Cheap systems....

[plastic penguin]

... here's my recommendations, for what it's worth.

One of my favourite affordable systems was: Arcam A65+, Rotel RCD 975, Monitor Audio RS6s. It was fabulous for the money.

As they are now old, look at the newer Arcam amps, with a Rotel CD14 and one of the newer MA Silver floorstanders or standmount equivalent. Although the sonic character has been tweaked over the different incarnations, still worth a demo IME.

 

[davidf]

The first place I worked at we had worked out a few package systems, based on listening tests, and the budget on was based around a pair of Celestion 3 speakers (or the 5 model), a Rotel RA-930AX amplifier, and a Denon CD player (whatever it was at the time). I always used to demonstrate it with Naim NAC-A5 cable which I liked (as it was about £5/m back then), and a pair of Chord Chameleon interconnects. So with some stands (the open frame Epos ES11 speaker stands were perfect for the Celestions), it was about £750/800 all in, and sounded great for the money.

 

[plastic penguin]

Yes, quite a few independent dealers used to offer budget-friendly systems packages, usually based around same make amp & CDPs....

It doesn't seem quite as common these days.

 

[ToppingSMSL]

I've been looking for a Rotel RCD 975 for ages but they seem to be pretty rare. I have an RCD 970 and they are very similar but always fancied getting hold of a 975 as well.


For budget systems nowadays it's hard to beat a cheap Topping or SMSL DAC and a cheap class D amp from 3e Audio, Topping, SMSL, Fosi etc and then buy whatever speakers you can afford.

 

[Jasonovich]

All in ones are possibly the best place to start in terms of saving costs, though not always the case.

My SMSL A300 integrated class D amp and Android TV box, Klipsch speakers and Velodyne SP8 SW, was a very much a cost effective start up for me but if I ever feel the need to replace the amp.
The Eversolo Play or Play plus with the CD really ticks the box.
For someone looking for no fuss solutions, these are worth considering, just add speakers.

 

[Al ears]

All in ones are possibly the best place to start in terms of saving costs, though not always the case.

My SMSL A300 integrated class D amp and Android TV box, Klipsch speakers and Velodyne SP8 SW, was a very much a cost effective start up for me but if I ever feel the need to replace the amp.
The Eversolo Play or Play plus with the CD really ticks the box.
For someone looking for no fuss solutions, these are worth considering, just add speakers.

Yep, that or cheap active speakers with a source of your choice.....
Plenty more choice these days than there was years ago.

 

[ToppingSMSL]

One benefit of separate components is if one develops a fault you can just replace that one item.

 

[bemaniac]

Klipsch the fives, if they blow up just bin them and get another pair. Cheap as chips.

 

[davidf]

Klipsch the fives, if they blow up just bin them and get another pair. Cheap as chips.

Environmentally friendly then...

 

[manicm]

Klipsch the fives, if they blow up just bin them and get another pair. Cheap as chips.

Klipsch The Sevens are actually fantastic. Heard them briefly and they really sound good.

 

[Jasonovich]

Klipsch The Sevens are actually fantastic. Heard them briefly and they really sound good.

Your comment prompt me to search for systems built around active Klipsch but look what I found for under <£1K.
Yes these are passive speakers, same as mine, no mine is the R-50M, Not bad.

WiiM Vibelink Amplifier, Ultra Streamer, and Klipsch R-60M Speaker Hi-Fi Bundle at AV.com

WiiM Vibelink Amplifier, Ultra Streamer, and Klipsch R-60M Speaker Hi-Fi Bundle at AV.com

www.av.com

 

[Al ears]

Your comment prompt me to search for systems built around active Klipsch but look what I found for under <£1K.
Yes these are passive speakers, same as mine, no mine is the R-50M, Not bad.

WiiM Vibelink Amplifier, Ultra Streamer, and Klipsch R-60M Speaker Hi-Fi Bundle at AV.com

WiiM Vibelink Amplifier, Ultra Streamer, and Klipsch R-60M Speaker Hi-Fi Bundle at AV.com

www.av.com

View attachment 9185

Not bad if all you want to do is stream, pretty mediocre for anything else.

 

[Jasonovich]

Not bad if all you want to do is stream, pretty mediocre for anything else.

I was thinking, you can network your downloaded music via the WiiM Ultra's USB, but yes agreed, streaming is more of a thing with this setup.
The Eversolo play, you have the CD player option as well as MM/MC inputs, should you decide to add a TT.

 

[plastic penguin]

Not bad if all you want to do is stream, pretty mediocre for anything else.

This is the issue. Whereas basic analogue set-up you can add a Dac or streamer later down the line.

I really like the Marantz Melody but has no phono stage, panders mainly to digital lovers.

I have no issue with whatever choices but when it's all digital it's somewhat limiting. That's how I see it, hence why I've been faffing over the Leema Quasar.

