Hi-Fi Riff
Hi-Fi Riff
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It's a Mini Adventure... How MiniDisc Became Sony's Most Glorious Ever Format Failure!
This episode sees Mike and David's long-awaited, much-requested and not entirely serious celebration of MiniDisc. For a moment in the mid 1990s, it looked like this dinky little disc was going to take over the world. But then MP3 arrived and rained on its parade - so MD only became a legend in its own lunchtime, and by the early 2000s was gone. The guys celebrate this failed Sony format, and reckon that - oddly enough - there's still a lot to like about it now.
Every episode of Hi-Fi Riff features Mike Evans' and David Price's frank views about all manner of weird and wonderful hi-fi designs. Business executive Mike has a wealth of knowledge from previous hi-fi retail experience, and David has written about hi-fi for thirty years. Now Editor-in-Chief of StereoNET, he's picked up a few things along the way.
So relax and enjoy some one-take hi-fi riffing - and please leave your comments below. And don’t forget to hit the Subscribe button, this
one goes up to eleven!
The eighties-tastic title tune is called ‘UFO/Mike’s Jumper’, and used with the express permission of our old pal and rights holder Simon Lythe.
Follow Hi-Fi Riff on Instagram: hifiriff
Переглядів: 2 978

Відео

Yamaha's NS-5000 Flagship High End Monitor Loudspeaker - Seventies Throwback or 21st Century Joy?
Переглядів 8 тис.14 днів тому
In this episode, David shares his impressions of Yamaha's statement NS-5000 loudspeaker with Mike. This is the company's modern-day answer to its classic NS-1000M, which it resembles so closely. David's in a good position to compare the two, having used NS-1000Ms for thirty years! He reckons this big Japanese bruiser is one of the finest mid-size high end speakers on sale - but it's not cheap.....
Exposure's 3510 CD Compact Disc Player is a Brilliant New Blast From the Past
Переглядів 10 тис.Місяць тому
Remember what CD from a generation ago sounded like, back before 1-bit DACs ruled the digital roost? Well here's your chance to find out, as this new silver disc player uses DACs first launched in 1998! Mike and David are rather taken by this new bit of kit, recognising of course that Exposure's amplifier design prowess also plays a big part in its sonic success. Every episode of Hi-Fi Riff fea...
Three Degrees - Why Wharfedale's new Super Denton Is Such a Smartly Designed Small Speaker...
Переглядів 10 тис.Місяць тому
Hi-Fi Riff's endless odyssey into baby boxes continues in this episode, with Mike and David trying out this rather eccentric compact standmounter from Wharfedale's Heritage range. The guys are seriously impressed by the breadth of abilities this speaker shows, and reckon it's a lot more than just a pretty face. Every episode of Hi-Fi Riff features Mike Evans' and David Price's frank views about...
Great Dane! DALI's Rubikore 2 is a Seriously Gifted Compact Standmounter that Deserves to Succeed
Переглядів 6 тис.Місяць тому
The guys go a little off-piste this week with a compact standmounter from a Scandinavian company that they think deserves greater success in the UK than it's had so far. Danish Audiophile Loudspeaker Industries is over 40 years old now, yet hasn't quite had the traction here of some newer and/or less capable rivals. Mike and David reckon this little loudspeaker will really get the company notic...
Shine On! Chord Electronics' Flagship DAVE DAC is Almost 10 Years Old, But its Star Burns Bright
Переглядів 6 тис.2 місяці тому
This episode sees the guys review what is still one of the finest sounding digital-to-analogue converters on sale, despite it being older than most around now. Mike and David agree that it remains one of the stars of the digital audio constellation. Mike celebrates with a beer. Every episode of Hi-Fi Riff features Mike Evans' and David Price's frank views about all manner of weird and wonderful...
