The Best HiFi of 2020

[@JosephTongret]

Your videography and editing skills are insanely good! So happy that you've into Hi-Fi and we get to enjoy the beautiful videos that you create! You're in a league of your own, Simon!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Wow I’m flattered you’d say that and thanks so much Joseph. Hopefully lots more content coming like this.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you

[@JosephTongret]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 you're very welcome 👍 I guess I'm a bit of a fan boy, but I've just been amazed by the production quality. I sub to all the usual suspects in the YT Hi-Fi community, and there are some that produce really well made videos. Darko, Andrew Robinson and even Jay at Next Best Thing Studio has been stepping up his video game. But on your channel I'll actually watch reviews of products I have zero interest in! I also enjoy your approach of just sharing what you hear, comparing and contrasting against other products, and really just celebrating what each product does really well. Not too much calling any one product the "best" or crowning a "winner". That's the style of review that I enjoy most and find most useful in evaluating purchasing decisions.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks very much Joseph, I spend a lot of time trying to garner trust and explain how I do reviews as I think that’s almost as important as the review themselves.

[@raphaelmeillat8527]

Indeed, great production value! Discovered your channel today, and I can't get enough of your videos!

[@kleemusic546]

Simon could make watching paint dry interesting. Excellent presentations every time.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@bassiclogic]

From a Musician and Stereo enthusiast to you, I believe that you are the best Audiophile I have ever had the pleasure to listen and learn from. Thank you for all of your great accurate video's.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

That’s awesome that you’d think that Michael. Thanks so much.

[@josevarela6352]

I like your humble approach very much, Mr. Thank you for sharing your view.

[@Nigel-nar53]

I've been resisting pulling the trigger on the RME ADI for the last year but I reckon I happy to give in sometime in 21. Thanks for the great reviews. 👍

[@richardarmijo678]

Fascinated by your work. Love your voice and honest opinions.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you so much.

[@raphaelmeillat8527]

Another great take on the infamous top-10 list exercise! Love the eclectic selection of gear along with the creative video editing and soundtrack choices. Can't wait to see the 2021 video!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you Raphael. I'm gonna be doing one on streamers soon - as a mid tier streamer shootout, or best of; Sonore optical Rendu, Allo (digione sig and USB Bridge), Cambridge Audio (CXN ver2), Bluesound Node 2i, Yamaha (WXC-50), Innuos (Zenith).

[@raphaelmeillat8527]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 very interesting topic. In the market for one right now. Considering a couple from your list + Volumio Primo. Can't wait to see your video!

[@HegelMusicSystem]

Fantastic presentation and video as always, Simon. And thank you for the nominations.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you too for all the hard work and people at Hegel (Anders, Bent, Christian etc) that goes into such terrific HiFi products.

[@petethegreekre]

Watched 2 videos, one on dac's, and then this. Had to subscribe; I'm enjoying the great content.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you, hope you enjoyed them. More to come like that on streamers.

[@paulroscelli2545]

I’m probably confirming my own bias, since I only Hegel, but I have to say they are simple to use. So often I find the higher up you go the more complicated these things tend to be. Hegel couldn’t be more different in that regard.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

I’m a fan too Paul obviously but I think you are factually right re Hegel, so no bias. The h120 is no harder to use than the h390 and same for others. I suppose it’s like the hatchback with the small petrol engine or the same car with a v8. Same operation different performance.

[@stuartkennedy4202]

I returned my RME for the Chord Qutest . Chord sounds great but I probably should have spent more time on the RME as it has much more connectivity options but I went chord for a minimalist’s choice.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

What speakers and amp do you use?

[@stuartkennedy4202]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 I have Focal Aria 926 speakers and IOTAVX stack amps

[@dentboxhero1717]

I mainly listen near/midfield. I am in the process of slimming down and or miniaturizing my audio system to fit my listening preference. My biggest move towards this process was when I acquired the RME ADI-2 DAC FS and since I only stream Amazon HD the Bluesound Node 2i was a logical choice, I do still listen to CD. Where I got stuck is with the amp and speakers and since I'm down sizing without much compromise it even get's harder of a task. With ADI-2's rich sound optimization options, I have been wanting a more neutral sounding amp and speaker that I can easily tone shape and equalize with the ADI-2 to my sound preference and thought "why not active studio mastering monitors?" they seem to fit the bill perfectly. Right about now I am 99.9% set on getting a pair of PSI A17-M or the A14-M and a small sub, KEF's new tiny sub looks to align the stars for me lol. Anyway, what's your personal thoughts on this route that I am taking?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Don’t know about those speakers tbh. Hoping to try some Adam audio speakers soon though.

[@dentboxhero1717]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 I've heard the PSI A21-M a few years back and their sound have been stuck to my brain ever since. They just sounded incredible for monitor speakers. Plus every speaker comes with all the paper works and will always be a matched pair.

