Page 21 - Hi-Fi_News_-_December_2020 video

DEC/20

RIGHT: From Japan comes the Hana
Umami Red MC, a fl agship pick-up
with an Urushi lacquer fi nish... and s the nights steadily
mouth-watering sound. See p50 draw in, a somewhat
fl exible lockdown
is imposed and
A tensions seem on
the rise, thank goodness we
audiophiles have our ‘escape
route’ of hi-fi and music to keep
us in good cheer. Whatever else
is happening, I can promise you
that Hi-Fi News will continue not captive to the mindlessly
to deliver its unbeatable mix of performing of tests by rote.
in-depth product tests, music We lab test to offer you a
reviews and features – come truly independent, and informed,
ABOVE: There’s nothing gloomy about Grimm Audio’s music library/ rain, shine or pestilence! verifi cation (or otherwise) of the
digital server solution. In fact the MU1 might be the brightest yet, p46 In his Opinion piece [p107], specifi cation promised by the
reviewer Andrew Everard clearly manufacturer. Moreover, our
identifi es how the stress of lab testing is investigative, the
current everyday life is fuelling results often leading us to reveal
the passions of online debates. important qualities that you’ll
I’d go a step further and suggest simply not discover by reading
it’s also manifest
in the increasing ‘Subjective listening or
polarisation of the
views expressed. objective testing? This
I could be talking
about the 2020 US is an age-old debate...’
Election (currently
hanging in the balance as I type) any other mag or website [see
but, no, this is the world’s oldest p49, p53 and p57 for starters...].
hi-fi magazine, so I’m referring to What you won’t see in Hi-Fi
the age-old debate of subjective News are brand spec. sheets
listening versus objective testing. (the parameters changing from
To my mind, neither is product to product) reprinted
MUSIC: Flop to Vinyl Icon – Ry Cooder’s mutually exclusive, for our to fi ll white space on the review
Paradise And Lunch is celebrated on appreciation of how to extract page. If you want to read what
p84, while Steve Sutherland recalls the very best from any given the manufacturer thinks, then go
his evening with Prince as Sign O’ The component or system is straight to the brand’s website.
Times is re-released on 180g LP (p82) informed by a mix of both But if you value comprehensive,
approaches. This goes to the independent and experienced
RIGHT: Hi-Fi News & RR is the UK’s heart of the reporting that fi lls reporting then you’ll always fi nd
representative of EISA’s Hi-Fi Expert our pages – so while we are a welcome home at Hi-Fi News.
Group. Editor Paul Miller took over as evidently ‘fans’ of measurements
EISA’s President in June 2016 at Hi-Fi News, we are expressly PAUL MILLER GROUP EDITOR
HI-FI NEWS’ EXPERT LINE UP: THE FINEST MINDS IN AUDIO JOURNALISM BRING THEIR EXPERIENCE TO BEAR ON ALL AREAS OF HI-FI & MUSIC

BARRY FOX DAVID PRICE KEN KESSLER MARK CRAVEN STEVE HARRIS ANDREW EVERARD STEVE SUTHERLAND
Investigative journalist An avid collector of is a long-serving Editor of our sister title Former Editor of this has reviewed hi-fi for Editor of Hi-Fi Choice,
supreme, Barry is the audio treasures, and contributor, luxury Home Cinema Choice, very title from 1986 over 30 years and Steve was at the helm

first with news of the life-long hi-fi addict, goods writer and Mark’s passion for through to 2005. A is still effortlessly of NME through the
latest developments DP lends his ears champion for the music extends from lifetime in audio and enthusiastic about new Britpop years. Steve

in hi-fi and music and experience from renaissance in valves stereo to multichannel a love of jazz makes technology, kit and brings a unique slant
technologies analogue to digital and ‘vintage hi-fi ’ and Dolby Atmos Steve a goldmine discovering new music to our music features

DECEMBER 2020 | www.hifi news.co.uk | 21