Tiny Dynamite! Why ATC's SCM7 is Such a Surprising Small Standmount Speaker
Переглядів 8 тис.2 місяці тому
In this episode, Mike and David agree that ATC's baby is a real honey of a mini-monitor. With its sealed, infinite baffle cabinet and high quality bespoke drivers, it deftly punches out lots of sound from a very small box. The guys reckon that it's well worth an audition, if you're in the market for a near-field speaker, and/or have a space-limited listening room. Every episode of Hi-Fi Riff fe...
Bring the Future - Why NAD's Masters Series M33 Amplifier is Tomorrow's Integrated, Today
Переглядів 7 тис.2 місяці тому
In this episode, the boys continue their recent long run of integrated amplifier reviews with this big, technology-packed marvel - one that comes with everything except the kitchen sink. The guys are beguiled by its massive power output and smooth, Class D sound - along with its myriad other positives - but being 1980s throwbacks, it's just a little too far from their comfort zone! Every episod...
Simply Years Ahead: Thanks to its Ingenious 16-bit DAC, the Philips CD960 Is a Cult 1980s CD Player
Переглядів 10 тис.2 місяці тому
Mike and David pay homage to this aristocrat of late eighties CD players, arguing that its Philips TDA1541A S2 DAC and digital filter chips give it an exceptionally musical and engaging sound. Don't be fooled by its generic 'black box' looks, this is a really special digital disc player, the guys decide! Every episode of Hi-Fi Riff features Mike and David's unedited, unexpurgated views about al...
Master Tape: Why Sony's Affordable 3 Head TC K611S is the Best Way to Join the Cassette Revival!
Переглядів 12 тис.3 місяці тому
Alright pop pickers, it's time to dust down your Duran Duran tape, spike-up your mullet and put new batteries in your Walkman - as the nineteen eighties cassette revival is back! Needless to say, Mike and David are at the cutting edge of this, because they're such on-trend people. In this episode the guys are again joined by Hi-Fi Riff's very own tame loudspeaker designer, Jes Kerr from Kerr Ac...
Don't Be Fooled by the Retro Styling: Hi Fi Rose's RA280 is a State of the Art Integrated Amp
Переглядів 8 тис.3 місяці тому
Mike and David go a little 'off piste' in this episode, to review a South Korean-designed and made, mid-price integrated amplifier that's actually quite purist in its design. Look beyond its seventies-tastic styling, and you'll find a hugely powerful and highly advanced implementation of Class D. The guys agree that it sounds surprisingly good - so if you're as deaf as a post or have speakers a...
Why Cambridge Audio's New CXN100 is a Great Affordable Audiophile Stream Machine!
Переглядів 8 тис.3 місяці тому
After two years at the top with its CXN (v2), Cambridge Audio has tweaked its best-seller to make the new CXN 100. Mike and David agree that it's a better all-round product - with improved sound, functionality and display - but Mike misses the older model's slightly romantic voicing. He would say that though, wouldn't he? Every episode of Hi-Fi Riff features Mike and David's unedited, unexpurga...
One Million Views: Hi Fi Riff's Mike and David Say Thank You For the Music!
Переглядів 2,8 тис.3 місяці тому
Having just hit the million views mark, Hi-Fi Riff's Mike and David give special thanks to their viewers for putting up with their off-the-cuff, unscripted and impromptu musings on hi-fi, the universe and everything! From Rush guitar solos and David Soul records to David's orange Volvo and Mike's ailing QUAD electrostatics, they have rambled their way up to the magic million. Cheers chaps! Ever...
Bangers And Brash: Why JBL's New L82 Classic MkII Speaker Rocks The House!
Переглядів 6 тис.4 місяці тому
