starting and try to make fewer mistakes

[AaguiarS]

As the title says, I'm a beginner in the world of hi-fi and, even after doing a lot of research, I still have a lot of doubts. I would like to spend up to 1,400 euros on a receiver, amplifier, CD player and pre-amplifier. I would like a layout preferably with the same manufacturer, but I know it would be very difficult due to the value of my investment and Cambridge and Nad provide an affordable preamp. Denon provides a receiver, the DRA H800/900, which has bass/treble potentiometers, something I can't do without. So I would choose this along with a CD player and a preamp. Would that sound like hi-fi?

1- Cambridge
amplifier axa25, cd player axc25, receiver axr85, preamp Audio Alva Solo

2-yamaha
amplifier as-301, receiver r-s202, cd player s303, preamp I don't know

3-Rotel
amplifier a10, cd player cd11, receiver rt11, preamp I don't know

4-Denon
amplifier pma600, cd player dcd600, receiver dra h900, preamp I don't know

5-Marantz
amplifier PM6007, CD player CD6007, receiver NR1510, preamp I don't know

6-Nad
CD player C 538BEE, amplifier NAD C 316BEE, tuner NAD C 427, preamp NAD PP2e, DAC NAD DAC 2

 

[ZolaIII]

Hunt for Yamahas A-S/R-S 700 second hand if you wish, A-S501 will do as new or perhaps if you run onto R-N803. Try to find CD player on discount. For instance where I am I see Denon DCD-600NE for 300€ and DCD-900NE for 350.

 

[RayDunzl]

I'm a beginner...

Receivers are preamp and amplifier (and more) in one box.

Why separate amplifiers and preamplifiers in your list?

 

[DavidEdwinAston]

As the title says, I'm a beginner in the world of hi-fi and, even after doing a lot of research, I still have a lot of doubts. I would like to spend up to 1,400 euros on a receiver, amplifier, CD player and pre-amplifier. I would like a layout preferably with the same manufacturer, but I know it would be very difficult due to the value of my investment and Cambridge and Nad provide an affordable preamp. Denon provides a receiver, the DRA H800/900, which has bass/treble potentiometers, something I can't do without. So I would choose this along with a CD player and a preamp. Would that sound like hi-fi?

1- Cambridge
amplifier axa25, cd player axc25, receiver axr85, preamp Audio Alva Solo

2-yamaha
amplifier as-301, receiver r-s202, cd player s303, preamp I don't know

3-Rotel
amplifier a10, cd player cd11, receiver rt11, preamp I don't know

4-Denon
amplifier pma600, cd player dcd600, receiver dra h900, preamp I don't know

5-Marantz
amplifier PM6007, CD player CD6007, receiver NR1510, preamp I don't know

6-Nad
CD player C 538BEE, amplifier NAD C 316BEE, tuner NAD C 427, preamp NAD PP2e, DAC NAD DAC 2

How do you intend to listen to any of these combinations?

 

[Bland_username42069]

Streaming, CD, DAC, and AMP (it’s only 30w if that’s enough) - about £600 on sale and looks stylish (imo)

Premium Class C600 Series SA-C600 - Technics UK & Ireland

Explore the Technics Premium Class C600 Series. Discover features of Technics SA-C600, Introducing the Network CD Receiver SA-C600—your ultimate gateway to a universe of music experiences, all wrapped up in a single, sleek device. Say hello to seamless integration of your favourite music...

www.technics.com

 

[Leporello]

As the title says, I'm a beginner in the world of hi-fi and, even after doing a lot of research, I still have a lot of doubts. I would like to spend up to 1,400 euros on a receiver, amplifier, CD player and pre-amplifier. I would like a layout preferably with the same manufacturer, but I know it would be very difficult due to the value of my investment and Cambridge and Nad provide an affordable preamp. Denon provides a receiver, the DRA H800/900, which has bass/treble potentiometers, something I can't do without. So I would choose this along with a CD player and a preamp. Would that sound like hi-fi?

