Advice Please - one box systems

[admin_exported]

I need to replace an aged and not very good Goodmans system. I have a budget of £800 easily and could stretch to a bit more but spending more requires justification.

The stereo is for my kitchen/living room/dining room which is an odd shape. At present my stereo sits on a window sill and thus serve all areas of the room but the only contender to stay there is a Denon DM37 as all the others are too deep, and I will have to move it to underneath the television, probably with speakers on stands.

I HATE wires/ cables etc so was looking for a one box system.

I identified either the Denon DM37 or Arcam mini solo as possibilities. Heard the denon in a few places today but felt it wasn't competing well with the Arcam until I heard it with Monitor Audio RS1 speakers.

Sadly, couldn't hear the Arcam with those speakers (heard the denon and arcam head to head with Quad 11l speakers (which I like with the arcam but have a rubbish review on here)).

One shop floated the idea of either a linn classik or Arcam solo - but these are at the top end of what I could afford and speakerwise I would be constrained to about 300 quid max.

So the question is Denon DM37 + Monitor Audio RS1s VS. Arcam mini solo + speakers(suggestions?) VS more expensive one box system plus speakers (but these would be v. constrained on price).

 

[gregory]

Doesn't matter about the review if you liked the Arcam with the Quad speakers go with what you like. Arcam is a nice system but the linn classic i feel is better which if you shop around can be picked up for little more or less than the Arcam. Nad also do a nice system as well.

 

[plastic penguin]

gregory:Doesn't matter about the review if you liked the Arcam with the Quad speakers go with what you like. Arcam is a nice system but the linn classic i feel is better which if you shop around can be picked up for little more or less than the Arcam. Nad also do a nice system as well.

I totally agree - if a product gets less than perfect review, still listen to it. It may not suit everyone but it could be perfect for your ears.

Yes, the Arcam is very well suited to Monitor Audio but so are other speakers. Again, it's down to what sound appeals to you and not me or others on the forum. This is why I always strongly recommend an audition.

 

[d_a_n1979]

I think you'd find that the Arcam Mini Solo paired with either the M/A BR1's or BR2's, the Dali Lektors or the B&W 685 speakers would work very well.

If youre happy with small floorstanding speakers you could also consider the Rega R3 speakers. Theyre very small for floorstanders but suit the Arcam Solo down to a tee

 

[chebby]

Yes. ALWAYS go for the combination of equipment that you like and stuff the reviews!

I demo'ed the BR2's with my Arcam Solo-Mini (just because WHF suggested the pairing and because they were cheap) but hated them together.

I opted for the Rega R3's instead which were twice the price at £399 (ex-dem) instead. If someone found me a bad review of the R3's I would not care frankly.

You may also like the Rega R1's and you may still be able to find a pair at a Rega dealer with a good discount (because they were recently superceded by the RS1 model).

 

[Anonymous]

I had an Arcam Solo with Quad 11 L's for 18 months,added a sub during that time.served me well until I got my present kit.

If you like it,get it.

 

[Anonymous]

ordered the solo mini with quad 11ls yesterday.

Thanks for all advice and thanks to all the guys in hifi shops who spent hours letting me listen to stuff....

 

[Anonymous]

Oh and listened to the better one box solutions head to head with the solo mini.

Yes they were better but not 400 quid better in my book. so i spent the extra on kitchen knives....

 

[John Duncan]

Katy77:
Oh and listened to the better one box solutions head to head with the solo mini.

Yes they were better but not 400 quid better in my book. so i spent the extra on kitchen knives....

 

[manicm]

Katy77:

Oh and listened to the better one box solutions head to head with the solo mini.

Yes they were better but not 400 quid better in my book. so i spent the extra on kitchen knives....

Firstly, how does your mini sound with the Quads.

2nd, I hope those kitchen knives will be used to cut food.

 

[John Duncan]

Indeed. I have a pathological fear of knives.

 

[Anonymous]

Don't have it at home yet (should get it next week depending on speaker / stand delivery from manufacturers).

The kitchen knives are for food (I'm not that odd...) and I am looking forward to ditching my collection of cheapo knives.

I'm also a woose when it comes to knives, it is the fact that my cheap knives are so rubbish and don't sharpen well that has driven me to upgrade as I keep trying to cut myself when they slip off food rather than going through it.

 

[Anonymous]

Should have said - sounded good in the shop (or I wouldn't have bought it). Have lost track of what other speakers I listened to there were soooooo many.

 

[manicm]

Katy77:

Should have said - sounded good in the shop (or I wouldn't have bought it). Have lost track of what other speakers I listened to there were soooooo many.

Well then, keep us updated on both the shouters and slayers

 

[Anonymous]

Have had stereo now for 2 weeks.

It's great. Lovely lovely sound have been hearing all sorts of things that I've never heard before on favourite CDs.

Not quite so enamoured of the radio (can't get the building's built in FM/DAB aerial to work so am on trailing lead aerial).

Will fiddle with that though. But all in all I'm very happy and my speakers look beautiful (but the atacama nexus stands were a pain in the backside to build).

Very, very happy.

 

[JoelSim]

Katy77:
Have had stereo now for 2 weeks.

It's great.ÿ Lovely lovely sound have been hearing all sorts of things that I've never heard before on favourite CDs.

ÿNot quite so enamoured of the radio (can't get the building's built in FM/DAB aerial to work so am on trailing lead aerial).ÿ

ÿWill fiddle with that though. But all in all I'm very happy and my speakers look beautiful (but the atacama nexus stands were a pain in the backside to build).

Very, very happy.

Good for you Katy. Once you're in to hifi there's no going back!

ÿ