Linn 119 + 150 speakers now here

Audiolab 9000Q + 9000P now on dem

Relatively hard on the heels of the new Quad 33 / 303 combo from the same IAG stable, we now have the Audiolab 9000Q preamp and 9000P power. As with the Quad, the power amplifiers can be bridged into mono bloc mode for greater power.

These may well share some of the design team, but the Audiolab units are very different from the Quad, showing that there are innumerable versions of the ‘right’ way to play music. These tick all the boxes; clarity, control, scale and refinement whilst adding a plethora of features tucked into the manus.

The in-built DAC is very handy, as is the provision of tone controls. At under £2500 for the pairing, it’s easy to overlook how relatively affordable these are. We also have both the Quad combo, so comparisons can be made.

The matching 9000N network player features Lumin based streaming and will probably have to be the next acquisition. Our very own Kevin heard it at the Bristol show running into the Quad 33/303 combo and was very impressed.

New Dynaudio Contour 20 Black Edition

Pictured above against a slightly sinister red glow is Dynaudio’s latest Contour model.

Dynaudio are clearly very proud of the Contour moniker, with 20i, 30i, 60i, Legacy and, now, 20 Black Edition sharing it. The Black Edition is a 20i with every single component reworked. Even the cabinet porting has been revised. As we understand it, only the stand-mount 20 is receiving the Black treatment. It’s priced at just under £6000, so, with stands, it get’s fairly close to the floor-standing 30i in price terms.

Amed with Esotar 3 tweeter, an improved bass / mid unit, enhanced crossover and improved cabinet ‘breathing’ 20 Black is, however, a serious step up from the standard 20i. More to the point, even with a stand taken into account, it’s a decent price step away from the, still more capable, £9600 Confidence 20.

Needless to say, we already have ‘em lurking around St Cecilia’s house 🙂

Whilst on the subject of Dynaudio Contours, shipments of the limited edition Contour Legacy is still arriving, so we still have several available for supply. Our demo set is ready to impress you and we can supply new ones with great alacrity!

Taktlink REV-Stylus

Taktlink REV-Stylus 01 – Made in Japan

This new stylus cleaner has impressed us greatly. Imported and recommended by Vertere, need we say more?

Forearmed

A Nottingham Dais owning customer has become so enraptured with the sound of the Vertere decks that he was contemplating moving his Lyra Etna cartridge over to the fairly modestly priced DG-1. Player. In the end, the Nottingham’s undoubted strengths overshadowed things.

Let’s try a proper Vertere arm on the Nottingham, said Andy. A Vertere SGT-TA arm was duly fitted.

Wow! said both Andy and the customer. One day, he may well go full Vertere, but this is far more than just a first step.

The Vertere arms are very compatible with LP12 too, by the way . . .

Adding Brio

We’ve been selling the old Rega Brio Mk6 amplifiers at a run-out price for so long now that it was almost a surprise when stock of the old finally ran out and the new model entered production. 

Recent experience of Rega’s version of progress has been gratifying, with already good products being elevated in ability. The feature counts have gone up too. In-built DACs are now included in Brio, Elex and Elicit. Only the entry level Io and range topping Aethos remain purely analogue. The Brio Mk7  is now with us and, straight from the box, it is impressing just as we expected.  

For once, plans came together well. We received a final batch of five Brio Mk6s early in 2025 and they sold out in the last few days just in time for the Mk7’s arrival. We held onto our Mk6 demonstration unit so that we could compare properly. The happy news is that the Mk7 brings proper musical progress along with a very handy built-in DAC. In case you’re wondering, the demo Mk6 sold very swiftly.

Ed Selley’s very enthusiastic review is here.

Melco to the rescue

Having spotted an opportunity in the demise of the Naim Uniti Core (due to parts issues) Melco have come up with a rescue plan. Here’s their pitch: