New Products news
New Sonos Beam
We all know audio from TVs, even the all-singing, all-dancing ultra HD 4k new ones, has its limitations, but sometimes a standard Playbar or centre speaker is just too big. Step up Sonos Beam, the new, petite TV soundbar from Sonos.
As with all Sonos, it’s not just a speaker. As well as improving your TV audio, you can also listen to your favourite music, radio stations, Spotify playlists and more. Easy voice control allows volume control without taking your eyes off the action or your hands off the game controller; far field microphones detect your voice from any direction, anywhere in the room – even when the music is blasting.
And at a compact 25.6 inches, it won’t block the TV or overwhelm the living room space. Beam is designed to blend in – with a curved silhouette and soft finishes, it looks perfectly at home next to your furnishings.
Beam is available to pre-order now (RRP £399) and starts shipping on 17th July.
New from MOON: 390 streaming pre-amp and MiND2 app
Watch out for two sizzling new releases from MOON by SimAudio this summer.
MOON 390 is kind of hard to classify. It’s a new kind of integrated product – all-in-one streaming DAC, pre-amplifier, network player, phono stage and much more!
The MOON 390 offers a complete high-end listening solution. Featuring a DAC, pre-amplifier, headphone amplifier, phono stage and network streaming capability the MOON 390 is a truly flexible music system. Simply connect it to a power amplifier or active loudspeakers for an exceptional audio performance.
The 390 features MOON’s other summer release – MiND2 streaming module. MiND2 (MOON intelligent Network Device) is a great way of organising, streaming and listening to your music. It allows playback of all the most common file formats, including DSD and MQA (via local files and TIDAL Master files) and also boasts a USB host port, permitting access to music on USB thumb drives. And, MiND2 will also stream any digital input of the 390 to other MiND zones on the same network.
Most current MiND products can benefit from this upgrade, which consists of a totally new streaming board and some sophisticated new firmware and software. Get in touch to find out more.
Ongoing, the cost of this upgrade will be £800 including fitting (by us). And now the great news…
Until the end of August 2018 you can have your MOON MiND streamer updated for £455 including fitting!
Just book your unit in to have the work done before the 31st of August to qualify.
Both MiND2 upgrade kits and MOON 390 start shipping on the 14th of July 2018.
Hello Hegel
And a very warm welcome to our newest member of the Loud & Clear family – Hegel.
Hegel’s story began back in 1988 in Trondheim, Norway, when Bent Holter – then student at the Technical University in Trondheim (NTNU), now Hegel founder and owner – undertook his thesis on the original design of the amplifier transistor that would cure the problems of classical systems.
Fast forward to 2018 and Hegel, under Holter’s direction, is one of the best established brands in Hi-Fi market, producing integrated, pre and power amplifiers as well as CD players and some of the most modern and sophisticated D/A converters.
We’ve had the pleasure of auditioning the Hegel H90, Röst and H190 integrated amplifiers for a few weeks now and we love them. These products do a whole lot more than the term integrated amplifier suggests – network streaming and Apple Airplay® for example – but as integrated amps they tick all the boxes. A host of digital and analogue connections, all of which (except streaming) are configurable to be fixed level inputs, allowing you to easily integrate in a home cinema system. Plus there’s a high quality headphone output and a sleek, informative, white OLED display.
All three of these amps easily drive loudspeakers way bigger than we would expect, with bass control is second to none. Well worth a listen.
Starting at £1500 for the H90, they’re affordable too.
Katalyst Upgrade for Akurate out now
Linn’s Katalyst DAC architecture revolutionised the performance of the reference Klimax DS streamer when it was launched in late 2016. Since then, that performance leap has been introduced to Klimax 350, Akubarik and Akudorik loudspeakers. Now it’s the turn of Akurate.
Linn owners can upgrade Akurate DSM, Akurate DS and Akurate Exaktbox to Katalyst DAC architecture from this week. And as before, the improvement in audio performance is massive.
