Getting Stereo Integrated and Speakers for PC, which?

LadFromWales

LadFromWales

LadFromWales

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lo all,

Been heavily researching getting myself some nice stereo audio kit to replace these useless dell satellites I've been subjected to since moving my PC into a (smaller) new area in the room to accommodate a desk.

Been speaking with Yewen, he has recommended me the Cambridge Audio Azur 640A (not the version 2, although I'll prolly go for that one).

Speakers are my main concern, as there are a lot more good sets of them than there are stereo integrated amps!

Main sets I've been looking at are:-
TDL KV1
Mordaunt Short 902
Wharfedale Diamond 9.2

As I primarily play music rather than gaming/movies, I have decided to go down the relatively high end stereo route, rather than the low-mid AV receiver..

My general tastes in music vary from happy hardcore (etc), dance and all the sub genres, also rock, the odd bit of classical. I find it hard to specify my tastes, as I'm into so many different types of music, but it is generally bias towards dance etc...

I'm looking for something that will sound good no matter what its playing, capable of pushing the mids and highs very well without the bass muffling them all out. I do like bass, comes in as a handy weapon against the neighbours when they upset me :p

I'm open to recommendations and suggestions or products outside of the above. I live miles away from a quality hifi outlet, so just popping into a store to demo a bunch of speakers is costly (i can't drive) Three hours away on the train to the closest Richer Sounds :(

Priority is getting the speakers and amp, really want to keep the spending to a max of £600, else I'll have to scrimp some more, heh.

I then need a new desk (this one is too short) and speaker stands!

Thanks all, any help appreciated :)
 
You can do considerably better for your first hifi than a CA 640A and some rubbish speakers from the hell-pit of doom that is Richer Sounds. Despite what Yewen may have told you, Cambridge Audio amps are neither high end or good compared to what exactly the same will get you brand new, let alone second hand! Of course, personal preference being what it is, you might find the CA unit to be exactly what you are after but I would stronky suggest you look elsewhere first.

You say your room is small, so are looking at standmounts - thats fine. Mission M71i / B&W DM602 S3 / Kef Q speakers should rank high on your shopping list.

Splitting the £600 budget 50/50 will give you headroom for some great amps - arcam alphas and audiolab 8000As second hand for example. These simply dwarf the likes of a Cambridge Audio amp in every way. No disrespect to those who have bought them but you do get a lot more mileage for your ££s elsewhere!
 
Look at second hand kit. For your budget you're starting to get into a totally different league of equipment from manufacturers such as Linn, Naim, Cyrus and Arcam. Things that you wouldn't be able to buy new, but will sound great.
 
I assume that with the two amps you mentioned, looks are deceiving? As it'll be very hard for me to demo kit before purchase, I'd like to buy into the best my money can get me (obviously)

Yeah the room is small. I was originally looking at Kef Q1's, as I thought they sounded nice paired with a Pioneer AX5, but I'd been lead to believe (by others as well as Yewen) that speakers from the likes of Wharfdale etc had a rounder sound, with more energy. I'd much rather take home a set of Kef's, but if theres something better for the money...

I am willing to buy second hand, but only if it results in a large leap forward in tech, as theres always the risk that it's been abused by its previous owner.

Never heard Mission or B&W speakers :(

Thanks for your comments and opinions DRZ, I will keep them in mind, and will take a look into the speakers and amps you've mentioned :)

Tom: brand names are all well and good, but I have no idea what to look for, they could have manufactured 100's of different models during their existence! Popping onto the bay makes my head explode, there is just so many different ones up there, and I've no idea whats good and what isn't. don't come across chunks of money to throw away on luxuries often, so I wanna make the right decision :D
 
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You most certainly want to make the right choice! Second hand hi-fi gear is rarely abused, and if it's broken it's really obvious.

I bought most of my hi-fi second hand, a Cyrus 3 amp (about £150-180 from the bay) and a Cyrus CD player. Basically, before you dive in, do a lot of research. Look at manufacturers that we have suggested and read reviews and look on user forums. www.avforums.com is a fantastic site with loads of experience with this sort of thing.

One thing to remember is that manufacturers have very different sounds. This can work to your favour or very much against it. Without hearing the equipment for yourself it's tough to decide, but you can get a general feel by hunting for information on the web. For example www.cyrusunofficial.co.uk has loads of info about Cyrus products, but of course the users of the forum will be biased towards Cyrus components. There are also for sale sections on the forums which often yield well looked after bargains. A Cyrus 6 (not VS) amp just went for £300 which for a £600 amp isn't bad considering it's a more modern amp.

Anyhow, look at the brands websites, look at user forums and come back to us with some kit that you might like. I should also add Rotel to my little list.

Bit rambling, sorry, but I hope there's some sense in there somewhere.
 