[@firebladeclements]

Well done review! Strange how I've been watching all hifi reviews on KZbin but never saw one of yours. Only found your channel from a Thomas review where you made a comment. Again, great job! Subbed!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks very much Mike. I do comment on others now and again. Please spread the word as it’s difficult building a following but this video was popular. Coming up to 5k subscribers.

[@kjbiz]

Just watched this and found it refreshing. Always happy to see New Order in the frame as well

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you. It’s fuel to the fire of enthusiasm to get comments like yours. Gotta love a bit of ‘substance’.

[@FlyGuy457]

The Sony walkman provided a million people with an exceptionally good time listening to music. It was not near 20 grand. Enjoy what you have and what you can afford. Don't let the snobs fool you. Nice job on this video.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

I totally agree. I remember my slimline Sony walkman which I saved up for when about 18-19 in around 91-92. Almost as good as now, but the music is so much a part of this. Thanks for your comments on my video.

[@AF-rd2vf]

Hi Simon...great stuff. I saw a picture of I think is the PS Audio Directstream DAC in the beginning of your video. Have you ever reviewed this unit and if you did what were your impressions? Thanks.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks . I did a while back and vid on channel, not as well produced as now but will help....

[@ponch0068]

Does the RME dac display the current kbps while playing? Love your video reviews.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you. Yes it does in one of the settings after you’ve set the parking brake, lit the fan stage, and readied the afterburner , for all its settings - a good thing in this product - 😁

[@ponch0068]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 lol! Thx

[@ponch0068]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 could you recommend a decent usb cable to connect my Bluesound Node to it

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Audioquest Forest is a good cable

[@ryanherrera9171]

Yes, I love my RME!

[@RobWhittlestone]

Excellent video and interesting content. Very nice channel. Great videography and editing. All the best, Rob in Switzerland.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you for the word of confidence!

[@2010aloy]

Amazing video editing work. Appreciate your effort in putting this out for us. Just subscribed to your channel :)

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you

[@ianorigbo7617]

Just seen this review, but the squashing of the qutest DAC.. Brillant.☺☺

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Life of Bryan wasn’t it. Lol

[@BoredSilly666]

Im looking for advice please. Im tempted to buy a streamer but am struggling to work out if a Node 2i will be a considerable upgrade on sound compared to my current set up. I have a new Windows Laptop with new AMD Ryzen 5, Audirvana Studio using Kernel Streaming plugged into a Chord Qutest which is galvanically isolated at the USB. Im not sure if it will benefit me sonically? In my head the only benefit I can see is not having my laptop tethered to my DAC. Thanks : )

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Happy to help if you donate via PayPal or subscribe to patreon

[@Uygkuyfkutfkytfkutfv]

I love my Qutest, and am happy if it has truly been dethroned; but… connections? I have a need for two coax ins, which the ADI-2 doesn’t - it’s swings and roundabouts

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Not sure that’s fair on balance. Ie similar sound quality for price, balanced outputs into other equipment means better sound often, better tweaks eg parametric equaliser, and headphone use. Is not a reason to discount the rme on account of all these things which make it a better product because it doesn’t have all the inputs. These advantages more than make up. Let us not forget if it’s just about connections above sq and use features when spending this sort of money then that’s not a compromise people will make. You could also buy a converter for one of the digital inputs ie usb to coax, and still have your cake and eat it to the Qutest over price. I found with converters like M2tech they don’t detract from sound much, if at all. So no it’s not swings and roundabouts in this case.

[@Uygkuyfkutfkytfkutfv]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 i tend to feel that if EQ was as useful as people insist when reviewing the ADI-2, we’d see more electronics with EQ. There is a wave of new hifi enthusiasts that have been able to skip the classic shop environment where many of us older ones sought knowledge; leading to some big changes in how we all do things; maybe I’m not taking into account the most contemporary consensus, but simplicity is still important to me; that means no converters, few menu screens and a take-it-or-leave it instruction manual. I accept that I’m sounding overly defensive of my purchase; I’m trying to convey that I truly believe for me, the Qutest is possibly the perfect unit (I’d calm down the light show on top, given the chance). I like the look of the ADI-2 and would probably recommend it to others for the reasons you and others have said - take away the joy of having a new gadget in my rack, and I wouldn’t swap.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

@@Uygkuyfkutfkytfkutfv it's not that hard to use. I literally use mine with the push of a few buttons, most of the time. It's not about whether it is useful for manufacturers to put it in, but whether useful to consumers, and undeniably I can tweak the RME to recordings much better than the Qutest - and do.

[@Uygkuyfkutfkytfkutfv]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 good point; thanks

[@rbyington22]

Have you considered doing a review on very good used equipment ( I own some Pass Labs amps that I bought used and love them to death.)

