Thanks 2014, you've been a blast.
Our favourite suppliers have come up with some amazing new products and they aren't stopping now!
Naim Audio's Muso all in one system sets a new standard in sound from a single box. It also points to Naim widening their net into more affordable products while keeping their famous performance. Although it isnt as good as having separate speakers it is a great sound for the price, and so handy! The rest of the streaming range is now updated with new features such as Spotify so a UnitiQute with a pair of Kef LS50s is also great value at £ 2200. This what I'll recommend if you ask me for a really great mini system.
Rega continue to amaze. Virtually every product they make is a top recommendaqtion from every mag. You can't go wrong! Turntable sales go from strength to strength, RP1s fly out, is £230 too cheap? The RP3 is the classic one, the RP6 is a touch more clarity and class, looks and sounds superb, and RP8/10s are very serious pieces of kit. Look out for another new model this year. Amplifiers have been a superb growth area for Rega this year. The Brio has always been the best at the price and adding the Elex and Elicit makes this the only amplifier range where every product has the top review. I particularly love the Elex as it is so so good for the price, brilliant value. CD players continue to do well although streaming is often the way forward. Cleverly the Saturn allows you to do both! A real performance solution. Rega speakers are winners too, with simple designs and big sounds from slim cabinets, very home friendly!
Linn's reputation for innovation is further bolstered by the Exakt series. Unashamedly high end this technology reaches new levels of performance. Linn's engineers write new rules again. Soon Exakt will apply to all 'legacy' Linn speakers so your old Isobarik/Kaber/Espek/5140/Akurate242 can also benefit as well as the current range. It's not cheap, it's brilliant! At the same time Linn have been working on the new Kazoo software featuring true uncompressed music streaming from a new service called Tidal. To kick you off in 2015 ever y Linn DS owner gets a free trial!
Kef's recent domination of hifi speakers continues. The Blade speaker's research has led to a performance leap in speakers that other manufacturers haven't been able to match. From the LS50 to the R300, R500, and R700 there is no competition in the £ 800 - £2000 range. This is now followed by the new Reference range with the same technology as Blade applied to a new range from £ 4500-10,000. Launched late in 2014, 2015 will be the year that this becomes the top choice in this range. Cant wait for the dems between Kef Reference and Linn Akubarik!
So what's new about all that? It's all happening at once!
I know Naim have solid engineering, Rega have value and Linn innovate, but usually these companies are slow and steady not working at this rate!
And dont leave out Arcam. Back to form with the A19 and followed by A49 and A39, Arcam make great amplifiers again
Dont leave out the CDs27 either, a cd player that streams. Is that a great idea to cover both options or is it for people who cant make up their mind?
Either way it will suit many, especially as £ 799 which undercuts Linn and Naim to allow you to start streaming and see if you like it while still playing cds.
And 2015? What will we see next?
I know some things, but can't tell you here!!
You can bet it will be exciting though
