Arcan Solo Mini replacement

[Gren]

My 15+ year old Arcam Solo Mini has finally given up on me. CD player broken so I need to find a replacement.

Needs to be a one box solution that can stream Spotify (and hopefully hook up with Google Home) , play CDs and either DAB or more likely internet radio. Currently I'm using a Teufel Raumfeld connector streaming box to bring the mini into the 21st Century

It will be driving a pair of Dali Oberon 1 speakers in a fairly small room if that matters

Any recommendations. Would like to keep it under £1k unless there's a really good reason to stretch that.

[PT1984]

Audiolab Omnia.

[Gren]

Thanks. Definitely fits the brief and the screen looks to be a bonus

Was also looking at the Quad Artera play but was worried about reviews of the Play fi app that both the Audiolab and Quad use. Not sure if anyone has experience of it?

[mikef]

At a cheaper price point, the Denon CEOL N12 and Marantz MCR612 are decent streaming min-receivers with CD. I have both (they are basically the same unit, but the Marantz lets you connect two pairs of speakers and the Denon has AV inputs)

[PT1984]

Gren said:

Thanks. Definitely fits the brief and the screen looks to be a bonus

Was also looking at the Quad Artera play but was worried about reviews of the Play fi app that both the Audiolab and Quad use. Not sure if anyone has experience of it?

It’s not really issue as you can use Spotify/Tidal Connect.

[WelshChris]

Cambridge Audio EVO 150 - Great bit of kit, but lacking a CD player. Has Aux inputs, and there's also an EVO CD player - starts to get costly then though.

[Gren]

WelshChris said:

Cambridge Audio EVO 150 - Great bit of kit, but lacking a CD player. Has Aux inputs, and there's also an EVO CD player - starts to get costly then though.

Yep, Looks nice but is stretching the budget even without a CD player. Another box would have to be matching too and that's another grand. Evo 75 with CD player is double what I'd be looking to spend. Pity...

Going to have a look at the Omnia next weekend - HiFi shop near us has them in for £999. Seems to fit the bill nicely, I just want to make sure it's slick to use

Edited by Gren on Monday 27th January 16:36

[PT1984]

Speak to Peter Tyson. Site they were £699 at Xmas.

[Gren]

A touch of budget and perhaps scope creep...

Went to the hifi shop yesterday to take a peek at the Omnia and wasn't too impressed. It feels a bit dated (on the streaming side not sound) - missing a couple of sources and was a bit of a chunky beast. I went in uncertain based on worries about the app/streaming and the viewing and listening didn't help

My eyes were drawn to the new(ish) Ruark R610. Sure its dearer and you need the matching CD player (I know.... 2 boxes when I was looking for 1) which brings the cost to £1,500 but it looked and felt so much better. The streaming side was also quite some way ahead - better, more useful screen, Chromecast and Airplay along with Tidal Connect (all missing from the Omnia).

Just need to go back next week when they get the CD player in to check it out. CD player attaches by USB C to the 610 and uses the power, controls, remote and display from the main unit so you can tuck it away when not in use. It's a bit like (in my mind!) a 'budget' Naim Uniti Atom Star

[Gren]

Then ...... and now





Thanks for setting me on the right track