10/07/10 Lavry Engineering
It has been a great pleasure to add the Lavry products back into our range following the appointment of a new U.K. distributor. In particular, the best value for money DAC you can buy, the Lavry Black DA10 converter @ £875 Inc VAT. This is stunning in any system regardless of cost. It's sweet, musical, whilst being detailed and precise. It's certainly a match for any CD Players into the many thousands. 

Likewise, you have the infinitely flexible Lavry Black DA11 which marginally improves on the DA10 sound, but offers remote control (not provided) and a >Pic< technology feature that enables you to change the image width for headphones and room position in order to help re-create the listening and mastering conditions in the studio.

Last, but not least, is the Lavry Gold AD122-96 used by all reputable studios needing the finest analogue to digital conversion. For you, it might mean converting your precious vinyl collection using your hi-end turntable once only, so you’ll never feel the need to convert again. Mind bogglingly time consuming I know. Think 'Deep Thought' in Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - you really don’t want to be converting for years only to find 42 bits and then have to start all over again when the Vogon speakers arrive. 

15/06/10 Neat Motive SE2 Loudspeaker
The award-winning Motive series has been in production for five very successful years. Neat has now decided to maximise the true potential of this with the Motive 2 ultra-compact floorstanding design in the form of the Motive SE2! 

The SE2 incorporates several significant upgrades, notably the use of the EMIT planar magnetic tweeter, which is compliantly mounted within its own discrete volume to minimise the effects of vibration and rear pressure from the main drive unit. A new crossover and bass tuning alignment are employed and the cabinet features improved internal bracing and damping. 

Full specifications and availability update coming shortly. 

11/06/10 Igloo returns to Royal Tunbridge Wells!
Those of you with attention to the fine detail may have noticed our registered office has returned to Tunbridge Wells. It makes logistics a lot easier for us, and hopefully less confusing for those of you wanting to arrange demo appointments. As before our administration takes place via our registered office while our demo facilities are at a separate site in Tunbridge Wells. Equipment currently available on demo include ATC SCM 50 (Active) and SCM 11 (Passive) loudspeakers, Neat Motive 1's, Music First Audio Classic Pre-Amp and a selection of DAC's from Weiss, Benchmark and Digital Audio Denmark. All supplied with some very good coffee and includes biscuits...

12/05/10 Weiss DAC2 & DAC202
New batch of Weiss DAC2s due in this week and DAC202s due end of May ~ both silver & black faceplate. Get orders in early!

31/03/10 Springwatch
It may not be reflected in the weather but vigour is renewed here at Igloo in 2010. We have been busy behind the scenes with our annual spring clean whilst researching exciting new equipment from around the globe to introduce to our range. We will be announcing some great new products in the coming weeks. Notebooks at the ready!

29/11/09 Weiss DAC202 & ATT202
We are happy to announce the new DAC from Weiss called the DAC202 which will replace their superb Minerva DAC. The DAC202 has all the features of the Minerva (or Weiss DAC2), plus key features such as a Headphone output & control on a 1/4" Jack, rotary encoder in the digital domain, level control defeat for the main output, Word sync input and output on BNC. LCD display for display of sampling rate, input source, audio level, absolute phase, up sampling filter type and various menu items, including, rotary encoder with push switch, IR receiver/remote control and standby LED. 

Some very special features include a transparency check, which allows you to check the bit transparency of your playback chain, setting of the coarse output levels in the analogue domain, dual & single wire selection for 176.4-192 kHz sampling rate and display brightness. More importantly, the DAC202 has an even better converter with new analogue output stages compared to the Minerva, using two converters per channel improving the signal to noise ratio. 

Also from Weiss is the ATT202 passive stereo attenuator of the highest quality. It uses gas tight Reed contacts for switching the metal film resistors. 44 steps cover a range of 34dB of attenuation. Inputs and outputs can be switched between XLR and RCA. The impedance level of the source connected to the ATT202 can be accommodated with 16 different series resistor selections. The infrared remote control unit supports volume up, volume down and mute keys. A stepper motor translates the remote control commands with a large volume control for that nice quality feel. The motor electronics is powered by an external power supply for the ultimate in sound quality.  

