I've been asked to recommend a system for a friend. Or more specifically for her son, who is getting married soon. This will be his present from his gran. So not much flexibility on the budget I'm afraid.
They used Spotify as a source, playing on an existing laptop, so that's not part of the budget (phew).
Options I can think of are Audioengine speakers, ideally A5's, but that would mean using the headphone output of the laptop, which is far from ideal. The only really cheap DAC I can think of is the Xytel (may have spelt that wrong), which is OK but not brillant (I used to have one). Or the new Denon DM39 coming out soon, that has a digital input. Thats £300 without speakers, although maybe it will be less than list price when it hits the shops in Aug (when they are getting married, so just in time).
They could go with one of the £130 amps and similar price speakers, with a low cost DAC. Or ????
Anyone got any bright ideas?They are music lovers, not hi fi buffs.
Edit -just remembered the Sonos Play 3. That would come in on budget if they can control it from a laptop - the Sonos site mentions a PC base control system, but doesn't list it against the Play 3. Anyone know whether it can be used this way. And also what the sound quality is like; the reviews are good but would it hack it as a main system?
They used Spotify as a source, playing on an existing laptop, so that's not part of the budget (phew).
Options I can think of are Audioengine speakers, ideally A5's, but that would mean using the headphone output of the laptop, which is far from ideal. The only really cheap DAC I can think of is the Xytel (may have spelt that wrong), which is OK but not brillant (I used to have one). Or the new Denon DM39 coming out soon, that has a digital input. Thats £300 without speakers, although maybe it will be less than list price when it hits the shops in Aug (when they are getting married, so just in time).
They could go with one of the £130 amps and similar price speakers, with a low cost DAC. Or ????
Anyone got any bright ideas?They are music lovers, not hi fi buffs.
Edit -just remembered the Sonos Play 3. That would come in on budget if they can control it from a laptop - the Sonos site mentions a PC base control system, but doesn't list it against the Play 3. Anyone know whether it can be used this way. And also what the sound quality is like; the reviews are good but would it hack it as a main system?