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John’s Picks: Favorite Audio Gear of 2024
A Short Trip Through Products of Special Merit
One of the most satisfying aspects of working for a company like REL is the opportunity to get out into the field, visit with dealers (who often become friends), and listen to exciting new gear they’ve brought in. Interestingly, it doesn’t always have to be a new release; sometimes, it’s a component I haven’t had the chance to experience before. Getting to work with it and feel how its controls respond is crucial for me to personally recommend it.
Occasionally, it’s not just the sound quality that removes a product from my list of favorites. Increasingly, it’s the way the software operates. A great-sounding product can quickly become something I can’t endorse if repeated use reveals balky or awkward software.
What follows is a casual exploration of cool things I’ve encountered, listened to—often set up myself—and thought were worth sharing with our readers. Some items aren’t officially released yet, like the speakers below. Others, such as the ARC I/50, which initially shipped without its optional internal DAC, have been on the market for a few years but lacked crucial features until recently. Only now, fully realized, do they earn a place on my personal “I’d own that” list. Enjoy!
Magnepan 2.7X Speakers:
One of the most exciting new speakers for 2024 is the Magnepan 2.7x, an important evolutionary model. While the basic design upon which the 2.7x is based has been around for a while, the 2.7x represents a complete renovation—featuring both physical upgrades and a full rethinking of their crossover design. At $10,000 per pair, it’s not cheap, but it could be considered a bargain given its performance.
These speakers produce a massive, transparent soundstage that feels so palpable you might find yourself tempted to channel early Courtney Cox and dance alongside a band member on stage. They perform best on a wide wall, requiring at least 9 feet of spacing between the inside edges of each panel—preferably more. When properly positioned on a wide wall, spread apart, and toed in, they deliver exceptional results.
Pairing them with the right REL subwoofers (such as stereo pairs of Carbon Specials) is essential, especially for any truly fast speaker, and particularly for panel speakers. This combination creates a system that even $50,000 speakers would hesitate to be compared against. Outstanding work from our friends in White Bear Lake, MN!
Hegel H190V Integrated Amp:
This one was a surprise—not because it sounded great (Hegel has been a value leader in European amplifiers for a couple of decades, known for their simplicity, reliability, and honest musicality)—but because the H190V is also capable of playing effortlessly loud for hours on end. This capability is crucial for the increasing number of trades shows we participate in worldwide.
At Audio Advice Live (held in Raleigh-Durham, N.C., every early August), we paired KEF’s Reference 1 speakers ($10,000 stand-mounted speakers that are among our favorites in the KEF lineup) with a Hegel H190V integrated amplifier and a line array of REL S/510 subwoofers. The result? WOW!
The purpose of this demonstration was to show attendees that, with smaller speakers in a modest 15’ x 20’ (4.75m x 6m) room, it’s possible to play any genre of music when using a six-pack of REL S/510 subwoofers. And it delivered—just wow.
This system, quarterbacked by the Hegel H190V and fed by their equally remarkable Viking CD player, proved that $200,000 sound quality (just for the speakers alone—add the rest of the system, and you’re looking at $400K+) can be achieved in modest rooms for around $40,000. We were incredibly impressed by its speed and tactility as well. Bravo, Hegel!
Wharfedale Super Linton:
These retro, reissue-style speakers from one of Britain’s old-guard audio royalty trace their lineage back to the original Lintons, introduced in 2020. Peter Comeau, one of my favorite British designers, is at the helm. He first made waves with the Heybrook HB-1s in the mid-1980s, one of my favorite budget speakers from that era. The man simply knows how to craft natural-sounding speakers.
The “super” in Super Lintons aptly refers to their more open and expressive midrange. It’s as though a skilled interior designer came into your living room and said: “Push the couch back a step, move the armchairs just so, make room for a proper coffee table, and place magazine racks neatly to the outside of both chairs.” Peter has effectively “rearranged” the soundstage: the midrange is more open, the bass no longer extends as high but now reaches lower, and the tweeter engages higher up.
The result? Greater clarity, albeit with a slight trade-off in the original model’s softer, more genteel “Bring me my pipe and slippers” character. Pair these with either Classic 98s or 99s (for larger rooms), which more than restore the warmth and body while maintaining the upgraded clarity. At $2,499 per pair, plus stands, these are an outstanding value.
