Launch
Launched by Simon Wilce in 2013, hifiandmusicsource.com is the go-to hi-fi component and music reviews website designed to engage fellow enthusiasts looking to make informed purchasing decisions and share a passion for high-quality audio within a like-minded community.

Our mission
hifiandmusicsource.com bridges the gap between gadget reviews and more specialist ‘audiophile’ review websites. The site seeks to cover the more affordable ‘real world’ audio marketplace and to articulate product and music reviews in simpler terms accessible to all with our subjective evaluation system that considers performance, ease of use and value for money.

Independent Reviews and News
With over 900 pages of industry news, product reviews, and music reviews already online, the site covers the most relevant content for the discerning audio enthusiast. It seeks to review the latest hi-fi components and the best albums to demo a music system and experience it at its best. As the site grows, we will look to write and gather comments on the latest tech and industry trends, encouraging debate and engagement through our expanding social media communities.
The team
Simon is joined by Ian Ringstead and John Pickford, both established writers in their own right. Chris Baillie has also written several pieces recently for HF&MS.
Ian Ringstead
Ian’s love of music began at an early stage, when he was about 8 years old. By the time he hit his teens, he had discovered progressive rock, which he listened to alongside his schoolmates, including Yes, King Crimson, and Emerson, Lake, and Palmer. Initially, Ian was playing records on his parents’ Pye Black Box stereogram, which had valves in the amp. At sixteen, after a summer job, he purchased his first proper hifi system, a Metrosound amplifier, BSR HT 70 turntable with Goldring G800 and a pair of Koss Pro4AA headphones, as he couldn’t afford speakers as well for the £60 in his pocket!
The following year, he purchased a Thorens TD160 with Shure M75ED type 2. The speakers would have to wait for another year. Then in 1980, his wish came true when he got a job at the Audio Centre in Sheffield selling high-end kit, including Linn, Naim and Rega.
In 1985, he moved to Superfi in Sheffield as manager, spending nineteen years there. A spell in the Civil Service was necessary thereafter. Following ten years of reviewing at HiFi Pig, Ian has joined HF&MS as a regular contributor, bringing 45 years of experience in high-quality audio and AV equipment. He has travelled to the Munich High End, Copenhagen, and Warsaw shows, as well as numerous other UK shows.
John Pickford
John has been a professional sound engineer for over 40 years, with a passion for achieving audio excellence in both the studio and at home. He is a huge Beatles fan, and he loves classic rock and pop from the 1960s onwards as well as jazz, folk and blues. Vintage turntables and valve amps feature in his primary system, driving Tannoy Berkeleys with the 15” HPD driver.
John has written for StereoNet and several pro audio sites for over 15 years.
As a team, we have over 50 years of experience in the hi-fi, AV and consumer tech industries, and listening to music on quality audio systems is our passion.
Audience
hifiandmusicsource.com provides daily content targeted to passionate and engaged music and sound quality enthusiasts. In 2021, the site received 208,000 page views; now, in just the second half of 2024, we have nearly 60,000 monthly interactions with the site. We have a significant and growing Number of Social Media followers on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms. See the links in the Main Header. We also have a new YouTube channel that’s growing daily, featuring 40 videos that include speakers, amplifiers, and show reports.

Industry Testimonials
“Simon has a great ear for the musical performance delivered by the kit he tests across a wide variety of genres. He jealously guards his independence and is truly passionate about music, this comes across clearly in his succinct and to-the-point reviewing style”
Tim Narramore, Technical Director, Moor Amps Ltd
“I’ve known Simon for a good number of years now and his approach has never been anything other than thorough, refreshing and honest. HFMS has evolved into a very worthy addition to the industry’s publications and the balance of hardware and software articles works well.”
Rob Noble, Rega Sales Coordinator
“HiFiandmusicsource.com continually delights with its natural enthusiasm for music and hi-fi. It misses the jaded feel of so many magazines and websites delivering fun and energy instead, combining good advice and exciting reviews”
Steve Harris, Audioplus
“Hi-Fi and Music Source is a great resource for audio lovers. I’ve known Simon for a number of years and find his approach both professional and honest. His impressive test facilities are well considered and he always goes the extra mile for his audience. His ability to unpack the features in a piece of hardware and explain the benefits is always impressive.”
Dan George, www.dangeorgecommunications.com
Media advertising enquiries (banner ads, leader board and sponsorship) and review enquiries.
Media: Contact Simon on m. +44 7765 897926 or by email at: simon@hifiandmusicsource.com
Editorial, reviews and news: Contact Simon on m. 07765 897926 or by email at: simon@hifiandmusicsource.com
If you would like to drive our social media platform, please get in touch with editor@hifiandmusicsource.com
If you would like to drive the ‘Gadgets’ Page on the website, please get in touch with editor@hifiandmusicsource.com
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