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Yes would you lend them?

[@rbyington22]

I would but I am in the USA also very heavy cheers

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

@@rbyington22 oh ok. I have reviewed others stuff brought around to me occasionally.

[@antonchigurh4125]

This was an enjoyable 20 minute recap of 2020 (and a real feast for the eyes: beautifully shot!). In addition, a good reminder that I need to up my streaming game! The Bluesound looks intriguing for an 'entry level' product. I currently stream via a GCC into my CD player's DAC. The CD player sounds sublime; the GCC sounds thin, veiled and generally unexciting when using the same DAC (which gives weight to the argument that the transport is just as important as the DAC which feeds it). Anyway, rambling now! Thanks for posting SImon :)

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks Anton, gave myself a breather time wise with this one as used lots of previous shots. This has gone ballistic with 3000 hits today as I knew it’s a popular type of vid. Doing one less flashy next week on Dacs and my experiences and all you need to know type thing. Thought I’d do a series like Tarun as they are popular. Got lyngdorf amp coming I hope and Mytek want me to review some of their new products.

[@antonchigurh4125]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 I was reading your comment over at small room audio. Interesting! I too think given your suspiciously encyclopedic knowledge of dance music you must also be a child of early 90s dance music culture! Guilty as charged here... When you spoke about Dubstar (ATC video I think) it reminded me of being a teenager dancing to the Way Out West mix of Stars (not for the fainthearted) at the Camden Palace. Hahaha! All grown up now sadly...

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Anton Chigurh I was a kid of early 90s very late 80s acid house rave culture Anton . Lived in Essex to all the music from the prodigy, played at a place called Braintree barn. That was when all the American acid house was coming over like derek May . Same time loved all Manchester scene eg happy Mondays. Barn had Mr c from shamen , shades of rhythm etc. Nigel Champion from n-joi went to my school. Regularly saw prodigy at barn etc. Then I loved all the 90s trance and techno , britpop etc. Tricky, pulp and so on. Stone roses. The 90s still shapes my music tastes , remember seeing dubstar in Brighton in fact. I can still put on a reactivate album and enjoy it although I do find myself liking all the downtempo electronic - royksopp, lemon jelly, massive attack etc. So maybe that’s being older.

[@antonchigurh4125]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 I knew it! We really are cut from similar musical cloth. Dance music was everything to me when I was growing up. It used to drive my late father insane given that I was listening to it via Wharfedale Diamond IVs, a Croft valve pre, Quad 405-2 power amp and Akai tape deck (all gifted from him)! That said, he certainly planted the seed as 30 years later I'm obviously still passionate about sound, music and its reproduction..

[@kevinoshea8898]

Hi, From previous video and print you are the reason I have recently added a pair of Pmc Twenty5 23 to my lounge cinema surround. Great though they are I instantly realised that they are being very under-utilised and feel than also using them for music would be the answer?! Could you please with your vast experience recommend a CD player and an inter grated amp that would complement each other and the speakers? The only provisos is it must sound beautiful with enough warmth to make me sit down and listen to Gregory Port.. which up to now I have never been able to appreciate. Many Thanks.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

There is really no substitute for getting out there and trying yourself because I could recommend one which you may not like. Read the reviews, make a shortlist then come back and ask specifics would be my advice. Hope that helps.

[@mtkreger]

Good work! In your opinion, is the RME DAC better than the DAC internal to the Hegel H390?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks very much. In dac loop mode yes, without - they are similar quality in different ways.

[@mtkreger]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 My H390 arrives today. I'm not a young guy, but I feel like a child at Christmas. I have the sound memory of the H190 (shipped back to retailer yesterday), so I'm looking forward to experiencing the better Hegel.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Let us know how you get on Mark. Enjoy 😀

[@mtkreger]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 I did receive the H390 yesterday afternoon. I didn't have much time to listen to it as my wife and I were cooking as we were having dinner guests. When I first turned the Hegel on, it didn't blow me away vs the H190. That's understandable as it hadn't yet warmed up. I let it continue to run, at a volume level of 35, as I was cooking...not really paying attention to what was playing or how the Hegel was sounding. It wasn't until we sat down to eat, that it really hit me. While the H190 is a very good sounding amp, the differences I noticed, after the H390 had an opportunity to warm up, were very noticeable. Your comment about textural detail really best describes what I heard. The H190 has that too, but the H390 had a far more full-bodied sound (probably a poor choice of words to describe it). I particularly noticed this at lower volumes. I'm sure that, as I play more tracks through it and my new speakers, the sound will continue to improve. Although I obviously haven't had it for very long, where I would be able to fully assess the differences between the 2 Hegels, the richness in sound (probably another poor phrase to describe it) that the H390 offers at lower volumes, alone, justifies the added spend...and the obvious difference in power, which is not only quantifiable, but also sensational. I apologize for the wordiness in this post, but maybe it will help someone who may be faced with the same decision as I was.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks for the feedback, no worry about wordiness - I think people like that and I’m like that anyway. Your experiences mirror mine. The h390 is a beast and I’m keeping mine for some time yet.

