starting and try to make fewer mistakes

[GXAlan]

Dirac or similarly powerful room correction makes the biggest difference in sound after speakers because we are usually not able to change our living spaces.

The AVC-X3800H is a real sweet spot in performance. The Bluesound Node Icon, which I use because I needed something that small is more expensive and has fewer features…

 

[DavidEdwinAston]

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.

I meant what sort of speakers, or headphones?

 

[ZolaIII]

"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

Old Burr Brown, TPA3255 and they are lying heavy on specs! For that money he can do a lot better! Pore Bogdan newer wanted such *** to use it's work commercially to increase their profits.

 

[JeffS7444]

Is your intent to assemble a 1970's style stack of matching hifi components? Because a "modern" system can look very different. It can be as simple as a power amplifier equipped with volume control, and a music library + internet radio delivered via an inexpensive media device, all for maybe 1/3rd of your 1400 Euro budget.

The analog preamplifier is kind of a rare beast these days, and may not be needed unless you have analog sources you wish to connect.

 

[Timcognito]

Old Burr Brown, TPA3255 and they are lying heavy on specs! For that money he can do a lot better! Pore Bogdan newer wanted such *** to use it's work commercially to increase their profits.

Did you look at the test results? plus PEQ, Dirac and hi/low bypass

SoundStageNetwork.com | SoundStage.com - miniDSP SHD Power Integrated Amplifier-DAC Measurements

www.soundstagenetwork.com

 

[DVDdoug]

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.

Like I said, MOST electronics is better than human hearing. There's no need for separates. And with separates, you don't normally include a receiver which includes everything.

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.

Correct! A "preamp" is mostly a "control center" and other than tone controls it has very little effect on the sound. It MIGHT have a few controls that your receiver doesn't.

Also, the receiver and CD player each already have a DAC so you don't need another DAC. (I don't own a stand-alone DAC. There's one built into my AVR, my computer's soundcard, my phone, etc.)

 

[AaguiarS]

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.

Thanks for the tip, because what I noticed is that in addition to these components, the speaker makes a difference.

 

[ZolaIII]

Did you look at the test results? plus PEQ, Dirac and hi/low bypass

SoundStageNetwork.com | SoundStage.com - miniDSP SHD Power Integrated Amplifier-DAC Measurements

www.soundstagenetwork.com

Now I did and amplifier part ain't better (worse in fact when you take into account load dependencies) to Yamaha A-S 501 which will outlive it at least 2x. Pair A-S 501 with Flex and you have it for at least 500$ less. Catch is to try to find even better Yamaha for cheap. I catced last year new A-S700 for 500€. To be fair they did a good job with TPA3255 but it's still far cry even from cheap same base Fosis we seen recently hire.

 

[AaguiarS]

Like I said, MOST electronics is better than human hearing. There's no need for separates. And with separates, you don't normally include a receiver which includes everything.


Correct! A "preamp" is mostly a "control center" and other than tone controls it has very little effect on the sound. It MIGHT have a few controls that your receiver doesn't.

Also, the receiver and CD player each already have a DAC so you don't need another DAC. (I don't own a stand-alone DAC. There's one built into my AVR, my computer's soundcard, my phone, etc.)

I've seen a lot of people saying that both the preamp and the DAC already integrated into the modules are not of good quality, having to complement both externally.

 

[AaguiarS]

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.

The one you recommended to me has more functionality than the Deno DRA 900h, but I would prefer this one because the tone control is with a potentiometer, thanks for the tip.

 

[AaguiarS]

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.

You are not the first to talk about speakers, but now it is another question how to identify a quality speaker, as I intend to buy a floor-standing one that does not exceed 500 euros and I was planning to do this after the devices.

 

[Bland_username42069]

I've seen a lot of people saying that both the preamp and the DAC already integrated into the modules are not of good quality, having to complement both externally.

People say a lot of things.

An all in one unit like the Denon / Technics or a CD player and a separate amplifier is all you need and it will sound really good.

This package from Denon looks good for under £600 and has tone controls

Denon PMA-600NE Amp & DCD-600NE CD Player Hi-Fi Package, Silver at AV.com

Denon PMA-600NE Amp & DCD-600NE CD Player Hi-Fi Package, Silver at AV.com

www.av.com

save the rest of your budget for speakers and music

 

[GXAlan]

The one you recommended to me has more functionality than the Deno DRA 900h, but I would prefer this one because the tone control is with a potentiometer, thanks for the tip.

