HFA Awards

As a result of the varying circumstances under which I have listened to the various tonearms, the ranking order for this category is to be regarded as a very loose guide only. A different turntable/cartridge/phono stage can make all the difference.

Audio Origami PU-7 (only reviewed as part of other products) (Highly Recommended)
Origin Live Illustrious (only reviewed as part of other products)
AVIDHIFI ALTUS
AVIDHIFI NEXUS
SME 309
Michell Tecnoarm
Rega RB-330/AVIDHIFI TA-3 (only reviewed as part of other products)
Rega RB-220/AVIDHIFI TA-1 (only reviewed as part of other products)

Record Cleaning Machines

Degritter (€2.650) (HFA Favorite)
Clearaudio Matrix Silent

Stylus Cleaning Methods

LAST Stylus Cleaner (€29) (HFA Favorite)
Quality Service Vinyl Cleaner (Tonar) and a hard brush (Highly Recommended)
DS Audio ST-50 (€69)
Onzow ZeroDust (€55)
Dynavox NRG30 (€9)
Winyl One-Touch Polymer Stylus Tip Cleaning System (€25)

Phono Cartridges

Acoustical Systems Palladian (€8.980)
DS Audio DS W3 Equalizer + Optical Cartridge (€14.529)
AVIDHIFI BORON (€5.250)
Acoustical Systems Aiwon (€6.980)
Aidas Gala Gold LE (€5.000)
Aidas Rainbow (€3.100)
Aidas Panzerholz (€1.575)
Thorens TAS1600 (€1.199) (HFA Favorite)
Goldring Ethos SE (€1.599)
Thorens TAS1500 (€849) (HFA Favorite)
Goldring Ethos (€1.098)
ZYX Bloom3 Silver Plate (€1040) (Highly Recommended)
Audio Technica AT-OC9XML (Highly Recommended)
Audio Technica AT-OC9XSL
Audio Technica AT-VM750SH (€439) (HFA Favorite)
Benz ACE L
Audio Technica AT33Sa (€799)
Dynavector 10X5 mkII (€700)
Audio Technica AT-VM740ML (€339) (HFA Favorite)
Audio Technica ATN150mlx (€399) (Highly Recommended)
Dynavector 10X5 mkII (€945)
Audio Technica AT-33PTG/II MC (€599)
Denon DL-304
Audio Technica AT-33EV
Denon DL-103R (€429)
Denon DL-103 with Audio Technica AT-HS10 headshell (€329 + €33)
Denon DL-103 with DLA-A110 Limited 110th Anniversary Edition headshell (€600)
Shure M97xE (€119)

Headphones

RAAL Requisite CA-1a (from €2.000) (Highly Recommended)
HifiMan Arya Stealth (Quick Impression as part of other review) (Highly Recommended)
Sennheiser HD-650 (Quick Impression as part of other review) (Highly Recommended)
Audeze LCD-1 (Quick Impression as part of other review)
Sony 7520 (Quick Impression as part of other review)
Sennheiser HD-238i (Quick Impression as part of other review)
Audio Technica ATH-M70X (Quick Impression as part of other review)

Interlinks

Stealth Indra Cinch V10 1,0m (€7.000)
Stealth Indra XLR Rev 08 1,5m (€11.900)
Jorma Unity XLR/RCA (€3.150 for a 1-meter pair)
Jena Labs Valkyrie XLR (€4.100)
Jena Labs Valkyrie Aurora XLR (€2.708)
AudioQuest Fire cinch (from €2.499) (Highly Recommended)
CH Precision Balanced Link XLR (from €2.050) (HFA Favorite)
Driade Flow Link Reference 808 RCA and XLR (from €750) (HFA Favorite)
Final Touch Audio Ganymede XLR (from €1850) (Highly Recommended)
Mad Scientist Black Magic Gold balanced analog interlink (From $1.299 for a 1-meter pair) (Highly Recommended)
Signal Projects Apollon (from €3.700)
Cardas Clear XLR (from €2.222)
Wires 4 Music Osiris Signature XLR (from €2.900)
FoilFlex XLR (from 530 USD +tax) (Highly Recommended)
FoilFlex cinch (from 450 USD +tax) (Highly Recommended)
Origin Live Silver Hybrid cinch (from 535 UKP)
Vermouth Audio Reference XLR (from €1.358)
Transparent Ultra XL cinch
Vermouth Audio Reference cinch (from €760)
Ensemble DynaFlux SFS cinch
Wires 4 Music Horus XLR (from €550)
Vermouth Black Pearl MkII (450 USD +tax)
Siltech Paris cinch
AudioQuest Water cinch (from €579) (Highly Recommended)
Cardas Hexlink Golden 5C XLR
Transparent Reference
Straight Wire Crescendo II
Mad Scientist HAC Plus (from 599 USD +tax) (Highly Recommended)
Mad Scientist FCG+ cinch (from 899 USD +tax)
ANTI-CABLES ANTI-IC’s
LessLoss Anchorwave XLR
Signal Projects Lynx (from €950)
Cardas Golden Reference XLR
Cardas Golden Cross XLR
Analysis Plus Solo Crystal Oval XLR
MIT Shotgun S2 XLR
Nordost Red Dawn XLR
Harmonic Technology Truthlink
Analysis Plus Silver Oval XLR
Harmonic Technology Pro Silway
Cardas Quadlink 5C XLR
Vermouth Rhapsody (270 USD +tax)
Ricable Supreme Signal RCA and XLR
Kimber pbj
Kimber Tonik
Elijah Audio Katoen XLR (250 USD +tax)
Black Rhodium Concerto XLR (from 525 UKP)

