Coming Back to Hi-Fi After Many Years

[MaverickPete]

Hi all.

I am looking for some advise on upgrades to my now antiquated system which currently comprises:

Front end: DenonDVD 1930

Amp: Rotel RA-921

Speakers Mission 701

The last time I was into Hi-Fi was in the seventies/Early eighties when Lin Sondek and Blutac was all the rage, so I know I am way behind the times, so please indulge any ignorance I may portray.

Money is budgeted so I will be improving each peice seperately. I though I might start with the front end, the Denon. Do you agree?

Although most of my music collection is cd (16bit), with only 3 sacd's, I was wondering what the latest thinking is on the technology ie: Sacd, DVD Audio or anything else that I might be unaware of.I have noted for some time that Sacd's are short on the groung and appears to be coming obsolete?

Also, I don't require portability so do not ned MP3 capabilty.

Regards,

Pete

 

[Overdose]

There are a myriad of solutions and a lot will depend on budget.

Regarding technology, CDs might be considered legacy these days, but the format endures, so you might like to get a disc player of some sort. For this, a universal player of some description would seem ideal and at around £500, the Cambridge audio 751BD would be perfect.

Up next would be some active speakers and that would be your system complete unless you want to consider streaming or digital file playback.

If it were not for my need for a computer as a front end to my system, I'd seriously consider the CA751BD as my next source.

 

[BigH]

Welcome to the forum, I have just done a similar upgrade this year from my 20 year old system, my budget was about £1,500 though.

You may want to consider a Blu-Ray DVD player, that will play cds, sacds and dvds, some like the CA 751 is aimed at audio and can be had for £500 now or some of the Sony/Pioneer DB players are pretty good and cheaper. Your speakers maybe still OK.

What is your budget? Once you know that you can go and demo different systems.

 

[MaverickPete]

Thanks for that Overdose. I should have mentioned that my Denon already plays several formats of disc: CD, SACD, DVD Video, DVD Audio and CDR/RW.

Regards,

Pete

 

[MaverickPete]

Thanks BigH, I do have a Blue-ray player Samsung BDE 5300 but it does not have any outputs out the back only HDMI, so I soppose your suggestion might be an option for me yo consider.

My budget for the front end was £300-£400 but looks like I will have to stretch id to £500 if the Denon needs replacing.

 

[Overdose]

Thanks for that Overdose. I should have mentioned that my Denon already plays several formats of disc: CD, SACD, DVD Video, DVD Audio and CDR/RW.

Regards,

Pete

Well if it aint broke.....

 

[Overdose]

My budget for the front end was £300-£400 but looks like I will have to stretch id to £500 if the Denon needs replacing.

If the Denon works, I'd keep it and concentrate on the speakers for the biggest single improvement. Bear in mind that the amplifier needs to be capable of driving the speakers.

That's one of the reasons I prefer active speakers, there is no need to be concerned with finding the right match.

 

[BigH]

So the Denon is fairly recent?

As for sacds there are still quite a few being released, groups like the Doors and Yes have had recent releases so not obsolete just yet. Although downloads maybe the way forward as well as music services like Spotify and Rdio, I see Google is planning to release a system soon.

 

[MaverickPete]

Oh, I wouldnt mind having look at what Yes has to offer on SACD. Can you reccomend any on-line sellers for moders format reproductions? I have tried Amazon but they only have a few SACD's and I know nothing of the artists.

I did note that Amazon was selling the Love (Beatles) DVD Audio, but that they have run out of copies for now. I have also looked at the Linn Music site which caters for several HD formats: SACD and Flacc, although the latter is fairly new to me.

I am hoping also that, soon Apple/EMI might see their way to releasing the Beatles' back catalogue on SACD etc.

Thang again,

Pete

 

[MaverickPete]

Thanks Overdose I will do some research into these active speakers.

Regards,

Pete

 

[BigH]

Oh, I wouldnt mind having look at what Yes has to offer on SACD. Can you reccomend any on-line sellers for moders format reproductions? I have tried Amazon but they only have a few SACD's and I know nothing of the artists.

I did note that Amazon was selling the Love (Beatles) DVD Audio, but that they have run out of copies for now. I have also looked at the Linn Music site which caters for several HD formats: SACD and Flacc, although the latter is fairly new to me.

I am hoping also that, soon Apple/EMI might see their way to releasing the Beatles' back catalogue on SACD etc.

Thang again,

Pete

Amazon does have quite a few sacds just do a search and it will come up with plenty, the problem is the prices. I did find this site which is USA based: http://store.acousticsounds.com/index.cfm?get=results&searchtext=the%2Cdoors&categoryID=4

I have not used them myself as I did not go down the sacd route.

Whereabouts are you?

 

[MaverickPete]

Hi, thanks BigH, I'm in Bradford.

 

[BigH]

Hi, thanks BigH, I'm in Bradford.

Interesting place, I went there last year. Not sure about hi-fi shops maybe Leeds would have a better choice?

 

[CarlDW]

There is a Superfi and Richer Sounds in Leeds, and they are only a few hundred yards away from each other. Between them they stock plenty of kit for you to try.

 

[MaverickPete]

Thanks guys, I am planning a trip to Leeds this weekend to visit the Hi-Fi shops there.Must remember to get my ears de-waxed first though 🙂.

Regards,

Pete

 

[BigH]

There is a Superfi and Richer Sounds in Leeds, and they are only a few hundred yards away from each other. Between them they stock plenty of kit for you to try.

They may stock the gear but IMHO they are not the best places to hear it. I would look for a more specialised dealer rather than the stack it high sell it cheap sort of dealer.