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Money No Object
At TechRadar, we focus on providing pragmatic purchasing advice, equipping our readers with expert recommendations and insights on selecting the ideal gadgets. However, once in a while, we also enjoy highlighting some of the more extravagant technology available – the opulent, upscale items that are simply enjoyable to dream about acquiring. That’s the type of equipment we feature in our ongoing Money No Object column, which you can explore further here.
If you’re prepared to spend a considerable amount of money, high-fidelity equipment is typically a favorable option. This was equally valid in 2024 as in any other year: from expensive DACs to premium CD players, a plethora of lavish audio devices made it onto our money-no-object list.
We’ve selected our top gear from that list here, to provide you with the ultimate high-end hi-fi purchasing guide of the year. When we mention costly, we are referring to extremely high prices: the products listed below begin with a four-figure starting point, with the most expensive options soaring past half a million.
Whether you are a wealthy audiophile in search of something decadent to enjoy, or a hopeful shopper crafting your lottery-win wishlist, you will discover numerous ways to spend below.
For more budget-friendly audio options, consider our guide to the finest Bluetooth speakers, but for now – in random order – here are the top-tier pieces of high-end hi-fi we tested in 2024…
1. Bang & Olufsen Recreated Classic Beosystem 9000c CD player
Featuring a vertical six-disc configuration, a motorized glass cover, and a linear moving clamp, the Beosound 9000 CD player was an impressive audio creation in 1996. Resurrected as part of B&O’s Recreated Classics series, it becomes even more nostalgic in 2024. Rather than being a mere reproduction of the nineties original, B&O sourced 200 authentic Beosound 9000 CD players and returned them to the very Danish factory where they were initially produced.
Here, they were dismantled, evaluated, cleaned, and restored on the original workshop tables. The CD mechanisms were re-engineered, while designers remachined and re-anodized all aluminum components. Polished and shipped with a matching pair of Beolab 28 speakers, a refurbished set can be yours for $55,000 / £45,000 / approximately AU$85,000.
2. Magico M7 speakers
The Acutus Dark Iron turntable represents a significant investment in multiple aspects. Crafted by hand in Cambridgeshire, England, it boasts an aluminum platter that weighs an impressive 10kg. The price is not light either: starting at $13,000 / £10,000 (approximately AU$19,250), but with upgrades to a resin mat and dual-operation clamp, you’re looking at $17,700 / £13,500 (around AU$26,500) in total.
Investing in this will secure you a high-end turntable specifically engineered for quiet operation and reliability. A high-torque motor is directly coupled to the main chassis ensuring perfect belt alignment without speed inconsistencies, while the platter is supported by self-lubricating inverted bearings. It’s all incredibly robust. Just ensure that your cabinet can withstand the weight.
6. TEAC UD-507 DAC
If your hearing is keen enough to justify spending $2,099 (around £1,650 / AU$3,165) on a DAC, the TEAC UD-507 is a commendable choice. A premium desktop DAC that also functions as a headphone amplifier and pre-amp, the UD-507 offers your investment in return with “extraordinary sonic precision.” At its core lies the TRDD5 – or the creatively named TEAC Reference Discrete DAC – designed to highlight “musicality.”
Its larger-than-average size compared to the top portable DACs allows the UD-507 to accommodate four physical inputs along with a Bluetooth receiver supporting LDAC and aptX HD. All of this culminates in a considerable enhancement to any audio system, provided you have some excellent headphones for listening.
7. Audio-Technica ATH-AWKG headphones
Audio-Technica is typically recognized for making high-quality audio equipment accessible. However, the ATH-AWKG headphones are so exclusive that they are omitted from our list of the finest wired headphones. Why? Because they are constructed from Kurogaki: a type of wood sourced only from trees aged over 100 years, which necessitates “extensive knowledge and expertise” to manipulate.
Wooden headphones are not a new concept for Audio-Technica, but the incorporation of Kurogaki, a revered material, certainly is. A tribute to Japanese craftsmanship, they are hand-lacquered, paired with sheepskin ear cushions, and presented in a corresponding Kurogaki storage box.
Sound quality is guaranteed with 53mm drivers featuring German Permendur magnetic circuitry. All of this contributes to explaining the $4,200 / £3,000 (approximately AU$6,365) price tag.
8. Technics SL-G700M2 network streamer
There are numerous methods to enhance your current stereo system to accommodate additional sources. The Technics SL-G700M2 incorporates many of those methods into a single premium unit. An all-in-one solution for integrating audio into your hi-fi configuration, Technics describes the SL-G700M2 as a “network audio CD player.” Practically, this implies that it can perform a variety of functions.
From high-resolution super audio to conventional CDs, its optical drive is compatible with just about any disc format you might have in your collection. Additionally, it features a pair of USB ports, alongside digital optical and coaxial inputs.
With Ethernet and Wi-Fi for internet streaming, compatibility includes Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, and Spotify Connect, as well as nearly every notable streaming service. There’s also Bluetooth pairing, albeit ‘only’ version 4.2. The cost for all these features? Approximately $3,650 / £2899 (around AU$5,599).
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