Replacing MusicalFidelity w/WiiM + Coyote?

[Jimothyreport]

Hi all, after many many years my inherited MusicalFidelity A3.5 integrated amp has left this mortal coil and I’m trying to figure out a replacement.

I’m currently running:
-Pro-ject Debut Carbon Evo
-Microrendu w/SGC linear power supply

With:
-NAD PP2e phono preamp
-Schiit Modi iii DAC

Out to a pair of Dynaudio Emit M10s.

Overall, I’d say I listen 60/40 vinyl/streaming (via Qobuz) so trying to figure out what comes next. I rent an apartment in NYC so floor-standing speakers/room treatment beyond the carpet we have are not really feasible.

I’d been eying a WiiM Ultra into a Buckeye NCx500 but would be curious to hear if folks think I’d be taking a step back on the DAC/phono pre (guessing pretty unlikely on the latter?) and/or these choices would severely limit my options if I want to upgrade things like speakers in the future.

Have generally really enjoyed the current system and wouldn’t otherwise be on the market. Cheers!

P.S.- crazy how fast one can spend many hours on this site

 

[Power Pop 23]

Hi all, after many many years my inherited MusicalFidelity A3.5 integrated amp has left this mortal coil and I’m trying to figure out a replacement.

I’m currently running:
-Pro-ject Debut Carbon Evo
-Microrendu w/SGC linear power supply

With:
-NAD PP2e phono preamp
-Schiit Modi iii DAC

Out to a pair of Dynaudio Emit M10s.

Overall, I’d say I listen 60/40 vinyl/streaming (via Qobuz) so trying to figure out what comes next. I rent an apartment in NYC so floor-standing speakers/room treatment beyond the carpet we have are not really feasible.

I’d been eying a WiiM Ultra into a Buckeye NCx500 but would be curious to hear if folks think I’d be taking a step back on the DAC/phono pre (guessing pretty unlikely on the latter?) and/or these choices would severely limit my options if I want to upgrade things like speakers in the future.

Have generally really enjoyed the current system and wouldn’t otherwise be on the market. Cheers!

P.S.- crazy how fast one can spend many hours on this site

Welcome to ASR!

Using the Line input of a WiiM Ultra, you could compare the sound of the NAD phono preamp to the one in the Ultra. I don't think I would perceive a difference.

I think your suggested combination of a WiiM Ultra as a source for a Buckeye NCx500 amp will work well. Buckeye now sells cables to connect a WiiM Ultra to their amplifiers.

 

[Jimothyreport]

Thanks for the reply!

I had typed out a whole long reply with many follow ups, but I think I just needed to hear I wasn’t crazy and see how it sounds.

My father is a retired audiophile who was encouraging me to spend much more, and maybe one step at a time.

If I end up liking this setup, the next thing to upgrade would probably be the speakers? I had been looking at some integrated amps at 2x the combined cost of the WiiM and the Coyote from Naim/Focal/Marantz type companies, so hoping this gets me there with some room to grow with less money down?

 

[Power Pop 23]

Thanks for the reply!

I had typed out a whole long reply with many follow ups, but I think I just needed to hear I wasn’t crazy and see how it sounds.

My father is a retired audiophile who was encouraging me to spend much more, and maybe one step at a time.

If I end up liking this setup, the next thing to upgrade would probably be the speakers? I had been looking at some integrated amps at 2x the combined cost of the WiiM and the Coyote from Naim/Focal/Marantz type companies, so hoping this gets me there with some room to grow with less money down?

Yes, loudspeakers 'may' be the next upgrade.

You may be satisfied with what you hear from your Dynaudio Emit 10 loudspeakers with the enabling of the 'RoomFit' room correction feature of the WiiM Ultra.

One step at a time can make sense regardless of the amount spent.