Garbage in, garbage out, they say – which in hi-fi terms means that you need a good source to have a good overall sound.
Times were when it was recommended to spend more on the source than anything else, and that can still be true for turntables. With the rise of digital streaming, however, you may be able to reduce your digital sources down to a good DAC, or even ignore them entirely and spend the savings on a smart amp that can stream.
These are the products that have wowed us over the last 12 months of our magazines Sound+Image, Australian Hi-Fi, Best Buys Audio & AV, and Audio Esoterica, and which represent our recommendations of the very best hi-fi sources available in Australia today.
For the full details on each and every winner, check out the Special Awards Issue of Sound+Image magazine, on sale now in print and digital editions. Print subscriptions here; digital issues here!
Now let's meet the winners!
CD player
CD PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Rossini Apex CD Player/Streamer
AU$49,995
Judges’ Comment: This high-end CD player from the UK is all set up for the new as well as the old – a full digital player, streamer and preamplifier at the highest levels of technology.
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Streamers
STREAMING MUSIC PLAYER OF THE YEAR UNDER $5000
Cambridge Audio MXN10
AU$899
Judges’ Comment: Fronted by the excellent StreamMagic app, this little Cambridge streamer is a pocket rocket that can bring streaming smarts to any existing audio system.
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STREAMING MUSIC PLAYER OF THE YEAR UNDER $5000
Merging +PLAYER +POWER
AU$34,285 (as reviewed, +PLAYER+POWER)
Judges’ Comment: It’s instantly obvious that the sonics here are superb — incredibly full, incredibly rich, incredibly detailed. With a full lifetime Roon subscription included in the price, Merging delivers the ultimate in music streaming and playback.
DACs
DAC OF THE YEAR
Musical Fidelity MX-DAC
AU$1595
Judges’ Comment: Our award offers belated recognition for this compact and clear-sounding DAC which just sits in a system just doing its job, reliably delivering high-quality D-to-A conversion from its five inputs. It has excellent visual feedback as well.
Turntables
TURNTABLE OF THE YEAR UNDER AU$500
Audio-Technica AT-SB2002 Sound Burger
AU$429
Judges’ Comment: We were surprised to find that, while subject to the vagaries of being a lightweight portable battery-powered turntable, the Sound Burger is no toy, and plays vinyl respectfully! We’re delighted the limited 2022 run has been extended for new 2023 Sound Burgers.
Click to read our full review.
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TURNTABLE OF THE YEAR AU$500-AU$1000
Music Hall Classic
AU$899
Judges’ Comment: Music Hall turns to a new source for its ‘Classic’, and the result is a high-value turntable that looks great, is easy to use, and delivers performance above its price.
Click here for our full review.
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TURNTABLE OF THE YEAR AU$1000-AU$2000
Cambridge Audio Alva ST
AU$1299
Judges’ Comment: With a built-in phono stage and the ability to play via Bluetooth, the Cambridge Audio Alva ST offers versatility as well as solid replay of vinyl via the rich-sounding Audio-Technica cartridge. It’s a great mid-price turntable.
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TURNTABLE OF THE YEAR AU$2000-AU$10,000
Pro-Ject X2B + Phono Box S3 B
AU$2699 + AU$659
Judges’ Comment: It’s not just the balanced operation: it’s an outstanding moving-coil cartridge, an outstanding turntable and an outstanding phono stage. What’s not to like?
Click here to read our full review.
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TURNTABLE OF THE YEAR OVER AU$10,000
Holbo MkII Airbearing Turntable
AU$12,000 without cartridge; reviewed with Kiseki Blue N.C.
Judges’ Comment: Pump up the volume! Holbo’s airborne platter and linear-tracking tonearm combine with a fine moving-coil cartridge to deliver effortless insight into recordings on vinyl.
Click to read our full review.
Phono Stage
VINYL PHONO STAGE OF THE YEAR
Musical Fidelity M6x ViNYL
AU$3675
A full-width and fully versatile phono stage from Musical Fidelity, with three separate inputs (including a balanced option) each able to have different loadings applied — and recalled whenever you switch. Meanwhile discrete component circuits ensure a thrilling audio experience from these most delicate of musical signals.
