Student Music System

[admin_exported]

Hi guys -

I'm brand new here and thinking of taking the plunge into Hifi.

I'm a student, money is tight - but my budget is around £500. My music collection is all in iTunes (all in high quality mp3 or flac) - and it comes out of a Line6 Toneport UX2 - an external recording interface which doubles as a sound card - I don't want to replace it, its super compact and great for quick recordings with a few mics plugged in. At the moment I'm using some Soundstick speakers - which aren't exactly hifi!

It'd be great if you guys could help me out with some cheeky questions I've got...I'm an audio geek - but on the music playing and performing side of tech - rather than the listening side.

- Would the DAC on the Toneport be good enough quality to output to an amp? It gives analog line level outs (TS connections).

- Would I just need a power amp? Considering iTunes has an EQ - would I need a pre or anything else?

- I was thinking B&W 685s and a NAD amp - but that's purely what I've got from reading around here. How does that sound? I listen to all brands of rock if that helps - from acoustic to metal.

Thanks a million in advance.

 

[Anonymous]

On that money I wouls expect you to get better value splitting the money between an integrated amp and speakers and wires/interconnects/stands. Can't seeing you be able to get a DAC on that money and make it worth your while.

If it was my £500 I'd be looking at used equipment and I'd have some ideas but if its new your after other people here will advise you.

 

[Alec]

I too would put all that on amp and speakers. The DAC you refer to may well be good enough, but i dont know the pro side very well im afraid.

 

[Anonymous]

Sound Fondler:
How does that sound?

It sounds great

 

[Anonymous]

Hey im really new to hifi too, i went for the B&W 685's and the NAD326 amp, what most people on here will tell you (From what i gather on here) is that you need to go listen to equipment before you buy it.ÿ

It seems crazy to me now but i was willing to spend 600 quid on stuff id never even tried out, and hifi is very personal eg if you want good bass, higher db etc... id reallyÿrecommendÿthe combo i've gone for as after hours of demos i thought this was what sounded best to me.... i'm also a student and had the same questions as you a week ago.

Take a demo CD of yourÿfavoriteÿsongs, i was told that acoustic guitar and piano are good instruments to listen for when judging sound quality. Also your budget of 500 quid wont get you the stuff you want, iÿoriginallyÿset a budget of 400 but the speakers alone almost blew that lol! Speakers will be 380 as ive looked around B&W sell only in shops and not online and the prices are fixed, you will be able to pick up the NAD325 BEE for 230 ish and so already youre over 600 without speaker cables, stands etc... the basic system im building has more than doubled my budget.... so go try some stuff out!

 

[Anonymous]

Loans are in Monday, maybe you could stretch a bit further and get a DAC.