1- Cambridge
amplifier axa25, cd player axc25, receiver axr85, preamp Audio Alva Solo

2-yamaha
amplifier as-301, receiver r-s202, cd player s303, preamp I don't know

3-Rotel
amplifier a10, cd player cd11, receiver rt11, preamp I don't know

4-Denon
amplifier pma600, cd player dcd600, receiver dra h900, preamp I don't know

5-Marantz
amplifier PM6007, CD player CD6007, receiver NR1510, preamp I don't know

6-Nad
CD player C 538BEE, amplifier NAD C 316BEE, tuner NAD C 427, preamp NAD PP2e, DAC NAD DAC 2

My bet is that just about any of these combinations would degrade the signal very little compared to the damage your loudspeakers and room acoustics will inevitably do.

 

[DSJR]

Do you need a radio tuner? if not, an integrated amp (pre and power 'integrated' into one box should suffice. A pal of mine has a Yamaha 301 amp and loves it - it does the job and appears to have enough power for his needs (he listens to 'heavy' orchestral works but, not at 'realistic' volume levels into speakers not hugely sensitive).

The Denon 900 CD player had an excellent bill of health when tested here a while back and I'm sure the matching amp wouldn't let things down (I've never known a bad Denon stereo amp, but my experiences are rather old these days).

I'm sure Rotel is well up to this mark too, but I'm deeply suspicious of Marantz, as they used to 'doctor' the performance with sonic consequences, but maybe this is changing now? Cambridge seems to vary a bit as well these days and I have no experience of them.

I think I can say with reasonable surety that the Denon and Yamaha gear can be basically 'Fit, forget and get on with the music.' No added character or added 'flavour' to the music, so you can have fun with speakers and not bother about the preceding electronics, I think.

 

[DVDdoug]

Speakers (or headphones) are the most important thing and the thing that make the biggest difference!

With headphones, there is almost no correlation between price and sound quality. There are some excellent headphones for a couple hundred dollars and some super expensive headphones that are not so great.

Would that sound like hi-fi?

Most electronics are better than human hearing as long as you've got enough amplifier to get your speakers loud enough for you without distortion. Beware that there is a lot of nonsense in the non-scientific "audiophile" community.

I recommend just choosing a receiver that has the inputs & features you want. You'll generally get more for you money with a Receiver than with an integrated amplifier because they are mass-produced and mass-marketed into a more competitive market.

Same with the CD player. You're not going to find a "bad sounding" CD player. My Blu-Ray/DVD/CD player was under $100. But it doesn't have analog outputs (It's connected to my Audio Video Receiver with HDMI) and it doesn't have a display showing the track number.

 

[GXAlan]

1,400 euros on a receiver, amplifier, CD player and pre-amplifier

I don’t know if this is a reliable retailer or not, but here goes:

AVC-X3800H for €840

Denon AVC-X3800H - 9.2 channel AV receiver

Excellent entry into the upper class. With the Denon AVC-X3800H you will experience pure fun and many connection options. This AV amplifier offers many

www.cine-craft.de

And then €386 for a CD player that will share the remote control with the AVR

Server Busy

And then the rest for a Audyssey MultEQ-X or Dirac.

 

[Apesbrain]

I would like to spend up to 1,400 euros on a receiver, amplifier, CD player and pre-amplifier.

Unless I misunderstand, you don't need both a "receiver" and "amplifier/pre-amplifier". One or the other -- or an integrated amplifier -- will do. What will you be using for speakers and do plan to use a turntable?

Denon makes a similar unit to the Technics above:

CEOL N-10 - Mini Hi-Fi System with CD Player and HEOS® Built-in | Denon - US

Experience superb sound performance with Denon's CEOL N-10. Hi-Fi network CD receiver with HEOS music streaming, Alexa compatibility. Speakers sold separately.

www.denon.com

I'd also look at the WiiM Amp Pro if your primary source will be internet radio/online music streaming.

 

[AaguiarS]

Thanks for the tip, but I prefer something new because of the warranty, as we never know how much care the previous owner took.

