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
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.
Launching the odd separate is one thing, but to go all-in on a full range of electronics speaks of a confidence in the hi-fi consumer market that has been missing in recent years. JBL is not alone here. Audiolab announced its flagship 9000 series (£1999 integrated amplifier and £999 CD transport) at the end of 2022, followed swiftly by the announcement of the mid-tier 7000 series (£1099 integrated amplifier, £549 CD transport and music streamer) in January this year, both of which we saw at the Bristol Hi-Fi Show in February.
Fellow British manufacturer Exposure also announced a new series of separates, the 3510 (integrated amp, pre/power and monoblocks), while Cyrus has said it will be reviving the popular Classic series (Classic PRE preamp at £2595, Classic AMP integrated at £1995 and a proposed BluOS-supported music str
