Need advice on dealing with retailers.

[plastic penguin]

Anyway, the reasons at this stage for not divulging the dealer is not because I'm being surreptitious, but if they (or someone they know) frequent this forum it could err... be awkward. Tell you Saturday afternoon/evening.

How?

There is a whole forum entitled "There's this shop near me..." where people comment on their dealers without any 'awkwardness'.

Mine is a Sevenoaks (used to be an Audio-T) in London Road, Porstmouth. The manager is called Nick. Their telephone number is 02392 663 604.

They are an excellent branch and a great bunch of chaps. (The coffee is instant though.)

Yeah, usually comment on "There's a shop near me" after they've been. Not used these guys before and feel it's more appropriate and "factual" once the info has been absorbed. Trying to avoid "what if" or "maybe" or any other misleading conjecture. Until I get there I don't exactly know what I'm going to listen to yet, although he banded a few different names around.

On the other hand, I'll probably go into Infidelity, somewhere I am known the following week.

 

[chebby]

Don't forget Richer Sounds...

Arcam rDac only £269 and CA DacMagic only £199 (silver)

Cambridge Audio NP30 for £399

Or Amazon for that Squeezebox Touch (£180)

 

[plastic penguin]

Don't forget Richer Sounds...

Arcam rDac only £269 and CA DacMagic only £199 (silver)

Cambridge Audio NP30 for £399

Or Amazon for that Squeezebox Touch (£180)

Nope - at those prices I'd be foolish to ignore... good to have all these options.

 

[CnoEvil]

Hi CnoEvil,

I am watching tread with interest as I am saving for convenient alternative to my DVD - Dac Magic source in my system where ease of use are very important but more so the sound quality to be equal or ideally superior to current setup.

Your comment about the Sonos Vs Sneaky made me wonder as I am edging towards the Sonos solution, given that if Dac magic isn't as good as hoped then adding a Rega Dac would be a big step up.

Given a standalone amp (Nait 5i) and seperate DAC does the Sonos SQ improve or is your opinion hold true that Linn is much better?

Obviously subjective and taken as personal opinion.

Cheers

Ambrose

Hi Ambrose

My intention is not to tell anyone what to buy, but bring to their attention products that I believe should be on the demo list.

Before I made a comment on items that I have not compared directly, I rang one of my local dealers, who I trust to give accurate info (he stocks Sonos, Rega and Linn). His view supported my own, which is that a Sneaky is noticeably better than a Sonos + Rega DAC. He also said he agreed that it would take a £2k+ CDP to match let alone better it.

He went on to say that Linn are also bringing out new firmware which will allow the DS range easier access to Spotify (through Songcast - I think)

One further thing of note that he mentioned, is the current "special offer" price on the Sneaky is soon to be over, and it will return to a price just below £1000.

Like I said to PP, it is worth a demo to see if you agree. It is also worth noting that the amp in the Sneaky is surprisingly good.

Anything else I can help with, just ask.

Cno

 

[Gareth82]

Hi PP, i was looking at going for a SB Touch and NAS system but have since changed my mind to a much more easier and reliable way.

First you need one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Acer-Aspire-Revo-R3700-Net-top-PC-Intel-Atom-Dual-Core-/290607225490?pt=UK_Computing_DesktopPCs&hash=item43a98a5a92

Or one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Apple-Mac-Mini-1-42Ghz-1Gb-ram-19-Screen-Keyboard-Mouse-/110739235255?pt=UK_Computing_Apple_Desktops_CV&hash=item19c892a1b7

one of these to save your ripped CDs onto: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9384129/c_1/1|category_root|Office%2C+PCs+and+phones|14418968/Trail/searchtext%3EHARD+DRIVE.htm

And finally one of these: http://www.analogueseduction.net/product/Rega_DAC_regdac

All you need to do then is use something like iTunes or Winamp to play back the music.

The good thing with this system is that although you would have 3 boxes, they are all small and can be hidden away. The Acer Revo can even be strapped to the back of your tv.Plus it would be connected to your TV so you would also be able to surf the web from the comfort of your chair and you can even use it as a media player to watch movies with. Plus because your not streaming your music and playing it back digitly through one of the mini PC's you won't suffer from any reliability problems and it is dead easy to set up.

