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Make sure that new hi-fi unit is really sound(Evening Standard Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) THE humble home hi-fi has changed beyond all recognition in recent years. Digital radio, iPod connectors and even wireless streaming are all common now, with prices ranging from about GBP100 to several thousand pounds. Even mini hi-fi's, once sneered at by the experts, now sound superb. But choosing one is a nightmare, with manufacturers all clamouring for your cash. Key, obviously, is sound quality, but increasingly looks and ease of use play a part too - there is no point having the best-sounding hi-fi in the world if it takes up most of your living room. Here the experts at Stuff magazine choose their favourites... HITACHI AX-M140 GBP550 This Hitachi has all the latest kit, from DAB radio to built-in DVD player. Best of all is its 40GB MP3-playing HD, which can record from disc or copy from PC via USB. It's not the simplest machine to operate, mind, and you can get better sound for the cash. hitachi.com TIVOLI RADIOWORKS GBP320 Cooler-than-a-frozen-cucumber good looks, with the hot tech that is DAB radio. Yes, we like the Tivoli RadioWorks. It even has Tivoli's legendary FM and AM reception, and a little slot into which you might wish to load those newfangled CD discs. tivoliaudio.com DENON D-M35 GBP285 This DAB-toting micro was riding high at the tip of our top 10 until February's group test proclaimed Yamaha's M170 superior. But the Denon works well, looks great and performs spankingly brilliantly, so it still deserves your undivided attention. denon.co.jp B&O BEOSOUND 4 GBP1,635 Measure your evenings by the number of bottles of Cristal you have downed? Then the BeoSound 4 is for you. Its motion-sensitive, glass-covered CD player and optional DAB are supplemented by a 21st-century SD slot for recording and playing digital music. bang-olufsen.com ARCAM SOLO GBP1,000 They just won't leave it alone but we don't mind. The Solo was always a talented CD/DAB/50w amp combo, and then the Alto speakers lifted it to new heights. Now, thanks to its new rLead cable, you can hook your iPod up, too. A killer all-in-one. arcam.co.uk PHILIPS WACS700 GBP400 This clever system comprises a Center control unit with FM radio, CD player, 40GB HD and 802.11g Wi-Fi that wirelessly streams MP3 and WMA digital music to the Station anywhere around the house. Up to five Stations can be added and it sounds good, too. philips.co.uk ONKYO CR505 DAB GBP220 Onkyo's second-room system is a straightforward CD receiver, albeit one with both FM/AM and DAB tuners. Audiophile-grade innards and bombproof build ensure its future success - but the Denon D-M35DAB is a formidable opponent. onkyo.net GOODMANS 104DAB GBP70 This DAB-toter bucked the "budget micros suck" trend with such panache that the first time we heard it, we cried. But it's not long for the culling, to be callously ousted by the better-specced 114DAB. Will it sound as good? We'll let you know. goodmansdigital.co.uk YAMAHA M170 GBP250 While Denon, Onkyo and Teac were tripping each other up in a bid for micro-system supremacy, Yamaha sneaked in and pulled the carpet from under them. Its bargain-tastic M170 not only looks the part, it also has hi-fi talent in spades. It sports CD playback and DAB, FM and AM reception, and its 25w of amplication get those pianoblack speakers singing like little black boxy angels. In short, it delivers everything we want, in considerable style. yamaha.co.uk JVC EX-D5 GBP290 Those loons at JVC have been soaking wooden speaker cones in sake for more than two years and now the range totals four designs. We are still enamoured of this DVD-playing micro but the tweeters on the two-section EX-A10 have caught our collective eye. jvc.com What to look for MULTI-CHANNEL? The joy of separates is that you can upgrade individual components on a whim but it pays to decide whether you intend to end up with a surround system or stick with two-channel. WIRELESS No, not 802.11 but radio. Your amplifier might come with a tuner built in - making it a receiver - but don't forget DAB, which is now fully grown. WIRES Your separates will come with either bog-standard black cables or none at all. Whatever, get in the good stuff. It will make a difference. GLASS AND STEEL Having saved for your system, ruin your bank account by buying an equipment rack and some really nice stands for your speakers. Sonic improvement a bonus. |