[@RealHIFIHelp]

You have a good skill for making anything look good. Well done.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks, not just anything though. These were picked as they are all good

[@Johnny3514]

Great, personal and a different kind of reviewing that I really liked! Thinking about getting a pair of LS50 WL and wonder what you think about those? Wireless 1 vs 2? Keep your reviews coming!!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you very much Johnny. Haven’t tried those KEF’s so can’t comment, but did the LSX. Have monitor audio gold 100s atm, fitting similar price category, so watch this space for my vid.

[@azlinazlin7610]

whats the song and artist at 15.09?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Tried to Shazam it as don’t think I kept the track, but keeps coming up with different artists. Will try and check when I next go into the video file.it’s also on my rme video I did.

[@pierremartin9048]

Good stuff, again!

[@tumtuber]

Brilliant round-up, Simon!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks very much for saying!!!

[@tobiascurtis2692]

What is your opinion on DT 770 Pro 80 Ohm with an iFi Zen Dac? I will be using it for music (rap, funk, pop), gaming (mostly games like GTA V, COD, NBA2k, Battlefield & racing games) and watching KZbin.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

See description

[@BrentLeVasseur]

I remember with great fondness my Fisher Price record player that I had as a kid and it sounded pretty good considering it was a ‘toy’ lol Then came my Sony Walkman and shortly there after my Soy Walkman portable CD player which was my first introduction to hifi. I never really thought about gear for the vast majority of my life. It’s only now that I am in my 40s that I have begun to shift my focus from music to gear because most of the music I have heard already. But the vast majority of my money I spent buying music not gear throughout my life and music rules not the gear.

[@Claymore64]

Excellent review, Simon. Great to see you continuing with the channel etc after your disappointment of last year. Keep it up!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks very much

[@broadhurst5000]

would be interested to see your thoughts on Buchardt speakers

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Had asked them for the active model.

[@zaoria123]

Hegel H390 at 6:06

[@steverees1936]

If I heard a £5000 system and it sounded better than a £10000 system or just right for me then that's the one for me to buy. Great video Simon and some amazing products.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Absolutely Steve, it’s about enjoyment first. Thanks for vote of confidence too!! 😁👍

[@steverees1936]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 your welcome mate. The Bluesound node 2i is grabbing my attention a lot lately as I'm wanting a very good quality streamer. I was wanting a Naim entry level streamer but just can't justify the cost. What's your thoughts on sound quality and comparison to the base model Naim streamer? Oh what's the piano piece of music at 16 minutes 45 secs?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Don’t know tbh but I was chatting to someone who said the naim streamers he has are not much far apart from it. He had bought a naim Uniti atom and regarded it well, which looks like a good product if not bothered with room correction.

[@steverees1936]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 what's the piano piece at 16.45 minutes. Very nice piece of music indeed. Just to let you know that your video and sound editing is hugely improved from when you started Simon. Excellent work mate.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

@@steverees1936 it’s called ‘you break down’ by Czar Donic on epidemic sound, a subscription copyright free music service for youtubers so you can use music. I think you can get it on Apple Music as I just Siri’d it. Thanks for saying about editing. When I see the popularity of other channels with little creative production, I wonder if audiophiles want it, but tbh I do it for ME because I couldn’t produce videos that are ‘bod in front of camera’ type. I wouldn’t do this if I wasn’t creative as thats what I buzz off. It has to be about production, music and creativity. A distributor once said to me that hifi is the entertainment business but some hifi KZbin channels you’d never know. Tbh I have a long term plan to get more people into hifi and popularity, if I’m still doing it, because that will come from creativity and music etc (and not being too alien with technicality - I don’t want to watch the items on a circuit board approach as I find it boring)

[@barryjoyce9249]

Great review as always Simon.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you Barry.

[@Steve160k]

Great review Simon!. You seem to have have an eye for value for money components that do away with the bling with the money spent on maximising performance. Ref the PMC is transmission line another alternative (as active) to passive ported speakers that can better them at their respective price points?

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks Steve. To be fair most kit competes well I think. I’m not sure I would be able to say that with speakers and TL but there is definetely something about the low distortion quasi 3 way nature of the TL design and getting more bass then you would think. Have you got your ATC’s yet? What pre amp/dac are you using. Sorry if you told me before but remembering is difficult with so many people I chat to.

