Newsletter - September 2024
Music & Culture, Hi-Fi News, Hi-Fi Brand, Events Ryan Nicolson Music & Culture, Hi-Fi News, Hi-Fi Brand, Events Ryan Nicolson

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.

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Which iconic speaker features in Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" music video?
Hi-Fi News, Hi-Fi Brand Ryan Nicolson Hi-Fi News, Hi-Fi Brand Ryan Nicolson

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.

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Munich High-End 2024 - The Best Hi-Fi In the World (Day2)

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.

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Munich High-End 2024 - The Best Hi-Fi In the World

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! "…

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April 2024 - Newsletter
Inspiration, Music & Culture, Hi-Fi News, Hi-Fi Brand Ryan Nicolson Inspiration, Music & Culture, Hi-Fi News, Hi-Fi Brand Ryan Nicolson

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. 

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The Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2024 - Review
Hi-Fi News, Events Ryan Nicolson Hi-Fi News, Events Ryan Nicolson

The Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2024 - Review

We walk into the ATC's listening room and instantly feel at home. ATC have a system featuring the ATC SCM50ASLT Active Tower Loudspeaker in Piano Black. Everything about the demonstration feels effortless - no expensive power chords or cables. We’re not thinking about the hi-fi system, as we're 100% absorbed in the music. Dean sums it up, "There's no bullshit - just good engineering." 

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February 2024 - Newsletter
Inspiration, Music & Culture, Hi-Fi News, Hi-Fi Brand Ryan Nicolson Inspiration, Music & Culture, Hi-Fi News, Hi-Fi Brand Ryan Nicolson

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.

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High-End Show, Munich, 2023 - YG Acoustics
Hi-Fi News Ryan Nicolson Hi-Fi News Ryan Nicolson

High-End Show, Munich, 2023 - YG Acoustics

Munich High-End Show 2023 Review

YG Acoustics - Reference 3 Loudspeakers

First up are the Hailey 3.2 floor stander loudspeakers with Burmester electronics. The drivers on the Hailey’s are designed to be perfectly matched - with an even amplitude & phase response.

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The Bristol Hi-fi Show 2023  - Review
Hi-Fi News Ryan Nicolson Hi-Fi News Ryan Nicolson

The Bristol Hi-fi Show 2023 - Review

It sounds like something from a Kurt Vonnegut novel. "Zirconium-Toughened Alumina" is the 2nd hardest kid at school. The toughest is Diamond - which is used to shape this ceramic material which forms the central bearing on the new Rega NAIA turntable.

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Perfecting Sound – Munich High-End 2022 – Day 1
Hi-Fi News Ryan Nicolson Hi-Fi News Ryan Nicolson

Perfecting Sound – Munich High-End 2022 – Day 1

We’re constantly on the hunt for those elusive listening experiences that get us closer to the music we love. We travel to the High-End Show 2022, where over 800 brands are exhibiting, hoping for those magic moments when the turntables, amps and loudspeakers melt away, leaving us helplessly immersed in the music.

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