Dave Ayers
Computer Consultant

Hi-Fi Experience:
I grew up with a Bluthner boudoir grand piano in the house. My initial introduction to music reproduction was via my fathers system, and later a mono system of my own which he mostly built. In my twenties I was a sound and lighting engineer at the local Top Rank, mixing for the (extremely good) resident band. Trying to juggle the sound of five musicians who all want to be louder than the others into a cohesive whole is probably what gave me my love of systems that give a true sense of performance.

System:
Michell Orbe
SME V tonearm
ClearAudio Accurate
Michell Iso HR and Hera
Michell Argo and Hera
Four Michell Alecto Monoblocks
Trichord CD Transport
Trichord Pulsar One DAC with HDCD modification
Audio Vector 5 loudspeakers
Transparent Tonearm termination box
Audioplan Super X-Wire tonearm cable
Trichord Pulsewire Digital Interconnect
XLO Signature interconnects
Audioquest Speaker Cables
Supports from Sound Systems, Brightstar, and B&Q (paving slabs under the speakers)

Desert Island Discs:
Pawn Hearts -Van Der Graaf Generator
Patience - Peter Hammill
Shoot Out The Lights - Richard Thompson
Rising For The Moon - Fairport Convention
Larks Tongues In Aspic - King Crimson
Post Orgasmic Chill - Skunk Anansie
Us -Peter Gabriel

Book:
High Fidelity - Nick Hornby

Film:
The Blues Brothers

Luxury:
A solar powered portable DVD and a library of films.

Indulgence:
Full Cream Teas whenever I want

Dave Ayers
No update available

Chris Binns
Lecturer in Music, Acoustics and Sound Recording

Hi-Fi Experience:
Where to start? Theres not a lot that the Binns hasn't done, including: session guitarist; recording engineer (currently at Room With A View near Bath); hi-fi retail and manufacturing (the original Cadence valve amplifiers, as well as studio monitoring systems); hi-fi and record reviewing. Quite a CV!

System:
Linn LP12 with Binns-Mod power supply, Mission Mechanic
Monster Alpha -Genesis 2000
Sound Organisation Table with Aerolam top plate
Meridian 508 24bit CD Player
Michell Iso HR phono stage, Primary valve line stage
Primary valve mono-blocks (150 w/ch push-pull Ultra Linear 6550s)
Primary Monitors
Quad ELS 57
Teflon coated silver interconnects
Chord Co. speaker cables

Desert Island Discs:
John Martyn Grace and Danger Island ILPS 9560
Talking Heads Remain in the Light Sire SRK 6095
Robert Palmer Some People Can Do What They Like Island ILPS 9420
Finzi Loves Labours Lost/Clarinet Concerto Nimbus NI 5101
Genesis The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway Charisma CGS101
Bartok String Quartets Novak Quartet Phillips 442 284-2
Echo And The Bunnymen Heaven Up Here Korova Kow 58320

Book:
Ian McEwan - First Love, Last Rights

Film:
My Life As A Dog

Luxury:
Radio One to be banned, and the entire staff to have a near-fatal accident on the M25 whilst re-tuning their radios for better reception of a Michael Bolton single.

Indulgence:
Cheltenham Ladies College, or failing that, a Steinway Concert Grand and a copy of How To Play Rachmaninov In Five Easy Lessons.

Chris Binns
Recording and mastering engineer

Hi - fi experience:
Where to start? There’s not a lot that the Binns hasn’t done, including: session guitarist; recording engineer; hi-fi retail and manufacturing (the original Cadence valve amplifiers as well as studio monitoring systems); teaching of music and sound recording and of course, hi-fi and record reviewing. I currently spend most of my time working in studios (again) as a mixing and mastering engineer, where everything is now done with computers with which I struggle to communicate. Grumbles persistently about this, and argues that if you had to drive a car using a mouse we’d all be in trouble…

System details:
Linn LP12 with Armageddon PSU, Linn Ekos and Lyra Helikon SL
Cheap, wobbly Ikea rack
Resolution Audio Opus 21 and Densen 400XS CD players
Tom Evans Microgroove phono-stage
Primary valve line-stage
Naim NAP300 power amplifier
Primary monitors or Quad ESL 57’s
Nordost Valkyrja/Valhalla cabling
Russ Andrews Mains Leads and Distribution Block

Desert island discs:
Talking Heads – Once In A Lifetime – CD set
George Dyson – Violin Concerto Chandos chan 9369
Keith Jarrett – The Paris Concert ECM 1401
The Cure – Faith Fiction record fix 6
Cesar Franck – Choral no. 3 in A minor Chalfont SDGX 307
Gerald Finzi – Loves Labours Lost/Clarinet Concerto Nimbus NI 5101

Book:
Alan Carr – The easy way to give up smoking

Film:
Breaking of Waves

Luxury:
Sleep – or a guardian angel, or failing that, Valium.

Indulgence:
A very, very powerful telescope

Mark Childs
No issue 1 pen picture available

Mark Childs

Hi-Fi Experience:
I have been seriously interested in music, both live and recorded, since my school days, and try to get out to see new bands as often as possible. When Jason Hector realised I was passionate about good music he introduced me to Hi-Fi as a means to getting more out of my music collection. After re-discovering my favourite albums and hearing them in a new light I was, quite simply, convinced. I now love hearing how different systems can bring out different aspects of a recording, bringing the music to life.

System Details (including cables, supports etc)
Speakers: Epos M12
CD: Creek CD 53
AMP: Creek 5350 SE
Tuner: Myriad Cameo
Cables: DNM Reson

Desert Island Discs:
U2 - Achtung Baby Island Records CIDU28
Biffy Clyro -Blackened Sky Beggars Banquet Records BBQCD226
Tiger - We Are Puppets Trade 2 / Island Records TRDCD 1002 524 316-2
Idlewild - 100 Broken Windows Food 7243 5 25439 2 2
Six By Seven - The Closer You Get Mantra Recordings MNTCD1017
Kings of Convenience - Quiet is the new loud Source SOURCD019
Boo Radleys - Kingsize Creation Records CRECD228

Book:
Iain M Banks Excession

Film:
Magnolia

Luxury / Indulgence:
My guitar

Pete Christie
Hi-Fi Salesman

Hi-Fi Experience:
I've been working in Hi-Fi retail for fifteen years. I also play guitar and sing in a two-piece band Drums and Wires (the other guy plays congas and percussion) which plays twice a week on the local circuit.

