Help!

[hybridauth_Facebook_704867920]

Ok first post here so hoping someone can help me please 🙂

I've played music through my PC for the last couple of years since my old hi-fi died. I'm looking for something to replace them. I write album reviews for record companies so need a very good clear sound.

I'm considering whether to get a seperates system (inc cd, DAC and turntable components), and whether i could then purchase a Sonos system to use as speakers for the seperates (I think this may be possible using the Sonos connect but hopefully someone could tell me if i'm wrong).

What i then hope to be able to do is connect my PC to the seperates to play digital audio files and also to act as speakers since i watch films on my pc - so my digital files would be routingfrom pc to seperates and played by Sonos. I may even need to connect either a TV or DVD player to the seperate system (to play via sonos) as well.

So its a pretty big job to do all this i guess, but is it possible to do all this and if so in the way i described? I need the system to be able to play media from multiple other sources, but the PC as an absolute minimum. And if so, will i be able to do it without swapping cables to different AUX in ports all the time?

Thank you for reading, this has been giving me a headache for a week 🙂

 

[matt49]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

It’s easy to be bewildered by the different options and functions on offer. First, I think you need to be a bit more specific about what you want to get out of this.

What media are you going to use? Music files on a PC obviously, but you also mention CD and vinyl. Do you absolutely need a CD player? Couldn’t you just rip CDs to your PC?

You say you want good clear sound, so that you can review new releases. What sort of music are you reviewing? (It might matter.) How loud do you like to play, and how big is your room? Answers to these questions may well affect what kind of speakers you choose.

And finally what’s your budget?

On the question of Sonos, the Sonos speakers (Play 1, 3, and 5) are designed to replace a separates system. They contain their own amplification and music streaming. If you want to use other sources than just your PC, you’re looking at a stereo pair of Play 5s, plus a phono stage to amplify the signal from the TT.

Matt

 

[ChrisIRL]

You could go for a Marantz PM6005 amp and CD6005 combo. This can be picked up for about £550 and would allow for all the connectivity you require, phono for turntable, built in DAC for PC, rca for TV/ DVD etc.

You are spoilt for choice regarding speakers then, all down to budget. Dali Zensor 3 or Q acoustics concept 20 being good choices, or perhaps floor standers such as Q acoustics 2050i.

Turn tables I know little about but again there seems to be plenty of choice for all budgets.

 

[Thompsonuxb]

And without trying to confuse an AV amp could be worth considering.
,
A quality mid priced receivers will provide all the connectivity you require from HDMI to analog to WiFi and Bluetooth and power to drive compatible speakers to high levels with clarity. Built in dac too.

More expensive will offer multi-zone and future proof options.

Don't be fooled by the 'they can't do stereo...' brigade have a listen to a few - when you do just remember most av Amps are better attenuated than stand alone stereo amps.

So while an av amp may sound less exciting in a demo you will only really appreciate them once in your home after you have tweaked abit

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_704867920]

Thanks for replying guys.

Matt I review mostly melodic rock, AOR, as well as other genre's on occasion inc metal, country etc. The system will need to be able to render vocal with clarity as well as guitar solos and handle bass.

I review files in various formats hence the need to be able to play via different formats - some send me CD's (which i prefer as the sound quality is always better), others send out mp3 downloads, and i occasionaly get asked to review vinyl and DVD releases hence the dilemma. Plus while i prefer to listen directly off the CD i have 2,000+ albums, all of which are also on my computer and i like to be able to randomly play songs from my entire collection sometimes.

The room is roughly 14 x 11, i tend to have music loud. Budget wise, £2k max preferably between £800 - £1.5k

Chris I'll look into Marantz thanks, I've heard they are good before. As for speakers I love floorstanders but because I have 2 young children I want speakers that can go up high out of reach. Main reason I was looking at Sonos is because I heard they have good quality, it would let missus listen to the music in other rooms (which she has been asking about) and i thought with wireless would be easier to place out of reach of kids?

 

[Ketan Bharadia]

I would suggest sticking to separates. The Marantz CD/amp is a great shout along with the Dali Zensor 3 speakers or Wharfedale Diamond 220. If you need floorstanders give the Q Acoustics 2050i a go. The Sonos's strengths lie in its multiroom functionality rather than absolute sound quality.

 

[The_Lhc]

I would suggest sticking to separates. The Marantz CD/amp is a great shout along with the Dali Zensor 3 speakers or Wharfedale Diamond 220. If you need floorstanders give the Q Acoustics 2050i a go. The Sonus's strengths lie in its multiroom functionality rather than absolute sound quality.

Although of course there's nothing to stop him adding a Connect as he suggested as a source for the separates (especially if he's being sent digital files to review) and then a Play speaker or two for his wife in the other rooms as he mentioned.

The money's starting to add up though, although of course if he's getting paid for these reviews he can legitimately claim the costs of the hi-fi back against tax, which is nice...

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_704867920]

This seems like it could be a cost effective alternative to Sonos speakerwise, at least for the main troom i'll be listening to music in

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-BDVN7200W-Blu-ray-Cinema-System/dp/B00I4X9M1I/ref=pd_sim_sbs_ce_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1YK6SH4MW9J1MHVC00FR

 

[ChrisIRL]

May not be very good for music playback, may not offer many of the options you were originally looking for. A dedicated 2 channel seperates system would be better for music vs this TV surround sound system. Does nothing also for multi room music as per Sonos. If you do want to go for this ( I strongly advise against based on your initial criteria) can be had for €543 on the .de website.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_704867920]

I'm still looking at a seperates system, but considering this as the speakers for the seperates in place of Sonos. It wont have the multi room funtcionality but is over 1k cheaper than the sonos components i was looking at. I'd need to hear the speakers in action tho

 

[RobinKidderminster]

Children? Floorstanders are generally more stable and with care more kiddy friendly imo.

 

[ChrisIRL]

I don't think surround speakers can be hooked up to a regular amp, only an AV amp. Any of the speakers mentioned above would be far better than these. These will offer no sonos like ability whatsoever unless you are maybe thinking of running some of the surround speakers out to a different room or something. That really wouldn't work. Two floor standers would be more child friendly than all these surround speakers too. Maybe a decent pair of pc speakers would suit you, Ruark MR1 or something. Easy to move around, sound great and have bluetooth to use in a different room from a phone or a laptop.

 

[Vladimir]

Behringer Truth B3031A + Cambridge Audio STREAM MAGIC 6