Page 83 - Blog

Let's face it - the transistor (i.e. solid state) amplifier is the King. It has been for a number of years. But that doesn't mean that the valve amplifier doesn't still reign supreme in terms of sound quality, aesthetic and overall desirability. Despite the slight wane in  mainstream popularity, the valve amplifier is still very much alive and well - much like the turntable despite the rise of digital downloads; it has seen a cultural revival in the last few decades now members of the public are

Times are a'changin' in the world of hi-fi. More and more we're seeing hi-fi brands take a very slight side step into the lifestyle market, bringing their core values of high fidelity sound and impeccable craftsmanship with them, to side straddle the two fields and produce something which can be loved by both markets.  And when the results look this good - we can't complain.

Yamaha have entered the realms of the wireless music system, unveiling the  utterly unique Restio ISX-803 to the world.

Fancy upgrading your current AV to an Arcam FMJ? Well, you're in luck! Arcam have extended their hugely popular trade-in-offer, which means you have even more of a chance to trade in your old AV receiver or processor and get an upgrade to any one of the Arcam FMJ AV units: the AVR 450, 750 and even the 950 Processor are all on the upgrade list.

The best part is, you can trade in any make and any model of AV from any brand. That means that as long as you have a receiver, you can take advantage

Sometimes, words are enough to tell you what's special about a hi-fi product. Sometimes, words are not enough. And sometimes, just sometimes, words just get in the way. This is one of those times! We now stock the stunning Tivoli range - and we think the pictures sell them better than we ever could.

1. Tivoli Albergo+ - £199

Available in five beautiful colours, Albergo is a DAB/DAB+/FM Clock Radio with Bluetooth. The perfect accompaniment for a little light painting. Brushes not included.

If you've been interested in the subject of hi-fi for any length of time, then you've probably seen the word 'valve' banded about a fair bit - and maybe you've seen a few pictures of these enigmatic valves too. Maybe you're even interested in seeing what these strange contraptions do/sound like. Well, we can help. With all of that. And we can even answer the ultimate question: What is a 'valve' anyway?

... What is a 'valve'?

Put quite simply, a valve is a vacuum tube: a sealed container, void of

It’s a long standing dream in the pursuit of real hi-fi: the separation of a system into it’s basic components. Every unit serving a singular function, resulting in minimal interference from power sources – and the highest fidelity you can manage. It’s a long standing dream in the pursuit of real hi-fi: the separation of a system into it’s basic components. Every unit serving a singular function, resulting in minimal interference from power sources – and the highest fidelity you can manage.

However,

Did you know that hi-fi can make fantastic stocking stuffers? If you're kids still get the stocking treatment (... my mum still does for me, and I'm 25!) then knowing what to stuff them with can sometimes be a daunting task. But never fear, Audio Affarir are here. And we have lots of ideas for stocking stuffers and tree-fillers (some won't quite fit in a stocking) to keep a smile on the faces of your little (and not so little!) monsters.

Maybe they're already into their hi-fi and need a few accompanying

Cables. They have always been a hot topic in the hi-fi realm, and the subject has never been hotter. The questions on our customers' lips right now are: do cables make a difference? Will any old cable with the right wires and connections for the job do? Is buying a hi-end cable worth it? Well, the answer is - and always will be - yes, but to satiate everyone engaged in this debate, we have collated a list of our favourite cables which don't cost  the Earth, but will still make a big difference

The nature of high fidelity means it requires an acute focus of knowledge, expertise, research and resources in order to achieve it. This is why the best of the brands tend to have one major speciality, with perhaps one or two minor sub-specialities that are still linked to the major. Spreading yourself too thin by producing an array of products can often mean trouble - something will have to give, right? Usually, yes. But every now and then you will stumble across a brand that manages to do it all:

So you've done your research, you've spent your money and you've built yourself the hi-fi system of your wildest dreams... well, as close as you can get at the present time! There's only one way to find out if you've got it fined tuned to perfection though, and that's to test it. Now, there is a very good chance you've attended a hi-fi demonstration of some sort before, either at a show or a personal one with a retailer. And the best way to test the equipment is by playing something with it. Something