Katalyst DAC Architecture performs digital-to-analogue conversion with greater precision than ever, taking an unprecedented level of control over the critical elements that lie at the heart of the analogue signal’s creation; offering improved Data Optimisation, superior Master Clock, independent Power Supplies, a new ultra-low distortion Output Driver and crucially, for the first time, a high-stability input Reference Level. Katalyst’s high-stability input Reference Level eliminates variations during analogue signal creation, giving you a deeper insight into your music.
Upgrade pricing:
Akurate DS: £1800
Akurate DSM: £1800
Akurate Exaktbox 10: £1600
Akurate Exaktbox 6: £1200
Get in touch to upgrade now.
Linn Sondek LP12 at 45 years old – the birthday upgrades!
At 45 years, the Linn Sondek LP12 is older than most of us here at Loud & Clear 😉 and is celebrating in style with a some sensational birthday upgrades.
New Lingo power supply.
Neater. Smaller. Smarter; it makes your system sing like never before. Cutting-edge technology delivers more consistent, more accurate spin speeds for a better audio experience. Employing ground-breaking technology derived from the extraordinary Radikal power supply, new Lingo incorporates a motor speed management system and uses digital processing technology to make your platter spin more accurately and more consistently. It auto-calibrates the motor on each revolution to ensure this accuracy and consistency every time. That’s crucial for music of course: even the slightest speed variation affects pitch, and a turntable that isn’t accurate is like a musical instrument that hasn’t been tuned properly.
With on-board circuitry that fits inside the deck and a new external slimline power supply which can be easily concealed, the new model is neater, more compact and cleverer than ever. It might be little, but it makes a big difference.
Urika II digital phono stage.
Linn’s new phono stage gets more musical information from the vinyl groove than ever before. Using cutting-edge digital signal processing technology, Urika II now carries out the key process of implementing the RIAA curve in the digital domain. This brings you lower distortion, lower noise and more music.
Transported over Exakt Link, the musical information that Urika II delivers is perfectly preserved until the moment it reaches your ears, delivering a musical experience like never before and can be optimised to work with your preferred cartridge load values. Choose from a list of popular cartridges or enter your own.
Urika II is powered by the extraordinary Radikal power supply and is mounted on the integrated Trampolin base board within the plinth of your Sondek LP12 to maintain phono stage isolation and improve deck suspension.
Limited edition fluted plinth is back. Plus, 15% off an additional LP12 upgrade with Urika II or new Lingo.
Purchase Urika II or new Lingo by 30th March and you have an exclusive opportunity to purchase a limited edition fluted plinth (per original LP12 design). Plus, you will qualify for 15% off an additional LP12 upgrade. T&Cs here.
We’ll be hosting a special event where you can hear these upgrades soon. Watch our Events page for details.
Happy Birthday LP12: the best yet.
Rega Planar 6 and Ania MC – a perfect pairing
“a wonderfully refined, articulate and precise turntable that’s lovely to listen to”
What Hi-fi’s verdict on this delightful pairing from Rega Research, UK manufacturer of some of the best turntables we know.
Planar 6 was launched to universal accolades last month, a turntable of such high quality engineering, it really deserves to be paired with the highest quality of cartridge. Step up Rega, who are offering this deck at a special package price of £1398 with their own precision Moving Coil cartridge, Ania.
Throw in Rega’s new competitvely priced moving coil phono stage, Fono MC (£248) and you have spectacular turntable system for well under £1700.
A Great British victory.
New from MOON – 240i integrated amplifier
We’ve just taken delivery of Moon’s brand new ‘entry-level’ integrated amplifier and wow, it is devastating!
The 240i has everything you could need from an integrated amplifier. And it sounds terrific. 3 line-level inputs, including a moving magnet phono and 5 digital inputs covering DSD64/128/256 and PCM 32-bit/384kHz via USB. It also boasts a front-panel mini-jack input and 6.5mm headphone output.
In the dem room now.
Uniti by Naim – now shipping!
Today’s the day! After months of extended licensing, testing and approval challenges, Naim Audio are finally in a position to ship the long awaited and much anticipated Uniti by Naim range, starting today with the Atom.
