Graham Slee, the well loved UK manufacturer of phono-stages, DACS, Headphone amps, cables and 
the Proprius power amp will be demonstrating in the Grove suite of the Cranage Hall Audio Show where visitors will be have the opportunity to listen to their Road-Show demo rig that they used at their own-brand Aylesbury event. Thi will also have a prototype of their “New invention phono stage (patent pending).
The system will also make use of the Sterling Broadcast LS3/5a mini-monitors which will be driven by Graham Slee Proprius mini-monoblock amplifiers.
MCRU will be exhibiting in the McKenzie room at Cranage Hall, featuring the mains combo of IsoTek 
Genesis and Super Titan, a no compromise mains filtering/regeneration solution for audiophiles.
MCRU will have a special offer on IsoTek’s EVO3 Premier Mains Lead as well as a free prize draw to win an IsoTek Polaris Mains Extension Block worth £295.
MCRU will be featuring a Clearaudio Innovation turntable with Stradivari cartridge along with amplification from Canor and the new MCRU No.101 loudspeakers will also be on show. Not forgetting the digital fans, the Longdog Audio VDt1 DAC will be used via a cd transport to show visitors the CD is not quite dead yet!
“Vinyl is not dead, it just needs a new turntable” John Peel once said, we agree and will have a selection of new and used vinyl in our room for sale via “The Vinyl Adventure” which is a MCRU off-shoot.
A number of Hush Signature Turntable Plinths will be on show in varying degrees of completion 
allowing prospective clients to gain a literal insight into this technically advanced plinth for Garrard turntables. “Quite possibly the best home a Garrard could ever wish for, come and see for yourselves” the company’s press release tells us.
RJC Audio racks will be at the show a plenty with the new Modular on display in the Purite Audio and Puresound rooms with the Great Gable and Pillar racks by the coffee bar.
Here also you can find the Hush Isolation plinths, including the new design incorporating suspension units from Max Townshend. There will be a demonstration of the Max Townshend Seismic Pods where they invite you to “participate with some good vibrations!” Keep an eye open for the special Show offer on these.
Italian manufacturer Viero Cables contacted us to let us know that they are delighted to be taking part 
in the first Cranage Hall Audio Show on June 15th.
This will be the first time UK audiophiles have had the opportunity to see and hear the all new EQUILIBRIO line from Viero and they will also have their KOLEOS power distributor on demo.
For those who do not know Viero Cables, it is an Italian company that manufactures high-end cables, professional cables and a power distributor, with staff who have been in the industry for more than thirty years.
In addition to the cables the room will have a system composed of some well known brands, including: ART loudspeakers, McIntosh amps and Systemdek turntables. The system in use on the day will be fully wired with the EQUILIBRIO level 3 cables and using the KOLEOS power distributor.
Audio Counsel will be demonstrating a full Audio Note system at the Cranage Hall Audio Show this 
coming weekend.
For those readers that don’t know, Audio Note is a British company that manufacture music systems from source (both analogue and digital) to electronics to speakers and even cable. They have a simple level system integrated into their product range which makes it easy for customers to know exactly how to match the performance of every component.
In offering complete systems at varying price points Audio Note are able to cover a very broad range of costs and performance.
Audio Counsel will be in the Marie Curie Suite at Cranage Hall and will be demonstrating CDT2 Transport with DAC 4.1 M5 Pre amp and Conqueror 300B power amp. Speakers will be a pair of ANE spe HE on Audio Note speaker stands with Audio Note interconnects and speaker cable.
This is sure to be a popular room with people visiting the show!
Swiss loudspeaker manufacturer Soundkaos have been in touch with the Hifi Pig office to tell us all 
about the system they will be demonstrating at the Cranage Hall Audio Show on June 15th.
This will be the first show in the UK for Soundkaos with their award winning Wave 40 speakers made entirely from solid selected tone and hard woods.
Soundkaos will also be showing their new D12 subwoofer which is made to compliment the Wave’s. The Subwave is a unique design with 2 x 12” face firing drivers in a very compact enclosure.
