One-box system: Myryad? Sonos? AVI ADM9? Teac? Solo Mini with which speakers?

[admin_exported]

Hi,

First post here. I'm looking for a system that doesn't take up too much space.

I know you're all going to tell me HIFI SEPARATES ARE BEST! but we have shelving built in to some alcoves and full separates really cannot be accommodated.

As you may see above the solutions I've read about online are all different in direction, which is where I'm getting confused.

Initially I thought about Cyrus as it's small but it is too expensive.

I looked at the micro systems - Onkyo etc - that seem okay, but then I saw stuff like Sonos too with the tiny zone player that includes an amp, and the ADM speakers that have it all inside.

What might help here is that I'm indifferent on whether I use the laptop or CD as a source. I have plenty of CDs but I've also ripped a lot to the laptop and enjoy iTunes, so it doesn't matter to me.

As long as the space constraints are satisfied my priority is sound quality.

Which system will sound the best?

Is the Solo Mini a big jump up from the Onkyo (525) ?

Is the Sonos amplifier in the same league? What speakers match with it?

The ADM speakers are 325 watts - is that too loud for my needs? Is the amp inside equivalent to £300 amp and £300 speakers and £300 CD?

The Myryad and Arcam Solo music - what is the difference here? What speakers to match?

What else can I look at? Any small separates?

I listen to everything and anything, and want something that's good across the board.

I do not need home cinema.

Thank you.

 

[drummerman]

As per my comments/personal opinion on faithfull replay of recordings in the thread 'pioneer stable platter player' the AVI's will be the most accurate sounding of your selection with the necessary power to do dynamics some justice, it's not simply about constant peak volume. If that's important to you then it's the only choice.

Whether you like the sound, only you can answer that. People here use Arcam solo's and seem to be happy with them and it's probably the same for all the other all-in-ones. Completely different thing and I'm not implying one is better for you than the other. Go and listen.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes,

Surely a dealer will stock most of these brands so that you can go take a listen.

Even if Cyrus is out of the price bracket it would be worth listening to their system alongside the ones you mention to put things in context in terms of value for money.

The Myryad unit looks quite cool and as digital inputs for the laptop you mention.

What size is the room?

 

[drummerman]

 

[chebby]

Wow Drummerman I think you got the message over there with three identical postings

I don't think I dare talk up the Solo-Mini after such rampant enthusiasm.

 

[drummerman]

Yeah, got real problems posting on here since y/day. No idea whats going on

You probably get four copies of this one ...

 

[chebby]

drummerman:
Yeah, got real problems posting on here since y/day. No idea whats going on

You probably get four copies of this one ...

Sorry d'man. I thought you were doing an AVI 'blitzkrieg'

 

[drummerman]

Nein, nicht heute

 

[Anonymous]

What's the difference between Solo Music and Solo Mini?

Is the Music just twice as loud?

It will be a long-term fit and forget purchase so I'm happy to spend more if needed but not too much.

I won't be "upgrading" a lot. We will plug it in, play music, and replace it in years when it breaks. We aren't really in "the hobby".

 

[chebby]

What can I say?

I am going to suggest the Arcam Solo-Mini and Rega RS1 speakers.

A one box amp/cd/tuner solution that takes up little space, looks good and with efficient standmount speakers in a small space provides plenty enough sound level providing you don't want it to hurt.

I have just heard the Rega RS1 speakers yesterday and was mightily impressed. (Were it not for the Rega RS3's that I may be able to demo soon, I would have bought them on the spot!) They have also just got a 5 star 'Best Buy' review from the latest Hifi-Choice.

They are 90db efficiency (8 ohms) so will work very well with the Solo-Mini.

A decent set of stands (starting at around £70 for Atacama Nexus 6) and you will have a great little system.

The Rega RS1 (despite being rear ported) are not too fussy about being close to rear walls. (Rega even make a suitable set of wall brackets if you are confident the wall can take it!)

However, if you dont need the Solo-Mini's built in CD player and tuner then all you need is an amp and a DAC.

A NAD C326BEE or an Audiolab 8000S or Marantz PM6002 (or any decent sub £350 amp) will all provide plenty of power and are not huge.

The Cambridge Audio DacMagic or Beresford TC-7520 are the front runner suggestions for a suitable Dac. Both offer USB and optical and Coax and the Beresford contains a high quality headphone amp. (It is also about £50 cheaper and a little smaller and can easily be user upgraded).

 

[Anonymous]

Chebby,

Did you compare Solo Mini to Solo Music or Myryad MI?

The Sonos ZP120 amp is 55watts - is that a good sign?

I've priced up the Solo Mini with Lektor 2 (five stars) and rDock - it comes to £1150. Will that be better than the AVI ADM speakers and is the amplifier being built-in good or bad?

Or is it best to get a cheaper Denon or Onkyo and spend most on speakers?

 

[chebby]

Taylor74:Chebby,

Did you compare Solo Mini to Solo Music or Myryad MI?

The Sonos ZP120 amp is 55watts - is that a good sign?

