Hi-Fi Choice November 2021

I must confess I had no idea there was such a thing as upgraditis until I read through this month’s Letters. According to the online Urban Dictionary, it’s a: “terminal condition, the main symptom of which presents as the insatiable desire to upgrade,” an affliction which is obviously prevalent among hi-fi aficionados like our good selves. Indeed, as the Letters pages point out, HFC, with its monthly updates on desirable new kit, could be said to be guilty of feeding that addiction. Driven to investigate further, I discovered that science says that when you buy for positive gain – just for the thrill of it – you get a short burst of euphoria which swiftly dissipates as you chase your next fix, whereas if you buy to address a negative –…

I must confess I had no idea there was such a thing as upgraditis until I read through this month’s Letters. According to the online Urban Dictionary, it’s a: “terminal condition, the main symptom of which presents as the insatiable desire to upgrade,” an affliction which is obviously prevalent among hi-fi aficionados like our good selves. Indeed, as the Letters pages point out, HFC, with its monthly updates on desirable new kit, could be said to be guilty of feeding that addiction. Driven to investigate further, I discovered that science says that when you buy for positive gain – just for the thrill of it – you get a short burst of euphoria which swiftly dissipates as you chase your next fix, whereas if you buy to address a negative…

PRICE: £300-£1,100 AVAILABLE: NOW WEB: MISSION.CO.UK BRITISH SPEAKER MANUFACTURER Mission has re-engineered its QX Series – first launched in 2017 – which it claims delivers: “a benchmark ‘step-up’ loudspeaker range, sitting above the entry-level LX MkII Series which launched in 2020”. The new QX MkII Series features five passive models – two standmount speakers and three floorstanders. A new active subwoofer – the QX-12SUB MkII – has also been developed to complement the range. The new MkII models look similar to the original QX Series loudspeakers – the cabinets are the same size, with similar detailing including curved corners and smoothly dished drive units with ‘comb-tooth’ surrounds – but there are external enhancements, including new matt black, matt white and walnut veneer finish options. Redesigned aluminium plates are clamped to both the…

PRICE: £300-£1,100 AVAILABLE: NOW WEB: MISSION.CO.UK BRITISH SPEAKER MANUFACTURER Mission has re-engineered its QX Series – first launched in 2017 – which it claims delivers: “a benchmark ‘step-up’ loudspeaker range, sitting above the entry-level LX MkII Series which launched in 2020”. The new QX MkII Series features five passive models – two standmount speakers and three floorstanders. A new active subwoofer – the QX-12SUB MkII – has also been developed to complement the range. The new MkII models look similar to the original QX Series loudspeakers – the cabinets are the same size, with similar detailing including curved corners and smoothly dished drive units with ‘comb-tooth’ surrounds – but there are external enhancements, including new matt black, matt white and walnut veneer finish options. Redesigned aluminium plates are clamped to…

PRICE: £240-£250 AVAILABLE: NOW WEB: LENCO.UK SWISS COMPANY LENCO is celebrating its 75th anniversary with the launch of a brace of new turntables: the L-92WA – a belt-driven model designed to: “ensure the vinyl listening experience is enhanced with no needle dragging,” – and the L-3089, which the company says is particularly suited for professional use and DJs thanks to its pitch control and USB recording. The L-92WA comes with an integrated preamplifier and Audio-Technica AT3600 cartridge pre-installed, so records can be played straight out of the box. There’s a robust aluminium platter to give improved stability, anti-skating to prevent the tonearm from sliding across vinyl and it’s equipped with a strobe light feature that the company says is to see where the needle is without having to ruin the ambience of…

PRICE: £240-£250 AVAILABLE: NOW WEB: LENCO.UK SWISS COMPANY LENCO is celebrating its 75th anniversary with the launch of a brace of new turntables: the L-92WA – a belt-driven model designed to: “ensure the vinyl listening experience is enhanced with no needle dragging,” – and the L-3089, which the company says is particularly suited for professional use and DJs thanks to its pitch control and USB recording. The L-92WA comes with an integrated preamplifier and Audio-Technica AT3600 cartridge pre-installed, so records can be played straight out of the box. There’s a robust aluminium platter to give improved stability, anti-skating to prevent the tonearm from sliding across vinyl and it’s equipped with a strobe light feature that the company says is to see where the needle is without having to ruin the…