Any thoughts on this system

Recordfair

Member
Feb 4, 2025
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0
20
Hi,


After many years need to replace my Arcam Mini Solo and want a decent upgrade on sound quality especially streaming. Given my Budget after some investigation thinking of:


Cambridge Audio streamer MXN10 (initially looked at Wiim Ultra but want Apple Music)


Cambridge Audio AMP CXA61 mark1


B&W 606S3 speakers


CD player to add later





Any Thoughts Suggestions,


Thanks
 
Last edited:

Al ears

Well-known member
Hi,


After many years need to replace my Arcam Mini Solo and want a decent upgrade on sound quality especially streaming. Given my Budget after some investigation thinking of:


Cambridge Audio streamer MXN10 (initially looked at Wiim Ultra but want Apple Music)


Cambridge Audio AMP CXA61 mark1


B&W 606S3 speakers


CD player to add later





Any Thoughts Suggestions,


Thanks
Nobody can really comment on the speakers as they are very room and system dependant.
You will have to audition these yourself preferably at home because, get these wrong and the rest of the system is meaningless.
 

RTHerringbone

Well-known member
Dec 25, 2024
65
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120
Fortunately the components you list are all available in a Richer Sounds, so I'd get in contact with your local branch and book an audition. It's worth trying out at least a couple of options for each component or you've nothing to compare to.
 
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manicm

Well-known member
Hi,


After many years need to replace my Arcam Mini Solo and want a decent upgrade on sound quality especially streaming. Given my Budget after some investigation thinking of:


Cambridge Audio streamer MXN10 (initially looked at Wiim Ultra but want Apple Music)


Cambridge Audio AMP CXA61 mark1


B&W 606S3 speakers


CD player to add later





Any Thoughts Suggestions,


Thanks

I think it will work great. But hear first/trial at home if you can. The 606S3 is supposed to be smoother than previous versions, but I'd still hear first. Another great and cheaper alternative would be the Elac Debut 3 DB63. Or the Q Acoustics 5020. There's no real shortage of speakers. But the 606S3 will need a bit of space, and solid stands.


BTW I had the Solo Mini too. Gorgeous and brilliant sounding, the CD player was giving up the ghost though.
 

Integralista

Well-known member
Feb 9, 2024
235
83
370
Hi,


After many years need to replace my Arcam Mini Solo and want a decent upgrade on sound quality especially streaming. Given my Budget after some investigation thinking of:


Cambridge Audio streamer MXN10 (initially looked at Wiim Ultra but want Apple Music)


Cambridge Audio AMP CXA61 mark1


B&W 606S3 speakers


CD player to add later





Any Thoughts Suggestions,


Thanks
Hi,

you have selected a nice hifi system which should work well. As mentioned in this thread try to listen mainly speakers. Bowers@Wilkins are among class leaders, true. But they are also quite revealing, showing weak points in recordings, in your system. They need more time and "nervs" till everything just click in. I will recommend to consider also Q Acoustics 5010 or 5020 (bigger bookshelf with more bass and volume). They are less demanding than B&W and "easier" on your ears=more musical. Also Acoustic Energy AE 300 are excelent, very universal and lively sounding speakers. There is just comming a new generation, so you may get some nice discount on the one which is before EOP (end of production). Combination of Cambridge Audio amp and streamer is very good. Here I will include also Rega Brio and Arcam Radia A5 into selection of the amp. Let us know pls. what will be your final selection of your system and your impressions. BR.
 

twinkletoes

Well-known member
Nov 16, 2021
930
691
5,770
Hi,


After many years need to replace my Arcam Mini Solo and want a decent upgrade on sound quality especially streaming. Given my Budget after some investigation thinking of:


Cambridge Audio streamer MXN10 (initially looked at Wiim Ultra but want Apple Music)


Cambridge Audio AMP CXA61 mark1


B&W 606S3 speakers


CD player to add later





Any Thoughts Suggestions,


Thanks


Given your budget id say you're missing a trick if you dont look at some active Ae1's and as you want Apple Music a Fiio R7 dac/streamer one of the only systems to support Apple Music natively. Nice tidy and amazing sounding system

and yes you could add CD player/transport if you wish richer sounds have all this, if you're close to one
 
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manicm

Well-known member
Hi,

you have selected a nice hifi system which should work well. As mentioned in this thread try to listen mainly speakers. Bowers@Wilkins are among class leaders, true. But they are also quite revealing, showing weak points in recordings, in your system. They need more time and "nervs" till everything just click in. I will recommend to consider also Q Acoustics 5010 or 5020 (bigger bookshelf with more bass and volume). They are less demanding than B&W and "easier" on your ears=more musical. Also Acoustic Energy AE 300 are excelent, very universal and lively sounding speakers. There is just comming a new generation, so you may get some nice discount on the one which is before EOP (end of production). Combination of Cambridge Audio amp and streamer is very good. Here I will include also Rega Brio and Arcam Radia A5 into selection of the amp. Let us know pls. what will be your final selection of your system and your impressions. BR.

From what I've read the 5020s are not really less demanding than the 606S3, either in efficiency or tonal matching. Q Acoustics have changed their signature smoothness on the new 50 range - and they veer toward the B&W with more emphasis on detail than their other ranges.

In any case, the Cambridge CXA61 has more than ample grunt to drive any speaker in this sub 1000 category and a bit beyond.
 

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