2 channels dudes (like myself) got spoil in this issue :-)

Well how could we ignore the Neats when there's such a fan-club here? 

Re  iPod docks - being the key selling/festive season, it's a major new-release and buying time for iPod accessories, DAB radios and more: as the market-leading buyer's guide, it would be rather remiss if we didn't reflect the current state of the market! There's plenty of guys up here asking about these things as well as your particular areas of interest....

...but talking of which. More corking Temptations on their way, plus a speaker Group Test including some models from a certain brand called Neat! 

I think the balance is pretty good in What Hi-Fi these days. I read several hi-fi mags (WHF, Hi-Fi Choice, Hi-Fi World, and Hi-Fi News) and think it is good that there is one (WHF) which tests 2-channel gear within the wider context of the consumer electronics industry.

I also think it is great that people like Andrew Everard, a stalwart of quality hi-fi journalism and somebody whose hi-fi section I enjoy greatly in Gramophone, remains so key to the magazine, bringing it vast credibility as a reviewer of 2-channel and multi-channel audio gear.

Less mainstream and/or more high end approaches to 2-channel audio are catered for extremely well by the other magazines I read and WHF's more inclusive angle on the industry is extremely welcome.

Mother, I told you not to post on here - it's embarrassing! 

I went out and buy 3 docking stations today for Christmas presents )

I feel like a Hypocrite guy now!!!! but thanks for idea Ms N.

I really would like to know Andrew...when you demo (reviews) the Cambridge Audio budget cd player, did you partner it with £6000 worth of Marantz pre/power amps? If you did what was it sound like?

No, don't have access to those pre/powers. AFAICR I tried it with my usual set-ups of Marantz Musicline amps, an Audiolab 8000S (old model) and the TAG McLaren AV rig, all with PMC OB1s

The Michaelson Chronos system was out of use at that time, I think. 

I must have read it wrong, I thought you demo SA-7 with the pre and two MA 9 mono blocks in your front room! The mag is at work so I will read it again tomorrow oh and nice write up as always (people know that I am not your mum so just take it like a man)

No, the old MusicLine pre and monblocs. I mentioned the new pre and monoblocs as a matter of context in the SA-7S1 review, but they haven't been used for reviews in Gramo, though I believe the WHFSV crew have had a play with them.

I always wonder why you don't review any hifi in WHF&V magazine? (I know simon is doing a great job and who is reponsable for Teamptation?

 More than enough to do with Gramophone, Ultimate Guides and this forum!

Yes I thought it was a pretty good issue, I suppose Cyrus weren't included in the CD/Amp/Speaker test because they are about to release the new SE versions of their CD players ???? BTW when are WHF planning to test these players, may I ask?

Looking forward to speaker test next issue.

Cheers.

jules.

How Refreshing

"Pretty good"? You're a tough audience  

You suppose correctly. We are in near-constant contact with (ie nagging!) Cyrus re the SE models, but have yet to see a test sample - the latest prediction is in time for our March issue, out February 7th.  

Out of interest, what is it with the magazine publishing industry that means we get each issue a couple of months before it's date? History is going to be very confused. We don't get Tuesday's paper on Sunday do we? Is it just some inter-brand kudos thing or marketing ploy to try to beat the opposition to the shelves to get that single purchase per motnth from the punter? I've been wondering why for ages and ages because, to be quite frank, it really bugs me!!

It used to bug me, too.

Now I slightly get it: if you publish the January issue on 7th December (say), when it's still on the shelf on 5th January (before the next, February issue arrives) it's still current. If it said December and was still on sale late-December/early Jan, people would think it out of date.

So there you have it - all about you fellas having 'the latest thing' and not feeling past-it. Apparantly.

All it'll take is one publishing house to call an amnesty and we can all get back to real-time!