HI-FI SEPARATES ARE BACK - GOOD NEWS FOR ALL OF US

Hi-fi separates are all the rage again. That's something to celebrate, says Kashfia Kabir, who highlights some of the key products coming our way

- Kashfia Kabir

Something good is happening in the world of hi-fi. After a handful of years with a limited supply of hi-fi separates, the market has recently seen a sudden influx of new products from numerous audio brands. And we couldn’t be happier.

While the past few years have seen many hi-fi manufacturers move towards more lifestyle-friendly all-in-one designs (with good reason), 2023 started with a big splash for fans of separate boxes for each hi-fi element: Naim and JBL both announced a whole new range of hi-fi electronics at CES 2023 in January.

Important new releases

For Naim, the newcomers were the premium-priced NSC 222 streaming preamplifier, NAP 250 power amp and NPX 300 power supply. The NAP 250 in particular has been a long time coming – it is the sixth generation of Naim’s long-running amplifier that has never been out of production since 1975. It is also a product that has both been favourably received and also achieved huge success in every generation (we gave it five stars back in 2008).

JBL took a brand-new step into the world of separates with its Classic Series, which consists of the SA550 integrated amp, MP350 hi-res music streamer, the company’s first-ever turntable, the TT350, and a CD player, the CD350. With a silver and walnut-wood retro design, they all look rather smart too.

Old favourites in new clothes

JBL will no doubt have seen the fresh interest in reviving vintage speakers and giving them a modern twist. Mission and Wharfedale are key players here, along with JBL’s own L100 Classic speakers. Then, of course, there is the ongoing popularity of vinyl.