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Paul Rigby – The Audiophile Man

I’ve been a journalist and editor for over 35 years and I still retain my good humour. Who’d have thought?

This site focuses principally on music and Hi-Fi but my scribblings have found homes elsewhere including hundreds of national magazines and newspapers in the UK, Europe and the USA covering: aviation, computer technology, computer gaming, mobile technology, home automation, lady’s lifestyle, business, plastic model making, antiques and more.

My current outpourings feature within national magazines and various websites in the subjects of music, hi-fi and general technology.

45 Comments

  • Reply
    Victor
    10th February 2018 at 9:43 pm

    Hi Paul,
    I just wondered whether you have considered to review in the future any Hegel Amps and ATC speakers among your busy schedule?
    Thank you
    Victor

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      10th February 2018 at 10:58 pm

      Good call Victor! I’ll add them to the list. Thanks.

    • Reply
      Roman Akert
      15th December 2019 at 10:41 am

      I can’t answer for PR but I did own a Hegel H90 until recently. A lovely smooth, very dynamic and authoritative sound. Hegel say ‘the most powerful 60 watts you hear’. I can’t confirm that but it has a large power supply and sounds (imho) superb, not least because of some clever and unique distortion reducing engineering. – Not cheap but worth the money in my opinion. Nice large, easy to read OLED disply too. Used with older PMC DB1’s.

    • Reply
      Nigel Gilbey
      20th March 2021 at 3:04 pm

      Hi Paul
      Really enjoy your videos on youtube would like to ask you a question on Mono playback
      But I’m not on Facebook twitter etc…
      Where is the best place to ask you a direct question.
      Thanks
      Nigel

      • Reply
        Paul Rigby
        21st March 2021 at 4:39 pm

        Many thanks and here is fine for now, Nigel.

        • Reply
          Bad K B
          4th May 2022 at 12:39 pm

          I qick comment and then a request for you, Paul. Some, maybe most, of us who can afford to dabble in your superb music and equipment reviews, are older. We have the money to play, but we don’t “do” social media. To make matters worse for some of us, we can’t see. My reader software does no good with YouTube Video files. And my carbon-based reader (she-who-shall-go-nameless), flat out refuses to help. Since you surely have scripts for your presentations, as there not some way you can post all of them in text form?

          • Paul Rigby
            4th May 2022 at 1:13 pm

            Hi Bad K B – fair points and yes, I should do more. More time would be useful though, so if you could expand the working day from 24 to 36 hours, I’d appreciate it. But seriously, folks! Let’s see what we have. The HiFi reviews I publish on YouTube? They all appear on this site as text. Every one. There may be a delay, but they will appear. The others, the music output? Yes, I have been lax. Is that what you’re referring to?
            Give me a few specifics please, so I know what you’re missing.
            On another, related musing (and I need new, time sucking ideas like I need a hole in the head, to be honest), would a Podcast format be even better than your reader software?

          • Paul Rigby
            6th May 2022 at 10:39 am

            Hmmm, book reviews and HiFi news is part of that, isn’t it? I’ll devote today to filling in a few gaps. Thanks for checking out my site, incidentally. Much appreciated.

  • Reply
    John Garnet
    5th December 2018 at 11:16 am

    Hi Paul,
    Further to your recommendation of the Goldring E3 with which I agreed and commented upon, I have just purchased another of your recommendations, the Black Rhodium Twist speaker cable, which was a huge improvement on my previous favourite, QED Silver Anniversary, and complements the E3 superbly. I really must amend my article ” A HiFi Fanatics 55 Year Journey” on WordPress.com now.
    Thank you for your succinct reviews, which are proving to be a godsend.

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      5th December 2018 at 3:54 pm

      Great news, John – always nice to hear when an audiophile hears sonic improvements. And thanks for your kind words too.

  • Reply
    Andrew Foster
    1st July 2019 at 2:17 pm

    Hi Paul, I wonder if you would be interested in Reviewing any of our products.
    It would be great to hear from you.

    Regards Andrew

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      1st July 2019 at 3:29 pm

      Please see your email box, Andrew.

  • Reply
    Mohsin
    25th September 2019 at 5:37 pm

    Hi Paul, how come no recent reviews? Any chance of reviewing the Marantz NR1200?

    Best regards
    Mohsin

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      25th September 2019 at 5:43 pm

      Hi Mohsin – Good spot. The reason I put reviews on hold – and I did – was to develop my new YouTube channel. This needed a LOT of work and there’s only so many hours in the day :). There’s never a good time to do these things so I picked on August. When a lot of people go on holiday and many people were thinking of sun, sea and sand and not hifi. I’m reviewing now. In fact, I posted a recent review of the Audio-Technica turntable only a few days ago. Did you see that one? I’ll put the Marantz on my ‘to do’ list.

