New separates system advice please

[Knick]

I am just about to replace my very old hifi separates system and have a budget of £2500-3000.

I'd be looking for amp, cd and speakers initially but would like the option of adding phono at some point in the future.

Additionally I'd be connecting sonos (already owned) to the system.

The system would be in a room approx 12ft square.

Cheers

 

[nopiano]

Welcome to the forum. With your budget, you have a vast range and numerous permutations to select from. Your homework is to get to as many dealers and listen to as much as you can! This will help you decide the type of items that appeal, both in sound presentation, and appearance/functionality.

Personally, I'd be tempted by a pair of KEF LS50 on decent stands, because of the modest space. Then I'd consider either a nice one box solution like a Naim Unitilite, or a traditional amp and cd combo from Marantz, Yamaha or Exposure.

Richer Sounds, Superfi, Sevenoaks and Audio T are amongst the more common stores, but you may be lucky and have a specialist near you.

 

[matthewpiano]

Pick a couple of dealers. Tell them your budget, the range of music you enjoy, and the size of your listening space. Ask them to put together one or two suitable systems from their range of brands. Go along and audition with a combination of music you know well, and something the dealer chooses that's new to you.

 

[rothlee]

I'd agree with the above regarding seeking out local/not-so-local dealers to get a better idea. It's a decent budget which should provide alternative routes, especially regarding the future plan to include a turntable. Get to dealers, get a feel for the sort of amps/speakers that suit your preferred music and your own ideal sound and then look at whether it's better to get an amp that will accommodate phono directly or via a specific phono amp etc. You may find it's more than possible to get the vinyl option included immediately, or you may decide to spend a bit more on the sort of sound you want, but will then be armed with information on how to then introduce phono later down the line.

 

[Al ears]

I'd agree with the above regarding seeking out local/not-so-local dealers to get a better idea. It's a decent budget which should provide alternative routes, especially regarding the future plan to include a turntable. Get to dealers, get a feel for the sort of amps/speakers that suit your preferred music and your own ideal sound and then look at whether it's better to get an amp that will accommodate phono directly or via a specific phono amp etc. You may find it's more than possible to get the vinyl option included immediately, or you may decide to spend a bit more on the sort of sound you want, but will then be armed with information on how to then introduce phono later down the line.

Cannot add much to the above posts except aim to get pretty much all of your components from the same dealer that way you can often get them to throw in the odd cable or two for free.

 

[seemorebtts]

Well you should go to a dealer but I'm going to give it ago.
Atc 11 speakers £1200
Rega elit amp £850
Cyrus cdi £1000
Speaker stands£200
£3250
Or
Dynaudio emit 20 £600
Rega elit amp £850 or primare i22 amp £1000
Cyrus cdi £1000
Speaker stands £200
Chord sherline audio cables £180
Clearer audio chopper line power leads£175
Just over £3000
This system will sound clean detailed and fast

 

[davedotco]

In my mission in life if I did not suggest the AVI ADM10 system...*biggrin*

The basic package is £1600, this gets you the speakers, amplification, dac and a 3 input, remote control pre-amp.

If, like me, you have a 'tidy mind' all you need is the Cambridge CXC cd transport connected via toslink, another Toslink to connect to your Sonos and you are good to go at about £2k all-up, including stands and cables. Plenty left in the budget for a decent subwoofer should you feel so inclined.

This is excellent value performance wise but for the more traditionally minded lacks flexibility, upgrade potential, though a record player is easily added, and 'bling'.

Otherwise all the suggestions above are viable if, to be honest, all rather predictable.

On an entirely personal level and as a totally off the wall suggestion, perhaps the new Quad VA one valve amplifier driving a pair of Martin Logan Motion 15 speakers, around £2100-2200 a set. Add the Cambridge CXC transport, cables and stands and you are still well within budget.

 

[avole]

In my mission in life if I did not suggest the AVI ADM10 system...*biggrin*

But that's because you're on a hefty commission, eh, Davedotco.

 

[thewinelake.]

Which preamp have you priced-in there?

Doh! Just realised you're talking about the 2 x digital, 1 x analogue inputs on the DM10....

 

[davedotco]

Which preamp have you priced-in there?

Doh! Just realised you're talking about the 2 x digital, 1 x analogue inputs on the DM10....

Very nice functionality, though limited for traditional users. A lot depends on the kind of system the OP wants. Plenty of people still like to have a 'normal' component based system, one that can be added too, upgraded etc, others are more embracing of the kind of system the AVI represents.

Having had plenty of traditional component systems over the years, I am kind of revelling in my current minimalist setup, where only my Adam speakers are on view, everything else is buried in the cupboard with my router and controlled from the iPad.

The Quad system mentioned is a real 'hybrid' concept, valve amplification with dac and Bluetooth built in, appealing to my 'non mainstream' attitude.

 

[Al ears]

Which preamp have you priced-in there?

Doh! Just realised you're talking about the 2 x digital, 1 x analogue inputs on the DM10....

Very nice functionality, though limited for traditional users. A lot depends on the kind of system the OP wants. Plenty of people still like to have a 'normal' component based system, one that can be added too, upgraded etc, others are more embracing of the kind of system the AVI represents.

Having had plenty of traditional component systems over the years, I am kind of revelling in my current minimalist setup, where only my Adam speakers are on view, everything else is buried in the cupboard with my router and controlled from the iPad.

The Quad system mentioned is a real 'hybrid' concept, valve amplification with dac and Bluetooth built in, appealing to my 'non mainstream' attitude.

I thought the Quad suggestion rather novel but should, in theory, should sound very good indeed. I might suggest a slightly cheaper option of replacing the Motion 15's with Quads' own S2 speakers

 

[davedotco]

Speaker preference is up to the buyer, but the motion 15s were chosen because, for a small speaker, they are pretty sensitive, not just in measured terms but on audition too.

They have a lively, dynamic and engaging quality that may well suit the baby Quad rather nicely, I have heard then driven by 15watt, EL34 triodes and they sounded terrific, still untill you try it...*unknw*

 

[tino]

Sony UHP-H1

Dynaudio Xeo 2

 

[Al ears]

Speaker preference is up to the buyer, but the motion 15s were chosen because, for a small speaker, they are pretty sensitive, not just in measured terms but on audition too.

They have a lively, dynamic and engaging quality that may well suit the baby Quad rather nicely, I have heard then driven by 15watt, EL34 triodes and they sounded terrific, still untill you try it...*unknw*

Quite agree. I'd like to get to hear them myself and their bigger brother but unfortunately have not found a stockist anywhere near me. Like the idea of easy to drive 91dB as well.