The Sound Counsel - News, Reviews & Special Offers

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REL Launch New Reference No.32 & No.31 Models



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REL have finally announced the replacements to their top end Reference models. Dubbed the No.31 & No.32. These should be a serious upgrade on what REL have been able to do in the past and we are really looking forward to hearing them. The No.32 enjoys the rarefied position of elevating their Reference range to an even higher orbit. No.32 retains the exquisite beauty of their previous curvilinear reference cabinets, an updated 15″ (380mm) true carbon fibre driver that boasts 4″ (100mm) of total stroke and their ultra-reliable 1,000 watt amp outfitted with thin film capacitors, higher gain and superior limiting.

The net result is a flagship model that stretched the edge of the art further with superior dynamics, richer tonal colour, and a freer, more expressive character that opens up the midranges and highs in an unprecedented manner.

No.32 represents the sum of REL efforts, research, and knowledge gained over the past three decades as a leader in audio and subwoofers. Nothing they have built competes with the speed, agility, absence of texture, and vivid dynamic contrasts delivered by No.32. It represents the pinnacle of REL’s considerable experience and is their standard for future innovation. A remarkable sonic achievement, it transcends its illustrious forebear, which was named Product of the Decade just a few years ago. It is 1,000 watts, has a 15”(380 mm) pure carbon fibre driver, and has exquisite cabinetry requiring three weeks of labour to complete. However, each of these features only hints at what it takes to reside at the top of REL’s offerings, and No.32 is poised to be a design for the ages.

Its smaller sibling, the No.31 is nothing less than a pure reference model, sculpted from the flanks of the remarkable No.32, but using a newly developed 12″ (350mm) all carbon fibre driver. Every facet of No.31 has been comprehensively upgraded and refined from its predecessor. No.31 delivers the classic Reference filter used in No.32, the same dual parametric filters, a driver that handles three times the power to deliver a truly thrilling experience.

Coming soon to The Sound Counsel…………..

REL No.32 Product Link

REL No.31 Product Link
 

REL Launch New Reference No.32 & No.31 Models



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REL have finally announced the replacements to their top end Reference models. Dubbed the No.31 & No.32. These should be a serious upgrade on what REL have been able to do in the past and we are really looking forward to hearing them. The No.32 enjoys the rarefied position of elevating their Reference range to an even higher orbit. No.32 retains the exquisite beauty of their previous curvilinear reference cabinets, an updated 15″ (380mm) true carbon fibre driver that boasts 4″ (100mm) of total stroke and their ultra-reliable 1,000 watt amp outfitted with thin film capacitors, higher gain and superior limiting.

The net result is a flagship model that stretched the edge of the art further with superior dynamics, richer tonal colour, and a freer, more expressive character that opens up the midranges and highs in an unprecedented manner.

No.32 represents the sum of REL efforts, research, and knowledge gained over the past three decades as a leader in audio and subwoofers. Nothing they have built competes with the speed, agility, absence of texture, and vivid dynamic contrasts delivered by No.32. It represents the pinnacle of REL’s considerable experience and is their standard for future innovation. A remarkable sonic achievement, it transcends its illustrious forebear, which was named Product of the Decade just a few years ago. It is 1,000 watts, has a 15”(380 mm) pure carbon fibre driver, and has exquisite cabinetry requiring three weeks of labour to complete. However, each of these features only hints at what it takes to reside at the top of REL’s offerings, and No.32 is poised to be a design for the ages.

Its smaller sibling, the No.31 is nothing less than a pure reference model, sculpted from the flanks of the remarkable No.32, but using a newly developed 12″ (350mm) all carbon fibre driver. Every facet of No.31 has been comprehensively upgraded and refined from its predecessor. No.31 delivers the classic Reference filter used in No.32, the same dual parametric filters, a driver that handles three times the power to deliver a truly thrilling experience.

Coming soon to The Sound Counsel…………..

REL No.32 Product Link

REL No.31 Product Link
They look massive
I must admit stacked REL's do look the part
 
They look massive
I must admit stacked REL's do look the part
We might be doing an event at an undisclosed location, still to be decided. Its just at the discussion stages, but id be really keen to hear what that wall of bass sounds like in a big room for sure.

Dan
 
We might be doing an event at an undisclosed location still to be decided,. Its just at the discussion stages, but id be really keen to hear what that wall of bass sounds like in a big room for sure.

Dan
look forward to an invite
especially if its a REL 3D system :thumbsup:
 
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Hegel H390 & H590 Roon Update

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Some long awaited news for our H390 & H590 customers today, the official Roon update has arrived to make these products Roon Certified end points.

Details HERE
 
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Primare A35.8 8 Channel Power Amplifier


We have a new addition to our demo system. I've been waiting for this power amplifier for over a year since I first knew it was in development.

