It scarcely feels possible that another full trip around the sun has passed by since Volume 2 was released last December. It has been a remarkably busy year for us here at Vertere – one that you will find serialised throughout the pages of this magazine.

The Vertere Calon is an expensive phono preamplifier but it is the best I have heard thanks to an uncannily low noise floor, I doubt there are many that could equal it.

If you’ve got an earlier version of the Phono-1 don’t worry about swapping it out for this new one. Yes, the MkII L is clearly a step ahead, but the older generation remains an excellent unit. For new buyers, don’t hesitate to go for this version. Given a source and system of appropriate talent, it shines.