“We use the same tone wood that has been used for centuries in musical instrument making. Wood structure is very close to that of human bone, which our hearing is based on and produces a warm organic tonal quality which we all recognise instantly when we are exposed to it it. We not only have a minimalist approach when it comes to the design of our speakers but also in areas such as the choice of drive units and filtering. For us minimal interference in the signal path is key and for this reason we prefer where ever possible to use full range drivers. Naturally these drive units have there limitations and where we deem necessary we augment the frequency band with additional drivers be it at the top or lower end. So with this approach beauty both in sonics and aesthetics is assured” the press release says.
High End Cable contacted Hifi Pig to tell us that they will be at the Cranage Hall Audio Show (which 
we’re exclusive media partners for) and that they will be demonstrating an impressive array of kit.
The Raidho X-1 stand mount / bookshelf speakers are a technological feed down from the hugely successful ‘C series’. Launched at CES and Munich 2014 Shows, the X-1 has the same Ribbon tweeter used throughout the Raidho range with a new Ceramic driver both mounted on an aluminium baffle meaning that Raidho is now more affordable. The X-1 is a front transmission line which enables placement anywhere in a room, on or off the stand so placement shouldn’t be a problem.
The Bel Canto CD2 up sampling player/transport is a favourite at High End Cable’s show demonstrations and they will be using it as an up sampling player for the show.
For our first time High End Cable will be showing the Norma (in Italian means the Standard) Audio IPA-140 integrated amplifier which offers plenty of power, a phono stage and DAC options.
Being a Hotel room the system power base will be via the Audience aR4 power conditioner and power cables. Add-ons will include QRT Qv2 and Qk1. Cables will be the Audience Conductor ‘e’ range. Cables will be supported using Panda Feet and the inexpensive Cable Lifts
High End Cable will tweak as required and hope to offer all a great sounding room. All the above items can be purchased or ordered at the Show.
At a glance
Raidho X-1 speakers £4,400.00
Bel Canto CD2 Player £2,699.00
Norma Audio IPA 140 integrated amp £4,495.00
Atacama Equinox rack £300.00
Audience Conductor and Power ‘e’ cables £885.00
Audience aR4 power conditioner £3,195.00
Cable Lift and Panda Feet supports from £2.50 each
Nordost Sort Kones from £50.00
QRT Qv2 and Qk1 AC Mains enhancers
puresound contacted Hifi Pig to tell us that they are looking forward to the first Cranage Hall audio 
show and will be taking the opportunity to present a system based on items they sell and others they rate highly.
The sources will include the STST Motus II direct drive turntable with Vertex 10” tonearm. Phono equalization will be via the Aurorasound Vida LCR stage. Aurorasound’s brand new Preda line stage will be applying the calm & control while the Tune Audio Prime loudspeakers will be driven by the puresound M845 mono amplifiers.
CDs will be replayed via the puresound A8500.
As well as the hardware puresound will have a stock of valves to sell, along with various other goodies at show prices.
Like many others exhibiting at Cranage Audio Show, puresound are happy for you bring along some of your own music to hear on their system.
Induologue are Alexandra Lerta (vocals) and Vasilis Stefanopoulos (double bass) and is described as a dialogue between the voice and souble bass…simple enough then.
Blue Skies was recorded in a chapel in the woods of a Dutch National Reserve over a couple of days and this adds a really beautiful atmosphere to the record. The double bass’ tone is allowed to shine through and Vasalis’ playing is solid and forthright and yet sympathetic to Alexandra’s vocal, which in turn is understated yet strong. More »
Out now on the Comeme label The Silver Album from this self exiled Russian now living in Berlin is a difficult one to tie down and I must admit that on the first few listens I found it difficult to get my head around.
