What amp/receiver and speakers?

[elise2000]

Hi all

We’re moving house this week and I’ve decided to invest in a new hifi setup.

I’ve currently got an ok harmon kardon amp/receiver, but would like to upgrade to something that has a digital receiver and capability to connect to an iPhone.

I currently have a pair of B&w bookshelf speakers, but would like to change for some floor standers.

Budget of £1k ish. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

[heisthegaffer]

£1k can get you a lot.

What will you use as a source, do you need Spotify etc built in or do have a solution already?

If you don't have a source sorted I'd go for something like this:-

https://petertyson.co.uk/marantz-nr1200-stereo-net...

Or

https://petertyson.co.uk/yamaha-r-n303d-hi-fi-rece...

If you do have a source already I'd go for this:-

https://petertyson.co.uk/marantz-pm6007-integrated...

Or

https://petertyson.co.uk/audiolab-6000a-with-spekt...

Either way, try and have a listen of course.

Maybe Vex or others can advise too.

Let us know how you get on.

[elise2000]

Thanks for this- seems £1k gets me more than I expected! Haven’t a source so the first option looks very interesting.

May have to take a bit of a gamble without listening due to lockdown etc...

Will take a proper look tomorrow and let you know what I decide.

Cheers

[AndrewGP]

I definitely think the final solution will depend a lot on what you decide on as your source ie streaming such as Spotify, Tidal, Amazon etc or Vinyl, CD etc. I'd recommend putting a bit of thought in to that first as it'll mean you're much more likely to get it right first time.

Lockdown could also do you a big favour. Since you can't demo in the shops right now, lots of places are now doing home demos where they'll lend you the gear and you decide if you want it after listening at home (obviously you have to narrow down what you think you want). I've just changed my floorstanders as although I was very happy with the old ones in the shop listening for about 30 minutes, it only became apparent they were quite fatiguing having got them home and listened over several months.

I narrowed down the choices, arranged a home demo and had the new speakers a full week which helped me be completely sure I'd made the right decision when I elected to buy them. All done though Audio T in Swindon who were absolutely superb.

Best of luck in your search, hi-fi shopping is great fun and worth taking some time over

[sociopath]

Depends what you want and how complicated, if you want comprehensive and simple then look at the BlueOS supporting systems like the blueos powernode 2i which would only need speakers adding but would allow you to stream from your own library and the major commercial ones like amazon, spotidy, tidal etc or the node2i which does the same but would also need an amp.

There are other suppliers that also support the BlueOS system like NAD and Cambridge Audio, I have a NAD c658 which connects into my amp, and the sound quality is excellent and its so handy to use, controlled from my phone.

Other similar solutions are available!

Tbh you are in a good price bracket to get some decent equipment to get you started, and you could do a lot worse than checking out Richer sounds

[elise2000]

AndrewGP said:

I definitely think the final solution will depend a lot on what you decide on as your source ie streaming such as Spotify, Tidal, Amazon etc or Vinyl, CD etc. I'd recommend putting a bit of thought in to that first as it'll mean you're much more likely to get it right first time.

Lockdown could also do you a big favour. Since you can't demo in the shops right now, lots of places are now doing home demos where they'll lend you the gear and you decide if you want it after listening at home (obviously you have to narrow down what you think you want). I've just changed my floorstanders as although I was very happy with the old ones in the shop listening for about 30 minutes, it only became apparent they were quite fatiguing having got them home and listened over several months.

I narrowed down the choices, arranged a home demo and had the new speakers a full week which helped me be completely sure I'd made the right decision when I elected to buy them. All done though Audio T in Swindon who were absolutely superb.

Best of luck in your search, hi-fi shopping is great fun and worth taking some time over

Thanks. Hadn’t thought of home demos. I remember visiting audio t in Bristol when I was a teenager looking at stuff I couldn’t afford!

[elise2000]

sociopath said:

Depends what you want and how complicated, if you want comprehensive and simple then look at the BlueOS supporting systems like the blueos powernode 2i which would only need speakers adding but would allow you to stream from your own library and the major commercial ones like amazon, spotidy, tidal etc or the node2i which does the same but would also need an amp.

There are other suppliers that also support the BlueOS system like NAD and Cambridge Audio, I have a NAD c658 which connects into my amp, and the sound quality is excellent and its so handy to use, controlled from my phone.

Other similar solutions are available!

Tbh you are in a good price bracket to get some decent equipment to get you started, and you could do a lot worse than checking out Richer sounds

I always used to buy from richer sounds, but they seemed to change from a decent priced hifi shop to a dealer of plasma screens with a bit of hifi on the side! Will have another look though.

