Advice on upgrading my system

[k1987]

Greetings all,

My cambridge dac magic 100 has some issues with the power supply, so I was looking for a replacement. That already gave me too many options to think about. I don't have a streamer and was using my television for this purpose but a streamer with build in DAC, the WiiM pro plus seems to be quite okay. At least for my budget and expectations.

While looking I also found out that the KEF LS50 (originals not the Meta) are decently priced. I wasn't looking for speakers, but cant get them out of my mind, so thinking about buying them as well just to upgrade my system even more. But I read quite some negative reviews about the bass and in general about this speaker. The amplifier needs to have enough power etcetera.

My question as a relatively unexperienced hifi person, or simple said a noob, would this speaker upgrade my system or do I need a subwoofer as well and a different amplifier? My current speakers and amplifier are;

- Mission 752 Floor standers
- Arcam A65+ (40W at 8Ω)

Thanks for helping out,

 

[DWPress]

95% of your listening enjoyment and the biggest possible improvement you can make are the speakers. If you are looking for a serious upgrade with actual audible benefits I would establish a budget for new speakers. The Arcam should be fine for now unless you decide on some seriously inefficient speakers. A streamer is certainly a nice addition and far more convenient than the TV and one that incorporates DAC, preamp functions with volume control and has all the input/output features you need is a good idea.

Wiim seems to have the best offerings right now. I purchased a Wiim Pro for some friends and set it up a couple weeks ago and was impressed with the app capabilities and functions across multiple OS platforms + Wiim seems committed to improving their devices with actually useful firmware updates.

 

[kemmler3D]

I'd say you should hold out for the LS50 Meta or wireless... the frequency response is a lot better on the Meta.

As for the amp, Amir's review on the LS50 (non-meta) does make a good case that you're could miss out on bass if you don't have a lot of amp power on hand. You can only hit maybe 100dB max in the bass region with the Arcam.

As for the streamer / DAC, agree that the WiiM Pro or similar should be great.

If you get the LS50s and want more juice you can get cheap, decent watts from a Fosi amp or two.

And welcome to ASR!

 

[Moonbase]

I am not sure you will be happy with KEF LS50 in that system. The KEF speakers are rather hard to drive and really need a sub to shine. Maybe look at something like the Elac DBR62s

 

[k1987]

Thank you all for the tips and advice and happy to be a member of this forum. Have read Amir's review and that doesn't sound to positive. So I will have a look around if there are other speakers which are a better match. I did found a pair of monitor audio: silver 100 7G for sale as well, but never listened to those. The KEF LS50 I did but on a different amplifier and not sure if a sub was included, liked them at that time but that can also be because I had an onkyo surround set before the Arcam so my benchmark is/was not that good.

As for the WiiM Pro Plus. I have just purchased it.

And looking for new stuff isn't good for me. Want to change everything now .

 

[k1987]

I have been searching and I think I should choose either different floorstanders or bookshelf speakers with a subwoofer. The challenge is that there are many different views and that the room acoustics also matter, according to what I read. The room where the speakers are is 28 m2. The room is open to other rooms without doors. The acoustics are probably not the best, so maybe bookshelf speakers are not a good option.

Some speakers are available, but I need to drive at least 2.5 hours and only one supplier has two speakers, the others have only one which can be tested. Comparing them will be hard. I also need to upgrade my amplifier for some speakers. What do you think about below speakers? And if looking at the specs I don't see that much difference between the Q acoustics and for example the Elacs. The first even has better reviews. My budget is actually around 1000 euros, but if a 500 euro speaker is just as good (or almost) I don't see the point in spending more.

1. Q acoutics 3050i (+-550 euro)
2. Triangle Borea BR08 (+- 1100 euro, current amplifier not good enough since it can go down to 3 ohm)
3. ELAC Carina FS 274.4 (+- 1100 euro, not completely my taste in looks but if it is the best I would go for it)
4. HECO Aurora 700 (+- 900 euro, like the look but won't be able to listen and don't know the brand)
5. B&W 703 S2 (+- 1450 euro, a little bit over budget but if it really worth it would wait for a deal)
6. Dali Oberon 7 (+- 900 euro)
7. Mission 752 with SVS SB1000pro (+- 750, meaning I only add a subwoofer to my old speakers)

For some reason the Q acoustics do get the same type of reviews as the other speakers in regards to praise and what they are capable of. I do read that there is minor difference between a more expensive speaker, but is it worth the extra 600 euro?

Thanks and regards

 

[Verig]

For some reason the Q acoustics do get the same type of reviews as the other speakers in regards to praise and what they are capable of. I do read that there is minor difference between a more expensive speaker, but is it worth the extra 600 euro?

Q Acoustics get good reviews for the price point and sure enough they make nice basic speakers. Elac Carinas are in different quality bracket. I do not agree there being only minor differences.
If Elac feels a bit too hifi and smooth Triangles are great fun. New B&Ws sound a bit off to my taste.

 

[Moonbase]

I had some q acoustics in my office they sounded noticeably warm (too warm sounding for me) The While the B&Ws sounded too bright for my room when I tried them. The Kef ls50 meta’s are perfect for near field monitors but you really do need a sub with those also. Elac are a tempting buy, only heard them in a demo thu.

 

[Apesbrain]

@k1987, you might also look into a pair of used ProAc 125/130/140. Very nice sounding speakers and easy to live with. That said, it's pretty much impossible for someone else to say what speaker you will like.

Your Missions were well-reviewed in their day. Consider a demo/used Cyrus amp to pair with them.

 

[madrac]

As to speakers, if you're open to internet direct, check out Ascend Acoustics. Not sure of your budget so can't make any suggestions on which pair.

Full disclosure: I have several sets of Ascend speakers. The ELX Towers are my current (and end game) mains with the Horizon ELX as center. These all started as v1. Surrounds are Sierra 2 EXV (original mains that started as Sierra 2's). 4 HMT200 for ATMOS. I also have a pair of LX's in my office, a Luna Duo Center v2 & pair of HTM200's at my other house in Rio. For music, you could forego a sub with either the Towers or LX.

 

[k1987]

Thanks for the replies. The minor differences I mentioned is just if you fill it in on websites such as speaker comparison. The main point is upgrading my system, so will keep my original budget in mind and just focus on that price range. Like mentioned unfortunately there is no hifi shop in the area with multiple choices. So will just focus for now on the triangle, dali and elac. All three have demo setups available in shops not to far away. Unfortunately not in the same shop. So it will be still difficult to compare, but as mentioned by you it is better to at least listen to them to avoid a bad buy.

 

[k1987]

Tomorrow I will go to a shop which is quite a drive but they have some nice speakers. Because it is a long drive and I have to cross the border my plan is to listen and buy. They have multiple sets in the correct price range.

They also have some nice amplifiers for sale. Thinking about upgrading that as well. The problem is only that currently I have outputs for 2 sets of speakers and use them as well (a+b).

The only affordable options I could find for that are the Yamaha AS-701 and Cambridge Audio CXA-81. The last is well recommended by most, but I would like to at least compare it to some other such as the rega brio. Is there an easy way to still keep speaker a+b and have an amplifier with only one speaker set connection?