Mini System or All in One

[Dicky Knee]

Hi All,

I'm looking to get a better hifi system for our kitchen/dining/living room. We have an old mini Philips system but it is pretty average and has to go.

We mainly listen to FM radio, CDs and Spotify and budget is up to £800.

I was thinking the Technics Ottava or Ruark Mk4 but then had a look at Richers Sounds which has packages such as:

https://www.richersounds.com/hi-fi/mini-hi-fi-syst...

https://www.richersounds.com/hi-fi/mini-hi-fi-syst...

https://www.richersounds.com/hi-fi/mini-hi-fi-syst...

I'm not entirely sure what the difference is between the Denon DM41 and Denon CEOL is either.

We listen to an eclectic mix-pop, rock, opera, disco, classical so looking for an all rounder. I will go an have a listen before making a decision but would like to have an idea of what I am talking about beforehand.

Any thoughts and/or advice gratefully received.

Cheers,

Dicky

Edited by Dicky Knee on Wednesday 5th December 14:09

[Red 5]

The DM41 is a great little system, which I’d not normally recommend with such a large bookshelf speaker. Better suited to some Bronze 1, or some Q-Acoustics etc.

The Old Ceol is best avoided. Sounds ok, but the network cards in those go wrong a lot!
Not that nice to use either.


The new N10 is an amazing bit of kit for the money though!
A real Swiss Army knife of a mini system

It will work well with Bronze 2. Although, that is still a pretty large speaker for what most people want from a ‘Small’ system.

There are good speaker alternatives that are not quite so big.
A little more will get you some WAY better and smaller B&W 607!

So on balance, I’d either spend a bit less for DM41/QA3010i, or a bit more as above depending on you.

Edit....
My fav would be N10/607 for about £700 inc some reasonable cable.
This is a lot more kit than an all in one Ruark, but is many many times the performance for the same sort of money!

The Ruark is probably the best all in one solution though.

Edited by Red 5 on Wednesday 5th December 21:12

[craigjm]

Ruark R4i all the way If you still listen to CDs. I have 8 of the R2 mk3 scattered around and the sound is superb especially for an all in unit. Wouldn’t even consider anything else these days unless paying thousands

[Dicky Knee]

Thanks Red 5 and craigjm.

We have a Vita Audio (before they became Ruark) radio which gets lots of use. I think I'll have a listen to the R4.

The Denon CEOL N10 doesn't have DAB radio. I don't currently use DAB but am I missing a trick if I don't have it?

[craigjm]

Dicky Knee said:

We have a Vita Audio (before they became Ruark) radio which gets lots of use. I think I'll have a listen to the R4.

The company has always been called Ruark audio but they used to use the name just for their speakers and sold the hifi units under the vita brand. They rebranded everything Ruark in about 2015.

I don’t use CDs anymore it’s all about Spotify and internet radio so that’s why I have a pile of R2 mk3 instead of the R4.

[Jaguar steve]

Interesting choice. My 30 year old system of LP12, pile of Naim amps and Monitor Audio floors standing speakers has done it's time

Second hand Rega turntable and DM41 with half decent speakers, cables and stands so I can still play albums and CDs and listen to DAB radio or something like a Naim Muso and get a Spotify account and move into streaming music?

[Red 5]

Dicky Knee said:

Thanks Red 5 and craigjm.

We have a Vita Audio (before they became Ruark) radio which gets lots of use. I think I'll have a listen to the R4.

The Denon CEOL N10 doesn't have DAB radio. I don't currently use DAB but am I missing a trick if I don't have it?

The N10 has internet radio, via its own input, or via the HEOS app.
Bluetooth, and airplay for mobile radio apps, plus FM to fall back on.

DAB is starting to fall from the spec of network connected systems.

Not really any radio action missing.

[craigjm]

Yeah if you have internet radio you don’t need DAB

[tenohfive]

I've read really mixed reviews on Ruark's reliability, it put me off enough when I was looking to avoid them. If you get a good one they sound like an attractive proposition, but it sounds like they have a decent percentage go wrong.

I've got an older CEOL and find it works really well for TV, internet radio and music via Chromecast Audio. No network card issues *touch wood* and

I wouldn't be looking at those speakers for music though. I've got Bronze 1's for my 'good,' TV and will be adding the B2's and centre when funds allow - for home cinema the sound is absolutely spot on. But for music I find them a bit harsh - pleasantly bright for female vocals, but less forgiving and lacking any warmth.
If you can find a package with a pair of Dali Spektor 2's then I'd have a close look at that setup - for me, they're the goldilocks sweet spot between my MA's and QA3010i's (used for music and PC speakers.)

Couple of bundles here - either with the DM41 or the Marantz MCR611 for a bit more:
https://www.audiovisualonline.co.uk/bundle/56225/
https://www.audiovisualonline.co.uk/bundle/44605/

And not the main reason I'm posting but I've got a set of speaker stands that came as part of a bundle with my Spektor 2's (Mission Stance) - they're untouched in their box that I'm looking to sell on, if they're any use to drop me a PM.

[craigjm]

I have 8 of the ruark devices and they have been superb not one issue at all and they are now all at least three years old

[Dicky Knee]

Just back from the local hifi shop.

The CEOL N10 does everything I need and more. The app they had on an iPad mini was great.

Bearing in mind I'm not an audiophile, the first speakers they hooked up were the B&W 607. Very clear and crisp and sounded great for such a small speaker. Next up we're the Dali Zensor 3. Bigger box but a warmer sound. I liked these. Then Dali Oberon 1. Smaller unit but still much of the warmer tones of the Zensor 3.

I was sitting on the couch listening to some Rolling Stones with my eyes closed and they sneaked in the new Dali Oberon 3. Just blew me away. Rich and warm and over budget. Naturally I bought them.

Thanks to all for your help and comments. Picking it all up in a week or so and desperate to hear it again.

[Red 5]

Nice one!
The N10 is so far ahead of the field, to the point that it has no real rivals.
Glad you liked it

[tenohfive]

Sounds like a good setup.

If they didn't mention it to you in store, Denon are doing £50 cash back on N10 purchases:
https://promotions.soundunited.eu/ceoln10

[Dicky Knee]

Thanks for pointing me towards the N10 Red 5.

I did see the Denon offer although the place I bought it didn't mention it but thanks for the heads up tenohfive.

[Red 5]

You’re welcome