  • Reply
    Bert
    24th December 2019 at 4:17 pm

    Hi, I’m in the process of updating my twelve-year-old hifi. I have new Seinheiser HD650s and am now looking for a CD player. If I were to buy the Audiolab 6000CDT CD transport, what would you recommend as a DAC? I have about £700 to spend on the DAC. At the moment I use the old, but very nice Vans headphone amp. I like instrumentals, especially guitar, and voice.

    Thanks, Bert

  • Reply
    Clement
    1st March 2020 at 8:40 pm

    Hi Paul
    Have just found out your site and content lools great. Quick Q though: are the ratings given relative to the product’s price point or in absolute terms? For instance, would a 9-rating amp priced £350 beat an 8-rated amp price £1500? Might sound silly a question but reading the page called ratings explained, it isnt that obvious.
    Thank you for reading!

  • Reply
    Swanny
    5th May 2020 at 12:35 pm

    Hi Paul, its great to read your musings. I’m in the UK and getting back into hifi in my 50’s after still having my records from the 70’s when i last had a turntable .. I’m wondering if you’ve ever reviewed Klipsch Quartets and Tannoy Monitor Golds 15, speakers ? I seem to be heading in quite a vintage area using a Tube amp (minute el34 by sac in thailand) and now awaiting a Yamaha CA-1000 SS amp to try that .. i was on your newsletter and hope this is how i get notified of your further and always quality writings

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      6th May 2020 at 9:34 am

      Hi Swanny – yes, you’re subscribed. Many thank for that. I haven’t tackled those particular speakers, I’m afraid but will look out for them. I really must begin to tackle more vintage gear, actually.

  • Reply
    Miike Truman
    28th May 2020 at 4:18 pm

    Hi Paul,
    You’ve helped me before in recommending the Hana EL cartridge for my Project X2 and the results have been excellent – many thanks for that. I’m a bit of a tweaker and my thoughts have now turned to what else I can improve. I’m using the original Pro-Ject phono leads, connected to an Arcam r-phono, Arcam FMJ39 and Kef R3 speakers. The question is, would I get a bigger improvement if I bought better phono leads or should I change the r-phono for a better phono stage, something around the £1k mark (or less)? Or both, or would I be wasting my money? By the way, the turntable is very well isolated and I’ve invested in an origin Live TT mat and cartridge enabler as well. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

  • Reply
    Walter Seal
    9th July 2020 at 12:19 pm

    Paul – were you in the band, “Midnight Movie,” which became “The Lucy Show” after you left?

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      9th July 2020 at 12:40 pm

      Ahhh, the drummer? No, that wasn’t me, I’m afraid. I’ve been a journalist all my working life so have had a pen in my hand rather than drumsticks. That said, I have been known to rap out a quick ‘fill’ on my desk now and again.

  • Reply
    Tarik
    9th February 2021 at 1:28 pm

    Hi Paul! I am Farley new to audio equipment and I am looking to buy a amp for jbl 530 around 100$. Could you reccomand me something please

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      9th February 2021 at 6:38 pm

      Hi Tarik – can you tell me what source you are looking to use with the speakers and your prospective amp please?

  • Reply
    Robert Suffak
    14th July 2021 at 2:09 pm

    Hello Paul
    After many years spent with earning needed money, building a house and raising kids, came time the latter have left the house and thus stopped objecting to my music listening. Recently I restarted my pastime – first completing my now vintage equipment (done), now testing some cables and cartridges. What repeatingly plagues me: Old CD players tend to jump and need cleaning. Further, trying out a DAC (Cambridge Audio Magic 200) I began to wonder, what a CD transport could do for me. I am eyening (cannot test one vs the other) Audiolab CDT6000 and Cambridge Audio C-something. They cost over here in Switzerland approximately the same and lie in my „cash-reach“ and willingness to spend. So, if I may, I would like to ask you for your opinion, as to which one to choose. Secondly, sometime ahead lies an ampifier to replace my vintage Creeks – pre- and power-amps (biamping). The new one should be a „material“ progress in sound quality, but… not cost as much as say a Mcintosh…
    I would appreciate your advice very much, so if you have time and muse to answer, please do so.

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      19th July 2021 at 3:29 pm

      His Robert – in short, the 6000CDT. Next, do you have an amp budget and can you list the rest of your hifi?

  • Reply
    Tero Saari
    24th July 2021 at 8:20 pm

    Hello Paul
    German turntable Dual , There is new model CS 518. 505 models was very popular in 80′ s on finland. I am looking for a good player. Sorry about my bad english.

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      26th July 2021 at 1:41 pm

      You’re English is fine, Tero – do you need buying advice on a new turntable, though?

      • Reply
        Paul Rigby
        28th July 2021 at 4:12 pm

        Hi Teri – let’s maintain the same thread and talk here. What do you need to know about the Dual?

  • Reply
    Jerry Gerber
    14th August 2021 at 8:49 pm

    Dear Paul,

    I am a composer who has recently released my 15th album. Would you be interested in possibly reviewing it on your site?

