The latest hi-fi news, products, music & our cultural highlights!
Newsletter - February 2025
This month, we have a special feature on a brand we greatly admire - Gold Note. We learn about their meticulous design and build ethos - all manufactured in their factory within the idyllic Tuscan hills.
Linn has just released the much anticipated Bedrok plinth. Constructed from layered beech - the Bedrok is a beautiful-looking upgrade in performance for the iconic LP12 Sondek turntable.
Another future classic is the Rega Planar 3 RS Edition - a special edition turntable featuring a new aluminium metal skin HPL laminate, the handmade RB330 tonearm and the award-winning Nd5 moving magnet cartridge. These are limited and priced at £999. Find out more.
"il Suono Italiano"—the Italian Sound of Gold Note
Gold Note, based among the rolling hills of Tuscany, creates high-end audio products that capture the essence of "il Suono Italiano" — the Italian Sound.
Founded in 2012 by Maurizio Aterini, the company blends traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation, drawing inspiration from the Florentine Renaissance's fusion of art & science.
Every Gold Note product is meticulously designed and assembled by hand at their factory in Montespertoli, ensuring exceptional build and sound quality.
‘We strive to emulate a fusion of past and future’, says Maurizo.
New - Linn Bedrok™ LP12 Plinth - Performance Upgrade
Bedrok™ for Sondek LP12 is the first-ever, plinth performance upgrade from Linn. Formed of orthogonal layers of beech placed under extreme pressure and heat to create an entirely new, solid and massive material; this engineered, ultra-dense wood has negligible resonance and offers a superior isolating housing for your turntable’s mechanism.
Soulnote Listening Day - Thurs. 5th December (11am-7pm)
We're excited to invite you to an exclusive Soulnote event on Thursday, 5th December, from 11am to 7pm at Soundstage Hi-Fi. This is a unique opportunity to experience the remarkable sound and craftsmanship of Soulnote’s Integrated Amplifiers & Phonostages.
Newsletter - November 2024
Join us for an immersive listening event at the shop on Saturday, November 16th (11 AM – 4 PM). You'll experience three high-end hi-fi systems. The main system features the YG Acoustics Hailey 3 Reference Loudspeakers, powered by the Vitus Audio SIA-030 integrated amplifier. You’ll also gain insight from Alan Sircom (Editor, Hi-Fi+ Magazine), Chris Rees from YG Acoustics, and Glen Furness from AIRT.
Lowering the Noise Floor
What is Lowering the Noise Floor?
"It's all about reducing unwanted noise or interference - because a clean foundation allows us to connect with the music on a deeper level."
As Fraser from AIRT explains, "By lowering the noise floor, you will better connect with your music, transforming your already great hi-fi system into an exceptional one."
The noise floor refers to the background noise level in an audio system when no signal is present. So by Lowering the Noise Floor, you can significantly enhance audio quality.
AIRT are at the forefront of using the principles of LTNF, and work with like-minded brands such as Stillpoints, Acustica Applicata, Entreq and OePhi Acoustics.
You can elevate your listening experience by applying the three key principles of Lowering the Noise Floor: 1. Acoustically, 2. Electrically, and 3. Mechanically.
YG Acoustics & Vitus Audio - Listening Event - Sat. 16th November 2024
Join us for an exciting listening event on Saturday 16th November 2024 (11 am-4 pm). We love pairing YG Acoustics loudspeakers with Vitus Audio amplification, and you'll get to listen to three high-end systems made up of this perfect combination!
YG Acoustics - Trade-in Offer 2024
We’ve teamed up with YG Acoustics for a limited trade-in offer:
You can receive the full original value of your current speakers against purchasing brand-new YG Acoustics speakers. This applies to every model YG Acoustics produce - so you can upgrade to anything from the Peaks, Reference or Live ranges.
Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your listening experience.
Contact Alex to schedule a demo and learn more about this offer.
Newsletter - September 2024
Over the Summer, we've added several new brands to the shop. These include Shunyata, Stillpoints, Acustica Applicata, and Entreq. They all create audio products that help 'lower the noise floor' - reducing vibrations & eliminating any electrical noise getting into your system. Shunyata is leading the way in this area, and using their cables or power distributors can markedly improve your listening experience - getting you closer to the music you love.
