Ed Selley

Best Amplifier over £1,000 Onkyo P-3000R/M5000R Onkyo might be more famous for its multichannel products, but this pairing is a potent reminder of what it’s capable of with stereo. The P-3000R/M5000R combines an impressive feature set, including digital inputs with superb build and fantastic aesthetics – the VU meters are particularly eye-catching. Best of all, it’s a truly fantastic amplifier, able to drive the most demanding speakers to any volume level; it combines a powerful and explicit sound with excellent tonality and naturalness. Details PRICE: £1,700/£2,500 TYPE: Pre/power TELEPHONE: 01628 473350 WEBSITE: eu.

Best CD Player over £1,000 Shanling CD-T2000 Compared to some of the CD players we’ve tested, the CD-T2000 is very straight-forward. It doesn’t play SACD or have digital inputs, but what it does do is perform at the very highest levels of the format. It has a smooth, natural sound that allows you to hear material as the artist intended without embellishment or harshness. Add the battleship build and the stunning aesthetics, and you have a player that is a treat for the eyes and the ears.

Best Headphones Q701 Quincy Jones Signature Edition Any person with a track record like Quincy Jones was never going to put his name to any old product and the Q701 doesn’t disappoint. The AKG is a perfect package of clever technology, excellent build and funky appearance. Sonically, the Q701 is a star and recordings are faithfully captured with incredible detail retrieval and a real sense of ambience. Quincy does it again! Details PRICE: £500 TYPE: Dynamic headphone TELEPHONE: 01707 278100 WEBSITE: akg.

Best Interconnect Peerless Sigma Peerless is one of the smaller brands in the UK market, but if the Sigma is anything to go by, that’s set to change. The cable is a no-nonsense design that combines good-quality materials and sound design practice. The result is a cable that produces finely detailed images with an even tonal balance. It also includes an open and clear treble and good control of the lower octaves.