Onkyo Now with Spotify.
The following Onkyo Network A/V Receivers support Spotify*, the on demand music service with over 10 millions songs and 7 million active users. Enjoy your music in high quality audio with up to 320 kbps, and easily access your playlists and favourite tracks.
Targeting the sweet spot where affordability meets superb functionality, the TX-NR609 looks set to be another Onkyo classic. This THX® Select2 Plus™ Certified A/V receiver handles content from all your favourite disc-based media, as well as networked and audio content from the internet (now with support for Spotify*!), iPod/iPhone, and PC. Six HDMI® inputs—including one on the front panel—provide support for 3D video and ultra-high resolution 4K video upscaling via Marvell Qdeo™. HDMI also carries master-quality audio formats from Dolby and DTS, as well as the expanded surround sound of Audyssey DSX™ and Dolby® Pro Logic® IIz. Three-stage inverted Darlington circuitry and Onkyo’s proprietary WRAT ensure a clean and compelling amplifier performance. And when audio signals are output, the 7.2-channel configuration includes twin subwoofer pre-outs for added bass impact. Meanwhile, a user-friendly on-screen display and GUI make it easy to adjust settings and navigate your content. The new TX-NR609 is now at The Sound Gallery store!
Holiday Times
29/04/11 08:41 Filed in: Events
Here are the Sound Gallery opening times for this weekend;
Friday 29th - Closed
Saturday 30th Open 9.30am - 5.30pm
Bank Holiday Monday Closed.
Your turntable serviced for Free.
Turntable Service Event .. and it’s FREE!
Back by popular demand! Simply bring your turntable (any make or model or age, yes we will do our very best) into The Sound Gallery before Tuesday 31st May 2011, and our long term resident LP12 and turntable engineer Glyn will service your turntable for FREE!* A turntable service can bring a mile more music from your record collection! Those lucky Linn Sondek users can find more about the LP12 in our news section here.
*Labour only, this does not include any parts used.
Out with new and in with the old.
27/04/11 01:56 Filed in: Events
As April begins to feel like summer we have gone back to basics at the Sound Gallery store. We are starting with some quality events over the next few months. The first being our Free turntable service event (see details above) and to keep the vibe going we have decided to use our classic logo for everything. So it’s out with the new and in with the old!
The elegantly proportioned B&W CM8.
19/03/11 13:55 Filed in: Speakers
The CM8 is an elegantly proportioned, slimmed down version of the award-winning CM9. A true three-way loudspeaker that will appeal to discerning customers who demand the very best sound quality, but have limited space in which to achieve it. Like all the models in the CM Series, the CM8 uses crossovers of remarkable simplicity and quality, so what you hear is that much closer to the sound of the original recording. In its functional perfection and understated elegance, it’s nothing less than a masterpiece. For the finish, you can choose either one of two real-wood veneers in Rosenut or Wengé, the highly polished gloss black or the new very stylish satin white.
Arcam AVR400 now in stock.
Using technology developed from the acclaimed Arcam AVR600 receiver and AV888 processor the AVR400 has been developed as a more affordable way to access Arcam’s legendary sound quality. The Arcam AVR400 has a rich feature list including compatibility with all the latest audio decoding formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio. In addition it offers wide compatibility with music files stored on USB or network audio devices. The included DAB/FM/AM tuner allows access to a host of terrestrial radio stations while its in-built Internet radio receiver extends this reach to thousands of web based radio stations from around the world.
- High Performance 7.1 channel AV Receiver
- HDMI 1.4a compliant with ARC and CEC support
- 3D compatible video path
- High Performance video conversion / scaling
- 7x 90W power amplifiers
- Toroid based power supply
- Audio streaming from network or USB music files
- Professional grade jitter reduction
- Automated setup
- Audiophile performance with music and movies
Fresh fruity offers.
It’s a great time to bag a bargain at the Sound Gallery so please check our Offers page to find some fresh clearance items that we have in-store this month!