OePhi UK Launch Event - Saturday 28th September - 10am-5pm
Join us for the exclusive UK Launch of OePhi Loudspeakers on Saturday 28th September 2024 at Soundstage Hi-Fi, North London. Discover Joakim Juhl's handcrafted speakers and cables, renowned for their minimalist beauty and exceptional sound quality. You’ll have an exclusive look & listen to the full range of loudspeakers, as well as an insight from the maestro himself. Reserve your space early as places are limited.
Which iconic speaker features in Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" music video?
Kendrick Lamar’s ultimate diss track "Not Like Us" has a new video, and the stand-out star is a pair of iconic loudspeakers: the KEF Reference 105 Series II. These beautifully engineered speakers, crafted in 1979, were the top-of-the-line for KEF. They had a unique design sporting a moulded resin mid-range, and a tweeter sitting atop a powerful B-300 12-inch bass driver within a wooden cabinet.
Munich High-End 2024 - The Best Hi-Fi In the World (Day2)
It’s the second day at Munich High-End 2024, and we discover the sanctuary of the Nagra room; a sonic assault from YG Acoustics; beautiful craftsmanship from Berlin’s Ramar; and learn how to "lower the noise floor" with Stillpoints & Shunyata.
Munich High-End 2024 - The Best Hi-Fi In the World
The buzz is back! It's the 2024 edition of Munich Hi-End, the largest hi-fi show in the world, and it feels like the first day at Glastonbury Festival. Amongst the hustle & bustle, we swap stories and rumours of which new hi-fi is getting previewed & launched. "Linn has SIX Mono 800 amps hooked up to a pair of 360 Passive loudspeakers.", "You HAVE to hear the Tidal Bugattis - they make every other system sound broken, but it's strictly invite only! "…
April 2024 - Newsletter
We had a mind-elevating experience last weekend. Nightmares on Wax recreated the entirety of their Carboot Soul LP with The Outlook Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall. Opening with the soaring strings on the first track Les Nuits it was a night full of emotions and reminded us of why we love what we do: recreating the experience and beauty of live music in the comfort of our homes.
Exclusive: Wilson Audio Loudspeakers - Trade-Up Offer
We are thrilled to announce an exclusive trade-in offer in collaboration with Wilson Audio – a brand synonymous with unparalleled sonic performance. Upgrade your existing Wilson loudspeakers to a superior model & experience the breathtaking evolution of these handcrafted works of art.
Vitus Audio & Avalon Acoustics Weekend - 2nd & 3rd March 2024
Join us for an exciting event on Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd March 2024 (11 am-4pm). It's in collaboration with AIRT - and will feature Vitus Audio amplification, and Avalon Acoustics Loudspeakers, enhanced by Stillpoints isolation.
February 2024 - Newsletter
Last week, we visited the Naim Factory in Salisbury to listen to the new Uniti Nova Power Edition - ideal for those who need an all-in-one player to drive larger loudspeakers, without compromising on sound.
We also have an exciting event, the first weekend of March, in collaboration with AIRT. We'll have a reference system showcasing Vitus Audio, Avalon Acoustics and Stillpoints. Not to be missed.
静魂 Quiet Soul - STAX Electrostatic Earspeakers
STAX created the first "Electrostatic" earspeakers with the STAX SR-1 back in 1960. It was a significant leap forward in headphone design and was the perfect example of STAX's dedication to delivering "an immersive & realistic listening experience."
New - Linn Klimax Solo 800: Flagship Mono Amplifier Delivers Superior Performance
Linn has just announced their brand new flagship mono amplifier, the Klimax Solo 800. Designed to drive any given speaker, the power amps also comprehensively outperforms larger rivals.
Naim Audio - Price Increases - 1st February 2024
Naim prices are increasing from 1st February 2024 - including the 500 Series & New Classic range. However, it's not all doom and gloom, as the Uniti and Mu-so ranges are getting price reductions!