Uniti Atom is a beautiful, compact multi-source music player that will seduce you with its amazing sound quality and outstanding feature-set. Its 40-watt integrated amplifier and high-resolution music streaming capabilities will fill your home with stunning high-fidelity sound. Perfect as a high-end main system or for use in the kitchen or study, where space is at a premium; just add speakers. The Naim App for iOS and Android combines all of your music sources in one place, making it easy to access with a simple finger swipe.
We will have this little beauty in the next few days, book a dem now.
Rega Planar 6 – UK Hi-fi’s worst kept secret unveiled
First we had 2016’s revamped Planar 3, quickly followed by Planar 2 and Planar 1, so much anticipation surrounded the next new Rega turntable last year. They’ve made us wait for it but now at last we can unveil the all new Rega Research Planar 6 and Neo PSU.
Built around the hugely successful RP8 and RP10, Planar 6 is the first new Rega turntable to be constructed with an ultra lightweight foam core plinth. This material is sandwiched between a new HPL (high pressure laminate) which is exceptionally thin but extremely rigid and presented in a stunning matt Polaris grey finish with high gloss polymer, black edge trim. The Planar 6 now benefits from a single piece, machined aluminum sub-platter and custom drive pulley fitted with the Rega upgrade drive belt as standard.
Planar 6 is supplied with the brand new Neo PSU power supply, which uses the RP10 DSP generator built upon a high stability crystal. The DSP generator will divide the accurate signal from the crystal to the exact frequency required to turn the platter at the selected speed. The DSP generator will also produce a near perfect sinusoidal waveform to drive the motor. This, along with an efficient drive amplifier, generates a 24V AC balanced signal of less than 0.15% distortion, which is completely unaffected by any changes in the mains/line voltage and conditions.
Key Features:
NEO power supply.
Super lightweight foam core plinth.
Plinth laminate: New Polaris HPL (high pressure laminate). Non-marking matt finish scratch resistant high rigidity skin.
Available in one finish ‘Polaris Grey’ matt finish with high gloss black polymer edge trim.
Upgrade white drive belt fitted as standard.
Custom dual layer smoked / clear float glass platter.
Single piece aluminium sub platter.
Custom machined high precision drive pulley.
Patent pending, ultra-low friction central brass hub.
Rega’s double brace technology, with integral custom matched aluminium tonearm and hub pillars to ensure maximum rigidity and accuracy.
RB330 handmade precision tonearm with custom stainless weight.
New high spec Rega 24v low noise synchronous motor – each motor matched by hand to its own NEO PSU ensuring optimum anti-vibration control.
New smoked dust cover.
New aluminium foot trims and Planar style feet.
Available with Ania MC cartridge factory fitted.
Innuos ZEN – The Art of Serving Music
We have been selling and installing music streaming systems for over 10 years now and we’ve seen (and tried) every method of ripping and storing CD libraries. But nothing we have experienced compares to Innuos ZEN.
For simplicity, practicality, flexibility and performance, Innous ZEN servers are streets ahead. In short, nothing makes it easier to listen to your music collection.
The ZEN range – Zen Mini, Zen and Zenith MkII (with incremental improvements in audiophile performance)- provide a rock solid, incredibly simple way to rip, store and playback your CD library. Lossless ripping, easy editing of album data (including artwork) and full library back-up without needing a PC/Mac are additional bonuses.
- Bit-Perfect Ripping – using AccurateStream technology, extract every last bit of your CDs into WAV or FLAC files.
- Automatic CD Ripping – Just pop in a CD and innuOS will automatically get full album data and cover from multiple online databases, rip your CD and eject when done.
- Assisted CD Ripping – Assisted CD Ripping allows you to see and edit all the album data and cover obtained from the online databases before you rip the CD. Great for Classical Music!
- Quiet Mode – Love to listen to music whilst ripping your CDs and want absolute silence? Just engage Quiet Mode for slowing down ripping, making it much quieter and with less vibration.
- Offline Ripping – CDs can be ripped without internet connection. When connected, album data and cover for all offline ripped CDs will be obtained with a simple click.