Linn DS, rescue your music.
17/01/11 20:18 Filed in: Computer Audio
The Sound Gallery invite you to experience Linn’s Klimax DS, the new Akurate DS & the Majik DS. Products that will not only enhance the performance of your audio, but transform it into a system for the future. Over the last 3 years Linn’s new digital steaming players has been our stores most successful product. The shear joy & delight that we get from our customers when they not only discover they can hear their old CDs sound far better, but also play all downloaded music, internet radio and enjoy music in an easier way. This has helped us keep a real buzz about music, and made our job as an audio retailer just far more interesting. Further information can be found about the Linn digital stream players here.
Bring a few CDs into the Sound Gallery store today, it could change the way you listen to music forever.
Arcam BDP100 The Blu-ray player.
16/01/11 17:20 Filed in: Cinema
Arcam launched its first DVD player nearly ten years ago. The DV88 was the first player to combine class leading picture quality with true audiophile sound quality. Since that time Arcam has earned a worldwide reputation for combining exceptional music and movie playback in a single device. Using Arcam’s unique expertise has allowed the extraction of the very best video and audio performance from a digital source. The BPD100 uses a very simple, almost direct video path from the disc right through to its high precision outputs. This very direct path allows the video signal to be presented without unnecessary disruption giving a presentation that will truly captivate the viewer. Using broadcast quality digital video clocks during the process means the resulting picture quality is simply stunning. Arcam has gone to incredible lengths to maximise the performance of this new player. As an example the BDP100 benefits from a critically damped cover to virtually eliminate damaging microphonic vibration from reaching the sensitive electronics inside. In addition, while other Blu-ray devices can suffer from slow disc load times, the BDP100 has been optimised to make the journey from disc insertion to playback as fast as possible.
The BDP100 is designed with a single purpose; to deliver the very best music and movie experience for discerning owners. It also features a full suite of discrete IR and RS232 codes making it perfect for integration within a high performance home cinema installation. The BDP100 designed in the UK and is now available in black and silver.
Naim makes streaming cute.
15/01/11 02:53 Filed in: Computer Audio
The UnitiQute has been awarded Product of the Year in the Systems category at the recent What Hi-Fi 2010 Awards. The ceremony, held at London's Dorchester hotel, saw Naim pick up three awards with NaimUniti and the DAC both receiving awards in the Systems and Digital Media Players and Accessories respectively. The NaimUniti was named Best Network Music Player over £1500 and the DAC was voted Best Premium DAC. Take a peek! Walk into the Sound Gallery show room today and you can hear the UnitiQute driving a pair of Spendor A6’s in wenge, they make a nice combo.
The Naim Quite network audio system (£1350 inc v.a.t) makes a great way to enjoy music.
Usher S-520, built like nothing at the price.
14/01/11 22:16 Filed in: Speakers
The Usher S-520 book-shelf speakers bring astonishing high quality build and performance for just a mere £338 a pair. A few years back we stocked a pair of speakers that had the same finish as the Usher's. They would set you back £1000 and were available in only two finish options. We do not know how many people would be brave enough to decide on Enzo red as their first colour choice, however you can choose from high gloss piano black, yellow, platinum silver, ivory white, golden birch wood and mahogany birch wood. Every pair comes with the same fabulous sound.
Read more about the fantastic Usher S-520 here.
Brand new from Rega.
13/12/10 18:09 Filed in: DAC
Introducing the Rega DAC, this is a 16/20/24-bit at 32kHz to 192kHz digital to analogue converter incorporating an enhanced version of the Rega designed circuit. Developed to be simple to set up and use, the Rega DAC is designed to optimise performance from any two channel PCM digital audio source such as a CD player PC or streaming device. With the PC/Laptop and MAC now widely accepted as creditable mediums for storing and streaming music. The use of high quality lossless files such as WAV, FLAC and ALAC offer performance through the DAC equal to and in some cases better than red book CD. This also makes a fantastic upgrade to many CD players including Rega’s own Apollo.
