suspension incorporates a steel cable to prevent sideways motion. Both are fitted with Thorens’ TP92 tonearm and prices are £2399 for the TD 1600 and £2899 for the TD 1601. Thorens GmbH, Bergisch-Gladbach, Germany, +49 224 86777 22; www.thorens.com…

Audio-Technica has introduced two new models in its long-running series of closed-back headphones that use exotic woods for the capsule cups. Costlier of the two, the £1700 Kokutan, uses striped ebony – a dense hardwood employed in the manufacture of pianos and woodwind instruments – for its closure, which gives it a striking appearance and ensures that structural resonances are effectively damped. In the £1300 Asada Zakura (pictured), ostrya japonica is used which gives the cups a warm red colour. Both headphones have 53mm moving-coil drive units, with a titanium flange in the Kokutan and diamond-like coating in the Asada Zakura. Both also use A-T’s familiar DADS (double air damping system) for improved bass but have a conventional headband rather than the distinctive 3D Wing Support of old, which appears…