Hi fi system for £2500.

[admin_exported]

I am helping a friend buy a music system. He is looking at the premium end of the market.

We listened to a variety of systems including Roksan Kandy K2, Arcam FMJ and audiolab.

He liked the following combination the best

Audiolab 8200 CD, Audiolab 8200 A and B&W CM 8. The sales person suggested substituting the amp with an Audiolab 8200P Power amp. They have quoted around £2600 without cables.

Is there anything else we should try at this budget range? Is this a reasonable buy?

Thanks in advance

Andy

 

[CnoEvil]

If you would consider a streamer, I would recommend the following:

Linn Sneaky DS + Musical Fidelity M3i + Kef R500 / Rega RS5 or RS7

If not, Audiolab 8200CDP

 

[Frank Harvey]

Go for the 8200CDQ and feed that directly into an 8200P power amp. This combination will get far more out of speakers like the CM8's.

As an alternative, try the Naim Nait 5i and CD5i. It'll be a tad over budget, but it's a worthy alternative.

 

[Anonymous]

AVI ADM9T active standmount speakers + AVI Sub = £2050.

Or AVI ADM40 Active floorstanders = £3000.

http://www.avihifi.com/

 

[Kevin Stephens]

There's a used Musical Fidelity A5 amp, A5 CD player and Monitor Audio GS20 speakers, including quality ICs at £2800 BIN on a well known auction site. In your situation I would jump on it

 

[Anonymous]

I think it would be worth auditioning what I have (sig below) plus Rega Apollo-R CDP if doesn't want to use a laptop.

I personally preferred this to Audiolab 8200CDP with Naim Nait5i amp.

Obviously lots of other options but worth a listen to my suggestion.

 

[BenLaw]

What other speakers were tried?

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you every one...

To answer the question regarding the speakers, We have also tried Monitor audio gold Gx 100 and Dali Zensor 7

 

[relocated]

AVI ADM9T active standmount speakers + AVI Sub = £2050.

Or AVI ADM40 Active floorstanders = £3000.

http://www.avihifi.com/

This is the best you will get for your budget, just stream to the speakers or with the standmounts you could get a cd player[bd player] within budget if your friend is cd laden.

 

[MajorFubar]

The most versatile streamer in the world is called a computer.

As I've said elsewhere, if I was starting afresh from nothing I can't think of one reason why I wouldn't just buy a computer, some DAC-equipped active speakers and have done with it.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi garrott

If your friend dooesn't mind having components from different manufaturers then at around £2.5k i'll recommend that he also considers Rega's Apollo-R CD player, Densen Audio Technologies B-110 Plus integrated amplifier and Monitor Audio's Silver RX6 speakers.

As for cabling basic interconnect/s and standard 79 strand OFC or at a push 500 strand OFC speaker cables will be good enough. These cables should also be available at his local electrical store/s and should also cost very little money.

http://www.rega.co.uk/

http://densen.dk/index.php?page=densen-b-110

http://www.monitoraudio.co.uk/products/silver-rx/rx6/

Btw, what is the maximum budget for the system please?

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Kevin Stephens]

not sure if i'm allowed to link this but

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MUSICAL-FIDELITY-A5-MONITOR-AUDIO-GOLD-20-AND-STAX-SRM313-SYSTEM-/120927787904?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_HiFi_Separates_Systems_Combos&hash=item1c27db9b80

 

[Overdose]

The most versatile streamer in the world is called a computer.

As I've said elsewhere, if I was starting afresh from nothing I can't think of one reason why I wouldn't just buy a computer, some DAC-equipped active speakers and have done with it.

+1

The new ADM9Ts on their own and an Apple refurbished Mac mini (last version) would be my choice. A sub could be added later, if absolutely neccessary. This would leave plenty over for a Spotify subscription and lots of CDs. 🙂

 

[the record spot]

Not everyone wants a computer on all the time, albeit I do but my music comes straight off the CD player. Occasionally via DLNA but not often.

 

[Overdose]

Small form factor computers are not particularly energy hungry and when you consider the price of a dedicated CD player, they offer much better VFM. A multi format disc player like your Denon and Squeezebox would be just as effective, but without the benefits of a computer. Horses for coures and all that, but certainly, integrated DAC and active speaker products offer good VFM and free up cash for other parts of the system if required.

 

[Al ears]

I would tend to go with what FrankHarveyHiFi suggested and if you are spending this much from the same dealer get them to throw in the cables / interconnects for free!! If they want your return business badly enough they will as there is always the internet.

 

[skippy]

Sonos Connect, a NAS and a pair of active speakers.

Rip everything in FLAC and you're away

 

[plastic penguin]

I am helping a friend buy a music system. He is looking at the premium end of the market.

We listened to a variety of systems including Roksan Kandy K2, Arcam FMJ and audiolab.

He liked the following combination the best

Audiolab 8200 CD, Audiolab 8200 A and B&W CM 8. The sales person suggested substituting the amp with an Audiolab 8200P Power amp. They have quoted around £2600 without cables.

Is there anything else we should try at this budget range? Is this a reasonable buy?

Thanks in advance

Andy

I'd be looking at these, if budget would allow.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Leema-Acoustics-Pulse-Integrated-Amplifier-Silver-NEW-/170854219868?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item27c7b4805c

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOTEM-ACOUSTIC-RAINMAKER-TRUE-HIEND-SPEAKERS-BLACK-FINISH-/150823547935?pt=UK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers&hash=item231dc8b41f

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rega-Saturn-CD-Player-Satin-Silver-/390428456069?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_CDPlayerSeparates&hash=item5ae7597485

 

[Anonymous]

If laptop as a source is possible, then what about NAD C390DD (£1980) plus XTZ 99.54 floorstanders (£560) or even better XTZ 99.36 (£750) ?

 

[Al ears]

Hi garrott

If your friend dooesn't mind having components from different manufaturers then at around £2.5k i'll recommend that he also considers Rega's Apollo-R CD player, Densen Audio Technologies B-110 Plus integrated amplifier and Monitor Audio's Silver RX6 speakers.

As for cabling basic interconnect/s and standard 79 strand OFC or at a push 500 strand OFC speaker cables will be good enough. These cables should also be available at his local electrical store/s and should also cost very little money.

http://www.rega.co.uk/

http://densen.dk/index.php?page=densen-b-110

http://www.monitoraudio.co.uk/products/silver-rx/rx6/

Btw, what is the maximum budget for the system please?

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

Rick, I think the answer to your question might possibly be found in the title of this thread! 🙂