System:
Helios 2 and Trichord Genesis CD players
Shearne Phase 2 Amplifier
Rogers LS3/5a Speakers (15ohm Model)
Purpose built Purbeck Stone supports
Nordost and van den hul cables

Desert Island Discs:
The Beach Boys Surf's Up Epic 467835-2
The Who Who's Better, Who's Best Definite Article 835389-2
Paul Simon Hearts & Bones Warner Bros. 923942-2
Mahler 2nd Symphony Denon C37-7603-4
Frank Sinatra Songs for Swingin' Lovers Capitol CDP 7 465702
Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis Phillips 442 427-2
The Beatles The Complete Boxed Set EMI

Book:
Birds of the Western Paleartic and a pair of Leica 10 x 42 binoculars.

Film:
Its a wonderful life!

Luxury:
A kebab house just around the point.

Indulgence:
My Lowden guitar and a lifetime supply of strings.

Pete Christie
No update available

Dave Davies
Marketing & Design Consultant

Hi-Fi Experience:
I got bitten by the hi-fi bug as a student, starting with a Thorens, Trio, AR system and working my way through countless increasingly expensive permutations.
This was followed, after returning from a couple of years in France, and moving from London to Hampshire, by establishing the basis of my current system. Most of my spare (and not so spare) money continues to be spent on records, CD's, and live music. Alongside this I've had regular stints ats cartoonist for a number of dealers and for the long defunct HiFi Answers, alongside other freelance work.

System:
Record deck: Michell Gyrodeck with Orbe upgrade kit
Mission Mechanic arm
Clear Audio Signiture cartridge
Meridian 506 Mk2 CD Player
Meridian 501 pre-amp with Michell Iso/Hera Phon Stage
2x Michell Stereo Alecto's
Ruark Paladin speakers
Audioplan Musicable cables
Quadraspire racks
Brightstar and Seismic Sink supports

Desert Island Discs:
John Coltrane "The Heavyweight Champion" 12 record set Rhino/Atlantic RI 71984
Charles Mingus "Mingus Ah Um" Columbia Legacy 065145
English String Music LPO/Barbirolli HMV ASD 521 CDC7 47537 2
Richard Thompson "Wait Until Dark" Hannibal HNCD 5303
Ella Fitzgerald "The Cole Porter Songbook" Vols 1&2 Verve 821 989-2/ 990-2
Nina Simone "Feeling Good" Verve/Polygram 522 669-2
Sonny Rollins "Saxaphone Colossus" Prestige OJCCD-291-2 DCC LPZ-2008

Book:
George & Weedon Grossmith - Diary of a Nobody

Film:
Some Like it Hot

Luxury:
A container load of selected 1990 red Bordeaux

Indulgence:
Janina toothpaste

Dave Davies
Marketing Brand Manager

Hi-Fi Experience:
I got bitten by the hi-fi bug as a student, starting with a Thorens, Trio, AR system and working my way through countless increasingly expensive permutations. Many, many mistakes (as the Ed will gladly concur) have been made along the way with some truly awful and far too hastily made purchases, although I now think I’ve finally reached a sort of nirvana with a well-balanced system that whilst it’s not perfect (what is?), I am truly happy with. My connections with the industry date way back to the ‘70’s when as a freelance illustrator I became the resident cartoonist for Hi-Fi Answers. This naturally led to attending shows and from there many other contacts were made. Nowadays, since my mortgage has to be paid, I have a demanding job in IT Marketing and my cartooning is limited primarily to my work for Hi-Fi Plus. Much of my spare (and not so spare) money continues to be spent on live music, records and CD’s, although an increasingly serious art collection is also taking its toll.

System:
Record deck: Brinkmann LaGrange
Tonearm: Brinkmann 10.5
Cartridge: Brinkmann EMT
Trichord Delphini 2 phono stage with ‘Never-Connected’ upgrade.
Michell Orca pre-amp with ‘Never-Connected’ upgrade to power supply.
Power amps: 2x Michell Stereo Alecto’s
SACD Player: Krell SACD Standard
Speakers: Audioplan Kontrast 111i speakers
Speaker cables/interconnects: Audioplan LS16 and Super A-F cables + Cawsey from record deck to phono
Racks: Hutter Racktime
Mains: Russ Andrews
Record Cleaner: VPI 16.5

Desert Island Discs (this time):
Shelly Manne & His Men At The Blackhawk Vol 4 Contemporary S7580 (LP)
Roland Kirk We Free Kings Mercury 6336 384 (LP)
John Coltrane A Love Supreme Impulse AS-77 (Classic Records re-issue) (LP)
Pixies Doolittle AAD CAD 905 (LP)
Richard Thompson Wait Until Dark Rykodisc/ Hannibal HNCD 5303 (CD)
English String Music Barbirolli/ Sinfonia of London/ Allegri Quartet HMV
ASD521 / Nimbus Supercut (LP)
Soft Machine Vol 1 Probe CPLP 4500 (LP)

Book:
John Richardson A Life of Picasso vols 1&2 Jonathan Cape

Film:
A Matter of Life and Death (Powell & Pressburger) Carlton VFB15775.37115 00033 (DVD)

Luxury:
An art collection that imminently threatens to overspill the house

Indulgence:
My Leica Digilux2 camera

Dennis Davis
No issue 1 pen picture available

Dennis Davis
Attorney

Hi-Fi Experience:
Aldous Huxley’s descriptions of rapture listening to the late Beethoven string quartets on a 78-RPM player under the starlight ignited a lifelong affair with music, which set me on a course of building HeathKits and Dynacos in the 1960s. I started amassing a record collection to meet the listening requirements of my college music appreciation class in 1968, and have never needed an excuse since then.

System Details:
VPI TNT Mk. 6 turntable
Graham Series 2.2 arm
Hovland phono cable
Lyra Helikon mono and stereo cartridges
Aesthetix Io phonostage
Audio Research LS5MkIII line-stage
Audio Research VT130 Amplifier
Kharma Reference 3.2 speakers with wiring upgrade
Wadia 8 and 15i (upgraded) and Alesis Masterlink digital front end
Harmonic Technology interconnect cable
Wireworld Eclipse Silver speaker cable
XLO Ultra X-10 power cables
Black Diamond Racing cones
Billy Bags and Mana Acoustics support tables
Grado RS-1 headphones and Melos headphone amplifier.

