Advice on buying a micro hifi

[admin_exported]

Hello all,

Apologies in advance for a lengthy post.

I would appreciate some advice on buying a micro hifi system. I'm considering the Denon DM37 or the Onkyo CS-725. Where I live the prices for both units are ridiculously high, I will probably order them online from UK or Germany. Funny thing is the Denon is cheaper in the UK than Germany and vise versa for the Onkyo, so I'm baffled with what to buy.

I've been searching for reviews on both like crazy. From what I've read the Denon has a slightly clearer sound but at the same time rather sucks at low volume and it's speakers are too bassy and it has no bass control, could anyone confirm this? It also supposedly handles USB and other external "add-ons" very poorly?

The Onkyo supposedly defeats the Denon at high volumes but then again I really haven't found any concrete review for it.

Since I would very much like and use both low and high volumes, I'd like to know If the above mentioned sound issues can be fixed with different speakers. What budget preferably floorstanding speakers would complement either unit well?

Any tips and/or advice is greatly appreciated.

Regards.

 

[Anonymous]

The Denon DM37 equivalent in the Onkyo line-up is the CS-525 when it comes to specs and performance.

CS-725 is quite a bit better than both IMO. I researched a lot when I was buying and chose 725. It has a beefy power supply, high-grade components, Wolfson DAC, is quite powerful, etc.

I owned one for about a month and it was a very good micro system. I ended up getting separates though at the end albeit at higher cost. Also mine developed a weird issue as it stopped reading some CDs. I sent it to the retailer but every CD they tried over a week read fine - so must have been some kind of a fluke!

EDIT: Get separate speakers for either (MA BR1s, Tannoy Custom F1s, Whaferdale 9.1s are good options)

 

[8009514]

Don't have any experience of the Onkyo unit, but I've had the DM37 for a few months now. Plenty of threads on this forum relating to the Denon. Can't recall any negative comments about the unit. Everyone who has one seems perfectly happy with it. Don't know where you got the idea that it handles USB poorly. I use memory sticks very often and they sound just fine (a decent bit rate helps though).

Bass and Treble are adjustable via the remote.

As for speaker choice, well it had a 5 star review with the Denon speakers supplied, but I do agree with Chainrock about the choice of other available speakers. You could also add the Mordaunt Short 902i's onto the list. I personnally use the M/A BR1's and found it to be a good sounding system.

By the way, there is a review of the Denon under 'All in one systems' on this site.

 

[Sizzers]

Had my DM37 for 2 weeks now running through Tannoy F1's and I'm absolutely THRILLED with it!! I can't compare it to anything else to be honest, but why would I want to as I'm so happy with it. Clear, detailed, but can still give you the Oomph if you want it. There are people I know who have spent twice as much for something that isn't even half as good, and it really is quality.

 

[Anonymous]

From what I understand now is that for me in the end it may very well come down to only my budget, perhaps overall looks and basically nothing else

Thank you all very much for your inputs!

 

[ear]

As for that problem reading some kinds of cd's, I've coime across this problem with onkyo's , mainly on showrooms. I recall one dvd player (if I'm not mistaken the sp-404 that couldnt' read a recorded cd even it in the specs it said it could) and a cs-315 that seemed a little confused on the tuner when choosing auto or manual tuning.But in terms of sound I guess i still prefer the onkyo.

 

[Anonymous]

Hello to all again

Sorry for bumping an old thread, but I figured it would be better to leave it in context.

I decided and bought the Onkyo CS-725, prooved to be cheaper in the end. Now I'm looking into floorstanding speakers, specifically the Mission M33i's. Impedance of these speakers is 8 ohms and the Onkyo drives out 2x50 watts at 4 ohms. Bare minimum for these speakers is 25 watts, which I'm guessing is exactly what the Onkyo will be able to push out at 8 ohms anyway.

My question is whether this combination would work well at all and if so please give me some advice on how to wire them properly.

If this combination is unwise, then which 'compatible' budget floorstanding speakers would you recommend?

Many thanks in advance!

 

[Anonymous]

Congrats on the new buy! For around £200 the 725 is a steal.

Yes, Onk will deliver around 25-30wpc at 8ohms. I'd personally get a good pair of standmounts on proper stands than floorstanders in this range as the amp power is on the lower end for such speakers. The 725 is light enough you can take it with you to a shop, set it up with a few speakers and demo. I'd put Mezzo 2s, Dali Lektor 2s, MA RS1s on the list and maybe a few more, and if on a tighter budget ones I suggested in an earlier post (with my favs being RS1s).

People dont seem to like the new Missions out here. I'd consider AE Neo 3s if you decide with floorstanders, you can get new on ebay direct from AE for 220 I think.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for replying.

Yes, it's been on sale lately at a lot of UK stores, great bargain indeed.

Thanks for the advice, I will look into the AE's.

To make a long story short, I'm moving to a new apartment and I'll be using the system in my living room, so esthetics are important to me. Frankly speaking I find all speaker stands rather ugly, well at least I haven't come across any nice looking ones. Therefore a pair of good looking floorstanders would be sweet.

I was considering the Wharfedale 9.4's. These have a 6 ohm impedance and would probably complement the unit better, what do you think?

Otherwise, my last hope would be wall brackets for standmounts. But with wall brackets the speakers are mounted pretty close to the wall. Are the standmounts you mentioned too picky about their positioning?

Thanks again

 

[Anonymous]

As far as I know, RS1s are not too fussy about positioning but I am far from an authority on the subject. Maybe some owners can comment. I also thought speaker stands are ugly but some i saw in stores looked quite decent (don't remember makes).

One more thing I'd keep in mind - as you are using an amp with 30-50 watts, I'd look for efficient speakers (ie 90db and higher) to get the most out of the Onk. RS1s are 90db i think.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi all, Sorry to drag this old thread back up. I just came accross it and was interested in the outcome, Lala, did you buy the floorstanders to go with the onkyo unit?

The reason i ask, ive just this week purchased the cr 725 and am really pleased with it. I allready had some mourdant short avant 904i floorstanders that are rated at 15 -100w so seem to match the onkyo 50wpc really well.

I'm really impressed with the sound quality for such a cheap system, i paid just £189 for the onkyo at weymouth hifi and bought the speakers a few years ago from richer sounds, think they were around £200, so for the price range im really pleased with the outcome.

i was wondering how you got on with the floorstanders of your choice, im still sure that a good set of bookshelfs would suit it better but im glad i didnt have to go right out and replace the M/S's