Innuos will serve any music streamer on the market and runs its own proprietary operating system – InnuOS – and features many intelligent features to help organise your music library. Storage size can be specified from 1TB (2000 CDs) up
So for hassle-free, perfectly lossless CD copying and storage, look no further.
Linn Katalyst coming to Akubarik and Akudorik
Linn Katalyst DAC architecture has been taking the Hi-fi world by storm since it was launched last year. Here’s just a few comments from Hi-fi reviewers:
- ”A technical miracle”
- ”The level of clarity is sky-high”
- ”Profound and powerful”
And for those who have Linn Akubarik or Akudorik systems, the Katalyst upgrade is on the way! Linn have confirmed that Katalyst DAC architecture will be rolled out to these systems this Autumn. Upgrade prices are yet to be confirmed, although Linn have issued a ‘price match’ guarantee that any Akubarik or Akudorik system purchased now will benefit from the Katalyst upgrade in Autumn at no financial disadvantage.
To whet your appetite, read Alan Sirom’s HiFi Plus Klimax Katalyst review here.
Triple Triumph from Rega – NEW Fono MC, Fono MM mk3 and Apollo CDP
Rega Research’s new product development team have been in overdrive for the past couple of years. Hot on the heels of last year’s Planar 1, 2 and 3 and new Brio amplifier launches, this week Rega unveiled THREE new products, all coming this month: brand new Fono MC moving coil phono stage, redesigned Apollo CDP cd player and new Fono MM Mk3 moving magnet phono stage.
NEW Fono MC
Specifically designed to complement Rega’s range of moving coils but equally good at improving the performance of any MC cartridge, the new Fono MC promises to be a great addition to Rega’s portfolio. With circuitry design taken from the development of Rega’s reference phono stage Aria, and the same stylish aluminium casing as Fono MM and TTPSU, this fits perfectly into the range. Price £248.
Apollo CDP
Re-designed to aesthetically match the sleek look of their new Brio amplifier, Rega’s new Apollo CDP player will be revealed at the Munich High End Show this week (18th-21st May) and should be available in the shop in the next few weeks. Price remains £598.
Fono MM Mk3
Completing the trio of new releases from Rega is a new Fono moving magnet phono stage. Housed in the latest design case to match the new MC stage the Fono MM Mk3 is the perfect partner for Rega’s range of moving magnets – Bias2, Elys 2 and Exact – but is compatible with any other moving magnet cartridge. Price remains £198.
So a busy launch schedule for Rega this month, with all three new products being unveiled in Munich. We’re already wondering what’s next from the turntable specialists… watch this space! 
Sonus Faber Homage Tradition
This week we unboxed something beautiful from Italy – Sonus Faber Serafino loudspeakers. Bellissimo!
Stunning Italian design and creativity at their best, with performance to match, these gorgeous floor-standing 3.5 way loudspeakers are the newcomer to Sonus Faber’s revamped Homage Tradition series, along with re-designed Amati and Guarneri models from the original iconic Homage range.
Continuing the tradition of naming its speakers after famous Italians, the Serafino speakers pay tribute to Santo Serafino, a famous yet mysterious 18th century Venetian master of violin-making who trained at Nicolò Amati’s workshop. Serafino also continues the tradition and precious legacy of Homage – classical lute shape, sumptuous hand-crafted cabinets and powerful, detailed performance.
At £18,000, the Serafino’s sit in between Guarneri (£13,600) and Amati (£23,500) in the series and are available in Piano Red or Sonus Faber’s new Wenge finish.
The Amatis and Guarneris are coming soon to complete the line-up and we’ll be hosting an exclusive Lounge… with Loud & Clear listening event featuring Serafino on Saturday 10th June.
Email for details.
NEW Technics SL-1200G and SL-1200GR Turntables
Double excitement! We now have both new Technics SL-1200G and SL-1200GR turntables in Glasgow and WOW, are they worth waiting for.
Technics, and technology, has moved on significantly since the first SL-1200 in 1972. Technics hasn’t entirely forgotten its DJ models of old – the SL-1200s share their predecessors’ aesthetics (and lid) – but these are serious hi-fi decks, completely re-engineered from the originals.
