Canary Audio CA608-LV Integrated Valve Amplifier

Price: UK£3000 - UK£4000
Reviewed in Issue 15
Manufacturer: Living Voice
Tel. (44)(0)1159-733222
Net. www.livingvoice.co.uk
This outwardly simple and conservative line-only integrated valve amp utterly seduced RG with its astonishing combination of power, grace, colour, authority and sheer musical enthusiasm. What's more, it did exactly the same to confirmed solid-state devotee CT! Living Voice's carefully considered modifications to the stock CA608 release the considerable potential contained in its well constructed 25 Watt push-pull interior. Add the Border Patrol power supply and prepare to be stunned. Scary good!

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Audio Research LS25 MkII Line Stage

Price: UK£5799
Reviewed in Issue 15
Manufacturer: Absolute Sounds
Tel. (44) (0)20 8971 3909
Net. www.audioresearch.com
Audio Research's reputation in this country was built on the musical qualities of their pre-amps. Models like the SP8, SP 10 and SP 11 were revered for their warmth and tangible imaging when all else seemed obsessed with leading edge resolution. The middle period hybrids that followed the 11 met with mixed reviews, but CB found the LS2 Mk II a welcome return to form, offering a potent combination of the company's traditional strengths, along with greatly enhanced transparency and resolution, placing ARC right back at the front of the pre-amp field.

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Mark Levinson No32 Reference Pre-amplifier

Price: UK£15000 (+UK£2500 for onboard phono option)
Reviewed in Issue 11
Distributor: Path Premier
Tel. (44) (0)1844 219000
Net. www.madrigal.com
For RG the year started with a bang, and a big surprise - and big was the operative word: The junior version of the Mark Levinson Reference System arrived to keep the No32 preamplifier company. The 33 power amps stayed home on the basis that they'd have needed electrical re-plumbing. Never mind, the half size 33Hs did just fine. The system as a. whole provided a combination of musical access and operational finesse that makes this the fuss free first option for the well-heeled music lover. We may have only reviewed the pre-amp, but it was the completeness of the system approach as well as the superb overall musical performance that really impressed.

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Monarchy Audio SM70 Power Amp

Price: UK£595
Reviewed in Issue 11
Distributor: Wollaton Audio
Tel. (44)1159 284 4147
Net. www.monarchyaudio.com
Monarchy's diminutive SM70 is a distinctly surprising package. 20 Watts of feedback free, solid-state power packed into what looks like a traditional American casework suffering a bad case of "Honey I shrunk the amplifier!" used within its envelope it offers considerably greater musical pleasure than many of its full sized relations. Unfailingly engaging and rhythmically fluid, it trades musical detail for overall sense and coherence. Definitely the most bangs for your buck, but whilst it will drive moderately efficient speakers and awkward loads, it really starts to sing once things reach about 92dB. But then, you could always use two of them.

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Lavardin IS Reference Integrated Amplifier   

Read it online here!

Price: UK£2200
Reviewed in Issue 13
Distributor: Audiocraft
Tel. (44)(0)1895 253340
Net. www.lavardin.com
Lavardin burst onto the world stage with a range of solid-state amplifiers that put clarity and organisation top of their priorities. The result was almost unprecedented musical insight -at a price. The entry level IS was always good, but the rest of the range was extraordinary. Now, the second generation IS Reference kick-starts the baby's performance, lifting it into line with the legendary IT. No more power, just even more detail, transparency and musical integrity. Zero facilities, plain Jane looks, simply superb sound.

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Klyne Model 7LX 3.5B Pre-amp and Model 7PX 3.5 Phono Stage

Price: From UK£3750 and UK£4450
Reviewed in Issues 12 (Pre-amplifier) & 13 (Phono Stage)
Distributor: Wollaton Audio
Tel. (44)(0)1159-284147
Net. www.klyne.com
These products, separately and in tandem, left CT, PR and RG mightily impressed. With a whole host of options, including balanced inputs and outputs or an on board phono module for the pre-amp, costs and complexity vary, but even in its most sophisticated form the Klyne comes in at a bargain price compared to its sonic competition. Spec it down for your specific needs and the price looks even better. With a sound that oozes the warmth, substance, flow and musical involvement of the best valve pre-amps combined with the reliability, noise performance and versatility of solid state units the Klynes are products to cherish.

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Rogue Audio 88 Power Amp   

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Price: UK£1450
Reviewed in Issue 15
Distributor: Audiocraft
Tel. (44)(0)1895 253340
Net. www.rogueaudio.com
A sensibly specified, beautifully constructed and versatile valve amplifier with an astonishingly affordable price tag. Push-pull KT88s deliver enough drive and control for real world speakers, while sound engineering and a technically innovative circuit deliver excellent sound quality. Add beautiful styling and the fact that it's come from the other side of the Atlantic and it's an even more surprising package.

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Magnum Dynalab MD102 R Tuner

Price: UK£2490
Reviewed in Issue 13
Distributor: Audiofreaks
Tel. (44) (0)24 8948 4153
Net. www.magnumdynalab.com
Magnum Dynalab's well-respected range of tuners seems to have been a high-end benchmark for as long as I can remember. Resident radio addict PM finally got his hands on the basic MD100R in Issue 13, an encounter that convinced him to investigate the slightly more expensive MD102R. Whether it was the sweet tones of the Canadian import, the retro fascia or the remote control that lured him away from his long term Naim Nat-01, 1 couldn't possibly comment. Available without remote for traditionalists, no such hair shirted asceticism infected our intrepid reporter's hedonistic drive as he gladly shelled out the cash bravely declaring the 102 to be "the best analogue tuner I've ever heard".

