Author Archives: realspin
Kenwood L-07C/L-07M
The Trio/Kenwood Stereo Control Amplifier Model L-07C and DC Power Amplifier Model L-07M monoblocs hail from a different age. Launched in 1979 at the very zenith of the audio boom, hi-fi was a hugely popular pursuit across the western world – and seen as
Kenwood L-07C/L-07M
The Trio/Kenwood Stereo Control Amplifier Model L-07C and DC Power Amplifier Model L-07M monoblocs hail from a different age. Launched in 1979 at the very zenith of the audio boom, hi-fi was a hugely popular pursuit across the western world – and seen as
Marantz CD-45 Limited Edition
“When I first heard CD I was shocked”, Marantz brand ambassador Ken Ishiwata tells me. “I felt the potential of what you could do with this tiny disc – it was amazing. What surprised me most at first was its lack
Marantz CD-45 Limited Edition
“When I first heard CD I was shocked”, Marantz brand ambassador Ken Ishiwata tells me. “I felt the potential of what you could do with this tiny disc – it was amazing. What surprised me most at first was its lack
Nytech CPA132/CPS102/CPA401
Nytech was launched by Richard Hay way back in the early nineteen seventies; a man who served his audio apprenticeship with the highly esteemed Arthur Radford and Arthur Bailey at Radford Electronics. His company made respected, mid-market equipment for around
Nytech CPA132/CPS102/CPA401
Nytech was launched by Richard Hay way back in the early nineteen seventies; a man who served his audio apprenticeship with the highly esteemed Arthur Radford and Arthur Bailey at Radford Electronics. His company made respected, mid-market equipment for around
ATC SCM40
There’s something odd about £3,295 ATC’s SCM40 – it doesn’t look or feel like almost any other loudspeaker in its price class. It’s almost as if someone has forgotten to style it, like they’ve taken three (rather unusual looking) drivers
ATC SCM40
There’s something odd about £3,295 ATC’s SCM40 – it doesn’t look or feel like almost any other loudspeaker in its price class. It’s almost as if someone has forgotten to style it, like they’ve taken three (rather unusual looking) drivers
Denon D-90
There was a time, between the early nineteen seventies and late nineties, when a decent stereo system was part of every well equipped British home. Whether you were an audiophile or not, owning quality hi-fi equipment was a mark of your
Denon D-90
There was a time, between the early nineteen seventies and late nineties, when a decent stereo system was part of every well equipped British home. Whether you were an audiophile or not, owning quality hi-fi equipment was a mark of your
Prefab Sprout – Steve McQueen
When the self-proclaimed, “world’s greatest songwriter” met one of Britain’s most precocious musical talents in the early nineteen eighties, it felt like the stars had aligned. Prefab Sprout’s Paddy McAloon had just delivered Swoon – an album that many regarded as genius,
Prefab Sprout – Steve McQueen
When the self-proclaimed, “world’s greatest songwriter” met one of Britain’s most precocious musical talents in the early nineteen eighties, it felt like the stars had aligned. Prefab Sprout’s Paddy McAloon had just delivered Swoon – an album that many regarded as genius,
Mordaunt Short Performance 6
Founded in Fulham in 1967, Mordaunt Short fast became a solidly middle class loudspeaker brand selling to people looking for strong performance in a conservatively styled package. The 1977 Pageant, for example, was a staple of suburban respectability, a sort of Volvo of hi-fi. But the
Mordaunt Short Performance 6
Founded in Fulham in 1967, Mordaunt Short fast became a solidly middle class loudspeaker brand selling to people looking for strong performance in a conservatively styled package. The 1977 Pageant, for example, was a staple of suburban respectability, a sort of Volvo of hi-fi. But the
BBC LS3/5a
The BBC ‘monitoring loudspeaker type LS3/5a’ has become the stuff of legend. Some think it has unique qualities which have never been seen in any subsequent speaker, others believe it to be overrated and unjustly worshipped. Whatever your take on
BBC LS3/5a
The BBC ‘monitoring loudspeaker type LS3/5a’ has become the stuff of legend. Some think it has unique qualities which have never been seen in any subsequent speaker, others believe it to be overrated and unjustly worshipped. Whatever your take on
JVC JAS-11G
Any audiophile will venture towards the pages of a hi-fi magazine from time to time – if they’re not avidly reading them every month, that is. Had you picked up a copy of What Hi-Fi in 1977, the chances are
JVC JAS-11G
Any audiophile will venture towards the pages of a hi-fi magazine from time to time – if they’re not avidly reading them every month, that is. Had you picked up a copy of What Hi-Fi in 1977, the chances are
Rush – Moving Pictures
In the great pantheon of rock music, Rush sits in an awkward place. Since the band’s formation (in its modern line-up) in 1974, it was always regarded by some as slightly suspect. Its first, eponymous album was a fine thing,
Rush – Moving Pictures
In the great pantheon of rock music, Rush sits in an awkward place. Since the band’s formation (in its modern line-up) in 1974, it was always regarded by some as slightly suspect. Its first, eponymous album was a fine thing,
Musical Fidelity M1
Ah yes, the Musical Fidelity turntable. Currently residing in the ‘where is it now’ category, the M1 appeared on the analogue scene just under a decade ago and caused more of a ripple than a splash, for a fleeting moment.