Desert Island Discs: (all vinyl LPs)
Ornette Coleman Change of the Century Atlantic 1327
Louis Armstrong Plays W. C. Handy Columbia CL 591
Charlie Parker Vol. 2-4 Savoy 9001, 9010 & 9011 [3 10” LPs for the price of 1]
Miles Davis Cookin’ Prestige 7094 [I’ll leave my original at home and take the AcousTech 45 rpm]
Coltrane Crescent Impulse A-66
Eric Dolphy At The Five Spot New Jazz 8260
Bach Overtures 1-4 Telefunken SAWT 9509/10-A.

Book:
This year’s best book was Neal Stephenson’s System of the World; I have no idea what I would take to my desert island if limited to one book.

Film:
This year’s best were Hero and Eternal Sunshine Of the Spotless Mind.

Luxury:
See System Details above.

Indulgence:
La Maison Du Chocolat.

Richard S. Foster
No issue 1 pen picture available

Richard S. Foster
Having just retired the main things keeping me busy are writing for this magazine and finding and selling ‘collectible records’.

Hi-Fi Experience:
I’ve been fascinated with audio equipment since the late 1950’s. One of my earliest recollections is walking into a store in the U.S. where I once lived and remember distinctly the store had all this beautiful McIntosh gear which had this gorgeous ‘green glow’. Listening to some Mac amplifier and pre-amp being fed by an Empire Troubadour turntable releasing it’s sound through a pair of Bozak Concert Grand speakers was about as close to dying and going to heaven as I could ever imagine. I never forgot that experience and would go to this store as often as the owner was prepared to put up with this kid. That was the hook.

System:
VPI TNT6/HR-X turntable; JMW 12.6 tonearm with additional arm wands.
Lyra Titan stereo and Titan mono cartridges.
Herron VTPH1 moving coil (tube hybrid) phono section
Thorens 124 turntable (totally rebuilt) Ikeda 407t tonearm and Pierre Clement NOS moving magnet cartridge
Herron VTPH1 moving magnet (all tube) phono section
Yamaha CDR-1000R recorder
Herron VTSP2 remote control, tube line stage
Manley Neo Classic 300B SE/PP mono-blocks
E.A.T. 300B power tubes
Burmester 948 line conditioner
JMLabs Micro Utopia Be loudspeakers
Audio Physic Luna 2 sub-woofer
Nordost Valhalla interconnect and speaker cables, Valhalla and Vishnu power cords
Stillpoint ESS component rack, riser-inverse risers and Black Component Stands

Desert Island Discs:
Mozart Piano Sonatas, Lili Kraus Les Discophiles Français DF91-97
Bach Sonatas and Partitas, Johanna Martzy, EMI Columbia 33CX 1286/8
Bach Sonatas and Partitas, Henryk Szeryng, French Odeon: ODX 122/4
Bach Suites for Unaccompanied ‘Cello, Speakers Corner/Mercury SR3-9016
Beethoven Sonatas for Violin and Piano, Christian Ferras and Pierre Barbizet, French EMI only FALP 584/7
Mozart Requiem K626, Rudolf Kempe, BPO with Grümmer, Frick et al, German Electrola WALP 1514
L’Archet D’Or Volumes 1-8
Milstein Favorites, RCA LM77
Lightnin’ Hopkins, Lightnin’ and the Blues Herald Records LP 1012.
(I can’t chose seven and you’ve left me no room for Magda or Yvonne or Agnelle and too many others . . . I am NEVER moving to a desert island).

Book:
Blues with a feeling (The Little Walter Story) by Tony Glover, Scott Dirks and Ward Gaines.

Film:
This year my favorite was Hero.

Luxury:
My new Sony 60” LCD rear projector.

Indulgence:
My penchant for films from Japan, China, France and Eastern Europe …must have something to do with subtitles …

Roy Gregory
Magazine Editor

Hi-Fi Experience:
Since 1986, I have worked in the hi-fi industry, holding positions in retail, with distributors and manufacturers, and as a free-lance journalist.

System:
VPI TNT Mk3 Turntable, with Flywheel
VPI JMW 12" Tonearm
Eminent Technology ET11 Tonearm, WISA air-pump.
ClearAudio Insider Cartridge
XLO Signature 3.1 Tonearm Cable
Pass Labs Aleph-P Line Stage
Michell Argo HR Line Stage
Jadis JA30 Monoblocks (EL34)
Michell Alecto Monoblocks
Ars Acoustica Systems Max Loudspeakers
Nordost SPM and Quatro-Fil Cables
Audioplan Mains Filters and Cables
RoomTunes JustaRack Deluxe
RoomTunes Acoustic Treatments

Desert Island Discs:
Bizet Carmen RCA LDS6164 Price, Corelli, Merrill, Freni, Karajan, VPO
Elgar Cello Concerto EMI ASD655 Du Pre, Barbirolli, LSO
Vaugh Williams The Nine Symphonies EMI SLS822 Boult, New Philharmonia Orchestra
The Cure - Seventeen Seconds Fiction Fix 004
Basie - Farmers Market Barbeque Analogue Productions LPJ023
Ella Fitzgerald - Sings the Cole Porter Song Book Verve MG-V-4001-2

Book:
Paul Hirst - On Law and Ideology

Film:
Some Like it Hot

Luxury:
Albert Roux (+ kitchen)

Indulgence:
My Mountain Bike

Roy Gregory
Magazine Editor

System:
Kuzma Stabi Reference, Triplanar, Lyra Titan
Clearaudio Master Reference, Master TQI, Insider Reference
VPI TNT 6, JMW 12.5, Koetsu Jade Platinum, Lyra Helikon Mono
Tom Evans Audio Design Groove Plus phono-stage
Wadia 861SE CD player
Tom Evans Audio Design Vibe and Pulse line-stage
Hovland HP100 pre-amp
Jadis JA30 mono-blocks
Hovland RADIA power-amp
Living Voice OBX-R2 loudspeakers
Reference 3A Da Capo loudspeakers
Townshend Maximum super-tweeters
Velodyne DD18 sub-woofer
Nordost Valhalla signal, speaker and mains cables
Nordost Thor Mains Distribution Units
Chord Co. Signature signal and speaker cables
finite elemente Pagode Master Reference racks
RoomTunes acoustic treatments