IMO i agree with what the Limley has said in another thread and i think for what streamers cost and can do, you would get better value for your money and ease of use/quality with a mini pc or laptop based system.

 

[plastic penguin]

Hi PP, i was looking at going for a SB Touch and NAS system but have since changed my mind to a much more easier and reliable way.

First you need one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Acer-Aspire-Revo-R3700-Net-top-PC-Intel-Atom-Dual-Core-/290607225490?pt=UK_Computing_DesktopPCs&hash=item43a98a5a92

Or one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Apple-Mac-Mini-1-42Ghz-1Gb-ram-19-Screen-Keyboard-Mouse-/110739235255?pt=UK_Computing_Apple_Desktops_CV&hash=item19c892a1b7

one of these to save your ripped CDs onto: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9384129/c_1/1|category_root|Office%2C+PCs+and+phones|14418968/Trail/searchtext%3EHARD+DRIVE.htm

And finally one of these: http://www.analogueseduction.net/product/Rega_DAC_regdac

All you need to do then is use something like iTunes or Winamp to play back the music.

The good thing with this system is that although you would have 3 boxes, they are all small and can be hidden away. The Acer Revo can even be strapped to the back of your tv.Plus it would be connected to your TV so you would also be able to surf the web from the comfort of your chair and you can even use it as a media player to watch movies with. Plus because your not streaming your music and playing it back digitly through one of the mini PC's you won't suffer from any reliability problems and it is dead easy to set up.

IMO i agree with what the Limley has said in another thread and i think for what streamers cost and can do, you would get better value for your money and ease of use/quality with a mini pc or laptop based system.

The alternative would be to buy a Sonos + Rega DAC. Roughly the same cost, and coonected to the PC, one less box. That's another I'll be listening to...

 

[visionary]

I'm thinking that Sonos would be cheaper to expand if you become a digi-convert and then want to go multi-room.

 

[Fisherking 145]

I've been using a Touch through an Audiolab 8200CDQ, attached via coax, fed FLAC's from an HP Data Vault for months now. With the addition of iPeng this has made me enjoy, and expand my music collection more than ever, and I really can't recommend the Squeezebox Touch highly enough. It's own DAC is very good, but using the DAC in the CDQ is definitely an improvement, the coax input especially. When comparing it to CD through the Audiolab I can't tell any difference.
The Touch can be used with a stand alone hard drive to avoid having to network it, but then you would miss out on Internet radio and Spotify if you needed it. Having to rip all your CD's is the only tiresome bother with this type of solution, but whatever you choose this is going to have to be done. I use dbPoweramp with no issues.
Listen to as many solutions as you can, but as in previous replies, budget is the key.
Good luck, and happy shopping!

 

[Crocodile]

I'd never flame you, but pp might like to read this:

http://www.whathifi.com/forum/hi-fi/squeezebox-touch-nas-drive-help-please

It would certainly put me off!

To be fair, although the Squeezebox software does have it's shortcomings, that thread is more about trying to force a quart into a pint pot. Low powered NAS boxes were never intended to run third party software. That's a limitation of the processing power in the NAS rather than any issue with the Squeezebox software.

I've been running Squeezeboxes for a few years now & as long as you let others be the beta testers whenever new software is released, it's solid enough.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Anyway, the reasons at this stage for not divulging the dealer is not because I'm being surreptitious, but if they (or someone they know) frequent this forum it could err... be awkward. Tell you Saturday afternoon/evening.

Sounds like a good case for not having started the thread until after the event...

 

[plastic penguin]

Anyway, the reasons at this stage for not divulging the dealer is not because I'm being surreptitious, but if they (or someone they know) frequent this forum it could err... be awkward. Tell you Saturday afternoon/evening.

Sounds like a good case for not having started the thread until after the event...

TBF, it has moved away from the original question: "Need advice on dealing with retailers."

 

[Andrew Everard]

TBF, it has moved away from the original question: "Need advice on dealing with retailers."

But TBH I never understood the point of the original question.

 

[plastic penguin]

TBF, it has moved away from the original question: "Need advice on dealing with retailers."