As always though, the proof is in the listening – hearing is believing after all. Both decks are available for demonstration now in store, and we’ll be having a special launch event here in the shop on Thursday 22nd June. Details to follow but we expect this to be extremely busy so email now to pre-book your space.
And here’s how it all comes together:
Here’s just some of these decks’ improvements on the originals:
- a totally different, newly designed motor for the SL-1200G- a stripped down version is in the GR model.
- switch mode power supply, emitting less vibration than a transformer based supply and reducing the chance of hum being induced in some cartridges.
- the platter is dampened, so it doesn’t ring like the original.
- the tonearm is massively improved with better bearings.
- new feet are a lot better at absorbing vibration (as is the whole deck).
Book a dem now.
SONOS PLAYBASE Wireless Speaker and TV Base
Available Tuesday 4th April…
Next week will see the release of Sonos PLAYBASE – the new wireless TV speaker and base and alternative to PLAYBAR.
Sonos PLAYBASE is not just full cinema sound for your TV; it streams music, too. Just connect to Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, etc. or play from your own personal digital collection.
PLAYBASE is designed to sit under your stand-mounted TV with a super-thin low profile design (it measures just 720mm x 380mm x 58mm) and with 10 downward-firing drive units (6 mid-range, 3 tweeters and 1 low frequency) it certainly packs a punch.
PLAYBASE incorporates all the usual Sonos features – Trueplay for fine-tuning to your room, addition of a Sonos SUB and 2 PLAY:1s for full 5.1 surround sound and integration with a host of streaming services. Available in black or white, at £699 PLAYBASE is a credible alternative for stand-mounted TVs.
NEW Rega Brio Integrated Amplifier
Rega’s Brio-R integrated amplifier has been one of our best selling products for several years. Rumours of a new and improved Brio have been rife since late 2016, we’ve even fleetingly had our hands on a few before they were whisked off to their excited new owners. Now, we are delighted that Rega have caught up with demand for this phenomenal product and we are in the position to have one on permanent demonstration.
New and Improved for 2017
2017’s Brio has been meticulously improved in every aspect, from the quality of materials to the manufacturing process. It has a completely new case to house its improved circuits and parts, now sitting in a fully aluminium two-part case which boosts the Brio’s heat sinking capabilities and improves on Rega’s already solid build quality and reliability. The new Brio has a cleverly integrated headphone socket specially designed to avoid interference with the audio circuit when not in use and as you would expect, a very high specification moving magnet phono stage is built in as standard.
But most importantly…it sounds delightful! Reliable, fun and tuneful and at only £598, a real bargain too.
ARCAM rPlay – Simple Music Streaming
ARCAM rPlay
The rPlay is the latest addition to ARCAM‘s rSeries and allows you to add network audio streaming services and internet radio to any system using DTS PlayFi, Apple Airplay® or UPnP enabled music sources. It also features an SPDIF output for connection to an external DAC.
The rPlay benefits from Arcam’s more than twenty years of digital audio expertise and use the finest quality parts in a layout that is optimised for low noise and minimum distortion. The four-layer PCB allows ARCAM’s designers to maximise the quality of the ground plane in order to further reduce interference between components. The use of multiple low noise individually regulated power supplies ensures the rPlay delivers the cleanest signal to the audiophile quality output stage. As well as a fixed line level analogue output, the rPlay also features a variable analogue output which uses the same volume control as the A49 flagship amplifier.
The rPlay’s WiFi is compatible with 802.11 b/g/n but it also hosts a wired Ethernet (RJ45) connector for the most reliable results from your network.
The rPlay is one of the simplest ways to enjoy streaming audio services regardless of platform and brings Arcam quality sound to a whole new generation of music lovers.
And sticking to the rSeries attractive price-tag of £399 its the perfect introduction to music streaming.
ARCAM rPhono – rSeries comes to vinyl
ARCAM rPhono
Just released by our friends in Cambridge, the ARCAM rPhono is designed specifically to replace an in-built phono amplifier or to add a turntable connection to your existing amplifier.