The Silver Album could never be accused of being easy listening and it does need to you engage your brain ans well as your feet. It’s forward thinking and somewhat avant-garde with its jarring acid basslines and Russian lyrics. I want to give it the label “Acid House” because it does have a feel of the early Acid Trax tunes, but there are perhaps elements of the early Antler Subway label in there too. More »
NuNu Distribution, the well known UK hifi distributor, will be exhibiting in four rooms at the Cranage 
Hall Audio Show on 15th June. They’ll be showing the Quadral speakers for the first time since the brand joined their portfolio.
NuNu Distribution will be demonstrating in:
Stephenson 3 – A full TAD system; for the first time in the North of England. In use will be, D600 CD/SACD player, C600 reference pre-amplifier, C2000 dac/pre amplifier, DA1000 dac/pre/headphone amplifier, M2500 stereo power amplifier combined the Compact Reference 1 loudspeakers. All complemented by the Creativ’s reference audio racks
Stephenson 1 – Brodmann Acoustics will be using their, as we can testify, beautiful speaker creations. On demonstration will be the JB 155’s with Belles amplification including the new VT-01 V2 on its first showing anywhere since its release and the TAD D600 player. All this will be sitting on an Audiophile Base support system, with isolation platforms.
Stephenson 2 – Quadral Speakers will be Sonneteer which will debuting the new integrated Orton Mk IV amplifier along with some of Quadral’s Platinum and Chromium range speakers. Rack here will be by Creaktiv.
Baird 2 – Doug Brady’s will be using Renaissance Amplification who are introducing new products for the summer of 2014 with the MK II versions of their RAP-02 pre amplifier and RA-02 monoblocks. These will be partnered with both Brodmann Acoustic speakers and Harbeth’s new SLH5+ speaker.
Stephenson 4 – Astin Trew will have their new Concord DAC in use with The Audio Works team complementing the AT2000+ integrated amplifier and the AT 3500 + I/C CD player using Focal & Tannoy speakers.
Hifi Pig’s Danny Worth’s review of the Ophidian Solo standmount loudspeakers.
“Midrange now took on a more natural rather than clean and neutral presentation with the valves injecting that magic that they do into vocals and instrument undertones which to my surprise matched the Solos perfectly. I was convinced that they would be a speaker which would bias strongly towards solid state amplification! How wrong I was and how glad I was that their character shifted from clean to more natural as the midrange did become too sharp at increased volumes (not to discount a warmer solid state amp of course) but with what I had to hand on the day solid-state wise it proved that the Solos like that added bit of flavour offered by the valve amp.”
Read the full review of the Ophidian Solo loudspeakers.
Atlas Cables has announced the latest addition to its mid-priced analogue interconnect Hyper range 
– the Hyper Integra. Hand-made at the Atlas Cables factory in Scotland, the new cable introduces Atlas’ in-house Integra RCA plugs to its Hyper range for the first time.
The Cable
The Atlas Hyper Integra is an unbalanced cable that consists of a central conductor made up of 90 individual stands of OCC (Ohno Continuous Casting) copper wire with 99.9997% purity. Insulated by an extremely low-loss foamed polyethylene dielectric, the return conductor is a two-layer braid made from a total of 252 strands of Ultra-Pure OFC (Oxygen Free Copper). This double layer of tightly woven wire mesh is wrapped over a PVC foil to provide rejection of RFI (Radio Frequency Interference). A soft gloss black PVC sleeve covers the conductors.
Terminations
To retain the Hyper Integra characteristics all the way to the socket, Atlas’ innovative Integra non-magnetic RCA plug employs low mass non-conductive plug technology, which Atlas say eliminates the detrimental affects of circulating Eddy currents. As with all of Atlas’ analogue audio terminations, the Integra utilises a ‘cold-weld’ interface between the cable and the plug.
Also utilised is Atlas’ own conjugate bracket system, which grips the cable sleeve without compressing it. In addition, four sprung asymmetrical sleeves spread on insertion onto an RCA socket, thereby cleaning the plug to socket interface every time the plug is inserted. Finally, the Integra plug’s translucent Polycarbonate non-conductive body offers a deletion-free return signal path.
