HiFi PiG’S UK HIFI SHOW LIVE 2024 REPORT PART 1 FROM ASCOT

The UK HiFi Show Live has become a staple in the UK show diary, and since 2019 has been held at the Ascot Grandstand. HiFi PiG’s Oscar was there this year for us, here is his UK HiFi Show Live 2024 Report Part 1.

The UK HiFi Show Live features an array of distributors and brands showing off the best in HiFi – with seminars, workshops, and live music there is something for everyone. Just be sure to grab a show guide on the way in, it’s easy to get lost without one!

Join me as I take you around the first part of the show in Part 1 of the HiFi PiG UK HiFi Show Live 2024 Report from Ascot….

We would also like to thank Norwegian HiFi brand, Electrocompaniet who are the sponsors of the HiFi PiG coverage of the UK HiFi Show Live 2024 coverage.

ALL IMAGES AND TEXT ARE COPYRIGHT HiFi PiG AND MAY NOT BE USED WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM THE EDITOR

UK HIFI SHOW LIVE 2024 REPORT PART 1

SOUND DESIGN

Diving right in we start off with Sound Design, and the massive Vivid Audio Moya M1’s on demo, I heard these back in Munich however, this room gave them more space to breathe. They were being powered by a pair of Halcro Eclipse mono-blocks with a GrimmMU2 Streamer / DAC/ Pre-amp, Silent Angel NX+FX (network switch + power supply) and they were using Accusound XD cabling throughout. Around the room they have the Mola Mola kit, Kii Seven speaker, Vivid Audio Kaya S12 speakers and some Pantheone lifestyle speakers on display.

KEF

Next, we have the KEF room with the Reference 5 Meta speakers on demo accompanied by 4 x KC92 subwoofers, these were being played at sensible levels and sounded quite open and detailed. Source wise they used an Innuos Statement Next Gen streamer with PhoenixNet network switch, Hegel H600 integrated amplifier and Chord cabling throughout. At the side of the room, they had some of their other models on static display.

SIGNATURE SYSTEMS

Signature Systems had a large room packed full of different brands; they had a demo system with an AVM Ovation CS 8.3 Black Edition integrated streaming amplifier powering a pair of Canton Reference 3 speakers. Along the sides of the room, you had a huge range of other Canton speakers and AVM kit. There was the new Matrix Audio MS-1 streamer/pre-amplifier on display, Matrix audio Element series with some Dan Clark Audio E3 and Aeon 2 headphones along with the Ferrum Wandla (normal and Goldensound Editions), Hypsos and Oor stack with Meze, ZMF, and Dan Clark Audio headphones. There was a static display of the Thorens turntable range and a huge range of PS Audio gear down the other side of the room.

On demo from PS Audio were the Aspen FR10 and FR5 speakers, StellarGold pre-amp, AirLens streamer, PerfectWave SACD transport, PerfectWave DAC, DirectStream Power Plant 20 conditioner and a pair of BHK M600 mono-blocks. The FR5’s are small-ish standmounts yet manage to product a deep and powerful sound due to their passive radiator on the rear, as opposed to a port.

CAS

CAS are the distributor for Aurender, Avantgarde, Bel Canto, Boulder, Cardas and YG Acoustics. They had a couple of setups on demo, the first consisting of a Technics SL-1000R turntable, Bel Canto E1X integrated streaming amplifier and a pair of YG Acoustics Reference XX speakers. The second system had the Bel Canto Black Control DAC along with 2 MPS2 mono-block amplifiers and a pair of YG Acoustics Reference Hailey 3 speakers. There was a table with an array of HiFi Stay isolation products alongside a music server/streamer that is in the works. The next setup had the Aurender A1000 streamer/DAC, Boulder 1110 Pre-Amp, Boulder 1161 Stereo power amp and a pair of Avangarde DUO SD speakers.

Next up was a pair of the YG Acoustics Reference Carmel 3 paired with the Bel Canto ACI 600 integrated streaming amplifier – I got to listen to this for a bit and it was impressively punchy and dynamic for such a simple setup. Lastly, there was a display of the YG Acoustics Peaks series including the TOR and TALUS with an Aurender AP20 streaming amplifier.

NEXUS AUDIO

Nexus Audio had a room with two setups, the first consisting of the German Physiks Borderland MK IV speakers powered by a German Physiks Emperor integrated amplifier and Ayon CD-35. The second system was made up of the new Estelon XB Diamond MKII in a beautiful metallic gloss red finish, in the rack you had an Innuos ZEN MK3 server, IsoTek V5 Titan + V5 Aquarius, The Gryphon Ethos CD player, B.Audio B.dpr pre-amp and a pair of B.Audio B.amp amplifiers in mono-configuration. The new Estelon speakers sounded wonderfully clear and open with plenty of body for a natural and nuanced sound signature.

