HiFi Connoisseur

06/06/2026

Kevin has updated his playlist again. And as usual there are some gems in that list. The EMM Labs Inc. DV2i is simply divine.

And I get to indulge at the best seat in the house.

03/06/2026

We have the Magnetar available in our store now.

With streaming platforms continuing to raise their prices with no e...

27/05/2026

I have been told hifi is a very selfish hobby. Most systems are really designed around a single sweet spot. And no one else in the room gets to hear that presentation that the person in the ideal listening position is hearing.

I am reminded of this statement again today.

The last few times I was in this room, I was with different clients and they all got the best seat in the house. I am just less than a metre away but even then the system lacked the wow factor I remembered.

Today, I am experimenting with JPlay as an alternative to Roon on the EMM Labs Inc. DV2i and of course I got to take the best seat. And I can’t help but be stunned by how everything just falls together in place.

Just bliss.

25/05/2026

The Focal MuSo Hekla soundbar powered by Naim Audio is finally getting the recognition it deserves.

I was unprepared for how immersive it sounded in my living room and I usually have a bit of a disdain for soundbars. The Hekla is no ordinary soundbar though.

And it still retains what the original MuSo was known for. A great way for playing music in high fidelity. Without the clutter.

Focal Hekla 🛍 https://bit.ly/4wufCzr 🥇My ‘25 Favs 🛍 https://bit.ly/...

23/05/2026

Every room is different.

Today the Focal Diva Utopia powered by Naim Audio has been moved to the cinema room.

I am just stunned by the soundstage height is in this room. I could swear Chantal sounds like she is standing on a stage in front of me, and had to double check that I had not sent the audio to the Focal 1000 series Utopia speakers behind the screen. *it wasnt*

21/05/2026

There’s a general rule that always needs to be reinforced. A speaker truly shines only when placed optimally in an ideal room.

So today, I’ve moved the Focal Diva Utopia speakers in one of my dedicated listening rooms. And it definitely makes a difference

But even in less than ideal placements, the Focal ADAPT room optimization app helped me bring the speakers closer to how it performs in an optimal room.

20/05/2026

Mixing things up for a change.

Today, the Revival Audio Atalante Grande Reserve speakers are driven by the Italian made Audio Analogue AACento amplifier.

It’s a truly enchanting combination of two great European brands.

16/05/2026

Listening to Fourplay 30th Anniversary on Qobuz Connect in high res to the Esoteric International N-05XD network streamer with custom FPGA DAC.

Feels like such a good album to unwind to.

Especially when it is playing through the limited edition Revival Audio Atalante Grande Reserve powered with Audio Research LS-2 preamplifier and S-200 power amplifier.

13/05/2026

Focal Diva Utopia finally set up thanks to Ally, David and Paul 🙏

It does need a while for the Naim Audio amplification to run in but the character is already defined. Love the dynamics and presence.

While it may not be using the larger woofers of traditional Utopia speakers, the larger number of bass drivers plumb to such depths. Impressive. The subs are just for show.

13/05/2026

When will those AI robots come to the masses?

Today, I am going to have to deal with this 120kg shipment of Focal Diva Utopia speakers, powered by Naim Audio amplification. Can’t wait to hear them.

In the meantime, time to call up a few gym buddies. 😅