This week Mike and David get their flares flapped by this striking, in-your-face retro standmounting loudspeaker. As you'd expect from any JBL Classic series design, it wins no prizes for delicacy - but it can certainly do dynamics. Super-fast and punchy sounding, it's very different to most modern loudspeakers. All the same, as the guys agree, it won't be everyone's cup of tea... speaking of w...
Why Rega's New Aethos Integrated Amplifier is a Brilliant Class AB Belter!
Переглядів 14 тис.4 місяці тому
Not long after they decided that the full Class A Sugden A21SE is the best thing since sliced bread, Mike and David finally set ears upon its Class AB Rega rival - and get a serious surprise! The guys reckon that this is, in some ways at least, even better. With its smooth but grippy musical sound, it's proof positive that Southend-on-Sea's finest is still on top form. Also in this episode, Mik...
Japanese Microspeaker Restomod Madness: Unique Sansui J11 Jes Kerr Signature Reviewed!
Переглядів 3,7 тис.4 місяці тому
Japanese Microspeaker Restomod Madness: Unique Sansui J11 Jes Kerr Signature Reviewed!
Beer Budget Turntable Challenge: Can Pro-Ject's E1 BT Match the Mighty Rega Planar 1 Plus?
Переглядів 6 тис.5 місяців тому
Beer Budget Turntable Challenge: Can Pro-Ject's E1 BT Match the Mighty Rega Planar 1 Plus?
Hot Property: Why Sugden's Class A A21SE is One of the Best Integrated Amplifiers On Sale!
Переглядів 28 тис.5 місяців тому
Hot Property: Why Sugden's Class A A21SE is One of the Best Integrated Amplifiers On Sale!
THX Dominus Certified, But Does it Make The Hi Fi Grade? Perlisten's S4b Speaker Reviewed
Переглядів 4,8 тис.5 місяців тому
THX Dominus Certified, But Does it Make The Hi Fi Grade? Perlisten's S4b Speaker Reviewed
AVID Listening: Why the Pellar is a Great New Phono Stage for Aspiring Analogue Addicts
Переглядів 4,8 тис.6 місяців тому
AVID Listening: Why the Pellar is a Great New Phono Stage for Aspiring Analogue Addicts
Strange Brew: The Curious Case of the Nytech CTA252 XD II 'Calculator Tuner Amplifier'
Переглядів 3,8 тис.6 місяців тому
Strange Brew: The Curious Case of the Nytech CTA252 XD II 'Calculator Tuner Amplifier'
Is Bowers & Wilkins' 801 D4 Signature the World's Best All Round High End Loudspeaker?
Переглядів 17 тис.6 місяців тому
Is Bowers & Wilkins' 801 D4 Signature the World's Best All Round High End Loudspeaker?
Head Master: Why Meze Audio's 109 Pro is a Serious Sounding, Affordable High End Headphone Design
Переглядів 2,5 тис.7 місяців тому
Head Master: Why Meze Audio's 109 Pro is a Serious Sounding, Affordable High End Headphone Design
Bit Player: Why Auralic's New Aries S1 Streaming Processor Hits the Digital Spot!
Переглядів 10 тис.7 місяців тому
Bit Player: Why Auralic's New Aries S1 Streaming Processor Hits the Digital Spot!
Automatic For The People: Rekkord's Affordable Fully Auto F110P Turntable Goes for a Spin!
Переглядів 3,8 тис.7 місяців тому
Automatic For The People: Rekkord's Affordable Fully Auto F110P Turntable Goes for a Spin!
Is Falcon Acoustics' Lovely 2024 LE the Best Ever BBC LS3/5a? It's Certainly the Most Expensive!
Переглядів 8 тис.8 місяців тому
Is Falcon Acoustics' Lovely 2024 LE the Best Ever BBC LS3/5a? It's Certainly the Most Expensive!
Metal Guru: Why Sony's Early Eighties TCK 81 was the First Great Modern Cassette Deck
Переглядів 4,8 тис.8 місяців тому
Metal Guru: Why Sony's Early Eighties TCK 81 was the First Great Modern Cassette Deck
Why NAD's Flagship 3155 Integrated Looked Like a 1980s Budget Amp, But Didn't Sound Like One
Переглядів 43 тис.8 місяців тому
Why NAD's Flagship 3155 Integrated Looked Like a 1980s Budget Amp, But Didn't Sound Like One
Reel Life - Why Akai's 4000DS Was the Most Popular Hi-Fi Tape Recorder of the 1970s!
Переглядів 4,5 тис.8 місяців тому
Reel Life - Why Akai's 4000DS Was the Most Popular Hi-Fi Tape Recorder of the 1970s!
Small Box, Big Fun - Why PMC's prodigy1 Transmission Line Standmount is a Force to be Reckoned With!
Переглядів 11 тис.9 місяців тому
Small Box, Big Fun - Why PMC's prodigy1 Transmission Line Standmount is a Force to be Reckoned With!