Desert Island Discs:
Bizet Carmen RCA LDS6164 Price, Corelli, Merrill, Freni, Karajan, VPO
Elgar cello Concerto EMI ASD655 Du Pre, Barbirolli, LSO
Beethoven Kreutzer Sonata Coup D’Archet Coup 003 Martzy/Antonietti
Bach Cello Suites Mercury/Speakers Corner SR3-9016 Starker
The Cure - Seventeen Seconds Fiction FIX004
Eliza Gilkyson - Land Of Milk And Honey Red House Records
Basie - Farmers Market Barbeque Pablo/Analogue Productions LPJ023
Ella Fitzgerald - sings the George and Ira Gershwin songbook Verve/Speakers Corner MG VS-6082-S

Book:
Paul Hirst – On Law And Ideology

Film:
Some Like It Hot

Luxury:
Albert Roux (+ kitchen)

Indulgence:
My Mountain Bike

Simon Groome

Hi-Fi Experience:
Having first purchased a "real" hi-fi about 15 years ago, I soon became hooked on collecting music - especially early stereo classical vinyl. I have since become known by many dealers of both new and second hand releases, and have been roped into helping out with the pricing and valuing of records. I regularly attend concerts at The Barbican and Wigmore Halls.

System:
Voyd Valdi, with Wilson Benesch Act 2 tonearm - both modified.
The Cartridge Man's Music Maker cartridge
Marantz CD-63SE Compact Disc Player - modified by Pentacone
Audio Innovations Series 500 amplifier - modified by Pentacone - with Border Patrol power supply
Snell JII speakers - modified by Pentacone - on 4 legged Pirate stands
Pentacone HGC Silver Plated Interconnects
Pentacone Grade 2 Bi-wired speaker cables
Mains leads are home-made to Pentacone "Pentaflex" standards
Stands by Target and Sound Organisation
Loricraft Professional Record Cleaning Machine

Desert Island Discs:
Mahler: Symphony No. 5/5 Ruckert Lieder - New Philharmonia 0, Barbirolli, Baker (EMI original)
Mahler: Symphony No. 1 - VPO Kletzki (EM] original White and Gold label)
Liszt: A Faust Symphony/Orpheus - RPO, Beecham (EMI original White and Gold label)
Stravinsky: The Firebird - LSO, Dorati (Classic/Mercury reissue)
Miles Davis: A Kind of Blue (Classic/Columbia reissue)
Eric Bibb and Needed Time: Spirit and the Blues (Opus 3) & Eric Bibb and Needed Time: Good Stuff (Opus 3) -Sorry, but I cannot choose just the one!
Fairport Convention: Unhalfbricking (Island original Pink label)

Book:
War and Peace - Tolstoy

Film:
Blade Runner - The Directors Cut or Casablanca (Depending in my mood)

Luxury:
Fine Italian Food

Indulgence:
Marcus - my four-year-old son, who finds Prokofievs Peter and the Wolf "a bit scary!"

Simon Groome
Buyer for a London NHS Trust and Freelance Writer

Hi-Fi Experience:
Purchased a “real” hi-fi nearly twenty years ago, and suddenly began to appreciate what was actually in the grooves of an LP. Soon became hooked on collecting vinyl, especially early stereo classical. Now owns approximately 4500 LPs and around 1500 CDs. Known by dealers, has been “roped into” pricing and valuing of rare discs. Regularly attends concerts in central London, and is a Friend of Wigmore Hall.

System Details:
Modified Voyd Valdi, with modified Wilson Benesch ACT 2 tonearm
Cartridgeman Music Maker cartridge
Tom Evans Audio Design Micro-Groove “Plus” Phono Stage
Modified Marantz CD-63SE CD player
Sony DVP-NS900V “QS” SACD/DVD player
Audio Innovations Series 500 amplifier, fitted with 5881 valves, and Border Patrol power supply
Leak Troughline tuner, with Tim de Paravincini Stereo Tube FM decoder
Modified Snell J-II speakers on 4-legged Pirate stands
Nordost Red Dawn Interconnects and bi-wired speaker cable
Pentacone HGC Silver-plaited Interconnects and Grade 2 bi-wired speaker cable
Supports by Target and Sound Organisation, with various cones and Final Daruma-3II Ball Bearing Isolators
Loricraft PRC-2 Professional Record Cleaning Machine

Desert Island Discs:
Dvorák String Quartets in F major, OP. 96, & D minor, Op. 34 – Janacek
Quartet Decca SXL 6103, “Wide Band” Original LP
Liszt A Faust Symphony/Orpheus RPO, Sir Thomas Beecham HMV ASD 317/8, “White & Gold” Original LP
Mahler Symphony No. 1 – VPO, Paul Kletzki HMV ASD 483, “White and Gold” Original LP
Mahler: Symphony No. 5/Five Rückert Lieder – Janet Baker, New Phil. Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli HMV ASD 2518/9, “Coloured Dog” Original LP
Smetana String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2 Smetana Quartet Supraphon 4 11 2130, Original LP
Pentangle - The Pentangle Transatlantic TRA 162, Original LP
Fairport Convention - Unhalfbricking Island ILPS 9102, Pink Label Original LP

Book:
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Film:
Blade Runner: The Director’s Cut

Luxury:
Fine Italian Food

Indulgence:
My son Marcus

Jason Hector
Research Scientist in Displays

Hi-Fi Experience:
Weekend Hi-Fi Salesman and dicoverer of Great 'indie' music..

System:
Linn LP12 Armageddon
Naim Aro Tone-Arm
Dynavector TeKaitora cartridge
Micromega Dup pro transport and DAC on slate slab
Dynavector L100 pre amplifier
Dynavector P100 phono amplifier
Dynavector HX75 power amplifier
Shahinian Obelisks Loudspeakers
Chord and homebrew interconnects Naim NAC A5 speaker cable
Hutter Racks and Musicworks mains distribution

Desert Island Discs:
The Beatles - Revolver
Joni Mitchell - Hejira
Rickie Lee Jones - Eponymous
Bob Dylan - John Wesley Harding
Gomez - Bring It On
Throwing Muses - Hunk Papa
Holly Golightly - Laugh It Up

Book:
Dan Simmons - Hyperion Cantos

Film:
Reservoir Dogs

Luxury:
Fine food

Indulgence:
The Wine to go with it!

