Recent content by chris_bates1974

OK, speakers are 10 months old, after 6 years with the KEF Q700. The Missions I had before that lasted for 12 years. CD player (Cyrus 6) had been on the rack for a out 4 years after an Arcam CD72 that was 14 years old. But the CD player went with the amp (Cyrus 5) around 18 months ago - when I...

I had an Arcam CD player for well over 10 years - a CD72. It was a very good player, and not exactly cheap at £400 in 2001. I'd really recommend one if you're looking for a budget CD player. When I bought it, I actually preferred the sound using a Cyrus 5 integrated instead of an Arcam amp - so...

I auditioned the 705 S2, but as you can see in my pic, went for the KEF R3. The 705 were really good, and have a fantastic top-end, but the KEF is the better all round, with some significant grunt when asked. Not sure if there is a bigger hifi bargain, as far as buying new is concerned! (can...

I used to live in Scarborough. In the late eighties/early nineties there were a couple of good places to hear good hifi, and some good record shops also. Sadly, now, (I think) there's just the place next to Stephen Joseph Theatre - as far as I know he is still there..... Had many records from...

If you are using an iPhone, you could also look at an Airport Express. This will sit next to, and is plugged into, the amp, and you simply send the music to it. This is what I did until just recently. Works pretty well....

You'll not go wrong with a Rega - I also went to a Planar 3 from a Project Debut (Phono version) and use a Fono MkII for phono amp duties. My cart is a 2M Red which does require a shim for height correction. Just FYI. I would suggest that the cart supplied with a new Planar 3 will do just fine...

Not sure on pricing where you are, but a slightly more left field solution might be the Cyrus One. I agree with Insider on the demo. It's really risky to buy anything without hearing it first. But, I did exactly that with my Primare amp, and it worked out beautifully! Good luck!

Thanks again everyone - trial of Spotify is ongoing.... Once I get used to the awful UI, I am sure it'll be fine....

Thanks everyone - we are all thinking on the same lines, make sure she is happy! To be fair, a radio is something I was missing, and having DAB and internet radio now is pretty cool... I already have an AEX but was hoping to replace it with the streamer.... I guess that might not be an option...

And herein lies the problem - she has never bought anything for the hifi before... And all of us in the house use AppleMusic.... Perhaps I will have to bite the bullet and go down the Spotify route as you suggest. Thanks.

My wife has done a lovely thing, and bought me a streamer!!! It's the Mitchell and Johnson WLD+211T. I've been able to get it set up to play radio, and I'm very pleased with it so far. What I really want to do is to play music form my iPhone, using Apple Music. I know that there is no native...

I've heard a few pairs of speakers on the end of Rega kit - namely my TT, and the Rega Elex-R I was thinking of buying before I got the Primare. What I will say, is that having now owned a couple of pairs of KEF, I do not think they can be beaten pound for pound when new. BUT, I did find that...

Nice one, Al....

Nice! Glad you are enjoying it - and welcome to the world of records. I am pretty certain you'll be spending more money soon!!!!

Hi David - thanks for the reply... Looks OK, but the price is simply way too high. If I was going to spend that kind of money I'd go from the Primare without a second thought. I've been blown away by the amp.