Audio Appraisal - Audio Equipment and Music Reviews, Opinions and Tutorials

Aa System Full Rack — The Audio Appraisal Reference Hi-Fi System
The Audio Appraisal reference system. This post will be updated to reflect future changes and kept as a historic reference to log the equipment used to create these reviews.

M8 Pre Silver Front — Musical Fidelity M8sPRE Preamplifier Reviewed
audibly and measurably linear from input to output, with near-perfect volume control and no superfluous features. I’m pleased to have an M8sPRE amidst my system.

Service Spotlight: Custom Cables From Designacable

a UK-based company providing a massive range of custom made audio and video cables for musicians, studio, stage, cinema and broadcast, essentially any sector of the pro audio, installation or domestic hi-fi market.

Nc400 Inside Overall — Hypex NC400 DIY Class D Amplifiers Build & Review
no-nonsense amplifiers with breakthrough technical performance and stunning sonics, some of the best amplification you can buy at any price.

F303 Rear Walnut Large Floorstander — Fyne Audio F303 Floorstanding Speakers Reviewed
Plentiful dynamics and detail, huge scale and excellent imaging make this another excellent speaker in Fyne’s F300 range.

Vm760slc — Audio-Technica VM500 / VM700 Phono Cartridges Reviewed
cracking carts for the money, continuing a logical reshuffle and welcome refresh of AT's cartridge line.

Cxn V2 — Cambridge Audio CXN V2 Review & Comparison With Original CXN
As the old adage goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. I’m pleased to see Cambridge taking this to heart in designing the CXN V2.

Vc S2 Alu Top View — Pro-Ject VC-S2 ALU Vinyl Record Cleaning Machine Reviewed
another evolution of Pro-Ject’s excellent vinyl cleaner line. The two new models bring more welcome improvements to what was already a top-class product.

Cleaner — Spin Care Vinyl Record Cleaning Machine & Vinyl Accessories Reviewed
the performance of the Spin Care leaves nothing to be desired. It leaves records gleaming both visually and sonically. At just £39.95, it’s an extraordinarily cost-effective investment for those getting started, or for those looking to clean their collection on a budget.

H880 Right Side — Edifier H880 Headphones Review
Another gem from Edifier. They’re more comfortable than the H850 and for sheer enjoyment are a better listen, though those looking for more accurate monitoring will want the H850.

M2scd Slv Front — Musical Fidelity M2scd CD player Review
The Musical Fidelity M2sCD partners high-quality CD mechanics with one of the best CD servo systems on the market, adds a fine DAC and well-designed power supply and wraps the lot in a smart, solid enclosure.

M2si Slv Front — Musical Fidelity M2si Integrated Amplifier Review
The M2si is a fine demonstration of what a reformed brand can produce from the get-go.

Lp60 Top View Open Lid — Will An Audio-Technica AT-LP60 / AT-LP60X Turntable Damage Your Records?
The Audio-Technica AT-LP60 is without doubt one of the best-selling budget turntables to date, and the newly released AT-LP60X is sure to follow. But will either turntable cause undue damage to your records?

Lp60 Overall Of Inside Base — Repairing an Audio-Technica AT-LP60 With a Failed Motor
A couple of years ago I tested a GPO Stylo which was at the time one of the cheapest turntables available on the market. It was suggested that I repeat the test with an Audio-Technica AT-Lp60, arguably one of the best-selling budget turntables.

Hs8w Front — Yamaha HS-8 8″ Active Studio Monitor Speakers Reviewed
If you can accommodate them, you’ll achieve excellent mixes which translate well to consumer devices and pro audio alike.

Dsr118w Grill — Yamaha DSR 112/115/215/118W Active PA Loudspeakers Reviewed
Public address loudspeakers have remained aesthetically similar for decades and truth be told they’ve never been especially lightweight or portable. technological advancements, primarily in class D amplification, have at least reduced the racks of auxiliary equipment needed to run a speaker set to virtually zero.

Maple Td 150 Top View Platter On — Thorens TD-150, Rebuild & Modification Part Four
A tale of two turntables continues. In part 4 we’ll wrap up the series with some final observations, build notes and listening tests.

Sl 1200g Top View Lid Open — Technics SL-1200G Review & Comparison With SL-1200GR
Like the SP10 in the late ‘60s, the SL-1200G has raised the bar and set new performance standards that should redefine expectations for what high-end vinyl playback should be. The SL-1200G is a masterpiece. You owe it to yourself to hear one.

F301 Wal Frt — Fyne Audio F301 Bookshelf Speakers Reviewed
when old Tannoy talent regroup and launch a new name and fresh ranges designed from the ground up, there is certainly reason to get excited. If this is what the company can produce on a budget, I look forward to auditioning their more upmarket models.

Aap12 Top View With S Of S Record On — Building the AAP12, Thorens TD-150 Modification Part Three
Herein we continue the tale of two turntables with the build of the AAP12, a turntable based on a Thorens TD-150 but with extensive modifications.

Maple Td 150 Top View With Record Arm Across — Thorens TD-150 Rebuild Part Two, Project Maple
a stock Thorens TD-150 transformed but with its original charm intact.

Maple Td 150 Original Top Cover Off — Thorens TD-150, Rebuild & Modification Part One
It’s been a while since I owned a suspended belt drive turntable. I decided to build two decks; one based on a stock TD-150 MK2 in a Maple plinth and the other, using the inner workings of the TD-150 (sub-chassis, bearing, platter and motor) but with a new top plate and extensive modification and in a Cherry plinth.