Technics SL-1200G:
Practically everyone who grew up in the ’80s either owned or knew someone who owned the original Technics SL-1200. It seemed ubiquitous found in every club and DJ setup, featured as props on movie sets, and instantly recognizable as the original “eye candy” turntable. However, while it dazzled visually, its tonearm was notoriously subpar, with bearings that rattled at high volumes. Yet its motor was a standout, durable enough to withstand scratching—a crucial feature for club music and the emerging hip-hop and rap scenes. After being discontinued in 2010, the SL-1200 made a triumphant return in 2016 due to overwhelming demand.
The latest iteration, the 1200G, is an absolute pleasure to use. One of its standout features is the VTA adjustment device—a massive, beautifully knurled disc at the base of the tonearm that allows for infinite and on-the-fly adjustments of vertical tracking angle (VTA). Back in the early ’80s, Dave Wilson of Wilson Audio and I both agreed that the Technics EPA-100 S-shaped tonearm was among the finest of its kind. It allowed rapid cartridge swapping while extracting about 95% of the performance. Dave even designed a direct-coupled solid brass counterweight that added remarkable dynamics and power to its presentation. While the 1200G’s tonearm doesn’t quite meet the same standard, it borrows several key features from the EPA-100.
At $4,300, the new 1200G is far from inexpensive, but quality machining comes at a cost—there’s simply no way around it. Direct drive turntables excel in bass drive and offer an implacable fluidity that belt-drive models struggle to match at this price point, or even considerably higher. Ignore the speed adjustment slider unless you’re playing 78 rpm records—yes, it offers that capability too. Instead, set your speed with a proper strobe disc and forget about it.
For those looking to get the most out of this turntable, I highly recommend Alex Halberstad’s detailed review in Stereophile. He lists a series of accessories and techniques that significantly enhance its performance. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to slip into my Members Only jacket, pull on some Sperry Topsiders and Ray-Bans, and spin a clean copy of Huey Lewis and the News’s Sports.
Denon A-1H Receiver:
This one’s for those who need a high-quality AVR for theater use. It’s a Dolby 15.4-channel receiver with 150 watts per channel. The overall sound leans slightly cool, but the simple 5-channel equalizer helps fine-tune the experience. In the past, I’ve criticized Denon and their sister company Marantz for removing the option to run theater speakers in true Full Range mode—an oversight they introduced 7–8 years ago. Thankfully, this has now been corrected with the A-1H, the less expensive AVR-X6800H (11.4 channels), and Marantz’s AV 10 processor. Kudos to both brands!
I had almost forgotten how enjoyable it is to properly dial in a home theater system with high-quality, larger speakers when Full Range is an option. The restored dynamics are remarkable. While certain high-end processors like the $20–30K+ Trinnov models allow this, and Anthem in Canada has kept the high-performance torch burning with their excellent receivers and processors, the combination of value and quality construction in these three products from Sound United makes them stand out.
REL Tip: If you have a dedicated home theater—with true theater seating, a large room, a projector, and a great screen—and you use dedicated amps near the screen, consider the A-1H or the Marantz AV 10. Both support true balanced XLR connections, which are especially valuable when running interconnects of 20 feet or longer. The superior reliability of a good XLR connector is worth it alone. And with 15 channels and 4 subwoofer channels, you’re unlikely to need more.
ROTEL RAS-5000 Integrated Amp with Streaming:
On a Reasonable Budget for Electronics? Need Your Streamer and DAC Built In? Think Rotel. Rotel might just be the most overlooked brand offering reliable, high-quality electronics for those of us who haven’t hit the lottery yet. Whether it’s their RMB-1555 5-channel amplifier for theater at $2,299 or a quality integrated 2-channel amp like the RA-1572 MKII, which features a good-sounding DAC and Roon software, producing up to 200 high-current watts for $2,499, Rotel consistently delivers. Their sweet spot is simple, reliable, well-thought-out gear ranging from under $1,000 to around $4,000. For those seeking something more, their high-end Michi line has been receiving well-deserved acclaim lately.