Musical Fidelity M1
Ah yes, the Musical Fidelity turntable. Currently residing in the ‘where is it now’ category, the M1 appeared on the analogue scene just under a decade ago and caused more of a ripple than a splash, for a fleeting moment.
SME Series IV
Just when it looked like vinyl was reaching its final hour, along came the SME Series V in 1986. The Steyning company had long used the tagline, “the best pickup arm in the world”, but if we’re frank it had
SME Series IV
Just when it looked like vinyl was reaching its final hour, along came the SME Series V in 1986. The Steyning company had long used the tagline, “the best pickup arm in the world”, but if we’re frank it had
Revox B795
Back in the mid nineteen seventies, the Revox name was considered by many to be the best of the best. The company was regarded as being a purveyor of ultra high end hi-fi equipment, head and shoulders above even the
Revox B795
Back in the mid nineteen seventies, the Revox name was considered by many to be the best of the best. The company was regarded as being a purveyor of ultra high end hi-fi equipment, head and shoulders above even the
B&W 801
Its brief was simple; “to be the first commercial effort to design and produce a loudspeaker that would reflect the highest standards attainable without regard to any of the so-called ‘practical considerations’ that inevitably compromise conventional designs”. B&W said that
B&W 801
Its brief was simple; “to be the first commercial effort to design and produce a loudspeaker that would reflect the highest standards attainable without regard to any of the so-called ‘practical considerations’ that inevitably compromise conventional designs”. B&W said that
Technics SL-150
The technology arrived in 1970 in the Technics SP-10 broadcast turntable, and made jaws drop. Direct drive did what it said on the tin, moving the platter from its centre and without recourse to idlers, pulleys or belts. It had
Technics SL-150
The technology arrived in 1970 in the Technics SP-10 broadcast turntable, and made jaws drop. Direct drive did what it said on the tin, moving the platter from its centre and without recourse to idlers, pulleys or belts. It had
Booplinth
People are only now waking up to what a turntable plinth really should do. Any deck that has an independently sprung subchassis should not have a heavy plinth that stories mechanical energy like a kind of mechanical capacitor – instead,
Booplinth
People are only now waking up to what a turntable plinth really should do. Any deck that has an independently sprung subchassis should not have a heavy plinth that stories mechanical energy like a kind of mechanical capacitor – instead,
Sony TC-229SD
Sometimes a design is just right. Perfection is achieved when the designer puts in just the correct amount of features and quality, then wraps the whole lot up in a decently styled package. This was very much the case with the Sony
Sony TC-229SD
Sometimes a design is just right. Perfection is achieved when the designer puts in just the correct amount of features and quality, then wraps the whole lot up in a decently styled package. This was very much the case with the Sony
Usher BE-10
There’s a lot to be said for Beryllium. The lightest (stable) metal in the Periodic Table, only Hydrogen, Helium and Lithium are less heavy. That makes for an exceptionally strong structure for any given weight, just right for loudspeakers! It
Usher BE-10
There’s a lot to be said for Beryllium. The lightest (stable) metal in the Periodic Table, only Hydrogen, Helium and Lithium are less heavy. That makes for an exceptionally strong structure for any given weight, just right for loudspeakers! It
Audio Technica AT-95E
Meet the Honda Civic of cartridges. There are better ones, there are worse ones, but you always know what you’re getting – a quality product that does the job you bought it for. It’s not flashy, nor is it particularly
Audio Technica AT-95E
Meet the Honda Civic of cartridges. There are better ones, there are worse ones, but you always know what you’re getting – a quality product that does the job you bought it for. It’s not flashy, nor is it particularly
Raidho C1.1
It’s hard to be a small standmounter at the best of times, but when you cost £10,900 it is trickier still. Who would be Raidho’s C1.1, a compact speaker that costs more than almost every large one? The only way it can
Raidho C1.1
It’s hard to be a small standmounter at the best of times, but when you cost £10,900 it is trickier still. Who would be Raidho’s C1.1, a compact speaker that costs more than almost every large one? The only way it can
zStereo 