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Report by Robin Francis

It was definitely a moody affair at the Bristol HI-FI Show 2024. Moody in respect of mood (dim) lighting in many of the demonstration rooms. Perhaps exhibitors were attempting to recreate the home living room mood lighting effect? If this was the case, then they were successful!

New visitors

This was certainly a lively show in respect of visitor numbers, with varied exhibitors. Without doubt there were more women and children at this show than previous shows I have attended, which is always great to see. I chatted with a few parents and their children to try to understand the level of interest from all concerned. “Well, it is half-term” explained one father while holding the hand of his young son. “… And you have to start them young!” I then directed my questions to his son. “Are you interested in hi-fi?” I asked “Some of it!” He replied smiling.

Respect to ATC speakers

Like a child, MY curiosity grew as I wondered from room-to-room, watching the faces of the young, potentially next generation music lovers and hi-fi connoisseurs. I spoke with Leo Newman (nine years old) as he listened intently from the back of the ATC room. Leo is a student of the drums. I asked him if he could hear the difference in musical presentation from room-to-room? “Yes” he responded confidently. “So which room is your favourite?” I asked. “The ATC room” he replied while looking up at his mother. His mother smiled and confessed that Leo may be a tad biased as his father worked with ATC! Nothing wrong with a little loyalty in this particular situation I thought. I have always had the utmost respect for ATC speakers and ATC as a company. AND the ATC room did have that welcoming ‘musical signature sound' that I love’ when playing music from all genres!

Love for the Kerr Acoustic / Music First Audio room

In a recent review of Audio Hungary Qualiton amplification, I mentioned the importance of synergy with regards to component and cable pairing. Jes Kerr (Kerr Acoustic / Music First Audio room) clearly demonstrated this discipline by producing a naturally sounding and addictive listening room. This room presented a sense of musical calm. I just felt that I could play anything in here and it would sound right!

Many who entered this room seemed reluctant to leave, and when they did, they still hovered around the door long enough for me to chat about their experience. One listener just smiled when I posed the question “Did you like what you just heard?” “YES” was the resounding response. “This just sounds so nice!”The full component, cable & accessory list with photographs can be viewed on page two.

Easy does it with the Neat Acoustics room

Well done to Stephen Oakes from Neat Acoustics. This was another sound winning room for me. Keeping it relatively simple just worked! I was especially taken by the natural sounding Atoll SDA 300 streaming amplifier on the day. This is another component I need to take a closer look at a later date. Again, patrons appreciated the overall relaxed presentation with various musical genres in this room. The full component, cable & accessory list with photographs can be viewed on page three.

Elite Audio UK patience

Elite Audio staff displayed amazing patience with me as I sighed, grunted and moaned at the initial low light situation on day one. Obviously, patrons did not visit the show to concentrate on photography! The next day, staff kindly added more light on components for poor blind old me, so I was able to let my Nikon do what it does best. Thanks! Thinking back, perhaps the staff were probably just trying to shut me up?

Anyway, here I was also able to see and listen to the Eversolo DMP-A8 for the first time. I have been sent various press and user reviews regarding the Eversolo DMP-A8 & DMP-A6 Master Edition streaming DAC’s. As I will be looking for a streamer / DAC shortly, this was an opportunity to hear what all the fuss is about. My conclusion is inconclusive on this occasion (which is a rarity). I was neither impressed, nor unimpressed, so will pursue further listening in my own home at a later stage.

The future

The Bristol HI-FI Show 2024 proved there is still much meat on the bones (UK hi-fi) wise in respect of component, cable and accessory choices, at various prices. I look forward to witnessing this year’s younger audience return with perhaps ‘their’ personal hi-fi wants list as they mature? For me, my next stop will hopefully be the Warsaw, Poland Audio Video show in October 2024!

Robin Francis
© Michael Valentine Studio
February 2024

Featured exhibitors:
Acoustic Energy / Wireworld, ATC, Chord Electronics, Dali, Diora Acoustics, Connected Fidelity / Audio Detail / Coppice Audio, Dali, Diora Acoustics, Elite Audio UK Distribution, English Acoustics, Harbeth Audio, Keith Monks, Kerr Acoustic / Music First Audio, Linn, Neat Acoustics, Russell K /Tellerium Q, Silence Audio, Sound Fowndations, Sound Fowdations, Spendor, Tannoy, Wilson Benesch / Computer Audio Design & Audio Trilogy

Tom Vaughan waxing lyrical about the wonders of the Chord Qutest Dac. We will be testing this Dac (as well as a few others) later so watch this space for results…