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The A35.8 is Primare’s most powerful and flexible multi-channel amplifier, designed to serve the needs of virtually any high-performance multi-channel system through its ability for each pair of channels to be bridged to mono for an incredible level of power delivery and system building options, including 1500 watts of total output in a fully bridged bi-amped stereo configuration.

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I cant tell you how long I used a pair of Primare 30.7 power amplifiers in my system at home, but it was a long time. Only replaced very recently with a Trinnov Amplitude 16. I will always have a soft spot for the power amplifiers Primare produce and this unit will be no different. In reality I think only a few brands really delve into power amplifier development, Primare being one of them. For the new A35.8 Primare decided to use nCore Class D modules and their own elements on the power structure delivery named UFPD.

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Currently on demonstration in the office and available for home demonstration upon request.



www.primare.net
 
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Primare A35.8 8 Channel Power Amplifier


We have a new addition to our demo system. I've been waiting for this power amplifier for over a year since I first knew it was in development.

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The A35.8 is Primare’s most powerful and flexible multi-channel amplifier, designed to serve the needs of virtually any high-performance multi-channel system through its ability for each pair of channels to be bridged to mono for an incredible level of power delivery and system building options, including 1500 watts of total output in a fully bridged bi-amped stereo configuration.

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I cant tell you how long I used a pair of Primare 30.7 power amplifiers in my system at home, but it was a long time. Only replaced very recently with a Trinnov Amplitude 16. I will always have a soft spot for the power amplifiers Primare produce and this unit will be no different. In reality I think only a few brands really delve into power amplifier development, Primare being one of them. For the new A35.8 Primare decided to use nCore Class D modules and their own elements on the power structure delivery named UFPD.

View attachment 1748851

Currently on demonstration in the office and available for home demonstration upon request.



www.primare.net
How does it compare to the A30.7 soundwise is it much of an improvement or are the main upgrades around flexibility?
 
The flexibility of being able to bridge the channels brings substantial benefits in terms of grip and responsiveness of the speakers, but the character difference between the older Class D technology of the 30.7 and the newer Hypex amplifiers is also there. In really simple terms they are a bit less harsh and have a bit more character to them. The development of class D modules over the past few years has been substantial. Its still early days, but I hope to do a little write up on it when we get the matching integrated in stock.

Dan
 
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The Sound Counsel are now official suppliers of Nagaoka Turntable Cartridges. Nagaoka was founded in the 1940s. It initially aimed to develop and manufacture clock mechanisms but with their precise engineering skills, soon branched out to phono cartridges. It is
specialised and famous worldwide for its polished styli and precision cantilevers with coil windings. Many cartridge manufacturers use their expertise still to this day.

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We will have a range on demonstration in the office shortly.​
 
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NAD C3050 LE
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Coming soon to The Sound Counsel. NAD have created this beauty to celebrate the 50th anniversary of NAD’s founding in 1972. The C 3050 LE limited-edition amplifier has a gorgeous retro design featuring a satin walnut sleeve, dual VU meters, push-button controls, and NAD’s 1970s cursive branding. Underneath the vintage exterior is a thoroughly modern amplifier with advanced capabilities such as BluOS high-res multi-room music streaming, Dirac Live room correction and NAD’s proven HybridDigital UcD amplifier design. To commemorate NAD’s founding year, production is limited to 1,972 units, each of them individually numbered on the back panel.

Our demonstration model is now for sale PM us for details.
 
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Ascendo SMSG24

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If you are passing the shop in the coming week you might see our new addition to the subwoofer range in the window.

Ascendo SMSG24 - £15,300
 
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If you are passing the shop in the coming week you might see our new addition to the subwoofer range in the window.

Ascendo SMSG24 - £12,649

I guess you couldn't fit the SMSG50s in the shop window. They must be in your demo room.

'Grats on being their dealer.
 
Its a whopper, it will be getting set up with the dual SMSG12's in the coming weeks. Coming up to 2 years being a dealer for Ascendo now and everything I've heard from them has been right up there challenging to be the best, at every price point. Looking forward to feeling the wobble.

Dan
 
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Pro-Ject Extension 9 Superpack Promotion

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For a limited time when you buy a Project Extension 9 Superpack in either White, Black or Walnut you will get a FREE Project Phono Box DS3 Phono Stage and also a Project Connect IT Phono 5 SP, this saves £660 off the retail price. Drop us a PM or an email for details.​
 
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Musical Fidelity 5, 7, & 11 Channel Power Amplifiers



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These will all be available to order from us imminently. I believe the 7 channel is already available with the 5 and 11 to follow.