Tonearm Cables

Origin Live Silver Hybrid (€667) (Highly Recommended)
Vermouth Reference Phono cinch-cinch (from 422 USD +tax)
Vermouth Reference Phono DIN-cinch (from 394 USD +tax)

Loudspeaker Cables

Jorma Design Unity (€5.750 for 2,5m pair) (HFA Favorite)
Mad Scientist Black Magic Ultra speaker cable ($4.810 for a 2.5-meter pair) (Highly Recommended)
Mad Scientist Black Magic 4-Core ($2.990 for a 2,5-meter pair) (Highly Recommended)
Driade Flow Reference 808 (from €1.500 for 2m pair) (HFA Favorite)
Jorma Design Trinity (€2.235 for 2,5m pair) (Highly Recommended)
Mad Scientist Black Magic 2-Core ($1.590 for 2,5-meter pair)
Jorma Design no.3 (€1.590 for 2m pair) (Highly Recommended)
Driade Flow 405 (€800 for 3m pair) (Highly Recommended)
FoilFlex (from 900 USD +tax for 1m pair) (Highly Recommended)
Nordost Red Dawn
AudioQuest Castle Rock (€1.490 for 2m pair)
Transparent Reference
ANTI-CABLES Speaker Cable
ASI Liveline
Echole Passion
Cardas Quadlink 5C
Ricable Supreme Speaker Cable
Kimber 8TC
van den Hul Skyline Hybrid
Symo LS4X

Digital Cables

Network Acoustics muon2 Balanced Digital Cable (from €1.745) (HFA Favorite)
Jorma AES/EBU (from €1200)
Jorma RCA-RCA
Jorma BNC-BNC with RCA adapters
Mogami 3080 Neglex (HFA Favorite)
Mad Scientist Audio FCGD+ (from 399 USD +tax) (Highly Recommended)
Mad Scientist Audio Heretical (from 129 USD +tax) (Highly Recommended)
Silent Angel Bastei Coax
Belden RG59 (€10 per meter) (HFA Favorite)

USB Cables

Mad Scientist Audio Prime USB (HFA Favorite)
XACT Phantom USB (€3.000)
Jorma USB Reference (from €3.120)
Final Touch Audio Sinope (from €1.292 + tax) (Highly Recommended)
Mad Scientist Black Magic Gold (From $1.299) (Highly Recommended)
Mad Scientist Black Magic ULTRA (from 799 USD +tax) (Highly Recommended)
Final Touch Audio Callisto (from €747) (Highly Recommended)
Vermouth Reference (400 USD +tax) (HFA Favorite)
Pink Faun Digital Interlink (€907)
CAD USB 1 (540 UKP for 1m)
Curious Cables (from 340 USD +tax) (Highly Recommended)
Curious Cables Evolved (from 550 USD +tax)
KingRex Unanimous uArt
Way Cables Champagne Plus USB Cable (€933)
Mad Scientist Black Magic (399 USD + tax)
Mad Scientist Heretical USB (from 199 USD +tax)
AudioQuest Diamond (€799 for 1,5m)
Elijah Audio Quad Braid MKII (from €140)

Ethernet Cables

Final Touch Audio Metis (from €717 euro + tax) (Highly Recommended)
XACT Phantom LAN (€3.000)
Jorma Ethernet (from €1.700)
Network Acoustics muon Pro Streaming cable (from ~€1.167)
Pink Faun Digital Interlink LAN (€907)
Mad Scientist Black Magic Ethernet (from 399 USD + tax) (Highly Recommended)
ValueLine OEM CAT6 cables