КОМЕНТАРІ

  • @capybara8868
    @capybara8868 52 хвилини тому

    Just about to get my 3130 re-capped after 30 years. Can't wait!

  • @gerrywesterby3487
    @gerrywesterby3487 3 години тому

    NS - 3000 has apparently the same quality but at a less challenging price.

  • @gerrywesterby3487
    @gerrywesterby3487 20 годин тому

    That’s a serious syrup you got there David.

  • @markorchard2272
    @markorchard2272 21 годину тому

    I now have RUBIKORE 6s. Wow. If Mike likes the 2. He’ll be blown away by the 6s. But before testing they MUST have 50hrs+ run in. At about 60hrs the bass gets SO deep... and SO tight! (Also the RLJ album is superb. How, at 59, had I missed it!!???)

  • @potsy1013
    @potsy1013 22 години тому

    More cartridge riff's please 😁

  • @crisjr6478
    @crisjr6478 22 години тому

    Great tuner. The only tuner I’ve ever had that sounds better than my 730es is the a late 70s luxman t-88. It’s amazing sounding.

  • @potsy1013
    @potsy1013 23 години тому

    What a joy to hear people talk about minidisc and positive! I still love them. I had separate, car stereo and portable. My 12 year old son found the portable a couple of wks ago and is now using it 😃 Wonderful. Thanks guys.

  • @potsy1013
    @potsy1013 День тому

    Had to sell my Sugden last year.😢 Now looking for a replacement. After watching your review of sugden I was kicking myself as it will now cost me double what I paid. But listening to you reviewing this amp, everything out of your mouths was what I needed to hear!!! And I already love the look. It will be mostly for vinyl on Michelle Girodec. I will be looking for a demo for sure. Thank you guys. Stuart, East Anglia.

  • @potsy1013
    @potsy1013 День тому

    Sold mine last year raising money for something. With the intention to replace with something at a later date. Well that later date is nearly here and I'm thinking it was a big mistake given to replace it would cost me double what I originally paid 🤦 Beautiful amp. Appreciate the video guys.

  • @onekana5120
    @onekana5120 День тому

    I have one of these, and an SL7 and an SL15. Technics MC cartridge as desribed here, MM205 MKii, MKi - but the unsung bargain for using with this deck is the Technics p202 or variant which can be picked up for small change, with a Jico SAS stylus cartridge replacement. I use it all the time because I don't have to worry about wearing anything irreplaceable out! It just sound fantastic.

  • @tyronejohnson6482
    @tyronejohnson6482 2 дні тому

    You two fellows sit there, and talk about whatever... I thought you would share your experiences, in detail about the cartridge rather quickly!

  • @badlyread
    @badlyread 2 дні тому

    If you are interested in one of these players (CD960) there is one in time warp condition available on PinkFish at the moment (no connection to sale).

  • @mrkitewine7700
    @mrkitewine7700 2 дні тому

    I had a good look at this when I bought my 3510 integrated. It looks much nicer in the flesh than the pictures. The sliding cover is very loose as demonstrated in this riff, but that is not an issue given the unit is supposed to be horizontal. The only real downside for me is the lack of digital input, as I would need to using a separate external dac for my streamer and I really only want 1 DAC in my system. In fact it would be perfect if Exposure would do a transport only version of this, that would be of great interest to me as I could use the same external DAC for both my streamer and CD.

  • @petermitchell6348
    @petermitchell6348 3 дні тому

    The Lin Sondek was over £400 at that time!

