Audiovector QR3 SE features 3 drivers in a two-and-a-half-way configuration

Welcome to Newsletter #37 from Hifiandmusicsource.com.  It is Easter, already, can you believe it?  This is our regular Newsletter on all the good things that have happened at HF&MS since January and the exciting reviews we have coming up. This Newsletter includes the two shows HF&MS has attended with their highlights, a summary of the reviews, music and videos you may have missed, and what is coming up as well as an offer from one of our partners who are offering a half-price deal on an HF&MS ‘Outstanding’ winner from a couple of years ago, the brilliant streaming M1 Air.

Reviews

Audiovector QR3 SE loudspeaker

Since the last Newsletter, there have been several reviews, including streamers, loudspeakers, and amplifiers.

The most recent review is of the brilliant Audiovector QR3 SE loudspeaker.  We said of this floorstander;

The midrange is smooth and the upper midrange and the highs are sparkling.

Here’s the review playlist on Qobuz.

English Electric EE1

English Electric EE1 is directional

We have also passed comments on the excellent English Electric EE1, a Chord Company brand.  The EE1 is a self-powered network noise isolator that was demoed at Bristiol and HF&MS suggested;

This is a pretty easy upgrade that is surely well worth a try if it is in your budget.

Musical Fidelity A1 integrated amplifier

The review of the Musical Fidelity A1 integrated amplifier was so highly anticipated it was almost doomed to disappoint.  But it didn’t of course, and the pure Class A delivered on fatigue-free long listening, this reviewer said;

I love this amplifier. It is bold, powerful and punchy.

Here’s the review playlist on Qobuz.

Cyrus Audio PSU-XR, with the Stream-XR

WiiM Pro Plus

The WiiM Pro Plus has been a HiFi game changer in the last few months since its launch.  HF&MS commented;

….who needs fancy screens when the App is as stable and easy to use as this?

Cyrus Audio PSU-XR

Also reviewed at the beginning of February was the Cyrus Audio PSU-XR; it is an off-board power supply upgrade for many of their latest XR products. Fortunately, we had the Stream-XR and the isolation of the digital signal worked wonders for the resultant presentation where we concluded with their excellent XR products;

…you can be sure the PSU-XR is a worthwhile investment…

This is the Cyrus Classic Amp playlist on Qobuz.

Elipson W35 Xi

Also reviewed recently was the Elipson W35 Xi which was more than a Bluetooth speaker with its networking capabilities.  HF&MS said;

…if you are after a conversation piece as well as a decent sound, you won’t be let down

Exclusive Offer

Escape M1 Air has a digital and analogue output

Our partners at The Audio Business are offering the HF&MS ‘Best of 2022’ and ‘Outstanding’ award-winning M1 Air at half price with the voucher code HFMS50%

Simply add the M1 AiR to the basket, proceed to checkout and enter the voucher code. The code is valid for 4 weeks and delivery is free.  If you were in any doubt about the value of the M1 Air watch the streaming video on our YouTube channel here. And now it is half price.

And remember with summer coming, the M1 Air is a stablemate of the Escape P6 BT and P9 outdoor-style Bluetooth speakers, fit for anything from a party to background to anything else you can think of, indoors and out!

Coming Up on HF&MS

Naim NAP 250 on review at HF&MS

In the spring, HF&MS will review the new Naim NAP 250 with the full 200 Series source components; the NSC 222 with the NPX 300. Also coming up will be a look at a lot of mobile iFi Audio kit, notably the iFi Go Pod and the iDSD Diabolo 2.  The Diabolo will give the Hugo 2 a run for its money, or will it? Also in for review is the iFi Hip DAC 3.  Fortunately, a new pair of Sendy Audio Peacock headphones have arrived to help with proceedings and they will complement the Meze Audio 109 Pros in the review process.

Also coming in and hot off the press is a new turntable from German outfit Rekkord.  The F400 is a top-of-the-line fully automatic turntable that comes with an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge, it is plug-and-play. The design is reminiscent of the older Dual turntables with their sprung loaded chassis and this turntable hails from the same old Dual factory.

Finally, there will be a review of the Focal Aria Evo X No.2 loudspeakers soon.

Shows

Audio Show Deluxe video on YouTube

Since January we have seen the Bristol HiFi Show and last week the Whittlebury Audio Show Deluxe.  Both were distinctive in their way, Bristol is chaotic, the rooms are too small but the bar is full and it is an essential weekend. Whittlebury on the other hand has bigger rooms and a relaxed vibe, more conducive to actually listening to music, my show video is here.

Here is the Bristol playlist on Tidal and the Whittlebury playlist on Qobuz.  It is always a good source of undiscovered review tracks.

New Music

There has been some great new music in the last few months, most notable for me is the new album from The Jesus and Mary Chain.  The album is called Glasgow Eyes and, though inconsistent for me there are some good tracks on here, notably American Born, Venal Joy and X Film.  Remember

Glasgow Eyes

to go back to where it all began, Just Like Honey, what a moment that was, 1985 if you weren’t born.

Also of note in the last month is the hugely impressive album from Ariana Grande, called eternal sunshine.  Lana Del Rey released Take Me Home, Country Roads as a single track too and we must pay tribute to RAYE for her stunning success at the Brits this year, if you have not seen the 21st Century  Symphony at the Royal Albert Hall, I cannot recommend it highly enough, it is on the BBC iPlayer or Qobuz in HiRes.

RAYE 21st Century Symphony