Power Cables

Ansuz Mainz D2 (€8.800 euro for 1 meter)
GigaWatt PowerSync ULTRA (from €1.125 for 1,5 meters) (HFA Favorite)
GigaWatt LC-2 EVO (from €550 for 1,5 meters) (HFA Favorite)
Fusion Audio Romance PC2 (€1.100)
Fusion Audio Enchanter (€1.400)
Mad Scientist Black Magic Ultra (From $999 for a 1-meter cable) (Highly Recommended)
Final Touch Audio Elara (from €750 for 1 meter) (Highly Recommended)
Vermouth Audio Reference (€1.300) (HFA Favorite)
Cardas Clear Beyond
Oyaide Tunami
Mamba Audio Powerblast (€3.125)
Way Cables Substance Plus (from €1.725)
Taiko Audio Nagado (€799)
LessLoss DFPC Original
Echole Obsession
NBS Monitor 0
NBS Dragon/Fly III
NBS Dragon/Fly
Taiko Audio Okedo (€399)
Mad Scientist Nitro Nano (from 549 USD +tax) (HFA Favorite)
Belden 19364 with Bals schuko and Oyaide 004 connectors (€10 p/m)
GigaWatt PowerSync PLUS (from €360 for 1,5 meters)
Acoustic System International Liveline
Black Rhodium Stream (from 450 UKP)
Kemp Powercord Reference
Shunyata Black Mamba
Furutech Alpha 3 with FI25 & FI-E35 connectors
GigaWatt PowerSync (from €240 for 1,5 meters)
Furutech FP-TCS31 power cable and FI-28/FI-38 connectors
Harmonic Technology Pro ACII
Lapp 191CY 5G1
Isotek Premium Powercord

Power Outlets

GigaWatt G-044 Schuko Socket

Power Distributors

Mainz8 D-TC (€20.000)
Ansuz Mainz8 D2 (€8.000)
Pawalle TP-80 (just used as an enclosure with all connectors and wiring replaced, not recommended in standard form) (HFA Favorite)
GigaWatt PF-2 EVO (€1.250)
GigaWatt PF-1 EVO (€660)
GigaWatt PF-1e (€330)
Popp/Eurolite 8-fold Power Distributor

Power Conditioning

PS Audio PowerPlant P20 (HFA Favorite)
PS Audio PowerPlant P15 (Highly Recommended)
PS Audio PowerPlant P10 (Highly Recommended)
GigaWatt PC-4 EVO+Power Conditioner
Vibex Reference Powerfilter Copper
Fadel Art PC-800

Mains Circuit Breakers

Siemens Sitor Cylindric Fuse Cartridge with standard silver-plated fuse (HFA Favorite)
GigaWatt G-C16A (Highly Recommended)
Doepke DFS2 Audio Grade Differential Switch

Equipment Racks

HRS EXR Audio Stand (€7.779 for 3 levels) (HFA Favorite)
Artesania Exoteryc Audiorack (€5.075 for 3 levels) (HFA Favorite)
AG Lifter Apollo (19.200 USD for 3 levels)
Artesania Organic Line Modular Rack 3-level (€7.800)
Finite Elemente Spider
Finite Elemente Pagode Signature (single aluminum upright beams)
SolidTech Rack Of Silence
SolidTech Radius
SolidSteel S5-2

Equipment Platforms

Artesania Aire Floor Platform (€3395) (HFA Favorite)
Finite Elemente Pagode Master Reference Platform (Highly Recommended)
AG Lifter Apollo Power Amp Stand (6.200 USD)
AG Lifter Crescendo H.P.C. Power Amp Stand (4.950 USD)
AG Lifter Crescendo Power Amp Stand (3.700 USD)
Artesania Organic Line Modular Floor Platform (€2.600)
Artesania Digital Server Platform (€1.500)
Artesania Krion Platform (€2.470)

Artesania Exoteryc upgrades

Artesania Carbon Fiber Linear Arm upgrade (€1.384) (HFA Favorite)
Artesania Panzerholz Floor Interface Discs (HFA Favorite)
Artesania Carbon Fiber Floor Interface Discs (HFA Favorite)
Artesania ISDIWB Beech Wood Component Isolation Discs (€220 for 4) (Highly Recommended)

Equipment Shelves

Artesania KSH2 Krion shelf (€458) (HFA Favorite)
Callas Audio Bamboo Soundboard (HFA Favorite)

Equipment Footers

Ansuz Darkz T2 Supreme (€1200 per piece) (HFA Favorite)
Ansuz Darkz T2 (€800 per piece) (HFA Favorite)
Stillpoints Ultra SS V2 (€1080 for 3) (HFA Favorite)
Ansuz Darkz S2T
Ansuz Darkz C2T
Stillpoints Ultra SS (€750)
Stillpoints Ultra Mini (€399)
Stillpoints Ultra 5 (€2100)
Stillpoints Ultra Base (€195)
Finite Elemente Cerapuc (from €280 for 3) (HFA Favorite)
Artesania ISBAIEBW Standalone Isolation Bases (€458 for 4) (HFA Favorite)
Finite Elemente Ceraball Universal (from €135 for 3) (HFA Favorite)
Mad Scientist BlackPod Nanotech (from $299 +tax)
Mad Scientist BlackPod Ceramic ($179 for a set of 3)
Harmonix TU-210ZX Tuning Feet
Mad Scientist BlackPod Ceramic Mini
Mad Scientist BlackPod ($139 for a set of 3)

