HiFi novice - can't see the wood for the trees........
Discussion
I'm starting to do some research into upgrading my listening experience at home and I seem to be finding several different solutions to the same question and it is confusing the hell out of me!
To be honest it probably isn't hard to "upgrade" from what I currently have, but I'd like to know the best options to consider, for the best value for money.
As it stands I listen to the majority of music with itunes via my laptop/iphone, or radio/iplayer plugged into a Bose Wave Radio with AUX input. That's it!
What I'm looking for is the best way to play music via the laptop/phone (I also play a lot of Youtube music videos).
Some say to invest in some nice laptop speakers, others say to get a DAC like an HRT Music Streamer connected to an amp like a Yamaha AS500 and decent speakers, others say to get a dock like an Arcam, Roth MC4 or Zeppelin etc.
Coupled with all that, I would also like a home cinema experience when watching films and music DVD's.
Budget is open but going by all the press I've read, I am firmly in the budget end of things (sub £1000) but it seems you can get some good products even with that relatively small outlay.
If an all-in-one solution doesn't exist, my priority is the music side of things before home cinema.
What I'm after is the best value for money either new or second hand.
What should I do?
To be honest it probably isn't hard to "upgrade" from what I currently have, but I'd like to know the best options to consider, for the best value for money.
As it stands I listen to the majority of music with itunes via my laptop/iphone, or radio/iplayer plugged into a Bose Wave Radio with AUX input. That's it!
What I'm looking for is the best way to play music via the laptop/phone (I also play a lot of Youtube music videos).
Some say to invest in some nice laptop speakers, others say to get a DAC like an HRT Music Streamer connected to an amp like a Yamaha AS500 and decent speakers, others say to get a dock like an Arcam, Roth MC4 or Zeppelin etc.
Coupled with all that, I would also like a home cinema experience when watching films and music DVD's.
Budget is open but going by all the press I've read, I am firmly in the budget end of things (sub £1000) but it seems you can get some good products even with that relatively small outlay.
If an all-in-one solution doesn't exist, my priority is the music side of things before home cinema.
What I'm after is the best value for money either new or second hand.
What should I do?
Well I had a bit of a change of plan and have decided to go down the route of seperate systems to serve their own jobs rather than an all-in-one solution.
So I have started with an office system (at home) as that is where I listen to most of my music.
I bought a Roth MC4 yesterday but am now struggling to come up with a speaker set to get the most from it.
Research suggests I need a spec that offers at least 8ohms impedence and high efficiency to get the best from the low output of the Roth. I'm not looking to get my face melted, or spend a fortune but I want something that will compliment the amp well.
So far I have narrowed it down to Wharfedale 10.1, Tannoy F1 custom, Roth Oli 2 or 10's, or Monitor Audio BX2 but I'm not sure if they will be done any justice by the amp.
Can anyone reccomend a set of suitable speakers for my consideration?
So I have started with an office system (at home) as that is where I listen to most of my music.
I bought a Roth MC4 yesterday but am now struggling to come up with a speaker set to get the most from it.
Research suggests I need a spec that offers at least 8ohms impedence and high efficiency to get the best from the low output of the Roth. I'm not looking to get my face melted, or spend a fortune but I want something that will compliment the amp well.
So far I have narrowed it down to Wharfedale 10.1, Tannoy F1 custom, Roth Oli 2 or 10's, or Monitor Audio BX2 but I'm not sure if they will be done any justice by the amp.
Can anyone reccomend a set of suitable speakers for my consideration?
I had a look at everything you suggested and found Kef are probably the most appealing at this stage.
There are a few floating around on Ebay including a pair of Kef Q60's which may fit the bill.
However, I now don't have a preference to bookshelf so I can include floorstanders - maybe the options are opening up for me to!
I have emailed Roth support to see if they can make any suggestions - it looks like the OLi 4 could be worth a look too and I would hope it matches the MC4 well. I will however look at anything to get the best out of the amp and it looks like Kef could be a good bet.
By the way, I looked at the Tannoy's and they are out of my price range at this point but I love the patina and look of the 70's speakers!
Are there any Mission speakers I should consider?
There are a few floating around on Ebay including a pair of Kef Q60's which may fit the bill.
However, I now don't have a preference to bookshelf so I can include floorstanders - maybe the options are opening up for me to!
I have emailed Roth support to see if they can make any suggestions - it looks like the OLi 4 could be worth a look too and I would hope it matches the MC4 well. I will however look at anything to get the best out of the amp and it looks like Kef could be a good bet.
By the way, I looked at the Tannoy's and they are out of my price range at this point but I love the patina and look of the 70's speakers!
Are there any Mission speakers I should consider?
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