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What Hi-Fi?
What Hi-Fi?
Technology
Ainsley Walker

What systems do the people who make your hi-fi use at home? Time to find out

PMC founder Peter Thomas with his personal hi-fi system.

Ever wondered what an industry expert's home hi-fi system looks like? Perhaps an extravagant set-up with stacks of separates, multiple sources and endless cable runs? Or maybe something much simpler – perhaps just a pair of active speakers to deliver hi-res music streaming?

Well, look no further, as we have spoken to five names from home-grown hi-fi brands as part of our British Hi-Fi Week 2024, and they've been kind enough to share what equipment they are currently using at home.

In a similar vein, you can also find out which test tracks some of the top British hi-fi engineers use when tuning products – and there's a playlist for you, too.

Peter Thomas, PMC founder and owner

(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)

"I love vinyl and I'm using two turntables, a Michell Orbe and a Vertere SG-1, plus a third for my 78rpm collection, an old Garrard 401. My preamp is a Bryston BP17 with two Bryston 7B Cubed mono-block amplifiers. CD playback is via a Mark Levinson 390S, and I use a Studer B67 tape deck for my tape collection with the PMC Fenestrias as my main loudspeakers."

Simon Webster, Rega sales and marketing coordinator

(Image credit: Rega)

"Unsurprisingly it is all Rega, I use a Planar 6 with Ania Pro MC cartridge, a Fono MC MK4 phono stage, Elicit MK5 amplifier and I have an older set of transmission line Rega RS7 loudspeakers, which I love."

Stephen Oakes, Neat Acoustics sales manager

(Image credit: Neat Acoustics)

"I have an Atoll ST300 streamer/preamp and AM300 power amp hooked up to Neat Majistra loudspeakers. I also have a Funk Firm turntable and a Cyrus CDt-XR CD transport, but through sheer idleness, I mostly just stream from Qobuz or Tidal these days. The rack and stands are Lateral Audio and the cables are by Chord Company."

Luke Milnes, Wilson Benesch sales and marketing director

(Image credit: Wilson Benesch)

"Wilson Benesch A.C.T. 3zero loudspeakers with an original Wilson Benesch Turntable. Trilogy Audio System’s 994 Monoblock amplifiers and 914 valve preamplifier, along with a Ypsilon VPS-100 Phono Stage."

James Luce, Acoustic Energy creative director

James Luce's minimalist streaming set-up (Image credit: Acoustic Energy)

"I currently use a pair of Acoustic Energy AE1 Active speakers paired with a Bluesound Node streamer/preamp, and a Samsung Galaxy S23 with Tidal as the main source!"

MORE:

We asked top British hi-fi engineers for their favourite test tracks

The biggest UK brands talk manufacturing, distribution and the future of British hi-fi

9 of the most underrated British hi-fi products we've ever tested

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