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Cliff Richard: The Young Ones
Mike Barnes  |  Jul 05, 2022
In 1961, a youth culture movie musical accelerated Cliff Richard's rapid transition from rock 'n' roll heartthrob to household name, and was quickly followed by a soundtrack album that scored a trio of Top 10 hits and stayed in the UK charts for 42 weeks

The story starts in the basement of the 2i's coffee bar in Old Compton Street, Soho, where live music had been put on since 1956. This was the time of the UK skiffle boom, a style of music that had developed in America out of rhythm and blues and folk, with elements of jazz. But while it had a hint of swing it was rhythmically more straight ahead, and was popular with young musicians because you didn't have to be a virtuoso to play it. If you had a washboard or could knock together a tea chest bass, you could be in a skiffle rhythm section.

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Phono Preamplifiers
Exposure VXN Phono Phono Preamplifier
Review: Adam Smith,  |  Jul 04, 2022
hfnoutstandingLatest in Exposure's top-end compact series is this flexible MM/MC phono preamp, inspired by the XM3 Phono but with improved audio stages and an outboard PSU

Despite concerns over pressing delays and the availability of raw materials, the lure of vinyl seems to show no signs of abating, which explains why the selection of phono stages available now is greater than ever. The latest company to add to the audiophile wishlist is West Sussex-based Exposure Electronics, with the VXN Phono. This is the first 'source' item in the only-available-in-black VXN range, joining two-way and three-way active crossover units and the VXN Power Supply [HFN Feb '20].

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Audiophile Vinyl
Audiophile: Vinyl, June 2022
Ken Kessler  |  Jun 30, 2022
This month we review: Janis Joplin, The O'Jays, Buck Owens and Sly & The Family Stone.
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Audiophile Digital
Audiophile: Digital, June 2022
Ken Kessler  |  Jun 30, 2022
This month, we review: The Beau Brummels, Marianne Faithfull, Audiophile Masters Volume II and Gritty 60's Garage & Punk.
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Rock
Rock, June 2022
Mike Barnes  |  Jun 30, 2022
This month we review: Fontaines DC, Andy Bell, Judy Collins and MWWB.
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Jazz
Jazz, June 2022
Steve Harris  |  Jun 30, 2022
This month we review: Omar + QCBA, Walter Smith III, Stan Tracey Trio and Bob James Trio.
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Classical
Classical, June 2022
Peter Quantrill  |  Jun 30, 2022
This month we review: Fontanals-Simmons, Glynn, Aurora, Antoine Tamestit, Anaëlle Tourret and Stephen Hough.
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Hi-Res Downloads
Hi-Res Downloads, June 2022
Andrew Everard  |  Jun 29, 2022
This month we review and test releases from: Alice Coote & Julius Drake, Thom Lafond, Florent Ghys, Jacob Reuven, Omar Meir Wellber, Sinfonietta Leipzig and Scabaret
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From the VaultIntegrated Amplifiers
Affordable Audiophile Amp
Martin Colloms  |  Jun 28, 2022  |  First Published: Jan 01, 1984
hfnvintageCan Audiolab's 8000A redefine the market? Martin Colloms finds out...

The new Audiolab range is introduced by the 8000A integrated amp, which sells for around £250. Trade rumours are that the first batch was sold out even before any press mention of the product, and that the few dealers appointed so far are finding it impossible to hold any stock. In these commercially depressed times it is certainly refreshing to cover a success story such as this, though I suspect that this model may be in short supply for some time to come.

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Turntables, Arms & Cartridges
Pro-Ject Audio Automat A1 Turntable Package
Review: Ken Kessler,  |  Jun 27, 2022
hfncommendedAustria's vinyl juggernaut has leveraged German expertise to launch a series of fully-automatic turntables. The range starts spinning with the A1, inc. a built-in phono stage            

Decades ago, along with tone controls, the automatic turntable was relegated to 'amateur' status because audiophiles revel in masochism. 'What? The arm lifts up at the end of the side?'. As lies were told about CD, so were falsehoods spread about how triggering the arm lift would snap your cantilever. It was a load of tosh, and as many new to LP want convenience, Pro-Ject has responded with the A1 at only £369.

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