Updated Ortofon Prices

We've just updated our Ortofon price list ... .added some new models and removed some now deleted ones

Ortofon's range has always been up there with the best, but sometimes seems to get a little overlooked as more obscure exotic sounding brands come and go

But actually Ortofon, though perceived as 'main stream by a lot of people, have always been great innovators and never been afraid to be radical. Many large jumps forward in the use of materials etc came from this clever Danish brand.

See the range here : Ortofon

Email us at mail@cheshireaudio.co.uk

Http://www.cheshireaudio.co.uk

...and another Chord Chorus 2 for sale

We have yet another Chord Chorus 2 for sale ... this time a half metre one

Link to Ebay listing

Any queries - phone 01270 580734

or email : mail@cheshireaudio.co.uk

mail@cheshireaudio.co.uk

On the Jig today - Systemdek IIX 900 / Rega RB250 / Ortofon 510

Lovely Systemdek in for service today

Came in for a service and investigation of a noisy motor

Systemdek had quite a diverse range of record players over the years, from quite high end players down to the 'biscuit tin' circular bodied players like the Systemdek II. The round models never really sold a lot, which was a shame as they actually sounded really good ... especially the uprated IIS which had performance way above its price level. The big sellers were the IIX and the IIX 900 as above .. stylish good looks, the ability to take a range of arms and three point suspension (like a Linn Sondek) gave it high perceived value.

After finishing off the service we had a bit of a listening session  ... apart from a slightly tired sounding Ortofon (which the customer wants to run a little longer), the XII was remarkably punchy and open, not quite in the league of a new Rega RP3 whose earlier incarnation would have been a direct competitor, but considering it's age, very impressive. I could have happily sat all afternoon playing albums .. and nearly did

For more information on our turntable servicing and repair work

Call 01270 582154

or email mail@cheshireaudio.co.uk

www.cheshireaudio.co.uk

Chord Chorus 2 for sale secondhand

Traded in this week

Chord Chorus 2 RCA interconnect 1m pair

See the Ebay link here

Or call us for more information on 01270 580734

http://www.cheshireaudio.co.uk

WBT connectors - see the new price list

We've just updated our WBT price list

See it here

WBT range

On the Jig today - Garrard LAB 80

Interesting turntable in for repair today .... just needs a bit of a service and a rewire

Very nice condition  ... features a wooden tonearm, which is an interesting design idea. We'll see how it sounds when it is finished and report back!

Our Favourite Classic Speakers #3 - Sonus Faber Electa

This series documents particular loudspeakers gems from our last 30 years in the Hifi industry. Not in any particular order, just as they come to mind.

If you have never listened to, or owned a pair of Sonus Faber speakers, then you have certainly missed out. It would be easy to dismiss them as purely an exercise in style over function, but the range sounds even better than it looks.

Sonus Faber Electa - circa 1990

Sonus Faber's trade mark sculpted real wood cabinets with their leather covered front baffle are quite beautiful pieces of furniture. The Electas, which are our featured model, are almost surprisingly conservative for SF and for a stand mount speaker they are actually a bit of an odd size, almost dumpy and oversized looking.

So why choose the Electas out of such a revered range? Well the main issue with SF as a brand is that they are built to such extreme tolerances that they only really give their all with really high end equipment. They are not difficult to drive as such, but do need an impeccable source. Properly matched, Sonus Faber produce some of the best speakers in the world ..... With the Electas though, whether though chance or a quirk of design, they don't seem to be quite so demanding. I've heard Electas sound amazing with Arcam, Audiolab and bottom range Meridian equipment ... but then if you put them with something really High End they just stepp up a gear. I remember building a system at a customers house in quite a compromised listening room ... Linn Sondek/Ekos/Koetsu Rsig with a SP15 Audio Research and Krell KSA80 into Electas and for many years after I always remembered it as the best system I had ever heard ... and in this business you get to play with some really exotic kit, so that is quite a statement. It was the first time I had heard Hifi create such a live sound from even quite dubious recordings. Some systems do Hifi well, so do music well ... there is a difference.  SF are one of a select few that do both.