Hi Fi advice - appraise my budget system options please

bartman100

Hi,

I'm having a long overdue overhaul of my listening experience having grown tired of a disparate set of loose components that supposedly fit with my (*ahem*) busy jetset lifestyle but don't really give me that emotional connection I used to have to music. So I want a budget system with the intention of having it in one fixed place for the express purpose of listening to music. My only real 'must haves' are that I want to use online streaming (specifically, Spotify), I want a turntable to start enjoying vinyl again and I would ideally like to use my existing Sonos 1, Sonos Bridge and ancient Cambridge Amplifier to try and keep costs down. Here's 3 options that might work:-

Sub £500:
Sonos Connect - £150
Cambridge Audio A1 MK3 Integrated Amplifier - NA
Sonos Play 1 - NA
Q ACOUSTICS2010i GR - 79.95
Project Essential 2 - 219.00
Cambridge Azur 551P pre amp - 49.95
Total: £498.90

Sub £700:
Sonos Connect - £150
Cambridge Audio A1 MK3 Integrated Amplifier - NA
Sonos Play 1 - NA
Sonos Play 5 - 280.00
Project Essential 2 - 219.00
Cambridge Azur 551P pre amp - 49.95
Total: £698.90

Sub £900:
Sonos Connect - £150
Cambridge Audio A1 MK3 Integrated Amplifier - NA
Sonos Play 1 - NA
Q ACOUSTICS Concept 20 - 290.00
Project Debut Carbon - 325.00
Cambridge Azur 551P pre amp - 49.95
Total: £814.95

Questions that come to mind:-

1. Sonos 5 v 'Traditional speakers'?
2. Will my old amplifier drag the whole system down to its level?

I have loads of CDs and have an old Cambridge CD player I can hook up - I can't be arsed with ripping them to digital to be frank

Thanks in advance of any advice

bendertherobot

Go and listen to a Play 5. The new model. Turn it up.

Then listen to a Stereo Pair of them. Bear in mind that a Google Play sub (which has excellent bit rate) is £9.99 a month. If you already have Spotify most of what you own is probably on there.

bartman100

..I'd like to be able to stretch to the Project Debut Carbon just 'cos it looks ace:-

bartman100

bendertherobot wrote:

Go and listen to a Play 5. The new model. Turn it up.

Then listen to a Stereo Pair of them. Bear in mind that a Google Play sub (which has excellent bit rate) is £9.99 a month. If you already have Spotify most of what you own is probably on there.

Thanks - I already pay for Spotify Premium but it maybe worth looking at Google Play now seeing as they have ownership of my ass in most other respects.

I should add my hearing is pretty rubbish (too many loud gigs maaaan) so massively hi-fidelity is not paramount. I will try and get a listen before buying though as you say.

daniel_b

bartman100 wrote:

..I'd like to be able to stretch to the Project Debut Carbon just 'cos it looks ace:-

That looks gorgeous.

pblakeney

bartman100 wrote:

Questions that come to mind:-

1. Sonos 5 v 'Traditional speakers'?
2. Will my old amplifier drag the whole system down to its level?

I have loads of CDs and have an old Cambridge CD player I can hook up - I can't be arsed with ripping them to digital to be frank

Thanks in advance of any advice

1. If you have the space and a cooperative partner/or none, then "proper" speakers every day.
2. Never heard it so can't comment, but doubtful. Connectivity aside, amps haven't developed that much.

CDs that are not available on Spotify? Rip them over the winter or during sickness etc. Much more convenient if you have a digital set up.

M9DBO

I have SONOS Play Bar hooked up to two Play1's (for left and right surround, but set to FULL for music) and a Sonos Sub. The sound is awesome. Having played around with bits and pieces for years, the sound along with the online music service (Spotify and Apple Music) it is just superb and I love it.

We have linked it to a Play3 in the Kitchen and the Daughter has a Play1 in her Bedroom.

dork_knight

The following has recently grabbed my attention which I would like to audition especially as I'm trialling Tidal Hi-Fi;
https://www.naimaudio.com/mu-so-qb
http://www.whathifi.com/naim/mu-so-qb/review

Depending on the sound it may convince me that a minimal system is the way to go if starting again;
http://www.audiot.co.uk/products/naim-m ... -9693.aspx
http://www.audiot.co.uk/products/projec ... -2629.aspx
http://www.audiot.co.uk/products/rega-r ... e-471.aspx

Really interested to hear it to see how it compares to a good stereo setup, if it is good then you could always sell the Sonos and hook up the current CD Player.... just throwing an alternative option in to the mix.

veronese68

I read this with what started as interest as I am considering adding something to my old seperates. Unfortunately I haven't understood a word. I really need to get my head round this.

bartman100

Veronese68 wrote:

I read this with what started as interest as I am considering adding something to my old seperates. Unfortunately I haven't understood a word. I really need to get my head round this.

Join the club; my ears and or sensibilities and not delicate enough to appreciate what a hifi buff would consider 'quality' but even trying to hone down the options at budget level seems tricky - the Tyranny of Choice in action.

pblakeney

bartman100 wrote:

Veronese68 wrote:

I read this with what started as interest as I am considering adding something to my old seperates. Unfortunately I haven't understood a word. I really need to get my head round this.

Join the club; my ears and or sensibilities and not delicate enough to appreciate what a hifi buff would consider 'quality' but even trying to hone down the options at budget level seems tricky - the Tyranny of Choice in action.

The simplest way of explaining what buffs are looking for is the instruments to sound as realistic as possible and, here is the important part, to be able to hear each instrument individually and clearly. Poor systems muddy the sound so 3 guitars sound like one for example. Slightly lower on the expectation level is soundstage. You should be able to place where each person is in an imaginary stage in front of you, left, centre, right, front, back. You are aiming to be able to hear this at all sounds levels, not just loud.
Hifi is most definitely not about getting the lowest bass, the highest highs, or the loudest sound.

homers_double

I gave up with the traditional seperates a few years ago because sat in the kitchen I'd have to have the full system set to almost deafening levels to be able to hear it as the tower speakers were in the lounge.

I got a Sonos Play One. Then I got Spotify Premium (no adverts). Then bought a Play Three for the dining room which is next to the kitchen. Then a Sonos Play Bar arrived for christmas.

I need another play one to make the pair in the front room for TV purposes and then I think a sub at some point but at £500 it's an outlay and a half.

napoleond

I'm a big fan of decent hifi separates but I have to say as an all in one effort the Naim Muso is pretty good.
Seperates wise, the Mitchell and Johnson streamer is supposed to be mighty fine:

https://www.theaudioworks.co.uk/store/l ... l-johnson/

Personally if streaming I have a little Pure Jongo I got from Amazon for 20 quid streaming from my phone into the DAC of my Accuphase CD Player.

My assessment of good hifi is to forget about all the 'hifi-isms' and think, 'am I enjoying listening to the music'. When assessing an upgrade, does it make the music more enjoyable to listen to?

slowmart

There can be an awful amount of crap spouted about music systems. Distil what's relevant for you. Sure digital is convenient and for most it's fine with accessibility being key with a commercial quality aimed at the masses.

I gave up when CD's became the standard as vinyl was a fantastic warm sound and CD's sounded so cold without the nuance of the voice or instruments.

maybe at the next house we buy I can get a music room, Eames chair, ottoman and naff all else..............


I'd have opted for the Sonos speakers as you can add them to numerous rooms so walking around your place the music is constant without annoying anyone else.

As for the amp, I wouldn't worry that it would limit the capability of the new system. As with all purchases of the heart buy the best you can afford otherwise its a merry-go-round of constant upgrades but there's nothing wrong in that route