Help for new small system

[Julie556]

I’m having to downscale my kit. It is pretty old anyway, but I want something that sounds decent.
Currently I have a Marantz PM7200 integrated amp (circa 2002), Marantz CD6000ose (also early 20’s) and Rogers LS8a floorstanding speakers from early/mid 90’s. I am not wanting to replace my ProJect turntable or tuners.

I have been looking at the Quad Artera Solus with a Wiim streaming unit and new speakers. It gets fairly decent reviews and is a small unit. I want to keep a CD player, but am open to suggestions as I have not kept up to date. I think I can swing floorstanders if they are narrower and less boxy looking than the Rogers. They would be less ‘present’ than smaller spears on stands or on the bookcase.

I don’t like an overly bright sound and prefer a balanced sound. I listen to a mixture of classical, acoustic/soft rock/folk rock music. Vocals are important.

My questions for your help, please:
1. Is this a good way to go?
2. Would there be a better sounding system for similar money?
3. Speakers? I see good things about Q Acoustics Concept 50 that are heavily discounted in UK at the moment.

Any advice, even if it is “don’t be silly” is much appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Gray]

Welcome to the forum Julie.
There are plenty of compact / 'all-in-one' options now.
But if you want to keep a CD player, I'd stick with your Marantz (I still own a 23 year old KI version of that).

Personally, I don't think some little standmounters on smart stands look too much more intrusive than floorstanders.

Whatever you shortlist it would be wise to audition (preferably at home) especially in view of your tonal preference.
Needless to say, some speakers will sound very different to your Rogers.

You may get plenty of suggestions, but the sound must suit you.

 

[twinkletoes]

Just becasue of the age of the system your going to have hard time getting people with experience with it.


Having said that I used a pm7200 many moons ago (still have it round mothers) It went very well with mission of the day. I haven't really used it with anything modern but my preferences are for very punchy sound. Not bright but detailed and very punchy. Ive used it with my Klipsch heresy's to good effect as well, especially in class A mode

If I where building a system with it today and wanted to lean into warm nature of the system
I think id be looking at/ adding to my addition list wharfdale super denton, Linton/super Linton budget permitting

Depending how you use the pm7200 (class a mode on) maybe the JBL 4903 they would bring bit of sparkle to the system in a good way! the ying to its jang so to speak

 

[Julie556]

I wasn’t very clear! I don’t want to keep the Marantz. I want a small decent unit that has a CD player (like the Quad) to replace it.
The speakers are most important as there is so much choice.

Does the Quad live up to the reviews that seem to rate it well?
My guess is that the Rogers can be improved upon as they are so old and many speakers will sound better?

 

[Gray]

I wasn’t very clear! I don’t want to keep the Marantz. I want a small decent unit that has a CD player (like the Quad) to replace it.
The speakers are most important as there is so much choice.

Does the Quad live up to the reviews that seem to rate it well?
My guess is that the Rogers can be improved upon as they are so old and many speakers will sound better?

I've just read a (2018) review of the Quad model you're interested in.
If you must have CD built in, then I reckon you'd have a job to do better.

As previously mentioned, the fact that your speakers are old doesn't necessarily make them worse than new ones - no doubt you could do better though.
With any new speakers you try, preferably with that Quad, give them a chance.
When you've become familiar with your old sound - genuinely better speakers can sound wrong at first. Don't write off anything that immediately sounds "too bright".
It can take a while to appreciate just how much better they might be.

In my opinion, brain 'burn in' is MUCH more of a thing than any other 'burn in' you might read about.

 

[Al ears]

I've just read a (2018) review of the Quad model you're interested in.
If you must have CD built in, then I reckon you'd have a job to do better.

As previously mentioned, the fact that your speakers are old doesn't necessarily make them worse than new ones - no doubt you could do better though.
With any new speakers you try, preferably with that Quad, give them a chance.
When you've become familiar with your old sound - genuinely better speakers can sound wrong at first. Don't write off anything that immediately sounds "too bright".
It can take a while to appreciate just how much better they might be.

In my opinion, brain 'burn in' is MUCH more of a thing than any other 'burn in' you might read about.

Agree with everything you have just written.

 

[Fandango Andy]

As @Gray mentioned, you need to audition speakers. Your Rogers have their roots in the LS3/5A, and are particularly good for vocals. A lot of modern speakers, including Q Acoustics are going to be more bright particularly in the mids.

 

[twinkletoes]

I wasn’t very clear! I don’t want to keep the Marantz. I want a small decent unit that has a CD player (like the Quad) to replace it.
The speakers are most important as there is so much choice.

Does the Quad live up to the reviews that seem to rate it well?
My guess is that the Rogers can be improved upon as they are so old and many speakers will sound better?

Sorry about that’s me not reading correctly

The guys above have given so solid advice that I can’t really add to.

 

[RoA]

As @Gray mentioned, you need to audition speakers. Your Rogers have their roots in the LS3/5A, and are particularly good for vocals. A lot of modern speakers, including Q Acoustics are going to be more bright particularly in the mids.

The Rogers LS8a has very little to nothing to do with the LS3/5a or any other BBC inspired/developed speaker.