[@Steve160k]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 I listened to Kerr Acoustics K300 (TL) at Bristol last year and they were terrific speakers and I kept going back to that room to listen. They to me were some of the best sounds at the show. No not yet ref ATC's. I have been having some doubt and am considering trying Focal Kanta 3 or Sopra 2, as I have a valve amp on home demo from English Acoustics at the moment, which is a lovely bit of hand made engineering made in Chipenham. I can have a demo with the Focal's with a returnable option. ATC'' for the price i negotiated are non returnable.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

@@Steve160k if they were distance sold Steve remember they are all returnable per distance selling regs, with my insurance hat on. Not sure if applies to you but just saying anyway.

[@alexherceg9496]

I can say that the BlueSound Node 2i is outstanding. Not just for the money, but it’s just outstanding. And I won’t feel bad in 2-3 years recycling it because there will be better transports. Nice pics! Very curious to see an H120 vs. M10 head to head and an H390 vs. NAD M33. I am curious to hear your take on the class D character vs. more traditional AB.

[@hclandscapes]

Hi Simon i have just purchased some Amphion argon ones they are supposed to go perfectly with Hegel, have you listened to them? They would make a great comparison against the ls50 Meta's.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Haven’t tbh Harry. I’ve got so much stuff to review. Doing mytek and Lyngdorf hopefully soon. If you are ever this way bring them around maybe.

[@hclandscapes]

@@13thnotehifireviews7that would be good but it might not be possible for while with the current lockdown, im not sure that would be classed as essential travel 😃 Would be great to hear the Amphion's on your H390.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Yes you can only drive all those miles if you are going to barnard castle. Lol. 😃😂Definetely you are welcome after lockdown.

[@danielpeachey4100]

Always good and honest, thanks.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you.

[@viktarlukhanin9916]

Great video, Simon! Now i'm thinking about buying the DAC (#2). I'm an owner of Hegel H95 which have the same internal DAC as in H120. Do you think RME ADI-2 DAC FS will greatly outperform the internal DAC of H95/H120? Or better save the money for H390?))

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks very much. DAC in Hegel is quite similar performer to the RME. RME and H390 DACs a decent step up to the H120 DAC.

[@viktarlukhanin9916]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 Thank you for the answer!

[@007sMoneyPenny]

Got #2, 4 and 6. #1 was already considered :-)

[@roberthart9886]

why hasn't the Technics SLG-700 SACD player been reviewed? It's the least expensive HQ SACD player with XLRs that Im aware of

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Because I can’t review everything is the simple answer.

[@veerasakbenjadol6957]

I am looking for Hegel 390 to pair with my LS50 meta, do you think its worth it? Or H120 is enough. Do they sound very different with the Meta?Thank you

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Haven’t tried the meta’s with h120 as it left me before I could pair with KEFs. Personally I’d buy it with a view to upgrading speakers if you want to do that, otherwise h190 I think is the sweet spot

[@Mak100ish]

Have you tried the Lyngdorf TDAI-1120? I am superhappy with mine :)

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Tried to get one. Still don't know where they stand. Think I have given up

[@Mak100ish]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 Oh... I live in Sweden. A bit easier to get one here I reckon.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

@@Mak100ish easy to buy sure, but getting review units a different question.

[@Mak100ish]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 oh yeah thats right.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Chatted to them again, and they are trying to get one to me. Great comparison to the NAD I could do. Hopefully soon.

[@PierreVilleneuve88]

Great production and content. Don't know why you picked the older Sony 1000Xm3 instead of the newer 1000Xm4.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you v much, these were historic videos so I did my xm3 one earlier last year before xm4 came out. No rush to do the xm4 tbh as very similar on all accounts.

[@charlesclifton1006]

Thanks Simon, you provided a few little gems of info new to me. I saw your previous review of the Hegel 360 and must admit ... I've upped the game considerably as to which Hegel might be the "one". That "upping", if you will, was entirely because of you so Hegel might want to send you a t-shirt or new Jag perhaps. I was glad to see the Bluesound streamer on the list. I am considering that unit as an entry into the world of streaming - of which I stand totally inexperienced as of this writing. I am assuming the Hegel 360s streamer would render the Bluesound redundant? .... guess I learn that. Anyways, thanks for this and all of your work. Between you and Tarun (The British Audiophile) I get, what I consider to be, the best in all things audio relevant to reviews. Cheers!!!!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

So kind Charles. Thank you. A jag would be nice lol, as I drive a Ford Fiesta. Ha ha.. The 390 would be sufficient, if you intend to rely on after market apps like bubble upnp, because the Hegel has no inbuilt app to control music from the source computer / network drive / streaming service. The node 2i has a better app and is a conduit for network control and MQA, plus it’s a Roon ready end point (if you use Roon and a Roon server). Hegel is going Roon ready soon, but the strengths of Hegel on amplification and Bluesound on streaming are clear and price of Bluesound is relatively modest. If you live near me - Sussex U.K., you are welcome to pop around

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Another thing to say is my ‘agenda’ has never been to sell anything to anyone. I want people to go out and use my reviews to shortlist gear and work out whether what I’m saying is to them, true or not. I’m really an enthusiast who wants to get more people into audio and if I’ve done that, in the product that suits them best, that’s really my job done. I don’t like the idea my videos make people buy without agreeing themselves, hopefully based on the users personal opinions of in situ listening and comparisons in mix.

