All In One Vs Seperates

[admin_exported]

Hi all,

Firstly, let me start by saying a huge thank you to all the regular contributors and posters on these forums as i know there are an awful lot of people out there like me, who very rarely (if ever!) post on here but use it as an incredibly usefull source of information. Now, enough waffling! Im a 22 year old student in Bedford, and iv'e cobbled together a budget of £600-£800 for a bedroom hi fi. Ive narrowed it down to the popular Marantz CD6003 + PM6003 + Wharfedale 10.1 diamond deal, or a Arcam Solo (found it for £650 recently) + Wharfedale Diamond 10.1's. my main source would be an iMac for convenience and the cd players on both systems occasionally. Now, in my head ive weighed up the obvious benefits of a one box system, but was hoping you guys could offer me advise and comparison purely from a sound quality perspective. I enjoy a plethora of different genres but allways find myself coming back to Radiohead, Bon Iver, Bob Dylan, Talk Talk, and Sam Cooke. I enjoy a detailed and crisp sound, and my listening position is 3 - 3.5m from where my speakers will be positioned. I know i might be clutching at staws hoping anyone has done a direct comparison of these two systems, so it might be one for someone within the hi-fi business, but heres hoping!

Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[matthewpiano]

It is a personal choice but out of the two, in terms of long-term listening pleasure, I'd have to go for the Arcam. I very nearly purchased that combination myself but got the Yamahas for such a good price that I couldn't resist.

Both the systems you suggest are excellent. The Marantz 6003s are more up-and-at-'em and sometimes get a bit larger than life. Many will love it but, for me, it got tiring for longer listening sessions (I tried them at home) and the overall refinement and balance across the frequency range wasn't as good as either the Arcam or my Yamahas.

The Arcam is a superb unit. Involving sound and just enough punch without getting tiring over long sessions. Its well built and ergonomically excellent, and it seems to work very effectively with the Wharfedales (although it is capable of driving much better speakers). Only thing I would say is that I personally prefer the Diamond 9.1s to the 10.1s.

 

[AL13N]

Benno_mk1:budget of £600-£800... main source would be an iMac for convenience
The XTZ Class-A100D3 has digital inputs and is £600. They only sell direct but do offer a home trial. Besides, a home demo is the best way to see if the system works for you in your room.

The digital section uses the same DAC as the CA 840C and Benchmark DAC1. The amplifier section has 100W of Class A and 220W of Class A/B power (switchable on the fly) and 62 Amps current capacity.

It has one Optical and four Coaxial inputs, so you could use the Ixos 108 to connect your iMac.
Of course, you would lose the CDP and Radio features of the Arcam.

Happy Hunting.

 

[Tibor]

1 vote for Arcam, the budget Marantz amp. and players are analitical sounding (lack of emotional aspect) for me.You can buy better speakers than W. Diamond for this price like Acoustic Energy Aegis Neo 1 V2, I think.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Benno,

I purchased my Wharfedale's a couple of month ago. I'm very very pleased with it.

Currently the Wharfedale's are connected to a AV receiver, Pioneer vsx 415. Iïm also looking for a new amp. On my wishlist is the arcam solo mini or the Marantz cr502.

Anyone tried the Wharfedale with the Marantz, does it sounds as goed as seperates or the Arcam solo.

Why is it that the AV receiver isnït that good as a stereo amplifier. The VSX has 100 Watt per channel.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply's guys. Much appreciated. Ive decided on the Arcam Solo, and i'm now hunting new and second hand for the best deal. It was mentioned that the Arcam could power much better speakers than the aforementioned Wharfdales, just wondered if there was any specific suggestions towards speakers to suit the Arcam. Just in case my budget receives a bump!

 

[dave_k]

Surely if you already have an iMac you'd be better off with an amp with digital inputs as mentioned? Another option is the peachtree audio decco or nova. You can get radio off the internet or via freeview, and spin discs in your blu ray player.

 

[Sizzers]

Benno_mk1:Thanks for the reply's guys. Much appreciated. Ive decided on the Arcam Solo, and i'm now hunting new and second hand for the best deal.

http://www.richersounds.com/product/mini-hifi-systems/arcam/solo-mini/arca-solo-mini

 

[Anonymous]

I honestly think, a seperate DAC and Amplifier for £600 will sound so much better. If you are using CD occassionally, I would just rip these on your Laptop and feed through to your DAC and save some money.

Obvious choice of a Cambridge DAC magic for c £250, leaving up to £550 for amp and speakers.

 

[Anonymous]

Soundcraft Hifi have ex demonstration model on website for £500. OR NEW FOR £550.