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Bryston 14B-ST Power Amp

Price: UK£4950
Reviewed in Issue 14
Distributor: PMC
Tel. (44) (0)870 4441044
Net. www.bryston.ca
Long time valve devotee CB fell heavy and hard for this Canadian solid-state beefcake. Its no-nonsense presentation and input options betray its professional background, while its subtlety and graceful power delivery establish its hi-fi credentials. Treat it with respect, genuine power and slap dash habits are a speaker bursting combination but boy is it musically compelling. Power hungry? Look no further!

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VPI TNT Hot-Rod Turntable and JMW 12.5 Tonearm

Read it online here!

Price: UK£6500
Reviewed in Issue 10
Manufacturer: Cherished Record Co.
Tel. (44)(0)1579-363603
Net. www.vpiindustries.com
The latest incremental development in Harry Weisfeld's TNT odyssey, the Hot-Rod is exactly what the name suggests: a slimmed down and simplified version of the old trouper. With a lower price and the JMW 12.5 (surely the sanest and easiest to mount uni-pivot out there, as well as one of the best sounding) it's a powerful combination and a bargain for a genuinely top-flight turntable. The interchangeable arm assemblies and micrometer VTA adjustment makes optimising more than one cartridge simplicity itself, while both the `table and tonearm put musical enjoyment firmly first.

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Platine Verdier Turntable

Price: From UK£4250
Reviewed in Issue 12
Manufacturer: GT Audio
Tel. (44)(0)1895-833099
Net. www.gtaudio.com
What does the man that has had everything buy for himself? In the case of analogue addict PR the answer is the Platine Verdier, one part of a complete French turntable system that includes support, bearing and PSU options. Our reporter found it the most neutral and unobtrusive turntable he's yet used (and that list is long and distinguished, believe me). He was impressed enough to buy in, which is pretty impressive in itself.

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Ella Fitzgerald sings the George and Ira Gershwin Song Books

Prices: UK£95
Reviewed in Issue 15
(Not available in online music reviews)
Distributor: Speakers Corner
Available from audiophile record dealers
Net. www.speakerscorner.de
The art of the 1808 re-issue reaches a new pinnacle with Speakers Corner's five and a half record box set. Original art work and a hard-back biography and song listing form the sumptuous packaging for perfect pressings of Ella's mainstream masterpiece. The playing is poised, the vocal performance peerless, the arrangements inventive and varied as they need to be with this many songs - and for once the records do it all justice. Speakers Corner took a brave decision in issuing this box set. The results are a handsome reward that we can all enjoy: If you buy nothing else for your hi-fi this year, at least treat it (and you) to this essential purchase.

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B&W DM303 Loudspeaker

Price: UK£180
Reviewed in Issue 13
Manufacturer: B&W Loudspeakers Ltd
Tel. (44)(0)1903-750750
Net. www.bwspeakers.com
As the longstanding 601 reached Series 3 and marked the anniversary with another price rise, B&W needed a new model to step in below it. With the DM303 they hit pay dirt. Not too big, not too difficult to drive and with just enough bass to satisfy this is one carefully considered package. Balance the whole thing with refinement and tonal sophistication that's rare at this price and you've got a classic budget speaker.

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Border Patrol Power Supplies  

 Read it online here!

Price: UK£650 - UK£1000
Reviewed in Issue 15
Distributor: Border Patrol
Tel. (44) (0)1273 276716
E-mail. bp@borderpatrol.net
Given the loss to depreciation inherent in any upgrade, the notion of a universal add on to improve the performance of basic valve circuits is appealing indeed. Border Patrol have created a choke filtered unit that will replace the HT supply to a wide variety of circuits and output valves. The benefits have to be heard to be appreciated. The modification is straight forward and reversible, although to date no one has asked for it to be removed once they've heard the results. Cost effective engineering to extend the life and performance of existing amplifiers.

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Chord Electronics DAC 64

Price: UK£1900
Reviewed in Issue 14
Distributor: Chord Electronics
Tel. (44) (0)1622 721444
Net. www.chordelectronics.co.uk
The answer to JMH's digital prayers, the Chord DAC 64 uses gate array technology derived from the computer industry built into a typically bombproof casing. Special delay circuitry allows reorganisation of the data-stream, compensating for less than wonderful transports, while superior data handling brings new coherence to the sonic picture delivered from the little silver disc. If you thought Jimmy's review was enthusiastic you should hear what he says in private.

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Tannoy TD12 Speakers

Prices: UK£6500
Reviewed in Issue 12
Distributor: Tannoy Ltd
Tel. (44)(0)1236-420199
Net. www.tannoy.com
The latest (and sexiest) incarnation of Tannoy's large floorstanding dual-concentrics has taken the magazine fraternity by storm. No fewer than three of this country's most established speaker reviewers now employ the TD12 as a reference, a unique level of acceptance in my experience. Quizzed as to the reason PM pointed to the speakers' exceptional headroom and neutrality. He also waxed lyrical about the lack of room interaction with the sound, making the Tannoys the perfect tool if you want to listen through to the system, and more importantly, the original recording. A stylistic as well as a musical tour de force, the TD12 represents a thoroughly modern product from one our oldest manufacturers.

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