Commenting on the launch of the Hyper Integra, Kevin Kelly, Managing Director of Atlas Cables, said, “We are delighted with the results achieved from the new Hyper Integra. The introduction of the Integra plug has made major improvements on what was already an excellent cable and is a significant step forward in our quest to create cables that allow the listener to get closer to the music.”
The Atlas Cable Hyper Integra is available now in the following lengths:
0.5 meter – £105.00
0.75 metre – £115.00
1 metre – £125.00
1.5 metres – £145.00
2 metres – £165.00
3 metres – £205.00
Dynaudio, whose products can be found in the likes of the Bugatti Veyron and BBC studios has 
unveiled what they are calling “the ultimate in elegant, luxury music systems”. In the form of an audiophile level, plug and play, wireless sound system.
“The next generation Xeo offerings deliver the next revolution in wireless high end audio, and feature refinements highlighted by upgraded amplification, improved DSP performance, further advanced tuning, greater convenience of operation and the ability to accept high resolution audio files (up to 24 bit/96 kHz)“ the company’s spokeperson says.
Styling has also been updated, mirroring the aesthetic of the new Dynaudio Excite models with discrete screws, smooth satin lacquer finishes, and magnetically attached grilles.
The new Xeo models, introduced at the Munich High End Show, include the compact Xeo 4 and floor-standing Xeo 6 wireless loudspeakers, the Xeo Hub wireless transmitter, the range-expanding Xeo Extender, and the Xeo Link, a device that receives the wireless audio signal and allows the Xeo system to add a subwoofer, headphone amplifier or any other analogue or digital component to a wireless Xeo system.
Virtually any component that can output audio can be connected to the Xeo Hub, which digitally transmits the wireless signal, without compression, to the Xeo loudspeakers. The Hub includes Optical, Coaxial and USB digital inputs that each supports up to 24/96 resolution, while one stereo RCA and one stereo Mini analog input each are on offer to further expand the Xeo system possibilities.
The optional Xeo Extender allows further expansion of the wireless transmission distance between the Xeo Hub and Xeo loudspeakers for applications where such could be needed. Another option, the Xeo Link receives the wireless signal from the Xeo Hub and provides it on its analogue and digital inputs. Thus an active subwoofer, headphone amplifier, active loudspeakers or any other audio device can be connected and linked to a wireless Xeo system.
The back panel of the Xeo 4 and Xeo 6 models features a new Speaker Position EQ setting, which allows the Xeo’s performance to be optimized in room via a switch on the speaker to set the position for Neutral, Near a Corner, or Near a (Back) Wall.
Xeo’s Auto Play feature automatically detects the connected source and the Xeo Remote has also been updated and offers increased range and performance. Meanwhile, a new Interface Display atop the Xeo 4 and 6 cabinets offers visual feedback and the ability to power, control volume and select input directly from the speaker without the need for the Xeo remote.
New Xeo models recommended retail pricing UK:
Xeo 4 £1,550/pair (available in Satin Black or Satin White Lacquer)
Xeo 6 £2,700 /pair (available in Satin Black or Satin White Lacquer)
Xeo Hub £225 /pcs
Xeo Link £135 /pcs
Xeo Extender £135 /pcs
Linette and Stuart take a listen to the very interesting Ra Loudspeakers from Jersey based company 
JoSound.
“As regular Hifi Pig readers will know we listen to a lot of bass heavy music and playing as I write is Todd Terry’s Blackout from the Resolutions album and I can say with honesty and conviction that there is certainly nothing lacking here at all. The sub bass synth is very well rendered but not over blown. Yes there are of course speakers that will go deeper (the Avantgarde Trios with Basshorns as one example) but in our relatively large by most standards living room this is often overkill and lots of nasty speaker/room interactions start to come into play.
Quality wise bass is, as I said tight, fast and a little dry with no bloom whatsoever. As a serious fan of the techno genre I really enjoyed this aspect of the Ra’s performance. Moving away from electronic music and the opening few bars of Neil Young’s Unplugged version of Like A Hurricane the organ is deep, resonous and with no over hang.”
