Welcome to the September 2024 Newsletter #42. We’re catching up on reviews and videos from this month and looking forward to autumn. It has been a busy few weeks, and we have a new Logo filtering through the system; we are just trying to sharpen the focus on reviews and videos.
Videos
There have been three new videos on our growing YouTube channel. The first one was on how to upgrade your Old Naim Classic equipment. The review write-up is here, where we introduced a few Chord Company cables into the system to try and lift it towards the New Naim Classic 200 Series performance.
There was also an AV video featuring the REL Classic 98 and the new 2-channel Marantz MODEL 50 integrated amplifier. We will review this shortly. The final video this month was on the Ascot Show; see below.
HiFi Show Live Ascot Racecourse
The Press Day (Trade Day?) was a nice and relaxed affair. The Show Report, Show Video, and Playlist are here.
Node Audio SS-1
Ascot hosted Node Audio with their SS-1 support system. HF&MS is offering an exclusive 20% discount on these through October; use the Code HIFIANDMS to take advantage of this offer.
New Reviews
FiiO FA-19
There have been several reviews this month, including the fantastic FiiO FA-19 in-ear monitors with ten drivers in each earbud. We said;
There is ravishing detail here, too, and bags of rhythm…
We concluded;
A joyful few weeks with FiiO and the FA19s reveal an excellent level of performance
Volumio RIVO
We also had a review of the Italy’s Volumio RIVO streamer, which was a fine performer in both style and substance. With the Chord Hugo 2, we said;
Streaming the RIVO … to the Hugo 2 … is as immersive and joyful as music can get.
The RIVO is still here, and it is getting plenty of use. Our conclusion remains;
The RIVO looks great and sounds better…
Atlas Cables
We have also had the opportunity to upgrade some Atlas Cables here at HF&MS using a new Cable Upgrade service that offers the opportunity to take advantage of the latest technology in cable design at a serviceable price. The full article is linked here.
Coming Up
In light of last month’s Plixir Statement Power Supply review, you will see an article this weekend on a Melco Journey. This piece looks at the incremental gains delivered by introducing libraries, CD players, switches, and a power supply.
This month, the MOON North Collection 641 and 681 integrated amplifier and streaming DAC will be reviewed, as will the Marantz MODEL 50 integrated with the 50 CDn.
We look forward to a new review of the Piega Coax 611 loudspeakers (see the Ascot video) with a new experienced reviewer joining HF&MS.
A lot is going on at HF&MS with the arrival of the Kudos Audio Sigao external passive crossover. The first listen, as it settles in, is very favourable. The word Night and the word Day may air in this review, as may the expression Blacker Blacks! With two Moor Amps Angel 6s in place and T+A HV preamplification, watch this space!
New Music
There is plenty of good music this month, particularly from Rex Orange County with his new album, The Alexander Technique. Also likely to turn up in a vinyl purchase is Lady Gaga’s Harlequin, which is a ‘companion piece’ to the new Joker film, due out in October. It features many covers and is slightly left-field and show-biz/jazzy, but it is a fun listen.
Finally, the new album by Nubya Garcia, Odyssey, is a good listen.
