UK Hi-Fi Show Live 2025 - Highlights

I had an excellent day yesterday at the UK Hi-Fi Show Live 2025, which was held again at the prestigious Ascot Racecourse this year.  The venue is accessible, with ample parking, and is easily accessible near the M4. In my view, it benefits from being well-spaced out, so the rooms do not interfere with each other, and listening to music is actually possible.

Many rooms were heaving with the TEN collection room yesterday, seemingly attracting a considerable volume of people with animated chatter, despite the presence of a lovely pair of DeVore loudspeakers.  Chris Baillie and I chatted at length with the engaging Jess Kerr (Kerr Acoustics), who discussed an increase in sales in the UK, Scandinavia, and other areas of Europe, which seemed to be a positive message in challenging times for the HiFi industry.

In the quieter moments, the DeVore Fidelity O/Bronze loudspeakers were detailed and clean, driven by Trafomatic’s Tara preamp and a pair of Class A Elysium mono power amps.

The Ten collection is personally curated by Ricardo Franssovici, founder and managing director of Absolute Sounds, and features premium brands such as Metaxas & Sins, TRrafomatic Aaudio and Döhmann Aaudio as well as DeVore Fidelity.  

My personal highlight of the day was a first look at the new Node Audio Atom loudspeakers in person.  Node Audio launched two loudspeakers at Ascot: the Atom 525 and the Atom 650.  The internal structure is 3D printed using the glass fibre technology used in the flagship Hylixa Signature loudspeakers.  The 525 and 650 Atoms also feature the same Helical Transmission Line design as in the Hylixa, though promising more bass with the introduction of innovations, including their new MonoCell damping. This damping replaces the usual fibrous internal damping with a rigid 3D-printed lattice structure.  This structure offers additional internal bracing to create an ‘ultra-stiff monocoque enclosure’, reducing cabinet colouration in the process.

Node Audio is targeting prices of £13,000 for the Atom 525 (the custom base for the 525 is targeted at £2,000) and £18,000 for the Atom 650.  These prices will be confirmed in due course. Watch this space for updates.

There were many highlights, no more so than the Kraken Room, where the brand has had a ‘resurgence’ with Audio Resurgence showing the Kraken AR6A integrated amplifier being shown in an understated room.  The AR6A’s price caught my attention at £1,250; I thought I was hearing a lot more than that on first listen.

Naturally, I went to the Cocktail Bar at Ascot. However, this was the Naim/Focal Headphone Cocktail Bar, where there were no seats to be had as a slew of Naim Uniti Atoms were driving the impressive Focal headphones, including the Bathys MG and the Utopias.

It was great to see AVID at Ascot in the cas.audio room.  John reviewed the excellent AVID Accent integrated amplifier this year and was very impressed. These beautifully designed amplifiers on display were the full range on show, including the Celsus Pre and power amplifier, which simply look the part!

As always, the Henley Audio room was abuzz with interest, featuring presentations and other engaging displays.  New lines from Henley include Rotel, which had the RA6000 integrated on display, as well as the Michi line of electronics. We’re looking forward to examining these Rotel electronics here at HF&MS, as well as the EAT F-DUR turntable, which Ian will be reviewing in the coming period.

Also in the Henley Audio room were the Piega Coax Gen II loudspeakers, which Chris had enjoyed so much earlier this year. I also spotted their new line of Loewe TVs, as well as their LEO headphones, which were launched at Munich this year.

The Exposure 5510 integrated amplifier made its debut at Ascot yesterday, accompanied by an absolutely gorgeous pair of ProAc loudspeakers. The new Exposure DAC was also in the room with the full-width Exposure CD player.

Another hugely impressive room was the Sound Designs room, which featured the VIVID Giya (03, I believe) loudspeakers.  And what a sound when they played Francine Thirteen’s Queen Mary.  What a track, and what a sound with the Halcro Eclipse power amplifier.

Friends of HF&MS, Atlas Cables were at Ascot this year as they celebrated their 25th year.  They have a new range of Duo cables that offer an upgrade to their existing Ailsa and Hyper cables.  They also offer a new headphone range, featuring the Zeno Seraphic cable in various lengths and terminations. 

The final word goes to Devialet, who had probably the coolest, most stylish room and the best-dressed advisors.  The Devialet Astra amplifier was on display with their Phantom loudspeakers.

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