M6x 250.5 is 5 x 250W - £2649
M6x 250.7 is 7 x 250W - £3099
M6x 250.11 is 11 x 250W - £3499

These look to be great value and with more impending price rises on Emotiva should give the XPA a real good run for their money.​
 
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Just an update for everyone on our opening hours over the festive period. Myself and Nick will be taking a well earned break which no doubt will mean listening to copious amounts of music and watching plenty of movies. We will be monitoring our emails periodically, but the office will be closed.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our customers, or anyone we have spoken to over the last year. Without your business we wouldn't have one, and it is greatly appreciated. This message is particularly relevant to AV Forums members who have supported us directly on this platform for nearly two decades.

Last Day for Shipping - Monday 19th December 2022
Closed December 24th - January 4th 2023



Merry Christmas & Happy Hogmanay
Dan & Nick​
 

Technics SL1500C, a fantastic turntable. Let’s upgrade it!


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Let’s get one thing straight off the bat, the new Technics range of turntables are all fantastic. This is particularly pertinent of the SL-1500C. This model is the one that many customers will consider when they first look to get a decent turntable included into their system. While it is a fantastic sounding turntable as it is, there are some very simple ways you can turbo charge the sound, for not a lot of money.

Looking at it with a critical, upgrade, mind. There are three main potential areas for improvement in the Technics SL-1500C itself, these being the cartridge which comes included in the box, the head shell and the in-built phono preamplifier. Technics in their wisdom sell the SL1500C fully formed so that you can pretty much plug it into any system with a phono or line input. Which itself is a stroke of genius for anyone who starts out. Essentially it removes the complication from the whole purchase process which can be a bit of as minefield when you first start out. But once you have had your turntable for a year and are used to the sound, how do you make it better?

The aim of this article is to keep this advice simple, basically I have done all the legwork. Extensive testing of different products in attempt to narrow down some suggestions, whilst also keeping the upgrade cost down. It also comes from a position of perspective, based on time. For example, you may only get this notion a year or so after the initial turntable purchase.

The Cartridge
Let’s start at the cartridge. The SL1500C comes with an Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge, retailing for around £100. This is really a functional cartridge to get you rolling. Personally, I don’t think it is designed to impress, and is a very safe sounding piece of kit, I might even use the word uninspiring. The Technics SL1500C will take a cartridge probably up to the cost of the turntable itself, so around £8-900. But you don’t need to spend this much to get a big lift over the Ortofon. I tried several MM variants from Goldring, Sumiko and Nagaoka, and the best all-rounder at a reasonable price was the Nagaoka. Nagaoka sell a mid-priced moving magnet MP-150 for £349. With this alone replacing the Ortofon, you will hear a significant lift in overall accuracy. Nagaoka suggest a run-in time of around 30 hours to get the best from it, I have found it needs more like 50 hours to really settle. But once it does, you will be in a completely different world sonically. One of the main things I found was a much more accurate bass presentation, something which higher price moving magnet cartridges do very well. More pronounced edges to the bass along with more space and better timing. Overall, a much more engaging listen and getting to the point where the music really starts to come alive and grab you. The best thing is if you did just want to upgrade this, it will work with the inbuilt phono stage and the head shell provided with the Technics. Some set up is still required, given the Technics turntables are a doddle to set up, we can do this, or we can guide a confident customer through the process.


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The Headshell
I’d suggest this is a must with regards any upgrade on an SL1500C, and the least costly one to do. The Technics SL1500C turntable lacks any kind of Azimuth adjustment, and one can’t be added to the body of the turntable. I have also found that some of the provided Technics branded head shells move ever so slightly when fully screwed into the arm, again over normal use this can move on its own, causing poor and inaccurate tracking. This is fundamental to the set-up of any good turntable. As the head shell is a standard type of locking screw SME, the obvious upgrade is a Project Signature head shell, which comes with its own in-built Azimuth adjustment. I would avoid the wooden one though, the reason being is that the head shell itself can’t take a tight adjustment to the azimuth screw without damaging the wood. Stick with the carbon or metal variants.
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The Phono Pre-Amplifier
As mentioned previously the Technics SL1500C comes with its own in-built preamplifier which can be activated or deactivated by a switch near the inputs on the back of the unit. It’s a reasonable preamplifier and would cope with the Nagaoka MP-150 no problem. Sonically, there can be a benefit using an off-board phono preamplifier. There is plenty of choice out there and this does somewhat go hand in hand with the choice of the cartridge, after all you probably wouldn’t spend £800 on the preamplifier and only £349 on the cartridge. Of the ones I tested at a budget price, the Musical Fidelity LX2-LPS (£249) gave a good lift to the sound without being heavy handed. This also keeps the upgrade cost looking at all three areas quite reasonable and under the cost of the original deck.

