Welcome
Welcome to this May (and April) Newsletter, this time, hot off the press after the HIGH END Munich Show 2025. The show highlights review is here, and the Instagram highlights are here. I was privileged to meet Antonio Meze in Munich and had the opportunity to talk with him and see where Meze Audio is headed in the coming months. The interview highlights are here.
New Reviews
There was no April Newsletter, so there have been a bunch of new reviews to remind readers of from the last few weeks.
AVID Accent Integrated Amplifier
John Pickford reviewed the AVID Accent Integrated Amplifier, where he commented positively;
This amp is a vinyl enthusiast’s dream.
Adding
….the Accent can be summed up in two words: clarity and control
Q Acoustics M40 Powered Speakers
We also reviewed the Q Acoustics M40 loudspeakers. The M40s are powered not active, meaning one of the loudspeakers is amplified, driving the second passive loudspeaker via a speaker cable. We commented;
The detail, midrange vocal vibrancy and bass response stand out.
HiFi Rose
Another Amplifier, the HiFi Rose RA280, was reviewed, where the Editor noted in concluding;
The RA280 can serve as the bedrock of a modern, contemporary two-channel setup if you are embarking on a musical journey
Fell Audio
Finally, in the last week, Ian Ringstead, writing for HF&MS for the first time, reviewed the new Fell Audio integrated amplifier and CD player. Designed as an entry point for younger audiophiles interested in that first step on the ladder, Ian concluded;
Fell CD player is just as adept as the amplifier in impressing with its confident portrayal of any disc I loaded into the slot loading mechanism
Ian’s Fell Audio review is here.
TCI Podium
Having had the first look at TCI’s new Podium at Bristol this year in the morning, a review sample arrived, making an instant impact on the reference GYRO SE turntable here at HF&MS. We noted;
…sure enough, placed directly on Podium 2, the music is tightened up with a lower noise floor and rigid delivery….
iFi Audio GO-Link MAX
If you’re still frustrated with the lack of a headphone jack on your smartphone, things have moved on in a positive direction with the iFi Audio GO-Link MAX, offering an unobtrusive dongle solution. With a balanced pair of FiiO FA17 IEMs, we noted;
Coupled with that balanced low noise feel, these IEMs …a perfect match for the iFi Audio GO Link Max
Focal Bathys MG
Finally, published just yesterday, is the review of the new Focal Bathys MG wireless headphones, an update of the previous Bathys with a magnesium-only driver. The review is linked here. Truly flexible with wired digital and analogue options, as well as wireless functionality, the Focal Bathys MG offered a luxurious travel solution for the committed audiophile. We concluded on the active noise cancelling in the Bathys MG, it was;
… some of the best ANC results I have ever experienced…
Coming Up
There are many reviews scheduled for release in the coming weeks, with new reviews from the new writers contributing to even more excellent content on the site.
Chris Baillie will have reviews coming in the following weeks on the flagship Melco S1 switch, as well as the new gorgeous-looking MBL C51 integrated amplifier and C31 CD/DAC player. John Pickford has a review of the DALI EPIKORE 3 standmounted loudspeakers coming along, whilst Ian Ringstead will be looking at some E.A.T. turntables. He is also penning a feature on his new, hand-built, Mellow Tone Audio universal phono stage and his tube-rolling experience.
Also coming up will be a review of the stunning new iFi Audio iDSD Valkyrie desktop headphone amplifier, which has this editor reaching for the thesaurus as I am running out of superlatives. Fortunately, I have been able to secure a brief loan of the flagship Meze Audio ELITE headphones for the review; the iDSD Valkyrie deserves nothing less. Finally, there will be a couple of Campfire Audio reviews as their product range expands further.
New Music
With excellent HiFi equipment comes excellent, long playlists. The most recent one has been for the Focal Bathys MG. This TIDAL playlist includes current favourites, Raat Ki Rani remixed by an outfit called Khruangbin from Texas, as well as the very angry Vampire and Loyle Carner’s Loose Ends.
Other new Playlists this month include the one I created after seeing FINNEAS on tour earlier in April in Birmingham.
There have been some excellent new albums this month. Notably, Arcade Fire’s album is called The Year of the Snake. The Waterboys released an album, apparently an homage to Dennis Hopper. I have also featured a new EP released by Hohnen Ford with Birdy, titled ‘A Lot to Give’.
Further Reading
