Author Archives: realspin
Marantz CD-7
“The first Bitstream players sounded dire”, a senior Marantz engineer once told me. Strictly not for publication you understand, but refreshingly candid all the same. At the time, others couched the phrase in rather more diplomatic language, but it’s worth
Marantz CD-7
“The first Bitstream players sounded dire”, a senior Marantz engineer once told me. Strictly not for publication you understand, but refreshingly candid all the same. At the time, others couched the phrase in rather more diplomatic language, but it’s worth
Aiwa AD-2000
Apart from Nakamichi, few other Japanese names were so closely associated with cassette as Aiwa. Sony, JVC and Pioneer made some very fine examples of the breed, yet did other notable products too. Aiwa made a full range of equipment
Aiwa AD-2000
Apart from Nakamichi, few other Japanese names were so closely associated with cassette as Aiwa. Sony, JVC and Pioneer made some very fine examples of the breed, yet did other notable products too. Aiwa made a full range of equipment
Sennheiser PXC-250
When Sennheiser’s PXC-250 portable headphone was launched back in 2005, noise-cancelling technology was nothing new, but here was an affordable, practical and elegant implementation of it. NoiseGard™ is the name that Sennheiser gives to its particular take on noise-cancelling. Essentially, the system
Sennheiser PXC-250
When Sennheiser’s PXC-250 portable headphone was launched back in 2005, noise-cancelling technology was nothing new, but here was an affordable, practical and elegant implementation of it. NoiseGard™ is the name that Sennheiser gives to its particular take on noise-cancelling. Essentially, the system
The Onkyo story
Although names like Sony, Technics and Pioneer are synonymous with specialist Japanese separates hi-fi here in the UK, Onkyo is something of a mystery to most British audiophiles. There are various historical reasons for this, not least the discontinuity of
The Onkyo story
Although names like Sony, Technics and Pioneer are synonymous with specialist Japanese separates hi-fi here in the UK, Onkyo is something of a mystery to most British audiophiles. There are various historical reasons for this, not least the discontinuity of
Terry O’Sullivan
One of the British hi-fi industry’s great characters, since 1990 this outspoken chap [pictured above left] has been fixing, recommissioning and remanufacturing classic Garrard turntables in Wiltshire, not far from the original factory in Swindon. Along the way, his company
Terry O’Sullivan
One of the British hi-fi industry’s great characters, since 1990 this outspoken chap [pictured above left] has been fixing, recommissioning and remanufacturing classic Garrard turntables in Wiltshire, not far from the original factory in Swindon. Along the way, his company
A Compact Cassette Revival?
Some people have been saying that cassette is due for a comeback for years. The thing is though, there are now some anecdotal – but actually quite telling – signs that the venerable Philips format, invented way back in 1963
A Compact Cassette Revival?
Some people have been saying that cassette is due for a comeback for years. The thing is though, there are now some anecdotal – but actually quite telling – signs that the venerable Philips format, invented way back in 1963
National Audio Company
” I was still a college student when my father and I began this business in 1969,” says Steve Stepp of USA-based National Audio Company. “One day a gentleman from Ampex Corporation, one of the major manufacturers of tape came
National Audio Company
” I was still a college student when my father and I began this business in 1969,” says Steve Stepp of USA-based National Audio Company. “One day a gentleman from Ampex Corporation, one of the major manufacturers of tape came
dCS Elgar
The nineteen nineties was arguably just as important for digital audio as the decade that proceeded it – because it saw the introduction of high resolution recording and playback for the first time. Whereas Compact Disc offered a ceiling of
Nakamichi BX-150E
Nakamichi Corporation was founded in Japan in 1948, the brainchild of tape magnetics research engineer Etsuro Nakamichi. The man was fascinated with tape, and in 1951 started manufacturing open reel decks for other hi-fi companies to put their own badges
Nakamichi BX-150E
Nakamichi Corporation was founded in Japan in 1948, the brainchild of tape magnetics research engineer Etsuro Nakamichi. The man was fascinated with tape, and in 1951 started manufacturing open reel decks for other hi-fi companies to put their own badges
SLiC Innovations Eclipse C
New cable brands often come and go like ships in the night, so does the world really need another? Well, perhaps. The first encouraging sign of the SLiC’s quality was the packaging, which was far less lavish than most cable brands, suggesting
SLiC Innovations Eclipse C
