Arcam Solo Music vs Solo Movie vs Solo Music + separate Blu-Ray player

[rob.exley]

I recently arranged an Arcam irDock for my father-in-law to allow him to connect his iPod to his existing system (Technics Separates - about 20 years old) which is paired with Castle speakers (Eden I think). Part of the reason for the Arcam dock was as a precursor to him upgrading his system to possibly an Arcam Solo Music system - this partnered with the dock would give him a much improved system with the integrated control of his iPod. However, there is also the possibility of replacing his system with the Solo Movie (probably the 2.1 but possibly the 5.1 if this gives enough benefits.)

The questions now are:

If he doesn't want to swap his speakers (he actually has two pairs of the Castle speakers almost identical), would these partner well with the Arcam Solo Music or any suspected problems - as these are pretty old, I don't expect anyone to have actually done this.

By specifying the Solo Movie 2.1 instead of the Solo Music - this could then replace his budget DVD player and provide not only music playback but also DVD playback and for the sound to be presented back through his speakers. However how does the music playback of the Solo Movie compare to that of the Solo Music?

Whilst moving up to the Solo Movie 5.1 would bring the obvious benefits of the surround sound capability (with the necessary speaker package upgrade). How would this compare with the Move 2.1 in terms of music playback and DVD playback?

Lastly, would he be better to just stick with the Solo Music and buy a Blu-Ray player such as the Sony BDP-S360 and if necessary route the basic stereo audio through the Solo Music if required? How does the DVD playback of the Solo Movie compare with that of something like the Sony BDP-S360?

Thanks in advance for any answers.

-

Rob.

 

[matengawhat]

well there are a few different questions there - i don't think there is any difference in sound quality between any of them so wouldn't worry about that

not heard castle speakers for ages but imagine would be good match although may struggle for matching centre

i have the 5.1 in my bedroom and used to use the rear channels to bi-amp my front speakers although i'm just swapping them out for full surround again but something extra to think about.

the dvd playback is very good and its easy to make multi region - however obviously no blu-ray how important is that?

 

[rob.exley]

From the conversations I have had so far with him blu-ray isn't important... he doesn't have any discs and if the DVD upscaling on the Solo Movie was good enough, probably wouldn't be in any great rush to move to blu-ray.

However the quality of the music is important, this would be primarily to replace his primary system... although I suspect that all of them would blow his current setup away and more-so if the speakers were upgraded.

Apologies for posting so many question and in the Hi-Fi forum but as you can appreciate the catalyst for these is to replace his music system, the DVD capabilities are a bonus.

-

Rob.

 

[manicm]

Rob, you don't say what TV your dad has. This I think is the major consideration.

 

[rob.exley]

I can't remember the model number exactly but it is definitely a 32-inch Sony Bravia LCD (about 2 years old) - I think it's a KDL-32V3000 (could be a V5000?). As far as I remember this is a HD-ready TV (768p) not full HD - although this could be completely wrong.

-

Rob.

 

[Anonymous]

Apologies for a bit off subject from the previous conversation but somewhat related. I am a beginner on this subject. I have just purchased the used Arcam Solo Music (not the "neo" one). Everything works great. But, I was trying to listen MP3 songs from my laptop. I have connected the speaker "hole" connection from my laptop to Solo using the audio cable to either the front "in" hole or the rear "av" hole. It works fine but the sound is not that great. Is there anything I can do to improve the sound quality?

Thanks