Spec Me an Amp/Speaker setup

[Freakish_05]

Afternoon all!

With Christmas just around the corner, the family are trying to get me to think of as many 'ideas' as possible. Now this got me to thinking, why not replace the old kenwood I have with a nice amp and some speakers but after reading the "So you want a new HIFI" sticky I'm at a loss.

My setup atm is:
Kenwood separates system with Tuner, Amp, Cd and Tape decks.
iPod dock - in via aux
PC - in via aux

I don't use the Tuner, Cd or Tape decks as all my music is on my ipod (hence the dock) and music on the radio really doesn't appeal to me. So I'm looking to get shot of it all and replace it with a nice amp (with lots of inputs ) and a set of speakers.

Inputs I'd like the amp to have:
3x optical - PC, DVD and Telewest TV Drive.
1x RXA - iPod dock
Of course the 3 opticals don't HAVE to be optical, but the more the better

Now the important bit:
Budget is £300

 

[M3G4UK]

Afternoon all!

With Christmas just around the corner, the family are trying to get me to think of as many 'ideas' as possible. Now this got me to thinking, why not replace the old kenwood I have with a nice amp and some speakers but after reading the "So you want a new HIFI" sticky I'm at a loss.

My setup atm is:
Kenwood separates system with Tuner, Amp, Cd and Tape decks.
iPod dock - in via aux
PC - in via aux

I don't use the Tuner, Cd or Tape decks as all my music is on my ipod (hence the dock) and music on the radio really doesn't appeal to me. So I'm looking to get shot of it all and replace it with a nice amp (with lots of inputs ) and a set of speakers.

Inputs I'd like the amp to have:
3x optical - PC, DVD and Telewest TV Drive.
1x RXA - iPod dock
Of course the 3 opticals don't HAVE to be optical, but the more the better

Now the important bit:
Budget is £300

I don't think standard stereo amps have Optical inputs. If you wanted those you're probably best off going for an AV amp. However, some people use DAC's to convert the optical signal into high quality RCA outputs and use those to connect to the stereo amp, with some pretty good results

For £300 I'd probably suggest the NAD C320BEE amp and a pair of Mission M32i's - totalling £290.

 

[jellybeard999]

Main problem i can see here is the iPod ... what format/bitrate etc is the music, and what did you convert it with ?

If the source isnt good, its going to show on a better setup

 

[Freakish_05]

All music from the ipod is 192kbps mp3.

Mostly done via tunebite when I got the ipod but some was done with the itunes cd-ripper.

Edit:
Been looking at various places for AV amps as suggested and a few have caught my eye. Subsituting HDMI for component though
Anywho. Just to clarify, If I had an AV amp, would I also need to purchase (or have purchased ) an amp for the speakers? ie:
AV Amp > Stereo Amp> > Speakers

Cheers.

 

[M3G4UK]

All music from the ipod is 192kbps mp3.

Mostly done via tunebite when I got the ipod but some was done with the itunes cd-ripper.

Edit:
Been looking at various places for AV amps as suggested and a few have caught my eye. Subsituting HDMI for component though
Anywho. Just to clarify, If I had an AV amp, would I also need to purchase (or have purchased ) an amp for the speakers? ie:
AV Amp > Stereo Amp> > Speakers

Cheers.

Nope. An AV Amplifier is just that; an amplifier (albeit one for 5 speakers instead of 2). The advantage of having an AV amplifier is that it will allow you to go 5.1 DD/DTS when funds allow you to add the extra speakers and subwoofer. The disadvantages, however, are that AV amps tend to be less "musical" - i.e. the sound they offer is not as detailed and refined as a dedicated stereo amp.

I honestly think, unless you're dead set on the idea of having a 5.1 setup, you'd be best off going the stereo route. You'll lose almost nothing by substituting the optical connections for high quality RCA interconnects. Most stereo systems built for sound quality don't use optical - they use RCA connections!

 

[Freakish_05]

Hokai - RCA it is

Cheers for all your help guys