Total newbie looking for advice on sources and speakers

[Koeny]

Hello! I started my journey three weeks ago when looking at possibly purchasing a soundbar to replace my 25 year old Bose Acoustimas system. Then I learned soundbars are generally inferior to my system and would not improve my tv experience, so I abandoned my intention. But by that point I had learned about speaker brands and audio and I thought: "maybe I can upgrade the audio in my bedroom."

Currently I have a Majority Humboldt radio on which I listen radio daily and often stream music from my pc. This radio is completely fine and I like it but I think I am missing out on experiencing music like it should be experienced. So I am looking to upgrade to a stereo receiver with passive speakers.

My prefered choice of receiver is a brand new Yamaha R-N600A for 550 euro followed by a used Yamaha R-N303 from 2016 for 300 euro (which might be too expensive) and thinking out of the box a Majority Fitzwilliam tuner with a dedicated amplifier. I think a Yamaha A-S301 or A-S501 or a cheaper Fosi or something similar. My knowledge on dedicated amplifiers is inexistant apart for knowing that I need one in case I go for the tuner route.

For speakers I am eyeing from cheapest to expensive Wharfedale 220 (250/pair), Elac Debut 2.0 b5.2 (275/pair), Q Acoustics 3020i (300/pair), Wharfedale 12.1 (350/pair), Elac Debut 3.0 b5.2 (360/pair), Elac Uni-fi UB5 and Elac Uni-fi UB52 (both around 600 euro/pair).

I am looking for your opinion on my possible choices of equipment and maybe suggestions on alternative options.

Thank you!

 

[RoA]

Everything you've listed will do the job nicely. Have fun.

 

[Al ears]

Only buy something you can actually audition, especially the speakers.

 

[Juzzie Wuzzie]

I would have thought a c.500 Sonos Arc would be a solid improvement on what you have (depending on what the TV is feeding it).

I'd suggest considering a WiiM Amp with any of the speakers you list. FWIW - the WiiM Amp has an HDMI-in, so could be used to replace the Bose.

But as AI suggests, if you can audition equipment, all the better.

 

[Links]

Only buy something you can actually audition, especially the speakers.

I think this is the best advice on here. In an ideal world you would test speakers, and amp ( with a good source) actually in the room you are going to set it up in.

 

[Koeny]

Would a radio tuner/streamer with an SMSL A300 amp give the same audio quality as an all in one receiver like the RN-600?

 

[Integralista]

Hello! I started my journey three weeks ago when looking at possibly purchasing a soundbar to replace my 25 year old Bose Acoustimas system. Then I learned soundbars are generally inferior to my system and would not improve my tv experience, so I abandoned my intention. But by that point I had learned about speaker brands and audio and I thought: "maybe I can upgrade the audio in my bedroom."

Currently I have a Majority Humboldt radio on which I listen radio daily and often stream music from my pc. This radio is completely fine and I like it but I think I am missing out on experiencing music like it should be experienced. So I am looking to upgrade to a stereo receiver with passive speakers.

My prefered choice of receiver is a brand new Yamaha R-N600A for 550 euro followed by a used Yamaha R-N303 from 2016 for 300 euro (which might be too expensive) and thinking out of the box a Majority Fitzwilliam tuner with a dedicated amplifier. I think a Yamaha A-S301 or A-S501 or a cheaper Fosi or something similar. My knowledge on dedicated amplifiers is inexistant apart for knowing that I need one in case I go for the tuner route.

For speakers I am eyeing from cheapest to expensive Wharfedale 220 (250/pair), Elac Debut 2.0 b5.2 (275/pair), Q Acoustics 3020i (300/pair), Wharfedale 12.1 (350/pair), Elac Debut 3.0 b5.2 (360/pair), Elac Uni-fi UB5 and Elac Uni-fi UB52 (both around 600 euro/pair).

I am looking for your opinion on my possible choices of equipment and maybe suggestions on alternative options.

Thank you!

Hi, how big is your room (bedroom)? Which sources will you listen? Tuner, CD, streamer, vinyl, TV, ...?

 

[good_enough]

I have a Majority Fitzwilliam and find it satisfactory for Internet radio, which is all I use it for. Its USB input is MP3 only. I find it difficult to recommend as the heart of a system. I paid £80 for it second hand and that works fine for what I use it for but listening critically against my other sources, the sound stage is a little narrower and if I were thinking about a streaming source to match my CD or turntable I'd be looking elsewhere.

I would have thought a streaming amplifier from a reputable source such as one of those from Wiim would do the trick. What country are you in, as you are quoting euro prices? Do you have a New Year sales rush pressing you to decide?

 

[Koeny]

Hi, how big is your room (bedroom)? Which sources will you listen? Tuner, CD, streamer, vinyl, TV, ...?

I think about 6 x 4 meters or 13 x 20 feet. I use Dab, CD, Bluetooth... I am quite constrained because everything should be able to fit a bookshelf of 32 x 120 cm. So I need relatively small speakers that don't hate being close to a wall, preferably front ported I guess. And I can't really fit a receiver...

I would have thought a streaming amplifier from a reputable source such as one of those from Wiim would do the trick. What country are you in, as you are quoting euro prices? Do you have a New Year sales rush pressing you to decide?

I'm in Belgium and I never really considered the Wiim at 400 euro but I like it, my system is getting more expensive by the minute

So a Wiim Ultra connected with RCA to an SMSL A300 connected with speaker to my speakers? I added a German Magnat Edelstein and Monitor Audio Silver 50 6g to my possible list.

 

[good_enough]

I think about 6 x 4 meters or 13 x 20 feet. I use Dab, CD, Bluetooth... I am quite constrained because everything should be able to fit a bookshelf of 32 x 120 cm. So I need relatively small speakers that don't hate being close to a wall, preferably front ported I guess. And I can't really fit a receiver...

I'm in Belgium and I never really considered the Wiim at 400 euro but I like it, my system is getting more expensive by the minute

So a Wiim Ultra connected with RCA to an SMSL A300 connected with speaker to my speakers? I added a German Magnat Edelstein and Monitor Audio Silver 50 6g to my possible list.

The Wiim amp pro would save you a box, and with that SMSL plus a Wiim you are paying for bluetooth twice, so not likely to be the best 'performance per euro' choice. https://www.wiimhome.com/wiimamp/overview

Altogether though I agree with AI ears above, that you really should try to listen to things - especially speakers - before buying. Were you in the UK, I'd recommend a chain here called Richer Sounds who offer both in-store auditions and 'exchange if you don't like it' (and they stock Wiim). Is there not a similar outfit in Belgium?

 

[Koeny]

I have a disability so I am not really able to go to one of the very few similar audio shops so I have to audition my devices at home.

 

[Juzzie Wuzzie]

Slightly leftfield but:

T10 WiFi & Bluetooth Amplifier 2 Ch Stereo Amp Receiver

Experience high-quality music anywhere with Fosi Audio T10. This wireless stereo amplifier supports lossless music playback from various sources and formats.

fosiaudio.com

which would be a lot cheaper than the WiiM Amp yet utilises the WiiM App so (I assume) has the same UI.

 

[good_enough]

I have a disability so I am not really able to go to one of the very few similar audio shops so I have to audition my devices at home.

Ah shame. Good luck and Happy New Year!