But TBH I never understood the point of the original question.

Because I'm such a clunck head when it comes to modtech (downloading, streaming, DACs etc.) I don't want to be taken in something that will become surplus to requirements - or something I don't really need. Just looking for pointers in that direction.

 

[Ambrose]

Thanks for your thoughts Cno and good to know about the Linn in more detail.

When the time comes I will be sure to include this in audtion as local dealer does Sonos, Linn and Rega brands.

2 Draw backs I can see are having to hard wire to PC or NAS and PC is upstairs.

Also having to buy controller to select / play music as would not want to use PC/laptop.

Still, looks good product.

Thanks

Ambrose

 

[Lee H]

TBF, it has moved away from the original question: "Need advice on dealing with retailers."

But TBH I never understood the point of the original question.

Because I'm such a clunck head when it comes to modtech (downloading, streaming, DACs etc.) I don't want to be taken in something that will become surplus to requirements - or something I don't really need. Just looking for pointers in that direction.

Sounds to me like you don't trust the dealer before you've even set foot inside. Is there one that you've dealt with before that you don't need to worry about giving you good advice?

 

[plastic penguin]

TBF, it has moved away from the original question: "Need advice on dealing with retailers."

But TBH I never understood the point of the original question.

Because I'm such a clunck head when it comes to modtech (downloading, streaming, DACs etc.) I don't want to be taken in something that will become surplus to requirements - or something I don't really need. Just looking for pointers in that direction.

Sounds to me like you don't trust the dealer before you've even set foot inside. Is there one that you've dealt with before that you don't need to worry about giving you good advice?

More like I don't trust myself.

You've the adage: "I'm a salesman, trust me". Well I am one, so I don't.

 

[chebby]

More like I don't trust myself.

You've the adage: "I'm a salesman, trust me". Well I am one, so I don't.

Don't listen to anything you can't afford.

Leave the credit/debit cards at home. Simples.

 

[plastic penguin]

More like I don't trust myself.

You've the adage: "I'm a salesman, trust me". Well I am one, so I don't.

Don't listen to anything you can't afford.

Leave the credit/debit cards at home. Simples.

Mrs. p will do some shopping so she can have the credit... not a good idea either.

He said to me, in the first instance, we'll see what suits you and your wallet, and if I need to take it further I can book a second appointment. Hence why I'm not taking any of my set-up in, just a cd and he might have, according to him, a very old CD73 lurking somewhere in the shop. Failing that a CD17.

 

[MajorFubar]

Good luck with the auditioning, PP.
If I ever properly 'go digital'* I'm sure I'll be thinking the same as you: so many options, so many products and product-combinations to achieve largely the same output, how on earth can I know what's best for me?

*I remember, once upon a time, buying your first CDP was classed as 'going digital'. Now it seems CDPs don't count and instead it implies having embraced online streaming, media-less playback and running your music library from a server. Funny old world! 🙂

 

[altruistic.lemon]

People - and the HiFi industry - like to make things complicated. All you need is an Airport Express and a computer and you're good to go.

If you want CD or better quality, then adding something like the Cambridge Audio or Musical Fidelity DAC will give you that.

 

[Anonymous]

PP, I'm in Guildford so if you are heading that way for an audition (PJ HiFi perhaps) then by all means give me a shout. I went into PJ once asking if they could demo a home theatre setup (which they advertise as their strong point) and they basically said they only had 1 TV so they could show me that, but not able to demo a variety. I was not impressed with their overall attitude. Guildford Audio (Trevor) is another matter entirely but he's strictly high end 2 channel.

Assuming I can get this damn Squeezebox working, you'd be more than welcome to come to my place for a listen and a play (I have some other digital sources feeding the Wadia too).

 

[plastic penguin]

PP, I'm in Guildford so if you are heading that way for an audition (PJ HiFi perhaps) then by all means give me a shout. I went into PJ once asking if they could demo a home theatre setup (which they advertise as their strong point) and they basically said they only had 1 TV so they could show me that, but not able to demo a variety. I was not impressed with their overall attitude. Guildford Audio (Trevor) is another matter entirely but he's strictly high end 2 channel.