[@charlesclifton1006]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 Simon, thanks for the kind offer - I'd love to visit but I am across the pond in Western Canada. From what I've learned I believe the Bluesound could 1) receive the stream (via) ethernet 2) process accordingly (controlled externally with an iPad?) via Roon and then pass on the digital signal to the Hegel's DAC (this bypasses the Bluesound DAC). If I have not got this right let me know but I think I'm getting close? By the way ... I am first generation Canadian. My Dad was from Birmingham and Mom, Wellingborough - Northamptonshire. They passed on years back but their love of music got passed on to me. It was through yet another relative (American) who gave me 2 Voice of Music 1428 tube integrated amps. That was in circa1965 but it started me on the road to appreciating good gear. Cheers, Charles

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

@@charlesclifton1006 you’ve got that right re streaming. That’s interesting regarding your origins, how it’s a small world. I go up there every so often to the Grand Prix at silverstone, but am from Essex (east uk) who have lots of jokes against them - Essex boys and girls. Lol.

[@charlesclifton1006]

Checked out the price and availability of the PMCs mentioned herein. Although they are priced a little bit beyond what I am willing to spend - I am definitely putting them on my potential list of candidates for the Hegel amp I finally choose. The good thing is that a local shop actually carries these speakers - so, with my personal amp in hand ... I can actually hear them. One of the main reasons why I am considering the PMCs, aside from the many excellent reviews is because they evidently do well at lower volumes and they particularly perform well in small to medium rooms. Without your mentioning them here I would not have even considered them so PMC can send you a T-shirt or new Jag as well. Cheers!!!!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Good news you can try Charles. They are very good speakers.

[@MilGrip76]

Your videos must be very expensive, for viewers who have to impulse buy after viewing! Amazing style and editing here. New sub.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks very much Matthew. Love your comment. It’s not really the intention to sell anyone anything tbh, although I hope my honesty helps with choices , but the editing and graphics is done for my enjoyment too.

[@JingoLoBa57]

WTF Mate keep it up - you’re pat delivery and not so hidden bloody obvious passion is a minty of production. Uk 🇬🇧 rules!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks a lot. Too right Blighty does rule. This video is going ballistic atm for me, I’ve had a huge peak in subscribers so please share. Need all the Brit pal help I can get, lol. From an Essex boy. Lol. 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@dmartyn3809]

Wonderful review, much appreciated. With thanks!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks very much 👌😀👍

[@malutanflorin5165]

Very good review!! Thank you for doing this!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks for saying thanks! 😀👍

[@pdemetriou92]

... Hi, I’m gladly in the position to buy the KEF LSX but waiting to see if they will receive the Meta treatment! Do you think this will happen??? Great reviews, keep up the good work 👍 ...

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Not sure about that with Meta treatment, haven’t heard. Thanks for your compliment !😀👍

[@felipedantas4666]

Great approach and if I understood it correctly the idea is to present "not so crazy expensive equipment” that could perform closely to those components, but by all means, these are not cheap equipment with the exception of the blue sound and maybe the RME. However, we are still talking about 5k cd player. On that note, how about more modest priced gear that could perform close to this level presented here for example. Best regards and all the best for the channel.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks, it’s something I want to do more of yes. And I want to do cheaper gear more often....just hard fitting it all in!

[@felipedantas4666]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 I understand. Getting access to gear is key, but by keeping this level of commitment I believe things will change in the future. Starting the "journey" and I´m at that point of analysis paralysis. First purchase....where to start? System Synergy? Fear of buyer's remorse etc. Cannot audition to gear and options are just too many. Though about going with Marantz. in theory, it would set me up pretty easily. PM7006 + ND8006. Only two boxes, no synergy issues. Just add a Rega P2 or Debut Carbon evo and a pair of Kef Q550 or Elac Unifi UF2. Looking for a laid back/warm sounding system to listen preferably at low listening levels. However, there are very few reviews on the Marantz and apparently, I would have to go with a separate headphone set up since I believe most of my listening would be through headphones. That being the case I thought about going with a Dac+Preamp+headphone amp (matrix audio Mini i3pro) and add the speakers and power amp down the road (Parassound A23+, PS audio Stellar S300 or the Audiolab 8300XP). However, with the help of many reviews and youtube channels like yours, I might be able to put the trigger soon. Feel free to comment/suggest anything Regards

[@bsimaciu]

You should try/review also Rockna.