Hunt for Yamahas A-S/R-S 700 second hand if you wish, A-S501 will do as new or perhaps if you run onto R-N803. Try to find CD player on discount. For instance where I am I see Denon DCD-600NE for 300€ and DCD-900NE for 350.

 

[AaguiarS]

Receivers are preamp and amplifier (and more) in one box.

Why separate amplifiers and preamplifiers in your list?

When I read that separate devices have better performance, I thought that if the modules were separate, there would be better performance in terms of audio quality. So, if I assemble a layout like the example of the Denon DRA H900 receiver + DCD900 CD player + DAC, would the preamplifier not be necessary? Since the preamplifier of this receiver would be enough for good audio quality.

 

[AaguiarS]

How do you intend to listen to any of these combinations?

Well, if I understand your question, as I've never had this type of hi-fi before, even an entry-level one, I'd like to set up a layout that would provide me with something as clean as possible, without noise.

 

[RayDunzl]

Start with CD player, receiver, and passive speakers.

Later you'll learn more and can change things if needed.

 

[ZolaIII]

Thanks for the tip, but I prefer something new because of the warranty, as we never know how much care the previous owner took.

Welcome to ASR and have a nice time here! What country are you from so we could try to find direct deals there?

 

[Marc v E]

When I read that separate devices have better performance, I thought that if the modules were separate, there would be better performance in terms of audio quality. So, if I assemble a layout like the example of the Denon DRA H900 receiver + DCD900 CD player + DAC, would the preamplifier not be necessary? Since the preamplifier of this receiver would be enough for good audio quality.

Imo good audio quality consists of good measuring speakers with preferably room compensation. That's it.

That's why I liked the idea of buying a denon 3800 avr.

Concerning speakers I found the Elac dbr 62 to be really impressive.

Seperating devices imo and ime is more a hifi thing that measures better, but not something you'll actually notice in real life. Speakers and rooms distort way more than than cd players, pre or power amps do.

 

[Timcognito]

"Although lacking analog inputs, Chromecast Built-in, Apple AirPlay, and a headphone output, the SHD Power includes features not normally found in a budget integrated amplifier-DAC: Roon Ready network streaming capability, parametric equalization, Dirac Live room correction, and adjustable high-pass/low-pass crossover filters. The SHD Power also runs the open-source Volumio music player, which is accessed through a web-based interface and supports Tidal, Qobuz, HighResAudio, Spotify (via a plugin), and internet radio. Considering its reasonable price, the SHD Power is remarkably fully featured."

120 w/ch, small box, and check out the excellent test specs (link at the Top)

SoundStage! Hi-Fi | SoundStageHiFi.com - miniDSP SHD Power Integrated Amplifier-DAC

www.soundstagehifi.com

 

[JeremyFife]

Hi, and welcome.
1,400 EUR is plenty for electronics for hi-fi, but you can simplify your set-up (as others have said) - you don't need so many boxes.
Quality of sound comes from your speakers - you should probably focus your budget on those first. What do you have, or what are you planning to get?
Sort out the speakers, and see what's left and it will be fine.

 

[ZolaIII]

Imo good audio quality consists of good measuring speakers with preferably room compensation. That's it.

That's why I liked the idea of buying a denon 3800 avr.

Concerning speakers I found the Elac dbr 62 to be really impressive.

Seperating devices imo and ime is more a hifi thing that measures better, but not something you'll actually notice in real life. Speakers and rooms distort way more than than cd players, pre or power amps do.

For same money I find Yamaha A-S 801 + MiniDSP Flex as hard to beet, R-N 800A (940 to 1200 €) is still too expensive. DBR62's have great cabinet and all together will probably end in history as example how much you could get for little money. Wharfedale Linton's are another example. Let's try to find out what he can get.

 

[AaguiarS]

My bet is that just about any of these combinations would degrade the signal very little compared to the damage your loudspeakers and room acoustics will inevitably do.

ok thanks