21/11/09 Twitter - Igloo Audio
Igloo Audio is now on Twitter. We invite you to give us a tweet. tweet! tweet! 

14/11/09 DAD AX24
What a pleasure to receive the Digital Audio Denmark (DAD) pro-audio digital analogue converter for the ultimate shoot-out against leading names in the media. The AX24 is the ultimate device in multi-channel flexibilty, with a beautifully rendered analogue sound unmatched by any DAC we have heard. Reviewed by the pro-media and pro-forums as the best ADDA converter anywhere on the market, you owe it to yourself to arrange a demonstration. Don't forget to bring your favorite CDs, laptop PC or even your favorite DAC for comparison.   

08/09/09 Bel Canto Design
It’s always a challenge to find attractive, convenient, high quality sounding equipment with an excellent heritage of support and robustness. So we are very happy to say a big hello to the e.One range of products from Bel Canto Design. Starting with their superb S300i Integrated Amplifier listed as a featured product, combined with the DAC3 for the convenience of adding your PC, MAC and CD/DVD transport as source components. You can build a system of superb performance with passive ATC or Neat loudspeakers, adding the CD-2 and Bel Canto - Cardas Audio made cables for that final touch of transparency connections you need for high-quality audio and video playback on your home system. 

15/06/09 WADIA 170i Transport iPod Dock
New this week - the web and HiFi media is rife with positive reviews of this product. Wadia has been creating high-performance digital audio products for years, now they've outfitted this dock with the connections you need for high-quality audio and video playback on your home system. 

The iTransport is the first ever component specifically designed to transform your iPod into a high-resolution audio/video media server. The iTransport combines the convenience of personal audio with the performance and connectivity of your home audio/video system, delivering bit-perfect digital audio signal via S/PDIF coaxial (RCA) output, DVD quality video via component outputs, and built on a sleek aluminum chassis. See details here 

12/06/09 Add to Cart
Add to cart featured now restored! Items in stock you can again purchase online. A few items in the music store are out of stock but will be available to purchase online again shortly.

09/06/09 Add to Cart
You may have noticed we have removed the 'Add to Cart' feature from the site. This is just a temporary measure while we do some background work on the website and update stock and will be restored again very soon. If you would like to purchase anything in the meantime please contact us on: sales@iglooaudio.co.uk. Thanks for your patience.

27/05/09 Music Store
Expansion on our range of Audiophile recordings is underway! We are now supplying recordings from specialist labels such as Audio Fidelity, Classic Records, Sundazed, Wounded Bird and Musical Fidelity Sound Lab, with more to come. To kick us off how about Leonard Cohen - Live Songs or Neil Young - Live at Massey Hall 1971 on vinyl and some jazz fusion from Mahavishnu Orchestra on CD? More will be added week by week so keep checking back, and if there is a title you are looking for we can probably get it in for you so it’s always worth dropping us a line at: sales@iglooaudio.co.uk

26/05/09 WEISS Engineering - Professional and High-End Digital Audio Products
Ever mindful of offering the leaders in the field of audio components, this month sees the addition of the Weiss Minerva Firewire to our range of Digital Converters. Hailed by many as the best DAC for a computer based audio system money can buy, Weiss have an excellent reputation amongst professional Mastering Studios and continue to gain the same reputation with High-End Hi-Fi enthusiasts. We are working on adding the full range of Weiss Hi-End to the site right now and may also introduce some equipment from their Pro-Audio range. 

15/05/09 Music Store
Word about Stockfisch record's special repertoire of recordings and artists seem to be spreading because we have had a run on orders recently and are having to restock. In the meantime we have removed the ‘add to cart’ option temporarily on some items and would ask that you email us with details of the item you would like to order, and as soon as stock is in, you will be the first in line. 

We are also in talks with a number of interesting labels to expand the range of audiophile recordings we offer and are looking to update that soon. Will keep you posted.

