Audiolab 8200CDQ & Acoustic Energy AE22......

[admin_exported]

Do not have a great deal of room to work with. I also have a lot of music on a hard drive and may wish to add a turntable in the future. Would this work or would a Rega Brio R/DAC & RS1 system using my mac mini be more effective?

Many thanks

G

 

[AEJim]

Hi Graham,

The system you're thinking of should work very well. I'd suggest it would be very neutral with the Audiolab CD player and if space is at a premium the sealed-box design of the AE22's should help. The AE22's were also designed to work atop a mixing desk so placement on a unit, shelf or even bookcase is still viable and in some cases preferable (the mid alignment is aided by the surface underneath due to it's intended placement on a desk, although they also work perfectly well on stands).

From what I can see the CDQ has a few inputs on the back so you may well be able to use a hard-drive and turntable with the built-in preamp, though someone who knows the unit better may be able to advise more clearly on that...

Cheers,

Jim.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Jim,

I am looking at the price of XLR cables. The majority of 'hifi' XLR cables are £200 plus. Is this a worthwhile cost?

 

[Al ears]

Thanks Jim,

I am looking at the price of XLR cables. The majority of 'hifi' XLR cables are £200 plus. Is this a worthwhile cost?

Personally, unless you envisage a long cable run between equipment, I would say no.

Normal phono / RCA cables will work just as well over a short run. Save some money and buy some more music with it!

 

[AEJim]

Thanks Jim,

I am looking at the price of XLR cables. The majority of 'hifi' XLR cables are £200 plus. Is this a worthwhile cost?

Personally, unless you envisage a long cable run between equipment, I would say no.

Normal phono / RCA cables will work just as well over a short run. Save some money and buy some more music with it!

Agreed with Alears - while technically the XLR connection is better, the audible differences are tiny. The AE22 accepts standard phono plugs as well as XLR and comes with a pair of Neutrik connectors should you wish to use your existing cables with the XLR terminals. Don't buy any specialist cables if you go for the AE22's, your "standard" cable will be fine!

Cheers,

Jim.