Cheers

[AndrewGP]

Richer Sounds are very much still in the business of selling decent hi-fi and are generally well regarded especially here on PH, have a look at this thread.

I bought my system from them last March, mainly because I ended up buying the Cambridge Audio CXA81 amp and RS are the only shop selling Cambridge stuff. I really wanted to buy from Audio T as I've always rated their service too, but the Cambridge amp was better than the Rega amp I demoed so RS got my money. I was really pleased with RS's service and aside from picking the wrong speakers (my fault and now rectified as I said above), I'd definitely use RS again.

[davek_964]

Home demo definitely makes sense - especially if you're planning to swap to floor standers.

I've demo'd a number of speakers in the past - including a few floor standers that sounded absolutely superb in a shop demo. But I simply cannot get floor standers to work in my lounge - every pair I've tried sound absolutely flat and lifeless (and these were quite pricey speakers).

I want floor standers - but I've always ended up with speakers on stands. I do like the ones I've got now though - which I've had several years - so no plan to change any time soon.

[elise2000]

AndrewGP said:

Richer Sounds are very much still in the business of selling decent hi-fi and are generally well regarded especially here on PH, have a look at this thread.

I bought my system from them last March, mainly because I ended up buying the Cambridge Audio CXA81 amp and RS are the only shop selling Cambridge stuff. I really wanted to buy from Audio T as I've always rated their service too, but the Cambridge amp was better than the Rega amp I demoed so RS got my money. I was really pleased with RS's service and aside from picking the wrong speakers (my fault and now rectified as I said above), I'd definitely use RS again.

Ok, will check them out then. Cheers

[elise2000]

Evening

I’m thinking about getting:
https://petertyson.co.uk/bowers-wilkins-603-floors...

Combined with:
https://petertyson.co.uk/yamaha-r-n303d-hi-fi-rece...

Any thoughts?

I know the amp is maybe a little low budget compared to the speakers, but I’d rather invest in some decent speakers that’ll last forever-ish and upgrade the amp in 5-10 years as tech changes.

Cheers

[elise2000]

Also, thinking of keeping my existing b&w bookshelfs to use as rear speakers

[AndyTR]

The Yamaha is a stereo receiver, not a 5.1 so you'll not be connecting the old B&Ws as rears with this amp. I'd also be concerned as the B&Ws are hard to drive, so I wouldn't pair that amp with those speakers.
I'd consider these as an alternative as an audio / AV solution, but there are lots of options.
https://www.richersounds.com/tv-home-cinema/av-rec...
https://homeavdirect.co.uk/klipsch-r-625fa-dolby-a...

[elise2000]

Just placed the order- decided to up the receiver budget so it would match the speakers more:
B&W 603s
Yamaha RXA2A

Will arrive Friday

Thanks for all the replies

[heisthegaffer]

Very nice mate. Enjoy.

[dhutch]

Very nice.

I have the previous generation our 603s bought used of eBay and have been very happy with them, hooked up to an CA A500 amp. The Kef Marantz bundle in the first link on this thread do also look lovely!


Daniel

[heisthegaffer]

dhutch said:

Very nice.

I have the previous generation our 603s bought used of eBay and have been very happy with them, hooked up to an CA A500 amp. The Kef Marantz bundle in the first link on this thread do also look lovely!


Daniel

Some nice gear there. Like the Kegs and audiolab combo

[elise2000]

elise2000 said:

Just placed the order- decided to up the receiver budget so it would match the speakers more:
B&W 603s
Yamaha RXA2A

Will arrive Friday

Thanks for all the replies

Just following up to say it’s all installed and sounding great.

Now looking into a new tv and a sub to match!

[dhutch]

dhutch said:

I have S2 603s, bought used of eBay and have been very happy with them, hooked up to an CA A500 amp.l

Looking is dangerous!

Just picked up a CA 640A V2 for £120 having had a bit of a look at a few Rotel RE-04 amps and a NADC350 on ebay.

The A500 will 'trickle down' to the Wharfdale 9.1s else unbox the Totem Model 1 i got from my grandfathers place.


Daniel

[Mr Brightside]

Love the logic re the speakers, you can't go wrong.

I bought my B&W 604 S1 speakers over 20 years ago and still use them every day. Good speakers are never a waste of money, and receiver technology changes quickly. Or breaks, in the case of my two Denon receivers. Never again Denon you b'stards...!

Enjoy your purchase and enjoy re-listening to all your favourite tunes again