HARMONY HIFI

Next door to Nexus were Harmony HiFi, with a range of TAD products on static display at the side of this bustling room. The focus was however, the Marten Mingus Septet speakers powered by a pair of the huge Gryphon Apex mono-blocks. The rest of the setup consisted of a Bergman linear-tracking turntable with Soundsmith cartridge, The Gryphon Legato Legacy phono pre-amp, The Gryphon Powerzone 3.20 distribution block, The Gryphon Commander pre-amp, brand new Pink Faun Scion server/streamer (this looks to be quite interesting, hand built from the ground up) and the IDEON Absolute DAC + Time Signature. I’ve heard Marten speakers before and they really are quite special, there is a reason this room was busy, absolutely fantastic sounds coming from this setup.

HENLEY AUDIO

Henley Audio had a huge room with tons of products on display, including the full Wiim range, Piega speakers from Switzerland – of which Henley have just become the UK distributor for. They had the excellent HiFi Rose amplifiers and streamers along with an early sample of their new DAC they are bringing out soon.

A full range of Klipsch Heritage speakers were on display including the active The Sevens, in one corner you could find the Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista DAC and 800.2 amp along with the M8xtt turntable and classic A1 integrated amplifier.

They had a demo setup with the Klipsch Heritage Cornwall IV speakers, Pro-Ject Power Box RS2, DAC Box RS2, CD Box RS2 T, Phono Box RS2, Synthesis ROMA 510AC integrated amplifier and Pro-Ject Signature 10 turntable.

They had another demo system with the EAT Forte S turntable, EAT E-Glo II phono stage, HiFi Rose streamer, Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 800.2 integrated amplifier and Piega Premium 501 speakers.

On static display they had more EAT turntables, Ortofon cartridges and accessories, Pro-Ject tonearms and turntables – including the new 6Perspex Balanced UK SuperPack edition.

CADENCE DISTRIBUTION

One of the largest rooms of the show was the Cadence distribution room, upon entry you had the Quadraspire HiFi racks on display alongside a Yamaha display with a pair of their speakers either side of a grand piano with one of their amplifiers to the side.

Moving along you had a pair of Spendor Classic 100 speakers powered by a pair of Michi M8 mono-blocks, a Michi P5 Series 2 pre-amp and the new Michi Q5 CD player. They had some Loricraft vinyl cleaning machines on display, more Spendor speakers on static display, SME Turntables, Naim Uniti Atom headphone Edition, Sugden, Weiss DACs, CrystalCable cables and Shelter cartridges.

More displays included Rotel components, Rockport Speakers and WE amplifiers/valves.

The main showpiece was a demonstration between two turntables, one belt drive (SME Model 60) the other direct drive (Garrard 301), with both having the same arm/cartridge combo. The speakers in use were the massive Siltech Symphony model with a host of Nagra components powering them and the system in use. This demo was packed out and clearly a hit with the visitors.

EXPOSURE HIFI

It’s always a pleasure seeing the guys from Exposure, they make a range of proper British HiFi components without any frills. In their setup they had the latest ProAC D20R speakers powered by a 3510 integrated amp and 3510 CD Player, they also had their TT360 on demo with an XM3 phono stage – they were using the new Connected Fidelity Star distribution block for the mains power. Such a simple and clean setup that sounded excellent in their room.

HI-FI NETWORK

Hi-Fi Network were up next with a range of Enleum products on static display alongside a demo system that consisted of the Elac Vela FS409.2 speakers, Elac DS1000 subwoofers, HiFi Rose streamer and a Bel Canto e1X integrated amplifier. At the back of the room was a display of more Elac speakers alongside a Moonriver 404 integrated amplifier and 505 phono stage. I do enjoy the sound of the Elac models I have heard; they offer great value for money with solid acoustic design behind them.

DALI

Entering the Dali room you were greeted by the IO-12 headphones along with a small static system showing the tiny Minuet SE with a Lyngdorf TDAI-1120 streaming amplifier. Moving into the main room the focus was on the new Rubikore range, an upgrade from the Rubicon’s. At the edge of the room, they had a pair of the Rubikore 2 and Rubikore 6 whilst the Rubikore 8 were part of the demo system alongside an SME Model 12 turntable, Innuos ZEN MK3 server, Lyngdorf CD-2 and Lyngdorf TDAI-3400 streaming amplifier – a great sounding setup playing First Aid Kit – The Lion’s Roar on vinyl when I was in the room.

ROGERS

Rogers had their own amplifier playing in their room, the E20a, along with an Audio Note UK CD4.1x running into a pair of the classic LS3/5A SE speakers standing on top of the AB3a active subwoofer system designed specifically for these speakers. This setup means you get a full range system with that perfect imaging the LS3/5A are known for. The active subwoofer system can be tuned to the room the speakers are in, allowing for seamless integration with the LS3/5A in any space, and it sounded great.