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Other Minor Modifications
There are a couple of other items I’ve found made a difference on the deck, but these are more subtle and are to do with isolation rather than any set-up adjustment. Firstly, a Soundeck Platter Mat (£90). Sound Damped Steel’s aluminium laminate converts vibrational energy into negligible amounts of heat which lets your needle process the information in the grooves without interference from feedback and rumble. I put one of these on my turntable at home and it didn’t make its way back to the shop, it seems to keep the background sound “blacker” to me. Adding this in really requires adjustment of the turntables VTA, so again, some setting adjustment is needed. Short of that the only other thing to consider is a Soundeck Damping Puck (£90), again minimising vibrations back from the record, this can also help with dished pressings which don’t connect to the platter correctly.

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If you have any other questions on the Technics range of turntables, Nagaoka, Project, Musical Fidelity or Soundeck, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
 
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Next month we hope to see our new demonstration Paradigm XR13 subwoofer. Given Paradigms rich heritage in subwoofer manufacture, the new units promise a lot, so it will be very interesting how these fair against their current peers from Ascendo and Perlisten who have really pushed the boundaries on what is possible with subwoofers over the past few years. Myself and Nick are the oldest Paradigm dealers in the country and helped establish the brand in the UK nearly 25 years ago. During that time we supplied countless Sub 25, Sub 1 & Sub 2's and with a lot of those units still in use to this day, it will be interesting to see how they stack up against these older units as well. Nice to see one of the leaders of bass reproduction back with a wobble.

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Premium Cinema Processors

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I'm getting ready to test DIRAC ART on the Storm Audio ISP Core. Having had the Trinnov at home for the past year, its going to be really interesting to see how is stacks up across the board for cinema and music. I hope to do a full write up as soon as the software is available.

Dan​
 
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After M&K's recent change in their approach to the market in the UK we can now add them to our portfolio. Its been around 15 years since we were one of the original dealers in the UK, so it is good to see them back under our umbrella of brands. Should you have any existing requirements for a system already in use, or be looking to specify a new project, we are in a great place to advise based on our unparalleled experience over 20 years of professionally specifying high end cinema projects.

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M&K Speakers Website Link
 
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We Are Rewind

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Were showing our age here, but we write this wearing our shell-suits and our adidas three-stripes to get into character. But instead of The Stone Roses, Devo and Iron Maiden; Were listening to "Sound Ancestors" by Madlib & FourTet because its 2023, not 1983..........

As the cassette continues to gain in popularity amongst both the young and lovers of retro kitsch, we’re excited to be adding We Are Rewind, a Bluetooth enabled Portable Cassette Player to our window display to sit alongside our 32" Subwoofer.

We are suckers for a bit of retro.​
 
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We are very happy to announce we are now full dealers for PMC's Hi-Fi Range of speakers. We have been supplying their installation range since we originally opened, so we welcome the full range with open arms. We will have a range of their speakers on display and available for demonstration from Friday.

Founded in 1991 by Peter Thomas of the BBC and Adrian Loader of FWO Bauch. The combination of knowledge and a life-long passion for music led to the production of PMC’s first product, the BB5-A, an active main studio monitor. This design was snapped up by the BBC Maida Vale and Metropolis Mastering and remains the world’s reference, used by Prince, Stevie Wonder’s Wonderland Studio, Hospital HDTV Broadcast London and for renowned classical labels such as Decca and Harmonia Mundi. Many of today’s movie themes have been crafted using PMC, from such eminent composers as Henry Jackman, Thomas Newman, Tyler Bates and John Debney.
PMC are one of the very few companies who have been awarded an Emmy® for their contribution to recording excellence. With film, it would be easier to list the blockbuster movies which did not use PMC during the process of music production and post! But titles include: Titanic, Mission Impossible, Captain Phillips, Pearl Harbor, Game of Thrones – TV, Iron Man 1& 2, Skyfall, Spiderman 1,2,3 and Pirates of the Caribbean and many many more.

PMC reigns supreme throughout the leading mastering houses, broadcasters and much of the professional world.

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PMC Speakers Website
 
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Its been a while since we posted any news. We have been busy in the office and with installations but also testing a load of new equipment. I have had both the Pioneer VSX-LX805 and the Integra DRX-8.4 AV amplifiers in the house over the last three months while the Storm ISP was in the office for demonstrations. Essentially from the same mother, these two amplifiers do have a lot of similarities but also some striking differences. The plan is to do a general write up with covers both units given their similarity, but then also covers the main differences. Both AVR's also now come with DIRAC, so I will also cover the implementation of that in the review. The Integra is coming back to the office this week, so if anyone wants to have a chat about either of these units prior to the review, just give the office a call and I can go into some depth on the pros and cons of either unit.

Dan

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Pioneer VSA-LX805 - £3099

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Integra DRX 8.4 - £3699
 
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