We have already given you a taste of what to expect at the London Audio Show 2024, which runs the weekend of April 20-21 this year. There we told you of the UK firsts from Gershman Acoustics, Sounds Real, M2Tech, Audio Note (UK), and Audia Flight. But we have more firsts to share to whet your audio appetite.
NATIVE DSD
NativeDSD Music boasts that it is the largest, highest-resolution audio download store for DSD and DXD music, claiming over 3,000 albums from more than 90 record labels.
The library features verified high-res audio sources: DSD 64, DSD 128, DSD 256, 352.8 kHz (DXD), 384kHz and other high-rate PCM or analogue tape transfers direct to DSD or DXD. As well as streaming, you can also buy DSD, DXD (24/32 bit, 352.8 kHz PCM) and other high PCM rate downloads, vinyl and reel-to-reel recordings.
Furthermore, we are told that 40% of the NativeDSD Music catalogue is DSD or DXD albums unavailable on SACD.
If this piques your interest, then it's good to know that The London Audio Show is working with NativeDSD to bring you a unique listening experience in a dedicated listening room. Here, you can sit down and enjoy the superior quality of DSD audio files.
Details regarding the playback system will be announced soon. Additionally, there's a special offer (above) for anyone who would like to take advantage of it, whether you are attending the show or not.
AUDEL LOUDSPEAKERS
Audel Loudspeakers has chosen The London Audio Show 2024 for its UK debut. We're told that Walter Carzan completed his university studies in 1995, earning a degree in architecture and design. He has since devoted himself exclusively to wooden products' design and manufacturing techniques. These skills and a love of music led to the foundation of Audel Loudspeakers.
At The London Audio Show, Audel will demonstrate its Basik 5/8 standmount model alongside the floorstanding Malika Plus at its hi-fi show premiere.
The Basik 5/8 features an SB Acoustics 5-inch woofer with a thick aluminium basket. It is described as a generous low-end driver with a non-conductive fibreglass voice coil. The tweeter is a 29mm model with an aluminium flange and a first-order crossover at 2,500 Hz in between. The drivers are mounted on a 30mm plywood panel, and the cabinets are formed of a laminated birch wood "multipanel system."
The Malika Plus features similar construction and houses an Sb acoustic "Satori" series tweeter partnered with a pair of 16cm New Curv woofers in woven polypropylene. The first-order crossover happens at 2,400 Hz. The Malika produces a claimed 35 Hz – 25,000 Hz frequency response with a 92 dB sensitivity.
ZAVFINO
Although only recently available in the UK, Zavfino has apparently been engineering cables, components, and accessories for some of the biggest names in the Hi-Fi industry for over 15 years and has been supplying products under its own brand name for the last nine years. For instance, we are told that their Pure Silver and OCC copper tonearm wiring kits are used by some of the leading, not to mention most expensive, tonearm manufacturers worldwide.
The London Audio Show 2024 plays host to Zafino's striking Copperhead turntable. The design features a fully independent motor supply housed in a 1.8kg aluminium block regulated by an AC regenerating circuit. This, says the manufacturer, allows for a perfect AC current that can be slightly adjusted for perfect 33.3rpm and 45rpm speeds. The Copperhead is also supplied with the company's Aeshna Carbon or Aluminium arm with a second optional arm socket for other manufacturers' arms up to 10.5 inches.
The Zafino Copperhear sports a two-piece solid stainless steel central bearing with a copper bushing, ceramic ball bearing, and Teflon thrust plate. The bearing cap is upgraded with silicone dampening rings between the bearing and aluminium platter. The table bearing sits in a 20mm acrylic anti-vibration disc, isolating the bearing from the plinth, further decreasing and standing wave vibration. The disc is locked into place with the use of a combination of PA-66 nylon and stainless steel screws, effectively decoupling the bearing and platter from the plinth.
The plinth is solid aluminium, finished in satin black, and supported by three large POM feet to absorb vibration. The plinth uses a mix of aluminium, POM, acrylic, and pure copper slugs, effectively deadening it against vibration.
Meanwhile, the platter is machined aluminium billet diamond cut on the top side and contour machined on the underside to dissipate vibration. The Copperhead is sure to be a London Audio Show heavyweight in every sense.
WOLF SOUND
Wolf Sound will also make its UK show debut at this year's London Audio Show.
The company offers a range for those looking to immerse themselves in audio, from its monstrous 7.1 Alfa Wolf Cinematic Bar to the floorstanding 2.1 Towers and the portable noise-cancelling Pro 5.1 Monitor Headphones.
Calling the Alfa Wolf Cinematic Bar merely a soundbar does this product a disservice, as it features an eight-channel amplifier capable of dishing out a claimed 310-watt RMS. In addition to various wired connectivity options, including optical, coaxial, and a sub out, the Alfa Wolf includes Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX support.
We are sure that lovers of immersive audio will enjoy what Wolf Sound has to offer.
The London Audio Show runs over the weekend of 20th-21st April at The Radisson Red Hotel, Heathrow Airport.
You have until April 19th to take advantage of the early bird discounts.
Visit The London Audio Show for tickets
Posted in: Hi-Fi | Industry | HiFi Show
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