Assuming I can get this damn Squeezebox working, you'd be more than welcome to come to my place for a listen and a play (I have some other digital sources feeding the Wadia too).

Cheers Doc.

As the Maj alluded to there are so many options into the wonderful world of modtech (too many), especially when you're not clued up like me.

So I'm hoping he can go through it in layman's terms...

Conventional hi-fi holds no fear, but this modern lark is alien...

 

[Anonymous]

No worries. My email address is at the bottom of this linked page if you want to make contact. I have just been through this digital/streaming quagmire and I'm a simple man so might be able explain or just try and answer some "dumb" questions...

http://www.guildford.net/phoenixrmc/

 

[chebby]

As the Maj alluded to there are so many options into the wonderful world of modtech (too many), especially when you're not clued up like me.

So I'm hoping he can go through it in layman's terms...

Conventional hi-fi holds no fear, but this modern lark is alien...

10 times easier and less fiddly than setting up a new arm and cartridge and it can be as easy as just running a cable to a DAC.

It's not that 'modern' either. As long ago as the late 1980s people were buying seperate DACs for their CD players. In essence that's all you are doing. Adding a DAC for another digital source.

It's how I started. I added a simple USB DAC with a cable to a computer. Then, later, I got another DAC that allowed me to plug in a DVD recorder and Blu-ray player for Freeview radio and iPlayer and good quality stereo from movies and TV.

Lastly, I bought the M-CR603 and AirPlay and an iPhone 4.

I can stream high quality internet radio (320K in some cases) wirelessly from a 69p app (Tunein Radio Pro), or from iTunes - on either the iPhone itself or any of our three computers (using the Apple Remote on the iPhone if streaming from our iMac - or from BBC iPlayer (Sony BDP S370 or iPhone). I can even record internet radio using my iPhone and Tunein Radio Pro (including at 320k) if I am busy whilst the programme is on.

I hardly ever need to touch the Marantz or it's remote control unless switching to FM.

You could do the same with just a DAC and an Airport Express and an iPod Touch. (And still be able to do all that NAS stuff when you are ready.)

There is a bit of a learning curve but it's all pretty easy and intuitive unless you really want to make it otherwise.

Okay, some bits and bobs like their software/firmware downloads, but that is commonplace with even a simple TV or Blu-ray player nowadays. (And we are all used to doing updates on our PCs and Macs.)

 

[plastic penguin]

As the Maj alluded to there are so many options into the wonderful world of modtech (too many), especially when you're not clued up like me.

So I'm hoping he can go through it in layman's terms...

Conventional hi-fi holds no fear, but this modern lark is alien...

10 times easier and less fiddly than setting up a new arm and cartridge and it can be as easy as just running a cable to a DAC.

It's not that 'modern' either. As long ago as the late 1980s people were buying seperate DACs for their CD players. In essence that's all you are doing. Adding a DAC for another digital source.

It's how I started. I added a simple USB DAC with a cable to a computer. Then, later, I got another DAC that allowed me to plug in a DVD recorder and Blu-ray player for Freeview radio and iPlayer and good quality stereo from movies and TV.

Lastly, I bought the M-CR603 and AirPlay and an iPhone 4.

I can stream high quality internet radio (320K in some cases) wirelessly from a 69p app (Tunein Radio Pro), or from iTunes - on either the iPhone itself or any of our three computers (using the Apple Remote on the iPhone if streaming from our iMac - or from BBC iPlayer (Sony BDP S370 or iPhone). I can even record internet radio using my iPhone and Tunein Radio Pro (including at 320k) if I am busy whilst the programme is on.

I hardly ever need to touch the Marantz or it's remote control unless switching to FM.

You could do the same with just a DAC and an Airport Express and an iPod Touch. (And still be able to do all that NAS stuff when you are ready.)

There is a bit of a learning curve but it's all pretty easy and intuitive unless you really want to make it otherwise.

Okay, some bits and bobs like their software/downloads, but that is commonplace with even a simple TV or Blu-ray player nowadays. (And we are all used to doing updates on our PCs and Macs.)

I'll probably be fine once I've clapped eyes on a set-up and absorb the basic concept. Remember, I've not really spent any time with this configuration, so more of the fear of the unknown.