Cambridge CXA60+ B&W 685 S2 or Naim Mu-So

[newlash09]

It was in 1988 that my dad first brought a pioneer car stereo home. We did'nt have a car then, but we could afford the system. Everyday when the system would blare out every single number popular in those times as I dressed for school, I would bask in the glory of music. Albeit inferior in quality to today's reproductions, but a joyful and foot tapping rendering in those times. And after all these years, and after subscribing to whathifi to quench my fetish for sound, I will be arriving in a UK in december, the mecca of balanced sound. So, iam ripped betwen buying a Naim Mu-so and a combination of Cambridge CXA 60 + B&W 685 S2. Both retailing for not much a difference. So, I solicit your good advise and guidance to help me purchase the right system for a 11 feet by 17 feet room. Thanks for your help in advance....

 

[ID.]

I would take a speaker and amp combination over the muso any day because a proper stereo image provided by 2 speakers is essential to the experience for me. Can't comment on that specific combination, but I quite like the speakers.

 

[CnoEvil]

I would take a speaker and amp combination over the muso any day because a proper stereo image provided by 2 speakers is essential to the experience for me. Can't comment on that specific combination, but I quite like the speakers. 

When I compared the Muso to a Stereo option, this is exactly what I found... The soundstage on the Muso felt "closed in", by comparison.

 

[rainsoothe]

I would take a speaker and amp combination over the muso any day because a proper stereo image provided by 2 speakers is essential to the experience for me. Can't comment on that specific combination, but I quite like the speakers. 

+1. But try to audition, you might not like the pairing - synergy is vital. I would use the CXA with Dynaudio DM 2/7 or Monitor Audio Silver 2. Alternatively, check Arcam A19 with B&W 685 or Focal Aria 906, and, if you need a dac, add Arcam iRdac or Micromega MyDac. But try to audition these combos as well.

 

[newlash09]

Thanks a ton for your suggestions. Was almost sold on the Naim Mu-So, going by the glorious reviews alone. But, also had doubts regarding the stereo seperation. Which from your inputs, seems to have some justification. Don't know if I will have sufficient time to audition the sugested kit, as self will be arriving in Felixstowe on a ship and will have to travel all the way to Norwich for the nearest richer sounds or seven oaks store. Will try to make the best of whatever time i can manage to squeeze in.

Presently iam mostly streaming music from my computer or my smartphone via bluetooth to my 3-way home theatre floor standers. And since the room is small, Iam finding the bass to be overpowering, and without definition. Thus, started my hunt for balanced sound, and speakers tuned in the U.K. I had zeroed in the on Cambridge CXA-60 as i can buy the BT-100 dongle and stream music directly to the amp. And in case i managed to set aside some money in the future, I could expand my setup to also include the Cambridge CXN. Thus, had'nt considered the Arcam or any other streamer / amp combination so far. Besides, my better half is already miffed with me allocating precious real estate to sound gear. Not to mention that the new amp / speaker combination will occupy the pride of place in my living room. Thus, asthetics mean a lot, to get my wife's approval.

Please feel free to suggest any alternate combinations that you think might suit my requirements. Will see if I can get to audition them at short notice. Thanks again for your time.

 

[rainsoothe]

No probs. With the Arcam setup you'd spend more, and also no Bluetooth, but i think it sounds better.

I also forgot about Quad Vena: it has dac, Bluetooth, and should work well with the Dynaudios or the Monitor Audios I suggested in my previous post, or, for cheaper but still great, Q Acoustics Concept 20.

And believe you me, auditioning saves you a lot of frustration and disappointment in the long run.