07/04/09 Grado upgrades its award winning headphone range
With the exception of the iGrado ‘Street’ headphone, Grado has announced it has improved its entire headphone range, including the iconic ‘SR60’. The new models have the suffix ‘i’ for improved! Therefore the SR60i replaces the SR60, SR80 becomes the SR80i and so forth. The current SR325i is replaced by the new SR325is.

All the new models have improved drivers. The SR60i and SR80i benefit from enlarged and improved mass distribution in the plastic housing, making them less affected by transient distortions. The latter also gets a new improved 4-core cable. From the new SR125i and above, as well as the improvements already listed, each model gains a new ultra high quality, 8 core, long grained copper lead.

Sonically, every new headphone delivers improved control of both upper and lower frequencies, which results in both ends of the frequency spectrum better supporting Grado’s world renowned midrange. Naturally, they all produce a sound that is pure Grado; warm harmonic colour, rich full bodied vocals, excellent dynamics and an ultra smooth top end. 

See full range details coming to the site this week.

04/04/09 WireWorld Cable Technology
Igloo Audio is now an authorised retailer of WireWorld products. Cables & accessories are an essential part of your Home Entertainment system; they enhance the performance and ensure that you are getting the very best out of your investment. WireWorld products are manufactured to very high standards employing the very latest manufacturing technologies and techniques. A strict quality control ensures an exemplary quality and long product life. We are in the process of adding their range to the site, which will include the new Series 6 range of interconnects and speaker cables. 

01/04/09 Igloo has moved!
Igloo has moved registered offices and is now based in Sevenoaks: 6th Floor, Tubs Hill House, London Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1BL. Do note however that our operations and demonstration facilities is still based in Tunbridge Wells. Just remember to get in touch by phone or email before you set out since we demo by appointment only!

28/03/09 Igloo Spring Clean
We are having a spring clean at Igloo Audio and are offering the Tom Evans Linear A power amplifier and a pair of Neat Motive 2 loudspeakers, both ex-demonstration. Keep an eye out for more products to be added shortly under our 'Specials and Ex-Dems' section.

12/12/08 ATC Loudspeakers
It is something we have been keen to get underway for a while so we are particularly delighted to announce we are now an authorised dealer of the ATC range of loudspeakers. We are especially excited to be a supplier of their active range which in our opinion really cannot be touched in its field. We are installing a pair of their SCM50SL AT for demos which will be available to listen to by appointment from January. There is already plenty of interest so we may arrange a group day. If you would like to be involved drop us a line at: karen@iglooaudio.co.uk and we will keep you posted. For more information see the ATC website

20/11/08 Justice for Audio
Website of the week: Justice for Audio - join the campaign to stop all modern records sounding exactly the same... 

27/06/08 Lavry Engineering
After hosting a shoot-out between the Benchmark Media DAC1 & the Lavry Engineering DA10 a couple of weeks ago we had to get this one in. It’s all up and running and ready for you to hear right here right now. 

10/06/08 BDI Furniture
After successful negotiations BDI in the US have secured their UK distribution partnership this month, which means we are able to supply their range to you. Items like the Avion 8527 are now in stock in both Dark Oak and Cherry with products like the 8529 available by special order. We will be updating the range available in the coming weeks. 

Humphrey Lyttelton, May 23rd 1921 - April 25th 2008
While tuned into BBC Radio 4 we learned of the sad news that Humphrey Lyttelton passed away today. Humph brought us many hours of pleasure through his music and surprised us all with his guest appearance with Radiohead in 2000. He was also a most engaging presenter on Radio 2's The Best of Jazz and of course (our personal favourite) that "antidote to panel games" - I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue. Will be sadly missed in this little corner. 

14/04/08 Pro-ject Turntables
Keeping up the side for analogue, this month brings onboard Pro-ject’s range of turntables, phono-stages and accessories. Pro-ject bring 50 years of experience to analogue record reproduction technology and is one of the worlds leading suppliers of record players – and in glorious techno-colour! And value for money too. The distributor for Pro-ject are also now now our supplier of the Fatman range. New model 452 due end of July...