Read the full review of the JoSound Ra loudspeakers.
Stewart’s review of the Clones Audio Pre and Power amplifiers.
“First disc into the machine was Joni Mitchell, “Turbulent Indigo”, from the first bar of the music I knew this was a very good pair of power amplifiers with a sumptuous, tight bass and the almost liquid presentation of the mid range allied with crystalline treble. It was easy to identify the instruments in the cavernous sound stage. The depth of the stereo image was astonishing, although it was a little foreshortened in comparison to the Mighty Crown and the large Sumo Five (a 50 Watt per channel “A class” monster), although the HH AM8/12 amplifiers gave a very similar presentation. As an aside the HH amplifiers were designed for BBC use along with their LS3/5A speakers. The internal equalisation was set to “flat” before the test was started. This proved the manufacturer of the Clones has gone for an essentially flat frequency response, rather than a “Rose tinted Spectacle” type of response.”
Read the full review of the CLONES Audio pre and power amplifiers.
This article was first published in the January 2014 issue of Hifi Pig Magazine which can be downloaded free of charge.
Holger Fromme is the MD of well known and well loved German horn loudspeaker manufacturer Avantgarde. He he answers Hifi Pig’s Behind The Brands questions. More »
The History of Cabasse More »
UK Loudspeaker manufacturer KEF has announced the launch of The Reference which is the 
company’s latest generation of their Reference loudspeakers.
At the heart of The Reference is a new iteration of KEFS Uni-Q point source driver array. A 25mm vented aluminium dome tweeter is placed at the acoustic centre of a 125mm driver. We assume this is similar to the driver used on the little X300As which we really rated when we reviewed them.
The new 165mm bas driver as a large vented magnet assembly and a large aluminium-wire voice coil which drives a very light and stiff aluminium cone.
The drivers are set in a distinctive front baffle made from an aluminium and resin composite which adds rigidity to the cabinet structure as well as offering acoustic damping.
To help fine tune the bass, output to suit taste and environment, The Reference uses user-adjustable port tuning. The port itself has been designed to reduce midrange port resonance and avoid turbulent air noise.
There are five Reference designs: a three way bookshelf, two three way floorstanders, a three way centre channel and a 1000W twin driver sub.
The speakers come in two special edition finishes – Blue Ice White and Copper Black Aluminium and also the standard colours of deep piano black, satin American walnut and High Gloss polished rosewood.
We heard a pair of the floorstanders at Munich and thought them very good indeed!
Prices are:
Reference 1 – £4500 pair
Reference 2 – £7500 pair
Reference 5 – £10500 pair
Centre – £4500
Sub – £4000
Meridian has today announced the appointment of John Buchanan to the role of Chief Executive. 
John has been part of Meridian’s management team since 2007 and has worked globally across all areas of the company’s business.
Bob Stuart, Chairman at Meridian, observed ‘John has proven himself to be a strong organisational leader in his role at the head of our Consumer Products business, and his appointment as Chief Executive continues the important work necessary to accelerate Meridian’s growth.’
Commenting on his new role, John Buchanan said ‘I am delighted to accept the challenges offered by this new position. This is an exciting time for Meridian and our global business partners as we work together to drive the company forward, developing greater business opportunities and promoting the Meridian name to more consumers every day.’
Bob Stuart added ‘Building on more than 35 years of market leadership and loyal customer relationships, Meridian is well placed for the future. Our business has evolved rapidly over the last 10 years through continual innovation; strengthening our *DSP Loudspeaker offering, expanding sales into new territories, opening dedicated retail boutiques, acquiring Sooloos and developing new business streams in automotive and software apps. The company has skilled and experienced people, a respected brand, flexible UK-based manufacturing and an excellent range of products and technologies on offer. The core principles that built our company will ensure its continued success, and the appointment of John as Chief Executive heralds a positive and exciting new era for Meridian.’
