Advise for a new Hi-Fi system for classic music listening.

[Andi-0005]

Hi,
I'm new here and hope I post in the correct place.

I would like to get some advise for a Hi-Fi system.
I am not an audiophile, but a casual listener. I listen to my mixed CD collection which is mostly from from the 80's and 90's.
I now prefer to listen to classic music and I would like to purchase a system to suit listening to classic music.
I am considering taking a tidal account for the higher quality files and playing from a computer.
I currently play my CD's using a Yamaha CD-C603 with an old Pioneer AV 5.1, it's not so great.
I do not use a record player.

I started looking at Yamaha equipment, the Yamaha A-S501, or possibly a A-S701 or R-N600A. I also looking at other popular brands in a similar price range, but I must limit the budget, that's why I look at a A-S501.
If I was to buy Yamaha A-S501 which speakers would be pair nicely with it for playing classic music so I can hear the details in a real world environment? Budget €200.00 to €400.00
I would use my CD-C603 cd player and later a DAC or other component to play Hi-Res files. Some advise on a DAC would welcome as well.

Thanks

Andi

 

[Integralista]

Hi Andi, how much money can you invest into amp and speakers + cables? Pls. give some limit. BR.

 

[Andi-0005]

Hi,
Good point. Thanks.
I prefer to be at the budget end starting at €200.00 for the speakers, but could stretch that a bit. Possibly to €400.00.
The cables costs I haven't considered yet. Not too much, standard equipment I guess.

 

[Integralista]

How big is your room? Your budget for amp? Must be streaming in the amp?

 

[Andi-0005]

The room size.
Currently not so big, it's my home office. 4.5m x 3m. In time I will move the system to a typical living room, but "L" shaped to make things tricky. This is around 40 squared meters.

 

[Integralista]

And the amp, you need advice also for the amp?

 

[Fandango Andy]

Hi,
I'm new here and hope I post in the correct place.

I would like to get some advise for a Hi-Fi system.
I am not an audiophile, but a casual listener. I listen to my mixed CD collection which is mostly from from the 80's and 90's.
I now prefer to listen to classic music and I would like to purchase a system to suit listening to classic music.
I am considering taking a tidal account for the higher quality files and playing from a computer.
I currently play my CD's using a Yamaha CD-C603 with an old Pioneer AV 5.1, it's not so great.
I do not use a record player.

I started looking at Yamaha equipment, the Yamaha A-S501, or possibly a A-S701 or R-N600A. I also looking at other popular brands in a similar price range, but I must limit the budget, that's why I look at a A-S501.
If I was to buy Yamaha A-S501 which speakers would be pair nicely with it for playing classic music so I can hear the details in a real world environment? Budget €200.00 to €400.00
I would use my CD-C603 cd player and later a DAC or other component to play Hi-Res files. Some advise on a DAC would welcome as well.

Thanks

Andi

It's difficult to recommend to people in other countries as prices seem to vary from country to country. Also not sure if your budget is total, or per component.

I personally would go with the longstanding king of Budget Amps Marantz PM6007.

Triangle Borea BR03 or if they are over budget Mission LX2.

Alternatively, what is the second hand market like where you are?

 

[Andi-0005]

And the amp, you need advice also for the amp?

I was planning to choose the A-S501 or possibly A-S701 and also consider R-N600A from Yamaha.
I have also considered the Marantz 6007, but reading many online A-S501 vs Marantz 6007 I find mostly the A-S501 is preferred.
However if you I could do better than the A-S501 in a similar price range, I would like to know your thoughts.
Thanks

 

[Andi-0005]

It's difficult to recommend to people in other countries as prices seem to vary from country to country. Also not sure if your budget is total, or per component.

I personally would go with the longstanding king of Budget Amps Marantz PM6007.

Triangle Borea BR03 or if they are over budget Mission LX2.

Alternatively, what is the second hand market like where you are?

Hi,
Thanks for your advise. I have considered the Marants 6007 and the A-S501 for a number of weeks now, but reading many online head to head posts A-S501 vs Marantz 6007 I find mostly the A-S501 is preferred.
I have not looked at the Triangle Borea BR03 or the Mission LX2. I look into these.

 

[Links]

As well as the Mission LX 2, have a look at the Mission QX 2 !

 

[Fandango Andy]

Hi,
Thanks for your advise. I have considered the Marants 6007 and the A-S501 for a number of weeks now, but reading many online head to head posts A-S501 vs Marantz 6007 I find mostly the A-S501 is preferred.
I have not looked at the Triangle Borea BR03 or the Mission LX2. I look into these.

Interestingly, I have never heard of anything gone close to the Marantz at its price point, until I read this yesterday:

What Hi-Fi? Awards 2024: Rotel's "budget gem" amplifier dethrones a multi-winning legend

We reveal the best-value amplifiers on the market

www.whathifi.com

 

[Ferdy Bossy]

Hi Andy, classical music places high demands on the equipment. It is wiser to purchase active speakers, We all hear differently and tastes differ. Until enough has been saved, to avoid disappointment, listen with headphones. Make sure that the speakers of your current installation are positioned correctly. Tweeters at ear height, the speakers form an equilateral triangle with the listener. Don't place the speakers against the back wall, give them as much free space as possible around them. Kef also have affordable active speakers. The ones from Teufel look more impressive, but decide for yourself what sounds better. Don't look at what it looks like, but listen. Stream with Apple Music classical costs €109 per year and makes every smartphone (Android, IOS) or tablet/iPad a high-end streamer, provided it is connected to a DAC. There are also adapters that allow you to receive Bluetooth regardless of the age of the amplifier or radio.