Speaker Footers

Stack Audio AUVA 50 (Highly Recommended) (€517/8pc)
Stack Audio AUVA 70 (Highly Recommended) (€990/8pc)
Stack Audio AUVA 100 (€1463/8pc)
Harmonix RF-909X Spike Base
Harmonix RF-900X Spike Base

Tweaks

Shakti Electromagnetic Stabilizer aka Shakti Stone
Ansuz Sparkz
Ansuz Sortz
Harmonix RFA-78i Room Tuning Discs
Mad Scientist Audio BlackDiscus
Mad Scientist Audio CanOpeners
Akiko Audio GEM1 Gold
Akiko E-Tuning Gold
Mad Scientist Audio Power Purifier
Akiko Tuning Stick

Room Treatment

R.T.F.S. SiRRAH (€249.90 per unit) (HFA Favorite)
R.T.F.S. Big Block B (€284.90 per 100cm unit) (HFA Favorite)
Vicoustic VicTotem Ultra VMT (HFA Favorite)
SMT Diffuser (HFA Favorite)
ArtNovion Douro W (HFA Favorite)
R.T.F.S. Carreau (€89.90 per unit) (Highly Recommended)
R.T.F.S. Stripe (€79.90 per segment) (HFA Favorite)
R.T.F.S. Ceiling Vane (€425 per unit) (Highly Recommended)
GiK 244 Broadband Bass Trap (approx €95 per unit)
T.Akustik Spektrum D20 QRD Diffusor
Acoustic Module Tube Basstrap Premium
Hofa QRD Diffusor

About the HFA ranking order

Since I started HFA, people have been asking about a “Bestenliste”. Made familiar by the German magazine “Audio”, the Bestenliste is a Ranking Order of best-performing products. The difficulty with such lists is that I feel that there are too many factors at play to pronounce any product as best, let alone hand out points.

The audio hobby involves mixing and matching and a drive to find the component that makes the perfect fit for a given situation. Especially if it has a strong character, that component may work synergistically in that context even if it works less spectacularly in another system. Thus, the measure of success is relative and often subject to taste.

The HFA ranking order reflects how well-liked the components are relative to one another, based on my personal preferences and irrespective of the retail price. Thus, HFA Favorites and Highly Recommended items appear in all price classes.

Although I strive to be as objective as possible, the reality is that my personal taste and system synergy will always play a role. Therefore, the list should be considered an inspirational guide, not a definitive ranking. In my reviews, I will always add perspective. That’s why I recommend also reading the associated review(s) after consulting the list.

What’s included in the list?

Only products that have been listened to in the controlled HFA environment are included, and only those that I feel are worth mentioning. As it follows, the below is not a complete index of all the articles on HFA.

Please note that this list is frequently updated to reflect the latest state of affairs and my most recent personal preferences. As I hear more products and gain new insights, the order of the products may change over time. Awards are valid for at least one year but may change after that. For instance, a product may change from “Favorite” to “Highly Recommended” if it is no longer a part of the HFA inventory or lose its award if the competition sufficiently overshadows it.

Prices

The quoted numbers below are retail prices in Euro at the moment of review. Some products do not have European price lists; another currency is shown in these cases. Where tax is not included in the retail price, this is mentioned. Classics can only be found second-hand and, therefore do not have the prices mentioned. Pricing information should be correct for the moment of review. However, prices can always change, and typos or mistakes can be made. Therefore, please consider the info in these overviews as a starter guide, not as definitive information.

About the Awards

An honorable award for those exceptional products that had such a profound impact that they made a lasting impression.

The Best of the Best, the Cream of the Crop, the Dogs Bullocks. These are the products that, for me, define the state of the art.

Highly Recommended Products that have also been made part of the HFA Associated Equipment inventory and be used as references for all reviewing purposes.

The most-loved products in each price category and highly recommended for short-listing. Similar to HFA Favorites, except that they are not part of the HFA Associated Equipment inventory.

HFA Awards

Loudspeakers

Active Monitor Loudspeakers

Pre Amplifier

Phono Preamp

Power Amplifier

Integrated Amplifier

CD Player

CD Transport

DAC

Music Server

Network Renderer / Streaming Endpoint (without DAC)

Network Renderer / Streaming Endpoint (with DAC)

USB Interface

Digital to Digital Interface

USB External Music Storage

Network Switch/Filtering

Network Tweaks/Filtering

Turntables

Tonearms