Help with a new system please

thumbitin

thumbitin

thumbitin

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Joined
12 Apr 2011
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Hello everyone,

Myself and my partner have moved into a new house and I have my own room to work from. I play some computer games but not as much anymore and I mainly listen to music as my entertainment.

So the question(s) is this...

I have a desktop pc that I play my music through at the moment, looking to upgrade to some decent speakers and sub as a lot of my music is dub. Would like a dedicated CD player as well, as I have heard it is worth having, instead of putting it through the PC CD drive?

There's about £500 in the pot to spend. Should I be looking at:

Amplifier - 5.1 Surround Speakers - CD Player

Amplifier- Sub - Bookshelf speakers - CD Player

or....should I just get a decent 5.1 PC based surround such as a Motiv 5 Digital? Can I hook up a dedicated CD player with this?

A couple more points: I already have a pair of B&W DM601's

Could a really good PC CD drive replace a dedicated CD player? I could also get a decent soundcard if this would make a difference? Or maybe an external DAC?

Anyway, thanks for your help!

The room is approx. 3.50m x 3.00m

Don't mind it being a second hand system either.
 
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Thanks for the help! Reading around it would seem that sticking with a stereo is best.

Sorry for what is probably a stupid question but I would have the following items in this order...

Computer (Source) - DAC - Amplifier - Speakers

Could I get away without the DAC if I purchased a decent soundcard? Or would it be best to have both? Or just DAC and onboard sound card?
 
Ok, so I won't need a CD deck?

That's good news as it would just be something else to get in the way.

What amplifier and DAC would you recommend?

I had a look at the Marantz PM7200 amplifier and also the Teac Reference UDH01. Both around £200, so that would leave £100 for a sub.

Would a 5.1 system be a bad idea at a later date to upgrade? Like the.... Q ACOUSTICS2000i 5.1 speakers?
 
What sub would you say is good for that sort of money? I heard KEF are good? I really know nothing about subs. I'll have a look but if you could spoon feed me some names that would be good!:p

So matching partners for the DM601s, would that mean another pair of the same? Sorry.

They are really good speakers even if they are getting on now, seem reasonably priced looking around too.
 
Lucid, I've heard KEF are good, which model is that? Would like to run four speakers if possible which looks like is possible with that sub?

whoops, KEF PSW 2000.
 
Thanks for diagram, apologies if I didn't study it properly.

I'm also writing an essay at the moment so my mind isn't totally on the subject of a new hi-fi system.

Would it make you feel better if I got a picture of the DM601s for you?

Ok so just the one set of speakers then would be enough.

I appreciate your help on this. Probably enough to be going on with for the moment, wouldn't want to confuse myself further.
 
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