    Sincerely,
    Jerry Gerber
    http://www.jerrygerber.com

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      16th August 2021 at 9:22 am

      Modern classical would you say, Jerry? Although I have reviewed ‘neo’ classical (but mostly from an associated electronica stand point) I’ve gotta say, pure classical is my one musical weak spot. So, happy to leave the link here (most advertising links die a death here and their owners are banned so you’re privileged 🙂 ) but no more than that I’m afraid, Jerry.

  • Reply
    Stefan
    24th August 2021 at 4:31 pm

    Hi Paul,
    over the years you have reviewed quite a number of mains purifiers such as Puritan Audiolabs PSM 136/156, ISOL-8 Substation, Styx Mains Block and many more. Can you give a recommendation from today’s point of view?
    Sincerely,
    Stefan

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      25th August 2021 at 11:18 am

      Hi Stefan – as ever, it depends on your budget. All of these products still stand, as do my comments associated with them. They haven’t wavered or lost any of their allure 🙂

  • Reply
    Sebastian Mammes
    7th October 2021 at 5:22 pm

    Dear Mr Rigby

    Dear Mr. Rigby,

    a couple of days ago you reviewed the Gold Note Valore 425 Plus. In reference i wont let unmentioned the smaller edition, the Valore 425 Lite. Though it is very similar to the larger one from the outside there exist some covered savings that hands down reduce its allday practicability in some ways. One way that should be exposed from my point of view is how the problem of stability and balance. It seems to me that this point hadnt got the required attention by the devloper. Customers have been given little degree of freedom to react to adverse circumstances.
    The customer will be forced to think seriously about the line-up, because the turntable is hard coupled. This makes it all the more important that there is absolute peace and quiet during operation. Unfortunately, it is important for me to be able to assume a suitability for the bookshelf, as I can not use a special rack, let alone a wall mount.
    Hence my question to you, Mr Rigby: Where is it possible to improve the Valore Lite in order to reduce the sensitivity to impact sound events increased by the hard coupling? Do You think the conducting of accustic waves evoked by footsteps on unquiet grounds will become a serious problem for music reproduction. Do you say that taken into account your competence based on former work shops with the Gold Note Valore 425 Plus, and given the tools and the means Gold Note can provide their customers such as an upgraded feet or dumpers and the like, the user will definitely get a soothing result, enough to make the Valore Lite a bookshelf suitable turntable? Vice versa I may reject an expensive price of tuning work and diverse exercises, if the result won ` t justify the efforts. Bear in mind, the Valore Lite is obviously a-demanding for a later pick-up upgrade. I was pleased finding You wanting to deal with my concerns. I ask for your assessment. Thank you very much.

    warm regards

    Sebastian

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      10th October 2021 at 10:50 am

      I’ve answered this one via Facebook, methinks.

  • Reply
    Patrick
    27th November 2021 at 11:09 pm

    Hello Paul,hopping for some advice here, i own a Cambridge Cxa61 and i’m now looking for a good speaker match that will warm up the sound of the Cambridge , budget is around 1500.00€
    Love your youtube channel btw

    Cheers

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      29th November 2021 at 10:17 am

      To be honest Patrick, if you see an obvious problem in your hi-fi chain (and it looks like you do) then I would address that first and not look to spend yet more cash to act as a poor Elastoplast.

  • Reply
    Andrew Sexton
    6th August 2022 at 12:30 pm

    Hi Paul i have enjoyed watching quite a few of your videos , and was just after a bit of help, i have just bought the Audiolab 6000CDT and an IFI Zen DAC also a IFI Silent Power external power supply , after watching your review as my Mission Cyrus CD8 cd player is not reading any of my CD’S . I have a Cyrus pre X pre amp and a Cyrus Q power ,power amp all are circa 2003 , to cut a long story short i am pretty clueless on how or if i can use the CD transport through my system without the need for an external DAC , basically my Genesis Seconds Out CD is happily playing in the Audiolab but i can’t get any sound ,just not sure how to hook it up to my system , if i need to use the DAC because my pre amp is to old to have an internal DAC how can i hook this up as i don’t want to connect via my desktop computer ,the DAC only seems to come to life when connected to my desktop via the digital usb cable , otherwise the green power light is on at the back , just a bit confused as to where my cables go in to my pre amp etc , so sorry to ramble on hope you could give me some idea on how to get going thank you very much Andrew

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      9th August 2022 at 9:27 am

      Hi Andrew – you can run a coax cable from the 6000CDT to the rear of the Cyrus pre-amp, I think the company call coax ‘Digi’ sockets. That will utilise the Cyrus internally-mounted DAC. There is no coax cable on the Zen DAC though so you will need an alternative if you wish to use an external DAC.

      • Reply
        Andrew Sexton
        10th August 2022 at 5:10 pm

        Hi Paul thank you very much for your help i will try your idea with the coax cable all the best Andrew

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