Newsletter #38, April 2024
Welcome to this April Newsletter, a summary of reviews published and a look forward to up-and-coming reviews here at Hifiandmusicsource.com
YouTube
The first news this week is of a new headphone amplifier video on our YouTube channel. Take a look at the video give it a like and subscribe, we’re trying to get to 1,000 subscribers to get into YouTube’s algorithm and increase our viewership. The channel is doing well, with nearly 105,000 views thus far from the 29 videos released to date. Many thanks at this point to Nick who is our HF&MS video guru.
Other important news since the last Newsletter is that Jo Holmes has left HF&MS with our very best wishes and thanks; Jo has joined HiFi News. Brad Francis has joined the team as we go forward and he will continue with the media, advertising and marketing side of the website. This is great news as many will know Brad is a seasoned professional in advertising, licensing, sponsorship, and all things commercial. He has a deep love for all things audio and his background is steeped in music and entertainment.
Contact Brad on m. +44 7715 421569 or by email at: brad@hifiandmusicsource.com
New Reviews This Month
This has been a great month for reviews featuring Audiovector, Naim Audio, Chord Company and iFi Audio.
Audiovector QR3 SE
The Audiovector QR3 SE was well received, an update on the former QR3s. We said in the review they have;
….a stunning fast bass response in my room…
We concluded;
The midrange is smooth and the upper midrange and the highs are sparkling.
Naim Audio New Classic NAP 250 review
And finally, the Naim Audio New Classic NAP 250 review went up this week. We said;
… this 200 Series looks and sounds better than a Porsche 911…
The NAP 250 received an Editor’s Pick on the back of the NSC 222 receiving a Highly Recommended award from HF&MS.
Chord BurndyX
Whilst I was bemoaning the upgrade path to the New Classic 200 series above, Chord Company sent me their BurndyX upgrade for my older Naim Classic XPS DR to NAC-N 272. It offered a notable insight into my older Naim Classic system. It reminded, or reassured me, that my money has been well invested with Naim over the years.
We concluded of the Chord Company BurndyX there was;
…significant, uplift in the system’s performance*
iFi Audio hip-dac 3
Also reviewed this month was the portable iFi Audio hip-dac 3 headphone amplifier. It is a nice piece of kit by iFi who are innovating in this portable audio space (see also the Go Bar below or in the video). We said in the review;
…hip-dac 3 is dynamic with a wonderfully detailed presentation, controlled bass and an easy-listening midrange…
Rekkord F400 automatic turntable
The most fun I’ve had this month has been with the Rekkord F400 automatic turntable. It is well made and has been a fine performer with the Naim NSC 222 MM input. We said;
(The)…Rekkord F400 offers an uncomplicated vinyl record presentation without compromise, its reliability and simplicity are the key elements…
I was left wondering why automatic turntables are so maligned, I loved the F400, it just makes vinyl records so accessible.
Finally, read the review of the Sivga S02 open-ear headphones. There is a discount code in the review, I have one of them glued to my ears all day every day for phone calls, podcasts and the like. With them resting on the ear there is no undue fatigue and you forget about them in the day.
Upcoming Reviews
Reviews coming this month include the iFi Audio Diablo 2 and the Go Bar Kensei (Plot spoiler, it is crazily amazing). There will be a review of the Focal Aria Evo X No. 2s as well as a look at a new Powergrip product that has reduced noise in my humming amplifiers in the last few weeks. Also coming soon will be a review of the Sivga Peacock headphones and the Edifier QR65, desktop speakers.
New Music
It has been a high-profile new music month with Beyonce and Taylor Swift releasing new albums. Iron and Wine’s new album this weekend is also worth a listen.
I have also been given lovely access to the TRPTK website, which offers high-resolution tracks in their library. Their 9-Year Anniversary Sampler is a great free download for testing the input rate of your DAC!
On Record Store Day 2024, it was time to buy some vinyl for use with the Rekkord turntable review!
New Playlists
With new reviews come new playlists and here are a few of them. You will notice a few of the tracks end up on repeat but that is a function of particular aspects I’. listening for. Here’s the Audiovector Playlist and the Naim Audio NAP 250 Playlist.
Old Music
Finally, The Velvet Underground’s self-titled third album is coming to the 1001 Albums Before I Die part of the site. If you are unfamiliar with Lou Reed’s Pale Blue Eyes, make sure you do yourself a favour and have a listen. Just beautiful, plain and simple.
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