The rPhono benefits from Arcam’s more than forty years of analogue audio expertise and uses the finest quality parts in a layout that is optimised for low noise and minimum distortion. The multi-layer PCB allows ARCAM’s designers to maximise the quality of the ground plane so that interference between components is further reduced. The use of multiple, low-noise, individually regulated power supplies ensures the rPhono delivers the cleanest signal to the audiophile quality output stage.
Featuring a wealth of features specifically designed for optimal matching of your turntable’s cartridge, the rPhono is the perfect solution for the vinyl lover. Moving coil users benefit from precision impedance matching using high-quality trimmers instead of discrete steps, while moving magnet users have a wide variety of capacitance options. An optionally selectable low frequency “rumble” filter eliminates the effects of warping or pressing irregularities, which can be present on some vinyl.
And at only £399, an affordable and simple way to improve your turntable performance.
Linn Klimax 350 Katalyst has arrived!
Linn Klimax 350 Katalyst
A few months ago Linn unveiled Katalyst DAC architecture for their Klimax DS and Klimax DSM. And what an astounding upgrade that is – no wonder it received rave reviews from across the world and Klimax DS was named ”The finest-sounding digital source around.” (What-Hifi, 2017).
Now Linn have introduced Katalyst to the Klimax 350, with a dedicated DAC for each individual speaker channel. Double wow.
Klimax 350 featuring Katalyst has arrived and is available to hear in our demonstration room; available for Artikulat, Klimax 350A or passive Klimax 350 loudspeakers with the combination of both Katalyst & Exakt.
So whether you have any of these Linn loudspeakers, are dreaming of owning them, or just want to hear how they sound, book a demo now.
See more photos of the upgrade process on our Facebook page.
It’s here – Oppo 4k Ultra-HD Blu-Ray
Widely heralded as the best 4k Ultra HD Blu-ray player money can buy, the Oppo 4k UDP-203 Ultra HD Blu-ray player is here… and we have to agree.
Delivering an unmatched AV experience to home cinema enthusiasts, the Oppo 4k UDP-203 player draws from over a decade’s worth of experience in advanced imaging processing technology and high fidelity audio performance to provide the ideal source to complete the ultimate home cinema room.
It’s not just a high-end video device, it can also play high-resolution audio from SACD, DVD-Audio discs or digital audio files, be it AIFF, WAV, ALAC, APE, FLAC , DSD64 or DSD128.
The striking, black brushed-aluminum facia incorporates an LCD status display, easy access front USB 2.0 port and a complete set of transport controls (play, pause, stop, track forward and track back) for easy menu navigation.
Oppo 4k
There are two USB 3.0 ports on the rear panel, along with eight RCA jacks so you can deliver analogue stereo or surround sound to an older AV receiver or amplifier that doesn’t support HDMI. There are optical and coaxial SPDIF outputs, HDMI out (audio and video), audio-only HDMI out and even an HDMI in – there’s really nothing that the UDP-203 won’t send an audio signal to.
We have this fabulous player installed in our full 4k, Dolby Atmos, 7.1-channel home cinema room – prepare to be blown away!
Oppo Menu
Links
Oppo 4k players are now being installed as standard in our Home Cinema installations, click to view.
NEW Linn Klimax with Katalyst DAC Architecture
Linn Products has unveiled a dramatic improvement to it’s flagship Klimax source products – DS and DSM in Katalyst – Linn’s 4th generation DAC architecture.
Linn DAC timeline:
1991 – Numerik ♦ 1998 – CD12 ♦ 2007 – Klimax DS ♦ 2016 – Katalyst
Katalyst DAC Architecture performs digital-to-analogue conversion with greater precision than ever. Katalyst takes an unprecedented level of control over the critical elements that lie at the heart of the analogue signal’s creation; offering improved Data Optimisation, superior Master Clock, independent Power Supplies, a new ultra-low distortion Output Driver and crucially, for the first time, a high-stability input Reference Level.
The latter is vitally important because, at the point of creation, the analogue audio signal is particularly vulnerable even to miniscule variations in the Reference Level, which cause irreversible damage. Katalyst’s high-stability input Reference Level eliminates variations during analogue signal creation, giving you a deeper insight into your music.