Jason Hector
Research Scientist (LCD) for a major electronics company

Hi-Fi Experience:
The thing that started it all was a love of music – well Duh, no surprise there then! … After pestering my friendly dealer long enough, he let me help out as a “Saturday boy” so I have some experience trying to sell the stuff as well as installing it into a range of environments (and I do mean a range). The reviewing has happened more by accident than design as our esteemed editor lives close to the shop where I still, occasionally help out. He was looking for some well-meaning amateurs to broaden the reviewing staff and the rest, as they say, is history…

System Details:
Well Tempered Reference record player and arm
Dynavector Te-Kaitora cartridge
Dynavector L300 pre-amplifier and onboard P300 phono-stage
Dynavector HX1.2 power amplifier
Shahinian Obelisk loudspeakers
Micromega Duo Pro transport and DAC
Hutter Racktime tables
Homebrew Bullet plugged interconnects
Chord Company Prodac digital cable
Kimber 4TC speaker cable

Desert Island Discs:
So difficult, it used to be 10 and that was hard enough but here goes … and it will be different next week …
Joan Baez Farewell Angelina
Ben Folds Ben Folds Live
The Beatles Revolver
Bob Dylan John Wesley Harding
Lloyd Cole and the Commotions Mainstream
Doors LA Woman
Richard and Linda Thompson Shoot out the Lights

Book:
Almost as hard as choosing just 7 discs.
Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons or the Dune Series by Frank Herbert or anything by Iain M Banks or …

Film:
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly … aeeei aeeei aaaa wou wou wou

Luxury:
Fine red wine, Amarone specifically – and some decent food for it to wash down.

Indulgence:
A Stressless Reclining Chair.

Andrew Hobbs
Independent Music Retailer

Hi-Fi Experience:
Ten years working as a store manager for a leading record store. Responsible for all mainstream stock and specialist imports.

System:
Meridian 206 CD player
Lentek Amplifier
Ruark Broadsword Speakers
Target Stands

Desert Island Discs:
Chris lsaak - Forever Blue
Bob Seger - The Distance
John Mellencamp - Lonesome jubilee
Paul Brady - Trick or Treat
Steve Earle - The Hard Way
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers - Self Titled
Michael McDermott - 620 West Surf
Lucinda Williams - Sweet Old World

Book:
Musichound Guide To Rock Music

Film:
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest

Luxury:
Chicken Tikka Pathia from the Sunrise Balti House, Chandlers Ford. The Best!!

Indulgence:
Madhur Jaffrey as cook, Saeed Jaffrey as butler

Andrew Hobbs
Sales consultant for Phonography, an independent Hi-Fi dealer in Ringwood, Hampshire, UK

Hi-Fi Experience:
I’ve been with Phonography for about four years. I have a good tutor in Phil March but I’m still learning! Previous to Phonography I was the manager of Pinpoint Music, a specialist independent CD retailer. Music is, and always will be, my great passion.

System:
Arcam Decta 170 CD transport
Black Box 50,
Densen Beat 100 amp
Royd RR1 speakers
Chord Anthem interconnects and Chord Odyssey speaker cable
Naim Headline headphone amp and NAPSC power supply
Beyerdynamic DT931 headphones.

Desert Island Discs:
Anything by the following artists:
Steve Earl, John Mellencamp, Peter Himmelman, Chris Isaak, Paul Thorn, Bugs Henderson and Emmylou Harris.

Book:
The Tibetan Book Of Living And Dying by Sogyhal Rinpoche

Film:
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest

Luxury:
Music – and a win for Southampton Football Club

Indulgence:
More new music

James Micheal Hughes
Camera Service Technician

Hi-Fi Experience:
16 years in retail; reviewer for 20 years

System:
Kuzma Stabi and Roksan Xerxes turntables with ringmat and Kuzma Stogi and Roksan Artemis arms.
Cartridges include Transfiguration Spirit and MS Brier Shun Mook Recod Clamp.
Trichord modified Pioneer PD-75 CD transport with Statmat.
Meridian 518 digital processor
Cambridge Audio DAC Magic 1 used via its balanced outputs into the luxman transformer.
Trichord and Theta jitter reducing boxes
Marantz and Luxman line matching transformers
Musical fidelity X10-D and ASE valve line stages, plus Musical fidelity X-Tone, used with slight treble and bass cut.
EAR 859 integrated valve amplifier, used on its low impedance output setting.
Impulse H-1 horn loaded speakers with two Rel-Q bass subs.
Cables include Kimber, Chord, and DNM interconnects.
Speaker cables - Goertz
Support stands from MANA (Phase Four) plus some oldish Origin Live stands, Shun Mook platform.
Power Wedge Mains Conditioner with Kimber Mains Distribution Block and Cables

Desert Island Discs:
Mahler; Kindertotenlieder Christ Ludwig; Huber von Karijan BPO DG 453 040-2 (2 CDs)
Vaughan Williams Pastoral symphony Sir Adrian Boult NPO EMI CDM 7 64018-2
Handel 12 Concerti Grossi Op 6 Iona Brown, Academy of St Martins Philips 410 048-2 (3CDs)
Schubert Drei Klavierstuck D946 Claudio Arrau (piano) Philips 434 101-2
Brahms Syphony No. 3 Eschenbach HSO virgin 5 613060-2 (4 CDs)
Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler CBS CDCBS 25304
Strawberry Fields Forever The Beatles version 3 from Anthology 2 Apple 8 34448-2

Book:
The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien

Film:
The Full Monty

Luxury:
Canon EOS-3 camera; lots of film, and a processing lab.