Thanks tom and CS for your posts. Speakers are pretty much out of the way, as I have heard Kef Q1's and thought they sounded amazing compared to anything I've ever heard in a home, I am going to get a set of Q1's or maybe the new iQ3's.

Amplifiers, you've all brought a few more names to my attention, which will add confusion to my purchase, but it's for the best isn't it :D

We have:-
Arcam Alpha's
Audiolab A8000's
Cyrus 3 and 6
Linn
Naim
Rotel

Lots to think about there! I wouldn't mind going for the newer, more modern kit, simply because it generally looks more at home with all the other modern kit! But old kit sometimes sounds better than new, does that rule apply when looking at kit in this sort of price range?

Guess I'll have a mooch around the bay and avforums then :D
 
Cyrus amps have looked pretty much the same for the best part of 20 years.Colours and styles may have altered a bit but apart from that not a lot has changed.It's the insides where the business is done afterall.

Only time i didnt like the Cyrus was when they started spraying them with Nextel Paint but i just took mine into work and resprayed it :D

Have you looked at the Mission 782 as a speaker option?Big and beefy although maybe a little boomy for a smallish room.
 
I run my KEF 103/4s with an Audiolab 8000A and did the same before with my Q30s before I upgraded, I think they work well together.

MB
 
I've noticed that all the units I've been recommended are half-width, was this intended? I have no problem with it, nor do I have problems with full width. Probably be easier to find space for half width though, although I'm getting a longer desk anyway :)

CS, not having much joy finding Mission 782's on the bay, just the woofers on their own, lol. Do Mission and Cyrus have connections with eachother?

I'd have to look into the AL 8000A some more, as first impressions it looks small and cheap, but clearly it isn't!

Doesn't look like I'll have my hands on this kit for a while, so much research to do!
 
Were the same company up until 1994.Both owned by Farad Azima.He started Mission and developed the Cyrus brand a few years later.I have plenty of contacts still with Mission/Cyrus i will see what i can find for you. :D

Google

Mission 782SE or search the bay for them they are on there
 
8000A is full width and certainly doesn't feel cheap, it weighs a ton!

img09346uf.jpg


udiolab7uk.jpg


MB
 
MatBlack, I assume you use your 8000A for stereo music, and as fronts for multi channel? Whats the AV Receiver you got there?

CS, those speakers look massive, would prolly have no room to move in here! The room is 8ft x 8ft6, wooden floor, with disgruntled parent underneath :p (in the lower floor, not underneath the floorboards :D)

Would that sort of speaker function ok in a small room? Also, as they'll be based around a computer, I'll be sitting relatively close to them.

Thanks for all help and advice so far :D
 
LadFromWales85 said:
MatBlack, I assume you use your 8000A for stereo music, and as fronts for multi channel? Whats the AV Receiver you got there?

CS, those speakers look massive, would prolly have no room to move in here! The room is 8ft x 8ft6, wooden floor, with disgruntled parent underneath :p (in the lower floor, not underneath the floorboards :D)

Would that sort of speaker function ok in a small room? Also, as they'll be based around a computer, I'll be sitting relatively close to them.

Thanks for all help and advice so far :D
Click to expand...

Your right about the set up and its a Denon 2805

MB
 
Try the Mission 780.They are a Bookshelf/Standmount speaker with amazing bass for there cabinet size.

 
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CS, what is your opinion on the Mission 780's compared to Kef Q1's? The missions can prolly be got a lot cheaper than the Kef's too.

The general idea here seems to be that Cyrus amps are the ones to be looking out for, followed by Audiolabs?

Sorry, feeling a bit lost within all this mess that is hifi gear!
 
Well the 780 were designed and tested using Cyrus Components,so as for a good match you will struggle to find anything better.The 8000A is also a impressive Amp at the pricepoint you are considering.

Build quality of the 780 is very good,you only have to google for the awards they won over many years.there is a quick review of the Kef here and also a comparison to the 780.

http://www.audioenz.co.nz/2002/0605.html
 
I run mission 783s and they're great. Fantastic coupled to my Cyrus 3. I think the Cyrus (look at the 7 too) mission combo is a good one and might offer a good bargain.

Don't get sucked into a particular brand just because they look good, they might not be good for you! There are so many options out there. What I can say though is that my 3 is a very "party" amp which is brilliant for loud rock and dance tunes. It probably loses out in detail, but I'm almost always tapping my feet. Way way better than my Denon 3802 for stereo.

Be a bit careful with mission speakers as they tend to repeat model numbers and have very similar naming trends. Saying that though they were regarded as some of the best speakers you could buy in the 80s and early 90s. They took a bit of a dip with their m series, but the 78 series are extremely well put together.
 
Theres a set of 780's on the bay now, not long left, how much they worth 2nd hand?

Foot tappingly good sounds good :D You've all given me a huge list of makes and models to think about, it'll prolly be weeks before I purchase now! :(
 
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