I've priced up the Solo Mini with Lektor 2 (five stars) and rDock - it comes to £1150. Will that be better than the AVI ADM speakers and is the amplifier being built-in good or bad?

Or is it best to get a cheaper Denon or Onkyo and spend most on speakers?

The Myryad was not around when I bought my Solo-Mini.

I have not heard the AVI ADM9.1 system but a guy called Ashley will be along later to tell you all about it. I promise. With "AVI ADM9" in your thread title it will happen.

Buy the Denon/Onkyo mini-systems if you want something good for approx £300 and space/budget is VERY tight, but otherwise (and given all the options you are prepared to listen to, I gather budget is not a problem) I think you really need to decide if you need the built-in CD/Tuner etc or not.

If not, then a Beresford TC-7520 + basic power amp or integrated amp + good speakers will cover all the digital 'bases' and act as a digital pre-amp (using variable output and it's volume control) and give you a decent headphone amp too. If you want to spend £800 more, then a Benchmark DAC1 USB will do the same job only better with power amp + speakers (or active monitors like Dynaudio MC15).

I really needed all the built-in stuff in the Solo-Mini at the time because I was not even aware of DACs and streamed music back then.

It is unlikely that anyone (except WHF staffers) have sat down and compared every option or permutation of options you want to explore.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks again.

I couldn't see if you heard the Solo Music or not?

The fact that I am indifferent to sources is more flexible, isn't it? I don't care whether I use CD, ipod, or laptop - I see them both as digital files. And in regards to radio I listen to it rarely so don't mind FM, DAB or whatever. A spare input for TV is necessary though.

The M37 and CR525 were maybe more attractive late last year, to be honest. There were deals like M37 with BR1 for £299.

The recent price increases have prompted my re-think to spend about £1,000 or more - but not too much more!

Do it once, do it properly. Spend once.

 

[drummerman]

Taylor74:Thanks again.

I couldn't see if you heard the Solo Music or not?

The fact that I am indifferent to sources is more flexible, isn't it? I don't care whether I use CD, ipod, or laptop - I see them both as digital files. And in regards to radio I listen to it rarely so don't mind FM, DAB or whatever. A spare input for TV is necessary though.

The M37 and CR525 were maybe more attractive late last year, to be honest. There were deals like M37 with BR1 for £299.

The recent price increases have prompted my re-think to spend about £1,000 or more - but not too much more!

Do it once, do it properly. Spend once.

My opinion ... very questionable to compare the AVI's with the solo but you have to live with whatever you buy so, once again, you need to listen to your options yourself. To put them in the same sentence as a micro such as from denon or onkyo is just plain laughable. No offence whatsoever but there is only so much you can gain from forums. Good luck.

 

[Anonymous]

Ive stated this on here numerous times, but I recently moved abroad and sold my Cyrus CDXT, DAC-X, Bel Canto Mono Blocs and Dynaudio speakers, plus all the cabling and swapped them for the ADM9's. Im not dissapointed. My previous kit had an RRP of c. 6-7k, but the AVIs outperform it in several areas and acquit themselves very well in all others.

Give them a serious audition.

 

[Anonymous]

THFCWESTLOWER,
How can that be?

 

[Anonymous]

I dont believe Im the only one who has enjoyed the switch to an active set-up and found similar quality for much less outlay. All I can say, is have a listen. They compete with serious kit for a fraction of the price.

also I have no affiliation with AVI

 

[Anonymous]

From searching this forum I see a lot of people buying Solo Mini with B&W 685.

I can hear both of those locally and the cost is only £150 more than AVI speakers but 685 are What Hifi product of the year.

 

[Anonymous]

Solo Mini with 685s - now you're talking

. Have to say that if you're fairly open about what system you want the choice can be baffling at the moment - CD, Wireless streaming, ipod dock to start - and that's not even going down the route of whether it should double up as your home cinema option as well!!

I went for the Solo Mini with the 685s a few weeks back - if you just want something small but high quality that also looks good then you won't be disappointed. Space wise the 685s need to be on stands and at least about 1 foot away from any walls - in case that's also something you need to factor in for your room.

I would say it's still the case that having a CD player as the heart of your system is a good idea as you can always add an ipod dock/wireless streaming to this set up, but still have the ability to play straight from the CD if you want to. Many people though are happy to put the CDs away somewhere and go straight from itunes all the time - as long as you have a good dock/wireless connection and you're ripping at 320kbps or above I don't think you'd notice much difference.

I think you said you were happy to just play from itunes so is an ipod plus dock like the B&W Zeppelin or Fatman a possibility? (certainly cheaper). Going the other way the Meridian F80 is very good and stylish and also has a CD player.

If you can find a dealer who has all the stock and the patience of a saint it's worth auditioning all that's on your shortlist and seeing what you like best for your budget. Then Enjoy

 

[Anonymous]

Have you had a look (or listen rather) at Audio Pro's Stereo One or Stereo Two? I myself have only auditioned the former and it sounds excellent. Stereo Two is supposed to be even better. Both score high on reviews too.

Just a thought...