After almost seven years in a leadership role Tim Ireland has decided to leave Meridian. The company thanked Tim for his passion and commitment to Meridian and the positive changes he has overseen in his time with Meridian.
Danish manufacturers Gamut have unveiled the latest editions of their flagship loudspeakers: the 
Revised Superior Series, along with a new distribution model for the UK market.
Previewed at a number of audio shows in the latter part of 2013, the new Revised Superior (or RS) Series is available in all four models: the RS3, RS5, RS7 and RS9.
Like the original S-Series, the curved enclosures in the RS-Series are still based on an inner structure of laminated Finnish birch plywood. But now the outer skin consists of five layers of 2mm-thick real wood ash veneers cut into individual boards.
The cables used inside are Gamut’s own Wormhole Signatures: two pairs in a twisted formation.
To provide more direct support to both retailers and consumers, Gamut has set up a new distribution model in the UK. A selected number of Gamut “Preferred Dealers” are now being appointed across the UK. Gamut Preferred Dealers will have outstanding audio display and demonstration facilities and deliver the highest standards of staff expertise and customer service. They will also be able to display and demonstrate a complete Gamut hi-fi system. The selection process is currently underway, and Gamut is delighted to announce that Dorset’s Stone Audio has been appointed as the UK’s very first Gamut Preferred Dealer.
The RS Series is available now.
RS3, RS5, RS7 and RS9 available in white oiled ash or black coloured ash.
UK prices (incl. VAT):
RS3 £11,850
RS3 column (bolt-on stand) £3,550
RS5 £23,100
RS7 £29,050
RS9 £74,000
Roksan Audio and Henley Designs Ltd. have announced the introduction of a series of packages 
that offer huge savings on Roksan’s K2 range of hi-fi separates. Having previously offered similar packages with the superseded Kandy range, this new offering reflects the various system options prospective K2 owners have.
From June 2014, the following twin packs will be available through approved Henley Designs retailers:
K2 Integrated Amplifier & CD Player: £1,750.00 Now £1,250.00
K2 BT & CD Player: £1,820.00 Now £1,320.00
K2 Integrated Amplifier & Stereo Power Amplifier: £1,650.00 Now £1,150.00
K2 BT & Stereo Power Amplifier: £1,720.00 Now £1,220.00
K2 Integrated Amplifier & (TR-5) Speakers: £1,750.00 Now £1,250.00
K2 BT & (TR-5) Speakers: £1,820.00 Now £1,320.00
The K2 range from Roksan Audio has been built to achieve that signature Roksan sound at an affordable price.
The press release we received says “The K2 CD Player is an ideal source component that gives a gutsy and impressive performance with excellent rhythmic control. The K2 Integrated is a truly musical amplifier that sounds more accurate, more delicate and even more powerful than those that came before it. The K2 Power Amplifier boosts the sound-stage further, either in pre-power or bi-amp configuration when partnered with the K2 Integrated. The K2 Speakers utilise premium components and a stunning ribbon tweeter to perfectly represent the sound performance of the electronics”.
The new K2 BT (Hifi Pig review) builds upon the K2 Integrated Amplifier with an increased power output, improved internal components and the inclusion of aptX® Bluetooth technology so you can wirelessly stream your digital music from an enabled device in up to CD-quality audio.
All K2 electronics are available with Silver or Black face-plates. The K2 Speakers are available in Gloss Black only.
Cary Audio contacted Hifi Pig with the news that they have introduced a new preamp to their range. 
The Cary Audio SL-100 dual mono solid state preamplifier combines low noise, low distortion and ease of use, making it an “excellent preamplifier choice for your home audio system” says Cary’s latest press release.
It’s an all solid state design and offers a XLR balanced input and output as well as multiple RCA single-ended inputs and outputs.
The full function remote control powers the SL-100 on/off, switches sources, controls volume, balance, and mute. It has a brightness control for the front panel display that has four settings including “off”. The display also shows current settings and volume levels during use. The SL-100 utilizes dual power supplies and dual mono circuitry.
Retail Price: $1,995