[@bartvanransbeeck1341]

Top infos, i agree with fact that cheap does not mean lofi....runned 5 years secondhand audio shop in brussels...and have more then 40years experience....latest i was blown away by the soundquality of a pair of altecs model3, 2way ticonals..that was better on lots of parameters then my usual bbc kef P60 monitors ..who costed in '90ies 3000 euro with amp....and still play in that price range of todays monitors easily with ,dynamics of 113db with no compression...but still like lampizator noticed : alnico papercones ticonals old school have magic and can be bought for a dime...

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you, nice to hear your preferences.

[@ramblinginmeath4950]

50 hours work wow

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

That’s because it’s using clips from before. Probably hundreds for all of it. People don’t realise what’s involved in making videos well. Not criticism as people don’t know. Doing Adobe after effects is a big learning curve and enjoyable.

[@LOSSLESSrecord-FLAC-Hi-Res-DSD]

Very well

[@pmizz7959]

Your production quality far exceeds you sub count. But you’ll get there

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thanks for saying, am aware of that too, but since I’ve been doing those videos I’ve produced over the last 4-6months with lots of music interludes, it’s growing a lot. I’ve got very good at after effects which is what all tv channels use etc. I think with KZbin it is just people knowing you are there and takes time. But please spread the love and share on social media etc. I’m going to do lots of advice and experience videos a little less on production because people like those and they are popular. Next week I’m doing one on DACs.

[@braddunn2410]

If you rate the nad at #1 you really should have a listen to the Naim uniti atom much better grip and ease of power

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Might be difficult but my friend has one and he rates the Steinway Lyngdorf TDAI-1120 above the Atom, and he had both with kef ls50 meta’s. Tbh I suspect I’d be saying the same thing and this Lyngdorf amp is one amp I’m in close chats with Lyngdorf on to review. The reason I think the NAD M10 is probably better is because of the class d, like the Lyngdorf. The Naim doesn’t have the power and guts. Also on top, Lyngdorf has room perfect room correction and nad Dirac. So I’m not so sure you can say the Naim has more grip. Tbh the hypex n-core class d modules of the nad will be hard to beat at the money I think. Plus you can put a more powerful class d in a small space to a class a or ab.

[@braddunn2410]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 interesting ,well i can't speak for the Lyngdorf have not audition it. But had the opportunity to listen to both the Naim and the Nad paired with tbe Focal Sopra . The Nad was excellent when played at low levels 25% on the volume anything above to my ears became strained and shouty . The Naim was maybe less exciting at lower volume then as mentioned came alive @ the 40% and up on the volume. That was my experience im sure that i have a bias towards A/B amplifiesrs

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

I totally agree with you on a/b amps versus class d, when you’ve got loads of power on tap go for a/b every day of the week. My thinking with the nad m10 over the naim was that didn’t apply. My assessment mind........

[@RasheedKhan-he6xx]

My problem with the M10 and almost every other AIO "all in one" is that they are not actually AIO. The USP in this sector is style and convenience so design, size, versatility and ease of use. It makes, no sense to me therefore that they don't have simple things like a radio tuner and CD transport. If I buy an AIO say for a bedroom or holiday cottage it must ne because space is key consideration. Why force me to add extra boxes for such basic things esp since a tuner board is tiny and the CDT csn use the same onboard dac? Icing on the cake might be a phono stage but you can argue if someone's adding a turntable they're no longer after an AIO so they might as well get their TT either with its own stage or buy an external stage. But the tuner and CDT - come on people!

[@commane21]

NAD M33 and yer done.

[@mtkreger]

Good stuff!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you !!

[@bryan1336]

Royksopp! :D

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Shame they stopped. Love all their albums.

[@bryan1336]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 Indeed, so damn good! (almost)Most unique music i know

[@omnivorace]

See you next year.

[@catherinelugg4321]

This is a really helpful and user friendly video. I appreciate your attitude towards hi-fi. After a career using computers for research, service, teaching, and writing, I have a fairly harsh view of tech--all tech, including audio. The cost/performance/fuss-crap ratios have to be well-balanced for music reproduction. If I have to spend endless hours to get things "just right," (like learning to to code in SAS just to run my regression analyses--i.e., turntables!), I'll give things a pass. So, thank you for being a realistic critic. This was a terrific video.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you Catherine and supporting my project. It’s got to be the way and I think this is what the industry has got complacent with. On the audiophile side I think many of these firms loose site of a bigger market and that comes from making things less alien. They say they have done everything, but with the death of the high street for audio and online buying, it’s ever more important that the online community needs not to be ott with tech. I just don’t get it as you take music which is inclusive, and make it exclusive by technology, and it kills why people do this, and that’s music. The bigger firms like kef do that really well, but it’s all the niche players that need to be more content to broaden horizons.

