Bristol HiFiShow 2024 Highlights
Well, I for one thoroughly enjoyed the Bristol HiFiShow this year which seemed to be very busy, as always. I had a few highlights, here are a few of them.
Chord Company
Chord Company not only provided a delicious and unexpected lunch but also introduced a few of their latest products. Top of the list was the Chord Company Burndy Upgrade for the Naim Audio products. This upgrade was introduced for the older Naim Classic kit, as in the photo, but it is also available for the newer 200 and 300 series going forward.
Chord Co. also introduced their EE1 Ethernet network noise isolator and their latest P6 distribution block, which is a more affordable version of the S6 and/or M6 PowerHAUS products, reviewed here.
Naim Nova PE
Also on display at the Bristol HiFiShow was the new Naim Audio Uniti Nova PE, which has a huge 150W/ch (8 Ohms) instead of the previous 80W. This Nova PE, interestingly, features Class D amplification, a new direction for Naim Audio, I believe.
Kudos Audio Sigao external crossover
My personal highlight of the day was the first look at the Kudos Audio Sigao external crossover. This unit is unpowered and sits between the pre and power amplification with the idea of offering an external crossover for Kudos Audio loudspeakers without the huge nest of cables that we experienced here at HF&MS. The results in that review were sensational as the noise floor collapsed and this was heard on Friday with the Sigao. Derek Gilligan played The Travellor by Allan Taylor and the sound presentation was sensational with the Kudos Titan 505s. The Sigao feels like an essential upgrade for Kudos Audio loudspeaker owners, it is likely to cost £6,000 or so, pricing to be confirmed in due course. If you look at the previous project we put together, you’ll realise this is sounding like a bit of a bargain.
Acoustic Energy
Another very impressive room was the Acoustic Energy Room showing their flagship Corinium loudspeakers driven by the SPL S1200 power amplifier. it was a laid-back room with a lovely sound, and something of a refuge, being a slightly bigger room.
Cyrus Audio
I was delighted to see the Cyrus Audio 40th Anniversary turntable at Bristol HiFiShow, though I neglected to take a picture. Cyrus is celebrating 40 years in the game and they’re set fair for another 40 years with their investment in the XR range, which we have enjoyed here at HF&MS.
Chord Electronics
Also on debut was the Chord ULTIMA Integrated amplifier, which in my excitement, I didn’t photograph, inexplicably.
Playlist
Hilariously, I was looking through my ‘Now Playing’ smartphone history and have put together this Tidal playlist. There’s a lot of Pink Floyd there, have a listen. Tracks 2, 3 & 4, were used by Chord Company to demo the Burndy cables etc. They’re going on my Reference listening list going forward.
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