Indulgence:
A Piano

Jimmy Hughes
Freelancer / Freeloader

Hi-Fi Experience:
Did 20 years hard labour in retail, with time off for bad behaviour

System:
Impulse H-1 speakers with Townshend Maximum super tweeters;
2x Rel subs.
Chord Pre with Mezzo power amps;
Chord Blu CD transport with DAC-64.
Musical Fidelity MF-1 turntable with SME arm and Transfiguration Aria cartridge. Roksan ArtaXerxes phono stage.
Cables; Chord Co digital interconnects; Kimber analogue interconnects;
Townshend Isolde impedance matched speaker cables. Kimber mains with Russ Andrews mains distribution blocks + Purifier and Silencer.
Supports; Mana Phase Four table, plus Origin Live stands and a Sound Organisation table. Speakers and subs sat on Townshend Siesmic Sinks.

Desert Island Discs:
Mahler 9th symphony – Guilini Chicago symphony orchestra DG 463 609-2 2CDs
Brahms 3rd symphony – Guilini Vienna Philharmonic orchestra DG 431 681-2
Brahms 2nd piano concerto – Gilels/Jochum Berlin Philharmonic DG 447 446-2 2CDs
Schumann Dichterliebe – Hampson/Parsons EMI CDC5 55147-2
Mahler Kindertotenleider – Ludwig/Karajan Berlin Philharmonic DG 457 716-2 2CDs
Vaughan Williams A Pastoral Symphony – Haitink London Philh’ EMI CDC 5 56564-2
Derek and Clive - Come Again – Virgin CDOVD 110

Book:
The Lord of the Rings

Film:
JFK (Director’s Cut) I’ve seen it three or four times and still can’t make head or tail of it…

Luxury:
Chocolate (lots and lots of it)

Indulgence:
A Piano

Jason Kennedy
No issue 1 pen picture available

Jason Kennedy
Journalist/photographer

Hi-Fi Experience:
I got into hi-fi as a result of my Dad’s enthusiasm for the subject, initially by sitting between his Leak Sandwich speakers playing Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, then discovering that most dangerous of things – the difference between audio components. I think the problem really started when I first heard a Garrard 301 with a Decca (London) Mk3 cartridge. These components, though hardly sophisticated, had a thrill power that I have rarely encountered since. Any hope of recovery was nullified when Xavier Wilcox (now proprietor of Brighton’s Power Plant) introduced Paul Messenger who recruited me for the A4 re-launch of Hi-Fi Choice in the late eighties. It’s been downhill from there on but an entertaining descent and a diversion from which to scrape a living of sorts nonetheless.

System Details:
SME Model 20A/Series 5/van den Hul Colibri & Grasshopper III GLA
Resolution Audio Opus 21, Townshend Audio TA 565 Evo II
Tom Evans Groove phono stage, Trichord Delphini II phono stage
Border Patrol Control Unit, Bryston BP25,
Gamut D200 MkI
Living Voice Avatar OBX-R, ATC SCM150 ASL
Townshend Seismic Stand (original and current), Townshend Seismic Sink speaker bases, ATC 150 stands
Living Voice Potato interconnect, Townshend DCT Isolda speaker cable, Living Voice and Russ Andrews mains cables & distributors

Desert Island Discs:
Frank Zappa - One Size Fits All Discreet Records K59207
John Fahey - Let Go Varrick Records 008
Keith Jarrett - Eyes of the Heart ECM 1150
Led Zeppelin - 4 Atlantic K50 008
Bugge Wesseltoft - Moving Jazzland Records 013 534-2
Bill Cobham - Spectrum Atlantic 40 506
Steely Dan - Katy Lied ABC Records ABCL 5094

Bicycle:
Santa Cruz Superlight

Book:
The Acme Novelty Library Book of Jokes – Chris Ware

Film:
Drowning by Numbers

Luxury:
Cake

Indulgence:
More cake

Michael Mercer

Hi-Fi Experience:
lifelong fondness for music and audio gear (included building; a playback equipment). Former equipment acquisitions set- manager for The Absolute Sound. Production assistant to producer Arif Mardin at Atlantic Recording Corp.
Partner in a pro/consumer audio/video installation outfit.
Freelance journalist and DJ.

System:
Technics 1200 turntable w/ Ortofon Silver Pro cartridge
Melos digital drive bitstream processor
Pioneer 434 DVD Video Player
Panasonic DVD-A10 DVD audio Player
Sony MPP-605 laserdisc player
Marantz DP870 Dolby Digital processor
AMC AV81 HT THX pre-amp/processor
Classe DR-9 amplifier
Fosgate Audionics 4 channel amplifier
Sony 55ES amplifier
System Audio 1110 speakers (main)
System Audio 1105 speakers (rear)
Sound Dynamics active subwoofer
Nordost SPM speaker & interconnect Cables
Nordost Quattro-fil interconnects
Nordost Super Video cables
Luxor Group power cords & video cables
Nordost Pulsar Points
Rotel RLC-900 line conditioner

Desert Island Discs:
Billie Holiday - Body and Soul - Mobile Fidelity 24 karat gold UDCD-900
Peter Gabriel -Passion - Geffen 24206-2
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double trouble - Couldn't Stand The Weather - Epic EK39304
Sara K - Hobo - Chesky DVD 96/24 Super Audio Disc CHDVD177
Bob Marley & The Wailers - Exodus - Mobile Fidelity 24 karat gold UDCD-628
Conrad Praetzel - En Trance - Paleo Music PAL-4003-2

Book:
Irvine Welsh - The Acid House

Film:
Romeo Is Bleeding

Luxury:
Spending time with my lovely wife. Watching films in my home theatre. Writing, poetry and working on my music.

Indulgence:
Good times with great people. Recording and mixing my Music in my own studio.

Micheal Mercer

Hi-Fi Experience:
lifelong fondness for music and audio gear (included building; a playback equipment). Former equipment acquisitions set- manager for The Absolute Sound.
Partner in a pro/consumer audio/video installation outfit.
Freelance journalist and DJ.

