Help on new (or not) Hifi system
Discussion
Ok, so, been out of Hifi for a bit, went all minimalistic with wireless speakers etc but fancied a change. Thought I had found the ideal product - the Marantz stereo 70s - seemed to fit what I wanted perfectly, connection to all my devices (Bluray, Xbox, Sky) but without the surround sound and extra speakers which I am really not interested in. Much prefer a good 2 (or 2.1) system that is 80% music, but with the ability to also have the above devices come out of decent speakers rather than just the TV.
So Marantz bought, paired with B&W 607 S3 standmounts. As soon as I played it wow, I thought, this is what I have been missing - was previously listening on Kef LSX II wireless speakers and to be the ability of a separate amp and speakers just immediately shone through - this is more like it I thought, and initially very happy.
However...as time has worn on, I'm not too impressed with the sound, I mean its good, but I figure I can do better, and I can afford to spend more - I am finding currently the sound a bit 'muddied' is perhaps the best way to describe it, and the bass doesn't quite have the tight thwack I have heard on systems I have had in the past. Added a sub but no real difference to either issue, other than the bass was a little deeper.
Fortunately I can return the amp with no cost...so, looking to start again - I know what good hifi sounds like, I know what traits I want, but so long out of the game not too sure what is good anymore! I do remember the best sound I ever had came form a Unison research amp (unico maybe) ProAc Response 1sc speakers (how I I really really regret getting rid of those) and a sub. However, that was like 8 houses ago (seriously) and now in a slightly bigger room, 15 foot by 15 foot for the listening space.
Was initially going to buy a pair of B&W 603 S3 floorstanders (I am leaning definitely towards floorstanders rather than standmounts for my small/middle size room) to add to the Marantz, but realising I can return the amp I am now wondering if its just best to start again.
Budget around £3k, looking for amp/streamer/floorstanders. Must have HDMI (I think I am right in that I will just connect all the above devices to the TV (rather than the amp) with an HDMI back from Tv to amp and this will still let me have all the devices playing through the speakers but (hopefully) giving much better control/sound than the Marantz, being a dedicated musical amplifier). Would prefer the floorstanders to be smallish but understand sometimes its the physical size of them that drives the sound.
Went into Peter Tysons in Newcastle today and they recommend Naim Atom with Focal speakers Naim Atom HDMI with Focal Aria 936 3-Way Floorstanding Loudspeakers for £3300 but said they could "talk about the price, sure we could do a deal" when I said £3k was limit. He also said this would blow what I have out of the water, best they could offer, outstanding value etc etc (and I do realise its double the price of my current system so it should sound better lol).
Congratulations if you have made it this far - would welcome any comments on the above, is my logic skewed, have I missed something, is my understanding not right, can I do better with what I have, or any recommendations for new kit absolutely welcome. Also more than happy to purchase second hand, I know most hifi lovers look after their equipment so quite happy to go down this route.
Cheers, Ian
So Marantz bought, paired with B&W 607 S3 standmounts. As soon as I played it wow, I thought, this is what I have been missing - was previously listening on Kef LSX II wireless speakers and to be the ability of a separate amp and speakers just immediately shone through - this is more like it I thought, and initially very happy.
However...as time has worn on, I'm not too impressed with the sound, I mean its good, but I figure I can do better, and I can afford to spend more - I am finding currently the sound a bit 'muddied' is perhaps the best way to describe it, and the bass doesn't quite have the tight thwack I have heard on systems I have had in the past. Added a sub but no real difference to either issue, other than the bass was a little deeper.
Fortunately I can return the amp with no cost...so, looking to start again - I know what good hifi sounds like, I know what traits I want, but so long out of the game not too sure what is good anymore! I do remember the best sound I ever had came form a Unison research amp (unico maybe) ProAc Response 1sc speakers (how I I really really regret getting rid of those) and a sub. However, that was like 8 houses ago (seriously) and now in a slightly bigger room, 15 foot by 15 foot for the listening space.
Was initially going to buy a pair of B&W 603 S3 floorstanders (I am leaning definitely towards floorstanders rather than standmounts for my small/middle size room) to add to the Marantz, but realising I can return the amp I am now wondering if its just best to start again.
