The Best of 2025 - Hi-Fi, music & culture
Soundstage Hi-Fi - Top 3 for 2025
“We go through life. We shed our skins. We become ourselves.” This Patti Smith quote inspired one of our top albums of 2025 by DjRum, and perfectly sums up our year at Soundstage Hi-Fi.
We take a look at the music & hi-fi that have made life better in 2025. With our customers' help, we've created some beautiful hi-fi combinations and discovered lots of great music. Below are some of our highlights, and find out what we’re looking forward to in 2026 - along with a few hi-fi gift ideas for Christmas.
Top 3 - Music
1. Dave - The Boy Who Played the Harp
James Blake’s vocals and piano features heavily on this introspective & melancholic album by Mercury Music Award-Winner, Dave. The therapy session with Kano is the standout track.
Favourite track: “Chapter 16 feat. Kano”
2. DjRUM - Under Tangled Silence
Electronic music with emotion - this album has moments of beautifully melodic piano with intelligently programmed drums, and it packs more ideas into 30 seconds than some musicians have in their whole career.
Favourite track: “Three Foxes Chasing Each Other”
3. OneOhTrix Point Never - Tranqilizer
Drawing inspiration from an online archive of commercial sample CDs, Daniel Lopatin has crafted another gem for Warp Records.
“I wanted to capture the emotional register of an era where everything is archived but perpetually slipping away.”
Favourite track - “Lifeworld”
Recommended Tunes: Arooj Aftab - raat ki rani / Mala - Militant Don
Top 3 - Hi-Fi
This Hi-Fi+ Award Winner 2026 has high-resolution streaming, a pre-amp with Ring DAC technology, and a volume control for ease of use.
”It’s like viewing the performance through a freshly cleaned window. Nothing seems to obstruct the speakers and performers. I haven’t heard a network DAC at this price point sound as convincing as this.”
£13,500
2. ATC SCM20ASL Active Loadspeakers
Dean says, “These active ATCs give you high-end performance & presentation in a compact sealed box enclosure, allowing you to place it closer to boundary walls with no need for a rack of equipment - just add a streamer.”
From £6,495
3. Klimax LP12 Turntable with Bedrock plinth & Radikal Power Supply
The ultimate modular turntable now has a new plinth & power supply. This is a turntable you have for life, and can improve upon as new technology becomes available. From £25,100
Highly Recommended: Exposure 2510 Integrated Amp £1,990
Top 3 - Hi-Fi Brands
1. dCS - UK
A standout year for dCS, with the launch of both the LINA DAC X and the flagship Varèse Music System -each earning well-deserved Hi-Fi+ 2026 Awards.
2. Wilson Audio - USA
2025 marked the arrival of the remarkable Sabrina V Loudspeaker. Dean was also invited to Utah to see the craftsmanship behind its creation firsthand.
A favourite in the demo room.
3. Dan D’Agostino - USA
The Pendulum Integrated Amplifier is the ideal partner for Wilson Audio loudspeakers, combining exceptional power with a built-in phono stage and DAC streamer for a complete high-end music system.
Top 3 - Live Music
1. Little Simz’ Meltdown Festival @ Southbank, London
The Simz’s curated Meltdown Festival closed with a live performance of Simbi with the Chineke! Orchestra and her own live band. Featuring singer Obongjayar on ‘Lion’ and ‘Point and Kill’. Read the full review
2. A Warp Happening @ Barbican Centre, London
Aphex Twin props from the iconic ‘Windowlicker’ vid, Seefeel live and Warp video screenings. A brilliant day of everything Warp Records.
3. Radiohead @ O2 Arena London
An emotional performance after a 9-year hiatus. Radiohead play in the round, with visuals from Stanley Donwood. Highlights include: ‘Jigsaw Falling Into Place’, ‘Idioteque’ and ‘Weird Fishes/Arpeggi’
Top 3 - Culture
1. Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin - M.I.A
The creative force M.I.A in conversation with Rick. Musician, artist, fashion designer, & documentary maker chats about her inspirations, production methods, and life under civil war as a Tamil in Sri Lanka.
2. Transmissions: The definitive story of Joy Division & New Order
This brilliant series shines another light on the Factory Records story, with insight from the original band members of New Order & Joy Division.
3. House of Music @ Serpentine Gallery, London
Art meets soundsystem culture at the Serpentine in Hyde Park:
”You can lounge about and soak up the vibrant & vivid Munchian colours of Peter’s artwork, inspired by his time living in Trinidad - Colourful stacks of speakers and luminous lions roam around dream landscapes.” Until 8th February 2025
Top 3 - Events
1. Nookie @ Soundstage Hi-Fi, London
We continued our celebration of British Music Culture with jungle/drum & bass legend Nookie. He shared his memories of the scene and treated us to a selection of his own tunes on the Technics 1210s through our TPI System.
2. Independent Hip-Hop @ Soundstage Hi-Fi, London
Author Ben Pedroche & Illustrator Dan Lish from Velocity Press joined us for a night of underground hip-hop. We got to hear some of their favourite tunes played on the D’Agostino & Wilson Audio system. A brilliant night.
3. dCS LINA DACX UK Launch @ Soundstage Hi-Fi, London
This was a special UK first listen of the dCS LINA DACX and Dan D’Agostino Pendulum Integrated Amplifier combined with the latest version of the Wilson Audio WATT/Puppy Loudspeaker.
Top 3 - For 2026
1. Autechre LIVE, @ Magazine, London Sat. 24th Oct. 2026
Every performance is unique and in complete darkness. Autechre are creating new worlds with their music. They are unforgettable live. As if Kraftwerk soundtracked the Apocalypse.
2. Dave LIVE @ 02 Arena, London 6th-11th March 2026
Alongside Little Simz, Dave stands at the top of UK MCs. Essential live viewing, with the added promise of special guests joining him on stage.
3. Kelan Phil Cohran & Legacy - African Skies LP released Jan 16th 2026
A deluxe reissue of this hard-to-find live album of jazz from early member of Sun-Ra’s Arkestra. If you love Alice Coltrane, then you’ll love this.
Highly Recommended: Part 3 of our British Music Culture Series - Spring/Summer 2026 @Soundstage Hi-Fi, North London
Top 3 - For Xmas
1. Rega Nd3 MM Cartridge £175
Dean says, “This Moving Magnet cartridge sounds like a more expensive Moving Coil. It’s smooth, controlled and detailed in the mid-range, and has tonnes of musicality.” Perfect upgrade to your Rega Planar Turntable.
2. Meze Audio 105 AER Headphones £369
Affordable Open-back headphones that deliver lush, full-bodied audio with clarity across every genre.
“Crafted from high-end materials and engineered for long-term comfort with velour pads and a self-adjusting headband, the 105 AER offers an effortlessly immersive listening experience that’s built to last.”
3. Degritter MkII Ultrasonic Cleaner £2,540
Every Record Collector’s dream - sparkling vinyl before it goes on the turntable. Ultrasonic waves remove dirt, dust, and grime from your records.