all in ones vs separates

[admin_exported]

how good are the all in ones like the cambridge audio 1 / denon dm37 when compared to my current separates

Arcam CD72

Yamaha ax596 amp (needs replacing)

Dynaudio 42

 

[d_a_n1979]

Replace the amp with a good Arcam A85 or similar and you're laughing!

Separates will always better all in one systems IMO

 

[matthewpiano]

I'm not sure its as simple as that these days. It depends what price point you are looking at.

The Denon DM37DAB is a fine little unit but its compromised by a poorly designed volume control and doesn't have the resolution of decent seperates, although it is very musical. I wouldn't swap your gear for one.

The TEAC Reference 380 system I'm using is a different matter. It is proper seperates, just in a smaller size. Build quality is better than a lot of full size kit, and the amplifier is fully dual-mono in construction. Its a detailed, spacious and musically engaging listen and better than any of the other set-ups I've had here (including some pretty expensive seperates, amongst them a CD73). With good cabling and some good speakers, its very hard to beat.

If you want to go even further with the all-in-one or compact system type idea, units like the Arcam Solo Mini, Linn Classik Musik, Audio Analogue Engima and those by Primare and Myryad all give equivalently priced seperates a serious run for their money and are well worth a look.

 

[Anonymous]

matthewpiano

Interesting to see your tag line at the bottom about Sony, so thought i'd ask your opinion (don't worry, a) i'm not a secret shopper for Sony and b) its related to the whole seperates thread going on here !!)

Sony BDP-S550 with the Sony HT-IS100 or do i go for seperates along the lines of same Blu-ray player but with a Sony receiver and B+W M1 speakers and a B+W sub (possibly not the PV1 just yet) Reason for Sony being my 37W5500 is so flipping awesome and i like a bit of convergence / integrated tech and the DCAC on the receivers

Any helpful tips or info is appreciated.

Cheers

Jon

P.S. i've just read that the 560 is out shortly, so that may possibly be substituted in the 550's place....depending on how generous i feel for my own birthday presents !!

P.P.S. I know what you mean on the volume control...can be a right pain in the ar$e !!

 

[matthewpiano]

It depends what you want. The HT-IS100 is excellent for what it is, if you want a compact solution that doesn't take up too much space. Note, however, that the subwoofer needs to be located at the front because it handles more midrange than a conventional sub.

However, you will get much better performance and flexibility by combining the BDP-S550/S560 with an amp like the new STR-DH800 and the speakers you suggest. Sony themselves usually use B&W speakers for demonstration and the two brands enjoy strong synergy. Alternatively Sony have two new 5.1 speaker packages coming out shortly and if they are as good as the old Pascal SAVE835s, they will be well worth exploring.

 

[Anonymous]

If went the all in one route, I am guessing I would have to change the speakers as the Dyna's aren't the easiest to drive! and I am guessing nothing in the £200 mark will come close to the Dyna's!

What amps should I be looking for for around the £150 - £200 mark that are gonna suite the CD72 and 42's? I'll more than likely have a look at some secondhand amps.

 

[matthewpiano]

topheruk:
If went the all in one route, I am guessing I would have to change the speakers as the Dyna's aren't the easiest to drive! and I am guessing nothing in the £200 mark will come close to the Dyna's!

What amps should I be looking for for around the £150 - £200 mark that are gonna suite the CD72 and 42's? I'll more than likely have a look at some secondhand amps.

Arcam. An Alpha 8 or Alpha 9 would be a good move IMO.

 

[Craig M.]

i used to have the audience 42's, they're quite a difficult load for the amp. my old kandy amp had a harder time with them then the focus 110 that replaced them. i would suggest something with a decent current delivery. maybe nad? or an old audiolab? no idea how either would sound synergy wise. i wouldn't recommend a cambridge audio 640, i tried my mates one with the 42's and it couldn't grip them at all.

 

[Anonymous]

I've got a little experience with this. I am upgrading now but for the past few years I've used a Denon UD-M50 minisystem along with Tannoy Mercury F2 speakers. Don't get me wrong, it's actually very nice musically. A big spacious sound, detailed, very good resolution. But when I got to try an Audiolab 8000S (I used it as a power amp with the Denon as preamp and CDP)...well, the difference was pretty big. It's not a fair comparison for the little Denon, but still. Better dynamics, and details that I think were there before were just a lot more prominent. Certain sounds in a song the Denon just couldn't push forward the way the 8000S could. I can only imagine how much better a separate preamp and CDP would have made it.

I also vote to buy a new Arcam amp (if you like the Arcam sound, I'm guessing things would be a little more laid back with an Arcam amp). A minisystem however will almost surely be a step down.