Hifi System - Advice?

[Gravy]

I am looking for a new seperates system and have narrowed it down to the following:

AMPLIFIERS:

Cambridge Audio Azur 650A
Marantz PM6003
NAD C326BEE

CD PLAYERS:

Cambridge Audio Azur 650C
Marantz CD6003
NAD C545BEE

SPEAKERS:

Wharfedale Diamond 10.1
Mordaunt-Short Mezzo 2
Mordaunt-Short Aviano
DALI Lektor 2
EB Acoustics EB1
B&W 685


Does anyone have any of these in their system or any reccomendations? I am leaning towards the Cambridge Audio and Mezzo 2 setup but am not 100% sure. I will be popping along to Richer Sounds on Saturday for a listen of that setup though but are the Mezzo 2's £150 better than the Wharfedales for example?

[SJobson]

The only particular recommendation I'd make is: consider second hand. If you buy well then it'll hold its value better than any car.

[Gravy]

SJobson said:

The only particular recommendation I'd make is: consider second hand. If you buy well then it'll hold its value better than any car.

I certainly would consider that, absolutely no question so long as it was from a reputable source or I could hear it first!

[DavidY]

If you buy wisely s/h then if you don't like it you can resell for the same money (this way you can get to listen in your own home), give or take a little bit. SJobson is quite right there is a lot of bargain kit out there.

I notice from your profile that you are Shropshire/Somerset. I would suggest that you go to a 'good' dealer as well to listen, try

Creative Audio - Shrewsbury
Acton Gate Audio - Wrexham
Mike Manning - Taunton and Yeovil

The first two I have used and would highly recommend Acton Gate Audio

davidy

[FlossyThePig]

You are the one who is going to listen to whatever you get. Use your ears to decide.

[lauda]

I've got the previous generation Cambridge Audio 640A and 640C hooked up to some old B&W 601 S2s and it makes a very nice system in my opinion. Works well across a range of music styles, packs a decent punch and serves my needs very nicely.

Just make sure you budget for some decent speak stands, speak cable and a good interconnector and get it properly set up to make the most of what you've got. Otherwise it's like drinking decent wine from a polystyrene cup!

But like others have said, spend some time listening to your music on different set-ups and see which one you like the most. As with many things in life, there's no absolute right or wrong, just what you like.

[Gravy]

Fair advice, thank you all. I suppose I was hoping there may be a clear stand out system but it seems it is very room, music and ear dependent.

I am aware of Mike Manning and will pay a visit to him next week if possible, I will try Creative Audio at the weekend after Richer Sounds in Chester

[gbbird]

From the CD player list you provide, i would suggest paying close attention to the Marantz CD6003. I think it should be the better of the three you have shortlisted.