Audiophile Equipment Review

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Cyrus Audio 40 AMP

40 Series | Integrated Amp

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Review by: What Hi-Fi?, Jan 2025

Summary:
The Cyrus 40 AMP is everything we want in a modern Cyrus integrated amplifier. It’s well-built, fully equipped, looks smart and sounds excellent. Pros: Clean, detailed and musical performance; Expressive dynamics; Articulate and agile delivery; Upgradeable; Great new look Cons: Up against some tough competition; Optional 40 PSU power supply is effective but pricey.

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Wharfedale Super Linton

Heritage Series | Bookshelf Speakers

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Review by: Terry Ellis, Dec 2024

Summary:
I know some will love the Super, really love them but some might still prefer the Linton and I would understand why. However the Super will be the new standard for any new other speaker designed with the classic retro look because once you get used to them you do appreciate the more and more and like I said I dont think I heard the very best of what they can do.

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Wharfedale Linton

Heritage Series | Bookshelf Speakers

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Review by: Herb Reichert, Oct 2024

Summary:
The Wharfedale Lintons merge a refined, elegantly detailed, full-range sound with a magnetic personality that made me want to play records—made me want to listen longer, and to understand more of what I was listening to. These conspicuous talents, plus the fact that the Lintons look Jaguar-like expensive and cost less than they should, make the newest Wharfedales highly recommendable.

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Harbeth P3ESR

Bookshelf Speakers

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Review by: John Atkinson, Nov 2022

Summary:
The Harbeth P3ESR is one of those rare audio components that, within its obvious limitations, gives no other indication that it has been compromised. I was using the Harbeths with the dCS Puccini SACD player and DAC ($22,000), the Simaudio Moon Evolution P-8 preamp ($12,000), and Classé CTM-600 monoblocks ($16,000/pair), all connected with expensive AudioQuest Wild cables. The P3ESRs did not sound outclassed in this system, merely restricted in loudness and bass extension. The best iteration from any manufacturer of the BBC LS3/5A minimonitor concept.

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Rega Planar 1

Turntable

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Review by: Louder, Sep 2022

Summary:
The Rega Planar 1 may be an entry-level turntable but, with such a long and proud reputation to uphold, Rega was never going to churn out any old rubbish. The Planar 1 still exceeded our expectations. Set-up is a easy and sound quality is absolutely fantastic for the money – no wonder it sits at number 1on our list of the best budget turntables. A built-in phono stage would have been the icing on the cake, but you can get one of those by opting for the slightly more expensive Rega Planar 1 Plus.

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Rating: 5 stars

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Rega Fono MC MK4

Phono Stage

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Review by: Ian White, Nov 2021

Summary:
The Fono MC MK4 is an exceptionally high quality MC phono stage designed to maximise the potential of any low output MC cartridge. Although specifically designed to compliment the latest Rega range of moving coils you will find full adjustability for gain and loading via dip switches conveniently placed on the rear panel making the Fono MC MK4 compatible with a wide range of third party low output MC cartridges.

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Harbeth P3ESR

Bookshelf Speakers

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Review by: Shem, Apr 2021

Summary:
Harbeth P3ESR 40th Anniversary Edition speakers are very well-balanced and open sounding speakers, with outstanding midrange clarity and impressive bottom end. Very forgiving, can be enjoyed for hours. They would make a great desktop setup or a perfect system for a very small room, however, there are much better speakers that could be purchased for a lot less money. To my ears, speakers such as Wharfedale Linton Heritage outperform Harbeth P3ESR in every aspect and you could get two sets of them with stands for the current price of P3s!

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Rating: 4 stars

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Rega Saturn MK3

CD Player

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Review by: Jason Kennedy, Aug 2019

Summary:
The Saturn Mk3 is inevitably more expensive than its predecessor but its ability to bridge the musical divide that so few digital sources can match means that it is exceptional value. It is also well built and has Rega’s enviable track record for reliability and service back up behind it. If you want to hear the heart and soul of your CD collection and carry on enjoying it for many years this is a very hard act to beat.

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Rega Saturn MK3

CD Player

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Review by: Geoffrey, Jun 2019

Summary:
This CD player sounds great. We have to say that. Anyone playing a CD on it will be delighted. Amazing bass. Extra definition and information where we didn’t hear it before. Ideal to enjoy at lower volume. The midrange is sparkling but never analytical. Music never sounds bare, cold or sterile. Not the most insightful player but intelligibility is high and detail is fine. You are not distracted from the core of the music but carried along and touched. Accurate stereo image. The interaction between the CD player and DAC is nicely balanced.

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Rating: 4 stars

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Cyrus Audio 40 AMP

40 Series | Integrated Amp

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Review by: Ed Selley, Aug 2010

Summary:
The 40 AMP manages to move the game on from the talented XR models without impinging on the things that Cyrus does so well. This is a brilliantly implemented and sublimely talented bit of kit that needs to be on any shortlist at the price. Pros: Sounds genuinely excellent across a lot of inputs; Well made, compact and easy to use. Cons: No direct input selection; Display could show a little more information; Possibly lacks a little visual identity

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Rating: 5 stars

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