01/04/08 NAD Electronics 
Igloo is now an authorised dealer of NAD products, which includes the much lauded C315BEE, of which Ken Kessler of hi-fi news had this to say:

"NAD blew all and sundry away with the C315BEE - not just a successor to the flippin' 3020 but hopefully the vanguard of a new level of performance for entry-level hardware. Indeed, with no hesitation, I think it deserves to win every Product of the Year award available to a two-channel component."

05/03/08 Benchmark Media DAC1 Pre
The doors are swinging like the entrance to Grace Brother Department Store this week with the UK release of the all-new DAC1 Pre. We took delivery of our first, just landed, DAC1 Pre last Tuesday evening where it promptly went straight on the stage for a 4-hour demo session and performed its little heart out. 

04/03/08 Neat Acoustics 
Today sees the very welcome addition of the Neat Acoustics range to our selection of loudspeakers. We are eagerly anticipating the delivery of a pair of Motive 1 speakers for your listening pleasure, to be teamed up with the stunning, musical sounding Leben 300X amplifier. 

26/02/08 Podcast Choice of the Week
A big hit at Igloo Audio since 2006 - if you haven’t come across it already we recommend you check out this months Word Magazine that has an excellent article by Tom Whitwell on how ‘record labels are employing new and powerful software to artificially sweeten music, polish it, make it “louder”… and squeeze out the last drop of individuality’. In this weeks podcast (#43) Mark Ellen, David Hepworth, Matt Hall and Tom Whitwell discuss ‘what’s wrong with the sound of music’. Amongst other things…  Find out more about the magazine, free podcast and join the heated debate on their online blog at www.wordmagazine.co.uk. 

22/02/08 Squeezebox Duet
It might not be one for the traditionalists, but its throws up some exciting possibilities with the Benchmark Media DAC1. In essence, if your looking to move your music collection to PC, but don’t want to lose quality, this is the way to go. 

“Last month at the CES in Las Vegas, Logitech® unveiled the Squeezebox™ Duet network music system, extending the promise of the award-winning Squeezebox products, which allow people to access and listen to the music they love in any room of their home. The new Squeezebox Duet system offers an innovative controller, which includes a full-colour LCD screen, and a compact receiver – enabling people to wirelessly browse, select and play their digital music on their existing stereo speakers anywhere in the home even when their computer is off.”

13/02/08 Tom Evans
Progress is moving at pace now on the much-anticipated Tom Evans speaker. They are down to fine-tuning the design and considering possible finishes. We will be visiting Tom for a listen to the prototype shortly and will report. We may even have a pair in-situ for you to demo, so watch this space…

05/02/08 Grado
We are very pleased to add the superb range of Grado headphones to our list of products this week. We have a pair of RS1’s available for you to listen to and will soon have in the new GS1000 for you to listen too. 

Thanks to their UK distributor Armour Home Electronics we have also added a couple of unexpected extra’s to our accessories in the shape of the Tivoli range of radios and mini systems. We already have our eye on the Tivoli Pal, but cannot decide which colour to go for… We hope you find it easier.

Happy New Year 2008
A very happy new year to all our customers and everyone who stops by for site visit. Hope you all had a marvellous time. 

14/12/07 New Look Igloo Website Goes Live!
Welcome to the new look Igloo Audio website, now with shopping cart facilities and a music store. We are still busy loading a new and exciting range of products in the background so do bear with us, and if there is something you are particularly interested in that you don't see here please do email us at: sales@iglooaudio.co.uk 

14/09/07   Resolution Audio
There is progress at the Resolution Audio camp on the introduction of a new higher powered amp that is due for launch in the next few months... if you haven’t already heard the Resolution Opus 21 CD Player come and visit us for a demo?

01/08/07    Stockfisch Records
We are very pleased to announce another Igloo exclusive dealer agreement with Stockfisch Records - Igloo Audio is the UK distributor for their audiophile quality recordings and specials like selecte vinyl cuts and DSD recordings, released as Hybrid-SACDs – often including 5.1-surroundmix.

Igloo Audio News Blog listing many recent developments and announcements, from newly selected HiFi products, music labels and general news including our support for the Justice-for-Audio campaign.