Cambridge Audio CXA81 vs Rega Elex Mk4: which integrated amp is the best?

IT’S ALL IN THE ENGINE ROOM

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HOW WE TEST

■ EXPERIENCE. HERITAGE. We have been helping the

Philips 55OLED907

An irresistible combination of spectacular pictures, potent audio and Ambilight design

Sonos Five

Does Sonos deserve a high five for its latest wireless speaker?

Xgimi Horizon Pro

This 4K projector is brilliant in many ways, but not so good in others

KEF Mu7

KEF’s attempt at premium wireless headphones falls short

AKG K371

AKG’s wired headphones are powerful, punchy and neatly put together

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Is this Galaxy as Ultra as its name suggests?

Nothing Phone (1)

Is this new ‘flagship killer’ Nothing special?

JBL Live Pro 2 TWS

JBL’s entertaining wireless earbuds hit the spot

MARK OF QUALITY

Mark Levinson’s director of engineering talks reference systems, favourite albums and high-end hi-fi electronics

TOP FIVE L AUNCHES

Five products to look out for this month

HOT AMP S! (WE LOVE YOU SO)

Six sizzling sub-£750 integrated amplifiers that deliver class-leading sound at the more affordable end of the market, and that you will love too

Cambridge Audio AXA35

A musical budget amplifier with all-round appeal

Marantz

PM6007

NAD

D 3020 V2

Rega

io

Rega

Brio

Cambridge Audio

CXA61

Rega Elex Mk4 System

Our integrated amplifier champ deserves to be matched with this stunning system

THE BEST JOHN WILLIAMS MOVIE SCORES TO TEST YOUR HI-FI SYSTEM

Our go-to test tracks from the movie maestro’s epic collection

Rotel RA820BX (1984)

An ’80s amplifier that still holds up today

JBL Synthesis SDR-35 vs Arcam AVR31: which AV amplifier should you buy?

These two stunning amps lead the pack at their price point – and each has a particular advantage over the other

WHAT IS A HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER AND WHY SHOULD YOU BUY ONE?

Headphones don’t always get the partnering equipment they deserve. Here’s how to change that

CONVERSION EXPERIENCE

If you are yet to hear what today’s affordable DACs can do, our verdicts on six of the best of these pocket-sized powerhouses could change your life

AudioQuest DragonFly Black

The cheapest way to get the DragonFly quality

Zen DAC V2

An Award-winning budget DAC/headphone amp, improved

Go Blu

A super-small DAC/headphone amp that can do big things with your music

AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt

This tiny USB DAC justifies its hefty price tag

Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M

Cambridge’s generously featured DAC keeps the magic alive

Chord Mojo 2

‘Mobile Joy’ is in even more lavish supply in this reengineered sequel

Linn Selekt DSM: Edition Hub

■ Network streamer ■ £16,955 ■ ★★★★★ Linn’s

TAD DA1000TX

■ DAC ■ £12,750 ■ ★★★★★ “This is

BUYER’S GUIDE

The definitive guide to the best home-entertainment kit you can buy

HI-FI AMPLIFIERS

THE BEATING HEART OF YOUR HI-FI SYSTEM

CD PLAYERS & TRANSPORTS

GET THE RIGHT PLAYER AND CD CAN STILL SHINE

DACs

A DIGITAL-TO-ANALOGUE CONVERTER IS A MODERN HI-FI MUST

How to digitize your vinyl collection

Read more at... www.whathifi.com/features Turntables might not be cutting-edge

MUSIC STREAMERS

THE BEST WAY TO SHARE YOUR TUNES AROUND THE HOUSE

RADIOS

THE ORIGINAL WIRELESS IS STILL GOING STRONG

STEREO SPEAKERS

THEY BRING THE MUSIC TO YOUR EARS – SO CHOOSE WITH CARE

Positioning your speakers

Read more at... www.whathifi.com/features It’s no good spending

SYSTEMS

CONVENIENCE DOESN’T HAVE TO MEAN LOWER QUALITY

TURNTABLES

DECKS TO KEEP THE VINYL REVIVAL THRIVING

WIRELESS SPEAKERS

FREE YOUR MUSIC WITH ONE OF THESE STREAMING WONDERS

BLU-RAY PLAYERS

ENJOY HIGH-DEF MOVIE THRILLS

HOME CINEMA AMPLIFIERS

POWERFUL SOUND THAT TRULY BRINGS MOVIES TO LIFE

PROJECTORS

BECAUSE A MASSIVE PICTURE IS HOME CINEMA

SOUNDBARS & SOUNDBASES

A BRILLIANT WAY TO IMPROVE YOUR TV’S SOUND

SET-TOP BOXES

THE BEST WAY TO ACCESS THE WORLD OF TELEVISION

SPEAKER PACKAGES

GOOD SURROUND-SOUND IS A MOVIE-MAGIC MUST

VIDEO STREAMERS

DON’T RESTRICT STREAMING TO A LAPTOP – GET IT ON THE TELLY

TELEVISIONS

MAKE THE FOCUS OF YOUR ENTERTAINMENT HUB A GOOD ONE

GAMES CONSOLES

Games consoles Sony PlayStation 5 £450 Online ★★★★★

PORTABLE HEADPHONES

BIN THE BUNDLED BUDS AND INVEST IN BETTER SOUND

PORTABLE MUSIC PLAYERS

TREAT YOUR TUNES TO A DEDICATED MUSIC PLAYER

Headphone jargon busted

What’s the difference between the various on-ear headphones? Our jargon buster explains the various types, and why you might want to choose one particular model over another

SMARTPHONES

SUPERB MUSIC AND VIDEO PLAYERS THAT MAKE PHONE CALLS TOO

Amazon Prime Video tips, tricks and features

Whether you’re a Prime professional or just thinking of signing up, you’ll want to get the most out of the service. Here are a few tips and tricks on how to do exactly that.

STREAMING APPS & SERVICES

THE BEST WAY TO GET YOUR STREAMING FIX

TABLETS

VIDEO, GAMES AND MUSIC ON A PORTABLE SCREEN

ACCESSORIES

ANALOGUE INTERCONNECTS

AV & HI-FI RACKS

HI-FI KIT CAN ONLY SOUND ITS BEST WITH THE PROPER SUPPORT

HEADPHONE AMPLIFIERS

HOW TO GET THE VERY BEST FROM YOUR CANS

MAINS PRODUCTS

A CLEAN POWER SOURCE IS VITAL FOR INTERFERENCE-FREE HI-FI

PHONO STAGES

EVERY RECORD DECK NEEDS A PHONO AMP

CARTRIDGES

YOU CAN’T HEAR YOUR RECORDS WITHOUT ‘EM

SPEAKER CABLES

ONE OF THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE UPGRADES YOU CAN MAKE

SPEAKER STANDS

STANDMOUNT SPEAKERS NEED THE BEST SUPPORT YOU CAN GET

Know your stuff: Know speaker cables

It’s not always easy to navigate your way through the terminology of hi-fi, so for those who haven’t yet mastered the art, here are a few speaker cable-based terms worth knowing

5 THINGS WE WANT TO SEE IN A FUTURE SONOS ERA 500 SPEAKER

T he Sonos Era 300 and Era 100