[@paulomontero12]

I had a hegel h160 for almost two years. Got bored with the sound. That says enough. Peachree audio much superior!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Cool. Enjoy your music . 😀

[@tvm2209]

Great quality video! Can anyone recommend me a full setup for a small 12'x12' (3.66m x 3.66m) room with 8' (2.44m) high ceiling, normal drywall and carpet floor? Used primarily for music like Pink Floyd, Classical, and 50s-80s strong female vocalists. Budget of $2,000 (£1650)

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Thank you . Spend a little bit more and get all the benefits of actives in something like kef ls50 wireless 2. Or a slightly cheaper active. That’s what I’d be thinking for best bang for buck. Streaming built in to boot.

[@nc3419]

I know it's a dated question but for that budget and room, I'd do a Keces E40 ($750), perhaps an SMSL M500 MKII or like ($440 thru APOS for better warranty protection) and the rest on speakers whether standmount or small floorstanding (up to $810). The Keces is a unique, small and decently equipped SS amp with enough watts and current that sounds alot like my hegel at low to moderate volumes. I t does well in a 12 X24' room on even my Focal 807Ws. The MKII seems to hit the sweet spot for a budget dac. I think Apos also matches sale prices such as when Amazon has theirs at 10-15% off, leaving some $$ for cables. Yes. there are more options at that price for amps but consider the size and I would take the Keces E40 over either Rega IO/Brio. There are alot of cheaper class D, such as Aiyima A07 for an even smaller footprint, but the class AB options still provide more dimensionality, detail, high frequency airiness, etc....but you pay for it. Still sounds nice though. In a 12x12 room, a large amp is overkill. For what it's worth. Anyone have any other suggestions/thoughts? Lots of options, Iota VV, SVS, Emotiva, etc.

[@michaelmityok1001]

Great review again Simon, agree the M10 is THE gateway drug to hifi, hoping for the long term health of the hobby it sells buckets worth. And once the H390 is Roon ready a case could be made that it is an end game solution for any sane audiophile. Hope I can convince myself of that soon before I go broke!

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Sincerely, thank you for saying Michael and supporting me. Like your succinctness and analogy which is on point, as ever. Everyone has a limit which I’ve probably reached, maybe not on the dac side, but it’s now mainly about promoting the good parts of audio. Although looking at Denafrips (again) terminator , hopefully soon. They will ‘be back’. Lol.

[@3582jj]

Hegel quality not in doubt, but the look is ugly. They remind me of 1980's Amstrad satellite receiver.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

I don’t think so. Functional, utilitarian, minimalist, purposeful or plain even, are descriptives that come to mind. Ugly is akin to a fiat multipla (which looks like it has a disease lol 😂🤣) versus a Ferrari. How many ways are there to put all that ‘stuff’ into a box ? as the h390 as so many electronics inside.

[@3582jj]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 haha great reply. I get the minimal look and design, just wish it looked a bit more sexy. They do look better in real life mind.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

It’s all about sound and electronics design and what’s inside with their products. Sound quality is 95% of the deal of buying it. The Hegel is like a functional family hatchback with a V6 engine inside it and goes like sh1t off a shovel, to a showey convertible with a plain engine (of another amp). I rather like that understatement because it’s a clue to what’s really going on and it takes the p1ss out of a lot of pricier showey HiFi. It could be like sitting in a Thai eatery in Bangkok. The decor don’t look good, but boy is the nosh delicious. 😀

[@3582jj]

@@13thnotehifireviews7 Hahaha great analogy. I agree with all that, but for me still looks like a Amstrad

[@stevebirmingham9650]

The very best hifi is very very simple. its the hifi that your pocket can afford, sure we would all like to spend huge amounts of £££££ if we had the spare cash, but lets get real i would ask you to stop and think for just one second. Ask you self a very simple question when was the last time you had your own personal hearing tested, and seen your test results on paper ???. Whats the point in having an ulta expensive audio system when your ears are simply just not able to hear what is being reproduced by your audio system. It makes me smile to think that you may have lab standard reference equipment but your hearing is unable to appreciate what is being performed. There is a high degree of hifi snobbery toys for boys, So i would suggest good audio folk that you get a hearing test first before you embark on getting an expensive system, get a hearing test you may be surprised whith your test results i am 62 and i was surprised with seeing my hearing test results on paper.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

If it's just a case of all you an afford, then that implies what you buy is always some of the best regarded products, and that doesn't always follow. The argument about hearing acuity is that it's all relative and depends on the degree of hearing loss. So if anyone has age related hearing loss, but can hear well for age, they can still enjoy hifi to the extent better Hifi to them sounds better and is value for money. Being able to appreciate in absolute terms against some arbitrary sound / hearing standard is not the reference in enjoying and buying HiFi - it isn't even a consideration. It is whether it is worth it to the listener with budgets and individual value judgements in place.