Henley Audio Sets the Standard with Six What Hi-Fi? Awards
The 2026 What Hi-Fi? Awards have delivered another impressive result for Henley Audio, with six products from four of our brands taking home Best Buy honours. Covering turntables, streaming, amplification and cartridges, this year’s winners show how great sound can be found at every level – from an affordable first vinyl system to a truly premium hi-fi set-up.
Why the What Hi-Fi? Awards matter
For decades, the What Hi-Fi? Awards have helped music and home-cinema fans identify the strongest products. Every winner is selected by the magazine’s expert review team following extensive comparative testing, making the awards one of the industry’s most recognised recommendations.
The 2026 results carry added significance as What Hi-Fi? marks its 50th anniversary – half a century of testing, reviewing and celebrating outstanding audio and visual products.
Meet Henley Audio’s 2026 What Hi-Fi? Award winners
Five returning champions have retained their places among the year’s best products, while the new Michi Prestige X430 makes an immediate impact in the premium amplifier category. Here is what makes each of the six winners stand out.
Pro-Ject Primary E – Best Turntable Under £300
Simple to set up and rewarding from the first record, the Primary E remains a superb route into vinyl. Its European-made belt-drive design combines a lightweight aluminium tonearm with a factory-fitted Ortofon OM cartridge, removing unnecessary complexity while preserving the engineering essentials that matter. The result is an accessible deck with an assured, balanced sound and no shortage of musical enjoyment.
Its latest award confirms that a straightforward design can still set the standard at this price. What Hi-Fi? continues to value the Primary E for its fuss-free ownership, entertaining presentation and ability to get the fundamentals right – exactly what a first turntable should do.
Pro-Ject Debut EVO 2 – Best Turntable £500 - £750
For listeners ready to take the next step, the Debut EVO 2 blends familiar Pro-Ject styling with carefully judged upgrades. Its carbon-fibre tonearm, damped die-cast aluminium platter and Pick it MM EVO cartridge work together to retrieve more detail, while electronic speed selection and height-adjustable feet make everyday use effortless. A choice of finishes completes a turntable designed to grow with a system.
The Debut EVO 2 earns repeat recognition for a lively, fluid character that brings voices and instruments to life. What Hi-Fi? highlighted its engaging performance and the meaningful evolution over its predecessor, making it a compelling alternative for anyone who values energy, expression and upgrade potential.
WiiM Pro Plus – Best Music Streamer Under £300
The WiiM Pro Plus continues to prove that a capable streaming hub need not dominate either a rack or a budget. It supports high-resolution playback, multi-room audio and popular platforms including AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Spotify Connect, while analogue and digital connections make it easy to add modern streaming to an existing hi-fi system. App control and the supplied remote keep operation equally straightforward.
A second consecutive win underlines just how much the Pro Plus offers for the money. Its composed sound, polished control experience and flexible connectivity give it an advantage that is difficult to match without spending considerably more.
Rotel A8 – Best Stereo Amplifier Under £500
Compact, purposeful and easy to accommodate, the Rotel A8 focuses on the features music lovers use most. Its Class AB amplifier delivers 40W per channel into 4 ohms, complemented by line-level connections, a moving-magnet phono stage, a headphone output and tone controls. A clear LED volume display adds a modern touch without distracting from the A8’s clean design.
The A8 retains its title by concentrating on strong fundamentals: clarity, control, dynamic expression and convincing bass. What Hi-Fi? praised the quality of its construction and its ability to compete confidently with established rivals, reinforcing its position as a benchmark budget amplifier.
Michi Prestige X430 – Best Stereo Amplifier Over £3500
A new arrival for 2026, the Michi Prestige X430 combines high-end Rotel engineering with exceptional flexibility. Its Class AB design delivers 210W per channel into 8 ohms, while a custom toroidal transformer and ESS SABRE DAC support powerful, precise performance. HDMI ARC, USB, Bluetooth, digital, analogue, balanced and phono inputs make it equally suited to music and two-channel TV systems.
What Hi-Fi? praised the X430’s insight, control and articulate bass across its extensive range of inputs. Its premium aluminium casework, glass front panel and customisable display complete an accomplished amplifier that makes an immediate impact in the over-£3,500 category.
Ortofon MC X30 – Best Cartridge Over £500
The MC X30 sits at a sweet spot in Ortofon’s moving-coil range, combining fine engineering with an expressive, revealing sound. Its Nude Fine Line stylus traces groove information with precision, while silver coils, an optimised magnet system and a rigid honeycomb-inspired core help maintain stability and clarity. With a 0.4mV output and recommended 2.0g tracking force, it is designed for suitably capable turntables and phono stages.
Its return to the winners’ list reflects an impressive balance of detail, dynamics and composure. What Hi-Fi? commended the MC X30’s articulate presentation and even-handed nature, qualities that allow it to uncover more from a record collection without sacrificing musical flow.
Six winners, one shared commitment to better sound
From the plug-and-play simplicity of the Primary E to the formidable power and flexibility of the Michi Prestige X430, Henley Audio’s 2026 winners offer clear routes to a more rewarding listening experience. Five products have proved their staying power by winning again, while the X430’s debut demonstrates that thoughtful new design can make an immediate mark. Whether you are building a first system, upgrading a favourite component or choosing a special Christmas gift for a music lover, this year’s awards provide an excellent place to start.