RA ACOUSTICS

Hailing from Germany, RA Acoustics were founded in 2021 and are quite a new name in HiFi, they seem to be getting things right though from what I heard. Firstly, they built a room within a room, that was acoustically treated, this meant they had a controlled room to setup their Versura 3.5-way speakers along with the Master Fidelity NADAC D with NADAC C master clock, Innuos Statement server/streamer, PhoenixNet network switch and a pair of Soulution 701 mono-block amplifiers with 727 Pre-amp.

They were playing the usual female vocal tracks but, this one had quite a deep double-bass line that sounded incredibly effortless, a well thought out room that paid off and was one of the best sounding rooms of the show. Next door they had a room that had a static display of some of the other models in their lineup.

ARCAM

Arcam are part of the Harman Luxury Audio Group and have a rich history in HiFi, last year they released the Radia series in a striking (and rather good looking) black and yellow finish. At this show they launched 3 new models, the ST25 streamer alongside the SA35 and SA45 all-in-one streamer amplifiers. Most of the models in the range use Class-G amplification, in the demo system they had a pair of JBL 4349 speakers, JBL HDI 1200-P subwoofers, Arcam SA35 all-in-one streamer amplifier, Arcam ST25 streamer and Arcam A25 integrated amplifier. Around the room you had a display of the full Radia series – they do look great in the flesh.

KARMA AV

Karma had multiple rooms, the first I went in had a System Audio setup with some small standmounts being played, the Signature 5, with a Primare SC15 MKII streamer as the source, Primare DD15 transport and I15 Prisma amplifier. These little speakers have a long throw mid-bass driver which allows it to move more than normal, creating a bigger sound that you would expect for their size.

Another Karma room was dedicated to MoFi, and it was very groovy, with a MoFi MatserDeck with StudioSilver cartridge, MoFi MasterPhono, BAT VK80i Amplifier and MoFi SP888 Speakers – all linked with Inakustik cabling. As I said, this was a fun and groovy room with some funky beats and smiling faces all round, highly enjoyable.

In the next Karma AV room we have Perlisten speakers, a static display at the back of the room of various speakers and subs whilst a demo system was setup comprising of the Perlisten S7 speakers, 2 D15 subwoofers, Primare SP25 AV pre-amplifier, 4 x Primare A35.2 power amps (2 per speaker), a Primare CD35 and cabling by Inakustik. The subs were very well setup and didn’t dominate the sound, adding subtle body and scale to the S7 speakers.

The last of the Karma rooms was filled with SVS, a tower of subs in one corner and a lineup of their speakers down one side of the room. A pair of the SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle speakers were playing with a Primare CD35, PRE35 and A35.8 power amplifier.

CONNECTED FIDELITY / SYMPHONY DISTRIBUTION

Both companies shared a space and had a range of Tannoy, Montaudio (new to the UK market, offering a range of cables and HiFi racks), Hana cartridges, Sorane tonearms, Telos audio and Zeiler audio. In one room was a static display of various products from the above companies, including the new Connected Fidelity star distribution blocks and a few Tannoy models.

In the other room was the demo system made up of the Tannoy Kensington Gold Reference speakers, TT-Hub turntable with Sorane SA-12 tonearm and Hana Umami Red cartridge, Zeiler PR-01 and PA-01 pre/power combo and the Connected Fidelity AC-2K balanced mains supply with star distribution block. The Tannoy/Zeiler combo is something quite special, beautifully smooth, and natural sounding.

AUDEN DISTRIBUTION / HEGEL

It’s always a pleasure to see Bill from Auden Distribution at shows, in the first room they had a static display of various Hegel models from CD players to streaming amplifiers. In the demo setup they had the brand new H400 amplifier paired with the Eggleston Nico standmount speakers (hooked up with Audiomica cabling).

This may look like a simple setup, and it is, yet the sound was superb – a fantastic setup for the room and neat looking too.

MBL

MBL make some rather odd-looking speakers, with an omnidirectional dispersion pattern for room-filling sound. I first heard a pair of MBL’s (101 E MKII) at the Audio Show Deluxe in 2023, and subsequently heard their 101 X-Treme model in Oslo, now for their smaller offering. To be honest the room was perfect for their smaller offering, the 126, and they managed to show off their impressively spacious presentation. Supporting electronics were the Innuos ZenMini MK3 server, MBL C41 network player and a MBL C21 stereo power amplifier.

MONITOR AUDIO

Monitor Audio were showcasing their all-new Gold 6G range of speakers along with the new Studio 89 model too. Around the edge of the room was a static display of their models, they were switching models across the weekend however when I was in the room, they had the Gold 100 6G standmounts playing. They had an Innuos ZENith MK3 server alongside a B.audio Alpha One streaming amplifier – these standmounts sounded full, punchy and clean without any harshness up top, very nicely done.

That’s it for part 1 of my report, for part 2 click here

ALL IMAGES AND TEXT ARE COPYRIGHT HiFi PiG AND MAY NOT BE USED WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM THE EDITOR

Oscar Stewart

Additional photography by Kelly Bowden