Fell Audio is an emerging British hi-fi manufacturer dedicated to producing affordable high-fidelity components. This new company constructs its products in the UK and emphasizes sourcing as many components as possible from local suppliers. This approach not only benefits the environment but also supports the British economy. The initial offerings from Fell Audio include the integrated amplifier Amp and the CD transport Disc, with plans to introduce a digital audio player, Stream, to the lineup in the near future.
Fell Audio provides an economical hi-fi system manufactured in the UK. The company is not entirely new to the industry; it is a family-run business with connections to the prominent British retailer Peter Tyson, boasting fifty years of audio expertise through its distributors in Cumbria and Newcastle. Fell Audio’s motto is “British manufacturing at entry-level prices.” Additionally, the company prioritizes quality, durability, and ease of repair in its products.
The initial offerings include an integrated amplifier named the Fell Amp, which supports both analogue and digital inputs, and a CD player referred to as the Disc. Each unit is backed by a five-year warranty. The Fell Amp operates in class D and is capable of delivering 89 watts per channel, as stated by the manufacturer. Additional British products, including the digital audio player Stream, are expected to be released shortly.
Fell Audio’s latest products showcase striking designs and thoughtful ergonomic features, along with a commitment to sustainability. These new offerings aim to engage both emerging and existing music enthusiasts. The Fell Amp is equipped with a turntable input, Bluetooth streaming capabilities, and headphone outputs, catering to those who enjoy late-night or personal listening experiences.
Matthew Tyson, Managing Director of Fell Audio, commented on the launch of the new company: “Throughout my career in audio, it became evident that high-quality hi-fi systems at reasonable prices were no longer produced in the UK. I aimed to change this by providing consumers with products crafted by British hands to embark on their hi-fi journey.”
Fell Audio emphasizes that the brand’s retro-modern design draws inspiration from the vintage hi-fi era of the 1970s, while also incorporating contemporary elements such as sleek lines and capacitive touchscreens on the front panel. The designs are tailored for music enthusiasts, promising natural and authentic sound alongside robust build quality, according to Fell Audio.
The company’s proprietary electronics have been under development for more than three years. Fell Audio’s products are constructed around custom-designed PCBs, which are created, assembled, and finished in-house in the UK.
All aspects of product design, packaging, component sourcing, metalwork, painting, plastic injection molding, PCBs, and assembly are conducted within the UK. The packaging utilizes recyclable materials, eliminating unnecessary plastic in favor of a bag made from 100% recycled cotton.
The internal packaging foam utilized for the products is crafted from recycled materials and is itself recyclable. The external packaging is constructed from 100% recycled cardboard and features printing with environmentally friendly ink. Fell Audio emphasizes its commitment to sustainability by sourcing a significant portion of its components from the UK, thereby minimizing the company’s carbon footprint. Additionally, the products are engineered for repairability and are accompanied by a five-year warranty.
Fell Audio Amp: integrated amplifier
The Fell Amp provides 89 watts of Class D power, making it adequate for a variety of applications. It features three RCA line-level inputs along with a dedicated turntable input for MM cartridges. Additionally, it allows for Bluetooth connectivity with phones, tablets, and laptops, supporting Qualcomm’s aptX HD audio codec. On the front panel, there is one pair of speaker terminals and a headphone jack.
The capacitive touch control allows users to choose their preferred source. The lack of mechanical components is expected to contribute to its durability over time.
Central to the digital section of the Feel Amp is the ESS Sabre ES9018K2M DAC chip. It features cutting-edge digital technologies such as 32-bit HyperStream architecture and the Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, enabling the amplifier to produce exceptionally low noise levels and a wide dynamic range.
Fell Audio Disc: CD player with analog and digital outputs
The Fell Audio is a CD player that offers both analogue and digital output options. The designers emphasize its user-friendly interface and intuitive controls. This player combines traditional elements, including a dot matrix display, with modern features like capacitive touch controls and a sleek, minimalist aesthetic.
Fell Audio Amp and Disc Prices
Currently, Fell Audio products are exclusively available in the UK, as well as through the Peter Tyson, Amazon, and Fell Audio websites.
The Fell Audio Disc is priced at just below $500, while The Fell Audio Amp is available for just under $600.