Music/home cinema setup

[One More Solo]

Hi all

I’m keen to reinvest in a better music setup after selling my basic kit about 10 years ago in order to fund a 5.1 setup. I currently have a Yamaha RXV-367 AVR, an active Mission sub and Mission speakers all round. The fronts are smallish bookshelf speakers (think they’re M71).

My current thinking is to upgrade the front stereo pair to a set geared for music first and cinema second, but due to the layout of the room I’m restricted to wall mounting them. Are there any suitable bookshelfs that perform particularly well given that restriction? Budget c£200.

My plan then is to keep the existing AVR but add a dedicated stereo amp and speaker switcher. The amp will probably depend on what pairs well with the speakers, so will leave that open for now. I’m going to pick up a Project turntable which will be my main source, along with Spotify (will pick up a DAC at some point).

Grateful for any speaker thoughts!

 

[One More Solo]

@lucid thanks, that's very helpful. My existing AVR doesn't have pre-outs and I'm reluctant to change it, hence the speaker switching idea (noting the point @hornetstinger made above).

I guess in priority purchase terms it'll be:

Turntable and amp
Sub
DAC

I guess I need to track down an amp with a suitable sub pre-out, and also factor in switching the sub when I'm looking for an amplifier to speaker switch.

 

[One More Solo]

Just realised my speakers are M30i rather than M70/71, I should have remembered really as I’ve owned both over time and the M70s are significantly bigger. Now weighing up if I can fit a floor standing set in the room without it looking crap!

 

[One More Solo]

In true OcUK style, a complete 180 from my original position but only because the advice has been really helpful. For context, there is a unit below my TV which means any speakers would have to sit in front of the doors (whether standmount or freestanding) hence my preference for wall mounting above the unit. The layout of the room though means it isn't an issue if the speakers jut out a reasonable distance from the wall because they will still be sat closer to the wall than the edge of the unit.

My current plan would therefore be:
New sources (turntable/DAC)
New stereo amp
Amplifier to speaker switch to switch fronts between AVR/stereo amp
Upgrade fronts to (probably) Monitor Audio Bronze 2s, and put them on wall brackets that put them c6" from the wall
Eventually upgrade the center to match the above
Bonus round: new sub

Pick holes in that please. Thanks for everything so far.

 

[One More Solo]

@lucid that is correct thanks. I may upgrade the AVR at a later stage but it's low on my list of priorities. We listen to a lot more music than we watch films.

What's the new budget?

I've not really thought that far ahead but hoping to pick up most things secondhand. What amps pair well with the Monitor Audios? I will do some separate searching.

 

[One More Solo]

I’m on board with the Z plug idea. Feels like a better stopgap until the eventual AVR replacement, as I didn’t appreciate how much impact a switcher could have on sound and potentially makes the other upgrades less worthwhile.

 

[One More Solo]

Unless you plan to donate a chunk of cash to @One More Solo to fund a full-on, no-holds-barred system upgrade, then this is real life where sometimes we have to compromise in some or other area to move a project forward.

I can take PayPal or bank transfer.

I reckon I can upgrade the AVR to a suitable model relatively cheaply by buying second hand, but my main aim here is to improve my music listening experience and as you say that doesn’t address that at all. It’s something I’ll sort eventually but I think I have a pretty clear plan of the way forward.

Looking at spending £150-200 on a suitable integrated amp. I’m leaning towards the Wharfedale Diamond 220s as new speakers having read a few reviews.

 

[One More Solo]

Why not source a used higher end AVR, avforums always has stuff going through the classifieds.

I’ve earmarked a couple of suitable replacements, the Marantz NR1504 being the front runner at the minute. It’s going to cost me £70 or so to upgrade the AVR at the moment which isn’t much by itself but it eats into the budget for the priority stuff. It’s definitely on the cards eventually though.

 

[One More Solo]

There are some subs that have both high-level and low-level inputs, but more than that, they have independent memories for each and the ability to accept signals from both inputs simultaneously. Have you come across this idea before?

I haven’t but understand the concept. Can you name any examples?

 

[One More Solo]

A lot of the BK Electric subs too.

What happens if you have the high and low level inputs connected simultaneously and they are both being fed at the same time? Struggling to get my head around that as surely it’s getting a signal from the AV receiver pre out and the speaker output of the amp.

 

[One More Solo]

So this escalated quickly...

I’m just looking for a better system than what I have currently, not a reference setup. It’s been an interesting read all the same, but think I understand how it all goes together now. Thanks for all the contributions. I’ve got my eye on a BK sub eventually but will just use the fronts for music for now until I can afford the upgrade.

 

[One More Solo]

Glad you feel a bit more confident now. Happy to have helped.

It's been really helpful thanks, and I've managed to pick up a few bargains on eBay that have helped stretch my budget a bit (or at least given me better kit than I'd planned on).

I've upgraded my Yamaha RXV367 to an RXV765 since it has a full set of preouts (and is a much nicer amp by all accounts), and picked up a Marantz PM6005 to power the fronts. I'm picking up a Project Primary turntable tonight and my set of Wharfedale Diamond 220s are due for collection at RS.

Eventually I'll upgrade the sub to a BK (thinking XLS200) and the center to a matching Wharfedale, but should be a big upgrade all round both for cinema and music.