Five user selectable digital filters. Two isolated Co-axial inputs, two Toslink SPDIF inputs & Isolated USB input. Input stage comprising of a Wolfson digital receiver with a high stability low jitter clock. Jitter minimised by synchronously clocking the digital data with Rega’s own receiver PLL. A pair of parallel-connected Wolfson WM8742 DAC's, which are driven via a buffer stage. Housed in a brand new custom steel & aluminium case.
Arcam iRDock, make your iPod an audio player.
17/11/10 23:09 Filed in: iPod
Arcam produce one of the best sounding iPod docks on the market. Using more than 35 years of experience in designing high performance audio electronics, the iRDock maximises the audio quality available for people who wanted to hear and control their iPod control from within an Arcam Solo system. The huge popularity of the rDock has encouraged Arcam produce an even more advanced version as a follow up. The iRDock allows anybody with an audio system, irrespective of the manufacturer, to enjoy iPod music with superlative quality.
Scratch my back.
14/11/10 18:34 Filed in: music
Purchase the latest CD from Peter Gabriel and inside you will find a unique code to download the album in FLAC: Studio master sound quality 24-bit 48KHz format. This is in a far higher resolution than can fit on the actual CD disc itself, thus giving the listener a closer insight into the great mans work. Alternately, you can download the album direct from Bowers and Wilkins website found here. The atmosphere from this album is truly majestic when played back through one of the new media streamers from Linn or Naim.
"Songwriting is what drew me into music," Peter reveals. "The craft and the process of putting together a good song seemed both exciting and magical." And it's this magical craft that Scratch My Back salutes, a dozen covers of songs that Peter regards as among the pinnacles of songwriting endeavour. "Songwriting is what turns his crank," agrees long-standing member of his management team Mike Large, "and there's a whole bunch of songs that, when he hears them, the meter goes off the end of the scale."
"Songwriting is what drew me into music," Peter reveals. "The craft and the process of putting together a good song seemed both exciting and magical." And it's this magical craft that Scratch My Back salutes, a dozen covers of songs that Peter regards as among the pinnacles of songwriting endeavour. "Songwriting is what turns his crank," agrees long-standing member of his management team Mike Large, "and there's a whole bunch of songs that, when he hears them, the meter goes off the end of the scale."
New Akurate range from Linn
04/11/10 22:14 Filed in: Events
The next generation of audio from Linn is now at the Sound Gallery store, and we are pleased to announce some very major updates have been made to the internal Akurate system design which significantly enhance the audio quality: Akurate DS features a completely new audio board, re-designed for pure performance. The Akurate Kontrol is a new dedicated analogue pre-amplifier designed from the ground up for exceptional stereo performance, and is now controllable via ethernet. The Akurate power amplifiers receive an aesthetic and acoustic enhancement with the new enclosure. And finally balanced connections are available throughout the entire Akurate system enabling further improved system performance if desired.
Bowers & Wilkins 800 speakers sing.
20/10/10 18:00 Filed in: Speakers
One material sums up B&W’s quest for the ultimate in sound reproduction more than any other, the use of a diamond tweeter material is the magic ingredient in the flagship 800 Series Diamond.
You don’t have to be an Abbey Road studio engineer to appreciate the stunning realism of the 800 Series Diamond. The range encompasses speakers of all sizes and applications, from mighty studio monitors to bookshelf speakers that will fit snugly into domestic spaces of any size. Although every speaker is different, they have a several key features in common: a tweeter made from pure diamond, and sound quality that will leave you speechless. B&W’s quest for the ultimate in sound reproduction has been reached, the use of a diamond tweeter material is the magic ingredient in the flagship 800 Series Diamond.. Its part of the reason why 800 Series speakers have become legendary among professional recording studios and serious sound enthusiasts alike. Now, for the first time, you can hear the incredible precision and clarity of diamond in every speaker in the range. The very best just got even better. And perfection just got even closer. Enjoy the brochure.
