How much have Hi-Fi separates moved on in 15 years?
Discussion
I've got a system that sounds great - a Yamaha Ax392 Amp and some black MDF covered B&W floorstanders.
The floor standers have suffered water damage to one box and look dreadful. I was considering replacing them with Dali Zensor 1's at about £200, but wondering would I get a much better sound by replacing the amp as well and going for higher quality speakers at say £1k for both or am I getting into the law of diminishing returns?
The floor standers have suffered water damage to one box and look dreadful. I was considering replacing them with Dali Zensor 1's at about £200, but wondering would I get a much better sound by replacing the amp as well and going for higher quality speakers at say £1k for both or am I getting into the law of diminishing returns?
TonyRPH said:
The last big change in amplifier design occurred somewhere around the late 70's.
Essentially, most (silicon) analogue amplifier designs are based on similar circuit topology now - although there are some differences when you get to the esoteric stuff costing upwards of £5k.
Even many modern valve amplifiers use tried and tested topology from the 1950's.
Speaker design hasn't changed much either, and with computer based speaker design software, manufacturers can tailor ("voice" to user the terminology) the sound of the final product pretty accurately.
I think it's fair to say that there won't be a huge difference between a 15 year old and modern pair of B&W speakers in real terms (wear and tear excepted) - at the same level of course.
Looking back to speakers from the 1970's, one improvement has been that of power handling, the other being cone materials used, such as Kevlar and Carbon fibre for woofers.
Thank you very much everyone for your posts.Essentially, most (silicon) analogue amplifier designs are based on similar circuit topology now - although there are some differences when you get to the esoteric stuff costing upwards of £5k.
Even many modern valve amplifiers use tried and tested topology from the 1950's.
Speaker design hasn't changed much either, and with computer based speaker design software, manufacturers can tailor ("voice" to user the terminology) the sound of the final product pretty accurately.
I think it's fair to say that there won't be a huge difference between a 15 year old and modern pair of B&W speakers in real terms (wear and tear excepted) - at the same level of course.
Looking back to speakers from the 1970's, one improvement has been that of power handling, the other being cone materials used, such as Kevlar and Carbon fibre for woofers.
A few last questions if you don't mind please:
1. Above the few hundred pound mark does price make difference to an amp or speakers? I have a Yamaha AX392 amp - about £250 new in 1996. Would buying a £500 amp now likely make a noticeable difference?
2. Speakers. Is price going to make much difference - the below 3 catch my eye:
Dali Zensor 1 £200:
http://www.richersounds.com/product/standmount-spe...
Dali Zensor 5 £550
http://www.richersounds.com/product/floorstanders/...
Dali Zensor 7 £730
http://www.richersounds.com/product/floorstanders/...
Thanks again folks.
They're DM220s. I'm not set on B&W, in fact I know virtually nothing about HiFi but just love the sound I get from this although I have nothing else to compare it to. I enjoy listening to music a lot (mainly classical) so happy to pay more if I get a better sound.
Shock horror - I listen to a Sony mp3 player - soon to be upgraded to a higher quality built in FLAC player: :-O
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-NWZE585-Walkman-Video...
The 2050i looks great - ideally I'd like something that fits on a very solid built in tv stand unit I've got - so like a bookshelf but 50cm deep. Would these sound comparable or am I likely to get a significantly better sound from larger floor standers like the 2050i:
http://www.richersounds.com/product/standmount-spe...
They're DM220s. I'm not set on B&W, in fact I know virtually nothing about HiFi but just love the sound I get from this although I have nothing else to compare it to. I enjoy listening to music a lot (mainly classical) so happy to pay more if I get a better sound.
Shock horror - I listen to a Sony mp3 player - soon to be upgraded to a higher quality built in FLAC player: :-O
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-NWZE585-Walkman-Video...
The 2050i looks great - ideally I'd like something that fits on a very solid built in tv stand unit I've got - so like a bookshelf but 50cm deep. Would these sound comparable or am I likely to get a significantly better sound from larger floor standers like the 2050i:
http://www.richersounds.com/product/standmount-spe...
Edited by CIS121 on Thursday 17th July 15:41
Thanks for all the help folks. After looking at a lot of reviews I'm going to go for the Q Acoustics 2050i. I'm sure there are better used bargains on Ebay, but I've got to factor in my limited knowledge and also time and the 2050i seems very popular and something that I shouldn't go too far wrong with
Bought the 2050is. Absolutely love them - they're noticeably crisper than my old DM220s and I can enjoy music at a lower volume than before. Wish I'd bought these before!
One last thing that needs an upgrading is my old pocket mp3/FLAC player:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-NWZE585-Walkman-Video...
I'm guessing I can get a much better sound from something dedicated. The Denon DNP720AE and Cambridge Audio Sonata NP30 both get good reviews - anyone got one of these?
One last thing that needs an upgrading is my old pocket mp3/FLAC player:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-NWZE585-Walkman-Video...
I'm guessing I can get a much better sound from something dedicated. The Denon DNP720AE and Cambridge Audio Sonata NP30 both get good reviews - anyone got one of these?
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