We have Klimax ‘before and after Katalyst’ sources here for comparative dem – a simply must hear for ALL Linn owners. Call us on 0141 221 0221 or email to book a demo.
Uniti by Naim
Naim’s most advanced all-in-one music streaming platform is here.
Uniti by Naim
Inspired by Naim’s unfaltering passion for music and enabled by 40 years’ tireless innovation in engineering, we introduce Uniti by Naim – their most advanced all-in-one music streaming platform. Combining seamless digital technology with a rich analogue soul, you can play, rip and store your entire music collections. Uniti allows you to command all your music in one place and play with a deep, immersive sound.
Uniti Family
The new Uniti family consists of three all-in-one players: the reference audiophile Uniti Nova, the multi-functional CD operating Uniti Star and the compact yet powerful Uniti Atom. The Uniti Core industry reference music server completes the range, allowing you to store and stream thousands of albums and back up all of your music in one place. With each player working independently (or together), simply add speakers to unleash your music in any room of the house.
New Generation Naim?
06.10.16
The date when Naim are promising to unveil ther ‘most advanced development yet’ with ‘infinite possibilities’.
Watch this space…
The Philospohy of Plato…
Do you love your vinyl but also adore the convenience of swiping your finger to listen to your next tune? Yearn to download, store and playback high-res audio and video? Then let us introduce Plato.
A brand new toy that is getting us here at Loud & Clear rather excited (again). A complete audio and video player and streamer that will rip, tag and store not just your CDs and movies, but your vinyl collection too. Seriously.
Step forward Plato, from Convert Technologies (previously Entotem). With the ability to import digital music and movie collections, record and recognise live vinyl, CD, DVD and tape sources and download high resolution music to its internal drive, then simultaneously stream video to any smart TV or tablet in the house and play music to multiple rooms, Plato is a powerful addition to any home.
Top of the range is Plato Class A, featuring a unique class A amplifier, MM/MC phono stage, and 2TB of storage. Entry level is the stripped back Plato Lite, with its unique streaming and recording capabilities. With options to suit every system, regardless of collection format and equipment, it is easy to envisage one working in your home.
As Convert’s only Reference Partner in Scotland, Loud & Clear are in the unique position of being able to demonstrate the entire Plato range alongside the usual selection of high-end hi-fi in our stores.
Rega Planar 1 – Pure Plug & Play Pleasure
It was, in hindsight, predictable. First in 2016 we had Planar 3, followed last month by Planar 2 and now, Rega Research complete their comprehensive range of accessible turntables with the remarkable Planar 1, replacing the massively popular RP1.
It may be their entry-level deck by name but don’t be misled, this is a turntable that packs a real punch. Mirroring the glossy new aesthetics of it’s older siblings, 2 & 3, Planar 1 boasts it’s very own catalogue of upgraded features:
Tonearm
Brand new RB110 tonearm built with the new Rega designed bespoke zero play bearings with ultra-low friction performance (Patent Pending).
New bias assembly and integrated arm clip. Includes automatic bias adjustment – so 100% ‘plug & play’.
New ergonomically re-designed and stiffer headshell for improved usability and appearance.
24v Motor
The first entry level Rega turntable to use a 24v synchronous AC motor with a new motor PCB and aluminium pulley, offering low noise and better speed stability.
Plinth
Brand new thermoset gloss laminated plinth with vastly improved appearance and new ergonomically positioned on/off switch located on the underside. Plinth finishes available – gloss black and gloss white.
Central Bearing housing
Re-designed brass main bearing, offering improved fit and reducing stress on the bearing itself whilst minimising the transfer of potential energy. (Patent pending)
Platter
Brand new 23mm higher mass phenolic platter with improved flywheel effect for improved speed stability.
Re-Designed feet
New improved feet to increase stability and reduce vibration transfer.
Motor cover tray
New motor cover tray with integrated cooling.
Balance Weight
New 111g ‘plug and play’ balance weight.
Cartridge
Rega Carbon cartridge supplied fitted as standard.
£250 of pure plug & play pleasure.
© 2018 Loud & Clear Glasgow