Buying Advice for a 2.0/2.1 Setup for a Newbie?

[Nolaw]

Hello everyone. I was hoping the community here could give me some advice on what to purchase...hoping to make use of some of the current sales to better outfit my listening space.

Location: USA

My Setup: Two KEF R7 Meta + TBD SUB (Might be an old Dayton Audio SUB-1500, open to suggestions for something new as well. Maybe Wiim SUB?). A Walnut Rega Planar 3 50th anniversary turntable w/ Rega Exact MM cartridege and Neo PSU Mk2 (no phono preamp and no ground wire). Google cast speakers throughout the home for whole home audio.

Music sources are usually Spotify, Vinyl, personal Plex server with typically FLAC files

Ideally I would like the system to function at a high level without breaking the bank too much. It will be used exclusively for music. I will be the primary user but some less tech savvy people may use it from time to time so simplicity can be helpful. It will be in a prominent area in the house so good looks / clean looks are a plus. Below I have listed some possible options based on my research and could use help comparing them.

P.S. If anyone has a recommendation for a quality piece of furniture to house the equipment and some vinyl records that would be awesome!

Option 1: Wiim Ultra (built in phono preAmp) @ $263 + Wiim VibeLink Amp (200 wpc @ 4 ohm) @ $239 = $503

***Is the Wiim Ultra built in phono preamp generally good enough with my MM cartridge Rega TT?***

Option 2: Wiim Ultra (built in phono preAmp) @ $263 + a different Amp

Possible other amps?:
Two Fosi V3 Mono @ $226.10
3e Audio A5 or A7 Stereo class D amplifier
Topping PA5 II Stereo Amplifier
BasX A2 Stereo Amplifier
IOM Ultra
AUDIOPHONICS AP300-S250NC Power Amplifier Ncore NC252MP

Option 3: Wiim Pro Plus @ $175 + An Amp (VibeLink, Fosi V3, etc) + Phono PreAmp? (Ex. Fosi X5 @ 93.50 / Cambridge Alva Solo @ $249 / Schiit Mani 2 @ $149) = Variable

Option 4: Wiim Amp Ultra (does not have a phono preamp) @ $529 + Phono PreAmp? (Ex. Fosi X5 @ 93.50 / Cambridge Alva Solo @ $249 / Schiit Mani 2 @ $149)

Option 5: Some other All in one streamer/amp/DAC w/ phono PreAmp that includes Google Cast (the rest of the whole house audio I have been using google cast). I haven't been able to find a device which fits this. Marantz Stereo 70s or Marantz M1 are close but no google cast.

Option 6: Something else (Fosi ZP3 + ???, fancier Amp + Wiim pro plus, etc)

 

[Chrispy]

If going with a sub, would prefer electronics have bass management. Wiim options seem decent. External phono stages are easy enough if the electronics don't have the RIAA circuit/preamp necessary

 

[kemmler3D]

Welcome to ASR! Your options so far look pretty good... I have a WiiM Pro + Schiit Mani and although I'm not a vinyl guy, it sounds very clean to my ear.

sub-wise, have a look at SVS if you have the budget, but in general @Chrispy is right, a major factor in how good it ends up sounding will be how well you can EQ / integrate the sub. WiiM units are quite handy for this, so I think you're on the right track.

Fosi amps are also good for the money, may not be a bad idea to get separates rather than put all your eggs in the WiiM amp basket here.

 

[Power Pop 23]

Welcome to ASR,

I consider the MM phono preamp of the WiiM Ultra generally good enough. I think your option '1' will give you the performance, simplicity of operation and aesthetic you seek. Consider working on integrating your Dayton Audio SUB-1500 subwoofer before ordering a replacement.

 

[Nolaw]

Welcome to ASR,

I consider the MM phono preamp of the WiiM Ultra generally good enough. I think your option '1' will give you the performance, simplicity of operation and aesthetic you seek. Consider working on integrating your Dayton Audio SUB-1500 subwoofer before ordering a replacement.

I have another use for the Sub already (home theater setup), so if you have any suggestions on a new sub that would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[vddobrev]

Option 6: Bluesound Node Icon.

Edit: scratch that, has no phono input.

 

[Power Pop 23]

I have another use for the Sub already (home theater setup), so if you have any suggestions on a new sub that would be appreciated. Thanks!

Other ASR members have more experience with subwoofers than me. There is this review from October 2023:

'I measured 10 subwoofers.'

Oct 28, 2023

Hi, it's been a while!
I would like to thank the people who made this project possible on a scale never before imagined in South Korea. I measured a total of 10 subwoofers, including my own DIY subwoofer(L26RO4Y), and measured them to the CEA-2010 standard using a Klippel TBM module. Below are photos and a list of the subwoofers I measured.

(In order from left to right)

- Arendal 1961 1V

- Arendal 1961 1S

- Neumann KH750

- Bowers & Wilkins DB4S

- SVS SB-3000

- SVS SB-2000 pro

- SVS SB-1000 pro

- Polk audio...

• Nuyes
• arendal 1961 1s arendal subwoofer bowers and wilkins sub woofer cea-2010 diy subwoofer neumann subwoofer sb1000 sb2000 sb3000 svs subwoofer
• Replies: 326
• Forum: Speaker Reviews, Measurements and Discussion

• 

 

[Fredygump]

I have another use for the Sub already (home theater setup), so if you have any suggestions on a new sub that would be appreciated. Thanks!

My preference is to build a sub. Hands down the best value for money. You can match the performance of a $3k+ sub for maybe $600 and a little work? Not sure on prices. Kits are available if you don't want to design one. I'll build the sub all day long, but that is because I'm not made out of money!

If you buy a subwoofer, I'd steer clear of the less than $1k models. I've had 2 pairs of $500-600 subwoofers that were ok-ish. I was happy at the time, but in retrospect they were hilariously cheap! Boxes are resonant, drivers are inexpensive, and they only extend down to 30hz if you're lucky...even if they claim 20hz! Ports are way too small for serious output. Rated power probably is not accurate.

Admittedly they were fine for what I was doing at the time. Sounded good enough for someone not being critical, or not knowing what a better system would sound like. I connected them to my main speakers (studio monitors) effectively turning 3 way monitors into 4 way monitors. It was fun. Part of the journey. I still have them, partly because I'm too lazy to list them for sale, and partly because I'm a little embarrassed to admit they are mine...

 

[Chrispy]

My preference is to build a sub. Hands down the best value for money. You can match the performance of a $3k+ sub for maybe $600 and a little work? Not sure on prices. Kits are available if you don't want to design one. I'll build the sub all day long, but that is because I'm not made out of money!

If you buy a subwoofer, I'd steer clear of the less than $1k models. I've had 2 pairs of $500-600 subwoofers that were ok-ish. I was happy at the time, but in retrospect they were hilariously cheap! Boxes are resonant, drivers are inexpensive, and they only extend down to 30hz if you're lucky...even if they claim 20hz! Ports are way too small for serious output. Rated power probably is not accurate.

Admittedly they were fine for what I was doing at the time. Sounded good enough for someone not being critical, or not knowing what a better system would sound like. I connected them to my main speakers (studio monitors) effectively turning 3 way monitors into 4 way monitors. It was fun. Part of the journey. I still have them, partly because I'm too lazy to list them for sale, and partly because I'm a little embarrassed to admit they are mine...

As long as labor is "free" .....same here in any case.