You don’t have to be an Abbey Road studio engineer to appreciate the stunning realism of the 800 Series Diamond. The range encompasses speakers of all sizes and applications, from mighty studio monitors to bookshelf speakers that will fit snugly into domestic spaces of any size. Although every speaker is different, they have a several key features in common: a tweeter made from pure diamond, and sound quality that will leave you speechless. B&W’s quest for the ultimate in sound reproduction has been reached, the use of a diamond tweeter material is the magic ingredient in the flagship 800 Series Diamond.. Its part of the reason why 800 Series speakers have become legendary among professional recording studios and serious sound enthusiasts alike. Now, for the first time, you can hear the incredible precision and clarity of diamond in every speaker in the range. The very best just got even better. And perfection just got even closer. Enjoy the brochure.
Boost Your PC or MAC's sound.
19/10/10 19:26 Filed in: Computer Audio | DAC
Simple to look at, the rDAC’s sleek cast aluminium casework hides the very latest digital conversion using, at its core, the outstanding 8741 IC from Wolfson Microelectronics. Offering coaxial, optical or USB digital inputs the rDAC renders music with stunning accuracy and delivers a performance of thrilling musicality. Uses for the rDAC are almost endless. Internet radio, set-top boxes and game stations can be connected via coaxial or optical leads to receive a dramatic increase in sound quality. PCs and Mac computers running music programs such as iTunes® or Windows Media Player can feed the rDAC via its USB input where special re-clocking circuitry has been deployed almost eliminating the jitter (timing inaccuracies) and noise usually associated with music in the computer environment. To achieve this Arcam have teamed up with dCS (Data Conversion Systems), licensing their Asynchronous USB Technology*. This unique system is usually reserved for ultra high-end HiFi and professional audio applications. Arcam and dCS have had a long and fruitful relationship that goes back to the highly innovative Alpha 9 & CD23 versions of dCS’s Ring DAC. The rDAC retails at £299 and is now in-store..
Rega, still the ultimate budget record player.
13/10/10 20:54 Filed in: Turntable
It all looks very much the same as the classic Rega P3, the all time ultimate budget record player. However, look closer and you will find a new plinth, tone-arm (A very solid RB301) and even a new motor system! This ultra simple design carried Rega through as winners in the hardest turntable market place of the 70's and 80's. And here in the 21st century still nothing compares to its simple, basic, and built to last design. Partner with a good cartridge and unleash the music from your favourite albums old and new. Available in high gloss red, yellow, white, pink, black, orange, blue and very Rega green!
Pimp your iPod.
12/10/10 21:01 Filed in: iPod
Get closer to your music wherever you are with new P5, the noise-isolating headphones from the makers of the Zeppelin iPod speaker. Drawing on 45 years of Bowers & Wilkins hi-fi innovation and expertise, P5 brings you remarkably natural and highly detailed sound on the move, and a luxuriously comfortable fit that makes longer listening sessions a pleasure. Think of it as your own personal concert to go. Have a demonstration today!
Rega Apollo, need a more reliable CD player?
10/10/10 20:38 Filed in: CD
The latest CD player from the very British Rega Research incorporates a very ingenious way of reading a disc, it dumps music information from the CD into a large buffer memory. This gives it the ability to read the disc many more times before the listener gets to hear the final music, and the consequences are a smooth, deeper sound, with less jumps! We love this little player, with a performance that challenges models costing three times its price. With the new price of £475 this is a true audio bargain.
The rCube, Arcams designer iPod dock.
09/10/10 04:33 Filed in: iPod
rCube is fully portable. You can move it from room to room, taking your music with you wherever you go. Use it while you work - radio streamed over you network in your office. Use it while you play - while you cook, loll in a chair or relax in the bath. Use it anywhere - in the house, in the office, in the garden or at a picnic. The rCube’s powerful battery eliminates the need for messy wires and is easy to charge, just like a mobile phone. You can play music from your iPhone or iPod using rCube's dock. With the rWand dongle you can stream music wirelessly from your iPhone, iPod or iPad. For music on a PC or Mac simply plug in the rWave USB dongle to wirelessly send music to the rCube. Static systems pin you down, the rCube sets you, and your music, free. It's beautifully crafted to fit right in with any decor.