REL Tip: For an all-in-one amplifier with streaming built-in, check out the Rotel RAS-5000 at $2,999. Perfect for those who don’t have the space for a large multi-channel audio-video theater, it’s a compact powerhouse that does it all. Why? It thoughtfully includes HDMI eARC, allowing you to connect your new OLED flat panel directly for high-quality Dolby 2.1. Add a REL or two, and you’re set—sit back and let it handle everything.
Streaming is effortless with features like Roon compatibility, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and all the standard streaming modes thoughtfully integrated. Rotel proves that you don’t need to break the bank to enjoy exceptional sound and functionality.
Musical Fidelity A-1 Integrated Amp:
Let’s take you back to 1985; Dire Straits Brothers in Arms was the best -selling album, big hair and spandex was in and an English electronics manufacturer called Musical Fidelity made all kinds of beautiful noise with an amp called the A-1. Its physical design was minimalist perfection. The heat sinks formed the entire top surface of the unit, and it needed all that radiating area because, even though it was remarkably affordable it was pure Class A, which meant it dissipated enough heat to cook eggs on. Today, Heinz Lichtenegger, owner of Pro-Ject Audio, owns Musical Fidelity. And whilst he’s done a wonderful job of resurrecting Musical Fidelity-the company- this little amp may be his finest effort to-date. Still true Class A still looks the same as it did when John Cougar (Mellencamp) was singing about Little Pink Houses, but FAR better built and that’s a good thing. At 25 watts, it won’t be the loudest amp on the block, but Class A amps have a way of sounding far more powerful than their wattage rating. And this one has a little party trick up its sleeve, it runs pure Class A almost all the way up, then it slides into Class B (think of it as over boost on a turbo that permits higher output briefly) to permit louder peak volume levels. I can’t wait to get one in. Check it out, they will be in wide distribution shortly. Perfect for efficient speakers (do I sense a new Klipsch solution?) and folks who value sweetly delicate precision with warmth over beating yourself over the head with raw output.
Audio Research I/50 Integrated amp $6500, $7,700 with DAC:
What a sweetheart this beautifully crafted unit has become. At $6,500, it’s not at the bottom of the price range, but for many audiophiles—whether millennials or retirees at opposite ends of the barbell age curve—this is the sweet spot. Why? Because it delivers true high-end audio performance in an artfully designed package that practically begs you to take it home, like a puppy in a cardboard box. Except, this one is far more sophisticated and far better looking.
The simplicity of an all-in-one integrated amp is part of the charm, and when paired with the excellent optional DAC, it reveals a velvety smooth touch that’s far beyond what you’d expect at this price range.
And let’s talk about tubes. No matter how much solid-state technology has advanced (and it truly has), nothing replicates the magic and seamless liquidity of a tube amplifier. This unit comes from none other than Audio Research—the definitive tube royalty of the audio world—not some fly-by-night company that may vanish before you need your first set of replacement tubes. Speaking of replacements, when the time comes (likely around the 3–4-year mark), you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find it uses rich-sounding and more affordable 6550 output tubes and 6922 preamp tubes.
Buy one before the price goes up. Oh, and it’s available in six colors, with gold being the current favorite. Shown here in GOLD. Enjoy!
Wrap Up: These were some of the most memorable sonic experiences I had in 2024. Not all these products were introduced this year, like the Audio Research and Hegel amplifiers. But something feels new when it’s the first time you experience it. While it’s not entirely clear if Magnepan has officially launched the 2.7X, you can buy them. And though I can think of turntables I might personally prefer over the Technics at its price point, there’s no denying that it’s an iconic piece of Japanese audio engineering—durable and built to last.
Enjoy these highlights. If I didn’t mention your favorite, please don’t take offense. These were my experiences—moments that, from all the gear I encountered this year, stood out as being truly memorable. I invite you to share your own sonic experiences—those that exceeded your expectations, surprised you, or brought you delight. If your memories spark something in ours, we’ll share it with the group.
More than anything, thank you for being with us—reading, watching, and supporting us in countless ways, big and small. We have so much fun doing this, and we couldn’t do it without people like you who have come to love and appreciate REL over the years and decades. Share the joy with someone you know and stay safe.
Warmly,
J