Verdict
A likable , warm - sound all - in - one system of rules with pleasing aesthetics , the Pure Classic Stereo do as a solid entry point into hello - fi for less demanding medicine fans .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
well known for its radios , Pure Audio has been branching into other ware areas of tardy , solicit more of a modus vivendi hi - fi consultation , with the Pure Classic Radio being the latest example of this trend .
Recently there ’s been theWoodland outside utterer , but before that it tried its hand at the more lifestyle hi - fi marketplace with its Evoke Play serial , which was n’t too well received on this site . It ’s trying its fortune again with an upgrade of its Classic series , with the Classic Stereo being the priciest framework in the revamped range .
Has virginal made a good clenched fist of it this time around ? Let ’s see out .
Design
As far as appearance go , the Pure Classic Stereo is a posh appear euphony system , a mix of retro and modern sensibilities , the type of merchandise that immingle into an environment without being ostentatious . There ’s a option of cotton white or burnt umber black colours to match a living space while its rounded curve and wooden close gives it a tender , more inviting feel than the stark alloy polish often seen on traditional hi - fi products .
Consisting of a main receiving system and two peaceful verbalizer , the Classic Stereo carries a big footprint on any ledge space or table . The receiver is large by itself ( though if you have an AV rack or shelf you could slot it in there ) but the speakers are enormous and postulate space .
They connect to the receiver through cables so this is n’t a fully wireless system but the overseas telegram can be concealed behind a board or Ab rack . The baffles on the speaker unit can be pry off but from an aesthetic point of position I prefer them on .
Pure seems to have take cues from Cambridge Audio as the label on the rear board can be understand upside down so you wo n’t have to turn the organization round to view the port you ’re plugging into . You ’ve got button on the front panel that cover playback , presets , source and seafaring , as well as a dial for act through the menus and deepen the volume .
I ’m not fond of the 2.4 - inch TFT people of colour video display . It ’s not the biggest and it ’s only best read when viewed head on . Once you go off axis , viewing angle are poor .
I ’m also not loving the remote , which sit in the class of “ it ’ll do ” . While the clicky feedback from presses is welcome , it does n’t feel as expensive as the repose of the organization . In term of operation it cover everything you ’ll need to get the Classic Stereo escape .
Features
The Classic Stereo offer several agency to pump music into it but it also caters to other hi - fi devices around the home .
It comes with a built - in CD player : there ’s a headphone output to connect pumped headphones , a phono port for a book instrumentalist , a USB input for audio files on a thumb or hard drive , optical for link to a TV , as well as wireless options inBluetooth 5.2(SBC , AAC streaming ) and Wi - Fi connectivity .
It ’s a letdown that Wi - Fi only extends toSpotify Connect . It ’s a pretermit opportunity not to at least coverAirPlay 2for Io gimmick . Still , you ’ve get DAB , DAB+ and FM radio stations , along with memory access to podcasts and Internet radiocommunication as other digital sources .
staring mention 20 presets for each source but that ’s not strictly true . It ’s as much as 20 presets for some such as the DAB , Internet Radio and podcasts , while with Spotify I found only 10 and Bluetooth and CD source have none . Saving presets is done by keep the preset button while a press on the same clit is what ’s need to come back them .
Like theRevo SuperConnect Stereo , the Classic Stereo bump the same problem whereby there are only four preset push on the remote which means that if you have more than four carry through you ’ll need to scroll through on the telephone receiver itself . Hardly the most convenient of methods .
The USB input signal only assume MP3 files as the system did n’t recognise any of the FLAC files I had . The CD is a expansion slot - based mechanics that ’s moderately unsounded during military operation .
Sound Quality
gross has aimed for a fond and fat audio public presentation and it nails that brief , though it comes at the price of not being the clearest or most detailed sound .
With that said , I ’ve found that the Classic Stereo offer an enjoyable listening experience on the whole . It ’s unspoilt at describe voices with clarity and providing outer space for vocal talents to strut their stuff unimpeded . There ’s depth to the soundstage , and the stereo image bring home the bacon self-colored sense of leftover and right channel as well as campaign from one speaker system to another .
There ’s power and dig to the bass when hear to Kanye West ’s Power , though not as much depth or rumble as I ’d expect from speaker unit of this size of it . With some articulatio coxae - hops and R&B tracks the Classic Stereo ’s basso operation hollow out out and sound a minuscule intemperately . However , that exponent does control it has a boastful , way - filling front .
It ’s not the most active of listens , either on a low or large scale . you’re able to toy with the EQ presets and ‘ Dynamic ’ gives music a boost , Supertramp ’s The Logical Song is provided with a little more of a dynamic flourish .
Wi - Fi put up the clear performance , providing a firmer thump to low frequencies , as well as an uptick in energy . I do like the blandness of its Bluetooth performance though – there ’s adept clarity to vocals , and though like Wi - Fi streaming it ’s short of overall item , Bluetooth streaming feel slightly better balanced with bass . With Wi - Fi rootage I always feel as if I need to turn the bulk down a little compared to Bluetooth streaming at the same volume .
The organisation ’s warmth and magnificence is present across all source and inputs but it ’s lacking presence at the top end of the frequency range . It ’s not the most defined performance – it feel as if the soprano has its wing nip by the Classic Stereo ’s warm signature .
The earpiece output propose a exchangeable performance with a Sennheiser HD600 connect . still and full-bodied but miss outright particular and clearness . With all that said , the Classic Stereo is an enjoyable music system but one that ’s less for audiophiles and more for casual music fans .
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Should you buy it?
you may connect the Classic Stereo to a turntable and play cd . If you ’re still hanging onto your vinyl radical and compact disc , this Pure music organisation plays decent with them
For this money there are more gifted sounding cyclosis organization such as theBluesound Pulse M , Sonos Era 300 , andQ Acoustics M20 HD
Final Thoughts
It ’s worth take into story the eccentric of hi - fi fan you are if you ’re eyeball up the Pure Classic Stereo . The fertile , warm strait has appeal to more casual and less demanding users , but if you ’re an audiophile then I ’m afraid there ’s not enough faithfulness to the Classic Stereo ’s public presentation .
It spread over the base in terms of connectivity , though it could cover more with its wireless specification . Only induce Spotify Connect feels limited in scope .
The receiver and speakers take up quad with the speaker unit particularly on the large side . And though it ’s not an audiophile organisation , its price puts it up against gifted alternatives in theBluesound Pulse M , Sonos Era 300 , theQ Acoustics M20 HDand theRevo SuperConnect Stereo .
The Revo feels like its closest rival and the Pure does extend functionality that the Revo does n’t ( compact disk playback , phono / turntable consolidation ) . For those with vinyl or candle to hand , that may carry you to the Pure camp .
The Classic Stereo is an pleasurable music system for the audience it ’s intended for . If you ’re looking for a gateway into hello - fi , the Classic Stereo is a firm entry - point .
Trusted Score
How we test
We prove every scheme we review exhaustively over an extended period of time . We use industry standard tests to equate feature film properly . We ’ll always tell you what we find . We never , ever , accept money to review a mathematical product .
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FAQs
The Classic Stereo system has Wi - Fi support but is n’t compatible with Apple AirPlay 2 cyclosis .
