21 standouts from a remarkable year in hi-fi
Explore the recognised equipment, discover what makes each category important and find the right fit for your listening room.
The Hi-Fi News Yearbook 2026 shines a spotlight on remarkable hi-fi equipment. From the enduring appeal of vinyl to the convenience of high-resolution digital music, the variety of featured products shows how many ways there are to build a captivating music system. We explore 21 Yearbook selections available at Kronos AV, with considerations for system matching and listening-room performance.
See our full illustrated awards showcase: Hi-Fi News Yearbook 2026 — all 21 products.
Turntables, Cartridges & Phono Stages
Each component has its own part to play in a well-matched hi-fi system. Consider compatibility, your room and the way you listen before making an upgrade.
2026 Yearbook selection
Hana Umami Black MC Cartridge
Hana’s flagship low-output moving-coil cartridge brings together a diamond cantilever, the new OKD generator and meticulous Japanese craftsmanship. An ambitious choice for vinyl listeners seeking exceptional detail and expression.
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2026 Yearbook selection
Michell Gyro Turntable
One of British hi-fi’s most recognisable turntables, the Gyro pairs its iconic visual design with a carefully engineered suspended platform. A serious analogue foundation with unmistakable character.
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2026 Yearbook selection
Pro-Ject Signature 12.2 Reference Turntable
Pro-Ject’s handcrafted reference deck features a 10.5kg magnetically supported platter, precision flywheel drive and refined 12-inch tonearm. A celebration of the engineering and craftsmanship behind high-end vinyl reproduction.
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2026 Yearbook selection
Takumi TT Level 2.1 DC Turntable
A distinctive analogue design with an emphasis on careful mechanical engineering and straightforward musical enjoyment. Ideal for listeners exploring a turntable that combines considered construction with understated styling.
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2026 Yearbook selection
EAT E-Glo Petit B Valve Phono Stage
A compact valve-based phono stage designed to bring your record collection into focus. The E-Glo Petit B is an intriguing option for vinyl enthusiasts who value thoughtful engineering and the appeal of valve circuitry.
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2026 Yearbook selection
Sumiko Oriole MC Cartridge
Part of Sumiko’s moving-coil cartridge family, the Oriole is built for discerning vinyl systems. An attractive upgrade path for listeners looking to draw more texture, subtlety and involvement from favourite records.
Explore product ↗Streaming, SACD & Digital Sources
A product award is useful guidance, but the best choice is still the one that suits your system, music and budget. Our team can advise on the details.
2026 Yearbook selection
HiFi Rose RS451 Streamer
A modern digital music source from HiFi Rose, bringing high-resolution streaming into an elegantly presented component. A compelling centrepiece for anyone who wants convenient music discovery without losing sight of sound quality.
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2026 Yearbook selection
Lumin X2 Music Player
Lumin’s sophisticated network player combines advanced digital processing with a fully balanced discrete DAC architecture and separate power supply. Built for demanding streaming systems where source quality deserves real attention.
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2026 Yearbook selection
Luxman D-100 Centennial SACD Player
A statement SACD and disc player created in celebration of Luxman’s centenary. Its presence makes a powerful case for treasured physical music collections at a time when streaming often takes centre stage.
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2026 Yearbook selection
Métronome DSC Mini DAC
Métronome brings its approach to digital music reproduction into a compact DAC. A refined source component for systems where every stage of digital-to-analogue conversion matters.
Explore product ↗Amplifiers & Preamplifiers
From statement integrated amplifiers to dedicated pre/power separates, amplification shapes much of the character and flexibility of a hi-fi system. Consider loudspeaker matching, available space, connection options and the music you enjoy. The Unison Research Unico PRE v2 and DM v2 were assessed together as a pre/power partnership by Hi-Fi News; both components are linked individually below.
2026 Yearbook selection
Lyngdorf TDAI-2210 Streaming Integrated Amplifier
A versatile fully digital integrated amplifier with music streaming, a colour touchscreen and Lyngdorf’s RoomPerfect room optimisation. A particularly interesting option for bringing amplifier, source and room matching together.
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2026 Yearbook selection
Quad Platina Integrated Amplifier
An ambitious integrated amplifier from one of British hi-fi’s great names. The Platina brings a contemporary expression of Quad’s engineering heritage to the heart of a high-quality stereo system.
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Featured Yearbook selection
Pathos InPoL Legacy Integrated Amplifier
A monumental, all-analogue Class A integrated amplifier from Pathos. Its valve voltage stage and proprietary InPoL output topology are housed in a striking 140kg chassis, creating an uncompromising statement for serious listening rooms.
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Featured as a Pre/DM v2 pairing
Unison Research Unico PRE v2 Preamplifier
The flagship Unico PRE v2 combines flexible analogue connectivity with a built-in MM/MC phono stage and digital inputs. Hi-Fi News reviewed it as a pre/power partnership with the matching Unico DM v2.
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Featured as a Pre/DM v2 pairing
Unison Research Unico DM v2 Power Amplifier
The matching Unico DM v2 power amplifier completes Unison Research's flagship separates partnership. Hi-Fi News reviewed the PRE v2 and DM v2 together, recognising the substantial evolution of this hybrid pre/power system.
Explore product ↗Loudspeakers
A product award is useful guidance, but the best choice is still the one that suits your system, music and budget. Our team can advise on the details.
2026 Yearbook selection
MoFi SourcePoint V10 Master Edition Floorstanding Speakers
The Master Edition of MoFi’s imposing SourcePoint V10 offers a serious loudspeaker choice for ambitious listening rooms. Striking proportions and carefully considered design give it real flagship appeal.
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2026 Yearbook selection
Perlisten A4T Tower Floorstanders
A tower loudspeaker from Perlisten’s A-Series, balancing contemporary aesthetics with the brand’s engineering-led approach. Well worth considering when planning a capable, room-conscious stereo system.
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2026 Yearbook selection
Quad ESL 2912 Electrostatic Loudspeakers
An evolution of one of hi-fi’s most celebrated loudspeaker principles. The ESL 2912’s electrostatic design continues to appeal to enthusiasts drawn to openness, midrange transparency and a distinctive listening experience.
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Gold Outstanding Product · Yearbook 2026
Acoustic Energy AE1 40th Anniversary Speakers
A re-engineered tribute to the legendary AE1 compact monitor, pairing alloy drivers with a revised crossover and beautifully finished cabinets. The AE1 40th was elevated to Gold Outstanding Product status in the Hi-Fi News Yearbook 2026.
Explore product ↗Cables & Connections
Each component has its own part to play in a well-matched hi-fi system. Consider compatibility, your room and the way you listen before making an upgrade.
2026 Yearbook selection
Atlas Ailsa Duo Ultra L RCA Grun Interconnect
A premium RCA interconnect from Atlas, incorporating the brand’s Grun approach to system grounding. A considered finishing touch for high-resolution systems where connections and noise management merit attention.
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2026 Yearbook selection
QED Supremus Zr Speaker Cable (Pair)
A premium speaker cable from QED’s Supremus range, intended for serious hi-fi systems. It brings cable engineering into focus for listeners refining the connection between amplifier and loudspeakers.
Explore product ↗Ready to hear the difference?
Great hi-fi begins with finding the right match. Our experienced team can help you choose equipment suited to your existing system and listening room.
Explore all 21 selections →This is a Kronos AV selection of products featured in the Hi-Fi News Yearbook 2026, not a complete list of all featured products; distinctions can vary. The publications are independent of Kronos AV.