VAL HiFi

VAL HiFi Transcendent, boutique HiFi. South East, England.

The Wand Master 14-4 Turntable: Not Quite Direct, Not Quite Belt, Not Quite Idler.... All Music."The Wand Master possess...
28/05/2026

The Wand Master 14-4 Turntable: Not Quite Direct, Not Quite Belt, Not Quite Idler.... All Music.

"The Wand Master possesses that rarest of turntable qualities; it sounds mechanically calm while remaining rhythmically alive."

Read the full, outstanding review of this one of a kind turntable with the link in our bio and then head over to www.valhifi.co.uk to configure yours.



The new Wand 12in Dark-Light tonearm will make its debut at the Vienna High End Show 2026.Built from the same core think...
22/05/2026

The new Wand 12in Dark-Light tonearm will make its debut at the Vienna High End Show 2026.

Built from the same core thinking as the 10in Dark-Light, the new 12in version takes a more considered approach to the long tonearm format. While 12in arms are traditionally used to reduce tracking distortion, Simon Brown’s design also addresses the structural compromises that often come with increased length.

The Wand’s Musical Taper™ arm tube increases in diameter towards the pivot, meaning the arm actually becomes more structurally stable as it gets longer. The larger rear section also allows for greater internal brass mass, lowering the centre of gravity and helping absorb unwanted resonance and energy through what Simon ingeniously calls “BLOB technology” - Big Lump Of Brass.

The Dark-Light also features Wand’s ZeroPoint™ bearing system, using a diamond-on-carbide contact surface designed to remain stable under load, alongside the Side-Glide™ bearing for low-friction lateral stability.

The result is a presentation that feels remarkably calm, resolved and spatially coherent, with an ease and low noise floor that allows detail to emerge naturally.

The Wand 12in Dark-Light is available now from VAL HiFi and will be demonstrated at Vienna High End 2026 in Halle 5, S15. Reach out via the website or DM to enquire.

In a new HiFi Knights review of the (very interesting and very cool) Acuhorn Lusso DAC, the reviewer said in comparison ...
19/05/2026

In a new HiFi Knights review of the (very interesting and very cool) Acuhorn Lusso DAC, the reviewer said in comparison to his lightly broken in, but much loved Western Electric 300b's....

"The Ray Tubes 300B offered an even better, more open, more dynamic, more detailed performance than with my tubes. They elevated its performance to an even higher level"

This confirms what we've long thought to be true - .audio is the best new vacuum tube manufacturer in the world.

Buy now at www.valhifi.co.uk - we have them in stock

MONOIf you want a speaker like no other, that feeds the soul even when your music isn't playing - look no further.Avail...
02/05/2026

MONO

If you want a speaker like no other, that feeds the soul even when your music isn't playing - look no further.

Available exclusively from VAL HiFi in the UK.

A beautiful combination of design, build and sound across two boutique brands doing things differently. The audio indust...
26/04/2026

A beautiful combination of design, build and sound across two boutique brands doing things differently.

The audio industry is bursting at the seams with products and choices and it can be confusing, daunting and down right exhausting knowing where to put your budget.

and are an outlier to the usual suspects and currently hyped options. Come and listen for yourself and see.

By appointment at our studio in Wye, Kent.

www.valhifi.co.uk

A brilliant, comprehensive review from Steve Huff of the updated A2/D2 integrated amp and DAC. Soulnote is my solid sta...
04/04/2026

A brilliant, comprehensive review from Steve Huff of the updated A2/D2 integrated amp and DAC. Soulnote is my solid state reference and every model in the range is unbeatable as far as I'm concerned. Be sure to look up Steve's review or watch on YouTube but here's a taster:

"This is synergy any its finest for me in this room and it’s sounding glorious. These two pieces from Soulnote are true audio art. I mean in both looks and sound. I am so happy I was able to hear these as I now know the sound of Soulnote, which is all out beautiful if you like open, airy, detailed yet organic and this sound is also injected with some musical soul as well."

Buy this spectacular pairing today at www.valhifi.co.uk



📷 Steve Huff

The Wand Dark-LightThe new flagship from that builds on the prowess of the original, revered Wand tonearm.Chris Beechin...
27/03/2026

The Wand Dark-Light

The new flagship from that builds on the prowess of the original, revered Wand tonearm.

Chris Beeching, writing for , calls it a “supreme performer”, noting how it stays “exceptionally transparent and uncoloured” while letting the music come through with real ease.

The review highlights its precision in imaging and space, with instruments placed exactly where they should be, alongside controlled, articulate bass and extended, clean treble.

"Very Recommended", and by all accounts, very hard to better. Read the full review and come and demo in Wye, Kent to hear it for yourself.

The Aretai Contra 100S loudspeakers and Spotlight A1 integrated amplifier. A potent combination of beauty, performance a...
24/03/2026

The Aretai Contra 100S loudspeakers and Spotlight A1 integrated amplifier. A potent combination of beauty, performance and - in comparison to the ever increasing costs of the high end - affordability. Yes, not inexpensive, but a system to live with forever and kill the audiophile nervosa dead for under £12,000.

Life is too short for boring HiFi and we have the best, most exciting alternatives to choose from.

www.valhifi.co.uk



Three genius brands we're proud to represent in the UK. .audio - THE best new production tube brand in the world. Here a...
22/02/2026

Three genius brands we're proud to represent in the UK. .audio - THE best new production tube brand in the world. Here a pair of 300B RESERVE and a single 12AU7 SELECT bring their magic to a Softone power amp - one from my personal collection.
dk is the brand of world renowned DAC designer Ole Nielsen and here his DAC-30SE masterpiece gets another dose of RAY goodness with a 6SN7 RESERVE installed.
audio is making the finest network switches and Roon Core servers available and by being a Diretta partner, the K2 Server is even better with it's partnering Target (seen here on the top of the stack).

Life is too short for boring HiFi and we have always found and championed the best, most exciting available and brought them to UK audiophiles and music lovers.

www.valhifi.co.uk

Shameless plug time - every couple of years my brilliant wife releases a new book with her publisher Penguin and it's ...
20/02/2026

Shameless plug time - every couple of years my brilliant wife releases a new book with her publisher Penguin and it's almost time for another. Although most of my followers are here for HiFi, I'm positive it's Mid Century setting, Elvis Presley and jukebox featuring plot and amazing storytelling will also float your boat. Check out this below and if you're a book lover please consider a pre-order. You won't regret it. 👇🏻

Would you like to read the first chapter of CALIFORNIA GOLD? Comment ‘California’ and I’ll send you the link. It’s exactly one month until the book comes out so I’ll be posting more to give you a glimmer and taste of what to expect.

This very famous picture is featured in the opening chapter of my novel, which is a family saga that examines what would happen if you built an identical copy of a sunny, bright Palm Springs house in a muddy English field. When the house begins to disintegrate, what happens to the family? Is Home a place or a feeling? What does it mean to truly belong?

- Pre-orders hugely appreciated (you’ll likely receive it before anyone else)
- International readers: order from for worldwide shipping
- Get it for just £12.74 from Waterstones until midnight tomorrow (Friday 20th Feb) Enter FEB26 at checkout
- Any shares of this post and subsequent ones are super appreciated. Insta feels more and more like shouting into the void unless you’re a big name, so thank you for any love!

Visit the original post over at to grab your first chapter preview.

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