Budget around £3k, looking for amp/streamer/floorstanders. Must have HDMI (I think I am right in that I will just connect all the above devices to the TV (rather than the amp) with an HDMI back from Tv to amp and this will still let me have all the devices playing through the speakers but (hopefully) giving much better control/sound than the Marantz, being a dedicated musical amplifier). Would prefer the floorstanders to be smallish but understand sometimes its the physical size of them that drives the sound.
Went into Peter Tysons in Newcastle today and they recommend Naim Atom with Focal speakers Naim Atom HDMI with Focal Aria 936 3-Way Floorstanding Loudspeakers for £3300 but said they could "talk about the price, sure we could do a deal" when I said £3k was limit. He also said this would blow what I have out of the water, best they could offer, outstanding value etc etc (and I do realise its double the price of my current system so it should sound better lol).
Congratulations if you have made it this far - would welcome any comments on the above, is my logic skewed, have I missed something, is my understanding not right, can I do better with what I have, or any recommendations for new kit absolutely welcome. Also more than happy to purchase second hand, I know most hifi lovers look after their equipment so quite happy to go down this route.
Cheers, Ian
My thoughts mirror @conkerman.
If the bass is sounding bloated or muddy bringing the speakers away from the front wall (and side walls) might help. If your listening space isn't communal some room treatment might be the better bet.
I'd certainly look at the room before looking at kit (unless its kit with room correction like Dirac etc).
See how you get on moving the speakers a few feet away from the front wall.
Good luck
T1b
If the bass is sounding bloated or muddy bringing the speakers away from the front wall (and side walls) might help. If your listening space isn't communal some room treatment might be the better bet.
I'd certainly look at the room before looking at kit (unless its kit with room correction like Dirac etc).
See how you get on moving the speakers a few feet away from the front wall.
Good luck
T1b
I’ve had Naim for over 25 years, but it’s very expensive stuff now. I’m generally not a fan of Focal speakers, especially as dealers are almost forced to push them with Naim, as they’re owned by the same venture capitalists.
However, if none of the above advice about trying different positions for speakers works, have a listen to what the Naim dealer recommends. They should allow you a home demo, with them installing it, but that little sweetener may have changed over the years. There are alternatives out there (I’m being polite) so definitely try to find other dealers.
However, if none of the above advice about trying different positions for speakers works, have a listen to what the Naim dealer recommends. They should allow you a home demo, with them installing it, but that little sweetener may have changed over the years. There are alternatives out there (I’m being polite) so definitely try to find other dealers.
I would stick with a 2.1 set up with stand mount speakers and a decent powered sub. That will give you the greatest flexibility in tuning the sound to your room, providing you have a DSP. Had you bought the Cinema 70, rather than the Stereo 70, you would have had a DSP in the form of Audessy. So you can use the Sub as a proper LFE and set a high pass filter for the stand mounts, as well as other bass management features. You'd also get all the Dolby Digital codecs to work from the TV source.
Whilst the Cinema 70 only has 50w per channel, it has pre-outs on all it's channel, so you can pair it with a better power amp. There are lots of companies that offer DSP solutions, by far the easiest route is to use a dedicated AVR. For example, a Denon AVC-X3800H is £1k and gives you Audessy MultEQ XT32 room correction and 100w+ per channel. It also has pre-outs if you want to use a dedicated power amp and a pair of sub outs.
I think that you could also get a lot better speakers than the 607s and I don't know what sub you have either. But maybe make changes incrementally. Replace the amp with an AVR. Separate the bass from your current speakers and let the sub do the heavy lifting. If you still aren't happy with the sound, try different speakers.
Whilst the Cinema 70 only has 50w per channel, it has pre-outs on all it's channel, so you can pair it with a better power amp. There are lots of companies that offer DSP solutions, by far the easiest route is to use a dedicated AVR. For example, a Denon AVC-X3800H is £1k and gives you Audessy MultEQ XT32 room correction and 100w+ per channel. It also has pre-outs if you want to use a dedicated power amp and a pair of sub outs.
I think that you could also get a lot better speakers than the 607s and I don't know what sub you have either. But maybe make changes incrementally. Replace the amp with an AVR. Separate the bass from your current speakers and let the sub do the heavy lifting. If you still aren't happy with the sound, try different speakers.
Edited by TEKNOPUG on Wednesday 24th July 10:52
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