DJ System:
2 Technics 1200 MKII w/ Ortofon P-mount cartridge
1 Pioneer DJM-300 S (2 channel ALL analog DJ Mixer)
Nola mini monitors
McIntosh MAC 1700 (refurbished by me - belonged to my grandfather)
and - a TON of studio gear (including 20 channel TASCAM console, Cubase, Wavelab, etc)
 
Reference System:
VPI Super Scoutmaster
Pioneer DV-578-A Universal Player (for CD, DVD-A, SACD)
Myryad Z122 DVD Video player
Sunfire Theatre Grand III Pre-Amp / Processor (used in DIRECT for SACD)
Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature Amplifier (5 channel, but only drives ctr & rears)
Classe Audio DR-9 Amplifier (w/ upgraded power supple)
Nordost THOR power distribution center (NOT a Line Conditioner)
1 pr System Audio SA2K (mains)
1 Alon Centris (center)
1 pr System Audio 1005 (rears)
Nola Thunderbolt Subwoofer
Nordost Valhalla Speaker & Interconnects
Custom Power Cord Company power cords
Eichmann Interconnects
Nordost Pulsar Points
KAB iso pods
Nordost Eco 3
 
Desert Island Discs:
Billie Holiday - Body and Soul - Mobile Fidelity 24 karat gold UDCD-900
Peter Gabriel -Passion - Geffen 24206-2
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double trouble - Couldn't Stand The Weather - Epic EK39304
Sara K - Hobo - Chesky DVD 96/24 Super Audio Disc CHDVD177
Bob Marley & The Wailers - Exodus - Mobile Fidelity 24 karat gold UDCD-628
Conrad Praetzel - En Trance - Paleo Music PAL-4003-2
Swayzak - Snowboarding in Argentina
Asad Rizvi - Reverberations Live DJ mixed album

Book:
Irvine Welsh - The Acid House

Film:
Romeo Is Bleeding

Luxury:
Spending time with my lovely wife. Watching films in my home theatre. Writing, poetry and working on my music.

Indulgence:
Good times with great people. Recording and mixing my Music in my own studio.

Blog Website:
http://www.myspace.com/djmichaelmercer

Paul Messenger
No issue 1 pen picture available

Paul Messenger
Hi-fi writer/reviewer

Hi-Fi Experience:
Got into music at the beginning of the 1960s, and into hi-fi by the end of that decade, buying Quad 33/303 and Spendor BC1s. Joined Spendor in mid-1970s and made speakers for a couple of years before landing a job with Hi-Fi News. Moved on to edit Hi-Fi Choice for four years, but ultimately went freelance in 1984. Currently writing for six magazines on a regular basis.

System Details:
Naim CDS 3 and Burmester 001 CD players
Modified Linn Sondek LP12 turntable with Rega RB1000 tonearm and Linn Akiva cartridge
Magnum Dynalab MD 102 tuner
Naim NAC552 pre-amp
Naim NAP500 power amp
Cables from Vertex AQ, Chord Company and Naim.
Supports from Mana, Townshend, Vertex AQ and Naim

Desert Island Discs:
Grateful Dead - Reckoning
Little Feat - Waiting for Columbus
Tom Waits - Rain Dogs
Bob Dylan - John Wesley Harding
Rolling Stones - Let it Bleed
Chemical Brothers - Exit Planet Dust
The KLF - The White Room
Laurie Anderson - Strange Angels

Book:
Slaughterhouse 5

Film:
Oh What a Lovely War!

Luxury:
A down/feather pillow and duvet, and a horse hair mattress

Indulgence:
A small grove of mature coffee plants, and the paraphernalia required to turn the beans into a decent cup of coffee

Reuben Parry
Quantity Surveyor

Hi-Fi Experience:
Pathological secondhand record collector and reviewer. (Its a good thing Roobs a quantity surveyor. Tou need to be to calculate how many records he owns! Ed.)

System:
I don't have to do this bit because my system is dissected in this months (Issue 1 April '99) Audio smörgasbord. You can get the dirt in all its horrible glory on page 95.

Desert Island Discs:
Lloyd Cole and the Commotions - Rattlesnakes Polydor LCLP1 823683-1
Dvorak Cello Concertos Starker, Dorati, LSO Mercury SR90303
Canteloupe Songs of the Auvergne Natania Davarth cond. Pierre de la Roche Vangaurd VSD 713/714
Copland Appalacian Spring Keith Clark Pacific Symphony Orchestra Reference Recordings RR22
Ella Fitgerald - Sings the Cole Porter Song Book DCC Compact Classics GZS(2) 1079
Ataulfo Argenta Box Set Alto AA006
Sibelius Violin Concerto Heifetz, Hendl, CSO RCA Living Stereo SB2101

Book:
John Donne - the Complete English Poetry

Film:
Bringing Up Baby - Cary Grant/Katherine Hepburn

Luxury:
A Sony World Receiver. That way I get sport, music, drama and news.

Indulgence:
I'll take my Heckler (No, its not a disgruntled reader! Its actually a monstrously expensive mountain bike with 4" travel suspension front and back, and hydraulic disc brakes! Ed.) And I want Mrs Pezzo to undertake all my maintenance needs. Given the light weight, all spares can be dropped by air.

Reuben Parry
Senior Quantity Surveyor

Hi-Fi Experience:
Record Collector for the last 20 years, a reviewer for Hi Fi+ since issue 1 and before that a hack on the short-lived AQ magazine. Also a regular contributor to music newsletters and occasional writer of CD/LP liner notes. I have also been known to sell the odd record or two at UK Hi-Fi Shows and my own LPs and CDs both privately and at on-line auctions as well. Especially so now that I’ve become less precious about rare and desirable music that I don’t play any longer or have duplicate copies of.

System Details:
VPI HRX turntable with JMW Memorial 12.5 arm and vdH EMT MC1b cartridge.
Tube Technology CD 64; Helios 2 and Philips SACD 1000 CD Players.
Tom Evans Groove phono stage.
Michell Argo/Hera pre-amplifer.
Four 250w Trichord Alecto mono block power amplifiers.
Eminent Technology LFT 8a hybrid panel loudspeakers.
Audioplan mains cable, power supplies, distribution blocks and conditioners.
Audioplan interconnect and speaker cables.
Support systems by Quadraspire, Target, Brightstar, RATA and Clearlight Audio RDC
Room Tunes acoustic room treatments.
VPI 16.5 record cleaning machine.

