Henley Highlights - May 2026
Welcome to the eighth edition of Henley Highlights, our bi‑monthly look at standout hi‑fi components that deliver exceptional performance and genuine value. This month’s system proves that high-quality hi‑fi doesn’t need an eyewatering price tag. Coming in at under £4000 all in, it’s an ideal upgrade for anyone stepping up from their first system, or for seasoned audiophiles looking to add a refined second setup at home.
Pro-Ject Debut Reference 10
The Pro-Ject Debut Reference 10 forms the backbone of this system and brings genuine high-end thinking to an attainable level. Its resonance-free acrylic platter, fully decoupled motor and upgraded aluminium sub-platter work together to deliver excellent speed stability, low noise and a wonderfully open sound. The extended 10-inch carbon fibre and aluminium tonearm further reduces distortion and tracks records with impressive composure.
Already well endowed with multiple industry awards and praising reviews, the Debut Reference 10 has earned a reputation for punching far above its price point. Its refined, confidence-inspiring performance makes it an ideal source for this system, providing a clean, detailed and musical signal for everything that follows.
Ortofon MC X20
Partnered with the Debut Reference 10, the MC X20 moving coil cartridge adds depth, texture and precision to vinyl playback. Its nude elliptical stylus extracts fine detail without sacrificing smoothness, offering excellent rhythmic timing and musical flow. This cartridge complements the turntable perfectly, enhancing resolution while keeping the presentation engaging and easy to enjoy across long listening sessions.
Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B
The Phono Box S3 B ensures the turntable and cartridge can perform at their very best. With its dual-mono design, discrete circuitry and balanced connections, it preserves signal integrity and delivers a quiet, controlled and spacious sound. Its flexibility makes it easy to optimise for the MC X20, forming a coherent and highly capable analogue front end that rivals far more expensive combinations.
Pro-Ject Uni Box S3 B
At the centre of the system sits the Uni Box S3 B, a compact all-in-one streaming amplifier that blends analogue purity with modern convenience. Its clean, neutral amplification allows the character of the vinyl front end to shine through, while streaming, HDMI ARC and multi-room functionality make it perfectly suited to modern living spaces. This balance of sound quality and usability was a key reason the system resonated so strongly with listeners at Bristol.
Pro-Ject Speaker Box 12 E Carbon
Completing the system, the Speaker Box 12 E Carbon loudspeakers deliver impressive scale, controlled bass and clear detail thanks to their 2.5-way design and carbon fibre woofer. Their rigid cabinets keep unwanted vibration in check, allowing the system’s dynamics and texture to come through clearly. They are revealing enough to showcase the quality of the source while remaining enjoyable and musical with all genres.
This month’s carefully balanced system brings together some of Pro‑Ject’s capable and thoughtfully engineered components to deliver genuine hi‑fi performance at a realistic price point. From the confidence-inspiring vinyl front end and flexible phono stage to the versatile, compact amplification and elegant sounding loudspeakers, each element plays a vital role in the overall musical presentation. Paired with Ortofon’s MC X20 (from the incredibly successful MC X Series) that offers a smooth, spacious presentation with a natural sense of depth and detail providing customers with an affordable balanced MC cartridge option for this system. Whether you’re upgrading your first system or assembling a high‑quality secondary setup, May’s Henley Highlights demonstrate just how far a well‑matched, affordable system can elevate your listening experience.