  • @ssnoc
    @ssnoc 4 дні тому

    Enjoyable conversation, first time here. You guys fit together well, I think I will try the MP110 👍

  • @DJNeiloSF
    @DJNeiloSF 4 дні тому

    As far as I am aware, Minidisc is Magneto Optical media 😊

  • @patricj951
    @patricj951 4 дні тому

    I have Rega Apollo together with Brio amplifier. The only thing I don't like is that the CD is so firmly attached in the player that to remove it I have to hold in the center with the index finger and pull so hard at the edges that the disc bends strongly. I wonder is this really normal?

  • @marklobban5354
    @marklobban5354 5 днів тому

    I just wanted to thank you David for this Riff and your Stereonet UK review. I pulled the trigger on getting the Aries S1 and partnering PSU and it sounds fantastic hooked up to M Scaler & TT2 👍

  • @paulandriessen489
    @paulandriessen489 5 днів тому

    It does not work with my cassettetapes!!!

  • @martinpaling1989
    @martinpaling1989 5 днів тому

    Well, well. Discovered your channel when researching the Exposure 3510 and, lo and behold, you are Falcon people (and Triumph cars!). I have a pair of Falcon Studio RAM 30 floor standers, driven by a Primare i35. Great combo!

  • @lawrencesommaesq.9944
    @lawrencesommaesq.9944 6 днів тому

    Love the channel and especially the motorcycle references. I’m a old RD/RZ man myself so these references speak to me.

  • @markorchard2272
    @markorchard2272 6 днів тому

    Late to this video.... but better late than never. Your rank amateurism and rock-bottom production values are almost forgiven due to your excellent banter/chats.😜😜😜 love what you do in all seriousness guys! (proud to be riff-raff)

  • @mesostinky72
    @mesostinky72 6 днів тому

    Great discussion and the yes it’s a different world. I think many people simply got tired of their $500 Amps becoming paperweights every 3 years. HDMI kept changing and so did the main Audio codec. Plus 3rd party streaming services on amps were always breaking and becoming unsupported. And finally the UI for the amps built in software was always just terrible. Now it’s just an app on your phone that auto updates and you plug in two sleek boxes to the mains and in 5 minutes you are done. It’s hard to compete with that plus “it all sounds the same to me” 😂

  • @scottbennett3119
    @scottbennett3119 6 днів тому

    Great review, thanks. Thanks for calling it the back wall. It is the back wall to the speakers, and since we are focused on the speaker system, and it is the wall behind the speakers, it should be called the back wall. If we were talking about the listener, it would be the front wall to the listener. Right? No.

  • @peterfletcher6678
    @peterfletcher6678 6 днів тому

    Another great watch. I would be interested in hearing your review of the Cambridge Audio EXN100 & EXA100

  • @paoloterzoni7583
    @paoloterzoni7583 6 днів тому

    I run mine (satin white) with my Goldnote is 1000.....amazing

  • @TheAceRimmer
    @TheAceRimmer 7 днів тому

    I used to buy HiFi for a retailer and on one of the Sony "Jan Trips" I got talking to one of their product managers, Atrac was apparently not only designed to sound good and give MP3 a run for it's money, but they also designed to codec to be efficient from a battery use perspective. MD was the perfect portable format, really tough, great sound and very small. In my grumpy old man opinion Sony were their worst enemy by not making it easier and cheaper for manufacturers to licence the technology, more brands would have made it more widespread (and cheaper). And, they didn't do a mark 2 (HI-MD) until it was too late, Apple had already launched the iPod so the writing was on the wall. Sony didn't think that anyone would buy an expensive portable player with a delicate HDD in it..... and as they say, the rest is history.

  • @SybylCampbell
    @SybylCampbell 7 днів тому

    你做得非常好! 您能帮我处理一些不相关的事情吗? 我有一个SafePal钱包,里面有USDT,并且我有恢复短语.(pride)-(pole)-(obtain)-(together)-(second)-(when)-(future)-(mask)-(review)-(nature)-(potato)-(bulb). 我该如何将它们转移到Binance?

