Chord Company Carnival Silver Screen
Chord Company Carnival Silver Screen
Price £6 per metre
Rating 9.8/10
Highly recommended for some time now the Chord Carnival Silver Screen has won many awards and as a class leader will take on the best. In this price range the Chord is in direct competition with QED’s highly recommended Silver Anniversary. With this level of competition then how does the Chord compare? Extremely well is the answer, in fact it gives the QED a very good run for its money. Using high-purity copper for the conductor the Chord uses similar shielding used for their more expensive Epic and Signature cables. Presentation is extremely smooth coupled with excellent dynamics and clarity. A sophisticated and truly revealing sound, with an even presentation throughout the frequency range. Chord has come up with a market leader here that will really take some beating.
Specifications
Biwire No
Diameter (mm) 8
Directional Yes
Flat No
Termination cost £40
Ixos XHS-513
Ixos XHS-513
Price £7 per metre
Rating 6.8/10
With generally good qualities the Ixos has very good detail and a silky midrange. Detail is certainly not lacking and drums are a delight. This lead offers an energetic sound with an informative midrange. It undeniably looks the part but the banana plugs tended to work loose the more they were used. Definitely a bright cable, it lacks a degree of whoomph in the bass. If your system is on the dull side then this cable could do wonders for it.
Specifications
Biwire No
Directional Yes
Flat No
Termination cost n/a
Musical Fidelity 550K Supercharger
Musical Fidelity 550K Supercharger
Price £1500
Rating 9.8/10
The Musical Fidelity 550K Supercharger is definitely not a run of the mill power amplifier. It is intended to supplement your existing integrated amplifier in that you feed it directly from the output, one for each monobloc, it then emerges from the outputs hugely amplified. Being monoblocs you’ll need two of them of course so they’ll cost £3,000 but output is 550W. If you want an amplifier to have a vice like grip on your speakers then the 550K is for you. It takes no prisoners and the influence it has on the sound is massive. Dynamics are elevated to frightening levels at high volumes, but at lower levels maintain supreme control. The 550k’s are a power amplifier with the emphasis of the power, they relish high volume and never has the slightest hint of running out of steam. The sheer attack that they emanate is colossal. With the grunt that they boast you might well ask what about refinement? Well it’s definitely not a case of brawn over brain they are extremely articulate and delicate. Lower frequencies are handled with dexterity, massive control and taken to a completely new level. The only criticism that can be aimed at them is possibly a slight reduction in detail resolution compared to the best. They are still worthy of recommendation because there are very few that can compete at this level.
Specifications
Bridgeable No
Power out (watts) 550
Type Mono
Phono in 1
XLR in 0
Dimensions (hwd, cm) 40x22x22
Weight (kg) 15
Quad Elite Stereo
Quad Elite Stereo
Price £700
Rating 8.2/10
Quad is a well known name that’s been around for over 50 years making well respected Hi Fi. The latest addition to the range is the Quad Elite Stereo. With an appearance similar to the old 99 range, the Elite can be easily overlooked. The improvements however are on the inside with superior components and circuitry. Keeping up the Quad tradition, it’s well specified and has a very neutral sound and perhaps lacking excitement. Tonal balance is admirably neutral, and detail is impressive. Reproduction of voices is particularly commendable as well as integration across the frequency range. If stacked and using Quads own propriety cables for signal, control, and mains then performance suffers. Quads intention to make things neater at the back rather than the usual rats nest we’re accustomed to results in restricted detail and less lucid.
Overall Quad seems to have struck the right balance with the Elite the result is a very capable performer.
Perhaps not as dynamic as it’s best rivals, the Quad Elite nevertheless warrants serious consideration.
Specifications
Bridgeable No
Power out (watts) 80
Type Stereo power amplifier
Phono in 1
XLR in 0
Dimensions (hwd, cm) 7x32x31
Weight (kg) 6.25
Cyrus Mono X
Cyrus Mono X
Price £1250
Rating 9.8/10
The Cyrus Mono X is a monobloc amplifier rated at 150W into 8 Ohms, but increasing to 240 W into 4 Ohms. It has a burst power potential of 1500 W that means that for a very short duration such as transients power output is increased to cope with instantaneous power demands. What it means is that the Cyrus Mono X can take transients in its stride with no strain. There can be no doubt that it has serious muscle and can cope with the most demanding speakers around with ease. In order to cope with such high outputs Cyrus have incorporated a fan, but, more importantly it only switches on during heavy power demands so it’s unlikely ever to be heard. As you might expect this amp can deal out thumping bass notes as good as the best with remarkable control. The Cyrus has a remarkable amount of poise and elegance; it never draws attention to itself, just gets on with the job. The speed is just astonishing, and layer after layer of detail is retrieved. Listening to old favourites you are aware of things that you’ve never heard before. Is it refined? – Absolutely. It’s convincingly natural without any hint of being analytical. It takes difficult speaker loads in its stride without getting flustered. The imaging is 3-dimensional with superb focus.
So what exactly is so good about the Cyrus Mono X? Well just about everything. It must be considered something of a bargain for the price and recommendation is mandatory.
Specifications
Bridgeable No
Power out (watts) 150
Type Mono
XLR in 1
Dimensions (hwd, cm) 22x8x36
Weight (kg) 5.5
