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?
Apple Airport Express? That's what I bought today. It's an internet router but could also be a stand alone music streaming device.
Plug it into an electrical socket and wirelessly link it to your Mac or PC. Then run a cable from the Apple device to your hi-fi using a 3.5mm jack to analogue output or (the clever bit) a 3.5mm optical output from the same socket.
It can be used with PC's or Macs. It can stream music from room to room (but you need a device for each room, about 85 squid each at the moment).
The downside is that everything needs to run through iTunes, so if it's in a format that iTunes won't recognise (like WMA) then it won't work for you.
Plug it into an electrical socket and wirelessly link it to your Mac or PC. Then run a cable from the Apple device to your hi-fi using a 3.5mm jack to analogue output or (the clever bit) a 3.5mm optical output from the same socket.
It can be used with PC's or Macs. It can stream music from room to room (but you need a device for each room, about 85 squid each at the moment).
The downside is that everything needs to run through iTunes, so if it's in a format that iTunes won't recognise (like WMA) then it won't work for you.
Edited by blearyeyedboy on Monday 25th April 19:14
The DAC option will probably be a waste of time/money as your source material is low quality. Unless the DAC in your laptop is very poor then a better quality external sound card might be a choice.
To improve quality the best starting point will be better source material e.g. lossless files of some kind either apple or FLAC.
Then a way to play it, Squeezebox is good or Sonos for an easier life but more cost.
Hook the player into an amp/speaker combo and you are away. Both of the above will give you multi-room, internet radio, spotify etc etc.
The 5.1 movie question is a different one. What is the source the laptop still?
To improve quality the best starting point will be better source material e.g. lossless files of some kind either apple or FLAC.
Then a way to play it, Squeezebox is good or Sonos for an easier life but more cost.
Hook the player into an amp/speaker combo and you are away. Both of the above will give you multi-room, internet radio, spotify etc etc.
The 5.1 movie question is a different one. What is the source the laptop still?
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?
With 13 watts you need to be looking at speakers with 89-90 db at minimum. Generally that's a speaker larger than the norm!!! I'd look at buying second hand and the first candidate would be Cyrus 752 floorstanders. Others that would fill that need would be Kef Q-series and Tannoy Dual concentric speakers. Going back a while and looking at smaller speakers JPW Mini Monitors or the P1 would do the job. As the Gale Mini monitors are similar they would do as well. The Snell/Audio note K also fit the bill but are a stand mount Speaker they were designed for Valve Amps so would go well with the Roth. If you have the room then Impulse H6/Lali would also work well but they are a bit big and rare!!
No Problem, I have had a number of Speakers with my Current valve amp but I can have a few more options as I have 25 watts to play with!!!. Audio Note carried on the Snell K/J/E line of speakers when Snell decided to stop producing them. The Vavle "friendly" Snells stop in 1992/1993. The Snell/Audio note K's are very neutral and relatively bass light hence my move to the Impulse Lali's. However the Snell J/II's and AN J's are a little bigger. The E's are very good but need a decent room. Impulse Speakers Have Horn Loaded Bass Drivers. The H1 is enormous, the H2/Ta'us BIG and the H6/Lali is most peoples idea of a Floor stander by size. The H7/Kora was a curates egg and is rare. Aspira Acoustics are the latest maker of this type of Horn the designed setting it up a couple of years after Impulse faded away.
Various JBL speakers can also work well with Valve's and I did hear the TLX3 make good music at the time. The Current E80 Floor stander is quite cheap and is 91db.
Various JBL speakers can also work well with Valve's and I did hear the TLX3 make good music at the time. The Current E80 Floor stander is quite cheap and is 91db.
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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