New cable brands often come and go like ships in the night, so does the world really need another? Well, perhaps. The first encouraging sign of the SLiC’s quality was the packaging, which was far less lavish than most cable brands, suggesting
Technics SL-1200G
The Technics SL-1200 was always more than a disco fashion accessory. To those who’d only ever encountered Regas and Linns, the Technics might look like a chintzy bauble, but see one in the flesh and you begin to understand why
Technics SL-1200G
The Technics SL-1200 was always more than a disco fashion accessory. To those who’d only ever encountered Regas and Linns, the Technics might look like a chintzy bauble, but see one in the flesh and you begin to understand why
TEAC VRDS-20
The early nineteen nineties was an interesting time for Compact Disc. Rather like ‘that difficult second album’, digital audio faced a dilemma as to how to evolve. Philips and Sony had come up with slick second generation machines, but these
TEAC VRDS-20
The early nineteen nineties was an interesting time for Compact Disc. Rather like ‘that difficult second album’, digital audio faced a dilemma as to how to evolve. Philips and Sony had come up with slick second generation machines, but these
Sony ST-J60
The radical new 1978 range of Sony tuners was topped by the ST-J55 (£200), ST-J60 (£295) and flagship ST-J75 (£375). Stylistically these were a radical departure for the Japanese consumer electronics giant, with slimline proportions that were a marked contrast
Sony ST-J60
The radical new 1978 range of Sony tuners was topped by the ST-J55 (£200), ST-J60 (£295) and flagship ST-J75 (£375). Stylistically these were a radical departure for the Japanese consumer electronics giant, with slimline proportions that were a marked contrast
Cambridge Audio NP30
Launched in 2011, the £400 NP30 was an affordable yet capable network music player. It plays 24-bit WAV and FLAC files (plus standard 16-bit of course), but there’s no Apple Lossless. It also does MP3, AAC, WMA and OGG Vorbis. It directly connects
Cambridge Audio NP30
Launched in 2011, the £400 NP30 was an affordable yet capable network music player. It plays 24-bit WAV and FLAC files (plus standard 16-bit of course), but there’s no Apple Lossless. It also does MP3, AAC, WMA and OGG Vorbis. It directly connects
Realistic Optimus Pro LX5
From time to time we see interesting new variations on the loudspeaker theme; sometimes manufacturers come up with better cone materials for their mid/bass units, and occasionally interesting tweeters pop up. Recently, there has been a renewed interest in
Realistic Optimus Pro LX5
From time to time we see interesting new variations on the loudspeaker theme; sometimes manufacturers come up with better cone materials for their mid/bass units, and occasionally interesting tweeters pop up. Recently, there has been a renewed interest in
Sony ST-S770ES
Back in 1991 Sony Corporation was Japan’s best-known purveyor of premium priced electronics – from Trinitron televisions and MiniDisc recorders to portable video cameras and CD players. Basically, if you wanted a ‘good’ TV or hi-fi, you could save yourself
Sony ST-S770ES
Back in 1991 Sony Corporation was Japan’s best-known purveyor of premium priced electronics – from Trinitron televisions and MiniDisc recorders to portable video cameras and CD players. Basically, if you wanted a ‘good’ TV or hi-fi, you could save yourself
Sony SS-5050 Carbocon
The nineteen seventies was a fascinating time for loudspeakers. Most designs from that decade were invariably pretty crude, but there were still some breathtaking boxes on sale, using state-of-the-art technology. Indeed, there was a far larger gap between run-of-the-mill
Sony SS-5050 Carbocon
The nineteen seventies was a fascinating time for loudspeakers. Most designs from that decade were invariably pretty crude, but there were still some breathtaking boxes on sale, using state-of-the-art technology. Indeed, there was a far larger gap between run-of-the-mill
Audio Research SP9
Back in the United Kingdom of 1987, few audiophiles really noticed the launch Audio Research SP9 – despite it being the company’s best selling and arguably most loved heritage product. It was an exceptionally capable – and technically innovative –
Audio Research SP9
Back in the United Kingdom of 1987, few audiophiles really noticed the launch Audio Research SP9 – despite it being the company’s best selling and arguably most loved heritage product. It was an exceptionally capable – and technically innovative –
Oppo HA-1
Who would have thought it? Obscure manufacturer of decent Chinese optical disc players starts spin-off company (Oppo Digital Inc.) in California to make high quality hi-fi products. It’s not a typical tale of hi-fi success, but the story is
Oppo HA-1
Who would have thought it? Obscure manufacturer of decent Chinese optical disc players starts spin-off company (Oppo Digital Inc.) in California to make high quality hi-fi products. It’s not a typical tale of hi-fi success, but the story is
zStereo 