The Sound Organisation Celebrates the 2026 What Hi-Fi? Award Winners
Posted by The Sound Organisation on Oct 20th 2026
Every year, the What Hi-Fi? Awards recognize outstanding audio and home entertainment products across a range of categories and price points, helping music lovers find equipment that makes the most of their investment. This year, we’re celebrating nine Best Buy winners from Rega Research, ProAc, Chord Electronics, and The Chord Company. From turntables and loudspeakers to the connections that bring a system together, our brands have plenty to celebrate in 2026.
Turntables:
Rega continues its strong showing at the What Hi-Fi? Awards, earning three turntable awards alongside another win for its Fono MM phono stage. This year’s turntable lineup brings together an enduring favorite and two RS Editions that build on some of Rega’s most celebrated designs.
Best turntable £300-£500: Rega Planar 1
A familiar face among the winners, the Planar 1 continues to show how rewarding a straightforward vinyl setup can be. Its RB110 tonearm, factory-fitted Carbon cartridge, and easy setup help listeners get straight to enjoying their records. With a lively, expressive sound and an inviting price point, it remains a compelling choice for first-time collectors and anyone returning to vinyl.View the Planar 1 here.
Best turntable £750-£1500: Rega Planar 3 RS Edition
The Planar 3 RS Edition earns another award with a thoughtfully matched package of upgrades. Its factory-fitted Nd5 moving magnet cartridge, included Neo PSU Mk2, and distinctive brushed aluminum plinth give this familiar favorite a character all its own. What Hi-Fi? praised its increased clarity and detail, along with the rhythmic precision and dynamic energy that make it such an engaging listen.Learn more about Planar 3 RS Edition here.
Best turntable £1500-£2500: Rega Planar 6 RS Edition
Joining this year’s winners, the Planar 6 RS Edition brings technology from further up Rega’s range into its classic turntable design. The awarded package pairs the RB880 tonearm, also found on the Planar 8, with Rega’s Nd9 moving magnet cartridge. Together with its exceptionally light, rigid plinth, these refinements deliver the detail, scale, and expressive dynamics that make a favorite record worth another spin.View the Planar 6 RS Edition here.
Loudspeakers:
Great loudspeakers bring out the character of a recording, from the intimacy of a solo vocal to the energy of a full band. ProAc takes the spotlight this year, with the D20R earning recognition for the engaging sound and exceptional craftsmanship that make the brand a favorite among music lovers.
Best floorstanding speaker over £3000: ProAc D20R
What Hi-Fi?'s Review of the ProAc's D20R loudspeakers praised how well these speakers stood the test of time. With astounding dynamic range and a punchy, agile sound that delivers sophistication, What Hi-Fi? gave these speakers 5 stars in sound and build quality. View the ProAc D20 Loudspeakers here.
DACs:
Chord Electronics earns two awards for digital-to-analog conversion, with the portable Mojo 2 and the home-system-focused Qutest each taking the honors in its price category.
Best DAC £250-£500: Chord Mojo 2
The Mojo 2 returns to the winners’ list with a combination of portability, revealing sound, and flexible listening controls. This compact DAC and headphone amplifier brings clarity and musical energy to everyday listening, while its advanced tone controls help tailor the experience to your headphones. The updated model adds a 4.4mm headphone output and switchable USB-C charging, making an established favorite even more convenient.View the Mojo 2 here.
Best DAC over £500: Chord Qutest
The Qutest continues to earn its place in carefully assembled home audio systems. Drawing on the conversion architecture developed for Chord’s Hugo 2, it delivers a clear, precise presentation with an impressive feel for musical timing. Its compact enclosure and flexible digital connections make it easy to accommodate, while its ability to reveal the finer details of a recording keeps listeners coming back for more. Explorethe Qutest here.
Accessories:
Rega adds another win with the Fono MM Mk5, while The Chord Company earns two awards for cables that help a carefully chosen system perform at its best.
Best phono stage under £400: Rega Fono MM Mk5
Compact and straightforward to use, the Fono MM Mk5 keeps the focus firmly on the music. Designed for moving magnet cartridges, this dedicated phono stage combines rhythmic drive with expressive dynamics and a cohesive presentation. What Hi-Fi? continues to favor its lively, engaging performance, reinforcing its appeal as a partner for a quality vinyl setup. View the Fono MM here.
Best speaker cable: Chord Company RumourX
The RumourX earns another award with thoughtful construction in a slim, discreet package. Silver-plated copper conductors and XLPE insulation form the foundation of its design, while the version reviewed by What Hi-Fi? features ChorAlloy-plated connectors. The reviewers highlighted its transparency, controlled bass, and refined treble, making it a cable worth considering when putting the finishing touches on a revealing system. View the RumourX Speaker Cable here.
Best analogue interconnect: Chord Company ClearwayX ARAY Analogue RCA
Hand-built in the UK, the ClearwayX ARAY combines carefully arranged copper conductors, XLPE insulation, and ChorAlloy-plated RCA connectors. What Hi-Fi? praised the control, texture, and musical expression it revealed in its test system. For listeners refining an already capable setup, this interconnect offers a thoughtfully engineered connection between the components they’ve chosen with care. View the ClearwayX ARAY Analog RCA Cable here.
Conclusion
Congratulations to Rega Research, ProAc, Chord Electronics, and The Chord Company on their success at the 2026 What Hi-Fi? Awards. We’re proud to represent brands whose dedication to thoughtful design and musical performance continues to earn this recognition. Whether you’re building your first system or planning your next upgrade find a retailer and arrange an audition to discover what these winners can bring to your music.