Streaming hi fi systems

[RYH64E]

Anyone have any experience of these? I'm looking for a small but good quality system for my living room to replace the bulky old set of mismatched stuff I've accumulated over the years, and something that connects directly to Spotify would fit the bill. Do I need a separate computer connected to manage the Spotify connection or will the unit do it itself? Any advice would be appreciated. Budget will be £1k but happy to spend more if needed.

[anonymous-user]

Sonos is the obvious answer.

[Podie]

As suggested, listen to a few Sonos products.

Integrates well with Spotify too.

If you decide to go for it, contact fellow PHer VEX

[RYH64E]

I was thinking of something more like the Marantz M-CR610 but if there's anything better I'd like to know.

[anonymous-user]

It looks good and if you are just doing one room then there is probably no worthwhile gain with Sonos.

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 2nd November 10:06

[andysgriff]

NAS drive > Sonos Connect > Arcam DAC, Audiolab pre/power amps, using Spotify also. Works very well. Bought all second hand fleabay.

[Crackie]

RYH64E said:

I was thinking of something more like the Marantz M-CR610 but if there's anything better I'd like to know.

For a budget of £1000 I would try and listen to these.

http://www.novafidelity.co.uk/x12features/ £569.00 including 2TB hard drive server. The X12 doesn't have built in Spotify though. You could use the fixed line out to feed a

http://www.templeaudio.net/bantamgold.html which could drive £250 speakers of your preference.

Possibly something like these if you're looking for floorstanders. http://www.richersounds.com/product/floorstanders/...
or
maybe these http://www.richersounds.com/product/standmount-spe... if you're looking for something smaller

Alternatively if you could stretch the budget to £1150 then use the X12s variable line output to feed a pair of http://www.templeaudio.net/monoblock.html

NovaFidelity (Cocktail) X12 is just out, the built in digital amp could be used to drive an additional room and the digital optical/electrical outputs could be used to drive further systems if needed. The X12 is closely related to the Cocktail X30. http://www.cocktailaudio.co.uk/img/hifichoice.pdf


As ever with audio gear, a personal audition is the way to go...........

Edited by Crackie on Sunday 2nd November 17:01

[ASK1974]

desolate said:

It looks good and if you are just doing one room then there is probably no worthwhile gain with Sonos.

Edited by desolate on Sunday 2nd November 10:06

Apart from the fact it does everything (Spotify, Personal music library, Internet radio, Napster etc.) from a single user interface and can be scaled to include other rooms if needed. Add in a live playlist (Queue), the ability to stream music stored on you phone and the fact that multiple users can manage music playback symultaniously and I still struggle to think of anything that makes listening to music so enjoyable. It's the user interface that makes Sonos so much fun, the fact that it does multi-room is almost just a bonus.

As long as you don't need to add more than one additional input (such as a TV, DAB tuner etc) for £1000 I'd do the following;

Sonos Connect £279
Power amp (not integrated)
Speakers

With £721 for amp and Speakers you have heaps of options, go have some fun in a shop and choose something you like. The Temple amps Crackie mentions look brilliant value and this would still leave £350 for a nice pair of speakers.

[RYH64E]

I've ordered the Marantz M-CR610 with a pair of Arcam Muso speakers, I've got the same speakers with an Arcam Mini Solo at work and they're good for their size. Will let you know what it's like when it arrives.

[sparkyhx]

Solid choice for single room listening - lets see how long you hold out before the multiroom itch sets in).