 

[manicm]

Not bad if all you want to do is stream, pretty mediocre for anything else.

So what would you do with 1000 quid on NEW equipment, including speakers. And mediocre for everything else in what way????? Turntable? Project sell a turntable system, but will also be 'mediocre for everything else'.

I think you're being overtly critical. The Vibelink has a RCA input, so you can add a turntable later. The Ultra has HDMI so you can connect the TV.

 

[Dave_]

I think circa £1000 systems being described as cheap shows just how completely out of touch hifi types are.

 

[plastic penguin]

I think circa £1000 systems being described as cheap shows just how completely out of touch hifi types are.

Not with new stuff, and three items (amp, CDP and speakers, plus the cables) from a well-known dealer.

Of course ex-dem or s/hand equipment will be well below that £1000 threshold, assuming you can find the right combo. No point just slinging all 5 star products together and hoping for a great sound. If it was that simple these forums wouldn't exist.

 

[matthewpianist]

So what would you do with 1000 quid on NEW equipment, including speakers. And mediocre for everything else in what way????? Turntable? Project sell a turntable system, but will also be 'mediocre for everything else'.

I think you're being overtly critical. The Vibelink has a RCA input, so you can add a turntable later. The Ultra has HDMI so you can connect the TV.

And the Ultra has a reasonable phono stage - not the best, but good enough to get someone with an entry-level turntable started.

 

[matthewpianist]

One of the most enjoyable systems I ever had was a popular 90s combination: Rotel RCD-965BX, Pioneer A400 and Mission 751s.

Quite a few retailers offer packages, mostly based around amp and speaker combinations. The WiiM/Klipsch system is one that was on demonstration at Bristol.

My 'entry-level' choice out of current options would be the good-old Marantz CD6007, PM6007 with Elac Debut speakers. Probably achievable for around £900, and it would offer a nicely balanced sound with decent functionality and nice build for the money. Not a bad phono stage either, and still one of the best more affordable CD spinners out there. Streaming? Add a WiiM Mini. Turntable? One of the better AT models, an entry-level Pro-ject or a Rega RP1. I reckon upgrading that system to any meaningful level would mean a big spend. It could provide a high level of long-term engagement.

Alternatively, substitute the PM6007 with a Rega io - a great little amp, if you don't need so many inputs and/or DAC functionality.

 

[ToppingSMSL]

Not with new stuff, and three items (amp, CDP and speakers, plus the cables) from a well-known dealer.

Of course ex-dem or s/hand equipment will be well below that £1000 threshold, assuming you can find the right combo. No point just slinging all 5 star products together and hoping for a great sound. If it was that simple these forums wouldn't exist.

I've said this before but I do not understand why people by their hifi from dealers anymore. Auditioning equipment is pointless (especially DACs and amps which do not really have a "sound signature") due to volume matching issues. Additionally many dealers will try to sell you fancy cables.

 

[Jasonovich]

And the Ultra has a reasonable phono stage - not the best, but good enough to get someone with an entry-level turntable started.

The Z Generation will also love the Play, comes with MM/MC inputs.

It's crazy to think you can spend >£1k on a mobile phone!

View: https://youtu.be/j7NsO51iPw0?feature=shared

 

[Gray]

It's crazy to think you can spend >£1k on a mobile phone!

It really is.
But phones are everything to many people - their lives are on it, their image is defined by it.....hence mine cost 80 quid 😆

Seriously though, a grands worth of hifi is in a different value class compared to some phones.

 

[Dave_]

It really is.
But phones are everything to many people - their lives are on it, their image is defined by it.....hence mine cost 80 quid 😆

Seriously though, a grands worth of hifi is in a different value class compared to some phones.

A grands worth of hifi offers little over something like Ruark MR1s or Argon Audio Fenris etc at a 3rd of the price though... other than the inconvenience of having an ugly stack of boxes and their associated rats nest of wires to accommodate.

Plenty of Pro audio actives and a Wiim/Raspberry pi for around the same money if slightly less convenient than the passive AIOs.

 

[Jasonovich]

Sorry for going off topic, almost every time I listen to this particular reviewer, I end up buying the album.
Please could somebody tell me who the artist is? Love her voice 🙂

View: https://youtu.be/s1oBWFS10e0?si=al7UWLidKV6mAih5

 

[plastic penguin]

I've said this before but I do not understand why people by their hifi from dealers anymore. Auditioning equipment is pointless (especially DACs and amps which do not really have a "sound signature") due to volume matching issues. Additionally many dealers will try to sell you fancy cables.

Sorry Topping but I believe demos are essential. If you buy blind, based on reviews alone, it often goes pear shaped. The amount of people who mess up because they don't demo is staggering.

Sorry, amps do have their own signature. Compare the sonic characteristics between a midrange Marantz and a entry-level Cyrus (roughly the same price) and there's a distinct difference, especially with existing speakers. If one sonic size fits all, dealers would only sell one make.