Hi-Fi: The History of High-End Audio Design, 272 pages

This is nothing more than a pretty ‘coffee table’ book. Lots of lovely photographs but the text is extremely lightweight and superficial, (in some places it’s also just plain wrong...For the actual origins of the Linn Sondek look to the Ariston RD11 for example). Despite being very American focussed inexplicably it omits the original AR turntable, the great gandaddy of all suspended turntables that followed (inc Thorens, Ariston, and Linn Sondek models). Not a lot on pickups or tonearms and the Japanese Direct Drive revolution is mostly ignored. The iconic 70’s Lecson pre and power amps (currently in The V&A, and American Museum of Modern Art collections), designs that still look stylishly modern and futuristic even today are notable by their absence too. Unfortunately for those with a serious interest in the history of audio design it falls far short. £40 wasted.

This won’t be for everyone, but if you want a comprehensive history of hi fi since 1950, with superb photographs in an attractively designed hardback book, you won’t be disappointed.

This is not just another book on Hi-Fi, this is the definative guide to highend hi-fi, as such, an absolute Must for every hifi enthusiast everywhere, from its humble beginings in the 1950's, up to the present day.A simply superb book, no wonder the first issues ran out so quickly!Bag yourself a piece of history, a view to the future of audio, and a superb reference to where we are in Hi-Fi today, covers every medium in current HiFi today, and beyond.Wholeheartedly recomended!

Very happy.

My husband loves this book