…and since you are a beginner, I will strongly caution you against skipping room correction on your preamp, which can also serve as a tone control via target curves.

 

[JeremyFife]

You are not the first to talk about speakers, but now it is another question how to identify a quality speaker, as I intend to buy a floor-standing one that does not exceed 500 euros and I was planning to do this after the devices.

You are getting a *lot* of advice - mostly good but it's a lot to take in.

Read what people say and read a few reviews on this site, along with the comments. You will start to see trends in the recommendations, and equipment that gets recommended regularly.

You have around 2000 total budget - spend at least half of that on speakers!
Think about why you want floor standing speakers (not always the best option).

This is a hobby, it's fun and these days it's actually quite hard to get a bad system (but you can get a great one too). It's also your system - your choice.

Enjoy

 

[ZolaIII]

You are not the first to talk about speakers, but now it is another question how to identify a quality speaker, as I intend to buy a floor-standing one that does not exceed 500 euros and I was planning to do this after the devices.

Switch it around and invest more in the speakers. Wharfedale Linton's are about 1000€ with stands, for 500 € you won't find good floor sanders good bookshelf's with stands cost more.
Edit: biggest mistake you can make as a beginner!

 

[DVDdoug]

You are not the first to talk about speakers, but now it is another question how to identify a quality speaker, as I intend to buy a floor-standing one that does not exceed 500 euros and I was planning to do this after the devices.

if possible, visit an audio/video store and listen to a variety of speakers. You don't have to buy from that store or even anything they are selling but it will be educational just to understand what different speakers can sound like. The speakers will sound different in a different room, but IMO it's still worthwhile to compare.

You can't really trust speaker specs unless you can get independent measurements (like you can find in the reviews* here).

Floyd Toole says:

The bulk of published (speaker) specifications reveal nothing truly useful...

Ethan Winer says:

There are many audio devices I'd buy mail-order on specs alone, but a loudspeaker is not one of them!

* The review index is currently down.

 

[Marc v E]

You are not the first to talk about speakers, but now it is another question how to identify a quality speaker, as I intend to buy a floor-standing one that does not exceed 500 euros and I was planning to do this after the devices.

I don't know how to communicate this in the right way, so I'll just be honest:
there are no floorstanders for 500 euros that measure and sound good. (Some bookshelf speakers at that price do sound good, like the dbr 62 I mentioned earlier.)

That's why many of us recommend a bookshelf speaker. Another reason is that to sound good in a room, especially in the bass/low frequencies you really need room compensation. That's where an avr or flex come in. A sub can be added at a later stage or can be upgraded.

A floorstander just costs a lot more and doesn't deliver, until you get to the level of, for example, a Kef R5, which is 3600 euros a pair.

 

[GXAlan]

I intend to buy a floor-standing one that does not exceed 500 euros and I was planning to do this after the devices.

Ok. At this point, you definitely should take a step back and let the group know your all-in budget.

You have already expressed that you are a beginner. You will be making a mistake with the approach you are taking. Room correction is important, but I would take better speakers over anything else and work my way up in performance later.

What’s your all in budget? How large can your floorstanders be? Can you add a subwoofer to your floor standing speakers?

 

[AaguiarS]

Start with CD player, receiver, and passive speakers.

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

That's what I realized in the conversation with other forum participants, but if the box is extremely important, how to evaluate it for my system, since I am very inclined to acquire the Denon DRA 900H and CD player CDC 900

 

[GXAlan]

If you have 2000€ to work with

€1,299

FOCAL VESTIA N2. EXDEMO On Sale

Condition: As new, on display in the Audition room in the shop. Take advantage of this exclusive OFFER and get a unique audio experience, contact us!

www.audiohum.com

You don’t need to worry about buying used for passive speakers in the way you might with electronics.

Then you have €700

€400

YAMAHA A-S301 Amplifier Class AB Pure Direct ToP-ART 2x95W 4 Ohm - Audiophonics

With the A-S301, Yamaha offers a versatile Class AB amplifier with both analog and digital inputs. The A-S301 is a versatile Class AB amplifier with both analog and digital inputs.

www.audiophonics.fr

And €300

Buy Yamaha CD-S303 here | Nubert

Discover Yamaha CD-S303 now at Nubert! High-quality workmanship ✓

www.nubert.de