Desert Island Discs:
Eleanor McEvoy - Yola. Market Square Records MSMSACD113. SACD.
Ella Fitzgerald George & Ira Gershwin Songbooks. Verve/Speakers Corner VS-6077-81. 180g LPs.
Thelonious Monk - The Riverside Tenor Sessions. Analogue Productions APJ 037. 80g LPs.
Lloyd Cole and the Commotions - Rattlesnakes. Polydor LCLP1 823683-1. LP.
Dvorak Cello Concerto. Janos Starker, Cello with Antal Dorati conducting the London Symphony Orchestra. Mercury Living Presence SR 90303. LP.
Heifetz Brahms, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Sibelius, Mendelssohn, Bruch, Glazounov & Rozsa Violin Concertos. LSC-1903, 1992, 2129, 2314, 2435, 2603, 2652, 2734 & 2767. Classic Records 200g Vinyl Box Set. A greedy choice!
Jimmie Lee Robinson - Remember Me. Analogue Productions APO 2006. 180g LP.

Book:
James Lee Burke. White Doves At Morning.

Film:
No change here as it’s Bringing Up Baby, the Cary Grant/Katherine Hepburn screwball comedy.

Luxury:
Sky Sports for Rugby and Cricket.

Indulgence:
No real change here either. A Santa Cruz Blur mountain bike and I’ll take my old mate, Alan to go biking with.

Alan Sircom
No issue 1 pen picture available

Alan Sircom
Freelance Meeja Hoor

Hi-Fi Experience:
I’ve been interested in music since childhood (both parents are musicians) but wasn’t really bothered about audio until the school show-off was given a Linn Sondek for his 18th birthday. I was jealous and hooked, and when I assisted an audiophile photographer, the bug took hold… big time. I soon began working at Grahams hi-fi, to pay off those huge debts for Linn/Naim gear, and began writing in the early 1990s, since when I’ve performed just about every role a publisher can legally demand.

System Details:
The system is always a work in progress, and a trade off between hi-fi and home cinema. For regular, non-critical listening, my gradual re-introduction to the high end has so far reached this level:
Meridian G98 CD/DVD-Audio player
Linn Silver interconnects
Audio Analogue Puccini SE integrated amplifier
Quadraspire reference table
Kimber 8TC speaker cables
ProAc Tablette 8 Signature loudspeakers, blu-tackked on Kudos S50 stands filled with a mixture of silver sand and ‘lead’ shot.
The turntable has remained almost unchanged: SME Model 10 played through a Densen DP-02 ‘light-powered’ phono stage, all resting on a RATA Torlyte turntable stand. The ‘almost’ bit is a move to a cheapo Audio Technica AT-OC9 MC cartridge, following a bizarre sleeve-related stylus accident.

Desert Island Discs:
JS Bach Six Cello Suites Pablo Casals, 3LP set Archiv, COLH 16-18
Gilbert & Sullivan Pirates of Penzance, D’Oyly Carte Opera, 2LP set, Decca SKL 4925/6
The Eagles, Hotel California, DVD-Audio, Elektra 60509
Rolling Stones, Let it Bleed, hybrid SACD/CD, Abkco 719004
Damien Rice, O, CD, East-West, 5046647885
Ray Barretto, Acid, CD, Sony International 5031142
Cymande, Cymande, CD, Sequel NEXCD202
Eric Dolphy, Out to Lunch, CD, Blue Note 4987932

Book:
The Great Gatsby, Three Men in a Boat

Film:
A Matter of Life and Death, Withnail & I

Luxury:
A life-size replica of Everest, made of diamonds

Indulgence:
Guard Daleks, to protect my diamond mountain. Or maybe a swimming pool, filled with lightly-oiled porn queens (they are bouncier than supermodels).

Chris Thomas
Vintage Guitar broker

Hi-Fi Experience:
20 years involvement in hi-fi retailing and reviewing.

System:
Well Tempered Turntable
Lyra Clavis Cartridge
Naim CDS CD player
Naim NAC 52 pre-amplifier
Mark Levinson No.380 pre-amplifier
2 x Naim NAP 250 power amps
Mark Levinson No. 331 power amp
Naim SBL speakers (active)
Platinum Duo speakers on Target HJ stands
Cables from Naim, Descadel, Tice and Siltech
Home built composite equipment support

Desert Island Discs:
The Beatles -Abbey road EMI 7088
The Beatles - Rubber Soul EMI 3075
Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland Polydor 2310269
John McLaughin & Mahavishnu Orchestra - Apocalypse  CBS 69076
Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key Of Life EMI 6002
Miles Davis - Nefertiti Columbia 9594
Tchaikovsky and Sibelius Violin Concertos Oistrakh Philidelphia CBS 60312

Book:
The Complete Lennon and McCartney Songbook

Film:
The Shawshank Redemption

Luxury:
1930 Martin OM45 Acoustic Guitar

Indulgence:
Cases each of 1947 Chateau Cheval Blank and 1921 Chateau D'Yquem

Chris Thomas
Hi-Fi Experience:
I’ve always loved music and maintained a healthy scepticism about hi-fi. I got into writing in the very late ‘70’s and then, in the 80’s I was sentenced to several years in retail. I have continued ever since, buying and selling vintage guitars and doing audio consultancy work.

System Details:
It’s very difficult to keep a personal system running when so much review gear needs warming up and listening to. But my permanent components are:
Naim CDS 3
Tom Evans Audio Design The Vibe Line-Stage
JMlabs Micro Utopia Be speakers and stands
Nordost Valhalla interconnects, speaker cables and power cords
Naim Fraim.

Desert Island Discs:
The Beatles - Abbey Road EMI 7088
The Beatles - Rubber Soul EMI 3075
Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland Polydor 2310269
Beach Boys - Classics Capitol 72435
Stevie Wonder - Songs In The Key Of Life EMI6002
Tchaikovsky & Sibelius Violin Concertos
Oistrakh/Philladelphia CBS 60312
Shakti - The Believer Verve 549 207-2

Book:
Sexus – Henry Miller

Film :
This changes all the time but how about The League Of Gentlemen – a homo-erotic fable of ex-servicemen who rob a bank. Very British.

Luxury:
1950’s Fender Strat finished in Lake Placid Blue with a rosewood neck and an old Fender Twin Reverb. Could I sneak in a Cry Baby pedal?

Indulgence:
Case of 1988 Romanee Conti with suitable glasses.

NO PEN PICTURE AVAILABLE
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Phil Ward: No longer reviewing for hi-fi+, no pen picture data available
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