Budget/ 2nd hand hifi for small room
Budget/ 2nd hand hifi for small room
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Spanglepants

Original Poster:

1,743 posts

161 months

Saturday 13th October 2018
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Hi, am thinking of a small basic hi Fi for my living room - at most 15 X 15. Probably a secondhand amp and turntable. Not sure whether to go new on speakers?
To start with my source will be my 2011 Imac.
For the amp I've been looking at Rotel RA 820 /920 , Denon PMA 250/350. Also seen a Rotel RP300 turntable at a decent price, are they any good?
Speakers? Something like Mission LX2s.
Don't need high volume or power and would like a decent, smooth sound at lowish volumes.
Any opinions please or alternative ideas, thanks

heisthegaffer

4,119 posts

222 months

Sunday 14th October 2018
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Sounds like it would be a nice little set up. Let us know how you get on.

There is a lot to be said for basic but good quality bits of kit.

Spanglepants

Original Poster:

1,743 posts

161 months

Sunday 14th October 2018
quotequote all
Thanks, I've bought the Rotel turntable but not sure whether to go for the 930AX amp, not sure what " sound " they have. I don't like a too bright sound, more smooth and detailed. Anyone have any idea what that amp will sound like with that turntable? Any speaker recommendations please?

Im also a lazy sod so any cheap decent amps with remote controls would be a bonus if they have the sound I'm after.

tenohfive

6,276 posts

206 months

Monday 15th October 2018
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I'm doing something similar and my short list came down to (in budget creep order) Q3020's, Mission LX-2's, Dali Spektor 2's, Q3010i's and Q3020i's.
I'm also looking for a similar sound - smooth, not too bright, enough bass to fill the room at low-moderate volumes but without it becoming muddy.

I've got a pair of Q3010i's setup in another room and whilst they're not fully run in yet they are very easy on the ear - they aren't overly bright, just gentle and melodic with everything I've thrown at them so far. Maybe a touch less clarity in the midrange than I'd like but still a really lovely sound. Which is making me give serious consideration to their bigger brother Q3020i's. It helps that they look beautiful too.
But my front runner right now are a the Spektor 2's - the reviews I've seen suggest they've got a touch more bass and excitement than LX-2's and I get the impression they'll be a more balanced speaker overall. But I'm interested to see what others recommend so I'll be watching this thread with interest.

I can't make any suggestion on the amp front, I spotted a second hand Denon CEOL RCD9 for a very reasonable price and jumped at it. It's overkill for what I needed but it looks good and if I want the extra functionality at a later date it's there.