  • @davebowling2262
    @davebowling2262 7 днів тому

    boring

  • @Chimpsfingers
    @Chimpsfingers 7 днів тому

    Temped by one of these or an Elicit. This amp has been out for some time now, do we tbh k an update is on the way ?

  • @lowrider007007
    @lowrider007007 7 днів тому

    Recently bought this amplifier for use in a desktop setup in a nearfield configuration and could easily hear a hiss from the speakers from 2-3 feet away from my listening position, I've had the amp sent back for testing and I've been informed that this is within normal operation of the amplifier spec! I have 5 other amps to hand and I can't hear any hiss from the speakers from any of them, I think maybe in a living room setup you'd probably not notice to be fair, very disappointed from a good brand like this.

  • @ianbigsand7
    @ianbigsand7 8 днів тому

    My dealer told me that it had balls, he wasn't wrong. I bought the KEF Coda II and Dual CS505 with Grado fte+1 at the same time.

  • @davefassett9431
    @davefassett9431 8 днів тому

    You had me at “made for Rush”…

  • @mrglasses8953
    @mrglasses8953 8 днів тому

    MiniDisc wasn't a failure though, it was fairly successful in the UK in the late 90's and was a success in Asia (esp. Japan.) It only really failed in the US. Sony also developed "Hi-MD" capable of storing 1GB and fully uncompressed CD quality PCM audio

    • @Zimmy_1981
      @Zimmy_1981 6 днів тому

      @@mrglasses8953 correct. I was looking for a comment of this sorts. Thanks

  • @Jay-tf8el
    @Jay-tf8el 8 днів тому

    Since 97 1200’s

  • @elkartian
    @elkartian 8 днів тому

    Sharp MD R2H player is fabulous

  • @elkartian
    @elkartian 8 днів тому

    Sharp had their own attrac which for me was far better soundwise than Sony

  • @007soedal
    @007soedal 8 днів тому

    Any thoughts about the Rubicore 2 vs the Mofi 8 driven by the MF A1(new)

    • @007soedal
      @007soedal 5 днів тому

      I just ordered a pair of these Rubikore 2 so I guess we will find out. These will replace my LS50 Meta. I had the Rubicon 2 before the Kef.

  • @hamidrezahabibi8111
    @hamidrezahabibi8111 8 днів тому

    I admired MiniDisc from SONY and still. 💎🫡🇯🇵👹

  • @nickevans3190
    @nickevans3190 8 днів тому

    What did you both think about the quality of original artist record shop brought MiniDisc do you think they sounded better than a CD equivalent and in comparison to the same album recorded onto a black MiniDisc

  • @nickevans3190
    @nickevans3190 8 днів тому

    Sony did bring out towards the end of the MiniDisc lifespan a Sony premium 80min blank disc

  • @channelzero2252
    @channelzero2252 8 днів тому

    I own a Pioneer MJ-D707 minidisk deck. It's totally awesome.

  • @eddiebaby22
    @eddiebaby22 9 днів тому

    I'm one of the last 3 viewers , I'm s sad :D

  • @michaelturner4457
    @michaelturner4457 9 днів тому

    That was made just down the road from where I live, in Nailsea.

  • @reinhartfrais8549
    @reinhartfrais8549 9 днів тому

    Hi What a modern amp sounding similar? Thanks

  • @bossoli60
    @bossoli60 9 днів тому

    Indeed I have a CR1 absolutely mint.Nakamichi sounds so good 😊 so natural

  • @oliverbeard7912
    @oliverbeard7912 9 днів тому

    How many cars (Volvos?) does David own? I'm not from Swindon and I like XTC!😊

  • @reinhartfrais8549
    @reinhartfrais8549 9 днів тому

    Hi What's a similar sounding contemporary amp? Thanks

  • @pittsburghpenguinstv9735
    @pittsburghpenguinstv9735 9 днів тому

    unsubscribe

  • @DimasFajar-ns4vb
    @DimasFajar-ns4vb 9 днів тому

    mini blueray disc will be amazing sir