please recommend me a micro hi fi

[admin_exported]

hi! could you please recommend a micro hi fi system for me secondhand or new. bear in mind that i like to listen to interenet radio, and would like to be able to connect my laptop up to it. i am looking for a detailed sound more than power and base as my nabours may start twidling their fingers. my budget... say £250 but i would be willing to spend a bit more if i see something worthwhile.

i have a pair of Gale bookshelf speakers which will work fine with most systems; but i am too conserned about speakers at this stage as i would probably update them at a later stage if i see need for improvement.

i am thinking that i could get a better deal if i go secondhand. i am presently looking at a denon D-F100 (or 101) which i could possibly get off ebay for £100-£150 (?) with or without speakers. i like the idea of seperates. i've done my research. people tend to give it the thumbs up. it got 5 star reviews in 2003. that would leave me enough to get a gadget to connect my laptop...whatever that would be ... soundcard? DAC ? how would this denon compare to a present day one like the denon DM37DAB or DF107DAB? it would be interesting to know.

perhaps you could clarify what i need to link laptop up to a hi fi for at least a reaonable sound. there seem to be a variety of gadgets and it can be confusing knowing whats what. on the otherhand there may be all in one systems that allow direct computer connection ... or cuts costs somewhere along the line with this or that function if you get what i mean.

your suggestions? thanks for you attention.

 

[Dougal1331]

Hi Jon,

Good call on the Denon- their micros are legendary and should be just about on budget. The DM-37DAB would be ideal, but a D-F100 would be equally brilliant, and probably even better. As you listen to internet radio, the lack of DAB on the older model shouldn't be an issue.

I recommend finding a secondhand pair of Mission 731s to partner a D-F100. Denon used to sell Mission speakers with their systems, but these are the slightly-bigger brothers, and they gel exceptionally well with the electronics. Put any cash left over towards a decent cable to connect your laptop. Most PC soundcards are pretty good these days- the quality of sound is usually down to the quality of the source than anything else.

 

[Anonymous]

If you listen to a lot of radio then an integrated DAB tuner in a micro seems a sensible option. I have an Onkyo CR515 which has an excellent tuner for radio when connected through an external tv aerial. The Denon DM37 is probably a better all round package, by all accounts, but with both the Denon and the Onkyo it is well worth shelling out for better speakers than originally came with these units. Either Tannoy F1s or Q Acoustics 2010 would suit. Both are certainly much better than your Gales. Assuming your computer is not a Mac with an optical out [the Onkyo has a digital input], you should invest in a good quality 2 x phono to 3.5 jack, i.e., at least to a QED J2P standard. I get really rather good clear sound through my old PC from internet radio, whereas the quality of downloaded music, even recorded at high bit rates, always seems for whatever reason to be a bit of a disappointment.

 

[bay24]

IUK would take a look at the onkyo, systems I prefer my cr515 to the denon mini systems, found the denons to be a bit bass heavy for my taste. You would probably be able to pick up the 515 for a good price on fleabay, thinking about the well known auction site there is an audio analogue enigma on there at the moment which whifi rated highly a while ago, it's over your budget but it has been on there awhile so you may be able to make a cheeky offer. Not sure if it fits what you want (it only has fm tuner) but it Is another option!