Naim XS Audio range.
07/10/10 23:55 Filed in: CD
The XS Series represents so much more than evolution. Behind their brushed and anodised aluminium fascias, XS Series products embody radical and innovative audio engineering that builds on Naim’s previous slimline X Series to take performance to yet greater heights. The XS Series comprises a CD player, tuner, preamplifier, power amplifier, integrated amplifier and power supply, each one refined and polished to offer flawless system matching and matchless performance. Through scrutiny and refinement of every last engineering detail, the class-leading Naim CD5 XS delivers newly dramatic and vibrant music.
The NAIT XS takes the DNA of Naim's best ever integrated amplifier, the SUPERNAIT, and, like a sports car stripped back to essentials for the track, delivers musical performance that truly inspires. When a separate preamplifier/power amplifier approach is preferred, the NAC 152 XS provides the perfect option. The NAP 155 XS is the perfect companion to the NAC 152 XS preamplifier in an XS system.The vital role played by the power supply in any hi-fi system is a long held Naim conviction and it has no better demonstration than the increased musical fluency that the FlatCap XS/> brings to a system.
Download the brochure
The NAIT XS takes the DNA of Naim's best ever integrated amplifier, the SUPERNAIT, and, like a sports car stripped back to essentials for the track, delivers musical performance that truly inspires. When a separate preamplifier/power amplifier approach is preferred, the NAC 152 XS provides the perfect option. The NAP 155 XS is the perfect companion to the NAC 152 XS preamplifier in an XS system.The vital role played by the power supply in any hi-fi system is a long held Naim conviction and it has no better demonstration than the increased musical fluency that the FlatCap XS/> brings to a system.
Download the brochure
Arcam AV888/P777 reference cinema amplifier.
07/10/10 23:45 Filed in: Cinema
Arcam pushed the boundaries for combined music and movie reproduction. The AV888 redefines both the feature set and sonic performance of high end AV processing and pre-amplification. The result of a massive 2 and half year ground-up development programme, it features all new state of the art audio stages and balanced audio connectivity. Combined with its natural partner, P777 power amplifier, the AV888 represents a new standard for AV amplification. Using Sanken output devices with ultra-stable thermal management from the company’s stereo product line, the P777 offers huge power and control with even the most demanding loudspeakers and programme material. The Arcam development team have left nothing to chance while designing the P777. Literally hundreds of hours critical listening and fine tuning ensure it is equally at home with movies or music and will delight all who experience it.
Together as One.
07/10/10 23:30 Filed in: CD | Computer Audio
Imagine everything audio in one place: integrated amplifier, CD player, DAB/FM tuner, Internet radio, iPod dock, digital-to-analogue converter, music file player and network stream player. And now combine all that with legendary Naim musical quality, engineering integrity, design sophistication and interface know-how. Congratulations! You've just come up with the Naim Uniti.. and its a What Hi-fi winner!
Spendor Statement Speakers.
07/10/10 23:05 Filed in: Speakers
Down to the last detail the Statement is engineered without compromise. With hours of driver development and design, the Spendor's flagship speakers bring a live concert into the living room with style. Spendor will offer a custom service to allow inlays to be realised in a wide range of fine materials, colours and finishes to satisfy the most individual customer requirement. Inlay materials can include natural veneer, metal laminate, leather, fabric and lacquer. Spendor will be pleased to consider requests for the most exotic or luxurious materials, custom art, graphics and corporate branding. The possibilities are limitless - let your imagination flow. The basic selection of inlay finishes are available in carbon fibre, exotic ebony, zebrano and aluminium.